Bromley parkrun

More snow fell on Friday and into early hours of Saturday but hey we are tough! It was my friend Linda's first one and we were not to be deterred. She had psyched herself up for it and so we met in good time and in some of the worst conditions I have seen at parkrun.

Spring In Bromley!??

It was very very cold, slight biting wind and wet, snowy, mushy, cold under foot. My feet were soaked through after about 2 minutes. I ran round with Linda, encouraging her, talking to her, taking her mind of the fact she had a stitch and wanted to stop. Then I just talked drivel as we approached the last lap and it was getting tough. I could tell that any distraction was good. Then we were near the final 100 yards or so, I said go for a final sprint, she did, and we made it over the finish line in a vey respectable 35 minutes. Where she promptly burst into tears and threw her arms around me!! I was so chuffed to have been part of her important first long run, she did brilliantly and it can only get easier for her.

I love parkrun! I have done 42 now and it has played an important part in my running journey. Made new friends, made me get up on a Saturday morning, made me go faster!!

16 days to go

I have managed quite a bit of running this week, including 6 miles with PWR on Tuesday. Yeah, you know, just pop out for a quick 10k. Omg, we normally do 5 miles with group 3 but we were flying this week. And I kept up! The thing is, I have no idea where I am most of the time when we are out so I don't have much choice but to keep up otherwise I will be lost in Petts Wood, or Orpington. Not ideal on a dark tuesday evening in March.

Been out with Andy for quick 3 miles this week, his first time out since doing his leg few weeks ago. Should have heard him huffing and moaning. At least he made it though I guess. So I have been managing about 20 miles a week which is all good. But on our long run on Sunday Claire and I did struggle somewhat, bit more than at Sidcup that's for sure. We did 9 miles or so, but the weather was awful, it rained most of the time and we felt bit tired!! It was my birthday the day before so I hadn't exactly prepared like I normally do...! Wine, champagne, cake and lots of yummy food aren't quite the same as litres of water and mountains of pasta...

Still, we are remaining positive and planning our last long run this Sunday before we taper. Get me with all the lingo. We will be in north Wales next Sunday so I guess it will be a hilly 6 miles or so for me in the quarry.... Probably end up calling mountain rescue out for me.

Exciting thing today is that my race number for Paddock Wood has come through so that makes it all seem more real...

Parkrun tomorrow with my friend Linda who is doing her first ever one. Looking forward to running with her. Weather still awful but can't be deterred.

One layer

The club run with PWR was probably the first warm run of the year. A lovely evening followed  a couple of mild days and meant i could get my lovely flowery top out, and just have one layer on.  So I did a vey quick 5 miles with group 3 but then didn't get out again til Friday early morning crack of dawn 5.30am.  Managed 4 miles.  Hard! So not as good in terms of mileage as the last couple of weeks but been busy with work and parents evening etc.

Sicup 10 mile race

Before the race...

Well the week has really ended on a high with the Sidcup 10 today. Claire picked me up at 8.45 and off we went.  No supporters this time, just the 2 of us, which was fine and actually really fun.  We found it easily and checked in, got sorted and met some friends from Queen Bees.. The weather was sooooo cold but we knew we would soon get warm so kept the layers to a minimum.



...And after, still fresh as daisies..??!!

The route was er, grim?! There were roadworks on the pavements, pylons in the middle of suburban roads, petrol stations to look at and cars to dodge. But we loved it!!  It was a 3 lapper which sounded awful, but at least we knew where we were, we decided to approach it as 3 parkruns! So we went for it and got off to a flying start.  We stayed together and then after 8 miles Claire did a Mo and kicked back.  She finished 4 mins ahead of me.  I did it in 1 hr 34 mins, with no walking breaks.  I am so chuffed! Tea and cake followed, all very civilised.

Running with friends

Been a busy running week again - 5 days out of 7!!

Monday I went out for a 3 mile "recovery run" (see, I know all the jargon now too). Andy decided to accompany me, we went on a new route which was nice, I had to find somewhere off the main road - remember the evening I wanted to cry?! So we went round the back streets of Coney Hall, not as scary as its sounds. Poor Andy though, his leg went just by the shops and he had to hobble home. I didnt want to walk, I'm all heart aren't I. So I ran off and got the car, to fetch him. Poor thing, he has since seen a sports massage person so hopefully it will be sorted once and for all.

Tuesday I woke up with such stiff legs! Serves me right feeling smug on Sunday that I felt fine.... so I dont know if I would  have felt that anyway or if it was the 3 miler! Managed to get to Petts Wood though and went out with Group 2, bit slow at times but overall a nice 4.5 miles. Went with Group 2 as I felt bit tired but this week I am definitely going with 3. And also this week I am going to the Sports shop in Chislehurst to get my club vest, that I want to wear on Sunday. Its 5 minutes drive from college, tried to get out today but hey you can guess how successful that was. Lunch break? What? What's one of those then?

Wednesday out with the Norman Park gang, affectionately known as Queen Bees. Lots of sprints and lamposts and that. I tried hard, as always! It was hard work, as always! Will miss it next week as it is parents' evening at Hayes....

Thursday I had a day off. No, not off work sadly, just off running. Then Friday I felt like a run after work as I knew I was missing parkrun on Saturday (boo, hoo - working all day). So I downloaded an audio book and off I went for my first solo run for ages. Me and Jim Broadbent reading managed a lovely 5 miles, it was one of those runs that really cleared my head and made me feel great when I got in. Think the book will be good too, quite amusing, although its hard to laugh when you are running and you must look a bit odd chuckling away to yourself...But then I guess I look a bit odd anyway....

Sunday was back up to Crystal Palace with the children training for the cross country on the 9th. So we ran the course with them - about a mile and half with the warm ups and extra hills I reckon. Did I mention EXTRA hills. I hate hills. Even little ones. And then me and Claire were off, Haribos on board.

We did an extra mile round the park before we hit the road, it was busy in there, as was Kelsey Park in Beckenham - not a pleasure to run round on a Sunday afternoon!! I found it a hard run home, much harder than our 9 miler last week, I think the training (and the HILLS) before hand, did me in. I had to stop to walk about 3 times I think. Never for long. Luckily my fab running buddy kept me going, she is much faster than me, but stays with me cos I carry the Haribos! So once I got home, 8.6 miles later, I felt great! Well, once I had recovered that is....



8.6 miles, via Beckenham

The pic is taken from my Garmin stats. It just sounds so far, Crystal Palace to West Wickham! It clearly isnt but hey!!