So, Sunday 4th July saw the Blackheath Race for Life. I was originally planning on doing the 10k, as part of the build-up to half-marathon and to try to improve on my Bupa 10k time, but I ended up doing the 5k with the lovely Holly, Kath and Kath’s lovely Aunty Kathy. In hindsight, I’m glad I only did the 5k as it was so damn hot at even 11.00am, I think the 10k at 2.00pm would have killed me!

The race took place on Blackheath Common - my ‘home ground’ so to speak. We had to hang around a little while for the crazy warm-up - I think it’s good that they lead people through it, but most people who genuinely want to run will do their own warm-ups, I think. Though, I’m being a killjoy because I dislike looking stupid when doing aerobics. Places gathered, myself with the runners, Holly in the joggers and Kath and Kathy in the walkers, we were all ready to rock.

Runners moved over the line fairly quickly - I was forced back a bit and crossed the line about 17 seconds after the clock started, but that’s ok. I was also timing myself anyway. The course was quite bumpy and I tried to focus on a steady pace as I wanted to run the whole way round. I often run in the evenings when it’s a tad bit cooler, so running in 27/28 degree heat was a little bit of a first for me! I think the heat got to a lot of people, but it was crazy that a lot of the ‘runners’ were walking by about 500m! They should have gone off with the joggers, or at the very least moved to the side to let the runners get by. That isn’t me being competitive - it’s also health and safety! When people stop dead in front of you, it’s very easy to bang into them and then take ages trying to get round!

The KM markers seemed a bit random. Apparently the first KM took me seven and a half minutes, but then I’d hit the second one by thirteen and a half, the third by twenty, the fourth by twenty five seventeen and then rocked home in thirty forty nine! I think the first KM was a very long one and the last two were pretty short!

I was quite pleased with my time, especially in that heat, but I did really want to go sub-30. I’m going to a Park Run soon and I’m confident I’ll do it in that. The Race for Life events are great - really feel good and it’s amazing that so many people are together trying to achieve so much - but it’s no good if you want a clear run! But, that’s the competitiveness in me coming out, I think. I reckon I lost a minute trying to weave around people, so who knows?

Holly did really well - like me, she is going to do a marathon next year, but has done no training yet. She finished in about 41 minutes, doing jogging and walking, but mostly jogging. We managed to give her a wave at 4.5km, then went to meet her at the finish before going back to give Kath and Kathy a wave as they walked by. They finished in around an hour - but they were walking. Kath looked fab in her pink themed outfit! Pictures on my Facebook - but will post them here later.

It was a great day and I’m so happy that we all did well and especially that Kath and Kathy were able to enter the day before - Kath, your mum was raising a glass to you, wherever she is

Love you, girlies x

Hurrah! Just a very quick blog. I know I said I was going to stay off my shin another week - well, I lied. Went running with my friend Helen, aiming to do 20 minutes non-stop, shin depending. This is because I’m not good at continuous running yet and also because I really felt that that I’d lost my fitness.

Anyway, we ended up running 35 minutes around Blackheath and the GB mapometer reckons that this was just over 6k. This may be a tad generous - I think it was more like 5.5, but whatever. I’m really pleased as it was the longest I’ve ever been without walking, my shin didn’t hurt and it felt really comfortable. Neither of us are particularly speedy - I have a tendency to go out faster and then burn out, but Helen can keep it going, but this felt great. I actually really, really enjoyed it and it felt comfortable. Felt like a workout, but a good one.

Going to push to 40 minutes next time - half marathon in September!

Woohoo!

Yep, have well and truely crashed out after doing absolutely nothing last weekend bar a little bit of time-warp dancing and Wii fit. Spent some more time with my friend - her lovely mum’s funeral is this Saturday.

Got my butt back to the gym yesterday. Still not doing any running as I’m my shin still really, really hurts but I felt great for a workout. Did 15 minutes cycling, 15 minutes doing a hill climb workout on the cross-trainer and then 15 minutes doing a hill walk on the treadmill. I was very good and didn’t run - but damnit, I miss running! Nonetheless, 400 calories burnt, hurrah! Going to go again after work tonight and will try to before work in the morning. I feel my fitness has depleted due to lack of running, but I did feel good after. Going to stay off my shin another week, then try a short run on a softer surface - either treadmill, or grass.

I miss running!

Day 9 probably officially puts me out of the competition. I did not do any exercise at all and I make no apology. A close friend’s mother sadly lost her battle with cancer yesterday, much faster than any of us expected. Mary Anne, you were an inspiration and I am so happy I got to know you.

I was hoping to go to the gym, but obviously I had to be with my friend. Then a migraine kicked in as well.

Day 10 saw me return to the gym and I am disgusted by how unfit I have got in this past week. Stupid shin splints. I took it gently, but eventually had to give up after 2.5k on the treadmill as they were hurting again and I want to take it easy. That said, I must say I felt a lot more cheerful than I did when I started.

Off to Norwich tomorrow, so I may try a short run before, shins depending or maybe a swim although I hate it.

Ugh. Tomorrow I am back to the gym. I have eaten so much crap and drunk too much alcohol this past week and not done enough exercise due to the shin splints and now I feel fat and hideous.

Today was my last rest day. It consisted of crunchies.

Gym tomorrow lunchtime. We’ll see how it goes.