We can be heroes, just for one day.

Hello dear readers,

I apologise for the lateness in the one, but bare with me - it is half term, and suffice to say stopping has made me absolutely hit the deck! - Brace yourself, it's a long one! 

Parkrun number 40!

Yes, Saturday saw me reach the glorious 40! Which I can't quite believe myself, it seems only yesterday I was getting giddy for my 25 t-shirt. But, here we are, 10 away from the almighty 50. 
I was in much better spirits this morning, I was absolutely broken on Friday night and put myself to bed super early. Sometimes, the end of term does this to you, and, I'll be honest I was not ready for my alarm on Saturday morning. Nothing a hot cross bun and half a pint of water can't solve though!

The weather was much different to last week, but, I was grateful that it was dry. It was pacer week, unfortunately no 31 pacer, so I just had to do whatever my body wanted to on the day.

I was super early again, to the park - its getting a bit of a habit now. But I enjoy the social aspect and meeting friends before the run. I spotted my fellow lions, so nipped over to say hello. It was their leg stretching Parkrun today, as they all had the Manchester Marathon on Sunday. Which they were all, understandably a tad nervous for.

Team Lions, pre-run

For me, Saturday was a good run. Much better than the last few weeks. I just let myself enjoy the run. I wasn't thinking or worrying about anything in particular, if anything I was daydreaming and wondering what running goals my body is able to achieve. 
I've never been around people preparing for a marathon before. My only goals have only ever been to complete a 10k, but since signing up for the Great North Run, and going on training runs. Its got me thinking what is my body actually capable of? 

I guess this stems from me always being the bigger one of my friends, dare I say, the fat one. I've tried all the diets. I've cut gluten out, I've starved myself. One lovely colleage a few years ago also suggested I may have body dysmorphia. Something I've never really explored. The fact is. I've always hated my body. But, of late and reading "Eat, Drink, Run" by Bryony Gordon, I think I'm starting to appreciate my body a lot more. Look at what it can do. I've never been destined to be tiny. But, as I pinch my thighs, they're not fat  they're full of muscle. Muscle that I've built that helps me get around parkrun week on week. 

Is this going to lead me to run a marathon? I don't know. But what I'm certain of this week, is that I am ready for my challenge in September. I am so excited to run 13.1 miles. From being scared, and unsure in January I am itching for September, to be on that start line and show the world / friends / haters just what my body is capable of. 

This week's new running attire

So, I went off on a tangent there, I digress. This week also saw me wearing my snazzy new running leggings. Rainbows and Sprinkles of course, and these ones I could not refuse. I got them in memory of my first ever pup, Max, the miniature schnauzer who we lost at the start of the year. Now he is always with me in leggings form. Again, these leggings are completely out of my comfort zone. I would never dare to wear anything like this, but, here we are, in my safe zone, at Avenham Park wearing the boldest leggings you could ever imagine. I even got a lovely compliment of a fellow runner at the top of the hill who said she loved my leggings. She certainly put a spring in my step that morning. 

And, due to all this I romped home with a lovely time of 31.50. Not a personal best, but back in club 31, which I've been missing for a few weeks. I'm getting closer to the elusive club 30. And I cannot wait to achieve this. 

When I got home from Parkrun this week I got a tad giddy... I have no other races booked apart from the Great North & I've only completed 1 so far this year.. 

So, it finally happened..

I booked Chorley 10k. The one race I hate. Admittedly, last year, I ran this completely untrained. I'd originally booked for 2019? But unsurprisingly it was postponed multiple times until August '21. I had been going to the gym, but I'd fallen out of love with running. So, I'm back with a vengeance, to get my time down and to defeat the Akhurst Lodge hill of doom. 

Sunday

Sunday, 3rd April. A date I had in the calendar for weeks. Possibly months. Therme Manchester Marathon. Last week, there was a slight possibility that I would have been running this, as there was a spare spot in a relay team. However, this never came to light unfortunately for reasons beyond anyone's control, but one thing that this potential showed me. 

I am so ready for the challenge of a half. 

I have never been to such a big event before. I was so excited to be experiencing it as a spectator. Lots of friends running, & I wanted to be there to support them. The run up to this date had been like a roller coaster, will I be there in spectator form, or running form?
I ended up going to watch with a lovely friend, Ginny, who was supposed to be taking part. I'd only met Ginny a few weeks back on one of the tapering runs and we had got on like a house on fire. 
Unfortunately Ginny broke her foot 12 days before the marathon and my heart, honestly sank for her. I joked on Facebook about getting a wheelchair and coming with me to watch the team complete the marathon. 

And that's exactly what we did.

The finishing straight

We parked up near Talbot Road so that we could be on the finishing straight to see our team home. It was heaving! I was tracking our friends on the app, but we didn't know how many kilometres a marathon was. We only know it is 26.2 miles, and that sounds a lot better than 42.2k! We got a spot by the barrier and it felt so special to see so many people, and support so many strangers on the last part of their journeys. When we saw someone struggling, we would cheer, in the hope that it would allow them to dig deep to get over that line. 

I think its true, running events, the running community is the best community.

And I'm proud to be part of that community. I think I've found my place. I feel happy. I feel part of something, and I don't say that lightly. 

As I mentioned before, has this inspired me to run a marathon? I'm not sure. Did I get itchy feet? Absolutely.

What happened that night?

10k number 2 for May.

My purse was suddenly lighter & another spark was ignited within me. I toyed with the half, but, I've always said, The Great North Run will be my first half, and let's remember, this is what started all this off. And look at me now. It's only April, and I'm a different runner to what I was in January. My running journey is a marathon, not a sprint in itself and, as I look back on my times, I can't quite believe who or what I am. 

I am a runner. 

So far, I have managed to raise £353 for my Great North Run challenge, and I would like to thank each and every person who has donated so far. I know times are tight, but I really do appreciate your belief in what I can achieve for Macmillan.

Little Crochet bunnies

As well as running, I made some crochet bunnies for Easter, and through the sales of these I managed to raise £26.00. 

If you would like to donate then you will find my Just Giving page here.