12 days and counting...

 Hello! 

Gosh, another week has gone, I didn't do this one on Sunday because of the bank holiday. 

Mr & Mrs Coxy enjoying Bank Holiday Fun.
No running gear in sight!

We are now 12 days away from the Great North Run. Things are getting rather exciting. 

Grab a brew, let's pick up where we left off shall we?

Adventure Tuesdays!

Wild Women on the shoreline of Marles Wood, 

warm and accomplished.

 I don't usually blog about Tuesdays, but this was a fairly special one. A group of us, over summer had voiced an interest in wild swimming. Of course, this was when it was baking hot and the idea of getting in any bit of water would be much appreciated. 
We had chosen 23rd August. Last week, I did say "So, are we still on for wild swimming?" we all went a bit sheepish, but, we did not back down on our word. We congregated in our group chat and sorted out logistics and such. It was only when we were in the car, that things began to get a bit real. 

Wild swimming was happening.

I love a bit of swimming, but, I have always had this fear, if I can't see what is beneath me, which has always spoilt the reality of swimming in the sea etc. We obviously now know that this is a fear that I conquered this summer, so it was time for the river at Marles Wood to be conquered.

I did go on Amazon and buy some water shoes, and goodness they were an absolute godsend. 

Stripping off, into your swimming costume on the side of a river, at 6.00pm in August is never something I was expecting to do. I was also, expecting us to dither and put off getting in the water. 

Kind of impossible to hide our smiles, 

we were so proud we were in the water!

Within 5 minutes of taking our kit off, we were all submerged in the water, swimming around, laughing and chatting and giggling. It was amazing. There was the disbelief that I was in the water, and trying to take in all the surroundings of, yes, I am doing this is really quite amazing. I thought about nothing else other than being in the water with the best group of people. 
The thing that is amazing is that I only met these ladies this year, and yet, I feel so comfortable around them. We cheered each other on, we supported each other in the water. It was the best 20 minutes of the day. 

I have also read a lot about wild swimming and the benefits that it has on mental health, and I certainly feel like I experienced those benefits that night. Admittedly, it was fairly easy to get into the water. It was calm and, dare I say warm. 
I would like to go back to Marles Wood and try wild swimming in the cooler months. 
I must also stress, that we did research Marles Wood and it is a renowned local spot for wild swimming. As we were there, there were many other people who turned out to experience the benefits of the swim. 
Wild swimming was always something that I looked at, and wanted to try, but never thought I would find like minded people who would want to try it to. 
Another amazing opportunity ticked off my bucket list this summer.

Lions Wednesdays 🦁

Unfortunately, dear reader, this is where this blog is going to take quite the turn. Lions Wednesday this week did not happen for me. I went to the gym in the morning all bright eyed and bushy tailed from the night before. Carrying out the work out. Curtsey lunges. I did the first set on my right leg, all was fine. I wasn't weighted too heavy. I went on to do my left leg. As my leg lowered to the ground, I felt a tear / pop in my left quad. I had never felt pain like it, and, it hurt. 
I managed to finish off the session (without finishing the lunges) but, it hurt to walk. I was told to rest.

"But, running." 

Rest.

I did rest, but it was done begrudgingly. "I'll be fine, it's not too bad." 

So, no Wednesday run to report on. 

"I'll rest and I'll do Parkrun on Saturday, that will be fine." 

I did go to Parkrun on Saturday.

Parkrun 🌳

Happy faces at the finish, as always!

I turned up, a tad nervous, but, I have the Great North I need to be ready for. None of this resting, I need to keep my legs ticking over. I'll do a slow one. 

I met everyone at the pavilion and explained that it would be a slow one today, 35 minutes will do. Jess & I made our way to the back of the pack.

I did take it really slow, though, I admit I did run up the hill. Everything was fine!

We got to the railway bridge and I heard this 'roar' over my left shoulder. I looked over and there was a fellow Parkrunner who had 'roared' at Jess and I. At first, I found it confusing, but, on the back of our club shirts, our # is #hearusroar so in hindsight, not that confusing, its just the first time it had ever happened to us. He explained that letting out a big roar, or shout can help in times of anxiety (something I know all too much about) and can help with a dopamine hit. He told us to try it through the tunnel (it's a good tunnel for echoes) But Jess and I got the giggles instead. He stayed with us for a bit more of the run, and, this is the part I love about Parkrun, you can learn so much about different people, just by one comment whilst running. The gentleman in question was on a long training run, and had included Parkrun into his milage. He was training for the London Marathon, amongst other things. He was a really interesting man to talk to. 

A truly wonderful example of the Parkrun community and why, this has become part of my Saturday morning routine. 

I never regret getting out of bed on a Saturday for Parkrun. 

The 35 minute Parkrun ended up being a 33 minute Parkrun. But, I didn't really feel any niggles. I was happy with that.

However, the gym caught wind of me doing Parkrun, and I had been told to rest for a week. 🙈 

There was no Sunday long run, so I went to the gym. I tried running there, but could feel a niggle down the front of my quad, and that was only from a short distance. 
It was suggested that I speak to a physio, just to rule out any major injury, though we are fairly certain there is no major damage.

The 'diagnosis' I guess, the only thing to call it, is a strain in my quad, which needs time to heal. (1 week) so I am strictly on no running for this week, which is actually stressing me out even more. 

I want the best chance of being able to take part in the Great North Run. I do not even know what I would do if it became a no. I have worked so incredibly hard to get to where I am. Not just through the commitment of running every week, but, through the gym sessions which has helped me enormously with my fitness and, I probably am at the fittest I have ever been. 
I guess, with a muscle injury there is no scab, or indication to tell how it is healing. I think, as hard as it is for me, I just need to trust the professionals in that I will be on that start line in 12 days time, and I will make it round. 

That is my focus for this week.

 

Get this leg sorted and get on that start line.

We're in the final stages. Let's make this possible.

I must, must, must, must finally, end this blog with the greatest of thank yous.
Thank you to you all who have read this blog from day one to now. What a journey it has been. Well, with your support and belief this week I have made it past my target and my Just Giving page currently stands at £498. Incredible.

Thank you all so so much for every penny that you have donated. There is still time, to absolutely blow this total out of the water. Dare I dream for £600? You can donate here .

Next week is crunch time. I will post my race number if you so desire to follow me on the 11th September and, the all important kit. (I've laid it out. It made it all the more real.) 

Until next week... ✌