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I was shocked to discover that I haven't been on my blog since May this year :-O A lot has happened between then and now. Some good and some bad, some ups but a lot more downs :-( So in true end of the year fashion, here is my round of my "annus horriblis".
January
January seen the start of my running again after I was signed off from physio with my hip problem. This was a good thing as I had to start my training for my first ever half which was in Edinburgh in April (more about that laer). The postponed Jogscotland Christmas Cracker was also held and it was also a good test as to how the hip would hold up. As it turned out, the hip was doing great.
February/March
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| Race bib and medal :-) |
March also signalled a piece of good news - I was accepted to run for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research in the Great North Run. This is one race that I have always wanted to do (more on this later).
April
April came and with it my first half marathon. What a fab day I had :-) I didnt do it in a fast time but I started, ran it, crossed the finish line and raised money for MacMillan. You can read all about it here ADT Edinburgh Half. This month also seen me join Greenock Glenpark Harriers. You? Part of a running club? I hear you ask. Yes well I dont think they knew what they were letting themselves in for by letting Kimbles Tortoise join lol. Seriously though, they are a lovely bunch of people and very welcoming. The support from the ladies group when out with them is great!
May
May signalled a busy month of running and races. First up was the Ignis Womens 10k which again I was running for MacMillan. Turned out it wasnt a great run for me. I felt awful and was probably the signal that the rest of my running year wasnt going to be great. Unfortunately the mental motivation deserted me big time. The following week saw me travelling to Manchester for the Bupa 10k. This was a better run and I really enjoyed it. So much so, I am signed up again for next year :-) This month also seen me taking to the water - the pool to be precise. I started back at swimming, took advanced lessons and have been enjoying being back in the water. I sometimes wonder is I am a better swimmer than I am a runner :-)
June/July/August
June seen me pick up a minor niggle which was enough to push me to the bench on running and concentrate on X-Training. I did run the Jogscotland Summer Challenge and picked a pretty decent time. Still not great though. July and August seen me ramp up my training when the niggle disappeared, for the Great Scottish 10k and the Great North Run which were coming up in September. August the training ramped up further but unfortunately the niggles were coming back and becoming a bit more serious. My right calf and my achilles were beginning to really bother me and it was affecting my running.
September
Beginning of September seen me run the Great Scottish 10k. I really dont know why I run this as I seriously dont like the course. My right calf gave out at 9k and the last 1k was spent gritting my teeth and pushing through to the finish. This was becoming a serious worry with the GNR approaching. I rested up as much as I could before GNR. We travelled down on the morning of the race and I was flippin shattered which didnt help matters. Ankle and calf were strapped up as well. Both my friend and I were running this. The dutiful spouses headed to the finish to wait for us. The atmosphere at the start is brilliant but no-one tells you prior to this race just how challenging it can be to a novice. It was hard going. Crowd support is great, the hills are not lol. 10 miles in, my calf started to hurt and had to stretch a few times. I cant tell you the feeling of elation when I got to 12 miles, seen the Red Arrows overhead and knew I didnt have long to go. I still managed a sprint finish at the end and the relief was immense. I paid for it however with damaged tendons in my foot and spent the rest of the day limping round Newcastle :-( I said at the time I wouldnt do it again but I have since changed my mind. I wont let the course beat me down, so will apply again this year!October
Still carrying an injury from the GNR, I had the Bupa Great Edinburgh 10k to run. I really shouldnt have done it but....It was a great race, atmosphere was fab and one to do again but not next year as I will be away. Problem was that after this run, I ended up being benched again from exercise. I couldnt walk after the race as my foot was pretty damaged :-) Anyway, the rest ended up being good as I had the Great South to do at the end of Oct, again for MacMillan. Another fab race, fab atmosphere and fab crowds. Not to mention the fab company at my mates :-D Definitely one to do again!
November/December
No races in November, so it was back to easy running :-) In December the Jogscotland Christmas cracker and the Paisley Jingle 5k happened. Both fun races and no need to go full out - which is just as well lol At the beginning at the year I set a target to do 500 miles. So far I am 3 miles short with a few days to go. I am pretty chuffed at this considering the problems with injury I have had.
2012
So what will 2012 hold? Rock n Roll half in Edinburgh in April, Great Manchester run, Ignis 10k, hopefully the GNR again and also the Great South. I may also get the chance to the Glasgow half. However the biggest challenge I have set myself is doing a 1 mile open water swim at Lake Windemere in June :-O
Anyway, enough drivelling from me. I think I have covered everything :-) Here's to an injury free 2012 and improvements in my running and my mental attitude
Till next time :-)
Kimbles
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