Keep On Running...

I’m training for my first ever half marathon this October and although I don’t wish this blog to become a ‘training diary’ it’s inevitable that the odd post is dedicated to running as it’s going to feature heavily in my life. This is one such post…

I’ve been running for ‘about ten years’ now. At first it was a hellish lap around a nearby field as my then boyfriend sped off into the distance and I lagged behind cursing, puffing, panting and generally hating the whole experience. Then a stitch would occur and I’d give up.

I did stick with it though and annually would enter my local ‘Race for Life’. My training started around Easter and my running for the year would usually finish pretty much after the event. Ok, I slogged it out on the treadmill from time to time but essentially I was a fair weather runner. Still, I enjoyed the challenge of the 5k event and attempted to better my time every year.

Once I started travelling regularly for work, and gyms were not always readily available, then a running kit could be squeezed into my luggage and used just about anywhere. And believe me…I have… round the Royal Palace in Oslo with snow on the ground, the city park in Tallinn also in the snow, along the harbour in Stockholm, round the lake in Zurich. A great way to see the sights and sure beats traipsing round the back of housing estates!

I got a whole load of new running kit for Christmas. You’ll see me coming now for sure in my garish mix of neon pinks and yellows! I am experiencing teething problems with some of it though. The reflective ankle straps have already lacerated my ankles and my new arm strap for my I-pod likes to work its’ way down until I am running with I-pod at elbow height.

The best part of any run is usually in the middle of it, towards the end. The euphoria levels are high and at last! Your brain and your body are working together as one amazing, powerful machine. I know the ‘science’ behind it but won’t bog you down with the minutiae. Basically at the beginning of a run your brain is trying to tell your body to move and run and your body is basically thinking ‘WTF?’ until the signals and chemicals reach your muscles. That’s why it’s advisable to warm up before a run. I don’t have to practice what I preach: fact.

But God I mean, half marathon? What was I thinking? That’s going to be about two and a half HOURS of running?

Two and a half hours of RUNNING!

TWO and a half hours of running!

I mean, really…what have I done? The self doubt it beginning to creep in now even though I have ten months to get my act together and that means no more crafty cigarettes on a night out, cutting down the vino, sorry to say cutting back on carbs and dairy also. No, they’re not bad for you per se and they’re full of good stuff but I experimented with trying to eat more of them last year and now hardly any of my clothes fit me. Case rested.

Watch this space for more updates...