Magical Memories

So what happened?

We did it - New Guinness World Record
(David J Bentley Photography)

I guess you knew this already if you are on social media.

I have tried to write this blog several times but words can not describe the 5th June but I know I will never experience a race like that again.

Pre race was not what I expected.  I thought I'd be a quivering wreck but as my friends and family turned up I was just beaming with happiness.  The only near breakdown I had was 5 minutes to the off and I still had no pram or Archie as we had left him with friends while we warmed up and were struggling to get him back through the crowds.  Stood in the sub 1:20 section, the fast whippets started to question. "Aren't you suppose to have a pram and a baby?"

Finally the main man of the show arrived.  We laughed and joked on the start line, the gun sounded, the wheels turned, the screams from our support crew could be heard and I felt privileged to be there.

Archie was a top little dude with only a temporary cry going through Derby town but I was under strict instructions from dad not to stop.  We hit 6 miles and to be honest I don't know how we got there, it was going too quickly and I wanted to soak it all in.

I was comfortable, running faster than expected and feeling like nothing could stop us.  We had huge roars of support from friends and family along the route with #TEAMJAMES banners.  It was starting to heat up until we got under the tree canopy's of Elvaston Castle.

There was some sheer looks of disbelief from supporters seeing a woman with a buggy.  Funnily they seem to be more suprised that I was pushing a baby.  I'm sure I would have been more suprised seeing someone running with an empty pram and be slightly concerned that they had lost a baby!

The final 3 miles run down the river bank with a slight incline.  I knew we had it in the bag at this point but I didn't know by how much.  If we had got a puncture I swear I would have put the buggy on my back and ran with it into the IPro Stadium.

The final bend we turned into the IPro. All I can say is WOW the atmosphere was electric, everyone was willing us on.  Seeing the sheer joy and excitement in peoples eyes was so moving.  Mum this last 400 meters is for you.  I couldn't contain the smile, nor could my amazing team.  Witnesses Kevin Doyle and Andy Lockwood and camera man Owen James, all were whooping and shouting 'Come on.'

I saw the finish line and I hear "A new world record." It hit me we'd done it, unbelievable.

It wasn't until we were interviewed did I ask the time.  1.27.34 WHHHHAAAAATTTTT!

A memory to last a life time.  Still now when I think about it I well up, I am so happy on what we have achieved but what makes me happier is how genuinely happy everyone around us were.

While this was one of the best days of my life, sadly it was the worse day of other peoples lives.  A runner collapsed towards the end of the race and unfortunately lost their life in hospital.  My sincere thoughts go out to the runners friends and family, I am so saddened by your loss.

So again thank you to everyone for your continued support we have currently raised £3340 a superb amount for Macmillan and the Rotherham Hospice.  The fundraising page will stay open for a while.

Donations for Rotherham Hospice & Macmillan

So what next?  Any ideas feel free to let me know......

Lets do this thing

The bags are packed, the buggy is pumped and raring to go and I'm watching 2 pigeons mating on our fence.  Owen's grinning like a Cheshire cat after his one liners 'It's a new cocktail sex on the fence', followed by 'I bet she's up the dove now'.

I feel a little odd, this time tomorrow it will be over but yet the outcome is a mystery.  Where has all the time gone from my first buggy run in January?

People say time is a great healer when you lose someone.  To be honest I don't want to heal. I use to fear grieving but I think it's a good thing.  To hurt means that someone really mattered to you, so I accept that my grief wont go away and nor do I want it too.  

Tomorrow is never promised, so I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone of you for being a part of this journey and I feel humbled about how fortunate I am that you are a part of my life.

Although I can not see you tomorrow mum I know you will be by my side. This is for you and for everyone who has their own story to tell about cancer.

For you and everyone who has a story to tell about cancer

Big cheers for the #TEAMJAMES crew tomorrow

Super big cheer for this little fella - Archie
1st to cross the line out of our team.

Lots of sponsorship's have come through today.
It's not too late if you want to donate!

SPONSOR HERE

This weeks training:

Who cares, lets do this thing!

A new beginning

This blog is less about the training and more about heart.

There has been a complete stirring of emotion inside this week.  Along with training for the World Record we have just packed our home for a house move.  They say one of the most stressful things in life is moving house.  So I thought I'd build up the pressure by adding into the equation a World Record attempt 1 week later!

There are many reasons for moving but one is a new beginning.  We live just down the road from the hospital where my mum deteriorated so quickly and the Rotherham Hospice where she spent her final days.  I pretty much pass them both daily as they are on my running route and it fills me with such sadness.  I want to leave these memories behind and remember life when she was happy and well.

I also received a letter from the solicitors this week to say my mums estate has been finalised.  I just wish I could give everything back and have my mum instead.

With only 1 week to go until the Ramathon all the emotion of what I've been training for and why has started to build up.  I am so moved by every kind word, the belief people have in me to achieve this and the generous donations of those close to me as well as complete strangers.

The focus of this challenge will hopefully have raised awareness of The Rotherham Hospice and Macmillan and provided some vital funds for both charities.  I hope I have given some people belief to follow their own dreams and aspirations.  I know it's inspired many mums to start running again (with or without a buggy) which is amazing.

Training for this challenge has certainly given me a positive focus on how to deal with losing a parent.

I will do one more blog before race day if I can get out of the toilets!

So one week out how am I feeling?

Anxious, uncertain, worried I'll let people down, worried I'll let myself down, embarrassed and fearful, but also....Excited, hopeful, lucky, blessed, grateful, dedicated, focused, loved, brave and determined.

So that's enough of diving deep into the heart here is my head part taking over.  There are many of you special people travelling from near and far to support me on the day.  This means the world to me so thank you sincerely.  All of the Ramathon event guide information including timings, parking, maps, entertainment etc can be found by following this link:

Ramathon Event Guide

The race capacity is 5000 including the children's race so get there early as it will get extremely busy for parking.

Additional to this Macmillan have a gazebo at the event and are happy for any of my supporters to stop by or take cover if needs be although the long range forecast is hot, hot, hot.  Also as mentioned before I have a section of The Merlin pub reserved for a post race get together, it would be great to see you all.

The Merlin

Thank you for all of your donations so far.  I have both a fundraising page:

Last week for donations here

Or you can donate by text:

I will also have live tracking, I'll post the link on Facebook on the day.  Also follow us on Twitter #TEAMJAMES

This weeks training:
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 50 min recovery spin
Wednesday: 50 min recovery run with buggy
Thursday: 15, 4 x 200's, 3 x 1k, 2 x 200's
Friday: Rest/ 15 hour house move packing/unpacking
Saturday: 50 minute recovery
Sunday: 15, 40 level 3, 15 buggy run

Never say never.

As part of my Ramathon build up I entered the White Peak half marathon as a tune up race.  Owen is a bit of an expert at predicting race times and when he told me what he thought I was capable of I thought he was mad.  He expected me to run the race between 6.20 - 6.24 minute mile pace which I had done my 50 minute tempo at and I couldn't imagine sustaining that effort for another 40 minutes.
The race is a scenic route meandering through the White Peak trail finishing down hill into Cromford. It is known as a fast course generally but Saturday brought us a lovely treat of a strong head wind for most of the run.  I started out fast but on target with my heart rate zones but after a couple of miles the wind kicked in and it was a mental and physical battle.  I felt the time slipping away but knew I was running at my limit so I just had to accept that it is what it is.

There are three sharp downhill sections which were great until it flattened back out and my legs went to jelly.  Three miles to go I just had to dig in.  I stumbled a few times when the fatigue set in and the last .75 miles on the canal bank felt like it went on for an eternity.  I crossed the line as first lady.  I hadn't even looked at my overall time for the whole of the race and it wasn't until I'd staggered about, downed some water and gathered my thoughts that I checked my watch.  The big beaming smile from Owen said it all, 1:23:00, a 1.47 minute PB.   The first thought that crossed my mind was, why didn't I run it 1 second quicker? Good is never good enough.

I finished 9th place in the race with 249 runners.  I would never have thought I was capable of ever running a time like this.  This kind of time in my mind is for those fast girls you see at races looking tiny, serious and in hot pants.  Not me, I'm just a 38 year old mum in training, trying to find the right balance of everything in life, hoping I don't neglect anyone or anything.  My first half marathon was back in 2001 in Nottingham finishing in over 2 hours and I can remember having 2 thoughts.  Firstly I will never be able to run faster than I have today and secondly I will never do another half marathon again! Never say never.

It's now Sunday and I am walking like the Tin Man.  A few easy days recovery and a hand full of quality speed work sessions then it will be judgement day.  Only two weeks to go and I feel a whole concoction of excitement and complete anxiety.

This is me and my family looking a little less anxious.  Chris from Dark Wolf Photography offered to take some professional photo's of us to support our fundraising, thank you so much. He does some fantastic portrait work check out his website - Dark Wolf Photography

Thank you also to Wendy and Ewan for coming to the rescue when they heard about the buggy run melt down and provided a phone holder to try so Archie can now listen to singers in tune rather than me trying to breathlessly entertain him on the run Running Buggies

I am overwhelmed by the generosity, kind words and just the general belief family, friends and strangers have given me throughout this whole adventure.  Thank you for being a part of the journey.

2 weeks to go any donations just give me a little click x

Summary of this weeks training:
Monday: 10, 40 level 2 10
Tuesday: Recovery 50 buggy run, Pilates
Wednesday: 15 mins, 4 x 5 mins 6 x 200, 1 x 5 mins, 15 mins
Thursday: Rest, ab's and glutes
Friday: 30 minutes 10 x strides
Saturday: White Peak Half Marathon
Sunday: Rest

The horse has bolted

After Sunday's shocker I had one aim this week which was to repeat the session and smash it along with any dip in confidence.

Monday and Tuesday were recovery days as Sunday had taken a lot out of me physically.  By Wednesday I intended to hit target half marathon pace with the buggy on the Trans Pennine trail.  It was more important for me mentally to nail this session so I could forget about Sunday.  After a 15 minute warm up, the familiar sound of the Garmin beeped it's count down as it warned me the fun was about to begin.  The horse bolted pushing its chariot rather than pulling it.  I ran 2 x 25 minutes hard with Andy who will be one of my independent witnesses on the day of the World Record attempt.  We smashed it so Sunday is a distant memory.

I'm now counting down the few hard quality sessions which I have left before the big day.  I was happy to see the back of my last 2 min, 1 min, 30 seconds eye balls out session on Saturday as the last 3 reps felt like I was Mr Jelly running in sinking sand.  It would have been easy to give up but I think if you give up in training you remember that and it then becomes easier to give up in a race.

Thank you Archie for being a super training partner this week

We went to our running clubs 'Kimberworth Striders' presentation night this week.  They are a great friendly club who promote a 'Run for All' ethos.  They have supported me in the past with various charity events and without fail they donated the proceeds from the raffle to my charities.  A big thank you for the £108 you raised, I love being a part of the Striders family.

Kimberworth Striders come and join our friendly club

With only 3 weeks left now until judgement day.  Why don't you take a little visit to my fundraising page.  Every little with go along way for MacMillan and The Rotherham Hospice.

If you want to give a little click me!

This weeks training:
Monday: 50 minute bike recovery, pilates
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: 15, 2 x 25 (5 min jog recovery) level 3, 15 buggy run
Thursday: 50 min recovery run
Friday: 30 min recovery run, pilates, glutes
Saturday: 2 min, 1 min, 30 sec x 8
Sunday: 10, 40 level 2, 10 buggy run

'I may not be there yet but I am closer than I was yesterday'

Only 4 weeks to go and I know these last 4 weeks will fly by. After a really strong week of training and exceeding my target pace for my 50 minute tempo.  I can now see the progress I have made from when I started training for the world record in January.

The main session of the week was the final run of the Ramathon route before the big day.  The aim was to hit target world record pace for the last 5 miles and to leave the session feeling positive.  I'd love to say that I achieved both or just one of these, but I didn't.  I started the run feeling slightly tired and thought it would pass.  By the time I hit the golden gates at Alvaston Castle where my pace was due to start, I felt like I was giving my all but couldn't hit the pace.  My head dropped and to be honest if I was on my own I may have backed off but Owen kept me going.

I was trying to turn my negative thoughts into positive ones.  I tried to turn the discomfort I was feeling into thinking about an anonymous person who left a generous donation this week, saying cancer is very scary - I should know, it needs to be beaten.  Whoever you are, I was thinking of you in those last 2 miles knowing that what life has thrown at you will have been far worse than what I was feeling so I needed to pick myself up and give it my all.

Seeing the IPro was a great relief and when I finally hit 13.1 miles I felt a range of emotions. Disappointed, worried, upset and uncertain for the first time.

I can not grumble at all as I have had a superb spell of consistent training, I just hope I can do it on the day. I'm left questioning what more I can do in the next 4 weeks to give me that extra chance.  If you can think of anything and it's legal please let me know! 😉

I am blessed with so many family and friends coming to support me on the day which I appreciate.  I would love to see you all after the event and have secured a section of the Merlin Pub which is a short walk from the start/finish line.  The tables will have my name on it so please hang around if you can.

Merlin Pub for after event drinks and food

'I may not be there yet but I am closer than I was yesterday'

Lindsy's fundraising page for MacMillan & The Rotherham Hospice

Summary of weeks training:

Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 15 min, 50 minute tempo, 15 min. Pilates
Wednesday: 50 minute recovery
Thursday: 10, 40 minutes level 2, 10, Pilates and strength
Friday: 4 x 6 minutes tempo, 6 x 200's
Saturday: 50 minute buggy recovery run
Sunday: 13.1 mile Ramathon buggy run last 5 at target world record pace

Chewing Chihuahua & Tiny Tears

Tiny Tears - and not just the baby!

Many people have asked how Archie behaves when I run with in.  In a proud mum voice I reply smugly that he loves it as he either sleeps or just watches the tree's go by.  Leaving me feeling confident that he will be on best behaviour on race day.

Not no more, this weeks performance put me in serious doubt.  On my buggy reps session of 8 x 6 minutes with 1 minute recovery Archie was not playing ball.  My 1 minute walk recoveries involved 1 minute of trying to pull every soothing technique out of the bag to calm him down.  It is the first time I can say that I've sprinted whist singing 'Say hello to the sun' nursery rhyme which in the past never fails.  It didn't have the same effect with the panting and gasps for oxygen in between.  My only rep where he wasn't having a melt down was interrupted by his mitten flying off out of the pram.  I thought sod it I'll pick it up on the cool down, until a walker decided to pass it to me while I was going at full pelt.  It was like the 4 by 1 Olympic relays, we did an excellent change over.

I pray he isn't like that on race day if he is and you are in the crowds can you all sing 'Say hello to the Sun' for him/and me please.

Speed session 2 of the week was not interrupted by Tiny Tears but a Chihuahua trying to crew my ankles.  After 3 attempts of the Chihuahua nipping at me whilst in full flight, I finally lost it and dropped some expletives at the dog/owner (very out of character for me).  What effect did it have? None. I endured 2 more attacks until I stopped the Garmin and barked (excuse the pun)
'Do you not have a lead?'
'Yes'
'Will you put in on then?'.
Finally the dog escaped short of me booting it into Rotherham canal (sorry dog lovers).

The organisation for the race day is starting to come together.  Every time someone say's they are coming to support us on our attempt I get a warm glow inside followed by butterflies and a rush of adrenaline.   Thank you to everyone who is planning on coming from both near and far away.  I will hopefully have a gazebo there on race day for you all to meet in should you be wanting to stay at the start/finish as well as a pub meeting point for those who want to stay a bit longer.  We will also have live tracking on the day which I will post the link to closer to the time.

Thanks again to all those who have sponsored me this week, most of you have never met me before so I feel humbled by your support.

Lindsy's fundraising page

Summary of this weeks training:
Monday: 50 minute recovery spin
Tuesday: 8 x 6 minute buggy reps
Wednesday: 50 minute recovery run, pilates & strength
Thursday: 2 min, 1, min, 30 seconds x 8
Friday: 15, 50 level 2, 15 buggy run
Saturday: 1 hour 20 off road hilly run
Sunday: 50 minutes recovery run, pilates

If you are losing faith in human nature

If you are losing faith in human nature, watch a marathon.  I have met so many people who say that they could never run a marathon!  If you stood at mile 25 of London marathon 5 or 6 hours after the race starts then think again.  Anything is possible, but the marathon isn't just a physical challenge it is a state of mind and anyone can achieve the 26.2 miles with the right state of mind.

I have had the pleasure and pain of running the London Marathon 3 times.  This year I had the pleasure of cheering on the troops and on the morning of the race I decided to do my recovery run from my friends house.  Not knowing London very well,  I thought a straight out and back would be good as I have a habit of getting lost and running twice as far.

After a mile I headed under the iconic banners reading Virgin London Marathon 1 mile.  I had stumbled across the marathon route and even better all the roads were closed off to traffic, it was a dream.  I realise now that running in London isn't the same of running in Rotherham.  It's normal to say morning or hello as you pass people back home.  Obviously not in London I got a delayed 'Errm hello' as then looked at me to see if I'd escaped some a local psychiatric department.

I am in awe of all of you out there today and the courage it took you to get to the start line. I hope I have the strength and determination I saw in your eyes on the 5th June.

So this week was a strong week of running but lacked again in strength training.  I fear the speed sessions every week.  Not because of the pain but feeling like I've let myself down if I don't hit my targets.  I had two belters of sessions which I like telling coach OJ about as I can see the joy on his face but I also kind of want to lie and tell him slower times so he doesn't keep making the sessions harder.

On Saturday I ran Bexley Parkrun.  Usually I get nervous at Parkruns. I know it's silly but I try and push myself every time.  This one was different.  I had done a speed session the day before so Owen said just do it in recovery.  Yes I can have a nice little jog around and enjoy the London scenery.
After warming up I trot over to Owen and said all smiley.  'So just a recovery then?' to which he replies 'Just sit behind first lady and overtake her at the end'.  'What if she's like a 16 minute 5k runner?'.  'You'll be second then'.  The gun goes off,  I stick to the plan but after 1k first lady started getting closer so I moved into first position and relaxed into the run, I felt strong.
Six weeks to go and I feel like the training is coming together.

Bexley Parkrun

Summary of this weeks training:
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 10, 40 level 2, 10
Wednesday: 4 x 10 minutes at level 3, Pilates
Thursday: 50 minute recovery
Friday:  4 x 5 minutes, 3 x 1k, 4 x 200's
Saturday: 50 minutes with 20 minute level 3 at Parkrun
Sunday: 50 minute recovery

Just one wish ✮

'If I could have just one wish this week and never have another it would have been to spend just an hour with my mother'.

This week marked the year of the loss of my mum.  I score pretty highly on keeping a good brave face on the outside but the pain of losing my mum comes in waves and this week I have felt like I was drowning at times.

I handle a lot of my thoughts and emotions while running but the night before her anniversary I turned to the red wine even though I knew I had a wicked session in the morning.  I thought I was entitled to a day off considering.  Thursday came and I felt rubbish in every way so it didn't make sense to not have my therapy session of 5 x 1200's (the one's which made me feel like my arms might fall off the last time I did them).

I pulled myself together and to be honest I smashed them, they hurt but I just thought I'm hurting inside anyway so what's a bit of extra physical pain.

Earlier in the week I did 8 x 5 minutes with Archie up and down the TPT. The highlights were pretending I hadn't noticed a man had joined me with his pitbull on one of my reps (that one I did run slightly faster).  Then two likely lads asked if I had a boyfriend.  Come on, I mean I'm a mum pushing a baby, sweating like pig and my cheeks were as red as a baboon ass.

The weekend was fast approaching, I'd had 2 good quality sessions but I feared that Owen may throw in another tempo run.  So how do I avoid it?  I enter a 10k race at the last minute as I thought it would be easier to do it in a crowd than on my tod.

I've not properly raced a 10k since 2012.  Owen was confident that my training predicted that I was in PB shape which would mean beating 38.46.  The aim was:
Try to control my pre race anxiety -  ✓
Try to not blow up - ✓
Try to stop negative thoughts of doubt creep into my mind - half ✓

The result was 2nd lady (first very old lady in a sea of young whipper snappers from Sheffield University) and a new PB of 38.18.

We also made a buggy running tips video for those who like to run with buggy's or for those who like a good laugh at how it's not best to explain technique while running away from the camera and to film in landscape!

Buggy Running Tips

Also last week I said it would be super to read the £1000 mark on my fundraising page.  I've had so many lovely donations this week and just this evening someone has tipped me into the £1000 mark, thank you.

Lindsy's fundraising page

“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” 

Summary of this weeks training:

Monday: 50 minute recovery run
Tuesday: 8 x 5 minutes buggy reps
Wednesday: 50 minutes recovery run
Thursday: 5 x 1200's
Friday: 50 minutes recovery run
Saturday: 30 minutes with 10 x strides, pilates
Sunday: Neurocare Headstart 10k

8 weeks to go!

This flashed up on Facebook today.  It's going to be here before I know it as the weeks are just flying and I've achieved 14 weeks of buggy running training so far.

Its been another positive week of solid training and hitting my target times set by coach OJ.

The session of the week was the hard level 3 session on Friday.  For some reason I thought this session was going to be easy, but when I found the pace I needed to run after 400 meters I was a bit concerned that physically and mentally I may not be able to keep the pace up.  Owen was trying out a Gopro at the same time as on day we need as much evidence as possible to prove I was pushing the pram the whole way around.  We were in Derby for the run and we covered some of the final miles of the Ramathon route.  Somehow I managed it and it was a great session for mental toughness.  Just to fizzle out my smugness Owen said 'Great session but you will be doing that again but 50 minutes next time then an hour', he really can be a joy to have around!

I've finally started some strength training as I'm sick of hearing myself saying I should do it and then not. Man I am a weakling I think it's the first time I've activated my triceps in over a year.  More time is needed to be spent in this area which I know should improve my running form which isn't the best.

My only buggy run this week was a 1 hour 20 run up and down a 1.5 mile stretch near Meadowhall. Some lovely comments from the locals 'Your a fit mum', followed by 'Can I get in there!' I hope he was talking about the buggy.

Someone also made a generous donation today on my page but I don't know who you are Mr Neminem, thank you but please drop me an email as I would like to thank you personally.

So I've nearly hit the £800 mark on my page lets get to £1000 be this time next week!

Lindsy's Fundraising Page

Better, Stronger, Faster - this is our target for next week!

Summary of training:
Monday: Recovery 50 minutes
Tuesday: 8 x 5 minutes, 30 minutes core and strength
Wednesday: Recovery 50 minutes
Thursday: 10, 40, 10 level 2
Friday: 40 minutes level 3, 30 mins TRX training
Saturday: Spin 40 mins level 2, 30 mins Swiss ball training
Sunday: 15, 50, 15 level 2 with the buggy, then 6 miles easy

Ramming up the miles on the Ramathon

I'm trying to look like a Ram if you were wondering!

I'm back in the game.  My fear of losing all fitness in one week of illness wasn't to be and I managed to hit some hard sessions.

The first quality session back was 6 x 5 minutes on the Rotherham canal.  Owen has started to bring in longer reps and introduce more tempo running into my programme which is more suited to running a half marathon.

I see the same man and his dog pretty much every day I run.  He always asks where the baby is which is usually when I am half way through an effort at full throttle and not during a rest section of my session.  I manage to breathlessly shout an answer each time usually just one word.  So this week he got 2 quality words out of me 'Grandad'  gasping and Thursday's session 'Dad'.  I'm sure he'd love to share a pint with me to see if I can string a sentence together.

On Thursday Owen ran pushing the pram next to me while I did 5 x 1200's.  I thought I was doing OK until rep 4 when my arms hurt just as much as my legs as I was pumping them so hard to hit my time set by husband Hitler.  There's nothing quite like feeling like your legs could go not faster and giving 100% effort and your hubby is just pushing a pram chatting as though he's out for a Sunday stroll.

The highlight of the week was our return to Derby to run the Ramathon route.  This time I had Archie with me so it would be the first time I'd ran with him on the actual course and the first time I had run half marathon distance with him.  It was perfect conditions and we got up at 6am to drive down from Rotherham so we could avoid as much traffic as possible as we intended to run on the roads.

The miles drifted by and I began to visualise the day.  So many friends and family are coming to support my attempt and I could see and hear them along the way.  Like all long runs you get times when you have a little wobble but my spirits were soon lifted when we were running through Elvaston Castle and a fellow runner shouted 'Good luck with your World Record Attempt'.  My pace and heart rate went up as the excitement filled my veins.

Golden Gates Elvaston Castle

The last stretch of the run is on the tow path of the river Derwent and my pace slowed a bit with the surface and the slight head wind.  I looked up to the sky and could hear my mum saying 'Go on Lindy Loo' .  I've always wanted to make my mum proud and before she went away she said how proud she is of Kate my sister and I, she didn't need to tell me as I could always feel it.

We turned into Ipro (well twice) as we saw the Race Director of the Ramathon who shouted 'You are going the wrong way', always good to know.

So this is us where the Ramathon finish line will be and hopefully I will be looking up to the clock which will read less than 1.30.51!!!!!

So with just 9 weeks to go take a little trip to my fundraising page and give a penny or so for two amazing charities Macmillan Cancer and The Rotherham Hospice.

Lindsy's Fundraising Page

#TEAMJAMES

Archie at the finish line

Summary of this weeks training:
Monday: 50 minute recovery Spin
Tuesday: 6 x 5 minutes and pilates
Wednesday: 50 minute recovery
Thursday: 5 x 1200
Friday: 10, 40 level 2, 10
Saturday: 50 minute recovery
Sunday: 13.1 miles level 2

Insanity sends buggy running mum to prison

Outside Forest Bank Prison

I've been blessed with 3 months of pretty positive training with everything going to plan.  However every runner fears one of two things, illness and injury.

After leaving on a high and raring to go after the Gainsborough 10k, I woke up feeling ill the next day.  That's OK I thought one easy days cycle and I'll bounce back tomorrow.

I'm not a fan of a rest day and start to break out in cold sweats at the thought of two, so I couldn't work out whether the illness was getting worse or the thought of consecutive rest days had sent me over the edge.

I'm not a fan of negativity either so by Friday when I went to watch Owen run in the Salford 10k I thought what the hell am I going to write about this week.  Other than sleeping in bed during the day with a huge winter coat on to stop me from shaking.

So I'll tell you about my trip to Forest Bank Prison 30 times in 50 minutes!

We arrive at Salford at the crack of dawn, Owen is a bit of a fan in getting to a race super early, we may have well have put the cones and mile markets out.

I thought I'd use this spare time to get in my run before the race started and had checked out that there looked like there was a nice river path close by.  Double checking I asked a local who didn't sound so local! (clue number one)  what the path was like and whether is was OK for a running buggy.  'Yes and you can go for miles'  was the reply.  Off I went to find the route and hopefully put an end to a not so positive week of running.

The first access I tried to take onto the path couldn't have fit a small shopping trolley through it.  Anyone who knows me will know that once I have an idea I'll do anything to make it happen.  So I took a detour to find another way to the water.  All I can think of is this man have never run with a buggy before or probably walked with one as the trail consisted of mud and large stones.  Yet I still tried to run on it but seeing Archie catapulting up and down and thinking of Owen asking why all 3 tyres were flat I let the inevitable happen.  I turned around to look for an alternative as there was no way I wasn't going to run.

I found a lovely alternative route which consisted of about 600 meters down a road leading to ....prison.  So I ran up and down it with the buggy about 30 times until I had run for 50 minutes.  I could only think the guys in there looking out thought 'I think she needs to exchange places with me'.

As 'd:ream' says 'Things can only get better' and they did I managed to end the week with a long run without coughing my guts up too much, so onwards and upwards for next week.

Summary of this weeks training:

Monday: Recovery bike 50 min

Tuesday: Rest

Wednesday: Rest

Thursday: Recovery run 50 min

Friday: Recovery run 50 min

Saturday: 10, 40 at level 2, 10

Sunday: Long run in recovery 1h35min

#TEAMJAMES

What a week of buggy running.  My training has shifted from doing the majority of runs without the buggy to running with the little fellow.

The speed sessions were tough this week but I had the joy of easing back towards the end of the week to do my first buggy race the Gainsborough 10k. A flat, fast PB course (but not with a buggy and baby).


The race conditions were perfect, cold but the sun came out and just 9 mph winds.  The usual funny looks mixed with smiles of affection when then saw Archie, Owen and I warming up in our new #TEAMJAMES tops which we have had done for the big day.

The race organiser for set us off 1 minute before due to health and safety reasons before starting the pack of 700 runners who would be hunting us down.

Checkout the race car hunting us down

Definitely a once in a life time experience leading the race but it didn't take long until the whippets came gliding through and became little dots in the distance.

It was so uplifting to get support from fellow runners mainly men for were impressed with what we were doing and the occasional shouts from the supporters saying 'Well done, first baby'.

The target was to hit just below the pace which I would need to run the Ramathon in around 6.50 pace.  I got a nice cheer from the crowds with 100 meters to go when I  got a bit over excited and took a 90 degree corner at 6 minute mile pace and the buggy flying around on 2 wheels.  A bit like rally car I thought I was going to take some spectators out.

Archie was a star not a peep out of him so I'm hoping he will be just as good when I run the half.

We crossed the line in 41.28 an average of 6.40 per mile with a smiling mum, dad and baby (once he saw he has milk waiting for him).  I finished 11th lady overall.

Just before my 2 wheeler

I'd like to thank Kevin Housham the race organiser for giving me the opportunity to race. To the runners and supporters who gave me a boost along the way.  To Owen for putting up with my losing it when my heart rate monitor fell off  and Archie for being a special little training partner.

Other great news this week is I finally got the official email from Guinness World Records to confirm my application is approved so lets hope no one reduces the World Record time before June 5th!.

Summary of this weeks training|:

Monday: Recovery run 50 min with buggy
Tuesday: 200, 200, 800 x 4, pilates.
Wednesday: 10 warm up 40 at level 2 10 cool down with buggy
Thursday: 15, 10, 5 at level 3, pliates
Friday: 30 minutes run with 10 x strides
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: Race Gainsborough 10k with buggy

Run, Eat, Sleep...Repeat

They say it takes 1 day's recovery per race mile to totally recover from a race.  I don't know any runner who goes by this rule as most of us are impatient and generally not sensible.  However thinking I'd bounce back into training after 1 or 2 recovery days after a 20 mile race was slightly ambitious.  I'm hoping it's not down to old age (37) and more down to the fact that I've not raced that distance in years and wore my lightweight trainers which I've also never raced that distance in.

I have to give myself some credit though as over the years I have learned to listen to my body and ditch the plan when needed.  My body was saying no most of this week and I knew that trying to push a hard speed session too soon would have lead to both injury and disappointment as I wouldn't have been able to deliver.

So one easy day went into the next and I started to feel a little down hearted that I was taking too long to recover.  Even the buggy run on Thursday was not done at a very fast pace but my heart rate was sky high.

Not wanting to dwell on the negatives, here are the positives.  By Saturday we headed out onto the TPT to see if I could run with the buggy at speed, something I've not tried yet.  We did 4 x 1 mile reps with a 2 minute recovery jog.  Every other rep was slightly uphill with the stats showing that this slight increase in gradient added about 30 seconds per mile on.  It just shows how much pushing a weight up hill while running can take it out of you.  On the plus side I was flying running down hill and managed not to steer Archie into any hedges or dog walkers which was a bonus.

Sunday I started to feel just about myself again and put in some good pace on the Rotherham canal without feeling like I was running in sinking sand.  So it's back on it tomorrow, my hubby has some evil speed session for me to do now I've stop moaning about how much I hurt but he's not revealed it yet as I think he wants a peaceful Sunday evening.


RUN

SLEEP

                               

EAT



REPEAT!

I've had some unexpected sponsorship from people I don't know that have heard about my challenge which is heart warming as well as an old treasured Uni friend who has made contact to say she loves reading my blogs and has been extremely generous, you know who you are, thank you X.

Rotherham canal run

Summary of this weeks training:

Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 50 min Recovery bike
Wednesday: 50 min Recovery run, pilates
Thursday: 50 min Level 2 buggy run
Friday: 50 min easy run
Saturday: 4 x 1 mile buggy reps at tempo
Sunday: 10, 40 min level 2, 10 min