BIDEFORD BELTER

Bideford was the location, 10.30 hours was the start of the race and 1200 runners were warmed up and ready to hear the starting gun. We were off!!

I travelled to Bideford with Mr and Mrs Davis to take part in my second Bideford Half Marathon, the duration of the journey was only 40 minutes but I am sure Mr D was very glad when we arrived at our destination. Nerves always creep in and that in turn seems to enable my words per minute to double, poor Mr D!!!

5 of the Bude WRN ladies were also in attendance for their first half marathon, all of them trained together for this event, keeping each other going and motivating each other when the training was getting harder. Even on the day itself, Andrea injured herself around mile 7 and was walking and hobbling along until she caught sight of the rest of the crew. In her words, they helped her carry on and even with a horridly injured and painful knee, she crossed the finish line within 2 and a half hours. I watched them come in and I must admit I did feel emotional. I know how hard you have to train to be able to run these races and the ladies have been nothing other than committed to their challenge. They train 2 nights a week with WRN then are out on a Saturday morning getting their long runs in. Dedication has paid off, it was great to see family and friends supporting them and cheering them in.

I had a great day with another PB 1:56:58 felt very strong and went with the intention of trying to beat my Exeter time. I managed to run alongside a friend from around mile 5, we found we were running at a very similar pace and intended on keeping that pace up throughout with a possible top up at the end if we had it in us. Once we hit the mile marker for 11 miles, we kicked our 9 minute mile pace into touch slightly and were averaging around the 8.30 minute mile for the last 2 miles. When I saw the 800 metre mark I knew I just wanted to get back as Mr T and the boys were waiting at the finish line. There is no better motivator at the end of a race than knowing your children are going to be there. A sprint finish was the order of the day and it felt great to know I had run it within my goal time.

As I was pounding the Tarka Trail and roads around Bideford, my niece was swimming like a fish in Bodmin. She came away from her first weekend at the County Championships with a GOLD, a BRONZE and 2 PB’s. She is 9 years old and extremely modest about her achievements, it was fantastic to hear her news after having completed the race.

She is back for more next weekend, luckily for me I will race again in May, so a slight tapering in training for me for the next week.

SPORTY WEEKEND AHEAD

This weekend sees pretty much the whole family being involved in sport in one way or another. Firstly, my niece, Amber, is taking part in the County Championships for swimming in Penzance and Bodmin, secondly I am running the Bideford Half marathon, thirdly Mr T is out on a 3.5 hour bike ride this morning and an 1.5 hour bike ride tomorrow in training for the Cornwall Tor on 10^th April, he is doing the 103 mile route!! Thank goodness the sun is due to stay with us this weekend.

http://www.kilotogo.com/index.php?option=event_detail&event_id=24

Amber has steadily progressed through her swimming lessons, then the local Sharks swimming club to be invited to attend these County Championships. I gave her a call last night to wish her luck and she said she was both excited and nervous – I know how she feels!! She has participated in many swim galas locally, but this is something else!  Although I have to say that I think my sister has the worst job of all, sitting pool side for the whole weekend, with nerves as heightened as Amber’s, willing her daughter on from a distance. It very much means a whole family event for my sis as she also has the demands of 3 year old twins, Sam and Indie, to think about. This is where my mother and Mike step in. They will take charge of Sam and Indie which gives Tania the chance to be there for Amber, high energy foods at the ready!

So good luck to all the family this weekend and I hope to be able to report some great results from all later in the week.

RUNNING NOWHERE

This week has proved to be an unexpected pause in my training and just as things were going so well. The whole family was ill at Christmas, so was really looking forward to getting back to some structured training with my running. I entered the Bideford Half Marathon early so as to give myself a good race to target for early in the year – 6^th March.

On Sunday I had a great run with Katie, we totalled 11 miles taking in the wonderful cliff top views at Upton after a long slog uphill, makes it all worth it when you can see Trevose Head in the far distance, knowing you are putting those miles in around such stunning scenery is easier than it first seems. That night the stomach said “No!!” I’m hoping to get back to the gym today and looking forward to running with the ladies on Thursday night. I have missed a hill session and some extra miles but hoping no one will notice!

Katie and I both lead the Bude Womens Running Network together and it has been nearly 18 months since we started up.  In that time I never stop being surprised by what the women achieve both in their fitness goals and in their personal goals. Some come to lose weight, others to meet other like minded people and some just to run within a social group instead of on their own. Many of the ladies will be taking part in the Bideford Half this year and that in itself makes me so very proud of them. 18 months ago these women had not run before and now it is very much a part of their lives.

http://www.womensrunningnetwork.co.uk/

Other races planned are London 10km and Forest of Dean trail run in May, possibly the Ruby Run in June and definitely the Eden Half Marathon again in October – I am slightly odd as I do seem to like the hills – just don’t ask as I don’t even know why!!!