Belfast City Marathon blog 5

Hi everyone, I feel like it has been a long time since I last blogged and I’m so glad to be back. I had a few niggles with my shins a few weeks ago not long after I had completed a 10 mile run. After some investigation and intense questioning of Damien (fountain of all knowledge) I came to the conclusion it was shin splints. I tried to run but it was too painful so I took two weeks off to recover and completely lost motivation. I was gutted that I had to rest and that an injury was getting in the way of my training. However, I persevered, iced my legs, rested and became all the more determined to run the Larne Half Marathon on Saturday 24 March.

My boyfriend enrolled with me to offer moral support and we both met some of the Operation 26.2 team there, I even bumped into an old work colleague, who I subsequently ran beside, and my best friend and her boyfriend. There was such a great buzz before it even started and I couldn’t wait to start and complete my first half marathon.

I set off with hundreds of people surrounding me but completely zoned in and focused on myself, my speed and getting to the finish line. It was such a glorious day and a beautiful run and I found the first half to be okay but as soon as I hit that hill at 7 miles I started to struggle. A quick 30 second walk and I was back on track feeling fantastic and thinking to myself ‘get you running a half marathon!’ Well, needless to say this positivity soon evaporated once I hit the 11 mile marker. Positive thoughts commending myself turned to harshly criticising and insulting myself. Why is it we do that to ourselves? If a friend was struggling we’d never discourage them and tell them they’re rubbish but yet we do it to ourselves. Luckily, inspirational Damien came happily jogging up to me in and around the 12 mile mark and offered words of encouragement and a big happy grin. That, coupled with Michael Jenkins (another Mr Motivator), clapping and telling me ‘fantastic’ really spurred me on to cross the finish line. I did it in 2 hours 25 minutes – it was a slow burn but I never set out to do it in a certain time, as this year is a first for me, both in completing a half marathon and indeed the full marathon, just completing it and finishing it will be a big enough achievement. I’ll aim for a better time next year! A huge thanks to Michael, Damien, Claire and the others from Operation 26.2 for such a great day and great support.

I’m so excited for the big day and can’t believe it’s less than 6 weeks away, I hope you’re all excited too and I really hope everyone’s training is going well.

I’m looking forward to a big run with Michael and the gang this Sunday, 16 miles will be a big milestone for me, once I get that completed I’ll be hoping to do a couple of 18 mile runs before the big 20 miler in April.

Will update you soon how it’s all going but until then take care and happy running!
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Belfast City Marathon training blog 4

It feels so long since I last did a blog and erm... that’s because it has been. If I’m honest I started to lag a bit in my training – January was going so well, then as soon as February hit I began to lose motivation. Luckily it didn’t last too long and after enlisting the help of a personal trainer and purchasing some new running gear from Up and Running, I felt full of motivation again and had three good runs this week.

I went for a nice run on Wednesday afternoon, after finishing work early, around my usual haunt – the Lagan Towpath. It was lovely and quiet, full of peace and tranquillity and I managed to do a good 6 mile run. I tried isotonic gels from the first time and was most unpleasantly surprised! They really are disgusting aren’t they? But I hear they really do work so I will have to persist with them, perhaps will try a berry flavour next time as that orange one was truly rank!

I met with my new personal trainer on Thursday - David Graham from David Graham Fitness and he is fabulous! He ran through some great core exercises for me, very similar to those that were shown to us at Queen’s PEC strength training – lots of planks, squats, stretches etc. I thought I was doing so well until the next day I was in agony! So it’s really highlighted the need for me to do more core work and build on my strength, a must if these legs are to get me round all 26.2 miles! He’s also worked out a new training plan for me which I’m determined to stick to, so I’ll keep you posted on how it goes.

It was great to take part in the Runathon at Bloomfield Shopping Centre, Bangor on Saturday and even better to beat the previous Runathon at Lisburn by racking up over 40 miles on the treadmill! Myself and Colin from Operation 26.2, were determined to beat the record and between us contributed 12 miles on the treadmill. In addition to the euphoria of that, there was much excitement at the large box of jelly babies available as a pre and post workout treat! Which, a reliable source tells me, serve almost the same purpose as those vile isotonic gels - so all in all a thoroughly enjoyable and informative day! Thanks to everyone who took part and don’t forget the next Runathon will take place in the Tower Centre, Ballymena on Saturday 25 February.

For my long slow run on Sunday I decided to take to the Comber Greenway – thanks to the person who recommended it to me on the Marathon Facebook page, sorry I can’t remember who it was! I managed 8.6 miles before my hip seized up and I had to practically be carried the remaining 0.4 miles by my displeased and unsympathetic running buddy – i.e my boyfriend. I don’t know what happened but it was very painful and I could barely walk, I felt desperately sorry for myself and even shed a tear but I’m a big sissy and luckily the pain subsided after a short period and then I was a little bit delighted that I’d had my first real injury – made me feel like a proper runner! I really enjoyed running on the Greenway but I do have to say my run was somewhat ruined by big, scary dogs not on leads – please put your dog on a lead especially if it’s a 10 stone Rottweiller – very unnerving! Aside from that it was lovely and I’m looking forward to hitting the greenway next weekend, aiming to do 10 miles, if my hip allows it – gosh I sound like such a pensioner!

Chat soon, happy running! L x
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Belfast City Marathon training - First blog!

I would say with a fair degree of certainty that I am the most unfit of the three ambassadors for Belfast City Marathon 2012. I only took up running last November, when my boyfriend commented that I was a right lazy lump and needed to become more active. Our runs began in cold, icy conditions and initially I was only able to run roughly 100 metres before almost passing out and having to stop for breath! But, I persevered and soon got into a routine of running three times a week and after a short time (about a month) I saw a real improvement in my fitness and the length of time I was able to run.

Last May, I ran the team relay along with some colleagues at Belfast City Council, although I only ran the 3.5 mile leg (it’s the steepest and hardest leg I’m told!) I really enjoyed it and felt that I could run much further and wanted to challenge myself to do so.

When I was approached to be the ambassador for this year’s marathon representing Belfast City Council, I decided to take on that challenge. I really enjoyed the whole buzz and vibe at last year’s marathon and know that I will feel a great sense of achievement when I cross that finish line in May.

To read the other ambassadors' blogs and for more info on all things 'Marathon' visit the Belfast City Marathon Facebook page here.

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Belfast city Marathon training blog 2

I’m a huge fan of Christmas. As soon as Halloween is over I’m on the countdown, and I’d be lying if I didn’t say my favourite thing about the festive season is the food! Not to mention the Christmas nights out! So, yes this year has been no different and I’ve certainly been overindulging a little too much. Needless to say, the training has suffered. Here come the excuses…It’s seriously just so hard to get motivated and go out for a run when the weather is so cold not to mention icy! I could fall and break a hip. Additionally, it is also very difficult to muster the energy post office Christmas party and when you’ve still got all your Christmas shopping to do!

So yes, I’ve struggled this past week and imagine I will struggle during the week of Christmas but thankfully I have some time off work over
Christmas so a few long runs around the lagan towpath at Shaw’s Bridge are definitely in order! (I’ll let you know how I get on).

I can’t wait to meet all the members who have joined Operation 26.2 and will be running their first marathon (along with myself) this year. Our first meeting is at the beginning of January and it will be great to meet everyone and encourage and support each other as we take on our great challenge.

I’m really looking forward to getting back into a routine (one that doesn’t involve sweets, chocolate and mulled wine!) I also can’t wait to up the ante with my training in January. I hope you all have a very merry Christmas and here’s to a new year and a new fresh start.

Catch the other ambassadors' blogs and keep informed with everthing that's happening with Belfast City Marathon here.

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Belfast City Marathon training blog 3

Happy New Year everyone! I sincerely hope your new year got off to a better start than mine! I was all geared up for some really intense training straight after Christmas and initially I got off to a promising start. I was very excited to get out running again after the Christmas foodfest ...but perhaps more importantly, I had become the proud owner of a new iPhone and wanted to immediately try out some of the fancy apps I had downloaded which claimed to map your run!  

 I began with a five mile run along the lagan towpath on New Year’s day - iPhone strapped securely to my arm, I jogged happily along the (muddy and puddly) towpath, beginning at Shaw’s Bridge and after 55 minutes was like an eager puppy waiting to see the results. Truly, iPhones are amazing! (I know all of you have probably been enjoying the world of fascinating apps for several years now, but really it is a complete novelty to me!)

 iMapMyRUN was able to show me the exact route I had done, the time in which I did it, my average speed and even (to my delight) worked out how many calories I had burned. So, naturally I couldn’t wait to get out again to see what wonderful statistics I would be presented with. Then disaster struck. I got the cold. Not just any cold, the cold. ie. the most horrendous cold anyone has ever had. I embellish, you see it’s because I never get sick. I have a remarkable immune system and haven’t been sick in over two years, so when I do come down with something, I become very dramatic, childlike, feel very sorry for myself and demand lots of attention and sympathy. I don’t know how my other half puts up with it. I’ve become unbearable and am increasingly frustrated that I cannot get into my training. I am hoping I will have recovered within the next day or two, I am drinking Lemsips and taking Beechams tablets, much in the fashion I would normally drink tea with Jammy Dodgers - so a lot. I hope they do the trick and cure me, particularly in time for my first Parkrun on Saturday. I registered earlier this week with Parkrun at the Waterworks Park in north Belfast which takes place every Saturday at 9.30am. It’s a timed 5km run and I hope to do it every week with the aim to increase my time each week. Why not come along and join me and the other ambassadors? Also, next week sees the first meeting with all the members of Operation 26.2, excited!

 I’ll give you an update on how we get on next week. Until then, take care!
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