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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