So as we come to the end of the first month in 2012 it seems a good time to be a little reflective ... to look back at how things have gone and to look forward to the exciting (!??!?) things ahead.
I found the start of the year pretty tough ... motivation was low and with no events on the horizon I struggled to 'see the point' ... how quickly things change though!!
The weather has been pretty kind and has even allowed me to get out on my very lovely Bianchi for the first ride of the year ... although I still haven't plucked up the courage to clip my feet in!! Running has been (as ever) a total pleasure and I am still fascinated that I can actually do it!! The pace is increasing and the distance is increasing. The arrival of my lovely new, bright blue runners has made training even more enjoyable and me even more noticable!!!
The big, weekend PowerWalk session is the thing that worries me the most ... There has been lots of praying for good weather and although it has been freezing cold ... I have so far been incredibly lucky. The month started with an 11 miler and 2 days ago I managed 20 miles made up of two 10 mile laps. I wanted to see what it was like to 'go round twice' and I have to say ... I LOVED it ... here's hoping laps have the same effect for the Ultra in May!! 
Despite all the core work and stretching that I have been doing, the hamstring continues to be a very real pain in the butt so visits to Mr Osteo (http://www.mersearoadclinic.co.uk/index.html) have continued on a regular basis. What started out as a pelvic torsion has now spread all the way to my right foot and it seems the only way to release the tension in my foot is to give the deepest of deep tissue massage which is excruciating but I am assured WILL help. Their support really is (and I quote from Walk the Walk) 'remarkable' and I cannot thank them enough. Even the clinic coats have had a make-over!!
January has also seen the start of bra decorating!!! This is something that seems to take longer and longer each year and quite possibly more hours than training ... but when you make the decision to raise funds for Walk the Walk (http://www.walkthewalk.org/Home) ... It's just part of the deal!! The VLM bra will be very much an Olympic theme and the Ultra-Moon ... well ... see for yourself!!! What other option was there for 52.4 miles of back-to-back MoonWalking!!
The PR stuff is still getting out there ... this month alone, Women's Running published a little letter and the local newspaper ran a story ... here's hoping the word gets out even more in the months to come.
So ... looking forward ... February will be my last event-free month until November so I'm gonna hit the training hard ... which will include a (somewhat scary) double marathon over the weekend of the 25th/26th. Then the events start ... so watch this space for how plans are going and for event reviews as and when they happen!!
To donate to these crazy challenges go to: http://www.walkthewalkfundraising.org/ultracrazy
To find out more about Walk the Walk go to: http://www.walkthewalk.org/Home
And if you need mending ... try here: http://www.mersearoadclinic.co.uk/
