One step beyond ... normal!!

I feel like I am standing on the edge of a cliff right now ... not so much thinking "Shall I jump?" but more "What will it feel like when I do?"

Marathon season is well and truly here and I think it's safe to say I am terrified! I have done marathons before... but this feels so very different.  The enormity of what I have taken on has hit me like a train in the last 24 hours and self doubt has set in good and proper!!! 

Everything is hurting just that little bit more ... energy levels are dwindling but my motivation remains strong.

Brighton is the first of the five marathons between now and June and (at the moment) I'm not really feeling the love for this event.  It really doesn't matter how many marathons you do ... 26.2 miles is 26.2 miles and it's a really really Really REALLY long way.  The weather is looking shockingly bad and with most of the 18,000 participants being runners, I know I will be near the back.  Power-Walking a running event is never easy and requires huge mental strength (another thing that is seriously lacking at the moment!!) and the fact that I am doing the London Marathon just 1 week after will really be play on my mind.   I have to do this though ... I have to do it to give my confidence a much needed boost for the Ultra in May.  But preparations have gone well and I will do my very best to cross that finish line and with Brighton (hopefully) done I will have just 6 days to over-dose on protein shakes, carbs, sports massage and osteo treatments ...

(God bless http://www.mersearoadclinic.co.uk) in preparation for the VLM on the 22nd.  

This will be my 8th (and quite possibly my last) London Marathon so I fully intend to savour every second of it.  I know lots of people who are taking part this year and there are going to be a lot of familiar faces supporting along the route (hopefully handing out red jelly babies and fizz) which will make this a very special event.  Maybe this will be the year I beat a Rhino?!?! 

After this, I have three weeks to recover, rest and prepare for the biggest challenge of my life so far ... 52.4 miles of back to back MoonWalking through night, through the streets of London!!  I struggle to remember what it was that made me think this was a good idea and all I could come up with was "because I want to" but I have recently found a new motivation and a far more meaningful reason for doing it.  There is a very special someone who is unable to do her own MoonWalk this year and so miles 26.2 - 52.4 will be for her (and I know she will kick my butt if I don't do it ... so backing out is not an option!!)  Knowing that these miles will be for someone else will help to keep me going when it gets tough ... so please let me know if you want a mile or two done for you too or for someone you know ... it really will give me a much needed push. 

Plans for this Ultra-Crazy challenge started way back in mid 2011 and I cannot believe how time has moved so fast and here I am just 5 weeks away from my first ever official Ultra-Marathon.  I seem to be dreaming about sock changes, toilet stops and cramp constantly and with just 5 weeks to go, I feel far from ready. 

 

2 weeks ago I completed my first ever 40 miler in training and with less that 100yds to go I was leaning against a tree, unable to move, speak or focus and I fail to see where I am going to find the extra 12.4 miles needed to complete this 52.4 mile, never-been-done-before challenge.  I'm told it will all be 'fine' ... but I'm not convinced!

 What I do know is that there will be tears ... hysterical laughter ... severe cramps ... tubs (and tubs) of Vaseline ... a good number of tantrums (apologies in advance if you are one of the ones on the receiving end of one of these) and blisters/pain like I have never experienced before.  But I also think (hope) there could be some incredible support ... a few more pennies in the penny pot (http://www.walkthewalkfundraising.org/ultracrazy) ... some yummy mars bars ... a hug or two (any excuse to stop and rest) and the most amazing feeling when I cross that finish line on Sunday 13th May!!!! 

I cannot thank Walk the Walk (http://www.walkthewalk.org/Home) enough for making this possible ... your support has always been and continues to be amazing. Get those hugs ready!! 

Keep up with the progress on Facebook 'Another Ultra-Crazy year for breast cancer' and keep the support coming ... I couldn't do any of this without it!!

Let's talk blisters!!

It happens to us all at some point and when it does ... it not only hurts like hell but it can also seriously interfere with training and events!!  So, here (for those who have been asking) is a little masterclass in how to deal with those pesky blisters.  This is based purely on my own experience and so shouldn't be treated as proper, actual, medical advice (although having said that ... it really does work!!)  

 

So ... you have a blister ... and it really really hurts ... what do you do?

The first thing to do is to spend a good hour or two deciding whether you should pop it or not.  All the medics out there will advise you not to but, if (like me) you have one that is so big it wont allow you to put a shoe on, I would suggest you find a fine needle, sterilise it and make a tiny hole at the very edge and allow it to drain.  WARNING: This stings like you wouldn't believe but dig deep and deal with it!!!

Now, at this point you will need a Spenco 2nd Skin Blister Kit.  You can't buy it in any shop but you can get it on Amazon and it has EVERYTHING you need to get your feet back to being happy again.  

Take one of the gel squares and place it over the blister then cover the whole area with the fabric knit.  Change it every day but allow it to get some air from time to time too.  

When the top layer of skin has become thin and papery (and only if it has come away from the skin underneath) carefully cut it away and then continue to cover with gel squares and fabric knit until it has healed.

Now that you have had a blister there ... you are likely to get a blister there again so this is when you need to use the white foam pads.  Simply stick them wherever you need to and train away.  They are super sticky so stay on pretty well but if you need extra stick (or if you are going to be training/competing for a long time) you can cover the pad with some super sticky fabric knit.  I have completed marathons with this stuff stuck to my feet and it hasn't budged!!!

WARNING:  DO NOT use the sticky foam pads on any blister that hasn't healed.  It will rip the skin off and leave your foot in a much worse state than it was in before!!! 

Covering (and I mean REALLY covering) your feet in Vaseline is a great blister preventative too but if you don't like the feel of it, give BODYGLIDE a try.  I also have it on very good authority that SKINSTRONG is amazing!!! Also remember to stick anything to your feet first before putting on the slippery stuff!! 

 

So there you go!  Follow these rules and you can overcome the most horrendous blisters in record time.  This is my blister now, just 2 weeks after I got it and 2 days after a half marathon!!! 

Hope this helps. Xx

And ... S-T-R-E-E-E-E-E-T-C-H!!!

In the past week, there have been a number of people who have asked me what I am doing in terms of core stability and stretching.  Having tried (and failed) to explain how to do this stuff ... I have decided to put together a little core/stretch blog and let the pictures do the talking instead of my words (although I am going to add a few of those too).

Ready ... Mats down ...Let's do this!!

CORE STABILITY FIRST ... 

Prone Back Extensions

Lay over an exercise ball with no weight on your feet and only enough weight on your hands for balance.  Lift both legs at a controlled tempo without using any bounce from the ball.  As soon as your feet make contact with the floor, begin the next lift.  Repeat 10 lifts.

Super Woman!!

Start on all fours, ensuring your back is flat and square.  Tuck the opposing arm and leg in towards each other then extend out in a dynamic but controlled movement.  Repeat the tuck and extension 10 times and on the last extension hold for a count of ten.

Glut Raises

Lay on your back with your knees bent, heels down, toes up and your arms above your body.  Lift your hips until your body is in a straight line from shoulder to knee.  Be sure to hold for a second at the top whilst squeezing your butt then lower your hips back to the floor.  As soon as you  make contact with the floor, raise again.  Repeat 10 times.

Reverse Crunch

Start on your back with your legs raised but bent at the knee.  Keeping your stomach pulled in and your lower back pressed into the floor, slowly lower your heels to the floor but keep the knees bent.  As soon as your heels make contact with the floor, start to raise your legs back to the start position.  This is a slow, controlled movement that moves at a constant speed.

It is vital you keep your head on the floor, maintain a flat back and keep the knees at the same angle throughout.  Repeat 10 crunches. 

Plank

Support your body with your elbows directly under your shoulders and aim for a straight line from your shoulders, down your spine and along your legs.  Hold this position with the knees off the floor for a count of 10 then lower the knees to the floor (whilst maintaining your back position) and hold for a count of 5.  Lift the knees and hold for 10, lower the knees and hold for 5 then repeat for a third time. 

Keep the stomach pulled in throughout.

Suitcase Sit-Ups

Start by laying flat out on your back then raise your upper body and your lower body in a dynamic movement until you meet in the middle.  Then unfold back into the start position in a slow and controlled movement.  Aim for the arms and legs to touch the floor at the same time.  Keep the stomach pulled in and the lower back in contact in touch with the floor.


 Hip Flexor

Find a stretchy band and secure it to something that is not going to move.  Hold it under tension and separate the feet.  The hand that holds the band and the foot that is back should both be on the same side.  Lunge forwards keeping the body upright and the back heel pushing down towards the floor.  Try not to twist the body as you make the movements.

AND SO TO THE STRETCHES ...

Apparently ... it is impossible to stretch too much so these can be done wherever and whenever you like!!!  I have not included the torturous foam rolling ... I may save that for a blog of it's very own ... but hopefully these stretches will keep you from seizing up too much as you work your way through your training program!! Hold each one for about 30 seconds.

                                         Calf Stretch

Stand with one foot in front of the other, both feet pointing in the same direction, front leg bent and the back leg straight with both heels on the floor.  Lean against something solid and if you can't feel a lovely stretch in the calf of the straight leg, move the feet a little further apart. To get a stretch in the lower part of the calf, bend the back leg slightly. 

                                         Hamstring Stretch

Raise your leg onto a step or chair and keep the knee bent.  Hinge forwards from the waist and imagine your hip being pulled backwards slightly.  Keeping the leg bent will ensure the belly of the muscle is the focus of this stretch.

                                         Quad Stretch

Hold the foot of the leg you are stretching.  Keep the knees together and the body upright.  If you are unable to feel the stretch in the front of the bent leg, push the hips forwards slightly.

                                                     Glut Stretch

Lay on your back and rest the foot of one leg over the knee of the other.  Reach through and hold behind the knee of the lower leg and pull towards the body.  Keep the stomach pulled in and the lower back in contact with the floor.  Try to keep the knee of the upper leg turned out.

         

                                Hip Flexor Stretch

Hold a lunge position with a wide base between the front foot and the back knee (that is on the floor).  Raise the arm that is the same side as the knee that is up and hold the wrist of the other arm.  Rotate over the front knee and lean slightly backwards.

Hip Flexor/Lower Back

Keeping the arms outstretched, sit back on your heels and relax into this lurvely stretch.  Hold for 30 then transfer the weight forward onto the hands and let the hips sink down towards the floor.  Repeat both of these stretches a couple of times.

And now for the disclaimer ... just to cover myself in case anyone gets hurt!!! I am not a pro and although professional advice was sought in the making of this blog ... anyone wanting to attempt these Ultra-Crazy exercises/stretches should do so at their own risk. 

Massive thanks to David at http://www.mersearoadclinic.co.uk/index.html
and Liam at http://www.bootcampit.com/ for their technical and professional support in my Ultra-Crazy year.

January - DONE!!!

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/

Follow me on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Another-Ultra-Crazy-year-for-breast-cancer/267458936633858

A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF A 1,000 MILE GIRL!!

So the 1,000 mile challenge is almost over and what a year it's been!!!  So many memories, so many achievements, so many friends made along the way ... seems only right to try and get it all down so I can remember as much of it as possible!!! 

On January 1st, as Big Ben chimed, I headed out for my first mile.  This has to be one of the prettiest miles I have ever run ... with sky lanterns and fireworks filling the sky!!  I was a little alarmed at how out of breath I was after just one mile and a little daunted at the thought of having to do 999 more but I figured it would get easier as I got fitter!!!

Having never really been a runner, this was all very new to me but I was managing 3 or 4 runs a weeks (with the odd long distance powerwalk thrown in for good measure) and I managed to hit 109.5 miles by the end of the first month!!!

Knowing that I had 2 half marathons to do in March ... I knew I had to go beyond my comfortable 3.9 mile run so I introduced a scary 5 mile run into the training plan and by mid February I was planning my first ever 10 miler!!! Completing this made me realise I might just be able to run the Bath Half after all!!!  February total: 72.3!!

March ... 2 half marathons ... 2 weeks apart ... Eeek!!! The first was the Bath Half Marathon (my first ever running half) on March 6th.  It was never going to be a warm day but I wasn't quite prepared for just how cold it was!!  The only solution ... run and don't stop!!  It was such a great event; the weather was beautiful (if freezing), I met the lovely Fearne Cotton and discovered that eating triple cooked, extra chunky chips whilst drinking fizz is the perfect way to re-fuel after an event!!!!  4 days off and then the miles continued ... then another taper ... then Reading Half!!!  

I was walking this one so I was back in my comfort zone to some extent ... but being the only doing it in a highly decorated, sparkly bra did frazzle the nerves a little!!! It was tough being out alone but the finish more than made up for it ... walking into the Madejski Stadium was an amazing experience!!! The best thing was ... I was back out training just 2 days later!!  March total: 81.7!!

 April ... This month was all about the Virgin London Marathon!!!  This was to be my 7th London Marathon but it never fails to make me more terrified than any other event!!!  The whole month is geared towards the build up ... the taper and the recovery!! The last big training session went well but my trainers didn't feel quite right so I ordered a new pair then spent the next 2 weeks waiting for them to arrive.  They finally came 2 days before the event and I wore them for the first time at the event!!!  Not something I would recommend but luck was on my side and not only did I escape horribly blistered feet but I also got my fastest ever time!!! In fact, things felt so good, I was back out training 3 days later and competing in the St George's Day 10k just 1 week after that!!! All in all, a good month ... with another 105.3 miles in the bank!!

May and June are always fun ... They are MoonWalk months!! So more build up, more tapering and more

recovery ... with the unexpected complication of no. 2 son breaking his arm in two!!!  I wont go into detail about that and I wont go on too much about the MoonWalks (There is a huge write up on the Walk the Walk website if you want to read about the London one) but I will say this: Hugely proud of my sister for completing her first one ... hugely honoured to be invited on stage ... hugely amused by Wendy's whoop whooping on the other side of the road and totally chuffed to bits to get a course PB!!!! Blisters after London = zero so it was back to the miles and I was out running the Bupa 10k just 2 weeks later, in Edinburgh for the 2nd MoonWalk 2 weeks after that ... and hitting the front page of the national newspaper!!!  The miles were racking up nicely and by the end of June (the half way point) I had hit 513.7!!! 

So with those big events out of the way, Surely July meant I could focus on the wedding?!?  Or maybe I should just keep running??  Well the wedding plans seemed to be going ok so I kept running and took part in a very tough, very hilly but beautiful 10k run at Mount Ephraim in Kent.  No triple cooked chunky chips at the end of this event but instead a very delicious glass of wine and a punnet of yummy cherries!!! The little walk down the aisle has to be the most memorable event of the the year (and the shortest in terms of distance) but not one I will ever forget!!  Unfortunately, I couldn't count the distance as I had replaced my trainers with a very cute pair of kitten heals!!!  

No rest for the wicked though as just 2 days later it was off to London with the whole family for the London SunWalk.  The sun shone ... all the men got very interesting suntan marks and I met some great friends (Caz, It was great to finally get to say 'hi' in person!!) Massive thanks to Schoeni for the making my beautiful bridal bra ... and for the friendship that has ensued!!  

And so to the scariest event of the year (so far) ... The London Triathlon!!  Quite why I applied for this .. I don't know!!  Quite why I thought doing this on very limited tri-specific training was a good idea ... I don't know!!!  But after a fairly full on panic attack the day before whilst racking my bike (that I had only ridden once!!) I began to feel a little calmer.  Getting into the water was terrifying but once I got out (5th to last but still in front of John Christophe Novelli) I actually began to enjoy it, particularly the bit where I hit 30mph heading into one of the tunnels!!! Running 10k after a 1 mile swim and a 25 mile ride on one of the hottest days of the year is not the easiest thing I have ever done but crossing the finish line was quite possibly one of the best feelings ever!!!!

Shame the swim/bike miles didn't count but I still managed to complete 67.3 miles!!! 

August saw no events ... but it did see a very relaxing honeymoon (and yes, I did take my trainers and yes, I did run!!) and with a whole month off work I was able to hit the training hard and get myself a twisted pelvis for my trouble ... Ooops!!! A little word of warning to those who are thinking of taking on this challenge: rest days are vital!!!!  Having said that ... I did complete my first ultra distance of 30 miles by zig-zagging my way across 18 of London's bridges!!  114.5 miles to add on!!

September and something of a tradition: the Adidas 5k Challenge for Women!!!  More of a talk than a walk but a great time to catch up with some fab friends.  Such a shame that it's not on in 2012!!  More training miles and then one of the highlights of the year ... getting my sub 2 hour half marathon at Run to the Beat!!  This is what finished off my pelvis completely and probably should have stopped me from running altogether but I notice from my diary that I was out doing 8.1miles 2 days later and 9.1 miles 2 days after that!!  This decision is now filed away under the heading of "what was I thinking"!!  It all helped to get September's total to 89.9 though, so it's not all bad!! 

Come October it was beginning to hurt (a lot) and I only managed to get out for 4 training runs!!!  However, I did managed to complete the Kingston 16 miler (all that effort for a pretty rubbish mug!!!) but 4 days after the event I admitted defeat, gave in to the injury and found myself an osteopath.  Thank you http://www.mersearoadclinic.co.uk/ ... I think you just may have saved the challenge!!!   Against all advice, I then managed to haul myself round the Beachy Head Marathon course which was tough and exhilarating in equal measure and definitely one for next year!!   Oh and who could forget the pumpkin run?!!? Well, what else is a girl to do in October other than to run 10k dressed as a bright orange pumpkin!!?!??  

And so to November ... and 3 very special events!! The first of which being the inaugural McSchoeni Marathon; 26.2 miles of non-stop talking and laughing from Tower Bridge to Cassa Schoeni in Kingston-Upon-Thames.  And what a magical moment it was to share my 900th mile with my fabulous little Swiss friend at Teddington Lock ... even if we did get some very strange looks from the locals!!! 

The pelvis remained twisted (probably because I was still ignoring all advice and not stretching enough/at all) but I was so nearly there ... I couldn't even think about quitting!! 

 

The second event caught me totally off guard to say the least!! Having spent almost the entire night sipping fizz (and having maltesers shoved up my nose) with the beautiful Heidi, I was then faced with one of the biggest surprises of my life the next morning when over 60 people, all holding WtW balloons, gathered together to walk and talk and celebrate the 1,000 mile challenge in the New Forest.  I think it took a good couple of days for my breathing to return to normal and for the shaking to stop but I will never forget what Heidi did for me that day ... it was truly special!!

The third ... A Diddy Mile!!!!  What an honour it was to walk and run with Diddy 1, 2 and 3 and a real pleaure to finally meet Jules and Andy ... A truly amazing family!!!  If you don't know of these three superstars then please find them on Facebook 'Too Diddy to Moonwalk, Not too Diddy to Tri' and follow them as they attempt to walk a marathon a month for a year!!! Oh and Arun ... I am putting in some speed work for next time!!!

And so here we are in December.  There were times I never though I would get here (and I guess whilst reading this ... you may have thought the same!!) but with 43.8 miles to go, I had to keep pushing!!! There was the small matter of a Santa Run to aim for and a multi-terrain, self navigating marathon to do just 2 days after Christmas!!! Despite only being a 10k event, the Santa Run was a biggie because it was the one that would see me hitting 1,000 miles!!!  So ... freezing cold and dressed in a rather inappropriate Santa dress (courtesy of Ann Summers) I ran my way to my target!!!  Crossing the line was quite something and somewhat emotional.  Thank you so much to Kelly, Val (et al), Mads (et al) and Lloyd for sharing the moment, to Chris for the fizz (I really do need to perfect that cork popping ... shaking ... frothing technique!!) and to Ade for my very lovely kiss on the way round!!! 

Now most people would stop here but my challenge was for 1 year and so I continued on ... with a rather special (and soggy) Royal Mile,  3.5 miles around a volcano ... a few more training miles and one of the toughest marathons I have ever done!!! The challenge will end tomorrow when I head out with my boys to do the same mile that I started with 12 months ago.  

At the beginning of this challenge all I wanted to do was see how many miles I could do and to raise some money for a charity that is very close to my heart but as the year went on it became so much more.  The friends I have made ... the places I have been ... the obstacles I have faced and the belief I now have in myself have made 2011 a totally remarkable year!!!  Massive thanks to each and every person who has supported me with words, kindness and donations (£6,105 to date!!).  To Walk the Walk (http://www.walkthewalk.org/Home) for the opportunity and support.  To David (Mr Osteopath) for mending me and making it possible for me to get to the end of the challenge (I will start to stretch now, I promise!!!) And to Chris, my boys and my family who have probably seen a little less of me this year than they should have done.  I really couldn't have done it without any of you!!!  

Here's to 2012 ... It's gonna be Ultra-Crazy!!!

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/

Follow me on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Another-Ultra-Crazy-year-for-breast-cancer/267458936633858