Massively Overdue Update (MOU)

[Miles_Yonder]

Evenin' all.

Well, I thought it high time I got around to posting an update about what I've been upto lately with my running and how it's all been going generally. I've been back posting for a bit but as yet haven't got around to posting an update - until now!

Loads of new faces here and I look forward to getting to know those with whom I'm not yet acquainted, plus catching up with everyone I do know. But first a reintroduction is necessary, I feel, for those who don't know me. I started C25K back in April last year, 2014. Having no real running experience whatsoever, I decided to give it a go. What little fitness I had was rapidly declining and my weight was increasing slowly. I knew I had to do something, but what? What indeed. I know not how but I stumbled across the C25K program and decided to give it a go, joining up here shortly after.

What followed has been a life changing revelation and something I really didn't expect: I love running! Of course, it wasn't easy at all and hard going in places, but I stuck with the program and graduated last June. Lots of races followed: 10Ks and two half marathons and things were going rather well. Until a couple of Unexpected Medical Occurrences: (UMO; love a good abbreviation and acronym, me!) a random anaphylactic (another, at that!) episode which is still as yet a mystery as to what the cause was, and anaemia, which likewise, is also a mystery as to the cause, although research I've done has shown that anaemia is common in runners.

Anyway, being finally diagnosed with anaemia was a relief as my sudden decline in performance, lethargy and the struggle with my beloved early mornings was finally explained. The diagnosis was in June and I've been on iron tablets since. Managed to struggle through the Mersey Tunnel 10K and also the Leeds and Hull 10Ks, during which I met up with fellow member here, Tomas, which was a delight and a great experience.

Since then, I've been working on upping my distance, as I have a marathon next month: the Yorkshire Marathon. My training was going okay until the anaemia and then it just became too difficult to do any serious training with. Against many odds and to my surprise, with great determination I've managed to get myself up and out there again and have put some serious training in. On Saturday I did my longest run yet, which was a 21.03 miler, and which was thoroughly enjoyable, if a bit of a tough old run. I've been working hard on distance, and also speed as well, and I've had a flurry of PBs in these last couple of weeks, to my delight, and surprise.

This coming Sunday I'm doing the Belfast Half marathon and am massively excited about it; it should be a great race, plus the break in Belfast will be cool too. It's been a long while since I've posted a race/run report, but I'll see to that with a race report after the race. Then, the weekend after that it will be my final Marathon Training Run (MTR) before tapering starts. Less than a month now until the marathon; I've no idea where the time goes! I've not exactly had the best training build-up to the race, but I have to work with what I've got and will make the best of it.

It all sounds a hell of a lot, all this training, marathons and so on and if you're new to the program, you may think that all this kinda stuff is beyond you. Let me assure you that it certainly is not. I could hardly run for those initial 60 seconds of W1R1 only 18 months ago, and now look. All it takes is some determination and belief that you can do this (and you can!) and the program will do the rest; trust it, as it really, really does work. I owe a lot to C25K, and the good folk of this forum. Whether your goal is to get fit, get/stay active, run a marathon or just meet great new people, you're in the right place as C25k and running, is all that and more.

So, there have been a few setbacks and issues, but all in all things are looking up again and I'll finally get back to keeping you updated with regular run and race reports. Ideally I should have been here a couple of weeks ago to tell you all about the man on the roof of a pub early one Saturday morning, as I was midway through a 20 miler. He was drunk, clutching a bottle of vodka and lobbing abuse at the very disgruntled police below. Oh, and he was wearing only a pair of black underpants. The thing us runners see early in the morning, eh?!

Happy running to you all; good to be back and getting caught up with everyone again.

[Dunnja Graduate]

Great post and inspirational for us newbies.

Jules xx

[Miles_Yonder Graduate in reply to Dunnja]

Thank you Jules, that's very kind 😊 xx

[dottiemay Graduate]

Lovely to see you back again Miles! By 'eck, you've had a time of it with the UMOs haven't you but great to see they haven't got the better of you and you've found your way back. Best of luck with Belfast and the other races coming up - look forward to your EERRs*

*Extremely erudite race reports!

[Miles_Yonder Graduate in reply to dottiemay]

Thank you kindly Dottie. Good to be back and finally able to contribute something positive after all the recent issues!

It has been somewhat frustrating of late but things are picking up again now.

Thanks again; EERRs will commence again shortly! 🏃

[Rignold]

Great to have you back, Chap. You have been much missed, and your exploits are, as ever, inspirational.

[Miles_Yonder Graduate in reply to Rignold]

Thanks kindly, Rig; it's good to be back! I've missed the place!

[misswobble Graduate]

Ha ha! You do get em don't you! It's all part of life's rich tapestry.

You're running up a storm! I hope all goes well with the HM in Belfast. You've put the training in so go off and enjoy the fruits of your labours. Will it be on telly?

[Miles_Yonder Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Thanks MissW! Yes I do, for some reason; always seems to happen to me! 😂

Thank you, I'm really looking forward to it. As far as I'm aware it's not on the telly, but I'll double check and see if BBC NI or UTV ate covering it. The Yorkshire Marathon, I believe, has a highlights show, if memory serves me correctly. I think it was on Channel 4 or 5 a week later, early on the Sunday morning. Full race reports to come! 🏃

[gary_bart]

I've heard about you! You're famous round these parts. It was you who discovered that in actual fact one's "Evil Hill" is really just an "Inclinous Friend", so this is like meeting a great scientist (perhaps from the heroic age of science, though). Nice to meet you, Miles.

[Miles_Yonder Graduate in reply to gary_bart]

Hello there Gary; nice to meet you! 😊

That's very kind, thank you! Yes, that'sme, of Inclinous Friends fame; I used to dread hills at first but soon came to view them as training friends who want to help us get fitter and stronger.

I look forward to catching up with your running adventures. 😊🏃

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Great to hear from you again MY and sorry to hear that you have been struggling against anaemia. Funnily enough, it's one of the things that RFC, wise old bird that she is, often advises to get checked out when somebody suffers a loss of form.

Sounds as if the training is picking up again though. Enjoy Belfast - I look forward to reading one of your run reports (RRs) again afterwards! Good luck!

[Miles_Yonder Graduate in reply to Ullyrunner]

Thanks, Ully! 😊

Yes, me too. Whenever anyone now reports a slip in form, it's also my first thought too. It really is amazing the effect it can have, without you really noticing at first, though you soon do!

It is, thank you. The odd ache and twinge but that's to be expected at this sort of mileage I think. I was going to write my update within my Belfast Race Report (BRR) but that would likely take two weeks to read, and seven to write! 😂

Thanks again!

[AncientMum Graduate]

Lovely to see you back on here again, Sweetie. You've had a hell of a time of it this year but you've powered on through the difficult times and, to quote the song, "Baby, look at you now!"

Very very best of luck with the Belfast HM - with the form you're in at the moment, it could be an exciting race. Look out Mo, M_Y's right behind you! xxx

[Miles_Yonder Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

Thanks so much, GM! 😊 It's certainly been a struggle and at times its been tempting to pack it all in but them I'd just have been back to square one and that wouldn't do at all. I remember one run in summer, coming home from work, before I knew what was wrong; there was absolutely no energy at all, it was ghastly, and I didn't know what the problem was!

Thank you, I'm really looking forward to it so much. Having an easy week this week on the lead-up to it. I think Mo's safe for now though! 😂 xxx

[poppypug Graduate]

Yay ! Good to see you back on here Miles , you are truly a legend on this forum xxxx

Keep on running ,Baby and all the very best for your HM xxxx

[Miles_Yonder Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Awwww, Pops, that's lovely, thank you! 😄 I'll make sure I stay around; I've so much to catch up with!

Thank you! You too; Very Happy Running! (VHR!) 🏃 xxx

[mfamilias Graduate]

Great to see you back, and thanks for the update! I'm not aspiring to do any HMs or Marathons just yet... but I'm well impressed by the progress that you and others have made since setting out on that first 60 second run.

Now I'm off to imagine your roof-top star. Maybe you could have got him down by waving a pair of trainers at him.

[Miles_Yonder Graduate in reply to mfamilias]

Hey up, M-Fam! Nice to see you again.

Thank you very much indeed. 😊 Never say never; you never know where this running caper will take you! I certainly never thought I'd find myself doing all these things, never in a million years. Running continues to surprise, amaze, thrill and bewilder. And frustrate, sometimes, but it's mostly good!

I wish I'd stopped to take a photo of him, but didn't want to stop! 😂

Thanks again, M-Fam! 👍Happy running! 🏃

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Great to hear from you again Miles and we look forward to one of your epic, blow by blow race reports in the near future.

[Miles_Yonder Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks, IT! 😊 Good to see you again! Full race reports to come!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

Chocolate cake, you need chocolate cake post run for aneamia. Hehe, just joking, I suffered with aneamia at the start of my running it flaws you, well done for getting through it and back to your distances. It is so great to catch up with all your achievements in a short space of time. I look forward to hearing about the run up to your M and good luck with HM Belfast. Remember we are all here if you get those pre event wobbles we will send then packing for you. Happy running.

[Miles_Yonder Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Hello, RFC!

Oh yes, your Delicious Chocolate Cake (DCC) is essential at the end of every race, although keep it away from the Terribly Clumsy Aussie! (TCA)

I found myself eating loads of dark chocolate, craving it. I know why now! Yes, anaemia is completely exhausting. It's truly horrible to run with. *shudders* hardly being able to breathe, being bright red, calves aflame, it's horrid! Hope yours is under control!

Thank you very much, that offer may well be required. Quote nervous about the M in particular. Happy running to you also! 🏃🏃🏃👟

[agedsnailspace Graduate]

Welcome back, MY!

Sorry about all the frustrating health issues, but great to hear you are not letting it hold you back. A full marathon in the offing - that's impressive! I'll be doing my fourth half end of the month - but a full marathon is going to have to wait til I retire! How do you find the time?!

[Miles_Yonder Graduate in reply to agedsnailspace]

Hello, ASP! 😊

Thank you! Good luck with your half! Which half are you doing? Really hope it goes brilliantly!

It's not easy; I've told them at work that while I'm training for long events, I can't really do much overtime, but my hours are quite long anyway. Early starts have been the key. Tiring but it's working so far. In November I begin training for a 50K ultra, which is in March, which will require even more time. Eeep!

Happy running! 🏃

[agedsnailspace Graduate in reply to Miles_Yonder]

I'll be doing Barns Green - it's my 'local' hm and was my first last year , so this is a return fixture. I was talked out of trying the course ahead of time last year (well, the roads are open...) and was assured it was a really pretty run - which is true. It is also a little hilly... :). Not the easiest hm in the world, but brilliantly organised with loads for non runners to do (which is just as well as once in they are stuck til the run finishes). At least this year is not likely to be as hot as 2014!

Good luck with the ultra!! Maybe one day...

[Miles_Yonder Graduate in reply to agedsnailspace]

Good luck with your half! Sounds a fun and interesting race, and a nice challenge too. Hope it all goes well! 🏃🏃🏃Hope it's much cooler this year!

Nice to see you've not ruled out an ultra; I never thought I'd be doing one, so there's every possibility for you too!

[aliboo70]

Well i for one am VERY pleased to have you back to the fold, so to speak! Now don't you go leaving us again! all this talk of marathons is getting me inspired, a RLR (really long run, but only a half maybe) may be on the cards for me before the year is out, all being well! Welcome back old ( on way to 35! ) friend

[Miles_Yonder Graduate in reply to aliboo70]

Yaaaaay! Ali Wighter!!! (You've broken 'white' in my autocorrect memory! 😂 So glad to hear you're considering a half! Go for it! You ***can*** do it! The Brighton HM in February gets my recommendation, but I'm sure there will be plenty to choose from before the end of the year!

Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere now!

[agedsnailspace Graduate in reply to Miles_Yonder]

if you are doing it (Brighton hm) again next year, may see you there!

[Miles_Yonder Graduate in reply to agedsnailspace]

Sadly not, ASP; I'm doing the Brighton Marathon next year instead, which is in April. Are you doing the Brighton Half? It's a really good race with good crowd support, especially at the end; such a din I've never heard at a finish line before!

[agedsnailspace Graduate in reply to Miles_Yonder]

Yes - I was planning on doing it this year, but it was full before I got around to organising myself to enter, so I entered early this year to make sure I couldn't forget again! I do regular 10ks in Brighton that follow part of the same course - the crowd support is always good there (and again, it's fairly local for me, so there are always a crowd of people there I know, which is always good). Good luck with the Marathon - if I can, I'll come down to cheer you on!

[Miles_Yonder Graduate in reply to agedsnailspace]

Oh yes, it sold out so fast last year. I entered in July, I think it was, and when I looked again not long after, it had sold out! It's a great race, you'll love it!

Why, that would be brilliant, if you're free, thank you! Aussie's running it too.

You know, I had an email from the organisers of the marathon just the other day and pretty soon a very limited number of places are going on sale on a first come first served basis........ Tempted.....? 🏃🏃🏃👟

[mcgurranhouse Graduate]

Nice to meet you Miles. Good luck in Belfast. I did the Laganside 10k recently and it was brilliant - your run starts and finishes in the same place mine did although mine was obviously slightly shorter. I hope the weather is kind although it is Belfast - looking forward to your report.

[Miles_Yonder Graduate in reply to mcgurranhouse]

Hello there, mcgurranhouse; very nice to meet you too!

Glad to hear you enjoyed your 10K! I'll hopefully be having a wander down to Ormeau Park the day before the race, scope it all out. I'll write a full report once I've recomposed myself! Do I detect a wanting to do it yourself next year?! 😄 It looks a great race; the organisation and communication so far has been brilliant.

Thank you; wouldn't mind a bit of drizzle for the race, but some sun with which to enjoy Belfast would be grand!

[mcgurranhouse Graduate in reply to Miles_Yonder]

I think a half marathon is a possibility - you never know - My other half and myself are now thoroughly enjoying running and doing reasonable times too although the aim is always to finish - preferably without throwing up! I t is sad that we are all happy with a bit of drizzle!

[Miles_Yonder Graduate in reply to mcgurranhouse]

Never ever say never! Anything's possible with running and just finishing a race is a huge achievement, regardless of time. Not throwing up is a big bonus!

Glad to hear you and your other half are both enjoying running; it's great that you can both share in its enjoyment. 😊

And yes, I know what you mean. Only non-runners look at the red hot sunny sky when you're off for a run/race and say "lovely day for it". No it bloody well is not. Rain. Please. Now!

[TurboTortoise Graduate]

Great to hear from you Miles and glad all is well - did you ever find out what caused the anaemia or was it just one of those things? Great that you are back on form, smashing PBs, and keeping up the marathon training - exciting times!

[Miles_Yonder Graduate in reply to TurboTortoise]

Hey up TT! 😊 Great to see you!

No, I'm still waiting for an appointment for further tests, but hopefully it shouldn't be too much longer now. Still on the tablets but down to one a day as my iron levels are back to normal now, but obviously don't want another dip, with all the running!

Thank you, it is really exciting; so good to be able to share it with you all here.

Happy running! 🏃 🏃 🏃

[no-excuse Graduate]

Hiya! How lovely to see you posting again! Enjoy Belfast, have a blast. I shall look forward to hearing all about it. I'm pleased things are looking up again- take it easy though MY and don't go overdoing things x

[Miles_Yonder Graduate in reply to no-excuse]

Helloooooooo! Nice to see you again, No Excuse! How are you? Hope you're well and still enjoying your running!

I'll be careful not to overdo it, but yes, things are looking up again now, thankfully!

I'll get the race report done as soon as I'm fed and have recomposed myself!

Happy running! x

[pinkangel16 Graduate]

Yay, hey there Miles! Good to see you. Me too a bit hit and miss here due to desperate lack of time. And a few probs with GC too - now sorted.

Good luck with the Belfast HM - hope your health problems don't stand in the way of you having a fab time.

I'm considering the Mersey Tunnel 10k next year, being a scouser at heart.

Take care, good to see you, good luck an all that !! xx