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.
Written by
Miles_Yonder
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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*
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?
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! 🏃
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.
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. 😊🏃
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!
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! 😂
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
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
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.
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! 😂
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.
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! 🏃🏃🏃👟
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?!
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!
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!
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
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!
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!
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!
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.....? 🏃🏃🏃👟
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.
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!
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!
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!
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!
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.
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
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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 
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