What a glorious day! The photo was taken on the dog walk earlier, but I’ve included it here because it echoes how beautiful the weather is: warm, sunny and mellow. I’ve seen rowan berries, red kites (So many here and I’d like to adopt them as my spirit animal!), painted ladies on buddleia (it’s a butterfly, chaps, so don’t get too excited 😆).
Not much to say about the run. My hr graph shows a few spikes into zone 3, but I slowed down rather than stopping, to bring it back down.
A month to go before my race. It’s beginning to feel real. I need to find an old sweater I can put on to stay warm at the start, then discard. The beginning is the part of the race I’m most worried about: silly things like the loo being a distance from the start; exactly when I will get underway as they say 9.30, but I don’t know if that’s my pace people or everybody needing to be there then , as it’s staggered.
They'll separate you into groups but they'll only be a few minutes apart. Don't drink too much in the morning. Be prepared for long queues for the toilets, don't leave it until 09.20.
I went twice with both Blenheim 10k races, but the loos were right next to the start. I’ll have a cup of tea when I get up, a small drink with electrolyte tab soon after. I’m carrying a litre of Tailwind. There are loos en route, but I don’t want to lose time.
Thank you for the encouragement 😊 much appreciated!
That is a lovely photo Flick, beautiful place and a great day for a run.
No parkrun for me tomorrow, however, this morning I went for a walk around the park where the parkrun is held, I wanted to know where exactly the 1 Kilometre splits were on the course using Mapmywalk app, so when I do run it again next time I will know exactly how many kilometers I have ran or how many to go, guess what happened, I actually started running for about 2 kilometers although I didn't have any running equipment with me, I think I must have indeed got the running bug 🐛
Tomorrow as I say no parkrun but I will be running with my proper running shoes along the same route as I ran run 3 of week 9 of C25K 😊 🏃have a great day.
Worrying about those things Flick mean you are prepared for the actual run! I always want the toilet regardless of what I drink but I'm sure they will have enough toilets. The town and gown is the oddest run I've done where the start is so far away from the event park but once you know, you know!
I would say you will start off fairly promptly so not too much waiting around. And then you have plenty of time to find your happy pace and just run. I have a bit of the wobbles today... polar tell there are 22 days until I run! Eek. My heel is okish but I can only run with what I have I guess. I couldn't get my heartrate down or slow down today so I ran my zone 3 run in zone 4 for most of it. It might have been not running for a week too. And time is back in my head.... Polar predict 4 and a half hours for my run, which isn't true in zone 3 lol. I need to get back to the mindset of finish rather than speed. Nerves are bubbling though but then so is the excitement. I'll be so relaxed by the time you run Flick 😊 I can just come and cheer you on! Xx
Oxford like to spread their races out don't they lol!
I read it and it did calm me down. It makes sense to run slower for longer to avoid injuries.
Yes do tell me your number. I will hopefully see you. Haha yeah I know.... highly optimisic predictions but who knows maybe this slow zone training works miracles! It definitely gives us the stamina. 🤞 xx
Missed a chunk of your reply. I hope your heel holds out. I bet if you can get it to the day intact, it will be ok. And I think you’re right about not fixating on speed. I’ll be glad to get round TBH! Xx
Yes on the actual day I will just be glad to finish. I think it's this training.... an hour run feels short now lol so in my head short can be speedy! 🙈🤣 I'm just going to take it easy now until the run.... 6 runs won't make a huge difference other than keep my fitness up so I'll run slow and steady and then run my 30k slow and steady. Once I get to 30k on the day then I can push and go for it.
You can do the same Flick as soon as you hit 17k. This training leaves you with enough power left to end on a sprint. I promise x
All the best for your run tomorrow. I'll look out for your race report. You can do it, you have to believe in you.
It is true.... on the day we only have ourselves. All the training and our grit and our spirit. As well as any injuries or niggles. We have what we have on the day and we run. 😊👊 x
it is indeed the most beautiful morning – autumn weather at its best! I love this time of year so much. Well done on your run, and thanks for the beautiful picture.
First world problems of runners: now those I understand! I am trying so hard right now to tell myself I am just going for a wee run with 600 or so other runners, but my lizard brain kicks in and I feel very nervous. I think it helps that I have never run a race before, as I am not even entirely sure exactly WHAT I should be worrying about (other than my dodgy ITB). LOL!
You are going to be fine. Deep breaths, try and get some good quality sleep (I know, Mr IDS may well hamper that, but naps are also good xxx
Public races are fun, that's the main thing. People are incredibly friendly and the crowd cheers you on.
I haven't slept with Mr IDS since I began training, and I must say I'm getting a better quality sleep. He doesn't seem to miss me, which is a bit alarming though you never know with him as he would rather die than admit to anything weak like emotion LOL! xxx
Bravo! Mr Sadie-runs has been relegated to the spare room for the last couple of nights (and tonight and tomorrow) to ensure I get my much needed zeds in. I actually prefer sleeping alone. I mean, it's not like you can chat or anything when you sleep?! And I am a hot sleeper, so forget about falling asleep in each other's arms LOL! I am sure Mr IDS will be happy to be reunited with you after the race. xxx
He’s a hot sleeper too. He’s a Chinese year of the dragon and you can feel the heat coming off him! When we were first together we slept with his arms around me every night. So sad that goes and we all worry about comfort instead of romance 😥xxx
You’ll be fine, your well up on your training. I have got a Safari 10 miles in two weeks and a metric marathon in three weeks. Doing a fourteen mile training run tomorrow you are certainly more advanced in your training than I am as hardly trained yet. Gorgeous photo by the way 😀😀👍
There's no room for loos near the start of the Oxford Half, unfortunately, and when I did it I found it took a long time for us to get underway. I recommend Tena 😊
The delay time was the impression I got too. I will pass on the Tena - not an attractive look under thin, tight capris - I’m just being silly about the loos. It’s a family trait after our mother constantly telling us to go before we went out in case we wet ourselves. Didn’t stop me weeing on the red leather stool at the hairdressers when I was four - red dye all over my dress, never ever forgotten!!
Sorry Flick - I meant to reply straight away, but got called away, and then lost track!
It was a long time ago, but I think that we were also told to be there at 9.30. I can't remember which predicted time I went for, but I expect it was somewhere between 2 hours and 2:15. I got underway at 9:47 according to Endomondo, but I do remember it saying it couldn't find GPS, so that might be a bit wrong. Was certainly quite a long wait though! Cold 😊
Thanks Abi. It will be even longer for me, then, as I’m expecting to be much slower than that. I’m going to wear an old jumper and ditch it at the start.
I have just put Kate Bush on the speakers here - "OhEngland, my Lionheart"
Maybe I should add it to my Running Tracklist - I can easily get lost in wonderful memories, and the miles might slip by
You will be fine in your HM FM3 - everything is a bit nerve-wracking the very first time, but if antiquated curmudgeons like me can do it - and enjoy it - anyone can
As for distances to the Loo's. Yes, that was one of the factors (and there were MANY more lol) I took into account until I remembered a few things.
Physiologically, when faced with a "threat" our lizard Brain is not great at grading it. It can barely differentiate between being faced with Andy Pandy or The Krays.
So - we tend to conflate our "thinking" response to a great degree With time of course, we do think it through
Before that however, there is an instinctive instinct to begin one of four "fear reactions"
Fight, Flight - well known.
Fall, Faint - not so well known.
Andy Pandy takes a swing at you...well, you might "Fall" cos you are weak at the knees laughing.
The Krays - any of the others depending on your "default" instinct.
So, in the situation of a HM and the "threat" of getting caught short of a loo.
It's not the Krays, so you won't "fight" it.
It's not life threatening so you won't "faint".
Not will you "fall" because you are not "cornered" with no apparent escape.
You are already "running" of course - and that is the advantage.
Along with scared lizard Brain is "evolved" brain. And Body.
They interlink and with the knowledge there IS a loo in the future, believe me they will work subconciously to help you hold it together FAR longer than you could consciously on your willpower.
It's been proven in military and civilian tests, and I bet at some point in everyone's personal life
So, memorise the distances between each loo, that info will feed into your subconscious and it will be fine as I am sure the organisers know where and how many loos are needed based on all the available data from lots of events
( it's the "Flight" reaction that makes us fill out pants. It's the body lightening itself for a fast retreat Just another little (but true) bedtime story for the Bairns 😁)
I will be cheering for you on the day 😘
What a wonderful response, just wonderful. Though I have to say I’m probably more antiquated than you. I’m going to be ready reading this nearer the day. I will try not to faint if I need a wee 😂😂😂
What a gorgeous picture! I had to google what the butterfly looked like (you peaked my interest), so pretty, too.
You're training has been going so well, and you've done a great job sticking to your plan. Kudos to you. I've pretty much fell off the rails this month, but it is what it is. I like what Clairecandothis wrote about "Ican only run with what I have". I might have to join Irish-John in writing it on my arm for tomorrow.
Hey Flick, long time no speak! I'm not on here much these days having not really progressed very far due to an annoying bum muscle that persists to hinder me, boring, boring...... but I caught your post... I am so mightily impressed with how far you've come and what you are doing! Completely and utterly fantastic you! Good luck - although I don't think you will need it, you seem to have it all under control! Go girl xxx
Hello lovely! Great to see you popping up here. And thank you so much for the vote of confidence. That I’ve come so far is partly down to the support on these forums and the enthusiasm all of you show for running (not to mention having spent so much on Lycra that I will have to run till I’m 103 to justify the expense 🤣🤣🤣). My half marathon is looming on the horizon, so any encouragement is much appreciated.
I really hope your bum sorts itself out. Keep dropping in and posting - we miss your input xxx
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I have a bit of the wobbles today... polar tell there are 22 days until I run! Eek. My heel is okish but I can only run with what I have I guess. I couldn't get my heartrate down or slow down today so I ran my zone 3 run in zone 4 for most of it. It might have been not running for a week too. And time is back in my head.... Polar predict 4 and a half hours for my run, which isn't true in zone 3 lol. I need to get back to the mindset of finish rather than speed. Nerves are bubbling though but then so is the excitement. I'll be so relaxed by the time you run Flick 😊 I can just come and cheer you on! Xx
though you never know with him as he would rather die than admit to anything weak like emotion LOL! xxx
HM training week15 day3 
