HOKAS!

I've done it! Gone and bought some Hokas! Sorry about the blurry picture, my phone camera lens is cracked. 
Will be trying these out tomorrow and will get back with my verdict :)

Good training week :)

My ever faithful running companion :)

Chilling on the grass after a good 42km run out on Saturday...me looking rough, Kibo ready to keep going 






The week started with a bank holiday Monday spent out with my boys, having a fab day out in the mountain, sun shining on us. We were out quite a lot longer than we had anticipated, which I can struggle with. I generally like to know how far or how long we'll be out, and if it exceeds that I get a bit grumpy. But, taking on board the advise of my wise husband I kept trying to think of all the positives. When I reached some terrain I really don't like coming down into Buttermere, I focused on how lovely the valley was, how it meant I could just go slow and take the time to practice my descending on rocky ground. When we had another couple of hours to go after what had already been a longer day than I expected, and all I wanted to do was get it over with, I focused on how the time on my feet was great training, that I was out with my husband who was having a good run out and enjoying it, mostly, and thankful it was lovely weather, I wasn't cold and my feet were dry!!!  I knew it would feel good to have got some good miles in afterwards. So, I am going to keep practicing positive thinking and take time to be thankful for what I can do...well, as much as I can.

On Tuesday I went into work in Keswick early (I know, what a great place to say I work!) Managed a slow steady 8/9 miles, which didn't feel slow, especially as I tried to keep warm on what was a very cold morning and I was not dressed appropriately. I didn't even have gloves, which if you knew me is unheard of as I always get freeeeeeeezing hands, to the point of no function. And that's on a relatively warm day! I was pleased to get something in before work. I just need to be careful not to put pressure on myself to do it all the time. Easier said than done. Once I do something once I find it hard not to feel I should be able to do it all the time. Something I will work on with the aim of getting more of a balance. 

I decided to mix things up and had a good 46km bike (commute to and from work) on Friday. Not being 'bike fit' my back suffered and I got a blister under my toe. I rarely get blisters running, so found it funny to get it whilst on my bike. Poor socks is what it was. 

Saturday, the sun came out and I was looking forward to meeting a fellow Lakeland 100 runner to keep him company on his recce from Buttermere to Dockray and good training for me. I started out in Braithwaite in the end and ran back on the route to meet him.  We chatted the 20 or so km before I turned back. I felt pretty good other than a blister that developed because of a plaster I was wearing for my other blister...injiji socks please hurry up and arrive! Ankles been feeling a little sore and my glutes, right hamstring and knee niggles a bit. Stuff I need to try work on (however that may be) before the day. I will try and do a post on some specific strength and stretch training maybe?! 

Overall though a great day out, reinforcing what's so great about trail/fell running; being able to get out with like minded people and appreciate the beautiful countryside, push myself a bit and enjoy a rest afterwards. And I have a tired little dog too :) 

Thank you for a great day!

xxx

The pros and perils of social media

  facebook

                                  strava

              twitter

                                       mapmyfitness



Our lives have become so much more of an open book. We can share so much and follow so much of where people are at. It's such a great way to keep in touch, get advice or opinions on things and connect with others you perhaps wouldn't get the chance to. 
In the running world we like to debate on whether to use poles, whether to wear the new x-talons or Hokas, rub our feet in vaseline or which head torch to buy amongst the gazillion out there (thank you all for help with that). We love to record and share the miles we've done and the number of gruelling meters/feet endured. Whilst I love strava for being able to see where others have gone and whether I've managed to beat my last time or occasionally bagged a course record, I cannot help but compare myself and feel that whatever I am doing doesn't compare to what others are managing to achieve. I feel like I am failing. That I can't possibly compete with those out there that clock hours and hours and miles and miles week in week out.  And whilst I have the time, or could make the time I feel quite weary and that maybe I don't have what it takes. And I feel disappointed, because doing enough has never been too much of a problem for me. I can't help but notice the people out there that I perhaps will never be able to compete with, the ones that are seriously driven. I feel almost jealous of their discipline that they spend all their time running running running, rain or shine. I thought that was me, disciplined and driven. Apparently not compared to others. But then I also realise that a lot of these people are obsessed. Running is after all very addictive and with all the exposure through social media it is no wonder we do become obsessed. 
So I am feeling sorry for myself, but then I also know that I need to just try and figure out what is going to work for me. I have to say that having entered the Lakeland 100 it is definitely living up to the expectation of being challenging, and not just physically. And I know that by continuously comparing myself and looking at what everyone else is doing, it is challenging me more mentally and emotionally. I am not in a great frame of mind, not feeling good enough and so I think that I need to take a step away from the social media and just focus on me. Focus on what it is that I enjoy and why I entered the event in the first place. Because a part of me did believe I could finish. So I'm going to just get back to it. 

At Least Kibo had a blast...Scafell Pike struggle

So being out in the mountains, especially with people (or dog) you love, is always better than not. If the weather is kind, conditions are good and you have the time it's hard not to want to get out. 

I went out with the mindset of having a lovely steady run in a new area with my boys. And if it weren't for my boys I may well have bailed. 
As we started our climb up the biggest mountain in England I was a little sluggish but pretty sure I'd get a bit more spring in my step once we got on some good trails. After what seemed like an age of hopping from rock to rock, desperately trying not to stub my toes, go over on my ankles or just fall on my arse, I asked Joe if it was going to be like this the whole way. Pretty much!!! 
On terrain that feels like you're running on a river bed is not really all that fun to me. I kept getting shooting pains up my ankles, couldn't get into any sort of rhythm, and because I am having to focus so much on the ground I can't really appreciate the beauty around me. Don't get me wrong, I have grown to love a bit of technical ground. It helps take the focus off how tired I am and I don't feel like I need to be going fast. Too much though and I feel drained and fed up because i can't do what it is that I really like to do...run. 

We made it to the end of the corridor route and started up to the summit and I think frustration gave me a burst of energy and managed to run the 300 odd meters up to the top and felt pretty good. Even if it was more of a hopping along a pile of rocks opposed to a real running motion. It did perk me up a bit and made the decision to go over to Scafell too. MISTAKE! As we made our decent and then started to traverse round to find a way up Id really had enough and my poor husband had to put up with my frustration and grumpiness. We turned around and found the best way back, down scree and rocks rocks rocks. 

Finally down although I didn't feel like I'd had a good energetic, heart pounding run, I kept going and spent time out with my boys, and as I am reminded time and time again by my patient husband...good mental training. And Kibo had a brilliant day out :) 
xxx

LL100 Recce Buttermere to Dalemain

Opps...thought I'd published this a week ago :)

Sunday 26th March 2017. Buttermere to Dalemain Lakeland 100 recce. 33 Miles in lovely sunshine with lovely company doing what I love in a place I love.

Having been feeling quite low and really questioning whether I really have what it takes to run 100 miles I feel a bit more confident and almost reminded what I love about this sport. No pressure on times but just being out with others with the same goal of getting round and enjoying each others company on the way. I won't lie that I remain nervous that my legs felt a tired and sore in places towards the end of the day; however reassured that the following day felt I could have gone for a run.

Despite having lost an hour in bed and having to get to Dalemain to get the coach I felt lucky to enjoy the beautiful drive with sunrise in the clearest of skies over the snow capped mountains. I was lucky to join up with a group of girls that I could run with which really did make for an enjoyable day. It really does make all the difference having good people to share a day out in the glorious mountains. And that's what the lakeland is all about...sharing the journey and being there for one another. Looking forward to the next one :)
xxx