New Forest Marathon running seminar

It's official. I am a total running geek. Went to Highcliffe sailing club this eve with mate Leanne for a 5k run then a running seminar. Loved it.

Physio Andy did a presentation about running injuries then Ant and Steve from Runcamp spoke about how to become a better runner. I took notes. I asked questions. I participated in the group activity. I chatted to the other people at the seminar who I'd never met before about running and said see you at the start line at the New Forest Half (on 13/9/15)

Such a great way to spend a Wednesday eve. 5k muggy run, chatting to Leanne pretty much non stop for the entire run - although did have a burst of speed at the end :)
34.24

Pleased with that.

Love the Marwell RR10

My local running clubs all organise a Wednesday evening 4-5mile cross country run during the summer. It was Eastleigh's turn last night and they host their run at Marwell Zoo.  It's fab. You can see some of the animals from the course which is a beautifully hilly route.

4.2miles, 48.39 mins, non stop, felt fabulous

I also cycled from Southampton out to the zoo, so yesterday I cycled about 37km in 2hours 4mins. My average speed was 17.9km/hr. That included some commuter cycling and I did ease off by the last few kms heading home last night. But really pleased that my average is slowly going up. I'd love it if my normal cycling averaged at 20knm/hr.

Left my flat at 6:05pm, got home by 9:45pm. A wonderful three and a half hours or so of exercise, seeing chums and enjoying the beautiful summer evening. Then I watched some of the TdeF before shower and bed.

Such a super way to end a Wednesday :)

What a fab weekend! 5k, tri club, 10k.

An unexpected weekend in Southampton so decided to make the most of it!

Friday daytime was spent mostly sunning myself on my balcony while chums popped round for tea. The evening however was alot more of&h. It was Runcamp's night of the 5k PBs up at the track. Hot and humid but brilliant fun. I set off first then every minute for about 22mins in descending order of their best 5k times we all ended up running 12.5 laps of the track.

Really enjoyed it l, lots of waving at LRR chum Louise who was in the stands and chatting to anybody who was around. According to my watch I may have done an extra lap. Either way loved it. 35.03.81mins or 32:38.07 for 5k. Delighted with both :) then bbq.

Saturday - tri club swimming - haven't done a Saturday morning session for weeks. At 9:05am I just wanted to get out. At 10am when I did get out all I could think was what an ace session. Then Tudor House Cafe for tea/scones/pannini etc... Rest of the day spent in front of the telly - F1 qualifying, TdeF, Wimbledon...

Sunday was the Race for Life 10k on the common which I did with chums Vik and Ana (pic taken just before the start). 1:10.37,  I cheered at each km marker and whooped at all my fellow runners. Such a wonderful atmosphere. Loved it. Then absolute bonus, had tea and a slice of pizza in the Hawthorns Cafe with Rose and then we realised it was barely 10mins till the start of the 5k so we strolled over to the Tauntons/Bellmoor entrance of the common to whoop and cheer the 5k runners. It took 15mins for them all to run/jog/walk past. Amazing.

Yacht pub in Woolston (see pic) for a spritzer latr afternoon then an evening of tv and pottering. 

Great weekend.

Best quote ever!

So I'm marshalling my running club's 10k last Sunday (portaloos, baggage, shed 8-10am then timing chip removal from 10:30am) and I'm happily taking off one chaps timing chip...

Then he says - aren't you the club member who's the triathlete whose just run the London marathon?

Omg, how fabulous is that?? And yes I am a member of Lordshill Road Runners, and I am a  triathlete who has just run the London marathon but even so, hearing it said out loud by someone I didn't know made it sound just so much cooler :)

Ran Monday 2.5miles, 30mins and Runcamp this eve was fabulous as per usual.

Marathonliz part 2... So far so good (except my 20lbs 5months is now 20lbs 14 weeks)

An awesome 48hours in the life of marathonliz

Omg, the best 48hours ever!!!

Tuesday runcamp was super - instead of the track we went up to one of the top cricket pitches. The evening was one of those perfect summers evening and we all got to be out in it - topped off with cake From Kirsty :)

Wednesday started with 20lengths of Hilsea Lido - 16 of them being non stop in 30.01mins

London Wednesday evening mtg cousin Ruth and big sis Debs for wine, food, catch up and alot of laughter and love :) We then walked Debs to Waterloo and I crashed at Cousin Ruth's hotel. This meant that this morning I had the most beautiful walk through Hyde Park. Totally wished I'd packed my swimming costume as the Serpentine looked so inviting.

Then this evening Vik and I had the most beautifully leisurely run, jog, some walking and alot of talking along Western Shore (I did 6.5miles total in 1:28.30 then 10mins when got home on the stationary bike). I think that has got to be one of my favourite running routes. The Solent just looked so fab.

And now I'm tucked up in bed knowing I don't have to get up till gone 7:30am.

Happiness is????

LIZZIE LOU RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW!

Sixteen weeks to go

Yesterday my sixteen week Twin Cities marathon plan started with a rest day. I was working till 9:30pm so figured I'd have Mondays as my rest day. Also I had just done the Polesdon Lacey 10k on Sunday 14/6 so probs a good idea to have a rest.

Polesdon Lacey was brilliant fun. I'd forgotten just how horribly relentless the hills are on this 10k :(

Aaah well...
Plus it was quite muggy.
1:16.03 = about 6 mins slower than last year. I am though consciously trying to start slowly so I can finish strong. I finished strong so Hoorah, just got to work on my fitness so.my slow start is actually quicker than my current slow start.

Didn't go to Runcamp as eating Chinese at Pandas instead for A's bday. Yum. Then Lidls as haven't managed to shop for yonks and was down to my last square of toiled paper (eeeek)

So my Twin Cities training plan is off to an astounding slow start! One can but hope that it really does "only get better".

Oh and in case anyone's wondering... It's now:-
20lbs / 4months.

Gently easing into marathonliz part two

Such a lovely weekend in Hove.

Ran 7k in 50mins with Sarah. We chatted non stop as we ran up and down the sea front. With a fab afternoon of looking at flowers with Clare and Elizabeth (attached pic taken from a bench at the Garden House in Brighton while drinking tea and eating chocolate cake).

Sunday when I got home, instead of immediately having a cup of tea I got changed into my running gear then went for a gentle run. 5k 39mins then 15mins on the stationary bike 8.6k

I've still got a week before my training plan starts so feel great that I'm already laying down good foundations around consistency of running. My goal for the Twin Cities is to stick to the training plan  regardless. Until you actually run, running is all mental and I'm extremely adept at convincing myself to reset the alarm clock, roll over and get 30mins more snoozing in :)

My plan for this week...
Runcamp this eve
Hilsea lido before work, RR10 after work
Tri club swimming at Oaklands Thursday
Not sure about Friday
Maybe parkrun Saturday or tri club
Polsdon Lacey 10k Sunday

Then it's 16 weeks to until my second marathon!!!!!!! Wahoooooooo - soooooo excited.