Nice run down the Prom anyone?.........Ssssh...don't mention the wind.

Well the day had arrived to do one of my favourite events the btr 21st Liverpool half marathon and my third big run in three weekends.

I did this event last year and had a great time as it is easy to get to being near my hometown and I had made loads of new running friends  at the event last year due to the Running Discussion Board that I had recently joined that year as member on Facebook.

The subsequent afternoon and evening in the famous Rigby's was a hoot and one I was keen to repeat this year.

The day started at 6 a.m. on a Sunday as ever seems to be the case on a run day, I'm not a big fan of getting up early and it is quite frankly a b*gger to sleep the night before as race tactics and plans and what to wear or not wear is always buzzing around my head the night before. But I managed it.

Quick shower and start to select my running gear for the day after a last minute quick check of the weather forecast, seemed to be chance of showers pretty cold and pretty windy so it was going to be a challenge to stay warm at the start so extra clothes required which would then have to be left in the luggage storage buses follwed by 10 minutes waiting in the start area freezing my **** off.

Breakfast next which was merely 2 pieces of wholemeal toast and a cup of coffee, followed by a banana an hour later as I was keen not to forget to eat it pre race this time like i did last week in the 20 miler I did without food..oops!

All ready to go now and my transport for the day as ever was the ever helpful and fellow Southport runner and RDB member Mr M and his wife Mrs M who was also running today.

We arrived promptly as ever, and sat in the car for a while kidding ourselves that it really wasn't very windy out there or indeed cold.This quickly became fruitless as we watched car after car of runners empty out in front of us with people getting out of a warm car and rapidly showing signs of `Artic shock` as if they had indeed just been teleported to the Artic circle.

We eventually got out and headed towards the start, but not before picking up an old work colleague of mine and fairly new but successful runner Vicky. Vicky was going to be joining the 2hr pacing train that Mr M and a few fellow runners Frankie & Kenny a.k.a. `Bert & Ernie` would be leading to help people along who wanted to achieve a sub 2 hr time.

                                             World renowned Bert & Ernie.

                                     
Now it was time to meet up with a few others to say our respective hello's and for people who were running together to get sorted, in particular the above mentioned 2hr pacing train which was allegedly now up to 15 people.

It was now sadly time to strip off a few layers and put our nice warm and snug clothes back in our bags and onto the luggage buses, this was particularly difficult and felt like handing your precious favourite toy over to your brother or sister to play with when you were a child lol.

Anyway, it was finally start time and I managed to get down further in the start queue this time in the area designated for runners who are looking to achieve a 1 hr 45 min race, last year i started near the back due to being slow getting ready and I had to run through thousands of slower runners later in the race, which was a nightmare and not one I wanted to repeat.

                                             Cram packed start area area 1:45 runners.

So 9 a.m. and we were off, we slowly walked forward as we approached the start line and people started to run as they crossed the start line and chip time mat.This became a bit precarious as several inconsiderate morons had dropped their empty water bottles on the floor right in the middle of the path we were running on, and with the mass of people trying to get running from the start line and being unable to see in front of themselves and their feet this was very dangerous and I slipped on one myself which rapidly flew out from under my foot as I accelerated away.Luckily I stayed upright but I developed a seriously annoyed and frustrated facial expression for several minutes.

Onwards we went and after a few miles upwards we went as we approached and then turned up Upper Parly as the local runners seem to call it as it is a long hill that everyone seems to hate as you often find in the first two miles you have set of quite fast as you feel good, and then suddenly hit Upper Parly and discover your mistake as you crawl up the hill trying to get your breath.

Thankfully after my recent running exploits involving hills this was not really an issue for me and I appeared at the top feeling fine, a little puffed but knowing within a minute I would be back to normal.So we carried on now on a flat and even a bit of a stretch on a slight downhill which was a benefit.

I had decided as a strategy that I would have to run at roughly 7:47 minute miles to achieve a new personal best time at a half marathon of 1 hr 42 minutes, this would require me to run at my threshold pace for most of the time, threshold being that point where as you are running you are just below the point of feeling a bit too puffed out, so you are just getting enough oxygen in your system to keep going at that pace.I managed to maintain this but wasn't sure if I could do it all the way around a 13.1 mile course.But so far so good but this was only 3 miles or so in.

I was now getting quite hot as the running had obviously warmed me up so I was constantly unzipping my running jacket and removing my woolly hat every time the sun came out and the temp raised.This was now becoming my focus as it made me uncomfortable, but i would rather be hot than cold so battled on.

Soon we were now entering Sefton Park which is a huge park and running mecca I would guess for people who want somewhere nice to run on training runs.I knew from last year that we would be here for a fair while as we run around a lot of the park inside and out.It was at this park that we would hit the halfway point 10k and another chip time mat that would give us a time at that point to check our progress after the race.Soon after this point we where back onto the road outside the park and running around the outskirts of the park. It now decided to rain and cold rain at that.I now had a grin on my face as I thought `well in` as I remained warm and dry in my running jacket and promptly replaced wooly hat.

We eventually exited the area of the park and went down a slope and through a subway under a major road junction and into Otterspool Park which was another scenic change to races that are all down boring roads.At this point we were now hitting the 8 mile mark  and a water stop was coming up at 9 miles, so it was time for my one and only sports gel to ensure I had some energy left on the final miles as I knew the dreaded Prom was coming up.

After a while in the park it was water stop time and a quick drink without stopping for me and onwards to the Prom, I turned the corner on to the Prom and all I heard from behind  me was "Oh Hell!" as the full affects of the 20-29mph headwinds hit home!!

It was now head down time and plough on time as you try and plough through the wind  and try to stay as streamlined as you possibly can.This was hard and I knew we had 4 miles of this and it was going to take its toll.

My time was now dropping to roughly 8 minute miles and I was in danger off missing my target time if I could not maintain my pace for the last miles, I had built up a little bit of time in the bank as such as some of my earlier miles were actually faster than my target but I was still worried.I constantly wanted to run slower and preserve energy for the end but knew I would fail my time if I did.As ever I had to tell myself that if I miss out because I didn't try hard enough when I should of then I would indeed be very annoyed and disappointed in myself.

I managed to push on and at 11 miles was developing a stitch which can often cripple me in a run so I had to keep changing breathing patterns and also take in several deep breaths as well as if I'm honest asking God to remove my oncoming stitch.It lessened and I managed to keep if from fully developing and by now my legs were starting to struggle to maintain pace as my body was trying to slow me down.I managed to push on and force my legs to speed up as I carried on.

It was now 12 miles and obstacles galore as we avoided benches, bins and various sea related objects all of which were serious trip hazards and we were all weaving in and out of them and in and out of each others paths.

Final mile now and I was hanging on for dear life, I could tell from my watch that the last couple of miles I was just about 5 secs off my total target time but I knew I had 50 seconds spare as my last PB was 1:42:50 and my target set on my watch was 1:42:00 so I carried on determined not to slow down any more.

A couple of cobbled area's not great for running fast on and a couple of corners I remembered flying round last year as I sprinted in, but this year was struggling, I made a last dash for it and went past about 20 people on a big corner and felt great until I went round the next corner thinking the finish line was there, and no I was wrong and straight into a 100 metre stretch of headwind I went, b*gger! I slowed and got through it and the final corner approached, I was now feeling sick as I had expended all my spare energy in a sprint to nowhere, so around the corner and there was the finish I attempted to sprint but it wouldn't happen and I was quite frankly just trying to stop myself hurling as I crossed the line in a new PB time of 1hr 41 mins and 42 secs, over 1 minute taken off my previous PB 6 weeks or so back :)

As per usual it was straight to the goodie section like a kid in a sweetshop to collect my great looking long sleeved bright orange technical running shirt, a bling medal, a Lucozade energy bar and a bottle of water and some Jelly Beans :)

                                              Great tech shirt and medal.

                                                Close up of medal.


Now it was time to wait for fellow runners, after first running straight to the luggage bus and wrapping up warm asap as it was cold at the finish even with the sun out.

It was chaotic at the finish area as thousands of runners came in and idiotic spectators and people's family thought nothing of standing in the way of the knackered runners who just wanted to get out of the finishers tunnel and onto the luggage buses for their gear.I stood out the way and still had a constant stream of people pushing past me with no excuse me's or thank you's what so ever.I for one think Finish area's at events this big need a dedicated family reunion area which separates the crowds and give the runners a bit of well earned and deserved space when they need it most.

                                              Chaotic finish area.


After all the chaos it was time to retrieve the troops and head to the good old Rigby's pub which is a tradition for the RDB runners in particular and it is so near the race it's ideal.It's a traditional old worldy pub which as per usual with old pubs and in particular in the city looks a bit rough on the outside, but is nice enough on the inside.

                                             Home from home for weary runners legs.


So a good day overall, and several friends old and new met in the pub along with a birthday celebration for the birthday girl Jean :) followed by a multiple of pints which I have not had for a long time due to all the training and a lack of funds usually.

PB's were celebrated by many from the RDB group including Adele, Ben, Clare (UK PB), Denise,Jessica, Linda, Vicky and of course myself and many others.

Thanks to everyone involved in the race organization and all it's helpers at the aid stations and at the finish area etc, big thanks to the chain gang who give out the well deserved medals at the end, especially Keith a fellow runner from RDB and Laura from the headphone Police ;) thanks for a great day.

This is a great event and I would recommend it for anyone looking for a good half marathon, and the btr Liverpool events which are held in the area are always great events so I would recommend them all to you as I have done most them myself.

So whats next for me?..well next event is the Rock'N'Roll Liverpool marathon on Sunday  25th May 2014 and official 14RUNS charity campaign run #7!!

Couple of weeks rest/small runs for me and then it's straight back into marathon training with  15/16/18/20 mile long runs  for 5 weeks or so and then the big day.

Thanks as always for all your support verbally or financially, it is much appreciated and is what drives me on to raise the money for causes close to my heart.

20 is plenty......painful a week after a hill marathon.

Well true to form I did things the hard way this weekend. After trying to keep it easy run wise and only doing little 5k's on the treadmill to try and recover from last weeks Bolton hill marathon, I got offered a last minute place at the Trimpell 20 by Mr M, as Mrs M was still not well enough to run after a long period of chest infection problems.

So how far was this last minute run? 20 miles!! I thought about it for a while and tried to gauge if I could manage it injury free, as I had had a painful twinge in my right hamstring on Wed during a treadmill run.I decided the chance was too good to miss as I could use this as a new run for my charity campaign and as a free entry it would save me much needed money.

I was working Fri and Sat at work so no chance of rest, and Sat night I wasn't back from work til midnight and had to stay up to cook and eat some pasta and anything else I could manage to try and carb load my muscles with.In all honesty it was too late to try but something was better than nothing.

I managed roughly 5 hours sleep and got up, showered and changed, and had some toast and coffee as per usual and threw my stuff in my bag and I was out the door for 8.55am.

Transport as ever was provided by the ever helpful and supportive Mr M and today we had some fellow passengers and runners from SWAC (Southport & Waterloo Athletics Club) today it was Mandy and Jane.

Prompt arrival in Lancaster as always when Mr M drives, and after a bit of a queue to get through the Lancaster to Morecombe bottleneck leading up to Asda and we were there and all parked up at the sports centre.

A quick visit to the cafe area to find the loos etc and then after a welcomed pre race liquid relief it was out onto the track and onto the athletics clubhouse for our numbers.

A quick hello to several fellow runners and friends from RDB and a quick photo op (see pic below) and we were ready for the off.

So 20 miles here I come and I'm ready, or so I thought, in the rush to get our numbers etc I didn't get the chance to go back to the car and collect my running gels, water, mars bar and paracetamol.......this was a major oops!! but I convinced myself that I could manage by trying to grab anything I can from the aid stations even though it was purely some sweets and water.

So we were off and straight onto a cycle track which then lead on to more cycle track and then more cycle track ( a pattern seems to be emerging here). Then onto a flashy pedestrian bridge over the river and down the Quayside on the other side.We saw the leaders on several occasions as there were several switchbacks to and fro and as usual they were flying.

After a few side roads etc it was back past the bridge and onto the cycle path again (surprise) this went on pretty much for the entire length of the run but it was relatively quiet as such if you got ahead of the main bunches of runners, and you soon learned to keep your eyes peeled for cyclists who appeared a little dismayed at a long stream of runners on what is actually a walk/cycling path so we were perfectly entitled to use it :)

Onwards we went and thankfully there were aid stations roughly every 5k (2-3 miles) but I ignored most on the first stretch apart from when I saw sweets being offered, so I grabbed some every time at those.The challenge was trying to chew a mouthful of sweets and breath through my mouth at the same time which I have never mastered, which is exactly why I don't eat sweets and run and use gels instead.Every time I had sweets I found myself out of breath as I tried to eat while holding my breath a little, this didn't work by the way.

I ended up running fairly comfortably at 7:45 minute miles for the first 6-7 at least so was building up a little bit of spare time that I could use when I tired in the second half and would slow. I didn't really know what time I wanted, I looked for sub 3 hours as a guideline due to the fact that when I run to Liverpool from Southport which is also 20 miles it takes me roughly 3hrs but I stop for breaks on those runs and stop my watch so it's more like 3 hrs 20 mins.I set my watch for 8:30 miles because a sub 4 hr marathon is 9 min miles and I wanted to go quicker if I could.

We continued down the never ending cycle/walk path alongside the river and the views were quite nice of the river but it was overcast so not as pleasurable as it could of been as everything looks nicer in the sun with blue skies.I soon approached a timing mat at 10 miles which was the half way point and I hit a respectable 1:19 but I was now starting to feel my legs losing energy and no longer felt comfortable at the pace so I had to slow a little to try and preserve some energy, I wasn't puffed at all and could of keep it up but I knew the higher pace would waste more energy than I could afford.

Onwards again down what was now feeling like a dreaded cycle path to nowhere and finally at between 11 and 12 miles I think it was we turned round and headed back.Now I really was struggling and I was getting the odd person overtaking me and I was struggling to keep up with people in front of me.I convinced myself that these were people who had saved their energy for the second half instead of running faster in the first half like I had done.

Aid stations now became rest stops for me as I would take sweets and stand still and eat them to save choking on them.thankfully a welcome site was Frankie and Jenny fellow runners from RDB who when I mentioned I needed some food they kindly offered me a HI 5 gel :) bonus, just what I needed.I plodded on a little faster but still couldn't believe I still had near on 7 miles to go.

Aid station sweetie raids continued and sneaky rests as people passed me but I didn't care now it was all about survival.I continued on and at mile 17 and 18 I stopped and walked a 100 metres to give my legs a chance to pump some much needed blood and energy into them as running was using it quicker than my body could supply it.

This thankfully worked as I suffered through the final miles and mile 19 to 20 which felt like the longest mile of my life (26.2 miles at Bolton hill marathon felt more comfortable than I did now) last 400 or so metres now and onto the athletics track for the last 350 metres and a slow painful slog in with pretty much no sprint left in me...and over the line in 2hrs 51 mins and onto the goodie bag collection point :) a very much welcomed sandwich was handed to me and a t-shirt and in the goodie bag was a banana and a chocolate Twirl bar :) all promptly inhaled along with several cups of water.

All that remained now was a little wait for some fellow runners to come in safe, and a little chat with another member of SWAC who I had never met Paul.

Once everyone was safely home at the finish it was onto the cafe for a quick coffee and toilets or changing clothes etc and then it was time for home.

Several of us waddled over to the car and we were off home and as always arrived safely back in Southport courtesy of Mr M again (thank you Mr M).

So overall a very hard run due to tired legs but a good run for people who were using it as their last long 20 mile run in preparation for the London marathon in April.it is always good to have a long run or race as preparation to see what works and what does not on a run of this difficult distance.20 miles mean you will usually hit the wall of sorts unless your lucky so it's valuable practice and vital to prepare you for your big day the actual marathon.

Thanks to the on course photographers `Sprint finish photographers` for the great pictures on Flickr, all the marshal's, helpers at the aid stations and clubhouse etc and all the organizers, this is a good run because of them and I would recommend it.

So now I have a weeks rest and next Sunday I am onto charity run #6 of 14 the btr Liverpool half marathon.I will be attempting a new PB there so am going to try and rest this week but will still need to do a few small runs.

I hope to see some of you, runners or supporters in Liverpool and hopefully I may see some donations start to come through as this being an almost year long charity campaign donations as always are slow in the beginning, but next weeks run is almost the half way mark :)

See you next week....

Mud,mud,big hills....and yes you guessed it more MUD!

Well I survived the hardest run of my life, the Bolton hill marathon 26.2 miles of several big ups and many, many smaller ups and downs over every kind of terrain known to a runner and then some.

The day started at 6.30am after a lousy nights sleep as my stomach decided to blow up like a balloon after my late tea and it was giving me some serious stomach pains and I was starting to panic that it may of been the start of a bout of food poisoning or the like as the eggs I'd had were 2 days past their use by date.Luckily it wasn't.

So 6.30am and a quick shower to wake myself up and then start to get dressed straight into my choice of running gear for the day, which is always a challenge as I am often like a woman trying to choose a dress for a night out.

Compression top, charity vest, compression shorts and running shorts, Compression calf sleeves and a thick pair of socks all chosen eventually and my final choice and most important choice was my choice of running shoe as it was going to be wet, slippy, boggy and pretty hard surfaces at other times including an old roman road with rocks and stones jutting up all over.I chose the ultra padded Hoka One One's and a wise choice it was despite the stick I got of some of the other runners :)

A quick breakfast of porridge and a cup of coffee and I was all packed and ready to go, so downstairs I went to await my friendly and helpful runner Mr M who gives me lifts to races and events when he is also competing in them too.

After a comfortable drive and catch up on various running related things it was a prompt arrival in Bolton and at the start area for the days event.

A quick visit to the registration tent to collect our numbers and get them pinned on etc and then a quick visit to the all important porta loo's which already seemed to be out of loo paper, but thankfully I only needed a quick pee just to make sure.

A few quick hello's to familiar faces and then it was start line time, and pretty much just after 9.30am it was time for the off and off we went, firstly up through the park and then onto a road and a long slow climb for a couple of miles, and then onto another level road and then onto a footpath for a long slog up to the top of Winter hill and the highest climb and elevation of the entire run.

I surprised my self in the fact that I could infact run up the entire climb even if very slow at times as I had planned on walking up the biggest two climbs, but this one was slow and steady and everyone else in front of me was running so no way was I going to walk.

Shortly after we were at the top and onto a bit of road at last and this bit was quite pleasurable and a lot easier, at some point shortly after that we turned into a off road path which had some very wet patches and lots of mud and a submerged path at many points.I unfortunately took a bad step in what I thought was a shallow wet patch and my right foot disappeared and I went in half way up my lower leg much to the amusement of the runners behind me.

Shortly after this we hit tarmac again and I promptly managed to speed up and try and catch a few runners in front of me, and some how rattled off a 7 minute mile which is my fastest when I only do 5k so I'm not sure how that happened.

The first aid station came up at 5+ miles and a table full of goodies and smiling helpers, they were indeed a Godsend the helpers and the gels and drinks of electrolytes etc, a  quick rest while I consumed my gel and had a drink and then onwards I went after thanking the helpers.

Onwards again several miles and now we hit an old Roman road which I thought was only supposed to be half a mile long but it went on for miles.....and miles or so it seemed anyway.

Finally I saw some tarmac and a road and as I approached the smiling marshal I smiled and told him I had never been so happy to see some tarmac :)

It didn't take long to end up back at a field again and the dreaded bog field  I had been forewarned about, navigating this was a nightmare and it was basically a step and hope to see your shoes again routine as you minced across the field with your arms out for balance.

Onwards again for several miles through a very muddy path in parts and several disappearing feet moments in boggy/muddy bits and eventually some welcome road again and another aid station at 12+, smiling cheery helpers again and another selection of goodies, another gel and electrolyte drink for me and a quick paracetamol to stave off the start of the pain from my back which always starts at this kind of distance.A quick tighten of my neoprene back support which I was using to help keep my core solid and I was off again.

We now had a couple of miles of riverside trail to a check point where we turn around and head back.I was starting to tire now and wondering how I was going to do another 13 miles or so, but thankfully we headed into some woodland with some steep climbs but everyone in front of me was walking up them so I followed suit and this helped my legs recover sufficiently to go on.

Couple of miles of ups and downs and hillside narrow muddy and slippy paths and eventually we arrived back at the previous aid station which was now the 16+ mile point and this time it was `helllllo fllllapjacks!` time as I was now getting hungry so I had a gel, several flapjacks, another paracetamol and some more electrolyte to wash it all down.

Onwards and upwards and it was now several miles along a trail path alongside a reservoir and it was now again becoming a struggle but I was spurred on by the fact that no one was passing me and I was passing a few myself along the way.

After that long and tiring section it was finally road time again and a slightly nervy time of negotiating pedestrians and at times cars as it was a fairly busy area.A quick turn in to a park and a few little walks as I hit a few slightly hilly bits (ok probably slopes to be honest) and then back onto a road again and a longish run alongside a road and past a few touristy bits and loads of inconsiderate car parker's who decided to park on the pavement and make me and everyone else walk through muddy slippy areas with a barb wire fence to hold onto.

Finally a turn off road again and a trail with a steep slope so it was walk time again and I starting talking to a guy who had passed me a few minutes earlier and who had run the day one marathon at this event the day before (mad) and I ran with him from then on as he could advise me on how much incline and hills were left and where they were.

We walked up hill for a while and then back onto a road and then back onto the Roman road (my favourite,not) and promptly onto the last aid station at 22+ miles.The usual smiley faces again and a quick gel,electrolyte and little rest and then we were off again, this time up a long steep section and thankfully the last climb (whoopee!!) it was a long and hard slog even though we were walking as well and my legs were at their worst and just managing to deal with the effort required to get to the top.

Thankfully we reached the top and it was a long slow decent now off road again through rocky and muddy trail but with plenty of runnable softer parts.I was now thinking hopefully I can hang on and get to the finish in under 5 hrs, the last aid station I had hit 4 hrs roughly so was ahead of target but I wasn't counting my chickens yet as my legs may yet give up on me and make me walk in to the finish.

On we went with roughly 2 miles left and onto a road again before we hit the sign for 25 miles and a very dangerous muddy path (path doesn't really describe it really,more like a muddy trench) I had to walk several bits as I slipped all over the place and I did not want to fall over in the mud and possibly injure myself.

Out of the muddy trench and back onto the final stretch of road and back into the park, a little rise of a hill (slope) and plenty of encouragement and then a final bomb down the last grassy hill to the finish line and across in 4 hrs 36 mins and 50 seconds!!

A quick pick up of my finishers medal.......

........and a welcome addition to my tech t-shirt collection.

And then it was time to hit the coffee stall for several coffee's and a few flapjacks and then stand and wait for fellow runners to finish.

After seeing in Mr M and his co runner for the day Gillian it was time to go home, but not after changing my socks and trainers as my Hoka's were a tad muddy, as well as my socks and my mud caked calf sleeves..........

So all in all a thoroughly enjoyable day with many many people having a great but hard run, and many people saying they would do it again.It was greatly helped by the fantastic helpers at the aid stations and the friendly and smiley marshals who encouraged us along all the way, so a very big THANK YOU to all of you who made it the great experience and event it truly is.


So that's charity run #4 of my 14 run charity campaign and as ever I'm asking people to donate whatever they can afford to my two charities, as all this effort is not merely for fun (sometimes it is,but mostly it's bloomin hard work) .

Next run is #5 and is the btr Liverpool half marathon on Sunday 23rd March 2014, see you there fellow runners and supporters and hopefully see many off you at the best finish line you could wish for Rigby's pub :)