XC...MUD GALORE!!

Wow, well that was an experience that I’d recommend to anyone regardless of whether they’re a runner or not - sooooo fun!!

It could have panned out  a complete disaster as Matt will agree, it was a rather mad dash and MAJOR panic at the start, the reason being – disorganization! We left the house in ‘plenty of time’ only to realize we needed cash AND petrol, so 12:30 ended up being 1pm by the time we got onto the motorway giving us an ETA of 1:22…the race was at 1:40 – eek plus I had no idea where in the 200 acre park I was meant to be, we arrived and eventually parked at 1:30 and I literally pegged it to try and find the Stockport Harriers ‘tent’ to pick up my number, BUT it was no-where to be seen, with 5 minutes to spare I’d practically given up and resided to being a spectator but luckily bumped into another Stockport Harrier who told me we had no tend and were gathered around a tree….of course, I should have known!?? 

Anyway, I grabbed my number, Matt managed to cobble together some safety pins, which I was still pinning onto me at the start line (its wonder i didn't stab myself!), managed to get my spikes on then before I knew it the gun went and I was off! Within the 1^st two steps I was CAKED in mud, it was like running through a bog and my ‘white’ spikes were an will never be any more :o(

But it was pretty awesome, like being a big kid again, once you’re that muddy you just don’t care and eventually it’s like the muddier the better, squelch squelch squelch!!!

It was an undulating course, 2 laps and only 6.2km in total so in theory a ‘walk in the park’ after last week, but really it was bloody hard work and I had no idea how I’d done, I managed to come 17^th out of 153 so not bad I reckon and was the 1^st Stockport Harrier lady managing to whip in front of a fellow Harrier in the last 20 meters…was a bit worried that was bad form but she seemed to be ok about it!

Unfortunately we never go a photo of how white they were before!!

So how about the Spikes? Well they’re great, you get so much grip especially on the uphill’s and no fear coming down, the usual worry of slipping on my arse was no more and I just went for it, one slight glitch was the fact that I turned my ankle AGAIN but managed to regain balance and I’m pretty much over it now :o)

Next one in 4 weeks and can’t wait to get the spikes on again.

VLM training...here goes nothing...

I've decided to run the VLM for a charity a little closer to home than usual.
To find out who and why I've attached the link to my Virgin Money giving page:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SamanthaJones13

Long story short though, I nearly lost my Auntie to a brain tumor earlier this year and since then she has been working closely with this charity who are doing a lot of great work and undoubtedly helped my auntie through her trauma. She is now thankfully well on the mend and will be cheering me on on the 21st April along with the rest of my family!...and anyone else who so wished to take a road trip to London town for that matter!

Below is the training schedule Tom has put together for me (mentioned in last post), as you can see its pretty intense...i particularly like the green bits of it ;o)

And today I have my 1st EVER XC race. Now I believe this is a completely different kettle of fish, for starters footwear, I always though 'spikes' were for track running, apparently not. I spent a traumatic 2 HOURS in sweatshop last week trying to choose some XC spikes only to come away with Inov8 trail running shoes as the nice lady advised it wouldn't be a good idea to use spikes if I've never used them before-FAIL! I now know that her plot was actually to make me spend £90 as opposed to £20-nice sales techniques!!! Ok so I'm sure she wasn't that snide but back at the track following this traumatic experience I was told I NEED spikes and that it will come completely naturally to me, after all I've gotta start somewhere, so back to the shops I plodded and purchased a bargain pair for £17.50 plus some 12mm spikes.....Ill let you know how I get on!!!


P.S. get sponsoring me to VLM :o)

Tatton Half...NAILED!!!

So it had been been about 18 months since my last half marathon, and just 2 weeks after my ankle injury 'blip' a good friend Michelle challenged me to one - in fairness she's been bullied into it by some colleagues so was roping me in for moral support!

After my Sale Sizzlers episode I re-commenced my training despite still having a fat foot, then at the start of October the confirmation of VLM came through the post...Eeeeeeeek!
So i pulled in the help of one of the club trainers Tom who was more than willing to put a training schedule together for me with the aim of completing  VLM in 3:20....lets see shall we, I guess only time will tell! It involves running 6 days a week (!?) and ditching squash :( I'm not sure its completely realistic or that my body will cope but i will certainly give it a go - after all its worked so far...

Coming to the end...

Soooo back to last sunday, it was a glorious day, the sun was shining but there was definite chill in the air (as Matt and Harry with confirm - the dedicated and loving supporters / photographers!!). After a 10 minute delay due to colossal loo queues (as per usual I went once, re-joined the queue and went again - pre race nerves) we were off and i was flying, although unintentionally as i started out with the aim of completing it in 1:35 meaning an average pace of 7:15 minute mile, but my 1st mile was over within 6:46-woops! But i felt good so tried to keep up a faster pace than originally intended. The support was great and as usual wearing my club vest really helped with en route support. I even had spectators shouting out what position i was and soon found out i was 10th lady - YAY!

Michelle and I...just checking our medals!!

I ploughed on through and finished up 9th lady, 2nd in my category and helped to with the first female team...£20 each, can't complain! My ave pace was 6:54 and i finished in 1:30:46...MORE than happy with that, as was Tom (who incidentally wants to be listed as my trainer of 'Power of 10'

Some handy work from Matt while we were slogging our gut out!!

http://www.cheshirehalfmarathon.co.uk/race_results_2012.php