Silverstone

On Sunday I ran the Adidas half marathon at Silverstone. I have been really quiet on the blog front as I picked up at a grade 2 hamstring tear 6 weeks ago which had put a question mark over my chance to carry on running. As a result I have not been able to run for 5 weeks-not ideal marathon preparation! I have had several rounds with a physio and chiropractor but the leg remains really painful to run on. However, the pysio was satisfied that no further damage would probably occur and that I had to just put up with the pain.

Silverstone was great-all runners were in 'paddocks' at the start rather like cattle, with an overwhelming stench of Deep Heat! The air temperature was only 3 degrees, mainly as there was no sun due to thick fog. Most runners therefore remained wrapped up warm to prevent calf/hamstring pulls (bit late in my case) with several layers of clothing. Within ten minutes of the start, the fog lifted to reveal brilliant sunshine, at which point we were all sweating like  pigs in a butcher's. I have never seen so much discarded and expensive running clothing and accessories such as gloves, hats etc. all over a track. At least I waited until I saw my husband to throw him my expensive, wind-proof running gloves although my aim was a 'bit off' and I
hit another spectator on the head.

I finished the race in under 2 hours (just) which I was both surprised an d really pleased with, especially seeing as my injury has meant I have missed a lot of training. I paid for it the next day; rehab followed on Monday and an easy pace 4 miles on Tuesday which was nothing short of excruciating. Ice and Epsom salt baths and several ice packs and painful massages later I managed an easy 7 miles today which was much more comfortable. It is just a case of persevering, modifying training and lots of rehab exercise to try and get through the next 5 and a half weeks and the marathon.

Tuesday 2 nd February: Fundraising and training updates

16 miles.............

Tuesday, 2nd February 2016

Just a training and fundraising update. As of today, I have raised £1,620 with all your help. Our Ark event is still going to plan and we should then reach our target which is really exciting and I am still hoping to raise as much as possible for this amazing charity. 

On Sunday, I completed my second 16 mile training run; this was much more comfortable than the week before (relatively speaking). It was a beautiful day, cold but sunny and it was fantastic to be out in the fresh air and away from everything. For those who know the area, I ran from our house through Hatchpond and Creekmoor and along the Castleman Trailway to Broadstone. From there I headed up Blandford Road, past Corfe Hills and then through Beacon Hill to Lytchett Minster. This route goes out past the school and comes out near the Baker's Arms. I then ran through Upton and Creekmoor to home.

Here are 16 things I have learnt so far, one for every mile:

1. Ellie Kay has done a fab job supporting the fundraising - thank you so, so much x

2. Today's run was for the lovely Kyla, who was very much on my mind.

3. On Friday I read about all the ex service men and women competing for a place in the Invictus Games - brings perspective to mind. 

4. Scott Glover, you were right; jelly babies are far easier to chew than wine gums. Many 

thanks as I managed to complete the run without choking, which is always a plus...

5. Energy gels still taste revolting

6. The Yorkshire terrier was not on the loose :) .This made me happy

7. I achieved a P.B in this training run, this made me happy

8. Some drivers give you no space when there is not a pavement, and almost run you into the hedge. This is not civilised or safe.

9. I discovered my running cap has flashing LED lights, this made my children happy

10. On Saturday we are going to London for the marathon conference. The prospect of trudging around London with three children has made my husband unhappy :((

11. Today I felt more like a badass than crying; this made me happy :)

12.Kyla is still more badass than me

13. My husband sent me the loveliest text as I went out raining - it said he was very proud of the dedication and commitment I had shown and that I am 'his heroine.' This made me happy-a lovely thing to say

14. This week I did a training session in the gym in what amounted to an adult hamster wheel. My trainer, Sean told me to move to the back if I needed to slow down and move to the front if I wanted to speed up. That evening I was watching my hamster, Sweep, run in his wheel and almost go catatonic as his little legs ebbed further up the front of the wheel. I wanted to tell him to move to the back, poor little blighter, but I don't speak 'hamster.' His legs are much shorter than mine. 

15. At the moment, I am loving my runs. I only wish they could all be as fluid

16. And finally, and most importantly a word from Macmillan. 'Every £150 you raise could help us provide a woman with breast cancer with sensitive answers to the questions she has about her diagnosis. Practical advice on how to cope with the side-effects of treatment and help with adjusting to going back to work, slowly.'

To all of you for your past, ongoing and future support, thank you from the bottom of my heart xxx

Sunday, 17th January 2016

I have now raised £1370 for Macmillan and this afternoon completed my long run - these are known as 'the bread and butter runs' of marathon training as from what I now understand, they play a crucial part in the success or failure of the race. Today I ran my longest long-run to date - 15 miles. It was not as bad as I thought it would be despite the cold and rain and certainly felt easier than my 14 miles last Sunday. 

Here are 15 things I have learnt about marathon training so far - one for every mile run:

1. 15 miles is a long way - fact.

2. When I go for long runs, sometimes I feel baddass! Most of the time I want to cry like a baby.....

3. Undoubtedly, we live in a beautiful part of the world and seeing it at ground level gives it a whole new perspective.

4. Energy gels taste revolting so I have tried wine gums instead; these are very hard to chew without choking when you are gasping for breath.

5. There is a very small Yorkshire terrier who lives nearby and has twice tried to bite me when I run through the park - I do wish his owners would put him on a lead.

6. After long runs I get the most painful stomach cramps - apparently this is because oxygen is redirected from the intestines to the legs.

7. However gruelling the training can seem at times, it cannot be as bad as chemotherapy, radiotherapy or dealing with the emotional fallout of cancer. This has been, and always will be, my running mantra.

8. Every run I complete is always done with someone in mind who I love, am grateful for or who has inspired me. Today's run was in honour of 23 year old American war veteran and amputee, Kirstie Ennis. Google her; she's an inspiration. 

9. I am very grateful for the sense of community that the marathon has given me; the support from Nicky Kay and Michaela has been immense. The 'camping mums' (you know who you are!) continue to be amazing - I am more grateful to these lovely people than you could ever know.

10. A completely unexpected side effect of the marathon training has been the impact it has had on my level of self-discipline. This is a quality that I have NEVER possessed in bucket loads (ask my mum) but the marathon has forced me to become very organised, plan ahead and become self-disciplined due to the time demands that the marathon involves. Training takes two hours out of my day, six days a week. I have become much more effective at planning and this has had a huge, positive impact on my life. Some would argue I should already have learnt this by the age of 42, but better late than never.

11. Running is a great stress-reliever; I cannot express what a positive influence this has had on keeping me balanced during the stresses of last year. It is a great medicine for mental health.

12. My friend, Kyla is baddass

13. I must have eaten my body weight in pistachio nuts

14. I have the best family for letting me do this.

15. The human body is an incredible thing and has the capacity to adapt to so many situations; six months ago I would never have believed that I could do this.

That's all for now; thanks for reading and I will update again soon. x

  

 

Welcome

Hi,

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. As you will probably know, I have signed up to the 2016 London Marathon in support of 'We Are Macmillan' and I am aiming to raise over £2000 for this amazing charity.

When one of my lovely friends, Kyla (above) was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, I saw first hand the fantastic work that this charity does and really wanted to do something to support them just as they supported my friend through her treatment and recovery.

If you would like to contribute to my fundraising, then please go to my Just Giving page at:

https://www.justgiving.com/Carrie-Clark3/

We are also running a number of events to raise the money needed to participate, including a family evening at the Ark in Poole Park on Saturday March 5th:

https://www.facebook.com/events/144150999291990/

Thanks for all those of you who have supported me already - it makes such a difference as I struggle through all the training! I will be posting regular updates on my training and the progress towards my fundraising target.

Carrie x