This story begins about two months ago when my colleague at Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Jan Ryder decided it would be a great idea to get a bunch of people to run the Stroud half marathon and raise funds for the Trust at the same time. My mouth generally seems to react faster than my head, and this was a classic example of me getting myself into yet another kerfuffle of a situation.
Once my head had caught up with the fact that I had 6 months to train to run thirteen miles I thought "how hard can it be?!" Ten runs, two months, and one treadmill related incident later I can run about two miles without feeling the need to curl into a ball and die. I have today decided that running thirteen miles is going to be harder than I had originally anticipated, and that I am no longer in a position to be able to wriggle my way out of it.
So, in a Gladiator style, Russell Crowe-esque manner "today is the day I, Alice Elizabeth Paling will avenge all those who hold little belief in my ability to run thirteen miles. I can, and I will...WATCH ME!"
P.S. I shall divulge upon the treadmill related incident another time - the story deserves a post of its own!
Go Alice, I know you can do it! Can you add your sponsor page to your blog sidebar as I would love to sponsor you, Emma ;0)
ReplyDeleteI will be very proud of you when you cross that finishing line. I might even shed a tear!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you both!
ReplyDeleteEmma - I shall pop the sopnsor page of 'Team GWT' - it's not just me running, my colleagues are crazy enough to do it too!
Jan - I jolly well hope you will shed a tear!
Hi Alice
ReplyDeleteFirstly I would recommend walking 13 miles. Not on the treadmill but out and about somewhere. Get a map, plan a route, pack a little daypack (water, waterproofs etc) and keep going. Do not stop walking until the 13 miles is complete. This will give you a good idea how far it is and the challenge ahead.
Walk a lot. Every day Walk the Cotswold Way in 13 mile stages with a section done every weekend. Go walking in the Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia and Lake District.
Walking / running on a treadmill is boring even for someone like me who loves exercise. It's important to enjoy what you're doing! You'll be surprised when you can easily complete 30 miles in a day.
Then start jogging. Alternate your pace on different training days. Go slowly for a long distance then, the following training day, fast for 1 mile. If necessary drive somewhere nice, train, drive back.
Of course, diet is extremely important. I'm a chef by trade and can offer help with this if you like.
Good luck and keep training!
Hi domallele,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comments, it's brilliant to have help from others, and I certainly need it.
Great idea to walk the route, at the very least it will scare me into doing some more serious training!
I desperately need to get off the treadmill, my problem is that I haven't taken the time to sit down and find a route. I suppose I need to find somewhere I can keep extending as I get fitter. You're absolutely right in that treadmill running is incredibly boring - it really is! I'll challenge myself to get outside in the fresh air this week and give it a go! I'll let you know how I get on.
Now, my diet isn't brilliant to say the least, so I'd be very grateful for help in this too! I am never sure whether to eat before I train etc, and if so what?! Any help and even recipes I can test out would be extremely gratefully received!
Thank you again, and keep sending the luck - I need it!
Alice
Hi Alice
ReplyDeleteHow rude of me not to sign off! I'm Paul by the way. My apologies must be further extended as I'm about to be a tad rude (deliberately this time).
I don't know if you follow sport much Alice but there's a very true saying: "the harder I train the luckier I get." The best advice that can be offered is to do the former and rely less on the latter!
Below are a few tips on nutrition I've collected from athletes, body builders and health magazines plus a few of my own. I have tailored the wording to suit the [very little] I know about you;
General rules
Count to 5 before every bite at lunch and dinner
Turn your thermostat down and wear thinner clothing – this forces the body to burn calories to keep warm (and keeps energy bills down). If you get cold drink a cup of tea.
Don't count calories
Don't be scared to eat fat. It takes longer to digest meaning you're full for longer.
Always have a breakfast.
Buy the most expensive olive oil you can afford and use it instead of butter in sandwiches / dressing on salads
If you're hungry drink instead of eating. We're often thirsty but mistake it for hunger.
Buy loads of sultanas, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and brazil nuts. Mix together and keep some on you at all times. If you really are hungry, eat these with water or tea.
Add as much garlic, nuts, honey, mustard, horseradish, raisins, ripe tomatoes, chillies, black pepper, mushrooms, vinegar to any recipe as you see fit.
Absolutely no microwave dinners. No fast food except for homemade burgers (extra salad instead of dressing)
You must enjoy what you're eating so season properly and use that expensive olive oil. You'll be amazed how good everything will taste.
Non-training day rules
Only eat 70% cacao chocolate AND only before 2pm.
Replace coffee with tea, ideally green tea.
Training day rules
Big mug of coffee and 70% cacao chocolate (not too much!) an hour before setting off.
5 minutes before setting off, eat a good handful of your sultana/seed/nut mixture with water.
Now, I know what you're thinking.. and appreciate you're not realistically going to stick to every single one of those rules (but try!). However, if you want any more I'm sure I can think of some additional hints.
Don't be scared, be prepared ;)
Paul
p.s. I've added you on FB so that hopefully (if you accept) you can see I do actually do this type of thing for fun and not just making a load of stuff up to increase your pain levels!