Interpreter in the house?

Not being very tech savvy I tend to muddle my way through and usually manage to achieve what I set out to do.  Creating a new post for my blog the other day, the next line eluded me, I decided to meddle whilst inspiration materialised.  Clicking here, clicking there, I came upon an option to change the language in which my blog is written. 'I wonder what my blog would look like written in Urdu?' I asked myself. 'Click' and there it was, all the headings, everything in swirling Urdu.  Now what's 'language settings' in Urdu? Oh, no clue! Just as I was about to give up I happened up on a click which revealed what 'language settings' was in Urdu!! That'll teach me to meddle!

So now I can get back to writing. What's been happening? Well.........

My dark cloud grew ever darker. Following my visit to Peter May he assured me there were no issues to worry about and to run but take it steady and keep to low mileage as I had been doing. That evening I ran. It hurt. I decided to take drastic action and strip it right back to basics. Walking. I would go to each club session as normal but when the groups set off on their runs, I would walk, I would keep walking until I felt confident to begin run walking, even if that took a few weeks to achieve.

All went well, the next session, Friday evening, I went down to Apperley Bridge, taking Dave with me. The groups set off, I set off and walked 25 minutes along the canal towpath, turned around and walked back.  Soon after the runners returned. Great! All had gone to plan.  The following Sunday and we decided to go for a family walk into nearby Buck Woods. My son, his partner, two grandsons, Martin, myself and of course Paul and Dave (the dogs).  Strolling through the beautiful woodland, the children frequently stopped to admire the stone carvings along the route, pine cones, rabbit holes anything that caught their attention. Bliss!  Craig, my son, was walking just ahead of me holding 3 year old Zach's hand, all of a sudden he lost his footing and slipped down a sloping rock dragging Zach with him.  Instinct obviously took over and I reached out to get a hold of the little one. My right foot also slipped down the rock, my left foot remained on the path. I twisted my knee and I also felt a horrible 'pop' to the inside of the knee.  Scrambling to my feet I was in agony and began to 'giggle' uncontrollably, this carried on for some time as I struggled to make my way back to the car. I imagine it was either pain or shock or both!

Anyway I did the usual, ice, rest, ibuprofen and also rubbed Ibuprofen gel into the area and went to bed thinking it would be ok in the morning.  How wrong was I? I woke at 3 am in agony.  A visit to minor injuries later and I was told I had torn my collateral ligament and I was to completely rest for 48 hours and was given an information sheet of advice and exercises.

So, a visit to the docs on Monday will hopefully help me to find out how I can move forward from this and what I can and can't do when. I'm hoping that I might be able to go swimming fairly soon and resume my upper body programme in the gym!

Meanwhile here's hoping it won't be too long before I can get back to my walking, running it seems is much further away than it ever was!

These little fellas will no doubt be much bigger when I see them again.......

A pair of Swans patiently await their new arrivals

Two cygnets had arrived next time I saw the pair!

Running is my sunshine!

I have just read a lovely and indeed very apt quote "Running is my sunshine" (Joan Twine). This quite literally sums up how I feel about my running. Alas I have a dark cloud hanging over me at the moment.  I've tried to be sensible and keep to low mileage, resting for more days than running and hitting the gym a couple of times a week just to stave off the pounds.  That's weight not money!

The crunch came when I had to give away my Otley 10 mile race number.  One of the tougher but really enjoyable races I had looked forward to as part of my series of races entered to help regain my focus after London Marathon. Enforced cheering is not nearly as much fun as the voluntary variety.  Where will it end? I don't know the answer. I do know that I need to work at getting tip top quite soon if I am to fulfil my innermost desire to run the Great North Run in under two hours which has been an idle thought for quite some time. Where to begin?

I know the sensible option for some would be to visit a physio but after my past experience I'm loathe to do so and for the time being place my trust in the formidable Peter May. He's confident I'm on the road to recovery so we will see.  Next visit already planned, let battle commence!

Stock taking......

Due to the Spring Bank Holiday I've only managed to visit the gym once since my programme was put together for me.  I am under no illusion that I am going to have to work very hard to fit it in at all but none the less I remain confident that I will do just that at least twice a week. I still have the swimming to master but again - time permitting I am going to try and get there a couple of times a week.

I'm already feeling the benefit mentally because I have made the decision to join and also mastered the basics during the times I have been there. Never having stepped inside a gym to train before I am surprised at my attitude to it so far. I'm also confident it will have it's benefits since I have visited after tough sessions and definitely felt it eased my DOMS. following a hard sprinting session and subsequently, the YVAA race at Bingley which was tough for several reasons. Not least the hills but also the rough terrain over which it was set, fields with cow hoof holes to twist the ankles, a very long path through fields resembling the yellow brick road but in concrete slabs, moorland up on the top of Shipley Glen all interspersed with woodland tracks, paths and snickets (ginnels if you rather). Alas these things are sent to try us!

Love this action shot courtesy of Linda Bussey
YVAA Bingley Tuesday 28th May

I now think I pushed my luck on Wednesday having had a tough race on Tuesday.  Club training session stated that there was an 'element of a time trial' in the route, one route, which is unusual for a Wednesday.  However, we split into groups and went along with suggestions of treating it as just that, a time trial, loosely translated as not meeting at strategic points as we would usually but staying as groups.  For some unknown reason I set off we a group containing runners I knew to be much faster than me. We set off on the uphill route, I gave it my all and after the 6 mile jaunt I felt similar to how I often feel post race, satisfied I've worked hard even if I don't get the result I want.  My thoughts immediately turned to the fact that I can't seem to go under an hour for 10k. Distant memories of last year's personal bests constantly invade my thoughts. Brain training to give ourselves a break anyone?

Arriving home I take stock. My left leg has been troubling me on and off for some weeks. Same old same old. Run, it feels better, stop, it give me pain.  Things - as they do - came to a head.  I made my regular visit to Peter May and explained how my leg had been troubling me.  He did a lot of work on it and advised me to rest for a couple of days and then try it out which is what I intend to do. Fingers crossed  his healing hands will have done the trick!

Goals, training programmes and more........

The jury is still out on the gym business.  I went along with Marc last Sunday and did an hours session but steered well clear of the weight machines as neither of us felt confident in how to work them or what we should be doing on them.  We did a total of an hour on the cross trainer, rower and a little floor work before making an appointment to take advantage of their offer to find out what we want to get out of it and tailor make a training programme for us to help us achieve our goals.

Meanwhile, I fulfilled my promise to myself and entered some races. After this coming Tuesday's YVAA race at Bingley I then have the first of my planned races, Otley 10 mile on Wednesday 12th June.  Hopefully that will get me back into the swing of things.  I really can't get away with standing on the sidelines for too much longer.  I am repeatedly being asked 'why aren't you running?'  People (who I know have done marathons too) look at me as though I have got two heads, my explanation that I have not long since run the marathon doesn't wash! A lady much more senior than me reeled off that she had done Manchester marathon, all three John Carr's, and every other race she could think of! I felt a tad inadequate! Just what happened to the rule that after a marathon, runners should take one day per mile off to recover?

Rolling up to the gym for my programme making session I was introduced to each machine in turn by a lovely young lady (her name escapes me) and given lots of advice and guidance - at the moment I have pledged to go twice per week so I'm just hoping I can get into the swing of things and fit everything in, I've yet to work out when I will get to the swimming pool.  I really enjoyed my session on Wednesday but it's whether I can keep my focus when I turn up to do it on my own.  I already have aching abs so must be going some way to achieving my 'washboard' stomach!

Despite a cold and windy evening, Martin and I went down to Apperley Bridge to support runners in the Apperley Bridge Canter 10k race.  Organised by Horsforth Harriers it's a well attended race - it seems to attract quite a few unattached runners.  The cool evening made for perfect running conditions although it was a little windy, that didn't stop the first runner coming in at 33 minutes! I am in awe of the faster runners but it's amazing to see everyone finish, it's no wonder I get attached to race supporting instead of running them.  Copious amounts of cheers and shouts saw 5 Eccleshill runners home and as each finished we eventually made a sizeable, if a little rowdy group who stayed on until the end to cheer all the runners home.  That's Eccleshill for you!

Lost, one race mojo.....

The merry month of May is a manic month each year for me, Birthdays galore keep me busy but one person I wish I could celebrate with is Arthur James. Today would have been his 78th Birthday. It's difficult to believe he has been gone for over a year already.  The Bradford parkrun in his memory was a chance to remember him in a way we all know he would have wanted us to - running.  I felt proud as we at Eccleshill jogged around Lister park in a large group chatting and laughing, he would have loved it! The club are also planning to arrange a relay race for members to compete for the 'Arthur James Trophy' so we don't plan to let him be forgotten any time soon!

Team ERR at Arthur's (Bradford) parkrun 4th May 2013

I seem to have lost the inclination to race of late!  I just don't seem to get on and enter! That is until most of the time it's too late and entries have closed. I'm putting it down to 'marathon blues'!  I am though going to make an effort to enter the Otley, Eccup (on my Birthday) and Guy Fawkes 10 mile races to give me something to focus on. The next YVAA race at Bingley will hopefully get me kick started since I already have my number at the ready! Nothing like a team activity to rekindle the mojo.

Meanwhile the mojo stayed firmly tucked away yet again as I spent the evening cheering on runners at the second race of this year's John Carr 5k series. - the first time in quite a few years that I haven't run them, it was though, great to cheer on my youngest son Marc and ERR members, along with hundreds of others in this fast and furious race. It also provided me with an opportunity to encourage my husband Martin to come out for a run yesterday morning to replace what would have been Wednesday club night. Although the weather wasn't on our side we had a brilliant 10k run and Dave (the dog) came too. We went through Yorkshire Water to Esholt Village and then came back along the canal. It did, though, improve for the race and barring a shower at tea time was a most pleasant evening.

Not yet knowing how I am going to fit it in on a regular basis, I have signed up for gym and swim at Eccleshill pool.  I have decided it's high time I introduced regular cross training into to my regime as niggles, aches and pains frequently surface following each run. First session on Sunday, watch this space!

Post marathon post

The ballot for the 2014 London Marathon opened on Monday and closed in a record time! By 11:30 125,000 people had entered the ballot to try and gain entry. Not surprising it is difficult to get in, reported to be only a one in seven chance! I resisted entering with surprising ease. I had imagined I might just be tempted but not the case. I suspect my trip to Manchester on Sunday may have played a part.

A group of Eccleshill members travelled over to the home of the mighty reds to show our support of club mate (and my marathon training buddy) Claire. Her debut at what is billed as the flattest marathon course in the UK began early as it was a 9 am start. It was great to be able to be there before the start to share a coffee and last minute reassurances.  After she made her way to the start we made our way to the 2 mile point of the course and were able to cheer her on before moving to the 5 mile point from which we had easy access to the 24/25 mile point. It was standing at this late stage of the race which resurrected memories of the later stages of my marathon the week before and almost certainly staved off my desire to enter the VLM 2014 ballot!

So how long does one leave it before getting back to training. For me, a week off had felt much longer even though I had a mid week walk on the canal on Wednesday club night and I was eager to return to light training.  I started out with a very slow jog around Bradford parkrun last Saturday and felt great.

Monday training, speed & hills, was Bolton Lane Hill reps, I went along with a view to just taking it really easy which is just what I did.  Hopefully this will now stand me in good stead for another short gentle jog tomorrow and again on Friday.  On Saturday I will be attending Bradford parkrun to take part in what will now be an annual event and it is incredibly one year since the most wonderful, inspirational man Arthur James left us.  We at Eccleshill plan to all run together at the back of the field wearing our Arthur James tee shirts.

Reflections.......

Two days ago I completed my second marathon, 26.2, some of them, difficult miles. The journey began what seems a very long time ago now. April 2012 I entered the London marathon ballot to try and gain entry to run once more, my reasoning behind this was to give myself a chance to ascertain whether I could actually enjoy the experience of pounding the streets for over four hours and appreciate the enormity of this prestigious event and all the pomp and circumstance that accompanies it since I hated the first time.  The answer? Yes and no......

Just to recap, the rejection magazine had arrived months after entering the ballot, the next step is that it gave me entry into the club draw for a place. Marc, turning 18 before the race also entered and he too was rejected and after a protest was allowed to enter the club draw. We were both successful in gaining places. How proud I was that at such a young age Marc had decided to take on the challenge of running a marathon but not just any marathon, London marathon!

Following a tweet to Martin Yelling we downloaded a training plan and training commenced  in earnest. Choose what Mother Nature threw at us we trained through thick and thin.  As you would expect, we encountered the usual hiccoughs over which you have no control and can do little other than literally pray! That said we never considered that we wouldn't get to the start line. With club mate Claire entered for the Manchester marathon she was an amazing training partner since the three of us did the same routes most of the time but Marc would always be way out in front. Giving me cause to consider his marathon strategy and hope that he paced himself well and appreciated the distance he would have to go.  In taking on 21+ mile training runs I still knew that the full distance isn't appreciated until you actually come to do it. Something that a first timer has to discover.

So the events in Boston still left me wondering what effect they would have on London. Would the supporters stay away, indeed would runners be put off, would numbers be down? Not a chance, from what I remember of 2010, support this year was even more prolific and as for the runners -  we all stood shoulder to shoulder in defiance.

The day itself was fantastic from start almost to finish. I was was doing great and seemed to get to 10 miles and then half marathon in no time at all. It was hot with only short respite of a breeze now and again. Approaching mile 18, the thought of seeing family and friends outside our hotel spurred me on. After a brief 'hello' I carried on, but by mile 21 I was really feeling uncomfortable, chafing here and there, pain in my hips and back and generally fatigued. I walked for a short while until I began to feel better, reaching Big Ben I recalled how, the previous day we had walked around that part of the course which gave me a boost knowing I really didn't have too far to go.  By this point the crowds along the Embankment were immense and the support to the finishing line was second to none!

I can't describe the feeling as I came over the finish line - I was so pleased to have reached my goal and at the same time relieved that I didn't need to run any more.  My medal was placed over my head and I really had earned it but by the same token I really wished I could give each and every supporter a medal too, they truly deserved one. I immediately spotted a face I knew and didn't hesitate in walking over to say 'well done', I then realised it was BBC newsreader Naga Munchetty! She promptly returned the compliment!  Off I went to be photographed, pick up my goody bag and find my family.

All in a days marathon! Londone! For the last time!

Ready for off!

Hanging around the Blue start

Marc sending last texts!