Runner - completed

 I realised that I have not written a final blog for my Runner badge. I started this almost at the start of my Rebel journey / adventure, as I was already following a half marathon training programme on my Garmin Forerunner 945 running watch. My ParkRun profile shows when I attended ParkRuns (2nd April, 16th April, 23rd April, 7th May), and I’ve continued attending since then as well - in July I completed my 50th ParkRun, and I have also been a visitor at three other ParkRuns this year (Bramshall Road Uttoxeter, Medina Isle of Wight, and Barnstaple).

I have been following a half marathon training programme, in fact, I’ve completed two different training programmes with Garmin - one with Jeff Galloway, and the other with Greg McMillan. During this time I’ve discovered that I prefer ‘jeffing’ - a mix of running and walking - named after Jeff Galloway, who recommends run-walk-run. Having said that, over the last week I have been spending more time running - I’ve challenged myself to run that bit further, rather than stopping for waking breaks, and I’ve felt pretty good when doing this. I completed the inaugural Buckland Brewer 10K at the start of May (yes, I know I’ve said I’ve been following a half marathon training programme, but although I’d completed one training programme and started another, I was also still recovering from Covid), and I’m doing the Severn Bridge Half Marathon next Sunday - which has a cut off time of 3 hours 15 minutes. Yesterday I did a long run of 13.2 miles (with a warm up and cool down walk of a mile each), and managed it 2 hours 54 minutes (I didn’t count the times when I paused the watch for a bit of a break - to call husband and to stretch the complaining calf muscles - but including them made the time 3 hours 6 minutes). So I know that I can do the distance in the time. 

In addition to the Severn Bridge half marathon, I’ve signed up to the Cheddar Gorge 10K in September, the Barnstaple half marathon also in September, and I’ll be doing the London marathon - virtually.

Nutrition options - this is where things get interesting…I did Walk the Wight in May - a walk across the Isle of Wight in one day, I covered a distance of 27 miles in 8 1/2 hours. I had water with me, and I tried a few sweets, but I discovered that I couldn’t really stomach chewing the sweets as I walked. I needed a banana at about 18 miles in, as I started to feel quite shaky. I’ve tried SIS blackcurrant gel tubes, High5 Orange gel tubes, Lift quick action glucose tablets, dextrose tablets - and these are good, combined with water and perhaps also an electrolyte drink. According to my training programme I don’t need to overload on carbs the night before a race, just stick to what I know and have done before. The one change I will make is that on the day of the race I will have breakfast - a banana and some overnight oats - I’m currently thinking of making the overnight oats, and then creating a smoothie from them in the morning - a bit more Greek yogurt, apple juice and ice to make the smoothie - along with the oats (of course), raisins, sultanas, and muesli. As we have a 2 hour drive to the race, I’ll be able to drink this some hours before the race to be properly fuelled. I’ll have my hydration pack on for water on demand, with the glucose tablets, some energy gels, and at least one electrolyte drink. After the race - I’ll keep drinking water, and also have some sweets and a banana - and I’ll treat myself at lunch - maybe an alcoholic beverage or two, and something like steak and chips - or whatever I fancy from the menu (after my run yesterday I had a salad - radishes, cucumber, tomatoes, avocado and fish selection with balsamic dressing).

Changes to my kit…I do carry some blister plasters with me, but they shouldn’t be needed, as my shoes are well worn in. I could put a small First Aid kit in my hydration vest, and I’ll probably have my knee support in there too. It may be useful to out a survival blanket in there - as at the end of previous races I have felt chilly after a short time. I’ll have my phone with me and I know I need more than 2 energy gels. I love the numerous pockets in the hydration vest - and the fact that it comes with a little emergency whistle! It is also very useful for keeping my safety pins safe to the next race! Doing Walk the Wight helped me work out what I needed and didn’t need - so I don’t need extra socks, nor sweets (except for at the end), jumper, phone lead, battery packs - as long as my watch is fully charged I know it can last at least 27 miles in one go!

I’ll be keeping my shorts and a short sleeved tshirt - I have found out that I like the technical T-shirts as they are lightweight and quite cooling - it would be good to have shorts with a pocket on the leg (like I have in my skorts) - I can manage to run with a phone in the pocket at the back of my shorts, but on the leg it is even easier. A crop top or vest top would be good, but I’m not sure how they would feel with the hydration pack for a longer run, so I’m not going to be changing that before the race.

Future challenges: it is of course an ambition to run the London Marathon in London. I have also considered the Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge (106, 53 and 25km options) - to self fund it costs £198, although I could pay £45 and commit to fundraise at least £595 for one of the series partnership charities. I have also considered Race to the Stones, and the Exmoor Endurance half marathon, or the Exmoor Endurance marathon (some very serious hills in them).

Starting running has been a real revelation, and it has done me a world of good - I’m fitter, slimmer, have greater stamina, it helps me to push myself that bit further, and aids my sleep. It also gives me a sense of accomplishment, and a feeling of community. The ParkRun community is amazing - they cheer you on, and when you camp at geocaching Mega events you find yourself running with other geocachers at the lcoal ParkRun - people you’ve not spoken to before are there encouraging you.