Race Report Edinburgh Marathon 31st May 2015

Hello all

As promised my race report for the marathon but I have to start this post with the biggest most enormous Thank you ever to Granny and Papa Fudgey Smith, they had little Miss Bug from teatime Saturday till Sunday which allowed me to get just myself ready for the race and for Papa Fudgey Smith for coming to the rescue and picking us up post race...apparently my face fell when hubby told me how far the transport was from the finish....but his next words were 'so dad is collecting us' :-)

You guys just are the best x

While I am on Thank yous, I may as well try and do them all....as they usually come at the end but without so many people's love, support, inspiration & bullying I may not have even made the start line. My mum and dad from whom I inherited my determination, stubborness and sheer bloody mindedness, My Sis who has is without a doubt the strongest most amazing beautiful inspirational person I know. My little Bug :-) poor long suffering hubby... I could start a blog just about how much he has to put up with along the marathon journey.

There are so many people to mention and I am sure I will forget someone so please don't be offended...this is Thank you to everyone of you... All my fudgeytastic family and friends...Neil, Lyndsey, Di, Jo, Ros, Lynne, Jayne, Anne, Eileen. Thank you

Pre Race Prep

I'm actually going to go back a couple of days to Friday, we had a day off and a wee trip to Glasgow as I had bought tickets for the Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular for our 5th wedding anniversary last year.

We went for a lovely lunch and then to the show...which was absolutely fantastic. I also managed a stop into Run4it in Bothwell street and a new running belt and some nutrition supplies.
 

Saturday was Bug's usual swimming lesson and then we both had an afternoon nap before taking her to Granny and Papa's a.k.a The Spa. Obligatory carb loading with pasta for dinner and kit prep for Sunday, including preparing for the bad weather forecast.

Then an earlyish night in preparation for the big day.

 

Race Day

 

Up at 6am, force feeding myself porridge and plenty of water, feeling sick with nerves. 

On the bus at 7.40am into Edinburgh, toilet at bus station

A small coffee at Cafe Nero and then put my top with number and gel belt on, another toilet stop.

Headed to Waterloo place, cut through St James centre, 2 toilet trips in under 5 minutes. 

At Waterloo place changed my fleece and jacket for a makeshift black bag overall and put my bag onto the baggage lorry. Then a trip to the portaloos. Lots of portaloos and really well organised and quick moving queues. 

So after about 17 toilet visits I joined my start pen and hubby headed off to cheer me on.

I think it took about 10 minutes to get across the start line but finally we were off. Waved to hubby at Abbeyhill, then saw him again heading into Holyrood.

So far the threatened rain stayed off.

I was running really smoothly and feeling really good and the miles passed quickly. A small shower as we reached portabello but nothing major. I decided to take off my running gloves and put them in my pocket. 

At around 8 /9 miles I was still running strong and was spurred on seeing Colin Ritchie from my office at the water station.

Around 10 miles I saw the motorcycles and lead car and then the male race leader and eventual winner. This is one of the slight negatives about the route, there are long stretches where there are runners many miles ahead of you running in the opposite direction.

I ran fantastically until 16 miles and then the gale force winds got me. The next 10 miles were a battle head first into the wind. I actually have a very painful neck from running bent forward head down into the wind. I also had a problem with my right foot, my feet had obviously swelled with the miles and my shoe was too tight but I didn't dare stop to attempt to loosen it.

I had also forgotten how soul destroying the gosford estate section of the route was, lovely coastal route and then off road through the estate but miles of no supporters.

Around 22 miles I was struggling but a lovely fellow runner started chatting to me and we ran together for a while...we pulled each other through.

Around 23 miles the rain started and I had to put my gloves on, it was icy cold as well as the wind but again it was only a brief shower.

Then there it was the 25 mile banner.... I was going to do this...

26 miles...and there was Hubby cheering me on

Into Pinkie school...legs burning wanted to stop and walk but not a chance in front of the many spectators 

And across the finish line :-) Garmin time 5 hours 29 minutes 55 seconds. Official time 5 hours 30 minutes 27 seconds.

Post Race

The runners finishing area was actually pretty empty and a wee bit of an anti climax...but I got my water, goody bag and medal. Big thumbs up for the medal being put round my neck rather than in the bag. Thumbs down...no bananas.

Into the reunion area and was just getting my phone to ring Hubby when I saw him. After he told me we were getting a lift home, we went and collected my bag and headed off to find Dad. 

In the car I finally loosened my shoe laces and had my recovery drink. 

Home and straight into an ice bath, then showered. I was in bed by 8pm

The day after

I am pretty stiff and tender today, seem to be Ok if I keep moving...won't be funny when I try to move after sitting writing this!

This will be my last Edinburgh marathon having done it twice. It is really well organised with the exception of the transport... I couldn't have walked half an hour uphill from the finish to get the bus after running 26.2 miles, but I would recommend the Edinburgh Marathon festival to anyone, I have now done the 5k, half marathon and full marathon. Maybe I will do the 10k or form part of a relay team next year, but I also feel it's time for new pastures.

And now after sitting here for about an hour and a half I will haul my weary body upstairs, back to normal routine tomorrow.

Take care everyone 

Lots of love 

Fudgey xxx

Official Marathon training week 16 & 17

Hello all,

I am so sorry that I have not been able to post, there has just been so much going on.

This is a quick catch up from my last couple of weeks of training.

Week 16 - week beginning 18th May

Tuesday 19th May - 3.48 miles, short on time but squeezed in a short one.

Friday 22nd May - 4.57 miles, part of way to work.

Week 17 - week beginning 25th May - Marathon week!

Monday 25th May - a day off work, ran 3 times

Run 1 - 2.5 miles to nursery

Run 2 - 1.5 miles back from nursery pushing buggy....uphill

Run 3 - 2.24 speedy miles once Miss Bug was down for her afternoon nap

Wednesday 27th - last pre marathon run, brilliant 6.63 miles part of way to work. Feeling ready :-)

And that brought my marathon training to an end.....time for the big event

Sunday 31st May - Edinburgh marathon 

I did it....full details to follow later tonight but I am a 3 time marathon finisher. Legs pretty sore today but so proud of myself.

Back later

Lots of love

Fudgey xxxx

Official Marathon Training Week 15....marathon ready???

Hello Fudgey followers

How are we all?

This was my last hard week of training before the marathon which is 2 weeks today.

It's been an up and down week in general

Monday: a wee day off as Bug had her 27 to 30 month assessment. She is doing great and is demonstrating advanced communication skills LOL! After her assessment we took her to the soft play where she had a great time. 

Tuesday: I had a terrible day, one of those days where everything is a wrong move. Started with not feeling great so no pre work run and just snowballed from there. Thankfully it did end better than it started as I headed out for a run once Bug was in bed. It was pretty cold, and incredibly windy but I think my bad day pushed me to run a fast lung busting 2.65 miles

Thursday: a pyramid speed session 3.23 miles and feeling really good. Downside was that I was pretty pumped up and couldn't sleep, unfortunately just as I lay down at 12.30 Bug decided to wake up distressed....we were up till 4am. Mr Fudgey's alarm went off at 5.30 am for work :-( I managed a little more sleep as I start work later on a Friday.

Friday: functioning on around 2 hours sleep, made it through the day...and into bed by 9pm

Saturday: normal service resumed and we all lay in till 6.45am. Bug had her swimming lesson and then in the afternoon I ran 16.5 perfect non stop miles. Everything was just good...body, mind, hydration and nutrition. This was my last 'long' run before the marathon. Bug helped with my ice bath again.

Marathon nutrition: a few weeks ago I started trying Torq products, having previously used Science in Sport and have to say I am a convert. The gels are really easily digested and the flavours are awesome. I wasn't keen on the yoghurt ones but more as I am not a big yoghurt fan, the banoffee one I found very sickly but the flavour was spot on. My absolute favourite has to be the raspberry ripple, followed by rhubarb and custard and apple crumble. I have also been using the cookies and cream recovery powder...it mixes really well, tastes fabulous and definitely aids recovery. This week I also tried one of their bars after my long run...raspberry and white chocolate fizz....very dense and I didn't eat the whole bar....but absolutely delicious. I'll be getting another for after the marathon. Finally I tried the lemon and lime energy drink... I am not a great energy drink fan, it was nice but I think I will stick with Arbonne fizz sticks.

Here's a link to their site http://www.torqfitness.co.uk/nutrition/torq-energy

Marathon ready?: so.....hell yeah....after that run on Saturday I know that I have done as much as I can. I would have really liked another 20 miler but unfortunately I didn't get a long run in week 14. It's hard to predict what will have on race day after all 26.2 miles is a long way and you can't pre order the weather etc, but I don't fear the distance, I respect it though. At this moment I am excited for race day and quietly confident of making it to the finish line.

So let the tapering commence

Take care all

Lots of love 

Fudgey xxxx

Official Marathon Training Week 14

Hello all

Just another short post, so much going on just now

I think this summed me up last week....

And I think a few of my family and friends felt much the same.

I only managed 2 very short runs because of this, partly due to needing a few days at the start of the week to recover from my 21 miler.

Fri 8th May 1.58 miles

Sat 9th May 1.68 miles

Both runs testing out the 2 new pairs of running shoes I treated myself to.

Apart from the non running time due to a sickness bug in March this has been my worst week of training, but I am actually fairly relaxed about it, my body really needed the rest and this week I feel better for it.

I still have a race report to write for The Great Edinburgh Run...which hopefully I will be able to do next week.

Will be back soon

Lots of love

Fudgey xxxxx

Official Marathon Training Week 13

Dear lovely fudgey followers, friends and family.

Hopefully a quick update from last week, it has been a challenging one.

Please bear with me if I ramble, make no sense or it's just simply boring...will try and keep it brief.

 

 

Monday 27th - a rest day after Sunday long run

Tuesday 28th - I was apprehensive about running after Sunday's tough 18 miles...but had a really good run 5.16 miles

Wednesday 29th - chasing 100 miles for the month of April and testing out new running shoes... A wee 2.55 miles

Thursday 30th - 1.58 miles done after the journey from Edinburgh to Inverness and hospital visiting. Needed to run to clear my head and as my therapy but also to crack 100 miles. 100.3 miles to be precise.

 

 

Friday 1st May - no running but more hospital visiting and journey back from Inverness but it is now...

Sat 2nd May - another rest day....incredibly tired.

Sunday 3rd May - shattered out of my skull but long run day and no space for excuses 4 weeks till the marathon now. 21 amazing miles done...including singing. The highlight though had to be coming home to Bug saying 'i help Mummy have a ice bath' and doing just that pouring in the ice and offering me her bath toys :-)

And that leads me to say the biggest most massive Thanks to so many people..... I wouldn't be here so close to the marathon without lots of help, love and support and especially this week for being there for me. I am truly blessed.

My Mum for inspiring me

Mum and Dad Smith - especially for Bug minding overnight while I went to Inverness

Fudgey Hubby 

Liz for also making the trip to Inverness

My Dad and Sis

Neil, Lyndsey, Di, Louisa and Eileen

Anne, Emma and Lynne 

And apologies to anyone I have forgotten to mention, Thank you all x

Last big training week this week but right now I need sleep.

Take Care everyone 

Lots of love

Fudgey xxxx

Official marathon training week 12

Hello all

This is just a quick post today, all the way from Inverness. Those who know me well will understand how much we have going on right now so please bear with me on the blog front.

Last week was a lighter running week post The Great Edinburgh run so only 2 runs.

Ran on Wednesday part of way to work 7.15miles

Then Sunday was my long run 18.02 miles. It was a tough one. Typical Scottish weather sun, wind and hail. Snot sweat and tears but job done.

Today is 1st May so this means it's marathon month.... 30 days to go.

Take care everyone 

Lots of love Fudgey xxxxx

Official Marathon Training Week 11

Hello Fudgey Friends

Just a quickie tonight as feeling pretty tired and hoping to get myself into bed as early as I can, but I wanted to get my week 11 post to you asap

And what a week.....feeling fudgeytastic re the running

Monday - last running conditioning class with Lyndsey, have really enjoyed these and found them really useful.

Tuesday - 12.49 miles....before work. Up and out by 6am and ran all the way into work. Absolutely delighted and feeling more positive about the marathon training

Thursday - lovely short lunchtime run including my 'favourite' hill Bells Brae. 2,34 miles wasn't my best running but was good to get away from my desk. I managed to take some photos especially for Liz. These are from The water of Leith, Dean village and looking down from Queen street towards Fife.

Sunday - race day Great Edinburgh Run 10 miles. I promise a full race report before the end of the week but it was an absolutely fantastic day, everything just fell into place and I smiled for the whole 10 miles. 6 weeks to go until the marathon 

As I said just a quick post, hope you have all had a good week. I am off now to take some photos for the race report, a cuppa and off to bed.

Sweet dreams all

Lots of love

Fudgey xxx

Race Report Meadows half Marathon 8th March 2015

Apologies but a long last a long overdue race report

This is the 3rd time I have taken part in the Meadows event, first time the 5k and this was my 2nd meadows half marathon. Each year it has grown bigger and bigger and considering it is organised by the university students is pretty impressive what they do, how much they raise for charity and how successful it has become.

Unfortunately the longer I have left this the harder it has become to sit down and write so I will keep it brief and try not to ramble.

This year there was a 5k, 10k, half marathon and a full marathon. If I recall correctly the events started at 10am and ended around 4pm. The half marathon started at 1pm. This was unusual for me as most running events I have participated in have started in the morning, the positive of this was not having to get up too early and plenty of time to fuel up. The negative was that we decided not to take Miss Bug with us as she usually sleeps around that time for a couple of hours.

Registration process was simple and painless and no problem getting my race pack on arrival at Teviot place, I was amused to have a finisher certificate in it before having run a single step. I also got a tshirt.

We were quite early so were able to hang around the hub and get a coffee. The weather was a mix of sunnny but cold, rain and very windy and I opted for a baseball cap...quickly abandonned when it blew off as I went out for the warm up.

Warm up by pure gym was Ok but I think given the weather most people just wanted to run.

The course was 7 laps round the meadows this has advantages and disadvantages. Great for spectators but a bit monotonous for the runner but great training event for the marathon and opportunity to practice pacing and nutrition. There was meant to be entertainment on the course but as I was so slow the entertainment had packed up when I was only half way complete. The volunteer marshalls were brilliant though, very enouraging and smiling , they must had stood for hours. The warer station was manned by local cubs I think, and as it was laps you would pass it several times, I didn't use it as they offered cups of water and still haven't mastered the technique of running and drinking from a cup, i chise to run with my camelback water pack. 

The hardest part of the course for me was the cobbles at George square....they were brutal and I found it hard to run on them and painful.

This turned out to be my worst ever half marathon performance and I was 3rd last with a time of 2 hours 42 minutes, however this was under the course limit of 2.45 and for me a massive achievement in distance since the arrival of Bug. I knew there wouldn't be a pb on this occasion as I had only started seriously running again in January and for me it was a training run and stepping stone to the marathon.

At the finish line we got a medal...first bling this year, a coconut water and a goody bag. Disappointingly a lot of the leaflets/vouchers in the bag were out of date but for a student run and relatively cheap event they provided a decent bag.

And now for sone photos from the day :-)

Thank you as always to Mr Fudgey for the photos and for his support.

Thank you to Mum and Das S for looking after Bug

Thank you to Meadows Marathon for another really well organised and 'enjoyable' event.

Thank you all of you for your words of encouragement and support, especially Di and Lyndsey who helped med decide to sign up in the first place.

Will try and make sure next race report is more timely 

Lots of love

Fudgey xxxx

Thank you

To all my fabulously fudgey friends, family and followers,

I am often asked how I manage to pack so much in, a full time job, a home and family and train for a marathon, blog and all the other bits and bobs I get up to. Honestly sometimes I ask myself that very same question. But the reality is that I couldn't do it alone.

I am so blessed to ge surrounded by people who love, support and encourage me.

Yes that's you guys. Hubby, both Mums and Dads, Sister, Brother and Sister in law, Aunts and Uncles, Cousins, good friends and my lovely team and other work colleagues. And some people who sadly are no longer here but inspire me so much.

Special mention to poor long suffering Mr Fudgey, he really is a star. 'Bullying' me out of the door when I procrastinate, patiently hanging around at running events, going to the running shop in his lunch hour to buy energy gels for my long runs. Taking photos, wiping my tears, celebrating my achievements and so much more.

We are also very fortunate to have Granny and Papa who Miss Bug adores - they do so much for us and I really hope they know just how much we appreciate them.

Thank you each and everyone of you I couldn't do it without you

Lots of love

Fudgey xxxx

Official Marathon Training Week 10

Hello Fudgey friends

How are you all?

Just a quick post tonight, per my week 9 post not much running action in week 10.....but I did get a long run in..........

16.28 miles 

Marathon training well and truly back on track. 

It was slow but everything felt good, my stomach even behaved. My calves started to seize  when I came in but an ice bath and my compression leggings soon eased that.

Today feeling really good....certainly not like I ran 16 miles....and it has done my spirit the world of good too :-)

Running conditioning class at lunchtime today should help stretch out all those worked muscles and a nice soak in a dead sea bath tonight = bliss.

I have the Great Edinburgh Run this weekend....10 miles....and very excited for Little Miss Bug to come spectate and cheer.

That's all from me for now. Have a great week everyone

Lots of love

Fudgey xxxx

Official Marathon Training Week 9

Hello all

Hope you are all having a lovely Friday evening and are looking forward to the weekend.

Life has kind of overtaken me again and I find myself playing catch up. This week is week 10 but I haven't written a week 9 post. I seem to have completely lost control this week....back to work and still catching up from 17 days off, my stomach is playing up again making me pretty miserable, I haven't run this week, I've done no laundry, not started my Asda shop, no blogging and still no half marathon race report and this doesn't sit well with me.

So here is last weeks update. Running wise I had an amazing week, my first 30 mile week since 2011....last time I was marathon training 

Monday...It was wet wild and windy here but I managed a bracing 3.22 miles

Tuesday...took the wee one to Bookbug in the morning at the library which she loved now she is big enough to join in all the words and actions of the nursery ryhmes. Time to fit in a quick 30 minutes 2.61 miles after dropping Bug at nursery and before getting my hair cut in the afternoon.

Wednesday.... A rest day! Trip to the shops in the morning, post office and bank. Laundry, cleaning in the kitchen and gutted the ensuite.

Thursday.....an amazing 11.06 miles.... Feel like training back on track

Friday...another rest day

Saturday ....a lung busting 3.51 miles....ran faster than I have all of March....it was also hot and sunny :-)

Sunday....another 10.07 miles....this was a total slog, really struggled but job done.

This week saw the end of March so I totalled my monthly mileage....43.63 miles for March....down on Jan and Feb but long runs getting longer.

Unfortunately week 10 hasn't been as great running wise but I will get a long run in this weekend.

I am slowly regaining control, have cleared my 500+ emails at work and hope to be back on track with everything next week. Darks load washed tonight and in dryer, whites loaded in machine and will get my wee laundry assistant to put on in the morning. Fruit and vegetables cleared out of Fridge and drawers washed, Asda shop booked and half done, and this blog post written.

Time to head upstairs and get the swimming kit ready for tomorrow and then into bed....hopefully for a lie in beyond 6am

Take Care everyone 

Lots of love

Fudgey xxxx

Official Marathon Training Week 8

Hello again everyone

Well no blog action for over 3 weeks and then 2 posts in less than 24 hours! 

I have also been getting organised to write my race report from the half marathon by getting the photos  sorted out so I will hopefully get that written soon too.

So this is my official marathon training for week 8, this is last week, the week beginning 23rd March, not where I hoped I would be, but slowly returning to running from illness and better than no running

First full week of my time of work and looking forward to spending some time with Bug and had a plan for lots of running amongst other things.

Monday - I still felt rubbish so phoned for a doctor's appointment to be told no appointments till 7th April! Unless it was an emergency...so I explained that I didn't think it was but that that I also couldn't wait over 2 weeks, thankfully the nurse practitioner called me back and saw me later that morning and prescribed an antibiotic that seems to have sorted me out :-)

 

Managed to get a lot scored off my to do list, called the hairdresser and rearranged my hair appointment from when I was ill, called the joiner and arranged for him to come and get a few things done. Moo got a good scrub after being run over by the buggy on Sunday unfortunately though no sooner was Moo clean but Moo 2 suffered the same fate and needs a bath. I handed in Bug's Giant Wiggle sponsor money at the nursery and spoke to the manager about her funded place. I also bought, wrote and posted some birthday cards and gifts. I also got a few chores like laundry etc done so a very productive day, though no running.

Tuesday - less productive and we just stayed home in the morning. I indulged in a sneaky afternoon nap once Bug was dropped at nursery.

Wednesday - WOO HOO first run in 17 days, aspired for 2 miles, felt good so revised goal to 3 miles, still feeling good......5.1 miles done....very very happy.

 

Thursday - Pru health vitality health check in Edinburgh at 10.20am so a quick 1.56 miles before heading into town. Health check mostly good, great blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol but the negative...being overweight....well not anything I wasn't expecting and know that I need to get back on track with my weight loss too. 

Lovely lunch with Lyndsey Esland at All Bar One, some shopping and got my glasses adjusted at Boots before heading home.  Running kit on and ran another 2.05 miles to nursery to pick up the little lady, but bus back home.

Friday - Mr Fudgey had a day off and it was lovely for us all to spend the day at home together.

Saturday...A visit to the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh meeting up with my amazing sister and Bug's 3 big cousins. A fabulous day was had by all and we will definitely be taking Bug again

Sunday - another run :-) 3.48 miles

So 4 small runs in week 8, as I said not where I would hope to be but hoping to increase it over the next few weeks....watch this space.

Take Care everyone and I will post again soon

Love

Fudgey xxx

Official Marathon Training Weeks 6 & 7

Hello all

How are you all?

Firstly an apology, i didn't intend to leave it so long to post after the half marathon and I haven't forgotten that I have a race report to write, please bear wirh me and I will try to get back on track.

Week 6 & 7 involved no running, not a single step :-(

No gym either for weeks :-(

After the half marathon I was pretty tired an planned to take a couple of days to recover and then get back on with marathon training maybe on the Wednesday or Thursday....

Wednesday night .....sore stomach getting increasingly worse so went off to bed....

4am up being violently sick....

Got up at 6am, got ready for work, got wee one ready for nursery....sick on attempting to leave house....

So a day in bed being sick right through till the afternoon.

Decided on the Friday to go into work around lunchtime as had lots to do, maybe not one of my brightest ideas....felt rotten

Managed the wee one's swimming lesson on Saturday morning but spent the afternoon back in bed with a sore stomach

So feeling pretty miserable no running in week 6

Week 7 and Monday saw me off to London for work, my hotel was right beside Hyde Park and I packed my kit hoping to run round The Serpentine before breakfast and my day at TSAM Congress and Expo, but sadly it was not to be. I still felt rubbish and though I managed to eat with a colleague on Monday evening I was in my room and tucked up by 9.30pm.

The congress and expo on Tuesday was interesting and I made some good connections with some of our vendors, it was a long day though and I was very careful about what I ate and drank as my stomach was still not happy. Unfortunately I also received a message from hubby that he had started being sick too. Straight from the event to the airport and home. Hubby was still off Wednesday too, and I was still not back to 100%.

Thursday was my last day in the office for 17 days.

Friday my first day off and a trip into Edinburgh 

Saturday a visit from my Uncle Kenneth and he got to meet Miss Bug, she loved him

Unfortunately I still wasn't feeling great and still no running :-( but being sensible and napping at the same time as the wee munchkin.

Good news is that I am now back running and week 8 does include some running. Not panicking yet about the marathon.

I will be back soon with a week 8 post and I will get a race report done as soon as possible 

Take care all

Love

Fudgey xxx

Official Marathon Training Week 5

Hello lovely people

How are you all?

I apologise in advance if this is a bit of a random rambling post. I haven't been feeling at my best and incredibly tired so please bear with me.

So it occurred to me that it's now March - where is this year going? So I decided to look back at my February mileage and after 62 miles in January was delighted to see I had logged 68 miles for February and some pretty decent consistent running :-)

Now onto March.....

So I never actually ran last week apart from the half marathon on Sunday. I had planned to but circumstances just conspired against me.

Monday - lunchtime running conditioning class. 

Heading home in the evening and just about to get off the bus when the snow started....from clear to this in 2 minutes

So I was very excited to run up the hill and get my footprints first in the virgin snow

Tuesday morning I had planned to have a short run pre work but this is what we woke up to

If it hadn't been for the half marathon on Sunday I would still have run but no way was I risking any mishaps

Lovely sky on way to work

Not the best prep pre half marathon, Friday night Miss Bug was sick all over her cot then all over me and then Saturday I had a terrible headache that I couldn't clear and had to go to bed in the afternoon when Miss Bug was sleeping too, though she was unsettled too and ended up cuddled in with me.

Sunday = Meadows half marathon = @&#%€$#% hard! A personal worst for me....But I did it :-)

I am going to write a race report asap.

But that is where I am leaving you for tonight, apart from a wee photo of Miss Bug, especially for my followers who haven't seen how grown up she is getting. 

So goodnight all, take care and I will be back soon

Lots of love

Bug's Mum xxxx

Official Marathon Training Week 4

Hello Fudgey Friends,

How are you all? Who has snow? I can't believe it is March! It's been pretty cold here all week, but also mostly bright & sunny.

It has been a mixed week of training for me with ups & downs.

Monday - Running conditioning class at lunchtime. These classes have been organised through my work with a company called Total Health I am very lucky that I work somewhere where we have these kind of opportunities and I have been fortunate to take part in a number of different classes and workshops through a programme that my company runs called Fit for the Future. At the moment there is a running conditioning class on a Monday lunchtime which is absolutely perfect in conjunction with my marathon training & great on the back of a long run over the weekend.

Tuesday - I had hoped to get in my long run early this week, but really wasn't feeling great, I have had a very sore tummy on & off all week. Initially I thought it was stress, then I was concerned it was a recurrence of my diverticulitis but I think it has simply been a wee tummy bug as Mr Fudgey also felt pretty bleugh on Saturday evening.  So no running on Tuesday :-(

Wednesday - Decided I'd attempt my run pre work & managed 7.23 miles but I really wasn't in the right head space, my tummy was not happy with me, it was very icy underfoot and I felt constrained for time so cut it short at just over 7 miles - not a bad effort though. A view of part of my route especially for Liz...more scenic ones next week hopefully :-)
Feeling much better and energised as the day went on I decided that I would also run part of the way home. I opted to get the bus part of the way & then get off about 4 miles from home....a big mental hurdle as it would have been so easy to just stay on the bus, especially as it was starting to get dark, cold & a bit rainy, but I did it & ran 4.04 miles home much to Mr Fudgey's surprise when he stepped of the bus to see me running past up the hill. The run home was better than the morning & on average 24 seconds faster per mile....such a data geek! Delighted with a total of 11.27 miles for the day & my first double run session since the arrival of Miss Bug.

Thursday - quite rightly a rest day.

Friday -  I had a lovely days holiday from work & took Miss Bug into Edinburgh, we started with a visit to Bannatynes for a swim & Miss Bug loved splashing and checking out the facilities including the lockers. She had so much fun that she had a power nap on the way to Marks & Spencer  so I managed to get something to eat & drink without sharing. We then visited my work & Miss Bug shared her Peppa Pig cakes. She also paid special visits to Maggie, pretending she was shy!, Eileen & Jackie - Thank you Jackie for the chocolate & the pennies. Then we went along to Daddy Bug's work & picked him up for cake & coffee at Debenhams. The highlight at Debenhams was going down the escalator with Daddy Bug while I took the buggy in the lift. Home & an afternoon nap for both of us. My stomach was really sore in the evening & I ended up having to go to bed.




Saturday - I really didn't feel great & was gutted as I had hoped to do 11 to 13 miles but I knew that physically it wasn't the right thing to do, even though mentally I was prepared. We took Miss Bug to her weekly swimming class & then to visit Granny & Papa. When we came home & she had her afternoon sleep so did I. Unfortunately when we got up Daddy Bug was feeling poorly so he had to lie down too.

Sunday  - feeling much better but not 100% I didn't want to venture too far from home so decided I'd go for a treadmill session & could do as much or as little as I liked. Absolutely astounded myself 12.49 miles and I never walked or stopped once, feeling immensely proud. I find running on the treadmill so much tougher than running outside and I'd opt for outdoors at any chance I can, but it's a useful training tool especially have the little one & living in Scotland. It means I have no excuses what so ever. I think the new running music hubby bought me really helped - Thank you. I only ever listen to music when running on the treadmill, never outdoors for safety reasons but also I have learned to love the awareness of my breathing & feet on the ground and the clearing of my mind.

So somehow I managed to rescue week 4, still mange 3 runs, log 23.76 miles - pretty good effort in my opinion.

Lighter training week for week 5 as I have a half marathon at the end of the week....Eeeek :-$

Have a great week all

Lots of love
Bug's Mum

Official Marathon Training Week 3

Hello Fudgey friends

How are you all?

It's been a long tiring week here but somehow at the end of the week I salvaged this weeks training and managed 20 miles in 3 days. I should say I would not normally run on 3 consecutive days, it has just been circumstance this week.

 

Monday - Miss Bug had a restless night and had us up from 12.20 and ended up in beside us. This picture pretty much sums it up....at one point she was lying on my head

Running conditioning class. Organised through my work and my friend Lyndsey and I went along. Learnt some new warm up movements and was great hearing other runners hints, tips, and moans too. The class runs for 4 weeks so interested to see what else I can take from it.

Tuesday - had asked for some self development / learning at work which meant being in the office for 7am, this meant no pre work run and I also didn't manage the gym at lunchtime. Opted for the treadmill in the evening but was tired and grumpy and really not in the mood, but managed 2.61 miles.

Wednesday - Miss Bug had us up about 5am, really not her usual self, so no nursery. Massive Thank you to Granny and Papa for taking her for the day. This meant that I was later into work and earlier leaving so no gym or running at lunchtime. Exhausted in the evening I opted for an early night in case it was another disturbed one.

Thursday - I had the day off and little Bug was still not herself so no nursery. However she did sleep till 7.30am and was a little brighter so I was able to take her and get her passport photos taken. In the afternoon when she slept I really should have tried to run but just so tired and didn't run in the evening either.

Friday - As I hadn't been in on Thursday I couldn't do a pre work run as didn't have clothes etc at work to change into. I also wanted to get in as early as possible to catch up a bit. Knew I had to get on the treadmill in the evening and though it started out Blah I managed 8.2 miles and finished strong. Came into the kitchen to this....

I am so lucky to be so supported, Marathon training is tough enough without a 2 year old and a full time job and Mr Bug has been brilliant he has totally helped keep my training and sanity on track this week and he has had to 'pushed' me out the door on Tuesday. I am so grateful for his love and support.

Saturday - Regular swim lesson for Miss Bug in the morning and then I headed out for my run when she had her afternoon nap. 7.46 miles....feeling proud of myself

Sunday - Motivated by Miss Bug as she was looking at my Sports shoes flyer and said 'That's Mummy' 

So inspite of the freezing rain and wind I headed out the door for my short recovery run when she was sleeping this afternoon and smashed it...fastest run this week even though wind was trying to blow me sideways and on the back of the 2 previous runs. I was grinning like a Chesire cat :-D

So somehow I ended the week with 22.73 miles logged and feeling amazing. 14 weeks today till the marathon.

Well off now to treat myself with a piece of Rocky road cheesecake.... I think I have earned it.

Have a great week everyone 

Lots of love

Bugs Mum xxxxx