What have I learnt since the last time I blogged?
First don't do a trail race and select to start it at 12 noon. Blimey that was tough at Bedgebury! Second, cool as it is to run around Brands Hatch race track it's a pig of a course. Not one bit of it is flat.
Third, running on holiday is actually really good fun and makes you feel much less guilty about all the food and drink your consuming.
Four, EVERYONE must read Running Like a Girl by Alexandra Heminsley - I don't really do reading anymore, I have a very low boredom threshold and books get started and never finished. I never find the time to pick them up. Even on holiday there is always something else I could be doing. Not this book. started and finished within two days. Made me laugh and cry. But most of all inspired me. Which takes me back to point three.
Seriously, run on holiday. Most of my runs were fairly short, it was too hot to go far. But on the last day of my holiday, the clouds came over, the pool felt chilly so I thought go for a run. No worrying about time, or distance. I just ran, over one hill, on down to that beach. Stopped for some photos, did aeroplane arms, ran along by the seafront. I felt alive, happy and liberated. Arriving home I was inspired and motivated. With 14 weeks until my October Half Marathon at Royal Parks I knew I needed a plan. So out came the running books, the magazines and the internet and after a few days I had designed myself a 12 week training plan. In a moment of panic I realised the worst thing would be to get to the start line and have got it wrong. So thanks to the wonder of Twitter and the magnificent @MattversusMatt I got some hints and tips to refine it and make sure I wasn't get things wrong.
And now I'm following my plan. And yes I'm following the plan - in fact I love the plan. It is all about the plan. I may get a T-shirt saying "I have a plan". What's even better is the plan is working. I can feel myself getting stronger. I didn't know that running up hills or doing some fartlek would make such a difference, but it does. I'm starting to feel like a runner. 