Muddy walk: Janathon day 17

For day 17 of Janathon I had planned to run to my daughter's football training (while she rode her bike) then do intervals around the pitch. I ran to and from the training session (1.5 miles total), but I didn't manage intervals because I got talking to a dad and then decided I'd look stupid.

In the afternoon I took my children out for a bike ride (while I walked alongside) and we were taking pictures of the town's coat of arms ready for cubs on Monday. The bikes (and my boots) were covered in mud when we got home! But it was a good 2 mile walk.

Baldock Beast 2014

Aim for this race was to achieve a personal course record (previously 1:51:30 from 2013) and to finish sub 1:50 (and not get injured). I'm a bit scared of the Baldock Beast course, mainly because it's hilly, but there are two off-road sections and I don't like mud very much. Also, when I ran part of the course last week the roads were flooded in places. So a steady approach at marathon pace (9 min/mile or faster) suited me fine.

Met up with some club friends before the start, Lewis, Ed, Chris, Andy and John (who I always call Paul, sorry John), and Paul (who is really called Paul) were all running, and Sarah W came to support and took our bags for safe-keeping (thanks!). Ran with Lewis almost all the way (I lost him at mile 12, although he "says" he was giving me a target to chase), and Andy joined us at about mile 4-5 (he wanted to run around 1:55). 

Lewis, me, Ed, and Paul

The off-road sections are across a field and through a wood. Both were pretty muddy, but the wood was especially splashy and slippy, I let out a girly squeal unfortunately. The hills didn't seem as bad as I remember, apart from the huge one at mile 10, which I was prepared for this time. After this hill I said my aim was to pass as many women as I could, and I think I picked off at least four. One poor girl let out a frustrated sob as I passed her, sorry lady. By mile 12 I was flagging a bit, and it was an effort just to keep myself running. I did sprint the last quarter of a mile to the finish, despite being passed on the line by two men, and I had to have a quiet moment in the field while I tried not to vomit.

Finished in 1:49:01 according to my Garmin, very happy with that. And the knee and hip did what they were supposed to do and remained intact. According to Endomondo I ran faster in the second half of the race, and my fastest mile was run in 7:30 from around mile 11 to 12.

Big thanks to supporters on the course: Simon and his son at the first off-road section; Pete from club (who had Jelly Babies, gels, and Powerade) and Mark from NHRR, who we saw twice in Sandon; and Jane who came out with her three boys to support at mile 11-12. At the finish I heard a great cheer from my friend Kate, who's daughter had made me a banner saying "Go Sarah!" on it; Sarah C from club (another Sarah!) was there too, along with Ed's wife and kids and Chris' wife and son. Once I remembered I had biscuits in my bag, these got handed around. I also met a chap who I follow on Twitter but hadn't previously met IRL (@rundontrun), and of course Murray and Ashley who organise the race. 

Picked up a nice medal to remember the day by, a can of an energy drink (a bit bleurgh), a banana (no thank you), and a printout of my gun time (1:49:24) and position (153rd). Excellent. Kate had also brought me a bag of Haribo and a bottle of water, which was awesome and so lovely! I really needed the water :) And I'm eating the Haribo now!

Training last week

On Monday I attempted a 5K with alternate slow/fast km, but I failed somewhat at achieving a distinction between intervals. I went out for another run on Tuesday after Pilates, to see if I could beat my husband's 3 mile time, and I did a bit better, running a mile in 7:05 min according to Endomondo. That's my second best mile time ever I think (PB is 6:57). So with a speedy run out of the way for the week I was happy to miss my Wednesday long run. I went to circuit training instead, my second session of the week. Fit and strong is the plan... Thursday run club was a 5 mile group run.

Training next week

It's half term so I'm restricted to evening workouts, no mid-morning 8 milers :(

Monday: Leg physio and core workout
Tuesday: Run club (both sessions), leg physio and core workout
Wednesday: Rest day, leg physio and core workout
Thursday: Run club (both sessions), leg physio and core workout
Friday: Rest day, leg physio and core workout 
Saturday: Rest day, leg physio and core workout 
Sunday: 16-18 mile long run

Happy to continue at 16-18 miles for a few more weeks, then things get more serious in March...

Lunchtime run up Langford hill: Janathon day 8

I promised myself I'd go for a run today if I managed to finish the bit of work I've been struggling with. As I was nearing completion, a friend texted me to ask if I fancied a run. So we met up and headed off-road to Langford.

Another pair of muddy shoes

It's a nice route, one we sometimes do in the lighter evenings with the intermediate group at Stotfold Runners. It can get a bit overgrown towards the height of summer, but today we were struggling more with flooded fields and muddy paths. Lucky I have several pairs of trainers.


I forgot to restart my watch after I'd stopped it to chat to a friend I met on the run home, so my Garmin said 5 miles, but it was a touch further than that.