Lornas Blog

So, the nice weather stopped and the dark nights came super quickly. The last month seems to have been a really tough one. I’m starting to feel like the ‘honeymoon’ period here is over, and reality is settling in. Really missing my friends, especially my running buddy, and some of the other comforts of home. I really haven’t run much this last month (sorry Phoebe!) and have certainly lost some motivation. It’s tough, as finding somewhere to run in the dark that’s safe, and find time to walk dogs separately either before or after work, is becoming a real challenge. I always try and combine the run with the dogs walk as its good for all of us, but it’s just not practical in the dark. I have my treadmill but that’s really for emergencies as I’m not a treadmill runner, and the thought of my weeknight runs all being on a treadmill is thoroughly depressing!
So, where to find my mojo again, and how to make things work? I don’t know the answers, but being me……I’ll get it sorted soon enough. I just need to get a new routine that works. Also have a 2 week training course coming up which is full on daytime and evenings as we have to work in groups after dinner ready to present the next day, so really not sure when I’ll fit the runs in there! However- April 1st is the deadline to be in top shape for my attempt at pb on My favourite course in the uk, so, something has to happen and soon if I’m going to thrash it.
Overall, a very busy, stressful last 6 months with the last month really hitting home what I’ve left behind……and has left me wondering what’s next really and can I handle it? Time to start setting the early morning alarm I think and getting some early runs in, as that’s always been good training for me……just so hard when it’s cold and snowy and dark

So it’s been a fair while since I’ve written. Berlin marathon came and went in a whirlwind of activity, and my move to Switzerland all happened at the same time.
It’s been an interesting 4 months with altitude and weather changes playing havoc on my training- had to borrow a camelback for the long training runs as with no car to go out and place water, and 30 degree heat, my 2 bottles in my running belt just didn’t cut it for a 3hr 30 run!
Oh and have I mentioned the sheer amount of paperwork it takes to move to Switzerland? And to top it off I was in a temp apartment for 2 months then had to move and furnish a house- and all this during marathon training for Berlin.
Needless to say- there was no pb at Berlin, but man did I enjoy myself! It was actually an incredibly relaxing run after the chaos of the previous 2 months, the weather was great, my running pal was on top form, so it was a perfect run, even without a pb. Actually the first marathon I have enjoyed running.
So running in Switzerland….what’s its like? Hilly. That pretty much covers it. Finding somewhere flat is a real challenge. The longest I can do flat is around 25 mins before having to run the same route again- so finding somewhere long enough for marathon training was really tough. As it happens, I’ve decided to focus on the half marathons for a while. I prefer this distance and often really enjoy the races, so the goal is to shave a little more time off my pb from earlier this year.
The only other interesting thing here is the altitude- living at 2000 feet and Most runs taking me up to 2500-2600 makes for interesting training. Even the dogs are shattered after only 30 mins!
So I’m combining my running with some nice weekend hikes- poor legs this week feeling rather tired, but the stunning views and glorious weather at the moment just can’t keep myself indoors.
Oh and finally- as it snows for around 3 months of the year- I have now purchased my very own treadmill, and my living room is now starting to resemble a mini gym
4 months in and I’m just starting to settle in properly. Don’t speak the language but managing to get by while I learn as I go along, yet the running is the same no matter where you are, and now the dogs are with me too- its starting to feel like home

Right, well where to start?! With the fun bits or the bad bits? Ok-I’ll start with the fun bits

The Company. I went with some fabulous running mates that I met from running London Mara last hear. I don’t think I’ve laughed so much in a long time.

The Sights. I’ve never done ‘the sights’ when visiting Paris before as always gone on business. Loved doing the open topped tour bus on a lovely day so didn’t use my legs.

The Weather. Fabulous weather for sitting outside in cafes and restaurants.

Ok-the bad bits……
The Weather. Ridiculously hot. Never run even the length of a half mara in that heat. It hit 26 quite early on in the race. By mile 3 I was already ‘thirsty’ – that never happens to me as I’m always sipping and I manage my hydration well. So-trotting up to mile 3 water stop-literally gasping, already bright red from effort, to find NO WATER LEFT!!!! WTF??? And I really did say that out loud a few times I think! Not very ladylike but I actually couldn’t believe it. I was running at 4hr 45 pace-quite respectable for a non elite me-thinks, yet they had run out of water at the first stop. So, I do something I’m not proud of and I’m not happy about…. I rummage in the gutters for any discarded bottles that still contain water and I do my best to get something, trying not to think of the ‘unknown’ germs attached to that bottle. Needless to say, mentally this utterly threw me and I started to mildly panic it would be like this all the way. Lucky it wasn’t-but it still wasn’t great.
The French at water stops: OMG it’s like they stop for lunch or something!! They come to an abrupt stop, start chatting, mingling, then casually walk on for the next 400 yards or so…. Meanwhile this impatient little welsh bird is barging through shouting at people to ‘please move over!!!’ …… I did say please even if my elbows weren’t quite so forgiving!!!
The Fruit. Again…OMG. Bananas and oranges???! Don’t they understand health and safety???? Even if I managed to elbow my way through so I could still run-I was literally putting my life at risk by running over banana skins and orange skins. I soon wondered if this is why they all stop and walk…..I must factor this in for future ‘fruit’ marathons me thinks.
Did I mention the weather yet?? Oh yeah, but really, it was horrible. I’m very pale and slightly strawberry blonde so burn in even the smallest sign of sun. So, as I was wearing a charity vest with no sleeves, I had no option but to factor 50 up. I now realise that may not have been very smart….hmmmm no wonder I felt really hot all the time!! Add in the stress of the ‘water hunt’, and the water bottles being smaller 330ml-which is normally fine, but they didn’t increase it to factor in the weather – there just wasn’t enough to last between each water stop-even taking 2 bottles, as had to use some on head and neck to cool down-as not enough sponge points.
The Knee: right, well, I’ve had some itb stuff going on in my left leg during training, but some pretty intense physio last 3 weeks really had sorted it out. During the race-not a single twinge-Fab you would think……oh no, that would be too easy on top of the other stuff!!
So-mile 20 and despite the heat, the water issues, the short steep hills coming out of tunnels (flat – yeah right!!) – I was on target for 4.50 – brill. Phoebe will be proud me thinks  In all honesty at this point, that’s all that’s keeping me running as I’m utterly shattered. But I keep pushing trying to think how amazing it would be to go 4.50 and knock 36 mins off previous Mara time-yeah!!!
Sadly the good feeling went very quickly when suddenly I not only felt it, but heard it-something went very wrong in my hip, which then caused a sharp shooting pain all the way down to my knee…..on my right leg!!!! It stopped me dead and I must admit for all my natural bravery (yes, I’m usually quite brave), I sat on a Bollard and cried for a few seconds (not because the Bollard was painful !) Then, somehow, I pulled my act together, stood up, and managed to shuffle a few steps, then dragged it up to a shuffle jog.
Ok…. So 4.50 is out, but maybe I can still go sub 5 – I just need to do 12 min miles to the end and I can just about scrape it in. I see the 5 hr pacer man right there in front of me-Great = ive caught up with him so I must be ahead of 5 hour at this point!! I’ll stick with him…..but his large orange flag just kept getting further and further away from me.
Mile 23: I have to admit to defeat of reaching target. Gutted. No willpower left, tired, hurt, why bother etc etc all going through my head. However, my little competitive spirit (although a badly depleted spirit by this point) wouldn’t let me just ‘cruise’ to the end. So, I keep moving-jogging-yes I’m still ‘running!!’ most of the time in a kind of quasimodo stylee. Suddenly I hear a voice….. ‘Go on Lorna-you can do it!!!’ Oh dear-I burst into tears at the generosity of someone seeing how painful it’s become for me, and knowing how a little support can really help a runner in need. He was a little boy of about 10 and I just wanted to stop and hug him. I didn’t of course-can’t waste precious seconds!!!!
Last corner-feel myself welling up and my chest tightening in anticipation of the huge relief I know I will feel when I finish. I see the cameras-run faster and smile!!!!! and I cruise over the line at a steady run……well, ok , it FELT like I was running fast-the video shows me doing prob an 11 min mile pace-but hey, I didn’t WALK over the finish line some people-even with my injury
At last-the torture is finished. I’m utterly gutted I missed my target as I WAS fit and ready for it- and despite all best attempts with weather and water to thrwart my target attempts-I was still on for it at mile 21. It was the blasted itb in right leg that finished it all for me.
Never mind hey-I still got a PB-imagine that!! By 16 mins Really-I was super slow last year so couldn’t get any worse could I???
I am actually feeling very proud of my run, despite not getting my sub 5 in my 2nd mara, but it was injury related and not fitness related-so I feel good about that.

Right-Berlin in Sept-here we go again!!!

Now sadly, as I’m on the I phone writing this, I don’t think I can upload a piccie at this point, so I’ll save my pics of Pegs and Alvin running for another blog Nick
Just to let the rest of you know (if you’ve bothered to read this far!) -when packing for Paris, both my little dogs managed to get onto the kitchen table and between them, they ate 4 packs of oat cakes in minutes. I like to think they were carb loading in anticipation of another long run, yet I know in reality it’s just because they are greedy little pigs

and even better – managing to get the doglets out with me

So – having a good week so far after getting my PB at Reading Half on Sunday – and what an emotional day that was!! Full of concerns over my knee (ITB issues) and following the advice of my physio to not wear knee band, as I now have a heel lift in left shoe – I stood at the start line, next to the 2hr 10 pacer guy (Who was about 20 years older than me and looking uber fit!!) and was totally full of nerves as I fully realised how hard the race was going to feel. Aiming for a PB that was at least 3 mins better than my best performance, but hoping to go for a full 8 minutes better…..yeah right I was thinking, with a dodgy knee aswell? And to top it off – the ‘flat’ course actually was first 3 miles up hill and another hill at 6-7 – ok – nowhere near as bad as Tunbridge Wells, but when trying to get a PB – me no likey hills!!!

So – I glance down at my phone getting ready to start the music that will hopefully motivate a good start – and see Phoebe has sent me a good luck note – I told her I was nervous – and she told me to believe in my fitness and forget about the knee as it will be fine. Phew – just what I needed – some strong words of encouragement, although I did do a silent snigger at me believing in my fitness – hah – me….fit??!!! You should see my trying to run to get a train – you’d never think i’d run a marathon….but I knew what she meant

So – I thought ‘right – i’ll follow Mr 2:10 guy but if he goes too fast up them hills, then i’m gonna save myself a little, pull back and give it more in the second half if i’m falling behind…..and boy did he lose me! Mile 3 and I was already behind, but I wasn’t panicking yet. However, I was feeling like i’d just run a 10k race at full pelt, and thought I wasn’t quite sure how i’d manage another 10 miles at that pace. I hadn’t gone off too fast – I was sticking to my planned 9:50 min per miles – even with the hills I pretty much managed that, and that’s prob why it felt super tough as I normally pull pace back a little on hills, but knew knew I wouldn’t have the luxury of strong downhills to make up time later, so had to keep fairly even paced all the way. Also lost my running buddy by mile 4 – she fell behind a little, so I drove on, trying to kep Mr 2:10 at least in sight!!

So – there I am and suddenly ahead of me is the ‘hill’ at around mile 6 – now it wasn’t a steep one, but long and gentle – the worse kind for me to keep a pace! I had to take my gel a little early as I felt like i’d used up all I had just getting up it! And……only just got to halfway mark….more doubts in my head about not only getting a PB at this point, but whether I could finish. I was really worried i’d gone off too fast as i’d never really run this pace for such a long time before! Anyways – I kept hearing Phoebe’s message ‘trust in your fitness’ and I thought – well if she thinks I can do this based on last 10 weeks of training, then I really should be able to do it. So – head down, I pumped my arms to get over the last of the hill, and just kept focusing on putting one leg in front of the other. Frustratingly, there were over 13,000 people in the race and at some points, the lane narrowed so much I ground to a halt at least 3 times as I just couldn’t get past people – I reckon I lost a good minute in total there

Keeping a close eye on my pace I got to mile 9 and started to feel a lot better – mentally and physically thought ‘yeah, this is a good steady pace, I can do this!’…..which lasted as long as mile 11 where I suddenly found it all REALLY hard. Didn’t hit the wall or anything, just another gradual hill I didn’t feel I could cope with, as I knew I had to stick to pace if I was going to get PB, so couldn’t afford to slack off on this blimmin hill. I actually stopped for around 3-4 secs, shed a little tear or two, then mentally gave myself a kick up the backside telling myself how awful would I feel if I missed a PB by 30 secs or somthing ridiculous because it ‘felt hard’ – and how on earth would that sound as an excuse to Phoebe and Nick when I have to tell them ‘I didnt make it?’….not good! Can’t even blame the knee as it was all fine – not a single niggle!!

So – I knew I was close to getting the PB (which was 2:15 but hoping for somewhere between 2:10 and 2:15) as although I couldnt see Mr 2:10 – Mr 2:15 hadn’t passed me yet! 11-12 were quite hard as you could see the runners up at 12-13 so knew you were getting close, but I just focused on keeping my pace and decided at mile 12 – that I had nothing to lose and tried my best to push even harder – it’s only a mile right??!! So – I managed to up the pace a little hitting just over 9 min miles, saw the 400 metre mark and though…crikey – gotta put a spurt on or I wont get this 2:15……turned the corner, came into the football stadium to literally thousands of people and although I really really wanted to run fast all the way from there to the end, my legs didn’t obey – but I did manage a little sprint right at the finish as I do like to finish strong (just not as strong as some other races perhaps)

So – what was the time??? 2:14:39 – GET IN!!!! Which is exactly what I said to myself as I crossed the line and pumped the air, before I promptly got all choked up in the emotion of it all and couldn’t breathe for around 3-4 seconds! My hu;sband and I had joked before the race when I was filling out my ‘information’ incase of emergency at the back and he said ‘make sure you tell them i’m playing golf between 11-4 so they can’t call then’….we jested , but at the finish line, as my throat closed up and my chest felt tight – I could just hear the paramedics calling him at hole 10 or something to say ‘your missus has collapsed out of sheer delightement as she got a PB in todays run’. As it was – I just calmed myself down and kept my little PB secret all to myself (well, I texted Phoebe and hubby as soon as I could move again), until I saw my friend – a full 7 minutes after me – at the end where the medals were.

So – all in all a great race. Legs were super aching for 2 days afterwards, but midweek runs have been great with recovery run ending up at MPace as it just felt nice and comfy, and Threshold run was lovely as the sun was shining. The dogs love threshold runs as they get to sprint along and ‘chase’ mum, then stop and do all their sniffing in my 2 mins between.

Todays long run was nice and steady in the gorgeous early spring morning of 9am. Went up the Worth Way – tons of cyclists and other joggers out – all look like people doing their last long runs before a marathon! Dogs came along as felt mean leaving them behind on such a glorious day, although I was worried with heat and length of run if they would be ok…needn’t have worried! My little terriers are a hardy bunch and found cool slimy mud and running streams to help them cool off, making the water bottle and fold up bowl i’d lugged along now seem like just wasted dead weight around my middle!. We all did great – fairly flat route and no trouble hitting MP for last hour of race – even for the dogs! My older scrufty dog Pegs has such short little legs, but she keeps an incredibly steady pace all the way – she’d be a great pacer! Little pup Alvin – has probably run twice what I have today and came home and straight away started to play with his toys….wish I had his energy!

Worst of housework done, now looking forward to a lazy afternoon in the garden, reading a book in the sunshine

Hopefully I can get the pics to load, as this is my two after a nice long run today – wish I could lay down for a nap too!!

Roll on the last 2 weeks now – starting to get excited and will need to start planning and packing my ‘marathon kit’ soon. Hope the weather is nice in Paris – but not too hot!

Lessons learned over last few weeks….I clearly haven’t been pushing myself hard enough during the last year – especially in races, and having someone to motivate you to succeed makes ALL the difference and helps realise how far you can actually go – so big thanks to Phoebe for being the one who motivates and pushes me to get better and better. No PB’s for a while yet though yeah??!

Well-it’s been a few weeks since I’ve written on here and there have been some incredible highs and lows.
2 weeks ago, we had to have our old dog Mustard put to sleep after a very quick and sudden illness. Having had the old fella for almost 16 years-I literally felt ripped apart. So-the following day-a 2hr 30 min run did not appeal to me at all-just imagine all that head space for me to dwell on the heartache……..however, my trusty running partner for my long runs, got me out (and it rained the whe way too) and we managed the run with only a small patter of tears to keep us company with the rain. Despite the heartache I did manage to do all my scheduled runs that week and gradually started to feel better. The high within that weeks low, was I did a 5k park run and got a PB a couple of hours before taking Mustard to the vets. So-great result saddened by heartache, so couldn’t fully enjoy that!
So-what’s next I thought? Ah yes-Tunbridge Wells half mara. Now-I entered this last year, just after I ran Eridge 10, thinking ‘I’ve done the tough one, T Wells will be easy in comparison!’ However-that’s before I started training with Phoebe who has nice structured sessions all driving me to my marathon goal pace. Now-on the subject of goal pace…..somehow, and I’m not sure how this happened, Phoebe has praised my progress and has therefore said ‘you can do better than 5hr’ you are heading for 4.45 so let that be your new MP. Ok I said!! Great!! Yeah I can do that ) And I was feeling good after having had some great training sessions. So…..TWells looming, I started to read up on the comments and check out the course-and suddenly it dawned on me. How the heck can I do MP when the course climbs a total of 2500 feet??!! Gulp!!!! Ok-what goes up must come down-no worries, I’ll use gravity to help-yeah I’ll be fine. Hmmmm, to spice things up-downhill section all first 4.5 miles-hills from there on in-including killer hill which is a mile and half long. So-the plan from Phoebe-start at MP and if feeling good half way-then push a little faster.
So, off I go-sun is shining, atmosphere great and having done my first ever decent warm up before a race-I felt fab!!! I’ve got my new gps watch (I’m in love!), and tracking my pace nicely. I remind myself of hill strategy-keep effort level the same. Ok I’m going sharply downhill-so to keep effort level the same required some serious little leg action and was chuffed I was doing 8.2 min miles with heart rate the same as mp would be on the flat. 3 miles in and I’m well ahead of MP-I start to worry I’m going too fast, but, effort level was steady, legs feeling great-sun still shining )
Mile 5……first hill….ok, not so fast but managed ok. Mile 6.5….oh dear-there she is-killer hill. I just see a long long line of people(ones near the top looking like ants) walking up the hill. I check my pace, I calculate the remaining distance bs hills and realise-there is no time to walk if I’m going to hit my target-so my head goes down, music turned up, pump my little arms, and up that hill I RAN….. Well, I jogged……ok to others I probably looked like I was just doing a fast hopping jog or something but I RAN!!!! All the blimmin way-and every time I desperately wanted to walk I could just hear the disappointment in Phoebe’s voice when I tell her I didn’t make the time…..so I pushed on. Actually-heart rate ok and legs held out really well considering. I did get my knee niggle on the sharp downhills but a little stretch out here and there really helped. So-top of the hill mile 8…… Sun still shining and what a feeling! I almost cried – wow pretty emotional but I killed that hill-yeah! I also used gels for the first time-yeuch- but wow- they worked! I normally feel a general kind of tired around mile 9-10, but at mile 10, I felt fresh as a button (legs getting heavier) and thought I’d never felt this good 10 miles into a run after some rotten hills too. Didn’t like the GU gel they gave out, but lucozade one was more terrible.
So- 3 miles left-hubby waiting at me 12 to cheer me on. Few little hills to totally kill you off between 11-12 and there he was! With the camera, all ready to catch me running really fast past him……except he was at the top of a hill so I kinda puffed my way past-bright purple in face , yet did a little burst to get past 4 people…… To feel almost immediately afterwards rather faint and sick. Hmmmm bit enthusiastic there to show I wasn’t knackered but I did pass 4 people-2 of which were from T Wells Harriers-get in!!! Me thinks )
Mostly downhill now-yay-except for that other little hill-oh yeah-another one ) 400 metres, looking at my watch I’m thinking…ooh I might beat my time by a full minute here-yay. 200 metres…..oh god-if I don’t move my butt I’m gonna MISS my target-how did that happen???!! So-I see the finish line and sprint over…..with 20 seconds to spare before my target time. I actually do shed a tear, and someone puts a medal around my neck and says ‘well done’. I look up-gasping for breath, purple and sweating and crying-and who am I looking at????….only Dame Kelly Holmes!!!! OMG- the best race ever )
Ok, I can’t walk today and feel like I already have run a marathon-but I did target pace, on a ridiculously hilly course, and was bestowed my medal by Dame Kelly Holmes-plus the sun was still shining.
This is why I love to run. I’m hurting everywhere-but I’m loving it, and can’t wait to thrash out a really good PB at reading-it’s flat so no excuses!!!!

Well, its been a pretty rough week as not been well for a few days, and missed one of my runs on Thursday as I was away with work, and with not being well, I got very little sleep, so couldnt get the run in. So – I cancelled agility tonight and did the run instead, but still means i’m going to be a run down this week. On top of that – tonights run felt hard and it shouldnt have. So – i’m going to re fuel, have a bath (hubby is watching the rugby so he wont miss me!) and then hopefully sleep for a minimum of 8 hours!

I’m looking forward to Sundays run, although also quite nervous, as up to 2 hours for first time in a few months and need to start upping the pace. Just hope these high winds are gone as it makes it that much harder to run with them in your face – maybe thats why tonight felt tough!!!

Ok so hi to everyone!
I’ve never blogged and will probably be rather sparodic with it too!
So here goes…..
Bit about me I suppose….. I’m 35, and have been running for 19′months. I did the London marathon last year and somehow managed to make it around in just under 5 hr 30 mins.
I lead a pretty hectic life as do most people I guess, so finding the time to run is always a challenge!
As soon as I finished the marathon last year I said ‘never again!’ yet somehow within 2 weeks had agreed to do 2 this year……so you see, it’s already an addiction )
Therefore, I find myself halfway through week 5 of ‘proper’ training after 2 months ‘rest’ from heavy running. I thought my nice base of doing a longish run on Sundays would keep me in shape but boy was week 1 a shock to the system!
I’m pleased to report that week 5 is now feeling much better-not easier as Phoebe is working me hard, but I’m finding my stride, my heart is recovering and setting in and my muscles are remembering what they are built for )
I’ve had a hectic 3 weeks with 2 trips to Switzerland and just got back from overnight trip to Crewe…..yes Crewe…..which adds extra challenges to fitting all my training in. With orchestral rehearsals, dog walking, agility training, work and trying to fit hubby in-it’s certainly never a dull life for me!!!
First race in 2 weeks since Oct…..really looking forward to it s nothing beats that atmosphere )
So that’s me for now!