So anyway, here I am with a blog post about running the Edinburgh Half Marathon.
I entered it in January this year, after a good friend Fiona signed up for it, and was going for it on her own and I thought, why not give it a go.
The last time I did a half marathon race it was Glasgow (hilly) 2010 and we fell out. I hated it. I wasn’t prepared, wasn’t dressed properly for it, and hadn’t really followed any kind of training plan, as I was working too hard. I thought twice round the park every now and again would do it.
After the 2010 one, I felt awful, my lips went dark blue and I thought, nope, I’m not doing that again. So why the change of heart some 12 years later.
Yup, you would think I would know better.
A lot has changed. I am completely different person mentally, physically, and on a cellular level too.
12 years on, I have reduced the number of hours I work because at 52, I do have a useful load, and when I go over that, I’m as much use a chocolate tea pot.
I have also got through a horrific stage of perimenopause and menopause, which mentally and emotionally took it’s toll. I have to be honest thought, I now feel amazing.
Perimenopause was awful because I didn’t know I was in it, til I hit menopause and was able to put all the baffling symptoms together.
So anyway, what’s changed and how did I manage to pull this half marathon out of the bag.
Friends. That’s it.
It was surrounding myself with people who had a common goal, and wanted to just go out and smash it.
Running turned into getting a good catch up with friends, and finding some really fantastic running routes through local parks that I didn’t know about before. Literally going off the beaten track.
A best pal Fiona, we run at a similar pace, we make a Sunday morning of it, and go for coffee afterwards, and then other friends who stay nearby, and have 3 kids, and I text them to say I’m off out running, and either one or the other has good reason to get out the door. I think it’s really good for parents to have an hour or so to yourself every day to be honest, so I helped out there!
The training plan, which I actually followed this time, encouraged more to run for long periods of time, rather than counting up with miles. 3 runs a week, with the longest one being 120 mins in total, to go for the endurance. I ended up cutting that down to just 2 runs a week, as I have a quite a physical job, and I cycle to work as my commute too. I honestly think that the cycling helped over the last couple of years. Cycling in Glasgow, and into a headwind. Ooft.
One thing that I really wish I had done better one was dialling in on my nutrition. I got it 70% right I think, this time I will go for 80%. I will put my hand up and tell you that it’s all about the portion size for me, and yes I have a sweet tooth, and yes I work in town where it seems like branches of Greggs are every where.
One book that really really helped me was by a guy called Graeme Tomlinson, The Fitness Chef. Having that visual of what is perceived to be good for you, versus what the calorie intake is was an eye opener and has got me into better habits. Smashed Avocado on sourdough (500 kcals) versus a friend egg with 2 rashers of bacon with the the fat cut off (360 kcals).
The week before the race, it was touch a go as to whether I was going to be able to do it at all, as my back decided to let me know it wasn’t happy with the amount of long distance driving I have been doing and I had nerve pattern pain going down one leg, coming from my lower back. I was utterly miserable and couldn’t sleep for a couple of nights. Thank goodness for my colleague Laura. I was able to tell her what was wrong and then it was like ‘right so, over to you, as I’m the client’. As a therapist, it’s good to know when to step back and let someone else take over. I can’t thank her enough.
So anyway! The race itself. Loved it. First time doing any kind of distance running in Edinburgh, and it was a fairly flat course with 3 miles of it going along a beachfront at Portobello. Magical. I would run it again for that alone. Total Brucie bonas when I hit the 9 mile mark as I thought it was only 7 miles we were at! That was a boost.
I finished it in 2 hours 27 mins and I am just chuffed to bits.
Anything you want to do is possible, if you put the work in, and I feel like I really paid attention this time.
I am now walking like a zombie, and my toenails hate me, but the bling medal is good!
Onward.
Elizabeth x