I have always said that I like a good challenge and setting
myself 30 challenges to achieve in one year always seemed like my biggest
challenge, that was until last week. One of my #30things is to run 250 miles in
one year, so I have been running nearly every week and entering into as many
10k races as I can to all help clock up the mileage. In my madness of entering
these 10ks, I decided to enter both the Bognor Prom 10k (Sunday 19
th
May) and the Bupa London 10,000 (Monday 27
th May) – only 8 days
apart! This was clearly going to be my toughest running challenge yet.
My preparation for both 10ks was not as good as it could
have been. A stoolballing quad injury and a temperamental back meant that my
training runs were very few and far between and the furthest distance I had ran
was 6k. So I approached the Bognor 10k with fear – would I make it round? Now I
have previously ran the Chichester 10k back in February and did that really
well so really I could do it, but was my body ready? We soon found out. Here is
how my crazy, challenging week unfolded. Enjoy reading and if you are
inspired/impressed then please donate to my Just Giving Page – thank you!
Day 1
Sunday morning, was still and overcast – perfect running
conditions. I was to be running with my friend and colleague, Laura, who was to
be a great support as we ran round. Although I am raising money for Arthritis
Research UK, I decided to run in my Chestnut Tree House running vest to support
the local children’s hospice spreading awareness. There were many other runners
also wearing Chestnut bibs and we looked a fantastic sight all warming up
together. Time ticked past and soon we were all lining up at the start ready to
go.
10:30 – the race begins! So we set off and heading along the
promenade eastward before heading inland at Butlins. Our first kilometre was
the quickest I have even ran – 5 mins 4 and we proceeded to keep a quick pace
for the next five, completing 5k on 27:59. So far so good, as we ran through the narrow
streets of the beautiful village of Felpham. Local residents were out in force
to cheer on the runners including a Dot, a colleague of mine, who was there
cheering on her son. The man squirting water from his garden hose was much
appreciated. Before long we were turning around and heading back along the
promenade with the long stretch all to do.
It was at the 7k mark that I started to feel pain. Every
time I put my left foot down it felt like the underside of my foot was
splitting. Now in the past I have suffered with terrible blisters, so to
protect my feet I was wearing blister plasters, tape and 2 pairs of thick
running socks; this was to be my downfall. My trainer was too tight and
trapping a nerve under my foot which meant I felt every step of the last 3k. I
remember running past the pier grimacing and even the sight of my mum and
sister cheering me on did little to help numb the pain. Somehow I found some
welly to speed up the last km and sprint to the end, but it was tough. Laura
was amazing encouraging and supporting me round and I probably would have
stopped without her being there. My dad was at the finish line and cheered me
over the line but all I wanted to do was sit down and take my shoe off. Once I
did the pressure was released and my foot felt better. My phone time showed
that my 10k time was 58:54 a new personal best, however the chip times were
very different and throughout the day I received contradictory messages on my
time I think they officially went for 60:00:33, quite off my time so I am
sticking with my time! So day one of my 9 day challenge was complete, and a
very big lesson had been learnt.
Day 2
On what should have been a rest day, I was back playing
stoolball in the evening running off the muscles aches. It was a local game
versus Burpham and we won. Horay! J
Day 3
Normal day at school.
Day 4/5/6
Wednesday 22nd May – my sister, Nicky’s,
birthday. I was up early making her breakfast and excited for the afternoon tea
planned tonight before our stoolball game to celebrate. However little did I
know I wasn’t going to make it! After a lovely morning of Inter-house netball
at school, my headteacher appeared in my classroom to inform me that Ofsted had
called and they would be inspecting us tomorrow and Friday. My initial reaction
was ‘Oh no, it’s Nicky’s birthday and I am going to miss it!’ and I promptly burst
in to tears on the phone to her explaining that I would not be home to
celebrate with her. I wasn’t worried that I had no planning as it was
assessment week or that we were winding down to half term, no my concern was I wouldn’t
be there to celebrate with my sister. Soon the adrenaline rush kicked in and I
entered the Ofsted bubble where the outside world seemed to pass me by.
Finally, we emerged on Friday having only had 8 hours sleep in 48 hours and
feeling emotionally and physically tired. Somehow I managed to stay awake
during a family meal on Friday night, but my body was definitely in need of
lots of sleep.
Day 7
As much as I wanted to lie in, my internal Ofsted alarm
clock had me awake early and I somehow trudged through the day, with a small
afternoon nap before going to celebrate a friends 30th birthday. I
did not last long and was in bed by 10pm!
Day 8
Another early start and by 11:00am I was in Clymping about
to play 3 games on Stoolball. I had been chosen to play for our county team,
Sussex, against Surrey in a stoolball tournament. I was determined to not get
injured but enjoy myself. It was a lovely day, the sun was shining and it was
great to play alongside players who would normally be in a rival league team.
We won both our games against Surrey and lost our game to the other Sussex
team. Over all my team came second to the other Sussex team. Sussex triumphant over
Surrey in Stoolball!!
The day, although
enjoyable, was long and by the end of it I was ready for bed still not really
having rested from the days of Ofsted. How was I going to get round the Bupa
10k in the morning?
Day 9
It was a very early start as I had to get the train up to
London with my mum and sister – still missing that much needed lie in. Despite
being tired and my quads aching a bit from Stoolball, I felt quite awake and
raring to go. As the train got closer to London, more and more runners boarded
and began to feel excited that I was about to run in what was to be my biggest running
event to date. We arrived at Victoria and followed the running masses to Green
Park outside Buckingham Palace where a mass of runners were collected. There
was such a buzz. I was soon lining up on the Mall with the other runners in my
time category and got chatting to a fellow runner who was running for Arthritis
Research UK. It was nice to compare running stories and reasons for running
with another runner.
Soon it was time for the race to begin and we set off along the Mall towards Embankment.
The streets were literally lined with people cheering and supporting. It was
electric! It kind of gives you a flavour for what the Marathon would be like.
All along the route were musicians and bands playing music – steel drums
everywhere! Just the support and motivation you needed.
The first 3k were tough. My quads were sore and it was
really hot. I ran with water and I needed it. After 3k we found shade and it
made such a difference. Another difference was that my phone app had stopped
and restarted so I had no real idea of the pace I was doing. This was to be a
blessing in disguise as I decided to just enjoy the run and not worry about the
time. I just wanted to get round and soak up the atmosphere. So I did and it
was the brilliant. One of my highlights was running past Mo Farah, he was on
the return leg heading towards the finish. Another was on the return leg,
coming up over the bridge and looking down the river for the first time. The
view of all the runners with the city of the London in the background took my
breath away, literally, Another highlight was running past Big Ben when the
11:00 chimes tolled. Seeing my sister and my mum in the crowds cheering me on
was fantastic and even got to show them my ‘Mushbot’!
Soon I passed 9k and I was feeling great. My feet hardly
hurt at all and I felt energised. I actually had enough energy to sprint the
last 400 metres towards the finish and Buckingham Palace in the background. It
was so amazing to have ran through the streets of London, amongst some of its well-known
places and along the same route that Olympians ran the previous year. An
experience never to be forgotten and I did it all the time knowing that each
step would take me closer to my 250 mile goal and raise much needed money for
Arthritis Research UK. Afterwards, I felt amazing and thoroughly enjoyed the
race. My official time was 60:00:06 and was so happy with it. Next year I hope
to do better and run quicker but after the 9 days I have had I was thrilled.
So that was my 9 day challenge, hi-jacked by Ofsted, who
added to the intensity of the challenge. It meant now that I have ran 85 miles of the 250 so far this year - almost at 100! It was always going to be tough but I did it, Ofsted and all, and now I can finally rest?!?!
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| A much needed pint!! |
So please if your impressed/ inspired or just think I'm a little bit bonkers then either way please dig deep and sponsor me by donating to my Just Giving Page. Many thanks!
PS - I did get to celebrate my sister's birthday with her!
1. Cook the onions and garlic in 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large frying pan until browned. Add the mince and fry over a high heat for 3-4 minutes. If your lamb is not lean, tip everything into a sieve set over a bowl and leave the cooking juices to settle. Spoon off and discard the fat and return the lamb to the pan with the juices. Add the red wine, canned tomatoes, cinnamon and simmer gently for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Meanwhile, slice the aubergines and brush with olive oil. Fry in batches on both sides in a separate pan until browned. Lay half the aubergine slices over the base of a 2.5-2.75-litre shallow ovenproof dish and season well. Spoon half of the sauce over the aubergines. Repeat with the remaining aubergines and sauce.
