In recent months I have had to run a lot of my miles on a treadmill. I am no stranger to treadmill running as it fits well into parenthood, but due to post-pregnancy injury issues I went through a spell of ONLY running on a treadmill for a number of weeks. Sounds like a runner's worst nightmare right? WRONG!
Here is a wee article by yours truelyall about the joys and benefits of treadmill running:
Treadmill or dreadmill?
Enjoy.
Tuesday, 2 September 2014
Monday, 9 June 2014
TOP 5 INSPIRING RUNNING WOMEN AND MEN IN RUNNING - List 1.
There are many female and male runners who have inspired me over the years since I started running. There are many reasons why these runners inspire me, and I thought this would be a great regular feature to have on my blog. I will list those who have been inspiring me from the start, those who I have discovered through my own journey in running, my current running muses, and those who achieve a stand-out performance as we go forward. As such it will be possible to appear on these lists multiple times. These lists are obviously personal to me, but maybe some people who appear on them may inspire you too.
So, let's see who gets the honour of being on my first list...
WOMEN
1. Maggie Gray (my DRC club mate) - for supporting me in my running from the very first day I laced up my running shoes. And for always wanting to support others in their running.
2. Fiona Rennie - life has thrown a lot at Fiona and yet she has the most wonderful attitude towards life and running. Fiona is a fighter, but she fights with the sort of positivity most of us can only hope to achieve. I dare you to read her blog and not be inspired - it's just not possible.
3. Anna Frost - for the patience to stop and listen to her body, recover from injury (over 18 long months), and run an amazing record-breaking race at Transvulcania 2014.
4. Ellie Greenwood - her never-give-up attitude saw her come back from a year of injury to win the Comrades Marathon 2014.
5. Sally McCrae - I absolutely love the yellowrunner. The Nike Elite Trail Team runner, endurance coach and mother shows that you can be dedicated to all parts of your life and be successful.
MEN
1. Paul Hart - nobody supports me or believes in me more than my other half Paul. His list of achievements (the greatest of which was marrying me of course!) will always inspire me to keep trying my best.
2. Dean Karnazes - Dean's book Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All Night Runner was one of the first books I read on ultrarunning, and it got me hooked.
3. Ian Corless - Ian set up the global ultrarunning podcast TalkUltra a couple of years ago and I have listened to every single episode. Ian has kept me company on many a long training run, and even the odd race!
4. Les Hill - my DRC club mate was running ultras long before they became 'cool'. His stories of the West Highland Way Race were one of the contributing factors to me deciding that one day I would run that race myself.
5. John Kynaston - John blogs like nobody else. He cannot be beat for his combination of running and blogging skills. If you want to know what is involved in training for an ultra then follow his blog. His attention to detail and love of a spread sheet is second to none.
So, let's see who gets the honour of being on my first list...
WOMEN
1. Maggie Gray (my DRC club mate) - for supporting me in my running from the very first day I laced up my running shoes. And for always wanting to support others in their running.
2. Fiona Rennie - life has thrown a lot at Fiona and yet she has the most wonderful attitude towards life and running. Fiona is a fighter, but she fights with the sort of positivity most of us can only hope to achieve. I dare you to read her blog and not be inspired - it's just not possible.
3. Anna Frost - for the patience to stop and listen to her body, recover from injury (over 18 long months), and run an amazing record-breaking race at Transvulcania 2014.
4. Ellie Greenwood - her never-give-up attitude saw her come back from a year of injury to win the Comrades Marathon 2014.
5. Sally McCrae - I absolutely love the yellowrunner. The Nike Elite Trail Team runner, endurance coach and mother shows that you can be dedicated to all parts of your life and be successful.
MEN
1. Paul Hart - nobody supports me or believes in me more than my other half Paul. His list of achievements (the greatest of which was marrying me of course!) will always inspire me to keep trying my best.
2. Dean Karnazes - Dean's book Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All Night Runner was one of the first books I read on ultrarunning, and it got me hooked.
3. Ian Corless - Ian set up the global ultrarunning podcast TalkUltra a couple of years ago and I have listened to every single episode. Ian has kept me company on many a long training run, and even the odd race!
4. Les Hill - my DRC club mate was running ultras long before they became 'cool'. His stories of the West Highland Way Race were one of the contributing factors to me deciding that one day I would run that race myself.
5. John Kynaston - John blogs like nobody else. He cannot be beat for his combination of running and blogging skills. If you want to know what is involved in training for an ultra then follow his blog. His attention to detail and love of a spread sheet is second to none.
Sunday, 1 June 2014
Gear for running girls (with babies) - 10 things you need to get running again.
Trying to get back into your running training once you've had a baby (or two) is really tough. So, I thought I would compile a list of things I think you need to help you on your way.
*Of course you should only start you're running once you are recovered from the birth itself and you have had the all-clear from your GP.
1. An armour-plated bra! Well, not literally. But the chances are your chest will be the largest it has ever been so make sure you get measured (again) and that you have enough support. You will need a lot!
2. Don't throw away your pregnancy running clothes just yet. If you were able to run through your pregnancy then you probably have a supply of 'larger' tights/shorts and baggy t-shirts (which weren't so baggy when they stretched round your 7 month bump). You will likely still need these until you've managed to lose the pregnancy pounds. ("Will they ever go away?" I hear you cry). I like anything black and baggy.
3. The supportive tights. Again, in black.
When you have a post-pregnancy tummy, especially the second time around, you will need extra support around your stomach until your abdominal muscles start to join together again and you're skin regains a little of its former tightness. It is such a horrible feeling to have parts of your body wobbling around when you are trying to run. And it's actually quite sore. So many tights rely on a stretchy waistband. I found that these sort of tights end up slipping down under your tummy and don't support it at all. I have fallen completely in love with my X-Bionic tights. They support your whole stomach without an uncomfortable waistband and due to their targeted compression they give you the support you need without squashing you like other compression pieces might do.
4. The target outfit.
*Of course you should only start you're running once you are recovered from the birth itself and you have had the all-clear from your GP.
1. An armour-plated bra! Well, not literally. But the chances are your chest will be the largest it has ever been so make sure you get measured (again) and that you have enough support. You will need a lot!
2. Don't throw away your pregnancy running clothes just yet. If you were able to run through your pregnancy then you probably have a supply of 'larger' tights/shorts and baggy t-shirts (which weren't so baggy when they stretched round your 7 month bump). You will likely still need these until you've managed to lose the pregnancy pounds. ("Will they ever go away?" I hear you cry). I like anything black and baggy.
3. The supportive tights. Again, in black.
When you have a post-pregnancy tummy, especially the second time around, you will need extra support around your stomach until your abdominal muscles start to join together again and you're skin regains a little of its former tightness. It is such a horrible feeling to have parts of your body wobbling around when you are trying to run. And it's actually quite sore. So many tights rely on a stretchy waistband. I found that these sort of tights end up slipping down under your tummy and don't support it at all. I have fallen completely in love with my X-Bionic tights. They support your whole stomach without an uncomfortable waistband and due to their targeted compression they give you the support you need without squashing you like other compression pieces might do.
4. The target outfit.
 |
| Channeling my inner Anna Frost |
I have long wanted some Salomon S-Lab Exo apparel but I could never justify the price. When Salomon brought out this new blue version of the skirt and tank earlier this year I thought I should treat myself. I needed something to help motivate me to get out the door, get running, and lose the baby weight; and what better way than to spend a ridiculous amount of money on some VERY pretty clothes. Yes, I know, I'm such a girl. But my body has been through a heck of a lot and I deserve a wee present.
When I first bought it I couldn't even get the shorts half way up my thighs. I could have cried. But, slowly I am losing the weight and they go all the way to the top now, although it is far too snug a fit to even contemplate running in them yet. And there is no way I will wear the top until I have something that resembles abs again.
5. New shoes(?) and a gait analysis.
You body goes through a lot of changes when you're pregnant so it is important to get a gait analysis once you are running again to ensure you are still wearing the correct shoes. It's probably a good idea to repeat the gait analysis 12 months later as you body may have changed again in the post-natal period. It's always good to know you are wearing the right shoes and ideally this should help prevent unnecessary injuries.
6. iPod shuffle
When you are struggling to find energy and motivation you can't go wrong with an up-tempo beat to get your legs moving. Or if you're not a music person a good podcast can also provide great inspiration when you are out running. My favourites are Talk Ultra, the WHWR podcast and Trail Nation.
7. The target race.
Finding a target race provides great motivation to get out the door. Don't just pick any old race though. It helps if it means something as you are more likely to stick to your training plan if it feels worthwhile. Make sure you have a training plan, and try your best to stick to it. It can be so easy to let an entire week pass by with no running when you are so busy being a new parent. At the same time, if you miss a run or have to cut one short, don't feel bad about it. There are far more important things happening in your life right now.
8. A supportive partner, family and friends.
This is so important if you want to run again after you've had a baby. Being a new mum is hard, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It's so full on at times that you can easily forget about yourself and having some me time, but it's important to make sure you get some. And that's where you need to have supportive people around you. You need them to make sure you are taking that time to spend some time away from your child/children just doing something for yourself. You need someone to push you out of the door and to encourage you to take that first step into your run. You also need them for point number 9. (see below)
9. Childcare.
It's simple, unless you have the most tolerant of babies, who would happily live in a baby jogger, you are going to need some form of childcare whilst you are running. That's when you need understanding partners, family or friends. Unless you live close to family or friends who are willing to give up their time on a regular basis then the majority of that care will fall on the shoulders of your partner. If you are lucky like me, you live with a fellow runner and they will understand all too well how important your running is. Training for an ultra however means a lot of time on your feet so you need to find your own way to make this work. And of course, then there is the issue of a mother's (parent's) guilt, but that's a whole different blog post of it's own.
10. SLEEP
Ah, sleep. Beautiful sleep. I can barely remember it. Sleep is so, so important and yet for many new parents, myself included, it is so so scarce. People get tired I'm sure of hearing new parents complain about their lack of sleep, but unless you have experienced it you really can't appreciate the huge impact it has on your life and your health. Sleep deprivation is expected in the early months of parenthood, but for some unlucky parents it can carry on for years. And it hurts. You are in a constant zombie-like state, devoid of energy, zest or motivation. You have to get what you can, when you can, but it's not always possible. It's just the way the cookie crumbles sometimes and you have to deal with the hand you are given. I haven't had a single full night's sleep since September 2011. I long for the night when I have two children sleeping through the night - I'll be one hell of a runner I'm sure once I get that ;-)
Good luck to all the new mums and dads out there trying to fit running into their new family lives.
It's all worth it for these smiles
Saturday, 31 May 2014
The taste test
Recently I was contacted and asked if I would try some products made by Chia Charge and review them on my blog. Having often struggled with my racing/running nutrition in the past I thought, 'why not?' Plus, I love food ;-) So I was naturally rather excited when my sample pack arrived in the post.
The Chia Charge products are becoming increasingly popular, especially in the ultra running community so I was keen to give them a try and see what all the fuss was about. My other half has used the Chia Charge flapjacks in races before so I knew they must be pretty good.
I don't think I would use the drink in a hydration pack however as the seeds tend to become jelly-like once they've been in the water for a while and I suspect this may cause blockage issues. This jelly-like quality does have one bonus however - it seems to stop the drink from sloshing around the way other drinks tend to. The constant sloshing of your drink can get so annoying when you are running long. I'm really not a fan of having my food or drink causing a lot of background noise when I'm out on my run.
Noise was a bit of a problem to start with when I ran with the packet of trail mix. The seeds were bouncing around in their packet 'really noisily' in the first mile but I bit a wee hole in the packet, squeezed out the air and squashed the packet back into my bag - silence. I was unsure about running with seeds as my energy source. There is a first time for everything and I was willing to give them a try. It was a bit of a faff trying to get them out of the packet but eating them was much easier than I expected. They were really creamy to eat and the soy sauce coating increased the savoury flavour of the seeds. Once I can figure out a better way of dispensing them I think they will make a great addition to my running food list, especially as I am trying to increase my protein fuel base and lower my dependency on just sugar.
Overall I am really pleased with the Chia Charge products I tried and I will certainly be using them again in my running and racing, and hopefully some ultra-racing if I can ever fit the training in. Thank you to the kind folks at Chia Charge for sending me such yummy food.
 |
| Chia Charge sample pack |
The Chia Charge products are becoming increasingly popular, especially in the ultra running community so I was keen to give them a try and see what all the fuss was about. My other half has used the Chia Charge flapjacks in races before so I knew they must be pretty good.
At the moment I can't really comment on how they work over the ultra distance as I can't test them at such distances (it's only 3 months since I had my 2nd baby) but I can still see how they work on my 'long' runs which to be honest, feel like ultras! Maybe the exhaustion I feel at the moment with the sleep deprivation and chaos that comes with 2 children under 3 can imitate (a little) what it feels like running an ultra. Certainly every days feels like a bit of an ultra just now.
 |
| Banana flapjack |
 |
| Flapjack with sea salt |
Energy is key for my running nutrition just now as I have very little of it to spare and every run is a slog. The day I chose to try the sea salt flapjack I had only had 3 hours of sleep during the night and the thought of running anywhere was really not appealing. But, I need to try and keep getting out there at the times I have available to do so. The Chia Charge flapjack was tasked with the very difficult feat of getting me through my long run.
I ate half of it 15 minutes before I set off of my run and the second half at the halfway point of my run. I have tried to eat natural products before when I have been trying to be more healthy with my running nutrition (ie. fewer jelly babies!) and they are usually not to my taste. Usually I find the ingredients they use to sweeten products really unpleasant. So it was a very nice surprise to find the flapjack so palatable. I daresay I would even eat it when I wasn't running as it tasted so good. You wouldn't get me saying that about a gel! ha ha. It was so moist that it was really easy to chew, which is key when running as the longer you run the less saliva you have to spare, so moist foods are always a bonus. And the sea salt flakes? What a touch of genius! It's like salted caramel but for running. It sounds like it shouldn't work but it really, really does. I absolutely loved the saltiness of the flapjack. This will be brilliant later in an ultra when you just can't face any more sweet food. It is my new favourite running food.
Unfortunately I wasn't so keen on the banana flapjack, but that's just a personal thing - I don't like anything banana-flavoured except banana bread or bananas.
On another run I tested the raspberry hydration sachet. You mix the sachet into 500ml of water. You may be a little taken aback to see the chia seeds floating in your drink and if you don't like your orange juice 'with bits' then you may struggle to adjust to this drink. Once you get used to the seeds and the fact that you may need to help your drink out the bottle (with a little squeeze) it's actually a very pleasant taste. It's not sickly sweet like many sports drinks so it will be an easy drink to stomach later on in a run. I only needed 250ml of the drink on my long run and I felt quite happy with my hydration levels.
I don't think I would use the drink in a hydration pack however as the seeds tend to become jelly-like once they've been in the water for a while and I suspect this may cause blockage issues. This jelly-like quality does have one bonus however - it seems to stop the drink from sloshing around the way other drinks tend to. The constant sloshing of your drink can get so annoying when you are running long. I'm really not a fan of having my food or drink causing a lot of background noise when I'm out on my run.
Noise was a bit of a problem to start with when I ran with the packet of trail mix. The seeds were bouncing around in their packet 'really noisily' in the first mile but I bit a wee hole in the packet, squeezed out the air and squashed the packet back into my bag - silence. I was unsure about running with seeds as my energy source. There is a first time for everything and I was willing to give them a try. It was a bit of a faff trying to get them out of the packet but eating them was much easier than I expected. They were really creamy to eat and the soy sauce coating increased the savoury flavour of the seeds. Once I can figure out a better way of dispensing them I think they will make a great addition to my running food list, especially as I am trying to increase my protein fuel base and lower my dependency on just sugar.
Overall I am really pleased with the Chia Charge products I tried and I will certainly be using them again in my running and racing, and hopefully some ultra-racing if I can ever fit the training in. Thank you to the kind folks at Chia Charge for sending me such yummy food.
 |
| The stats |
 |
| The ultra running celebrity endorsement |
Friday, 6 December 2013
"Speed bump" to 'slow coach'
It was a great privilege to be featured in the recent article by Fiona Russell in the Daily Record about the benefits of running during pregnancy. I have received a really positive response to the article and I was even asked for a few autographs from my lovely friends who like to take the mickey ;-) .
Running that final handicap last night was really good fun despite the time it took me. After the shocking winds of earlier in the day the evening was calm and with temperatures hovering around freezing. Parts of the route were a little slippery but I took my time and I was determined to enjoy this final race. All the other members of the club who were running and time-keeping were really supportive and encouraging and I couldn't help but smile the whole way round. It's times like that when I really appreciate being a member of such a great running club. I even got a big cheer from everyone when I finished, even though I was last again ha ha. I think that must be either the fourth or fifth time I have finished last this year but I couldn't have cared less. It was a great feeling to get that final 5km race of the pregnancy/year done and dusted.
I don't know how much keeping up the running has resulted in an easier pregnancy (so far) and how much is simply chance but I am really happy to have been able to keep on running this second time around. Every pregnancy, every birth, every mother and every baby are different and often the way things happen is just down to 'the luck of the draw', but it is important to do what we can to maintain our own health and that of the baby where it is possible.
With that in mind I set myself some running goals for this pregnancy. These goals of course were not set in stone and I was always going to take one day at a time, particularly after my experiences with my first pregnancy. My first goal was to run beyond the 18 weeks I managed the first time round. I achieved this back in September and every run since then has been a bonus. My second goal was to run every Dumfries Running Club monthly 5km handicap race since finding out I was pregnant. I wanted to see how the pregnancy affected my running and have some official statistics for it. My results are as follows:
Pre-pregnancy
April - 22:35
Pregnancy results
July - 24:47
August - 27:01
September - 27:06
October - 26:55
November - 29:38
December - 37:48
After an initial slowdown, my times plateaued for 3 months and then got dramatically slower. The later times coincided with the real growth periods of my bump.
Running that final handicap last night was really good fun despite the time it took me. After the shocking winds of earlier in the day the evening was calm and with temperatures hovering around freezing. Parts of the route were a little slippery but I took my time and I was determined to enjoy this final race. All the other members of the club who were running and time-keeping were really supportive and encouraging and I couldn't help but smile the whole way round. It's times like that when I really appreciate being a member of such a great running club. I even got a big cheer from everyone when I finished, even though I was last again ha ha. I think that must be either the fourth or fifth time I have finished last this year but I couldn't have cared less. It was a great feeling to get that final 5km race of the pregnancy/year done and dusted.
My third and final goal is to take part in the DRC Xmas 5 Mile handicap race next weekend. I will be 30 weeks pregnant. I can't wait. I will be setting off early with Annabel in the buggy and my friend Margaret will be keeping me company the whole way round (because she is lovely like that). I have a Santa hat for me and one for Annabel and I will be wearing a Santa Claus coat (size XL to cover the bump) to wear and my new Santa baby t-shirt to wear.
My thoughts had been to stop running after the 5 mile race and I think my bump is definitely getting rather large but I am still tempted by a wee Christmas Day run and a wee New Year's run. I will wait and see though. After next weekend I will be perfectly happy either way. if I stop running I will just be doing lots of walking instead.
Since it is December I just wanted to say good luck to all the Marcothoners out there. I am with you all in 'spirit'. Maybe next year I will be able to do it again.
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