Marathon training in progress — luckily still 4 months to go…

Things I have learnt this week:

1. Running up hills is really difficult

2. I need to train a LOT before October

3. Running in the real life *countryside* feels lots harder than running in the gym

4. I can’t start dreading going for runs

Sunday – I ran 25mins on the treadmill with about 15mins of sprinting/walking (technically called interval training I believe). I went in the morning and felt I had a lot of energy. Coincidentally after I had been running for about 11mins a Save the Children advert came on the TV and the thought of children like Asha spurred me on. Come the 11-mile mark on race day (apparently where lots of runners hit a wall – metaphorically not actually!) I will need to keep Asha in my mind.

Monday – 20mins on the running machine and 20mins on the old cross trainer. I went after work and really felt like I had no energy and bounce. Training in the morning seems like a more sensible option now – although the issue of when to have breakfast comes in to play. I can’t exercise on a completely empty stomach but don’t want to be running full on cereal, toast and coffee!

Tuesday – netball for Save the Children vs another charity – we won – woops! But don’t feel I had a proper work out. Still good to get some fresh air and have fun with my friends

Wednesday – netball for another team – the Amazons. Felt like more of a workout but I still don’t feel like it will get me round 13.5 miles on 10/10/10!

Saturday – I was in Stafford and went for a run with my boyfriend who is training for the Amsterdam marathon in October the week before the Royal Parks. This was an interesting learning curve for me because:

• as mentioned, hills really take it out of me. I was puffing away from early on. They weren’t even really big hills!

• I walked for about 5 mins which also really annoyed me, as I think I give up too easily. The boyfriend asked me how I was doing, and if I wanted to walk for a bit and I said yes immediately! I need to be stronger with myself and just keep going. After I had got back I didn’t feel too tired or in pain — it’s just in the moment when you think your lungs can’t take anymore. I guess this is the essential point of training!

• I need to train at my own pace — my boyfriend had done a 15 mile run really easily the weekend before so it was important I didn’t compare myself to his fitness levels.

• I really need to relax when I’m running — if I start to dread the training or to see it as a chore the whole process will be a lot more painful.

As for the fundraising — I am still to get off the ground! Yaseen Sheikh, who is running the British 10K for Save the Children, came up with a good fundraising idea. He suggests organising a stand at a table-top fair, and giving a percentage of the takings to Save the Children. Thanks for your suggestion Yaseen! Any more ideas from anyone?

Still lots still to do — both fundraising and training!

Inspired? Find out more about running an event for Save the Children

Not up for running, but love walking or tennis? Check out other fundraising ideas here