I saw an advert in the local free paper that under the Council’s ‘Go Active’ scheme a trained instructor will run a 10 week course to get people fit by running. That is how I started running on 28th January 2011.
On the 20th March 2011, we as a group along with our instructor entered the 5mile OX5RUN. Of course we walked some bits but ran most of the time and we all managed to complete the race. This was such a boost to our confidence that six of us decided to carry on running as a group after the course ended. My time was 01:01:10.
We are now running approximately 3 miles twice a week and I need to push myself a bit further. Two members of the group and I will enter the Boneshaker Duathlon 2011 on 18th September 2011. One member will do the 20K cycle bit in the middle while another and I will run the 5K at either end. We have decided to call ourselves the EST 2011 group. We established as a running group in 2011 and EST are the first three letters of the names of the trio. One of the trio designed this logo for our T-shirt. What a cold and miserable day! I was petrified when I saw the other participants. They looked like real athletes. I ran the last leg and the rain came as I started my run. I felt I ran badly and couldn’t wait for it all to end. Wasn’t sure what my time was until I got home. I was so surprised and pleased that I completed in 00:28:45.
I am getting the bug to take part in more running events. Managed to convince everyone to take part in the Hanney5 2011 run. The race is organised by the Oxford City Athletic Club. The race is held over a rural flat course of 5miles in the village of East Hanney. Most of the runners were very fast and were taking part in the County championships and as usual I and my running mates were petrified to be running with such elite athletes but guess what the EST 2011 group of six all came in well under 60 minutes. My time was 00:49:55. That’s a real improvement from the first 5mile run in March and I ran all the way this time. EST2011 gave me an achievement award for being the first in the group to finish.
Some of us are keener than others to enter running events. Three of us have decided to enter the 5K Poppy Run in Farmoor Reservoir on 30th October. It is the first year of the Poppy Run. It is great to be taking part not only in the first Poppy Run but also because this year is the 90th anniversary of the Royal British Legion. I am still nervous on Race Days. This is so stupid as I should have no problems with 5K runs now as we do that easily on our twice weekly runs. My timing was 00:29:25.
Just signed up for two more races. One in December and the other in January 2012. I am getting ambitious – these are both 10K runs. On 11th December, it is the Andy Reading 10K run near Bicester and on 8th January, it is the Goring, Woodcote and District Lions Club 10K run in Woodcote. Scary or what! I have to increase the distance I am running in the practice runs to make sure that I can actually complete a 10K run. At the moment I don’t eat before a run and only have some orange juice. This is because any food no matter how long before I eat seems to lie heavy on my stomach. My fear is that if I don’t eat something before the 10K runs, I wont have enough energy to complete the course. I need to experiment a bit with food on my practice runs.
The team is so supportive. The group have decided to increase the Friday runs to 4.5 miles. See how we go from here. We now have a new member in our group.
The EST 2011 group is growing. Another two ladies have joined us. These newcomers are really good. They are much faster and can run much longer distances than the original 6.
Wednesday, 9th November – we ran 11K with couple of breaks of a few minutes. We were so exhausted and excited at the end of the 11K that we forgot to look at the time.
A short run on Friday11th as we were still recovering from Wednesday. Another long run is planned for Wednesday 16th November. We ran 5.79 miles in 01:07:00.
My running shoes: I run in bright pink Vibram 5 fingered shoes. They attract a lot of attention in all the races I attend. I have not seen anyone else wearing 5 fingered shoes in any of the races I have attended. I really find them good to run in. They are very light as well. My original pair was the KSO model. The KSO is now used for indoor exercises. I now wear the Bikila model for running. The Bikila was specifically designed for running and gives better grip. My only gripe with the Bikila model is that the sizes are slightly tighter in fit. My size 38 KSO feels more roomier than the size 38 Bikila and next time I might buy a size larger in Bikila.
I have just invested in a pair of SKINS long Ladies compression tights. Can’t wait to wear them for my long run on Wednesday. They claim that the tights support key muscle groups, helps to deliver more oxygen to the muscles which will make the body perform and recover better and reduce the risk of injury. I tried them on Saturday when I was still recovering from my long Friday run and it felt great.
11th December 2011 (Andy Reading 10K Bicester)
I and three of the EST2011 team had a good run in Bicester this morning and are feeling very pleased with ourselves. It was very cold to start with but some of us were stripping off midway. The course was not totally flat and I found the last hill, minutes from the finish line a killer. Still enjoyed the run very much, the endorphins have kicked in and I am already looking forward to the next run.
I didn’t feel as anxious and under pressure as I did at the Hanney 5 mile run. The Hanney Run had a lot of very fast runners and hardly anyone running at our pace. The Bicester run had a varied group of mixed abilities and so I felt quite comfortable running at my own pace. My chip time was 1 hour 28 secs (00:09:44 per mile; 00:06:03 per KM). The Skins tights definitely helped as my legs weren’t achy afterwards. As usual my shoes attract a lot of interest and comments. I seem to be the only one wearing the five fingered shoes in all of Oxfordshire.
14th December 2011
We ran in Letcombe Regis today up to the Ridgeway. I have to say that I just wasn’t up to the long steep climb. I am still tired from Sunday’s run but also not only spent entire yesterday cleaning out our 3 fridge freezers but also went to bed past midnight which didn’t help.
29th December 2011
Ordered a 2XU PWX Womens Long Sleeve Compression Top in a size small in accordance with the chart size information. Want to wear this for the Woodcote 10K run – hoping it will be as good as the skins compression leggings and also keep me warm should it be cold in January.
1st January 2012
Joined the White Horse Harriers for a New Years Day run. 4 miles under 40 minutes – not great for speed but really enjoyed the run. One of the Harriers referred to us as ‘the joggers’. Have to become a runner this year but will I make it.
3rd January 2012
The weather was atrocious today – Heavy rain and strong winds and quite cold too. Hopefully weather will improve by Sunday.
Just emailed this to Ashmei, a new running apparel company - “Why are your running apparel available for men only? Don't women deserve stylish running attire? Your jacket looks beautiful. I think you should sponsor me to wear your clothing. I run in Vibram five fingered shoes, the only person to do so in the whole of Oxfordshire and as a result draw a lot of attention at races. I am running a 10K on Sunday 8th at Woodcote so please let me advertise your jacket there.” They do a very stylish jacket (unfortunately for men only it seems) which I would love to have. Someone called Stuart replied immediately as follows: “Hi, Thanks for getting in touch. The Women's line is being worked on as we should be ready to launch this for AW 2012.
Kind Regards
Stuart
ashmei”
4th January 2012
Tried out the compression top today to make sure it is the right thing to wear on Sunday for the Woodcote 10K. Just as well I tried it out. It was so tight during the run and kept riding up. I could hardly breathe and consequently could hardly run. I got the recommended size for my dimensions but it was awful. I hope it will stretch or something as it was so expensive and will be a shame if I have to give it away. I am a bit worried now about the Sunday run and hope today’s bad run wont have a psychological effect.
6th January 2012
Normally I wouldn’t run two days before a 10K but I think I have to today just to get over the Wednesday run. Wasn’t so bad and I completed the 4 miles though I kept at a slower pace to ensure I finished.
8th January 2012 – Woodcote 10K
Picked up two members of the EST2011 team at 8.45am at E. Hendred. Just as well we started early as the car parks were getting full. Quite a cold day. They said the course was undulating. I think they were trying not to put people off. It was unbelievably hilly. The first 2000m had steep hills but also long downhills. Then at around 5000m the hills started and they were never ending with only very short flat bits in between. I didn’t dare stop or walk as I wouldn’t have been able to carry on. I am happy with my finishing time of 1hour 2minutes and 39 seconds. Just happy to have completed the course and I really like the finisher’s medal. Next year I would like to do it in under an hour. Need more hill practice.
Afterwards went for a nice Sunday roast in a pub in Goring. It is really beautiful around Goring and Streatley. Lots of nice pubs and beautiful countryside.
I have been running 4-6 miles with the group twice a week since the Woodcote 10K. We have decided to enter the OX5 RUN in March as a group. I am also contemplating running the Goring 10K in March as well as the Wallingford 10K in May. Want to leave it until sometime in February before I definitely make up my mind.
15th January 2012
My brother is running the London Marathon in April. I decided to join in his training today and we ran 5.17 miles. I went a bit slower than my usual pace but really enjoyed the run because it didn't require much effort.
20th January 2012
Went for a 5K run with the girls in Chilton and undid all the good work by having coffee and cake afterwards at the Chilton Garden Centre cafe. Yummy apple strudel. As usual everyone in the Cafe came up asking about my shoes. The usual questions - are they comfortable to run in; where did you purchase them; can one walk in them? I am sure my friends must get bored because where ever we go my shoes draw a crowd.
21st January 2012
Joined Bro again this morning. I completed 8.4 miles today. My first 8 mile run. Need to do a couple more 8 milers but I am itching to do a 10 mile run.
25th January 2012
A quick 4 mile run today. Also did some interval training and abs and toning. Next run on Friday, probably a 6 mile one. That should be the last run of my first year of running.
