My first Swansea Bay 10k and a personal best too!

So, after falling flat on my face last Tuesday in the rain and cutting/bruising BOTH knees, I managed to do the 10k on Sunday achieving a personal best. To be honest once id started I couldn't feel a thing and was determined to run the full 10k without stopping. It was a lovely day... Weather was great and the sun starting shining too! Was quite nervous about the event as the majoribof entrants really do treat it like a race... In comparison to the 5k Race for Life and the half Marathon where there are many runners wearing fancy dress or those who simply have the aim of completing it.... The 10k was simply full of people trying to achieve their personal best... Including me too! I started the race with a slow pace so that I wouldn't wear myself down. My timing for the first half, 5k was a great time of 36 minutes.... And the last 2k I certainly picked up the speed. And for the last 400k could only be described as a sprint for me... Lol! It felt really great to finish it knowing that I hadn't stopped! So, the mission now is to keep training right up to the half marathon.... Need to work on my stamina and my speed as really want to come under the 2hr 30 mins.... Train, train, train.... Need to pound the pavements at least 7 or 8 times before the big day!! Even if just doing 5ks!

I did it in the rain...

After a disappointing 3.77 miles yesterday I was determined to get out today, however the weather forecast was not looking pretty. Showers pretty much for most of the day. So, I decided to commit to going out for 12pm... Which meant I managed to watch a little bit of the Great North Run for a bit of inspiration!
As a result of me broadcasting my plans on Facebook meant I got myself a training partner, Alison!

So, headed down to the usual spot and it was looking very grim... But at the same time I was determined. At the same time a little apprehensive about running with someone as it's not something ive done before!

As Alison mentioned that she doesn't tend to break for a small walk we ended up running without stopping much further than normal for me. Unfortunately Alison had to turn back by Singeton lane as she had pains in her hip.

So the weather wasn't too bad, in fact in parts the sun was shining down meaning I may have actually got a tan! Whilst I was running, I kept telling myself , 'just another minute' which meant that I ran for a he'll of a lot longer than Ive done before!

In summary, my speed is definitely improving as I'm now under 12 minutes per mile. Ideally I'd like to get under 11 minutes per mile for the big day! It's certainly something to aim for!

Here are today's results:

Distance: 8.91mi
Time: 01:45:22
Pace: 11:50min/mi
Speed: 5.07mi/h

Plan for next week is Zumba on Monday and aim for a run on Thursday and Friday. Rest on Saturday as 10k for Sunday!

I wish this weather would make up it's mind...

As I write this blog in sitting on the sofa with the sun beaming through the blinds... Not quite the scene I just had during my run!

Before leaving this morning it had rained but it was looking like the sun was going to start heading out.... Arrived at the usual spot, made my preparations and started my run... Within 2 minutes it started hammering down. So, when leaving the house I was aiming for an 8 miler and just 2 minutes in I had set myself up to only do a couple of miles.

Ok, so it continued to rain and as I was approaching the 1 mile marker about to turn around, I saw Joanne Popham and decided to keep going. The rain was intermittent.

I ended up getting to Singelton Park and headed back. By this point I'd realised I'd run faster as could feel my cheeks burning! At least there weren't so many spectators out today.

So, plan of action is to head out again tomorrow and get in a 8.5 mile run... Maybe a bit further if I'm feeling brave!

Here are today's results... Which show an increase of speed! Yay.

Distance: 3.77mi
Time: 00:42:35
Pace: 11:18min/mi
Speed: 5.31mi/h

If this was a 5k run it would probably be my fastest run ever!

JUST 1 WEEK TO GO FOR THE 10K! AND 4 WEEKS TO THE CARDIFF HALF MARATHON!

Don't worry, I'm not about to have a heart attack...

Well, after a blip in my training plans I managed to get out for a run this evening. Not particularly planned as the weather over the past few days has been wet and windy. Today was a lovely sunny day.

Headed down to the usual starting point with a 'I will' attitude, rather than 'I can'.... As I needed to tell myself I will do it, so it was more of a command really! Saying 'I can leaves scope to argue with myself to say 'I can't! (please stay and read the rest... I'm not as mad as I make out!)

So, it all started well and once I got into the swing of things I decided not only was I going to do the usual 6 miles but I was going to try and pick up my pace!

The short story is that I managed to do it... The longer one however is that the route was full of walkers and couples. Which meant fatty natty was probably a talking point for them... Possibly the wobbly belly, sweaty Betty or maybe the fact I was the usual crimson colour which made me look as though I was about to have a heart attack. I certainly had some strange and almost disapproving looks from the passersby... Maybe they didn't think I was 'fit' enough to be running... If only they realised how long it has taken me to get where I am, or the effort I've made to raise money for charity or simply the fact that I'm challengjng myself rather than sticking to the norm... If only eh?

For readers of this blog (if there are any of you out there), if you happen to pass me on the Swansea bay front route, please beep you horn, flash your lights, give me a shout out or simply a smile to just reassure me that no matter what I may look like it's all for a great cause!

Ok, rant over... Here are today's results.... (which I'm quite proud of as ive shaved off 4 minutes off my time!):

Distance: 6.28mi
Time: 01:14:00
Pace: 11:47min/mi
Speed: 5.09mi/h

Don't forget to sponsor me and leave some encouraging messages: www.just giving.com/natreynolds

Entered into the Swansea Bay 10k...

So today I entered the Swansea Bay 10k as a way to practice for the big day! It will work out at around 6 miles, which I can generally do in about 1hr 18(ish)minutes.... So with 3 weeks to go I should be able to do it quicker than that! Well, as long as the old blisters on my feet take a break! I'm hoping the 10k won't knock my confidence as if I struggle it will put my confidence back... I suppose I won't know until I try it! So there are less than 3 weeks to go to the 10k and 6 weeks to the Half marathon. Currently I'm doing approx 20miles per week and am planning on keeping this up! Zumba this evening, rest day tomorrow, gym Wednesday and a run of some sort (min 6 miles) on Thursday. Followed by gym on Friday and a big run on Saturday morning.

Got a little hot today...

Well today was my longest run so far! Pretty pleased with myself as when I first started was ant sure if I would be able to go further than the usual run!

Didn't head out until about half nine which meant the crowds of people were out and about, and then the sun started blazing! Managed to catch a bit of a tan... But my face was probably a darker shade of red than normal!

Saw lots of people I knew on the route... Jo pops, Rhian and Matthew, David from the Diet Tribe and Leanne who I used to got to school with. It spurred me on to keep going.

The run was from the Marina to the West Cross Inn! My pace seems to be about the same at the moment!

SO, here is the plan for next week! Zumba on Monday, rest day Tuesday, Wednesday gym, will do a 6 mile run on Thursday, gym Friday and my long run next Saturday (meaning that I will be running that little bit further than the West Cross Inn) Having my chubby day next Saturday afternoon for Linda's divorce party. Being realistic, shouldn't drink so that can get out for a run on Sunday... Not going to make an promises as I really can't tell!

Here are my results from today:

Natalie Reynolds
I completed a Regular Run!
Distance: 8.25mi
Time: 01:43:10
Pace: 12:30min/mi
Speed: 4.80mi/h

A little bit harder today:

It was a little harder today... Not sure if it was because I wasn't feeling 100% yesterday? Or generally because it was a Saturday morning (had to set my alarm!)

Weather was forecast for light rain this morning but luckily I manage to miss it.... Started to rain when I was getting back into the car. Did the same run I did last Sunday, Marina to Blackpill. Lots of people out running, must be training for the 10k and half marathon. That reminds me.... I'm going to enter the 10k which is in 3 weeks time.... Should be good as a practice run for the big day which will be 3 weeks later! Yikes!

Going to increase my distance tomorrow by going as far as West Cross.... That should take me over 8 miles.... So next Sunday means I will be starting from the Village hotel and going as far as Blackpill... Will need to check on mapmyrun that it will be further than the week before. I want to use my Sunday runs to increase my distance and my mid week and Saturday run to increase my speed by doing approx 5-6.5miles.

So here are today's results.... A tiny bit further and faster than last time:

Distance: 6.44mi
Time: 01:19:54
Pace: 12:24min/mi
Speed: 4.84mi/h

Little workout in the gym...

Stuck to the plan and did a little workout in the gym. Decided I really don't like Life gym, but it will have to do for the next 5 weeks!

Bike, treadmill and cross trainer!

Treadmill was a combo of 2mins walking and 3mins jogging at approx9.4kmph.

Got my sweat on and much prefer running outdoors!

Rest day tomorrow. Going for run on Saturday morning and will be doing my 6miler again... And Sunday will be taking distance up to 7ish miles by going to my next marker... May even consider starting at the village hotel with the team! We'll see how I feel on Saturday afternoon!