It was really tough but I did it! Cardiff Half Marathon 2011

Well, I did it again!  Another Half Marathon under my belt!  

It was a tough old route this time as there were lots of inclines,  less spectators and was fairly boring as there were miles and miles of dual carriageways!

The day started off great, meeting with the rest of the James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer team at the Novotel Cardiff!  All a bit nervous and apprehensive about what we were about to be faced with! 

It was great to see everyone, especially as we'd all been talking and tracking our progress on the team's Facebook group and the fact that this year there were 60 of is in comparison to last year's 60!

Lucy & I at the start of the race!

Managed to bag myself a buddy, Lucy Walker.  We'd only met earlier the week at The Business Network lunch in Bridgend but decided to stick with each other, at first only had the intention to start, but we ended up going the whole distance together... and more importantly didn't stop for the whole 13.1 miles! 

Although one part of the route double backed on itself, it was great to see lots of people that i knew and gave each other a great wave!

It was an amazing day had by everyone and well worth the effort!  My next step is to invest in a new pair of proper running trainings as my poor ankles feel like someone has smashed them with a hammer!  I think it might be something to do with my 'high arched feet'! 

My MapMyRun app recorded the following results:

Distance: 13.65mi
Time: 02:33:34
Pace: 11:15min/mi
Speed: 5.33mi/h

This is the 2nd fastest pace/speed I have ever run! The other time was only for a 5 miler - so quite proud of it!

My official chip time was 2 hrs 33mins 5 secs.  (35 seconds slower than last year, but last years race was short and I'm convinced this one was longer too!)

Here is a copy of the route!  As you can see - mile 6 - 10 was on the dual carriageway!  Not a great location at all!

Don't worry you can still sponsor me...

Since publishing this blog to my Twitter and Linkedin accounts, lots of people have acknowledged it and the training I've been doing - which is great as my final blog before the big day will reveal the reasons why I've published something so personal to my business accounts.

In the meantime, for those of you who have said you'd like to sponsor me, here is a link to my Just Giving page:

www.justgiving.com/natreynolds

For those of you who want something a bit quicker, you can also donate via text - simply text the words

NATR99 £5

to 70070

My fastest time yet...

Just a few more sleeps to the big day!

Did what was possibly my last run before the big day last night.  Was late getting out and it was dark but there were loads of other people out running too.

Was determined to smash my times and speed from previous runs.  For some reason I had loads of energy yesterday.

Well, I did it!  I took over a minute off my last 5 mile run (and the run before that I'd taken 7 minutes off my time!!!) and managed to get under 11 minutes per mile!  Something I've not done before!

Distance: 5.15mi
Time: 00:56:29
Pace: 10:58min/mi
Speed: 5.47mi/h

I really should get another run in before the weekend but not sure if that is going to be possible as I'm having my sports massage on Thursday afternoon/evening - so tonight is my only chance.

I've checked the weather for Sunday and it isn't looking great.  Its going to be heavy rain in Swansea and Light Rain in Cardiff.  As the day gets closer I'll have a better idea.  Just need some tips on how to cope with the rain as I've heard some horror stories!

As I've enjoyed running so much I've made a concious decision to take it up permanently.  Will be seeking some expert advice so that I can make proper progress.  Need to find some other runs to take part in now!

Took nearly 5 minutes off my time...

Had the best run this morning which is great knowing that next weekend is the big event, might have something to do with my new vest!

Started out not knowing if it would be a good run or not and got straight into the run again, like last time. For the whole journey I kept going, not even a 30 second walk! It would be funny if I put the conversations i have with myself onto a loud speaker! I tell myself that I CAN do it and then at times where I would usually stop for a 2 minute walk, I kept asking myself why?, and do you really need to? Your legs aren't hurting? Your not out of breath? So why do you need to stop? And because of that I ran the whole distance, the longest distance run in a training session without stopping! Great progress even if I say so myself.

Didn't feel as tired as I did last week (but that might have been because the temperature was ideal today). Only downfall about today was that I have a bit of a pain in my left ankle and my shoulders and neck have been a bit stiff. But got the aches sorted today by Deb Byers with a little shoulder and neck massage!

Here are today's results:

Distance: 8.73mi
Time: 01:39:06
Pace: 11:21min/mi
Speed: 5.29mi/h

Same speed and pace as my 5mile run on Tuesday and shaved nearly 5 minutes off my time from the last time I did this distance. My plan is to do another big run tomorrow afternoon, so this time really I should park over in sa1 to get over the 9 mile mark. However, may see if someone is going out at 830 from the village tomorrow morning! Followed by a few shorter runs in the week!

No turning back now...

Picked up my running vest this morning and received my pack for the Cardiff Half Marathon!

No turning back now!  Heading out in the morning for a big run!  Lets hope the weather is good!

I'm probably the only one who is appreciating the current weather!

So, now that the sun has finally gone and the temperatures have dropped to what they should be in October I headed out before it got too dark. and of course, had to pull out the long sleeved running top for the first time!

It was quite comforting to see so many runners out this evening in comparison to the couples and families giving me the strange looks. Instead of the usual 2 minute warm up walk I got straight into it, as I would when i'll be running in the half marathon.

It didn't seem to make too much of a difference, which is great news. Stopped for 30seconds to catch my breath as I could tell i was running faster due to my excessive panting but then got right back on it.

I'm looking forward to comparing next years training records to this year to see if and how much progress has been made! There has certainly been an improvement on last years training... Let's just hope it makes a difference on the big day!

Next training session is planned for Thursday evening followed b some big runs on Saturday and Sunday... My last big runs before the main event!

Here are today's results:

Distance: 5.10mi
Time: 00:57:48
Pace: 11:20min/mi
Speed: 5.29mi/h

Probably my fastest run to date for that type of distance! If I can sort out my breathing, might be able to sustain the speed for the bigger distances!

This time is 6.5minutes faster than the last time I did this route back at the end of August.... That is he'll of a time even if I say so myself! :-). If I'd gone this speed during the 10k I would have come in under 1hr 10mins.... Think it might have something to do with high carb lunch I had at the Dragon Hotel today!

It was a tough one today in the heat...

Had a busy week with work so haven't manage to 'pound the pavements' and it hasn't helped that the sun hAs been shining.

Headed out to the usual spot knowing it was going to be a tough one because of the heat, and was planning the usual 9miler!

Started off ok, but the sun really was shining down... Great for a tan though!

Put my mind to it and was determined to do the best I could. Was hoping to get under 1hr 40 but really slowed down for the last few miles as my chest was getting a bit tight?

With the big day in just 2 weeks I'm really going to have to put in some shorter runs mid week and really focus on my nutrition as I think that had a major factor to play in today's run! Planning another long run tomorrow and really need to get up to the 10 miles somehow... Hopefully will go out with a few others!

Distance: 8.65mi
Time: 01:43:58
Pace: 12:01min/mi
Speed: 4.99mi/h