RISE 8km- I did it!!! :)

So, just over two weeks ago now (where the hec did all that time go?!) I completed the RISE 8km run! It was a great morning. My mum and sister picked me, Baz and my friend Joe up and off we went to Saltdean. I have to admit I was getting quite nervous on the way there. But luckily I was also feeling excited and determined. The weather was great- it was a clear day, with hardly any wind, no rain, and not too warm or cold. There was a good atmosphere when we arrived, with runners getting ready and assembling for the warm-up...

There was a Zumba-type warm-up, which was fun (as I love Zumba). Although I did feel a little silly doing some of the moves with everyone watching! The woman leading it was awesome, she had so much energy and enthusiasm, it was great. And then we took our places for the start of the run, 

I felt pretty good on the run, I actually felt pretty strong and positive (something I struggle with), trying hard to remember all the things I'd been learning about good running form. "If nothing else, just focus on your breathing". So that's what I did mostly. I tried really hard to keep my upper-body static and keep my core engaged, but judging by a few of the pics of me running, I still have a lot of work to do on that front! 

I was aiming for a time of between 40 and 45 minutes. My actual finish time was 39:29, which I was SO happy about! I couldn't believe I had got under 40 minutes, and even Baz was surprised too. It was lovely seeing my friends and family as I got to the finishing line, it meant a lot that they had come to watch me run. My friend Joe went to a couple of different places to watch me which was lovely, especially near the end when he was cheering me on. The guys from Jo's Thing (who I had done some training with) also cheered me on lots when I went past them, and that was really special too.

I love this picture!

I had been told to run the first 4km within my comfort zone, and then push it for the second 4km, I tried to do this, but was struggling in the last few kms to speed up. Still, at 5km, I was at around 24:30, which is the second quickest I have ever run 5km! So that was a real boost. 

All in all, I feel like it was a great run. I finished in the top 25 or so runners (out of around 300) and managed to beat my target time. Thankfully I didn't have any pain during or after the run. And perhaps most important of all I managed to raise £347 ( thanks to all my generous friends and family) for a really important charity, RISE, who support people affected by domestic abuse.

Me and my friend Joe 

Oh I nearly forgot, it was my first time wearing my new Vegan Runners top! I had someone pass me on the run, at around 6km, who said "It's great to see another vegan runner!!" which was lovely and made me feel glad I was wearing it. As most runners were wearing their turquoise RISE t-shirt, I think my top stood out, and hopefully it got a few people thinking!  

Now I have to get my bum in gear and train for the Brooks Brighton 10km! Which is in three weeks time....

See ya -x-

RISE run tomorrow!

It's been just over a week since I posted. I've always been prone to getting quite bad headaches, and unfortunately I was suffering a bit with it this week. This meant I couldn't go out training with Jo's Thing on Tuesday- I was gutted- and I haven't done as many runs as I would have liked. But nevermind... I have made it out three times- twice on my own and once with Jo's Thing.

Wednesday I ran about 4km, along the seafront, I just wanted to take it easy because of not feeling 100%. It went ok. Was just glad really that I made it out. Thursday was the training session, my last free RISE one. It was great. It was at Preston Park, I sped along the streets on my bike to get there from Aldrington (Hove) for 930am. There were about eight or so people again. We ran for 30 minutes, broken down into three runs: 15mins, 10mins and 5mins, trying to increase our pace each time. I managed to do the last 5mins at 4.38, so was really pleased with that. I am so glad I got the opportunity to do these training sessions, even though I only managed to attend three of them, I have learnt lots of really useful things! I might try to drop-in every now and then as I have found them really motivational and supportive.

Last night, after feeling pretty stressed out about some things, I decided to go for a slow and easy 3-4km run (on the advice of the trainers). Well, it had been raining on and off all day and for a couple of hours there had been intermittent thunderstorms. I had the idea that it would be exciting to go out running with lightning breaking out over-head, and it would help me to try and forget about all my anxiety. For some unknown reason I didn't take my waterproof jacket, and so I got soaked after about three minutes when it started to tip down!! And I am kinda scared of thunder and lightning, even though I try really hard not to be. So I was basically freaking out when along with the rain came lots of lightning and thunder, which as I had weirdly hoped for, was right over-head. It was kind of funny, exhilarating, enjoyable and distracting all at the same time. I ran for 3km, but probably a little faster than I was supposed to because of all the being scared, haha.

(me after my crazy thunderstorm run!)

So, my 8km run is tomorrow... I guess I am feeling fairly positive about it, I kept worrying all week about how I would manage 8km because of not doing any long runs recently, but I am hoping it will be fine. My general fitness is ok at the moment, and I have done some running, so fingers crossed... I don't really know what time to aim for as I haven't done many 8km runs before, I just know I can run 10km in about 55mins and at my quickest, 5km in 24:22. I'll just be glad to finish it to be honest!!

I was so happy to finally get a Vegan Runners top yesterday...

  

I think this is what I'll wear tomorrow as my RISE t-shirt is a little big unfortunately.... 

Wish me luck.....

-x-

ps. if you want to sponsor me you can do so here! 

Great training session!

I went to my first Jo's Thing training session yesterday and it was great! Even though it really pushed me to my limits and I kinda felt like I was dying at certain points. Not really, but I think I am just a little out of shape and so it sort of hurt. In a good way though. The session was for an hour in Hove Park. We did the equivalent of the Hove Parkrun, split into three, so two full laps of the park and finishing with a half lap, which is normally the first part of Parkrun. 

There were about 8 or 9 of us altogether, and I think most of those were running the RISE 8km. Everyone was really friendly and encouraging. It was great because I have never had any running coaching, so to get lots of tips and pointers, most of it 1:1 as I was running around, was amazing. There are lots of things to think about now, from my breathing, to lifting my knees on ascents, to needing to strengthen my core to stop my upper body moving around so much.

I am going to another one tomorrow, which I am really looking forward to! This time it'll be in Preston Park and I think there will be more runners at my speed.

Got no pics from yesterday so I will simply post this pic from a few weeks back at Hove Parkrun which I really like.....

See ya-x-