• It’s not what you know, it’s who you know…..

    So New Year had come and gone, and in its wake was a number of resolutions – I’m probably very similar to a lot of people in the sense that at New Year, I say New Year, New Me, and make a list of things which for the best part of a couple of weeks I stick to, before giving up! This year it has been somewhat different! Last year for Virgin London Marathon I had a training plan, which I didn’t religiously stick to. I did as best I could with the time that I had but I wasn’t disciplined and I allowed excuses to get me out of putting in the miles. This year, I didn’t have a plan……..but I knew a girl who did! Jude has been running with Leighton Fun Runners for a couple of years now, she has a little boy in the same year and school as my son, and she is training for London Marathon (she’s got a charity place raising money for CRY, Cardiac Risk in the Young http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JudeWilson2) Jude has a plan, and she’s kindly let me piggy back on her training. We have been motivating each other since the beginning of the year to get up, sometimes very early, on the weekends and run long distances. We have run in the bitter cold. We have run in the snow. We have run in the rain. We have run with hangovers. We have run distances from 3 miles to 18 miles. Most importantly, we have run when neither of us wanted to. But we have done it together. Now I know that when you are training for a marathon it is important to do those shorter distances, and I know it is important to maintain your speed sessions and I also know that it is very important to get in those long distances. But what I know even more is that without Jude, it would have been a lot harder! So big thank you! Training has been going pretty well this year, with consistent pace, and I’ve felt pretty strong, not just over distance but over hills and speed. Apart from two weeks in January where I was out with a chest infection I’ve stuck to the plan and I’m starting to really feel confident about Milton Keynes Marathon. Plus with my new found discipline and the motivation and support of my training buddy I’m noticing some great results in what I resolved to achieve at the beginning of the year. Roll on May 2nd! Achievements this year Since joining Weight Watchers on 16th January, I have lost 13lbs. On Thursday 25th February, during Speed & Stamina, I recorded a 7.52 min/mil (previous quickest was 8.08) During the month of February I ran over 115 miles (my biggest ever monthly mileage on record). I ran up Shenley Hill without stopping!!!!!!

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  • New Year New Me

    So 2015 was a mixed bag for me. We’ve lost people we loved and we’ve gained little ones along the way, the power of social media has connected us to even more family members and old friends, I’ve suffered with some ill health (thankfully nothing too serious), I’ve started a new job, I’ve finally paid off my car – hoorah! Like, I said a mixed bag. 2015, however, was also the year of running. I tried Cross Country, I ran London Marathon again, and I improved pace both on shorter distances and half marathon. It was also the year I was selected as MK Ambassador – a role I’ve been taking very seriously. So now we are in 2016, what changes? I think 2016 is the year I change. Every year I set resolutions, or runolutions. I try to get healthy, lose weight, sign up for a challenge, and then inevitably by the middle of January I’m dialling up the Chinese takeaway and reaching for the bottle of red! Not this year though. So what makes this year different?  On Monday 2nd May I am running Milton Keynes marathon and I WILL be getting a sub-5hr (there said it!). It’s in writing so I have to. Five days later on Saturday 7th May, my beautiful friend Kelly is getting married, and I am honoured to be her bridesmaid. And lastly, I’m sick of constantly battling with the reflection in the mirror. So clean food and exercise it is, and I’m drawing on different tools and incentives for motivation. My Fitness Pal is the app I use to record my daily calories, what I am eating and what I am losing through exercise. It’s serving me well so far. Since New Year’s Day I have lost 3lbs and counting. The Run Pot – I’ve got a money pot which I am using to incentivise me to save money whilst I run. Up to 3.5miles will cost £1, up to 6.5miles will cost £2, up to 13.5miles will cost £3 and anything over will cost £5. I’m looking forward to having quite a few pennies at the end to spend on new trainers and future races. 2016 Goals – I have  a picture on my fridge of Personal Trainer Chloe Madeley along with running times I want to achieve for all distances from 1 mile up to Full Marathon. I can’t wait to get to 31st December 2016 and put a tick by all the times I’ve achieved.  (Link to My Own Blog) Lastly, my main source of motivation will come from all of my family, friends, running club team members and supporters of my MK Ambassador journey through Twitter and Facebook. Thank you for the support so far, and can’t wait to take you all on the next chapter with me.

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  • A Tale of Two Halves

    Saturday 14th November, the day had finally arrived. It was the Dirt Half. Now I had put in some fairly decent prep for it, although as always, it never seems enough. I’d driven to Stoke Hammond a couple of times and just attacked the hill – this slight incline, small undulation, tiny bump in the course, had become my nemesis from the previous year. So I made sure I was ready for it. Now the day was here and the weather was threatening to be wet and wild. Breakfast was eaten, I’d had the team photo taken (which ended up in the LBO) and I was nervously stood at the start line with Michael. The same Michael, who didn’t want to do Dirt Half again, however after much encouragement (bullying/harassing) excitedly signed up and trained with me.   I kept telling myself ‘don’t go out too fast, don’t go out too slow’. But as always with these things, I chose to ignore my mantra and just run. I knew I had gone off fast when at four miles some of the really quick ones in my club started overtaking me…..I thought they’d be miles ahead. At 6 miles I was greeted by a lovely cheer from Glyn, and then it was down towards the hill. Now the speed of the last 6 miles plus the mental anticipation of the hill was started to make my legs and mind tire.   I walked a bit, ran a bit, walked a bit….saw the photographer and was adamant I would at least appear to be running the hill if he was able to get a shot of me (which he did!) . The best thing about this hill, was knowing that there was a water station at the top, and along with it, a fantastic LFR cheer squad. They didn’t disappoint (thanks Max, Pam, Mariam and everyone else).   They did however, give me a jelly baby. And about 10 minutes later I saw that jelly baby again. Note to self: stay away from the green ones! The rest of the run was torture, I’d made it half way, and knew I just had to finish. My feet were feeling battered, my energy levels depleted and I just wanted to cry. I’d made it out of the woods, across the water meadow and the slippery bridge, and just as I was coming up the slope towards the Globe I went down like a sack of spuds, I crashed straight onto my knee. My hands, legs and water bottle were covered in mud, and I literally wanted to cry. I plodded along the canal, and saw a rather encouraging Jim B shouting ‘come on Kelly, we saw you walking!’ Hehe! Yes, those last two miles were a lot of walk/run. I could feel the blisters and the pain in my toes from my soggy wet feet.  Then I saw my husband, mum and son cheering me on at Tesco’s. It was just the boost I needed to get me through the final 1.5 miles. Another overhead cheer from the Mentmore Park canal bridge from Dave and Christine, I’m almost there. I made it up the last slippery, muddy hill. It wasn’t an award winning time, I knew it wasn’t. It was tough and it would have to just be another lesson learnt, I turned into the final straight and wait……what is that….the clock is there….2.23. It’s a PB! Yes I’ve got myself a PB! In fact my finisher’s time was 2.22.48, a 5 min half marathon PB and a whopping 12 min off my previous Dirt Half effort. I was absolutely thrilled!         Three weeks later, it’s Sunday 6th December. Storm Desmond has stopped by to see us and I’ve got an undulating Bedford Half in my sights. I’m nervous about this one.   Exactly one year ago, I was all set to do Bedford Half, however the day before was admitted to hospital with suspected appendicitis. Thankfully it wasn’t, however this has led to a year of blood tests, scans, x-rays, numerous doctors and consultant visits, daily medication, changes to diet, lots of pain and upset, and I’m still undiagnosed and under consultation.   I’d picked up my number, the team photos were taken, and I’d waved goodbye to my family. I’m about to set out on 13 miles of a route I don’t know, but I know the area so knew the hills were going to be challenging and the wide open country roads would mean Storm Desmond would be a hindrance. First two miles felt good, got into a nice stride, then there was the first hill. I haven’t even completed a 5k and I’m walking! This is quite soul-destroying. I plodded on. At six miles, I saw my family. I felt defeated. I thought I was letting them down because my head wasn’t in the race and neither was my body 🙁 I could feel a blister under the bruised toenail (courtesy of Dirt Half) on my right foot and it was playing on my mind. Then I saw two very special people – Mick and Phil (http://micknphil-marathonlads.com/about.php) . Mick glided past me pushing his son Phil in a wheelchair. You can read their story in the link above. I don’t have cerebral palsy – I have a blister. I’m not pushing a wheelchair – I am dragging me (down!). I took a couple of man up pills (Lucozade jelly beans – other fuel sweeties are available) and cracked on. I saw my halfway time – it was like a blow to the stomach – 1.06.50……then it became a maths run.  Take a minute off for getting across the line…so 1.05.50, PB is 2.22.48. I can afford to do the same again this second half plus an extra 17 minutes to spare……what will that be if 10 min/mil, 11min/mil, 12min/mil….grrrr I’m frustrating myself.   Eight miles gone, I stop for a walking break then I hear the words….the familiar sound I’ve heard at the last few cross countries, the Ampthill Trophy, the Dirt Half……’Come on young lady, even if you jog, keep moving.’ I don’t know his name. He runs with Bedford Harriers and he kicks me up the backside every time! Thank you! Five miles to go and the beans have kicked in. In fact miles 9-10 were fantastic. A lovely long downhill section and a sub 10 min/mil.   At mile 11 I’m handed a cup of beer. I politely decline and hand it back. Could’ve done with that at the end 🙂 Saw my family for a split second as I ran past. Back on form! I’ve got this. The last hill climb through Wootton to the finish line was horrible. All the runners who had already completed their races were wearing their finishers top walking back down the hill towards the coaches. My family were just approaching the finish area, I grabbed my sons hand and he finished the last part of the race with me. I turned that final corner and saw some numbers I just couldn’t believe – 2.18.20 – another PB! My final time was 2.17.48, a huge 5 min improvement on the last race three weeks prior. I’m on cloud nine, absolutely over the moon! And really really looking forward to Milton Keynes Marathon – who knows that elusive sub 5 hour marathon might just be in my sights!  

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  • I feel the need for speed….and mud!

    Wow! So I am a month in and what a month it has been! I’ve found out that if I really focus I can run fast, well fast for me! I’ve managed to clock up some impressive stats, including a 6+ mile club run in 57.34 (matching my 10k PB), 8.5 miles in 10.14 ave, Swineshead 5M in 49.35, 2.25 miles in 8.26 ave, plus a few more sub 9.30 ave runs, it’s been a good one! I also clocked 25 miles in one week (something I haven’t done since London 2015 training!). The feeling of getting home after a run and finding I’ve smashed out a fast ave min mile is one of the best! Although I still very much beat myself up, always trying to push harder (for example, after completing 2.25 miles in 19 min, I punched the air in delight then kicked myself for not continuing on to 3.16 and smashing a new 5k PB!). Note to self: get better at self praise! So here goes…..see the pic below, that’s me at Ampthill Trophy! In 2011, as a rookie wannabe runner, I entered this 8k event. Two laps of the toughest Cross Country in the county. After one lap, I was battered, mentally and physically, so much so I pulled out of the race and got my one and only ever DNF! Yep, that’s right! This year I completed it in 53.52, even sprinted up a couple of the hills, and with two fellow LFR ladies won third ladies team! Plus I’ve FINALLY got flying feet in a race picture! Didn’t I do well? So Cross Country started….and I hate mud! The first of the season saw us in Wellingborough, Northants and the course (described by AFF) was 2.5 laps of playful parkland! Are you serious? Playful? Hell on grass would be a more fitting description. The uphills were tough, and the downhills were just a brief reminder that shortly we will be going uphill again! And if all the ups and downs weren’t enough to contend with there were the ditches , did I say don’t like mud! The first ditch pictured below, consisted of a small muddy ledge and what felt like a 10 metre leap across onto a muddy verge. After a quick second to brace myself, I took the leap of faith, actually quite enjoyed it, and as you can see below, got a cracking action shot (full credit goes to Debbie Roff who I am going to take to every race as my official race photographer). Now the second ditch, not quite as enjoyable, as we had to jump knee deep into muddy water. The only way out was to be dragged across the muddy floor, and bashed into the muddy wall, by two unforgiving marshals 🙁 it wasn’t great, and afterwards my hate for mud had increased! Anyway after a good wash, and a hot cuppa, the pain was gone and in its place a feeling of sheer awesomeness! I was Kelly McGall, Cross Country Extraordinaire! Leap of faith! So what does next month hold! Well the temperature has dropped and the winter running clothes are out of the back of the wardrobe and I have the Dirt Half to take down, chew up and spit out (like a bit of fight talk with this race because it hates me as much I hate it, however I’m adamant I’m gonna win this year!). Big thanks to everyone for their support, including my running buddies Michael, Harriet and Clare! Happy running everyone and I hope you enjoyed the second instalment of my MK Marathon Training blog!

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  • Pick me, me, me!!!

    So back in August I entered a competition to be a 2016 MK Marathon Ambassador! The cut off date being the 4th Sept (placeholder in diary followed by numerous Facebook refreshes!). On the 4th, MK Marathon announces they’ve been inundated with wannabe ambassadors and the result will be out the following week………..cue numerous email and Facebook refreshes (along with chaser posts!)…..I just want to know! Then on the 15th September I got the email I had been waiting for – you are an MK AMBASSADOR! Since that day I’ve set the wheels in motion for my journey to the MK Marathon and I’m happy to say I’ve got some people joining me along the way. My hugely supportive family, my wonderful friends and my fantastic running club – all of which are helping me along the way! To my mummy friends Denise and Michelle, who are circuit training with me three times a week, my good friend Mt who joins me for regular runs (as we train for Dirt Half), my sister in law Clare who runs regularly with me………and truly inspires me (we’ve got Ampthill Trophy coming up), to everyone else that offers me support and encouragement by liking, sharing and commenting on my posts, and lastly my husband and son who, yet again, have to be patient with me whilst I train! The running side comes quite naturally to me, the blogging and vlogging not so, please bear with me whilst I get up to speed with what is good reading and what is just waaaaaay too much info (my lovely running friend Harriet will tell you I’m happy to over share, especially on long runs!). So……I’ve set up a YouTube channel for my vlogs (yup – YouTube!) and the first one is in the following link! http://youtu.be/kkosOnra-3c Thanks for reading folks!

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