Running on Full

Random thoughts, used to be about running

racing

Some key pointers for London Marathon runners including getting to the Expo early, getting your name printed on your top, and remember to pace from the start and not get caught up in the hype.

Advice for London Marathon Runners

Sophie–Race Day–

London comes alive on the day of the marathon. And the thought of it, especially if you’re running it, can be daunting. Here’s some advice for London marathon runners. The excitement in the air is palpable. It brings out the best in runners, in the fantastic marshals and volunteers and organisers, and those 10s and 100s of thousands of members of the public that line the route. Bands are playing. Some make a day of it with picnics. Others are drinking wine or beer. It’s a day that brings out the best of everyone. 

deal with it giphy

On dealing with a bad race

Sophie–Running, Thoughts on Running–

On dealing with a bad race … You’ve done the training, it’s gone well. For a 50k, you’ve covered marathon distance, you’ve hiked hills with a weighted backpack, you’ve run up and down many other hills, you’ve tested nutrition and hydration, you’ve tested your kit. The day arrives. All is going well. And then it all goes to shit. This was me in July. And no, I haven’t blogged since then, not because of the trauma of a race gone bad, life got in the way. To begin, this has nothing to do with the race itself, the Chiltern Challenge […]

Image of nervous girl

How I think my second ultra will go!?!

Sophie–Race Day, Running, Thoughts on Running–

So…my second ultra…hmm. For those of you who don’t know what an ultra is, it’s a race longer than marathon distance. I’m doing a ‘short’ ultra, a 50k, through the Chilterns on Saturday with XNRG. My training has had its ups and downs – a brief lurgy or two, some twinges in my knee. But otherwise, it’s pretty much gone to plan. In addition to covering the miles, I’ve run and stomped up a lot of hills, covered marathon distance on a rather warm and sticky day, walked around every now and again up and down said hills with a […]

Tow girls pouring water over their heads

May Roundup: Feeling hot hot hot

Sophie–Training Updates–

May Roundup: Ah, that time of year when it hits 16 +, it’s sunny, running equals pools of sweat and distinct tan lines… fun times… (and well, the tunes, I couldn’t help myself). Now, I’m well aware that my friends in Australia will laugh at me. Growing up, we’d put our jumpers on once it hit about 20 or 21 degrees. Very occasionally in winter it might get really cold and dip below double figures. Yep, I’m from Brisbane so a little sub-tropical and where they sensibly start Parkrun at 7am – even then you need to take water, wear […]

Cover of book with sprinter

How bad do you want it? by Matt Fitzgerald

Sophie–Books, Running–

Review of How bad do you want it? Mastering the psychology of mind over muscle. (2015)   How bad do you want it? This is the question asked by Matt Fitzgerald, author, coach and nutritionist. The inquiry begins from trying to understand how elite athletes are able to move beyond discomfort to maximise performance. Of course they work their arses off and work on all those other factors that effect performance (i.e. nutrition, rest etc) and there may well be some element of ‘natural’ talent, but what is it that moves a good athlete to a great one? And what […]

April Roundup: When training doesn’t go to plan

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

When training doesn’t go to plan … I’m training for the XNRG Chiltern Challenge, a 50k race in July. This was how I fared last year … I was slow, so very very slow. There was pain, there was sobbing, but I finished. I laugh every time I see this photo. You can read how it went in detail here. I’m doing this race again because I have a point to prove to myself! But over the Easter weekend, about a month ago, I tweaked my back … again. This time is was soft tissue damage in my lower back – […]

Mo Farah third in place at the half way point

The London Marathon: On being a marshal

Sophie–Race Day, Running, Thoughts on Running–

On being a marshal: The 2018 London Marathon was my third time marshaling this race, and the most challenging. But I’m getting ahead of myself… First to say well done to everyone who undertook the race. It was the hottest ever with the running beginning with high humidity and bright sunshine. I know there are many runners who didn’t achieve their time targets, and a few who had to pull out due to issues brought on by the heat. But brilliant work my friends, you’re an inspiration! Second, my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Matt Campbell, a 29 year […]

Ducks on a frozen lake in the snow - as seen on a run

February Roundup: Playing with pace

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

A mixed month for running – some good weeks on miles, some not so good weeks. I’ve been playing with pace and hitting the hills. My aim for this year is to get PBs from 5 to 50k which means some serious work …. Let’s just say I haven’t been as consistent as I’d like. Indeed, on some days I’ve been rather slack. I think there’s a bit in my brain which is hoping those PBs will just magically happen! So here’s how it’s been … Highlights Was off to a good start with the Watford Half – a fab race, well […]

Watford Half medal

Watford Half Review: Chilly and Hilly!

Sophie–Race Day, Running–

Watford Half Review – A hilly and chilly race half marathon and my second race of the year in my aim to get PBs in everything from 5 to 50k. But I wasn’t planning a PB for this race, rather, just a check of my fitness level. I wasn’t sure what to expect for this one. Most of the half marathons I’ve done have been pretty flat. I’d looked at the race profile a few days before and did a little swearing under my breath – this wasn’t going to be an easy one.   The route This is how […]

With finisher's medal

Tadworth 10 – Mud Trails and Great Company*

Sophie–Race Day, Running–

Short version: It’s the second time I’ve run Tadworth 10, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat! Long version: On the first non-bank holiday Sunday of the year, the Tadworth Athletic Club put on Tadworth 10. This is a 10 mile race across Epsom race course and through the Epsom Downs. There are hills, there is mud, there are some good road sections – what more could you want to start the year with! This year, add in some cold and some wind. They also had some fab help from the Sunnybank Trust, supporting adults and young people with […]

Picture of me at work, and me at the end of the Chiltern Challenge

What Running Has Taught Me: On Being Self-Employed

Sophie–Running, Thoughts on Running–

Have you ever had one of those moments? You know the ones that slap you in the face and you realise there’s a choice to be made. This was me in terms of my job last year. So, here are some thoughts on what running has taught me. It had been brewing for a while. I was walking down a nondescript corridor in Whitehall and the thought entered my head ‘I can’t do this anymore, something’s got to change’. And the thought stuck. I was lucky. This happened in the early stages of a radical restructure where my Department was […]

Buffy - I have the best plan ever

2018 – From 5k to 50

Sophie–Running, Thoughts on Running–

Here we go again… another New Year, another set of running plans, a few goals. From 5k to 50 will be part of the story for the year for me. A bit of a repeat but not too much of one. These aren’t resolutions as such. I kind of think resolutions suck and give me something else to beat myself up about. So I’m thinking of this as more of a plan. A plan to get stronger and faster and kick butt (my own that is). The aim this year is PBs from 5k to 50. Maybe longer? Who knows…will […]