Running on Full

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2017 Running Review

Sophie–Race Day, Running, Thoughts on Running, Training Updates–

The 2017 running review – and what a year it’s been. I was going to do a ‘best of…’ and then realised it was impossible – too many moments, meetings, and races, to choose from – each unique and memorable in their own way. So here are some of the highlights…   Panic training Those moments. You know those moments where you realise what you’ve signed up for? The first – When I realised I had the London Marathon to train for. It wasn’t that I didn’t have a plan. It was the fact that life had gotten in the […]

Portaloos

The VIP Race Experience: Coming to a race near you

Sophie–Running, Thoughts on Running–

There’s something afoot in the world of racing in the UK – the VIP Race experience. Pay anywhere from £20 to £80 and you can get those extras – food, a better location for parking, private toilets, post-race massage, a warm tent or building in winter, and sometimes race photos. Not everyone’s heard about it but it is a growing trend. It tends to be the bigger races – in 2017/18, Reading Half (VIP £60), Bath Half (VIP £80), Manchester Marathon (Premium £35 or Premium+ £65), London Winter Run (Premium £25). This trend leaves me uncomfortable and I’m trying to work out why. I […]

Review: Trick or Treat Run

Sophie–Running–

It’s that time of the year my friends – Halloween. And the Trick or Treat Run was a great way to celebrate all things scary and a little creepy. And the charity of choice for this run – Breast Cancer Care – great stuff. I didn’t know what to expect turning up to this. Human Race Events had given me a place – a big THANK YOU! I registered for the evening run starting at 5.30 pm. And it was in in Southwark Park so not too far for me to travel. My idea going in to this was to […]

Race Review: The Cabbage Patch 10

Sophie–Race Day, Running–

Short version – This is my third time running the Cabbage Patch 10. I’ll be coming back for more. Long version – The Cabbage Patch 10 is almost as old as the London Marathon. It’s one of the flattest 10 mile races in the country along roads and towpaths. And it’s attracted some big names, sometimes before they were big names like Mo Farah who won it in 2005. There’s also something to be said for races that donate money to local charities as this one does. In addition to cash prizes, the winners receive a cabbage. In addition to […]

Ealing half

Race Review: The Ealing Half

Sophie–Race Day, Running–

The Ealing Half has an amazing reputation. I wanted to see if it lived up to its reputation as winner of the UK’s best half marathon in 2014, 2015 and 2016 from the Running Awards. I was offered a free place in return for a blog post and signed up. So did my running buddy, Mary, to raise money for the Rowcroft Hospice in Torquay who had provided amazing support to her mother-in-law. This was her first half marathon since beginning running. Mary and I go back a while. We met on the first day of the beginners’ course 5 […]

Eridge Park 10

Race Review: Eridge Park 10

Sophie–Race Day, Running–

When I heard about the Eridge Park 10 from a fellow running club member, I knew I had to do it. Ten miles of hilly trails, only I somewhat underestimated the hills….and the mud! A few days earlier I opened the instructions and the route goes a little like this – ‘the New Gully leads the descent to the biggest of the three lakes Carp Baggers; the second Lake Serene sits at the foot of the first long climb taking you through the infamous Cheeky’s Bog… freewheeling down Heavenly Hill; open grassland takes you into the Lost Wood; to emerge […]

River relay

Race Review: Thames River Relay

Sophie–Race Day, Running–

I’m chuffed. Yesterday I ran 4.9 miles as part of the Thames River Relay. I beat my predicted time by over 45 seconds per mile! Post-ultra, I decided I wanted to get faster so I’ve been doing self-styled speed sessions over the last month. While there are still improvements I can make, seeing such rapid progress is encouraging. And the race, it was followed by a picnic to end all picnics. My running club knows how to put on a great spread. It was an early start with leaving home at 6.30 for a 7am pick-up. I’m not an early […]

Reasons to run an ultramarathon

6 Reasons to Run an Ultramarathon

Sophie–Running, Thoughts on Running–

So what are the reasons to run an ultramarathon? I get odd, quizzical and confused looks from non-running folk when I tell them this year I’ve done a couple of marathons and an ultra. For those of you new to running, an ultra is a race at a distance longer than the 26.2 miles of a marathon. I don’t look like a marathon or ultra runner. Indeed, I don’t look like a runner at all really. My thighs are not on the small side and there are bits of me that wobble that perhaps shouldn’t and I’m slow. But following the […]

Runthrough Hyde Park

Race Report: RunThrough at Hyde Park

Sophie–Race Day, Running–

RunThrough at Hyde Park – I’m feeling almost recovered three weeks since my 50k. I’ve no big training miles planned at the moment so while one of my aims over the next six months is to get a little speedier, my other is to have fun. I’d set the goal of having fun for this10k. A couple of folks from Twitter said ‘Wouldn’t it be great to meet up at Hyde Park race?’ I was in two minds – I wanted to see how my recovery was going; but I wanted a sociable run. So after much procrastination, I signed […]

Me with a huge grin on my face with medal on one hand, and other hand and arm in a sling.

Race Review: Chiltern Challenge – My First Ultra

Sophie–Race Day, Running–

My first ultra – There is something about ultra running that appeals. I don’t know what it is but I’m fascinated by runners’ stories about their adventures and the ups and downs of running 50k, 50 miles, 100 miles, 200 miles or events like Marathon Des Sables or the infamous Badwater. An ultramarathon is a race longer than marathon which is 42.2k/26.2miles. And my first ultra was the challenge I set myself earlier in the year. It was time to bite the bullet and sign up. I decided I’d start with a ‘short’ ultra, 50k/31miles. So I looked at some races […]

First ultra

Ultra Training Diary: How I’m thinking my first ultra will go

Sophie–Race Day, Running, Thoughts on Running, Training Updates–

They say a picture paints a thousand words. So rather than rambling on about what Saturday might be like, this is how I’m thinking my first ultra will go …   Fear of not waking up on time means setting multiple alarm clocks at 1 minute intervals and no sleep   The next morning   Breakfast   Coffee Getting dressed   Leaving home   The arrival   First things first At the start line of my first ultra   A few miles in   A few more miles in   At the aid stations   A few other thoughts   […]

Women's Running UK Race Series

Women’s Running UK Race Series 2017

Sophie–Race Day, Running–

I’m so excited about being a Race Ambassador for Women’s Running UK!   These races are for female runners of all abilities – whether you’re a first timer, a club runner or chasing a new PB.   I love running and love supporting folks who run – it doesn’t matter if you’re speedy or not, running a mile or an ultra – I’ll cheer you on!   Running has changed my life over the last 5 years – the people I’ve met, the fun I’ve had. Whether a run is good or bad or anywhere in between, it’s always worth […]