Running on Full

Random thoughts, used to be about running

Race Day

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 […]

Running a 50k

Running a 50k: Lessons learned

Sophie–Race Day, Running, Thoughts on Running–

Running a 50k is an amazing experience. Well, there was a lot of walking on my part but hey ho. It’s been a couple of weeks since I completed the Chiltern Challenge 50k. Review here. I learned a lot – in the training, on the day, and about myself. While the day certainly didn’t play out as planned, took longer than expected, and included a lot of pain, I’d do it again in a heartbeat. There’s nothing I’d change about the race itself, but there are things I’d do a little differently in the lead up.   Running a 50k: […]

ultra recovery

Post-Ultra Recovery

Sophie–Race Day, Running, Thoughts on Running–

A week ago I did my first ultra – a 50k in the Chilterns with Extreme Energy. There was joy, there were a few blisters, and there was some loud sobbing, but I finished! This brings me on to post-ultra recovery. I’ve found recovering from the 50k easier than the marathons I’ve done. OK, stairs were a little tricky to negotiate for a day or two but I haven’t felt nearly as battered or bruised. So the last week’s gone a little like this …   Post-Ultra Recovery – The Last Week Feeling like this at random moments   A lot […]

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   […]

taper grumps

Ultra Training Diary: The Taper Grumps

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

Be warned: writing this while with a case of the taper grumps. On Saturday I headed out to do my last double digit run until my 50k this weekend. I’m now familiar with how the taper goes: legs feel heavy; thoughts of I’ll never do this creep in; the end of the world is nigh! Every physical tweak makes results in a feeling of panic. So I wasn’t expecting much. But this was beyond the bad run. It was a warm day. I started off with a loop of a local park and then headed into the woods. A mile and […]

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 […]

Women Can Marathon

Race Review – Women Can Marathon (Relay)

Sophie–Race Day, Running–

When I heard about the Women Can race, a women only trail marathon (with the option of a relay) to celebrate 50 years since Kathrine Switzer was the first woman to officially complete the Boston Marathon, I was in. This was a real landmark in women’s sport and one to be celebrated. And the location, Devon, with its rolling hills and trails galore to make any trail runner happy.

Photo of me waving as I run along in front of Big Ben, alongside St James Park. Turn the corner and the finish line is in sight.

London Marathon Review

Sophie–Race Day, Running–

Here’s my London Marathon review. Since January 1st, it’s all been leading to this – the London Marathon. Months of preparation – of long runs, of runs on tired legs, races with bling, almost daily rolling and core, pilates classes and only a few trips to the physio. Tingles down the spine as it gets closer to the big day. There is something special about running London – with 40,000 people who all have stories to tell, when with a clear line of sight you see thousands ahead of you. It’s the crowds shouting your name, willing you on especially at […]

Grand Union Canal Half

Race Review – Grand Union Canal Half

Sophie–Race Day, Running–

Review of Grand Union Canal Half: To celebrate 10 years of the Grand Union Canal Half, Purple Patch Running added in a spring ‘special edition event’. This race is otherwise always run in the autumn. This is a point to point race from Cowly in Uxbridge to Cassiobury Park in Watford. I’d decided to run this as a training run and my final 10 mile plus run before the London Marathon. And I’m so glad I did – the sun and heat were brutal. The race was a 10am start and I managed to get a lift with friends from […]

Tapering advice

Marathon Taper Tips – Getting to the Start Line

Sophie–Race Day, Thoughts on Running–

Marathon tapering tips…what can I say about the madness that is taper time! Here’s some great advice I got at a pre-marathon workshop with Barry Crane at Run and Become in London. I wanted to share some of the advice given as taper time can be rough. It’s when all the niggles and concerns can get blown out of proportion. There’s a lot of excitement mixed with fear about whether you’ll get to the start line and if you can do this. I wonder if anyone ever truly thinks they’ve done enough? This is only my second marathon with my first […]

Review of Lidl Kingston Breakfast Run

Lidl Kingston Breakfast Run – Review and Lessons Learned

Sophie–Race Day–

Review of Lidl Kingston Breakfast Run. Ahh, the start of British Summer Time mixed with a race starting at 8am. I’d set two alarms the night before, bib on running vest, timing chip on shoe, gels squeezed into running belt. Waking up at 5am (4am the day before) is pretty tough when you’re not a morning person. But needs must and the Lidl Kingston Breakfast Run has a reputation as a good prep race for the London Marathon with four weeks to go. There are three options for distances, 8.2 miles, 16.2 miles or 20.1 miles – I’d signed up […]