Running on Full

Random thoughts, used to be about running

Running

4 weeks to London Marathon

Training Recap – 4 Weeks to London Marathon

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

4 weeks to London Marathon and it’s starting to feel real – an 18 mile run, arrival of the registration form, making arrangements to meet up with folks at the Expo, it’s all happening. I’m caught between excitement and paranoia. I had to defer the London Marathon last year 3 weeks before the big day due to facet joint issues in my lower back. This year I’m working it a little differently with regular core and stretching (OK, so it’s meant to be daily…), pilates and the occasional sports massage. Any niggles I’m getting on to straight away. Last week […]

5 weeks to London Marathon

Training Recap – 5 Weeks to London Marathon

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

This has been a week of irritations, mainly in my left calf and only 5 weeks to London Marathon. After a short set of hill reps last Thursday, I felt a bit of an ache in my calf muscle. On Friday it hurt a little more. I tested it out on my long run on Saturday and it seemed fine – a few slight niggles but no pain as such. If there had been pain, I would have stopped. Come Sunday and Monday, my calves felt tight so off to the physio I duly went. As suspected, I have either […]

saag paneer

Saag paneer

Sophie–Mains, Running–

What’s not to love about saag paneer? Once you try it, you’ll be coming back for more.  And it’s full of lots of good stuff for runners – spinach, garlic, dairy and spices – and quick and easy to make. This is the lazy version as I don’t cream the spinach  but feel free to do so if you prefer a smoother texture. And what I love about this recipe is nothing goes to waste – any paneer or buttermilk left over can be stored in the freezer for next time.

6 weeks to London Marathon

Training Recap – 6 weeks to London Marathon

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

With only 6 weeks to London Marathon, it’s been mixed when it comes to running. There have been highs and there have been lows. But it’s spring so I’m slowly getting over the winter blues. However, on Sunday, things did not go to plan. I apologise now to anyone who came across a very grumpy runner swearing very loudly. That was a bad run that seemed to go on forever. I just couldn’t get it together. I can’t blame the gels as thankfully I didn’t have any issues with them – perhaps doing a fast run Thursday, sports massage Friday […]

homemade baked beans

Great for Recovery – Homemade Baked Beans

Sophie–Mains, Running–

The miles are upping and I’m focusing a little more on nutrition. As part of this, I’m getting back to cooking food with flavour that can also support recovery – homemade baked beans fits the bill. I make a big batch of this stuff to have for breakfasts and after long runs to help with recovery and also to keep me happy. I throw in some garlic and chilli to give it a bit of a kick.

So you like running huh? Tell me more about carb loading

Getting the Basics Right – Nutrition and Fuelling for Marathon Day (Part 1)

Sophie–Running, Thoughts on Running–

We all know good nutrition is essential to performance. With this in mind, I was lucky enough to be invited to an event hosted by Science in Sport (SiS) on nutrition and fuelling for marathon day. In return, I was asked to write this post. I also wanted to share some of the key takeaway messages. The afternoon included a number of presentations and a run. Presenters included Dr James Morton – SiS Knowledge Director, expert on sport and exercise metabolism and academic at Liverpool John Moores University, also nutritionist for Team Sky Alan Murchison – SiS Ambassador and owner of […]

7 weeks to london marathon

Training Recap – 7 Weeks to London Marathon

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

It’s only 7 weeks to London Marathon and it’s been a week of highs and lows. My long run was slow and steady as planned and I ran part of the route. It did give me shivers  – not long to go now! But then things got tricky. My run on Tuesday was awful – one of those runs that makes you question the point of it all and if I can really do this – the bad run. I know this is normal as the miles start to build and I’m running on tired legs. My run the following […]

running and stress

Running off Stress: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly

Sophie–Running, Thoughts on Running–

Stress – we’re told it’s bad for us, our waistlines, our health. But is this always the case? And what does it do for your running? I got interested in the question of running and stress, having lost my mojo and here’s what I found. Not all types of stress are bad and many experts agree that if we get it right, it can add a real boost to performance, in the short term at least.  It could be those butterflies in the stomach at the start of a race,

8 weeks to London Marathon

Training Recap – 8 Weeks to London Marathon

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

8 weeks to London Marathon! Last year was a rubbish running year for all sorts of reasons. It was one of those extended periods where running took a dip, I mainlined Netflix and my favourite pair of running shoes gravitated to the back of the wardrobe.  On very rare occasions, I’d look on the scales – the numbers didn’t change much but clothes got a little tighter and I was feeling soggier around the edges. This brings me to the wonders of London Marathon training. Again, the numbers on the scales really haven’t changed but I’m soon in need of […]

original hampton court half

The Original Hampton Court Half – Review & Lessons Learned

Sophie–Race Day, Running–

The Original Hampton Court Half Review – I love seeing a rhino at a race. That way I know we’re getting close to London Marathon time. So here I was at the start line of the Original Hampton Court Half and a few thousands others, the rhino a little ahead in the pen. My mate, Peter, had picked me up a few hours earlier and we’d traveled from southeast London to the pre-arranged carpark at Giggs Hill. It was going to be an unseasonably warm day which was a lovely change to the snow and sleet of the week before. […]

9 weeks to London Marathon

Training Recap – 9 Weeks to London Marathon

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

It’s starting to feel real with only 9 weeks to London Marathon. But while the miles are building and my base fitness has improved, I’m getting lazy about everything else. The laziness has to do with core and rolling, life in general, my diet and all the other stuff I need to be doing to get me to start line of the London Marathon. I blame February, or more specifically, the weather. I noticed last weekend how grumpy so many folk are. I think it’s the time of year and the everlasting and never ending English winter. Every run is […]

10 weeks to London Marathon

Training Recap – 10 Weeks to London Marathon

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

Having the lurgy sucks. Having the lurgy when it’s only 10 weeks to London Marathon really sucks. To run or not to run, that is the question? I had to answer this on Sunday morning for which I’d planned a 12 miler. I’d done Parkrun the day before. I’d woken up with a bit of a tingle at the back of my throat but was otherwise feeling fine. And it was a good run – faster than training pace. After the routine mocha/hot chocolate with my running buddy, Mary, I headed home. I mooched about in the afternoon, did core and […]