Running on Full

Random thoughts, used to be about running

Training Updates

Pre-training Training: Part 2

Sophie–Running, Thoughts on Running, Training Updates–

I might not be fast. I might not run far. But over the days, the weeks, the months, I am seeing some progress. It’s hard to know where I’ll get to. Will I run the London Marathon again? Will I get to the Guernsey Ultra? I want to run far but whether my body will let me is another story. And I miss it. I miss being out in the world – of running in torrential downpours, of running through my local woods, of the chats when running along with someone, of the social connections, of the random stuff you […]

#gymlife - photo of shoes, water bottle etc

Pre-training training – Part 1

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

Or perhaps I should call it gymlife, this pre-training training lark! At the moment I’m getting my butt into gear to start training for marathon number 3 next year (an an ultra a few weeks later). I’ve found an 18 week schedule which kicks off in about 8 weeks. I’m getting back to basics. This year I’ve been sidelined by injury – a dodgy knee. But slowly, oh so slowly, I’m on the mend. I’m now at the gym pretty much daily. I don’t know if my plan will work. While I’ll be deeply disappointed if I don’t manage to […]

Sign on footpath pointing to the gym

Coming back from injury…

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

It’s been a while, a very long while. Coming back from injury, it’s been slow going. These days I’m taking it run by run.   Some background It was January. I was on a run and felt a tweak in my left knee. While I’ve had various issues with my right knee including the fabulously named fat pad impingement, my left knee had never caused me issues. After that run, I went home and rested. Knee was swollen, elevation, ice, physio. More elevation, ice, physio. Tried running again, same issue, and again. I deferred the London Marathon. I’d already deferred […]

Tall building as seen on long run

Week 3 of London marathon training … the lurgy

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

Ah, week 3 of London marathon training and struck down by the lurgy. It had to happen at some point. I’m working on the basis it’s a virus which, as long as I’m sensible, should disappear in a day or two. That’s my hope. So I’m not sitting here feeling sorry for myself, though that might happen if it means too many runs missed. My priority is on getting better so while the miles won’t run themselves, rest and tweaking plans is what I need to do. Thankfully it’s still early in the training cycle.   Running when ill The […]

Selfie after long run

Week 2 of London marathon training … a little chilly!

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

Week 2 of London marathon training, and slowly, oh so slowly, the miles are starting to build. So far so good. It’s been a little chilly but it is London, and it is the middle of winter. Thankfully it’s not yet been icy or snowy, just a little grey and grim…! And how I deal with the grey and grim – lightbox, sunrise alarm clock, Vitamin D supplements, running. Saturday’s run was planned at 9 miles, I ran almost 10. My reason – it meant I could reach the cafe that does a pretty damn good mocha, faster. A mocha […]

Week 1 of London Marathon Training

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

A few weeks ago I got some great news! With thanks to my running club, and the ballot it holds for those unsuccessful in the public ballot, I have a place in this year’s London Marathon. I’ve been fortunate. This is my third London Marathon, and when I haven’t been running it, I’ve been a marshal. Because of getting a place, I have taken the decision to defer the Guernsey Ultra, a 36 mile mixed terrain race around the island of Guernsey. It’s only three weeks after London. It looks to be a truly superb race in a unique environment […]

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 […]

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 – […]

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 […]

Target with arrow

Target Race Update: Reading Half

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

Target Race Update – So this year I’ve set myself a challenge – to aim for PBs for distances from 5 to 50k. No PBs yet which is pretty much as I expected. I’ve completed two races – Tadworth 10 and the Watford Half. My next is The Big Half where I managed to score a £10 community place via my running club. My target PB race (no pressure….no pressure) is the Sage Reading Half ! I’m a blogging ambassador for that one, so yes, I get a free place. Only 4 1/2 weeks away – argghh! So, here’s to put it out there, […]

Running with the Racecheck crew

January Roundup: It’s been a busy month!

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

January Roundup: I have no list of New Year’s resolutions. It means there’s no list hidden that I pull out in 6 months time and then get to feel miserable about my utter failure to keep any of them. Instead, I have some broad goals for the year, to get PBs from 5 to 50k. Insane of me I’m sure. So with that in mind, I’ve decided to do a monthly roundup of the highs and the lows, what’s worked and what hasn’t, and to think about what I should be doing more or less of. Here goes….   Running […]

The people I've met

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 […]