Running on Full

Random thoughts, used to be about running

injury

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 – […]

Back pain and running - panda saying 'not again'

Back Pain and Running… no, not again…

Sophie–Running, Thoughts on Running–

Back pain and running don’t go together! ‘No, not again’ I muttered when I felt that familiar tweak in my lower back. I was on a run. There was a dull pain. That spot where I’ve slipped a disc twice and had ongoing issues with the joints that sit around it (more of the back story here). It was a pain that built during the day to a crescendo in bed when trying to turn over. OK, this pain sucks. Over the next couple of days, I did stretches, I did some gentle walking. Time to hit the Arnica (limited […]

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 […]

Reason to Run

London Marathon 2017 – Not Long Now

Sophie–Training Updates–

Not long now … nervous, excited, filled with trepidation – this is how I’m feeling with only a few days to go until the London Marathon 2017 as you can see from the photo! I’ve been a little reflective of the last few days about how far I’ve come in training. The long runs, the races, and the added miles throughout the weeks have not always been easy. I started from a pretty poor base with Parkrun feeling difficult on 1 January. Since then

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 […]

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 […]

11 Weeks to London marathon

Training Recap – 11 weeks to London Marathon

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

With 11 weeks to London Marathon, I’m doing something a little different to avoid my endless rounds of injuries. I’m taking on the advice that seems sensible – exercises that your physio and all the running magazines tell you to do and you tend to ignore it because to be honest, it’s pretty bloody boring. Yes, I’m talking about core, rolling and general strengthening. I’m never going to be a fast runner but I am working on being a less injury prone one. So with exercises from my physio, a few pilates moves I’ve learned this year and my trusty […]

Running in Knole Park

Good Times, Bad Times and a Picnic

Sophie–Thoughts on Running–

So running in Knole Park … Let’s start with the bad… Have you ever felt your body out of whack when you’re running? You know what I mean – legs are heavy and there’s no rhythm to your stride even after a few miles. Your diet is fine, you’ve slept well, stress levels are OK, but you feel like you’re wearing concrete boots.

Cartoon on runner lying on a physio table bandaged up asking when he can run again.

The Injured Runner ….

Sophie–Running, Thoughts on Running–

There is little worse than being in the presence of the injured runner. In early 2015, I was at my physiotherapist, lying on my front while he worked on my torn calf muscle. I had a decision to make.

fat pad impingement

Ever Heard of this One? …. Fat Pad Impingement

Sophie–Thoughts on Running–

Fat pad impingement…what?!? It’s been hard to think about what to write when it comes to running over the last couple of weeks. Yep, I know, my blog is new. And starting it coincided with an injury I nor any other runner I know has ever heard of. It began 6 weeks ago. I was less than a mile into a run, going downhill and I tripped over a tree root. I hit the ground hard. Right knee and elbow bleeding. Covered in dirt from head to toe, I limped home. I thought with a bit of rest, stretching and rolling, […]