Running on Full

Random thoughts, used to be about running

marathon

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

12 weeks to London Marathon

Training Recap – 12 Weeks to London Marathon

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

Only 12 weeks to London Marathon! It’s been a big week – 10k race on Saturday followed by my first run into double digits for almost a year in preparation. And it’s been cold, so cold! I’m not a huge fan of races. I always get twitchy and nervous. I know most folks do. I have a bad habit of comparing myself to others, namely the speedy runners.  It’s hard doing a race at training pace. My training pace is slow – 11 min miles. I’m a plodder.

13 weeks to London Marathon

Training Recap – 13 weeks to London Marathon

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

13 weeks to London Marathon and the miles are starting to build. My confidence is growing, slowly. I’m sticking to the plan and adding in extras to build up strength. Most importantly, I got through the worst of runs. One of those where I doubt my confidence to run a mile, let alone the London Marathon. Only 4 miles but each step was an effort. On the plus side, I didn’t stop, I didn’t walk and I kept plodding at my planned pace. I’ve been running for long enough to know that shitty runs make the good runs oh so […]

Training Recap – 14 weeks to London Marathon

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

Yesterday hit the 100 day mark or 14 weeks to London Marathon. My panic about getting the training done and staying injury free has subsided … a little. In my efforts to stay injury free, I’m working on building a strong base. Over the last 5 years, I’ve had running related injury after injury -SI joint pain, left Achilles, soleus muscle in my right calf, fat pad impingement of the knee caused by tripping on a tree root and various other niggles and strains. This has been made worse by an underlying issue not related to running, of slipping a […]

15 weeks to London Marathon

Training Recap – 15 weeks to London Marathon

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

15 weeks to London Marathon. The panic has subsided a little and my training has begun in earnest. This week and the next month or so are about building a stronger running base.  My running has very much been on and off again over the last year, since I had to defer from the 2016 London Marathon. Life got in the way and I’d lost my mojo. A few months ago I decided to get back into running – it’s been very much up and down but that’s the past, time to move on.  So with the help of lovely […]

starting marathon training

Welcome 2017 and Marathon Training Begins

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

Sixteen weeks to go to Virgin London Marathon 2017 and I’m starting marathon training. Shit. Shit. Oh shit!     Base Miles 2016 was by no means a good year in building strong miles – work stress, life stress, catching everything going around and injuries. On the good side, having lost my mojo, I found it again with the help of my running buddies. While mojo is still lurking about, my fitness has taken a dive. It’s been a huge year