recovery Archives | Running on Full

Advice for London Marathon Runners

Sophie — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 10:28:08 +0000

London comes alive on the day of the marathon. And the thought of it, especially if you’re running it, can be daunting. Here’s some advice for London marathon runners. The excitement in the air is palpable. It brings out the best in runners, in the fantastic marshals and volunteers and organisers, and those 10s and 100s of thousands of members of the public that line the route. Bands are playing. Some make a day of it with picnics. Others are drinking wine or beer. It’s a day that brings out the best of everyone. I’ve included a few photos of what […]

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On dealing with a bad race

Sophie — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 09:40:48 +0000

On dealing with a bad race … You’ve done the training, it’s gone well. For a 50k, you’ve covered marathon distance, you’ve hiked hills with a weighted backpack, you’ve run up and down many other hills, you’ve tested nutrition and hydration, you’ve tested your kit. The day arrives. All is going well. And then it all goes to shit. This was me in July. And no, I haven’t blogged since then, not because of the trauma of a race gone bad, life got in the way. To begin, this has nothing to do with the race itself, the Chiltern Challenge […]

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May Roundup: Feeling hot hot hot

Sophie — Thu, 31 May 2018 17:48:03 +0000

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 […]

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Running in Brussels

Sophie — Tue, 15 May 2018 12:49:43 +0000

Running in Brussels: Let’s just say I’m not a travel writer but here goes… An invitation I couldn’t pass up. I was on the phone to my Aussie bestie when her 3 year old son started shouting in the background ‘Est tante Sophie venant à ma fête.’ (Is Aunty Sophie coming to my party?) You see, he and his twin sister were having a party to celebrate turning 4. They wanted…no, the needed to know, was I going to be there? So I did as any good Auntie does, I booked my Eurostar tickets to Brussels. Now, I figure you know […]

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Race Report: RunThrough at Hyde Park

Sophie — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 11:12:21 +0000

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 […]

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Running a 50k: Lessons learned

Sophie — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 10:44:47 +0000

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: […]

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Post-Ultra Recovery

Sophie — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 13:28:58 +0000

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 […]

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Ultra Training Diary: A Marathon as Training

Sophie — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 16:52:10 +0000

If someone had told me 6 months ago that I’d do a DIY marathon as training for my 50k, followed by a run (well, more of a painful walk) the following day, I would have laughed. And that laugh would have been a loud, verging on hysteria. But on Saturday that’s just what I did. But I’m getting ahead of myself… It’s been a strange week. My facet joints in my lower back have sorted themselves out and I’m back to doing core work. But it was still the case that on Wednesday I had one of the worst runs […]

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Ultra Training Diary: 5 weeks to go

Sophie — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 11:56:47 +0000

I’m exhausted. No surprises in training for an ultra – the last week was my highest mileage ever in a week, 44.6 miles. I know there are many folk out there who do a lot more. To be honest, I should as well given I’ve gotten a 50k trail race to do in 5 weeks. I’m happy – a 5k seemed tough at the beginning of the year so the fact I’m doing a 50k so soon is exciting. I know there will be walking and there will be hills. The plan is to treat it like a fun […]

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Ultra Training Diary: 6 Weeks To Go

Sophie — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 18:42:23 +0000

Six weeks to go to my first ultra and it’s been a week of running blergh. During the week there’s been good and bad and I’ve needed some time to reflect. 1. On the plus side, I have lovely new trail running shoes from Snow + Rock – Akasha Black/Yellow from La Sportiva! I was really impressed not having been to this store before – superb customer service and they listened to what I had to say. I ended up with men’s model as while the women’s were prettier, the store was out of stock and I always need to try on […]

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Ultra Training Diary: Getting into the Groove

Sophie — Mon, 22 May 2017 10:44:43 +0000

I’m getting into the groove of ultra training. My miles aren’t as high as I’d like them to be and it’ll be slow – I need to manage it between life and staying injury free – but it will be done. 50k in mid-July in the Chilterns with XNRG. I’m trying to shift my headspace a little. Marathon training is about the miles, it’s also about keeping running. Running and walking up hills etc takes a little getting used to on trails. Trails are taking a little getting used to. But there’s something about the chill factor I’m finding on […]

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Nutrition and Fuelling for Marathon Day (Part 2)

Sophie — Fri, 05 May 2017 14:25:49 +0000

In March, I was lucky enough to be invited to an event hosted by Science in Sport (SiS) on nutrition and fuelling for marathon day. The key lessons from that session can be found here. Now the marathon is done, I thought it would be useful to update on how it went. And how it went on the day? I would’ve like a faster time but given a 5k seemed a long way on New Year’s day, I’m happy with the outcome. You can read more here. On the nutrition and fuelling front, I felt I got it right. My weak […]

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A Case of the Post-Race Lurgy

Sophie — Tue, 02 May 2017 17:32:11 +0000

It had to happen. The post-race lurgy. After months of training with only a cold that lasted for a few days, post-race, I’ve succumbed. I’ve known for a few days though I was in denial. A clear sign I’m getting sick is carb loading – the sort of carb loading you might do in the lead up to a marathon or ultra, only with more cake and no running to be done. I figure this is pretty normal. After months of training followed by the marathon with 40,000 other folks, I’m bound to pick up something. I’m amazed I hadn’t […]

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Getting over the postrace blues

Sophie — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 15:15:57 +0000

Ah, the postrace blues. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Surely someone must have written a poem or a song about this. Haiku anyone? It’s that feeling you have when you’ve focused all your energy for months on one week, one day, one moment, and then it’s over in a flash. Reality comes back to bite you in the butt. Don’t get me wrong. It was an amazing day and I loved every second of it. I’ve managed clearly to already forget those moments when running my second marathon hurt and I wanted to cry. At least this time I […]

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The Day After the London Marathon

Sophie — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 10:33:05 +0000

The day after the London Marathon – my plan was to write a post-race review. The reality of my day was a little more like this… With some of this in between naps… And this… And a little of this… And to end the day after the London Marathon, probably this… So how did you find running the London Marathon? Happy recovery all! Update: I did go out later in the day. Clearly the celebratory mocha and crisps and cider following the marathon worked their magic. I was able to walk downstairs going […]

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London Marathon 2017 – Not Long Now

Sophie — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 09:11:59 +0000

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… I’ve had the occasional gut-wrenching bad run; a minor injury (sorted now); done numerous races (more […]

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Marathon Taper Tips – Getting to the Start Line

Sophie — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 09:26:08 +0000

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 […]

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Training Recap – 3 Weeks to London Marathon

Sophie — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 08:33:07 +0000

So it’s 3 weeks to London Marathon. This week has been a great confidence builder as well as a reminder of why I run. My running week starts Saturday. I started the week by helping out at the beginners’ group. My club holds 2 x 8 week sessions a year for beginners. I get to meet some great people and we chat as we run. And why do I go along? I get a lot out of it. I meet great people and every now and again I get to run with someone who is convinced they will fail. But […]

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Training Recap – 4 Weeks to London Marathon

Sophie — Fri, 24 Mar 2017 11:02:33 +0000

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 […]

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Training Recap – 6 weeks to London Marathon

Sophie — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 12:08:08 +0000

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 […]

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Great for Recovery – Homemade Baked Beans

Sophie — Thu, 09 Mar 2017 18:04:42 +0000

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. One onion finely chopped 1 tbsp oil Half a head of celery, washed and roughly chopped – you can include the leaves […]

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