Running on Full

Random thoughts, used to be about running

training

Women's Running UK Race Series

Women’s Running UK Race Series 2017

Sophie–Race Day, Running–

I’m so excited about being a Race Ambassador for Women’s Running UK!   These races are for female runners of all abilities – whether you’re a first timer, a club runner or chasing a new PB.   I love running and love supporting folks who run – it doesn’t matter if you’re speedy or not, running a mile or an ultra – I’ll cheer you on!   Running has changed my life over the last 5 years – the people I’ve met, the fun I’ve had. Whether a run is good or bad or anywhere in between, it’s always worth […]

La Sportiva Trail Running Shoes

Ultra Training Diary: 6 Weeks To Go

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

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 […]

Ultramarathon training

Ultra Training Diary: Slow and Steady Progress

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

I’ve hit my highest ever mileage for the week in ultra training. A week where the heat and humidity hit hard!   Some would see it as low (I do), others as ‘bloody hell… that’s a long way’. In total, almost 38 miles.   The 50k in July is going to be tough so the miles don’t give a sense of how many hours I’ve spent on my feet, wandering about, and walking up those escalators at tube stations. I’m certainly not having any problems with sleeping – I’m wanting to do a lot of it!

Women Can Marathon

Race Review – Women Can Marathon (Relay)

Sophie–Race Day, Running–

When I heard about the Women Can race, a women only trail marathon (with the option of a relay) to celebrate 50 years since Kathrine Switzer was the first woman to officially complete the Boston Marathon, I was in. This was a real landmark in women’s sport and one to be celebrated. And the location, Devon, with its rolling hills and trails galore to make any trail runner happy.

Getting into the groove

Ultra Training Diary: Getting into the Groove

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

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.

What have I done

Ultra Training Begins …

Sophie–Running, Training Updates–

I’ve done it now. Yep, really done it. I’ve signed up to my first ultramarathon – the Chiltern Challenge 50k with XNRG. I did this pre-London Marathon thinking I’d build on all the training I’d done for that. But now, after 2 weeks of doing some shortish runs and being on the ‘see food’ diet, I’m not feeling my fittest. The food was good. There was cake. Since booking, I’ve been in denial. It was only last week I counted the weeks till the day. No, not freaking. No. No, really, I’m not! 10 frigging weeks to go! So much […]

Nutrition

Nutrition and Fuelling for Marathon Day (Part 2)

Sophie–Thoughts on Running–

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.

postrace lurgy

A Case of the Post-Race Lurgy

Sophie–Running, Thoughts on Running–

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.

postrace blues

Getting over the postrace blues

Sophie–Running, Thoughts on Running–

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 […]

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

sub 2 possible

Is a sub 2:00:00 marathon possible?

Sophie–Books–

Two Hours: The quest to run the impossible marathon by Ed Caesar (2015) I watched the men’s and women’s marathons at the 2012 London Olympics. I was standing in St James Park within spitting distance of the runners as they flew past. It was extraordinary to watch. It was more than just the pace – it was running form, tactics, drama and facial expressions – each runner pushing themselves to the absolute limit. The world record for the marathon stands at 2:02:57. It was set in Berlin in 2014 by Kenyan runner, Dennis Kimetto, and it was the first time […]