A Run of Two Parts BF & AF 

I had taken today off as annual leave and I had three things that I was determined to do

1.    A 16 mile run (and I wanted to run it not walk it)

2.    Beginning the end that will end the end

3.    Purchase some new sports bras with my Up & Running vouchers

I had gone to sleep last night listening to the rain & wind beating against my window and was less than enthusiastic about running 16 miles.  When I woke up this morning I was more determined to run 16 miles but still tried to delay the inevitable by prating around to update my blog. I had to call Harp to say I was running late and asked that very girly question “what are you wearing?” then several changes of running gear followed -long sleeved top  V jacket with short sleeved - hat V no hat - and 40 minutes later than planned, I rang Harp to say I was on my way.

As I walked down my street, Gill one of the mums was taking her children to school, "you must be mad" she said, I sighed "I know"  and explaining that I had to run 16miles as part of my training for London. 

“Well I think you’re mad but it is good preparation in case it is like this on the day”

This changed my whole mind set, yes it could be and I would still run it so lets get on and give it my all!

I met Harpwho was also unsure of running 16 miles in such weather and said on a few occasions if it didnt improve she would turn back, but I knew she would not because I know how determined Harp can be! 

Now my run turned out to be a run of two parts  - BF & AF

Part One . . .  BF

Mile 1 – 12 and a bit

We ran down hill to start with, always a good thing for me, then on to the canal and before I knew it we had done one 8^th   of our run.  The rain came down, well actually it came across, the wind blew and we tried to chat as we ran,  the canal became a complex pattern of puddles, we ran in single file for a while as we negotiating a route through jumping across puddles the size of mini lakes, trying (but failing) not to get our feet wet.  We reached Apperleybridge and left the canal to tackle the only other way there is out of Apperley – UP!  If you leave the main road there is some lovely roads that twist and turn as they steadily but steeply climb up to Rawdon, now I have run these hills a few times in training and in the ABC race, but not once have I successfully RUN them all the way from bottom to top, until today that is! As I reached the top I realised how sheltered this section of our run had been, as the wind took my breath away and nearly blew me over.  I’m afraid to say that I didn’t execute the normal HPH value of running back for your partners and I took the time to catch my breath as I waited for Harp. Ten -ish miles done and I was still feeling strong, I was loving the challenge of running in the rain and wind and on we pushed to Horsforth roundabout, we didn’t even stop at the garage for our traditional loo stop. Down Horsforth Town Street a quick stop at Tesco to fill up our water bottles and take on our 2^nd gel.  Harp told me to push on if I wanted to as much as I didn’t want to leave Harp I also wanted to see what I was capable off and started to pick up my pace a little thinking I would loop back for Harp, gosh . . look at me . .12 miles, still strong, picking up the pace, in winds that could blow you over  . . how snug am I . . .and  . .look at me  . . . goooo . .  yeeahhh  . . ohhhh . . .bugger . . . . I’m kissing the pavement . . . .ouccchhhh!

Part one of run  . . . .  BEFORE FALL  . . . over!

I sat there Harp dabbing the blood ouzzing from my busted lip while I tried to feel if all my teeth were still intact.  A guy, I think I was passing as I fell, stopped to help and  he retrieved my bottle that had flown several meters down the path, I wanted to burst into tears but somehow held them back.  Shaking somewhat tentatively I stood up, wondering if I had done any damage, my elbow stung and the front of my right thigh felt well smashed, fortunately I had been wearing gloves and my hands were relatively ok.

Part two AF - AFTER FALL mile 12 to 16

After a few steps I thought about Febulous and how I had put down that I was doing a 16 mile run this week.  I knew that if I failed to do it today I would not get it in and I wanted to have a good strong run, so off I set with Harp beside me, everything felt okish though the front of my leg was stinging/aching and throbbing.

I kept running, only now it was more of a battle, I sobbed back the tears – more of shock than pain – and kept going, I wanted this run over now.  Harp who has not done as many long runs as me wanted to take it steady. But I knew I had to keep going, if I stopped I might not get going, I sensed my body would just stiffen up and stop if I let it.  I pushed on leaving Harp at about 14.5 miles, save in the knowledge that if a fell again she was just behind me to pick me up.  My hair kept blowing  into my face and sticking on my bloody lip, pulling on it and making it bleed again.  I hadn’t seen my face but imagined I looked a sight.  I kept feeling the inside of teeth with my tongue, they just didn’t feel right and I’m sure my wonky front tooth is now not quite so wonky! On I pressed past the gym and turned to run up Canal Road for the final mile, only running was a physical impossibility, as in some places the wall at either side of the road created somekind of wind funnel, I swear at one point my feet were running but that I was moving backwards, I checked my Garmin and my pace had slowed from 10.20ish on kirkstall road to 14+  I was forced to a walk a few times on this last leg, but eventually half a mile from home my Garmin said 16 miles.  I pressed stop  and walked the rest of the way, calling Daniel (who was home poorly) with instructions to run a bath and make me a cup of coffee and some toast and peanut butter.

Battered and bruised I arrived home but still felt elated with my effort and so ticked off task number one of my days to do list!

arriving home after my bloody 16 miler

After something to eat and wincing in the bath as I discovered all my grazing, I considered scrubbing the rest of my plans for the day.

But it seemed I still had my determined head on and after two years of procrastination, I completed the forms I needed to, took advantage of the new  extended  limit on my credit card, got my forms copied and headed to the court and so, "Beginning the end that will end the end" was also ticked off my  to do list!

And that just left the third thing on my list to do spend my up & running vouchers that were xmas gifts from my friend Julie and TSR.  And so I found myself talking to a strange man, well at least, a man that was a stranger to me, about how much bounce control the various makes of sports bra offered.  I’m not sure how I felt when he made some comment about me not needing the larger cup brand! After half an hour I left with two new sports bra which will undoubtedly keep everything firmly in place but requires the help of a friend or octopus arms to get in and out of.

Although not on my list specifically for today, I had booked a sports fix sports massage and so I rounded my day of in even more agony as Ned/John spent half an hour on each of my very tight calves!  I am in trouble for not stretching properly!

 http://www.sport-fix.com/

I was the November prize winner!