Long Run: Tether Trouble and Marathon Fuel

Hazel

We missed our Saturday run because Gillian didn’t get back from Rotherham early enough. We’ll try not to get into the habit of missing runs, even if they are short ones.

But it meant that I was even more excited by Sunday, so I planned an adventure. We drove to the other end of the Great Park and Gillian and I tethered up to take on the tourists and weekenders around Virginia Water and Savill Gardens. It was only 9 miles, but what with the wind and the obstacles and pedestrians, it certainly kept us both on our toes. Dogs are always fun, and once again I had to have a short sharp word with a pedestrian to ask him to call off the dog which was ‘playing’ with my ankles as I ran. Thankfully Gillian got away without canine entanglement so I assume I have particularly attractive legs….

I think once again the bright green vests came into their own and we were pleasantly surprised by how many fantastic mums and dads held the vice-like grip of parenthood on arms, anoraks and scooters to ensure we could pass without incident. Thank you!

We also held our first nutrition experiment. On the recommendation of the running-husband, we tried a Cliff Shot-Blok. This is one of the jelly cube energy sweet affairs. It was fairly easy to eat and run, and wasn’t vomit-flavoured, so I’m inclined to say it passed the first test. This time it was just to see if we could cope eating them, rather than test their energy boosting abilities, as the run wasn’t long enough to require fuel. My previous marathons have been fuelled by a combination of jelly babies and fig rolls, which I have always evangelically stood by, but I have to admit that these were a little easier to eat than jelly babies. We’ve got a 12 miler this weekend so I’ll try and dose Gillian with them again and see if we can beat her mile-10-slump. More marathon fuel discussion will be coming up, including some recipes for some of running-husband’s tried and tested marathon foods.

With tourists the whole way, often of the gormless variety, we were tethered for almost the whole way, so my right glut (for non-runners this is a way to make bumcheek sound more noble) had a little twinge, and Gillian is complaining today of a slightly more painful back. I’m hoping this is just that we hadn’t run together for a while, rather than that the tether is impeding our running style too much. Otherwise we’ll have to make the terrifying decision on marathon day whether or not to lose the tether once we are getting tired and rely and verbal guiding. Lots more to think about.

Derailed by a Baby: Hazel’s View

Hazel

This week was interrupted by the early arrival of my new nephew, Gillian’s latest grandson. So training midweek was on my own, and Gillian took a break from running to scamper about the country trying to help as much as possible. I decided, as head coach, that the rest would be more beneficial than trying to cram in midweek short runs amongst everything else she was doing. I know she will have been cramped uncomfortably in a car on long journeys, cooking, helping with the baby and generally being elf-like, as she was when my son arrived, so I know she has definitely got her exercise this week. We’ll call it cross-training on the running diary.  Anyway, I got a few midweek short runs in with the buggy, and then the weekend brought us back to earth with a bump.

Gillian coped manfully with four miles on Saturday morning with heavy legs and a look of exhaustion on her face, and then 11 miles on Sunday in the pouring down rain. We experienced the amusing feeling of elation at 9 miles which lulls you into thinking you could easily run another 10 miles, in the groove, kicking along nicely with no apparent discomfort. Then Gillian quietly informed me that the feeling had gone away at 10.5 miles and she was not quite sure she could run another two miles thank you very much. This was not a surprise for me, I always think it takes me 8 miles to get into the swing of things, and then then fuel issue comes into play, because by 11 miles we’ve been running for nearly 2 hours and we’ve used up all our energy stores; no amount of ‘groove’ is going to cover that up. When we get to 12 mile runs we will be travelling with food and water every run, so that Gillian can practice eating and drinking on the move.

Meeting the Guide Dogs

Hazel

On Monday visited the Guide Dogs National Breeding Centre.

We had a great time meeting some volunteers and looking round the new(ish) breeding centre. Learned lots of interesting facts about how they choose, breed, care for and train the dogs. Our tour guides were a puppy walker and the owner of one of the guide dog mummies. You can learn lots about the process on the Guide Dogs website so I won’t regurgitate, but what we did learn is how good they have become at producing and training dogs to become guide dogs. From the selection of the best dogs and bitches to become breeding stock, through to the days of socialisation with puppy walkers and in the centre, right through to the final guide training and matching with a visually impaired partner, the charity is obsessed with getting it right. We were amused to find that the most oversubscribed voluntary position at guide dogs is as a puppy socialiser, otherwise known as someone who gets to go to the centre and play with a litter of 8 or 9 incredibly cute puppies once a week. And yes, we did get to see the puppies, which is obviously the best bit of the visit. From behind glass so we didn’t disturb them we peeped in at a litter of 5 day old puppies, which all reminded me of a cross between my newborn son and a hamster. Then we watched the older puppies in their session with a volunteer, scampering around being mischievous. Ace. My son’s favourite, however, was the ever calm, ever majestic Trixie, the super-mum to dozens of Guide Dogs. She walked round with us, totally unimpressed, but very willing to wag and sit nicely for my little tyrant to stand and stare at her and stroke her backwards.

We had a great afternoon, it was lovely to meet some of the volunteers and staff, and hopefully they were pleased that we are running the marathon to raise money for the next generation of guide dogs. I tell you what though, there’s only so many times you can patiently say woof woof, wag your tail and pretend to pant on a two hour car journey home…

Messing about on the River

Hazel

We had to squeeze in our seven miler before I rushed off to Birmingham for the day to visit some friends with a new baby. So instead of sensibly planning a local, easy, dry route, I decided that the best idea would be to run a point to point along the Thames path towards London and arrange for my dad to pick us up. I don’t know what compels me at moments like this to make life harder for us, but at least it stays interesting. I’m convinced one of the main reasons people fall off the running wagon is that they get bored of the same old routes. Don’t even get me started on treadmills. For me, the enjoyment of running is seeing the great outdoors, and more of it because you cover more ground than walking. You get a sense of the smell, the wind, the changing seasons, loads of lovely vistas because you cross things at different angles, odd animals that make you stop and stare (currently we are plagued by cormorants), and if you are a barefoot runner like me you feel the ground under your feet. Perhaps that is all very fancy nonsense and what I should really say is that I have the same attention span as my 18 month old son, and I get fed up on the road watching cars whizz past.

So we ran a nice quick seven miler out of Windsor, past Datchet and on towards the sight of the Magna Carta signing: Runnymede. I love it here because the river widens and slows down and though there are houses on both sides, the Thames path itself is a lot less well trodden. We did a bit of the old Torvill and Dean in the mud, but otherwise we were pretty nippy, happy runners. We ended the run at a new statue of the queen, Gillian gaily said ‘Morning Liz!’ and we stretched before getting in the car to go home. I think she enjoyed the run, and I’m certain seven miles was easier for her than it has been in the past so we are improving. No guiding issues either, though off-road is a bit of cop-out since I don’t get tested with kerbs or cars.

Running with the Baby

Hazel

Thursday’s quick three miler went without incident, though we had to stop in the middle to watch the Windsor Castle Changing of the Guards for the benefit of my marching and drumming obsessed son. I have posted a photo of the little one doing his post-run stretches with the old woman. He now refers to her as Nanny-run-run, so you can tell how much time we are spending on this marathon training mission.

Talking of which – now is as good a time as any to remind you that we are doing all this hard work to encourage you to give money to Guide Dogs. Please donate to this fantastic charity and help push us around the marathon.

Ice and Quagmire

Hazel

Sunday’s run began, as usual, when my son started to look like he might fall asleep because we are still timing our long runs around his naps. This might not continue as we get further into the plan, and it would be nice for Gillian to get a fair few long runs done at roughly race time. This will allow her to do proper fuelling practice, which is a runners’ euphemism for eating different breakfasts and seeing what leaves you hungry, nauseous or desperate for a poo. Unless you have trained for a long running event you will not understand the last of these, but it seems to be a perennial problem for runners. As I have mentioned before I am blessed with the ability to eat anything and everything without any effects on my digestive system during runs. But I have seen a woman sprint to the side of the road for a poo five seconds after the gun went off, and in the same marathon I saw a runner at mile 16 with a strange gait and dubiously stained capri-pants! So there must be something in it. Anyway, with this delightful thought in mind, we will be doing a few runs at the right time just to be sure about the advisability of our breakfast.

We decided to go off-road along the river, because Yoda (otherwise known as Uncle Nick) told Gillian she should save her knees by avoiding pavement pounding. The Thames Path was mired in 6 inch deep, sloppy, satisfying mud. So we skiid and squelched and slithered about on the way to a very comfortable 11 miler. I think the fact that we were forced to slow down the pace put us both in good spirits, and on the rare occasion where we hit some solid ground we absolutely hammered it. So not a bad time either. It was a bit of a challenge to guide Gillian in all the filth, especially with the added bonus of a swim in the Thames if I let her drift too close to the edge of the slippery path. But all in all we were both pleased. Gillian said it felt like a lot less than 11 miles and I was overjoyed that I guided her over protruding tree roots, around ice filled pot holes, and through dark wooded areas.

Only when we got home did we realise how cold it had been. Yes, there was ice splashing in our faces as we ran through puddles, but surely it shouldn’t have taken me as long as it did to warm up. I also had the misfortune to test the water for my post-run shower with frozen hands and feet, so didn’t notice that the water was boiling until I scalded my bum! So at least I can say I have discovered a new amusing running specific injury: cold-weather burned bottom!

The Training Plan Begins: Hazel’s View

Hazel

Gillian stated confidently that this week we are now on the sixteen week beginners’ marathon plan from Runners World. I should say that this is slightly misleading, because the marathon plan has had a number of alterations and improvements. The running-husband and I have been ‘tweaking’ most weeks. In particular the fact that Gillian is doing so well already and has reached a good distance for long runs, it seemed mad to go backwards and start back as if she needs to increase the miles from 5 again. Added to this we are confident that the training plan will be interrupted and modified when the golden-child of the North has her long awaited baby. Obviously Gillian will want to visit and see her daughter and new grandson, so we thought it wouldn’t hurt to get some more miles under the belt while we can.

Saying all that, the short midweek runs were almost as tough as the long run this week because of the weather. She has played down the water on our three milers. On one of them the husband got home from work and we set off in the very nearly dark to run along the Thames Path. So it was a double workload for me guiding as Gillian is totally banjaxed in the half light and has to flap her arms and slow down if I don’t give extra guiding. On top of this the entire towpath was flooded to a depth of about an inch, with puddles of up to twelve inches. The safest way to deal with this, rather than slalom dodging and slipping on the mud was to career straight through the middle. It’s not often that the water seeps up your leggings to wet your groin! Not a pleasant experience. The funny thing was that it wasn’t raining that hard, so we appeared back in town looking like we’d been swimming in our clothes.

The long run was pretty sluggish, and we struggled with both the heat and the aftermath of stopping for a drink with Gillian’s knee, but in the end it was a decent time, and we did a very successful section of rope-running in the crowds on the Long Walk so I’ll take that.

Thanks again to to the lovely lady who shouted to us that she had read the blog, it was such a boost.

Running Together after a Break

Gillian

Saturday:

My solo run today was only three miles. I waited all day for the heavy rain to stop and in the end had to brave it before it got too dark. The rain was coming down like stair rods. It was quite a contrast to yesterday as I only encountered one other crazy person out walking his dog. We both smiled at each other as we waded through twenty centimetres of muddy water where the river had breached its bank. I gave up trying to skirt round all the puddles and decided to splash through the middle of them. It was much more fun. Not quite Chariots of Fire but I enjoyed the run and returned home in 32.45 minutes.

(Hazel: To my great shame and regret I was still busy at the in-law’s house so didn’t manage to get my quick run done. I console myself that I did a longer run earlier in the week when Gillian did 3 miles, but I still feel guilty. It certainly won’t happen again until we reach that marathon goal. I have until now exercised longer and more often than Gillian, and intend to continue, because I want to ensure I am fit enough to keep talking no matter what happens on the day.) 

Sunday:

My running partner returned today and we stuck to our training plan fitting in a two mile run. It took us the first mile to get used to running together again, me flapping my arms about too much and Hazel veering into me a couple of times. By the second mile we were in a rhythm again and surprisingly, although it felt slow we still did exactly ten minute miling.

(Hazel: We really have to get this sorted. Every time we run separately for a few days, the first run back we crash into each other, and I forget to count down to things and Gillian goes doolally and runs off-piste, so it’s a bit of a nightmare. Some of it is that she goes back to her slower more self sufficient running, and I come back feeling a bit embarrassed at the sound of my own voice again. I certainly don’t want her to lose the ability to run without me, so I am not going to complain about her jaunts into independent guiding, but it is a bit terrifying to see her unexpectedly running to the left or right when not instructed or nudged. I will endeavour to get straight back into guiding properly in future so that she doesn’t feel she has to run in the odd patterns when I’m back with her.)

Please Donate

Hazel

Just a quick one to remind you that we are doing this for a reason. Every penny you donate goes to help people with sight loss live the life they want. And as you can tell from her post below, and this cracking photo from a few weeks ago in an apocalyptic rainstorm, Gillian is working damn hard to do this Marathon. So the least we can do is donate to the charity she is running for.

A few more thank yous:

Nick, Beverley and Terry (aka long suffering spouse)

you are wonderful, and we are very grateful.

Click here to donate.

Early Morning Quickie

Gillian

This is our second week of trying to fit in four runs; three short runs and a long slower run on Sundays. Hazel delayed leaving for a week’s holiday with the in-laws so that we could fit in our longer run. We both felt a little sluggish to start with, but had a good six mile run. It was so early when we set off, we only saw a couple of other runners and managed to cross all the roads without having to wait – a first since our training started.

Hazel’s view:

Firstly a note about mummy-running. I am not one of those lucky runners who can easily run on an empty stomach. Granted, I am blessed never to suffer with needing to count the hours between banana and start gun, but conversely I hate running with no breakfast. We left so early for this run that I had barely grabbed a hot cross bun (when did they start selling those things year round? It’s Christmas for Pete’s sake) before setting off. Add in the fact that I had just breastfed the baby and I was practically running on fumes. Sluggish isn’t the word. But as the old woman says there were no cars, barely any nutty dog owners and we were bouncing along in no time. Who needs calories over a 6 mile run?

Second, this was our last run together for a week, so we were both looking ahead (I won’t say looking forward) to a week of training solo. More on that later.