Preparing for a half-marathon

Tomorrow, I will be running a half-marathon, my first but hopefully not my last. So far, my journey has been most enjoyable, possibly because this is something I really (really!) want to do. 

If you read this post, you know that I'm kinda new to running and I'm not a natural born runner. No matter how much effort and training I put into it, it's very unlikely I could ever do a sub 2:00 half-marathon. But I can do one, in whatever time it takes me. As Dad collected me from my 16K run last time I was over and asked me how it'd gone, I complained I was too slow. "You are doing it and that's all that matters", he said to me; you're so right, Dad, so right.

So, what's been making my training so enjoyable? In addition to the I-REALLY-want-this factor, there are a few little (BIG) things which make the pain seem like a short jolly to the park.

A running partner

Right now, I don't think I could do this without the best running partner ever - my friend Nicky. And maybe I could, maybe, but it wouldn't be the same. At all. He plans routes for us, making the long runs that bit more interesting; he checks up on me if we're not in the same place and I need to go out by myself; he pushes me and motivates me whenever I think I'm just gonna fall head straight to the pavement; he soothes my moods and ensures me the only thing that matters is doing it at my pace; and he paces me when I think I can do it all too fast to last. Sadly to you reading this, he's not available for loan, but if you can find such a friend who runs with you, consider yourself INCREDIBLY lucky!

A running programme

It's very useful to have a running programme, especially if you're new to running or lazy. You look at it and there it is, all you need to do, and when, to get that mileage under your belt; so simple and hassle free. We've been using this one and I really like it. We don't follow it religiously during the week days but have been pretty good with the long runs at weekends.

Good running gear
I have good running shoes, which I bought at Up & Running after a fitting session. I'm a firm believer in looking after my body, seeing that I only have this one!
I also have fairly decent running clothes, things I'm comfortable in and which dry quickly. Being that I am a girl, a very good bra is also a must!

Post-run massages
I have been fortunate enough to get my feet massaged after every single run. This is not only enjoyable but awesome for my recovery. Michael has been a star in making sure my feet are well looked after! And I have had two leg massages which were key to recover from the long runs.

A cheery crowd
Having supporting friends and family makes all the difference. To me it does, anyway.
For my first ever 16K run in Porto, Dad picked me up at the end so I could run to and by the beach; he brought dry clothes (yep, it rained throughout my run, what are the odds??) and bought my favourite bread (regueifa, here and here) on the way home. Dad also reinforced the idea I seem to forget on occasion - you are doing it and it is amazing you are! Warms my heart every time, that Dad thinks something I do is amazing; even when it's not, it kinda becomes amazing it because he thinks so.
Tomorrow, I have a few dedicated friends coming to support me. I will be forever grateful to them for making those 21K way more interesting and ensuring I don't forget to smile every so often along the way. And once again.... I'll have Nicky running it with me, every step of the way!

I have setup a Just Giving page for Cancer Research UK, if you're kind enough to sponsor this adventure for an excellent cause! Thank you!
http://www.justgiving.com/Jo-Silva

running cure

I had a tiring and seemingly long day. I needed a run. From 2pm this afternoon all I could think about was the run I would get to run when I got home. And it didn't disappoint. I ran faster than normal and it was ok. I cleared my head and thought of very little. I felt the cold and it was good. I let myself go and it worked for me.

*I was so keen to get started that I didn't take a picture before starting to make the most of the daylight. in the dark under a street lamp it is then!

Running three times a week :: final thoughts

I loved it!

Running three times a week in February has been just great! I love running and the more I do it the more I love it! In fact, I love it so much I'm keeping it as a goal for March. Yep!

Unfortunately, the love of something is not always enough to make us do it so I wrote a little list of "notes to self" for future reference.

:: once you set your goal, tell the world about it. Everyone you know. Make yourself accountable for it. That will keep you going when all else fails.

:: don't pressure yourself. Just go out and do it. For the first few times, anything you achieve is a bonus.

:: by the end of week 2, I set myself small goals for my time. I didn't mind at all with distance covered, I just wanted to run for a longer period and increased it gently.

:: by the end of week 3, things became so much easier! I could run for 30 minutes without feeling I had a panda sitting on my chest.

:: the feeling after every single run is AMAZING!

:: looking at the mosaic above makes me want to do it all over again. Love!


In case you're wondering, I am not a runner. I am a person who goes out and runs. All my February runs were under 33 minutes covering 3.5 - 4.8 km per run. To me it's about doing it!

Running three times a week :: almost there

I'm loving it! 

Running is definitely my favourite thing at the moment. Yet, I don't always feel like *moving in the direction of doing it*, if that makes sense. One of the most important things in making me overcome that pre-run laziness is this blog and the accountability that comes with having said I would run three times a week... and then blog about it! Some days, that was 45% of the incentive to go. I guess it is true that the best way to stay on track with one's goals is to disclose them to the world. Lesson learnt.

My need for photograph diversity led me to take my phone with me on one of my jogs, something I had never ever done. I thought I could use the MapMyRun app just for fun that one time... and now I'm hooked. It's much more fun to be told how you're doing half way through your route! To me it is anyway and I can't believe I never knew it. I'm dreading the wet weather now, when I may not feel so brave about running with a phone.

In case you're wondering, I am not a runner. I am a person who goes out and runs. All my February runs were under 30 minutes covering 3.5 - 4.8 km per run. To me it's about doing it!

Running three times a week :: first thoughts

I'm loving it! 

I'm so happy I finally got back to running, in spite of the lingering winter. It's great to be outside and push myself. The simplest and shortest routes are still a struggle, it's been a while, but it's so much fun. 

That said, the thing with running for me is that after I do it I can't quite work out why I don't always just do it. However, sometimes I just won't do it. In fact, most of December and January are perfect examples of that. The hope is that repetition will improve my memory and I will always just remember how amazing running feels from the moment I step outside the door.

Notes on this week :: three runs -yay!; two solo one with company; one with a headache, one in the snow, one in the rain - eventful!

Balance :: extremely positive!

In case you're wondering, I am not a runner. I am a person who goes out and runs. All my February runs were under 30 minutes covering 3.5 km per run. To me it's about doing it! And I love my friends for reminding me of this when I get frustrated.

::inspiring Mondays::

I'm back to running. I put my shoes on and off I went. I was so excited about it that I woke up at 6:30 on a Sunday! Without the alarm. Oh yeah! I was never a runner and then I started running and while I'm still not a runner, I'm a person who loves it! 

I used to have red shoes which made my heart sing a happy song every time I looked down; unfortunately when the time came to replace them, no red ones were available. With running, I am a believer that function HAS to come ahead of pretty, so... My heart may not sing with the colour of the new shoes, but it sure sings happy tunes from knowing my feet and my whole body are so well supported.

:: running ♥
:: this space. how it warms my heart to write here!
:: february bringing longer days and Mum's birthday.
:: knitting.
:: stamps. I have a new found love for stamps!
:: working on my Project Life album and having such great fun.
:: brunch with good friends.
:: embracing my photography!

How was your Monday? Hopefully sunny and happy! Have a great week.

::Raining umbrellas:: the seventh day

Today I just wanted to say what's written there. I don't need much more colour because I have it all in me. Yes, I am red. Couldn't avoid the joke. I have all inside me. The colour. Of the people I know. They are amazing and make me so happy I could explode. But I won't. I'll just be happy :)