I DID IT!!!

Today was the day I did my first Race. The New Forest 14 mile Heartbreaker, and let me tell you it more than broke hearts; legs, hips, faces, you name it, it's broken.

Waking up this morning I felt very excited, positive. I had my pre race smoothie which was so yummy I want to have one for breakfast every day! I got dressed, packed my jelly babies and set off for the new forest to meet Hannah and Duncan.

We had a nice walk downhill (quite a steep hill) to the start line, where they didn't waste any time and  soon we were off!! Spirits were high and I definitely hadn't prepared myself for what was to come...the race started with a nice uphill run (nice dripping with sarcasm) and it was probably good I didn't know this one of many (and perhaps a more gentle one) else I would have ran straight into the nearest restaurant.

After the first mile I told Duncan to go ahead; being about a foot taller than me I could tell, at mile 1, I was holding him back. So off he disappeared into the distance and I focused on my breathing and maintaining a good pace. It usually takes me about a good couple of miles to sink into my run but at the sight of the second (of thousands) of mountainous hills rising up in front of me, I knew this was going to be a long 14 miles.

After making up to about half way of this mountain, and seeing many people around me starting to walk, I gave into my burning legs and power walked. I used this with most of the tough hills, would set a target for about half way, and then power the toughest bits.

Because we weren't allowed our phones, I had no way of knowing the time or which mile we are at. This was quite hard because I'd decided to dedicate certain miles to certain people, but it didn't work out so well. I just had to judge it between the drinking stations which were roughly 3 miles apart...needless to say I was thrilled to hear I was between miles 8-9 when I thought I was at 7! It definitely calls for an investment of a little digital watch so I can keep track of time!

So the miles went on, and the race consisted of three main parts, the run to the trails and then you would turn back on yourself twice. It was at these points I saw the people running back past me, and as much as it was a bit demoralising basically being lapped, hearing 'come on Wakeford' when I passed Duncan gave me a little extra boost!

Approaching the finish line!!

AND FINISHED

And so I made it to the finish line, hips still intact even though it felt like I was being stabbed on both sides! It was really overwhelming crossing the finish line, as I hadn't expected it to be just round the corner...I'm going to be a blubbing mess when I finish the marathon! Hooray I got a running medal!!

And lastly a shout to EVERYONE who has been so generous and sponsored me! I am fast approaching £750 and hope to end the week on about £900 after my Krispy Kreme fundraising on Tuesday.

Happy Sunday,
Love (an I can't move) Laura

2 Weeks until the 14 mile 'Heartbreaker'

Hi!!

Sorry this is a little late!! Had a great training week last week and really felt progress! It's nice to see all the hard work is paying off!

I totalled about 19/20 miles last week...(can hardly believe it too) and that was with some illness!! Super motivated to say the least!! I also completed 9miles which is my furthest yet! HOORAY! I realised that it's not my fitness that makes the long runs hard but the lead-y heaviness I start to feel in my legs after about 6 miles! But I'm sure I'll get used to that soon enough!

I also reached the £500 fundraising target A QUARTER OF THE WAY THERE YEY! Which is very very exciting! Only £1500 more to go (oh gawd)...it's a scary thought but I have some fundraising events coming up which should help boost the total for sure!

I'll update you with a better post next week, after hopefully completing 11 miles this week to crack the double figures and help me feel a bit better about the 14 miles that's coming up!!

HAPPY MONDAY
have a great week!
Laura xxx

Click here if you want to sponsor me

Dying a bit this week....

HAPPY SUNDAY!

So sorry I missed out a weekly blog last week but motivation was lagging and I only did one run last week so felt a bit guilty!

This week has been much better, although I've come down with something and could only manage a mile of my long run this morning without feeling dizzy and had to come off at half time in netball. They say listen to your body so I'll rest today and be fresh tomorrow!

So this week has been a success in a number of ways...Hannah and I signed up for a 14 mile 'heartbreaker' race. So called due to it being all up hill as I was told AFTER signing up. (lesson 1, always read the small print) which is in 3 weeks time today so that's exciting!!
I also joined a running club this week, and as nerve wracking as it was I plucked up the courage and went along on Thursday night and thoroughly enjoyed a tough 6.6 mile social run! I like that the milage for each run is creeping up and up although I think I need to up the training so I'll be going to the running club 2/3 times a week with my long run on the side.

I've never quite ached so much as I have this week, but i think that is down to me being a little under the weather...alas why I have nommed 2 oranges and a pint of orange juice this morning all ready.

So the marathon is drawing ever nearer and the thought of hitting my fundraising target, more and more daunting. I have some ideas looming so I'm hoping to get those into action as I think they will go down quite well!
But if you can spare a few pennies I'd be extremely grateful and if it is only £1 then it's £1 of selflessness and that's always encouraged and rewarded.

Have a lovely Sunday
Love (and ill, aching and always bloody hungry) Laura

Never forget, slow progress is progress!

Helloooo!

SO another week down and therefore another week closer to the marathon! CAN'T BELIEVE how quickly it's coming round..very scary!!

Having spent the weekend in London, Hannah and I decided to fit in a training run and run from Golders Green to Berwick Street to browse some fabric shops! Totting up a 7.26 mile run IN THE SNOW...and being our farthest run yet. Proud.

We also tried some energy gel to see how they affected our runs and it was DISGUSTING...think I'm going to have to try jelly babies instead because can't be dealing with that snot like gel, that's for sure. I was hoping they would make us run like Roadrunner (plan would be to take one in the last mile of the marathon and wizz up past everyones asses) but unfortunately, due to the short-leggedness inflicted, continued to run at the same pace.

Slightly disappointing.

Altogether this week my little legs totted up a total of 13 miles running (over half of that in one run...yipee) as well as a cross training session.

Hannah and I are signing up for a half marathon mid February so I can have real taste of what it's like to have some pretty good runners racing us...with our competitive sides coming out it could get messy. As we were talking about this week...if we run the marathon together, what happens at the end? SOMEONE HAS TO WIN! Food for thought...

Happy Monday!!
Love a fledgling Marathon runner in training (Laura)

WEEK 2 OF NEW INTENSE TRAINING PLAN

HEY HEY,

SO I changed up my training plan a little bit because my calf muscles are getting really sore when I run so I swapped my long Sunday run for some biking. I have been pretty active this week which is surprising considering I have got my first exam tomorrow (hence todays anticipation and slight unmotivation...but it's ok because I have made up for it)...

Who'd have thought exercise actually is a good way for balancing stress...I've actually wanted to visit the gym 3 times this week, go swimming and go for a run...apart from today I'm noticing it getting easier and easier to leave the house and an hour run doesn't seem so daunting!!

Whereas before my mind motivation would be...'it's only 2 minutes of running, you can manage that surely'....it now takes the shape of 'it's only 35 minutes of running, you can manage that surely'.

(Apparently something positive is happening!!)

SO I have been so overwhelmed with the support this week in terms of sponsors...my aim was to get to £300 by the end of the week and thats been surpassed by nearly £100!! INCREDIBLE...special shout out to the anonymous donor of £50!...

*Picks herself up off the floor*

So if you're all wondering, I've totalled 9 miles ran this week and 5 miles on the bike...A GRAND TOTAL OFFFFFFFF 14 miles...(my aim is from now on to beat or at least match the week before in total miles)....and I tell you what, it is the first week I have blinking felt that 14 miles in my little aching legs and hips!!! BUT HEY IT WILL ALL BE WORTH IT...as my anonymous donor said...

'IF YOU'RE GOING THROUGH HELL, KEEP GOING' *gulp*

Sunday Love..thank you for the support and good luck with exams if you have them!! (if not then good luck for the week in general!)

Love (an actually aching) Laura xx

Dusting off the old trainers...

So for all you lot who thought I'd packed it in...I've definitely not! And as loans are just in whens a better time to tell you what the old dusty trainers have been up too this week...

True I've been MIA for the passed few weeks however with 21st birthdays, Christmas (ie foodmas) and lots of things going on, there hasn't been much to update you on! OH HOW THAT HAS CHANGED...news years resolution STICK TO TRAINING PLAN and it's sure in full swing.

This week my little legs have clocked up 13.4 miles...true thats just over half the amount I'll be running in one day but not bad for my first week back on the running I'm inclined to say! I'm sat here still puffing from my long Sunday run...5miles in 50 minutes, unfortunately my trainers were rubbing horribly stopping me from the last 10 minutes hoping to clock up another mile!

If I run the marathon at the pace I ran this last run, I'll finish in 4 and a half hours...AIM to sustain pace for 21 more miles that just completely...

I'll work on it.

I've joined a running club who I'll be training with a couple of times a week starting from next week which I'm excited about! There's a few other marathon runners so I'll make some marathon friends hopefully!

I hope January is treating you well, and all your resolutions are off to a good start as mine certainly are!

www.virginmoneygiving.com/laurawakeford...please donate a few pennies to make 2013 a better year for the children of variety!

Happy Sunday,
Love Laura x

WEEK 6...sustaining...

So week 6 has come and gone, and OH MY GOODNESS it's been a hard one!

As well as battling with this illness which has become some sort of limpet I cannot shake, I have started to go into Christmas mode (where the end of term is closer than the beginning of term and therefore things start to slow down...or I do) I'm trying to remind myself that this Law degree is not slowing down for 2 AND A HALF MORE YEARS!

So in terms of the real business...training, it's been ok this week...not fantastic! Unfortunately I haven't progressed from my milage last week (completed a total of 7/8 miles altogether this week) but I'm just trying to sustain fitness levels and shake the suffocation feeling in my head when I start to exercise!! This annoying illness...eaten about 50 oranges this week I swear...how much vitamin C can this virus take! (I also did body conditioning (OUCH), netball training and a netball match (which we won))

I think my big target is to fit in the miles around my hectic schedule when it comes to the cold weather and it becomes harder and harder to visualise my marathon buddies laughing at me as they speed past...when really I'm laughing at them from my warm bed...*slap round the face*
SNAP OUT OF IT.

I am also planning a big fundraising event which I am hoping to be a success and all will be revealed in the new year! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a big name to host it....

So donations aren't fantastic currently but it's still early days and I don't want to spam just yet :) so if you do have any spare pennies to donate to the wonderful cause that is Variety Children's Charity this is the link...

www.virginmoneygiving.com/laurawakeford

Just a reminder that Variety help disadvantaged, disabled and sick children from providing transport for days out, mobility aids to supporting youth groups and providing opportunity that so many of us take for granted. It is all to a good cause, and so appreciated.

I will even say make a donation in honour of my 21st birthday (in 3 weeks time) if you can spare even a little, it all counts towards bigger things.

Have a fantastic week and if you fancy it, put your trainers on and venture into the cold, sunny mornings...It will make you happy, trust me :)

Love (a wanting to raise as much as I can) Laura