Getting Back on the Horse

Today was the day!

You'll remember that after my Half Marathon in February, I had a stress fracture and was advised not to run at all for four weeks and then to only use a treadmill for another four weeks. The 8 week mark arrived last Sunday so today, I got up and went running, OUTSIDE, for the first time since the half!

I've been so motivated following the tragic events in Boston this week. I've wanted to show my respects in any way I can: I dedicated my workouts on Tuesday to those who were unable to finish the marathon on Monday and today I am wearing a New England Patriots tee in honour of #WearBoston, an event where people are wearing anything Boston-related to show strength and support for the people state-wide. I wanted to run today for the people who were injured who love running. People who might never run again.

I had no distance or calorie burn goal, I wanted to see what I could get done in half an hour as a base, and then see how I can improve in the next few weeks. As you can see from the image below, I ran 2.26 miles in 31 minutes. I had a five minute cool down and a two minute warm up walk in that time.

It wasn't a straight run, I walked when I felt like I needed to but I was running for the majority of the time! I'm excited to see how much my pace and endurance can improve!

I was scared to get back out on the street again but I'm happy I faced that fear!

I've also included the check in video I made at the end of the run at the bottom of the post =D

Happy Friday!!

Love and hugs,
Georgie x

My Half Marathon Experience

I did it!! I can't believe it! I'm so proud of myself but let me tell you, it was gruelling! I worked my butt off and worked with every step that I made!

If you would have asked me three years ago if I would/could ever run a half marathon I would have laughed at you! In three years I have made the jump from couch potato to half marathoner! It has definitely been a journey

If I could offer you any advice, if you're looking to take on a half, please please please train! I didn't do nearly enough beforehand as I should have done and I definitely felt it. By mile 10 I was spent! I could hardly move. 

I didn't run the whole way - I would have killed myself!! I promise you, though, I gave it my absolute all and I couldn't have given it any more! I ran across the finish line and cried with relief and overwhelming emotion. I was walking faster than I could run anyway teehee! 

The weather for our run was perfect!! The course went right along the beach which was lovely and given the weather in the week leading up to the race (clouds, rain and even snow at one point), I was amazed at just how beautiful the day turned out to be! There was only a bit of wind, completely blue sky and it was relatively warm for February!

Taken with my iPhone! Amazing right!

I am so so proud of what I have achieved. I never ether thought that I would be able to do it and I did. 

I am so grateful to have shared this experience with my Dad. It is a memory I will carry with me forever because he carried me yesterday!! There is no way that I wouldn't have been able to do it without him. He is a true star, he is my hero and I will be in awe of him forever. 

Because I had to walk a lot over the last quarter of the course, I had a big build up of lactic acid before I had even finished so it is more than fair to say I am sore today!! (I was sore by the time I got home haha!) My upper body is fine (despite my shoulder twinging at about mile 8!), by legs are 90% there after feeling like lead but my feet are in agony still! I am waddling about like a penguin today - I keep laughing at myself hehe). When I got in yesterday I jumped in a cold bath (that was harder than the actual half marathon!) and have been doing stretches and yoga moves frequently so I should be fine soon!

I'm not sure if I will ever do a half again, I know there is no way I could ever do a marathon! I would love to do the Disneyland half and if the opportunity presents itself then I probably would enter but I have really learnt the importance of a training schedule! I'm just not sure if Im a runner! I really enjoyed my experience and it's something I will take with me forever, what's more, I am so proud of myself for completing it! I learnt that I am strong enough and I am good enough and I am brave enough. 

One of the things I learnt was that in situations like a half marathon you really need to focus on your own race. To begin with I was thinking that I could stay with these people in front of me because they had a good pace etc. But I had to keep checking myself - I was running my race for me! I had to do what was right for my body! If I had run full out towards the end of the course, I would have really hurt myself! Listen to your body!

At the Start Line!

I keep thinking of how far I actually ran and how my mind kept pushing me instead of bashing me and I can't believe that I've made this journey! It all still seems a bit surreal - I have run in a half marathon --- and finished!!

If you're looking for a goal and you want to push yourself, I can absolutely recommend a half. The experience was incredible, I don't regret it at all and I'm filled with such a sense of achievement - I want to share it with everyone!!!

Here are some of my own pictures, as well as the official pictures from race day! Enjoy :)

Georgie x

**Update**

Hey guys, so after writing all of this I've found out that I've developed a stress fracture in my left foot and have got tissue damage in both feet because of the half marathon (namely the lack of training the few weeks before the half and mainly my Nike Free 3.0's! I love these shoes - they're super cute but I will only be wearing them in the Gym now! They are 100% not long distance running shoes! There's no way I'm going to let this slow me down though over the next few weeks! Stay tuned!

It was such a lovely day for it! Run along the beach anyone?

Wish it didn't have the watermark but love this! 

Looking and feeling  good at mile 5-ish?

Sport Relief 3 Mile Run - My First Competitive Run

You may remember this past summer that I defied all odds and ran my first 5k. I proved everyone in my life, yes everyone, wrong and showed them that I could perform when it came to fitness and athleticism. 

Today I defied myself and ran in a competitve run. I say 'competitive' lightly however as it was a charity run. Whatever it was, it was 3 miles and I completed it. Me. Yes me the 'fat' one from High School. Yes me the one who a year ago couldn't run for 100 metres. I ran. I conquered. I finished. 

Not only did I finish, I finished in 28 minutes. A time which I never could have dreamed possible. I had my doubts going into the race that I'd ever even ran 5k. I was convinced the iPod app I use wasn't accurate and I was going to really struggle because it would be my first time competing that distance. I'd been averaging around 31 minutes whenever I'd ran 5k just training at home. I'd set myself the goal of finishing within 35 minutes. 

Goofing off with Charlie during a warm up

The day arrived and I was nervous. I wasn't running as part of a team and I thought I'd get really 'lost', to a certain extent and give up entirely. I can proudly say I ran for all 3 miles. The last half a mile was really tough. My feet were starting to ache and my back was beginning to hurt. However I now know what it feels like to be a 'runner' because I found this strength from somewhere and sprinted the last 100m. It felt like I was on springs! (It may be down to my Skechers Liv's - Thanks TIU!) I shocked myself. 

Heading into Mile 3

The week leading up to the run was not easy. I went to the gym on Monday and did a really intense HIIT workout from the Self/Tone It Up Drop 10 Challenge and I knew when I finished that my ongoing back problem had flared up. I then took the decision to take 'active rest' for the rest of the week as I wasn't going to jeapordise my run! However up until Thursday I was in pure agony. I couldn't even drive on Wednesday. It was absolutely the right decision though as I woke up this morning and felt good to go. My back is a little bit sore now but it's nowhere near as bad as it was earlier on in the week. 

I don't want to bore you with a mile by mile run-through, just share how proud I am of myself. I promise you that if I can run 5k, you can too if you really put your mind to it. 

Do it. Surprise yourself.

Victorious