I have been an on-off 'runner' (and I use that term loosely for now..) for the past 2 years, and in that time I have had just 2 running goals: run a 10K in under 50 minutes - something I am now happy to say that I have done, with a current PB of 47.52, and run a full marathon.
Well, the first goal I have to admit, I met without too much difficulty. Having downloaded a training plan from Runners World, and for once actually sticking to at least 60% of it (a first for me - consistency is not my thing!), I not only broke the 50 minute barrier but also managed to be 2nd female and win a small, ego-boosting trophy! Full of confidence, alongside a good couple of glasses of wine that night, I finally made the leap and signed up for the next step - the full 26.2 miles. Living in Sussex, I went for the obvious (and highly rated) choice of the Brighton Marathon, held in April 2013. Back in August, this seemed a very long way away and so I have happily spent the last 4 months doing not much more than the occasional jog around the block and the not-so-occasional consumption of large amounts of chocolate, wine and cocktails. So, fast-forward to December and I am ('a-hem'...) 'well rested' :-D, armed with a brand new copy of Paula Radcliffes How to Run, a wardrobe full of reflective gear and a gym membership - ready for the training to begin! So far, I am proud to say that I have completed nearly 4 weeks of my marathon schedule - and those 4 weeks have taught me a lot! So, for my first blog, I thought I would share some of the things that, as both a female and as a runner, I wish I had worked out a little sooner:
1. Chocolate does not make you run faster - Yes, I probably should have been able to work this one out without testing the theory, but when offered a huge slab of chocolate cake just before I was about to head out for a run, I (quite easily) managed to convince myself it was a good idea to say yes. I mean, chocolate is high in sugar... sugar makes energy.. muscles need energy to run.. right?? Wrong. Very, very wrong. Seriously don't suggest anyone else tries this...! Leave at least 2 hours between eating fatty foods and running - or just don't eat them until AFTER the run is over (when your metabolism is super-high and the calories won't count anyway..!?).
2. Not all sports bra's are made equal - OK, I am not a complete newcomer to either sport or running, I did know a sports bra was an essential piece of kit before I started. What I didn't realise was that running requires an ultra-high level of anti-bounce support - whatever size you are! I am not overly well-endowed in the chest area (32C), however my newly found obsession with reading everything and anything running related has led me to an alarming number of articles on the not-so-positive effects running could be having on my breasts, meaning that for each of my runs I was acutely aware of just how much they were bouncing around inside the rather old sports bra I have had since forever. Seeing as running whilst physically holding them in place proved a little tricky, I am on the hunt for the best running bra there is - watch this space for reviews while I try them all out!
3. Remove makeup before running - Because if you don't, the sweat will do it for you - and trust me, having mascara melting down your face is not a good look at the gym! Plus sweating with foundation on just doesn't feel nice! saying that, I am a little tempted to try waterproof mascara and tinted moisturiser on the days that I don't feel like a natural beauty!
4. If you haven't planned a circular route for your run, remember to turn around when you get halfway - As the satisfaction of doing a great 30 minute tempo run rapidly fades when you realise you spent the whole time running in the opposite direction to your house.
5. Running is not good for your skin - Yes, many beauty articles claim a good run will boost your circulation and give your skin the much talked about 'healthy glow'. My skin, however, does not seem to realise this. Following a run my skin will take on the colour of a rather bright beetroot. And then stay like that for the rest of the evening... beautiful! Regular exposure to wind, rain, sweat and, on my treadmill running days, air-conditioning, also does not seem to agree with my skin and I highly recommend investing in a range of decent skin care products for some pre- and post-run pampering!
So, thats my top 5 tips for now - anyone who has any others to add please do - and thank you for reading my first post!
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