Sorry. It's been 3 days since the Winchester 10k and I haven't yet told you all how I got on.
I did not too badly at all. The course was brutal... really hilly and only about 1.5km of it was flat. Every kilometer seemed to either start or finish on a hill, especially after the half way mark. That said though, I managed a PB! (personal best). The chichester 10k was pretty much flat I did it in 1.06.43. The Winchester course was conquered in 1.04.05! Over 2 minutes quicker! All that hill training must have paid off.
The race itself went by pretty quickly, the KM markers seemed to come up quite quickly and I did enjoy it. I had to walk for about 50 / 75 meters twice, one of which was up the hill at just past 9km, but my pace otherwise was pretty good.
Maybe I will become a runner yet! :0) xXx
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Saturday, 25 February 2012
Step 2 of 13 tomorrow
My fundraising efforts take their next step tomorrow in the form of the Winchester 10k road race. Everyone tells me that this race will be a hilly one. I guess this makes sense as Winchester is not known for being flat. Luckily since joining the running club three weeks ago we have done two serous hill training sessions so I feel fairly well prepared for this one. Far more prepared than I did for Chichester, although I do feel that tomorrow will be a lot harder than that Chichester race.
The actual money raised to date has been better than I ever imagined and I am thrilled with how things have gone so far. If I could rally people with my efforts tomorrow and get the total up to £350 by the end of the day then I will be one very happy bunny indeed.
I will report on my efforts tomorrow.
Wish me luck! xXx
The actual money raised to date has been better than I ever imagined and I am thrilled with how things have gone so far. If I could rally people with my efforts tomorrow and get the total up to £350 by the end of the day then I will be one very happy bunny indeed.
I will report on my efforts tomorrow.
Wish me luck! xXx
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Bake Sale Results!
Monday was my work place charity bake sale. I made posters for the kitchens, bought paper plates and napkins and was fully prepared. I was also preparing myself for a flop.
There are some amazing people working in our offices and one lovely girl, gave me £10 for 1 cake to do her bit and another guy who has already donated £50 to my justgiving page gave me another £5 and didn't eat anything!
It is true that every penny counts and I was happy for everything I made. Generally people were very supportive and over the two days that cake was available I made £65! Not bad for an afternoons baking work. It is also true that the chippie's cakes were way more popular than mine and Abby's! Real men bake.com!
There are some amazing people working in our offices and one lovely girl, gave me £10 for 1 cake to do her bit and another guy who has already donated £50 to my justgiving page gave me another £5 and didn't eat anything!
It is true that every penny counts and I was happy for everything I made. Generally people were very supportive and over the two days that cake was available I made £65! Not bad for an afternoons baking work. It is also true that the chippie's cakes were way more popular than mine and Abby's! Real men bake.com!
Saturday, 18 February 2012
More ways to raise money - Workplace bake sale
I have just spent over 4 hours this afternoon with the chippie and my friend Abby in my kitchen baking. The idea being that we would bake some cakes and then leave them in the kitchens at work along with a big glass jar so that people can donate money to my fundraising efforts.
We started out with the idea of making 24 individual cakes and a 12 slice devils food cake. Abby and I got a little bit carried away and ended up making 59 individual cakes... pink cakes, meant to be blue cakes, regular cakes, iced cakes, chocolate frosted cakes, some with icing pictures, some with decoration and some butterfly cakes. The chippie made a gorgeous and well practiced Devils Food cake which it is taking all my will power to touch! I'm not sure Abby wants to look at another cake ever again but it was certainly a fun way to spend an afternoon.
Let's just hope people at work on Monday are in the mood for cake!
I will let you know how I get on.
We started out with the idea of making 24 individual cakes and a 12 slice devils food cake. Abby and I got a little bit carried away and ended up making 59 individual cakes... pink cakes, meant to be blue cakes, regular cakes, iced cakes, chocolate frosted cakes, some with icing pictures, some with decoration and some butterfly cakes. The chippie made a gorgeous and well practiced Devils Food cake which it is taking all my will power to touch! I'm not sure Abby wants to look at another cake ever again but it was certainly a fun way to spend an afternoon.
Let's just hope people at work on Monday are in the mood for cake!
I will let you know how I get on.
Thursday, 16 February 2012
Why McDonalds for Valentines Day???
I just had someone ask the question, why is McDonalds the resturant of choice for Valentines Day? Well, the chippie and I have been together for nearly four years now and for our first Valentines Day we wanted to go to our favourite restaurant, The Pizza House in Portsmouth. We both knew exactly what we wanted from the menu and were looking forward to our favourite food.
When we got to the resturant we were shown to our table and issued a set menu. None of what we wanted was on the menu and although, all the food there is good, it just wasn't what we wanted. We spoke to the owner and explained that actually, we will come Saturday when the full menu is available.
So, by now it was 7.30 gone and we had no reservation and no idea where to go. We decided to go to Chichester and check out some of the resturants there but everywhere we liked was fully booked or too busy. We perserved for over half an hour and the decided to give up.
As a joke I said we should just go to McDonalds but neither of us laughed. We both had that look of "hmmmm, could we, I want to but it seems wrong." We decided so what! So there we were, all dressed up and standing at the empty counter in McDonalds ordering quater pounders, fries and cokes.
So, it started, as most traditions do, unintentionally but it has stuck. Every year now we have a romantic meal at McDonalds.
xXx
When we got to the resturant we were shown to our table and issued a set menu. None of what we wanted was on the menu and although, all the food there is good, it just wasn't what we wanted. We spoke to the owner and explained that actually, we will come Saturday when the full menu is available.
So, by now it was 7.30 gone and we had no reservation and no idea where to go. We decided to go to Chichester and check out some of the resturants there but everywhere we liked was fully booked or too busy. We perserved for over half an hour and the decided to give up.
As a joke I said we should just go to McDonalds but neither of us laughed. We both had that look of "hmmmm, could we, I want to but it seems wrong." We decided so what! So there we were, all dressed up and standing at the empty counter in McDonalds ordering quater pounders, fries and cokes.
So, it started, as most traditions do, unintentionally but it has stuck. Every year now we have a romantic meal at McDonalds.
xXx
Running and McDonalds!
Tuesday night was my second night out with Victory Athletics club and it was as good, if not better, than the first outing. Tuesdays are straight runs and Thursdays are training nights to build speed and strength.
Tuesday was a five and half mile run to Emsworth and back and I was teamed with two girls who are just a little bit quicker than me over a 10k distance. I was just a little bit proud of myself... who runs five and half miles on a Tuesday night after work? oh thats right, I do! It may not be a major accomplishment for some people but for me it was kind of a big deal. We completed the run in just under the hour, including racing three kids over the trainline bridge. Luckily this was close to the finish as it took it out of me!
The only problem was that Tuesday was Valentines day so after doing all this running, the chippie and I went for a McDonalds, our valentines day tradition.
I have to say though, running followed by McDonalds is a bit of a winning combination! And at least my body was in ultra calorie burning mode so the effects weren't as horrific as if I hadn't done the run.
Tuesday was a five and half mile run to Emsworth and back and I was teamed with two girls who are just a little bit quicker than me over a 10k distance. I was just a little bit proud of myself... who runs five and half miles on a Tuesday night after work? oh thats right, I do! It may not be a major accomplishment for some people but for me it was kind of a big deal. We completed the run in just under the hour, including racing three kids over the trainline bridge. Luckily this was close to the finish as it took it out of me!
The only problem was that Tuesday was Valentines day so after doing all this running, the chippie and I went for a McDonalds, our valentines day tradition.
I have to say though, running followed by McDonalds is a bit of a winning combination! And at least my body was in ultra calorie burning mode so the effects weren't as horrific as if I hadn't done the run.
Sunday, 12 February 2012
A freezing Car Boot Sale this morning
I did something a little different today to help bring in the donations for The Bantaba Project. I got up a 6.30am this morning and, with the Chippie, did a car boot sale. 10% of all profits were donated to my justgiving page.
It was freezing cold so I wasn't overly convinced that we would make any money but I now realise that some people will come out for a bargain, whatever the weather.
We were set up by 7.30am and had sold our first item at 7.25... yep, some people will not even wait for you to even get the table out of the car! The setting up bit is not at all fun but once we had ourselves sorted and a cup tea from our earlier prepared flask we were all good. I would even go as far as to say it was fun. The weather stayed as cold as it had started but once my toes had frozen, that was bearable and I had my bear ears to keep my head warm. Some people were interested in the Bantaba Project and happy to pay the asking price, others didn't care and wanted to pay 50p regardless. Sometimes I said yes, most of the time I said no!
We made £91.00 so I am really happy to say that I have just donated another £10 to my justgiving page.
We sold about half of what we took and we still have soooo much more around the house and the chippie's workshop. Next one is planned for first weekend of March and again, at least 10% of all profits will be donated towards the Bantaba Project.
xXx
It was freezing cold so I wasn't overly convinced that we would make any money but I now realise that some people will come out for a bargain, whatever the weather.
We were set up by 7.30am and had sold our first item at 7.25... yep, some people will not even wait for you to even get the table out of the car! The setting up bit is not at all fun but once we had ourselves sorted and a cup tea from our earlier prepared flask we were all good. I would even go as far as to say it was fun. The weather stayed as cold as it had started but once my toes had frozen, that was bearable and I had my bear ears to keep my head warm. Some people were interested in the Bantaba Project and happy to pay the asking price, others didn't care and wanted to pay 50p regardless. Sometimes I said yes, most of the time I said no!
We made £91.00 so I am really happy to say that I have just donated another £10 to my justgiving page.
We sold about half of what we took and we still have soooo much more around the house and the chippie's workshop. Next one is planned for first weekend of March and again, at least 10% of all profits will be donated towards the Bantaba Project.
xXx
Friday, 10 February 2012
My first outing with 'The Running Club'
I loved it!!! I'd had a long, hard day at work and by 4pm had talked myself out of going, as I said I would. I had even text the chippie and told him I would be home by 6.
But, I gave my self a stern talking to in the car on the way home and the further I got from the office the more positive I felt (what does that say I wonder!?). By the time I arrived back in Havant I decided to give it a go, after all, how did I think I was going to manage all this running without some proper training from the people who really know and understand.
The club meet inside my gym and I got to the meeting point and stood around like a lemon for about 5 minutes, watching all these people chatting and stretching, not knowing what to do. Luckily one of the women noticed me and introduced herself and the main trainer of the group.
Before I knew it I had been introdcued to about 6 people, found another lady who ran at roughly my pace and we were off. The main trainer ran with me as we did speed training laps of 750 meters. Running one straight, jogging the next, being pushed a little bit harder each time around and then we were done... 6 laps! If I had been on my own I would have given up after about 2 I reckon.
So, I am glad that I had a word with myself and got on with it. I am going back Tuesday and think I will be going back every Tuesday and Thursday from now on.
xXx
But, I gave my self a stern talking to in the car on the way home and the further I got from the office the more positive I felt (what does that say I wonder!?). By the time I arrived back in Havant I decided to give it a go, after all, how did I think I was going to manage all this running without some proper training from the people who really know and understand.
The club meet inside my gym and I got to the meeting point and stood around like a lemon for about 5 minutes, watching all these people chatting and stretching, not knowing what to do. Luckily one of the women noticed me and introduced herself and the main trainer of the group.
Before I knew it I had been introdcued to about 6 people, found another lady who ran at roughly my pace and we were off. The main trainer ran with me as we did speed training laps of 750 meters. Running one straight, jogging the next, being pushed a little bit harder each time around and then we were done... 6 laps! If I had been on my own I would have given up after about 2 I reckon.
So, I am glad that I had a word with myself and got on with it. I am going back Tuesday and think I will be going back every Tuesday and Thursday from now on.
xXx
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
Joining a running club
After enjoying my race experience on Sunday so much it has made me question whether I should join a running club or not. I am a platinum member of Havant Horizon and every tuesday I see a group from Victory Athletics club going off on their run.
My parents were keen members of the Portsmouth Joggers for most of my formative years so I have seen first hand how motivating it can be for someone trying to seriously get into running. I hate training on my own, it always seem so much harder when I am not able to be distracted from my own thoughts. So, it seems all positive and it probably is... as usual I am my own worst enemy!
What if I don't get on with anyone? What if they are all so much faster than me? What if, what if, what if!!! How likely is it that I won't get on with even one person in an entire running club? So what if they are all faster than me, I've only been training for 2 weeks. Everyone has to start somewhere right!
They have meetings every Thursday so tomorrow at 6pm, if I am feeling brave I will joining an athletics club for the first time in my adult life... I will let you know how I get on.
If anyone wants to share their positive experiences about running clubs or offer me any advice, feel free to comment.
Liza xXx
My parents were keen members of the Portsmouth Joggers for most of my formative years so I have seen first hand how motivating it can be for someone trying to seriously get into running. I hate training on my own, it always seem so much harder when I am not able to be distracted from my own thoughts. So, it seems all positive and it probably is... as usual I am my own worst enemy!
What if I don't get on with anyone? What if they are all so much faster than me? What if, what if, what if!!! How likely is it that I won't get on with even one person in an entire running club? So what if they are all faster than me, I've only been training for 2 weeks. Everyone has to start somewhere right!
They have meetings every Thursday so tomorrow at 6pm, if I am feeling brave I will joining an athletics club for the first time in my adult life... I will let you know how I get on.
If anyone wants to share their positive experiences about running clubs or offer me any advice, feel free to comment.
Liza xXx
Monday, 6 February 2012
The full race calendar is starting to to take shape
As more races are announced my fundraising challenge is starting to take shape.
Here is the full calendar as it stands now -
Here is the full calendar as it stands now -
- 05/02/12 Chichester 10k
- 26/02/12 Winchester 10k
- 10/03/12 New Forest 5k
- 11/03/12 David Lloyd 5k
- 01/04/12 Bournemouth Bay 10k
- 13/05/12 Alton 10 miles
- 20/05/12 Marwell 10k
- 08/07/12 Chichester Challenge
- Aug tba
- Sept tba
- 14/10/12 Chi Half Marathon
- 28/10/12 The Great South Run
- 12/ 2012 Brufut Half Marathon
Race 1 - Done
I did it! And, I enjoyed it. Race 1 has been completed.
I completed the Chichester 10k yesterday in 1.06.43. and I am fairly pleased with that. The thing I am most pleased with was that I enjoyed the run and I managed to finish with a strong sprint to the finish line.
Race days are so much more enjoyable than training runs. When I run alone I get bored and I am more likely to give up. Race days are motivating experiences. I started towards the very back and set myself little goals, based on pacing myself against other runners and once I'd overtaken that person I moved on to the next one.
it was a freezing cold day but even that didn't dampen my spirits. I was very, very nervous before the start but once I got going, it was all good.
Well done me and now... on to the next one. Race 2 = Winchester 10k, which I have been reliably informed is very, very hilly.
I completed the Chichester 10k yesterday in 1.06.43. and I am fairly pleased with that. The thing I am most pleased with was that I enjoyed the run and I managed to finish with a strong sprint to the finish line.
Race days are so much more enjoyable than training runs. When I run alone I get bored and I am more likely to give up. Race days are motivating experiences. I started towards the very back and set myself little goals, based on pacing myself against other runners and once I'd overtaken that person I moved on to the next one.
it was a freezing cold day but even that didn't dampen my spirits. I was very, very nervous before the start but once I got going, it was all good.
Well done me and now... on to the next one. Race 2 = Winchester 10k, which I have been reliably informed is very, very hilly.
Sunday, 5 February 2012
First race day has arrived.
So, there's no snow!! That is a major relief but I am still so, so nervous. Really not sure I am ready for this but one way or another I will get round.
I will let you know how I get on once I am done... think of me and wish me luck xXx
I will let you know how I get on once I am done... think of me and wish me luck xXx
Saturday, 4 February 2012
Friday, 3 February 2012
I don't want to complete my first race in snow!!!
Oh my, oh my, oh my... it is sooooo cold. I am in my house, fully fluffy pyjama'd up with the log fire blazing and I am STILL cold. And it's getting worse apparently.
Although it would make a nice bookend to my year of running, starting in snow and ending in 35 degree heat I do not, repeat do not, want to have to run on Sunday in snow. Freezing temperatures I think I can just about deal with, although it will mean a particularly slow time but snow?!?!? I can barely walk on the pavements when it snows, let alone try and run a 10k.
If anyone that reads this has any tips for a not yet competent runner trying to complete their first 10k in these conditions please, please, please feel free to leave some advise as a comment.
All help greatly appreciated!
Although it would make a nice bookend to my year of running, starting in snow and ending in 35 degree heat I do not, repeat do not, want to have to run on Sunday in snow. Freezing temperatures I think I can just about deal with, although it will mean a particularly slow time but snow?!?!? I can barely walk on the pavements when it snows, let alone try and run a 10k.
If anyone that reads this has any tips for a not yet competent runner trying to complete their first 10k in these conditions please, please, please feel free to leave some advise as a comment.
All help greatly appreciated!
A public plea...
Just Giving have annouced that anyone who raises £250 on their page by the end of February will be entered into a prize draw to win an extra £250 donation!!!
If you can spare anything, even £1, please please donate to my page.
If you can spare £1 you can text your donation by texting YQLE96 £1 and send it to 70070.
If you can spare more and want to donate by text you can just change the amount.
I have met many, mant people passionate about bringing change to the Gambia and everyone who visits the country seems to go more than once. If you are one these people please, please please give whatever you can to help support this project that will help bring development and opportunity to this wonderful, yet desperate country.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Liza xXx
If you can spare anything, even £1, please please donate to my page.
If you can spare £1 you can text your donation by texting YQLE96 £1 and send it to 70070.
If you can spare more and want to donate by text you can just change the amount.
I have met many, mant people passionate about bringing change to the Gambia and everyone who visits the country seems to go more than once. If you are one these people please, please please give whatever you can to help support this project that will help bring development and opportunity to this wonderful, yet desperate country.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Liza xXx
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