This afternoon Sue, Lisa and myself went to ExCel in Docklands to pick up our race numbers and timing chips.
All was calm until I entered the building when I began to shake uncontrollably (Sue was obviously feeling it too as she headed straight for the loo). I have never been so nervous in all my life, in one single moment the saying "we are running the marathon" turned from a dream into a reality.
I went up to my registration area and was greeted by a couple of really cheery people who gave me some positive words of encouragement and told me that the hard work was done and now all I had to do was enjoy it (neither had ever run the marathon). I was a little disappointed not to have be registering with the elite runners, but I have been led to believe that the numbers start at 38000 so my 38235 must mean I am special!!!
Once registered we were guided towards a wall covered in messages, a lady approached with pen and paper and asked us to write down our reasons for running the marathon. Without thinking I wrote "I got drunk at my own wedding and agreed to run the marathon" - quite true although there is also the issue of raising lots of money for The National Autistic Society - a charity close to my heart. Lisa and Sue took more time over their messages and as soon as I read them I was in tears - yes, the emotions had started to take hold.
I felt compelled to read a few more message on the wall but soon found it all too emotional. So many people running for so many worthy charities, all with their own stories and motivations. I realised then how proud I was to be part of this wonderful event and very privileged to be sharing the experience with some good friends (Yes, I was in floods of tears - both then and now)!
I looked at Sue, my crying buddy and sure enough she hadn't let me down - she too was in tears. Lisa helped us through this moment by suggesting that we did some retail therapy - so off we trotted to buy the customary T-Shirt and some "gel" packs.
This whole journey has been a very emotional experience for me and it is now only 4 bedtimes until the day is upon us. Lets hope I can hold it together long enough to get across the finish line without losing to much vital water though tears!!
Hope to see lots of you on the day, either along the marathon route or joining us for a celebratory beer later at The Beehive. Thanks again to all of you for support up until now.
Liz x
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
Sunday, 6 April 2008
7 More Sleeps to go
Well that is assuming we manage to sleep for the next 7 nights !!!
Who would have thought it eh - one week to go and we will actually be running the London Marathon - that sunny day, wine and a general conversation when the plan was orignially hatched now seem such a long time ago. The first route that we trained on - twice round a 1.5 mile circuit from the gym to where we are now, hopefully ready to tackle the 26.2miles that London will present us with next sunday. I don't think I actually believed we would get this far and I am now so excited about next week but also very nervous as well.
We will try and keep you up to speed, no pun intended, on how things go this week in the run up or run down !
Obviously we are now at the "tapering" stage, where we should be cutting down on our milage and the speed we run at. Unfortunately on our last long run yesterday, planned for circa 5 / 6 miles, I managed to take Liz, Lisa and myself on a really lovely scenic run through beautiful Hertfordshire countryside. It was a long time, circa 6 years, since I had done this route and underestimated quite how long it was - so returned to chez Lewis 1 hour 45 minutes after we left -oops , that was not the plan. The three of us were all feeling quite lethargic yesterday with heavy legs so think rest is now needed. Lisa has had her hip "put back in" this week, so she was really feeling the pain from that - not helped by the rather chilly nip in the air on the day we also decided to try out our running vests with no other long sleeved tops underneath them - glad we tried it yesterday and think they may be going back on for next week. I also dispensed with my trusty woolly tights that I run in under my shorts - not comfortable at all so they will be back in place for next week along with my just about holding together cashmere socks - no blisters for me to date so far with that combo so plan to stick with what has worked so far. No one will ever mistake me for a serious, proper runner as no aerodynamic, go faster leggings for me !
Back to the important stuff, the remaining training plan for this week is two x 3 mile runs on tuesday and thursday and that is it.
Focus should now be on rest and balanced nutrition - haven't got the food part off to a flying start this week though. 18 of us gathered at the Lewis household this morning for brekkie of rolls on sausage before we all piled over to Watford for the Saracens vs Ospreys game - if anyone has ever grilled square sausage and has seen the amount of fat that comes off of them then you know this is not the healthiest breakfast possible - Glasgow is not coronary heart disease city of Europe for no reason you know. It does make a great breakfast sandwich though!
Many thanks to Liz for sorting out all of the tickets for this game and to Shirty for borrowing the Tabard minibus to transport everyone over - also to Jamie for supplying the whisky / whisky mac for the hipflasks and to Keith for co-ordinating today and keeping everyone topped up with tea / coffee over breakfast. This "event" was done as a bit of a fundraiser for our charities but I think everyone will agree that it was a great morning /afternoon. Ok the Welsh supporters may not have been too happy with the final result but it was a good game and well done to Saracens for their 1st semi final place in the Heinekin cup and their first sellout game. Also well done to both teams for turning out some fine looking lads and for putting an Argintina rugby team beside us - happy days all round !!
The boys had a great journey back over to St Albans and went off for a sunday roast and to watch the second quarter final - Lisa, Liz, Nicky and I had decided to go by car, rather than in the minibus and took at least 40 minutes to get out of the car park watching some fantastic examples of carpark rage going on during this time. Hint for the future, if Lisa Mason gives you THAT stare, don't even think about trying to pull out in front of her cos it is sooo not happening....
We have had some piccies taken of us in our running vests and these will be posting up on the blog over the coming week so you will know what to look out for if you are going to be down in London next Sunday.
As I said at the start of today's post, who would have thought it???
Well, here we are, we have all achieved the fundraising targets for our charities and all we need to do now is get out there and run next sunday..........
At the risk of getting caught up in another one of my oscar speeches, I would just like to say that I genuinely do not believe that we would have got to where we are in our training preparations without the incredible support we have had.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE TO GET US TO WHERE WE ARE NOW AND FOR YOUR ON-GOING SUPPORT THAT WILL HELP TAKE US ROUND THE COURSE NEXT SUNDAY.
Lots of Love, the Crazy Ladeez xx
Who would have thought it eh - one week to go and we will actually be running the London Marathon - that sunny day, wine and a general conversation when the plan was orignially hatched now seem such a long time ago. The first route that we trained on - twice round a 1.5 mile circuit from the gym to where we are now, hopefully ready to tackle the 26.2miles that London will present us with next sunday. I don't think I actually believed we would get this far and I am now so excited about next week but also very nervous as well.
We will try and keep you up to speed, no pun intended, on how things go this week in the run up or run down !
Obviously we are now at the "tapering" stage, where we should be cutting down on our milage and the speed we run at. Unfortunately on our last long run yesterday, planned for circa 5 / 6 miles, I managed to take Liz, Lisa and myself on a really lovely scenic run through beautiful Hertfordshire countryside. It was a long time, circa 6 years, since I had done this route and underestimated quite how long it was - so returned to chez Lewis 1 hour 45 minutes after we left -oops , that was not the plan. The three of us were all feeling quite lethargic yesterday with heavy legs so think rest is now needed. Lisa has had her hip "put back in" this week, so she was really feeling the pain from that - not helped by the rather chilly nip in the air on the day we also decided to try out our running vests with no other long sleeved tops underneath them - glad we tried it yesterday and think they may be going back on for next week. I also dispensed with my trusty woolly tights that I run in under my shorts - not comfortable at all so they will be back in place for next week along with my just about holding together cashmere socks - no blisters for me to date so far with that combo so plan to stick with what has worked so far. No one will ever mistake me for a serious, proper runner as no aerodynamic, go faster leggings for me !
Back to the important stuff, the remaining training plan for this week is two x 3 mile runs on tuesday and thursday and that is it.
Focus should now be on rest and balanced nutrition - haven't got the food part off to a flying start this week though. 18 of us gathered at the Lewis household this morning for brekkie of rolls on sausage before we all piled over to Watford for the Saracens vs Ospreys game - if anyone has ever grilled square sausage and has seen the amount of fat that comes off of them then you know this is not the healthiest breakfast possible - Glasgow is not coronary heart disease city of Europe for no reason you know. It does make a great breakfast sandwich though!
Many thanks to Liz for sorting out all of the tickets for this game and to Shirty for borrowing the Tabard minibus to transport everyone over - also to Jamie for supplying the whisky / whisky mac for the hipflasks and to Keith for co-ordinating today and keeping everyone topped up with tea / coffee over breakfast. This "event" was done as a bit of a fundraiser for our charities but I think everyone will agree that it was a great morning /afternoon. Ok the Welsh supporters may not have been too happy with the final result but it was a good game and well done to Saracens for their 1st semi final place in the Heinekin cup and their first sellout game. Also well done to both teams for turning out some fine looking lads and for putting an Argintina rugby team beside us - happy days all round !!
The boys had a great journey back over to St Albans and went off for a sunday roast and to watch the second quarter final - Lisa, Liz, Nicky and I had decided to go by car, rather than in the minibus and took at least 40 minutes to get out of the car park watching some fantastic examples of carpark rage going on during this time. Hint for the future, if Lisa Mason gives you THAT stare, don't even think about trying to pull out in front of her cos it is sooo not happening....
We have had some piccies taken of us in our running vests and these will be posting up on the blog over the coming week so you will know what to look out for if you are going to be down in London next Sunday.
As I said at the start of today's post, who would have thought it???
Well, here we are, we have all achieved the fundraising targets for our charities and all we need to do now is get out there and run next sunday..........
At the risk of getting caught up in another one of my oscar speeches, I would just like to say that I genuinely do not believe that we would have got to where we are in our training preparations without the incredible support we have had.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE TO GET US TO WHERE WE ARE NOW AND FOR YOUR ON-GOING SUPPORT THAT WILL HELP TAKE US ROUND THE COURSE NEXT SUNDAY.
Lots of Love, the Crazy Ladeez xx
Friday, 28 March 2008
20 Miles - Easy now....
First of all, I should apologise for not having updated for a while - its been a busy couple of weeks....
However, I would now like everyone to know how close the ladies now are to achieving Marathon perfection! Sunday 16th March saw 3 of our 4 plucky girls (Sian is still recovering from injury at this point) attempt the biggest challenge of their training regime so far - a full 20 mile run organised by the Gade Valley Harriers in Hemel Hempstead.......
Its the same course as the 17 mile run they did a few weeks back - only a bit longer, obviously - and all the runners needed to do was turn up, pay a fiver, and line up with the other runners. They even provide you with tea and cake at the end of the run - as so glamourously demonstrated by Lisa in this picture!
I have to say, the weather on the day was absolutely atrocious, and probably added another 4 or 5 miles to the course....the poor runners had to try and dodge huge puddles all the way along the towpath part of the course, with the wind adding to the very real danger of falling into the canal!
They had to wade through waist deep mud across the fields (NB may be an exaggeration), and all in the face of driving rain.....
Still, they ploughed on like the brave soldiers they are, and all came home together somewhere around the 3 hours 40 minute mark. Fine work indeed. I should probably put out a special word for the supporters as well - particularly Liz's mum and dad, who with perfect timing, managed to 
pop up at three different points around the course.
pop up at three different points around the course.Myself and Keith just about made it to the finish to cheer the girls home in a blanket sprint finish (sort of). Sorry for pointing this out, but I actually only just made it, having stepped off a plane from Jamaica earlier that morning! (I know, I'm sorry). Actually, the biting wind was a good thing for me, as it whistled around my trousers and helped to sooth my atrociously sunburnt legs......
I will not confirm or deny the rumours that the only reason the girls are smiling in this picture is that there was half a bottle of rum spread between their cups of tea. Still there is certainly some confidence showing in their faces....
The girls were so happy with their run, they then proceeded straight to the Spotted Bull for a Sunday Roast (very good), and at least 6 bottles of red! Obviously much refuelling was required - a lot of calories had been burnt.
Not long now till the big one, and hopefully all four of our girls will be smiling at the end of it......
See you all soon.
Jamie
Monday, 10 March 2008
Charity Pub Quiz! Come and join us.....
Ladies and gents, just a very quick entry today to say a quick good luck to the girls this weekend as they go for their biggest challenge yet - which is a 20 Mile training run around Hemel.
But also, it is an opportunity to tell everyone to come and see us for our Charity Pub Quiz! Details as follows......
But also, it is an opportunity to tell everyone to come and see us for our Charity Pub Quiz! Details as follows......
Crazy Ladies Go Running Present
The Great Big Charity Pub Quiz
Thursday 20th March
The White Lion, St Albans
8.30pm Start
Prizes! Spot Prizes! Charity Raffle!
£4 per person, teams of 4 or 5!
So come on down for some great causes and have a bit of a giggle, and maybe win some prizes.....as always ALL the proceeds will go towards the ladies 3 charities - Breakthrough Breast Cancer, The National Autistic Society, and The Herts Community Foundation.
Hopefully see you there. In the meantime, good luck to the ladies this weekend.
JW
Monday, 3 March 2008
Born to Run continued.....
Following the ladies' fantastic run in Hemel last weekend, the Associated Press of Hertfordshire have been searching for suitable photographic eveidence of their latest achievement in preparation for April 13th. Well finally, the wait is over, and we have the first exclusive pictures of the event.
Captured by Marathon fundraiser and consumate mobile phone photographer Keith Lewis, this image captures the essence of the girls' marathon effort.
Notice Sue grinning as she finishes a nice warm cup of tea, whilst the lyrics to "Born to Run" continue to roll around in her head. Liz looks ecstatic as she realizes that they've made it round in under 3 hours and she is actually still alive! Lisa on the other hand, made the mistake of running this race WITHOUT a hangover, and is clearly paying for it after the finish.Definately a fantastic run from all concerned, and a great performance from the supporters too - Keith, myself, and Sian all continued to applaud the runners coming across the finish line despite the biting cold making our hands sore.....
Whilst we are digging out the photos by the way, I thought it would be good to share a more informal image of the ladies during a training "rest" period.
I believe the night in question was a Fundraising planning night, and it was clearly decided that a medicinal glass of wine would help the thought process...
Once again this fine photo was taken by Mr Lewis, and the slightly dazed grins are due to the fact that the girls had just realized that they only had seven weeks to go!
By the way, to the more observant of you who may be looking at the bottles on the table - I can confirm that there IS a bottle of Jose Cuervo in front of Mrs Lewis, and yes she did put the Eagles on the stereo as an accompaniement!
Next up for the four sporting beauties is the gruelling 20 mile warm up race once again around the Hemel course. With the prospect of more tea and cake at the end, I'm sure it will be another breeze for them, and let's face it - if you can run 20 miles, you're in good shape for the big one.
Please visit again to see how they are getting on, and to find out what other fun filled fundraising stuff is going on (full details of the Charity Pub Quiz - watch this space). In the meantime, good luck girls, and take care one and all.
Thursday, 28 February 2008
Born to Run.......
This Bruce track has now become a firm favourite with me having dragged me through the closing stages of the Watford half marathon and then along the towpath to the finish of the Hemel 17 miler last sunday.
What an amazing sense of achievement finishing that one was for us - Not sure we knew what to expect on the day but it really didn't help me before the start when people were saying things like "this is so much more hilly than hemel" - where I had wheezed and puffed my way round or "I think this is harder than London itself" - very motivational - NOT !!
As always the first mile felt like four and whilst the route was beautiful, I did consider letting myself be knocked into the canal so I wouldn't have to run another 16 miles - lazy as always!
We broke the route into four 4 /5 mile training runs as thought that psychologically this might help a bit and also made the decision to power walk up any big hills to make sure we had enough left in us to complete the course- with the first 4 miles under our belt we headed off for the 9 mile water station, our next "marker" - I don't believe for a minute it was a reflection of the speed we were running at but by the time we got to it, they had run out of water - huge blow knowing that the next water station was at 13 miles - But, the lovely organisers got more water, drove after us and got us rehydrated at mile 10 and off we went again with a spring in our step - mile 13 came round very pleasantly and then we were into new territory, over 13 miles - there was a jelly baby stop at mile 14, great in theory but made my mouth very dry so I was bitching about that for the last 3 miles - funnily enough this also co-incided with when Liz decided it was time for some music - mmmm, writing this, I wonder if there was any correlation??
Mile 15 arrived, still good and then mile 16 - this is feeling really good and we are going to do this - then the lst half mile and my legs were just so bored and tight by then - just about every 4th step of the way I was saying to Liz "are we nearly there yet , please promise me it is just round the next corner",poor Liz, I am sure she will run faster on her own next time - anyway, that is when Mr Springstein came into his own at full volume and over the line we came to be greeted by Keith, Jamie, Siani and Lizzie (who had finished her run in 2hrs and 6 minutes - now that girl was born to run!!) - I should have mentioned earlier that Sian has had to step back her training just now as she has got some knee / hip problems going on but hopefully when she gets back from her holiday in March, the quack will have her back in her Asics before she knows it. We know how frustrated she is at not being out on the course with us, but huge respect for being there to meet us at the end.
Liz and I are becoming very emotional when we get to the end of each of these milestone training runs and I think Lisa is finding our behaviour very embarrassing, oh well, it can't be helped! I think it is fair to say that particular race was important to us to know if we were on track and I think we now feel that we are.
So what have we done following this run?? Well I think I have consumed my own body weight in food most days this week and I am really going to have to watch my portion control post April 13th or I am seriously going to be the size of a house!!!
We have done some lighter training sessions this week and this weekend we are all going to be in different parts of the country / world so no mega runs planned this weekend.
On the whole I would say that enthusiasm is still high - although we need to try and find a way of stoopping Lisa getting bored only 10 minutes into a run or it is going to be a very very long day in London - I think the girls are hoping that I will lose my voice and stop gabbling away the whole time - somethings you just can't help.
Right, going to love you and leave you for now as have a very different challenge to tackle today - myself and Jonathan, my 3 year old god son are off to London zoo for the day - I love him dearly but what do you think holds more challenge - 17 miles running or the two of us on train / tube and London zoo?? You decide ........ lots of love, Susan xxx
What an amazing sense of achievement finishing that one was for us - Not sure we knew what to expect on the day but it really didn't help me before the start when people were saying things like "this is so much more hilly than hemel" - where I had wheezed and puffed my way round or "I think this is harder than London itself" - very motivational - NOT !!
As always the first mile felt like four and whilst the route was beautiful, I did consider letting myself be knocked into the canal so I wouldn't have to run another 16 miles - lazy as always!
We broke the route into four 4 /5 mile training runs as thought that psychologically this might help a bit and also made the decision to power walk up any big hills to make sure we had enough left in us to complete the course- with the first 4 miles under our belt we headed off for the 9 mile water station, our next "marker" - I don't believe for a minute it was a reflection of the speed we were running at but by the time we got to it, they had run out of water - huge blow knowing that the next water station was at 13 miles - But, the lovely organisers got more water, drove after us and got us rehydrated at mile 10 and off we went again with a spring in our step - mile 13 came round very pleasantly and then we were into new territory, over 13 miles - there was a jelly baby stop at mile 14, great in theory but made my mouth very dry so I was bitching about that for the last 3 miles - funnily enough this also co-incided with when Liz decided it was time for some music - mmmm, writing this, I wonder if there was any correlation??
Mile 15 arrived, still good and then mile 16 - this is feeling really good and we are going to do this - then the lst half mile and my legs were just so bored and tight by then - just about every 4th step of the way I was saying to Liz "are we nearly there yet , please promise me it is just round the next corner",poor Liz, I am sure she will run faster on her own next time - anyway, that is when Mr Springstein came into his own at full volume and over the line we came to be greeted by Keith, Jamie, Siani and Lizzie (who had finished her run in 2hrs and 6 minutes - now that girl was born to run!!) - I should have mentioned earlier that Sian has had to step back her training just now as she has got some knee / hip problems going on but hopefully when she gets back from her holiday in March, the quack will have her back in her Asics before she knows it. We know how frustrated she is at not being out on the course with us, but huge respect for being there to meet us at the end.
Liz and I are becoming very emotional when we get to the end of each of these milestone training runs and I think Lisa is finding our behaviour very embarrassing, oh well, it can't be helped! I think it is fair to say that particular race was important to us to know if we were on track and I think we now feel that we are.
So what have we done following this run?? Well I think I have consumed my own body weight in food most days this week and I am really going to have to watch my portion control post April 13th or I am seriously going to be the size of a house!!!
We have done some lighter training sessions this week and this weekend we are all going to be in different parts of the country / world so no mega runs planned this weekend.
On the whole I would say that enthusiasm is still high - although we need to try and find a way of stoopping Lisa getting bored only 10 minutes into a run or it is going to be a very very long day in London - I think the girls are hoping that I will lose my voice and stop gabbling away the whole time - somethings you just can't help.
Right, going to love you and leave you for now as have a very different challenge to tackle today - myself and Jonathan, my 3 year old god son are off to London zoo for the day - I love him dearly but what do you think holds more challenge - 17 miles running or the two of us on train / tube and London zoo?? You decide ........ lots of love, Susan xxx
Friday, 8 February 2008
Halfway There - In Watford!
The training continues!
All four brave/crazy ladies (delete as appropriate) continued their punishing training routine last weekend by running the Watford Half Marathon on Sunday Morning.
What was publicized as a "gently undulating" course around the leafy Herts countryside was in reality a gruelling 13+ miles which was run over what seemed like the nastier parts of Snowdonia, into the face of howling winds to complete the misery!
A pretty extreme test of stamina and endurance - and that was just for the spectators.
Having said all of that, it has to be said that the ladies performed superbly on the day! Everyone made it round in one piece, in bang-on-target times of between 2:08 and 2:15. Another 13 miles on top of that should be no problem......
In fact here is a picture of Lisa and Liz, roughly half way round the course looking far too comfortable as they manage to both pose for the camera AND ruthlessly overtake a slightly more "senior" runner!
Massive thanks to everyone who came down to support on the day, and to cheer the girls home at the finish - Liz's Mum and Dad, Lisa's Mum, Dad and Sister, Matt (bravely delaying his journey back up North), Kim and Jim, the Dunns, and of course the hubbies, Keith and Jamie.
So pleased was everyone with this fine all round performance, that the ladies then took their fellas off for a fine slap up Sunday lunch where some of the good work was promptly undone by the cheeseboard and several bottles of red!
However, the relentless schedule continues, and the girls have been training as usual in the evenings this week and are aiming for a gentle (!) 12-14 miler on Saturday morning. Nice warm up before the drama of the second round of Six Nations matches unfolds....
More posts to follow as the quest continues, but in the meantime thanks again to one and all for your continued support of the Marathon Ladies!
All four brave/crazy ladies (delete as appropriate) continued their punishing training routine last weekend by running the Watford Half Marathon on Sunday Morning.
What was publicized as a "gently undulating" course around the leafy Herts countryside was in reality a gruelling 13+ miles which was run over what seemed like the nastier parts of Snowdonia, into the face of howling winds to complete the misery!
A pretty extreme test of stamina and endurance - and that was just for the spectators.
Having said all of that, it has to be said that the ladies performed superbly on the day! Everyone made it round in one piece, in bang-on-target times of between 2:08 and 2:15. Another 13 miles on top of that should be no problem......
In fact here is a picture of Lisa and Liz, roughly half way round the course looking far too comfortable as they manage to both pose for the camera AND ruthlessly overtake a slightly more "senior" runner!
Massive thanks to everyone who came down to support on the day, and to cheer the girls home at the finish - Liz's Mum and Dad, Lisa's Mum, Dad and Sister, Matt (bravely delaying his journey back up North), Kim and Jim, the Dunns, and of course the hubbies, Keith and Jamie.
So pleased was everyone with this fine all round performance, that the ladies then took their fellas off for a fine slap up Sunday lunch where some of the good work was promptly undone by the cheeseboard and several bottles of red!
However, the relentless schedule continues, and the girls have been training as usual in the evenings this week and are aiming for a gentle (!) 12-14 miler on Saturday morning. Nice warm up before the drama of the second round of Six Nations matches unfolds....
More posts to follow as the quest continues, but in the meantime thanks again to one and all for your continued support of the Marathon Ladies!
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