Running – what’s that again?

With all these Marathons – Paris, Brighton, London, Belfast, Boston abounding at the mo (Tomorrow Han and I are actually testing out all 26.2miles of the London Marathon course for all you Virgin ;-) Marathoners  – so check back tomorrow for the course lowdown) – I (and my waistline) am very eager to get back running AND RACING – nothing beats that feeling of crossing the finish line despite the agony, disbelief and AGONY ;-)) . Plus there is the small matter of this bet with Challenge Hannah that involves me completing a 10km in 55 mins and completing a ½ marathon by the 31st October and I have yet to get off the starting blocks.

So with this in mind – and this morning’s Sport weekly coming to the rescue, I have made some positive steps in shaking off my running apathy – well this was the most painless part after all!!

a) I registered on http://www.homerunlondon.com/ and I urge you ALL to do likewise - I only wish this had existed when Lucinda and I were doing the Februlous challenge and during Janathon. These guys will guide you from your work to your home location – in a running environment that will accommodate your ability (more of a walker than a runner if you’re moi/ confident speedatron if you’re Lucinda, Jade, AJ, PT, Christine – really anyone bar moi!!) BUT BEST OF ALL – they will carry your bags for you – HEAVEN. LADIES. PURE HEAVEN.

So get signed up immediately as the more popular routes will be launched first – plus it literally is no pain, plenty of gain as they are offering EVERYONE a ONE MONTH FREE TRIAL!!!

b) I registered and created a training plan on http://my.asics.co.uk/

I'm slightly worried as my training plan states that if I work hard I should be able to achieve a time of 01:04:00 and if I work REALLY hard, I might be able to achieve a time of 00:59:00. It appears that my goal time of 00:55:00 is either an impossibility (MOST LIKELY) or just requires REALLY, REALLY, REALLY hard work. Either way - I have a feeling this is going to hurt. Asics were also of that opinion - cue their warning:

Quick pub quiz trivia: ASICS comes from the Latin phrase “Anima Sana In Corpore Sano”, meaning a “sound mind in a sound body” although anyone who admits they’re a runner cannot be of sound mind. (chortle, chortle)

c) I’ve narrowed down next 10km race choice to three finalists: My favourite is the Bupa London 10000 on the 30th May (Bank Holiday) as I can pretend that I am actually running the London Marathon since the course takes you past all the famous landmarks. The runner up race possibilities are either the South London 10km on the 22nd May or the Kingston 10km on the 5th June (a slightly flatter course than the Wimbledon race) as these two options might be a little less crowded and ergo facilitate a slightly faster race time. This rationale is all purely hypothetical btw – just getting myself to run non-stop for the entire race duration will basically take an act of God.

Anyway the choice is AJ’s as I’m hoping she’ll act as my speedy pacemaker. Feel free to comment below and leave your votes - AJ is susceptible to bribes.
Always. ;-)) xx

p.s. You are ALL welcome encouraged EXPECTED to participate in my next 10km attempt – don’t make me play the ‘last UK race til I return SOB SOB’ card, cos I will. That and I have a costume idea already – numbers permitting – GET EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!