Hi guys,
Thank you again for visiting my blog.
As you guys are already aware from my previous blog posts that I plan to run Brighton marathon that is scheduled to take place 3 weeks today on April 9th 2017. I'm very excited.
Training has gone really well so far. I've currently done a half marathon, 16 miles, 17 miles, 18 miles, 19 miles, 20 miles and 21 miles with a last 20 miles run scheduled for later on today before I start to taper.
The 21 miles run that I did last Sunday was one of the longest and hardest training runs that I have done yet. I had originally planned to go on the Saturday but when I woke up my body felt like it wouldn't have been able to cope which is possibly because of the late night that I had before. I woke up on Sunday with a lot more confidence and self belief that I was going to achieve 21 miles today.
I set off at approximately 10:15am and started at a slow gentle pace which I decided to maintain all the way round. I figured that if I started off quickly then I may not have any energy towards the end.
I carried on down towards Avenham Park and it was a lovely morning. The weather was ok but lots of families were out. Once I got into Avenham Park I decided to take a bit of a detour from the normal Parkrun route and explore different parts of the park that I had never seen before.
As I love nature I decided to take a detour via the beautiful water fountain. It's pretty amazing and I guess it can somehow give a calming influence whilst running. As I continued I decided to explore more of the side streets/cul de sacs by the side of the park to see if I could find areas that I previously didn't know existed. I was totally shocked when I saw a childrens play area which I had no idea was there and I must have been near that area loads of times before. I couldn't believe that I didn't know it was there!
As we exit the park there is a long straight path which goes on for about 2 miles. I find this path quite beautiful as it is full of nature. I got to the end of the path and was beginning to run towards the Red Rose HQ aka The Poachers Pub when I saw a fellow Red Roser. I didn't know this at the time but as I approached them, they appeared to be struggling with cramp. I found out they were running in the same direction as I was planning to run so ended up doing about 4 miles with them along a nice flat route followed by country roads leading upto Cureden Valley and Farington. After a few miles I headed back on my own and somehow mentally it does seems a lot harder when you are running on your own compared to running with other people. I guess the company helps to take your mind off things.
As I headed back on my own I knew I had a long way to go as I was still only around the half way point into my training run but I was determined. After going down the long road towards Poachers I had a quick drink at Sainsburys before hitting the road again. The run back from The Poachers is around 4 miles but I decided that I again wanted to take another detour. Ended up running in a few more cul de sacs to see more of Preston.
On one of the cul de sacs I noticed a school but only knew it was there as I had saw it on a previous training run a few weeks earlier. I also found a detour into Avenham Park because some people don't like using public roads but have to run near some fields. Ended up seeing my mate Toshif who I hadn't seen in a few months and he told he that he was interested in joining Red Rose so I guess he must have caught the running bug too.
I had to politely tell him that I had to carry on because lots of people may know that I can be a chatterbox when I want to be and before you know it we end up talking for like half an hour. Now i'm in the final few miles of the run. By now I had done 17.5 miles and didn't have long left at all. Now it's all about being strong and resilliant to see the job through. I decided to run back near Avenham Park in the same direction to add more mileage. I love the views sometimes and the complete greenery that surrounded me. It's an amazing thing about the outdoors and running.
I was feeling tired now and after 1 last drink stop I reached the bottom of London Road hill and tried to run 3/4 of a mile towards the park and 3/4 of a mile back as I only had a mile and a half left. the last 3/4 of a mile felt like the fastest of the whole 21 miles but I guess adrenaline kicked in by then.
I was really happy to finish. Longest planned training done and dusted. Next race was the Trimpell 20 which I may write about in my next post.
Thanks for reading.
Sunday 19 March 2017
Monday 13 March 2017
Running Motivation
Hi guys,
Thank you again for visiting my blog.
As most of you may know through all my blog posts/Facebook status's/tweets/Instagram pics etc that I have fallen in love with running. What first started as a training setting for running a marathon has now turned into a full blown hobby and if I don't run a couple of times a week it begins to feel like there is something missing.
I think there are lots of different factors and many different reasons why people enjoy running such as the fresh air, seeing the outdoors or seeing sites within their own city which they didn't know existed. For me although I do enjoy all those things, there are 3 other things that I enjoy more which are detailed below:
Company + Support
Throughout my journey so far I have met many people who I deem to be inspiring for so many different reasons. I've had people who aim to run 100 marathons by 2018 and just completed number 62 yesterday, people who have developed incredibly well as runners from the progress I have seen, people over the age of 70s and 80s who still run (and look incredible) and the people who struggle but still never give up and have a strong, determined and fierce attitude. I've found that with running lots of these people tend to have self-doubts but normally achieve the goals that they set out to achieve which is a massive positive which shows that they are stronger then they think they are and this is something that I as an individual take inspiration from and part of the reason why I love having company around me. Good company is also great for support because lots of people give motivation and encouragement and that can give people confidence and belief in their own abilities. I know i've needed it sometimes when i've struggled and it's great to have the company of good people helping you along. Got to give a big shoutout to my local running club Red Rose Road Runners because I think they are amazing at this and I proper love them guys!
Supporting at the Races
This is 1 of the best things I like because it's an opportunity to take in the race atmosphere and enjoy the day and have some fun but also rest the legs which to be honest is a nice feeling. I have been to a few races to support everyone but especially the mighty Red Rose and each time I have had lots of fun myself. It's useful to people who are running especially as they are approaching the finishing line and it gives me the opportunity to jump up and down like i've heard Antonio Conte does for Chelsea (Not that i'm a Chelsea fan by the way). I do however love being so energetic in this manner. I also enjoy supporting as I still treat it as a social gathering too.
The biggest thing though is that it is an opportunity for me to give something back to others who are also good to me. Lots of people support me in lots of different ways. Some have given me lifts for free, some have left me encouraging and supportive comments, some ran with me when I was very slow to begin with and some have just offered advice in general.
The point about this is that I think its important to give something back to others who have been good to you because it shows that you value and appreciate them. I've found in Red Rose and the running community as a whole that kindness spreads.
Escapism
I also find that not only running but exercise in general is a form of escaping from any troubles or dilemmas a person is going through even though it may only be for a short while. Around 2012 I was going through certain difficulties in my life but I found hitting the gym and exercising in general helping me in a positive way for the simple reason that I could forget about what was happening in my life for a short while and put all my efforts into doing something positive and enjoyable. For me that was a big thing and through the running community i've spoken to a few people who were in similar situations to myself and they have all mentioned they have felt like running has helped them in a positive way. It's nice to have the freedom of mind, focus on something positive and strive towards an aim and objective.
Thanks for reading!
Faisal
Thank you again for visiting my blog.
As most of you may know through all my blog posts/Facebook status's/tweets/Instagram pics etc that I have fallen in love with running. What first started as a training setting for running a marathon has now turned into a full blown hobby and if I don't run a couple of times a week it begins to feel like there is something missing.
I think there are lots of different factors and many different reasons why people enjoy running such as the fresh air, seeing the outdoors or seeing sites within their own city which they didn't know existed. For me although I do enjoy all those things, there are 3 other things that I enjoy more which are detailed below:
Company + Support
Throughout my journey so far I have met many people who I deem to be inspiring for so many different reasons. I've had people who aim to run 100 marathons by 2018 and just completed number 62 yesterday, people who have developed incredibly well as runners from the progress I have seen, people over the age of 70s and 80s who still run (and look incredible) and the people who struggle but still never give up and have a strong, determined and fierce attitude. I've found that with running lots of these people tend to have self-doubts but normally achieve the goals that they set out to achieve which is a massive positive which shows that they are stronger then they think they are and this is something that I as an individual take inspiration from and part of the reason why I love having company around me. Good company is also great for support because lots of people give motivation and encouragement and that can give people confidence and belief in their own abilities. I know i've needed it sometimes when i've struggled and it's great to have the company of good people helping you along. Got to give a big shoutout to my local running club Red Rose Road Runners because I think they are amazing at this and I proper love them guys!
Supporting at the Races
This is 1 of the best things I like because it's an opportunity to take in the race atmosphere and enjoy the day and have some fun but also rest the legs which to be honest is a nice feeling. I have been to a few races to support everyone but especially the mighty Red Rose and each time I have had lots of fun myself. It's useful to people who are running especially as they are approaching the finishing line and it gives me the opportunity to jump up and down like i've heard Antonio Conte does for Chelsea (Not that i'm a Chelsea fan by the way). I do however love being so energetic in this manner. I also enjoy supporting as I still treat it as a social gathering too.
The biggest thing though is that it is an opportunity for me to give something back to others who are also good to me. Lots of people support me in lots of different ways. Some have given me lifts for free, some have left me encouraging and supportive comments, some ran with me when I was very slow to begin with and some have just offered advice in general.
The point about this is that I think its important to give something back to others who have been good to you because it shows that you value and appreciate them. I've found in Red Rose and the running community as a whole that kindness spreads.
Escapism
I also find that not only running but exercise in general is a form of escaping from any troubles or dilemmas a person is going through even though it may only be for a short while. Around 2012 I was going through certain difficulties in my life but I found hitting the gym and exercising in general helping me in a positive way for the simple reason that I could forget about what was happening in my life for a short while and put all my efforts into doing something positive and enjoyable. For me that was a big thing and through the running community i've spoken to a few people who were in similar situations to myself and they have all mentioned they have felt like running has helped them in a positive way. It's nice to have the freedom of mind, focus on something positive and strive towards an aim and objective.
Thanks for reading!
Faisal
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