The lurgie hit my training schedule pretty bad last week, the damn bastard thing decided to move south into my chest so I HAD to take it easy - there was no way I was taking risks this close to the race. I want to get to the starting line, at least!
So I only did a very easy 4k before work on Friday, and luckily I felt okay afterwards so I went for my run today as usual. With it being the last long run before the big day, I only did around 11k in a very steady 1 hour 20.
I'll probably do more runs next week, maybe a fun wee speed session early on and an easy session on Friday before I catch my flight to France. But apart from that, most of my hard work is done, I just need to hope it pays off on the day.
I don't have a time goal. I'm a pretty slow runner, so I'll probably come in around 2.30 - 2.40, but to be honest I'll be perfectly happy if I finish. This time last year I could barely run for the bus, so for me to run for a solid 21.1k is a pretty awesome achievement and I'm not going to let anyone tell me otherwise.
So, in mark of this event, I thought I would treat myself to some new kit. To give you some context, the last time I went shopping for "kit" was last April, when I took up running for the first time.
Well, that's kind of a lie. I've had to get new trainers since and a couple of new sports bras, but that's because I believe that you cannot skimp on these areas. If either your trainers or bra doesn't fit right, you can do yourself some proper damage. I mean, who wants mangled feet and saggy tits? Not me.
So yeah okay, trainers and bras I have replaced. But apart from that, I went out running this morning in the same kit that I wore when I went out for my first run 10 months ago:
The hoodie is a light cotton number that I bought from Gap around 3 years ago, and the jogging bottoms are a Lonsdale pair that I got when I invested in my first pair of trainers.
The trainers, incidentally, are the exact same model as I started running in, but I had to replace them last December as they started to hurt my feet. I couldn't be bothered going through the whole charade of finding a new pair, so I just ordered the same set again off the web. I mean, if it's not broke, don't fix it, right?
I've been needing new bottoms for a while though, because the whole losing-weight thing means that I am no longer a size 16, and more like a size 10/12, so my joggers now kind of resemble very boring clown pants that I have to hoist up every half mile.
So yeah, I never thought I looked like a "proper runner", because I see all these folk out and about (including Mr. MFC) with sweat-wicking, skin-clinging polyester numbers that I never had the confidence to pull off. I've just stuck to my oversized cotton numbers - the only thing I think that shows I mean business is the glitzy Garmin on my wrist.
But to heck with it, I'm doing a half marathon next weekend, so I should probably get some stuff to make me look the part.
Cue some cheesy makeover TV show music...
The trousers were a nightmare to find. Who knew that running tights gave you camel toe?! Luckily, I managed to find this really nice pair in JD sports for £20 by a little known brand called Pure. They fit like a glove and they were cheaper than the Nike camel-toe inducing stuff. They also have a small bum pocket, so I have a place to put my keys when I go out. Win!
While I was on a roll, I got the jacket and the t-shirt in JJB Sports on a buy-one-get-one-free offer. The jacket is by Run 365 and was £17.99 - which I thought was fairly reasonable. It's really cosy, but also very lightweight. I probably should have got it before winter set in, but hey! Better late than never.
The t-shirt was meant to be £9.99, but I managed to get it for free on the BOGOF offer. It's also by Pure, but I'm not 100% convinced by it yet. The material is a little bit itchy-scratchy, but seen as I got it for nothing, I reckon it's worth a punt. I'll wear it on my next run and let you know how I get on.
So I got kitted out for a grand total of £37.99 - not bad going, I reckon. Now I feel like I can line up in Paris with my head held high - knowing that I look business and I mean business.
France isn't going to know what's hit it ;)
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