Arnos Vale Community Run - 7th May

I met up with the team at Arnos Vale Cemetery last week to find out a bit more about the Arnos Vale Community Run being held on the 7th May Bank Holiday Monday. The organisers have mapped out two runs - a 2k and a 5k and are inviting runners of all abilities to come along and have a go. If you haven't been to Arnos Vale before it really is an amazing place to visit. So even if you don't do the run, try to come along and give your support for a great local community event.

I'm planning to do the 2k run with my nine year old daughter Jess. (She doesn't know that yet). The course will be quite challenging for her as it is quite hilly, but there are lots of narrow little paths to explore so it should be lots of fun. A good warm-up before we do the Race for Life together in Bristol in June.

Why would you want to run around a cemetery you may ask? Well, its different, unique, challenging and yes very atmospheric and if you are bored of running on roads this could be just the ticket. Its also a safe haven to bring your kids and an opportunity to do a bit of fund raising. There's also a cafe. So if you feel like watching some crazy runners or taking part maybe see you there.

Thanks Arnos Vale for a great idea.

We did the Bristol Race for Life

So Jessie and I and her pals ran The Race for Life on Saturday. We ran in the afternoon in glorious sunshine. I have to admit I thought it was going to be a bit of a mud bath after the torrential rain we had in the morning. I felt for the morning runners doing the Race for Life 10k.

Anyway we got round the 5k route with a bit of a struggle. I joked in my last post that Jess might run bare foot if she didn't wear her trainers at least once before the race. (She had been refusing to wear them despite loving them when we bought them). But that's exactly what happened. Last year she flew round the course wearing basic kiddies trainers from Clarks. This year she was wearing new "clumpy" trainers,  if that's the word to use, from Clarks, but she struggled and moaned so much that I said, "right, take off the trainers and run bare foot!" and that's exactly what she did. In fact her mate did the same and all of a sudden they were racing ahead. They loved it and their feet felt so much better on the cool soft grass. They got lots of cheers from the crowd as they ran along in their muddy socks.

I think she should just wear her daps next time or just a very basic plimsoll/running shoe. Just goes to show these fancy trainers aren't all what they are cracked up to be. Does anyone have any tips on running shoes for kids? Obviously Jessie is only nine and wouldn't normally be running 5k, but it would be interesting to hear if any other parents have had similar problems with kiddies trainers.

We rounded off the run with a huge picnic and a game of rounders! Lots of fun.

Race For Life on Saturday

Jessie and I are running the Race for Life on Saturday on The Downs with several thousand other women and young girls all dressed in pink. Last year Jessie completely surprised me with her speed so I am a little worried about keeping up with her. We've also done a bit of fundraising for Cancer Research UK.

Lets hope the rain stays away as traditionally we always have a huge picnic after the race. Yes you guessed it, cakes, chocolate, cakes, crisps and did I mention cakes........

Race for Life T-shirt

Christ, the postman must think this house is full of fitness fanatics. Today my Race for Life number arrived and Jessie's t-shirt. It looks huge so I may have to ask granny to adjust it for her when she arrives at the weekend.

I should probably get Jessie to do a few runs before the event, at least to break in her trainers. Last year her only complaint was that her feet hurt and she was feeling hot. She wasn't remotely out of breath.

I'm getting a little worried about this year's run as Jessie can weave in and out of all the other runners with ease while I'm stumble along behind saying 'excuse me, sorry, coming through" etc in an effort to keep up with Jess. Very comical.

A great South Bristol Running Route

Had the best run this Sunday. The sun was shining, everyone we ran past was smiling, and motivation was high. My running buddy has been feeling a little low recently about her running, but after Sunday's run she can give herself a well-earned pat on the back. We ran 13.5k and it felt good. Could probably have gone further if we had more time. I'm sure the good weather helps. Seeing as I've entered the Bristol 10k, Tyntesfield 10k and the Race for Life I need the training.

We ran a circuit that takes in Victory Park, open fields via public footpaths off Ironmould Lane to Hicks Gate, the River Avon Trail, Nightingale Valley and St Annes Woods. It's a great route, mostly flat apart from a couple of steep hills running out of Nightingale valley. It makes you really appreciate there are some great places in BS4 in which to run, walk and jog. We passed numerous horse riders on the river path and several teams of rowers. We initially took the high path through the woods and then descended down to the river. The last time I did this route the river path was incredibly muddy and hard going. Not this time.

We ran past this rather worrying sign on the way and then on past Beeses Bar & Tea Rooms and Eastwood Farm Local Nature Reserve on the opposite bank. We started craving cold drinks and wholesome cake. Can't wait until Beeses opens at Easter. We crossed the river by the Co-op in St Annes and then trotted through Nightingale Valley all the way back to Allison Rd. What a great route. It's just a matter of linking up green spaces with public footpaths. Easy.

Running the Race for Life with your daughter

I've just booked myself and Jessie, my eight year old daughter, to do the 2011 Race for Life in Bristol.

We did the race together for the first time last year and I had no idea how Jessie was going to get on. I thought I could probably take it easy and gently trot around the course behind her. How wrong was I?

From the moment the race started she was off - darting in and out of the crowd leaving me and all her friends behind. It was difficult to keep up with her and I felt sure she would run out of steam very quickly.

Tiny as she is, she simply run through the gaps between various groups of ladies while I politely repeated "excuse me, excuse me" whilst attempting to squeeze past and keep up.

At first I was concerned that she was going to get knocked over by other runners and walkers as they wouldn't see her. As the race continued and I realised it was more a matter of keeping up with her - I cursed my alcohol consumption from the night before. When she did finally stop, it wasn't because she was out of breath but because her feet were hurting. After a little rest, a sip of water and a mini water fight, her mate caught up with us and we all finished together.

I can't explain how proud I felt about my little girl. I just remember everyone cheering her on and fellow runners praising her and smiling. It was a great day for everyone - well everyone perhaps except her sister who had an attack of hayfever. Jessie did so well last year that we thought we would do it this time for charity.

Jessie is particularly tiny for her age and she continually complains about being small and light. Yet being small obviously has some advantages like being a mean runner!! The race also gave her confidence a massive boost.

I wonder how we will get on this year? Certainly more enjoyable than my Longleat 10k that I did last week. That was tough. The hardest 10k yet.

How I got into running

I confess I have always enjoyed feeling fit. My early twenties it was karate and aerobics. Then it all went a bit crazy when I was introduced to rock climbing and mountaineering in my late twenties. By my mid thirties, married and with two gorgeous children I was struggling with my fitness. Yoga and climbing were my thing but I didn't feel fit.

I had been advised against running following sciatica and a prolapsed disk in my early thirties. Ashtanga yoga had really sorted out my back, but I needed to do something else. I wanted to loose weight and feel like the old me again, but I didn't want to go to the gym. I wanted to do something that was outdoors without any paraphernalia. I kept coming back to the idea of running, but was worried about my back. "What harm could a gentle jog do?"

After much deliberation I decided to give it a go. My first 'gentle' jog was really pathetic. I could hardly run around the block without hyper-ventilating. I would quietly sneak out of the house hoping nobody would see me struggling, returning only after 10 minutes, red-faced and hardly able to stand.

Slowly I began to run further. First it was once around the block, then twice and then I would venture further. As for my running gear....well.... I would wear a long baggy t-shirt, very unflattering tracksuit bottoms, and hide under a baseball cap. Every run was the same and I would arrive back home gasping for water, unable to speak. I did this kind of running for a year or so. Not particularly exciting and I certainly didn't tell anyone I was into running. That was my secret.

It was only when a friend mentioned the Race for Life to me that I decided to give myself a goal and have a go. Several other friends had the same idea. At the time we all had young children and were struggling with fitness. For most of us it was more about having the time to get out to run than not wanting to do it. We managed to get out once or twice a week. It was hard, but we made some progress and encouraged each other. We'd run along together chatting, probably scaring anyone who happened to be walking in the opposite direction.

One strained calf muscle later followed by lots of physio and a new pair of running shoes, I completed my first Race for Life. At the end of the race I discovered my weakness for great homemade food. Invited to join a picnic I simply could not resist the gorgeous display laid before me. Quiche, sandwiches, cakes, mountains of bread and strawberries. What is a girl to do? Well that's obvious. Just devour as much food as you can, putting back all the calories just burnt off of course!