“Grind it out, Hannah, just grind it out.” Those were the words I was repeating out loud to myself like a madwoman on my final long run before the Yorkshire Marathon.
With less than two weeks to go I took to the roads at the weekend to complete my final long run and it was definitely a tough one.
Knowing I was about two weeks behind where I should/wanted to be due to a bit of an iffy calf I was apprehensive about how far I’d make it on Saturday.
22 miles would’ve been the dream but I think deep down I knew that wasn’t going to happen having not ran more than eight miles in the past two weeks. So I settled on doing anything between 16-22 miles – I’m not one to give up easily!
Everything was fine to start with, I felt strong, my Shot Bloks were slipping down like I was eating fruit pastilles in front of the X Factor on a Saturday night and I was running a good 30 seconds quicker on each mile than my estimated marathon pace. Until mile 18 that is.
I think my mind gave up before my legs did, which is usually the case, hence why I began chanting to myself whilst Eminem Till I Collapse was on repeat.
I reached 20 miles and decided that was enough, disappointed that I hadn’t managed to hit 22 but pleased that my calf looked like it was going to hold up for the race – and that’s the most important thing, I kept reminding myself.
So with the countdown officially ON (I say that, I’ve been counting down for the past 70 odd days!), it’s finally time to taper.
I’ve been reading up on how to taper and have found that most blogs are suggesting to reduce mileage by another 20-25 per cent during the final two weeks and to run everything easy. So that’s exactly what I’ll be doing.
I’ll be doing three/four runs this week and two/three CrossFit sessions to keep my strength up but if my calf starts playing up I’ll swim instead of run and will take it easy with CrossFit.
I’m in the process of planning my final week now (eek!) and have stocked up on different flavoured Shot Bloks for the race and have almost finalised my race outfit – priorities ey!
Yorkshire Marathon – Let’s do this!!
Category Archives: Running
Vale of York half-marathon
When the race organisers said that the course for the Vale of York half-marathon was flat, they weren’t joking. With just one slight incline across the entire 13.1 miles, this course is perfect for those looking to bag a PB or take on their first half-marathon.
Held yesterday for the first time, it was also perfectly timed for those running the Yorkshire Plusnet Marathon on Sunday, October 12.
The event was sold out and over 1,000 runners were expected to take part. I joined those runners along with my best friend and fitness pal Liana (follow our fitness journey on Instagram using #fabsfitness) as we headed to the start line at the Race HQ at Sherburn Aero Club.
The sun was shining and other than not enough toilets, I can’t fault the organisation of it. The two ladies working on the bag drop were very busy but as long as you’re patient that doesn’t matter.
As I am now well in to my training for the Yorkshire Marathon (last weekend I ran 20 miles!) Liana and I decided to enjoy the sunshine and run this at marathon pace, rather than race it at half-marathon pace. After the first two miles we had settled in to a comfortable pace, with our mile splits only differing by a couple of seconds either side.
So far my long runs haven’t always been at marathon pace, especially the much longer ones. My coach told me that I need to be able to run some of my long runs comfortably at marathon pace so this was a great training run for me.
Although the route was made up of long, flat and often straight roads, it was made enjoyable by the attractive scenery. As we reached the finish line the crowds had picked up and really gave runners a boost as they crossed the finish line.
Once we had handed our timing chips in we were greeted with an energy gel, a technical t-shirt and a medal.
All in all, the route was great and both Liana and I said that it was one of the most enjoyable races we had ever run. I’ll definitely be back next year to try and secure a PB.
Liana and I celebrate with our medals after completing the first ever Vale of York half-marathon
Women’s Running take on the Adidas Thunder Run 24 Hour challenge
Running in a 24 hour ultra race was never in my race plan for this year.
When I saw a Tweet from Women’s Running Magazine saying they needed one more person to join their team for the Adidas Thunder Run 24 Hour I just knew I had to apply.
After a brief exchange of emails I was told that the place was mine and I went a bit mental in the office to say the least!
For those of you who aren’t familiar with it, the Adidas TR24 is a 24 hour race running laps of a 10k trail route at Catton Park, Derby. Runners can take part in teams of eight, six or five, and for the serious ultra runners you can even opt to run it in a pair or as a solo runner (hats off to you guys – I don’t know how you do it!). As long as someone from the team is on the course at all times you’re still in the race. Everyone has to complete at least one lap but after that you can run as many laps as you want from 12pm Saturday to 12pm on Sunday.
Our team was made up of a variety of runners, some were seasoned marathon runners, others were novices but we all had one thing in common; we loved to run and that bonded us instantly. We also had Jon in our team of six, who had been swapped over from the Men’s Running team.
Team Women’s Running (minus one) having a cuppa on Sunday morning
I arrived on Friday night to set up camp and as we were an Adidas sponsored team we were shown to a pitch right near the start line – perfect. Not only that but Adidas were kind enough to kit us out in their latest sportswear and adizero trail shoes which are my new babies, I love them. A HUGE thank you to the Adidas team.
After a quick team talk on Saturday morning we decided the order we were running in, how many laps we ideally wanted to complete and most importantly, what snacks we had all brought to re-fuel with. I was first up and took the orange snap bracelet (our relay baton) to the start line with a mixture of enthusiasm and the usual pre-race nerves.
The route was undulating to say the least and had some killer climbs but the scenery was fantastic and all around an enjoyable route, which was a good job really as I was going to get pretty familiar with it over the next 24 hours! I completed my first lap in 56 minutes which is a good 10 minutes slower than my 10K road race PB but I was pleased and wanted to pace myself for the next several laps as I was hoping to run at least 40K.
My strategy after each lap was to stretch for 30 minutes to an hour and drink a Lucozade Sport Caribbean Burst (I could drink these all day they’re so good) and then eat something such as a banana before refueling properly with some pasta salad or couscous.
Taking the baton for the first lap
We all completed our first two laps in good times and before we knew it darkness fell and it was time to get the head torches out for the third lap. Having never run that late at night I wasn’t sure what to expect. So as I laced up my trainers for the 12.30am lap I went out at a more gentle pace. Running in the dark was strangely therapeutic though and it was fun jumping over tree trunks guided by just one beam of light from your head.
A couple of hours of interrupted sleep later and it was time to go again and I think it was this lap I found the hardest as fatigue, both mentally and in my muscles, was beginning to set in. But I can honestly say that once I was running I felt great again. It looked as though it would be our final round of laps as Jon, the last in the relay leg, went out at about 10.55am. Although 12pm is when the race officially finishes, if a runner is on the course before then, even at 11.59.59am, then the lap still counts. The team said that it was up to me whether I decided to go for it and after some deliberation I decided that if Jon was back before 12pm I’d go for my fifth lap. He came in at about 11.52am and I decided to go for it, the adrenaline powering me through. Finishing that fifth lap was amazing and I was so proud to have completed 31 miles for the team.
Straight after completing my 31 miles for team Women’s Running
On my 31st mile and attempting a strong finish on the last hill
In total, team Women’s Running ran 23 laps. But for me, the best part of the weekend was being around like minded people who shared the same passion and genuinely making some fantastic friends and meeting amazing people. After one lap a lady came up to me to say thank you for powering her through a lap when she was at a low point – for me that was a priceless moment.
The atmosphere across the whole weekend was amazing and I can’t wait to go back and take on Thunder Run next year!
We did it!!
#Allin24 with my food prep
The most important part of my preparation for the Adidas UK Thunder Run 24 Hour got underway today….food shopping.
With two nights camping and a 24 hour run ahead of me I have been making extensive lists of the supplies I’ll need to take.
Top of the list is of course Lucozade Sport drinks to recover after each lap. I am obsessed with the Caribbean Burst flavour which is so good I could bathe in it. Next is Meridian Foods peanut butter which will no doubt get lathered on Soreen malt loaf which I tried for the first time today. I can only describe it as dangerous stuff as I ploughed through half a loaf before lunch.
Treats keep me going so I didn’t even hesitate in adding a multi-pack of caramel Freddo bars to my shopping basket today. I’ll no doubt be imagining the taste of it when I’m struggling (well, hopefully I won’t be struggling too much!) on one of the late night laps.
I will also be taking lots of water, bananas and porridge pots. Here’s my list so far:
-Lucozade Sport drinks
-Bottled water
-Coffee
-Peanut butter
-Soreen malt loaf
– Porridge
-Freddo bars
– Paleo granola (homemade)
– Flapjack (homemade)
– Peanut butter cookies (homemade)
– Banana and blueberry bread (homemade)
– Homemade peanut butter cups (homemade)
Obviously these aren’t my main meals, just staples to get me through the weekend. As I’m a newbie to trail running and events such as the Thunder Run I’d love to hear any suggestions of what snacks are good to take!
You can tweet me @HannahBryan91
Or comment on the box below.
Conquer the Forest No Ego Challenge
I am proud to say that I am one of the top 50 finishers in the first ever Dalby Forest No Ego Challenge!
As my first trail race I wasn’t sure what to expect but within the first half a mile I knew it wasn’t going to be like any other half-marathon I had experienced.
The hills were relentless and we grappled with loose rocks on steep descents and tired not to lose our trail shoes whilst wading through muddy bogs.
Before the madness got underway.
Jim and I all smiles before we headed to the start line.
My friend Jim picked me up at about 8.30am and we made our way to the picturesque Dalby Forest which took us just over an hour. Registration was quick and easy and once we had our number it was time to get a few pictures before a brief warm up and a pre-race talk. We were told to let those who were “going big” to go first as after about 100m the path narrowed to single file.
Our strategy was to try and run nine minute miles which we worked out would get us in at 1 hour 57 minutes. However shortly after setting off we realised that it might be a struggle.
Within the first mile we hit the first climb which was almost impossible to run up. Small and steady steps Jim assured me, which actually turned out to be a pretty good strategy but I saw at least a couple of people walking up every hill we were faced with. Trying to make up time after the hills was almost impossible too as the flat stretch afterwards was used for recovery rather than for speed.
However the route itself was amazing. Flying down winding banks through the forest, navigating your way over fallen trees and through muddy bogs made this the best race I’ve ever been a part of.
That said though, it was one hell of a challenge and without Jim I definitely would’ve struggled a lot more. At times you’re running solo and as someone who is used to the cheering of crowds during a road race I can imagine that if you were running alone and were not a seasoned trail runner it could be quite lonely.
Another difference is that you have to give the terrain your full concentration for the duration of the race. You can’t switch off the same way you might do on the roads. If you’re not paying attention to your footing one wrong move could see you coming down on your ankle.
Dalby Forest was the perfect setting for it though and like any other race, all of the runners were supporting each other which was fantastic. It was also interesting to know that even some of the seasoned trail runners taking part were not doing it for a time, something which took me a while to adjust to I must admit.
The muddier we got though the more fun I began to have and whizzing through the forests and breathing in that wonderful earthy smell was just fantastic.
The final hurdle was a killer hill before a sprint finish across the line to come in at just under two hours at 2hrs28mins and the 11th lady to finish. Not bad for my first trail half-marathon I’d say, especially considering that we stopped twice to try and get rid of my persistent pins and needles in my left foot/leg and stopped to drink at every water station.
The feeling in my legs afterwards was nothing like that after a half-marathon road race either and I definitely felt as though I had worked a lot harder. It was such a great feeling though and I am definitely going to sign up to another trail challenge in the future. But until then it’s time to soak the blisters in TCP and Savlon in the hope that they recover in time for this weekends Adidas Thunder Run!
Keep your eyes peeled for the official pictures as well which I will post on here when they’re out.
Celebrating with my No Ego Challenge t-shirt after the race
Don’t even want to try and clean these yet…
Check out those blisters!
Marathon training & some other challenges in between
After weeks of thinking about it I’ve finally devised myself a training plan for the Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon.
With just under three months to go I thought I’d share my training with you as I work up to running 26.2 miles and take on a few different challenges in between.
Here’s a little about what I’ve got coming up:
Saturday, July 19: The No Ego Trail Challenge – Conquer the Forest half marathon at Dalby Forest
Just five days from now I’ll be running my first trail half-marathon. I’m not sure just how much of the stunning views of Dalby Forest I’ll be able to take in though as we battle through water, jump over fallen trees and tackle mud bogs and plenty of hills. As it’s my first one I’m not expecting a fantastic time but ideally I’d like to complete it in less than two hours.
Saturday, July 16: Adidas Thunder Run 24 Hour
For many people, the thought of running for 24 hours would sound like some form of extreme punishment. To me though, it sounds like one hell of an exciting challenge. I have been lucky enough to secure a place on the Women’s Running magazine team for this incredible challenge, organised by Adidas. The idea is that someone from the team has to be running the 10k trail route at all times across 24 hours. Each competitor must complete at least one lap but after that you can run as many as you want, or take it in turns. Hats off to those solo runners who do the full 24 hours by themselves! I don’t doubt that it’s going to be a huge test for me, both physically and mentally.
Saturday, August 2: Tough Mudder Yorkshire
My best friend and fitness fanatic Liana took on Tough Mudder last year and this year we’ve decided to do it together. We will be volunteering as course marshals on the Sunday after running the course on the Saturday as well. For those of you who don’t know what Tough Mudder is all about, it’s described as the toughest event on the planet. Over ten-12 miles we’ll tackle a range of obstacles from underwater tunnels to rope climbs and even fire to test our strength and all round physical (and mental) capabilities.
So that’s what I’m facing at the moment, a gruelling three weeks with plenty of recovery and mobility work in between and quite frankly I can’t wait!
Hannah's Happy Pace 