Sarah Elliott - Express and Echo
Latest Entry - 4th May
blog FINAL :(
Well I did it - and I ran it all without stopping, so I am quite proud of myself. Looking at the provisional race results, my chip time is 2hr 12min. Last year I did it in 2hr 18min, so I can safely say that I just beat that time, which I am pleased about.
I have my colleagues Naomi Harris and Bradley Gerrard to thank for keeping a good pace beside me.
The first lap was ok, but I always find going back up Blackboy Road a bit of a struggle. It's also much harder when you see the elite atheletes streaming past on the other side, knowing that you still have ages to go! I don't know how they do it, they are super fit.
One of our Echo reporters, Tom Arnold, finished in 1hr 40min - amazing! And Nick Warren, who recently did the London Marathon did 1hr 55min.
By the second lap my legs were starting to tire, and my knee was causing me slight pain most of the way through, but aerobically I felt ok. The main problem I had was with my shorts rubbing me, I won't go into too much detail - let's just say it wasn't pretty and I won't be wearing them again next year!
The atmosphere throughout the whole race was great as usual, the crowds along Pinhoe Road, really give you a push to go on and the bands in Southernhay were also a welcome distraction.
On the last stretch up Summer Lane back into Exeter Arena, I almost felt like giving up - at this point I had raced on on my own, so it was harder to keep motivated. But I did it, I got onto the athletics track, had no idea what time I was up to, even though I had a watch, I could only go roughly by it. When I rounded the corner about 100m from the finish I had a burst of energy and sprinted to the finish.
It's such a great event, well organised and everyone seems to enjoy themselves, raising loads of money for numerous charities. It was nice to see many of the people that have recently featured in the Echo too - I hope you all had a great time and feel ok now!
You can see photos from the day and a video at www.thisisexeter.co.uk/gwr
Thanks to the guys at Ironbridge Runner for letting me share my somewhat eratic training schedule with you. I would like to finish in under 2hr 10min next year, so that is my challenge!
All that I can say is bring on Great West Run 2009, until then...
Sarah Elliott
28th April
Well I can't believe it's less than a week to go to the big race day! Time flies! I went for my last big run (not that i've done that many) on Sunday. Me and Naomi from the Echo ran about half the GWR route.... it was ok, the weather was quite warm, but we did it in just over an hour, including a few stops as someone (naming no names, Naomi!) had a little too much wine the night before! We both go at a similar pace so will try and stick together on Sunday I think. My knee didn’t cause me too many problems until I decided to run a bit faster towards the end, and I can still feel the pain this morning - not a good thing!
I had my race pack through and my number is 446. Look out for the Echo team on the day, as most of us will be wearing white t-shirts with our logo on them, so give us a cheer if you see us!
I am hoping to film a ‘last minute preparations’ video for thisisexeter.co.uk/gwr this week, so look out for that.
All I can say for now, is good luck everybody. Well done to all those who have raised so much money for charity and thanks to those who have contacted the Echo with their personal stories of why they are running, it has been a pleasure to speak to you all.
I'm sure I will write one more entry next week, hopefully from the comfort of my sofa!
Until then...
21st April
I have tried to run a bit more this past week, apart from the usual exercise class on Monday. I ran 3 miles around the Exminster area on Tuesday, 3 gentle miles around the Quay on Thursday and then on Saturday, even though it was raining, a few friends and myself tackled part of the GWR course, starting out at Exeter Arena. We only did about 5 miles in total, but I think it’s a good idea to get used to the route.
Nick Warren, our Chiefs reporter, has just informed me he has entered the London Marathon ballot for next year - after saying 'never, ever again'! He tells me I should be ‘easing down’ on my training now - my reply - 'I haven’t eased up yet'!!!
This week I might drag one of my colleagues out and attempt a bit more of the GWR route.
Until next time...
14th April
Gym class on Monday night, then a mile run back. A brisk 2 mile power walk on Thursday and a short 3 mile run on Sunday. Not great, but better than nothing.
I watched most of the London Marathon on TV on Sunday, looking out for Nick, one of the Echo's sports reporters, eventually got a text from him later that evening, he completed the race in 4 hours 16 mins! A great achievement, even if it was slightly over his target of four hours! I asked him if he would be doing it again, his reply "Never, ever!" But I have a feeling he may change his mind!
Online entry for the 2009 marathon also opened on Sunday, and because I have applied five years in a row and not got in, it means I should definitely have a place in next year's! Oh dear - will see if I can get round the GWR route first!
Until next time...
Latest Entry - 7th April
Well after a couple of weeks of slacking off the training, I jumped in at the deep end on Sunday and did a ten mile run! It was really tough. I took the advice of the Echo's sports reporters Jon Lewis, who is also in training for the GWR. He told me about one of his training routes from Marsh Barton to Turf Locks, so thought I'd give that a go. It was very scenic - and pretty good weather - couldn't believe it was snowing by the end of the day! I was going well, passed lots of anglers enjoying their Sunday. I almost swallowed a fly - not the nicest thing, and by the time I got down to Turf Lock, I had just about run out of water. So on my return past Countess Wear, I stopped at the garage to get some Lucozade - luckily I had bought a little bit of change with me. I ran back to the city down Topsham Road, by this point my legs were about to give out! It was only the energy drink keeping me going - which I managed to spray all over myself, forgetting that I had been running with it and opened it too quickly!
I also went to the gym and swimming once. This week I will try to keep up the training, it’s much easier now the better weather is setting in and the evenings are lighter.
Until next time...
25th March
This week I gave circuits a go for the first time in years, was pretty tough but I felt good afterwards! I even met a couple of people who had recognised me from my blog on this site and from my Fijian Tribal adventures over Christmas!
I was off work on Friday so took the opportunity to get another run in. I decided to attempt some of the GWR route as hadn't done it since last year's race. I ran from my area of the city, all along Western Way, up Blackboy Road and down Pinhoe Road. I was planning on stopping at Polsloe Bridge and going back the other way, but I decided to carry on to the very end of Pinhoe Road, where the turn in the GWR route is and then made my way back towards the city centre. On the return I was running into the wind so it was tougher going, but I was proud of myself that I ran all the way up the hilly bit of Pinhoe Road. Might not seem a lot for you experienced runners out there, but every little helps!
I ran back down Blackboy Road and through Sidwell Street. In all it looks like about 4.87 miles, did it in about 50 minutes, that's with stopping for traffic lights and letting my knee rest which was twinging all the way through :( So using the Pace calculator (Pace Calculator) it looks like about 10 minute miles. At that rate I won't be beating my last year's time!
I've ony eaten one small Cadbury's Cream egg this easter! But I have to say lent ended on Sunday, and I don't think I mentioned before, but I have managed to give up crisps for the whole time - not for religious reasons, just to see if I could do it! Now I can eat them again!! YES!! Next year I might try chocolate and sweets!
As I write this on Bank Holiday Monday, I am lucky to have the day off so I plan to go to circuits this evening, and i'm gonna jog over there, rather than take the car...whether I will be able to jog home afterwards is another matter entirely!
Until next time...
18th March
After my long-ish run last weekend my knee surprisingly felt better by Tuesday, so I eased back into the fitness regime with a gentle swim.
On Thursday I frequented my usual keep fit class. My plan was to run after working on Saturday but it was raining heavily so I went on Sunday instead.
I am pleased to say that my pedometer is definitely not working properly!! I tested this out by running from Holloway Street down Topsham Road to the Countess Wear roundabout again, which according to Google Maps is 2 miles, my pedometer told me less, so that means I have been running further than I thought! I estimate I ran about 5 miles in just under an hour, which I am pretty pleased with, considering my knee pain kicks in after just a mile!
My colleague sports reporter Nick Warren is training for the London Marathon and has now got up to 18 miles, he hopes to complete the full course in less than four hours and only after that will he decide how well he thinks he can do on the GWR! Read more on his story here.
My other colleague, reporter Bradley Gerrard, who is taking on his first half marathon, is now training at just over 6 miles, which he has done in about an hour, so hopes to complete the GWR is about 2.5 hours if not better! He is also going to the gym about twice to keep up his fitness levels.
Until next time
Sarah
11th March
Well today I am feeling quite proud of myself, but also pretty sorry for myself. I endeavored to go out on a long run on Sunday morning, which I managed before the rain came in. I set off from the city centre down Topsham Road, by the time I reached the Countess Wear roundabout my knee was feeling quite painful. I continued on, taking a break every mile or so, after a few laps around the quay, it was time to head home, my pedometer told me I had done just over 10K (about 6 miles) but when I plotted it on Google maps it was more like 10 miles. I have to say it felt like 10 miles and the fact that I can now hardly bend my leg is testament to that! I’m hoping my pedometer is wrong!
I am beginning to wonder if I will even get round the whole GWR course at this rate. I’m having no problem running continuously at a steady pace, if only the knee would behave.
The rest of my week’s training consisted of two legs, bums & tums classes, one Body Attack class and a 3 mile run on Friday - I popped into the Ironbridge Runner on the way through town and the guys were really encouraging although I think Pete was shocked I was not doing more training but it’s about as much as I can sensibly fit in when I’m working long hours as well.
The one good thing I am finding is that I am exploring areas of Exeter that I have not been too before. I like to alternate my running route and it's good to see where paths go...about time I got to know the city a bit better, seeing as I have been living here for 16 years now!
Until next time
Sarah
4th March
This last working week has been busier than ever so I have found it hard to fit in much training. By the time I finished work I just felt like going straight home but I have managed a couple of cross-training sessions in the gym and a couple of exercise classes.
My knee has not been playing up so much, but then I haven’t pushed it in any long runs.
I visited the physiotherapist on Saturday, which was extremely interesting, I got drawn over and had my limbs bent in different directions! Diagnosis – I have ‘squinting patella’ – think I have the name right (Google it!)! Basically I need to do some simple squat exercises to strengthen up particular muscles in my legs so my knee caps point where they should be and I have also bought a knee band to wear when running. Let’s hope it helps.
Until next time
Sarah
26th Feb
My training this last week has not progressed very much. I went to the gym on Saturday, but the weather was again so lovely I decided to also go for a run on the quay as well.
I alternated my route this time and ran in a reverse direction, starting on the side near the Old Custom House and down towards St Leonard’s. By the time I got to the other side the sun was setting and I got distracted at the shops in the Exe Retail Park - oops.
Work has been so busy this week and I spent a couple of days in London, but I did walk around the city for about five hours, so surely that was better than nothing!
Thursday my job took me to the Ironbridge Runner Shop to film Rob Moore, giving some invaluable training tips for the Echo’s website. He taught me a lot and I realised I shouldn’t be striving for distance so much on my runs but concentrating on running for a sustained length of time. So that is what I shall try next.
PS. I have booked an appointment with a physio to get my knee looked at!
Until next time
Sarah
19th Feb 2008
Well, the weekends’ have bought lovely weather recently. I didn’t want to be couped up in my flat or spend my Saturday afternoon in a sweaty gym, so I decided to start my training regime.
After pulling on my trainers, realising my ipod has seen better days and trying to set my sports watch – which I gave up on after 10 minutes and just used the free pedometer I got a couple of years ago, I headed out the door and down towards the Quay.
It was great to get out into the fresh air, amongst the weekend walkers, cyclists and other runners, but I think running on my own has its disadvantages, I can’t seem to pace myself and tend to run too fast.
After running across Miller’s Crossing bridge and along the other side of the river, I was getting tired by the time I got to the second Exe Bridge. I took a break and then promised myself I would run at a more leisurely pace.
At this stage of my running regime, I don’t intend to run continuously for the whole route, but when I did stop, it was just for a minute or two to catch my breath, then I would pin-point another marker and run until I reached it.
Half way round the route I started to get pains in my knee, an injury I think I picked up from doing the London half marathon a few years back. Not a good sign, and something I need to get looked at!
I ran part way down the east side of the quay and then back along Topsham Road to the city centre. In all it was only about 5k, but it felt much longer…I have a long way to go!
Until next time…
Sarah
12th Feb 2008
Last year I took part in the Great West Run for the first time, and although it was tough, I did enjoy it, and as soon as entries opened for this year’s race, I found myself signing up.
With good intentions I aimed to start training immediately, but ‘life’ got in the way. I had to sort out Christmas gifts early as I was to spend it abroad away from civilisation, it was into January by the time I returned to the UK and the month of my impending 30th birthday. Now that has passed I fully intend to start a training regime.
I do go to the gym and exercise classes a few times a week, but find unless I am really forced to push myself, my workouts tend to be half-hearted.
Last year I managed to complete the Great West Run in 2 hours 15minutes, which I was quite pleased with, and I think I could have knocked some time off that if I had run all the way round the course!
I don’t take part in these things to get a great time though, it is more for the challenge and the satisfaction of completing it. I did the Silverstone London Half Marathon four years ago, which was the first time I had run such a distance. I completed it in ….. but I probably would of given up if it wasn’t for the help of a kind man who seemed happy to keep a steady pace beside me. I have heard it’s worse to stop running, so I just kept it to a gentle jog!
It would be great to better my time in the GWR this year, I think I was lucky last year, as I didn’t train that much, it must have been that banana I had for breakfast!
So now I must leave the office on this dull winter night and hit the running machine – or perhaps I will be really brave and hit the pavement!
Until next time…
Sarah