Look I’m really sorry for another late blog post. My life is hectic at the minute, in the best way. I have just started my new job AND I’m marathon training. My cat will continue to be spoiled and I can continue to buy running gear.

Anyway, let’s step back to week 11 shall we?

I return from holiday, will I cope being back marathon training?

Travelling home from holiday is exhausting. The idea of running wasn’t too appealing, but it wasn’t a full week luckily.

W/C 12th August

Tuesday

I was actually still in Fuerteventura. So I snoozed by the pool. Made the most of it before I had to fly home that evening.

Thursday

First run back!

I was reunited with my fantastic running club. I was so looking forward to heading back out. I was a tad nervous as I was tired from travelling home the day before. The flight arrived in Manchester in the early hours, so we booked the hotel. The next morning there had been disruption with the trains so it took far too long to get home.

Of course, I didn’t need to worry. We all supported each other.

The route was a lot of downhill into the town centre and all the way back up into Lindley! As the pace was relaxed, I found myself enjoying it. Lots of smiles at the end meant it was worth it.

Saturday

I was back at parkrun and back pacing 34. I was still feeling tired, I thought going on holiday was supposed to make you feel more relaxed!

I really enjoyed it. I spent the run chatting with other runners and encouraging them along. I turned music off so I could hear what they had to say. I had a lovely morning.

Sunday

Today’s plan I had to run 17 miles. This was the first real post holiday running test. I was nervous and still wasn’t feeling cracking. But I was up and out of bed.

My friend Nigel kindly gave me a lift to Brighouse canal and at mile 6, I would meet my friend Dave at Sowerby Bridge who would run the remaining 11 miles with me.

Sorted. I was in no rush, I just needed to take it steady and listen to my body.

Like a lot of these long runs, it did take a good 5k for me to get going. In fact, those first few miles were horrendous.

As soon as I hit 5k (well, thereabouts) I found my groove and felt better. It wasn’t going to be a cruising effort but I was confident I would get it done.

Outside Sowerby Bridge, the canal narrows and is full of cobbles. People were walking, as they entitled to and I attempted to overtake them.

I tripped and skidded. In front of people.

I was fine, knee a bit cut up but nothing serious. A woman wanted to help me sit down but NO!

I still had 11 miles to go. I thanked her and carried on. I crossed the road and saw Dave who was raring to go. He hadn’t noticed my knee until I cried out that I fell.

He asked if I was OK and we cracked on. He understood the mission. I was going to get this long run done.

We headed towards Hebden Bridge. I have never been this far on the canal and it was so exciting!

Due to my fall, I did pull the pace right back as the adrenaline was fuelling me now but I wasn’t sure it would carry me the whole way.

So we ran at a social pace, enjoying the beautiful morning.

The last 4 miles my knee started to ache so I made a deal. I could walk for a minute when I hit 3 miles to go. Nah, at 3 miles let’s carry on to 2.

Then it was a mile and a half to go and yes we did walk for a minute. Just a minute.

I did trick myself just to keep myself going. This is definitely going to be a marathon tactic as my brain will want to give up long before my body does! Then if I do need to walk, I know I’ll truly need it to reset.

Getting ahead of myself there… but we finished the run! We felt amazing!

Considering we just ran 17 miles we felt fantastic. It just shows that slowing down can be a good thing! Got the miles in and we felt strong.

Week 11 thoughts

I’m annoyed at myself for falling over, but this is typical me. I am quite clumsy! I am truly grateful that it’s nothing serious and I can run on it still.

I am quite impressed that I didn’t let it define the run. I just shook myself off and carried on and found joy.

Next week I have 21 miles ahead. This will be the ultimate test. If I can run this, I can run a marathon. Let’s bloody go!