Getting faster!

Another weekend and another Parkrun! Whilst this week marked Mother Dearest's 100th run AND a new PB, for me it was a huge surprise to see myself running my fastest Parkrun in 2 years!

Mother Dearest after her 100th ParkRun!

It's been a long road back to running over the last couple of years. After the 2016 Great North Run left me nearly unable to walk, I set out on a mission to get to the bottom of the pain in my leg that had troubled me for 7 years: A worthwhile, but lengthy exercise... Over a year and what must be nearly 100 chiropractor appointments later, I am finally getting back to where I was! And I suppose it's a good job, seeing as I've got 26.2 miles to run in April!

Even though distance is the goal, rather than speed, I can't help but be quietly overjoyed that the pace is coming back. It is frustrating seeing an old PB staring you down every time you check the results. But not for much longer... 24.33- I'm coming for you!!


I am partially putting my regained pace down to new socks! Having suffered with blisters after running more than 4-5 miles, the thought of my upcoming challenge was concerning me. However, since the arrival of some new 'runderwear' socks, my feet are finally beginning to recover! Here are my shiny new socks, which I have just ordered more pairs of (in pink this time... Obviously!)

These splendid new socks have seen me through an extremely hilly 7 mile run today! Despite a number of killer hills, I have to say I actually really enjoyed the outing - A steady pace and a few photo opportunities made for a pleasant afternoon run with Mother Dearest!

In Kettlesing where we used to live!

All in all, it's been a positive week where running is concerned! A grand total of 23 miles this week and feeling good! I am excited to see what the coming week brings, more miles and more pace!

Please remember to visit my Just Giving page to sponsor me in my marathon challenge!
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Fiona-Kitchingman

'The Fall'

Another week closer to Christmas and I still haven't run that all important 10 miles.. But there's time. 

I have however been building up the amount of runs this week and trying to push a little further each time; the furthest being 5.5 miles - halfway to the first goal! Woo! 

Whilst the milestones (pardon the pun) are small, I can still see and feel the progress in my running, which is great. The running is by no means easy yet, and an extremely windy Wednesday run was a monumental challenge, but myself and Running Club were able to soldier on. I am also keeping true to what I said in my last post. I am being more like S and refusing to give up - determination is prevailing and the hills haven't beaten me yet! 

The increase in running is presenting some other challenges too, like a sore and achy shoulder both during and post run, which isn't ideal. I'm confident that the cause of said achy shoulder is the arm wallet I am currently using to carry my phone... 

A quick fix - don't take the phone, right? This was previously my attitude. For a long time I enjoyed leaving my phone at home, having some time away from being reachable at the touch of a button, not having something bleeping at me with notifications every few minutes. Until 'The Fall, that is'. 

I'd never really given too much thought to running without my phone. I have my Garmin to track my run, which will sync when I get back and a lightweight MP3 player to listen to some pacy tunes. Why would I need anything else? This was an opinion that changed on one particular Thursday in the Summer Holidays. I had run almost 5 miles and was only a stone's throw from home, taking a route across a public footpath through a field. All was going well, I had picked up the pace knowing that I was on the home stretch, however what I didn't pick up were my feet. Hitting a stone, I went down and I went down hard. 


I was quickly able to sit up and take stock of my injuries; hands that had been chewed by stones and legs with bruises already beginning to show. And in that moment I wanted one thing: My phone! 

I was extremely lucky that day (apart from the whole falling thing), as I knew I had just run past a woman walking with her children and that she would be coming around the corner any moment and would hopefully be able to help me! Thankfully she did. She helped me up and even took me back to her house to try and clean my hands before driving me back to my house to await a lift to A&E to have my hands cleaned properly. 

Still smiling, even in A&E!

Many lessons were learned that day: 
1. Always run with your phone - you never know what might happen,
2. Falling over really hurts and as an adult you fall both further and harder,
3. Sometimes you just need a mum, it doesn't have to be yours, but a mum will always know what to do! 

So having learned these lessons and all my injuries healed, I now run with my phone and always pick up my feet! 

Please don't forget to check out my Just Giving page and read a little more about why I am running The London Marathon. It's a very important charity and I would love for people to know more about them and support the cause. 

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Fiona-Kitchingman

The Berlin Marathon - An Inspiration

What an inspiring day! Even though I have been watching from the comfort of my own home, I feel completely in awe of those who have completed Berlin Marathon today. 

It was incredible to watch Kipchoge break the world record, putting in a last push over the finish line without even seeming exhausted or the slightest bit phased. Not like he had just run 26.2 miles in a record time at any rate! 26.2 miles in 2 hours 1 minute and 39 seconds. If I can be half way round my marathon in that time, I will be a very happy lady! But let's not think about that just yet! 

The person who has inspired me most today, is my sister, S. A determined and incredibly fit person, she went to Berlin chasing a PB -  A PB which will forever remain a distant dream for a mediocre runner such as myself! Unfortunately, she didn't manage to get her new PB, but she achieved so much anyway. She completed her third Berlin Marathon in 3 hours 38 minutes and 55 seconds, which to most of us is a time we can only dream of. However, this year's Berlin Marathon turned into a bit of a nightmare race for S. Sparing you any graphic and gory details, consuming liquids became a problem at mile 7 (nobody ever said running was glamorous, but more on that in a later post I am sure), which means not only did S complete a marathon in a remarkable time, she did it without any gels or glucose tablets that most runners would be relying on when running such a distance. 

So after first being sick at mile 7, a lot of people would have pulled up and called it a day, chalk it up to experience and walk the remaining 19.2 miles, or possibly not complete the race at all. But not S. She had gone to Berlin with a mission, and she wasn't going to give up that easily. With friends, family and an incredible support team there with her, she was able to dig deep and run on (still putting my pace to shame I might add!), completing her run in a very impressive time. I am totally blown away by her determination and mental strength to get through such a difficult race when I have been known to stop and walk because of a moderate incline. I am therefore going to endeavour to take some of S's determination with me as I start my own marathon journey. If she can run through her physical pain and achieve so much, surely I can just complete London '19? Here's hoping!

So whilst, Kipchoge broke the world record, S conquered the age old battle of 'mind over matter', proving how important a positive mental attitude is when approaching any and all tasks. I think we could all serve to a be a bit more like S - dig deep and just keep running, whether literally or metaphorically! 

Well done, S! You are truly inspirational! X

Smiling at the start, and smiling at the end!

Comment With a Song! (Or Write Me a Note!)

As a teacher, there are many joys in my day. Teaching a wide age range of children, working with some amazing people and of course... Giving assemblies! 

Today was assembly day. And after some careful consideration, a topic was decided. Whatever did I choose? I hear you ask. The London Marathon of course! 

Research for my assembly provided me with a wealth of interesting facts a figures: how many people completed the first London Marathon, how many bags of rubbish are collected when it's all over, how many people apply to take part and dare I say it, how many stretchers are on hand should they be needed! (It's 300 by the way!) 

I am pleased to report that the children I was speaking to were receptive (and dare I say, suitably impressed) about the challenge I am undertaking. I was also excited to tell them about this blog! Miss K Runs The Marathon is more than just a way of documenting my journey from 0 - marathon and holding myself accountable, it is a way of sharing my writing with the children I teach - some of whom I hope are reading this post and ready to undertake the task I set them! 

I have asked all the children to think of a motivational song that they would like to add to my marathon playlist and I am already loving the suggestions I have received whilst patrolling the playground earlier today. One particularly ambitious child even wanted to write me an original composition! 

So here it is. The post I told you was coming. The 'comment with a song' post! I can't wait to  see your suggestions and get downloading the tracks. If you can't comment, feel free to let me know your suggestion when you see me around! 

P.S. Don't forget to check out my Just Giving page and read about my chosen charity. 

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Fiona-Kitchingman 

The News!

So after happily applying to take part in next year's London Marathon, assuming that the likelihood of getting a place was slim to none, it turns out I have exactly that... A place. In next year's London Marathon. 

I received this news whilst driving to Wales with a friend for the bank holiday weekend; a phone call from my mum saying "Get your running shoes on!" Luckily she will be undertaking this challenge with me, so her excitement was tinged with as much terror as my nervous laughter! 

So far the plan is simple: run 10 miles comfortably before Christmas, as that is when the real training will begin. *Gulp* 

Week 1 after finding out I have a place, my enthusiasm definitely got the better of me. I racked up nearly 40 Kilometres over the week, running 5 out of 7 days without even realising what I had done. This is a mistake any seasoned runner would warn you about, along with the lecture "Rest days are important!"  Well let me tell you - Lesson learned! A considerable pain in the top of my foot meant a week off running while I waited for my body to forgive my misguided exuberance. 
Five days off, one chiropractor appointment, an hour of Pilates and 2 pain free days later, I risked a gentle Saturday morning Park Run on the Stray and  I am pleased to announce that after my false start, I am ready to start the first phase of training in earnest.  Hooray!? I will learn from my previous mistakes and my daily mantra, which you are all welcome to remind me of is... Rest days are important! 

Please take the time to visit my Just Giving page, where I have explained about my chosen charity and why they are so important to me and my family. Any donations and sponsorship is much appreciated and will make all the training and blisters worth it! 

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Fiona-Kitchingman