Ok so I thought as I had run one 10k last year, it wouldn't be that much harder to run 4 of them back to back over 4 days! Hahaha! How wrong was I?! I laughed at preparation and thought that bananas and chocolate bars would see me through! It was only into my 3rd run that someone mentioned running socks!
Subsequently 4 days of running with only basic training (of runs about 3-6k once or twice a week) left me with painful shin splints, hip bursitis, bloodied toes, blisters, swollen ankle, bloody knee and a bit of a hobble!
But I should start at the beginning, after a half term break at Centre Parcs and a week of relaxation, pancakes, treats and copious amounts of wine, I was ready to conquer my 40k run attempt. The first 10k was with my usual running partners of Sue and Nia at the official St David's Day 10k run. This was a really flat and lovely run around Bute Park in Cardiff, it was hard on my shins as they were painful from shin splints, an injury I had picked up the week before, but we got through it in 1 hour and 14 minutes, which we were happy with.
But I should start at the beginning, after a half term break at Centre Parcs and a week of relaxation, pancakes, treats and copious amounts of wine, I was ready to conquer my 40k run attempt. The first 10k was with my usual running partners of Sue and Nia at the official St David's Day 10k run. This was a really flat and lovely run around Bute Park in Cardiff, it was hard on my shins as they were painful from shin splints, an injury I had picked up the week before, but we got through it in 1 hour and 14 minutes, which we were happy with.
The 2nd run was with four other mums from my children’s school, I was really touched as I only thought that one friend was running with me and then 3 others turned up to support me. So Elaine, Siwan, Lisa, Catrin and I ran the 2nd 10k from Rhiwbina up to Tongwynlais and down the Taff Trail. This run was the hardest of the four runs, as there was quite an incline which was tough on the shins and the other girls were much fitter than me and I was having a lot of self-doubt and mentally feeling a bit negative. To my surprise I did run it all and finished in the same time (1 hour and 14 minutes).
The 3rd run was after a full days work and began with very shaky tired legs. I ran this 10k with my 27 year old colleague Paul around Newport. We had a comedy start as we got a bit lost trying to find the River Usk cycle trail but this distraction helped to ease me into my stride and this run ended up being my most physically comfortable. As most of my body was aching, I stopped focussing on my shins and it was ok and we completed it in 1 hour and 15 minutes.
The 4th run was again after a days work and apart from being tired and having a number of large blisters, I was feeling positive. Sue and Nia joined me again and we ran a 10k route from my house to Roath Park, Birchgrove and back. It was all going well until the 9k mark where I took a tumble down an uneven kerb, twisting over on my ankle, scraping my knee and landing in the road. I must admit the aches, pains and tiredness from the last 4 days finally overtook me and I had a little weep in the road! Luckily the girls hooked their arms around me and heaved my crumpled heap off the road and kept me moving. Within a couple of strides we started jogging again through my tears as I was determined to run it all and did not want to stop at 39k!!! To keep me going Sue shouted out ‘Think of your blog Michelle!’
We did complete it in our slowest time of 1 hour 18 minutes, but I was so proud I managed it at all. All 3 of us celebrated as it was a massive achievement for Sue and Nia too, for their 2nd 10k within a couple of days. The girls surprised me with Cava and strawberries to celebrate and we sat, stiffening up and laughing at how ridiculous a challenge it was I had set myself and them!
So, the running challenge is complete! Due to my physical injuries, lack of preparation and rubbish running inability, a lot of people took pity on me and along with completing the running challenge, I also managed to complete the sponsorship challenge too and got 40 people to donate £10 each to my Just Giving page raising money for the RSPCA Cardiff. In fact to date, I have managed to get 42 people to donate, this page will remain open until the end of the 40 Challenges, so hopefully I might pick up a few more.
This challenge taught me a number of things; I should probably do more preparation; 40k is actually quite far and harder to run than I thought; there are some lovely scenic running routes around Newport and Cardiff; I have more determination than I thought; my friends and family are so supportive as I couldn’t have done it alone and I need to buy some running socks!
This challenge taught me a number of things; I should probably do more preparation; 40k is actually quite far and harder to run than I thought; there are some lovely scenic running routes around Newport and Cardiff; I have more determination than I thought; my friends and family are so supportive as I couldn’t have done it alone and I need to buy some running socks!
COMPLETED CHALLENGES (14 so far):
Challenge 2 – GET 40 PEOPLE TO PLEDGE £10 TO CHARITY – completed on 5 March 2014, the Just Giving Page that I set up to raise funds for the RSPCA in Cardiff will remain open for the rest of the year and continue to take more donations.
Challenge 3 – RUN 40K OVER 4 DAYS – I ran four separate 10k runs on 2, 3, 4 & 5 March 2014.
Challenge 4 – SWIM 40 LENGTHS – Swan 40 lengths of the 50m pool in Cardiff Bay with Lara Ramsay on 27.10.13. (Money spent £16 for goggles and entry to pool)
Challenge 8 – SCORE 40 ON A DART BOARD WITH ONE DART – Got a double top on my 9th try on 12.1.14
Challenge 9 – 40 HOUR FAST – I completed 40 hours not eating any food and surviving on water and flavoured water only. (Sept, with Karen Daniel)
Challenge 12 – VOLUNTEER FOR 40 HOURS - Aside from my RSPCA volunteering, 40 hours of my free time were given volunteering for NSPCC Childline Schools Service, PTA events and other fundraising events.
Challenge 16 – 40 HOUR SILENCE – Completed between Midnight on Thursday 14.11.13 until 4pm on Saturday 16.11.13.
Challenge 18 – TURN MOBILE PHONE OFF FOR 40 HOURS – I turned my phone off and had no access to facebook, twitter or emails at all for 40 hours. (Oct)
Challenge 19 – 40 HOUR NO SWEARING OR £1 FINE – Completed between Tuesday 5 to Wednesday 6 November 2013.
Challenge 22 – ADOPTED A WILD ANIMAL – I adopted Jubilee an Asian Elephant through the Born Free Foundation. (Spent £30 for adoption fee)
Challenge 25 – GIVE BLOOD – Completed on 11.10.13 and also gave blood on 9.3.14.
Challenge 30 – APPLY FOR A GAME SHOW – I applied to two game shows ‘Deal or No Deal’ and ‘The Chase’ in August but have still not heard anything back. I also applied to Bargain Hunt this month for my colleague Paul who would love to go on this programme.
Challenge 36 – LISTEN TO ALL THE CDS I OWN FROM BEGINNING TO END – All 186 CDs were listened to by 17.2.14.
Challenge 38 – HULA HOOP FOR 40 REVOLUTIONS – Completed in Sept. (Spent £18 on buying hoola hoop)
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