the Aftermath.....!

Well almost 4 weeks after the run - and one toenail gone (and another about to go - but both painless!) life is good...2ND ONE NOW GONE!!!!
I have been swimming as much as possible - and it's Fab - the weather has been great too.
Put my trainers on again for the first time last week and went for a little jog (felt good) before a PT session in the gym - now that HURT!!!! followed by an early spin class on Friday morning - and I continued to hurt for 36 hours after that!

I have £3000 in the kitty so far and money is still coming in..
Thought I would share 3 lovely photos sent to me from Jude from the start of marathon day...
Me....with the Flag!

Sam Logan - very nervous!

Lindsey Woodward and her Jersey Flag too!








EVERYBODY SHOULD DO THE LONDON MARATHON - just once! even if they walk it - just for the people experience....it's totally amazing!

Onwards and upwards - let's think of another challenge now..

I am still collection too..
http://www.justgiving.sal-minty-gravett.com

Thanks!

Mission Accomplished! Runner 58752 FINISHED! 7hrs 35m 35s

After a lovely couple of chilling days in Barnes with our friend Mummy Bear (Sue Adams!) we moved to the hotel on Saturday lunchtime.
Checked into the Cumberland Hotel on Marble Arch (very nice indeed) - got all my kit ready, chip on my shoe, number on my shirt and laid it all out ready.

Went a little way down Oxford St for a little retail therapy..not a lot, it was quite hot!
Met up with friends in the Bar, Steve (London cab driver and fellow Channel swimmer) and Beryl & David from the West country and they joined us and the Jersey Variety team for dinner - in Prezzo just over the road from the hotel - lovely food and great company.
Bed at 10 - got my plasters and compede oll on my toes ready for the morning - they stick better the night before..

RACE DAY - yes, my very first 'RACE' was going to be the London Marathon - much to Annette's delight!
Up at 6am - breakfast at 6.15 - porridge & coffee
Team photos in Kit outside hotel before Bus collection at 7am..
Off to the 'Blue start' on Black Heath - drove along quite a bit of the course..scary!
arrived about 8am - and found a place to relax - chat - drink water -a nd get nervous/excited while watching everyone also get nervous /ready / excited - lots of funny costumes and people around - adn the TV commentary was great too..lots of texts from all in Jersey....all good.

Charlie was on 'Ground Control' and texting all who wanted to know on my progress -

BUT the weather looked like it was gonna be warm....
hmmmm

Start time in the 'pens' was 9.45am...we were all in different 'pens'- I was in the last pen (9) with Sam Logan..
off we went - with the crowds - 47,000 entries....39.000 + on the start lines I believe (TBC)
and we were off....

The crowds were amazing; very emotional - everyone calls your name all day long...
just after 3 miles - my 'bum-bag' broke - disaster!!!!! it had my gels, goodies, music, phone, tissues & camera! I had to then carry it and hope that I saw Charlie soon!

Everyone was correct! The crowds and music along the course were fab! - the showers were even better!

The day got hotter; and met up with Charlie at Greenwich (just passed the Cutty Sark) - gave him my bag after taking gels and supplies out and shoving them down my bra and knickers! not brilliant but the best I could do..
carried on - many people were already walking in the heat so I didn't feel so bad when I did...
2 hours and my toes were playing up already - but tried to take my mind off it all..all my pain killers etc were in my bag! oh well - gotta get on without it!
met all sorts of brave people;and saw rhino's tigers, apples,dinosaurs, bears, ducks, testicles (yes - testicles!) all sorts of people dressed up in so many silly costumes - and I thought I was mad!!! Oh no not me!
At 12 miles - saw Charlie again - and he had fixed my bag!!!! YAY! re-arranged everything in it and off I trotted....was enjoying it now..
Popped into the loo just before the 13 mile marker;

Asked St John's Ambulance for extra vaseline on my toes....that really helped..they stand there all day along the route with rubber gloves and vaseline..lovely! I believe that Mike Bushell from BBC Breakfast accidentally ate some nearer the end of the course, thinking it was a sweet! YUK! Glad I didn't do that!


Saw Anna Tredant just after Tower Bridge; that was nice to see her
- but after this, this was the worst place as we were being passed by everyone running really fast on the other side - and then we saw the 22 mile marker on the other side!!! OMG - sole destroying! but; we had to get on with it - towards the Isle of Dogs...this was hard going..not many people to talk to but the crowds and bands were good...

Anyway, by the time I saw Charlie at 19 miles - it was hot and I was power walking; I had met 'Debbie from Welwyn' by this stage who was having problems with her hips so we chatted and stayed together and kept each other going till the end.
After another couple of miles, we were both power walking and helping each other through the miles - counting them down along with the crowds and children - and at 24 miles we hit the Tunnel near the embankment - NEARLY HOME!
we picked up our pace and marched on towards the Embankment - on which we saw Charlie, Steve and Clarky! what a lovely sight! wish I had pinched her banana though!!!!!

onwards now - not far to go - met another lady - Sri Leka who was struggling so we all walked together and finshed together!
That was the longest mile of my life!

BUT WE DID IT!
I FINISHED IN 7 HOURS 35MINS AND 35 SECS
POSITION: 34,514th!
LADY NUMBER: 12,142nd! and
706th in my age group 50-54yrs.

PLEASED? DELIGHTED!
I had only started training on January 16th...
I have my medal - and my t'shirt - and only one small blister!

Charlie, Steve and Clarky met me after I had collected my medal and bag - and then we got a cab (thanks to Steve) back to the hotel - and met up with all the team who had all finished and shared stories of the day..
What a long and very hard day it was too.
Did I enjoy it? yes - never planned to run it all so I enjoyed most of it.
Will I do it again? doubtful - UNLESS I can get the toe problems sorted out!!!!

So that's it - I have done the London Marathon....and all I can say to those who REALLY want to do something in life, find someone who has done it well and knows what to do; get their help & advice and listen - and DO IT!
That's what I did.
THANK YOU to Annette Campbell for all your advice and help;
and my running training buddies - Chantelle Rose, Cliff Golding - it has been great fun!
THANK YOU also to Charlie; he was brilliant yesterday as Ground Control to everyone, updating my whereabouts to all interested people..
Annette has voted him Supporter of the day too!
- and very WELL DONE to ALL those who also completed the Marathon yesterday especially Lisa Biddlecombe, Sam Logan, Janine Ingle, Peter Blampied, Jono & Adam from the RNLI, all the Variety Runners among others - well done to EVERYONE!
WE ALL EARNED OUR MEDALS YESTERDAY!


what next........watch this space...

Thanks and although my page is going well, it is still not too late to donate tho..

http://www.justgiving.com/Sal-Minty-Gravett
Let's see how much more we can raise!
Thank you

Ok - so in LONDON now and REGISTERED!! #58752 IS READY TO GO!

Flew over on Thursday and made our way to Barnes - staying with Sue Adams and the majestic Blok to Dog!

Went dog walking on Barnes common - and met up with "Stanley, Harry Henry, Teddy and Rioja! Lovely!

Arranged to meet up with Charlie'son Sean who is working in the area for supper in the pub - very nice too.

Today -, did not sleep well (never do the first night way) after breakfast I was treated to wonderful foot massage and then Charlie and I headed off to the Excell Centre to register and collect my pack..
Had a quick look round the Expo, tasted and drunk bars and potions - had lunch and then headed back to Hammersmith..got my new head phoes for my ipod..
Got home about 4.30 - and put my feetup and got spoiled

Lovely spag bol for supper - lots of lovely messages coming through on texts and F/B...I do have amazing friends...
Thank you All!! xx

Fundraising is going very well -
BUT
We can always do better!

http://www.justgiving.com/Sal-Minty-Gravett

Still plenty of time to donate!!!
Thanks!
2 sleeps - just!

ok- so tapering..

On a countdown now - been at work and did a nice 30 minute run tonight and now I need to rest up and carb up as from tomorrow..
Travelling over Thursday morning, staying in Barnes with friends and then moving to the Hotel to be with the Team on Saturday...

WATCH THIS SPACE!!!

http://www.justgiving.com//Sal-Minty-Gravett

Ok - so it's official now! 58752 is my number! Less than a week to go..

Annette advised me to do my last tempo run today - before I had a little dip,,so I did a 25 min warm up from st Catherine's - and then headed back - 3, X 5 mins temp pace with 2 mins recovery inbetween each..lovely - it has been a glorious day over here - really hot and sunny - like a July day!
Sea still only 10.5 but increasing rapidly - had a nice dip yesterday and another lovely one today..
Spartans also had a run from st Cats today - aand I watched many of them as they came down and iced their legs in the sea - it was so hot out there today!
Paris runners all finished in the blistering heat - well done especially to Anna who managed with her injury and finished too...

Spent the afternoon on the beach at St Ouen's as well!

So, 7 sleeps to go - just ticking over now and stay strong and healthy..looks like the forecast is in our favour for next week - 10c apparently..we can only hope..

Still plenty of time to donate....

http://www.justgiving.com/Sal-Minty-Gravett

Photo of the back of my running shirt:

9 'sleeps/get ups' to go.....

Bust week at work (last week of term) but managed to run for an hour on Wednesday morning before 30 mins of Aqua..and after chatting with Annette, I decided to switch my last long run from Sunday - to today..
so, armed with my tunes - I set off just after 7am this morning - it was a stunning morning & lots of people saw me as well (!!!!) down Mont Millais, Green Street, over Mount Bingham around the harbour and along the front to Bel Royal and back, around the new marina and back to the pool and jumped inm to stretch out..
8 miles - DONE! 2hours 3 mins which included all the stretching and hill too - oh yes - and chatting to many!!!!
Lovely last run - on a beautiful day - now I can relax apparently - and enjoy the lovely weather at the weekend too!
Yay!!!


Cannot believe I have got this far - and could not have done it without Annette, Chantelle & Cliff - it has been a great journey - painful at times but it will all be worth it - after April 17th I am certain..
watch this space!!!

and still collecting on...
http://www.justgiving.com/Sal-Minty-Gravett

Thank you
x

This week's update.....2 WEEKS TO GO!!! TAPERING at last - and another 1st today!

Well - last week's 18 miles was a tough one; did Aqua on Monday morning, walked into work on Tuesday and and my knees finally recovered by Wednesday - and was hoping to run but never made it - so did Aqua..
Bust week at work too so by Thursday the pressure was off really - so met Lisa abot 8.15 and went for a nice little run - 'cos I can! - i went to Bel Royla while Lisa went to the Gunsite and we met back at the Copper tree..a really nice little run!
WHO would have thought i would ever say that!
Then Lisa & I did half of the Aqua class and stretched out after - lovely..

Rested on Saturday and was looking forward to a little run today..
HOWEVER due to the busy week I'd had, I had not noticed that I needed to do a 12 mile run today!!

We were due out for dinner last night and I really wanted a little dip too so, once I had got my head around it - decided to run from home into town first (this was a firstand was really nice too!!) Annette said she would meet me outside the gym at 8.30 - so I ran the long way round and met her right on Q - and we decided to run the road way, to avoid the 10k race along the front!
So, off we went and did not meet any of the racers until we had turned at St Aubin and had started back - and then we met loads and loads of people we knew - good fun!
Conditions were great - and cool - AND we arrived back before the last runners had finished - so I was delighted they did not ALL overtake me!!!!
RESULT!!
MET SO MAY OTHER MARATHON RUNNERS after as well - good to chat too!

Charlie collected me and then went to St Catherine's for a leg dunk - LOVELY!!!!!

2 weeks tonight - and it will ALL BE OVER !
Thanks Annette again..!

http://www.justgiving.com/Sal-Minty-Gravett
PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY!!!!
Thank you.. x

Cliff's 'Sunday Story'! Love the Jersey spellings - and story is very funny!!! ENJOY!

Well, didn't Sally do well? What an amazing achievement. Sal' you should be extremely proud of yourself for having the dogged determination to persevere, not just on Sunday but throughout this incredible ride. You showed true guts and courage to run 18 miles on the hottest day of the year so far. If it would have been me the hardest bit would be running past Harve de Parc knowing you were going to retrace your steps. But you coped marvelously the whole way. Big well done and big respect.

So, Chantelle dropped me at The Royal Yacht dead on 1030 after the team photocall, as arranged. Sally was standing on a stone bench punching the air and singing the Rocky theme tune at the top of her voice. It was very emotional, tough grown men openly weeping at the sight of 'Sly' Minty Gravett beating her chest and screaming "YO, CHARLIE, I LOVE YOU", at the top of her voice . OK, ok, I made all that up. Actually she looked a bit nervous as she changed out of her team vest (far too big - she was turning around in it!) preferring the all black garb of a Ninja warrior (except for pink stretch shoe laces (ooh, look a gay Ninja!)).

Charlie Boy drove us out to St Ouens and, after a quick loo visit, we set off at 10:58. Sal' walked for a few hundred yards and then we set off running with a slight, chilled sea breeze accompanying us. I have to say I was surprised that we didn't walk a lot more throughout the day. I would estimate that, for the whole 18 miles we walked about three quarters of a mile or a mile tops. Very impressive. On race day I would suggest a predetermined strategy of run walking (i.e.. However good you feel, do the walks - that's how you'll get through the last 8 miles). But PT1 is best placed to sit down with you, Sal', to work that out as she has been with you the whole way.

So - and Sal' you know the distances better than me so correct where necessary - we ran for nearly 4 mile without stopping until we got to the hill up to Corbiere. The splits up to 5 miles were very impressive. Sally was in charge of pace and I made sure I didn't push her to go faster. There was an inevitable payback for the early pace later in the run but I think that was a good thing to experience. It's all part of the training as was experiencing the heat as the day wore on (good to see you taking on lots of fluids Sal').

Hitting the railway track was a good omen as the first third of the run was nearly over. Different terrain and a lovely run down to St Aubin (see how these names just trip off my tongue now?!). Sally took time out every now and again to stretch her toes out and, at Quennevais Sports Centre she dispatched me off to fill up her water bottle. When I caught her up she was eating the bark off a giant conifer she had single handedly felled. Small children hid behind their mothers' skirts as Sally growled manically at them, eyes flaming, nostrils flared. I was scared - you girls hadn't warned me this might happen.

We had reported into Chantelle and arranged to meet her and Bradley between West Park and somewhere else (I forget) They were going to run the last 8/9 miles with us. Running along from St Aubin's we kept passing people who knew Sally and it was very lifting when they shouted words of encouragement. We hit the beach pretty quickly and then Chantelle and Bradley joined us which gave us both a boost (well, it certainly gave me a boost!). Near the upturned frigate we saw Lisa who was running 10 miles. She was going to see us later for the final stages. Then our merry band was increased by one as Annette joined us - Sally plus PTs 1,2 and 3. Bradley 'Steven Speilberg' Rose then took on the role of official photographer and we set off for the final third.

Not much to say about the last third really - except it was tough for Sal. The heat was taking it's toll and this part of the route was grim with narrow paths and too much traffic going too fast. We turned around at St Clements and made our way back 3 miles to Harve De Parc with Lisa joining us for the last bit. When we got to the pool we still had half a mile to go so we carried on and then returned triumphant to the applause of the Le Guilchers, Wendy, Dee, Sylvia and Nigel.

Sally you did amazingly well. You said you don't know how you are going to do the extra 8 miles. You will do it, you can do it. Work out your race strategy with Annette and stick to it. It's all good Sal - all good.

Below are the splits.


1

:14:42
2 :14:45
3 :14:55
4 :15:56
5 :17:09
6 :15:35
7 :16:35
8 :14:56
9 :16:04
10 :16:29
11 :16:31
12 :17:38
13 :17:22
14 :19:08
15 :16:27
16 :17:33
17 :18:31
18 :17:27

Summary:

Time - 4 hours 57 minutes
Distance - 18 miles
Average minutes per mile overall - 16:32

Cliff xx

OMG!!! I have just done 18 miles!!!!

On the hottest day of the year so far - it must have reached 20+ today - i was obliged to go and meet Team Variety for a JEP photo - that was at 10.15am.

Dynamics had to change today as Annette was busy mostly a

nd Chantelle was advised not to do the whole lot so Cliff a long time ago, promised to come over and keep me company..
He is in training for Zurich Marathon 3 weeks today (same day as London) and did his 18 mile 'proper run' on Friday and came with me as well today...

Charlie took us both out to St Ouens and we started just before 11am; conditions were great and saw so many people on the way...

We took the usual route - St Ouen's coastline, around the Petit Port headland and up Corbiere hill to the railway walk. Down the railway walk and along the front to Bel Royal; we opted for the beach at that point which was lovely - and met up with Chantelle & Brad on the beach before heading up to the top again to carry on.
Passed Lisa at West Park going the other way and then met Annette opposite the Grand Hotel - she came ot help finish me off!!!!
Onwards past the gym, around the harbour and up over Mount Bingham to HDP and beyond, along the sea front to Le Hocq and then turned around to head back for HDP.
Feet were really playing up now so needed to keep stretching out - I am going to have to do that on the day so need to start doing it as soon as they start to go...
When we arrived at HDP - we were met by Charlie, Mick, Marilyn and Chantelle le G, Dee & Wendy, Sylvia & Nigel - an i said we woul be there by 3.45 - and we were there spot on! BUT i still had half a mile to go - so Annette, Cliff & I went on to Green street with Brad and then headed backto HDP pool for a 'triumphant finish'...and a very emotional one as well with all those people.

That was quite honestly - the hardest thing I have ever done - so far!
And could not have done it without Cliff, Annette, Chantelle & Brad.
Thank you all so much - and for the welcoming party at the end.

Results from Gordon the Garmin to follow soon..:
1

:14:42
2 :14:45
3 :14:55
4 :15:56
5 :17:09 Corbiere Hill
6 :15:35
7 :16:35
8 :14:56
9 :16:04
10 :16:29
11 :16:31
12 :17:38 (walking and stretching a lot from now on)
13 :17:22
14 :19:08
15 :16:27
16 :17:33
17 :18:31
18 :17:27



The only ongoing problem as always, was my toes today.

Monday Morning:

After a restless night with lots of toe and leg stretching, I am amazed at how I feel....virtually pain free apart from a little lower back ache and creaky knees on stairs!
I have felt more painful after a shorter run - how does that work????
Me no understandee......!!!!!


PLEASE PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY!
http://www.justgiving.com/Sal-Minty-Gravett

Ok - 'Team Sal' are re-united/together for the first time since January !!!

So, the weather has been absolutely gorgeous this week; and for those who don't know and who are following this Blog/journey - my team of Personal Trainers (PT's) are
PT1 - Annette Campbell, who has organised my training, my clothing, my 'fuelling' and has been there every step of the way literally..
PT2 - Chantelle Rose who has been there almost every step, give or take a couple of missed bouncy weeks & runs(!; when she has not been there in body she has always been there in mind and at the end of her phone!!!!
and her Boyfriend
PT3 - Cliff Golding from Kent, who has been waiting to be there every step of the way and has come over especially to
1) visit his Girlfriend
2) get his last long run in (he is also in training for the Zurich Marathon in 3 weeks time) and
3) to support and help me through my 18 miles on Sunday as well.

Yesterday, on my free morning , I decided to make the most of the sunshine and good weather and join Annette for a walk/se dunk at St Ouen so I dragged Charlei out of the house and we went down for about 10.45 ; Cliff arrived on Wednesday morning and we let them know where we would all be and they turned up too!
So 'Team Sal' was united for the first time in the 8 weeks since I Started training! YAY!

Annette, Chantelle and I went for a lovely dunk, took some pics - while the boys watched - then we walked along to Big Verns for a cuppa.

It was a stunning morning and great for us all to be together.

*********************************************************************
FRIDAY MORNING (Today)

Got down to the pool, dumped my work kit and decided not to go on the bike today but stay outside, so I walked/jogged to Bel Royal via the beach and the hard surfaces, and then ran back again along the beach mostly until I ran out of beach and carried on along the top - changing pace with my tunes which was great fun too.

4 miles in 64.7 minutes - as normal as ever!.

Stretched in the gym and then did 30 mins aqua too to stretch out..
all good apart form my 2nd toe on my right foot, not too comfy but the only painful 'victim so far'...

Variety Team Photo on Sunday at 10.15 - then the last big one before THE BIG DAY........
WATCH THIS SPACE!

I AM ALSO STILL RAISING FUNDS - SO IF YOU CAN, PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY!

http://www.justgiving.com/Sal-Minty-Gravett

Thank you

This week so far..

Well - I was relatively unscathed after the 16 miles on Sunday which is great news...only what seemed to be a 'bruised' right foot and sore 2nd toe on it as well - but all is ok.
I was expectiong a lot worse for a lot longer, so am pleased it is so minor..(maybe I didn't work hard enough???!!).so I took the opportunity of doing Aqua Monday morning and a long stretch in the pool after and then rested really; and ensured I caught up with all my work admin as much as I could..
The weather is I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E- at the moment and wanted to make sure I got out there today - so I did.
Warmed up for 10 mins first on the bike and then headed off into the sunshine with my music towards Bel Royal - knees and foot were a little niggly to start off with, but as always, after 15 mins - all was fine and jogging was resumed.
i managed 3.12 miles in 50 mins - as always, exactly the same timings again!!!!!

Did some stretching in the gym first before being very brave and stepping on the gym scales....I felt thin today (we all have days like that when we feel thin - and other days when we feel bigger!!!!) - and according to the scales in the changing rooms, I have lost 1.5 stone since January! WHOOP!!
I know they are inaccurate scales but I weighed on them before so decided to do it again today!
happy about that anyway!

then went in to do 30 misn of Aqua and anther water stretch - i do so LOVE water!

Onwards and upwards..PT1 - out surfing today - and PT2 meeting PT3 from the airport - and have a wonderful liason together today in the glorious weather!!!!
Happy days for all!

Checking out for today!

Consistency - consistency - consistency..16 MILES DONE!

Well - the weather has been gorgeous all weekend and today was a big milestone which needed reaching...so Annette arranged to meet us before 9 am in Les Laveurs Car park (opposite Jersey Pearl)..
Chantelle met me at my car at 8.30am - left her swim kit in there and off we went - into the sunshine to st Ouens - IT WAS GOING TO BE AN AMAZING DAY!

Little did we know however, that there was a 15k Spartan race - which was due to start from the same car park at 9am!!!!!! Grrrr - OUR car park was not ours today!
So - it was choc-a-block when Chantelle and I arrived!
So many people I knew - all thinking I was also participating!!!!!ha ha ha ha!!!!! one day maybe!!!!

So we set off just after 09.10 - usual course, heading towards Green Island (yikes!)
The enormity of what I have let myself in dawned on me this morning!
Never in a million years would I have thought that 3 weeks in a row (did 12miles 3 weeks ago) - and twice in a week in fact, I would be doing 2 half marathons!!!!
By the way - last week I did 14 miles - in 3hrs 41....
I suggested to Sam that she parked at the end (Green Island) and run towards us and then run back in the same direction as us....
I ran pretty much all the way to Corbiere hill with a little shin problem (the cramp sort of feeling at just about one mile) but that was short lived thankfully..
Heading towards Le Braie - some of the very fast runners ran past us on their way back to the finish!
REALLY NO NEED to go that fast!!!!!
Anyway, as we got onto the railway walk - I bumped into Mauro Fumigalli - who is also doing London - and he offered me a piggy back!!!
Off we went topping up my water at Les Quennevais (Thanks Annette) and then met up with Sam at the bottom of the Railway walk - she was finding it hard ..
sunglasses out today; the sun was strong and hot - it was lovely.
Passed so many people I knew - it was great.
Marcel, Leigh and Michael Chaytor passed us - among many others..
today I stopped a few times to remove stones from shoes - and took the opportunity to massage my toes - which were still giving me the usual issues - but after stretching and massage, all was ok..
I also decided that instead of having carb gels on the 3 miles - I would do it on the hour instead. This seemed to work better - just needed a little extra at the end...
passed Fitness First and topped up my water for the last time (thanks Chantelle) and we carried on passed the harbour towards Mount Bingham - where we found Lisa Biddlecombe running towards us. Lisa has a calf injury on the mend now thanks to Morag - so she was trying it all out; and off we went up over the hill towards Havre des Pas (HDP) - passed the pool and then onto the 14 mile mark - in EXACTLY the same time as last week - 3hrs 41 mins! Amazing!
Off we headed towards Green Island - and the turning point (after much 'discussion and disbelief'(!!!) was Avalon!
Back for a 'Triumphant finish' (Annette's words not mine!!!) in
4 hours 14 mins - Annette predicted between 4hrs 10 and 4hrs 15 - so not bad really!

THE RESULTS FROM "GERALDINE" ARE NOW IN.....
m1 14 min 19 sec - being chased by 15k race runners
m2 15 min 58 sec - stretch stop
m3 16 min 16 sec - pee stop
m4 16 min 23 sec - Corbiere hill climb
m5 15 min 34 sec
m6 16 min 39 sec
m7 12 min 50 sec - ignore this one, Annette catching up to Sal with water refill
m8 15 min 53 sec
m9 16 min 41 sec
m10 16 min 12 sec
m11 14 min 57 sec
m12 17 min 13 sec
m13 16 min 45 sec - Mt Bingham hill climb
m14 15 min 3 sec
m15 18 min 14 sec walking and stretch stop
m16 15 min 15 sec - walking

We then all went to the car, had a few snacks and then went to HDP pool for a wonderful sea dunk (after a lovely stretch as well); this does work wonders on tired legs..and hips eh Chantelle????

Thanks to Annette, Chantelle and Lisa for your continued support and also well done to Lisa and Sam - you both also did very well today!
Drove Annette and Chantelle back to their cars and then home for a well earned chill and shower..and DINNER!

With 4 weeks to go now - another 3 miles closer - and another first??

Ok - so a nice walk yesterday with Veronica before work and today, needed a little unstructured fartlek run - so I warmed up on the bike in the gym first , wired myslef into my ipod and set off - arranging to meet Bill Aston (osteopath) straight after.....all arranged by text.
Met up with Lisa B en route - Lisa getting over a calf injury and getting back into her training...so off we went, via the Marina and off to Millbrook - and turned around; and I met Bill in the first layby on Victoria Avenue and he just ensured that everything was in the 'right place'!!!
So - there I was, after 3.12 miles in 47 mins, Bill turned up in his car - and I had my first Osteopathy appointment consultation in an open air car park - for all to see!!!
And Bill did say it was the first time he had done that too! And now, probably not the last either!!!
Thanks Bill - and off I bound for the pool - and jumped in for Aqua and stretching in the water.

Tried out my new recovery drink today and also the new Zero Electrolyte tablets on poolside to day as well...its all good!

Variety Treadmill Challenge in town tomorrow so I will be shaking buckets collecting money if anyone is in town..

then...16 MILES on Sunday!!!!

Beach run! Yay!

Today - as per my instructions - tempo session on the agenda.

Leaving an ailing hubby in bed, I left early and got parked up, did 15 ins on the bike to warm legs up and off I went..
25 mins warm up and armed with my Great Running tunes' (ipod!) straight into 5mins @ 70% which took me to Bel Royal and then I decided to come back on the beach! Tide was out - sand was hard - it was great!
so 3 more intervals of 5 mins @ 70% (I think!) each followed by a 2 mins recovery - took me back to West Park - so I then jogged straight back to the pool and jumped into the pool for a loosen and a fab stretch..
Total time out there - 58 mins!.
It felt good too!

Cool Bananas - I do believe it is getting easier!

14 miles - DONE! I DON'T BELIEVE IT!!!!

In the words of Victor Meldrew....I don't believe I have done this!But I have.. WHOO HOO!

Annette, Chantelle and I set off with Sam Logan (another London runner) from Jersey Pearl in St Ouen just after 9.15 am.....and set off anti-clockwise along the coast.....the wether was absolutely perfect; dry, slightly overcast and the sun peeped out or the last 6 miles!
3 hours and 41 mins - and lots of laughing later - Sam had a great run too (much faster than me and also a lot , lot younger!) we ran to Victor Hugo apartments at Greve D'Azette and then back to Havre des pas pool to dunk our legs - even Sam joined us too!

The results are in from Geraldine....
mile 1 15 min 5 sec
mile 2 15 min 44 sec
m 3 15 min 23 sec
m 4 16 min 23 sec
m 5 16 min 33 sec (pee stop @ Corbiere Phare)
m 6 15 min 21 sec
m 7 15 min 20 sec
m 8 15 min 40 sec
m 9 15 min 58 sec
m 10 16 min 5 sec
m 11 15 min 46 sec
m 12 14 min 16 sec
m 13 17 min 5 sec ( including some walking)
m 14 16 min 7 sec ( including some walking)

Lovely sea dunk to ice our legs!What great healing therapy that is....love it!

14 miles on target taking 3 hrs 41 mins as planned.

Mixed trail and road coastal course. Steady running from Sal with increased walking spells later on...as always expected.

Perfect cool running weather with some wind.

Sal took extra carbs on board all week in preparation, and took Maxim at 3 mile intervals and jelly cubes later on. Better fueled all round and feeling all the better for it.

Same route planned for next week, and I anticipate Sal running through the 14 miles to attain her 16. Likely finish somewhere around Green Island.

This week's update.....eek!!!

Ok
Recovered far quicker after the 12 miler than after the 'Pyramid - what pyramid??'!
Turns out - the main reason is probably 'cos I have 'slow twitch fibres' - hmmmmm - apparently perfect for Marathons!!!!! funny that....

anyway - Got in the pool Monday morning feeling great - Also visited a chiropractor today - all seems good..

Tuesday morning, Annette and I decided that I would go for a run/walk around home and she would meet me afterwards - we would then go for a sea dunk on the lovely high tide!
My legs were still a little tight so I power walked for almost 3 miles and meet Annette after - and off we went to St Cat's to dunk our legs! Plans were scuppered by TTS arriving in their masses on the slip so we moved to Mike's slip - it was bliss, once we got in!

Also visited Bill Aston, my Osteopath today to get checked out - and all is good too!
Wednesday - Charlie went off to the Uk - busy Swimarathon day today - so no exercise...

Thursday - Annette ran out of time and I had an extremely busy day too!
Breakfast Club early - gave a talk and did some dosh collecting - all good!
Ran around lanes - 3.46 miles in 54 minutes - with good music and changing pace with the music! Pleased with that!

Then, lovely massage with Clare - then a walk with Annette, Rosie & Piper (her dogs!) - then Swimarathon in the afternoon - good fun and then on my way home, my good friend Irene gave me a lovely reflexology treat!
A wonderful day - and slept really well!

Friday - had to catch up with work so again no exercise - but rushing around and more swimarathon teams in the evening..
Saturday - work am and then Swimarathon - AquaSplash children at 3 and then JLDSC teams at 4 - followed by Carbo loading at Partners!

Yay - now I have to try and get some sleep before a 14 mile run tomorrow!!!!
EEEK EEEK EEEK!!!!!!

Big step for me today....

Well, having done 2 X 10 milers - and a 12 split into 2 X 6 miles before last weekend - today I needed to do 12 straight off..

I had arranged months ago to have good friends around for dinner last night; which was great but I dropped them off at home too and when I got home at 12.30 - could I go to sleep?? NOOOOOO!
Still saw the clock at 3.30 am!

Anyway - still got up early for brekky - standard bowl of porridge & a little honey with a weak coffee...

Met Annette just after 9.30am - and armed with my new running pouch (courtesy of PT no.2 Clifford) for my gels - we set off shortly after for 2 curcuits of the lovely 10k route...
Lovely day with a very biting NE wind - but, it had to be done!
First circuit - great - 2nd circuit was tough - but faster - which is promising as I did a fair bit of walking..

News from Geraldine the Garmin WITH SPLITS ( via Annette): to follow SOON..
12.28 miles today in a total time of 3 hours 14 mins 2 sec.

Breaks down as follows;-
mile 1 15 min 17 sec
mile 2 15 min 25 sec
mile 3 18 min 05 sec (includes pee stop)
mile 4 15 min 34 sec
mile 5 15 min 08 sec
mile 6 15 min 41 sec
mile 7 17 min 33 (water and refuelling stop at halfway point)
m 8 15 min 15 sec
m 9 16 min 24 sec (this must be the uphill walk section into the wind)
m 10 15 min 19 sec
m 11 15 min 28 sec
m 12 14 min 57 sec (Training note - 12 miles in 3 hours 11 mins.)
m 13 0.28 of a mile in 3 min 51 sec


Steady consistent miles of 15+ min miles today with some walking, particularly into the windier sections. We had a bitter north-easterly blowing today and on our second lap of the course running into the wind was burning our faces with coldness. Sal walked these sections on the second lap including the uphill section.

Used a whole Maxim Gel and one other - and tummy was rumbling slightly as from about 10 miles....was very hungry when I finished! This is very unusual for me!!!
Note to self - more carbs the night before (and more sleep hopefully!!!) and also the day before the day before as well!!!
Reality????
On the day itself, it is looking like a 7 hour marathon. EEK EEK EEK!



http://www.justgiving.com/Sal-Minty-Gravett

Getting very close now ...

and I still need donations please!!!!

http://www.justgiving.com/Sal-Minty-Gravett

Thank you!

Sal

Ok - Pyramid time!

Annette has been talking about doing a pyramid training session for a while now - and today was the day!

I have been doing 'tempo sessions' on a Tuesday as Annette had been asking me to run at 70% - well, I had no idea what 70% was!
So I had to do the pyramid to find out!!

So ,it was a very cold (north easterly wind) but gloriously sunny day - I met Annette at hers - we walked down the hill to Vins Direct (L'Etacq) and started the warm up jog, nice and easy - turns out it was 14m 16s!!!!!
not sure how that happened - but Im assured the watch does not lie!

So into 3mins @ 70%, 2 mins @ 80% (and I noticed that both felt different paces), then 1 min @ 90% - that felt hard! then another 2 mins @ 80% and 3 more mins at 70% - followed by a cllo down jog to complete 3 miles...

TOTAL TIME FOR THE 3 MILES? 43 MINS!!!!!!
Warm up mile - 14.16
2nd Mile - 14m 12s and
3rd mile 14m 32s - which inclded a bit of a walk and slow jog as well.

HOW ON EARTH DID ALL THAT HAPPEN???

Turns out that probably, my Tuesday tempo sessions - have actually been speed sessions!!!!! As I said to Annette - it has been about 40 years since I really last worked on speed sessions - and that was in the water....!!!!

Theory? possibly a once pace person!!! who knows!!!!
We made our way up the hill and back to Annette's where we enjoyed yummy scrambled eggs with toast & marmite!!!! yummy!!!!

Thanks Annette!
Onwards and upwards!

OMG! 6.5 weeks to go...........getting closer now!

Had a Variety team get together at the Boat House - very nice indeed...but chatting with the other runners and hearing all about their training - made it all very very real and feel like its getting very close now!!
Also heard about 'For goodness sakes shakes' too which I need to try perhaps..free trial in Runners World magazine....does this mean I need to purchase yet another running mag?????
I think possibly - yes!!!!!

Moving onwards.......Pyramid tomorrow morning..

Starting to feel like a runner - sort of!

Well –
After yet another bizarre dream - must be Tuesday mornings sleep – which got broken in the gym as I was about the get on the bike..!!!!!

I met Annette and off we went..

Jogged for a mile –

Mile 1 - 15+mins (!!!)

And then decided on a tempo session along the front – Annette decided on 4 X 5 mins @ 70%...

Bearing in mind, I don’t know my 70 % - 80% or 90% yes – this could be interesting!

So I started my first one – no problem
Then 2 mins recovery
2nd one felt harder which took us to the Gunsite!!!!!
– 2 mins recovery and then the 3rd one (we had turned around by this time) – which felt the hardest. 2 more mins recovery and then #3
Which I really loved – and took us back to where I started the 1st one!!!!

Then we recovered – and then jogged back..

Total time – 65 mins 45secs for 4.47 miles...
It is 5 miles to Gunsite and back from the gym but Geraldine was stopped at some point...

NEVERTHELESS – Annette checked and
Mile 2 – 13m 53
Mile 3 – 13m 59
Mile 4 – 15m 50 – included recovery jog / cool down back to the gym..


AND, this is the most exciting bit, THE LAST TIME i RAN FROM THE GYM TO Gunsite and
back – 2 years ago – it took me 1hr and 45 mins – I was on my own with no music or changing pace..

So – I am very pleased – and am starting to feel like a beginner runner now!!!

YAY!!!

I was away for the weekend - and on Annette's advice, i packed my trainers and kit - and went out on Sunday for a 3 mile jog around the village before the rain set it!

Last Wednesday I did a 6 mile run and Thursday morning, I left the house and went out and did another 6 miles in 1hr 42 mins...pleased with that too.

Change of plan this week..with just over 7 weeks to go....

Due to going away (hopefully) tomorrow to the Uk for a few days, i am unable to do my scheduled 12 miles on Sunday - so , have to do it mid week...

Annette suggested I split it into 2 back to back 6 mile runs...
so today. along with Chantelle in her SPARKLING new RED & TURQUOISE trainers - went out this afternoon; the plan was to run from West Park to St Aubins and back; i have never done this previously but it is a measured distance so a good one to do.
I met Chantelle at hers - and we walked to to the front and started to run at 14.20.
It was miserable - heavy drizzle and a full wind in your face all the way to St Aubin; nevertheless, I managed the 3 miles in 45 minutes! I was delighted!
AND without stopping! Treated myself to a stretch and a little drink and a little chat (which I do all the time anyway - makes sure I am breathing!!!!) and then started running at 3.15 - and we got back to West Park loos - in 32.5 minutes!!!
so, total run time for 6 miles 1hr 25 minutes! and despite the weather (we were slightly wind assisted on the way back) we both really enjoyed it!
Exhilirating!
oh yes - and Chantelle stepped in a puddle at the beginning of the run - and right at the end as well muche to her annoyance!
So they are well and truly christened now!!

Thanks Chantelle....really appreciated your company today..

Back home for pasta bolognaise, and lots of water!

now - need to get a good sleep as I have to get out in the morning - before I fly away!!!!

Beautiful Sunday - and 10miles no.2 - BANKED!

Geraldine the Garmin's reults today & Annette's comments..
- 10 mile run in 2 hours 37 mins 26 sec. which is also 5 minutes quicker than last week's 10 miles over a different course.

mile 1 15 min 36 sec
mile 2 16 min 51 sec (includes stretch stop)
mile 3 15 min 15 sec (includes pee stop)
mile 4 15 min 27 sec
mile 5 16 min 09 sec (include a small 'non-hill')
mile 6 15 min 53 sec (smutty moment - Chantelle where were you!)
mile 7 15 min 30 sec
mile 8 15 min 18 sec
mile 9 15 min 47 sec (Dee joins us for 2 mile triumphant finish and loses 20 quid on the way)
mile 10 15 min 33 sec

Check out all those 15 minute miles!!!!

In terms of minutes per mile, consistency and looking strong throughout, this has been Sally's best long run yet.

Had a drink after and chat - followed by a self-foot massage as my feet were aching (may have been due to more tarmac and also, late night last night and dancing in tight boots!!!)
Also had to take myself to bed to warm up and chill for an hour or so before dinner..
Feeling better and as if I'm recovering quicker today..

Onward and upwards.....Thanks Annette - again!
x

Sunny Thursday & Friday

With a light change of routine this week - i put it down to the heavy day on Sunday and bizarre Tuesday am....Thursday turned out to be an easy day with a shorth sharp gym sesion with Jason -super set including Lunges (from step to Bosu ball) - step machine - chest press with dumbelss - Abs - not a lot - but effective!

Friday - walked in briskly and turned down lifts into work! That took an hour; started in thick fog and by the time I got into town, it was a beautiful sunny morning; met Annette and jogged to West Park and went around slowly - then @70%, another slow and then one more @ 70% - and then plodded back chatting all the way, via QE marina and back to the pool (total 40 mins) for 30 mins aqua and good stretch out in the water..

bracing myself for another 10 miler - a little different on Sunday..
watch this space...

RET DAY Saturday 19th - but a great teaching day today! YAY!!!!

ANYONE can donate - whenever and from wherever!

http://www.justgiving.com/Sal-Minty-Gravett

PLEASE give generously!
Thanks

Feb 16th - Redeemed my self a little....perhaps?

Morning all.
May have redeemed myself just a little today! Went out from home - no walking - non stop jog for 29mins and back - also without stretching. Did that when I got back.
Had my porridge now off to aqua.
Feeling better today.

Phew!

Annette's comment -

"Perfect Sal, and now your head is fixed too.x"

Moving onwards and upwards.....

Feb 15th - not the best day....

Ok
After a couple of further disrupted night’s sleep, I awoke today after the most bizarre and illogical dream this morning – at 08.20am!
Will share it with you when I see you!

So – I was a bit ‘shell-shocked’ when I got up and wandered around ‘zombie like’ – deciding that this morning was not the time for me to do my interval session and came to work with the intention of going out at lunchtime – with a nice lunch and salad prepared for tonight as well..
By the time I motivated myself , sort of – to get out of my chair it was 1pm – so I walked into town briskly to collect something, and back (15mins) and then decided to go down along the marina..so jogged to La Fregate first and then to the Marina by the Radisson (11mins)

Along to the Beatles, I managed 6 x 2 min intervals interspaced with a very brisk walk – and then jogged to la Fregate (upturned boat opposite the Grand Hotel Cliff) and back to the pool another 11 mins....

My heart was not in it – oversleeping is not good and I don’t like it..!!!!!! Sorry!
But at least I got out and did something..which is better than nothing

I will do better next time – probably on Friday morning I am thinking now..:-(

Update - with the facts! "Piece of cake" according to Annette.....

Weather - very windy and wet all morning
Annette did call me and see if I would like to postpone it till the afternoon.....i did say I cannot choose the weather - and it has to be done!

Here goes..
Mile 1 - 15m 36s (serious face)
Mile 2 - 17m 26s (serious face with stretches)
Mile 3 - 16m 34s (serious face)
Mile 4 - 16m 40s + mucky story!
Mile 5 - 18m 10s - (included Corbiere hill & pee stop)
Mile 6 - 15m 56s - many mucky stories!!!
Mile 7 - 15m 23s - peasy!!!!
Mile 8 - 15m 32s
Mile 9 - 15m 14s - easy peasy - & PB!
and
Mile 10 - 15m29s - TRIUMPHANT FINISH!

N.B.:
- we always treat the first 3 miles (one hour-ish) as a warm up
- Todays 1 - 4 miles were into asignificant headwind
- it i 4.3 miles from LEs Laveurs (Jersey Pearl) to the start of the Railway walk at Corbiere.
- miles 6, 7 & 8 are gently downhill on the railway walk
- the last 2 mile were on the hard and flat along the front from St Aubin

MOST of the course was on a trail or hogging terrain

9.5 miles to Bel Royal and the last half mile was back to the Gunsite.

Maxim gel - one pouch lasted the run - taking about a third every 45 mins or so.
Also used about a litre of water - could have used more.

Quote from Annette:
"An excellent run; Sal looked really comfortable and strong throughout.
Now wearing her 3rd of 4th pair of new shoes...'theses are definitely the ones' - looks like it's a hit for the new Nike Air Pegasus! Yay!'

FACTS - they are my 3rd pair - the first ones were worn once on the first run and then the others on each run until yesterday - great shoes but just too tight!

Starting to feel more like a runner today as opppsed to a plodder - and it was just as well we did not postpone it till the afternoon; it was torrential rain most of the afternoon!!!!

UPDATE - a month from start date.....and with 9 weeks to go!

10 miles - DONE! Jersey Pearl to .... Bel Royal and back to the Gunsite
(where my car was parked).
It was surprisingly mush easier that I had anticipated, despite the strong winds and heavy drizzle - whish did not deter us from the job in hand.
I loved the railway walk - so nice to run on that surface!
My new shoes arrived on Friday - and I tried them out today - aand they are a resounding success!

Not enough thanks can go to my 2 amazing running buddies Annette and Chantelle;despite what I say (jokingly), I don't care that they are walking (albeit briskly) next to me - they keep me sane,laughing and more importantly - keep me going!!
They (along with Cliff)are also helping me so much to believe that I can do this now.
I have visualised myself doing the Marathon now; I have never thought I would run all the way - I have always been going to jog (plod) and walk - and as I keep saying, it is not about the distance, nor the time that it will take, it has alway been about the 'running' thing!
Anyhow - it is now becoming more realistic to me.
Full details and a breakdown of my mile times will follow later..thanks again to 'Geraldine the Garmin'..whoo hoo!!!!! Watch this space.....

UPDATE:

After Sundays run - 4 times around the Valley - my calves and knees were struggling so decided not to run on Tuesday - waled into work instead, did loads more stretching and then more aqua and stretching on Wednesday..
and on Wednesday had a bit of fun onBBC Radio Jersey! I was asked to choose my 6 favourite songs - here is the link, available until 15 Feb only..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00d6cc9
(This show started at 4 - so you need to go to 6pm!

Thursday morning (10th) - feeling a lot better and more healed....

http//salslondonmarathonjourney2011 - Google Search

Hello
Mid December I got caught at a weak moment by Anna Tredant, herself a marathon runner, asking
if I would like a place with Variety, in this years Virgin London Marathon.....and I said YES!!!!!
2 days later - after a hard gym training session, I ended up with a horrendous chest infection which
prevented me doing any training at all - until January 16th 2011!
NIGHTMARE!!!!

Having always been a swimmer - and never a runner, this was always going to be the biggest challenge I was to ever undertake.
Therefore I needed as much time and sensible training as possible.....

This medical delay was therefore rather annoying to say the least!

We organised a Charity Aquathon at the pool on Sunday January 9th raised £230 - thanks to the AquaSplash for letting me do that, and also
to JP and Leigh for giving up their Sunday morning to help teach the 2 hours.

So, with Cliff's advice, and Annette and Chantelle (Rose's) help and constant support, Annette came up with an acheivable training schedule for me.....re-vamping
it for when I actually started on January 16th! with just 14 weeks to go!

The countdown was on....I now with no less that 3 Perseonal Trainers, had to stay healthy, uninjured,strong and eat well.

I attended the first Variety team run at Les Quennevais on Jan 16th - it turned into a bit of a disaster as my shins started to
pain me - as they had when I walked into walk a couple of times...thought it was the shoes - so tried others - and they seemed better..

Anyway - it was a lovely day and we plodded through 3.75 miles - and I managed to plod the last mile comfortably.
We followed that with a sea 'ice dunk' at Belcroute - which was great!

So not totally disastrous and everyone I spoke to me kept reassuring me that I would be 'absolutely fine' ! " If you can swim the Channel
- you can run the London Marathon" - er - it really is not the same I can assure you - I kept telling , and still tell people who say that to me!
I HAD NEVER RUN MORE THAN 6K BEFORE!

I was also starting to do Aqua on Mondays. Wed and Friday mornings to help stretch me out totally, which was/is nice...

Onwards; first 'temp session' with Annette along the sea front on Tuesday 18th Jan - different and fun - it had me warming up and then
going faster for a minute - intespersed with a recovery minute - did this 10 times and plodded back for some stretches in the gym!
Wed - Aqua
Thursday 20th - Fartlek session with Annette at St Catherines - hard, but great fun, followed by a nice dunk and lovely cuppa coffee after.
Friday am - Aqua
Saturday - now my official rest day..

Sunday 23rd - 10k today!!!!! 12 weeks to go!!!!
Under the watchful eye of Annette with her Garmin (must get mine sorted out!!!)
Also accompanied by Annette and Chantelle Rose - this triple combination is turning out to be amazing - and
is making my training so much easier and more bearable..still suffered with my shins in the first mile today..
PB - 10K from Jersey Pearl to Le Braye and inland and back to the car - LOVED IT!!!
Stretched out together - ate bananas - and laughed lots!!
Today was the day Annette shared her story of the 'sperm flavoured/textured' power gels!!!!!
Whoo Hoo!!!
Mile 1 - 19m 31s; Mile 2 - 18m 16s; Mile 3 - 17m 21s; Mile 4 - 17m 28s; Mile 5 - 16m 48s; Mile 6 - 16m 20s
AWESOME DAY! Thanks Girls!

Monday 24th Aqua AM and went to see Morag (Physio); no shin splints and my running gait seems fine; all reassuring..

Tuesday 25th - Gait & shoe analysis with Craig meredith - nuetral running gait - and limbering up exercises given..
worth avery minute....thanks Craig!
2nd Tempo session today - 10 times 2mins @70% each frollowed with a 'delicious' recoevery minute - followed by jogging back
and stretching out in the gym ..fairly sore today..

Wed - Aqua
Thurs - 'fartlek session' planned with Annette BUT - it was extremely cold & windy; my shins were nasty and it was
not a nice experience BUT after 30 mins, I did manage to plod back to the car - so no fartlek - just a
plod - which was fine; quick coffee in Les Fontaines afterwards..

Friday Aqua
Saturday - rest day and 'bucket shake' at Grand Marche, 2 till 4pm..

Sunday 30th - 8 miles!!!!! 11 weeks to go!
Jersey Pearl, to La Pulente, back to le Braie and then inland again - great fun - more silly storie, lots more laughing and
I DID 8 MILES!!!! Was supposed to be 7 - but albeit slowly & consistently, and the last 4 miles got a little quicker too! 2 Hours 17mins
Mile 1 - 17m9s; Mile 2 - 19m34s (with stretching); Mile 3 - 16m42s;Mile 4 - 17m.34s; Mile 5 - 18m 12s +pee stop); Mile 6 - 16m 40s;
Mile 7 - 16m 24s and miel 8 - 16m 12s!!!!!
I was delighted - thanks again Girls!
Quick coffee before heading to st Cats for a dunk only, could not get in today - either too slippery or too rough! GGrrrrr!
BTW - my Garmin is now being worn and used - I'm sure i need to learn more about it though!

Monday 31st - Aqua
Tuesday Feb 1st - tempo session on my own - with my ipod!!!
Bike warm up, 20 min jog warm up AND 8 X 2 mins @ 70% plus a 3 minute and a 4 minute interval - to Abba's Chiquitita!
AWESOME - loved it and felt FAB after! very positive too! And tried out new socks too!

Wed Feb 2nd - Aqua
Thursday 3rd - a beautiful sunny and warm day - and yet another Awesome one too!
Until today - i have never ever been able to 'run around' QV!
Today I did it TWICE! FIRST LAP - 31 MINS AND 2ND LAP - 29 MINS! NEGATIVE SPLITS TOO!
WOW! - thanks Annette!!!

Friday - Aqua
Saturday rest - great leg massage also in the afternoon - and enetertained at home in the evening too..

Sunday 6th Feb..10 weeks to go!
Another 8 miles on the agenda - a nice temperature, met Annette and Chantelle at Queens Valley - with a view to 4 laps -
it was tough; undulating all the way round - so much harder than last week - and I DID IT!
4 AND A BIT LAPS - another PB - 2 HOURS 21 MINS, ONLY 3 MINS SLOWER THAN LAST WEEK which was flat in comparison!!
Here is yesterday's breakdown (warts'n'all) from Annette and "Geraldine the Garmin".....
4 + circuits of an undulating/ small hills course on a hoggin trail. Total time taken: 8 miles in 2 hours 21 mins.

mile 1 17 min 19 sec (includes pee stop)
mile 2 19 min 34 sec (a little grumble about difficulty)
mile 3 16 min 42 sec
mile 4 17 min 34 sec
mile 5 18 min 12 sec (bit of a complaint about being seen)
mile 6 16 min 40 sec
mile 7 16 min 24 sec (bit of a complaint about being seen again)
mile 8 16 min 12 sec (bit of a discussion about how many times to cross the bridge)

How do I feel after this??? SORE BUT ELATED....
After all - IT'S ONLY PAIN innit??

We must all remember - PAIN IS TEMPORARY and GLORY IS FOREVER!

Monday Feb 7th
- was going for a swim but unable to 'cos of a tech prob at the pool - so went for a walk with Wendy - and then more stretching (& chatting!!!) - followed by 20 mins Aqua and water stretching....felt better after both of these...