Feeling the Post-Christmas burn!

With just under two months to go until race day, the pressure is most definately ON!!

I went once over the Christmas break, in the sludge on Boxing day... Not very pleasant. I had very wet feet!

Went out last night with the 'non beginners' Womens Running Network group (I mean 'non beginners' because it's the next group on from the beginners one, but is about a zillion times harder!), and after not running for over a week, I really felt it! I was in agony. Had cramp in my left shoulder muscles, my right groin muscle was aching and I kept getting a stitch!! But I made it round and ran for just over an hour, with a few stops, but I did it all the same.

I'm going to force myself out for a quick 20 minute run after work this evening, just to get my body back in running mode. I'm really starting to panic that I've not made enough progress yet, and that I will die on race day!! Need to get up to running around 1hr45m continuously!

Come on Clara... You can do it!!
On the plus side, I've raised over £120 already!! If you would like to sponsor me, please follow the link below. If you're a UK Tax Payer, you can add Gift Aid, which automatically adds an extra 28p to each £1 that you donate! (at no extra cost to you!)

Clara's Holburne Challenge

THANK YOU!

6.5km in -4 degrees!!

Yep, that's right! I did go out on Monday night and ran 6.5km in -4 degrees C!! Twas incredibly cold, but very exhilarating.

Going to join a second WRN running group tomorrow night (Thursday) which steps things up a gear - aiming to run 8km and has faster runners. A little bit nervous about it, but I need to start pushing it!

I'll keep you posted on that...

Beginning to panic!!

With this cold weather, I've found it very hard to motivate myself. I'm ashamed to say that I've not been out for two weeks!!

BUT the ice and the snow has gone so tonight's the night. I can't leave it any longer than two weeks this close to Christmas. I'm going to go out with the lovely Womens Running Network tonight - It never feels too much of a struggle when I run in that group.

My goal was to get to 10k comfortably by Christmas, but it looks like I'll have to push that back about a week and just say I'd like to get to that by the end of December. The most I've ever run in one go is 7.5km - I'm beginning to panic!!

On the plus side, I had a photo call with the Bath Chronicle last Friday in the cold, snowy Queens Square. The article will be about me and 6 other runners who all have an interesting Bath Half Marathon story to tell. So look out for me in the paper on Thursday 9th Dec.

Remember, if you'd like to sponsor me, visit: Clara's Holburne Challenge

All donations are welcome!!

I'll be in touch again after my run... !

SNOW!

Does anyone have any tips for running in the snow?! I have a feeling it's going to be here for a while and I will need to go running soon!

Cx

First Morning Run EVER

I have just returned from the most exhilarating run I've done so far. I set off at 7.45am on one of the coldest mornings this year, -2 in Bath, and it was beautiful. Well, it's still beautiful, but running out there in the cold wintery sunshine, looking out over the frosty hills around Newbridge and Newton St Loe was just the perfect way to start the day.

I think I'm a convert. Especially in these short, dark winter days, morning runs are definitely the way forward!

By the way, it was 3.34KM/2.08m... Not 'great', but hey! It's cold!

Sponsor me!!

My simple aim is to get everyone who wants to support me, to sponsor me £20...

If I get 10 people to sponsor me, that's £200 - Simple.

20 people, £400

25 people, £500

Please follow the link, and support me!

All proceeds go to the Holburne Challenge - Bath's community challenge to raise £300,000 so that the Museum can continue the brilliant work it does in education, outreach and art for all.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ClarasHolburneChallenge

THANK YOU!!

C x

An Apology...

Basically, I need to apologise for not keeping you up to date with the progress of my training over the last month or so. Things are going well: I've not stopped blogging simply because I've stopped running! On the contrary...

I've joined the Womens Running Network (Who I will now refer to as WRN) who I run with every Monday for around 50-60mins / 6-7KM.

I have some proper new trainers! I have to say, running is now a joy, now that I can run comfortably. I can go miles (Literally!) longer in these as my feet don't get so tired!! I highly recommend Running Bath in the city centre for advice.

I've been running in the dark, in the frost, in the mist ... But am yet to battle with the rain...

I've lost 5k since September... Brilliant seeing as my main reason for running wasn't to lose weight - BONUS!!!

So there you have it... I am still going, I've not given up, and I'm loving it!! Next challenge really is to get over the 60minute marker...

Keep those fingers crossed for me, and please support me!!

SPREAD THE WORD!

Speak soon, promise.

C x