Here I go... !

Call me crazy, but I've decided to run the Bath Half Marathon in March 2011!!!
I have decided to start my training this week, and my first session has been arranged! It's in the diary for 6.30pm tomorrow evening, Tuesday 31st August. This is good, as it's ahead of my mental schedule - I said I'd start my training in September.
I have to say that I'm incredibly nervous. I have not done any proper running since before I moved to Bath, around 4 years ago. Even then, it would have only have been short 20-30 minute jogs around the block after a day at the office. This is going to be serious. Hardcore running! 13.1 miles is a long way! To put it into some sort of perspective, if you take the average walking speed of 4 miles an hour, it would take you around 3.4 hours to walk the half marathon. I'm at least hoping I can complete it in that time.
I chose the word 'imminent', then looked it up in the dictionary. The example sentence it uses is: they were in imminent danger of being swept away... Am I going to be swept away? Will I become so involved in my training that I am swept away to the world of obsessive runners, who become addicted to going out in all weathers? Will I start listening to soul-less house music just because the beats land the same time as my feet? Who knows... I do hope though that part of me does get swept up into the whole experience. I hope I begin to enjoy it and that it doesn't feel like a chore. I want to do it, not only to raise vital funds for the Museum, a cause I'm very passionate about, but I want to do it for myself. I'm looking forward to feeling fit, and being able to wear pretty dresses come next summer.
It seems like a long way off, but I have a lot to do! As I was panicking a bit about September looming, I contacted a lady called Pauline at the Womens Running Network (WRN) who gave me some tips for the beginner runner. The key is to start slowly, build up core muscle strength, and not to do too much straight away. She has set me a training outline for the first week or so, and it's quite easy to build on so will provide a good structure for the duration of my training:
5 minutes of jogging, 1 minute walking - Repeat 4 or 5 times

Increase by one minute of jogging per session, but only if it feels comfortable*.

*Comfortable in this sense of the word means to be able to run for that length of time without feeling exhausted, with the feeling that you could run for longer (we'll see how that goes!!!).

The fact that you stop to walk for a minute at regular, but increased, intervals will improve stamina, and in the beginning will allow you to catch your breath and stop yourself from getting a stitch.

Pauline told me that although your body is probably fit enough to run, it is your mentality that sometimes needs the most work. I can understand that! I know that I'm not unfit, why only today I went for a 2 hour cycle ride. I walk most places and eat healthily. Altogether I lead a healthy life. But I am nervous about this whole 'half marathon' thing. Pauline suggested I run hills... Sounds mad, but running a hill for 2 miles should take the same time and energy as running a flat 4 miles, and because you reach the top of the hill it gives you a sense of achievement and will improve the way you approach training - or so the theory goes.

So that's the training advice. The rest is up to me! I have a pair of running shoes I've had for years, but have hardly any wear on them, so until I can afford a new pair, they will have to do. I have a pair of old joggers I used to do dance class in, and plenty of oversized t-shirts from my university days. I don't as yet have an iPod playlist. If anyone has any suggestions of albums, artists or perhaps a fully compiled playlist, please do get in touch! In fact, if you have any words of wisdom or warning, leave me a little comment! Also, if you'd like to train with me, that would be great! I need all the encouragement I can get.

Now then, finally I need to mention sponsorship. I am doing this in aid of the Holburne Challenge. If you would like to sponsor me, please keep an eye on the Holburne website (see my links on the right of my blog page) where I will be posting a link to my sponsorship page. I will also post it on here, but I need to get it up and running first. In the mean time, please feel free to leave a comment on here. You can also follow me on twitter: twitter.com/claracecilia

Wish me luck, here I go... !