RUNNING: A history

Let's not confuse things; I run a lot. I enjoy pounding the pavements and the feeling I get when I've beaten my watch timer at the local running track. I own a vast amount of lycra and am the proud and protective owner of some ankle straps. I think I can count myself as a runner, but I am by no means a natural at it. I really, really enjoy getting drunk and this is probably hindering my progress quite a lot, but heyyyy I'm a 22 year-old sassy female and my friends are too good for me to neglect them too much. People who know me will be forgiven for assuming that I chose this as my hobby because I'm naturally good at it, but they would be WRONG. With a national champion for a mother, and a few medals hanging in my room, I don't blame anyone who would think I'm genetically blessed at the ol' running thing.

But, such is life and I happen to rather enjoy it and it keeps me below the obesity line so I've stuck at it, and entered some races along the way in the hope of claiming eternal glory. I recently did the Bristol 10k in 49.57mins and was super disappointed not to go under my target time of 48mins. I'm not embarrassed to say that I trained unbelievably hard and gave up a lot of time that would usually be spent drunk, hungover or watching TV in my pyjamas. Realising at about the 6k mark that I'd more than likely missed the time I wanted was well gutting and when I got to the end I burst into tears, OH THE SHAME. Such an uptight running idiot... Luckily my eye make-up was still in tact for the obligatory Facebook photos.

Me and my super-running mum

ANYWHO... since that tragic, tragic day I've decided to pick myself up, stop being such a baby and enter a few more races. I sadly quite like a challenge, which is probably why I continue this running malarky, and also have planned a holiday with my mr lover-lover and don't want to embarrass him in my bikini. 

This blog will hopefully help me chronicle my pilgrimage to becoming a self-confident running goddess, and also will stop me continuing to talk about it on nights out (to my friends, I apologise profusely).

See, I bloody love it. Bristol Half Marathon

At the moment I try to run 4 or 5 times a week. One or two long runs (5 - 8 miles), a 30 minute jog, 4-5 1mile reps along the main road (HIYA) and one track session. Yes I go to a track, yes it's a bit weird for a 22 year-old average runner to be running at a track WITH A COACH and a fabulous training partner but I go way back at Bristol and West Athletic Club so they just humour me (and have helped me immensely after my chubby uni stage). 

My other hobby

This is totally a 'dear diary' moment for me so please excuse me while I cringe at myself, but sometimes things need to be written down and this is one of them thingssss I'm afraid. WISH ME LUCK!!