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As a 33-year-old trying to juggle a busy work life with my love of running (and cake), I’m following a simple training plan, and hoping to stay injury free in order to complete two half marathons next month.
I was bitten by the running bug two and a half years ago, after spending the first thirty years of my life taking part in team sports and feeling unfit compared to others. The best decision I ever made was joining a beginners group at my local running club (Redway Runners) in April 2013 and I have never looked back. My initial aim was to complete one 5K parkrun without stopping, and 80 parkruns, eleven 10K races and seven half marathons later, I am well and truly hooked.
I ran my first half marathon in Milton Keynes in May 2014, and the main aim was to complete the distance without stopping. It was a great course, with brilliant support all the way around and a fantastic finish into the MK Dons Stadium. My finish time was 2hr 15mins and I was so proud to have run all 13.1 miles – even with the pesky slope after mile 10, and a stitch after drinking too much Lucozade!
I am really looking forward to taking part in Great Birmingham Run 2015 as I loved the event and support around the course last year, and it was only the second half marathon I completed. This year I am keen to beat my course PB of 2hr 4mins (I was ecstatic to take 11 minutes off my first half marathon). After spending twelve years living in Birmingham, I was pleased the half marathon course went around my old student haunts of Broad St, Moseley and Selly Oak – I even liked the hills near Harborne. This year my boyfriend will also be running the Great Birmingham Run, as his PB is over 30 minutes faster than mine, I will be expecting a nice cup of tea and a big hug to be waiting for me when I cross the finish line! Hopefully I will get a new PB and finally break the two hour barrier.
Currently I try to run four times per week, which can be difficult when juggling training in with work, boyfriend, family, friends and volunteering commitments. All of the four runs I do weekly are very different; Monday is a 4 mile ‘social run’ with friends at a steady 9:45 minute mile pace, and Thursday is ‘interval’ training, alternating between hills, sprinting, mile repeats or relays. Saturday is now formally known as ‘Parkrunday’ and wherever I am I try to take part in the 5k parkrun, aim for a PB and look forward to tea and cake afterwards – I also love to plan in a bit of ‘parkrun tourism’ when visiting friends and family. Finally, Sunday is always a ‘long run’, which can be anywhere from one to two hours (10-minute mile pace) and includes plenty of loop backs.
Over the next month or so I will be building up the long Sunday runs up to 11 miles, and will make sure I plan in some tapering to be ready for the Cardiff Half Marathon (my 8th half) and the Great Birmingham Run (my 9th half) in October. I am chuffed that both of the races will be televised on the BBC, so watch out for me!
Author: Angela Mulligan
