OMG

Oh my God....I ran 18 miles today (and walked a bit too) to Sainsburys near Bluewater and back home again. It took me just over 3 hrs 30 mins and at times I thought it was never going to end.....so many hills. It is all perfect training for the London Marathon which is almost perfectly FLAT. My dream time of finishing in under 5 hours might just be possible.....maybe....hopefully....fingers crossed !!!!

It's not too late to sponsor me, here's the link or just let me how much to put on my sponsorship form.

http://www.justgiving.com/Sarah-Bateman1

It's been a great couple of weeks.

My cough has finally started to go and my training seems to be going well. I managed a couple of 5 miles runs last week and then on Friday we all went off to sunny Hastings for the weekend.

The reason for our trip was for me to run the Hastings Half Marathon on Sunday. We spent Saturday in Hastings pottering around and playing mini golf. Then in the evening we went for a really nice Italian meal to celebrate Michael's and my birthday. It also gave me a chance to load up on my carbs before the race (and have a really yummy pudding).

So Sunday morning we were all up early to open my birthday cards and pressies then I got ready for the race. It was a bit chilly to start with but luckily it wasn't raining or windy. At 10.30 the race started and off I went. I'd already been warned it was a very hilly course and within the first mile there were 2 really steep sections. Then it leveled out for a while before the long slow hill of Queensway which went on forever and ever. At the half way mark the course started to head downhill back towards the seafront and then eventually the last 3 miles were flat along the promenade. I finished in 2 hrs 27 min - I didn't break any records but I really enjoyed myself and got a lovely brass medal to keep.



Today I have started to follow my training programme again and ran 7 miles. Legs are still a bit stiff from the weekend but I'm sure they'll feel better as the week goes on. I'm hoping to do my long run on Sunday 18 miles !!!!

4 and a bit weeks to go......

Back on Track (almost)

The last few weeks haven't quite gone to plan. I wasn't expecting to get a nasty cold and cough that would throw me right off schedule. I've been trying really hard for the last week or so to get back into a training routine. Each run got a bit better with a bit less coughing. Now and again I would have to stop completely and just cough, cough, cough. I haven't been able to do any really long runs but have managed a few 5 miles.

Mothers Day was spent in Greenwich Park. I went for a lovely run in the sunshine and warmth while Peter took the kids off to explore. I was planning to do about 10 miles round the park and Blackheath but once again the cough got the better of me and I only did about 5 miles. 5 miles is still better than nothing and I'm still as determined as ever to keep going and not give in.

Tomorrow I hope to do 7 miles, 6 on Thursday and then Friday we're all going to Hastings for the weekend so I can run the Hastings Half Marathon on Sunday (my birthday). The course is supposed to be quite tough - the first 6 miles are all up hill - some steeper than others. Then the rest is downhill to the seafront with the final 3 miles along the sea. If the weather stays warm it should be a nice weekend.

Just under 6 weeks to go !!!!!!!!

1st run in ages today.....

It's been 2 weeks today since I last went running. I've had a cough and cold from hell. I was determined to run today as I'm getting so behind on my training programme. Even if I had to take a box of tissues with me I was going.

I drove to Gravesend to run around the flat park and considering it had been ages since my last run, I felt pretty strong and ran a mile and a bit before stopping. The only reason I stopped was because half the park was shut for maintenance and I couldn't work out how to get out ! As I'd stopped anyway I thought I'd have a gulp of water - big mistake, I couldn't stop coughing. After what seemed like a lifetime of coughing I decided to call it a day. At least it's a start and hopefully over the next few days I'll start to feel a bit better and run a bit further. This cold couldn't have come at a worse time but I'm sure I'll be able to catch up over the next 7 weeks.

Sarah xxx