Dream runs

When the magic that is the internet publishes this post, I shall be in Norway, where the sun isn't shining and the snow is deep and crisp and even, where on the 7 January, I will run the Polar Nights Half Marathon. I figure if you're going to do something a bit tricky, why not make it fun?

Here's my dream list of events:

Medoc Marathon - I will do this once I have learned to drink better. Fancy dress is pretty much compulsory, it's hard to get into and fun and food is the name of the game. The course boasts: "22 refreshment stands, 21 food stands and special gourmet stands (oysters, ham, steak, cheese, ice cream, Medoc wine, etc.) and the presence of hundreds of disguised and delighted school children.£ I don't think the latter are for eating.

Running underground: Yep apparently in Germany there's an underground marathon. Actually there's a few. This needs more research to determine if I want to do the Untertage, the Kristallmarathon or Vessertunnel marathon. Ah those crazy Germans.

A marathon in my home country: At the moment, Rottnest Island Marathon is the favourite as it's closest to home and very beautiful. But the laps put me off!

An ironman: One day I would really like to do this, and I would like to do it before I am 40. So I need to start training pretty soon! Iron Man Nice would be a good venue.

A run in the mountains: Davos looks the most accessible for the moment and has lengths that I can manage!

Africa's Biggest 10km race - it's a long way to go for a 10km but if I can ever wangle a work trip for the Great Ethiopian Run, then I'm in!

Running for non runners

I know many people who don't run think that running is just putting one foot in front of the other. Actually there's also some very good runners who will say running is just about putting one foot in front of the other but that is because they are very zen and awesome runners. Anyway this post is for non-runners to appreciate just how much you have to think about if you're an aspiring distance runner like me, but not very good at it and therefore have to try very hard and concentrate a lot.

Eating and drinking: or fueling as we like to call it. Distance runners have to be conscious of what and when they eat(carbs 1-3 days before, protein after), what not to eat (anyone run 26 miles on a curry?!), how to eat when being a really slow runner (5 hours without food?), what to drink (sometimes water isn't enough) and how to get it all right when you have back-to-back long runs.

Social life: Your struggling distance runner will also contemplate if they should be having a big night out - after all a long run is looming on the weekend. It's also likely that they get smashed on two pints - I certainly seem to have trouble getting home on this level of alcohol now that my body is a slow moving temple. Also if you're planning a long run in the morning, is it safe to meet friends for lunch or is that just putting pressure on yourself to finish 13 miles under two hours, stretch, change and be social?

What you wear: Running into work? Then have two of everything or a wardrobe that can commute. If you run into work and have an offsite meeting first thing, your weekly schedule can change. In winter you need shoes and jackets at both ends. If you're going to stay overnight, or run somewhere and then shower and commute home, then these all require perfect logistics so you don't walk home without a vital bit of wardrobe. And high heels? After the first marathon I donated all my heels to charity; my feet deserve respect. Runners who go minimal will find that most of their other shoes feel like torture devices after running in bare foot style shoes. Or at best, your old shoes just won't fit anymore.

It's all in the head: struggling distance runners need a lot of mental toughness. After all, most of it's in the head. So what if you have a row, a hard day at work, or your best friend is on Oprah? All of this can effect a run. I also find when I train a lot and my whole body is weary, my ability to be grumpy and emotional increases in alarming measures.

If you're a non runner, don't let this put you off getting started. But if you are supporting a struggling runner like me, consider these potential things that keep your runner awake at night. And give them a little hug for still trying.

Start list

The start list for the Polar Night Half Marathon is out.

Try not to squeal with excitement folks.

Runner 1335.

Cool London things that occurred today

1. Ran alongside the Horse Guards trotting down Birdcage Walk. At first I thought the police escort was for me.
2. Ran through Westminster station. Twice. It's very warm in there but quicker than dodging the tourists ogling Big Ben.
3. Exited Westminster station just as Big Ben was doing the 11am "bongs"; a beautiful sound.
4. Bumped into @HumanRightsQC and Mrs HRQC at Blackfriars - beamed at them but didn't realise it was them. The beauty of twitter.
5. Ran through the back streets of London Bridge and popped out on Tower Bridge Rd with the beautiful bridge ahead of me.
6. Waved at a Chelsea Pensioner.
7. Appeared in two tourist photos by accident - sorry!
8. Eye-balled the Police assembling en masse outside Temple station, thinking "C'mon, give a brown girl running with a back pack a hard time and see where it gets you."
9. Accidentally ran into Borough Market and nearly collapsed from food desire. Badly arranged.
10. Startled by the high tide slapping up against the steps down a side alley along the north Thames Walk.
11. Reminisced about walking the London Marathon route with the fabulous Anne Marie when she was training for Nepal and I was mostly unfit. Especially smiling at Broken Wharf.
12. Wondered at the cool sounds that seemed to come from a Victorian prison with spooky lights and sound effects, once at the Clink and another, with sounds of the sea near Steelyard Passage.
13. Danced in the middle of Southwark Bridge to "That's not my name" just to say I had.
14. Ran 28km.

I also stopped in my tracks when a man walked past with two hyacinth macaws on his shoulders. This is not particularly London and not something I condone but I have never seen such big and beautiful birds close up - I actually thought there were puppets - and I was mesmerised.

Never forget the distance travelled

This morning as I eat my 5th rice cake I keep reminding myself how far I've come in the last six months: (the broken toe, pompholyx and the knees of misfortune - none are running injuries!)

So let's get out there and eat more rice cakes and run to Tower Bridge! And back again.

A right proper moan

Tomorrow I'm going to run a half marathon as part of my training for London Ultra. And if i get to the end of it I will feel really pleased. Even though I have run two marathons and have many times run this same achievable distance. I will be pleased because I don't feel like a runner.

I feel like a nervous worked up ball of knots. A person who is caught up in a few mentalisms not appropriate for airing in public. A person caught in a big job that I am trying to deliver effectively to redeem some self worth - but whose delivery means a lot of effort. And some of that high expectation stuff I put on myself without realising it be it for fundraising, volunteering or just trying to be a decent friend. I've also got a bit caught up in the Thing that is Christmas, due to some personal commitments that are going a bit bonkers but essentially leave me a bit flotsam and jetsam-like and alone, and out of the house which isn't terribly buoying my spirits.

I am tired. I am thirsty. Or more to the point, I can't drink enough and I can't eat enough for my training. I am grumpy and emotional. I cry at the drop of a hat. I get a stitch while sleeping. I don't want to run. And I feel like I can't run. I have felt for the first time that I don't want to do this bloody event any more.

But Ii will. I will read my visualisation notes. I will put one foot in front of the other. And I'll use these runs to conquer some of the mentalisms and Christmas angst. I'll do it because the feeling at the end of the race will feel a million times better than the lousiness I feel now.

But I just wanted to ramble on about how awful I feel as I always try and be a bit upbeat and I thought having a bit of a whinge might help me feel better about it. Hmm did it?

Reached the half way point

Today I reached the half way point of the distance I will have to run on Feb 19th- 25km. It was a good strong run, though the last kilometre seemed to drag on for ages. I guess I better get used to that - there isn't going to be 100m markers counting down and throngs of crowds at the Ultra!

I ran today's distance in 2:29 which is ok - I'd like to finish within 5:30 (and especially 5:15) so adding aid and injury time, everything seems to be going very well. Behave Gods of Running.