Color Run Brighton - The Happiest 5k in the World

It seems like ages ago since I signed me and Danni up for Color Run at Brighton - the time finally arrived to don our Tshirts and headbands, and head out the door dressed appropriately for the "happiest 5k in the world".   We bought white cycle shorts (which Danni later refused to wear), white pumps, shutter glasses and tutus to bling it all up a bit.  We later realised we hadn't blinged enough but that's noted for next year!

We met up with fellow Boshettes, Michelle & Nik and then walked down to the start area, meeting up with Sam and Hannah and Marie on the way.

It was quite a trek to the other end of Madeira Drive - Volks Railway were offering free rides  down to the start - but we decided to walk!   The start area was a bit crazy so  we just slotted ourselves in - gave Shaun the bags to carry and the very important camera!

Ten minutes late starting, not sure how far back we were but I think we were in the second wave of 500.  Crossing the line walking felt a bit strange - I'm still banned from jogging/running but I'll save the injury update for another day!   We were headed towards the "pink" area but were smartly turned right up the slope towards Marine Drive, then back down to Madeira Drive - we were finally at the first color section - PINK !

The "colorists" were shouting drop & roll at us - no way I was doing that in the first one - I'd never get up again, I saved that for later!   Buff up to mouth & nose, glasses down & slowly walked through screaming liking a bunch of loons! 

We're in there somewhere!

 After PINK was PURPLE ! 

We did the whooping & arm waving a lot!

Still whooping, waving our arms & grinning like loons!

 After PURPLE was yellow - this was my favourite & I was ready to drop and roll - well actually

 It ended up as paint angels, front and back - whilst trying not to get trodden on & bash my legs!

 That was so much fun!

 YELLOW done we're heading for ORANGE! 

 and Michelle was rolling around like there was no tomorrow - so glad Shaun caught this shot! Me?  I was shouting "Color me" at anyone holding a paint bottle!

 The walk from ORANGE back to the finish was a bit boring but a great chance to recap what a lot of fun we'd had

 and to have some PINK envy on the way past - we really should have dived back in!  Lesson learned for next year.

 Back over the finish and yes we're all still laughing and smiling - Danni, Sam & Nik going for the sprint!

 After the finish we made our way into the finish festival - basically every one standing around waiting for the 15 minute "paint trolls" which give the infamous paint cloud associated with Color Run.

 Another chance to get absolutely smothered - including any spectators!

so that's it - the inaugural Brighton Color Run - DONE 

4 happy smiley girls !

Not sure what I'm supposed to do with this lot!

I honestly think everyone should take part in this race - it's for just about everyone - big, small, old, young, men, women, children, people in wheelchairs, on roller blades, scooters and even dogs!    

The happiest 5k in the world - hell yeah.   

Actually it's not 5k, it was a bit short but who cares - it's a fun run, time to go naked & not give a monkeys about PBs and pace.    

Our only complaint, not much atmosphere apart from the start/finish and the color areas, it could do with some music of some description - a Samba band or DJ would be great.

Do it again - try stopping me!  Color Run should be on prescription to be taken daily !

Swimming - an alternative to running!

Following on from my injury confession post I had an interesting weekend - I went swimming, in the local public swimming pool.   I haven't swum in the local public swimming pool since Danni did swimming lessons - which is a fair old time.  I have, however, swum in various pools on holiday and during the summer had membership of LA Fitness and swam in the spa pool twice a week for 5 weeks.

The difference between the different types of pool are huge - the ones you swim in on holiday are rarely regular shapes or size and there's no chance of lane rage as there are no lanes and you can leave your towel on your sunbed - all very civilised!  Oh and they are always freezing cold.

The only downside of the holiday swimming pool unless you get up at the crack of dawn is that they're always packed and there's always an idiot with an inflatable that takes up the whole pool!

The gym "spa" pools are a lovely experience - the one at LA Fitness Brighton isn't huge, has 3 lanes for different speeds of swimmers and you can hang your towel on a hook.  There is no lane rage at this type of pool, everyone swims as instructed (up on the left, down on the right) and in the correct lane for their level/speed.   There was also very few people, if any, in the pool!

The water is always a constant temperature and it's rarely noisy - apart from Mr Speedy swimmer.  Also you can have a proper shower and the changing rooms are single sex!  I paid £19 for 10 sessions on a Groupon deal!

Swimming in a local public swimming pool is the complete opposite of the above two experiences.  

The difference starts the minute you walk through the door - for one thing it's £4.25 per person to swim!  Next is the communal changing rooms - "Mummy" side cubicles, "Daddy" side cubicles, "family cubicles".   Guess who nearly went on the wrong side!  So off I went to the pool having got changed, put my bag in the locker and went to find somewhere to put my towel - hah!  "The wall" is the only place to put your towel, and if you dare put it in the wrong place it gets moved.  Getting into the pool on Saturday morning was pleasant enough - there were only a couple of other people swimming and the water was like getting into a bath.  There were also children's swimming lessons going on.

Actually swimming on Saturday was a doddle.  Instructions from Matt to mix up my stroke - what I hadn't told him was that I only "do" breaststroke, however that's only my arms - my legs do a mixture of leg strokes, sometimes breaststroke legs, sometimes crawl legs - so hopefully that's as mixing it up as I needed!   I swam gently for about 45 minutes and then got out and showered.   Saturday was easy - Sunday was a bit different.  For one thing there was no room on "the wall" for my towel, and secondly the water was freezing!  I'd made the mistake of going 15 minutes later too so it was a bit busier and the likelihood of getting in someones way was high!  One thing which I did find annoying was one young couple who got in, walked up to the halfway point and then sat chatting for the half hour that I was in there - honestly go to Costa buy a coffee and chat away, it's cheaper and you won't get wet!

I actually quite like swimming - apart from the local swimming pool thing but it will do, for now!  One of my Facebook friends suggested one of these

The Endless Pool - I actually want one!

It's official - I am Injured

Yep time to fess up - I have been running through my calf pain for quite some time now and yesterday I could put it off no longer - I had to get to the physio!

After a chat to ascertain what the problem was Matt did some investigations into the pain in my calves and shins.  It was quite painful especially the mid point on my shin.   Apparently I have a high pain threshold which is why I've continued to run through (or is it just that I didn't want to accept the inevitable?)  I'm also very naughty and don't warm up properly before or stretch after, and only occasionally (once a week) a session on the foam roller.

Matt did some deep tissue massage on my calves - I think at one point there was a 12 on the 1 to 10 pain scale, although he didn't quite reduce me to tears.   I've had ultrasound on my shins too, and now I'm taped up on both legs to aid recovery.

I've been given strict instructions - absolutely NO RUNNING for at least 2 weeks (bet it'll be longer!) and no walking hills with the dog or going further than about 3 or 4 miles, which quite frankly is a pain.   With the days becoming cooler I was looking forward to getting on the Downs with Archie for some longer walks instead of our little walks we've been doing in the heat, and I was looking forward to getting out running!

I've got some exercises to do throughout the day, including toe pumps, and foam roller for 10 minutes every evening while I'm watching the telly.  Back to Matt in 7 days for another assessment and some more ultrasound.

I'm hoping to get some swimming in whilst I'm not allowed to run - that's on the "can do" list.   Shaun was hoping to get me on the bike soon, but that's on the "no, not at the moment" list!   I'm going to be a nightmare getting through this injury.   Oh well, it's all my own fault - yes lesson learned!

#RunWithAnIdea 4 "Real Runners Don't Walk"

This week's Run with an Idea bi-weekly debate is to me an interesting one.   

Real runners don't walk!

Do they not? What are we calling a "real runner" - Mo Farah ? A Kenyan marathon runner? A club runner? Someone running an Ultra? Or someone like me who just runs for fun and sometimes fits in a walk break when the going gets tough?

I was chatting with my brother a couple of years ago about when he considered I'd become a real runner - he said it was when I'd completed my first running event and got a finisher's medal (not the Race for Life!) which just happened to be the British 10k, which I finished in 1 hour and 12 minutes - yes I walked and I've always had to take some kind of walk break during any run or event I've done because I never learn from my previous mistakes of going off too fast at the start, or not hydrating enough in the run up to it.    Does this mean I'm not a real runner?

You never see the pro athletes taking a walk break!  You never see club runners walking during a race although I have heard Ultra runners may take a small walk at some point - or spend an extra 5 minutes chilling at an aid station. 

Maybe the question should really be what is a real runner?   I've never classed myself as a real runner - despite my inspirational younger brother saying I am - I'm a plodder, usually at the back of the pack so I don't get in anyone's way.   
I was looking round the tinternet whilst I was thinking about this subject, as you do, and putting "do runners walk" in the google search I found this interesting feed on daily mile.  The consensus of opinion seems to be that you're still a runner if you walk during a marathon!

And I found this on another site about the top ten training mistakes -

1.3 Training Mistake 3 - Breaks in long runs

The relative difficulty of long training runs is different between runs that are continuous and runs where there are breaks. Even relatively short Walking Breaks will allow for a surprising level of recovery, which is why ultramarathoners can cover such long distances. Unfortunately, many marathoners intended to race without any Walking Breaks, but do not train that way. I believe that Walking Breaks can be used as part of marathon training to extend the distance that can be covered on the longer long runs. However, allowances should be made when evaluating your training. A long run with plenty of breaks should not be equated to the same distance and pace run continuously. Also, some of the long runs should be is continuous as possible. Often it is impractical to avoid stopping completely; you will need to refuel, cross roads, or change clothes. With some planning, it should be possible to minimize these interruptions and to keep the run is continuous as possible (see Race Simulation below). When doing Race Simulation it is important not to pause your watch on any breaks that are taken, so you have a good evaluation of the training impact.

and this advice given on About.com 

So maybe real runners do walk after all!  Fitting in small walk breaks actually helps.   How do the pro athletes do it?

Yay I'm a real runner - what do you think?

What We've Been Up to since Tunisa!

I thought I'd share what we've been up to since our return from holiday.   It's certainly been a fun packed couple of weeks.

First some brilliant news.   Shaun went to see his consultant about what was happening concerning the leg op.  We already knew that they didn't really want to operate this year but he wanted to speak to the main man.   In view of the fact that he's lost over a stone and is building up the leg muscles with cycling the consultant is happy to leave him as he is until he finds he's in a lot of pain.  So that's great news - the consultant more or less said "see you in 10 years"!

On 11th August Shaun took part in the Wiggle Haywards Heath Howler Sportive.   We had a ridiculously early start that Sunday morning as I'd offered to be "bag lady" and chief supporter - it was only fair, he's spent the last 6 or 7 years following me round running events & doing the honours!   So off we drove at 7 o'clock in the pouring rain to Ardingly College where the event start was.   When we got the other side of the South Downs the rain stopped and the roads were completely dry which Shaun was pleased about.

Ardingly College is a lovely venue.

There was a massive car park and everything is well sign posted to the start line and registration.   It was very calm considering there were 950 riders taking part, there were three different ride lengths and everyone had certain times to set off.   Much calmer than any running event I've ever been to!

Once he'd registered Shaun got himself and the bike organised for the 'short' 40 mile ride he'd signed up for and headed to the start and that was the last I saw of him for 2 hours 33 minutes.

Look where you're going

he's gone!

 I was hoping to find some WAGS hanging around, but that doesn't seem to happen at cycling sportives so I had to put up with reading my Kindle and drinking tea supplied at the refreshment tent.  There was also a lovely array of homebaked cakes but I didn't feel I could as I was only sitting down, although I did go for an occasional wander to alleviate the boredom!

About 2 hours after he'd left I decided to walk up the road where they would be pulling in for the finish, it took me about 15 mins to walk up to the junction and another 15 minutes to walk back, during which time Shaun passed me with a massive grin on his face!   He'd caught me out again and I wouldn't get a photo of him crossing the finishing line, just a smug look when I caught up with him!

One thing I did note (and I won't do it again) sportive participants don't appreciate any loud support - I clapped those who came in before Shaun and said well done but not one single "thank you", nod of the head, thumbs up - zilch.   Next time I'll either stay at home or stay in the car!

It was a good morning and Shaun actually made it back in time to be given a gold award - which is pretty good - apparently!

A couple of days later Danni flew off to Bulgaria for a week's holiday with her boyfriend, Sam, and his family.  She had a lovely time and I'm glad she's back.

In the meantime she's had her AS results - not brilliant but she did pass.   We are currently looking at her options and it looks like she's going to start afresh in a new College and see what she comes out with.  There's not much point in looking for a job, there still aren't many around and she has no idea what she wants to do.

Shaun and I spent Saturday and Sunday in Somerset

Holly Cottage

saying farewell to our Australian friends who are returning to Australia after 4 years of trying to make a go of a life in the UK.  Saying goodbye was one of the hardest things we've ever done.   Lou and Andy are a great couple with lovely girls and we will miss our annual August Bank Holiday visit to Holly Cottage.

We had a lovely meal at The Sanctuary in Taunton on Saturday night with some of their friends.  It's not really the sort of place we'd normally go to but it was nice to treat ourselves.

There was a lot of wine consumed that night and Sunday was a lazy affair, apart from Shaun and Andy going out for a hangover bike ride

and Lou and I taking Holly for a walk with everyone else that was staying at the cottage.

I had thought of taking my running shoes for a Sunday run, but there are no footpaths for a mile in either direction and Shaun assessed the road to be too busy to run along!   I must admit they are a bit hairy so I'm glad he stopped me!    We had a lovely lazy lunch, which started in the garden until the heavens opened and then ended in the dining room

and then our final farewells - our next group photo will be in Melbourne unless they come back for a visit in the next 18 months.  We're really going to miss them!

The next event is the Color Run at Brighton - our packs have already arrived so all we need to do now is get out and do some training !  Shaun and I are off to watch the penultimate leg of the Tour of Britain which again finishes in Guildford.

#Run With an Idea - Debate 3 Juice Cleanse Healthy or Hype?

I know I've only just posted and it's unusual for me to post again so quickly but this week I was invited to join in with the Run with An Idea Debate.  Basically I'll be posting every 2 weeks on a chosen subject which other bloggers/readers can then debate.  Not really sure how this is going to pan out, but let's give it a go.   This week's post is about juice cleansing - is it healthy or just a load of PR hype!

Personally I'm not a great one for drinking my meals.   I like nothing better than tucking into a plate of meat, veg and carbs at dinner time or for breakfast and lunch whatever takes my fancy and is available in the fridge/store cupboard.

Also having a husband and daughter means that family meals have to be a "one size fits all" meal - not sure I could sit and have a juice if the other two are tucking into scrambled egg on toast for breakfast.  

I know which one I would feel better after!

We're also not great kitchen gizmo lovers - we only have a kettle, a coffee maker and a slow cooker on the kitchen top!

I'm sure that juicing is extremely healthy, and there does seem to be some evidence for it but I'm obviously far too traditional in my approach to eating.  Replacing meals with juice would mean me being far too organised.   Of course I could go down the road of signing up to one of the many companies who do all the hard work for you and pay to have ready-juiced meals delivered to the door - but blimey have you seen how much they charge?   I think this is where some of the hype comes from - those great glossy shopping ads on the telly with the "skinny, white toothed" presenters doing the hard sell!  Having had a good look round the worldwide web there is also a lot of evidence that it's not all it's cracked up to be.

Having said that I do need to do something about the ever increasing size of my body - maybe giving it a go wouldn't be such a bad idea - just need to convince Mr B that we need a juicer, after all I managed to convince him that I could last a couple of months on Slim Fast shakes (which lasted 2 days), to join Slimming World (I did nothing but gain weight), join WeightWatchers (he couldn't cope with adding up points to 20!) - convincing him that I'm going to cleanse with green liquid will be easy peasy (NOT).  Maybe I'll just stick to the good old method of eat balanced, low fat meals and doing the exercise I keep promising myself I'm going to do.