The Habulous Blog result blogging

Only 4 days and 4 nights to go and then I will be running the London Marathon, Yes me that slightly overweight lady who likes her gin and prosecco a little too much, oh and did I mention chocolate..... . I apologise in advance to anyone who sees me running or limping along on Sunday, my running face is apparently an unhappy grimace (I do enjoy it, honest), my face muscles just don’t behave the way I want them to when I’m focussed on keeping my legs turning over.  Have you ever seen those silly YouTube clips “What I think I look like when I run” Verse “ What I actually look like when I run”, well imagine that and you’ll easily be able to pick me out in the crowds.

I started this blog nearly 5 months ago to share my training adventures and boy have there been adventures and lots and lots of hard work.  Surprisingly though, I have really quite enjoyed writing up my weeks for you to read, so if you can all cope I’ll try and keep it up.  You are all probably keen to hear the update on my torn soleus (calf muscle for those of you reading for the first time)!  After a visit to the sports Physio this week  I was cleared to try to start running again; just one mile yesterday, two today and three tomorrow.  Now he offered no reassurances that my soleus will stay intact, but he was hopeful and so am I. 

Tomorrow morning I’m heading up to London to enjoy a few days rest before the big day.  I must admit to feeling a little strange, a similar feeling to waiting for your exam results, excitement and apprehension rolled into one.  Before my mishap I was aiming to finish just under the 5 hour mark now I’d be really chuffed with 5 and a half hours, sort of like I’d have really liked to have achieved A’s in my GCSE’s, but that was before I realised that I would have to do lots and lots of revision, so I was quite happy with getting C’s (not that I’d tell me kids that).

I hope all of you with kids to occupy during half term have survived the trials of having them home all the time.  Hopefully you had some fun too.  My two have reached the stage of constant battle, telling tales on one another at every given opportunity. At times I felt like my head would explode, I really want to lie on the floor and throw a toddler tantrum (like that advert with the lady in the super market many years ago).

I was working in my Tavistock store today and got a lovely surprise when I arrived; my team had decorated the store window just for me.  I’ve got to say this really made me smile and even bought a tear to my eye.  It means such a lot as for the last 13 years I’ve always done the window displays so to approach the shop and see balloons etc was amazing, I’m smiling just writing about it.

Well on Sunday I get to tick the London Marathon off my bucket list, last year it was Venice that got a tick, no comparison really but I actually can’t wait.  Massive thanks to every one of you who has supported me, in terms of sponsoring, wishing me luck and especially to those who have put up with my moaning (sorry). 

What a difference the weather makes.  People are smiling and generally looking far more radiant than a couple of weeks ago and all because the sun has put his hat on; he’s even managed the occasional visit from behind the clouds.  I am most definitely a sun worshipper, I feel far more positive and functional when the sun is about, that said on the 23^rd of April, and I’ll turn a blind eye to my sun worshipping and happily see more of those clouds!

It is Easter half term for us at the moment so for Paul and I (like many of us working parents) it means lots of juggling to cope with the demands of bored children and work.  For some reason we have also been taken by the spring cleaning bug and are trying to tackle our homes exterior.  We have now been in Devon for 13 years and our poor home feels a little neglected.  That’s the problem with running your own business all your focus and cash goes on ensuring its success, especially in the early years.  With our renewed focus our house should be looking a lot crisper by the end of the summer!

Oh remember on my last blog post, I mentioned  a ping....  and that I felt  my calf go on my last run,  ummm well it wasn’t good news.  Monday of last week I hobbled into see a
Sports Physio and after much prodding he confirmed that I had torn a muscle in my calf, called the soleus (you learn something new every day).  This amazing man has given me a strict set of instructions to follow, to ensure I will be able to make my way around the London Marathon in less than 2 weeks time. 

Currently I am not allowed to run as I have to allow this tear to fully heal.  Twice a day I have to plunge my leg into alternative buckets of cold and hot water and this week I am focussed on lots of stretches to help rebuild the strength in my calf.  After months of following a running plan I feel so lazy, although I must admit it is wonderful not to feel so tired all of the time.  I do feel as if I’m losing lots of fitness but I’ve been assured by lots of experienced runners that I’ll still make it around (maybe even slower than I thought I would be!)

In the evenings I’ve been able to continue to focus on designing cards (I finished the one above last night), so I’m pleased to say we are slowly growing our range, which we hope to be able to take to print in a few months time.  Exciting times ahead.  For now though please send lots of positive thoughts to my Soleus, it needs to be strong!

Over the last few months I have been overwhelmed by the commitment needed to train for a marathon, it really does become all consuming. The dedication needed to just get around the course let alone focus on a good time is massive.  For some their time is important, however I have reached the conclusion that to just make it around is a bloody brilliant achievement. Hats off to everyone who has ever done one, I salute you.

My training has had its ups and downs, I’ve lost toe nails, been hailed on, lost all feeling in my limbs, played ridiculously petty mind games, etc, etc, etc.  I think the toughest element for me has been the solitude, its very hard to keep positive without someone else beside you.  If I was training again, I would definitely try to run with others (although I must say I have no intention of doing this ever again).

Today was to be my final long run and I’m pleased to say other than an early stop for a photo for this blog, I ran well.  Well that is for 11 miles and then my calf went ping, literally ping.  I tried to struggle on but the pain was to much and more importantly I can’t afford to do to much damage.   Much to my dismay I had to admit defeat and call friends who kindly came to my rescue.  I can’t believe that after all those months of training, that I have now injured myself.  I am still doing this, I will not be defeated by a mere muscle.

So my next few days will involve lots of ice packs and hopefully a session with a sports physio.  Fingers crossed it heals well, as I really do want to run not walk this marathon.

If you have sponsored me don’t worry, I will still be doing it but maybe even slower than anticipated... On the note of life giving you lemons; I may as well share another one of my card designs which we hope to launch in the upcoming months (It seems apt to me).  I’ve raised other £1000.00 to date and still have a way to go for Back Care, so if you are able to support me hobbling or running in 3 weeks just click on this link to donate to my page.   I’m signing off now with my leg in the air!