The Habulous Blog

53,903 STEPS equals my first marathon an amazing, emotional 26.2 miles.

To say I am feeling chuffed to have made it all the way around the London Marathon is an understatement. The whole event was an amazing experience, one full of exhilaration, pain, comradery, admiration and of course relief when you cross that finishing line.

I have to say a massive thank you to Virgin, they really know how to organise an event and make every single step of the way as easy and motivational as possible.  By now many of you are used to my ramblings, so in my normal fashion I want to try to share the experience with you as best I can.

I left for London on the Thursday wanting to make the most of the lead up to the big day I had been working so hard for, over the last 5 months.  After dropping my luggage off I headed straight over to the London Marathon Expo to collect my running number and to get the strapping on my calf replaced as it was starting to peal away.  Although I went alone the atmosphere was so inclusive, a real buzz of excitement hung in the air.

I didn’t see Big Ben running the marathon but the man in that costume was the one who kindly replaced my strapping giving me the confidence to run on Sunday.  Whilst I was being treated a Spanish lady hobbled onto the stand having sprained her ankle in the airport earlier that day, my heart really went out to her, traveling so far and then injuring herself days before.  The genuine sympathy shared as the Physio shook his head and told her it was extremely unlikely to be healed enough for her to run.  I really counted my blessings at that point at least I could attempt the run.

The next day I spent with my amazing Mum, visiting art shops, with a few other stops thrown in.  The constant changes in our high streets have pretty much seen the demise of “Art Stores” much to my disappointment.  So to have the opportunity to visit two amazing shops was like a visit to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. As much as i love the internet nothing can replace the experience you get in store, the chance to touch and engage with what's around you.

Saturday was spent visiting some very good friends, it was a real trip down memory lane, we all met about 20 years ago (pre kids) and used to spend so much time together which  tended  to involve excessive amounts of alcohol, late nights and lots of laughter.  All these years on being  around a table with all of our children and old friends was fantastic.  Leaving this merry lot who were happily tucking into their umpteenth drink, was a real struggle and a good test of my will power (I found it very hard to leave), I retreated early,  leaving my rather merry husband, friends and children to it.

Sunday I was up early and downed a hearty breakfast before making my way to Greenwich for the start of those 26.2 infamous miles.  Walking to the tube station was the start of the buzz for me as I  passed many other hopeful London Marathoners making their way to the start; all of us easily identified by the same clear backpack we carried with our belongings, ready to be loaded on to lorries prior to the start of the race.  I don’t think I’ve ever been on a tube full of runners before all of us heading to the same place anxious to get the day started.

After the half hour wait for the loo’s ( a very important start to the day!) I headed to my starting point, the atmosphere had changed massively with the start so near, everyone taking time to focus on what was ahead.  I couldn’t keep the smile off my face looking around at my fellow runners, the guy running in a Viking costume, the Green Fairy running for Prostate Cancer,  the girl next to me with matching trainers.  I got talking to a young man who had become a viral sensation last year when he went down on one knee at the 18 mile mark and proposed to his girlfriend.  Best of all, we were all shapes and sizes, proving that almost anyone can do anything if they but their mind to it.

10 o’clock came and we all patiently waited in line for our chance to start the run, with warnings from the compare not to wee in people's gardens or the parks! It was over 20 minutes before I reached the starting point and then off I set at a decent pace, laughing as I looked to my left 100 meters into the run and saw approximately 20 runners (men of course) lining the side of the road doing you know what!

From the very start of the race I was overwhelmed by the amount of support from spectators, nearly every inch of the course was full of people lining the route, shouting words of encouragement.  Children lined up with their hand out hoping to high five the passing crowds.  When I started to train I had hoped to complete the run in under 5 hours not quick but it would have been a really decent time for me.

I started pacing myself to achieve my target time, but with the flexible approach of just getting around having been warned by the Sports physio and many others not to push myself as my calf would be likely to tear again.  After the first few miles I started to experience severe pain in my calf and I then started to panic about how painful it might be if it was to rip again, more importantly doubting I’d be able to finish.

Joining a queue for the loo as my nerves had got the better of me, I made the decision to ease up to ensure I made it all of the way around. Waiting in line for 6 minutes on a timed run was novel and even funnier talking to the girl behind me who got out her electric cigarette and enjoyed a good puff during her break, eight minutes later I was back running, feeling a lot more comfortable!

Every single step of the way people cheered and cried out words of support, it was so overwhelming that it brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion.  By the time I reached mile 8, I had to walk occasionally to rest my calf and just got on and enjoyed the experience.  I ran by the side of the road high fiving the children stood with expectant hands held out.

Every few paces someone was offering  Jelly Babies, flapjacks, sandwiches and on one occasion wine.  On nearly every street  some one was in their garden with speakers blaring commentating on those running past.  It was truly amazing. Total exhilarating.

Just before mile 10, my marker became a Morris dancer, this amazing man, was dressed in the full gear and every 5 strides waved his hanky in the air, the crowds loved him and his bells; during the run I would often overtake him and when walking hear the distinctive sound of bells approaching. At mile 16 I really started to appreciate how my training had helped prepare me, I had the energy for the run and that never faltered, just a shame I injured myself so late in training. Those running around me truly inspired me, everyone had their reason to run.  At one water station I passed a bottle to a man struggling to reach the station due to the fact he was running with a tumble dryer on his back. I overtook and then was overtaken by a brave blind lady Nicola and her guide runner. Wonder Woman passed me early on but was walking the later part.  To many amazing people trying to complete one amazing event.

My family were out in force and cheered me on, there is nothing like seeing someone you know cheering you on. The second time I saw them at mile 22 I stopped for a quick hug before continuing on my way.  I don’t know how but I made it, as soon as I reached the line my body stiffened, but I made it.  I ran (and walked a little) 26.2 miles. I am now the proud owner of a London Marathon medal and t-shirt, I shall be adorning the shirt like a proud child at every opportunity (I’m even considering wearing it to work!)

I owe a massive thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey in so many ways (it sounds soppy but it was a really big deal for me). Thank you to my amazing family and friends.

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!

Right now, I’m feeling refreshed after two nights away with my hubby Paul and no children (that’s right no kids......  we bribed my Mum into having them for the whole weekend).  Over the course of the weekend I was struck by what it meant to be kid free, here’s just a few of the highlights:

• No constant background bickering
• No standing on the sidelines of a football pitch, trying to keep upright while the wind comes straight for you at 50 mph
• No need to spend 8 hours in a hall watching table tennis and worrying about how big my bottom is becoming and what I could be doing if I wasn’t there.
• TV remote freedom (goodbye Harry Hill, I do not have to watch you this weekend, in fact better still no TV)
• Travelling in the car without a single “Are we there yet”
• Eating with no one moaning about the vegetables on the plate.
• Not being compared to all those allusive (they are never named, in fact may not exist) parents who let their children do exactly what they want, when they want.

I could go on and on, but I think you get the point; don’t get me wrong I love them to bits but a break from their demands once in a while is a real pleasure.  Needless to say we had a really relaxing time; it’s not often that we have no real agenda.  We walked, we ate and we slept, absolute bliss.

The weekend was near perfect, I can highly recommend “The Lugger Hotel” at Portloe.  It is rare that everything goes just the way you want and for the most part it did.  Sure enough though it was the start of getting back to reality on the last night, when the waitress knocked a freshly filled glass of red wine all over me.  Amongst the commotion we became the focus of every single person in the restaurant, as they watched to see how events would un-fold, looking down at the state of my dress we decided a quick exit was the only course of action we could take.  Back to the safety of our room we retired early to dream about our missed puds.

The weekend away came at the perfect time, as we have been really busy the last few months, literally working around the clock trying to get our latest project up and running.  Paul and I have now been running our stores for 13 years and over the last few years we have worked with lots of talented designer makers to bring more handmade elements to our stores.  We have also launched our own handmade ranges; Paul makes some amazing wooden letters and I make a small range of hand thrown pottery and of course our very successful fragranced soya wax melts.

Both of us have a real passion for art and design and are currently working towards launching our own range of cards (at last we are putting our Art School days to full use!)  Here’s one of our designs, it really is great to get our teeth into a project like this.

I am finding the London Marathon training really tough now, I didn’t really realise how much of a time commitment it would be.  This time of the year the weather can be pretty rough and my last 3 long runs have all involved hail (it hurts a lot).  As soon as I finish this post I’m going to have to change into my trainers and do a mere 20 mile run.  I spent last night planning the run and for those who know the area this is what I have planned.  Running from my house to the Burrator reservoir, to complete 3 circuits, then on to Meavy and using the back lanes run to Yelverton, from there I will join the cycle path and run into Tavistock.  I say run I’ll probably be dragging my feet at the end.  If you see me yell something encouraging, I need all the support I can get.  Bloody typical the heavy rain has just started.   A lovely surprise when I crawl back in through the front door later, would be to be a little bit closer to my fund raising target, so if you can please give generously!  Here’s the link to my fundraising page.  Bye for now.