Running postpartum

I've neglected this blog over the last few months, as I was heavily pregnant and then concentrating on looking after my newborn son. It's been a busy time! Today I managed to complete my first run since giving birth ten weeks ago. I've been using my home exercise bike and walking every day, and finally…

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Running while pregnant

My gorgeous little bump helped me to earn 17 medals before things became just too uncomfortable to continue running. At roughly six months pregnant I reluctantly hung up my running trainers, worried about how I was going to burn some energy and maintain some level of fitness in a comfortable way. My partner is a…

2019 in review

2019 – my favourite year of exercise to date. Just like 2018, 2019 got off to a flying start: I completed events continuously throughout the year, starting on 13th January. I maintained this level of motivation and enthusiasm right up until I completed my last event on 22nd December, and took part in the most…

Sevenoaks Run, Walk Or Push 2019

I’m not sure how I found out about the Sevenoaks Run, Walk Or Push event – I think it popped up online somewhere. With three different distances on offer – 3K, 5K and 10K – the Sevenoaks Run, Walk Or Push for Dementia aims to raise money for the Sevenoaks Area Dementia Friendly Community Forum,…

Hildenborough Road Races 2019

The Hildenborough Road Races are a long-standing event, with 2015 marking the 30th year since the first event was held. The Races, held annually on the first Bank Holiday Monday in May and organised by local residents, bring people together to raise money for local causes including schools, clubs and charities, whilst keeping to the…

The Vitality Big Half 2019

I took part in The Big Half last year, and really enjoyed it. Created by the London Marathon events team, The Big Half was a brand-new event for 2018 set in the heart of London, which almost didn’t happen last year thanks to ‘The Beast From The East’. Vitality cancelled the ‘Little Half’ version of…

London Winter Walk 2019

I took part in the London Winter Walk 20K for the first time last year, and loved it. I wasn’t sure whether or not to take part again as the £59 registration fee is a bit steep; however it’s always nice to start a New Year with some fresh air and a bit of exercise,…

2018 in review

2018 – my best year of running to date. 2018 got off to a flying start: I completed three events in quick succession, starting on 1st January, and joined a running club that same week. I maintained this level of motivation right up until I completed my first marathon in Brighton on 15th April  :)…

Kayaking in the South of France

I’ve been so bad with running recently. So bad! My fitness regime has completely gone out of the window. Aside from rock-climbing, I haven’t done any other form of exercise and haven’t been running for a few weeks. Part of me feels guilty about this, and I do miss my favourite hobby, but it’s also been…

Brighton Marathon 2018

I’ve known my friend Lukas since we were two years old – we went to nursery school together, then Primary School, then Secondary school, and even worked together as school cleaners while doing our A Levels, to earn some extra money. He’s always been a runner and has completed Iron Mans, so I wasn’t surprised…

Brighton Marathon Prep

Two new pairs of SKINS calf compression sleeves – check New Nike expandable, adjustable slim belt which doesn’t bounce – check New Adidas & Nike headbands to wear in/try out – check Two new pairs of 1000 Mile trainer socks for training & for the actual event – check New pair of Brooks Ghost 10 trainers –…

New Brooks Ghost 10 trainers

I’d always planned to wear my Brooks Ghost 7 trainers for the Brighton Marathon. I’ve worn Brooks Ghosts since 2013 - starting with the Ghost 5s - and find them super comfortable. My Brooks Ravenna 8 and Glycerin 14 trainers are also pretty awesome, but I wear them for distances up to 13.1 miles only, and save…

London Landmarks Half Marathon 2018

The inaugural London Landmarks Half Marathon somehow completely slipped under my radar, just like last month’s Vitality Big Half. Owned by baby charity Tommy's and brand new for 2018, the London Landmarks is a closed-road, central London run and the only Half Marathon to go through both the City of London and City of Westminster.…

The Vitality Big Half 2018

I’m not sure how, but The Big Half completely slipped under my radar and I only heard about it a month or so prior to the event, by which time it was already at full capacity. I’ve taken part in plenty of Vitality events previously but hadn’t received any email communications or seen any targeted…

Marathon training & running events

So the first month of marathon training is complete, and to be honest it’s been a bit up and down. At times I’ve wondered why on earth I’m doing this to myself, but mostly I pull myself together and get it done. There have been one or two occasions where, after a hard/long day at…

London Winter Walk 2018

I’m not sure how I came across the London Winter Walk. I was probably Googling London fitness events and it must have popped up! I remember being on the Action Challenge website, reading about the event and thinking that a 20K ramble through London during the daytime sounded pretty appealing. I’ve taken part in a…

My First Marathon Training Plan

So I looked at various 16-week Marathon training plans online and merged them all to make my own personalised one for the Brighton Marathon in April, taking into account my existing activities/routine and event calendar. I came up with the following which seems like a challenge at first glance, but will be manageable. It won’t…

2017 in Review

Oh, 2017. This year started well, running-wise. I took a lovely lady’s place in the London Winter Run 10K and met some fellow runners; then I took someone’s place in the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon – an event which I had been avoiding for years due to the severe profile – and still managed to…

Running On

I didn’t run for four weeks and dropped out of two running events during July –  the Run or Dye Colour Run on 2nd and then the British 10K on 9th. That was probably the longest I’ve gone without running since I started back in March 2013, and the first time I've dropped out of running…

Loving the London 10,000

I ran the London 10,000 for the first time four years ago and it holds some great memories: it was the first time I experienced a big, well-organised running event, and it had me hooked. I took part during 2013, 2014 and 2016 and couldn’t wait to return in 2017. The trains were all out…

Blood and Boots!

On Friday I made the catastrophic error of walking the 30minutes into work wearing brand new trainers. About halfway in I realised I had made a terrible mistake, with my heels in agony, but was the same distance between work and my car (which didn’t have alternative footwear inside anyway) so struggled on. By the…

100th medal!

Never in a million years did I think I would ever earn 100 medals. It was never a goal, really, and was quite a surprise when I realised this figure would be reached during 2016. The fact that medal number 100 would be an aircraft - when my surname is Plane - was the cherry…

Milestones and Moving On

The last running event I took part in was the surprisingly enjoyable British 10K on Sunday 10 July, and since then, life has changed rather dramatically with the whole of August put aside to focus on personal matters. Firstly, I’m assisting with three house moves: my little sister lives in Leamington Spa and is moving…

Time out, and totally obsessed with trainers

My idea of a perfect holiday abroad would typically involve five days spent sunbathing by a pool, and five days spent exploring and sight-seeing. One of my favourite holidays to date was to Sharm el-Sheikh six years ago where I rode camels, quad-biked across the desert, snorkelled, went on a red-sea cruise and visited an…

Come back, running mojo!

It’s been an odd month. Along with a very high task load at work and helping my mum move out of our childhood house, I lost my Jawbone UP2 (it randomly fell off my wrist while I was out and about in London; I didn’t feel it come off and have no idea where it…

Race preparation and BOUNTS

Only a few days to go until I participate in my next half marathon, the Brighton Vitality, on Sunday 28 Feb! I have my race outfit planned and a physio session booked in for the day before, to get one final stretch and then strapped up with K-tape. My fridge is full of pasta parcels…

Awesome competition win and NEW SHOES!

On 4th January I accidently stumbled across a post on Facebook from Vitality UK, offering a chance to win a place for you and a friend in February’s Brighton half marathon. In a rush and not expecting to be considered in the slightest, I jotted down the first honest thing which came into my head…

33 before 30!

When I started running as an adult, I quickly realised that I enjoyed it and wanted to do more of it. I pushed myself to participate in running events, and it all became very addictive. As soon as I crossed a finish line and was handed a well-earned medal, I was desperate to repeat the…

The virtual run bug, and my 2015 race calendar

I’ve gone completely overboard. Well, a bit. I’ve signed up to and have already completed some of the following races: Monday 12 January 2015, UK Run Chat Virtual 5K Thursday 22 January 2015, Spring Forward Virtual 5K Sunday 1 February 2015, London Winter Run 10K Tuesday 3 February 2015, UK Run Chat Virtual 5K 14…

2014 event reviews

2014 event reviews A brief round-up of all events I took part in during 2014. Photos of the medals will be coming soon in a separate post as I’m having my whole collection photographed professionally: Sevenoaks Knole Park 10K Sunday 16 March 2014 My first race of 2014! I had torn my calf muscle at…