Sporting Memories: Bearing the Baton

A little blog to remind me in later years of a big day - the day I ran with the Commonwealth Games Baton.

One of 10 North Berwickers (plus a guide runner) who had the honour of running with the Baton. Three of the Baton Bearers knew my Mum through their volunteering work!

I was the first person to welcome the Baton into North Berwick and it was lovely to see so many friends and family there to wave me on. The folks in blue are the police who have the enviable job of running with the Baton round Scotland. What a job!

The Abbey Care Home brought Mum down to see me along with a few of the residents. Mum had a whale of a time waving at people and smiling for the cameras.  

Folk from the Day Centre and the other Care Homes came along too to cheer me on and Vi and Eric ran with me some of the way.  Ali and my brother were also there to cheer me on.

In life's journey there are days that you hope you will always remember - days like birthdays, wedding days, big significant days that stay in your mind forever. But of course life isn't always like that. If you get dementia or other memory problems then even your most precious memories can disappear.

One day I might not remember that I carried the Baton. Maybe one day someone from http://www.sportingmemoriesnetwork.com will come to my house and chat with me about my life and will find out I used to run and that once I carried the Queen's Baton. Maybe they'll find this blog on the web somewhere. I might not remember, but maybe, just maybe they'll be able to show me pictures and for a little while, I will remember that day; and smile.

Happy Running

Take Care

Suex

Running FAST - the Magic of Chi Focus

My weekend at Nick and Mark's Chi Running and Yoga camp is working its right brain magic.

After walking the hills, beaches and roads of Ullapool and environs (blissfully beautiful) I had my first run in a week. It was a morning to run, with blue skies and sun shining at 6am so I hit the beach.  It was very low tide and the sand which wasn't covered with seaweed was dry and deep and hard, hard work. Good - more bangs for the running buck.

I started off slow, heading up towards Yellocraigs beach with no one in sight.  I went carefully, watching my feet as the sand had covered lots of the rocks. A knee niggle came and went as I settled into the run. As I ran I started singing that song -  "Your toe bone's connected to your foot bone" - thinking that should be a good mantra for alignment. My mind drifted off savouring the early morning beach.

I watched the gannets dive off the beach right next to me - don't think they show up in the photo but I know they were there. I watched a rabbit scuttle back into the gorse (never seen a rabbit on a beach run before). Crows cackled, oystercatchers screeched, I love beach runs.

Round about 2 miles I get into running mode as usual.  I stopped thinking about how hard it was and how long I'd got to go and start enjoying myself. I remembered that we learnt at Chi Camp about running FAST - Focus, Alignment, Stability and Timing. I focussed on the horizon and ran on.

After a while I noticed another runner's footprint on the beach.  'What a toe strike', I thought and my thoughts immediately went back to camp and Nick pointing out I'd started toe running again (the default for folk with equinus feet). I looked down - sure enough there was a lot more toe than there should have been.

I ran along the beach pondering the mid foot and how I should tackle it. "Why didn't Nick tell me how to fix it?" I grumbled to myself.

I turned at 2 miles (saving myself for my running club outing tomorrow) and headed back. I found myself running alongside two tracks - mine and the other runner.  The penny dropped with a resounding clang. Nick and Mark had taught me how to fix this. I know from Chi Running and Yoga that all it takes to make the change happen is to focus attention in the right place. Even if you can't feel anything, put the focus there and things will happen.

I focussed on the mid foot. How it felt. How it connected to the ground (Melanie's Yoga classes have been really getting me into that). I ran alongside my own tracks and after a while I stopped and took this photo. The difference is quite clear. The magic had worked again.

All I did was focus on the mid foot. I didn't think about not using my toes - the body doesn't work well with negatives (maybe that's why weight loss diets are so ineffective!). I just focussed my attention on my mid foot and the right changes began to happen.  The hard part of course is keeping up the focus long enough for change to become your new normal.

I headed back along the beach with a focus on my mid foot, reflecting on the power of focus and intention and how all our endeavours start this way even if we're not aware of it.  I realised that the long slow run for me is not just about physical training, it's about right brain thinking. The act of running eventually switches my head over and I begin to think differently, whatever it is I'm focussing on. That's why I write blogs, solve knotty problems and sort out my grumps when I run. Maybe it's because I'm one of those folks that learns best when they are actively doing something. Anyway it works!

So I'm going to running FAST. My Focus for my long runs is going to be on that mid foot and I'll build up from there. I'll work on Alignment, working up from the mid foot (connecting to the ankle bone etc). I'll work on Stability - I know I am very lop sided. And of course I mustn't forget Timing.

But most of all, I have to trust the process. I learnt a lot more at the Chi Running and Yoga Retreat than I think I learnt. Being immersed in Chi Running and Yoga means you learn at a really fundamental level. The trick is to let that learning emerge through your running, getting into that right brain zone and let the magic of Chi work. As Nick says, "Practice, practice, practice."

Looking forward to my running club night tomorrow - watch this space...

Take care

Suex

The Edinburgh North Berwick Road Race: A Marshal's Eye View

The Edinburgh to North Berwick Road Race is a cracker, a real legend of a race.  49 years old this year, it's not always been a 20 miler - it's been various distances, including a marathon. It's a race with a fascinating history.

I'd love to run it one day, but I doubt I ever will. It's a lovely route along the East Lothian coastline from Portobello Promenade finishing on Elcho Green, beachside North Berwick. It's 20 miles in early May at the perfect time for quite a few marathons. So what's not to like? Well, the race has a 3hr 30 minute cut off time and that's a bit beyond me I'm afraid.

But there's more than one way to participate in a race... Races don't just happen by magic there's a lot of organisation goes on to make it all work, so when I was asked to be a marshal by Neil, a fellow North Berwick Chi Runner, I said yes. Neil, Claire, David and Stuart (my fellow marshals) had all marshalled the Dunbar 10k a few weeks ago. I ran it and they and their colleagues had really helped me get round so it was great to give something back.

The fastest runners arrive in North Berwick in under 2 hours, so at 12.30,  Kirsty the organiser from Active East Lothian and us 5  local marshals were out staking the last few yards of the route to keep tired runners off the putting green.  A table of water at the end and we were ready to head off to our stands.

Although the route is pretty special, the last bit of the race down hill onto Elcho Green and the finish line must have been awful for tired runners this year. Despite assurances that the temporary roadworks would be completed, they were still full-on.  This meant that the almost final stretch only had 1 pavement along with temporary traffic lights for the single line of traffic going up and down a steep hill. We had marshals at the top of the hill by the traffic lights and 2 of us by the roadworks to cover the most tricky and congested spots.

The  first of the 212 runners to complete the race ran past well within 2 hours looking strong. Runners were quite spread out which helped a lot as children with scooters, babies in prams, people in wheelchairs, golfers with buggies and families and friends of the approaching runners shared the narrow pavement with runners nearing the end of the journey. Somehow everyone got through without mishap and usually with a smile. Most runners were very understanding when an older person got a bit confused about which way to move or when the bus released a blast of fumes as they ran past

I alternated between cheering on the runners, checking they didn't take the wrong turn, answering questions from pedestrians and asking people to watch out for the runners behind them. Most of the passing and watching public were lovely, rushing to clear the path, standing back to let the runners through and giving them a cheery wave.  Quite a few locals and visitors asked what the race was and how far runners had run; some had even done it in previous years. Not everyone of course was sweet tempered and smiling, and one or two were quite rude, but the vast majority of people were at worst happy to accommodate the run and at best pretty impressed and inspired by it.

Running form and style varied greatly, what struck me most was that legs can look tired in myriad different ways. There were people running down the hill as smooth and slick as as silk, looking as if they could run for ever; others looked like their hips were about to dislocate; some runners ran as if their feet were on fire (they probably were!). I know my form at this stage would have completely broken down well before now, and I'd be running like a half shut knife, bent in the middle; a salutory lesson indeed.

The last person came in followed closely by the back marker and then we headed to the finishing line, dismantling the posts as we went.  A group of friends were gathered round the end, their little ones playing with the plastic tape as if they were crossing the tape at the Olympics. One day it might be them running here with their parents watching them cross the line. I do hope so, it'd be nice to think they'll be round for the 100th anniversary of the race.

Marshalling is not as good as running, but I was surprised how much I enjoyed it and the time flew by. And of course without voluntary marshals, races wouldn't work and they'd certainly not be as much fun.  So I'm pretty sure that my first marshalling experience won't be my last.

One way or another I want to be part of the Edinburgh North Berwick Road Race on its 50th birthday next year - if I'm spared and well of course.

Hope you've had a good racing weekend.

Take care

Suex

New dawns and old habits

One of my lovely Twitter chums, John, was reflecting on how good it felt to get back into his routine after watching the Olympics; how he's a creature of habit, happier when things are normal. I know exactly what he means.

After the roller coaster of the last few weeks, we too are enjoying life at a calmer pace this week, having a bit of a breather and a very much appreciated one at that. There's something soothing and relaxing when life goes to plan and things are sort of predictable. We get up at and go to bed at regular times, sleep better and feel more rested. We eat regular meals made of good healthy things we want to eat that keep us fit and slim and our bodies balanced.  Chores, treats and runs can be planned and balanced. Even the thought of planning and predictability soothes the mind and calms the nerves.  You could almost believe there is order and predictability in  the world!

So whilst I have almost literally been running for my life the last few weeks, this breather has given me the chance to stop and reflect. As I looked up and took a metaphorical deep breath I realised that things have changed. I have a new routine. And it feels good.

To get through the days, I've been running more in the early mornings.  I was waking early and worrying or writing lists of things to do in my head.  It started as a 'why not run rather than lie and worry' run and ended up as 'run to start the day with a physical and psychological burst of all that is great about being alive'; living each day as a personal best.

I love the early morning when the world is in bed and I own the beach. Every run is different and special. And I know that the dawn chorus of Twitter runners are out there too. It's a great feeling that I'm out with my virtual family, my ain running folk all of us relishing the sun rising on our running.

At first I worried that I wasn't fitting in a long run, I've just not had a chunk of time to fit it in. But at the same time, I'm running more often,  and there's more than one way to eat a potato (my new cat friendly alternative phrase given the feline fun we've been having). On Friday I was working at home so I allowed myself a 5 mile instead of a 3 mile run. Voila! I increased my weekly mileage easily with 5 or 10 minutes added here and there. If I can't do longer I'll just do faster or hillier. What's great is the extra run is giving me a bit more flexibility.

I am dead chuffed. If I'd tried to squeeze an extra run into my routine when things were ticking along nicely, I'd have struggled. But along came a whole train load of crises to kickstart me into a new regime,  opening up new possibilities and the dawn of a new routine.

Whoever said that you should never waste a good crisis hit the nail on the head. Crisis, mayhem and chaos mean you have to do things differently and come out of your old routine and embrace the new order.  Suddenly, like it or not, you have to be open to new ideas and new ways of doing things, you have to adapt or go under.  It's a turbo charged spring cleaning opportunity to cut out the stuff that holds you back and needs to change.

So I managed four runs this week, 16 and a bit miles.  Two 30 minute-ers and two 5 milers, all but one in the early morning before breakfast. The 5 milers were the fastest runs, I think that might be the Innov-8s which are really superb to run in. I also a nice long walk with Ali today up to Dirleton for a lovely lunch at the Dirleton Gallery coffee shop - very well earnt.

The Edinburgh Festival finishes tomorrow. This year we managed to see 4 great shows, a personal best and a sign that we're getting a bit more balance in our lives.  Playing Politics, Suggs, Sandi Toksvig and Paul Merton and his improv chums really hit the spot when we needed something to laugh at. Next year we plan to do a few more shows.

So that's it for another week. We're all still here. Vile Kyle (black cat) has made yet another death defying recovery and is eating up the world's tuna stocks. His sister,  Cute Bute, is not quite as jolly; her turn for the vets tomorrow. Age does not come alone and I know that the outcome is inevitable, but every day extra is precious.

Wherever you are, whether you're mid crisis or in a nice comfy routine, keep well, keep happy, run strong.

Take care

Suex

Running from the heart

There are times when running is not about speed, distance, time, pace, intervals or even calories.

There are times when running is not about calves, quads or glutes.
There are times when running is only about one thing: being alive.
That's when you exercise the most important running muscle of all - when you run from from the heart.


The middle years of life are not what I'd expected. I'm much busier and I have more responsibilities than I'd expected, but that's fine, who wants to lie in til lunchtime anyway!  What makes the middle years a weird experience is that you're youthful and old at exactly the same time, equidistant between the cradle and the grave and both can seem equally clear at times. In the middle years, you're acutely aware that life is brief and precious and to be made the very most of. I understand the urge behind those mid life crises - do it now before you get too old!

Never have I felt this as much as I have this week. It's been a week of hospitals, surgeries and the vets as various two legged and four legged family members fell over (me and Mum); got scanned and screened (me) and helped through their final days (my pussycat Kyle).

We're all still here and in one piece, at least for now, but it's been hard going facing certain and uncertain doom. As well as the love of a truly good man, family and friends, the one big thing that's kept me going has been my running.

I've run almost every morning this week; early, before the day gets going and people start coming to the beach.  I've been waking very early and as the worry-worms began to invade my sleep-addled head something instinctive kicked in and I knew in my very core that I had to run. And not just any run, anywhere,  I had to run on the beach. Nothing else would work, nothing else would get through the day.

Most days, the mornings have seen a thick white mist, barely able to see my feet never mind what lay ahead.  Ghostly, mysterious, still mists that hang round the ragged rocks. Spiders' webs heavy with misty droplets, marine grass beaded with diamonds. Not thinking, just running; driven by instinct and the knowledge we hold deep in our bodies that knows what we need to do to get through.

Every morning as I ran, I began to feel strong, healthy, connected to the earth. My strong legs carried me firmly and confidently over the rocks, tip toeing between stranded jellyfish, splashing in the salty puddles of the departing tide, full of life. My arms powered like pistons, pivoted from the elbows.   My head lifted, my body straightened, my brain switched to 'I can'. As I run, I am strong. I am me.  I can do this. I smile at the passing heron and the startled curlews.

I trot back up to the house feeling normal, with a clear head and a light heart.  I knew that whatever the day throws at me now and whatever comes next, I will be fine because I am strong, I am a runner and runners keep on 'til the end one way or another.

On Friday morning when the worst was over, I ran in celebration.  The rain poured, the wind pushed and shoved and tried to send me home. But I ran. I took off the trainers and ran barefoot on the beach until I was drenched and my calves began to protest. It was blissful to be alive and healthy.

 I  forget about the science, the physical and biological things I usually focus on when I'm running. Maybe I ran out of an ancient human instinct to run from what we're frightened of, I was definitely scared and if I could have run away I would have. Instead I ran the demons out of my head and came home strong, powerful and ready to face whatever came my way.

Today Ali and I went for a long walk together from North Berwick to Gullane. The beach was very different today; sunny, warm, busy with children and dogs. We felt alive, youthful and happy, glad we made it through in one piece, glad we have each other.  As I type, dear old Kyle is curled up on the floor at my feet. His running days are over, he can barely walk a few steps now, but he has a warm soft bed, tuna on tap and lots of love.

I did about 10 miles running this week; one a barefoot 3 mile session.  My long run was a 6 mile walk to Gullane. I  went barefoot almost all the way and I practiced my Chi Walking.  I'm going to have a think about what running I want to do next week, but I won't plan too much as things still feel fluid. For now, my feet will follow my heart ands all will be well.

Have a good week, whatever comes your way I wish you health and happiness.

Take care

Sue

No Regrets: Walking Barcelona

Well, I'm packing for a trip to Spain planned in the cold nights of November last year when I was full of hope and excitement at the thought of running my first marathon. But as you all know, things didn't quite work out that way. The Barcelona Marathon is almost here, but I won't be running it, I'll be watching and cheering others on.

I'm a bit sad.  I have a niggling feeling that I've missed my chance and may never run a marathon. Maybe I should have pushed through the injury and gone for it and worried about the damage afterwards. But, it's only a niggle, like a twinge that comes up a third of the way into a long run and then just pops gently like a bubble and is gone. It's not the deep sadness of regret or the pain of loss of hope or the agony of never being able to run again. No it's more a 'well it wasn't meant to be, this was not my time' sort of feeling - and life is full of those isn't it?

As I did my run round North Berwick this morning, I didn't feel sad. I felt happy - no more than that, I felt joyful. It was one of those runs where you know you're the luckiest person in the entire world.  The weather was sunny and warm, the tide was out, the mist drawing off the Bass Rock. I headed off with Chi running on the i pod, my metronome ticking away at 180bpm and Nick's feedback in mind. Everything was in good working order.

I did one of my favourite runs, up to Yellow Craigs beach and back. It's a nice mix of track and beach with the most fantastic views. I did just under 7 miles in total, with a 15 minute form session in the middle where I ran up and down the beach and worked on my footprints.  Given I'd run a couple of miles, I was really pleased with my form. Even in shoes, my footprints were so much lighter and more even than they were two weeks ago, though I can see clearly (even with my shoes on) that I need to sort my right big toe and I still have a way to go to be light! Here's a snap of my footprints next to another runner's - quite a difference. Mine originally were deeper than theirs with a much clearer heel strike. You can see where their toes grip the sand.

I was out for about an hour and a quarter in total and was pleasantly surprised by my pace and distance. I wanted to run longer but I am mindful of the need not to push my luck. I am very disciplined when it comes to doing something and going beyond the call etc, but I am rubbish at not doing things.  They say that self discipline is like a muscle, the more you use it the stronger it gets, so I gave myself another dose by walking up the hills - even though I was in full view of two local runners and was sorely tempted to look good. The internal dialogue was a bit frenzied as my inner coach gave me quite a talking to, but I did walk; I have to learn to value the discipline of not acting - does that make sense?

I got home feeling good. My quads were fresh, my calves were totally unruffled. My big toe and soleus were the bits I felt most. When I was hobbling, they really took the strain and I need to get them sorted. I suspect they're compensating for something and my money's on a too tight hamstring which I really noticed in yoga last week. I might try a podiatrist, never been to one of those.

So, I'm heading south. My suitcase is lycra free (well almost!); no garmin, running shoes, gels. Just sandals and suncream and guidebooks. I will I think shed a tear when the runners head off on Sunday, but I know that when my time comes, I will do those 26.2 miles as a much stronger and safer runner.

Whether you're running, racing, supporting, watching, be safe and be well.

Take care

Suex