Setbacks and illnesses

Most people will know that I spent the majority of August in China. Whilst there I became quite ill from the food and spent approximately 3 weeks unable to keep food down. As a result my strength and fitness has deteriorated hugely. I've lost weight and muscle, and my energy levels are hugely depleted. It's been a huge set back. But it just means I have to work harder. I've got to train everyday now, and do all that I can. Maybe I won't be able to run all 13 miles, but I'll run as much of it as I can. And I will cross the finish line. It's almost like going back to the start of training again. But I'm even more determined now.
If you can donate, please do, it will only motivate me more :) https://www.justgiving.com/Abigail-Nicholls

Time to Half Marathon: 1 month and 4 days

Health, Zombies and Fundraising

Many people say that running is pointless unless there's something chasing you. Or unless you've just checked your watch and are about to miss the bus. I much prefer to take the view that by running regularly I'll less likely be caught by the zombies during the zombie apocalypse:

Whenever I mention to someone that I'm training for the Birmingham Great Run, I get a very similar response every time: "Oh, I couldn't do that, I can't run." Which in most cases is completely untrue. You may think you can't run, but almost anybody can. When I started on this journey, I couldn't run for more than about a minute before I was so out of breathe I thought I was going to die. I couldn't even walk for long periods of time without my lungs tightening and my asthma playing up. After just 10 weeks, I can run for half an hour, fairly easily. I'm no sprinter, and I never will be. But I can run. And all it took was some perseverance.

I have barely had to take my inhalers recently. And my Peak Flow is the best it's ever been in my life. My lung capacity is almost that of a healthy person. Running has actually really cleared up my asthma. This is just one of the many health benefits I've noticed since training began.

Feeling so healthy is amazing. But it reminds me that not everyone has that luxury. The reason I decided to put myself through all of this in the first place was to help those who have bad health. The children at Birmingham Children's Hospital are among the sickest in the country. And they are always desperate for funds to improve treatment and survival rates through research and trials. Now I'm a student, with little money. As one person I cannot do much. I want to raise £500 for the hospital, and I can't do that by myself. But if everyone who reads this blog post gave just £1 it would be a great start. If you want to know more about where your money will go, head over to their website at http://www.bch.org.uk/index.php. Maybe £500 could be what saves a child's life. It could give a mother the chance to see her daughter grow up and go to university. So please, head over to my fundraising page at http://www.justgiving.com/Abigail-Nicholls and give whatever you can, I'll really appreciate it. In the meantime, I need to build up my current 3 mile record to 13 miles.


Time to Half Marathon: 2 months, 2 weeks

2.5 miles complete

Today I ran 2.5 miles. In one go. Non stop. That is the farthest I have ever run in my life. The best part is, the first 1.5 miles were easy! It was only the last mile, particularly the last half mile, where I struggled. I also did 1 mile of walking. I am amazed at my success. I've never felt so good. As I was running, I didn't want to stop! I felt unstoppable. It's a feeling I've never experienced before from running. It's the feeling I used to get when I swam. And it was awesome.

Now I'm a little sore, I'll admit. But after a lack of training over the last week, I'm pleasantly surprised at my ability today. I can see myself getting stronger still. I've got a long way to go still, of course. But right now, it's not looking like such an impossible task after all. For a girl who used to have asthma attacks running 400m, being able to run 2.5 miles is incredible. And it just shows what you can do when you really put your mind to it. If you want something bad enough, and work towards it, there isn't anything you can't achieve. Except flying. Maybe that will be my next quest...

Time to half marathon: 3 months and 11 days

Baby steps

Source: weightlozzandrecipes.blogspot.com via Abi on Pinterest

Today I completed a 2 mile circuit. No, I did not run the whole thing. But I ran more than half, and power walked in between. It's a small step, and I struggled. But it's one more step on my journey. Even if I'm never able to run the entire 13 miles, I'll be able to complete it somehow. Even if I walk half of it, I'm going to complete it. But I've got months left of training, and I'm getting closer to my goal every day. With my daily training sessions, and healthy diet, I can feel my body growing stronger and see myself becoming more and more able.

Like the photo above says:
I may not be there yet, but I am most definitely closer than I was yesterday. And each day I get another step closer.

Time to half marathon: 3 months, 3 weeks and 5 days

Bad Day

Today I went for a run again. And within a minute my chest was so tight that I couldn't breathe and I could feel an asthma attack coming on. So I had to stop and walk for a while. I attempted to run again and the same thing happened. In the end I cut my run short to a mile, half of which I walked, and went home.

My lungs hate me today.

I'd taken all my asthma medication, but for some reason my airways decided to close in on me today. What if that happens the day of the race? I'll end up walking 13 miles, clutching my chest where my lungs are burning..

So today is not a good day. But not every day is going to be.

Time to Half Marathon: 4 months

Father's Day Run

Today I went on my first proper outdoors run. I did just under a mile and a half WITHOUT STOPPING! So it's the first time I've run that far in one go.. It doesn't sound like much, but its one step closer to the half marathon. And it's my first goal, to do a whole mile non-stop. My next goal is two miles. I'm taking it in baby steps...teeny weeny baby steps. But I think its the only way to stop myself feeling overwhelmed by the challenge I've taken on.

My Dad came out with me, to watch my running technique (which is terrible) and attempt to help me improve it. He'd already done a 4 mile run and did the 1.5 miles with me no problem at all. Not good for my ego really...But if he can do that at his age, I can certainly do it at the young age of 20! 

The run itself I really enjoyed. I loved the feeling of my feet on the pavement pushing me forwards and onwards. It was rather liberating. And I felt amazing afterwards (except for my chest which hurt a lot...).

My aim for the next two weeks is to improve my general fitness so that in two weeks time I can run 2 miles easily (meaning not arriving home half dead like I did today).
Right now I'm feeling rather good about this challenge. It's going to be hard, but I can do it. I think.

Time to Half Marathon: 4 months, 4 days

It's like Christmas came early

Today I finally went shopping for running shoes. Up until this point I've been using rubbish cheap trainers that hurt my feet. Not the best thing for running in, no wonder I hurt my calf...Now I am the proud new owner of a pair of running shoes. And oh my goodness the difference is amazing. They are so comfy and lightweight and so easy to move in. I also picked up some shorts, leggings and a couple of tops from the running sections in sports direct. They all match in colour which makes me happy (I'm such a girl)! And all my new things are in a bag still, so I have a nice little bag or goodies. It's like Christmas!!

And having all this new running gear means I really want to get out and go for a run. Hello motivation, how I've missed you! I want to show off my new trainers and clothes and look all professional and stuff!

It's funny how just having the right gear or something new and shiny can motivate you to achieve your goals. I shall attempt a mile run tomorrow with Dad, although if he gets his way it's gonna be further...We'll just see how far I get.

Time to Half Marathon: 4 months, 5 days

Aerobics DVDs

The past week I've been far too lazy to leave the house and go running, or even go to the gym. I keep telling myself its the summer holidays so it's ok to be lazy! I've busy with end of term events and work, and in my free time I've just wanted to stay home. I'm never gonna be able to run 13 miles at this rate! I had to be creative and think of ways to exercise from home.

So I invested in a couple of aerobics DVDs. And oh my goodness they are so much fun. I did an hour of dance aerobics today. The best part of it is that I can do it at home, so nobody can see my looking like a total fool dancing around all over the place. I was so sweaty and gross by the end of it, and nobody could see, unlike at the gym... So I got really into it, throwing my arms everywhere and being really enthusiastic, and felt amazing at the end of it. I'm a rubbish dancer, which just made it all the more fun. It was high energy and a really tiring workout, so I earned myself a nice cupcake (if I'm gonna do more exercise, I'm gonna eat cake!).

Now I can do aerobics on rainy days like today or days where I don't need to leave the house, and still get my exercise done. The aim over the next month is to get into the habit of doing some sort of training 6 days out of the week.

Time to Half Marathon: 4 months and 1 week

Obstacles

A week into training and I've already faced an obstacle in the form of a pulled calf muscle... After my mile run this week my legs felt more sore than is normal. My fears of an injury (already) were confirmed when I attempted to go for a run this weekend whilst out in the wonderful countryside of Bromsgrove. So until that heals, training is now only going to be general fitness through swimming and cycling..
It's frustrating having an injury so early on. Especially when I've been so eager to train. I blame myself for a combination of dodgy running technique, bad running shoes and being an inexperienced runner. But if I'm facing these problems so early on, can I actually do this? 
This weekend it has sunk in what I'm attempting to do..
I'm a complete beginner runner, and I'm attempting to learn to run 13 miles by October..
I'm not convinced it's actually achievable, I have to admit. I'm not sure my body can physically do it.
But I'm determined. And determination goes a long way.
"Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."

Time to Half Marathon: 4 months, 2 weeks, 4 days

First Training Session

Today I completed my first training session for the half marathon I plan to run in October. And I think my legs may actually fall off right now. Seriously.
All I did was a mile of running/power walking on the treadmill. My calves have never hurt so much! I did my usual 4 miles of walking today (walking to and from university) but still...One mile running should not hurt this much!
How am I ever going to do 13 of them all in a row...? At least I have five months still to go until the event...

Time to Half Marathon: 4 months, 3 weeks, 2 days