Swapping four legs for two!

Well it has taken me a couple of days to recover after sunday's half marathon. I am extremely pleased to say that I made it, all in one piece, minus what felt like a lot of blood, sweat and nearly tears!

My aim was to complete it in 2hours 30 mins and I am pleased to say I came in at 2hours 26 minutes! Considering 6 months ago I could barely run to the end of the road and back, to actually keep putting one foot in front of the other for 13.2 miles is a pretty big achievement for me!

To give you a brief lowdown... the first 8 miles were easy... actually enjoyable I have to say. I came up to my beloved Chequers Inn (my favourite pub in the village of Laddingford) water station at 8.5 miles and the reception from my friends lifted my spirts to give me a spurt of energy to reach around the 10 mile point and then I ran full pelt, head first in to THE WALL!

Because I wasn't one of the speedy - almost pro - runners who were long gone and through the finish by this point it was quite a lonely patch of very long road back in to Paddock Wood. If it wasn't for my lovely husband, Will, who arrived on his bike with an isotonic drink in the nick of time, I don't know how I would have got through those last 3 miles. But I did. It was pretty much one of the hardest things I have ever had to make myself do and I decided at this point that I am 99% sure I will never run a full marathon. To say that pretty much everything hurt would sum it up pretty concisely.

So, my first half marathon is complete. I am definitely going to do another one, being slightly competitive I now want to beat my time. I know I can do it now and I have to say the buzz afterwards was pretty amazing.

Thank you to all my sponsors, friends and family who helped motivate me through the training and without which I don't know if I would have made it through that finish line. I am so chuffed to have raised over £400 for the Saddle Up for Spinal Research campaign. It's still not too late to sponsor, the Just Giving page is open... http://www.justgiving.com/Lauren-Barber

For the minute I am going to stick to four legs rather than two, so signing off the running blog... until next time!

R-day!!!!

Well it has finally come, the months of training and preparation are going to be tested to the max today! In just under two hours time I will be running the Padock Wood Half Marathon in aid of Saddle Up for Spinal Research.... eeeeeek!

I have chosen the perfect fuel... nutella and peanut butter on toast. It is a tried and tested recipe and what I based my past two 10 mile runs on so I hope it doesn't let me down now. Disgusting as it sounds I like to think of it as 'Snickers on toast'... yum!

The ipod is full of running tunes... including a bit of old school Backstreet Boys (yes I am a teeny bopper at heart) Bruce Springsteen (my Dad's influence coming through) and of course Baby Got Back to put a smile on my face when things get tough.

I am so amazingly chuffed to have raised over £400 for my charity - thanks to all my amazing friends and family - it means a lot to know I have their support and this charity certainly deserves it.

So all that is left now is to run the darned thing... wish me luck!!

First week nearly over...

My first week of training is nearly over - phew! I have done two 5 mile runs and will do one 3 mile quicker run tomorrow. Monday's was 56 minutes and I have to admit I did at times wonder what on earth I was doing. Today's was a teensy bit easier and I managed to cut down the time to 54 mins and 30 seconds. It may not be much but those few seconds make me feel good!

Running really does make you realise how many idiots there are out on the road - I am running on relatively rural roads and people drive far too fast - somehow when you are on a horse you have a bit more presence but on two legs I do feel a tad vulnerable. However I am geared up in my high viz jacket so no excuses for them not seeing me!

My motivation for this weeks running has been a Dark Kit Kat sitting on my side board in the kitchen... I have resisted the temptation so far and it s my reward for sticking to my training - just one more to go and it will be mine!

Thanks so much to all who have already donated, every penny that I raise makes me run that little bit harder. I appreciate it is tough times at the moment but any donation, no matter how small, will help the fantasic work that Saddle Up for Spinal Research do.

One week nearly down, only 6 to go!

http://www.justgiving.com/Lauren-Barber

I have done the entry so it must be real...

So over the past few months I have talked about and promised to run the Paddock Wood Half Marathon on Sunday 11th April. I have now entered and created the Just Giving page - so therefore it has suddenly become a reality and apart from being terrified I am mega excited!

I have to admit the past few months my training has been a bit hit and miss - mostly miss to be honest - with the weather as intermittent as it has been I will hold up my hands and say snow jogging is not something I particularly want to take part in again - and what felt like swimming last night in the torrential downpours and returning home with squelching, soggy trainers is equally not the most inspiring of motives!

However I still have seven weeks to go and am now firing on all cyclinders. I am going to use my blog to keep you all updated on my progress and if nothing else drag you along with me to feel my pain!

Keep checking back to see (and have a laugh at) my progress. If you have any spare pennies lying around please donate to my Just Giving page. I am running in aid of Saddle Up for Spinal Research so please give generously to this amazing charity!

http://www.justgiving.com/Lauren-Barber

A belated new year blog!!

I have just realised that my blog has remained unchanged since Christmas - eeeek - I do apologise - bad Lauren!! It is surprising how quickly last year whizzed past - yet this month seems to have been slower than the whole past 12 - I don't like to wish my life away but January is such a miserable month - I will be really quite pleased when February arrives.

February to me suggests that Spring is nearly here despite - I am sure - some vile weather conditions - people are already suggesting the evil white stuff is on it's way again. It's not that I don't like the snow - it is actually immense fun to revert to childhood state of mind and dive around making snow angels and pelting snow balls at my husband - however as I am sure everyone will agree with me - snow + horses = absolute nightmare!

It is the aftermath of snow that gets me - the day it actually snow is fresh and crisp with a hint of excitement in the air - however the week of ice, snow packed hooves, no riding, frozen sandschool and then the slush is something I could definitely live without!

However - every cloud has a silver lining. Being my own boss and working from home has meant that there is definitely no excuse not to make it in to the office and I have had one of the most productive January's ever! It's a good foundation for the year I think and I am looking forward to catching up with all my clients and planning for the year ahead.

2009 was a fantastic year - an amazing wedding, success eventing with 'the boy' and business wise G-Gee PR and Marketing grew from strength to strength. We got the brand new Cyclo-ssage, Nedz and Horslyx websites live through Akira Studio and I am proud to have secured some great coverage for all of my clients. Bring on 2010 and what it has in store... I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my friends, family and clients a successful year - Good luck and most importantly... enjoy!