Mum in Training

To say that the few weeks since my last blog have been crazy is a bit like saying that Usain Bolt was a grand wee runner. It has been manic!!!

When we last spoke virtually, I was in full flow getting ready for the next big challenge on my running agenda; the Cara Bundoran 10 Mile! In the week leading up to race day I kept getting a really annoying niggly cough after my training runs but superwomen do not bow down to such things so I brushed it off and was all “no, no I’m fine, it’s just the cold weather, the airs thin, I am not sick etc”. So off I went and headed for the start line. It was a woeful day and the wind, she was getting up!! I really struggled in my head and my heart I knew that I wasn’t enjoying it whatsoever. My head was full of “ok Corinne, just get through this flipping bypass without the wind battering you a new face” and “you’re almost there, do not give up” and “flip this flipping Cara 10 Mile”. At this stage I had lost all track of time and to be honest I was just going to be happy enough to make it to the end in one piece (although that felt like it was impossible at times). I did though, I did make it to the end! Oh the relief when I put my toe to the finish line and then the joy I felt when I realised that I had improved my last 10 mile time by 2 full minutes.

The joy however was short lived. I got home and felt completely like someone or something had literally drained me, that’s the only way I can describe it. I could not stop coughing and man but it was painful. This went on for about 2 weeks and then I took an awful pain around my chest, just underneath my ribs and up my side, it was agony. After a tiny teensy weensy bit of nagging from the other half and the girls in the office I took myself off to the doctors to see what the heck was going on. Superwomen do not go to the doctor, it’s not the Irish mammy way, we complain and take a cough bottle and Vicks and we are grand! It turned out I had a chest infection which turned into Pleurisy (Oops). So, that was me out of the running (wee pun to start us off ) literally-it hurt to breathe. The first 2-3 weeks were fine because I didn’t physically have the energy and everything hurt. As my energy levels rose I began to get annoyed and if I was driving around and saw people out running I realised what the green eyed monster was, I was so, so jealous! Suddenly it hit me, I realised I had a problem, I was well and truly addicted to running!

Anyway putting the past few weeks behind me I’m back out taking her handy. But I’ll tell you what, it feels sooooo good to be back! The all popular Northwest 10K is the next goal and that is coming up on the 6th May. I have wanted to put my toe to the line in this race for many’s a year but sure if you don’t train and all that!! I have walked it and as we sponsor the event I have been there representing Brian McCormick Sports and Leisure but this year I’m finally gonna realise that wee dream and I am going to run it.

My focus is now on training and getting back to where I was before the whole unfortunate lung infection and of course what I’m going to wear!!! Yes I now spend my time wondering what I’m going to wear for my next race cos I’m weird like that. I used to spend my time wondering what to wear on a night out and now it’s the running outfit!! Although Myself and the ‘Runamigos’ are planning on going out celebrating after the 10k, so I will have two outfits to plan, ah the stress of it!! Luckily, we have just got in a new range from the Pro Touch, really nice gear, top quality, trendy and very well priced!! Given my double outfit dilemma it will do me nicely. Here are the links if you are interested:

Pro Touch 1/4 Zip Top – €32

Pro Touch Running Tights – €28

Pro Touch Tshirt – €20

All I can say to all after this month is, don’t push yourself too hard. If you are not feeling 100% then take a rest or a short break, if you don’t your body will force you to anyway. As a wise women (who was actually quoting her husband) once told me, if you feel unwell and it’s above the neck-train, below-no. If I had’ve had an ounce of sense and just forgot about the 10 miler I would probably have been out for a week tops but no, no, no, I was too headstrong for that and I went ahead with it anyway. I pushed myself too hard and missed out on almost 4 weeks so in the long run (ha pun intended – it’s always best to finish the way you start). I know you use your feet to run but sometimes you gotta use your head!!