Mindset of a runner (actually my mindset)

What crosses your mind during your most challenging runs and what keeps you going?

This year has been what I call 'Hellacious'. This can mean “astonishing,” which sounds pretty positive. Then again, it can also mean “difficult.” Sounds appropriate for 2020, doesn’t it?

In all my 40 something years, I think I have learned the most about myself this year. It has been a great year for most part but there has been some horrendous moments which I hope never to relive.

During my most challenging runs there are a number of things that keep going. First and foremost not just with running, I 100% always aim to complete anything that I start whether that's a course (study) I'm no longer enjoying  or a 10k run I'm struggling with. The quote by Napolean Hill ' A quitter never wins and winners never quit' hits the nail on the head everytime. Unless, the game is no longer worth playing anymore.

The most important run I've had to quit is the Capital Ring Run with my good friend Hasan and this was due to a severe injury. I have never felt anything like this before, and rightly needed to quit.

Lots of things keep me going when I'm struggling:

1. Being accountable - I've told you I'm doing this, so let's get it 🤩
2. Thinking about the pain my dad went through in his last days with Prostate cancer. 😭
3. That medal! We all want that medal of accomplishment. 🥇
4. I've started this so I need to finish it. ♠️
5. Thinking about what other people in unimaginable circumstances are going through. 🙏🏿❤

I strive to continue to build a growth mindset. I have been interested in this for a number of years. One of the most basic beliefs we carry about ourselves, Carol.S. Dweck an American Physhologist, found in her research, has to do with how we view and inhabit what we consider to be our personality. A “fixed mindset” assumes that our character, intelligence, and creative ability are static givens which we can’t change in any meaningful way, and success is the affirmation of that inherent intelligence, an assessment of how those givens measure up against an equally fixed standard; striving for success and avoiding failure at all costs become a way of maintaining the sense of being smart or skilled.

A “growth mindset,” on the other hand, thrives on challenge and sees failure not as evidence of unintelligence but as a heartening springboard for growth and for stretching our existing abilities. Out of these two mindsets, which we manifest from a very early age, springs a great deal of our behaviour, our relationship with success and failure in both professional and personal contexts, and ultimately our capacity for happiness.

For more info, please check out Carol. S. Dweck's books or

Mindset works - Science

Until next time 🤘🏿😊

Capital Ring Run Sections 1-4 DNF 25/10/20

Today was the day I had been looking forward to for ages! Ever since attending a capital ring run with London Tube Run early 2019 with Hasan and Angela.

The Capital Ring Walk offers you the chance to see some of London's finest scenery. Divided into 15, easy-to-walk sections, it covers 78 miles (126KM) of open space, nature reserves, Sites of Specific Scientific Interest and more.

Capital Ring Run

Hasan and I planned to meet at 8am outside Woolwich Arsenal DLR station. The weather forecast when I looked last night was clear except for 10am with some showers. However, as I sat on the DLR at around 7:45am, the rain came down HARD! OK so its raining, its not as if I'd never run in the rain - remember London Virtual Marathon on 4th October! Non stop rain!

Off we went

The start of Section 1 is from Woolwich Foot tunnel, so from the station (Beresford Square) we needed to make our way there. Before hand I downloaded the Go Jauntly app. 

Mr Navigator 🤩 aka Hasan aka @thechallengerinme aka Friend for Life

Go Jauntly

Go Jauntly is a walking app that brings you happiness outdoors. Discover walking guides, tours, nature and city trails. I thought this would be helpful in navigating our way through the sections as it was clearly laid out with text and photos (step by step). Google maps would have been great as it has audio which would be better to navigate with rather than constantly looking on the phone. Plus it was pouring down with rain so was not ideal.

So we set off from Beresford Square trying to get to the Foot tunnel. We must have ran for about 10/15 mins when we reached a cross road and saw the signs for Green Chain Walk, but not Capital Ring so we stopped on Ha-ha Road to check our maps. Realising we had missed our turning we back navigated and guess what we ended up doing a full circle back to Beresford Square ... the day had just begun! I saw another runner and thought,  sod this I'm just going to ask him how to get to the Foot tunnel.  He directed us, and we realised we ran way past this earlier.  Off we went again,  in the right direction this time. Reached the Thames footpath and followed the Capital Ring sign in the direction towards Falconwood. 

Up to cannon and Thames paths, up towards plumstead, we realised that there were not enough capital ring signs on the path before reaching the park.

The sun came out, jacket came off as we continued to settle into the run. The GO Jauntly app was still a little confusing ( well for me anyways) so Hasan reverted back to good old Google. As the run progressed and we got into Plumstead, under a footpath, I must have mis-judged my step and my right foot rolled over as I was stepping off. I stopped immediately as the pain rushed through my body. Immediately, Hasan looked for somewhere I could sit down. We saw some steps, but it smelt of 'pee' so I said no it's ok and just crouched down to the ground. I wanted to take off my shoes but gathered maybe not a good idea as I wasn't sitting down. I stuck my hand into my shoes where the pain was coming from and I could feel a lump! As you do, I said to Hasan, let me check if that lump was also on the other foot. I checked and it wasn't! Right there I knew it wasn't a sprain of any sort as the lump was painful and when I moved my foot there was pain under my ankle bone round to the back of my foot.

We looked around to see if there was anywhere to go and luckily there was a McDonald's restaurant about 2 mins away. With a helping hand from Hasan I hobbled with the smallest steps there.  We dined in, but firstly asked the kind lady for some ice. We sat down and she brought over a cup with ice and poured it into plastic gloves for me! Genius idea. I took off my shoes and just laid my 'ice bag' on my foot.  It was soothing! 

Ice glove kindly donated by the McDonald's waitress. 

Hasan kindly ordered me a hot chocolate and a hot drink for himself.  We stayed there for an hour before I was ready to make a move. Hasan checked the map and the bus stop to take us back to Woolwich Arsenal station was only a few minutes walk away. 

Can't go wrong with a hot chocolate. 

On that note, I put my shoes back on - that was painful and took a good few minutes. I then was scared to actually walk! When we got outside the door, I realised it was way too painful and Hasan had to call an Uber. Thank you!  That took a while too, it's like it was one of those days!

Waiting for the Uber

Hasan patiently waiting for the Uber app to stop clowning!

The uber arrived, and actually climbing into the car was another thinking mission... you put your right foot in, your left foot out... you get my drift. It was 10:45am now. The journey was extremely bumpy, oh my! That hurt, at that point I just wanted to get home.

Masked up for the journey 'Runderwear buff'

Had to stretch out my foot during this rollercoaster of a journey!

Reached home at 11:05am and had 2 flights of stairs to hop up. My the time I reached the top of the stairs I was well and truly knackered.  Got in sat on the floor, took my shoes off and just wanted a bath.

Oh boy! That was a one-legged workout!

I carried on icing it for a few hours and then at 3pm I decided to visit A & E - Royal London Hospital. My husband Mark drove me, he parked up but still had to go inside the A & E which was only a few minutes walk for someone not in pain. He wanted to give me a piggy back but I was too scared. Then  I stopped as I just couldn't walk any further and he had to go and get a wheelchair. 

Make shift ice bath for my foot

Once I checked in, it took about 15 minutes to be seen by the assessment team.  I was then sent to the Urgent Treatment Centre which was at the back of the A&E. Off we went in the wheelchair. Checked in again and I waited around 60 minutes to be seen. I was then told by a frustrated nurse that the A&E should clearly have sent me for an X - Ray (apparently it's not the first time this has happened). They don't have an X-ray facility there. So off I went back to A&E. Arrived back and I was directed to the Imaging area. I waited about 30 minutes to be seen. The lovely lady X-rayed my foot and I was directed back to the waiting room to wait for the results. Another 40 minutes later, I was collected (in the wheelchair) to get the full results of the X-ray.

Highlighted section is the fracture

  I was shown my foot on the screen and where the fracture had occurred. I took a photo of the screen as you do. The nurse told me there will be no running for at least 4 weeks and that I needed to wear the boots and use the crutches. He said that I should get a call from the fracture clinic on Monday.  He also said I should take pain meds if needed. At this point I hadn't taken any medication as I wasn't in that much pain, more discomfort. I really don't like medication anyway, unless I REALLY need to.


So off we went home! New learning taking place already, walking with crutches.

Didn't sleep too well as it was quite uncomfortable trying to keep my foot still.

Monday afternoon, I received the call from the Fracture Clinic. I was diagnosed with 5th Metatarsal fracture. She said that I will need to wear the boots for 6 weeks. It could take 3-4 months for the bone to completely heal. The most important thing to help recovery is rest. Return to running and sports should be delayed for six weeks. Physiotherapy if required.

My companions for the next few weeks!

Runner not running but wearing running socks 'Stance'

Rest I will definitely try to do. To be honest, I can't do much so I have no choice.  I had a few races that I had to cancel 7th November- Olympic Park 10km and 21st November Lea Valley 50km.  The good think is at least I was able to get 90% refund for both.

I also had a recording coming up with Sonder film with Ciele athletics booked for November, so I have also had to cancel that. Hopefully these type of opportunities will present themselves again in the future.

I am due to start the Our Parks NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing on the 8th November which will have the practical elements towards the end of the course. I have contacted them to see roughly what dates that would be. So fingers crossed it's mid December and I should be OK to take part, but we'll see. There will be other days if not.

For now I am going to concentrate on recovery.

Until next time 🤘🏿🤗

The 40th Race - Virtual London Marathon

My first ever London Marathon albeit virtual as I cannot get in through the ballot, but ran with amazing friends – Izman, Jo and Hasan. This opportunity came about when VLM again due to Covid was postponed to October 2021. However, they opened an opportunity for anyone to run the race virtual on 4^th October 2020. You had 24 hours to complete the 26.2 miles, from 00:00 to 23:59 on Sunday 4 October. You could run, walk, take breaks and log your race on a new London Marathon app. Runners could also use their time, with appropriate supporting evidence, to apply for a Good for Age or Championship place in 2021. We made sure we also tracked the run using our watch as we know anything can happen with apps e.g. crash or not actually work. Elite races for men, women and wheelchair athlete took place on an enclosed looped course in St James’s Park in a secure biosphere (a contained safe environment like that of Formula 1 and England cricket).

The wonderful Hasan planned the route which took us from Hampton Court to Tower Bridge – we passed lots of amazing areas (Battersea Park, Kew Bridge/Kew Gardens, Hammersmith Bridge, Southwark Bridge, Kingston Bridge, Chiswick Bridge, Richmond Lock, Richmond Bridge, Lambeth Bridge, Millennium Bridge, Embankment Bridge, Putney Bridge). 

I travelled to Waterloo to meet Jo and Izman and we caught the 7:57am train to meet Hasan at Hampton Court. First thing first, let us find a toilet to do a bladder check before we set off for the run. We then took a group photo in front of the beautiful Hampton Court Palace. Another set of runners parked their car in front with the same idea in mind! Generously the lady offered to take our photo for us! The last time I was here was about 3 years ago when I ran the Hampton Court Palace half marathon organised by Runthrough.

We all started the VLM app and our watch for backup because we already know how these things go. We set off along the Thames Path route. Believe it or not, there were so many other runners running the marathon. We all showed great support to each other. It was really, nice to see! At one point I said to Izman that it felt like a real race seeing so many other runners with their bibs on along the route.

It was great to see Danny Bent along the way. He was extremely focused along with his running friend. Was good to see a familiar face.

The rain did not ease off at all if anything it got worse throughout. At 15km, we stopped and changed into a fresh, dry pair of socks. That stayed dry for all of 2 mins. There were just lots of huge muddy puddles (just reminded me of Peppa Pig! If you know, you know lol). The muddy puddles calmed down as we came off the Thames path for a bit. The plan was to change socks every 10km but to be honest we couldn’t be bothered as it was a struggle enough the first time and they didn’t stay dry for long, so we just soldiered on really. You soon stop worrying about being wet and just get on with it. Was happy to have my Cap (Fractel – Florence Edition) as there is nothing worse besides your feet than rain streaming down your face and into your eyes.

Just before the 20km mark I developed a cramp in my right calf. At 21km – YIPEEE – halfway, we stopped to do some stretches and take in more nutrition. Hasan handed out some nutrition bars Aptonia from Decathlon. They were delicious! I will be buying them. We then carried on. I started to develop spasm like cramps too for which I had to walk each time it happened and then run when they subsided.

 Thank God for Izman’s company as he would walk with me when I had to and then run again. Jo and Hasan were slightly in front, but they kept turning round and reassuring me that if I needed to walk or stretch etc, then it’s not a problem at all. We would all stop/walk together whenever needed. You always feel like you are holding people back when situations like this happens but they all made it clear that it was not about the time but about sharing the experience together. This was also the first time that we had all run a marathon together. Get this, it was Izman’s 17^th MARATHON! Its was mine and Hasan’s 3^rd and Jo’s 4^th.

Just before the 30km marked I slipped on a metal cover on the floor. Luckily, I was not running fast otherwise it would have been a different conclusion. I could not move as the cramp got worse. Everyone tried to help me up, but I was like ‘NO, don’t move me’ I could just feel my calf pulsating. About 30 seconds later, I stood up and started to walk again. Thank heavens, I did not land on my arse either LOL. I had one knee on the floor!!! At this point it was just a matter of walk, run, walk to get the miles completed.

My hands and feet were just so cold at this point so tried to continue to move as much as possible. Even with the walking part, it was literally 30 seconds walk and then run again.

The route was amazingly scenic, but my hands were so cold, I was too lazy to take any photos. Luckily, our best photographer Izman took some amazing photos of our route and us running.

We arrived at Tower Bridge at 40km. For the last 2.2km we did loops around the area. I still had 1km to go when Jo finished – GPS are so funny even through we all started at the same time. Hasan ran the last 1km with me and I did the last 400m on my own. I was so excited to finish I just went as hard as I could go without wanting to take another fall. I made sure that I went over the 42.2km just to be sure. I did not want to be short and then it did not count. That would have been the worst nightmare.

Our main photographer Izman took lots of amazing finishers photos with Tower Bridge in the background… just beautiful.

So, what next but… FOOD!  Jo recommended By Chloe, a plant-based restaurant. We had the Gacu burger with sweet potato fries. OMG it was delicious and would highly recommend. I for one, will be going back for more. My drink of choice was Earl Grey tea as I was absolutely freezing. Changed into a dry top and we all made our way home.

 

Round up

 

I could not have predicted how did this was going to pan out. All I knew is that I was going to share this journey with the most amazing people. I really had an amazing day and regardless of the soreness and rain, wet feet and clothes, some chaffing from wet clothes and the cramp, I would not change that day whatsoever. I truly believe that events like these and people like these are supposed to come into your life for a reason. I am ever so grateful to have met these guys over the past year and we have grown as a group and individuals so much. I could not have asked for a better support network on the day, and in day to day. These guys are always a text or phone call away and we truly do support each other with whatever, not just running related stuff.

This was my 3^rd marathon  and in some ways it was harder than my first but better in more ways. I truly appreciate everyone I have met in the running community and will continue to share and support in anyway that I can.

 Amazing video put together using Go Pro by Izman - 40th Race of our day

Keep running/walking....