Castle of Mey 10K - 13th May 2012

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2012 Progress Entrant - Maxine Whale

Contents:- Intro - Report 7 - Report 6 - Report 5 - Report 4 - Report 3 - Report 2 - Report 1

Introduction

Maxine is from Thurso and is 23 years old. She spent 4 years at the University of Edinburgh studying Psychology. She currently works as a Business Development Coordinator for North Highland Products (Mey Selections). Her job involves quite a bit of travelling, and she is getting married this July to my fiancé, Ross, so it’s going to be a busy year!

She attends the local Zumba, Toning and Combat classes when she can and is also looking forward to joining the North Highland Harriers beginners group on a Monday night. She enjoy running and completed the Baxters Inverness 10K in October last year in just over an hour so has set herself the goal of running the Mey 10K within an hour!

She is not going to be alone on the day as she will be running with 6 of her colleagues from the North Highland Initiative Group and they aim to raise money for thier chosen charities, North Highland Cancer Information & Support Centre and Caithness Deaf Care.

Report 7 - Weeks 13 & 14

Training this week; what, where, when and with whom?

Week 13 - Monday- Went to the NHH’s beginner’s session. We ran from the Blue Door Café all the way to the Light House & back! Pretty much ran all the way and in a good time, so I was very pleased! Helped that I made a friend along the way, was great to have someone to chat too and keep me going!

Was in Edinburgh for the rest of the week and didn’t manage to fit in a run. I did however go to a bootcamp class on Saturday morning! I actually really enjoyed being at an exercise class in a muddy(!) field but I was in agony for about 4 days afterwards.

Week 14 - Got back from Edinburgh on Tuesday so went to toning that evening which I really enjoyed. Was still aching from the bootcamp class though!

Disappointed I haven’t fitted in a run this week but have a long one planned for Saturday!

Has anything got in the way of what you had planned? Explain.

Week 13 - Being in Edinburgh, took my trainers but didn’t manage to fit in any running!

Week 14 - My usual excuses this week!

How did you feel during training this week? What were the highs and lows?

Week 13 - Really enjoyed Monday’s run. Was great to run such a long distance especially with the hills added in.

Are you seeing improvements; in speed, distance, breathing?

Week 13 - Was delighted I managed to run for as long as I did on Monday.

Week 14 - Overall since January my everything has improved! I can run a lot further, especially with the help from others! My speed seems lots quicker than when I was training for the first 10K I did so I’m hoping that means I can meet my previous time of 1 hour 5 minutes. My breathing has improved too, takes me about 15 minutes to get into it but once I get there I’m okay.

Any injuries/concerns?

Week 13 - Minus the aches after the bootcamp class I’m fine.

Are you feeling any benefits away from training as a result of the training; health, toning up, more energetic?

Week 14 - Definitely feel fitter overall and hope to continue running after the Mey 10K. Plan to register for the Baxters 10K to motivate me to keep running.

Any other observations, thoughts or comments?

Week 14 - I’m looking forward to the 10K and hope to fit in a few more runs before then. I have really enjoyed running with the beginners group and met lots of lovely people along the way. It’s been great being a featured runner, everyone has been really supportive & it’s lovely when people ask how I’m getting on. So thanks to everyone and hopefully I do well on the day!

Report 6 - Weeks 11 & 12

Training this week; what, where, when and with whom?

Week 11 - So I took my trainers away with me over the weekend but they didn’t come out my suitcase!! Discipline definitely lacking! Managed just over 8km on Thursday with Judith though!

Week 12 - Celebrated my birthday with a wee run with Ross. We ran roughly 5km, sprinting at every second lamppost. Toning classes were back on this week after the holidays so I went along to one of those. Planning a long run on Saturday.

Has anything got in the way of what you had planned? Explain.

Week 11 - Every excuse under the sun this week! Weather, work, wedding stuff, laziness, social life and extending our long weekend trip!

Week 12 - Had intended to run with my work colleagues in Wick on Thursday evening but I had a meeting in Thurso in the afternoon.

How did you feel during training this week? What were the highs and lows?

Week 11 - Run on Thursday was tough but felt good for doing it.

Week 12 - Enjoyed the sprints but it was tiring and was sore for about 3 days after!

Any injuries/concerns?

Week 11 - Legs are still a wee bit sore when I’m running.

Any other observations, thoughts or comments?

Week 11 - Need to keep myself motivated, struggling to focus on my running at the moment.

Week 12 - Only a few more weeks to go! Need to keep going!!

Report 5 - Weeks 9 & 10

Training this week; what, where, when and with whom?

Week 9 – Pleased to say that I managed to complete 3 runs this week!

Monday- went to the NHH’s beginners’ session, with Ross, in the glorious sunshine!!

Was so lovely running in the sun but at the same time I was a bit jealous of the people having a BBQ on the beach!

We ran the mile down to the beach again and then did our speed work. The distance was increased a little and we did one extra set. Really enjoyed the session and by the time we got back to base we’d ran 4 and half miles!

Tuesday- Ross & I went a run together in the sunshine again. Had planned to run through the Hill of Forss but I didn’t quite make it, legs were very sore after Monday. Still managed to complete 5K though!

Thursday- Went a run with my colleagues from North Highland Products around Wick. There was no sunshine but a gale force wind!! Judith and I ended up doing a detour across through town where we sheltered from the wind! Think we ran just around 3.5 miles.

Week 10 – What a difference a week makes! Back to typical Caithness weather!

Had intended to go to the NHH’s session on Monday but I wasn’t feeling great and even if I was, I don’t think I could have faced it in the snow!!

Thursday- Went a run around Wick with my colleague Lorraine. Enjoyed our run and was nice to see new parts of Wick. Ran 7km, so pleased with that although I didn’t quite keep up with Lorraine!

I’m going away this weekend but I’m taking my trainers with me!

Has anything got in the way of what you had planned? Explain.

Week 9 – Nothing this week!!

Week 10 – Snow and rotten weather!

How did you feel during training this week? What were the highs and lows?

Week 9 – Enjoyed training this week. The weather really helped.

Week 10 – Really enjoyed Thursday’s run

Any injuries/concerns?

Week 9 – Wee bit concerned about my sore legs, think I need to ensure I stretch properly!

Week 10 – Legs are still sore, not even one particular part of my legs, they just hurt!

Report 4 - Weeks 7 & 8

Training this week; what, where, when and with whom?

Week 7 - Monday - went to the NHH’s beginners’ session and really enjoyed it! We started the first week of ‘speedwork’. We ran 1 mile down to the beach, where one of the coaches had mapped out 400m, we were to run that distance at a faster pace and then jog back to the starting point, we did this four times. Seemed a little daunting at first but I really got into it which gave me a real confidence boost. We then jogged back to the Blue door cafe.

Tuesday- went to Tuesday’s toning class with my mum and friend Emily, still very much enjoying that class and I hope to be able to continue to fit the class into my training.

Thursday- Went a run with Danny and the sun was shining again! Makes it a whole lot easier when the weather is good! We did about 3.5 miles in a shorter time than last week so I was pleased with that. Crazy I know but I then went to Fiona Harper’s Kettlebells class, don’t know if it’s that good for me doing both on the same night but I enjoy it, most of the time anyway! Hoping to fit in that third run in over the weekend!

Week 8 - Was disappointed that I didn’t make either of the NHH sessions this week but still managed 2 runs out of the 3. Thursday - went a run in the Wick sunshine with North Highland Products Chairman, Danny Miller & his wife Judith who are also both taking part in the Mey 10k. We ran around 3.5 miles and I quite enjoyed it. Sunday - I went a wee run myself, still find it lots harder to run a longer route myself though. Went to Wednesday’s Zumba class.

How did you feel during training this week? What were the highs and lows?

Week 7 – Really enjoyed Monday’s session. It’s so nice to be out running with so many people, it really spurs you on and it’s great to have a chat about the session after.

Week 8 - Felt good on the 2 runs that I did, think the nice weather helped! Was disappointed that I didn’t go out with the NHH’s but glad I managed to drag myself out for a run.

Are you seeing improvements; in speed, distance, breathing?

Week 7 – think my speed and breathing are gradually getting better. I know the more running I do the easier it will get so my aim for the rest of my training is to ensure that I do the 3 runs a week! It’s there written in the paper now so I’ll have to!! Hope to increase my distance over the coming weeks.

Week 8 - Think my breathing is slowly improving. Looking forward to the speed sessions with the NHH’s next week.

Any injuries/concerns?

No.

Report 3 - Weeks 5 & 6

Training this week; what, where, when and with whom?

Week 5 - Monday - missed NHH’s beginners session due to work commitments.

Tuesday - I thought, since I missed Monday, I would attend NHH’s speed/endurance session. The session starts with a 1km warm up lap, which felt like my usual running pace! Then a further 4 laps. It was tough but really enjoyed running alongside other people. I then went to Toning class, was very tired by the end of it!

Wednesday - I attended Natalie’s Wednesday night Zumba class in Thurso which I really enjoyed. Felt like I was able to put lots more energy into the class.

Thursday - attended Combat class, still enjoying it.

Saturday - I managed a 20 min run in the wind & the rain! Didn’t enjoy it much, don’t think it helped that I didn’t plan my route beforehand!

Week 6 - Tuesday - Missed the Monday session again due to a work trip so thought I would go along to NHH’s Tuesday night session again - in the wind & the rain! Struggled in the wind across the bridge but enjoyed it all the same. Glad I went along & plan to continue to attend the session. Didn’t manage the toning class, think the run was enough!

Saturday - planning a run before myself & Ross catch the boat to Orkney for the weekend.

Has anything got in the way of what you had planned? Explain.

Week 6 - Had planned a 20min run on Thursday but didn’t manage it with work, cleaning the house & picking up Ross from the airport! Didn’t manage any of my usual exercise classes this week which I’m a bit disappointed in but guess having a week off won’t do too much harm!

How did you feel during training this week? What were the highs and lows?

Week 5 – The weather didn’t help on Saturday but glad I managed to motivate myself to get out in it! Didn’t quite manage the 3 runs, think I will have to give up some of the classes to concentrate on my running.

Week 6 - Didn’t enjoy running in the wind & rain but know that’ll make running in good weather lots easier! Hopefully we’ll get lots of nice days for running in the coming months.

Are you seeing improvements; in speed, distance, breathing?

Week 5 – Not quite there with my speed but hoping that the Tuesday night session will help with that!

Are you feeling any benefits away from training as a result of the training; health, toning up, more energetic?

Week 5 – Feeling more toned, think the classes are helping with that. Know I need to probably focus more on the running.

Report 2 - Weeks 3 & 4

Training this week; what, where, when and with whom?

Week 3 - Monday - I’m very pleased to say that I finally went to the NHHs beginners running session! We did 10min run 1 min walk x3, ran 3 miles in total and I really enjoyed it (minus the hill behind Thurso High school)! Was so pleased with myself for finally going along, was great to run with other people & I can’t recommend it enough!

Wednesday - went a run straight after finishing work, in Wick. Following the NHH running plan, I attempted the 11min run 1 walk but struggled a bit, don’t think it helped that I wasn’t sure where I was going!

Thursday - I attended Fiona Harper’s Thurso class at Mount Pleasant where we did a combination of Combat & Body Bars - brilliant work out & it’s helping me to tone up.

Saturday - Did a 2.5 mile run with Ross which helped ease the effects of Thursdays class! Also did an exercise DVD with my mum- hoping that these work outs will help with my overall fitness.

Week 4 - Monday - Pleased to say that I went to the beginners’ session again! This time at the early time of 5.30pm, where there fewer runners but I enjoyed it all the same. We did 15min run 1 min walk x2 and ran just under 3 miles. Really enjoyed the run, even felt like I could have ran more! Also lots easier than last week’s 11min run 1 min walkx3 set!

Tuesday - Attended Fiona Harper’s Toning class(Body Bars) at Mount Pleasant school- think it’s really helping me to strengthen my muscles which I hope will help with my running ability.

Thursday - Looking forward to Fiona’s Combat class tonight, hoping to go a run beforehand.... I’ll probably be in a heap by the end of it!

Has anything got in the way of what you had planned? Explain.

Week 4 - Laziness on Wednesday evening meant that I didn’t go a run as planned! Going to run Thursday evening instead and do the third run on Saturday morning. I’d planned to run every Monday, Wednesday & Friday evening but think it’s better to be more flexible with my running schedule otherwise I think I might feel like I’ve failed that week.

How did you feel during training this week? What were the highs and lows?

Week 3 – Starting to really enjoy running again. I definitely enjoy it more when I run with other people- it really helps to keep me going!

Week 4 - Felt great after the running session on Monday, thinking of attending NHH’s speed/ endurance session on a Tuesday too.

Are you seeing improvements; in speed, distance, breathing?

Week 3 – The combination of running again & the exercise classes are really helping to improve my overall fitness. The tips that I received about breathing when I was out running with the NHH’s have really helped.

Week 4 - Breathing and speed are definitely improving, managed to keep up with Ross on Monday night & he’s normally running way ahead of me!

Are you feeling any benefits away from training as a result of the training; health, toning up, more energetic?

Feeling great this week, lots of energy and starting to tone up.

Any other observations, thoughts or comments?

Week 4 - I’m really pleased with how my running is coming on so far.

Report 1 - Weeks 1 & 2

Training this week; what, where, when and with whom?

Week 1 - Monday - couldn’t face running in the cold weather so went to the gym & managed 3km on the running machine before getting bored! Went to Zumba class that night with my mum and friend Emily. Tuesday - attended toning class at Mount Pleasant school, really enjoyed it. Wednesday - still too cold so tried the gym again and it’s still boring! Thursday- went to Combat class at Mount Pleasant school, really good work-out but know I need to get out running. Friday- wimped out of a run again! Did an exercise dvd instead!!

Week 2 - Was all geared up to join the beginners running session on Monday after meeting Sophie & the rest of the featured runners but ended up with a rotten head cold over the weekend & didn’t feel well enough to go! Attended Toning class on Tuesday night but still wasn’t feeling great. Went to Combat on Thursday night, just about over the cold.

Has anything got in the way of what you had planned? Explain.

Week 1 - The cold weather, I need to toughen up! Just can’t seem to face going out in it!

Week 2 - Head cold, had been looking forward to getting a running routine established this week but this cold has put a dampener on things.

How did you feel during training this week? What were the highs and lows?

Week 1 - Really enjoyed exercise classes this week but know I need to get some layers on and brave the cold!

Any other observations, thoughts or comments?

Week 2 - Will definitely be at the beginners session on Monday… I’ve said it now so I’ll have to!! My fiancé Ross is at home just now so hoping he’ll come out running with me too. Need to get into a routine & fit the 3 OUTDOOR runs in!