The Runner has been taking part in this malarky known as The WHW Race for 12 years. The very first time he did it in 1998 I had given birth to our youngest son just 6 weeks previously. Naturally I was excused from back up duties and he attempted to do it with a cobbled together backup of a group of fellow club runners and his in laws. Knowing what we know now, it was no wonder he didn't make it. Since then Beardie and I have been his back up team on every occasion.
Over the years I've been called many things by people. A saint, a hero, an angel, an idiot. I've been described and introduced as the fantastically loyal and supportive wife. But the best one recently described me as the long suffering wife.
My Collins Modern English dictionary has the following definition:
long-suffering adj. 1. enduring pain, unhappiness, etc, without complaint ~n. 2. long and patient endurance
Even though I don't actually suffer the the physical pain of a bad race I feel it deeply. To watch someone you love suffer so much doing something they are supposed to love is very painful. The ripple effect into family life is huge. It doesn't make me unhappy but right now I ain't exactly jumping for joy. And I certainly don't stand by without complaint!
Essentially ultra running is a selfish sport. Ultra runners put their training and racing before everything else. For example, we cannot arrange our social life without consulting the racing calendar first. Food and meal planning is a major issue. Training runs come before visiting parents/friends/going out/anything. And if you're lucky enough to have a job that gives you a defined end to your working day then maybe that makes family life a bit easier. Maybe your work/life/running balance is healthy.
I think what I'm trying to get at here is that it's not just the runners who are finding it tough this year. This blog is called You can't do it without backup! You can turn up at the start of the race ready to run but if you haven't got an ace team behind you then forget it. I know I choose to do this but frankly there are times when I struggle. And right now is one of those times.
So if you have a long suffering partner or an amazing friend who willingly gives up their time not just on WHW race weekend to help you fulfill your passion for running then don't forget to tell/show them how much it means to you. Go on, do it right now! Never mind your PBs, your splits, beating your pals. Without a back up team, you simply can't do it.
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Friday, 12 March 2010
Snow joke!
Did you hear about the guy who ran 10 miles in a blizzard with his suit in his backpack to catch a train to work in the worst snow this part of the country has seen in over 30 years? This same guy left his wife and children (and 3 dogs) snowed in and without electricity for 2 days while he enjoyed the comforts of an Edinburgh hotel. Snow joke!
Knee deep in snow 
Waist deep (No3 son is 5 feet tall!)
Snow on top of wheelie bins and drift
Our new conservatory is underneath all that snow
Knee deep in snow -
Waist deep (No3 son is 5 feet tall!)
Snow on top of wheelie bins and drift
Our new conservatory is underneath all that snowFriday, 16 October 2009
Dear Mr Waterman,
Bright and early this morning I dropped my husband off at the train station armed with one of his famous 'good' plastic bags and a suitcase filled with enough running gear to kit out all 45 competitors in the upcoming event. He was in reasonable good health apart from a sore shoulder, a bit of a sniffle, suffering from sleep deprivation and moaning about a lack of consistent good nutrition this week. Past experience prevented me from asking about the state of his legs and feet so perhaps you could enquire upon his arrival.
I've provided back up for him on a few occasions and thought some background information might be useful.
He has been known to swear a wee bit if things aren't always just so.
He asks for all sorts of food and drinks but has an uncanny knack of asking for something you don't have, have never heard of and usually when you're miles from any retail outlet.
He likes to think he has a flexible plan but really it's the back up team who has to be flexible.
He has a bit of a cough when running which sounds worse than it is but discreet monitoring is usually effective.
Loo roll and hand wash are a vital piece of his kit.
The night before the race he may be tempted to have 'just one' toast to old friends. He is incapable of 'just one' so abstinence is the best approach. I'm sure his old friend would understand.
I would be grateful if you could return him to me in a reasonable state of health. I would be particularly appreciative if he at least caught the correct flight home.
Many thanks for your help in this matter.
Allybea
PS Seriously guys, huge thanks for doing this xxx
I've provided back up for him on a few occasions and thought some background information might be useful.
He has been known to swear a wee bit if things aren't always just so.
He asks for all sorts of food and drinks but has an uncanny knack of asking for something you don't have, have never heard of and usually when you're miles from any retail outlet.
He likes to think he has a flexible plan but really it's the back up team who has to be flexible.
He has a bit of a cough when running which sounds worse than it is but discreet monitoring is usually effective.
Loo roll and hand wash are a vital piece of his kit.
The night before the race he may be tempted to have 'just one' toast to old friends. He is incapable of 'just one' so abstinence is the best approach. I'm sure his old friend would understand.
I would be grateful if you could return him to me in a reasonable state of health. I would be particularly appreciative if he at least caught the correct flight home.
Many thanks for your help in this matter.
Allybea
PS Seriously guys, huge thanks for doing this xxx
Sunday, 11 October 2009
It wasn't a fluke!
I'm feeling very pleased with myself as I ran 3 miles this morning without any walking again! I thought perhaps that last week's race was a fluke and I'd raised my game to achieve my target. But I managed it again despite having not run since last Sunday and having 2 glasses of wine and a wee whisky last night! Ok, it was just as slow as last week but it's really given me a boost that I can improve on this running malarky.
The next distance target is a 10k so maybe I should be looking at a beginner's 10k programme as the complete beginner's one doesn't cover going from running from 14 mins to 40 mins in one fell swoop. Ian helpfully suggested that I need to learn to run faster so I just need to figure out a plan. The non running week was entirely due to not having a plan. Good grief, I'm starting to think like a runner!
The next distance target is a 10k so maybe I should be looking at a beginner's 10k programme as the complete beginner's one doesn't cover going from running from 14 mins to 40 mins in one fell swoop. Ian helpfully suggested that I need to learn to run faster so I just need to figure out a plan. The non running week was entirely due to not having a plan. Good grief, I'm starting to think like a runner!
Monday, 5 October 2009
Inverness 5k
The first target I set myself when I started running again was to run the Inverness 5k. I wanted to be able to run the whole way without walking. And I did! It took me 41m 37s but I ran every single step. There were loads of kids who set off at 100mph but were walking after 2 mins. There were adults who were running faster than me but slowed to a walk and I passed them again. There were fairies, rabbits and guys in kilts. There were kids with painted faces and women with pink hair. It was brilliant!
Getting that medal at the finish line was amazing. I felt like I actually earned it. It's now hanging beside my NYC marathon medal (2002) and Glasgow 10k (2004).
On the way home I read out a text on Ian's phone because he was driving. It was from Geraldine and it made me cry. But for a good reason. Thanks Geraldine. And thanks to everyone else who sent messages. It's a small but significant step for me and your encouragement is very much appreciated.
I have 2 more targets to aim for now. The first is to be able to go out with the Harriers on their Monday run without holding anyone back. I'm hoping this will happen soon.
The second is to run the Women's 10k next year in an hour. My best time is 66m but it was on the old route and it was years ago when the event first started.
I've no excuses now for not running throughout the winter as I've got some fabulous new Gore running kit courtesy of a certain Family member and his shop at the race. As Ian pointed out I've now got better kit than him to run in.
Getting that medal at the finish line was amazing. I felt like I actually earned it. It's now hanging beside my NYC marathon medal (2002) and Glasgow 10k (2004).
On the way home I read out a text on Ian's phone because he was driving. It was from Geraldine and it made me cry. But for a good reason. Thanks Geraldine. And thanks to everyone else who sent messages. It's a small but significant step for me and your encouragement is very much appreciated.
I have 2 more targets to aim for now. The first is to be able to go out with the Harriers on their Monday run without holding anyone back. I'm hoping this will happen soon.
The second is to run the Women's 10k next year in an hour. My best time is 66m but it was on the old route and it was years ago when the event first started.
I've no excuses now for not running throughout the winter as I've got some fabulous new Gore running kit courtesy of a certain Family member and his shop at the race. As Ian pointed out I've now got better kit than him to run in.
Sunday, 20 September 2009
With a little help from my friends
I think I actually had a successful run this morning :)
It definitely is a mental thing, this slowing down to walk. And when you're following a programme that says run x mins and walk y mins it's hard to get out of the habit. This morning's outing didn't start well when after only 5 mins of running I had to walk a bit. I wasn't out of breath and wasn't running fast (actually Ian can walk as fast as I run!) so I knew it was all in my head. I remembered Davie's advice (thanks Davie!) about not slowing to walk and trying to just ease off the pace before running faster again.
So I started running again and lasted 3 mins! I started greeting like the big girl I am and tried to give myself a pep talk as I walked. I asked myself why am I doing this? And to my horror I realised that I'd fallen back into my old way of thinking. I was comparing myself with other runners again and worrying what they might be thinking about me and my pathetic attempts to be a runner.
I reached the point on the route where there is a commemorative bench. Now usually where there's a bench there's a view. And hand on heart I heard a very familiar voice in my head tell me to look round. So I did and I saw the view of the rolling fields and the distant Ochils. And I remembered why I want to do this. I'm doing this because I can.
I looked at my watch and noted the time. I started to run. And I kept running. I swallowed a fly but I kept running. I choked on my drink of water but I kept running. I ran without walking for 14 and a half minutes. I only stopped running because I reached the main road and needed to put Lucydog back on her lead for the 2 minute walk back to the car. I was only slightly out of breath but I felt good. Tired but good.
It definitely is a mental thing, this slowing down to walk. And when you're following a programme that says run x mins and walk y mins it's hard to get out of the habit. This morning's outing didn't start well when after only 5 mins of running I had to walk a bit. I wasn't out of breath and wasn't running fast (actually Ian can walk as fast as I run!) so I knew it was all in my head. I remembered Davie's advice (thanks Davie!) about not slowing to walk and trying to just ease off the pace before running faster again.
So I started running again and lasted 3 mins! I started greeting like the big girl I am and tried to give myself a pep talk as I walked. I asked myself why am I doing this? And to my horror I realised that I'd fallen back into my old way of thinking. I was comparing myself with other runners again and worrying what they might be thinking about me and my pathetic attempts to be a runner.
I reached the point on the route where there is a commemorative bench. Now usually where there's a bench there's a view. And hand on heart I heard a very familiar voice in my head tell me to look round. So I did and I saw the view of the rolling fields and the distant Ochils. And I remembered why I want to do this. I'm doing this because I can.
I looked at my watch and noted the time. I started to run. And I kept running. I swallowed a fly but I kept running. I choked on my drink of water but I kept running. I ran without walking for 14 and a half minutes. I only stopped running because I reached the main road and needed to put Lucydog back on her lead for the 2 minute walk back to the car. I was only slightly out of breath but I felt good. Tired but good.
Friday, 18 September 2009
10 reasons why women should run
I found this in my wanderings around t'internet. Think it originally came from realbuzz.com.
1. Running is the most efficient path to cardiovascular fitness
That's true. I've tried a few things in my time in an effort to get fit and running has worked for me in the past.
2. Running is the most accessible of aerobic sports
Yep, true again for me. Since we live in the sticks my nearest gym is miles away and I've no idea where there's a decent sized swimming pool. And getting on a bike round here is just suicidal!
3. Running is cheap and easy to learn
Uh huh, as long as I've got decent shoes and a good support bra I'm sorted. Easy to learn but it takes a lot of practising!
4. Running is the best method of stress reduction on the market
Maybe for some but I'm still lying awake at 2am despite being exhausted.
5. Running can help ease women's menstrual tension
Ask Ian about that one!!
6. Running is an excellent component of any weight control programme
Ok, here's where I disagree. I still haven't shifted a single pound. Although I can squeeze into some trousers that were previously too tight and wouldn't zip up. I know that muscle weighs more than fat blah blah..... but I was hoping for a slight loss pushing me nearer the Jimmy Choos.
7. Running is a flexible method of training
Agreed
8. Running increases your overall sense of well-being. Fitness, self-esteem and confidence all increase with exercise
Clearly I'm doing something wrong as I don't feel fitter and I'm definitely not confident enough to be seen running by people who know me.
9. Running is for families and individuals of all ages
Absolutely!
10. Running is a great social activity
Well I guess it is since our entire social life revolves around running, runners and races. I can count on 1 hand the number of close friends we have not involved in running.
I know there are many good reasons for running. I just haven't found the one that really makes me think 'Wow this is why I want to keep doing this.'
1. Running is the most efficient path to cardiovascular fitness
That's true. I've tried a few things in my time in an effort to get fit and running has worked for me in the past.
2. Running is the most accessible of aerobic sports
Yep, true again for me. Since we live in the sticks my nearest gym is miles away and I've no idea where there's a decent sized swimming pool. And getting on a bike round here is just suicidal!
3. Running is cheap and easy to learn
Uh huh, as long as I've got decent shoes and a good support bra I'm sorted. Easy to learn but it takes a lot of practising!
4. Running is the best method of stress reduction on the market
Maybe for some but I'm still lying awake at 2am despite being exhausted.
5. Running can help ease women's menstrual tension
Ask Ian about that one!!
6. Running is an excellent component of any weight control programme
Ok, here's where I disagree. I still haven't shifted a single pound. Although I can squeeze into some trousers that were previously too tight and wouldn't zip up. I know that muscle weighs more than fat blah blah..... but I was hoping for a slight loss pushing me nearer the Jimmy Choos.
7. Running is a flexible method of training
Agreed
8. Running increases your overall sense of well-being. Fitness, self-esteem and confidence all increase with exercise
Clearly I'm doing something wrong as I don't feel fitter and I'm definitely not confident enough to be seen running by people who know me.
9. Running is for families and individuals of all ages
Absolutely!
10. Running is a great social activity
Well I guess it is since our entire social life revolves around running, runners and races. I can count on 1 hand the number of close friends we have not involved in running.
I know there are many good reasons for running. I just haven't found the one that really makes me think 'Wow this is why I want to keep doing this.'
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