This Head Can Run

Tuesday 22nd December        Back up to 8km which is great- that is a total of 20k since finishing school and starting my target on Sunday. I started with a 2 1/2 km dog walk and then headed off across rabbit Ings as Steve took Poppy home- it would be brill to have a dog to run with! I love the feeling of setting off for a run. I’m not sat at home like in the past- unfit and unhealthy. I suspect at 44 I would have been heading easily into middle aged spread had I not discovered 5 2 and C25K. Sometimes I have to admit to thinking, wouldn’t it be great not to care about putting weight on but I think having been a bit dumpy when younger, and spending my whole time feeling rubbish about it, I would always be worrying about being over weight and not feeling good enough. Weirdly I don’t judge anyone else for their size yet worry about it for me! I know running and being a bit slimmer makes me feel more confident about what I can achieve which makes me more confident in my job etc. 

Anyway, back to my run… 

It was still hard work but have to admit it was easier again. I didn’t actually feel that I was going to die today which is a plus! It does make me think though- I was doing this distance last year and although I have made it up to 17km in the summer hols it still feels like hard work doing 8s and 10ks! Why is that I wonder? Surely it should be much easier now doing the shorted runs! I suspect my pace is a little faster but not massively so. Never mind I’m still out there and still enjoying it, especially once I get home!

As I said, it did seem to get easier again today and I was definitely striding a long properly by 4km. There were a few hills in my run today and the wind was often against me.

I love that feeling of arriving home with a run completed, getting a shower and feeling like you have achieved something (including earning your precious Bounts points!!) 

So thats run 3 completed and 20km out of my 35km for week 1. I can either do another 3 runs at 5km each, 1 10km and a 5km or do a long 15km run!! Not much chance of that!
Wednesday 23rd December 

Wednesday 23rd December was supposed to be a rest day. It hasn’t worked out that way though having just got back from a 5k run and clocking up about 7kms in two dog walks. I feel much happier after getting a run done and at the minute I definitely seem to be enjoying finishing the run more than actually doing the run itself which is not like me!

The weather has definitely changed and today was the first time I felt proper cold and didn’t even think about taking my jacket off after getting started. Winter is here. I even had my running hat on for the first time this year.

I’ve just had fun looking at Garmin Connect statistics for the year. I have definitely done less in November and December than in other months in the year. I was pleased to see my average pace is quicker towards the end of the year than when I first started, which is encouraging…. I thought I was slower! It is amazing to see the number of KMs run, calories burned and steps taken during the year…. Soooo different to what I was like before taking up running 18 months ago… I am a truly transformed couch potato!

So rest day coming up tomorrow and I have certainly earned a few foody treats over the next few days!

Saturday 26th December

I didn’t run Christmas Eve or Christmas Day but I did do my exercise bike on both days. I’ve upped it to an hour cycling which seems much easier than it would have done in the past. But today I ran. It was great to be out there and to do a 10k. My first since Percy Pud and I felt I’d achieved something. It wasn’t fast at 1 hour 7 mins but it was 10k and that’s what matters! I reached my 35km target for week 1 of the holidays too so on track for 70 in total. I won’t reach 1000km for the year but I will break through the 900! (Currently 890) That leaves me a clear target/goal for next year. 

I took my Apple Watch out on its first run and it was very similar to my Garmin. It recorded my run in 1 hour 8…. It’s recording my steps etc and is making me be more active as I want to get that 30 mins of exercise in each day too. 

So only a few days to New year and setting my new year running resolutions… I will definitely aim for 1000km as an annual total and will pledge to run the Sheffield 10k and Percy Pud again. BUT I also think my resolution may involve a half marathon! Not sure which one yet but will definitely be aiming to do it. 17km is my longest run ever so I’m sure I’ve got it in me! 

I even finished the day with a 45 minute exercise bike session. I really do want to shift these few extra pounds I’m carrying and running is the way to do it. 

Week 1 went brilliantly for distance but have done a bit less this week. I completed two solid 5ks on Monday and Wednesday and was pleased with my efforts overall with an average pace of 6:16 on the Monday and 6:30 on the Wednesday. Nothing spectacular but at least I was getting out there. 

By New Years Day I wanted to do something that said, ‘I’m still here, still running and can achieve even more in 2016’, so I pushed to 8km and ran up those hills to the top of Grimey Muck Stack. With an average pace of 6:34 it wasn’t my quickest run but I felt fantastic getting to the top of those hills. As I reached the top of the second quarter one I realised I had done that easier than I used to do…. I am stronger and can run better and I can run up HILLS!!

   

 I’ve also upped my Exercise Bike sessions to an hour or 20k and I realise I am much stronger now doing that length of time. So what will 2016 bring for me running wise….. What are my goals?

My running goals are 
1. Cover 1000km during the year

2. To run the Sheffield 10k, Percy Pud 10k and one other 10 during the year with one of them being a sub 60! 

3. To train for a half marathon, hopefully getting a place in the GNR but finding another if not (not Sheffield though- too hard!) 

4. To enjoy running as well as maintaining a healthy weight throughout 2016! 

5. Regular cross training using my exercise bike during the week, particularly until the light nights make a mid week run possible. 

And a bonus one…. To try and run up more hills and be less wimpy! 

So here’s to 2016 a year to succeed: in running, in life and in work.

  

On Sunday December 20th I finally got myself back out there after Percy Pud. I completed Percy Pud 10k in 1:01:26 which to be fair I was pretty pleased with. 

2028 was my number…. Another number to remember on a day to remember! 

 It certainly wasn’t an easy race. When we arrived it was raining really hard and was cold, a real winters day! I sat in the car watching everyone get wet, waiting for my friends to arrive…. 

 But we were thrilled when the rain stopped at the start line! There I was with fantastic colleagues, wearing my Christmas Pudding hat! The weather had been kind to us ( and believe it or not it began raining again straight after!) 

It was time to set off. Running my own race is easy as everyone else is soooo much faster than me, clocking up times of between 42 and 50 minutes! How I would love to get a time like that! Awesome stuff!  

 Anyway, the race got underway, it was very busy at the start and hard to get a steady pace but eventually got into my stride. No km was easy and at times I did feel a bit breathless. Being out wasn’t bad as it felt mostly down hill and some of the scenery was lovely around the dam. Seeing Steve go past on the other side was a great moment and weirdly motivational…. Great fun spotting my colleagues heading back. It just shows the competition within a race is only ever with yourself! 
I had to take the odd walk break and with hindsight that was probably due to coming down with a bug ( by the Sunday evening began to get a headache and then a bad chest and heavy cold) 

After crossing back across the dam on the way back we began to face the long climb back up to the start. I managed it with only one walk break but it was at about 8km when that 60minute pacer passed by me…. ‘Stop, slow down!’ I shouted but he just ignored me and laughed!  

Anyway, I finally reached that last 200 metres and was feeling tired when at the side I was shouted on by Gordon, my Facebook friend and then Steve and Amanda on the other side! Hearing my good friend Amanda shout me on made me sprint (well sprint for me) to the finish line! It made me feel sick by the end but was thrilled to have another race under my belt! I collected my pudding (accidentally pushing in big style!) and then chatted to colleagues/friends before chatting to Gordon who’d come to cheer us on. We walked to our cars together which was a great end the morning. I loved it and will definitely do it all again next year! I will enjoy every moment of eating my Christmas Pudding on Christmas Day- I earned every spoonful! 

  
So that brings me to the holidays! It was the end of term and I hadn’t run for two weeks, since Percy Pud. I had fought off a bug of some kind during the two weeks and wasn’t up to running. Even if I had been fit enough the gale force winds the following weekend would have stopped me! Heading to Ste’s mum’s on Saturday meant no run but I did do two lots of 10k on my exercise bike. Then finally Sunday came along and off I went. Ste dropped me at Rabbit Ings which meant 7k home! I set off and from the start it was tough, I had my Christmas music on and pushed through the tough points. My breathing was still a bit tough but I knew giving up wasn’t an option for me. Arriving home I was truly exhausted but happy . I was back, yes a bit weaker but back all the same! It wasn’t fast coming in at 47:26 and a pace of 6:44min/km but it was 7km ticked off and I was back! 

I set myself a target of 70km during the two week break so 63km to go after that first run. I have also put on a few pounds (about 5) so I want to get rid of some of them during the Christmas break. 

Completed another 5km today, heading home from the dog groomers…. I increased my pace to 6:08 for 5km and completed in 30:58 so was pleased but again it was genuinely hard work! I must get my fitness level back if I am to ever complete a sub 60 race! 

So 12km complete and 58 to go! Going to enjoy checking them off, particularly with my secret weapon which I will unwrap on Christmas morning! 

So happy holidays and happy holiday running to all! 

  
WHO NEEDS A MEDAL!

This quote certainly feels appropriate for my last couple of days, they have taken a great deal of effort!

  
Oh and finally ….. Shhhhh….I am secretly in training for the Great North Run, just in case I get a place! 

Next year my aim will be to run the Sheffield 10k and the Percy Pud again along with a half marathon and at least one other 10k.

A short post about how I am stepping things up a bit, upping my game; ramping up the challenge…, whatever you want to call it. In running and leadership! 

I am doing it in my running…

My new goal or re-energised goal is a sub 60 time for Percy Pud. My strategy was to make sub30 5k my new norm…. Just what is expected and then build on from there, adding a km of my 10ks at race pace each week, so 6 at below 6 mins followed by 4 normal pace, then 7 and 3 etc. Last week went better than expected and then this week I actually did it! I completed a 10k in 59:40 which was fantastic. I did my sub 30 5k and then just kept going…. By the time I hit 8k I realised I had another two kms at race pace left in me so I went for it. I shocked myself. I underestimated what I could achieve and by when. It was all in my head. My legs fine, breathing managing so just had to tell myself to keep going.

What I realised was that I wasn’t pushing myself enough… I needed to work harder and puffing and sweating a bit more doesn’t mean I’m rubbish it means I’m determined and committed.

I followed up yesterday with another sub 30 5k today…. Making the pace my norm! 

  

A milestone achieved…. Another first as a result of determination and effort…. An upping of my game to step out of my comfort zone. 

Well I need to do that in my leadership too. 

After setting my performance management targets with Governors last week I realised that to make that good and then outstanding a reality I had to pay more attention to the little things. Push me out of my comfort zone. Find the bit I’m missing. My focus needs to be on making excellence the norm! 

I have done a great deal of reflection and held up the mirror to take a good honest look at where we are. Confronting the true reality tells me after great gains we just now need to push on to get the next level of impact. 

                                     
Focussing on behaviour first. We have so much in place which is great but impeccable rather than good behaviour is tough… What it requires now, alongside all the developmental work, is a greater presence by SLT everywhere at breaks and lunches, in corridors, working in shared areas. There is a well known local/regional chain near here whose leaders must be out of their offices for most of the day and that really resonated when I heard it being discussed. It’s been great doing teacher meetings to evaluate teaching and learning and meeting everyone for half a day each has been an amazing investment but me and my team now need to be out there more…. More accessible: having a greater presence. 

It’s the taking care of the little things and leaving no stone left unturned that will push us on even further, that will make excellence the norm. I must take my team with me on this.

I am being more rigorous in how I hold people to account, including myself and need to ensure all my leaders are both supported and challenged through opportunities to talk and discuss actions and impact. 

Being in my helicopter is key for a while, leading through others and being out there seeing how things are going more often will make the difference.

So, I am creating a new normal…. Capturing the milestones and magic moments as we go. 

Impeccable behaviour is my next goal for school. A focus for senior leaders on the majority of children and the common place, whilst allowing the pastoral team to focus on the additional needs. 

So new habits to create the new norm starts tomorrow! 

As we journey on towards becoming an outstanding school Friday brought a couple of magic moments to capture. 

 

What do you see above? A corridor? A new corridor? A very boring looking corridor.

This may be exactly what it is but is it far far more than that to me and my school. It is a metaphor for change and unity! 

When I arrived at my school the first thing I knew I must sort out was this link. My school is quite a new build and we are very lucky with our building. However, despite only being about seven years old it was build in two parts a couple of years apart as it was built as a one form entry which was too small to accommodate the needs of the community.

The two parts of the building were not joined together! We had a covered linked which we all had to fob in and out of and a time delay on release buttons. A nightmare and made it feel like two schools. Was this just a building issue…. No! There was a bit of a divide between the two buildings, less cross over between staff and for some, never the twain shall meet. 

So first opportunity this summer holiday we got a brand new corridor and library built. I was thrilled and it was everything I wanted. It was finished this week and yesterday I experienced a very magical moment. 

A lovely member of staff came up to me and said ‘Mo, I must tell you this but yesterday I stood in the corridor and looked down to the other side and thought, wow, she has made us one school!’ This comment wasn’t about the building this was meant symbolically about us as a staff…. About me and my leadership. She understands the vision, understands my vision! The corridor is symbolic of US as a unified staff on our journey to outstanding…. Us becoming more united! 

This comment made me reflect massively on where we are and was very welcome after a few difficult points this week. We are making great progress and really beginning to make that aim of outstanding feel possible.

Capturing the moments....

My other magic moment was in KS2 assembly on Friday. The children entered showing impeccable behaviour. They sat throughout brilliantly and showed genuine pride in their friends receiving gold awards. The gold awards themselves were all focused on learning behaviours, using the language of BLP (Building Learningg Power). We could have been stood in an outstanding school at that point. So I shared that with everyone. I told the children how often I talk about being an outstanding school and that today we could have been stood in one. We have to as leaders share when something is great, not just to celebrate but to help everyone around us feel it. For me true Outstandingness is a feeling that you get …. A magic moment to capture! That one is captured in my mind’s eye and will carry me forward, seeking out more of those moments. 

 
 

Leadership is about people and relationships, it’s about a journey but ensuring everyone comes along with you on that journey. It’s about moving links towards true partnership. We no longer have a covered link or cross over, we don’t even have a link corridor ….. We have one school! 

In education we have many 1sts that are very memorable… Our first class, our first headship, our first school play…. Our first gift from a child, so many memories.Today I had a 1st for me as a runner and I will never ever forget today! I ran my first race, got a personal best for a 10k, got my first finishers T-Shirt and got my very first medal! This was the most amazing feeling of achievement I have ever had. Genuinely. I will treasure that medal! 

  
So, how did the day pan out. After an early get up, feeling pretty excited we headed off at 8am. 

  
Steve (hubby) was my chauffeur for the day which was nice. He dropped me off in Sheffield at I met up with Ste (coach)! We were both the first there as just very keen, or sad which ever way you look at things! After dropping off my bag and seeing more of the team I made the mistake of using he town hall toilet! At least it was warm in there but it meant I was nearly late!! 

Looking back on the day I feel quite emotional about it all.

I missed that sub 60 as got 1:01:24 but do you know what it doesn’t matter! I did the best I could on the day. 8 out of 10 of the kms were on pace but just slipped on km 7 and km 10. It was a bit hill up to the finish and it slowed me down but I know where I can lose 10secs per km and get that sub 60. 

The feeling at the start line was brilliant. I suddenly realised I wasn’t nervous…. I was just buzzing!! I was quite surprised how quickly the field thinned out and I got into a good pace. 

  
The adrenalin genuinely does push you on and seeing the spectators was a bonus. I was able to run my own race and concentrate on running. 

Seeing my colleagues on the other side as they were on the way back was brilliant. Waving and shouting them on. The pride I felt seeing them surge ahead with fast times was amazing. Mr Speedy of course was the first I spotted! A true joint effort. Karen’s time of 49mins just left me bursting with pride and admiration. My amazing friend Amanda was half way with her children and stopping to give her a quick hug really spurred me on. It was a proper race, against the clock but still a proper race. 

The half way point was a good feeling as I could easily evaluate what energy I had left and knew at that point I was on track. A sub 30 in the bag. 

I just let my pace slow a little at km 7 and that was the first point I began to wonder if I could maintain the pace. A definite dip but I did pick the pace up again. After a little banter with another runner at about km 9 we tried to motivate each other up that big hill at the end which helped! I did stop once but knew I had to keep going and then hearing Ste, Steph and Becky my work colleagues shout me on with that wonderful siren of theirs, pushed me on to that finish line! What an amazing feeling getting that medal!! My first ever medal, my first ever race and my biggest running achievement so far! Not a sub 60 but a PB! 

  
The day finished with some fun in the peace gardens, meeting some C25kers and a drink in a pub with wonderful people! It doesn’t get better!!   

  

  
  
I have to say two people made my day! Amanda and Ste Smith! Ste has really pushed me on and put up with me talking about running …. My true running guru! And I just love Amanda to bits so seeing her was brilliant. What an amazing experience, a day filled with emotion and an amazing first to remember!! 

Up there with those special school memories without doubt! 

Percy Pud here we come! 

 Tried to reflect the start of the year on 100 word challenge but couldn’t get the word count down! Sorry Julia! 

Here it is!

The alarm went off at 6am… I remember this day one year ago, venturing into the unknown. A new job, new opportunities, new challenges, new people. Leaving somewhere you love and is part of you (part of your heart and soul), somewhere you learned more than at any other point in your career is scary. Have you made the right choice, can’t you just head in as normal BUT no that alarm marked a new start, I had to do it…. Had to draw my strength from deep inside and put that smile on my face, a self assured confident smile because that’s what staff need from their leaders, particularly their new leaders. Someone they can trust in and believe in. That’s what schools need, strong, determined and loyal leaders. 

BUT one year later when that alarm sounds I’ll jump up to my familiar breakfast, do my familiar trip, to my very familiar school which has pride of place, together with two other very special schools, in my heart and soul, because that’s what schools do…. Become part of who you are. 

So…. The holiday seems a distant memory but that’s not such a bad thing really. I was ready to get back to doing what I love. It’s been a whirlwind start to the term befall, despite being ready (or thinking I was anyway!) so much learning already about our journey to outstanding.

Today’s theme: Complexity

To be outstanding is a complex situation. So much needs our attention and it needs attention to detail. To be outstanding every aspect of school life must be outstanding from dining, to outstanding lessons, outstanding leadership, to outstanding parent partnership. 

Our key developments with this in mind are developing outstanding:

1. Learning behaviours

2. Parent partnership

3. A mastery curriculum for Maths, supporting our fast graspers

4. Supporting children with additional needs- developing our use of additional adults, ensuring very effective deployment as well as developing a high level of skill.

5. Middle and senior leadership. This is key. Outstandingness is too complex to rely on one or two good people. We need fabulous leaders at all levels 

And of course….

6. Development of a consistently outstanding learning environment and of course ensuring fabulous practice in the classroom. 

This all takes planning and focus. It takes commitment, passion and hard work.

  

This is where there are clear links to running as you begin to go further or want to go faster. It means learning from the ups and downs, analysing what works and what can go wrong. Analysing the small steps required to make the tweaks which will have the greatest impact to performance over time.
In all of this the most important thing is the people. Whether that’s, teachers, office staff, premises staff or runners…. To be outstanding we have to take care of the people. We have to be encourages, nurturers and challengers. To push everyone on within a supportive environment. To micro manage the system so we can nurture and grow the people within in. 

Our new development, our on track reviews, have been brilliant so far.  We  discuss teachers view of their teaching and learning.  Empowering staff to lead the process. 

So what’s so different? 

This is a new, holistic approach to pupil progress and Performance management. It’s an investment in teachers. The sessions last half a day and have three elements…. Supporting teachers to be on track to be good and outstanding, supporting the children to be on track (day and strategies) and supporting the school to be on track (what’s the wider contribution).We have had fabulous professional discussions and have set incremental developments together. The aim is to support all to develop and become an even better teacher over time. There is a real sense of in it together, sharing practice to develop expertise and deciding on support needs. The professional generosity has been fabulous.  I completed them with my teaching and learning coach and that has really pushed me to work in a coaching way…. Supportive but challenging professional discussions, so we can identify great practice to share and recognise when support is needed. The power of listening to a great teacher, who understands learning is second to none! I’ve learned from working with our coach and learned from the teachers ideas. Leaders who are willing to learn are key to being outstanding. Runners who listen to advice and ideas from others, make the biggest improvements.

In all of our work to be outstanding the most important thing will be the people. Whether that’s, teachers, office staff, premises staff or runners…. Or the children themselves. To be outstanding we have to take care of the people. We as leaders must inspire and motivate. We have to be encourages, nurturers and challengers. To push everyone on within a supportive environment. To micro manage the system so we can nurture and grow the people within in. My belief that people can achieve at their best when fully supported will guide all of my works is year. My belief from my running that I can achieve anything I set my mind too will push me on. People have to feel valued and have manageable work loads to perform at their best. When people are at their best the children benefit most! 

Over the last two weeks I’ve had two of my best runs, achieving a 5k personal best and also a 10k personal best. I’ve covered about 40-41 kms over the last two weekends. 

And yet I have also had my worst runs ever. 

On Friday I ran with colleagues, aiming to do a 10k but after doing the first 3kms really fast I ended up walking and running the rest of the way! The week before I found a 5k run tough. It taught me a huge lesson and I deployed every bit of determination and resilience I had to get out yesterday and ran 10k without stopping in my fastest time. I and something to prove to myself. 
I now know running at the end of a day at work is not my best time, talking to others when running doesn’t help my breathing and starting really fast means I will find it a hugely challenging run without the ability to pick up the pace again! I think deciding it’s okay to stop every ow and again hasn’t helped my mindset. Stopping is cheating! I’ve always thought that (not for others – just for me!) Stick with what I know ready for the race day. Everyone I do until then, no matter what distance will involve no stopping! 

Sometimes things go off target in running and in school, but it is okay to fail and make mistakes, as long as we learn from those mistakes and make the necessary changes. Regroup, move on and show yourself you haven’t failed, just had a quick glitch along the way! A quick hill to conquer that second time! 

I have my new goal! Next year I will run the Great North Run! I will run it for me and my mum! 

  

I’ve decided to make my final holiday post mostly an overview of the whole six weeks at her than describe some uneventful running from this week. 
I will however share three highlights from Week 6!
1. On my run on Wednesday I came across a chap out for a run too. We crossed paths going in opposite directions. I gave a cheery ‘Good Morning’ and got nothing back…. Not a hello or even a smile! Hey ho, each to their own. However, not long afterwards, we both ended up reaching the same point where the main road and a side road joined. (it was obviously a short loop that took us to the same point!) He was just ahead of me and hadn’t spotted me coming out from the path at the side behind him. He came to a stop and began walking, so without changing my pace, I ran on and overtook him on the road before joining the pavement again! No cheery hello this time from me!! He clearly didn’t like this so a minute or two later he came running past, obviously picking up his pace. But by this point we were heading to quite a steep incline. He had crossed over and once again came to a stop (well walking), once again I overtook him, at least on the other side of the road his time! Once again he was not impressed. After twice doing this, with me just maintaining my pace, he must have have decided enough was enough and he sprinted up the last little bit obviously quite p….ed off! I ran up that hill without stopping at all and was close behind him even after that sprint! I felt accomplished. At that point he came to a total stop before disappearing off somewhere!! I am normally just so happy to see people out running whether fast or slow but I have to admit to taking great pleasure in all this because he had been quite unfriendly when I spoke to him! That’ll each him to ignore me!

2. I conquered the most awesome hill ever for me on Sunday 23rd and I could have avoided it! It was nearly 1km and was my quickest split of the run at 6:07min/k. I couldn’t believe it! And yes I was going up!  

 

3. Finishing the 6weeks with a sub 30 5km just for good measure made me feel great! 

My daft moment of the week was when I got outside, glanced down as my trainers felt a bit loose on my right foot and realised that I’d put my ankle support on the wrong bleeding foot! Think that suggests my ankle is feeling much better!!
Love this quote from Barry Ward o. c25kers group! 
‘Coming first beats coming last. Coming last beats “Did not finish” . “Did not finish” beats “Did not start!’ 

We can all run and enjoy running. The only competition is against over selves and this will set me up well for my Sheffield 10k in four weeks! My first race and hopefully my first medal 😀👍🏼

So, a summary of my Summer of running! 

The numbers! 

• During the last six weeks I have run 163km (will slot in another 5k before going back to work Tuesday)
• I have run those 163km in my new Saucony Guide 8 running shoes and solved an ankle niggle! 
• I had set a summer target of 120km so smashed that by 43k!
• I have now run 83% of my Annual Target….624kms.
• I have 126kms left of my annual target of 750 before December 23rd! 
• 22 runs in total
• 12 5km runs (Best time 28:52mins)
• A 6k, two 7k and one 8k run
• 3 10k runs (best time 1:05:40mins)
• And then 3 runs beyond 10k….a 12, a 15 and my longest ever 17k! 
• So I did reach that half marathon distance but I genuinely don’t feel like I’ve failed! 
• Greatest elevation gain: 129metres
• I have burned 9515 cals from those runs! 

  

I have run…
7 Loops, 8 point to points and. 7 out and ins. Which do I prefer? I think Point to Point, they feel really purposeful.

My best achievements are: 

1. Running 17km and running 3 sub 30 5kms without feeling like I was going to die!! 

2. My best average pace was 5:44min/km

What I have learned about running and me?

1. Never underestimate what you can achieve when you really want something! You can do anything you set your mind too. I am much stronger and more resilient/determined than I ever realised.  

 

2. I love summer running. I love the feel of the warm sun on my skin and I love just being able to put on a pair of Capris and a running top and get out there. I have a bit of colour for the first time ever…. a lovely healthy glow! 

3. Once you have decided you are going to keep running and definitely once you are running that bit further, have your gait analysis done and invest in the most expensive suitable shoes that you can afford! It has really made a difference to me and my running! 

4. Begin to use your arms more, not only do you run better, it tones your arms!

5. Running is definitely my solution to maintaining my ideal weight and getting a flatter stomach and smaller hips (which I have never ever achieved).

6. If you are ever lacking enthusiasm or feel getting out later might be a mental challenge, deploy strategies to fool your brain…. Put your sports bra on when you first get dressed even if you are heading somewhere else first (and toe protectors if you wear them!) and try to get your other half or a friend to drop you off a certain distance away and do a point to point! No alternative but to run home! 

7.  That I love listening to music! My favourite summer of 2015 running music is Kelly Clarkson. 

8. Running makes you feel awesome, gives you YOU time and part of a huge, happy and supportive running family. (It also gives you a perfect excuse to go shopping and buy new running gear!) 

  
As well as running this holiday I have done lots of preparation and thinking for the next chapter of our journey to outstanding at school and my next post will share this. 

My biggest learning is linked to that journey at school, and the realisation of how complex that journey is and just what is involved. Excellence in all areas. I suspect to be an elite runner or a marathon runner it’s the same…. Much more focus on fuelling and technique and rigorous training!  

 

Going the distance! 

This weeks runs: 

Saturday 15th August 15km 1:38:23 6:33min/km 1014cal Monday 17th August 7km 44:24 6:18min/km 474cal 
Wednesday 19th August 5 km 29:43.9 5:54min/km 301cals

Friday 21st August 7.52km 47:52 6:22min/km 508 cal 

In detail: Saturday August 15th: an out and in to Rabbit Ings and back! 

Chuffed to have got some distance back completing a 15km run! 

I decided to do at least 12km today and that I would see how it went. Can’t believe I forgot my ankle strap for a long one but my ankle was fine in the end which was a relief. I had a quick breather at 2.5km and at 6km but after that I felt great and enjoyed striding out. I made myself not stop and got into my music and the rhythm of my feet! I saw a few runners and cyclists and even gave a few of them a wave. 

I only took water with me and that seemed fine. I’m not sure eating or using gels would suit me and I figure if I don’t feel I need to refuel at the minute, I’ll manage without for now. I still love the simplicity of running and that is what worries me about long distances…. Taking gels or snacks etc feels like hard work and that that might take the fun out of it for me. But I’m keeping up with what others are trying out so that I know what might work etc. 

I was surprised at the average pace considering the distance and I managed to keep all my splits closer to the 6:30 mark with only one slipping to 7mins- that was a very hilly part. 

It was a beautiful sunny day and that led me to ask on the Beyond C25k group whether people prefer summer or winter running and was surprised that so many prefer the cooler weather. I can understand in lots of ways I suppose. The heat can make it harder but I love the ease of less clothes and love the feel of the sun on me as I run. It makes me feel like I could run forever. 

So, so far so good…. The week started well.

  
Monday 17th was a Point to point…. I needed 7km to complete my summer hols target and hubby volunteered to drop me off after our dog walk at the car park at Rabbit Ings so I went prepared. The run was straight forward enough and knowing I was running towards that 120 mark pushed me on doing that 7km in 44:24 mins with an average pace of 6:18min/km.

Reflecting on my three holiday targets at the end of Monday I know I probably won’t reach that marathon distance by the end of the holidays, (well very unlikely!) but maybe I’ll get one more long one in, doing a 17km next week. Never say never! 
Have missed two days when trying for ADR but I don’t really count that as a total fail as it pushed me to do mostly ADR with 17 runs so far and a likely total of 22 runs during the hols. 

But I have met my distance target easily: 120km complete at the beginning of week 5!

The 15km took me to 113km and then I followed that up with a good 7km on Monday to reach it! So anything after Monday August 17th is now a bonus!! 

Pleased with that. Weirdly despite the fact that I will probably miss two of the three targets I don’t think I will feel like a failure. I think the targets have pushed me on to achieve more than I thought was possible. 

Running has definitely been the theme of this holiday: my first full summer as a proper runner! And I have absolutely loved it!! The picture below sums it up really! 
 
Wednesday August 19th: Beyond target! 
Wasn’t feeling the love to run today. A bit tired and hungry with fast day and by 12 o’clock had done two walks with Ste and Poppy BUT deployed my new strategy of getting Steve to drop me off 5km away with enough left at the end for a quick cool down walk. It definitely helps motivation for me as I have said… No choice cos got to get home!! Making sure I run every other day is getting a little challenging BUT I just tell myself in less than two weeks I won’t be able to so it gets me out. That was all I needed and then really enjoyed the run. Getting another sub 30 when not feeling the love was fab. It was either flat or down hill but still happy with my pace and the fact that I did three of the Kms below 6mins and only one of them above 6minutes. It was lovely and sunny again and enjoyed the feeling of coming back knowing I’ve had a good workout. Lovely shower and feeling fresh again.
I am a bit of a ‘runner by numbers’ and could sometimes be accused of being a bit obsessive about them! I genuinely just think in terms of 5k or 10k runs (longer distances fine as I add on a km to up my distance) I also try very hard to do the full kms so like many find myself running down a side road or past my front door just to round it off. So on Friday August 21st I decided I would do a loop run from my house through to Shafton and Brierley and down a rather large hill to Grimethorpe. I knew it would get me 10km unless I added bits on but decided ‘I would not care!’ I repeat ‘I would not care!’ SO my aim was to run door to nearly door (minus a cool down walk) in a loop and not round up! Just accept what my Garmin said! 
Now this would be challenge! 

Pleased to say I stuck to my plan and didn’t over worry about exact distance. Did the loop I planned with that shirt walk at the end and the running came to 7.52 Km! 7:52! Notice the .52! And I didn’t go into melt down! Lol! Very pleased with myself. My average pace was 6:22min/km and there was a lot uphill so was pleased with my splits overall. A long climb up with a lovely steep down hill section at about 5-6. 

Despite feeling good I have to report/admit/confess that this was my hardest run in a while. It was a tough hard run which is unusual…. Probably with running lots this holiday but it felt like I’d had a good workout! I had to make myself not give up today! Didn’t take a drink as was cloudy when left but sun quickly came back out so was hot. I silly move really but lesson learned!

Oh and ONE MORE THING…… Had a good breeze pushing me back up the downhill bit but weirdly no wind pushing me up the up hill bit!! Now that’s just not fair! 

Oh and one FINAL FINAL THING…. I had matching nails to my outfit today! Deliberate? Lol! Defo not! Glad I got out there. 6kms left to do to reach that second target of 80% of annual target complete with 150 left for Sept to December.

  

Tired but pleased! 

I’ve covered my second best cumulative distance this week with 34.5km. I’ve done an Out and In, two point to points and a loop. Variety is good! 
My holiday total is 132.5km! 

My runners tip: 
Try to keep the numbers under control sometimes! The numbers of running are my best friend and really motivate me but it was quite empowering to put the route first before the numbers. I knew where I would run from and to, and it didn’t matter whether that was a round 5 or 10km, it would just be a nice trip out. 

And keep on running! 😀

  

Since I last blogged I have completed 7 more runs and covered 30kms. My longest has been a 10. I am ready to get my distance back after looking after my ankle. I am really pleased to have tested myself out again and am definitely ready for a longer run.

My Runs…
1. Saturday 1st August 5k 31:55 6:19min/km 299 cal
2. Monday 3rd August 5k 31:25 6:15min/km 301cal
3. Wednesday 5th August 10k 1:06.11 6:36min/km 611 cal
4. Friday 7th August 5k 31:52 6:20min/k. 299 cal 
5. Saturday 8th August 5k 32:07 6:21min/km 343 cal according to Strava- don’t know why! 
6. Monday 10th August 5k 30:06 6:00min/km 303 cal FASTEST MILE 8:36min

7. Wednesday 12th August 5k 28:52 5.44min/km 298 cal 

I have been pleased overall with my times last couple of weeks and I began to realise that actually those 32 minute runs were feeling easier and that I could with just a little more effort begin to get the times down a little. 

Some of the runs have been fairly innocuous runs so I won’t bore you with those. I have done a mix of loop, out and in and also point to point, which I have to say I have enjoyed. 

I’ll start with my 10k on Wednesday 5th

I was happy with that. 10km in 1 hour 6 minutes 11 secs. It was a new circular route with a lot of uphill to start with but a lovely downhill home straight!! I discovered new places. This run was not easy and started very definitely not easy!! I could easily have decided at 1.5k that 10km wasn’t a good idea (legs felt heavy and it is a fast day) but I plodded on and dug deep for some extra determination. Settled into it at 4km and began to push on feeling more like a runner! The new route helped because not only did it feel like a new challenge there were new things to see and nose at, and also new distances to check etc. Would the run be long enough to get me to 10km? Would I need to add the odd diversion in? etc At about 7km I started the downhill stretch home. It is a really steep road down but as I went down that hill a chap was doing hill reps coming up and down! and it is actually really really steep! Total mad man! That made me more determined to finish my last 3kms quite strong and to enjoy them. Still glad I was going down it though! 
So by the end I was feeling a bit shattered but chuffed with myself. I had employed my ‘inner bitch’ and had come through the tough bit…. I had conquered a new route and been adventurous. I got through tough moments, telling myself, don’t you dare give up! Don’t be a wimp! How can you possibly do the 10k in September if you give up a couple of Kms in! Resilience had to be my middle name today. Despite it being a tougher run I still enjoyed it and was really pleased I got out there. No major adventures along the way like Vicky Burr always has but a decent solid run! I’d probably not cope with adventure like Vicky does anyway!! 
Ankle still good 👍🏼
Loved my run on Friday 7th. Beautiful weather and went up on the nature reserve. I strangely felt closer to the sun up there! Weird! But I think it’s because it is so open up on the top. I felt very strong and in control of my running today. My breathing was good and on the way down I was able to really speed up and managed 5:45min and 5:47 min Kms even when finishing on the flat. Again I chose to put in the extra loop with my killer hill and really felt like I powered up it. It was definitely a mental thing it being a good run. After leaving the house I felt really up for it and I think going off road always livens me up. 
Saturday 8th run: starting week 4 on track for my target! 

Really feeling the joy of running at the moment. It was beautiful and hot up in the tops again and I felt confident in my stride and confident on the hills. Olly Murs is very uplifting on a sunny day. I enjoyed the feeling of pushing myself a bit and loving that I am getting a good, natural colour… You’d even call it a tan! I am always so pale so definitely feeling healthier. I loved greeting people along the way and felt like a proper runner out there. 

5ks are a brilliant distance and although I know it’s the longer runs that probably make a difference to my health and weight etc I think the alternate day runs, with this one being the day after another one is building my stamina. It’s amazing that the shoes and the ankle support along with more ankle exercises seem to have cured by ankle niggles. Fingers crossed it stays that way. I just love my 5ks! 
Monday 10th: Running with Kelly Clarkson! 
Trying to push myself a bit and today I realised I felt stronger doing it. Normally I don’t enjoy upping the pace too much! I am getting to be a bit of a ‘lazy runner’! By that I mean sticking to one pace rather than pushing myself a bit more. Yes I’m covering a lot of Kms but just didn’t want to go out of my comfort zone in terms of pace. I want to enjoy my running and not be gasping for breath! I always say I’m not fast or slow! Well perhaps I need to be less ‘not fast or slow’! Total gobbledygook I know but makes sense to me!! 

I ran for someone special to me today and I ran for me, freedom! A very special lady lost her son at 50 and I attended his funeral this morning. They are a very special and close family. She once said to me I was like a daughter to her and I realised today how privileged I was that she thought that way and what a privilege it must be to have her as a mum. She has so much strength and courage for her family. I thought of her as I ran today and that empowered me. I shed a tear for her sadness and because I know during this year I have let her down. But I powered on. Today taught me that life is for living and is so very precious: Try not to regret things you don’t do and learn from, rather than regret,  things you might not have done well! I ran for me too. It helped me reflect on something in my past I never think about or talk about. My mum was an incredible lady who did so much for us and I loved her but perhaps in one important way didn’t fight to make things right for us. I thought of this as I ran. I can’t change the past and I love my mum for everything she did and I wouldn’t have swapped her for anything. But I had a sense of moving on from it today by reflecting as a result of the sense of freedom running gives. A time to think, a time to repair and a chance to feel empowered.  

 Running is a healer. Totally. It led to a great time at 30:06 and I was left feeling good! 

The most important and revealing run for me this week was Wednesday. I realised after Monday’s run that I was growing as a runner. I hadn’t had to physically exert myself as much to get a better time. I had a sense that I was stronger and fitter. It was a real moment in time for me. Was it a one off? 

Wednesday proved it wasn’t! I did 5k in 28:52 with an average pace of 5:44!! It kind of crept up on me. I ran strong and felt my stride and cadence was more flowing and confident. I felt ‘LIKE A RUNNER’! No  stopping me! There was no way I wasn’t going to get a sub 30 today!! 

My song of the week: Kelly Clarkson- invincible! 

My body shape and toning is really changing now too. 

Mo’s Top Tips to push you on for this week: 

1. Don’t underestimate the importance of proper shoes and gait analysis. I put my recent growth down to my new shoes! 

2. Exercises: keep them simple but commit to them. My ankle exercises are simple but have definitely worked in strengthening my ankle. Try an ankle support if needed. 

3. Change the route: try a point to point. Loved those runs where Steve has dropped me off and I’ve run home but also loved new loops.Being dropped off just ups the purpose…. Just gotta run the distance, no option as you have to get home!! 

4. Invest in hills! Can’t believe I just wrote that. It has definitely built my strength up. And when coming down don’t forget Vicky Burr’s aeroplane arms, or are they helicopters! 

5. Enjoy the freedom and the time to think.

6. Invest in new music! 

I didn’t manage alternate day runs this week as went out for a lovely lunch with two amazing buddies instead… BUT….

TOMORROW I RUN LONG…. 

Oh and I have a new name! My sons lovely girlfriend christened me ‘Mo on the Go!’

Some favourite quotes from the week! 

“Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it.”

— Oprah Winfrey

“We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.”

— Jesse Owens

“Even when you have gone as far as you can, and everything hurts, and you are staring at the specter of self-doubt, you can find a bit more strength deep inside you, if you look closely enough.”

— Hal Higdon

“Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired in the morning, noon and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired.”

— George S Patton

A brief note to anyone glancing at this: I am blogging my journey for me… To help me reflect back in the future and to keep me motivated….SO no offence taken if you look at the length and choose to scroll on past!! 

Monday July 27th: my Runniversary 5km

The difference a year makes! 

One year ago today I put on a pair of leggings and a t-shirt, donned a pair of suspiciously clean, yet old, trainers (Definitely trainers and not running shoes!), loaded C25k onto my phone and muttered the immortal words ‘I’m going for a run.’ As I headed out the door there was much hilarity and eye rolling from the two men in my life!!! I remember Week 1, Run 1 well! Wow that minute of running was hard! Very hard! But as I said in an earlier post I went with it and trusted the programme. One year later my longest run is 17k and I have done a 28 minute 5k. This year since January I’ve done 500km! The difference a year makes! Oh AND I have convinced probably four others during that time to give running a whirl! AND we now have a running club at work ready or our 10k in September!!! I have turned from being a running phobic to being a running bore (but we will say no more about that!) and I have run out of room for ‘normal’ clothes as my running gear takes up two full drawers in my chest of drawers! Running ear and gadgets….. A new addiction! 

Top tip from me: So for those just starting out accept your self doubt, deploy your ‘inner bitch’ (Ruth Field) and believe what Laura tells you! You can do it. You will do it. One step, one minute, one run at a time. Don’t think too far ahead, just think about that weeks challenge and go for it! 

If I can anyone genuinely can! Running has transformed my life… Let it transform yours! Decided on a celebratory 5k this afternoon 😄

Runniversary run! Back to my roots! 

Not a fast 5k but went up on the nature reserve. I ran the hilly route and deliberately chose to run up a short steep hill twice when I didn’t need to! Just because I could! I am learning more to challenge and push myself and hills are definitely feeling a touch easier! Just a touch mind you! Ankle seemed fine which has really surprised me. Time invested in exercises has helped and maybe having the right shoes is now impacting 👍🏼
My motto went through my mind…. If I can run, I can do anything! I repeat this phrase at any moments of self doubt during a run and in life!  
  
Wednesday July 29th: 6km 
Was a little reluctant to run today, which is not like me but it is a fast day and was feeling a bit tired, cold and hungry! However,the minute I was out I was pleased I had gone. I’ve had a day or two of feeling a bit bored and fed up because of the weather but running injected a bit of positivity in me again I am glad to say! 
Quite acceptable weather with some sunny points. Kept the run simple, mostly flat and straight 3km out and then same route back. 6km in 38:59.9! Doing shorter runs at the minute to try and look after my ankle which is still niggling slightly, although it is definitely I mproving with exercises and with new shoes. My 5k was 32 mins spot on. I wasn’t slow or fast…. A good steady average pace of 6:27min/km over the 6km. It wasn’t an easy run and not sure I’d have fancied a 10k… Might aim for that Friday…. But it’s another 6km added to my holiday total. So it’s 48km complete out of my 120km target and we are only 1 1/2 weeks in! Definitely on track. 

Top tip number 2: Don’t ignore those stretches! I have for a year. I still get straight into a run as I’ve usually done a warm up dog walk but I am making sure my chosen distance finishes in time to give me about a 1/2 km cool down walk and then I am doing ankle stretches! Definitely now aiming for longer distances it’s a must! I always said I’m fine and don’t need to waste time on stretches! Mind changed! 

AND WHEN RUNNING ON THE ROADS, AIM TO RUN OF THE DROPPED CURBS TO MAKE IT EASIER ON ANY WEAKNESSES IN ANKLES AND KNEES. 

If unavoidable I am leading off those curbs with my left ankle which is the strongest! 

A bit of adventure during the run with an irate horse giving their owner a hard time crossing the main road. I crossed to the other side to stay out the way once it came onto the pavement on my side! Even the trucks on the road recognised the danger and just stopped until the rider got it back under some control!! They really are very big those horses! I was happy to get quite far ahead of it! 

Two words emerging for me this week: Runniversary and my new word, runspiration. Inspiration comes from many sources but I like these three from this week....

1. “The only way out is through,” she’d say to herself while slipping on her sneaks and running through conflict—and “Run like you’ve never been hit.”…. These are from the most amazing lady who suffered a terrible accident! No more complaining about aches and pains by me!! Read more below….
Read more at http://womensrunning.competitor.com/2015/07/inspiration/a-life-threatening-accident-did-not-stop-one-runner-from-trying-again_44415#I4zJYOxFDsc1pK7E.99

And more inspiration: 

2. http://cycling-passion.com/2012/09/06/alex-zanardi-won-gold-medal-london-paralympics/

This man is so brave and courageous…. His motivation is just actually being alive! 

3. And finally a word from a wise man… A dear friend and a previous Headteacher of mine Rodger Walker (who was scary but I so admired and respected him!) ….‘Maureen, turn a weakness into a strength.‘ He was so right! What the people above did was turn A tragedy into an opportunity and a new way forward. We can all learn from that I think.

  
Slight tangent here: not running related! 

As well as applying Rodger’s phrase to my running it is a key motto for me now as a school leader…. If I struggle with something I make it my goal to become an expert in it! My step for this year at school as we move to outstanding is for us to become truly outstanding in terms of our deployment of additional adults! This might not seem like a big thing but is what will truly make the difference teaching and achievement at my school. Anyway that’s for another post! 

Anyway back to running…
Friday July 31st:10km 
Only having done 10k this week in total so far, as a result of trying to rest my ankle a bit, I knew a 10k was in order today! I’d bought an ankle strap yesterday so decided to try it out. I wanted to keep it as simple as possible so as not to over test my ankle so headed off from home on a none route. Not totally flat but the first half headed up with an elevation gain of 46m.

I decided on a change of music so put on Classic Tearjerkers. Some great songs on there which helped give me a good steady pace surprising 6:39min/km average which I was pleased with that overall for a planned go steady route! 1 hour 6 mins 42 in total. The ankle strap seemed to help, the odd adjustment needed along the way but fine! 

Anyway, back to the songs. They helped me do a lot of thinking about a special person who has lost a loved one very recently. In many ways I damaged what had been such a special friendship last year but I still care dearly about them. I feel so desperately sad for them and running helped me reflect. A tear for friendships and loved ones lost. 

And then on came a song, The Winner Takes it all! that really evoked memories from last year linked to work. That song, which I played in my car, got me through a tough time and some big challenges. It helped me have the determination I needed to come through successfully, moving to a new fab job and now looking back I know for me I was a winner in it and life is better for me and my family. All sounds very dramatic…. It wasn’t so dramatic or awful, it was just a tough time in terms of my own personal thinking etc- don’t think others realised! BUT hearing the song spurred me on and I ran strong and tall and proud! 
Anyway, music is an amazing thing and so linked to emotions, as is running! 
Happily completed my 10k with no apparent damage to my ankle! Felt great! Splits decent enough and led to a total for the week of 21km and a cumulative total of 58km not bad for two weeks! 
My annual total is now 519km against my 750 goal so well on the way with that. Still loving the numbers! 

I thought I was well on the way to a HM and outstandingness in OfSTED but I have realised that upping distance from 10km to HM distance is more complex than I expected…. Need to pay attention to the detail (stretches/ upping distance carefully etc) I managed some work too this week and more and more understanding what is also involved in becoming outstanding. Can’t miss any aspects of school life! Will probably focus on that journey again in next post! 

Both challenges I have set through this blog will be hard! But as I said earlier ‘If I can run I can do anything! I’m up for the challenge!