Heather's Gunpowder Plod

Gunpowder Plod The Results

8th November 2012

Well ladies and gentlemen of North Yorkshire, great news… I am still alive and well after completing my first 5k run at the Gunpowder Plod event, and I have to say I loved it! The atmosphere was brilliant although admittedly I was pretty scared by the amount of serious looking runners there before the event started. Our fabulous management accountant Margaret was there with me, to run the race, calm my nerves and generally babysit me. The delay to the start of the race meant we got a much longer warm up than planned. Some people may disagree with me but I thought this was great!

The race itself was set off to a pyrotechnic display and we settled into a steady (some would call it slow) pace around the track. After that I morphed into the worst running companion as I haven’t yet mastered the art of running and talking at the same time. Margaret was very good though and said it was fine for me to just shut up and get on with it.

The duration of the race itself seemed to pass really quickly and soon the end was in sight. By this point I couldn’t really feel my legs although the fab trainers I had on from

http://www.ratrace.com/run/ made sure that I was comfortable and had no aches or pains anywhere.

Margaret and I finally crossed the finish line in a time of 38.27 and it was high fives all round that we’d done it. In fact we were so excited that the first thing we said was “We are definitely doing this again”.

The next day apart from a bit of an ache in the knees I felt brilliant and still do. Having only started this seven weeks ago I am absolutely determined to keep it up and will definitely be looking to do another 5k run in the next three months or so and to sign up for a 10k with Margaret next summer. So North Yorkshire, Rat Race Adventure Sports don’t just sell sports gear, they change people’s lives.

Posted by Heather at 3:17pm

Gunpowder Plod, The Final Countdown

31st October 2012

Well ladies and Gentlemen – with under a week to go until the Gunpowder Plod on 5^th November. I have to say I have definitely undergone a transformation. After a particularly boozy time at my best friend's wedding on Saturday I actually went out for a run on the Sunday!!

It wasn’t the most successful run so far but it definitely showed me that alcohol and exercise do not mix. So when I met with Chris Johnstone from Rat Race for my 3^rd and final session before the race I wasn’t surprised when he told me to stay off the wine until after the race.

Instead of going out for a run this session was all about looking after myself between now and the race – increasing my carbohydrate intake and also making sure I’m properly hydrated as this can make a real difference on the night .

The Rat Race Adventure Sports Retail store, Clifton Moor York stock a large range of nutritional supplements as well as anything else you may need for running the 5k race. A hat and gloves would be advisable if the temperature keeps dropping as well as. I’m going to be doing my last couple of training runs in a hat and gloves just to see what difference it makes to my comfort.

Saturday is to be my last proper run and then maybe just a short trot out on Sunday so that I’m not overwhelmed on Monday. I’m counting on the pyrotechnics to distract my nerves a little bit.

There are still places for anyone wishing to enter the race. visit http://www.ratracegunpowderplod.com/ for race entry or to buy tickets for the Fireworks Festival.

Posted by Heather at 3:15pm

The Gunopwder Plod....3 weeks to go

18th October 2012

Now I would've updated my training blog yesterday but after my second session with Chris I couldn't actually move!

Rat Race Adventure Sports Head of Sport and Fitness wasn't kidding when he said he wouldn't be soft on me this time - I had to run with a 9kg weight across my shoulders along the main road from Roko at Clifton Moor wearing my bright pink running jacket - North Yorkshire it wasn't pretty. However I had been following the exercises Chris set for me 2 weeks ago so it could've been a lot worse.

As the world’s first 5k run set to a pyrotechnic spectacular is now only 3 weeks away I have to keep up the core exercises and put some sprints into my 5k plods- this will hopefully make the 5k easier for me on the night as apparently relying on the fab crowd, great music and fireworks to get me through the last bit is a cop out.

So whether you want to beat your personal best or you're a complete running beginner, the Gunpowder Plod is an event anyone can enter and enjoy.  Places are still available so go to http://www.gunpowderplod.com/ and for anyone wanting to get new running gear for the event, go and visit the newly refurbished Rat Race Adventure Sports retail store at Clifton Moor in York where they have a great range of kit from the right trainers to high visibility running jackets...handy for a run in the dark.

My trainers from Rat Race really do make the training more comfortable and yes...I have worn them for running, not just for walking the dog.

Posted by Heather at 9:57am

The Gunpowder Plod....from the beginning

9th October 2012

Okay, the story so far...when I heard about York's most exciting Bonfire and Firework event, the Gunpowder Plod, I was immediately up for it as it had all of the elements of a fantastic event for me - Fireworks, great music, entertainment and beer. What I didn't realise at the time was that I would be persuaded to take part in the 5k fun run element of the event!

As a complete non runner I was half scared and half excited at the prospect. What swayed it for me was the full support of the Rat Race Adventure Sports team who are based in Clifton Moor in York and the promise of bright pink running gear. The most important part to get right is the right footwear so I had a full gait analysis at the Rat Race retail store which allowed me to get exactly the right trainers for me. They must have some type of magic in them as they do actually make me want to get outside and go for a run when I put them on.

Rat Race's Head of Fitness and training, Chris Johnstone has designed me a programme of exercises that I can do at home, around a full time job, two kids and a degree course so I have no excuse and I have to say I do feel stronger so it's definitely working. For people who prefer to exercise outdoors, Rat Race run an urban gym in the city centre http://www.ratrace.com/training.aspx

In a week’s time I have another session with Chris so between now and then I am going to stay focused and do as I'm told because apparently at session 2 he turns into an army drill sergeant.

If you fancy joining me and thousands of others in the Gunpowder Plod there are still places available, visit http://www.gunpowderplod.com/

Posted by Heather at 2:07pm