{"id":2783,"date":"2016-10-26T11:45:26","date_gmt":"2016-10-26T11:45:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/club.runthrough.co.uk\/?p=2783"},"modified":"2021-11-10T02:22:21","modified_gmt":"2021-11-10T02:22:21","slug":"runner-feature-of-the-week-sarahs-streak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/club.runthrough.co.uk\/runner-feature-of-the-week-sarahs-streak\/","title":{"rendered":"Runner Feature of the Week – Sarah’s Streak"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Sarah Foster has taken on the challenge of running every day in October; she tells us all about it here….<\/p>\n
As I write this, I’m 23 days into a month of running every day. It’s not something I ever thought I’d manage, but I’ve surprised myself – surprised at the fact that I’m still going and surprised at how much I’ve actually enjoyed it.<\/p>\n
I don’t think of myself as a runner. I live near the start of the London Marathon and have watched it ever since I was little. Every year I watch the hordes of people running past and wish that it was me, but until last year, I couldn’t run for a bus without reaching for my inhaler and would then be shaky for the rest of the commute to work.<\/p>\n
[toggle title=”More about Sarah’s running story” state=”close”]I started a beginner’s running course in January 2015 with my local running club – The Greenwich Runners. The culmination of the seven week course was my first proper 5k run<\/strong><\/a> (without stopping!). I was hooked instantly and started attending regular sessions. Don’t get me wrong, it was pretty tough – I came close to vomiting a few times during the first couple of months and it felt like a big step up for me, but the group were very welcoming and I started to notice a difference in my fitness.<\/p>\n I got a few 10Ks<\/strong><\/a> under my belt, including Run Through races in Greenwich Park and Victoria Park, each time knocking a minute off my time. It was then that I decided to enter a half marathon<\/strong><\/a>. Probably a bit silly really, given that I’d only ever run six miles. In February 2016 though (a year after my beginners course), I ran the Wimbledon Common Half. I was reassured that there were people that seemed to be going at my pace, until my knee gave up on me at around ten miles. This is where I regretted the lack of training. I was supposed to do long slow runs at the weekend and they were always slow but the trouble is they weren’t very long. I limped to the finish in around 2 hours and 40 minutes. I was broken, but at least I got to hug a Womble.<\/p>\n Then, shortly after, I got a last minute place for the London Marathon. I jumped at the chance, but then was filled with dread. How would I make it with only 2 months to train, when the most I could run without pain was 10 miles? Well, I sought help from a physio and made those long runs longer (albeit very slow) and thought I might just make it. I had a family holiday to Florida thrown in so took my running shoes for a bit of running in the sweltering heat. All was on track when, with two weeks to go and suffering with jetlag, I tripped on the pavement and broke my wrist. The thing is, I’m a bit stubborn and didn’t want anything to stop me doing that marathon, so I just asked for a lighter cast. With a dodgy knee and a broken hand I finally ran the Virgin London Marathon in 5 hours 58 minutes and loved every single minute! It was an amazing experience and one I’d love to repeat.<\/p>\n I’m often asked about whether I want to go faster but to be honest, a mile is a mile, no matter how long it takes and I find I have the most fun when I take my time, take in the view and can have a chat to a friend.[\/toggle]<\/p>\n Running was a bit sporadic since the Marathon but my brother in law Owen suggested that we took part in the October Run Streak to get me back on track. At first I was a bit taken aback – I thought he was suggesting naked running – but when I read more about it I realised he meant running every day. Why not? I thought. There’s no minimum distance, so I could mix it up a bit. With two days to go I asked him if we were still doing it. I think he’d forgotten, but he is also a bit stubborn and likes a challenge, so we agreed to take it on.<\/p>\n