It’s clear from Miranda’s Healthy Goals post last week, fitness is key for many of us in 2015. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing our new guest blogger, Tamika for several years and have been astounded by her determination and progress as she trains for her very first London Marathon.
Though you might not be embarking on your own sprint, we’re hoping you’ll find Tam’s journey inspiring. Please feel free to drop your comments of support and encouragement. Over to Tam…
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Deciding to run the London Marathon this year was quite an impulsive thing for me to consider doing. I’m Tamika by the way, I work in PR for Avon Cosmetics, I’m 25 and running certainly doesn’t come naturally to me, or at least that’s what I thought.
2014 was one of ‘those years’ where nothing really happens. I didn’t do anything spectacular and I’m pretty sure I didn’t tick anything off my bucket list which left me feeling a little deflated as I approached the end of the year. The marathon has always been in the back of my mind but a little voice always said, ‘you can’t do that’. To be honest most people I speak to say the same thing about themselves…’oh I couldn’t do it’ but one day I thought why can’t I do it?!
The real motivation behind it all was the fact I wanted to so something memorable, challenging, rewarding and just really push myself beyond my comfort zone. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. I mean, at the start of 2013 I didn’t really do any form of exercise and my dad pretty much laughed in my face when I told him. But it didn’t stop me, in fact it spurred me on.
I wanted to run for Refuge, a fantastic charity supporting women and children who have suffered from domestic violence. When I found out I had a place I felt so excited, and of course overcome with dread. What the hell was I thinking? I don’t even like running!
I have to say the whole getting fit thing is something that is really important to me though, hence why I joined the gym in 2013. I started off like everyone does, really ‘on it’ and into going three or four times a week but this lessened after a while. I’ve also tried the whole juice cleanse just to kick start my fitness. All of these things are all well and good but the marathon is something I know I have to train for, no excuses. In early October my friend’s boyfriend drew up a weekly training plan for me to stick to. He ensured I had the necessities, you know, like Rocky music on my phone. (Never underestimate the power of a good Rocky tune).
My first run was absolutely useless, I barely ran a mile. However for my third run I buddied up with a friend and he motivated me to run four miles. I felt exhausted. I went up and down hills and at one point pondered a) why am I doing this? and b) WHY AM I DOING THIS?!! I CAN’T BREATHE! But as the weeks passed and my fitness increased I started to see what my body was capable of. I went on the bike at the gym at least three times a week, starting at 10km (I’m now up to 35km). I ran twice a week upping my mileage by one mile a week which was pretty intense as I got further into my training. When I reached eight miles I felt on top of the world. I found I pretty much floated along and suddenly I really started to believe in myself. And then of course I woke up with shin splints. Great. So for those of you who don’t know what this is it’s basically the inability to walk let alone run, and the stairs, well, you simply cannot use them. (Warning, people will sympathetically stare as you hang on to the bannister).
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{Meet Tamika}
- Who: Tamika Short
- What: Currently in training for the 2015 London Marathon
- Likes: Food, adventures and lazy days
- Donate: JustGiving
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Sticking to a diet plan is the most challenging thing to do, which is why training for a marathon is pretty ideal for foodies because you can eat and HAVE to eat a decent amount of carbs (carbs, yes, yes, yes!) and chocolate, cake, sweets protein. Everyone’s a winner! I have upped my protein and carb intake which I will go through in more detail next month. Christmas was a hard time for me because there was a lot of food and alcohol floating around, plus I had shin splints… My fitness did suffer as a result but as the old saying goes, it’s not about falling down, it’s about learning to get back up again. Time to dust of the cobwebs and buy some sparkly new running trainers…I wonder if they come in pink? (This involves a rather funny story which I will tell you about next time. Very awkward situation).
Until next month!
T x
Ah RMS thank you so much for doing this! And Tamika thank you for sharing your experience so far, will be following along and asking you lots of questions I’m sure! I’m also training for my first marathon in London this year. I can’t quite believe it’s happening but I’m really excited. And of course, absolutely petrified. Looking forward to hearing about your nutrition plan as I don’t feel like I’ve got my head round it yet. Are you planning to use energy gels? I need to start trying them at some point but no idea when. I’m also planning on using jelly babies as fuel! I’m runninng in memory of my grandad for the british heart foundation and already get emotional sometimes on training runs, so I have no idea what I’m going to be like on the day. I find the longer distances better than the short, like you I get into a flow and it all seems to work all of a sudden. I still hate the first 3-5k on every run.Looking forward to the next installment already xxx
That’s ok no problem at all 🙂 oh that’s amazing! Good luck. I know it’s so scary isn’t it but also very exciting! I am planning on using the energy gels yes and I have heard that jelly beans are also very good!! Nutrition I will go through alot more but porridge every morning with raisons for me and a jacket potato at lunch! I’m eating alot of steak and eggs too. That’s such a good reason to be running and I think if your close to it like you are you’re bound to do incredibly well!! I agree on the long run and same for me. They say never judge a run on the first mile! One thing I’m not good at is the treadmill much prefer running outside. Do you run alone? I tend to but I know someone who’s runs the marathon next to Mo Garai (which is an achievement in itself) and he said he wants to help me so I will pass on those tips from him too. Xxx
*Mo Farah
I hate the treadmill too. But I’m not very good at doing intervals outside, so use it for that. Wow that’s a pretty epic friend to have right now! Sure he will have lots of pearls of wisdom. I run alone, I find it really calming and de-stressing and like the ‘me’ time. Just did my long run in the snow and it was my favourite run so far – I really want it to be cold on April 26th! Xx
Tam I think you are doing an awesome, awesome thing. Running (/exercise) doesn’t come at all naturally to me either, but I am training for a half marathon this year (and a coast to coast bike ride straight after…knowing when to stop clearly isn’t my thing). I am struggling to contemplate doing the half, let alone being able to double that.
But it sounds like you are doing really well, keep going and I can’t wait to read more of your updates xx
Thanks so much! Loads of luck with yours and I’m sure you will smash it. I think it’s the same with anything the more you do it the better you are I think what you’re doing sounds brill, alot of it is mental strength I think so definitely believe in yourself! Good luck with it all! Xx
Me too!! I’m running this year. I’m really looking forward to it. I’m not a “runner” more of a plodder but its the London Marathon, once of thee most famous runs of the world and if it takes me 6 hours then so be!
I’ve completed the Kilt Walk twice which is a 26.2 mile walk and its sore so I’ve kinda braced myself to be really sore and 2 days after the marathon I’m going to see Take That (don’t know if I will be dancing much!)
I’m getting over a horrible cold so my training has gone down hill but hoping to get back to it next week.
Great post, looking forward to next months 🙂
Amazing good for you! Those are my thoughts too, would love to do it in 5 hours but if it takes longer then that’s fine as it’s just fab to be doing it isn’t it?! Ah great achievement. I have ensured that I have a few days off work to recover as I’m sure I won’t be able to walk! I find I hard to walk after doing 8 miles let alone 26! I’ve been ill also which put me about but as long as you get straight back into it you’ll be fine 🙂 xx
Great post, and good luck Tamika and everyone else running this year! I’ve run it twice before and both times were absolutely incredible… gruelling, painful and so so hard… but amazing experiences. Almost quite jealous I’m not doing it again this year but will be cheering on in the crowds instead. Some things I found helpful – if you’re struggling with gels at all, then shot bloks are great – just like cubes of jelly. Also liked the powerbar fruit gels, bit easier on the stomach than some of the thicker gels. Marathon Talk is a great podcast to download for long runs, very motivating. And I think what helped me most was listening to your body and not overtraining… if I did too much running then I got injured, so for my second marathon I aimed for 3 runs a week (long run at weekend, one speed session (sprints/interval) and one mid distance during the week) and a cross training session (swim/yoga) if I felt like it, and that worked well for me. Also a strong core & glutes really really helps your running, so lots of situps and squats in your living room while watching tv! And if you need a week off then do it and don’t feel guilty about veering from the training plan. Favourite fuelling meals – wholemeal pasta and roast veg for dinners, baked beans & cheese on jacket potato for post-run lunches, porridge & banana for breakfast, and coconut water anytime for hydration. Look forward to hearing the next instalment!
Thanks so much for the advice! Noted and will definitely include sit ups and squats in some more as wasn’t sure whether I should or not but always been into my ab work so I would like to get back into it anyway. I enjoy all of those foods you mention too! Every morn I have porridge and at lunch a jacket. Also love steak and fish – can’t get enough of wholemeal pasta! I think I’m sorted food wise as I just love food! That app sounds good too will give that a try for sure. Noted on the energy gels too. Thanks so much!
Julia these are such helpful tips, thank you! I’m off to try and buy some of these blocks and download that podcast 🙂 xx
Wishing you all the best – very jealous, as have had to defer my place until 2016 (my baby is due in March). The fact that you get to run the same race as the awesome Paula Radcliffe this year (maybe just a few minutes behind?!) is pretty amazing, too – enjoy! x
Thank you! I am excited just nervous. Congrats on the baby 🙂 and good luck for next year. Not sure I will be as good as Paula haha but it is pretty cool yes! X
Great post thank you! I’m training now for a half marathon and it takes serious will power to go out in this weather! Will be following the coming posts
Doesn’t it just! But once you get going it’s fine isn’t it. Just leaving the house that’s the problem. I find I run better I’m the cold though. The heat bugs me! Will need to get used to it though as it might be warm in April! Good luck with yours! X
I am looking forward to more posts on this as I am running my first London Marathon this year as well. I am super excited but nervous and totally looking forward to it. I really started upping my fitness last year with a Spartan sprint race and love the feeling. Can’t wait to read more!
Wow, congratulations on getting a place for London and all ready progressing from a non-runner to running 8 miles! I didn’t get a place for London but I’ve signed up for the Brighton marathon, which is also in April.
I run with a running club, which I am all ready finding brilliant for marathon training. I just have to turn up on a Sunday morning and someone has plotted out my long run route for me so I just follow them! Plus I really enjoy the company of running in a group. They also organise track nights once a week which is ticking off the interval training! So I’d definitely recommend joining a running club or joining one of those Sweaty Betty or Nike running groups.
I did the London marathon five years ago so my best bits of advice are plenty of stretching post-runs, treat yourself to a few sports massages along the way (and definitely book one for after the big day) and invest in a foam roller!
Best of luck to you and I look forward to hearing how you’re getting on.
Go you! I like running – for half an hour – in a cosy, dry, warm gym – but I do find it is exercise you feel some achievement with. Last year I woke up one day and had a Forrest Gump moment, I went to the gym for the first time in a while and ran 3 miles without any problem. I then continued to run between 3 and 5 miles almost every day for a month. Unfortunately I have had tendinitis in my left knee for the last three years and this puts me out of action whenever I feel like I start getting somewhere grrr! I find listening to audiobooks helps me exercise.
Keep up the hard work. Looking forward to reading the next post!
Loved reading this, I am 31 and like you decided last year I didn’t really do much so signed up for the London marathon as a challenge. I am up to 12 miles and it hurts But I won’t give up.
good luck