February review

High points

• The Radcliffe 10 mile race: my longest race to date and I loved it. Well organised, a friendly field and such a relaxing distance. I’ve had runner’s high before, but I experienced a whole new level of euphoria on this one!
• Breaking 100 miles: psychologically, banking the first 100 miles of the year was a really important milestone
• My new shoes: my old Mizuno Wave Elixirs were pretty comfortable, but whilst packing them for an away job I noticed that the soles were completely worn smooth in some places. I got myself down to Sportshoes.com in Bradford, intending to buy a more heavyweight pair of Mizunos. Instead I came away with the Brooks Ravenna – another light road shoe with mild support. I’m in love – when I run I feel like I’m flying...

Low points

• Surprise snow: a Sunday long run to Eccup Reservoir was thwarted by an unexpected snowfall overnight. With the help of 3 teenage lads I manuvered my car up the icy hill at the end of the road and slithered to the gym for a longish treadmill run. Bad times.
• Burnout: too much work and not enough rest makes Sarah a sad girl...

Progress against goals

• Time: I ran 10 miles comfortably in 1:32:22 at Radcliffe. Multiplied up, this puts me in line to break 2 hours for a half. Yay!
• Mileage: I ran 87 miles in February, bringing my mileage for the year to 146. This means I have caught up on some of January’s deficit, being now only 17 miles – or 9.89% - behind the breakeven point of 162 miles
• Race a month: This was supposed to be a three race month but in the end I only managed one: the Radcliffe 10. But what a race!

Inspiration
VARR group leader Kay Jefferies. Kay has been an inspiration to me since I joined the club. She was the group leader on the first club run I went on, and I was impressed then and ever since by her cheerful but absolutely determined approach to running. She sets herself goals and doggedly works to achieve them. And somehow also manages to qualify in sports leadership, hold down a stressful job, raise two lovely children, train for a marathon, make carrot cake and write an entertaining blog about it all (see Kay’s Marathon Chatter on the right hand toolbar). What a star!