See What Mummy Says Running With Tom

Running With Tom

If you’ve stumbled across this article hoping to find some really useful tips on running, you’re definitely in the wrong place.

Here, you will only find an honest account of my running journey so far… and by running, I mostly mean run, walk, run, walk.

For anyone familiar with the original Run Norwich route it took you up Rouen Road, which is a fairly steep incline, especially for a novice who had not practised hills in his runs. The hill hit just before the half way point, and I was beat. I had lost time on all of my practice runs, felt more unhealthy than ever before, and couldn’t believe I had half the race still to run!

I tried running a number of years ago. More than a decade has passed and I still look back on that ill-fated run and regret every decision I made that evening. The clothes I wore, the approach to speed and length of run, but more than anything, I regret the beer I had shortly before I decided to go for a run. Needless to say, I didn’t go again for a long time.

On reflection, I think the atmosphere and other runners had got the better of me and I had tried to keep up with people too early instead of pacing myself.

I remember spotting my wife and children, in the last kilometre, heading over for a cuddle and admitting, “I’ve got nothing left”.

Fast-forward a few years and having expressed an interest once again, someone suggested to me that I needed something to work towards so I booked myself a place at the very first Run Norwich 10k. As an extra boost, I decided to run for charity. Two charities very close to my heart: Kicks Count and The Miscarriage Association. The pressure was definitely on. I went for regular runs including a practice 10k, so I was content I could reach the finish line, albeit not breaking any world records. I was proud of the money raised for charity, but especially proud of my run. The next year I set out to beat my time, and concentrate my efforts on one charity, The Miscarriage Association that had offered us personal guidance and support in a time of great distress to us both.

Again, I finished. I remember little of the run itself, other than I had adopted my original approach of alternating running and walking, and feeling stronger when I finished.

The third year, and I had decided to run the race simply for my own satisfaction. To think of those we had lost and use that to push me on, but without the pressure of running for a charity. However, I decided quite late on to use the run to raise money for a local family that were using the funds to purchase a headstone for a loved one.

A decision I am still very proud of, and although again not delivering any earth shattering results, I’d like to feel I’d really made a difference, and for me, that was enough.

Each year I say that I’ll start my training earlier and deliver a much-improved time on the year before. It hasn’t happened yet.

I ran the fourth year, as intended the year before, just for myself. I don’t remember anything particularly memorable except my finish, A sprint finish I was determined to run, feeling better than ever when I crossed the line. A few minutes passed and I felt like I had perhaps turned a corner. Still no personal best, but I felt good. Really good.

In 2019, I had intended to miss the race as it usually falls near Becca’s birthday. Being her 30th birthday we had planned to go away somewhere. However, the organisers had decided the race would fall in July, not August. There was no excuse, so I entered again!

Some close friends had entered this year. One a seasoned pro and the other was new to Run Norwich and we started in the same “pen”. Throughout the first three quarters of the race, we were quite close, overtaking each other throughout but never far enough away to not see each other.

I had totally neglected my original plan of running whilst listening to a comedy podcast, hoping it would distract me from the task as it had in my practices. I felt weak. Gone was the strength I had felt at the end last year and I ended up walking up Tombland. A street you don’t consider too steep on a normal day, but after 8km, it had beaten me. As we approached the top corner ready to head back onto Castle Meadow, I was determined to run from that point on… and then it hit me.

That awful feeling when you can feel you’re on the verge of getting cramp… and it was in both my lower legs. I knew instantly there was no recovering from this for a strong finish, and the best I could muster was a slow disjointed jog across the line.

I was really disappointed, but it did leave me determined that this wouldn’t be my final attempt at the run.

Having already entered for 2020, I am almost grateful that the current situation has bought me a few months extra practice and potentially a lot cooler day in October.

Look out for me in October, and give me a shout if you see me!

The atmosphere at Run Norwich is incredible and it really does help to have people shouting words of encouragement along the route.

On the off chance the chap that held his small dog out in his arms near the Cathedral singing “Circle of life” is reading… you are a legend. Please do that again!

If anyone has any particular tips, apps or experiences I would love to hear them!

Thanks for reading! Tom

See What Mummy Says @whatmummysaysuk