Follow the leader, leader, leader

So last night, for the first time EVER, I lead a group training run... not only a group training run but a run for 18people... on a 10k route... that I had only run once before.

I have probably mentioned elsewhere on this blog that I am a member of GoodGym - a running group who also does good deeds - and whilst the usual GoodGym Hackney run leader is away on holiday I have been asked to cover a couple of runs... and last night was the first of these runs.

Earlier this year, I did my Leadership in Running Fitness qualification and was keen to put it to use so jumped at the chance to lead the run.

I must admit I was more than just a little bit nervous - my main worries were losing people on the run and/or getting lost myself. I did a practice run on the Sunday and was feeling pretty confident I knew the way but there was still a small part of me which was sure I wouldn't remember. In all my briefing and dynamic warm up worries I did end up heading out on the run in my fur snood... this was probably for the best because I am suffering with a chest infection... however, I did look absurd!! I did enjoy wearing a nice big scarf though and have been trying to track down a good running scarf so can someone make one please?! Thanks!

Anywayyyyy...Despite my worries, everything went to plan and I really enjoyed it!! I mean, I am not sure if I enjoyed it at the time but I got a buzz from people saying "I enjoyed that" and "thanks for a great run".

I am looking forward to hosting a GoodGym Hackney run again next week but am keen on leading some of my own runs, along a route I choose... maybe it can be a new goal for 2014!

My first Yoga class

I have blogged before about my preconceptions and worries about starting Pilates but that I decided to take the plunge and sign up to some classes. And I loved it but it was only a 10week course of classes and to be fair they were at a community centre... so perhaps I didn't confront my fears as much as I could have done...!

However, I have now confronted my Yoga fears and, as with the Pilates, they were completely unfounded! As I am a bit skint at the moment I was loathed to sign up to some Yoga classes having not cased out whether I even liked Yoga! So I signed up to a Sweaty Betty Yoga class in their new Jubilee Place Canary Wharf store.

I LOVE Sweaty Betty and have always been intrigued as to how they manage to run classes in such a small space. Arriving early for the class meant that I saw the magic happen as islands of clothes were pushed back, lights lowered and yoga mats set up ready for a class of nine to fit in.

Looking around at the group I started to feel pretty nervous - not many of the girls seemed to know each other and I quickly got chatting to a girl who hadn't taken part in this class before. I was reassured that the class was for beginners and we started.

The class was great! I felt like I was supported with each move but offered opportunities to try more advanced positions. I wasn't as bad as I thought I was going to be, I think a lot of that was down to the Pilates.

To be honest as much as I enjoyed the yoga, which was A LOT, I was feeling a bit like it was just a less core focused version of the Pilates I had been doing. But what was different, and will make me book another class, is the few minutes at the end laying on my mat with my eyes closed taking the time to let the stress of the day melt away. It is so rare in my life that I just stop and relax... it made me realise that it is something to cherish and something to actively make time for if not every day at least once a week.

Do you do Yoga? What does it give you?

Race report: Men's Health Survival of the Fittest

Apologies in advance for a very delayed race report on Survival of the Fittest. I was aching for the week following the event and was unbelievably drained! And then life got hectic!... enough of the excuses though.... here it is...

Despite our nerves in the lead up to the event I can honestly say that we all had a fantastic time! We had to arrive at Battersea Power Station a couple of hours early to register, pick up our timing chips and our Survival of the Fittest t-shirts. Registration was quick and easy and before we knew it we were stood with our Bromley by Bow Centre tops on and race numbers pinned in place.

As with any team challenge we were keen to stand out and the Bromley by Bow Centre top was just not enough so out came the face paint! Just as the All Blacks have the Haka we needed something to intimidate the other teams – our face paint varied from camo stripes to a cat through to the evil eye!

The atmosphere in the event village was electric and we enjoyed watching others tackle the obstacles before our race began at 3pm. And that is when the fun really started…!

The course starts with some innocent looking hay bales which in reality were a devil to climb over. As we progressed around the course the obstacles came thick and fast growing in difficulty from monkey bars to climbing nets through to scaling walls and crawling through cars! In the cold Nov afternoon one of the most breath taking obstacles was crawling through cold water under a net whilst being sprayed by a fire hose…!

After tackling these obstacles and a run through Battersea Park the finish line was looming. What is usually a welcome sight was being met with dread as the 8ft final wall stood between us and the finish. With team work and perseverance we all managed to scale the wall only to be confronted with the 8ft drop on the other side.

This event is special – not only because it is harder than anything I have done before but because of its focus on team work. We were not only supporting our own team mates through the obstacles but every other participant giving a much needed leg up or words of encouragement.

I may have suffered from sore arms and bruised knees but this has only added to the sense of achievement. I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we will be showing off our medals with pride!

Doing it as a team!

This Saturday… as in tomorrow!… I am joining 8 other Bromley by Bow Centre supporters on the start line of the Men’s Health Survival of the Fittest. This will be the first time I have attempted an obstacle course but it will also be the first time I have taken on a challenge with a team!

Over the past couple of weeks, depsite my training being minimal, I have discovered just what it is that is so special about taking on a challenge as part of a team. I am a runner normally and whilst I do run with groups such as GoodGym and with various friends it is, on the whole, a very solitary activity. Whilst the active running community on twitter can make it feel like you are part of a team nothing beats really being a part of a team.

Some of my team for Survival of the Fittest I am yet to meet so our contact has been largely virtual however, the remainder of my team are colleagues and in fact some sit in the same office as me. We all get on well as work colleagues and have visited the pub together after work a few times but I think taking on a challenge which we are all equally as excited and nervous about has brought us together in a way other team building activities may not have done.

Creative Stimulation
Taking part in this event together and wanting to share our experiences has meant that we have been able to pull together our creativity and bounce ideas off of each other better than if it was one of us alone. Hence the birth of our spoof training video.

Motivation Boost
We have done some core workouts in the office before work or during our lunch. We have been there when one of us has had a wobble of confidence about the weekend’s undertaking and we have shared our training plans with each other. It is great to have others that you can talk to about your challenge to get you motivated!

Expanded Social Circle
Whilst two of my team sit in the same office as me one other lady who is taking on the challenge, whilst working at the Bromley by Bow Centre, sits within a different project. It has been great to get to know her through the build up to the challenge and have an experience that we have shared together.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the process of working towards the weekend’s challenge as part of a team and hope that our cameraderie continues on the race course!

You can support me through Virgin Money Giving - www.virginmoneygiving.com/jasminemorris 

What are you experiences of being part of a team? Do you prefer to take on challenges solo?

Wednesday Inspiration - Who do you want to be in life?

Today's inspiration comes from an unusual source but it is, perhaps surprisingly, one of the most beautifully articulated pieces of motivational speaking I have heard.

Who do you want to be life?

Never be afraid to fail.

Work your butt off.

Autumnal run along Parkland Walk

I am trying to get back into doing longer runs after a summer of short sweaty runs thanks to the humid weather. I am also keen to find some new running routes in preparation for post Christmas long runs during my marathon training.

A few runners I follow have tweeted about Parkland Walk in North London and as the Mr's mother lives in North London it seemed an ideal way to visit family and try out a new route. And I am so glad we did!

It was a beautiful route. I joined it at Muswell Hill and ran to Highgate, through Highgate Wood and then rejoined the Parkland Walk to Finsbury Park and then back again. The first part from Muswell Hill to Highgate Wood was stunning as you are on a hill and can look across London - in the autumnal sunshine I felt like I was on top of the world.

I absolutely love running through woods so enjoyed the trip through Highgate Wood and loved passing under the disused railway arches and past the old platforms. The only annoying thing was that I kept having to come off the Parkland and then attempting to rejoin it was tricky at times. The sign posting could have been a bit clearer but it was a small price to pay for such a beautiful route.

I hope to do this route again soon and do it from beginning to end.

Can you recommend any London running routes? Where is your favourite Sunday run location?

Wednesday Inspiration - Just Do It!

This video is all the inspiration I need at the moment to get out there - if you beat one goal reach for the next one.

I love the emphasis on competition in this and I have started to try and add this competitive element to my runs whether it is beating my own time or overtaking THAT runner at Parkrun who is always in front of me.