This #mothersday themed #marathonspotlight comes from the wonderfully inspiring Elizabeth Kerr. After reading this it genuinely made me want to put on my trainers and go for a run. Her words of wisdom and tips are fantastic. I remember talking to Liz about her labour and she told me that with Lyla she completed the Parkrun on the morning of giving birth and with Logie she was on an In-service day presenting to her colleagues (if my memory serves me right!). Thanks Liz for your lovely blog there is some great information here. Enjoy…
Marathons completed?
Six marathons completed. London four times, Edinburgh and Lochaber both once.
I also ran most of the Rotterdam marathon. Together with my brother and James, I had made a decision before I started to pull out at 25K, as I was about 10 weeks pregnant.
PB Marathon time?
3:28:06 in London 2015. Although, this was possibly my worst training on the lead up to it, as I wasn’t feeling great at all and it turned out I was very anaemic. So went into that not really knowing what to expect. Will look forward to improving on my PB in the next couple of years!
Favourite marathon and why?
I enjoyed the whole London experience. The whole weekend away and I love going to the expo! Even if you’re not running, it’s exciting! Up until last year I never really found running London too congested and overcrowded, as a lot of people do find. The atmosphere, buzz and support is great there, however in the last few miles I’d prefer the crowd and noise to disappear! But that would be the same anywhere.
I was equally as up for and happy running Lochaber, which was long open roads, with little to distract you. When I’m chasing a time, I kind of just get my head down and try to stay quite focused!
Last year, I was able to run London in a completely different way. I ran with my brother, Ross. He had run Boston the week before, and was due to pace me in London. However, at 16 weeks pregnant there was no pacing and we were both able to run round together chatting and enjoying the full London experience. We ate the jelly babies and orange quarters, gave the children high fives, and cheered on/ encouraged others around us! Ross was getting married in May, and I seem to recall at about 20 miles he ran through his grooms speech in preparation for the big day!! I had to clap and laugh on cue!! Sure people around us though we were mad!
Worst marathon memory and why?
I don’t really have a worst marathon memory, not yet! I have been lucky enough that all my races have gone pretty much to plan, having set myself a realistic goal. I’ve had injuries through training on the lead up to races but luckily it’s been ok on the day. Like everyone, there are ‘dark’ moments where it feels very hard, but I can’t pinpoint an exact occasion!
Marathon plan 80:20, Pfitz, Hal Higdon or other?
I do like a plan! After I finish a period of training for a race, I enjoy a short while of doing what I like, but I do look forward to getting back to following a ‘plan’. I do try to stick to them but with experience have accepted that sometimes you’ve got to be flexible. Things can change, injuries and niggles can occur!
In the past, I have used Runner’s World plans and a Runkeeper one. But, my brother has also written/ tweaked plans for me.
Generally, when I’m training for a marathon I aim for 5 runs a week (Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat & Sun). This would include a speed session, a marathon paced run, a parkrun and a long run, which would increase gradually up to 20-22 miles. I would sometimes throw in some marathon paced miles in long runs too.
Rest days, I would previously have gone to the gym/ for a swim, but at the moment I typically spend these running around after my wee ones! No such thing as a rest day!
Funniest Training Moment?
Because I have to fit training in with family life, and work around our weekend plans, I have found myself running some very strange routes on my long runs! There have been times where I’ve had no idea how to get where I need to be, but just know I’ve to be there at certain time. I just type the destination into google maps, and hope that my phone battery won’t die on me. I’ve seen myself running through fields full of cows, jumping fences and climbing through bushes and wading through water (James you may have been leading the way on some of these runs!)! And then I arrive at the soft play birthday party, or meeting with friends, looking a bit worse for wear!!
Another funny story goes back a few years when I was quite heavily pregnant with my first daughter. We lived in town, and there was a loop I often did which took me along Queens Road. One evening my husband, who didn’t run at the time, decided to join me on his bike. He regretted that, after getting hurled abuse for ‘making’ his pregnant wife run whilst he pedaled along at a leisurely pace!
Running with a buggy harder or easier than normal running?
This is a question I get asked all the time! It can depend on the conditions/ route but it’s really not that hard. In Blackburn, where we live it’s not ideal with the hills but has to be done! But at the beach, on a fairly calm day, it’s pretty easy. especially with the single running buggy. It’s a Baby Jogger Performance, and is great to run with. It’s very light and pretty fast. There’s just under 2 minutes difference between my parkrun PB and single buggy PB!
The double buggy (Bob Ironman Duallie) is much heavier (and that’s before the 5-year-old and 3-year-old get in). It’s hard going in any wind and up hills. However, on a calm day, there is under 3 minutes difference between my PB and double buggy PB at parkrun.
I get asked very often, if there’s a motor in the buggy, usually followed by ‘Any space for me’! Most people love seeing you running with a buggy, but I’ve been told there are the odd few who seriously dislike a buggy passing them on the bottom prom! And even more so, with someone pregnant pushing it!
I’ve seen myself using the buggy to get long runs in, and even interval sessions! It’s a way to get out and run.. I can’t get to the gym with two children, but I can run.
You can push yourself as hard as you like, just the same as running without one. Depends on what you want to get out of your run.
The buggy has become a bit of a safety net! I can turn up at parkrun, and totally rinse myself with the buggy, and only I will know if it’s been a hard run, or I’ve got a good time! Takes the pressure off a little at times.
Running during pregnancy, any tips or advice?
I should start by saying everyone is different, this is just my personal experience and I was very lucky. If I’d found running a struggle, or uncomfortable, I’d just have to stop. Don’t get me wrong it wasn’t all easy and I did have a bit of back pain, for a short period, with all 3 pregnancies. But I just kept fit in other ways until I felt able to run again.
As soon as I fell pregnant, each time, I automatically became slower. Before I even knew I was expecting. I wasn’t deliberately slowing down but it just happened.
I was still able to run at a decent pace, and as long as I felt comfortable I just did what I felt good with. I read a lot when I was first expecting about running and keeping fit during the pregnancy. There is a lot of advice about heart rate etc , but I just ran to feel.
I kept up a fairly decent mileage, and runs per week but that was just personal choice. I think it depends on the person. I really enjoyed the pressure being off in races, and ran every distance whilst being pregnant. The best bit is getting to pace family and friends.
I do think that if you can run/ keep fit during pregnancy it will really help keep you feeling good, and normal, other than having a bump! I enjoyed the positive impact it had. I really enjoyed all 3 of my pregnancies, didn’t wish any of them over because I felt good. I ran until the day I gave birth (good old parkrun kicked things off with my first daughter!). But, if you’re tired REST! Have a day off, and don’t feel guilty, your body probably needs it. Enjoy putting your feet up while you can too!
I also believe for me keeping fit helped with the labour. I had 3 straightforward labours, which I recovered quickly from, and I would like to think that running/ keeping fit helped me with that. However, I still maintain that I would rather run 100 marathons back to back, before going through childbirth!
The good thing about returning to running after having a baby, is you have a whole new lot of PBs to get! I’ve got a fair collection now (after Lyla, after Logie, with a buggy……!)
Hydration & Nutrition snack of choice on long runs?
I take nothing on a long run, rightly or wrongly. I will have had porridge, and a little water before I leave (at least an hour) but I don’t seem to need to rehydrated on long runs. I just look forward to the end, when I can have my recovery food (I eat anything and everything)!
I tend not to take much on in races either, other than water as I get closer to 20 miles but that’s also weather dependent. I will sometimes take a gel, but it’s more of a distraction. I don’t carry anything.
Whether it’s a sensible idea, or not, I do chew chewing gum on every run and in every race! Not sure how that started, but always do it. And you can imagine how a piece of Wrigley’s tastes (or doesn’t) after 3 hours of running!
Shoes – minimal or maximal ?
For years, I have relied on Nike Lunargildes for longer distances. Have never had any issues with them. For shorter runs, parkrun etc, I tend to go for a pair of Nike Frees. I haven’t strayed from Nike for my running shoes!
What is your Mantra?
To run faster, you have to run fast! When I’m feeling slow, I know that picking up the pace or doing some speed work will help!
I also try to tell myself when the going gets tough, the faster I run the quicker it will be over. I do this even in 200m sessions! Probably a common line of thought for runners!
How has the Parkrun changed your running?
I LOVE parkrun. I love everything about it! And I often find myself saying to people, when I’m trying to educate them about it ‘what would all those hundreds of people be doing on a Saturday morning every week, if it wasn’t for parkrun? Pretty sure most of them wouldn’t be out running!’
It’s an amazing event, and it’s free. It makes running and fitness accessible to all! Almost anyone and everyone can/ could do it. It gives you the option every week whether you want to push yourself, using others to help you do that, or run to catch up with friends, keep active, clear your head… the list goes on.
And it means that every week, I can head to parkrun with my family and we can all do it together. We might not always be smiling on arrival (3 children dressed and out of the house on a cold, wet day by 8:45 has it’s difficulties, tears and tantrums, from children and adults) but we normally are by the start line, and always are by the finish line!
Terrain – trail, track or tarmac?
I tend to do most of my running on the roads, as that’s where I normally race. It’s handy, when you don’t have much time. Just get up and go. But I do also enjoy running around the streets, I like seeing others out and about, and going about their daily business!
I do enjoy running on the trails, and always say I don’t do it enough. I have always wanted to get into cross-country, but again full days away aren’t practical at the moment. But I would hope to get involved in the future.
I enjoy a beach run too, when that’s an option.
Top tip for #project345 ?
Trust in your training. Trust your pace, and don’t get carried away at the start. Don’t worry about the people around you, that are whizzing by (and surely they can’t be faster than you!!). Go out at the pace you know you can do and can maintain. Until mile 20, which is half way in a marathon! If you feel you can still push on then, do it! You hear it all too often, how great someone felt until mile 18/19/20! And then you ask them about their pace at the start!
I always keep a few seconds ‘in the bag’ but try not to go too crazy at the start. It’s really hard!
Break down the distance in your head. Don’t think about the 26 miles, but tick off parkruns in your head! Or get to 9 miles, and think you’re over a third there! I also sometimes visualise what’s ahead, and if it’s loops how I’ll feel the next time I’m at that point. Or tell myself that I’ll still be feeling strong still when I cross the next 5K line etc.
I also feel the long training runs are important. Try and make sure your 5 longest runs equal 100 miles in distance.
You’ll do this though! No problem! And I really think you’ll enjoy it!
Good luck!
WOW, an amazing and informative read. One of the first runners I met when returning to running was Liz. Truly a massive inspiration to me, motivational and takes a genuine interest in the training plan. The hints and tips of the 5 runs equalling 100miles is something I will look into as love that way of thinking. Can’t thank you enough Liz.
As a thank you to all the readers I have made my youtube channel available ( a place where I store exercise ideas, core, legs mainly running related…drop by here to get some new ideas for your strength training…even better subscribe if you like what you see 🙂
Thanks as always for reading
Run Long and Prosper
James
