What have I been up to since the Ocean floor race ??

Well its been a good 9 weeks since the Ocean floor race & I have been a bit lazy with my blog lately , the main reason for this is because we have had a new puppy an english springer spaniel which we have named Buffy (not that im obsessed with Buff products lol) but as Im an ultra runner sponsored by Buff & hopefully Buffy will become one of my training partners when she is bigger it seemed a perfect name.

Now back to my running I really can't believe how quick the time has flown since the Ocean floor race & i'm really surprised at how well my body has coped with it & how quickly my feet have healed after losing 4 toenails & been on antibiotics for an infection to the said toes.

My first race since the OFR was on the 10th March @the  Cambridge half marathon & I was lucky enough to have been given a place in this event by Buff  www.buffwear.co.uk as they were one of the event sponsors & they sponsor my kit (As if u didn't already know).
I was hoping to have a good race & get under 1.45 but I wasn't to certain how my legs were going to be & if I had lost any pace , but I was determined to have a good run as I had a bit of added pressure on me as Buff had supplied my number & Amanda (ninja 2 ) Goodwin (who I ran the OFR with) was coming along to watch & meet up.
It was also great to meet up with another of my fellow ultra running friends  Gary Barnes & after a short chat we decided to start the race together as we are a similar pace.
Gary is obviously alot tougher than me in cold weather as it was a freezing morning & it had started to snow , he was at the start in shorts & vest , me on the other hand was wearing a long sleeved top, my team buff tshirt, 2 buffs , one on head one round my neck,shorts & compression socks.

Well the gun went & I think we ran together for about 3 secs & I just went for it hoping that I hadn't gone to fast.
If you have never done this race I highly recommend it for next year as it's a fast 2 lap course which runs through the lovely city of Cambridge & past the famous king's college, with loads of spectators all around the course.
I really couldn't believe how good I felt & I really think that running with the added weight of my backpack at the Ocean floor race & training everyday with my backpack on to & from work has really helped as I'm really feeling the benefit when i'm racing as you are obviously lighter.
My finishing time was 1.37.40 & to say I was chuffed was an understatement & I even managed a sprint finish.
So it just goes to show that you can run long distances & still keep some speed in your legs.

This was going to be my last race before the 12 hour lightning run a couple of weeks later & I really wanted to be on top form for this race as I won the ladies solo race last year, so a couple of weeks of good solid training was planned , unfortunately this changed pretty quick as the following friday & 1 week before the lightning run I came down with severe tonsillitis & I was put on a high dose of antibiotics for 7 days this meant that I couldn't run & I would finish my tablets 2 days before the 12 hour race not ideal preparation!!!!

I was not a happy bunny & anyone thats knows me well will tell you i'm not the best patient & pretty miserable if I cant run, somehow the next turn of events played in my favour , i'm sure everyone apart from me was a bit miffed & annoyed when we had snow & lots of it in Staffordshire where the race was due to take place.
So it was touch & go if the race would actually go ahead & touch & go if I would be well enough to run in it , luckily for me the race was postponed & yes I know this will sound bad but I was pleased in one respect  as at least when it is run in June I should be 100 per cent fit.

I also learned this month that I am very lucky to have the continued support & sponsorship from Buff again for my 2nd year & I thank Sarah & her team for all the help they have given me in 2012 & together we can keep spreading the Buff love at races in 2013.

PLEASE  LOOK OUT FOR ME (ULTRABUFFGIRL  & MY HUBBY (THE BUFF PHOTOGRAPHER) AT RACES UP & DOWN THE UK & ABROAD.

Next race for me is the Virgin London Marathon next week , if anyone see's me in London please come & say hello or give me a shout I will be running in the new Blue buff kit as the picture above.