Ellan Iaquaniello: Runner x 10

This week I have Ellan to introduce to you!  She's mom to a seven year old daughter and wife to a golf-loving husband.  She works at a school in Kent and is, erm, training to run 10 marathons in 10 days. Over to you, wonderwoman!

1.  I started running  5 years ago and it's taken me all over the place including Brighton, Portsmouth, Newcastle, Beachy Head, The London Olympic stadium, Paris, Barcelona and even around a cyclopark in Kent 17 laps to make up a marathon. 

2.  I run because I love the runner's high, a bit of an addictive nature and I'm competitive (mostly with myself.)  I wear a pair of Asics.

3.  The last run I did was yesterday and I ran an easy 5 miles, one of my local runs, a little road, a little track, some woods and a few ups and downs. It was really enjoyable and relaxed because it was my last run this week before my Thames Meander Marathon (on Saturday 24th August) 

4.  My current fave bit of kit is my Sweaty Betty purple running vest, a birthday present from my running friends

5.  I'm training for Brathay 10in10 in May 2014. It's 10 marathons in 10 days, well actually the Brathay Windermere Marathon every day for 10 days. It's the biggest endurance challenge I've ever undertaken, I've completed 18 marathons to date (soon to be 19, this weekend hopefully) I'm raising vital money for Brathay Trust to help improve the lives of disadvantaged children. (If everyone reading this blog can donate just £1, I'll reach my target and we'll all help hundreds of children!)

6.  Running made me feel alive when I completed my first marathon at Brighton, I felt it again the week after when I completed my second marathon at London. It was then that I uttered some rather strange words to my husband, "I think I've found my distance!"

7.  I'm currently listening to a combination of Daft Punk, Eddie Izzard on tour and some random 80s tracks when I run.  It makes me smile on the inside, laugh on the outside and think that I'm young again (and not 41!)

8.  I participate in my local running club, Larkfield AC, in Kent. A fun and friendly club, mix of abilities and huge supporters of my Brathay 10in10 challenge. I can't mention Larkfield AC without adding that the Larkfield Ladies are the current Kent Grand Prix Road Race winners of 2012/13! 

9.  I started using gels once I started marathon training and the distances increased, thankfully my stomach is fairly cast iron! I use Clif shots, GU energy or SIS energy gels, depending on how my taste buds feel. Beachy Head marathon is the only exception, where I have enjoyed a range of goodies from hot cross buns, cups of tea with lemon drizzle cake and pieces of Mars bars! I would highly recommend it, but not if you're after a decent time. All the eating slows you down.  

10.  I'm currently obsessed with my Brathay 10in10 challenge, it's all I think about (and talk about my husband says!)

11.  I'm bringing ice baths and foam rollers to this blog, and throwing it down on the table.  I discovered both were a huge help when upping my mileage and they both really do work for me. My tip for the ice cold baths is to make a lovely cup of tea, take it with you when you get into the bath, hold it with both hands, it almost confuses your mind, the freezing cold of your legs in the water and the boiling hot cup in your hands!  

12.  I'm currently having difficulty with choosing a European city marathon for next Spring, I've done Paris and Barcelona to date - can anyone offer any tips? 

13.  Finally, here's my inspirational quote.  It gets me going.  Now go, run!

(Apparently the race director held a competition during the marathon to perform on the X on each of the 17 laps around the course. Ellan won a prize for the most awesomest star jump.)

Follow Ellan on twitter to stay up to date with her mad 2014 challenge! 

Beki Cadd: Runner, geophysicist and book-listener!

Next up is not-so-wheezy Beki, a newbie runner with a mixed bag of 10ks on the horizon.  If you're thinking of starting up running I'm sure she'll make you feel inspired.  She certainly made me want to get off my butt and go for a run. 

Hi! I’m Beki and my blog is called Miss Wheezy- this stems from my asthma, and the noise I used to make whenever I tried to do any sort of exercise!

I’m a geophysicist and work for an Oil and Gas exploration company- I moved from Norfolk to London/Surrey only a couple of months ago, and am still settling in and trying to find new places to run and make new running friends.

1. I started running not even a year ago, and I’m still surprised at my decision!
2. I run because I want to prove I can, as an asthmatic, and someone who hated running for the way it made me feel weak and incapable in school. I’ve been wearing a pair of Mizuno Wave Nexus for the past year, but have recently bought some Brooks Ravennas to try- they’re a similar motion control shoe.
3. The last run I did was 4.5miles around Bushy Park- it’s really nice that there are so many green spaces in London, and I love running past the Queen’s deer!
4. My current favourite bit of kit is my Garmin Forerunner 10- it was a Christmas present from my boyfriend (after much unsubtle hinting!) and it’s made my running so much simpler as I don’t need to try and figure out how far or fast I’ve run.
5. I’m training for several 10ks at the moment, including She Runs Windsor and Nike We Own The Night as well as the Energizer Night Run 5k in London.
6. Running made me feel alive and proud of my body, when I crossed the finish line at the Race for Life Twilight 5k last year- it was my first “race” and while not timed, I ran the whole way – an amazing sense of achievement.
7. I’m currently listening to “The Kingmaker’s Daughter” by Philippa Gregory when I run. I do love music too for boosting my mood, but on longer runs I like to zone out and listen to an audiobook. I get so caught up in the story!
8. I don’t currently participate in any running clubs, but have been to a couple of 5k Park Runs and would definitely recommend them.
9. I started eating a lot of nut butter to fuel my running! My favourite breakfast is porridge with mashed banana, chia seeds and peanut butter; it keeps me going all morning.
10. I’m currently obsessed with new running gear, and am trying to stop myself buying lots of colourful new kit for Spring!
11. I’m bringing foam rolling to this blog and throwing it down on the table. I’ve just discovered it and although painful, I believe it’s really helpful in massaging my muscles and working out any tightness.
12. Finally, here’s my inspirational quote. Now go, run!

Sarah Marsden: Runner and serious about an S Club Party

Did you hear that? Someone just ran past with some serious tunes blasting on their headphones.  I think it was Sarah, putting all the other students to shame with her awesomely witty running enthusiasm, and claiming to be obsessed with porridge and 'scampering around Leeds encased in Lycra.'

Hi, I'm Sarah and I write over at Goldilocks Runs- on my blog I get to share things I'm learning about running, silly stories and quite unflattering pictures of me trudging around cross country in the snow. I've currently had to shelve my plans for Brighton being my first marathon in April, so am focused on getting fit and strong to make my debut at York marathon in October.

When I'm not running, wearing Lycra and procrastinating or blogging about it, I'm learning to be a doctor at medical school in Leeds, which I find requires similar attributes to running- the ability to blag knowing what you're doing, fuel whenever the opportunity arises and wilfully ignore that you've needed a wee for hours now! When I'm not in serious student doctor mode, I can be found beer racing with my university's cross country club or baking industrial quantities of my beloved banana cake. 

1. I started running a year ago, and it's got me fit, kept me sane through the demands of medical school and given me a newfound love of porridge, early mornings and mud.

2. I run because I enjoy it, and lack the hand-eye coordination to play any other sports. At the moment, I wear a pair of Brooks Ravenna 3's when I'm not running barefoot in the pool wearing the flotation belt of doom.

3. The last run I did was on Sunday and I ran a grand total of 2.5K on the treadmill. It was shoddy and painful because I am nursing a very reluctant right hip and trying to persuade it running IS possible.

4. My current favourite bit of kit is my foam roller- although I swear loudly at it and kick it whenever I walk past, I think it's doing my muscles some good and helping my mystery hip injury.

5. I'm eyeing up the York marathon in the autumn, for when my hip is hopefully fixed- I'm glad now that I entered on a whim after a bottle of wine...

6. Running made me feel alive the first time I pushed past the tiredness and exhaustion and experienced my first elusive 'runner's high', where my brain and legs no longer felt connected and I felt like I was flying (inwardly. Outwardly I probably still looked in pain, sweaty and like a tomato in a blonde wig).

7. When I'm in the gym, I'm currently listening to a lot of 90's pop- think Spice Girls, Blue and S Club 7. It makes me forget that I've been on the exercise bike/elliptical for what feels like a lifetime. Side effects include minor bopping and accidentally singing along- though I call anyone who wasn't cheered up by my rendition of 'Wannabe' a fibber.

8. I participate in my local parkrun on Saturday mornings when I'm not injured or hungover, and it has helped me get out of bed on a Saturday morning, meet new people and race 5K without the faff of race entries or travel. You can find out more at www.parkrun.org.uk. I also participate in my uni's cross country club, but unless you are a) a student b) have a penchant for yellow clothing and c) enjoy drinking pints of bitter whilst people shout 'eat it!' at you, I'll leave that one there...

9. I started eating more breakfast before my long runs, like a bowl of porridge and some toast, and found it gave me much more energy- I'd recommend it! I wouldn't recommend eating pizza to cure your hangover and then almost immediately going out for a run- Leeds has surprisingly few litter bins and hedges when you're feeling queasy.

10. I'm currently obsessed with training plans. Whilst I'm injured I'm reading them until my eyes go blurry and it's rebooting my enthusiasm for when I can finally run properly again- I want to do ALLLLL the sessions!

11. I'm bringing Body Pump classes to this blog, and throwing them down on the table. They're fun, more female-friendly than the weights room full of hulking meatheads and protein shakes, and are making me feel stronger and generally more awesome.

12. I'm currently having issues with my right hip, which is producing some very annoying pain and some very alarming crunching- can anyone offer any suggestions beyond 'see a physio' and 'learn to like swimming'?

13. Finally, here's my inspirational quote. It gets me going. Now, go run!

Catch Goldilocks on twitter, her blog and at the Yorkshire marathon in the Autumn!