Amanda Paver
- Marathon - 4:21:08 @ Stockholm 2009
- Half Marathon - 1:52:25 @ Folkestone 2009
- 10M - 1:25:35 @ Canterbury 2006
- 10K - 51:53 @ Cliffe Woods 2009
- Clash of the Tritons Aquathon (500m swim + 5k run) - 34:58 2009
Initially it was to save me driving to the gym at weekends, then I
started running with some friends twice a week, and I found I was
getting to quite like the running thing as it was much more social than
just working out in a gym.
My next step was to up the ante as I wanted to say I'd run a
marathon - the intention was I'd do it once, tick the box, collect the
t-shirt and that would be me done. However, following my first marathon
in 2005 I realised I had unwittingly got hooked; the rest is history as
the gym membership was lapsed and I joined the Harriers.
I'd always kept active and belonged to a gym for as long as I could
remember, I was one of these people who got addicted to every new craze
that came out, step, pump, spin - you name it I was hooked.
I love to socialise, catch up with friends, meals out, or when the
evenings are all dark and horrid there is nothing nicer than a log
fire, bottle of wine, cheese board and snuggling up on the sofa. Oh,
and when that's all done these that know me will vouch that I may like
the occasional bit of shopping!
Dublin Marathon 2006, after London earlier in the year and the vow I
was never doing another marathon. A good friend and fellow Harrier had
told me the only way to banish the bad memory was to do another
marathon - I wasn't convinced. But a fun weekend away with friends was
just too tempting and I found myself lining up for the 2006 Dublin
marathon.
Having not run for 6 weeks due to injury, I did not know if I'd make
it round the course so figured I'd run to 10 miles then walk, all was
going well at 10 so re-set the target to 15, then again re-set it to 20
and so it went on. The achievement at having finished was great, I'd
not only done the marathon I'd banished the bad memories of London and
was able to see the marathon as a positive thing and enjoy my
achievement.
London Marathon 2006, training had been going great, was on form and
was planning on running at sub 4 pace and just see how long I could
keep going for. Was going to plan until about mile 17 then I started
suffering stomach cramps, which were so severe I was still unable to
stand up straight a week later, I ended up throwing up at least 6 times
(you know it's a lot when you lose count), then just to top it off
crossed the finish line and threw up again. I have yet to face Lucozade
sport or in fact the London Marathon since.
Really struggled with this one and could not pin it down to one race so have listed two:
One is my PB marathon course which is Stockholm Marathon in 2009. My
memories of this one are of a brilliant holiday and then a PB on the
marathon to top it off. Plus you got to finish in the 1912 Olympic
stadium; it may be a bit smaller than Olympic stadiums today but still
made for an awesome finish.
The other is Beachy Head marathon which I ran/walked with Rosie - it
was heavenly having no pressure of how long it would take us, the only
aim of the day was to finish and enjoy it. I loved the fact that we
were doing it together that made the day even more enjoyable, as when
things did start to hurt someone was there to share the pain, plus
motivate each other.
Cross training really does help and gives the body a well earned rest from the impacts of running.
Would have to be Rosie, we have been running together for the last
couple of years and now she's more than just a running buddy but has
also become a close frien
If I'm running by myself I have music on as this really motivates me.
The other thing which I find distracts me from the monotony is to count
back from 100.
Homemade vegetable soup.
To not be injured.
Throwing up 6+ times during the London Marathon in 2006, I have never
come so close to bailing out of a race as I did during that race.
It's friendly, supportive and a great way to meet like minded people
plus whilst you get all the running stuff there are all the social
activities which are a lot of fun.
Some introductory text here about Amanda.