‘Balaclavas, butts and big boobs: My marathon diary’
She loves champagne and cocktails, smokes – and hates exercise. We challenged Frank Lampard’s ex, Elen Rivas, 35, to run the London Marathon on April 25 and raise funds for Wellbeing of Women. Find out how she’s coped with her training so far...
I might squeeze in a bit of yoga every now and then. Then have a cigarette as a reward when it's over!
So when Fabulous asked me to run the London Marathon for the charity Wellbeing of Women, I actually laughed out loud, accepted on impulse then got scared. My friends, one of whom is a professional runner, warned that I was crazy to try to run 26.2 miles with just 12 weeks training! But I resolved to get fit, and what better inspiration than for charity? I knew I'd probably live to regret it, but I signed on the dotted line. Hello muscle pain and exhaustion, goodbye life as I know it!
Support Elen and the rest of the WoW runners by donating at Justgiving.com/wellbeing-of-women
I really need professional help so I'm working with personal trainer Tom Marien. He's devised a training plan of four runs a week - three short and one long - until race day. The first day Tom says we're going to do a 'slow three miler'. I focus on the 'slow' bit. I've never even run a mile.
It's February and freezing. After just 400 metres, the cold winter air hits my lungs and I struggle to breathe. My body feels like it's going into shock. I stop. Defeated, we retreat home for a hot drink without completing the run. Tom tries to boost my confidence, but I feel like a failure. I don't even hurt afterwards because I didn't run for long enough! We agree to try again in two days time, when I wear leggings, two jumpers, a pink bobblehat and a ski balaclava. I manage to run three miles. Really slowly. By the end of the week I've built up to actually running four miles in one go. I'm a bit stiff, but pleased.
Total mileage this week: 12 miles Longest run: 4 miles
There are still people who don't believe I can do this. But I'm determined to prove them wrong.
I do an eight-mile run in 90 minutes, which even a few days ago, I could never have imagined being able to finish.
Tom suggests I try his boot camp fitness sessions on Saturday to make my muscles stronger so I take his advice. Ten minutes in and I wonder what I've let myself in for! After killer circuit training and sprint sessions, I hurtle like a rugby player into giant pads held by Tom. I'm knackered. I want to stop feeling like my chest is about to explode! It's hardcore and muddy. The rain's turned the ground into a mudbath and I'm filthy.
Total mileage this week: 20 miles Longest run: 8 miles
I've got a shiny new pair of pink trainers as I'm doing my first 10 miler with Tom. Unfortunately they're not enough to stop me needing a break every few minutes to catch my breath. I feel shaky and exhausted. Is it cocktail time? No it's energy drink time. I'm still eating my usual diet - granola and fruit for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, and fish and vegetables for dinner, but I'm constantly hungry.
Total mileage this week: 23 miles Longest run: 9 miles
Tom has totally transformed my diet to give me the energy I need for running long distances. I'm tucking into loads of pasta and bread. And I don't feel remotely guilty because I'm burning it all off.
Total mileage this week: 25 miles Longest run: 12 miles
It's the start of March and getting warmer so the balaclava's out and a sports bra (I don't want anything to sag!), a Lycra top and waterproof jacket are in. It's hardly haute couture but it's comfortable. I'm running longer distances. My knees are starting to hurt, though.
Total mileage this week: 27 miles Longest run: 13 miles
Tom's colleague Michelle Roberts is training me today and says that having race experience will be a huge help on marathon day. So on Saturday morning I take part in the Sparks Half Marathon near Windsor, Berkshire. The 13-mile route is four flat laps around Eton College's rowing lake. After two hours and 23 minutes of running I'm finished, but a photographer jokes I have another two laps to go! I whip off my bobble hat and hit him with it. 'I won!' I shout, as I cross the finishing line. I haven't, but I feel so proud as I receive my medal and certificate.
Total mileage this week: 31 miles Longest run: 13 miles
Becoming a long-distance runner in such a short space of time is beginning to take its toll on my knees. I book an appointment with a knee specialist who works on my weak muscles. It's painful - but nothing compared to training!
Total mileage this week: 31 miles Longest run: 15 miles
Today's 18-mile run is a disaster. At 16 miles I feel like giving up. It's beyond hard and I feel exhausted. I want to stop, but Tom gives me some energy gel - a sticky strawberry-flavoured goo - to eat. It gives you a massive boost that stops you 'hitting the wall', which is where your legs turn into lead. Luckily the gel works a kind of magic and gives me the strength to complete the run in 3 hours.
Total mileage this week: 34 miles Longest run: 18 miles
I've started to notice a change in my body. I've gone up 6lb to 8st 6lb. My 26in skinny jeans are so tight they're cutting off my circulation. My bum is more toned but my calves and thighs have bulked up with muscles plus my belly seems bigger. I hate it. Thank God my boobs haven't shrunk. Something that often happens to runners. I can't believe I ran 20 miles in one go. I can barely walk the next morning. But I did it!
Total mileage this week: 36 miles Longest run: 20 miles
I'm on holiday in Austria with a friend for a week - we're staying at a mountain spa hotel for some pampering. I wish I could just relax, but there's no rest for the wicked. For the first time I'll run without Tom or Michelle - I'm nervous. Luckily I'm winding down now before race day, so my body gets to rest a bit. I do three runs, the longest is just nine miles! As I'm pounding the streets I'm green with envy thinking about my friend getting a manicure in the spa!
Total mileage this week: 27 miles Longest run: 9 miles
I'm excited and nervous about race day. It's hard to believe that 11 weeks ago I got puffed out running up the stairs and in one week's time I will run over 26 miles. I hope to do it in under six hours. I've got my WOW running vest which makes me think of all the women who'll benefit from the money I raise through sponsorship - even Harrods has promised to pledge some cash! After 12 weeks of intense training, crossing the finish line in front of Buckingham Palace will be the best feeling in the world. Wish me luck."
Total mileage this week: 19 miles Longest run: 8 miles
Support Elen and the rest of the WoW runners by donating at Justgiving.com/wellbeing-of-women
- For more information about One Element fitness training, visit: One-element.co.uk*
PHOTOGRAPHY: AMIT LENNON, JUSTIN GRIFFITHS WILLIAMS, PA HAIR & MAKE-UP: SARA BOWDEN *OR CALL 020 8871 1295/07778 507227
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This article has 3 comments
Good Luck, and well done anyway for your achievement!!!
By Sharon.. Posted April 18 2010 at 7:54 AM.
Awesome attitude I run all the time and its not easy to do the training and stay focused. You will love the London Marathon and what ever time you do it in will be a PB for you! Good luck.
By Jacqui.. Posted April 18 2010 at 12:33 AM.
Good luck to you! It's very easy to judge on the WAG stereotype rubbish that's peddled out all too often so it's good to hear a positive story :)
By orangina.. Posted April 17 2010 at 11:50 PM.