Last week I gave a talk about my running to a group that my Mum belongs to.  Afterwards came the usual amazement about the distances I run - "That's further than I drive in the car" or "That's like going from here to London"!  Then followed various questions including three that I could have predicted beforehand would come up as I'm asked them every time I talk to non-runners:

1.  "Are you going to be in the Olympics?"  This one I have to answer by explaining that, unfortunately, there are no ultra-distance events in the Olympics.  I then explain that the marathon is the longest event but with several British girls having run much quicker than the qualifying time, and only three places available in the team, it's highly unlikely (actually completely unlikely) that I'll make it.  Most people don't realise that there are only three places available per event and they assume that anyone who runs a qualifying time will get picked - I wish!!

2.  The second question that people seem fixated with is "What do you do about going to the toilet when you're out running for so long?"!!  This probably stems from Paula's famous 'pit stop' at the side of the road in London a few years ago.  My answer to this one is that it varies from race to race and just depends on my body.  In Comrades I didn't need to go at all for 7 + hours, but in the World 100k I had to stop 3 times.  I tell them there are portaloos along the course, but bushes work just as well!!

3.  The third question is the trickiest to answer - "What do you think about when you're running for that length of time?"  This varies so much that it's hard to give a simple answer!  It depends on whether I'm racing or training, and how I'm feeling.  I don't always know what I think about - thoughts just come into my head but I don't necessarily remember what they were afterwards! 

In a race I usually try to think about my pace, where my opponents are, how I'm feeling, when the next drink station is coming up, how far I've got left to go etc.  I try to focus on the race and getting the best out of myself, although I often end up thinking about which bits of me are hurting or how far the others are in front! 

In training it again varies according to whether I'm doing a quality session or an easy run.  In hard sessions I try to concentrate on what I'm doing - maintaining my pace or trying to push harder for example.  I must admit though, I'm not always very good at concentrating, which is one of my downfalls.  If the session isn't going well I tend to dwell on all the negatives and find it hard to think of any positive things, which ends up in a vicious circle.  If I do manage to change my mindset and think positively it's amazing how much difference it makes to my running.  A couple of years ago I had some sessions with a sports psychologist (Stuart Chambers at Athletic Mind) - he was excellent and gave me some great ideas on how to improve my concentration by thinking positive thoughts and phrases which makes a huge difference.  I also try to think about my form, especially recently trying to put into practice the things my physio has told me about using my glutes more.

On easy runs I think about everything and anything, often what I'm going to have for lunch / tea when I get back, all the jobs I need to do in the house or what I'm going to write in my blogs!!  Easy runs can be a great time for me to make plans or write lists in my head, and I often make decisions that I can't seem to make at other times!  I also use training runs to think about and visualise forthcoming races.  Often I don't consciously think about anything but just let random thoughts pop into my head - and they can be very random indeed!  I'm quite good at daydreaming!

In both racing and training I tend to switch between thinking internally - how I'm feeling, my pace etc. and externally - my environment, people around me, distance etc.  When I'm struggling in a race I sometimes try to distract myself - for example in the World 100k I tried counting the number of steps I was walking and running.  In Comrades I tried to distract myself by enjoying and acknowledging the crowd support.  On training runs I've sometimes played mind games or tried to solve quiz questions.  However, I do have to beware of too much distraction as I find that my pace also tends to drop!

One thing though, I never run with an iPod but prefer to rely on my brain to generate thoughts and distractions instead - that's what it's there for (or so I'm told!)

So, that's my three most Frequently Asked Questions.  I get asked a whole array of other things too, and sometimes get some quite odd comments!  One lady once asked me how I could run so fast when I'm so skinny?!!  When I asked what she meant it transpired she thought I should have the muscle bulk of a sprinter!! 

I love talking to people about my running and am flattered that people are so enthused and interested enough to want to ask me questions.  People seem genuinely fascinated by my running tales, and I'm really grateful for everyone's interest and support.