Date & Time : 13/03/10 14:45
Distance : 9 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 475 miles
Route & Stats : Whittlingham & Big Broad Loops
After last weeks 20m high this was a 9m low. A very disappointing run. I had planned to run at least 13 miles and hoped for more like 16. However, after only 3 or 4 miles my achilles tendons started to get quite sore. I carried on for another lap hoping that they would loosen up a bit, but they just got worse, so as the experts would say, I "listened to my body" and decided to cut the run short to reduce the risk of doing any further damage. Perhaps I'm still not fully recovered from the exersions of last Sundays 20 miler.
As I sit here writing this blog entry 24 hours later, I am pleased to say that the soreness has reduced considerably. I will take it easy this week with a couple of light jogs and lots of stretching and hopefully I'll be OK for the Broadland Half Marathon on Sunday 21/03.
It's only 6 weeks until the marathon and I feel like I am pretty much ready for it, just need to do everything I can to avoid injury from here on in. Got one more 20m run planned sometime over Easter that will give me a full 3 weeks to fully recover before the big day.
Sunday, 14 March 2010
Monday, 8 March 2010
49 Days To Go - The Dreaded Wymondham 20m
Date & Time : 07/03/10 10:00
Distance : 20 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 466 miles
Route & Stats : Wymondham 20m
This race has been on my calendar for several weeks now as a benchmark and line in the sand. Everytime I thought about it the self doubt and concern would come - will I be ready to take on 20 miles 7 weeks before the marathon? Even as little as 2 weeks ago I had virtually decided not to run, using the excuse that the event had come 2 weeks too soon for me.
However, after last weekends really good 14 miler, I was determined to give it a go, even a stinking head cold all week wasn't going to stop me. And boy am I glad I did it - I absolutely loved it. Having completed it in a respectable time of 3h 12m, I now feel very confident that I have a sub 4h 30m marathon in me and am really looking forward to the next 7 weeks as I prepare for the big day.
The race itself was great and well done to Wymondham AC for putting on such a good event. The course was really nice, starting in the market square in Wymondham, out into the countryside and then a couple of 8.5 mile laps through Wicklewood, Deopham and Morley and then back into Wymondham. It was pretty flat, with exception of a long hill up into Deopham at 6m and then 14m which didn't bother me at all, and a nasty little hill a few hundred metres from the finish which did bother me.
However, probably the best part of all was the weather. Clear blue skies and cold light breeze, just about perfect running conditions. It must have been the best day weather wise since early October. What a difference from my last event in Bungay a couple of weeks ago.
I had a deliberate race strategy to treat the race as 4 lots of 5 miles.
0-5 miles
I started quite steadily, trying not to go too fast at the beginning, 20 miles was new territory for me and all the advice I had been given was take it easy at the beginning. I dropped into a nice steady rythym almost straightaway and was really enjoying the countryside and the weather.
6-10 miles
The first 5 miles ticked by without incident and then I found myself running with Moses from work, who is a fellow novice at this sort of malarky. His company really helped and while we didn't talk much it was certainly a positive distraction having someone to run with. I remember noting all the uphill sections on the first circuit, thinking I wonder what this will feel like after another 8 miles. Going through the 10 mile marker was great, I said to Moses "OK, we're on our way home now".
11-15 miles
The next 5 miles were quite challenging and I had to dig in a bit. The hill between 14m and 15m was tough, but after getting to the top and having a drink and my last Go-Gel I felt pretty good and therefore decided to up my pace a little.
16-20 miles
The legs were starting to hurt, but the breathing was OK and my energy levels felt good. I found a decent rythym and was also encouraged by the fact that I started to catch and pass quite a few of the runners that had passed me earlier in the race. To be honest the last 5 miles seemed to go quite quickly - I was delighted when I reached the 18 mile marker for 2 reasons - a) I had forgotten that I had passed 17 already and so this felt like a free mile and b) it was the point at which we turned back towards Wymondham and the finish. I have already mentioned the nasty little hill before the finish, but having conquered that I even had a little left in the tank or a sprint finish!
All in all a great experience. I even had enough energy in the afternoon to cycle down to Whittlingham Broad with my 8yr old daugther Ellie and her friend Carmel, who have a school cross country this week and wanted to do some training - how cool is that? Talk about a proud Dad!
Distance : 20 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 466 miles
Route & Stats : Wymondham 20m
This race has been on my calendar for several weeks now as a benchmark and line in the sand. Everytime I thought about it the self doubt and concern would come - will I be ready to take on 20 miles 7 weeks before the marathon? Even as little as 2 weeks ago I had virtually decided not to run, using the excuse that the event had come 2 weeks too soon for me.
However, after last weekends really good 14 miler, I was determined to give it a go, even a stinking head cold all week wasn't going to stop me. And boy am I glad I did it - I absolutely loved it. Having completed it in a respectable time of 3h 12m, I now feel very confident that I have a sub 4h 30m marathon in me and am really looking forward to the next 7 weeks as I prepare for the big day.
The race itself was great and well done to Wymondham AC for putting on such a good event. The course was really nice, starting in the market square in Wymondham, out into the countryside and then a couple of 8.5 mile laps through Wicklewood, Deopham and Morley and then back into Wymondham. It was pretty flat, with exception of a long hill up into Deopham at 6m and then 14m which didn't bother me at all, and a nasty little hill a few hundred metres from the finish which did bother me.
However, probably the best part of all was the weather. Clear blue skies and cold light breeze, just about perfect running conditions. It must have been the best day weather wise since early October. What a difference from my last event in Bungay a couple of weeks ago.
I had a deliberate race strategy to treat the race as 4 lots of 5 miles.
0-5 miles
I started quite steadily, trying not to go too fast at the beginning, 20 miles was new territory for me and all the advice I had been given was take it easy at the beginning. I dropped into a nice steady rythym almost straightaway and was really enjoying the countryside and the weather.
6-10 miles
The first 5 miles ticked by without incident and then I found myself running with Moses from work, who is a fellow novice at this sort of malarky. His company really helped and while we didn't talk much it was certainly a positive distraction having someone to run with. I remember noting all the uphill sections on the first circuit, thinking I wonder what this will feel like after another 8 miles. Going through the 10 mile marker was great, I said to Moses "OK, we're on our way home now".
11-15 miles
The next 5 miles were quite challenging and I had to dig in a bit. The hill between 14m and 15m was tough, but after getting to the top and having a drink and my last Go-Gel I felt pretty good and therefore decided to up my pace a little.
16-20 miles
The legs were starting to hurt, but the breathing was OK and my energy levels felt good. I found a decent rythym and was also encouraged by the fact that I started to catch and pass quite a few of the runners that had passed me earlier in the race. To be honest the last 5 miles seemed to go quite quickly - I was delighted when I reached the 18 mile marker for 2 reasons - a) I had forgotten that I had passed 17 already and so this felt like a free mile and b) it was the point at which we turned back towards Wymondham and the finish. I have already mentioned the nasty little hill before the finish, but having conquered that I even had a little left in the tank or a sprint finish!
All in all a great experience. I even had enough energy in the afternoon to cycle down to Whittlingham Broad with my 8yr old daugther Ellie and her friend Carmel, who have a school cross country this week and wanted to do some training - how cool is that? Talk about a proud Dad!
Thursday, 4 March 2010
53 Days To Go - Up Hill Struggle
Date & Time : 03/03/10 19:15
Distance : 4.5 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 446 miles
Route & Stats : Chapplefield and Back (plus a loop round Carrow Hill)
Decent short run tonight, felt good, didn't want to go too far as have half an eye on the 20m race in Wymondham on Sunday. Bumped into a fellow Virgin London Marathon runner, Susanna, from work going up Brackendale. She was doing some hill training using Carrow Hill, so I decided to join her for a loop round. Blimey, that was hard work - I was knackered after just one lap. Susanna had done eight or nine, RESPECT!
I've settled into a weekly training programme that is basically as follows,
Mon - rest
Tue - 1 hour cross training
Wed - 1 hour running
Thu - 1 hour cross training
Fri - rest
Sat - 3 hours (or more) long run
Sun - rest
I'll continue this throughout March getting at least two 20 mile runs in and then start tapering in April. I'm sure some people will look at this and think it is not enough, but don't forget my race objectives are quite straightforward - a) finish on my own two feet in somewhere between 4 and 5 hours and b) maintain control of my bowels during that 4 or 5 hours - simples!
Distance : 4.5 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 446 miles
Route & Stats : Chapplefield and Back (plus a loop round Carrow Hill)
Decent short run tonight, felt good, didn't want to go too far as have half an eye on the 20m race in Wymondham on Sunday. Bumped into a fellow Virgin London Marathon runner, Susanna, from work going up Brackendale. She was doing some hill training using Carrow Hill, so I decided to join her for a loop round. Blimey, that was hard work - I was knackered after just one lap. Susanna had done eight or nine, RESPECT!
I've settled into a weekly training programme that is basically as follows,
Mon - rest
Tue - 1 hour cross training
Wed - 1 hour running
Thu - 1 hour cross training
Fri - rest
Sat - 3 hours (or more) long run
Sun - rest
I'll continue this throughout March getting at least two 20 mile runs in and then start tapering in April. I'm sure some people will look at this and think it is not enough, but don't forget my race objectives are quite straightforward - a) finish on my own two feet in somewhere between 4 and 5 hours and b) maintain control of my bowels during that 4 or 5 hours - simples!
Saturday, 27 February 2010
57 Days To Go - Confidence Restored
Date & Time : 27/02/10 09:15
Distance : 14 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 421.5 miles
Route & Stats : Outer Ring Road
Was really hoping for a nice steady incident and injury free run this morning and that is exactly what I got, much to my relief and no ankle pain at all. Phew. I had orginally planned 19 miles today, but considering the problems I have had in the last couple of weeks and after advice from a colleague that I need to keep something in the tank for the Wymnondham 20m next weekend, I decided to cut it back to 14 miles. Considering 14 miles as a short run is testimony to how far I have come in the last few months.
This run has given me the confidence boost that I needed and now I am looking forward to next Sunday. I had been thinking about pulling out of the race, but now am determined to take part even if I am the last to cross the line. As I have said before achieving 20 miles 7 weeks before the marathon is a good place to be and will in itself give me the confidence that I have a marathon in me. From then onwards I think it will be one more 20 miler, probably at Easter and then I can start the taper towards the end of April and cut down the distances each week.
People tell me the that the elation they feel when they cross the line having completed the London Marathon is not just about the fact that they have finished the race, it's as much about knowing that you don't have to do anymore training and that you can have your life back again. Training for a marathon is not a hobby, it's a lifestyle.
Distance : 14 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 421.5 miles
Route & Stats : Outer Ring Road
Was really hoping for a nice steady incident and injury free run this morning and that is exactly what I got, much to my relief and no ankle pain at all. Phew. I had orginally planned 19 miles today, but considering the problems I have had in the last couple of weeks and after advice from a colleague that I need to keep something in the tank for the Wymnondham 20m next weekend, I decided to cut it back to 14 miles. Considering 14 miles as a short run is testimony to how far I have come in the last few months.
This run has given me the confidence boost that I needed and now I am looking forward to next Sunday. I had been thinking about pulling out of the race, but now am determined to take part even if I am the last to cross the line. As I have said before achieving 20 miles 7 weeks before the marathon is a good place to be and will in itself give me the confidence that I have a marathon in me. From then onwards I think it will be one more 20 miler, probably at Easter and then I can start the taper towards the end of April and cut down the distances each week.
People tell me the that the elation they feel when they cross the line having completed the London Marathon is not just about the fact that they have finished the race, it's as much about knowing that you don't have to do anymore training and that you can have your life back again. Training for a marathon is not a hobby, it's a lifestyle.
60 Days To Go - No More Strapping
Date & Time : 24/02/10 19:00
Distance : 6 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 407.5 miles
Route & Stats : Inner Ring Road
Really crappy run tonight. No energy, wooden legs, so just kept it slow and steady. I had my ankles heavily strapped but it didn't do much good, in fact the one on my troublesome left ankle made things worse and I ended up with bruising on the arch of my foot and chaving at the top of the ankle. No more straps for me.
Will now rest up for a couple of days and try and get a decent run in at the weekend.
Distance : 6 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 407.5 miles
Route & Stats : Inner Ring Road
Really crappy run tonight. No energy, wooden legs, so just kept it slow and steady. I had my ankles heavily strapped but it didn't do much good, in fact the one on my troublesome left ankle made things worse and I ended up with bruising on the arch of my foot and chaving at the top of the ankle. No more straps for me.
Will now rest up for a couple of days and try and get a decent run in at the weekend.
Monday, 22 February 2010
63 Days To Go - Bungay Wet Dog
Date & Time : 21/02/10 11:00
Distance : 12.5 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 401.5 miles
Route : Bungay 20k
I was soaked to the skin and freezing cold, my legs felt heavy, I was disorientated and light headed - then I bumped into a friendly face and he pointed me in the direction of the start. Two minutes later and we were off heading out into the Suffolk countryside.
I didn't think the weather could get any worse - ha, that was a joke. The persistent rain turned into driving rain, the driving rain turned into hail, the hail turned into sleet and then the sleet turned to snow. This pattern then repeated itself for the next 2 hours with the wind gradually picking up as the temperature dropped.
Things got quite rough at about 7 miles - the road was on a steady incline for a mile or so, the wind and sleet were blowing straight into my face, my ankles had started to get quite sore and my fingers were frozen numb and I thought "what the hell am I doing here? Is doing the marathon really worth this?".
Anyway I got my head down and drove on. The next turn took us out of the wind and things started to feel better. The last few miles were OK, except the last 400m which was a ridiculous steep uphill climb to the finish. Crossing the finish line in any race is a great feeling, but this one felt particularly good, especially after I discovered the free tomato soup.
Despite the attrocious conditions, very sore ankles and the fact that I was still cold for hours later, I enjoyed the event and was fairly pleased with the time of 1h 51m which worked out at 8m 55s per mile which is the quickest race I have run to date.
I also enjoyed the complementary bottle of Adnams Explorer, courtesy of the event sponsor, highly recommended.
Distance : 12.5 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 401.5 miles
Route : Bungay 20k
I was soaked to the skin and freezing cold, my legs felt heavy, I was disorientated and light headed - then I bumped into a friendly face and he pointed me in the direction of the start. Two minutes later and we were off heading out into the Suffolk countryside.
I didn't think the weather could get any worse - ha, that was a joke. The persistent rain turned into driving rain, the driving rain turned into hail, the hail turned into sleet and then the sleet turned to snow. This pattern then repeated itself for the next 2 hours with the wind gradually picking up as the temperature dropped.
Things got quite rough at about 7 miles - the road was on a steady incline for a mile or so, the wind and sleet were blowing straight into my face, my ankles had started to get quite sore and my fingers were frozen numb and I thought "what the hell am I doing here? Is doing the marathon really worth this?".
Anyway I got my head down and drove on. The next turn took us out of the wind and things started to feel better. The last few miles were OK, except the last 400m which was a ridiculous steep uphill climb to the finish. Crossing the finish line in any race is a great feeling, but this one felt particularly good, especially after I discovered the free tomato soup.
Despite the attrocious conditions, very sore ankles and the fact that I was still cold for hours later, I enjoyed the event and was fairly pleased with the time of 1h 51m which worked out at 8m 55s per mile which is the quickest race I have run to date.
I also enjoyed the complementary bottle of Adnams Explorer, courtesy of the event sponsor, highly recommended.
64 Days To Go - Boys Like Chipmucks Too
Date & Time : 20/02/09 11:00
Distance : 4.5 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 389 miles
Route : Round The Big Broad
Just a quick leg loosener around my favourite running route in preparation for the Bungay 20k race tomorrow.
Norwich are playing at home this afternoon and the girls and I will be heading out at about 2pm so that we can get there in plenty of time - not to the football, but to the cinema near the football to watch Alvin and The Chipmunks 2 - The Squeakquel!! People often ask me if I wish I had sons instead of daughters which of course is a ridiculous thing to say to any parent - boys like chipmunk films too you know.
Anyway Norwich lost 2-0 at home to Southampton, only their 2nd home defeat all season - I listened to every second on the radio, while munching through a big cartoon of popcorn. Apparently the film was quite good too.
Distance : 4.5 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 389 miles
Route : Round The Big Broad
Just a quick leg loosener around my favourite running route in preparation for the Bungay 20k race tomorrow.
Norwich are playing at home this afternoon and the girls and I will be heading out at about 2pm so that we can get there in plenty of time - not to the football, but to the cinema near the football to watch Alvin and The Chipmunks 2 - The Squeakquel!! People often ask me if I wish I had sons instead of daughters which of course is a ridiculous thing to say to any parent - boys like chipmunk films too you know.
Anyway Norwich lost 2-0 at home to Southampton, only their 2nd home defeat all season - I listened to every second on the radio, while munching through a big cartoon of popcorn. Apparently the film was quite good too.
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