The waiting is endless (VLM)

Nearly the end of November 2014 and I have a very blocked out calendar for 2015. When I say blocked out I mean weekends and races listed throughout the year but not booked.

Why are they not booked? because after 7 months I still don't know if i'll be running VLM or not. And regardless of this i've also got 2 other options which i'm waiting to hear about for April as well, those being Paris and Manchester.

I entered the VLM ballot and after 6 months of waiting got knocked back but then my running club got the offer letter for a small number failed ballot runners to still get in. However VLM give specific dates and require another 6 weeks of waiting before the draw can take place. I do wonder whether I should just say screw London and pick something else.

However the other 2 options are still on the table too which are essentially competitions that i've entered which could result in a training program and entry into one of the 2 listed races.

So what's all the fuss about. Well as you will all know training for a marathon is one thing but you don't go racing a half the week before and it's unlikely you'll want to race a half the week after. So the preparation for a marathon is important and because of the commitment it generally gets the focus and everything else works around it and in support of it.

So other than a half perhaps in February I can't commit to anything until after April and even then I have to be careful of the distance or content i.e. multisport and then also distance.

So what do I do?

I've decided (in the time it's taken me to write this entry), i'll wait till December the 1st and by then I should have heard about all 3 options. If i've been rejected (again) or not heard i'll assume no entry is forthcoming and plan for 2015 without a spring marathon on the calendar. 

Then come the questions and ballots for an autumn marathon, oh dear!

Happy Running!

Oxford Half lives up to expectations?

I turned up to the start of the Oxford Half Marathon on Oct 12th and nearly decided not to run
(http://oxfordhalf.co.uk/).

I'd got a niggle in the hamstring, it was another 6am start on a Sunday, I was definitely feeling tired and uninspired and it was 3C and I was in shorts.

I sat on the floor, on my bag for half an hour looking at the 'bag drop' deciding what to do. I had some food, taped up my toes, etc, etc then eventually decided that I'd give it a go. After all I was there and I'd been looking forward to it all year.

There was a frustrating 20 minute delay in the start which meant that my warm up was utterly gone and I was very cold. I set a target of finishing as I wasn't sure how things would pan out, I certainly wasn't going to set out for a new PB.

The first few miles, I felt every step in my hamstring, but it did ease as i finally warned up. The route was not inspiring but I kept my self busy by talking to other runners. 

After half distance a quick check of the watch alerted me to the fact that my pace was quite good and I could have a good race after all, if everything held together. 

The literature for the Oxford course doesn't say that it's actually multi-terrain which caught me out at 8 miles. I don't like trails as my ex-broken ankle is susceptible to problems. This carried on till 10 miles. By this point it was clear that this course was indeed broadly flat and my pace was well on for a new PB if I could push for the last 3 miles. A quick bit of maths and I pushed on with numbers continuously calculating. Mile by mile a new PB loomed. At 12.5, baring injury or giving up this was going to be my quickest, I dug in even deeper and really pushed for home, lungs bursting, energy failing.

My delight, I finished a little under 4 minutes better that my previous PB.

I'm glad I went and glad I ran. It was a flat, fast course (good), with multi-terrain (bad). the scenery was a bit rubbish too, certainly not as interesting as I had expected. My ratings of this event below.

Happy Running

Forward Planning

Now I know:

1. It's only early October
2. I have another race this weekend
3. The season is not over
4. It's likely that I'll be entering more events before the end of the year.

However it seems that I need to plan for next year already. The 'early bird' offers and the 'privileged' repeat racer emails are landing in my in-box and I would hate to miss out on an event because I leave it too late. It wouldn't be the first time.

So after a rapid consideration my calendar already looks like this:

• 1-Feb-15, London Winter 10K
• 18-Feb-15, Hampton Court Half Marathon
• 8-Mar-15, MK Festival of Running 10k
• 22-Mar-15, Reading Half Marathon
• 4-May-15, MK Super Hero Fun Run (My son has demanded that WE run it)
• 13/14-Jun-15, Blenheim Triathlon
• 21-Jun-15, Enigma Super Hero Half Marathon
• 26-Jul-15, Up Tow, Down Flow Half Marathon
• 26/27-Sep-15, Hever Castle Triathlon
• 3-Oct-15, Bournemouth 10k
• 4-Oct-15, Bournemouth Half/Marathon

And for those keen observers, yes I was in Bournemouth 4 days ago at the 2014 festival. Not to mention many other interesting races throughout the year including locations like Amsterdam, New York and maybe a Disney run in Paris, I think my calendar is going to get a little more populated before very long.

Happy Running!

My top 10 events (to do)

I've done some interesting events over the last few years and also failed to get into some events via ballots, so i'm still trying. I've also run a few races more than once.

This has made me think harder about the races i'd like to do in the future.

I'm actually writing this in retrospect as these thoughts were started at the start of 2014. Good news is that most of this is still 'to do'.

In no particular order i've listed the following races as events that I would really like to do at some point. Again, as these thoughts were past, my list is going to evolve (and has) due to completion of some.

1) Silverstone Half Marathon (UK) - Completed
2) Oxford Half Marathon (UK) -Completed
3) Bristol Half Marathon (UK)
4) Bath Half Marathon (UK)
5) Reading Half Marathon (UK)
6) London Marathon (UK) (not successful in ballot 2015, try again)
7) Disney Marathon Florida (USA)
8) London to Paris 24 (UK/France)
9) Virgin London Triathlon (UK)
10) New York Marathon (USA)

I'll do another post about events that i've now done and how they stack up as a top 10.

I'm always interested in exciting events or exciting courses. Often the atmosphere can make dull event really exciting.

What other races make you think "yeah, that was a good one!"

Happy running.

2014 a New Beginning

I posted a reply on FB a few days ago about my running plans for 2014. When i looked at my calendar I was a little surprised when I realised that I currently have at least one of everything booked before June 1st and some distances more than once. That includes 5k, 10k Half and Full Marathons.

Were it not for 1 significant factor it's likely that there would be more 13 mile distances booked too. After I finished the amazing Royal Parks Half in October my wife asked I thought she would be able to do it the next year and I'm convinced she can. Unlike me though she has a mind set that tells her to start slow and build up the distances, starting with a 5k and gradually getting longer. My view was go for the Marathon then everything less than that is a breeze.

Anyway I've agreed to train her in readiness for a 2014 Autumn Half Marathon but the catch is that I have to run all the distances with her as a pacer. (OK).

First 5k is in March, a week after my first Half and by then we should have already entered the ballot for R.P 2014.

In addition to this on May 31st I have my first Triathlon booked in London at the ITU World Triathlon.

The new bike arrives on Jan 4th.

It's going to be a busy year.

A few minor tweeks but this is the new bike.

Royal Parks Half Marathon 2013

What a brilliant day!

What a brilliant course.

The organisation was fantastic.

The crowds were loud.

Look forward to the ballot next year, i'm definitely putting my name in again.

Here's my route and timing. 
Royal Parks Half Marathon 2013

Link to the official web site
http://www.royalparkshalf.com/

What race next?

Well I can tell you, it's all quite now over the summer and my next race will be the Royal Parks Half Marathon in London on October 6th.

I've checked the course out and it all seems rather flat, so depending on the weather (as long as it's not 90F again; i'm sure it won't be), then I have a feeling that a new PB could be in order. I got a new one at St. Albans, on a course which was tough, so London should be a lot easier

I've been checking out my Garmin 610 and the virtual partner function seems like it will be my best buddy in October. I'll give it a trial run over 5k or 10k in the next few weeks and see how effective it is.

looking forward to the RP-2013 technical shirt to come through the door too!

Happy Running!

92F - Are you crazy?

So, after St Albans and a very cool day, a new PB was delivered. Excellent.

A month on and hit the NSPCC Half Marathon.

The weather was unforgiving. Averaging somewhere close to 90F the sun beat down on all 2000 runners and water seemed all to scarce. Onlookers with hosepipes sprayed us as we went by. That didn't stop a good few people crashing out with heat exhaustion. I'm glad to say I wasn't one of them and that most finished. I don't believe anyone smashed any records, I think peoples main goal was to finish.

My watch measured this in the shade, it's only n the sun to get more light for the camera.

2 Days to go - St Albans Half Marathon

Weather looks like it will give us a dry sunny day.

Maybe a little warm but lots of fluids.


Big smile!

6 Days to go - St Albans Half Marathon

Only 6 days to go!

The weather forecast suggests a nice (ish) day, hopefully not too hot. the family is prepared and the other club runners are ready.

Family day out at the races.

Finally all the numbers have arrived. All the family is set for  fun day out. Tea and medals on the 9th at the St Albans Half Marathon.

This looks fun! Glacier 3000, Switzerland.

Half Marathon with a twist. 26km run with a 2km ascent to the top of a glacier. It sounds a good idea but I bet it hurts. Happy Running.

Rubbing salt into a wound.

This last week, everywhere i've been there have been congratulations and pictures and posters and every social media device is reporting the same. OK, well done to everyone who took part in the 2nd Milton Keynes Marathon last Monday, the weather was great and it looked really fun. Unfortunately I was watching it instead of running it! Note for your diaries - 5th May 2014, next years Marathon, to which I WILL be on the starting line. http://www.mkmarathon.co.uk/ Happy Running.

My decision is final, unless I change my mind

I set out early this morning on my weekly long run and spent 1 - 2 hours cruising feeling reasonably good about the whole thing but I knew how I felt and could see the result in Marathon conitions. As I had nothing to prove, this was just a training run, I cut short the end by about a mile or so as it was clear where I was. Due to all the issues earlier on in the year resulting in lack of time to train and pains and other things I am definitely not in shape for the Marathon next monday. I might be able to reach the end but it would be more likely that I went running until I had to give up. And with this in mind common sense says don't push on, accept that i'm not going to make it and carry on working through the recovery process and getting back to a level where I could do the Marathon. Today's run has highlighted that a Half Marathon should be a good stepping stone now but not aiming for a new PB. So i've entered one in 6 weeks time. And to top it all, my son is entered into the children's 1.5 mile run, now that is exciting. He'll be absolutely stoked when he crosses the line and gets his medal. So training drops back a notch but carries on for more weeks. Maybe I need a new training plan. Happy Running.

1 Week to Marathon day

Oh good grief! There's one week to go till the first marathon of the year and i'm in turmoil whether i'll be on the starting line or not. Training has been on-going, but as my last post will confirm there's not been enough time to train for a decent finish. today or tomorrow will be the last long run before the race so either by tomorrow or Tuesday i'll know what shape i'm in for next week. I'm still in a mind to not bother however there's part of me that says just go along and take it easy and have some fun for 26 miles. For sure, if after my long run I feel that i'm too far away from the required level then i'll abandon it. If I think there's half a chance then I i'll hold the decision till next Sunday evening. (Race on Monday). Maybe the weather will decide. Oh to be decisive! Happy Running.

No time for training

Well there's actually lots of time for training during a day, just not enough days left before the Marathon. Another 2 weeks on from injury recovery and have done nothing to aggravate any injuries, in fact i've been on holiday enjoying the sun. So i've started again with a plan to ease my way back up to previous levels at a very gradual pace. While doing a short 3 miler this morning I couldn't work out how many days were left before the Marathon. Since i've got home it runs out that we are just under 3 weeks away. Well that's definitely that then, I couldn't get up to speed in that time even if I had nothing else to do. It does mean that the pressure is completely off as there is no way that I can be ready in time. Never mind there are plenty of events later in the year, I'm booked for one in October but I would think i can squeeze something in before then. Onwards and upwards.

Recovery is more important than taking the challenge

A couple of months with no updates, there are reasons. So toward the end of 2012 I set out to regain my running levels in readiness for Marathon training for a spring Marathon in 2013. Just after Christmas I set out with a new Garmin plan which seemed solid enough and for 4 weeks did what it said. Then an unfortunate accident happened. ( I blame Google). Walking down the road, following google maps on my phone, I tripped on a step and very badly sprained my ankle. Bad enough in fact that I went to A&E to check that it wasn't broken. OK, so soft tissue injuries take a while to recover but I was confident that this was only a set back. 4 weeks on and after some intensive physio I went for an exploration on a treadmill. Managed to get to a gentle run and was confident it was upward from here. Next few days I did similar tests at a very easy pace, only just a job really but managed to get going up to a mile and eased the pace up occasionally to flex the joints. A week later I was on the road, testing against the real world where there are uneven surfaces, cambers and corners, all of which highlighted that I was not 100% but I was doing OK. Another week went by and I was loosening up nicely and many of the niggles had gone. I was still using supports for added reassurance but with a mind to go without and see how things turned out. So one last reasonable run before going back to basics. Unfortunately during this 8 miler it seems that the support bandage around my ankle rubbed too much on my forefoot. Gradually running became uncomfortable and a couple of hours after, my foot hurt on the top and had a slight swelling, exactly where the rib of the support had been. Seems it's really aggravated the tendons and stuffed any recovery plans good and proper for now. It's been 2 weeks since this happened and as soft tissue injuries can take some weeks to recover it's looking more and more unlikely that I could get back out and up to speed for me early May race. So with this in mind, although my Marathon entry is still valid I have acknowledged and more importantly accepted that it's probably not going to happen this time round. So trying to keep some level of fitness up without doing anything that could risk my ankle/foot using the pool and the gym, i'm effectively having a holiday from running. (probably till April or even May). I have a couple of Half Marathons planned for later in the year (late summer / autumn) and I hope that a very gradual training process will rebuild the strength and stability that I had a couple of months ago. It's not what I wanted but sometimes there isn't a choice and we have to accept it.

MK Marathon 2013 SuperHero

What a fantastic idea! http://www.mkmarathon.com/superhero/ Anyone including children can take part and complete a 1.6 mile course in a super hero costume. My little boy will be 6 1/2 next May and he has a Batman and a Superman costume. He needs an adult to run with him which is a pitty as I'll be too busy running the full 26.2 miles. Maybe I need to get a childrens team together and some kind parents to join in?

Excitment starts

Put in another solid 1 mile last night with no adverse affects. It feels like I could push on a bit but my head is in control and I will stick to the plan. The excitment mas also more apparent today when I heard news of failures to get into the 2013 London Marathon. To which there has been high discussion about MK 2013, which I have already entered and am now increasingly looking forward to. Book your place at http://www.mkmarathon.co.uk/

Injury Recovery Starts here.

6 weeks in and the leg, although not 100% better is definitely holding up. I do believe that the injury mote likely to be LCL than ITB, so i'm approaching recovery differently. Checked with the doctor last Friday, based on LCL injury and he confirmed that some simple knee support would not be a bad idea to help give additional support so that I can get back to running. He's a general prectitioner and not a sports injury specialist but I will say that he gives you a strong feeling that sports injuries are not unfamiliar to him. And also he isn't one of these quacks who just say 'go and rest it'. I feel somewhat reassured that I can take an active step forward back into running. Saturday I took the first step and did a 1 mile run (treadmill), easy pace, just to see how it went with every expectation of pulling up with some discomfort. None arrived. Last night I did another 1 mile and again, no great dramas. So the plan is to keep up with regular 1 mile runs over this week and next with a hope that I can gradually push up to 2 or even 3 by the end of October. Only when I am completely satisfied that I am comfortable at the distance will I move it on. Oh and I haven't got a knee support yet so that's another positive result.