Glenn’s Marathon Blog !
27 Weeks to go!
October and I’ve just been accepted to run in the London Marathon next April, after thinking about doing it for some 10 years. Still, April 2009 is 6 months away, so I’ve got lots of time.
After my initial euphoria about finally making my decision to run, I’ve now moved into panic mode, imagining falling over after 5 miles and letting down my sponsors and the Emmaus charity, my family, friends and anyone that knows me…….
However, I’m nothing if not optimistic. On Monday I’d have been happy just to finish. By Tuesday I was looking at under 6 hours and by Wednesday I was looking to set a new world record – ‘typical man’ cried the lady assistant in the specialist running shop – ‘so competitive’ !
Working on the theory that, at the very least, I will look good! – I then set about buying all the right stuff. Heart monitor and stop watch are obviously a must for any self respecting runner that wants to improve his PB ( in my second week of training I was well into the lingo). But I was told I also needed running clothes that ‘breathe’, specialist running shoes (and socks!) and of course waterproof clothing for good old blighty. I confess I may have looked a bit of a twit on the high-tech running machine, wearing my smart navy blue suit and watching a video that examined my ‘stride pattern’ so I could select which running shoes I should buy…what’s wrong with ‘Addidas’ I asked?
26 Weeks to go
Got up early and was off like a rat up a drain pipe -- knocked off a quick 3 miles and thought ‘easy-peasy’ -- could probably run the big race tomorrow! Completed the short course in about 30 mins - less than 4.5. hours for the big M – what’s all the fuss about ?
Two days later and another 3 miles and then stepped it up to 5 miles at the weekend – again no real problem although not happy about the cold, the wind, the rain, the hills, the cars, the rash etc etc – still survived and celebrated with a beer from the fridge - deserved a little reward I thought !
Went to play squash instead – more fun!
25 Weeks to go
‘Week 25’ and a 3 mile run at 6am ( again !) and then 6 miles – twice - then another 3 miles or 18 miles in one week – just need to do all this in 4 hours and then add a further 8 miles on top – the size of the task is beginning to hit home – gulp !
Popped back into the running shop to speak to ‘Claire’ who told me all about nutrition, water intake, calories, carbohydrates, water carrying belt, gels, energy drinks, pasta…….I did not have the heart to mention the beer reward !
Called a friend who said he had done it in just over 3 hours ( how long?) and then I spoke to a journalist who said I MUST join a running club and enter a number of 10k and 10 mile races --- crikey what with numbers on my back and on all that malarkey !
24 Weeks to go
Decided to go for it ‘big style’ – went on a 10 mile undulating course and nearly got all the way round…walking the last ½ mile. Went straight off to bed and realised that during the night a large donkey had crept into my bed in order to kick the back of my legs and backside for about 4 hours…..having got the donkey out of the bed, I crawled down the stairs in the morning for my yogurt and fruit (need to loose some weight also by next April) in order to plot my next move. Fell asleep in front of the tele watching ‘Saturday Kitchen’.
At the end of the week I was attending the Armour Press lunch in London and decided to stay over in a hotel the night before, opposite Hyde Park, and use the opportunity to go running early the following morning. I waited and waited for day light before eventually deciding to make a break for it at 6.30 am and run the risk of looking a complete wasark by running in the dark in the park in my new all black running attire( makes you look slimmer ! ). Obviously making sure that everyone in reception watches me leave, listening to them remark, ‘incredible for a man of his age – he must be a medical phenomenon! ‘
I arrive at the park gates and the 4 mile round trip, scared about the dark and slightly worried about muggers and the like ( I’m only 6’ 3” after all)… as I enter the park there are about 10,000 other runners! 4 of them run straight pass me at 2 hour marathon pace with rucksacks and weights! What have I let myself in for? I plod off again and get round, whilst all the time admiring the gazelle like runners -- who all appear to be about 30 years younger than me – must get one of those black all-in-one ‘lycra’ numbers..
23 Weeks to go
Further 3 miles today and thereafter 18 miles for the third consecutive week….now looking to enter my first race…will be happy with a top 10 place! Called the race organisers in Hatfield who said they had already got over 1000 entrants and I should have entered 4 weeks ago – blimey! Decided to play squash instead.
More soon….I hope…not look looking forward to the donkey returning
22 Weeks to go
Managed to get into the Hatfield House 10km race after all -- but tired from squash! It took a lot to persuade the organisers! Not so sure I should have bothered because it’s snowing, sleet and hail on the day -- and the temperature feels like ‘minus 30oC’ degrees. Wondered ‘why am I doing this ‘ before being told by a rather nice young lady that the number on my vest was upside down – which destroyed what little confidence I had when starting the race. Shot out the gate like Linford Christie – only to feel exhausted 500 yards later – decided to slow down and take it easy. Finally completed the course in 53 mins and qualified as an ‘elite runner ‘ ( i.e. not a complete numpty !)
21 Weeks to go
Disaster strikes. I end up injured with a ‘calf muscle pull’ after a 5 mile run. Switch to Squash (again !) to keep fit and hand over £100 for physiotherapy. Try to come back too soon and back comes the injury. Only done 10 miles this week – I could have walked quicker!
20 Weeks to go
20 weeks to the start of the London Marathon - the real countdown starts now!
Two short 5 mile runs and then first Bedford half marathon on Saturday – lots of athletic types with words like ‘harriers’ on their vest – gulp! I’m at least 2 stone heavier, 3 ft taller and 240 years older!
Managed 10 miles with no real problem -- but hit the ‘half marathon’ wall at 12 miles – legs hurting, bones rattling, water – water – water! I’m completely KO’d. ‘No way Jose’ I am ever going to run 26 b…. miles!
Finished the course in 2 hours and then felt ill and fell over. Walked 1.5 miles back to the car (all you need after a 13 mile run!) and then started feeling cold and shaky. A MacDonald’s milkshake saved the day and soon got me back on the straight and narrow. After a one hour drive home and a warm bath I’m back in the land of the living. 3 days later and the old legs still hurt. Two more runs before the weekend – taking my overall mileage up to 140 miles so far!...and 20 games of squash since I started.
Entered the Boxing Day 10 km in Witham and thinking about a 20 mile race and a further half marathon at Silverstone.
( tired !) – but still crazy after all these years.
18 Weeks to go
I’m very ill this week with a bad case of ‘Man Flu’ all week - so no running - panic ! ( of course, it may just be a cold ?)
17 Weeks to go
Despite more flu I’ve run 16 miles during the week - once with a fellow runner ( sounds good !)
16 Weeks to go
Only 6.5 miles. Went skiing in Norway but played squash instead. It’s far too cold to ski ! Minus 22 degrees !
15 Weeks to go
In USA on business.
Ran 8 miles around San Francisco and both ways over the Golden gate Bridge - arrived at dawn ant saw the sunrise under the bridge - wonderful !!
Two days later ran the length of the Las Vegas strip both ways ( MGM to the Stratosphere) - lots of weirdoes ! Even at my size did not feel safe at 6.30 am in the morning !
Now up to 162 miles overall.
14 Weeks to go
11.7 miles in the week - knocked 8 minutes of my person best for a 9 mile run - getting better and feeling good!
13 Weeks to go
14.8 miles, again a new personal best - my ‘running total’ is 198 miles - which equates to running from my house to Leeds in Yorkshire !
12 weeks to go
21.3 miles this week but injuries, calf muscle etc etc - boring, painful and very frustrating ! Completed the Great Bentley half Marathon in 1 hr 57 mins - beating my best time by 3 minutes - but can still do much better if I stay injury free -- felt good afterwards - recovered in less than 2 hours - significant progress !
11 weeks to go
Disappointed and frustrated again, I’ve been injured all week - only 6 miles - gulp - panic !
10 weeks to go
Still injured - disappointed, frustrated and now poorer -- physio costs now at £250 so far ! Because of the injuries I’ve only managed to run 10 miles this week but now up to 234 miles so far !
9 and 8 weeks to go
I re-started running too soon, causing the injuries to worsen. I’ve had to have lots of treatment this week.
7 weeks to go
This time I’m re starting very gently, but managed 8 miles and I can feel the old legs getting better.
6 weeks to go
I’m back ! - I’ve managed 22.8 miles and remained injury free - and I feel great !
5 weeks to go
12.8 miles this week -- now up to 278 miles so far - feeling better and know much more about how to manage my runs, my legs, my injuries, my diet etc - but still loving the challenge. To avoid further injuries, I may have to run a little slower in the marathon than I initially intended. Feeling optimistic, I’ve entered the Great South Run, the Felsted, Essex 10km and even thinking about the New York Marathon ! Running before I can walk ?
4 weeks to go
PANIC setting in ! The London Marathon is suddenly becoming very close !
Ran well all week - about 15 miles mid week around Bishops Stortford and then 16 miles on Saturday so 31 miles in total - ran from Bishops Stortford to my house, some eighteen miles away and felt good, although I was glad when I reached my front door. Still carrying some minor injuries but learning to ignore them. I haven't played squash now for 2 months - will be glad when this is over! I'm eating like a small horse!
3 weeks to go
Best week yet - over 35 miles in total finishing with a 17 mile run on Saturday in well under 2 hours and 45 mins. Although this sounds good my legs were hurting big style at the end - not sure where I am going to find another 9 miles from !!!! help ! ... anyway over 330 miles so far ! - so just passing Newcastle !
2 weeks to go
Decided I am going to follow Jordan all the way round - crikey if she can do it so can I !
Marathon Day
Finally the big day has arrived.
Along with Natasha Sugar from Armour, we joined 60 other athletes (!) at 6.30 am in the morning to board the two coaches in Bishops Stortford destined for Blackheath in London.
Arriving on time we then set about the pre race rituals. This included going to the loo about six times, then 'vaselineing up' before starting to hydrate (drinking to you and I) numerous bottles of high energy drinks.
Thereafter we started to consume carbohydrate gels before finally handing in our bags to the storage lorries that then meet you at the finish. Next, sun screen (it was going to be a hot day), and a final adjustment to our race numbers and kit. Kisses and hand shakes all around and nerves in abundance ! HELP !
All set and we make our way to the start area for runners in the same time category (4.5 hours in our case).
One hour later and the race starts at 9.45 with the elite runners let out first before the rest of the 46,000 runners are let lose. It takes 15 minutes to get across the start line but the timer works on the basis of the chip on your shoe i.e. records your actual start and finish time.
1 mile out the gates and I see some people starting to walk - clearly not done the training - which I now know is absolutely vital !
Natasha goes off the quickest with me plodding behind - worrying about the heat and thus not finishing i.e. falling over at 15 miles ! The 750,000 people in the crowd are simply magnificent - although its still legs that carry you round not enthusiasm or the crowd !
At the half way point I am 20 minutes behind schedule, it's difficult to run faster in the crowds of runners and the heat makes your very cautious. However 2 hours into the race and I am feeling good. Staying focused and not trying to be too ambitious.
17 miles comes and goes and now I am into unknown territory. The 21.5 mile mark sees lots of drop outs and ambulances and people generally falling over - now slowing but still feeling good - although legs begining to hurt.
23 miles and I am almost there but the last 3 miles seem to go on forever. Friends in the crowd keep me going and eventually I see the 800 m mark after almost 4 hours and 45 minutes !!!
I run over the finishing line (making sure I smile at the camera) and then collect my medal and belongings. Finally I pick my goodies bag before eating lots to restore my tired body.
Two hours later and I am in a very nice Italian restaurant drinking a nice bottle of wine and feeling rather smug. For the next 2 days I am tired and my legs are stiff - but generally OK. 5 days later and I am out running again.
Natasha ran 20 minutes quicker during the race and by the sound of it was held back by a companion and could have done better - crikey !
One week later I have re applied for next year with a strategy to beat my time if I get accepted.
Fantastic experience well worth the effort and the training and the pain. On the day you see some incredible people who despite the odds manage to run the entire distance in aid of a good cause - quite unbelievable !
For the avoidance of doubt - 26.2 miles is a long long way and its not for the feint hearted - but its something your should do before you die !
A big thank you to everyone who sponsored me and to Armour for adding to the total amount. Everest next ?
Glenn