Hope is not a strategy – Marathon J

4 weeks ago I lined up hoping to run a marathon, during the middle of last week (some 3 weeks elapsed since the marathon) I signed up for the Jersey Spartan half marathon. I had not, however, done any running in the interim, I just hoped I could get through. To help my motivation I wore my bright orange Amsterdam marathon top. Rather annoyingly the organisers felt it necessary to ban headphones, so I’d be singing to myself for a couple of hours.

I met my friends Jan and Bob at the start line, plus a few other chums, Steve (who ran the Dam ) and Julian running his first half. Everything started off rather well, the first mile came and went in 8 minutes, which had me somewhere in the first quarter of the pack, this was an error on my part because it was way too fast, just after the first mile the hills started, see the output from my running computer, green is elevation......

I don’t do hills!

This became rather obvious as my pace slowed, it felt like I was going backwards with people passing me on all sides. Oh Well the view improved from time to time...smiles.

At about 7 miles a chap from Alderney joined me and started selling the Alderney half marathon on 5th September, just 292 days to go. "Where's my ipod?" I thought. I’m sure he started at the back to tell everybody he passed about it. Fortunately I could not keep up with him and he ran on to pester other runners.

Next a nice chap, Graham from Southampton chatted to me, he had also run the Amsterdam marathon, he had just run the New York marathon, we chatted about various things and then he left me.

With about 4 miles to go the “Alesha Dixon Rear of the Race” award was granted, by this point the majority of the runners had passed me so I felt qualified to grant it at that point. I’ve no idea who she is, but she had a black ABN (Jersey Marathon 2008) top on and black three quarter length trousers. If you are reading this Miss RotR email me and collect your trophy.... and complementary night out with Marathon B.

With about a mile and a half to go I caught Julian and Graham up, Julian was blowing hard, Graham said if we press on we could finish in under 2 hours. So he picked up the pace and asked me to name cities of the alphabet. We picked up the pace somewhat and only struggled with I,K,X and Y.

So Graham this is what me missed:

I Indian River (Michigan)
K Kaili
X Xenia
Y Yaan

With the rest of the alphabet exhausted we had less than half a mile to go, Graham I thank you for your inspiration, we crossed the line with a minute in hand at 1hr 59. But it was very hard work.

Summary, hope is not a good running strategy, training is much much better. My hips hurt, knees and feet hurt, but the red wine tonic is soothing.

This is my last race of 08.....Marathon J

26.2 Miles - Marathon J

My right knee was not great, when I ran at my normal pace it hurts, it has pulling sensation the doctor attributes to inflamed tendons due to over training. Over training seemed to be a common diagnosis from the good doctor Hurst, he said my knee, stomach ankle and plantar faciticus (sore feet) are all a result of trying too hard. His advice rest and relax and see if a can run a couple of miles on the flat without pain then re evaluate. Doctors what to they know……..

So I rested and the night before I was due to fly to Amsterdam I went for a two mile run, well more of a brisk walk, but it was pain free provided I kept the speed down so I decided to go.

I met almost marathon B who despite trying to have an early night was totally wrecked on Saturday morning and still drunk from the night before, I sneaked him into the BA lounge where he devoured coffee and hangover cures.

Arriving in Amsterdam I headed to the Olympic Stadium to pick up my number, my two running partners came along for the ride and a free tee-shirt but had long since decided not to run. There was a real buzz about the stadium so much of a buzz that Marathon V’s eyes darted about the place and his brain whizzed with excitement. A youngster and fit from playing football he was considering running after all. Some gentle persuasion followed and then some downright arm-twisting resulting in Marathon V deciding to run after all despite a total lack of kit or preparation. Fortunately there was a running exhibition at the stadium enabling him to purchased top of the line shoes socks and shorts at the exhibition before head home for a Kangaroo burger and an early night.

The next day at the Olympic stadium on the track along side, well just behind the elite runners, our vital statistics looked like this:
Marathon V training zero weeks, running shoes complete with price label underneath.
Marathon J training seven full weeks, with the last five off thorough injury.
Neither of us knew what lay ahead, neither of us had any idea if we would finish.
One of us has Vaseline, liberally applied to prevent another Japanese flag incident

Marathon V's complete training program is the stretch below

My painful knee kept the pace slow and steady, to run normally hurt so it was easy to moderate the pace. At about 8 miles there was a long depressing run down the side of a canal depressing because I could see runners running up the other side and the half way marker, I really don’t like running back on myself! By the 13 mile mark I was if anything frustrated at the gentle pace and still running with plenty of energy, although a cross wind had given me my first ever taste of runners nipple and I can confirm it’s not nice, I’ll add them to my Vaseline ritual in future.

At 18 miles the pace started to feel fast and another 8 miles seemed possible but I knew it was going to be hard.

At 20 miles I noticed I was breathing hard but could not really understand why, I was not going fast enough to warrant such breathing and for some reason my hips decided to hurt, the boundless energy I have just a few miles back had deserted me.

With only 4 miles to go and I knew I’d finish but I was breathing even harder and slowing down. Marathon V was still skipping ahead, gazelle like and full of the joys of spring.

At 24 miles I was blowing hard and then we met our first hill, it was an underpass to be honest with a bridge over another canal but at the time seemed like Everest. I passed a good number of people who choose to walk up the hill only to be passed by half of them again once I was back on the flat, but at least I hand not stopped running.

The last mile was awesome, the support from the crowd and the bands all round the course was good but the last mile amazing. I had my name on my shirt and it seemed everybody was cheering me on, much to the chagrin of Marathon V who did not have his name on his shirt. The last kilometre took us back into the Olympic stadium. I tried to sprint the last 100 yards but nobody would have noticed there was no obvious change in pace. I checked my running computer 26 miles 450 yards! I’d run 250 yards further than I needed!

That night my knees were light somebody had stabbed them with needles each time I got up to walk. Going down stairs was not an option, far too pain full and walking was just an uncomfortable experience. However, looking at the pain Marathon V was in my me feel a little smug it could have been worse, 26 miles and zero training was taking it’s toll on my once gazelle like running partner.

Heros - Marathon J

It is with my total admiration and more than a little jealousy that I type, injured, of course, after watching a fantastic display from Messer’s Marathon T and Guru T.

The weather was gale force 8 at 06.00 hours on race day and I have it on good authority that the 2,000 runner race was almost called off, but the weather calmed sufficiently to make the race organizers happy it could go a head, gale force 8 was officially downgraded to just atrocious weather.

Rounding the corner at the 5 mile mark the boys were setting the pace...

They were moving so fast at this point that even a professional camera lens could not deliver a shutter speed that stopped the action. Look at the MoFo's go...

Marathon B was seen runing in disguise and almost got away with it.....

Much later in the race the MoFo's showing true grit

Even in the heat of the race Marathon T ensures his best side is offered to the cameras for the promotional endorsements sure to follow..... Guru T allowing him this bit of limelight muttering to himself "That's my boy...."

Marathon B shows his pleasure at his teams strong performance at the finish

The story continues...........Marathon J trying to get ready for the Dam, ICE creams, lotions and potions, plus man flu, it's soon to be decision day, shall I stay or shall I go.

Chronically Fatigued - Marathon J

Visited my doctor today, he said cramming an 18 week program into 12, (and then training harder than the program, by the way I did not own up to that bit) was not a good idea and I've broken my body, he says I have chronic fatigue of the knee, ankle, foot and stomach ligaments (apparently the stomach ligaments stop your belly falling off your legs) anyway I've over done it to the extent it's all buggered and I have to stop.

I've got gels, creams and pills and orders not to run until Sunday! "Yippee" I said "So the marathon is on then?" "No!" he said, I have to try 3 miles only, and if I have no problems I can consider the marathon on the 19th BUT only if I'm symptom free, I've been resting for the last two weeks so I can't see that somehow. He then told me he did similar last year and injected himself before the marathon with all sorts of pain killers before running a sub 4 hour marathon. However, he did say it took him a long time to recover and he would not do the same for me.

Medically, technically, bodily chronically fatigued J

18 miles – Marathon J

First week back to work, so did not manage to get any running in save a game of basketball. I tried to plan a run with Marathon T at the weekend but we could not make the same time, Marathon T had suggested Corbiere and back. I don’t like running out and back on the same path, I think it’s physiological, I like to run toward a finish and not to a point and retrace my steps, maybe I’m just weird, I like running in circles. So with Corbiere in mind I planned a circular run

Following the fat backside thin thighs advice from Jan Ward I slapped on the Vaseline.


I ran out to St John, then to St Peter and down to St Ouen where I happened on a Titleist Pro V1,as I passed the 16th at Les Mielle golf course, happy days, I picked it up.


Turning left on to the five mile road the wind hit me hard.



I decided to take the long route to Corbiere via the coast.



I ran down the railway path to St Aubins then back along the front.

18 Miles and as Mrs Ward had suggested the fat backside was in tip top condition.

Sunday was a welcome rest

Fat backside – Marathon J

It was time for the biggest run to date, the only day in the last two weeks the sun appeared in Jersey, it was like being back in the Caribbean! The first 11 miles were ok and I felt strong and my pace was under 9/mile. I stopped briefly at the 10 mile point to drop my holiday deposit into the travel agent for next year, well the weather has been so depressing that it’s good to look forward to something, in this case a National Geographic dive centre in the Indian ocean.

Anyway home was 3 miles away at this point so I needed a diversion, I diverted badly and started running uphill, which ironically is where I started going downhill. 13.1 miles came up in 1 hour 57 minutes and 57 seconds. But by this time I’d slowed to a crawl, at the 15 mile point I think I hit the wall, or at least a padded version, I broke out in cold sweats then hot shivers, really weird. I finally arrived home 2 hours and 31 minutes, totally spent.

Worryingly the Japanese flag had returned, big style. At the back of a cupboard I found some Sudocrem ideal for babies bottoms or treating minor burns, well this was a full on burn, I have to say it helped. So chatting to a good friend and fellow runner (who will remain anonymous at this point) about this problem, in between bands at Jersey Live festival, she said it was not uncommon. Men with large thighs often the same problem on the tops of their legs, and so from that she concluded I must have a “Fat backside and skinny thighs” and I should slap on some vaseline next time. JEANNIE WARD thanks for your wisdom……….!

Proof there was a summer in Jersey last week.

Picture courtesy of Crab cams St Ouen

1 MPHs – Marathon J

As is often the case I did not sleep on the flight home, I spent Saturday in a daze and went to bed early. 15 hours of sleep later I woke up, stretched and put my running shoes on for my long weekly run.

I ran down to the front and turned to head towards St Aubin then up the old railway walk and eventually arrived at Corbieres light house, the tide was out so I ran across the causeway touched the lighthouse and ran back.

At the end of my run some 2 hours and 20 minutes later I’d managed to run a mile for every hour of sleep the night before. Hence 1 mile per hour slept (MHPs)

Interestingly the 13.2 mile mark was reached in 1 hour 59 minutes and 50 seconds, some 5 minutes slower than my first half marathon.

One more Hilton – Marathon J

I moved on to my last stop of this trip, at 05.45 my alarm rang out, and the following view greeted me



Wearily I wandered to the gym and started to run, the view was not bad



60 minutes and 7 miles later I finished still feeling strong

A slight injury setback - Marathon T

Into my eighth month of training and I have now suffered my first serious training injury.

Monday last week:
As I was on holiday with the family for a week, I decided to run the 12 miles out to the beach in the morning. The run was fine – no dramas, it took me 1:40. We then spent the day on the beach and in the surf.

Tuesday:
After a full day on the beach I decided to run home – same route as Monday (but in reverse). The first two miles of the run were hard work as there are a couple of serious uphill stretches. After these there is a nice 3 mile section of gentle downhill. The run was going fine (I was a bit tired but nothing serious) until I got to the end. As soon as I stopped my right leg seized up and a pain shot down the outside of my knee. I hobbled to the house and grabbed an ice pack, for the next hour or so I was icing and stretching the knee in some pain. I spent the evening limping around and keeping the leg up.

The next day my knee was very sore – so more icing and rest (on the beach again) and I decided to lay off the running for a week.

One week later….

I went for my first run for a week on Tuesday, taking it very easy I ran 30 mins @ 8:34/mile pace. No ill effects, I felt a few twinges from the leg but put this down to paranoia.

Wednesday I decided to step it up a bit.

2 miles @ 8:34/mile
2.5 miles @ 8:00/mile
2 miles @ 7:30/mile

Total of 6.5 miles - bringing the two days to 10 miles.

Again, the knee had a few twinges but generally felt ok.

I now have to schedule in a long run this weekend, to test it out over an extended period. My Marathon training should be entering its final phase now (with only 5 weeks of serious work to go). I am getting concerned I don’t have enough miles in my legs at this stage, and I am going to struggle when we get past 20 miles. With this in mind I spoke to the old codger last night to get his view. He reassured me I would be ok based on what I’d told him of my training so far – plus I will have him there to keep an eye on the pace and let me know when it gets harder/easier etc. Still, for anyone who has not tried marathon training I can confirm it is a major commitment and remembering back to London in April – I have a new respect for everyone who was pounding the pavements (in whatever time) over 26.2 miles.

Marathon T

p.s. sorry no photos from far flung destinations – some of us work for a living (apologies Marathon J – low blow)!!

Jerk Chicken and Cassava – Marathon J

Lunch was locally prepared jerk chicken (from a Jamaican chef) with cassava and salad. I’ve never heard of cassava before today, it was nice, a little like potato so I’ve done a little research. It is a perennial woody shrub that is grown for its enlarged starch-filled roots; they contain nearly the maximum theoretical concentration of starch on a dry weight basis among food crops! The fresh roots contain about 30% starch and very little protein. The jerk chicken provided the protein. Interestingly the roots are prepared much like potato, they can be peeled and boiled, baked, or fried, however, it is not recommended to eat cassava uncooked, because of potentially toxic concentrations of cyanogenic glucosides (whatever they are) that are reduced to innocuous levels through cooking! Anyway unlike the monster burrito the jerk chicken and cassava did not repeat on the run but rather fuelled my performance. So if you are planning to run in Trinidad eat chicken and cassava rather than monster burritos.

So meetings over it was time to run, we were late on the roundabout and my training plan today has a 60 minute run, so the idea was to run three times round. I also had the distance confirmed at 2.25 miles per circuit. Lenny and I set off with the objective that he would run round twice and I’d go for three times.

In the beginning we were fresh and running hard, two bottles of water in hand.



After the first lap the heat started to get to me and I slowed down, then darkness started to draw in, fortunately the new Grenada prime minister was on an official visit so at the top of the roundabout was full of heavily armed police or the military, I did not stare too hard at the uniforms just the guns! That said there were still plenty of people running or walking, in parts the mood was starting to become lively, there were people with loud music and what looked like market stalls going up, party time...

6.75 miles and 61 minutes later I’d finished, this is a slightly faster average speed than when I was fuelled on burritos despite putting in an extra lap, conclusive proof that jerk chicken is better for you than burritos. The other thing I realized on this run is the that roundabout is far from flat, strangely there is a short shallow downhill section at the beginning followed by a long steep uphill section on the opposite side, how does that work? Maybe that’s why there seemed to be more people running anticlockwise than clockwise.

At the end of the run Lenny was done, "No more" he says.



The insects were starting to come to visit but we were too sweaty to bite.



Finally, were staying in the Hilton, which is a steep climb up the hill, what a way to finish.

Best Burrito in the Caribbean – Marathon J

There is a sports bar called Cuddy’s in New Kingston, Jamaica, it is owned by the most popular Jamaican cricketer Courtney Walsh, their Burritos are something else, if you ever go there try them, or the curried goat which is also fantastic. Today I was taken to Trotters, a similar style sports bar, in Port of Spain, Trinidad, it is slightly larger and more up market, they claim to have “A World Famous Monster Burrito”, so I asked Kevon (I girl, I guess her parents wanted a boy) if they were better than Cuddy’s and she of course who’s ever heard of Cuddy’s? So I ordered one, on my gosh when this thing arrived it was the size of a house, stacked full of steak, it was as though the cow had died and they had thrown some roja sauce on, wrapped it in a tortilla and fork lifted it onto my plate. My conclusion then is that, this is worthy of the title “Monster” but as far as taste goes Cuddy’s wins, sorry Trotters.

What has this go to do with running, well I started to devour the Monster Burrito at 12.30 so I must have finished just after 1pm. I was told that running round the roundabout in the centre of Port of Spain is very popular and safe whilst it is light and there are plenty of people about. I was told it was about 2.5 miles round. There is a video of it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFrhu9xK98E&feature=related or search on a trip round the world’s largest roundabout, the centre of the roundabout is used for sporting activities and of course is where much of the partying happens during carnival season.

So at 5.23pm I set off, the first lap was not too bad and though the heat was tough, at least there was some breeze and of course things and people to look at as I ran round, rather than the dreaded treadmill timer, the second lap was much harder as I struggled in the heat, but worse to come was the Monster Burrito that started to bite back, I was sure I was going to see this thing again. Fortunately it only threatened a reappearance, though it did travel up my esophagus and back down a couple of times.

Most people were walking rather than running and the runners seemed to be going in the opposite direction to me, which was against the traffic flow, I’m not at all sure why but I plan to find out. Anyway, I finished at 6.06 some 43 minutes later. Given my running pace the time tells me it is not 2.5 miles round, I don’t think I was running 9 minute mile pace so I’d have the distance closer to two miles round.

Part way round

Port of Spain from the road in

Tomorrow is rest day my legs are tired!

Hilton and Alesha Dixon – Marathon J

Unbelievable I’ve disconnected the phone and now they are banging on my door to give me a Tobago Rum cake of all things, I’ve just told them I’ve eaten, and it was nice, no I did not have desert because I was full, on localy caught wild boar, I do hope they leave me alone now, it’s time for bed!

Moving to pressing matters, rereading one of Marathon T’s post, I believe he has let the side down a little, as evidenced here:

http://jerseyrebels.blogspot.com/2008/07/another-triumphant-weekend.html

I was extremely disappointed upon closer inspection of this blog that Marathon T managed to follow Alesha and not photograph the posterior he was raving about, how can that be? So I set about putting the record straight, it was not easy, but eventually we arranged to meet at the Brits, I mentioned our blog was missing the money shot and being an avid reader she naturally was very happy to oblige.

Rest day in Trinidad – Marathon J

As often happens a 2 ½ hour flight has taken all day, this according to my running program is a rest day, however, I managed not to train whilst travelling a couple of days ago so I decided that despite my failed ½ marathon attempt yesterday I would sneak a few more miles in the Hilton Trinidad gym. The gym is smaller than the one in Curacao with mirrors for a view, instead of the sea, so not a pretty sight! The room was cooler than in Curacao so I hit the running machine Karno style. The first 20 minutes were good, and fast, I was considering going for another half marathon attempt, but shortly after 25 minutes something stopped working, I was struggling to breathe whilst shivering and over heating at the same time, so I slowed down, at 45 minutes I knew the ½ marathon attempt was not on, I was just hanging in for an hour run, I slowed the machine down again, the waves of shivers continued, I wondered if it was because I’d only eaten some breakfast cereal and a packet of cheese and spinach biscuits on the flight all day? To compound matters the gym had no bottles of water so I was without hydration, in Curacao I drank 1.5Ltr on the 2 hour run. Eventually the clock ran down to zero and into a 5 minute cool down, heaven, but with only the last minute of the 5 minute cool down remaining I realised I’d almost covered 7 miles, so I cranked the speed right up and sprinted the last minute. My legs felt like led, really, they were so heavy, I now know what it feels like when people say that, regardless I pushed hard and as the end of the warm down stopped the belt I had covered 6.99 miles. Legs trembling I left the gym walked up to the pool removed my shoes and top, and jumped in. I decided to pound out some lengths, but after only a handful the chlorine in the water was so strong I thought my eyes were going to bleed so I got out and dried myself. Sitting by the side of the pool, it was now 6pm I noticed I was wet again as my body was still perspiring trying to cool me down. I read or rather dripped on the Sunday Express (Trinidad’s version) that somebody had left behind, apparently there has only been 400 murders here this year! I think I’ll eat at the Hotel tonight. I have just returned from the Hilton buffet, I tried the locally caught wild boar, I think they managed to catch it because it was 100 years old, tough as old boots, they did say I’d need sauce with it! Fortunately the beef, fish and vegetables I had with it were much better. There were 5 people in the dining room and twice as many staff, they pestered me with overpowering service to the point I was glad to get away. But having returned to my room I'm still being pestered by staff asking me if I'm happy with the room, the food, the service, I'm also now invited to the managers cocktail party on Tuesday, and have a discount on my internet charge. I'm begining to wish I had not complained the last time I stayed here, though the room was truely dreadful then, thankfully this refurbished room is much better, I think I'll disconnect the phone for some peace.

Back to my new hero:
Karno, after covering 198 miles, non stop for two days, he put in a 6 minute mile for the last mile, I think I have some way to go to be an ultra marathon runner, I can’t do a 6 minute mile for my first mile let alone after 7 back to back marathons.

The Japanese flag part II – Marathon J

I have found a cure for the Japanese flag syndrome, the problem was traced to the nylon inners of my running shorts, whilst designed to let everything breathe it seems my sensitive parts are not happy with the standard lining provided by Reebok so I’ve cut them out and now run with cotton boxers instead, whilst they absorb the sweat rather more than the old liner, the bottom line (forgive the pun) is that the Japanese flag has yet to be flown again! If this is not making sense see the previous blog entitled Japanese Flag, if you dare.

Running short modifications - the white bits are the remnants of the inner liner

Also I’ve had a pair of custom fit trainers made from Pro feet London, they analysed the way I run and concluded I pronate and supernate (the opposite) in the same stride, or put in layman’s terms I’m awkward. My ankles move sideways, they should not, this loads stress on my knees, hence some of the pain I have, but on the positive my hips run true. So I’ve been running with my new shoes and inners for the last couple of weeks and now my ankles hurt when they never did before, but my right foot which used to blister at about 6 miles (for pictures refer to my half marathon blog) does not blister anymore.

New shoes with customer inner sole, photo taken on the hotel the carpet, it is a dreadful colour.

Dean Karnazes – Marathon J

Move over Marathon T my new hero is Karno, Marathon T gave me this book: Ultra Marathon Man Confessions of an all night runner. It is insane. You simply have to read this book, I settled into it as my legs relaxed after the failed half marathon, I could do nothing else until I’d finished it.

I love this quote:

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: "WOW!! what a ride!"

The book and my legs after the failed half

Bon Bini Curacao Marathon J

Yesterday

I had to run my first half marathon of this training program or 2 hours which ever came first, since I’d run my last half marathon in 1 hr 55 min on the roads I felt sure I could match that on a machine, no hills to climb and it is easy to set the correct pace rather than running as do on the road with my heart, or more specifically as fast as my heart will let me. However, I had not factored three things, one I’d trained for 5 months for the half marathon, albeit from a standing start, and today I was only 3 weeks into my training program, two the weather was perfect for the half, whereas I was about to do this in a gym in Curacao, and finally three, I had Marathon T’s secret fuel cells to munch on the way, here I had only water.

The running machine started out well enough, but after about 30 minutes the heat got to me, the only way I could continue was to slow the pace down, well below my desired 9min/mile. At an hour my body ached to give up, at 90 minutes I almost did give up, the timer on the running machine appeared to be going backwards, I hate running machines, with 5 minutes to go I had covered only 11 miles, I backed the speed down to walking pace and walked the last five minutes to complete 120 minutes. Exhausted I got off the machine, the picture says it all.

View from the running machine

Close to collapse after 2 hours

Training for Amsterdam - Marathon J

9 weeks ago
My name is Marathon J, I am a runner, I’ve not run seriously for a couple of months but I’m starting today to train for a marathon, I have 18 weeks to the race.
My name is Marathon J and I like a drink, I’ve not had a serious drink since yesterday, but I’m about to run a marathon so I’m giving up today.

I analysed several training programs eventually narrowing it down to two that I vacillated between for a while, these were the Runners World training program and the Asics training program, eventually I choose the Asics program because it allowed me to put a training program together set against a 4 hour finish time, which is my goal as it is twice my half marathon time. Some would say this is optimistic, others impossible, I call it my challenge.

8 weeks and 6 days ago
Ouch my back hurts, I booked a visit to my chiropractor.

3 weeks ago
After one hundred and fifty pounds invested in a chiropractor my back is better(ish)…... Lets start again……..
My name is Marathon J, I am a runner I’ve not run for a couple of months plus 6 weeks! But I’m starting to train for a marathon, I now have 12 weeks to train
My name is Marathon J and I like a drink, I’ve not had a drink since yesterday, the last six weeks were tough hence I did not give up, but I’m about to run a marathon so I’m giving up again.

2 weeks and 6 days ago

I reviewed my 18 week training program with a view to starting at week 12, rather than dive straight in at the Monday “week 6 run” I sensibly, very sensibly for me, thought I’d have a gentle 4 miler to break myself back into training, and then move into the Tuesday week 12 run.

So a gentle 4 miles to get me going was in fact 40 minutes of torture, it was extremely difficult, I could not understand why, at that point I realised the marathon training was going to be harder than I thought. What happened to the fitness I had during the ½ marathon, where had that gone? Seeking advice from my hero Marathon T he simply said give it two weeks and you will be fine. I was almost 1 stone heavier than when I ran the half and subsequent runs were to prove even harder. I needed to re think my strategy. The obvious thing was to go back to runners world and Ascis websites and re input the training with only 12 weeks to train. Non runners need to understand at this point is that a 12 week marathon program has 2 weeks of tapering at the end (tapering is not running much allowing your body to recover and build strength for the race) so a 12 week program is actually only 10 weeks.

The Asics website encapsulated my dilemma succinctly, “There is not enough time to meet your goals”. The Runners World site was similarly unhelpful, so I played with the Ascis site parameters, mainly because it gives you some flexibility and eventually tricked it into giving me a program in approximately the timescales I needed. Now all I had to do was train according to it’s regime.

I’m not sure this is possible!

6 days ago

During a long Saturday run, 7 miles I happened upon a baby Hedge Hog trying to cross the road I was running down, silly little fella, I picked him up, wow they are prickly, carried him to the field he was attempting to reach and hoped he did not try to cross back again. I ran on happy with a spring in my step for the next mile, safe in the knowledge I’d probably saved him from coming to a premature squashy end.

Another week and a few more miles on the clock….

Marathon T

Another week has now passed and I have managed another few runs…

Weds: 19 miles - 2:48:10.
I had a great run last Wednesday on the long route I have used before. Wasn’t really taking any notice of the time, decided to just run as I felt comfortable (as it was going to be so far). The outward leg was comfortable at 9:16/mile pace (it is all uphill on the way out) and coming home was much better at 8:40/mile (downhill). My legs actually felt ok as I hit the finish straight, although as I cooled down I could feel my quads tightening up…The final 7 miles of the Marathon are definitely going to be the tough ones (which has to be considered for worlds most obvious statement)…

Thurs: 2.5 miles – 19:30
With no adverse affects from the previous night I went for a gentle run around the block on Thursday. Loosened up the legs and made sure everything was ok.

Fri – rest

Sat: 6.9 miles – 53:20
Really enjoyable run, I decided to go a bit off-plan and run a course I had not tried before. It involved a number of hills and a couple of detours (as I realised I hadn’t gone far enough when I got to a specific turning). But ended up about the right distance and time for me, and a route I will definitely use again (reached max speed of 14.5mph at one point – think that’s my land speed record).

Sun: an hours surfing (let’s call it cross-training).
Surfing is much easier when you are fit (a contender for second most obvious statement of the year)!

Mon: The rowing challenge
I am sad to report my abject failure on the 20 mins rowing challenge. The challenge is to row over 5000m in 20 mins on the Concept II set to level 8. I managed 5000m in 20:09, and left a beaten man.

I am also going for a run tonight – around 6 - 8 miles at a gentle pace.

And that was my week….Looks like Marathon B has managed to get a team from work of enthusiastic runners together to run the Jersey Marathon (in relay)..So, I am now trying to calculate what time I need to average to beat them – the thought of Marathon B taking the final leg and passing me within sight of the line will be a recurring nightmare until the race day…

Keep it up MoFo's...

Marathon T

Another triumphant weekend…

Marathon T

Well, after a few weeks back on the training we all headed this weekend to the Bupa ‘Great Capital Run 2008’, a 10k race around Hyde Park.

We were determined not to repeat the mistakes of our last London trip (see http://jerseyrebels.blogspot.com/2008/04/first-race.html or http://jerseyrebels.blogspot.com/2008/04/its-offical-im-runner.html for full details).

So, on arrival in London, Marathon B headed straight to his running clinic for a check-up, while my other half and I went into town. The good intentions lasted for an hour until we found ourselves in the ‘Moet & Chandon’ bar in Selfridges, at this point and after the first glass slipped down I realised drastic measures were called for otherwise the afternoon would be lost. We quickly got ourselves to Leicester Square and into the cinema before the lure of the pub became overwhelming. After watching Wall-E (excellent) – we had a wander around Covent Garden (buying shoes and a handbag - my partner is an absolute female cliche!) then made our way to Miso to meet up with Marathon B.

As a surprise for my partner we had bought some tickets to Les Miserables (seats this time – not four hours on our feet) – so went there straight after feeding. Spent a few hours being wailed at in a dreadful show (not my thing) – interspersed with another glass of champagne and a jug of Pimms. After the show we went straight back to the hotel for an early night – and rest before the main event.

Sunday morning started clear and bright – which woke me up at 5:00 – the hotel curtains were shocking! After a healthy breakfast of muesli and juice, we got our gear together and met up with my folks in the park. We wandered with them down to the start and met up with Marathon B – after a quick photo shoot, and a round of high-fives – we split up and made our way to our individual starting pens (as we were expecting different finish times).

The run itself was ok – except I started off too quick (due to a poor pacing calculation) – passed 5km in 21:12, and finished in 43:10. The only slight annoyance was the over-estimation of many of the runners at the front with their timings. I started in the 44 – 47 min group, but by 1km was streaming past runners who had indicated they would run around 40 mins but looked completely shot (except Alesha Dixon – who looked fantastic – I was sorely tempted to follow her around just for the view, but the size of her security runners put me off!). Luckily it was a fairly wide course and allowed some room to overtake.

Marathon T - feeling ok at 1.5km - still on a high from following Alesha Dixon's arse!.

My partner finished in 1:15 – in her first ever road race, and after less than three weeks training – so an outstanding effort. She is now officially an endurance athlete (Marathon K), and has already started talking about the next one and ‘PB’s’!.

Overall it was a really well organised and supported run. Great surroundings and a chance to see world class athletes up close (as the course around Hyde Park loops back on itself a few times – you get to see the guys at the front – awe inspiring).

Team Bupa 10k - Post-Race...Marathon's B, K & T...

Now onto the Marathon training; I managed 10 miles last night – as a warm down – in a steady 8:14/mile pace. There’s a long way to go.

Marathon T

Getting back on track - Marathon T

Marathon T

It has been a while now since I have posted anything on the blog; the main reason for this is (I have to be honest) sheer laziness. During this absence, I’ve visited Glastonbury Festival for the eleventh time (I think – the numbers get hazy during the mid-late 90’s), drank an inordinate amount of Brothers pear and strawberry cider, grown a beard (which I am still not sure about) and have started running again in earnest.

The last few weeks in pictures….



Marathon’s T & B prepare for the worst (The only rain this year at Glasto)



Marathon B grooving to the beats (Leftfield)



The legendary pear and strawberry cider – our downfall



The troublesome beard


Onto the running; with one eye on the Marathon I have started increasing my longer runs now – while also trying to keep some speed in my legs for this weekends 10k in London. This has given me some challenges, so my training has been a bit disjointed. I have focussed on speed during the week (sessions of 30 – 40 mins including some hill training), then longer runs at the weekend. The 14.5 mile run on Sunday included a tour up the waterworks valley (miles 4 -7 of the Jersey Marathon). Which was hard work – but not as bad as I was expecting – it was all uphill but the gradient was reasonable.

The other piece of significant news is that my other half has started running and is joining us for the London 10k. She completed her first hour non-stop last weekend (5 miles). So, is raring to go for the Sunday morning race around Hyde Park.

And finally, my father (the old codger) has now officially entered the Jersey Marathon – so we are on for the 5th October but there are a lot of miles to go before then.

Marathon T

Forgive me Father for I have sinned, it's been 51 days since my last blog!

Marathon S.

Well, I can't believe I've been so naughty as to have not written anything down during the last 51 days, however, I'm back and this time I'm totally serial about it (That’s not a typo if you watch South Park you'll understand how serial I am!!)

Anyway, I completed the half and set off for 2 weeks hedonistic shenanigans in Thailand where I ate and drunk the body weight of 5 Chang, sung 30 renditions of Fanja made famous by the Thai Robbie Williams called bird, well actually they call him Lobbie Lilliams and returned completely rejuvenated, healed and ready for action.

Well not quite as I was stressed having been given 30 days notice on my beauty apartment whilst away so had to start a frantic search for a new place. I won't bore you with the details, however, it only all came together on the final day. In the meantime I'd read an article in Runners World and overnight developed a new, more efficient running style meaning that 9.6 became the new 8.2Kmph.

I set my fastest ever treadmill 5 and 10k and all was looking well to commence the full marathon training on the 30th of June.

However, another hedonistic trip, this time to Glastonbury came along where more cider was consumed that water flowed into the Titanic when it struck the 'berg and more miles of chow mein noodles were eaten than would reach from the Earth to Mercury. This coupled with a heavy cold mean I've not done a sausage of exercise for about 2 weeks.

The weight has ballooned as has my face and 5 marathon training sessions have come and gone.

Anyway, that was then and this is now, I'm back.

Standby for regular updates as I train for my first ever marathon.

Marathon S on the rampage!

4.5 G force – Marathon J

I noticed that after running down hill, when I reached the bottom and leveled out I felt G force on my legs and seat, I was sure it had something to do with weight, mass, speed, direction changes and the effect transferred forces, but I was a little unsure because it has been some time since I studied aeronautical physics. So rather than dig out the text books I thought I’d be better off doing some basic aerobatic training to work out how fast my body could take me running down hill and pulling out at the bottom.

The afternoon was spent with a bunch of spiffing guys (many with moustaches and names like “Nitro” and “Flash heart”) in intensive aerobatic training and looking at shiny aircraft, Top Gun style. Unfortunately Friday afternoon came and went so the intensive study went on into the night aided by lashings of red wine.

Finally, Saturday came round and at last I was one with the birds flying freely, well strapped into a trainer aerobatic fighter.

After looping the loop and doing a couple of stall turns it was time for a Cuban loop, my instructor pulled a 3.5G coming out of the turn, then it was my go, I hung upside a little too long, so instead of pulling out before the vertical we plummeted directly the earth, the result was 4.5G when pulling out at the bottom of the turn causing my eyes to go all sparkly. So that was the G force limits sorted then, I can run down hill as fast as I like provided I don’t pull more than 4.5G out at the bottom!

Amsterdam - Marathon J

I went to see the stadium we are going to start and hopefully finish in, it was an inspiring trip for many reasons, but I’ll let the pictures tell the story:

I saw this container and figured it was our destiny surely they are referring to Mofo’s. “I believe in the Mofo spirit” as do containers.

Directions are straight forward enough, they’ve almost spelt it correctly.

Entrance to the stadium.

I am not so sure about this statue can you do that in 2008? Apparently the games were here in 1928 and it was here where the tradition of running with a lighted torch started! It’s an educational blog. 45 days to 2008 Olympics.

The start and finish track.

The ground is bouncy!

This is where they will be buying flowers to throw at us as we finish, I expect the housewives favorite, Marathon B, will get the most!



Hey I’m not homophobic, nothing like, so they have a monument, how cool is that? Only in Amsterdam……and I suspect……….. maybe San Francisco.

Next, I retired to the hotel bar to have my last drink as the training starts in earnest tomorrow, I have managed to put a few pounds on with the business trips and need to get my body, mind and Zen spirit back into the marathon zone. My pilgrimage ended I am inspired, tomorrow is new custom fit shoes day, which will give birth to a new me, serious Marathon J, I’ll be in the zone……….

…….until the next excuse…….