I excitedly un wrapped my Garmin 405 the all seeing running computer / sat nav system. The manual was a CD so I figured I could look at that later, I’d just press some buttons to see how I got on, not long after it was configured and seeking satellites in preparation for my run!
That made me think George Orwell was right, a few years early, but right all the same, this little watch was accessing satellites that were, frankly spying on me running. Now I’m not the religious type, a techie I heart to be honest, so I figure the bible must be God v1.0 but things have moved on and given the surveillance society we now live in, the next iteration is God v2.0 aka Garmin!
I have used the Ascis website again to prepare a training program for the Amsterdam marathon in October, it’s the flattest so obviously the one to go for! I put my details into the site, interestingly Ascis wanted me to have the intermediate no1 training program, but I quickly down graded that to beginners get you round program, the intermediate program looked too much like hard work.
Consistent with my previous training I missed my first session on Friday in favor of wine and a meal out with friends! However, Saturday I hoped to make amends and set off with Garmin 405 my new friend, and top gadget.
So off I went, it was interesting to see my running speed, distance travelled, heart rate and so on, it actually inspired me to read the manual. Apparently I can down load maps and review my run overlayed against the map. The bottom line was 1 hr 30 min and 9 miles, heart rate varied from 130 to 165. I’ve not worked out how to down load this information to my computer yet, so this is still work in progress...... to be continued....
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
The week after....
Marathon T
So, a week on from the half Marathon glory for team MoFo – we are all being sensible and spending our time recovering...Well, sort of.
The last week has been interesting; I didn’t suffer with any leg problems after the run – so decided I’d try a session on Monday. I managed a gentle 4 miles over lunch, and the same on Tuesday, to ease myself back into the week. Wednesday was a rest day (but not for the nerves as the mighty reds won the champions league). Thursday I ran to touch rugby training, spent an hour egg chasing, then ran home, and the week finished with a hill session on the treadmill over lunch on Friday.
Which all-in-all was a pretty hard week considering the effort of the race…
And so to the weekend….
I had decided to go for a long run on Sunday – so Saturday was spent purchasing a new bottle harness, resting up and watching Hull City confirm their place in the Premier League next season (I only mention this as one member of team MoFo was at the game – and I assume is now not a happy runner).
Sunday morning I got up early and had the obligatory porridge and honey (not Manuka – as I am not in the financial bracket with Marathon’s B & J)….I prepared the carb gel, isotonic drinks and running kit and stepped out. My original plan was to run a 12 miler – on the route I have used before, but just before leaving I checked the pedestrian route up to Corbiere – just in case I was feeling good when I got to my turning point (I knew then that it had the potential to be a long run)….
I started off steady and focused on getting the first few miles under my belt, these were fine and as I ambled along the seafront approaching the 6 mile turn I decided I’d have a quick look up the Corbiere walk to see how steep it was. Pleasantly surprised at the very gentle gradient I pressed on to see a bit more of it….long story short I got to Corbiere some time later with my Garmin showing almost exactly 9.5 miles and 85 mins….Only one thing to do now – turn around and run home.
The way back was painful – it is the longest run I have ever attempted and I could feel the energy draining out of me as I ran (even with liberal application of carb gel). I stood and watched some tortured faces at the 19 mile mark of the London Marathon this year and now have some idea what they were going through. I finished my 19 mile stint in 2:52 – with feet like blocks of lead and knees burning.
Sunday evening was spent with my feet up - wincing every time I had to shift position.
As Monday was a Bank Holiday I decided to use it and go for a walk – I packed up a day sac and waited for the rain to ease – then had a wander around the Island (a quarter of the way round to be precise) to get a pint of Brothers cider…I packed a pair of my running shoes in my bag – just in case a moment of madness took me…The day went something like this – walk to Corbiere = 9.5 miles, Jog to the Watersplash pub = 3 miles…Have a pint - awesome….Walk back to Corbiere = 3 miles, jog to St Aubin = 3.5 miles, walk along the seafront = 3 miles, jog home = 3 miles.
Total walking = 15.5 miles
Total running = 9.5 miles
Total Time = 7.5 hours
To be honest – it wasn’t the best way to rest my legs after the Sunday effort…but a great day out…
I now only have three more weeks of this sort of relaxation before I start the Marathon training…I can’t wait – it’s killing me!
Marathon T
So, a week on from the half Marathon glory for team MoFo – we are all being sensible and spending our time recovering...Well, sort of.
The last week has been interesting; I didn’t suffer with any leg problems after the run – so decided I’d try a session on Monday. I managed a gentle 4 miles over lunch, and the same on Tuesday, to ease myself back into the week. Wednesday was a rest day (but not for the nerves as the mighty reds won the champions league). Thursday I ran to touch rugby training, spent an hour egg chasing, then ran home, and the week finished with a hill session on the treadmill over lunch on Friday.
Which all-in-all was a pretty hard week considering the effort of the race…
And so to the weekend….
I had decided to go for a long run on Sunday – so Saturday was spent purchasing a new bottle harness, resting up and watching Hull City confirm their place in the Premier League next season (I only mention this as one member of team MoFo was at the game – and I assume is now not a happy runner).
Sunday morning I got up early and had the obligatory porridge and honey (not Manuka – as I am not in the financial bracket with Marathon’s B & J)….I prepared the carb gel, isotonic drinks and running kit and stepped out. My original plan was to run a 12 miler – on the route I have used before, but just before leaving I checked the pedestrian route up to Corbiere – just in case I was feeling good when I got to my turning point (I knew then that it had the potential to be a long run)….
I started off steady and focused on getting the first few miles under my belt, these were fine and as I ambled along the seafront approaching the 6 mile turn I decided I’d have a quick look up the Corbiere walk to see how steep it was. Pleasantly surprised at the very gentle gradient I pressed on to see a bit more of it….long story short I got to Corbiere some time later with my Garmin showing almost exactly 9.5 miles and 85 mins….Only one thing to do now – turn around and run home.
The way back was painful – it is the longest run I have ever attempted and I could feel the energy draining out of me as I ran (even with liberal application of carb gel). I stood and watched some tortured faces at the 19 mile mark of the London Marathon this year and now have some idea what they were going through. I finished my 19 mile stint in 2:52 – with feet like blocks of lead and knees burning.
Sunday evening was spent with my feet up - wincing every time I had to shift position.
As Monday was a Bank Holiday I decided to use it and go for a walk – I packed up a day sac and waited for the rain to ease – then had a wander around the Island (a quarter of the way round to be precise) to get a pint of Brothers cider…I packed a pair of my running shoes in my bag – just in case a moment of madness took me…The day went something like this – walk to Corbiere = 9.5 miles, Jog to the Watersplash pub = 3 miles…Have a pint - awesome….Walk back to Corbiere = 3 miles, jog to St Aubin = 3.5 miles, walk along the seafront = 3 miles, jog home = 3 miles.
Total walking = 15.5 miles
Total running = 9.5 miles
Total Time = 7.5 hours
To be honest – it wasn’t the best way to rest my legs after the Sunday effort…but a great day out…
I now only have three more weeks of this sort of relaxation before I start the Marathon training…I can’t wait – it’s killing me!
Marathon T
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Training with Tony - Marathon J
It’s taken a week for my battered body to recover, I flew, on Monday, to Grand Cayman see the immigration blog for details, anyway I tried to run on Wednesday but a gentle trot to the pub “Fidel Murphy’s” to watch the mighty United defeat some rubbish London club in the Champions league final quickly proved my knees were still in need of a rest. By Friday I thought I was ready to run, I got up at 6 am but made the mistake of checking email, the next time I looked at the clock it was 09.45 and I had a meeting at 10 am, in the hotel fortunately, so I showered and had to write off exercise. Saturday I arrived at a friends house in Southampton and recovered from Jet lag with red wine and barbequed chicken, nice. Sunday I was determined to take a gentle run so Tony and I set off on an easy 5.5 mile run past the Southampton Rose Bowl cricket ground and back to his house.
I’ve got another week of gentle training before the Amsterdam marathon program kicks in, I think I need to invest in a Garmin 405, to log my progress. It’s a newer model that the one Marathon B and T’s have, it has itouch like controls, awesome.
Tony, Spencer (the dog) and I after the run.
I’ve got another week of gentle training before the Amsterdam marathon program kicks in, I think I need to invest in a Garmin 405, to log my progress. It’s a newer model that the one Marathon B and T’s have, it has itouch like controls, awesome.
Tony, Spencer (the dog) and I after the run.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Immigration
After 9 hours on a flight clearing my inbox my knees swollen with DVT’s on top of DVT’s I hobbled to immigration. Whereupon I stood in line for over an hour, the immigration official asked me how I was, not as good as yesterday I replied. I had him. Why? He enquired. Well because yesterday, I replied with a grin, I’d run more than half of a half marathon in the time it’s taken me to move less than 100 yards here! He did not look impressed, OOOOPS I thought, my nether regions are beginning to recover and I’m going the right way to receive the rubber glove. Some quick banter and a few laughs later a got away with it.
I’m typing this stood at a bar in the airport waiting for my connection, I could sit but it’s more comfortable to stand..
Sir Ranulf Fiennes might have been able run 7 marathons in 7 days aged 60 and following a heart by pass but I’m thinking running one marathon is looking daunting enough.
..... Bring on Amsterdam
I’m typing this stood at a bar in the airport waiting for my connection, I could sit but it’s more comfortable to stand..
Sir Ranulf Fiennes might have been able run 7 marathons in 7 days aged 60 and following a heart by pass but I’m thinking running one marathon is looking daunting enough.
..... Bring on Amsterdam
The Japanese flag – Marathon J
Caution, contains adult content, do not read in if under 18 or at all squeamish.
Read on at your peril.......
This blog page is in return for £100 donated by two directors of a large firm on Jersey, I have decided to keep their identity private for fear of injuring their company or careers.
You know who you are J and B so if you don’t pay up you will be named and shamed.
They laughed so much at my pain and stress they’ve dared me to blog it.
……after the marathon I returned home for a bath, my blistered foot throbbed as it sank into the hot soapy water, but my body had another surprise to throw at me, as I sat in the warm water it was as though somebody was pushing crushed chili’s up my nether regions after I’d just eaten a chicken vindaloo. My backside was on fire; I needed ice cubes and quickly…..!
Marathon T had not covered this in his preparation plan, Preparation H was more like it. After an uncomfortable soak I viewed my rear in the mirror only to see the Japanese flag waving back at me.
Liberal quantities of Savlon were applied, I texted marathon T and a couple of other experienced runners for advice.
You know who you are J and B so if you don’t pay up you will be named and shamed.
They laughed so much at my pain and stress they’ve dared me to blog it.
……after the marathon I returned home for a bath, my blistered foot throbbed as it sank into the hot soapy water, but my body had another surprise to throw at me, as I sat in the warm water it was as though somebody was pushing crushed chili’s up my nether regions after I’d just eaten a chicken vindaloo. My backside was on fire; I needed ice cubes and quickly…..!
Marathon T had not covered this in his preparation plan, Preparation H was more like it. After an uncomfortable soak I viewed my rear in the mirror only to see the Japanese flag waving back at me.
Liberal quantities of Savlon were applied, I texted marathon T and a couple of other experienced runners for advice.
Their reactions were all very similar……….hysterics.
An afternoon standing up the copious amounts of Savlon had worked and my flag emblem had calmed to resemble that of a blood orange.
By night fall following further applications of cream the over all glow had reduced and I was finally left with two perfectly symmetrical red lines. I’ll never touch a red stripe again.
More hysterical text messaged flooded in, followed by some banter about posting the image, on the blog, surely not…….
An afternoon standing up the copious amounts of Savlon had worked and my flag emblem had calmed to resemble that of a blood orange.
By night fall following further applications of cream the over all glow had reduced and I was finally left with two perfectly symmetrical red lines. I’ll never touch a red stripe again.
More hysterical text messaged flooded in, followed by some banter about posting the image, on the blog, surely not…….
....the bidding started at £20! I was not prepared to bare all for less than three figures, unfortunately that offer arrived all too quickly via a double bid from two directors, from a large firm with careers to protect.
Oh well, it’s for charity, I retired to the bathroom and I took several shots, well I had to work out which was my best side!
To comply with the Acceptable Use Policy of this site I have airbrushed the obviously rude parts, obviously I did not have time to wax for the picture.
………..sorry mum, but you’ve seen it all before……
If you really want to see this scroll down
…….are you really sure?.......
………oh well the money shot…..
To comply with the Acceptable Use Policy of this site I have airbrushed the obviously rude parts, obviously I did not have time to wax for the picture.
………..sorry mum, but you’ve seen it all before……
If you really want to see this scroll down
…….are you really sure?.......
………oh well the money shot…..
A grand day out....
Marathon T
Well, we did it. The MoFo team achieved its goal (all finishers) and individually we all ran as hard and well as we could. As we stood around the finish line we were satisfied with our efforts, although in varying degrees of physical breakdown.
The day really began with the team meeting at the start line; until you have been to a race start you don’t realise how many ultra-fit looking people there are milling about in everyday life. Everyone else looked like they were born to run. The MoFo team did look in good shape, if a bit nervous. There was lots of bravado sloshing around and good humoured ribbing – Marathon J took the brunt for the fact that the whole ridiculous idea was decided at his works Christmas event (looking forward to my invitation this year!). But, before we knew it the final 30 mins had gone and all that was left was to exchange a final ‘good luck’ and line up at the start.
Team MoFo at the start - look at the naive smiles this would be the final time we smiled for a few hours...
Marathon B was ready with his mobile phone and taxi fare - should it all go wrong!!
The tale of my run is fairly uneventful. I started gently, spoke to Marathon C briefly as he sped by, and settled in to my running at around 8 min miles. The miles seemed to pass steadily (3 miles @ 24:50) and I managed to resist the urge to speed up too much. As we passed the halfway checkpoint (51:30ish) I decided to get the legs turning over a bit faster. I passed Marathon C at 8 miles and by then was running at a decent pace. Miles 10 & 11 sped by with a slight hiccup getting water onboard (almost drowned and had to run for 100m coughing heartily)…Then we hit the final massive downhill section, I cruised down this quite quickly, recalling the training on the hill by my house. Managed to carry some of the momentum from the hill into the final mile – and it wasn’t until I checked my watch with 400m to go that it dawned on me that I had a chance of breaking 1:40…I dug in and ran the final 400m at a brisk pace to finish in 1:39:42 (unofficial – but my Garmin shows every step!).
Marathon T finishing strong & feeling like death....
Marathon C - basking in the glory of the finish....
Marathon J - Keep running you're not finshed yet fella!!
Marathon J finally spots the finish line...
Marathon B - looking good as he breezes across the line....
Victorious Team MoFo...Is it just me - or do the smiles seem more forced than a few hours before?
After all of the team had finished we went down to the ‘watersplash’ pub for a well deserved Brothers cider (that’s rehydration the MoFo way!)….After the second pint, and before we all fell asleep – we decided to call it a day and dropped Marathon B off at home ready for his next Marathon (travelling 24 hours to Thailand)…
For my part – this whole experience has been fantastic. It has rekindled my enthusiasm for training and running….I am now determined to carry it on – the full marathon in October looks possible, and running it with the old codger will be an amazing experience.
My thanks have to go to the whole team for the camaraderie that has been exhibited over the past 5 months…It made me focus on each and every gym session – especially when the pressure was on and I felt like stopping, it made sure I never slacked off or swapped in a few easy days when I knew I needed to put the miles in. I just thought of the pains that the other guys had been going through that week and the determination to carry on came flooding back.
So, what now? Well, we have already agreed to run another half Marathon in Nottingham in September; in preparation for our full Marathon’s in October (me in Jersey, Marathon’s B & J in Amsterdam)….so there is a lot of life left in this blog yet.
I am just off for a 4 mile run over lunch…want to loosen the legs – although to be fair they do feel scarily ok today. Maybe there is more to be shaved from that PB? And the final thing Marathon B said to me before he left? “Find a 10k in July sometime,” I might not be the only one hooked on the experience….
Marathon T
Well, we did it. The MoFo team achieved its goal (all finishers) and individually we all ran as hard and well as we could. As we stood around the finish line we were satisfied with our efforts, although in varying degrees of physical breakdown.
The day really began with the team meeting at the start line; until you have been to a race start you don’t realise how many ultra-fit looking people there are milling about in everyday life. Everyone else looked like they were born to run. The MoFo team did look in good shape, if a bit nervous. There was lots of bravado sloshing around and good humoured ribbing – Marathon J took the brunt for the fact that the whole ridiculous idea was decided at his works Christmas event (looking forward to my invitation this year!). But, before we knew it the final 30 mins had gone and all that was left was to exchange a final ‘good luck’ and line up at the start.
Team MoFo at the start - look at the naive smiles this would be the final time we smiled for a few hours...
Marathon B was ready with his mobile phone and taxi fare - should it all go wrong!!
The tale of my run is fairly uneventful. I started gently, spoke to Marathon C briefly as he sped by, and settled in to my running at around 8 min miles. The miles seemed to pass steadily (3 miles @ 24:50) and I managed to resist the urge to speed up too much. As we passed the halfway checkpoint (51:30ish) I decided to get the legs turning over a bit faster. I passed Marathon C at 8 miles and by then was running at a decent pace. Miles 10 & 11 sped by with a slight hiccup getting water onboard (almost drowned and had to run for 100m coughing heartily)…Then we hit the final massive downhill section, I cruised down this quite quickly, recalling the training on the hill by my house. Managed to carry some of the momentum from the hill into the final mile – and it wasn’t until I checked my watch with 400m to go that it dawned on me that I had a chance of breaking 1:40…I dug in and ran the final 400m at a brisk pace to finish in 1:39:42 (unofficial – but my Garmin shows every step!).
Marathon T finishing strong & feeling like death....
Marathon C - basking in the glory of the finish....
Marathon J - Keep running you're not finshed yet fella!!
Marathon J finally spots the finish line...
Marathon B - looking good as he breezes across the line....
Victorious Team MoFo...Is it just me - or do the smiles seem more forced than a few hours before?
After all of the team had finished we went down to the ‘watersplash’ pub for a well deserved Brothers cider (that’s rehydration the MoFo way!)….After the second pint, and before we all fell asleep – we decided to call it a day and dropped Marathon B off at home ready for his next Marathon (travelling 24 hours to Thailand)…
For my part – this whole experience has been fantastic. It has rekindled my enthusiasm for training and running….I am now determined to carry it on – the full marathon in October looks possible, and running it with the old codger will be an amazing experience.
My thanks have to go to the whole team for the camaraderie that has been exhibited over the past 5 months…It made me focus on each and every gym session – especially when the pressure was on and I felt like stopping, it made sure I never slacked off or swapped in a few easy days when I knew I needed to put the miles in. I just thought of the pains that the other guys had been going through that week and the determination to carry on came flooding back.
So, what now? Well, we have already agreed to run another half Marathon in Nottingham in September; in preparation for our full Marathon’s in October (me in Jersey, Marathon’s B & J in Amsterdam)….so there is a lot of life left in this blog yet.
I am just off for a 4 mile run over lunch…want to loosen the legs – although to be fair they do feel scarily ok today. Maybe there is more to be shaved from that PB? And the final thing Marathon B said to me before he left? “Find a 10k in July sometime,” I might not be the only one hooked on the experience….
Marathon T
1hr 55 - unofficial Marathon J
Preparation started Friday night dinner with Marathon T &B, it proved to be vital, until that night my race preparation extended to admiring my running number, ignoring the accompanying literature, well do blokes ever read instructions? Point made, and wondering why they had supplied a baggage tag?, My plan was the set the alarm to give me 35 minutes to get to the start line, hit snooze for 5 minutes, get dressed, drive to the start, then run, simple. Apparently not, My veteran racers talked about getting up hours before the race to eat porridge with Manuka honey, I was to learn the following day, when I came to buy it, that Manuka is New Zealand for expensive. During the meal I also learnt about the need for sweat bands, hydration and carb loading, to be honest the only bit I understood was carb loading as that translated to filling my face with pasta, that, I knew I was good at. Also apparently running with an ipod is frowned upon, tough I thought they can pull any face they like I’m running with my tunes. Finally I learnt that when you cross the finish line it’s not cool to do it with your arms in the air, shame, apparently one is to nonchalantly press ones running computer or stop watch. Not having a running computer or stop watch I decided to buy some sweat bands and resolved to push them instead, I sure nobody will look that closely.
So the big day came, I set the alarm of 06.30, made porridge and spooned on the Manuka honey, it tasted really bad, so I loaded it with the best “Golden Syrup”. I took the vitamins I had been taking the past week and went back to bed. I got up an hour before the race to take my pain killers, get dressed and drive to the start line, I received a text from marathon T he had a supply of gel for me, I assumed it was the running equivalent of deep heat . Marathon T and B were already there when I arrived and looking resplendent, The place was full or people that looked like whippets. Marathon T then gave 4 packets of carb gel, not for my legs but to eat! One now, then the rest at 4, 6, and 9 miles!
Time to race, Marathon T went to the front, Marathon B and I went to the back, it took us 30 seconds to cross the start line and we were away. An interesting first few miles ensued as I picked my way through the crowd and the crowd picked it’s way through me. I settle into my running pace, which is, slow on the flat, slower up hill, and slightly faster than slow down hill. My music helping with a thumping beat, my right knee hurt down the inside left, nothing new there, it was more of a pulling sensation than sharp pain so I figured it was ok. 4 miles past and I forgot to eat gel, at six miles I started to feel tired and remembered the gel, wow that worked, wonder food, within minutes I felt the burst of energy. My split time came up next 58mins 49 secs. Amazing that’s on target for 2 hours, which was at least 5 minutes faster than I was expecting and more to the point I was feeling good, but I had run this far before so I was still not sure about the second half.
.JPG)
Marathon J at 1 mile
.JPG)
Marathon B - The housewives favorite
.JPG)
Marathon J at 5 miles
The 7 mile point quickly arrived as did a pain in my foot, I knew exactly what that was, a blister and a big one, oh well. At mile 8 I felt good and improved the pace slightly and decided to try to pick off a few runners in the distance, I’d need more gel for that, It worked. At mile 11 I took my last energy gel and continued to overtake people slowly one by one. I felt ok apart from the blister.
Mile 12, wow I was there and frankly felt great, time to light up the afterburners open all the taps and overtake everybody I could see! Clearly I was now out of my mind, but that’s exactly what I did. I was also surprised at the result, I did speed up, two ladies were past in seconds, then a guy, then there was some ground to make up to catch another guy, he was soon toast too, another lady ahead, then bang the afterburner ran out, bugger I only had two minutes fuel to burn who knew that? I was breathing hard, so hard in fact that the lady in front of me some 50 yards or so turned to look. It took me for ever to catch up to her but in doing so we both over took some other runners, I ran with her for a while still breathing really really hard, everybody was looking at me I think they thought I was about to pass out, I managed to pull away from this lady in the end and then 400 yard marker came up. Just one more guy I thought I’ll take him on the last straight, I managed to catch him with 200 yards to go but I had not counted on him speeding up! He left me for dead. I looked for the time, a broken counter was on some scaffolding, strange I thought, but on top of a parked car was a timer, the finish, or so I thought, I ran past at 1 hour 55 minutes and 28 seconds, I had smashed the 2 hour barrier I was elated.
Marathon T was cheering so I stopped to tell him the good news and the time, “You’ve not finished you silly bugger” he yelled, dam that broken clock was the finish line, just above it a large sign said….. finish.
I had lost the plot with 50 yards to go. I crossed the line and some bloke on a loud speaker shouted my name and team Mofo.
Awesome………
.JPG)
.JPG)
So the big day came, I set the alarm of 06.30, made porridge and spooned on the Manuka honey, it tasted really bad, so I loaded it with the best “Golden Syrup”. I took the vitamins I had been taking the past week and went back to bed. I got up an hour before the race to take my pain killers, get dressed and drive to the start line, I received a text from marathon T he had a supply of gel for me, I assumed it was the running equivalent of deep heat . Marathon T and B were already there when I arrived and looking resplendent, The place was full or people that looked like whippets. Marathon T then gave 4 packets of carb gel, not for my legs but to eat! One now, then the rest at 4, 6, and 9 miles!
Time to race, Marathon T went to the front, Marathon B and I went to the back, it took us 30 seconds to cross the start line and we were away. An interesting first few miles ensued as I picked my way through the crowd and the crowd picked it’s way through me. I settle into my running pace, which is, slow on the flat, slower up hill, and slightly faster than slow down hill. My music helping with a thumping beat, my right knee hurt down the inside left, nothing new there, it was more of a pulling sensation than sharp pain so I figured it was ok. 4 miles past and I forgot to eat gel, at six miles I started to feel tired and remembered the gel, wow that worked, wonder food, within minutes I felt the burst of energy. My split time came up next 58mins 49 secs. Amazing that’s on target for 2 hours, which was at least 5 minutes faster than I was expecting and more to the point I was feeling good, but I had run this far before so I was still not sure about the second half.
.JPG)
Marathon J at 1 mile.JPG)
Marathon B - The housewives favorite.JPG)
Marathon J at 5 milesThe 7 mile point quickly arrived as did a pain in my foot, I knew exactly what that was, a blister and a big one, oh well. At mile 8 I felt good and improved the pace slightly and decided to try to pick off a few runners in the distance, I’d need more gel for that, It worked. At mile 11 I took my last energy gel and continued to overtake people slowly one by one. I felt ok apart from the blister.
Mile 12, wow I was there and frankly felt great, time to light up the afterburners open all the taps and overtake everybody I could see! Clearly I was now out of my mind, but that’s exactly what I did. I was also surprised at the result, I did speed up, two ladies were past in seconds, then a guy, then there was some ground to make up to catch another guy, he was soon toast too, another lady ahead, then bang the afterburner ran out, bugger I only had two minutes fuel to burn who knew that? I was breathing hard, so hard in fact that the lady in front of me some 50 yards or so turned to look. It took me for ever to catch up to her but in doing so we both over took some other runners, I ran with her for a while still breathing really really hard, everybody was looking at me I think they thought I was about to pass out, I managed to pull away from this lady in the end and then 400 yard marker came up. Just one more guy I thought I’ll take him on the last straight, I managed to catch him with 200 yards to go but I had not counted on him speeding up! He left me for dead. I looked for the time, a broken counter was on some scaffolding, strange I thought, but on top of a parked car was a timer, the finish, or so I thought, I ran past at 1 hour 55 minutes and 28 seconds, I had smashed the 2 hour barrier I was elated.
Marathon T was cheering so I stopped to tell him the good news and the time, “You’ve not finished you silly bugger” he yelled, dam that broken clock was the finish line, just above it a large sign said….. finish.
I had lost the plot with 50 yards to go. I crossed the line and some bloke on a loud speaker shouted my name and team Mofo.
Awesome………
The feet.....not so awesome
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.JPG)
Sunday, May 18, 2008
I did it!!!
Marathon S.
Just a quick recap over the last two weeks worth of training.
16 days ago, read the The Chi of Running and found out that my running style wasn't quite right so decided to change it during a 10k treadmill session, with the result being that I ended the session with a painful right knee to match the left that has been nailed since I began, however, the shin splints seemed easier!!
14 days ago I decided I really needed to do a long run so armed with the first Harry Potter book on my pod I decided to attempt a 16K, a run 6K farther than anything I had ran previously.
I completed the run in fairly good shape, however, at the end my right knee did a semi collapse thing and stopped working with shooting pains ripping through it when I tried to lift my foot.
Decided that I just needed a little rest so had a few days off till 7 days ago when I decided to try an 18K run to get my confidence up for the half.
Set out in the 26 deg heat of a Jersey afternoon in a day glo neon running shirt with the second part of Harry Potter to 'ave it!!! Got off to a slow start then got even slower, I was breathing like a race horse on the last furlong of the national, the shirt was cutting underneath my armpits and the earphones kept falling out. The net result was I managed to do 4.77K in 29 mins then had to walk back 4.77K to the car with a sore knee and looking a complete tit in the day glo neon shirt with my belly and man boobs on full display.
Met Marathon T on Monday morning inconsolable at the disastrous training that had occurred.
Marathon T imparted some words of wisdom so I did a 6.2k treadmill session that night a 36K exercise bike ride on the Tuesday topped off with a 70 min 10K on the Wednesday night prior to the start of tapering and no exercise.
Carb loading took place with sweets, pop, steak and king prawn espatada's and chinese food being scoffed down with gay abandon, however, all too soon it was the night before the race.
The rain was lashing down, it was cold and the wind was whistling outside.
I tried to sleep but found that futile, I was at defcon 5 on the panic scale and wanted my mummy.
The alarm sounded at 06:15 and the porridge was made with extra salt.
The pee test was performed and found to look like rape seed as opposed to clear so a hydration plan kicked in and I nervously paced the house and waited for Marathon T to collect me!
We made our way to the start line in the cool morning air with the drizzle falling, seeing just how far 13 miles is!!
Much nervous banter was engaged in at the starting area with more hydration taking place. By this time the pee test told me I was overhydrated so a few trips to the urinal were engaged in.
All too soon we were under starters orders and we were off.
The first couple of miles seemed to be all up hill with a wind battering my face so small steps were called for to help me conserve energy.
In no time I'd reached 4 miles (I lie actually, a large period had elapsed) and the first water stop where I took on even more fluid so much so that I was loosing it from my whole body so it could stop itself drowning. At this point the right night which had been diagnosed as having medial knee ligament damage was playing up, however, I manfully battled on.
I got to 6 miles and took on even more water still feeling okay but with the knee pain increasing.
I crossed the half way line and had a good sponge down at 7 miles before taking on more water at 8 miles and a half a litre of Lucozade at 9.5 miles. By now my bladder was the size of a football and the same pressure so I had to nip into a potato field entrance to relieve myself.
When I tried to start off again the knee had decided it had had enough and refused to move even throwing in a pretend collapse for good measure. I battled on slowly as I only had 3 miles to go and finally reached the 400m to go sign.
I didn't have a sprint finish so lamely crossed the line in more of a fastish walk as opposed to a run in 2:19
Anyway the rest of the MoFo's were at the finish line to clap me home.
As I type now my knee is buggered, but that is temporary, the satisfaction of completing my first half marathon will never leave me, nor will the pride I have for my running companions.
We've had a fabulous team spirit which has kept me going through numerous injuries.
I'm really pleased that I've gone from overweight couch potato to completing my first half marathon.
So just one question remains, is my running career over?
Well, I'm taking two weeks off, however, I already have two things planned for the remainder of this year so check back and see how I get on!!! :O)
Marathon S (Properly marathon S) signing off for now, however, as Arnie famously said "I'll be back!'
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Not marathon material – Marathon J
Avid readers will know that my blogs have been more about excuses for not training rather than the results of my training, so with a week to go I headed to France for a last minute detox and final race preparations.
I decided to detoxify on fruit
So that was grape, specifically from the Loire combined with Fruits de Mer
On Sunday morning I embarked on my last long run, heading out of St Malo towards a Le Minihic, the way out was hard and I did not really notice my fellow runners, I followed the beach until after about 30 minutes the sea wall ended abruptly in the side of a cliff stopping me in my tracks, I figured that had to be Le Minihic so it was time to turn round.
The way back was truly amazing, firstly I saw Santa Clause on roller blades, honestly, ok he was in disguise but he was fat, with red cheeks and a long white beard, I’d recognize him anywhere. Next I came across Yoda meditating in the beach, next to with Bruce Lee doing Kata, closer to the walled city the kids from fame (still in their 80’s leg warmers) were jogging and jumping and finally I ran past a guy who was at least 105 years old stretching before a run. The weirdest run in the last 5 months.
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I decided to detoxify on fruit
So that was grape, specifically from the Loire combined with Fruits de Mer
On Sunday morning I embarked on my last long run, heading out of St Malo towards a Le Minihic, the way out was hard and I did not really notice my fellow runners, I followed the beach until after about 30 minutes the sea wall ended abruptly in the side of a cliff stopping me in my tracks, I figured that had to be Le Minihic so it was time to turn round.
The way back was truly amazing, firstly I saw Santa Clause on roller blades, honestly, ok he was in disguise but he was fat, with red cheeks and a long white beard, I’d recognize him anywhere. Next I came across Yoda meditating in the beach, next to with Bruce Lee doing Kata, closer to the walled city the kids from fame (still in their 80’s leg warmers) were jogging and jumping and finally I ran past a guy who was at least 105 years old stretching before a run. The weirdest run in the last 5 months.
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I've no idea why they have planted trees on the beach, must be some French custom maybe their version of may pole dancing?
Having finished my run I crashed on a sun lounger by the hotel pool and ordered a bottle of wine to rehydrate, upon which my wife declared “You’re not really marathon material are you!”
The rest of the this week has been a write off with work so I’ve taken the tapering to it’s extreme and stopped altogether.
I’m looking forward to an awesome day
Marathon J
The training is done.....
Marathon T
Well, that’s it.
It’s all over bar the sweating, panting, swearing and running 13 miles.
The training has finished. I completed my final training run yesterday – 4 miles very easy (8:40 min mile). And I am now officially tapered….
I am off to a golf day later for a long walk around the course losing a bagful of balls…and that’s the final exercise before Sunday morning.
I am still nervous after the poor showing last weekend (ran a 10 miler but blew up after 3.5 and jogged home the final 6.5 miles), but am determined to enjoy the run and pace it on the day depending on how I feel. Not aiming for a time – just want to get round at a respectable pace and crucially - finish.
Good luck MoFo's.....see you on the start line.
Marathon T
Well, that’s it.
It’s all over bar the sweating, panting, swearing and running 13 miles.
The training has finished. I completed my final training run yesterday – 4 miles very easy (8:40 min mile). And I am now officially tapered….
I am off to a golf day later for a long walk around the course losing a bagful of balls…and that’s the final exercise before Sunday morning.
I am still nervous after the poor showing last weekend (ran a 10 miler but blew up after 3.5 and jogged home the final 6.5 miles), but am determined to enjoy the run and pace it on the day depending on how I feel. Not aiming for a time – just want to get round at a respectable pace and crucially - finish.
Good luck MoFo's.....see you on the start line.
Marathon T
Friday, May 9, 2008
Running out of time - Marathon J
A busy week working away, unfortunately the dump of a hotel I was in see my report here http://www.tripadvisor.com/Search?q=clear+view+suites+bermuda , had no gym and roads to deadly to run on, consequently my training suffered.....again! However, on Thursday morning I had two extremely positive meetings and then 90 minutes to kill until my next lunch time meeting. Thanks to Kim, fellow northerner and hotel deputy manageress of the place I wanted to stay at, I managed to borrow 80 minutes in their gym, the hotel name kept anonymous to protect Kim who received a rollocking from her boss for letting me in!
So 35 minutes at 7mph, extremely hot and panting I had to knock the speed down, 15 minutes of 6.5 mph but I was still over heating and by this point totally knackered I had to knock the speed down again to 6mph, 30 minutes later I'd run out of time but completed 8 miles. I have to say the thought of running another 5 miles was not appealing. I staggered off the treadmill and cooled off in the shower, exhausted...........
I arrived at my lunch meeting looking like a beetroot, Ken, my good friend, helped me hydrate with red wine, which of course went straight to my head and helped continue the beetroot impression, I'm still not sure that was a good idea. An hour later Brittany, his lady friend (who openly admits to having a penchant for older blokes and is therefore ideal for Ken) arrived and persuaded us to have another bottle. Oh well, they have both offered to support our cause.
So, 9 days to go and I've still not run anything like enough and it's now time to taper according to Marathon T, a lot of money for the Jersey Society of Deaf Children and Young Adults is riding on me finishing, I'm away this weekend so that will be another excuse not to run and not to give up the vino.
It's going to be brutal. Still our bright neon tops will help us blend into the crowd anonymously....NOT
Just in case you are wondering, yes the sleeves are sliver, we're going to look amazing.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
The weekends are definitely my downfall….
Marathon T
You may think that a bright and sunny(ish) bank holiday weekend would be the perfect time to get some good training miles in. Especially if it falls two weeks before the final run, and it is your birthday to boot. However, I seem incapable of following a simple plan. I managed to procrastinate about my final long run all weekend, until finally I ran out of time and had drunk too many beers.
So, three days with no running, drinking, eating a tonne of cr*p and slicing my knee open on a protruding screw (while building a new deck)…Not the finest preparation I could have hoped for.
Wounded knee…
The deck building was hard work – those of us who opted early on in their careers for something that had no mention of the phrase ‘manual labour’ in the job description, and whose hands have softened up nicely over the years; should not be allowed to heft large pieces of wood around and be given power tools for the weekend. This should be left to the professionals…. It did mean I spent the weekend holding my back and inhaling sharply as I stood up from the sofa to grab another beer….Results of the build are below….
The deck....A poor substitute for my postponed long run...
There is something immensely satisfying about starting and finishing a project in a couple of days. Needless to say as soon as we had finished it the clouds closed in and it began to rain, so I expect we’ll get to use it for several days in August, then wait for next year!
Back to work yesterday and I felt rubbish from my lack of exercise and general birthday weekend diet. I was determined to make up for the break.
Spurred on by the Runners world article about training methods - apparently Haille G runs twice a day to increase his stamina - I managed two runs yesterday - emulating the great man has to be a start!...
Both runs the same:
30 mins @ 7.5mph then....
30 mins @ 8.0mph
Making a grand total of two hours run and 15.5 miles covered yesterday....Both runs felt reasonably easy (the lunchtime one slightly easier as you'd expect)...They definitely boosted my confidence after a miserable weekend of not doing anything...
With only 10 days to go - I need one more long run, then from next Wednesday - nothing but tapering....Oh I do have the Jersey Telecom golf day next Thursday - which will be a hard slog around la Moye (any members tips please Marathon J)...But after that it is feet up and wait for Sunday morning...
Not long now….
Marathon T
You may think that a bright and sunny(ish) bank holiday weekend would be the perfect time to get some good training miles in. Especially if it falls two weeks before the final run, and it is your birthday to boot. However, I seem incapable of following a simple plan. I managed to procrastinate about my final long run all weekend, until finally I ran out of time and had drunk too many beers.
So, three days with no running, drinking, eating a tonne of cr*p and slicing my knee open on a protruding screw (while building a new deck)…Not the finest preparation I could have hoped for.
Wounded knee…
The deck building was hard work – those of us who opted early on in their careers for something that had no mention of the phrase ‘manual labour’ in the job description, and whose hands have softened up nicely over the years; should not be allowed to heft large pieces of wood around and be given power tools for the weekend. This should be left to the professionals…. It did mean I spent the weekend holding my back and inhaling sharply as I stood up from the sofa to grab another beer….Results of the build are below….
The deck....A poor substitute for my postponed long run...
There is something immensely satisfying about starting and finishing a project in a couple of days. Needless to say as soon as we had finished it the clouds closed in and it began to rain, so I expect we’ll get to use it for several days in August, then wait for next year!
Back to work yesterday and I felt rubbish from my lack of exercise and general birthday weekend diet. I was determined to make up for the break.
Spurred on by the Runners world article about training methods - apparently Haille G runs twice a day to increase his stamina - I managed two runs yesterday - emulating the great man has to be a start!...
Both runs the same:
30 mins @ 7.5mph then....
30 mins @ 8.0mph
Making a grand total of two hours run and 15.5 miles covered yesterday....Both runs felt reasonably easy (the lunchtime one slightly easier as you'd expect)...They definitely boosted my confidence after a miserable weekend of not doing anything...
With only 10 days to go - I need one more long run, then from next Wednesday - nothing but tapering....Oh I do have the Jersey Telecom golf day next Thursday - which will be a hard slog around la Moye (any members tips please Marathon J)...But after that it is feet up and wait for Sunday morning...
Not long now….
Marathon T
Monday, May 5, 2008
Dam those wings - Marathon J
Went diving on Sunday morning, move negative altitude training
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I followed by a rather nasty buffalo wings and fries, but I was starving so before I could stop myself they were history.
3 hours later set out on a run. I knew from the taxi that from my dump (it's so bad I've written a trip advisor report) to flatts (nearby port) was 2 miles, so I ran down stopping at the Esso garage to pick up a ltr of water as I was thirsty from the dive.
God those wings kept coming back on me, nasty, I ran into Flatts and felt ok, although running slowly in the heat. I found the Bermuda rail way track so picked that up and ran, dam those wings.
I found out that I can't run and drink so I have to slow to a walk then drink then pick up the pace, in the heat the pace was sloooow.
Dam those wings, then I chucked up, not much, certainly not enough to satisfy a hungry dog but maybe enough to feed a small, not so hungry, cat. The water came in handy to take the taste away, at this point I turned to run back.
Running up hill and just after the water ran out, burp, ooops, dam those wings, vomit, again, similar proportions, but no water to cleanse the throat, dam those wings.
Feeling ill I carried on back to my dump. The stop watch said 1 hr 42 min, I've no idea how far I ran, I think 7-8 miles. But that's the longest I've run so despite the wings I was a happy chap.
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