London was calling.

Firstly sorry for the delayed race report.

London Marathon Race Report

After helping out within the finishing area last year I knew I had to do this race, and in a bizarre way it had to be my first marathon - er well stopping at 26.2M anyway but you know what I mean - don`t you?

Was lucky enough to receive a place through the ballot. Drew up a rough training which basically meant I could do most of my longer `training` runs during some local races, I figured I would get supported along the way, these included;

Bramley 20 - Result = 2.53.20 - Prediction (at that pace) = 3hrs 49mins
Surrey Spitfire 20 - Result = 2.47.18 - Prediction (at that pace) = 3hrs 40mins
Cranleigh 21 - Result = 3.02.26 - Prediction (at that pace) = 3hrs 49mins
Moonlight Challenge - Result = 6.04.56 - Went through the 26.2M point at about 10.30pm so just about 4hrs 30mins (last 6.55M used as a cool down)

(Only really `raced` the the Surrey Spitfire & as for the Moonlight Challenge that was just over-distance training)

Generally pleased with pre-London training thou.

When I applied for London I hadn`t really any experience on long runs so I estimated a finishing time of 4hrs 30mins. I went to the expo and picked up my race number - 4994 Blue Start - Pen 7 .........mmm ok that`s a bit further back than I would have liked but if I put down 3.50 / 4.00 hrs when I applied I may not been given a place....

RW pacers -

Pen 3 - 8.00/mile (just under 3.30)
Pen 5 - 9.00/mile (just under 4.00)
Pen 7 - 10.00/mile (just under 4.30)

So the plan of 3.40 / 3.45 (around 8.23m/m) was ditched as I knew I was never going to hit that pace starting from Pen 7.

Plan B became Plan A - sub 4 and hopefully that would be progressive run as hopefully as time went on in the race I would be given space to run.

Race Day

Slept well, up at 5.00am, showered & feed as being picked up at 6.00am. We were travelling up in the Sandhurst Joggers runner`s coach. Got there in plenty of time. Quick wander around, met up with Plodding Hippo for a couple of pre-fetch meeting photos Suddenly loads of fetchies appeared - photo time. Shortly afterwards the heavens opened. Q. Why don`t runners pack a bin-liner in their race bag???. Said good luck to my club mates and made my way to pen 7 - I needed to be in front part of the pen.

9.45 am came along & some movement forward, then a bit more, then a full scale walk So at 9.51 and a bit I started my VLM. At about 300 metres in we seemed to stop for some lights big cheer when they went green and off again.

As expected the 1st mile was slow, with the next few miles getting a bit quicker. Saw a few fetchies inc SarahL in her Gingerbreadman outfit, a mile or so further up went past the giraffe runner - both completely mad. Around Cutty Sark reduced the pace again. I moved through the runners fairly easily but I didn`t really notice / enjoy the route as I needed to concentrate on passing the `synchronised runners` and avoid the water bottles, I also noticed the tips of my toes were hurting - I guess this was due to slowing down and `breaking`, anyway carried on.

The gel plan was the one I normally follow - one every 5 miles plus some added jelly babies en route.

Before the race I had written on the back of my number certain reminders of key positions - Mile 13 I had to be on the left hand side, Mile 14 was still on the left, Mile 17 right hand side of the road, Mile 20 left hand side, Mile 22 Right hand side. Finish in the middle.

Just before mile 13 I moved over to the lefthand side - basically this is where you can see the faster runners coming past on the other side - their 21 miles. Missed seeing the top elites Also you get to see the fetchpoint - massive lift that - massive cheer - thanks guys Shouted out to Sarah Gee (who never looks strained or anything - just damm fast), shouted out to Jock just before I went round the corner.

Mile 14 I was looking out for a brolly...a prearranged sign where I would see my Brother & his wife...and it worked and I saw them, which was a boost

As the miles ticked over I felt strong but knew the weaving & change of pace was going to wear me out, hopefully I wouldn`t go pop... At Mile 17 I moved over for the Runner`s World Point..saw the 1st group & for some reason I didn`t (couldn`t) stop for my goodies - knickers just fancied a lift. Pinched a few jelly babies off a couple of speculators. At Mile 20 saw my brother again & saw Chris from the parkrun.

Mile 22 - the fetchpoint - been looking forward to this all morning and it didn`t disappoint - massive thanks guys - made sure I waved & chapped everyone there. Pull into `Team 7` pitting area - the plan was a quick hello and a quick kiss & a hug with Elaine & Colin - this didn`t go to plan as I got a kiss off Colin too.. Being serious - thank you ALL for being there you were stars.

Anway only a few miles left now and in one way disappointment but in another thank god.

I have never ran in a race with so much support - some places it was so loud you almost ran harder to move away from it all (All meant in a nice way thou).

I guess I did find the last part quite hard, no more gels just water mainly to throw over the back of my neck. Also thought about my posture. One thing I found hard to get my head around was that the garmin became out of sync distance wise to the mile markers so I just dug deep, reminding myself of the longer runs I had done & my future plans.

I looked at my Garmin in one of the final miles - it clocked 8.24 m/m that`s my marathon pace - I did smile at that as better late than never

The final part of the course I remembered from last year`s BUPA 10,000 so I knew the finish wasn`t too far off now.

Saw & shouted out to Moat - so good to see someone I knew so near the end.

Massive cheers from the crowd...and crossed the line and knew it was just over the 4 hours mark. (4.00.08).

Chatted with Clubmates who were helping in the finishing area which was really nice. Finally made my way to the baggage reclaim, got changed and made my way to the pub for some post race light refreshments - what a Fetchfest that was.

In conclusion - Not bad & had some fun with the training. After a week of thinking about it, starting off with disappointment I am warming to the idea it wasn`t a bad run after all but I know I can run closer to 3.40. One of main positives I took out of it was that my legs did not feel too bad during & were ok on the Monday & Tuesday so that looking good for endurance running.

Split Summary
====
1) - 1m - 9:45(9:45/m) - 127cal
2) - 1m - 9:07(9:07/m) - 131cal
3) - 1m - 8:39(8:39/m) - 130cal
4) - 1m - 8:36(8:36/m) - 131cal
5) - 1m - 8:55(8:55/m) - 130cal
6) - 1m - 9:16(9:16/m) - 131cal
7) - 1m - 9:12(9:12/m) - 130cal
8) - 1m - 8:48(8:48/m) - 131cal
9) - 1m - 8:31(8:31/m) - 131cal
10) - 1m - 8:35(8:35/m) - 131cal
11) - 1m - 8:44(8:44/m) - 131cal
12) - 1m - 8:57(8:57/m) - 130cal
13) - 1m - 8:56(8:56/m) - 132cal
14) - 1m - 8:38(8:38/m) - 132cal
15) - 1m - 8:43(8:43/m) - 131cal
16) - 1m - 9:24(9:24/m) - 125cal
17) - 1m - 8:55(8:55/m) - 130cal
18) - 1m - 8:46(8:46/m) - 133cal
19) - 1m - 9:47(9:47/m) - 157cal
20) - 1m - 9:06(9:06/m) - 137cal
21) - 1m - 9:29(9:29/m) - 131cal
22) - 1m - 9:39(9:39/m) - 131cal
23) - 1m - 9:35(9:35/m) - 132cal
24) - 1m - 8:58(8:58/m) - 129cal
25) - 1m - 8:24(8:24/m) - 100cal - MP...ohh how I laughed
26) - 1m - 9:28(9:28/m) - 131cal
27) - 0.57m - 5:19(9:19/m) - 75cal

START TIME - 09:51:35

5K - 00:28:38
10K - 00:57:04
15K - 01:24:45
20K - 01:52:23
HALF - 01:58:23
25K - 02:19:59
30K - 02:48:08
35K - 03:17:41
40K - 03:47:13

Only 10,980 runner beat me

Next up - after the week of non-running (ok it was 6 days), it`s the Bracknell Half on Sunday, then its a busy month with a couple of fun 10 milers then back to London for the BUPA 10,000 at the end of the month (not dressing up as a Nun this year thou.).

Next marathon is the North Devon (Woolacoombe) on the 27th June - better pack my knotted hankie.

Race report - Frimley Park 10Km and a bit of catch up

Sorry it`s a bit late..and it`s a bit of a catch up

Last week was a bit of a odd week really..I did not run for 5 days, I missed my last `scheduled` long run with a sore throat & an annoying cough so it was an early start to my tampering. I didn`t want to rush back so I planned a long, slow run on Friday afternoon – I knew just the place – Caesars Camp – on the course of my 1st ultra - a 10 mile off road loop up & downs hills, because of the terrain it did give me an excuse to walk a bit too. I thought it was fitting that I would run this route in my build up to my `1st marathon`. And yes I did go past the place where I celebrated my `26.2` mile line. :-) It looked so different it the daylight, and yes I got lost a couple of times. The upshot was that I think I broke the back of my cough & cold.....either that or it was the beers and curry that followed later.

I had planned to take it a bit easy during Saturday`s parkrun but I was given my `50 parkrun` top so I thought it would be rude if I didn`t give it a bit of blast plus the sun & the shades were out..... ran in with 22.48 – I think within a minute of my pb is always good. Loads of photos afterwards too.

On Sunday I was running in my comeback event - Frimley Park 10Km. Like a lot of races recently I wasn`t planning on racing it, I did plan on a long warm beforehand & to run back home afterwards. Plus it was first 10 Km of the year & the course wasn`t really flat. So after a short 5 mile run there (8.34 m/m) – yes my planning was a bit off. Saw the fun runners and met up with the parkrun crowd for a bit of chat. Before we knew it we rammed down the side road to the hospital waiting for the starter`s hooter. And off we went. I decided I would start off steady and despite the lumps in the course try to carry on at the same pace. So to a steady 1st mile steady, moving through the pack quite nicely – said hello to a lot of Sandhurst runners – I was wearing my Cove Joggers vest so always nice see local club runners and saw a couple of Fetchies too.

Please with pace and how I felt, the only weird thing was that I had my garmin set on miles so when the `km`s` markers came around it didn`t mean take much. Pushed on during the last mile and through the finish.

Splits - 7:43, 7:32, 7:30, 7:35, 7:28, 7:16, 1:13 (0.16m)

Garmin time – 46.17 (just a minute over my pb)

Stayed around to watch Colin & Elaine come in – both had cracking times. And jogged home with Alan. Total miles for the day – just over 13 miles.

Pretty pleased with that seeing as the race head was not on, felt ok afterwards & after the `warm up` so looking good for after the marathon – maybe I can get under 43.30 this year. A big, huge ask that.

Next race – ok two clues;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N99xeRXItyI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-41pzjSM1Ac

My training tells me I can run it in roughly 3 hrs 40 mins. But it is London and my `1st marathon` (if I can say that but you know what I mean), hopefully I can get close to that but more importantly I will have a hoot, enjoy the day and have some fun along the way. If you see me don`t point and laugh cos it`s rude ;-)

Good luck if you are running at Brighton this weekend - hopefully I shall be down there cheering away, giving out the jelly babies, yelling abuse er I meant encouragement etc etc.

Definitely a Good Friday

Good Friday - Maidenhead 10

Everyone has a favourite distance and mine is 10 miles – don`t really know why but I do.

So an early start but still a cracking way to start a long weekend, along the M4 & A404 and into the business park – so easy to find. Ample close car parking. Got there and met up with loads of folks – WTS, Excitabubble, Corona, Ruth, Sue, Jon, IC, HOD, Jock, Gymfreak, Caterpillar, RFJ.... to name just a few....let`s say it`s quite a social gathering. Maybe that`s another reason why I like this particular event plus it`s in the Berkshire Race Championships so the fast boys & girls pop make the switchbacks interesting viewing (amazingly fast)..

Anyway I forgot I would run in a 1:20:00 bus and got reminded of this whilst in the starting `grid` - moved up into position and we were off.....no, we weren`t – taking up the slack....and off we went.

So one loop, which was near enough a mile around the business park, then down and around the switchback part of the course (I love this part - yelling out names of runners coming the other way) and then back into the business park for another lap (about 3 and half miles when you emerge from the park and over the bridge again)

By this stage we had put some time into the bank, which was quite lucky as the first 3 mile markers were long – only by 0.1M at the 3 mile marker but l had learnt from pacing in the Reading Half we would prefer to be under than over the target time – we were inside the target by about 40 odd seconds so all good there. Through 5Km in an estimated 22:40 but we had dropped two passengers from the bus....we would find out later on they were closer to pacing 1:20:00 than we were – opps.

Onto the open part of the course – no protection from the wind but kept it steady and past the half way marker (5M = 38:55) and into the second half :-)

Past some rather nice houses – I will not repeat one of the comments Ruth said but it kept us busy till the 10Km point (through in an estimated 47:15). The mile markers had worked themselves out which made it easy to work out (+0.03M). Pace was easing through miles 6 & 7 – always good to ease the pace before the next section I think – still ahead thou.

I remembered from last year that there was a slow section – narrow footpath, so easy to drop the pace. Along the footpath & up into a track, passed a cheering point (thanks) and over the footpath – the only missed paced mile of the race. Just before the final mile (over the track across the field we were passed (and I hope he doesn`t mind but) by an elderly gent – fantastic stuff – I looked it up M71

Final mile push – there was no way we were going to let this one go...from the end of the field to the bridge is about half mile – I was keeping just in front. Then from the bridge / roundabout I broke it down into three part – first part towards to the corner of the business park. Second part – 90 degrees to the finish arch - getting ready of the final sprint in. Then past the final corner and into the finishing straight – pushing it harder - hearing the cheers, trying to get past our `look a like` target runner and through the line.....

And for some reason Ruth decided to rest on the floor !!!!

Mile Splits - 7:44, 7:49, 7:40, 7:55, 7:47, 7:47, 7:54, 7:56, 8:15, 7:34, 0:16 (0.05m)

Garmin time 1:18:39

Ok more under the 1:20:00 than I think Ruth had thought we would have gone, as we were recovering the others came in (1:19:48 & 1:20:07) – everyone we talked to seemed to have had a cracker of a run. Watched Corona come in with a massive PB too and then watched the prize giving.

Just as I was leaving the predicted rain came down – felt for the organisers taking down the marquee in the rain.

Next event – Frimley Park 10Km next Sunday...as part of a 10+ mile run....my final long-ish run

Nearly got some sleep

Cranleigh 21

With the clocks moving it was an early morning - but all good practice for London I suppose..

Picked up Alan at 6.00am - in olde money anyway and managed to get to Cranleigh without any sat nav problems. Had a bit of a nosey around & saw the early runners off (you could set off 30 mins before everyone else if you didn`t think you would hit the 15 M cut -off).

Met up with the rest of the club runners. It was a good club turnout (for us `Covies` anyway - 12 of us) and heard the normal pre race excuses....niggies here, not much training, couldn`t find my luckily socks etc etc. The outcome was that there was a lot of keeping cards close to their chest - my plan was that I was aiming for 9m/m (easy to work out) - 3 hrs 9mins for the 21M & to ensure I kind of followed this plan I told everyone.

Hooter went off, a bit bunched at the start and managed to dodge a couple of cars that sneaked past the road closure. I saw my fellow club runners race off into the distance - so tempted to chase them down & race them - we did have a couple of our fastest runners there.....but that wasn`t the plan so I didn`t.

First mile down - still a bit cramped but steady and on time but I decided to find some space to run in so the 2nd mile was a bit fast. To be fair I don`t think I was in the best of moods - found it hard to switch off from the other runners - talking, i-pods leads, odd sounding feet slapping, birds singing in the trees etc., generally finding it hard to find my `running head space`. Third mile settled down a bit but still in front.

To distract my head I though I would keep count of where I was against the plan. My speed wasn`t helping me as the forth, firth & sixth mile I was still up...so ok that`s +3 sec then - 32 sec = 29 sec ahead, then - 10 sec = 39 sec ahead. -18 sec = 57 sec ahead -25 = 1m 22 sec ahead, -23 sec = 1 min 45 sec ahead....etc etc....lost count after a while.

Whilst not hitting the 9`s I was happy with the pace. The course itself was good, a few lumps in the roads, mainly country roads. - one lap of 9 mile & a lap of 6 mile (which you do twice for the 21M).

Water stations were well placed except I had nightmare with them. I was told once that coming up to water stations you stick you arm out & make eye contacts & keep moving - 1st WS - ran in the back of another runner - water everywhere! Another WS - someone `took` my cup by swooping in at the last minute so ended up with orange !!. The best one I nearly ended (by accident) throwing the cup over the water marshal - a mixture of me running & him turning around.. If I was one of the dwarfs then call me `grumpy`!

Through the village of Cranleigh was interesting and made a nice chance to the countryside, and unto to 6M loop & past the jelly baby station (how many jelly babies in the buckets???). After about 1hr 40 mins the first of the leaders went past. I am in ore of how they make it look of easily & effortless - even thou are working hard it does amaze me (winner for the 21M was just under the 2 hr mark). Oh well never a prize for me for running fast...maybe distance but never speed !!

Passed through the half marathon mark (yeah - opps too fast) and passed the start / finish point and unto the second lap of 6M. This lap I felt happier with, as it`s good practice for forthcoming lapped races - Thunder Run - maybe a few laps in the Kent 50 etc.

Kept the mile splits steady and found myself passing runners in the last few miles. The last hill going downhill I found a struggle - more hill work required I think. `Sprinted` through the finish to finish my forth long run.

Garmin Spilts -

9:03, 8:28, 8:50, 8:42, 8:35, 8:37, 8:50, 8:51, 8:33,
8:38, 8:47, 8:36, 8:37, 8:13, 8:40,
8:27, 8:44, 8:35, 8:41, 8:26, 8:41, 1:03(0.15)

Garmin Finish Time - 3 hrs 2 mins 36 sec

Good event, found it hard thou - much harder than the Bramley 20 & the Surrey Spitfire 20 - tough on the legs. Maybe my race preparation (food & drink) wasn`t as good as it should have been but generally pleased with time (even thou it was 6 and half minutes too quick) - still a bit grumpy and decided that a soak in the jacuzzi & steam room afterwards would be the best plan forward.

Unsure of my last long run (20 + 32 + 20 + 21) - so maybe a 15 to 18 miler on Bank Holiday Monday.

Also need to firm up on my taper plans for London, maybe 80%, 60% , 40% of current mileage - hoping to keep the number of sessions the same.....!!

Next event - Maidenhead 10 on Friday (not racing - maybe pacing - 8.00 m/m)

Training going well.....unlike First Great Western Trains...............

Reading Half race report.

Such as easy plan - Get up early cycle to the train station, hop on board, get off at Reading and cycle the few miles to Reading Football stadium and be at the start nice and early.....and it could mean I could have a couple of beers afterwards. Sadly First Great Western had other ideas - like engineering works from Gatwick to Reading with replacement buses (only folding bikes allowed) - that`s no blooming good. So in best interests I got to Three Mile Cross (1.5M away) and ran in as a warm up.

Met up with my cousin, Colin who was also running (& who is doing GNR). As luck would have it we were near the Fetch pre-race meeting point and soon enough more fetches started to appear. Some I know & some new faces. After a quick chat & a couple of photos we were `pose`d out. I still had to drop my kit bag off and find my running partners - I was pacing a 1.50 run. Dropped bag off, found Sue and Jon but did manage to lose seeing off my cousin.

Made our way down towards the start area. Either everyone was late or the race had huge numbers but there were runners everywhere. Managed to find a gap in the crowds and started to run. Arms & elbows everywhere - Slowish but steady start. I knew we could easily catch up any time.

Mile 1 & 2 came around fairly quickly, by this stage Sue went on in front but knew it wasn`t a problem. Quick chat with Plodding Hippo & Footpad, saw andyp.

After the 3rd mile marker found a faster pace, under the flyover which is always a great place - that band - what a lift and into Reading itself. Spaces started to appear which meant room to run, however the bottleneck area in town seemed a lot busier this year. The miles kept ticking over. Saw loads of Fetches on the way.

Saw Ruth & HarryB at the Fetchpoint - just after 8 miles I think and saw Sue in front. Just passed the jelly baby station caught up with Mick n Phil but sadly didn`t have chance to chat much. Through mile 10 and into the homeward `straight` but it`s only 5 Kms to go. Took it steady here - still on pace just a bit more steadier than before. Soon enough the crowds started to appear around 12M, just down, up and round to go. 20 Kms sign appeared - it was going to be tight but still do-able.

Round the back of the Stadium, down the slope (in a safer fashion than last year) and with the help of the Stadium finish we sprinted and through the line.

Spilts - 8:48, 8:37, 8:39, 8:09, 8:08, 8:05, 8:28, 8:29, 8:19, 8:07, 8:20, 8:23, 8:24, 1.29 (0.19m).

Finish time = 1.50.24

Other split info;

5 KMs – 00:27:08
10 KMs - 00:52:36
15 KMs - 01:18:43
20 KMs - 01:44:48

Nice time but I suppose a little disappointed we didn`t sneak under the 1.50 but there again there is always another race and Sue had still loads of positives to take away form the run.

Nice chat afterwards, whilst recovering hearing all the race stories - some fast running going on.

http://www.heart.co.uk/berkshire/local/events/reading-half/30/#gallery

Could I have beaten my 1.38.20 time???Who knows but I kept telling myself that I`m in marathon training and shouldn`t be racing halves (or is that halfs). I still may have run this race too fast but another long run controlled. (I did enter Reading before I knew I was in London)

Did over hear someone saying that a runner pulled a moonie when finishing his race Can I just say that was NOT me......I was pulling a moonie ALL of the way round

http://www.heart.co.uk/berkshire/local/events/reading-half/31/#gallery

Afterwards I made my way back to Fleet but just missed out seeing that finish - I did mange to catch up with Mr C & Mrs E thou.

Reading is such a great event & I think become even bigger (!!!) and it was really good to see everyone but shame it clashed with Fleet Half. Different days next year please..and no engineering works please.

Next event - Cranleigh 21 next Sunday. Nice steady - 3hrs 10min+

(Latest news - I`ve entered the Athens Marathon on the 31st October 2010)

Opps

Surrey Spitfire 20

After running to a great plan at the Bramley 20 I was looking forward to this event. This one had a similar feel - 2 laps of 10M, a 10M event being held at the same time, I had the same plan - a progressive run of 5 Miles @ 9.08m/m, 5 Miles @ 8.53m/m (10M @ 1hr 30mins), 4 Miles @ 8.38m/m, 4 Miles @ 8.23m/m, 2 Miles @ funtime, the weather would hopefully be warmer, more miles in the legs as this being my 3rd long run (20 + 32 + 20) of the London plan etc etc.

I had read somewhere that this was the weekend to test things out for the big day - so I was even sure of my racing gear, gels & shoes.

I slept well, woke up in time for a leisure start, breakfast was perfect (i.e. not burnt), I even remembered the sunnies (ok I did have to turn back home - note to others - Pack your race bag the night before) and so except for having slight difficulty finding the place but still arrived in plenty of time it was going well to `The Plan`.

Saw Jock & Dave B beforehand - Can I just say NEVER, NEVER play poker with these fellas as they came up with all the excuses under the sun about `not running hard today`, Jock even had visual aids to back up his claim - his upper leg taped up like an Egyptian mummy - All I will add is that they both ran PB`s....!!!! Nicely run guys.

After a slight delay before the start, I didn`t mind too much as there was plenty of space for warming up (& I do mean warm up as it was very open on the runway), and we were off....

And off too fast I was. The 1st 5 miles were meant to be at 9.08 m/m, ok round a bit of a loop and out the Aerodrome. Even running faster than my plan the 1st mile marker came round very quickly. Mind you so did mile 2....and if honest so did mile 3 - all at 8.39m/m - OPPS. Around about here I was joined by Dave B, who was meant to be running 9.xx`s.

It was nice to run with a familiar face, as we chatted & looked at the nice scenery the miles ticked away - each time the Garmin indicated another mile down we took it in turns to say "Opps". First gel taken at Mile 5. Soon enough the two hills came along. To be honest I wasn`t really expecting them especially the second one about mile 6. Have to say I am pleased with my running up slopes but going downwards is still quite slow & awkward. Even thou the pace was faster than planned it felt very relaxed - a run running place both physically & mentally.

We turned back into the Aerodrome, past the water station at about 7.5M, then straight into the headwind - my goodness talk about in your face. So much effort needed to move forward at the same pace. Around the switch back & through the start / finish line and unto lap 2.

First 10 verdict - 7 minutes UP against the plan - OPPS & very much guilty.

Second gel taken at the turn and just managed to finish this gel and into the first hill which was not good timing. Did have ideas of going back to the plan (8.38 m/m`s) but soon disappeared. About mile 12 I switched off and managed to box myself in behind two others running - nearly running up the back of them - opps, sorry about that. Dave & I sped up a little just after that. Passed the water station & through the 13.1M barrier - in the region of 1.48.xx I think. I do enjoy this stage now, somehow mile 14+ is so different to the miles before - quite odd to explain. What wasn`t odd were the hills again - at least we could watch the cyclist free wheel coming down !!!! Final gel at Mile 15.

The last mile outside the Aerodrome was enjoyable - still having thoughts of `going for it` during the final couple of miles. Into the Aerodrome,past the water station and I saw Alan, a team mate in front. I seemed to gain on him quickly - I did have thoughts of drafting on the back of him for a while but thought I push on and into the wind - still as fierce of the first time around. I wasn`t even looking at the pace (thou afterwards I was very pleased at the final few mile splits), passed the final marshal and a final push till the line.

Through the finish in 2 hrs 47 mins 18 seconds.

My mile splits were;

8:38, 8:37, 8:39, 8:16, 8:21, 8:13, 8:04, 8:20, 8:16, 8:11
8:27, 8:28, 8:21, 8:06, 8:22, 8:29, 8:13, 8:00, 8:09, 7:58, 1:09 (0.15m)

Even though I totally failed to run to `The Plan` in one way I`m glad I did run that way as I do now know, without any doubt what so ever that I can run at 20M+ at MP - The Fetch prediction was 3:40:59. (If you offered me that now before London I would say thank you very much....but still run it anyway :-) )

In reflection a good but bad running day.

I will be very disappointed if my final few long runs including the Cranleigh 21 at the end of the month are as fast as this one - I will be more disciplined....I will be more disciplined....I will be more disciplined - said while clicking my heels together in a Wizard of Oz type of way.

To round the day off - In the evening I went to Rachael`s birthday party...and I didn`t managed to bore everyone there about my day`s racing, nor did I eat all the cake :-)

Next race - Reading Half this weekend...and even thou on pacing duties I`m planning on having fun, even maybe, maybe in full fancy dress......

Ok I am weak !!!

Not often I get sucked in via the Sales pitch but.....

“...The route is challenging with over 1300 feet of climbing in the half-marathon and over 3300 feet in the full marathon. It will certainly test your resolve.

The timing will ensure that the countryside is at its best with a whole host of plants in blossom. Don't forget to watch the seals, birds and waves as you run by.

....runners will be given delicious cream tea when they finish (but don't worry, water will be available to all as well).

Facilities - Unfortunately there are no changing or shower facilities nearby. There is an outdoor cold water shower nearby that surfers use, and of course, there is an enormous bath with built-in wave machine right next to the finish line. “

Ok I am weak – how could I refuse that pitch...so I`ve entered the North Devon Marathon on 27th June 2010 – Starting at Woolacombe.

(Website - http://www.northdevonmarathon.co.uk )

Does still feel a bit odd entering marathons :-O

Other news the battle plan for Sunday Surrey Spitfire is complete...I think

5 Miles @ 9.08m/m
5 Miles @ 8.53m/m (Through 10 @ 1hr 30mins)
4 Miles @ 8.38m/m
4 Miles @ 8.23m/m
2 Miles @ funtime

If followed and the last 2 miles @ 8.00m/m then that`s a 2 hrs 54 mins 04 sec – just outside by PB...mmmm ;-)