London – where the streets are paved, no I mean lined with gold…….

Yeap the Virgin London Marathon – my No. 2 target race of the year – opps sorry didn`t I mention that earlier J ok I may of mislead a few of you.

My second appearance at London. I ran in 2010 and while I was pleased with how I ran that day & improved my `pen 7 time` by 30 mins - I ran a solid 4:00:08 but I knew I could do so much better….at least 9 seconds better minimum.


After returning from my two week running break at the middle / back part of March I felt I had lost some of my endurance speed so I accepted that maybe a sub 3:30 was slightly out of touch, I would aim for a sub 3:35, then a sub 3:39:40 (PB = 3:39:41). The bombing at Boston also affected me - I wasn`t going to allow myself to be seen by anyone who came out in support of us running London and me not giving anything but top effort.

My taper was about 10 days – ok it was meant to be two weeks (after the Alice Holt Half) but basically I couldn`t resist an extra mid-week speed session J During race week I managed a slow-ish 7.5Miler,  & 2 ½ hrs of yoga (inc 1 ½ hrs of Bikram yoga), trip to the Expo, trip to theatre, even a social parkrun the day before - all meaning I felt nice & relaxed. On race day Cove Joggers runners are very fortunate as we are helped out by Sandhurst Joggers & use their London coach – saves a lot of hassle. We met at 6:30 for the trip up – imagine going on an exciting school trip when you were younger & you will not be far wrong :-) boing :-) Anyway we get to Blackheath nice and early & split into our various starts – I was in the blue start along with Pete, Garry, Richard – we managed to find Hannah soon after. Those two hours or so just disappeared – soon it was time to apply the sun screen & chuck the bag in. Before I dropped the bag I listened to one pre planned track on the iPod….

I made my way to pen 4 & sat down quietly for about 10 minutes just getting my thoughts together, practicing those meditations techniques. As I got up I looked over the barriers & saw Ultra Sparkly Bridget & chatted to her for a while, which was great as I`d not seen her for a long while… It was nearly time to go.  I had set the Garmin on 8:22m/m pace (just under 3:40 hrs) but wore a 3:35 pace band.

We stood in silence for the 30 sec - I didn`t quite hear the hooter but felt the surge towards the start. Just before the start by that mini roundabout I heard that Fat Boy Slim song - "Right Here, Right Now" blasting out - this was `my` song from my first, really pleasing run of the year at Stubbington Green 10Km in January - this brought back such a great feelings . I did start slow but as it happened it was only for one  mile.  Maybe half / ¾ mile in I saw Fay – an Andover runner come whizzing past me, I knew from an earlier conversation she did say she wanted a good time so I let her go on her way. I was quite happy running a bit behind schedule at that stage.

As the race went on I seemed to be quite fortunate & found a bit of space to run it. For some reason during these big & crowded races I always seem to run on the left hand side of the road – London was no different. I didn`t feel too cramped or get blocked too many times. During those first few miles the crowds were just amazing – I got so many `shout outs`. In fact the crowds throughout the race were just brilliant – instead of 2 deep they were 4 deep, where it was 4 deep they were 6 deep – the noise was more deafening than last time that was for sure. An excellent response to the bombers of Boston.

My gel plan was one every 5 miles - with a couple of jelly babies thrown in later on & water every now & again. 5 miles in (around 42:xx) I have the 1st gel, I felt I was about on race pace now & feeling really good, looking around appreciating the crowds, the other runners, the landmarks. As I came up to the hour point I noted the distance  – just over 7 ¼ miles – great almost on back on track. At around mile 8 an amazing thing happened – despite there being 34,500 or so runners in the race, also on the left side I ran into a friend which was great – we chatted for a bit, we wished each other well I off I went. I was just loving this race. Unsure if I got this from the crowds or the fact the sun was out - or indeed both - but I felt strong & full of energy.

Ten mile in (just over the 1:23) & time for another gel.  This one went all over my hands…lucky a water station was nearby. This it happened was a bit of a blessing as I felt so much better after `washing` my hands & wrists. I grabbed a few jelly babies to compensate for having half a gel. :-)

Going across Tower Bridge is simply just amazing, then turning right along `The Highway` & seeing the fastest runners coming on the other side - I didn`t quite see the leaders but did give a shout out to Phil Wicks (2:19:xx). Along here is the halfway point - 13.1Miles in 1:50:09 (cutting it very close to PB pace), the other great thing along here was the `Fetchpoint` - despite wearing my club vest I managed to get a huge roar (thanks guys) - just shortly after here I went past Iwan Thomas (who just beat me in the Stubbington Green 10Km). Just along here I got a shout out from Brian, Louise & David from Frimley Lodge - sorry guys I was on the left but thanks guys. Just after the 2hrs 09 point I was around the 15 1/2 mile point - another gel - I was still feeling very comfortable.

At around 17M point - I switched sides to see the `Runners World` support crew - somewhere I had completely missed in my previous London - opps. I clapped them as I went past. So under just 10 miles to go. (2 hrs 21 mins) - Ok I was behind on 3:35 pace but hadn`t lost anything to 3:40 pace. As we headed around this section I knew the underpasses would cause a few problems with the Garmin - lucky what had beeped at mile 19 (9:27m/m) - I did see the time at 20M - 2hrs 46min . Still cutting it close - I pushed on not allowing myself to fade - maybe that 2 week break had given my legs a chance to feel fresh!.

About 21.5 miles in you get to run past the runners who are around 13 / 14 mile point - which is great - the roar of the crowds is certainly louder. I moved to the right as I knew the `Fetchpoint` would be coming up but before that I saw one of the most inspiration things I have ever seen - I went past a charity cheering point (I wish I could remember what charity it was) & I saw this guy who had no lower arms but using his elbows to clap with - I caught his eye & thanked him - from this point on I had no right to feel any pain. I picked up the pace. I made a bit of a low past at the Fetchpoint - shouted out to HOD - sorry I didn`t stop. :-)

I have to say I loved `Blackfriars Underpass` - all the motivationally posters - I wanted to go back & read them all again - excellent idea. As we popped up on the Embankment I knew I hadn`t got that much further to go. I saw Big Ben in the distance & thought right it`s a just a half mile from there…I dug deep along this section - I grabbed water to cool myself off. I kept pushing that pace, maybe too fast but I wanted that PB - I knew it was close. I used the crowd, again so many shout outs. I looked at the Garmin at the 25.Miles point - 3hrs 27 mins - I knew from the underpass I couldn`t rely on the Garmin for an accurate distance - blimey this was going to be close…….

I got to Big Ben - right two more sections to go……I saw the first sign - 800 metres to go - despite passing loads of runners I started to feel like I was running in glue, 600 metres to go - COME ON it feels like minutes since the 800 sign. I saw the `3 Marathons in 3 Weeks` guy - Paris, Boston & London - I went past him & cheered him. I came to the 385 yards to go sign…..

I looked at the Garmin & saw 03:37 - I didn`t know if it was 03:37:59 or 03:37:01 - I `sprinted` down the Mail - and I can confirm I am not a sprinter :-) Each time someone went past me I gritted my teeth & took up the challenge to chase them down…."Come here you bugger` I remember thinking..


I came through the finish - my legs & lungs were shot - I stopped the Garmin, it said 03:39 - I changed screens… I couldn`t believe it……I was smack on my predication…….it said 03:39:29 - a 12 second PB, also a 49 second negative split race.

I bumped into Ali from the club, she had managed a 03:27:xx - I did say I wanted to be within 10 minutes of her but I didn`t really care - we had both run well. I chatted to other finishing area marshals I knew - Margaret, Ali`s Mum & Dad, Maurice, Darren Woods, then got my chip snipped from Debbie & got my medal from Julia - again from the club - which rounded off a brilliant race.. I saw Dennis & chatted to him for a while - at this point I was getting cold. I got my bag & got changed. Despite finishing 2nd Cove Jogger runner home & I did managed to grab 1st CJ runner down the pub - yeah - no medal there but the pint made up for it (thanks Lou).

What a fantastic day. I have to say & I know this one is fresh in my mind but I would say this is my best ever race…the support before race day, the superb crowds, the great weather, how I felt thought-out the race, my mile splits, my finishing time, cheeky PB, my negative split, the club mates in the finishing area, the club mates in the Pub…….. what a great day :-)

Well done London - the streets were indeed lined with gold.

(Lastly big shout to Hannah & Garry & Richard who completed their 1st (of many??) marathons & to David who knocked a huge chunk off his PB. ).

Splits - 9:00, 8:21, 8:08, 8:11, 8:13, 8:18, 8:13, 8:14, 8:07, 8:27, 8:27, 8:22, 8:07, 8:03, 8:06, 8:16, 8:09, 8:04, 9:27 (*), 8:05, 8:25, 8:22, 8:13, 8:50 (*), 7:12, 8:07, 3:50 (0.48M @8:05)

* I guess the underpasses effected these splits.

Next up - maybe this Sunday at the Bracknell Half - this will be a jog round just to get the legs moving - maybe a bit of pacing if not too fast.

Happy running folks.

Edit - look what You Tube clip I found - I loved this underpass....

If you don`t ask you don`t get…….

The `ask` was a challenge both in terms of timing & performance on the day. The challenge was to run a parkrun then at 10.00am start the `Bolt Round The Holt` 21KMs at Alice Holt. The travel time (without speeding) between the two venues was 26 mins - can you see the 1st part of the challenge?? Just to add a bit of extra interest not only did I want to run both events (nearly called parkrun a race…that was close….phew) but I wanted a to beat my previous 21 KMs best (set in 2009) of 01:48:49….now my thought process was that if I needed to be in a hurry why not try to get a parkrun PB there too.

 

That was the challenge - run a sub 21:05 at Frimley Lodge parkrun, then get to Alice Holt in time, then run a sub 01:48:49 - like all good challenges not easy but `do-able` :-)

 

Also running both events was fellow FL parkrunner Richard Boese, we were quite fortunate that registration for the Alice Holt was open at 07:45am, so the plan was hatched. I would collect Richard from his house (@ 06:45) drive to Alice Holt, get our numbers & chip timer, drive to Frimley Lodge parkrun. Run the parkrun, jump in the car & drive back to Alice Holt - with all timings of a Military Assault Operation.

 

Just before 09:00am we all assembled on the start area of parkrun - looked like a full house which meant very busy in the 1st half mile or so on the towpath. I set off fast, hoping to hit some space - I had set my PB the week before - at Basingstoke - and ran a first mile of 06:33 - I didn`t think I would hit that pace again but if I did I knew I could just about do it. I wasn`t too worried when loads of folks passed me just before the end of the canal stretch on the 1st lap - I kept pushing the pace. I didn`t look at the Garmin when the 1st beep went off. The `mud` section wasn`t too bad - the course had firmed up. Through unto the 2nd lap - I managed to tag myself on the back of a group of runners inc the 2nd lady. A couple of this group had dropped off half way down the canal - I heard a couple of shouts from runners coming out the mud section on their 1st lap - I was so tempted to see what time it was but didn`t. Second lady had moved ahead - we went around the dog walking field for the last time I had closed the gap & stuck right behind her. Onto the last field - I pushed forward & took them both just by the goal - I pushed again. I saw Dennis on the stones, I managed to gasp a `well done, keep going` to him before I pushed for 2nd to last turn, I knew someone was right on my tail. I got caught within meters of the line….as I finished I looked down & stopped the Garmin…..

It read 21:09 - darn missed it by 5 seconds but hey I gave it my best shot so whilst a bit disappointed it wasn`t that bad….

 

Splits - 6:37, 7:09, 7:10 (0.04M @4.52)

 

 

I waited for Richard to finish his run before freshening up a little - pining the race number on & driving off to Alice Holt.

 

The Sat Nav said - arrival time 09:56….

We arrive there & park up - we are 500 metres or so from the start line. So a bit of a jog to the start whilst fluffing around with the race belt & arm warmers.. We get there for the start only to be told the start was delayed by 30 mins. This gave us chance to say hello to fellow Cove Joggers Debbie & Jacqui who were doing the 5Km race (there was also a 10Km race too). The course was a 5Km lap so what the organisers planned was for the canine runners to go off first, then the 21Km runners - who had to do an extra 1Km lap, then the 10Km & then finally the 5Km runners went off. This meant we had to do this particular climb a total of 5 times !!!!

I had planned to run around 8:00 m/m (01:45:00) pace, which should be me a bit in the bag if the wheels came off a bit. The main course was undulating - steep descents & sharp climbs with a bit of flat - I had forgotten how undulating it was !! I went through the 5Km & felt comfortable (24:26 ish) - passing quite a quite runners in the process & out unto the 2nd lap. I grapped water where I could remembering I had already ran a speedy 5Km & it was warmer than usual. The 2nd lap felt more comfortable - the legs didn't complain as much, we had more space to run in - I could say thanks to the marshals (49:53 ish).  I did like the 3rd lap as not only did it feel we had the course to ourselves but it felt you knew you were only had one more to go so you could relax even more.  Towards the midpoint of this 3rd lap - Matt King came whizzing past enroute to his victory in 1:16:22. I guess I still had a mile to go on the 3rd lap before the 2nd guy came past (he finished in 1:18:23). I hit the final lap in good sprit, however I do recall at around mile 10 / 11 feeling really exhausted - I thought this was very odd as I don`t normally feel this `bad` at mile 10….I guess it took me a little while to realise / remember the parkrun beforehand - opps. After I realised that I seemed to pick myself up. Several runners caught me before the last climb - I knew the time was close - I didn`t really want to `just` miss out again so I hung on the back of them which wasn`t easy on that last incline. We came around the final corner & through the finishing gantry. I looked down - the Garmin said 1:46:11 - yes I beat my pervious 21KM best.
Physically generally ok, my legs were a bit tight but no issues with the ankle which was good - it was a bit obviously that I`ve lost a bit of fitness but very pleased I did 16 miles in just over 2 hours 7 minutes. Richard had a good run too.
I am pleased that I managed both runs, yes it would have been nice to get a best in both events but not too disappointed - I`m glad I asked myself the question thou.

 

Results - Results link

 

Splits - 7:52, 7:51, 7:38,  8:21, 8:09, 7:50, 8:31, 8:25, 8:04, 8:42, 8:52, 8:01, 7:50 (0.86M @9:05)

 

Next up - Taper time then `The Marathon` on the 21st.

 

The plan there is still unknown - I don`t think a sub 03:35:00 is on the cards now so really looking at;

Plan A) = A PB (sub 03:39:41),

Plan B = A Sub 03:45:00,

Plan C) = A Sub 03:50:00,

Plan D) = A Sub 04:00:08 (course best) - yes I missed the sub 4hr by 9 seconds in 2011

 

 

 

 

No Regrets….

 

 

Recently I had one of those conversations that I guess every runner gets or will get at some point - yes the `injury & regret' conversation - "running is bad for the knees….you will regret it you know…".

 

Yeap had one of those, to be fair it didn`t start too well..

 

"Hey Kelv, are you still running THE MARATHON now that you are injured?"…

 

Of course I replied…."Yes, still running THE MARATHON (I hope they did mean London !), first run back this Saturday"

 

"Hope it goes well but I knew you were doing too much…..you know running is bad for you….bet you regret it now ?"

 

"Err no…. I really enjoyed those weeks, so not at all - I loved those weeks"

 

Those weeks I am referring to was when I ran;

 

9th Feb - Frimley Lodge parkrun - 21:06 (PB)

10th Feb - Wokingham Half - 01:38:00 (PB)

17th Feb - Bramley 20 - 1st 10M in 01:27:57 - 2nd 10M in 01:15:30 - 02:43:58 (PB)

23rd Feb - Moonlight Challenge - Ran all 32.75M - 05:44:11 (PB)

3rd March - Bramley 20 - Even Paced 9:00`s - 02:55:21

10th March - New Forest 50Km - Birthday Run - 05:53:20 (PB)

17th March - Fleet Half - So many great things about this race……

 

Not only did I have fun in those races - I love running that way but I learnt a heck of a lot about myself & those `self-limits` you put on yourself. So it was rather bizarre that I saw one of these motivational posters saying almost exactly that - have no regrets but like most of these banners they need maybe one more line….& learn from any experience…good or bad. No regrets.

 

*As for the `injury` - it`s a lot better so a few more days rest then the tester at Basingstoke parkrun this Saturday. I had always planned to go back to Basingstoke around this time to give the course `a bit of a go` - unsure what I`ll do now but it will be fun going back seeing so many friends again & running the course again…the best bit about finishing your parkrun - going for coffee with great company afterwards :-)

 

Have I minded these last two weeks of not running - not really. I have to say I`ve done a lot more Bikram yoga sessions - mainly for the calorie burn but the warm conditions must get the blood flowing & therefore (in my limited opinion) be good for sorting injuries / niggles out …I don`t mind carrying out more of this experiment.

 

Tomorrow (Good Friday) I`m off to watch & support runners at the Maidenhead Ten - hope it`s warmer than when I watched the runners at last Sunday`s Cranleigh 15 / 21…and I hope the `abuse` is better… :-0  (Need to find out where the nearest Costa Coffee is to Maidenhead :-) )

 

Next up racing wise - Saturday week - a return to the `Bolt round the Holt` - 21Km - and yes of course there is a slight twist…. as it may include running Frimley Lodge parkrun beforehand - one starts at 9.00am & the other starts at 10.00am plus a 26 mins journey time ……………..then `THE MARATHON` on the 21st April :-)

Happy running & enjoy...

 

 

 

 

(Just cos I like the song)

Giving something back, helping out & remembering..

The `Fleet Half` Marathon - What a fantastic event…ok I`m ever so slightly biased as it`s my local half but I`m sure you will forgive me for that.

 

Yes one of my favourite events, it was a shame that I wasn`t going to race this one as I had been putting in the long miles recently & had a bit of niggle so when it snowed on the Monday my mind was made up - I was going to have some fun & wear fancy dress. Now earlier in the year I had found out someone who had helped me & many others at the Great North Run had died of cancer, only 46 – so shocking young. I wasn`t there in this particular year but I always remembered a story of Mick running the Great North in a Santa Suit so to me the outfit choice was easily made - this one was for you Mick.

 

So come the morning of the race, the banter & good luck messages started early. Evenually I cycled over to my Brother`s who lives in Fleet & walked up to the event HQ - it started to lash down - but the weather will be what it will be - no point worrying about something you can`t change. I had kept the dressing up in fancy dress very quiet but if the weather was different I would have cycled & walked in costume, which I think would have been funny - a Santa on a bike :-) Anyway I met Adrian en route & walked to the field - wow it was muddy !! We only had 40 minutes or so to go - we eventually met with Frimley Lodge parkrunners & other Cove Joggers. While it seemed every runner was hiding under the bag drop marquee I got changed into my outfit… with minutes to go I dropped the bag off - bumped in Marie & made our way to the start line. I saw the `sub 2 hrs bus` - Brian, James & Duncan, with David & Richard. I think they liked the last minute `celebrity`  J

 

I moved to the back of the starting field & made final adjustments to the outfit – safety pins everywhere - & saw Catherine & Julia, I moved up with Wendy & Adrian - all Cove Joggers - we had an incredible 19 club runners listed to start Fleet plus two more (Louise & Susan –brand new Cove Joggers) were helping out....an amazing club turn especially with a two more Cove Joggers at Reading Half too. The gun went off & we slowly moved forward - my plan was to join up with the sub 2 bus. I wished Wendy & Adrian a `Merry` time & off we (myself & my inflatable Rudolf) went….. I knew the bus would be around the 9.00m/m pace but I didn`t know how far in front they started - luckily it was only 30 seconds or so. It was James`s first half marathon which is great. They didn`t know I was joining them but with everything considered I thought a sub 2 would be ok. It was good to help Brian with the pacing & help others achieve their goal. It was also a bit fun running in fancy dress – to me it gave something back to the crowds & importantly the marshals giving them something to smile & cheer about when they stood in the rain - top effort of the marshals again. I do have to say the crowds were very responsive esp. in Fleet Town centre towards the Santa suit so many shouts, high fives - it was great.

 

We saw so many friends from Frimley Lodge parkrun along the High Street which was marvellous. This second mile is downhill & with a bit of showboating this mile was a bit fast but ok. We settled the pace down during mile 3 but then it`s down the High Street again during mile 4 - the crowds seemed to get louder - amazing turn out despite the weather. Again missed my Brother who was marshalling on the Crossroads….I did later see him coming back up Fleet Rd – hope the lady who dislocated her knee is ok.

 

As we headed out of Fleet towards the A30 and along Minley Road we compared what flavoured gel we were going to have - it was like ordering starters off a menu !!! When we turned down Blackbushe Road - the half-way point came up. Duncan & James were doing really well, ok they said they had up & downs but that`s like the course - ups & downs. My ankle / shin tendon wasn`t really liking the downs that was for sue but as the course is not known for the hills it would be ok. We passed under the M3 & up to mile 9 & along to one of my favourite parts of the course (it`s on one of the Cove Joggers longer training runs). At this stage Brian had moved up with David & Richard, who were just slightly ahead & keeping really good pace.  As we made our way along the course we counted down the mileage in parkruns terms.

 

At mile 10, just after the pub we had only one parkrun to go. They were still strong despite them thinking they were thinking the opposite. With 1 ½ miles to go we only had the length of Crookham Road to go – the crowds here hugely supportive, which was just great as it was slightly uphill especially towards the crossroads. I did leave the boys here as I wanted them to grab their own shouts for the finish. I did pick the pace up in this last mile, I got to the top & almost sprinted down the 400 metres or so to the finish. The organisors had tried their best but the finish strip was so muddy – good job we practised this type of finish at Frimley Lodge parkrun. I went through the finish & collected my medal from even more Frimley Lodge parkrunners – what a great feeling that is – thanks girls. I hung around to see David, James & Duncan in – they were all amazing. James had a hugely impressive first marathon (I did later note that he beat my 1^st half marathon time....) so did Duncan. Later we found out so did Abby Fudge- amazing time Abby..now I wonder where she gets that speed from????. After a while we collected our bags, got dry & warm & went to the pub.

 

Splits - 8:25, 8:46, 8:53, 8:52, 8:46, 8:50, 8:50, 8:52, 8:50, 8:53, 8:41, 9:02, 7:58, 4:44 (0.27M @17:35)*

 

* Forgot to stop the Garmin....what a rookie. Chip time 01:55:07

 
Results - Power Of Ten Results

Going to the pub afterwards rounded the day off – it`s so good to relax, have something to eat & drink & catch up with all the day`s running news. I do have to say the Guinness did go down very, very nicely….Thanks to all - A great day. One of the best I have to say.

Some Cove Joggers / Frimley Lodge runners enjoying a couple of post race drinks..Cheers

(Thanks to Louise for the photo).

Next up – well I am jumping on the bench for a while till this shin / tendon sorts itself out so Cranleigh is out & I`ve put myself down for  volunteering this Saturday at the parkrun. Rest will do me some good I think.

The point of a lesson is to learn……

I saw this `New Forest Running Festival` ages ago & my way of thinking was that if someone was kindly enough to put on an event on my birthday then I thought it would be a bit rude if I didn`t enter….plus it will be all good training for the Run24 in June.   A brief background about this `Running Festival` - On Saturday there were 5M, 10Km, 10M & 21Km races where the 5M & 21Km were Ladies only events and on the Sunday there was a 21Km, 20M & the event I entered the 50Km so loads of running being done on the same trials & tracks. The 50Km would be a 3 lap run, basically the same 3 laps but on the first lap we had a slight detour before joining up with the main lap. The course was 90% off-road with a couple of inclines along the way.

 

My race started at 9.00am so it either meant an early start or booked up something….I went for the latter & stayed in a nice pub in Burley :-) Despite getting to the race venue early I was all over the place in terms of getting ready, T-30 we had a race briefing which like most ultras briefing turned into a comedy sketch show which put us as ease. Due to Saturday`s rain the trails were very muddy & the start moved etc. After that time simply disappeared - I was still fluffing around with 5 mins to go. Luckily the start was just metres away & soon we assembled at the start.

 

As I said this would be training run for Run24 (since when did a 31 mile run become a `training run` ???) - my strategy was for a 1st attempt at a run / walk strategy - basically run 5 miles & walking 1 mile. Concerns were that I might get cold during the walk mile so I thought it would be a good idea to wear an extra vest (underneath my gilet jacket & over my T-shirt & compression top)…….so I learnt my first lesson very soon - carry it not wear it !!. Luckily the gilet jacket had a long pocket round the back so that`s where the vest went along with the gloves & hat. After a couple of miles my pace had settled down to more manageable pace (around 10 min /mile) even managed to run through the muddy section (miles 3 to 6 inc). As it happened the last mile in this section was the `walk` mile, which also happened to be the most baron mile - the wind was bitterly cold & so sharp.. This did allow me to finally sort some of my gear out, have a gel & a chance to tweet my progress.

 

Like the Moonlight Challenge I had planned to listen to an audio book - the book this time was `Life without Limits by Nick Vujicic and even though I read his book last Summer I was really looking forward to listening to it - it is an incredible book - plus you get to listen to him sing in the audio version :-)  This is something I plan to use in the Run24. Anyway after the walk mile & unsure if linked but the remaining miles in the lap were to me the best part of the course. During mile 7 & despite the 30 minute head start the 1st of the 20 milers came zooming past.  Soon enough I came to the finish of lap one, which meant my walk mile was soon upon me and lucky enough I was going faster enough for me not to be lapped twice :-)  (Lap one / 11 miles in  1 hr 55 mins).

 

I have to say I thought the all of the marshals were amazing with their encouraging support & smiling faces - they deserved medals not us - they must have been so wrapped up.

 

Again the second lap was much the same but knowing what was coming made it easier. Now because I was rushed & didn`t sort my kit out beforehand I hadn`t swopped over to my running earplugs ….and my normal ones broke :-( But this made the remaining one & half laps or so every peaceful & it was peaceful which was great - `My time` as a call it. I guess around mile 17 / 18 the leader of the 50Km came sprinting past me - amazing running. Just a bit further up along a tracked section - I`m sure I heard a `pop` from my left foot, shortly followed by a wet feeling & then a stinging feeling - yeap a couple of blisters had formed & popped. The feeling of one more lap to go was just about enough to put that out of my mind.  (Lap two / Mile 22 in 3 hrs 55 mins).

 

During this last lap I decided not to stick so firmly to my `walk mile` & use the terrain more – unsure if I should have use this on the second lap!! I was getting tired & the feet were sore but generally I was feeling ok, I thanked the marshals as I went through their stations for the last time. Soon enough the marathon distance came up (26.2M in 4 hrs 54 mins 39 secs), then my favourite section then the last walk break going up the gate & then the nice downhill finish. As I came around the last corner I hadn`t expected the welcoming party of 30 or so Cows in the way so after a bit of negotiation & carefully manovering I managed to get through them & finish off the race.

 

Nice touch getting a wooden medal - another great event on a good course. Well worth doing it & what a great way to spend a birthday.

31.3 miles in 5hrs 53 mins 20 secs.

 

 

 

After cooling down & `jumped` into the shower - I had `forgotten` about my battered & blistered feet & hot water….again another lesson learnt which I guess what`s it was all about so mission accomplished..

 

Garmin Connect -

 

 

Splits -

 

9:02, 9:44, 10:17, 10:04, 10:54, 16:26,

10:08, 9:45, 10:03, 9:32, 9:36, 15:16,

9:37, 10:34, 10:15, 10:18, 9:53, 17:11,

14:34, 9:32, 13:12, 11:50, 10:38, 10:20,

11:54, 11:29, 13:25, 11:22, 10:57, 10:08,

12:09, 2:59 (0.30M @9:57)

Results - RESULT LINK

Next up – This Sunday it`s the Fleet Half Marathon. No point in racing this one so it`s time for some fun but also time to remember life........  

 

A Smile……………………can hide so much.

One of my favourite events - The Surrey Spitfire 20 - a little unsure why really, maybe cos I like 10 milers & I get to do one twice or the undulating course I like or that it doesn`t feel like a 10 or 20 because of the amount of time you spend in the Aerodrome before going out on the open roads..but I do like this one. I had a quick count up & after the race I`ve managed to clock up a total of 11 laps around here - 5 x Spitfires & 1 x Tempests.

 

I collected the troops - Ali, David & Richard with Dave & Pete in the car behind & we make our way there without any fuss. No problem getting in or parking,  numbers & timing chip collection all without a fuss. I grab my pre-race black coffee & headed back to the car to get ready. It is prefect running weather - slight chill in the air (-3 C) so it`s compression top, marigolds, gloves, Club vest, buff….and shorts. I had gone for my racing shoes but in hindsight I should have gone for my big bouncy shoes….opps rookie mistake.Despite not racing this one I went for a 10 min warm up just really to check everything felt good. My plan was  straightforward - just a run out. I wanted around 2:55 to 3:00 hrs - about 9:00`s m/min. I certainly wasn`t going to race Ali who planned a negative split race.

 

We assembled at the start - the organisers had moved the start a few hundred metres down the Aerodrome - felt a lot further than that later one. The hooter goes off & we are off…..soon enough we snake our way around the Aerodrome track. Luckily there is not much wind blowing around. We made our way out of the Aerodrome & thanks to the Virtual partner setting on the Garmin I was almost spot on pace as it`s about 3 miles to get to the gates & 1st rise. Now I had been out the night before taking on liquid carbs but despite that I wanted not really to take too much on board - water or gels even thou I had 4 on me. Even if I hadn`t carried any there were loads on offer in the race - never seen so many gels on offer even at London.

 

It got a bit congested around 4M so I quicken the pace & made for the gaps but settled back down when going up the incline towards 5M. Soon we come to one of my favourite parts of the course when we have to turn off the main road and down into smaller country roads - not much traffic at all, more relaxed & more space to run….. However this leads towards the last quarter of the course where the hills are - at 7M the 1st set starting off with a sharp drop just to fool you, then a short sharp steep incline to get you to breathe hard. Then 2nd set, again drop & incline, around 8M is almost the same but not so sharp. I manage to keep on pace, however I do notice the legs are starting to complain a bit. Not to risk the onset of cramp I take a gel.

 

I get chatting to a 10 mile runner who wants a certain time & is worried about missing that so I pace her in the last mile or so - she gets her time which is great. Just after the 10M split I see Leila but before I could said hi she dives off for water & a gel - great to see her running again.

 

As we came around the far side of the track the wind picked up A LOT - right up my shorts, my legs were getting cold. I`m sure why I start to feel quite tired & tense. I wouldn`t say struggled as such but definitely feeling tired. I use a mantra from a yoga class - I repeat to myself starting at my head & working down….. "Relax my forehead, my forehead is relaxed. Relax my shoulders, my shoulders are relaxed. Relax my arm swing, my arm swing are relaxed"…then moving down to the ankles. This worked & a couple of miles ticked over. Around 15M, I think great - only 5 to go but by now my legs are really feeling it now. I start smiling away to myself knowing a smile can hide all sorts. I must of looked like a right loon but I do actually feel better - even up & down those two hills.

 

At 17 I hear two ladies behind saying "Only a parkrun to go" - that`s the sprint - breaking it down in manageable chunks. A mile further up one of the ladies pulls alongside - it`s Tracey from Frimley Lodge parkrun & someone who I was running with at the early stages of Bramley 20 a couple of weeks back. We ran together for the way in but around 18.5M we pass a local runner - Malcolm Vaughan - who is just shy of reaching his 70`s & is quite amazing. A couple of weeks back at the Bramley 20M it took me 14 miles to catch him & now this week it took me 18.5 miles to pass him, he also ran at the Wokingham Half - quite an amazing runner. (His time was 02:56:32 with a split time of 01:27:12)

 

As we head into the back of the Aerodrome we catch a few more runners, almost racing  anther couple down the home straight :-) The legs have stopped complaining at this late stage but I have a feeling they may get the last word in.

 

Ali has already finished with a time `slightly` ahead of predication - 2:36:20 (16th Lady overall & 2nd in age group), David B, Rich & Dave L & Pete all have good runs - sorry we missed the sprint finish Dave.

 

Another excellent event plus we finished it all off with a stop off on the way back for Sunday lunch.

Splits - 8:51, 8:57, 9:02, 8:49, 9:13, 8:42, 8:59, 9:07, 9:01, 8:27,  8:58, 8:50, 9:11, 9:02, 8:55, 8:39, 8:47, 9:04, 8:42, 5:57 (0.76M @7:52). (1st 10M in 01:29:22)

 

I really don`t know why the Garmin says 19.76M rather than 20M - I ran all the course inc going around `that` cone twice - maybe the lead runners kicked it back a bit :-)

Results - RESULTS LINK

Next up - Continuing in the sprite of relaxing - I`m starting my meditation course this week, planned in two sessions of yoga inc a Bikram session AND 5 running free days. Mind you next weekend it's my birthday Ultra - the New Forest 50Km - where I do plan to adopt a `Run + walk` (run 5 miles, walk 1, run 5M, walk 1M etc) plan into action. My 1st go at this so it will be interesting……….

Myself & Tracey coming down the final back straight. "A penny for his thoughts" 

“Everything is possible if you believe`..................

So a bit of a last minute entry – I paid up last Sunday but had the slight advantaged I had run this race twice before (2010 – 06:04:56 & 2011 – 06:30:37 ) and been running well so I `knew` I could do it even I ran & walked the course like in 2010.

 

Come race day and unsure of what the actual weather would be – forecasting cold with snow flurries - I decided to pack everything. Seeing as I wasn`t leaving till 1.00pm I decided I would also run my local parkrun - which was great (30:55), hopefully that burnt off a bit of excitement. I left on time & made short work of the trip across to Kent. Because I booked late the hotel just around the corner was full, this did mean I was about 1/2hr out but ok. The hotel was fine – the message on the key fob was a good omen……

 

 

 

I got changed & left in plenty of time – I wanted to check into the race in plenty of time plus wanted to chat to the newly married Mike & Tracy, also I wanted to catch up with Chris – who I knew I was looking to put in a good time. At first felt a bit odd not being at the pub – I did wonder how I would feel coming around the corner later on & having to run another 1.5 mile or so rather than just the few yards..

 

By this time the wind had picked up a bit & the temperature had dropped – for the first time this Winter I had put on my compression longs. I was also wearing a compression t-shirt, arm sleeves, long sleeved helly top, another T-shirt plus a wind proof jacket, gloves, hat & a buff pulled up past my nose – yes it was a bit nippy J I had also gone for road shoes – hoping the course conditions were kind. That really was the thing here – good ground conditions = good time, tough conditions & you knew you were in for a tough time. We were lucky the ground conditions were good. I had parked up just after the race RQ which meant on each lap I could check in & then go to the car for something to drink, eat & maybe change shoes / clothes  – I had also planned to `tweet` on each lap.

 

Soon enough we assembled in the main tent ready for the off – with the briefing from Mike we lined up on the road – I was very near the back. As usual the race was started by the BANG of the firework, with head torches we were ready for the off - `BANG`  we were off….. The `race` plan (still odd that I have a race plan for an event over 32 miles !!!) was maybe sneaked a PB – about 11m/mile. Too slow for Chris – I didn`t see him at all. Like I have found with most lapped events the first lap is always `social` chatting along finding out what other runners are aiming for, what they are training for, what other events they had done etc….and this was no exception. I did after about 3miles run along aide Mike, someone I met through the BUPA 10,000  in 2010 – so did Tracy (Congratulations again) we ran together – we saw Tracy at the pub & chatted for the rest of the lap. I did say I would stop for a drink , Mike said he would carry on….Lap one in 01:07:xx

 

I did also want to try something a bit new for me (Try nothing new in races eh !!!) was that I wanted to listen to an audiobook on the iPod. The `book` was going to listen to was `The Secret` - LINK  which I was looking forward too. As it happened I was on my own for the started alone for this 2^nd lap – that first bit of the lap – wow the wind came right at you !!! Soon enough I found my pace – it certainly helped listening to this `positive thinking` type of book plus it was really interesting. Soon enough I had caught up with Mike again, I turned off the iPod & chatted – again allowed him to get the 1^st hug at the pub. Again Mike didn`t stop at the race HQ – Lap two in 02:17:xx  (Lap time 01:10:xx). Again I stopped for a drink & a gel.

 

That wind at the start of the lap hadn`t died down – in fact it got a bit colder (or maybe I had). iPod back on – if you get a chance & it`s your thing I do recommend reading or listening to this book. Anyway soon I caught up with Mike – I didn`t stop as I was feeling really good – I think I had just equalled my fastest mile – 09:11. I went past Tracy which caught her unaware & I said Mike was just behind. Soon enough I could see the lights of the Race HQ – again quick drink & gel & tweet – Lap 3 in 03:26:xx (Lap time 01:09;xx).

On lap 4 – it had started to snow / hail –which made seeing the ground by head torch very interesting…. Now this all this `positive thinking` been playing into my ears I couldn`t help but feel good. It seemed the laps were getting quicker to go round even thou my actual speed was not increasing – an odd feeling. Despite the course being a bit churned up at this stage esp at the cross over I kept to the same plan – run (i.e. no walk breaks) & only stopping to drink at the half way marshals point – I did steel the odd jelly baby along the way esp at the aptly named Jelly Baby Corner  J I do recall I mentioned to the marshal at `half way drinks` station I had 1.5 laps to go rather than saying 10 miles left which I guess is how good I was thinking. Anyway  and soon enough the Pub & Tracy & then the last mile or so to the Race HQ. - Lap 4 (26.2M) in 04:36 (lap time – 01:10:xx) – which was really pleasing.

 

In this last mile of my lap 4 a runner went past me – Keir Williams - who finished 32.75M in 04:32 – an amazing time.

I was a little sad to start out on my last lap as I was feeling so good – really an odd sensation but I was feeling really good. As this was my last lap I made sure I thanked all the marshals for the last time – they were superstars at least we could speed up if we wanted to warm up. I saw a few runners in trouble & made sure they were ok. Again quite quickly I found myself with half a lap to go. I recall picking up the pace a little here. Through the cross over – and still I was getting a bit confused by the actual layout out the course…past Jelly Baby Corner for the last time & out on the road section – past the pub which was closed by now L I decided to see what I had left in the legs in this last mile or so….After what seemed a few minutes I was heading towards the Race HQ for the last time.

 

I thanked all the marshals, the time keeper – I collected my medal & certificate & grabbed a coffee – I saw Chris who, despite stomach problems ran a blinder & got 4^th spot. After getting changed I thanked Mike for putting on a splendid event & grabbed another coffee.

 

My time was 05:44:11 – the final lap in 01:08:xx

 

Splits – 9:46, 9:57, 10:14, 10:23, 10:24, 10:20, 15:22, 9:39, 9:48, 9:54, 9:30, 9:46, 10:14, 15:06, 9:19, 10:11, 9:19, 9:45, 9:52, 14:16, 9:28, 9:35, 10:13, 9:38, 10:07, 9:41, 15:00, 9:40, 9:52, 10:02, 9:58, 9:56 7:40 (0.92M @8:23). Guess where I stopped at the car.

 

I am so happy with this run – it has to go down as one of my best runs – Even lap splits, Ran all 32.75 Miles,  a double run with a parkrun, a 20 min or so PB PLUS it makes the `scores on the Marathon doors` even – Marathons run = 10 v Ultra Marathons run = 10 :-)

 

PS I nearly finished the book -  `Everything is possible if you believe`

Results - LINK
 

Next up – This Sunday – Surrey Spitfire 20 - and if you see me running at PB please feel free to rugby tackle me or climb on my back and ask for a fireman`s lift.

 

A great video clip……` Life is all about perspective – change how you look at the world!” or as they say in the book – “If you are unhappy then change the channel”