Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
Well here we go again!
Back in 2009 I fulfilled a life long dream by completing the London Marathon, and this year I am proud to give my bit back by joining forces with Sport Godalming to raise money for those talented local sportsmen and women, to give them every chance to achieve their goals.
Please dig deep and help me to hit their target. Back in '09 I managed to slog it round in 3.27.09, but this time around I'm aiming to break 3.20, and a pipe dream of 3.15, and every little bit of money will help this now 40 year old to cross the line in time. You can even make a basic pledge and double it if I hit these goals!
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The story so far - how the training is going:
I embarked on my 16 week programme at the start of Xmas week (how long ago does that feel now). I will summarise the 1st 9 weeks and look to be more in depth from here on in (week 10).
Weeks 1-9: My goal has always to train 5 times a week, and I have achieved this so far, averaging c.40 miles a week, and this will only increase as I close in on the 'business end' of the training. My experience back in '09 has taught me that there is no substitute for hard work, and far from simply plodding out long runs, speed work is essential to improve the stamina for the nightmare miles between 20-26.2.
It's never a great way to start with snow falling! Whilst you were all throwing snowballs and finding a hill to sledge down, and getting ready for Xmas, my campaign started w/c 20/12/10 and whilst the miles were low compared to now, running in the snow is hard work, let me tell you!
2011 - As we entered the new year the miles were mounting up, with the 'Long Slow Run' (LSR) early on a Saturday morning (leaving home around 7am built up every week, culminating in a 20 miler at the end of the month. Throughout the month I was smashing PBs at various distances (short and long) with the only concern that the LSR actually going too quickly, so there is a fear of burn out and/or injury.
A long campaign llike this can never go without a hitch, so I've had to battle with a cold and many aches and pains, but like the athletes that I'm trying to help will tell you, feeling 100% is a rare commodity!
February is a defining month for me as on the 10th I reached the BIG 40, but I'm pleased to report that my runs have not suffered from this hurdle, so much so that my 1st run in the 40s I hit a 20m PB, smashing a previous best by 10 seconds a mile - come on!
Recent weeks have been a juggling act with b'day celebrations and last week a b'day treat of playing golf at Turnberry (what an experience).
Week 10: Jane's b'day this week, half term & our 40th party so many balls to juggle here! Monday's fartlek run went much better than expected as been feeling dodgy all day. Home to complete this set up. The start of a big running week.
Despite the distractions of my wife's (Jane) b'day on thursday this was a good week, with another cracking 20m completed on Friday morning as Sat was out due to the impending party!
Glad to have got the 5 runs out the way before Sunday as I'll only say that I wasn't in prime fitness in the morning! You're allowed to let your hair down every now and then!
Week 11: Today's (Monday) run rounds off another month and now less than 7 weeks to go. I pounded 171 miles in Feb which is a record for me and included many PBs in training so we're on course (everything crossed).
March is the real business month with the long runs themself enough to tire me out just thinking about them:17,22,20 and the big one for training -24m!
Another busy week has ended with plenty of speed work mixed in with a poorly prepared for 17m on Sat morning. Looking back, to hit a PB & still be frustrated is a big plus, but on the day it didn't feel like it. The longest run so far is coming next week!
Week 12: Another 45 miles chalked, largely due to completing a 22m on saturday morning - I'm glad that's over with; 'just' a 20m this week!
Good interval and tempo sessions formed the bedrock of the week, with the big one to round things off.
They say that the Marathon is in 2 parts, the 1st 20m and the last 6.2, and how right they are. Even though this was 'just' 2m longer than the other 20m, those extra 2m hurts! 24m in 2 weeks will be fun.
Other than the odd niggle that goes without saying at this stage, the body is holding up & trying to keep focused as with the end in sight I'm thinking that I just want to get on with this now, but there is still plenty of hard work to do.
Week 13: Another 5 sessions completed, culminating in another 20m. Leaving home at 6.40AM so I could get home in time to run Sam's footy training was a challenge to say the least, but chalked off, and I only have to climb 7 Hills Rd & Spinney Hill et al once more during THE BIG ONE - the 24m next Saturday morning.
My race number and magazine came through this week. Number is 5720 so you can all go online and track my progress if you wish!
Week 14: Another 2 7+m completed of varying styles. The week is a case of fitting in where I can as its Amy's 10th b'day on Wed & the AGM on Thursday, but the sessions need to be done!
Right knee needs a bit of 'icing' as feels a bit tired, but no more than you'd expect this far into the campaign. See those who are coming on Thursday night.
Good to meet many of you on Thursday, I must say the Q&A was harder than some of the runs!
Saturday's 24m was great practice as I went out later and it was warm, so good race day prep.
Week 15: The start of the 'taper' where you still tick over the 5 sessions, but the intensity is less as you gear up for the big day and aim to remain injury free. My left hip is causing me a few problems, but OK when running.
Only an 18m on saturday - it'll feel like a short one!
Week 16: Shortest mileage week of the lot is now over having just completed a 10m when I set off at race time (9.45) to get used to it.
At a stage now of self-doubt, but all the training has been done so need to put my feet up and relax this week, and just keep ticking over.
Up to the Expo to collect my number and chip -exciting. Dad gave me the running shirt with Going for Gold on the back, and look out for me in the Surrey Ad next week...
RACE WEEK:
A 'tick over' week before the big day. Gentle Mon run, then a run with my running partner from '09, Grant on Tues - great stuff.
Thurs - Up to Expo so get my race number to find I'm in pen 2, so just behind the elite boys - help!! Don't forget - bib number 5720.
Thanks for the support, I'll make you proud!
RACE DAY:
The alarm went off at 5.45am and after porridge and a cycle to the station I was on the 7am train.
Arrived at Greenwich park at around 8.20 which gave me plenty of time to focus on the job in hand.
Conditions seemed great for marathon running with overcast conditions, but how wrong I was!
I was in the 2nd pen at the blue start which took me very little time to cross the line, the problem with this was that I was therefore with all the 'proper' runners and you end up getting ahead of yourself, and had to scale the time back, but this is hard to do.
By 4m the last remaining cloud had gone, causing very very difficult running conditions for the remainder of the run.
Thoughout the remainder of the run I managed to keep going, part of this being harder than others.
Managed to see my supporters at both 15 & 18 miles which was a great help.
The last 6 miles were a real effort with the Embankment being a real challenge. Coming round by Big Ben I felt shooting pains in both calves which killed if I tried to speed up at all.
I just about made it over the line in 3.15.02 which I am delighted with.
Many thanks for your words of encourgement, they really helped me get through today, but there is still time to contribute some more!
For those who like these facts, 622.13 completed
So please dig deep and donate now.
