Until the last few weeks I have been fairly cautious about airing in public that I would be once again be doing this race. However, after a solid 4 months of incredible training, nailing every session long run and build up race I decided I would once again tempt fate and head to Blackheath for the third time in as many years. 

My target was 330-340. My halves in the run up had seen me hit 1:32 in the middle of big mile weeks so the target wasn’t a pipe dream – in theory it was a realistic goal. I had smashed out 4 20mile+ sessions and to be perfectly honest had actually enjoyed the last 4months of training and breaking new barriers. I was fitter, faster and stronger. 

I wonder whether my tone is obvious already but once again the London Marathon nearly beat me but let’s get to that in a bit…

After a very enjoyable expo, bumping into Tom & Martin of Marathon Talk, Adam Phillips a fellow runner who I met at the 2010 Motivation Station in Nottingham and Noel Thatcher Paralympic Gold Medalist as well as others who I have crossed paths with in the past I was ready to roll. I even collected my number right next to Sophie Raworth although I couldn’t for the life of me remember her name so didn’t introduce myself, it transpires we would have a similar story to tell of the event.

I arrived with ample time and loitered around the green start. I bumped into Ed Coats before the start – I was pretty excited by this. I have utmost respect for what him Cracknell and Fogle did crossing the South Pole and I have followed his future adventures in Running Fitness magazine. Amazing – it was photo time  

After this it was time to chill and get into ‘the zone’. I had a loaned phone from Vodafone, again playing with the Motorola Defy. I really like this phone and was chuffed to have it with me today – although would it see me round the course?!

At 9:45 the claxon sounded and once again I was crossing the start line. It felt warm, warmer than I have run in for a while. That said I was running in my comfort zone and at pace. It was tough – but this is a marathon right, it’s meant to be tough! At the mid point I was still going fine. Checking off mile by mile – I would have a few more miles to get through before I started counting down from 100!

14 check, 15, 16,17,18 the eventful mile from last year check, 19, 20, 21 saw Adam P on side of road cheering, 21.3 collapse and 21.5 I somehow wake up in a St Johns tent.

First thought on waking up ‘bugger (possibly harsher language went through my head) not again, not this time’. I knew what to do I had to call Laura and tell her where I was as i knew from last year St Johns wouldn’t- trusty defy still working! I rung but they wanted me off the phonel, partially fair as I was close to throwing up and probably not looking too great. The next min I was vomiting so they got me on the floor. This was the last time I saw this phone, I’m hoping someone from St Johns has it as the evidence I have against them is pretty damning (as my running app was still running) but it’s early days and that’s another blog post (maybe!). As I was on the floor laid out I started cramping up – I knew this would happen. Bugger. 

How long I was in St Johns for I don’t know, I will dissect my Garmin when I have time but my reckoning is 40-50 mins, with analysis probably nearer the later. As I sat on the chair throwing up I had to decide what to do. I had 5 miles still to complete, but my legs were recked having sat in a chair and on the floor – 8min miles were not going to happen but could I run walk. I did the maths how long would it take if I tried to go again? 1 hour or so?

This time quitting was not an option for me, I would make it to the end (or at least try). I found out that the next St Johns tent was about a mile away so if worst came to worst I had somewhere I could end up! I had called Laura who had lined the pavement at 22.5miles and she tried to get down to me but it was too busy, I would head to a landmark and meet her. My legs were getting worse, badly cramping. It was time to move. 

At the 13/22miles balloons I met Laura. She said she’d walk with me but the pavements are not somewhere you can walk and it didn’t take long to realise that unfortunately wasn’t going to be possible. I was on my own. I had a stop and chat to my friends and family as I went round – I even got fed a jelly baby by little Tomas who had come to see me. It was an opportunity to thank them for coming out to support me and they deserved it!

Shortly after I bumped into Iwan Thomas, I have been in touch with him via twitter and through previous expos as well as Laura knowing him from her It Pays to Watch days. I think it would be fair to say at this point it may have been a competition for who looked worse. He’d blown at 14miles but was going to make it. I hoped I could stick with him but the state of my legs said otherwise. 

My pace was slow I would call it a run walk as I ran for as long as I could before my cramps started then walked at short a distance possible before they went. It was slow progress though. I took on water when I could and felt in pretty good shape. Had it not been the pain in my legs (my body felt fine) i would have tried to run it. I learnt a lesson with this – keep pain killers to hand! 

Anyway to cut 5 long and slow miles short I made it to the Mall and this time collected my medal. I crossed the line in 4:40 although that time doesn’t really mean too much to me. That said without the ‘power nap’ as it has been ironically called and doing a 21.5mile run/5mile walk I would have come in about the 4 hour marker…

Thanks to getting my place through Virgin I had entry to a party organised at Planet Hollywood. This was a great opportunity to unwind, Iwan was there and we chatted some more as well as having an opportunity to be meters from Richard Branson, an idol of mine. A very rewarding finish to a difficult day!

As I sit and reflect, my legs are totally recked, to an extent I have never felt before. I went out to conquer and win and once again I had another bad day in the office. That won’t stop me. I have been quite protective about who has helped me over the last few months but at this moment I would like to thank Liz Yelling for being a great mentor. Her schedule has seen me get fitter, faster and stronger and without a shadow of a doubt I would have hit the 3:30-3:40 target if my body had let me. The question that now needs to be answered is why this happens to me. Why when everyone else can dig in and ‘zip up the man-suit’ does my body shutdown and stop me. I’m sure over the coming months I will get to grips with this through Liz and the running community at large!

Thanks again for all who have supported me upto this Marathon especially Laura who is no doubt sick of roasted veg and chicken tomato pasta! I don’t think I could have worked, eaten and got the miles in without her support. Another personalised shout out to Chris D at the Sports Clinic for massages and an ear to bash when necessary. 

Much love, remember run hard, run fast, run strong – or something like that! See you at the next race

N

Ps I have lots more photos to upload but trying to do it on an iPhone is too time consuming!

It’s far too easy sometimes to get caught up in a schedule and not entirely enjoy what you are doing and the reasons why you are doing it. This weekend, in particular Sunday was not one of these times.

Before getting into Sunday I wanted to quickly write about my warmup run on Saturday. At Xmas Laura got a bike in the hope she could come out with me when I was running training. She could be my company on some of those runs where I’m out on my own. On Saturday she joined me on my little prep jog before Sunday’s LSR. We headed to Gunpowder Park in Lea Valley and for 30mins I ran and she cycled beside me! A great way to do those kinds of runs

On Sunday morning, getting up at some ungodly hour (for me), Laura and I jumped in the car and headed for Little Havens in Southend. The charity had organised a training run and as I’m involved in the Havens Runners project as well as having run the London Marathon for them in 2009 and 2010 I went down to join them.

I was scheduled for a shorter run than normal ‘consolidating my miles’ this week and was require to run 1hr20 or about 10miles. Fortunately to cover all bases the Havens team had created routes to cover all abilities and distances.

As more and more runners turned up it was clear that this was going to be a busy run which was nice and at 830, we set off down towards the sea front. Laura was armed with her camera ready to snap away as the group of runners exited the site. The pictures really show how good the turnout was!

This is not the first training run I have done with the Hospice, however it is the first time the weather has been kind. The sun was out and whilst it is still cold it was glorious running conditions.

Forming a small pack at the front Paul M, Neil D, Ian R and I set off at an 830 ish pace up and down the many inclines. However, unlike many of my previous runs here in Southend this felt pleasant. My heart rate stayed low and I could hold an easy conversation – most would say a perfect LSR pace!

At about 6 miles is where I separated from the others in the pack who were carrying on to do an extra couple of miles but just before that I witnessed the spectacular sight of the sun over the sea front from high. It was a glorious sight – far from the normal gailing winds and lashing rain I remember from the past.

The turn around point is on Belton Way which is a pretty big hill. This hill has always been a bit of a nemesis for me. I remember ‘running’ it for the first time in 2009 and it was horrid. This time I would destroy it and with my increased fitness I duly did. That’s not to say it’s not a killer hill but all of a sudden it’s passable! Will have to go try that *mountain* in fattened again soon although I think that is still top steep!

At the top of the hill I noticed another havens runner so dropped back to run with them to the end. I figure these runs are supposed to be with company so what’s the point in running 30meters in front of someone for 3miles! Great bit of company saw the remaining, relatively dull bit of the route fly by and before long we were back at Little Havens tucking into a bacon sarnie

All together a perfect run. No niggles, pains or concerns and a bit of beautiful scenery to top it all off! Thanks to Havens for organising it. I hope some of the other Havens Runners enjoyed it as much as I did!

The afternoon was spent in front of the tv. I put on Chariots of Fire which I had sky+’ed months ago this followed by Spurs V United, a roast dinner and bath topped off what was to be a lovely day all around! Shame it can’t last and it’s now back to work again…

Till next time

N

Its been a whole week since my last post which is poor performance on my part! However, I have been mentally busy and on top of this last Friday I started coming down with a cold which I have been fighting to get rid of!

My long run plans for the Sunday were thrown out of the window and instead I did a gentle couple of local miles slow and easy. I was out for just 30minutes and it felt tougher than usual guess that was to be expected! Monday, still recovering I worked from home so as to save my colleagues from my germs – although to be honest I think I picked up the cold from one of them so I’m not sure why I bothered

Tuesday was my next scheduled run day, 6 miles ‘easy’ this turned out to be one of those very very bizarre runs. I was expecting the worst, not feeling 100% but I was fast and finding it easy. I can only assume this was down to the rest I had since Thursday evening. In what was to be a complete accident I did a 6mile run with an av pace of 07:24 min/mi pretty zippy!

Wednesday I was out with Rich and Ath who also ran the Dublin Marathon. We did a run along the Thames from Horse Guards up to Tower Bridge and back at an 8:15min/mi pace. Lovely run! The Thames at night has some amazing views which are easily missed especially on faster sessions! Had fun

Uh oh Thursday time!

10mins easy jog, 10mins at MP, 3mins jog rec ( 5x 2mins faster with 2 mins easy ) 3mins easy jog, 10mins at MP again. 10mins easy.

How was it Thursday already! A very tough session made worse by the fact that about 2mins after leaving work the heavens opened and all of a sudden there was TORRENTIAL rain! It absolutely chucked it down…The session was hard, as expected – my heart rate went through the roof which is good. I had to cut short the 10 mins easy at the end to about 5 because of time constraints. Haven’t checked out the Garmin yet as the transfer stick is at home – one to analyse at the weekend!

Today is rest day, before heading down to Southend on Sunday to run with the other Havens Runners on there campaign towards the London Marathon, looking forward to it!

That’s right 3 years after setting this blog up, 163 posts later I have finally made it big time! I feature in Runners World magazine and not just a little link to an article – it’s a fully fledged editorial piece explaining how things like blogs and technology are influencing runners.

I have never pertained to think my traffic was exceptionally high, compared to where I develop during the day the amount of traffic this site gets is pitiful.  But I’m aware the appeal of my site is small, after all who would want to read the poorly spelt and punctuated musings of a 20 something going on about running…?

My story is not unique. I’m not running across the world whilst juggling hamsters for charity nor am I competing for England (or likely to be any time soon). I’m just another guy with a love for running that happens to be kinda skillful with technology. I have owned a website for years I have just never stuck at anything long enough to consider writing about. I hoped one day it would be my CV, prospective employers could look at it and I could host any of my visions on it.

At the start of 2009 it went through a redesign, it was to be my hub for raising funds for the London Marathon. I blogged about my training experiences all the while crossing new running boundaries (see from the link how excited I was to run 15/16miles!) that all virgin marathon runners experience. For me it was good to write and it seemed some read it – even if it was just close friends and family!

It wasn’t really until the the summer of ’09, when I had a break from running after the Marathon, I realised that my running was causing me to lose weight - so I blogged about it . At that point I was unaware of the whirlwind that was to follow…

I will have a longer synopsis of 2010 once I have completed my last race of the yer in Stockport, but if I thought my running in ’09 broke boundaries then ’10 smashed them. My blog let people follow my many ups and didn’t shy away from my downs. Following the disaster that was the London Marathon in April I could have easily given up running and blogging for good. For all those who were watching to see how I had done it pained and embarrassed me to write about my failure. But I did and fortunately I held onto my trainers, held my head up and looked towards my next challenge. Six months later I crossed the finish line of the Dublin Marathon smashing my personal best, the 4 hour barrier and most importantly  exercising my demons. It was on this blog that I could share my joy and happiness!

The blog is a diary, something I write on my phone as I head home from work. It acts as a time line and a reminder for the future.

If you happened to have stopped by here because of the Runners World feature (hello!) please say hi below, follow me on twitter or contact me by clicking the link at the top. If you want any advice on setting your own blog up send me a message I want to hear from you!

A couple of weeks ago I got an email from Nike informing me the Grid was once again in action. From memory they have run one other similar PR campaign in April (although it could have been last year), all I know was back then it clashed with the London Marathon and ironically this time it clashed with the Dublin Marathon! The grid opened up for 16 days from the Friday before last.

The concept is pretty simple and actually quite clever. Nike buy advertising on 4 phone boxes in most London postcodes and you run between and dial in a code to say you have finished/started. Racking up various points for endurance and other reasons (due to my late entry they seem a bit alien to me). I was invited into team but wasn’t really aware of how into it they really were until later today. Sure, I knew they were keen but wasn’t aware just how keen!

So at 7am all kitted up I headed to the start point of my run (unfortunately still 3miles from the first phone box). Armed with maps and my own little strategy I found my first phone box – simples, or so I thought. The phones didn’t seem that responsive to button presses, not sure if there is a knack to it but slower was certainly better! First run logged two empty boxes found, this was easy! Then came the next leg and the third box, DISASTER, someone was using the box to make a phone call with calling card. He was no grid runner, how dare he, does this middle aged, overweight man not realise what he is doing? Clearly he is using the phone box for it’s unintended purpose! What was I to do, that’s 2 phone boxes I thought (due to grid niavity) I would have to miss out on and head to the final point. I would have to email Nike I thought, inform them the boxes were not being used to purpose!

As I swept between boxes and grids I gradually started to tire, evidently my Rice Krispy Square wasn’t enough fuel for an 11 mile run! I called it a day at kings cross feeling quite proud of my effort. Logging onto the group I could see I had done ok but others were getting more points. Surely people can’t be doing 9mile runs every morning I mean who are these people!

Hooked in by the bribe of runs being worth 5 times as much during 12-1 I went again. Heading for another jog of 6+ miles (definitely not a good idea in hindsight) but once again whilst I scored ok others seemed to be doing so much better – how? Are they all Ussain Bolt wannabees? After further investigation it clicked what was happening. These people were just shuttle running between 2 (probably the closest 2) boxes amounting much more points than I could hope to whilst covering much less distance. That is dull and not what I want to do! Perhaps had I got into the game at the start I maybe more hooked by the allure of big points but at this stage strategies have been formed and for me some of the joy I get from just going out for a quick run is gone.

There is a chance I could have really got into this had I have been there since the start, its a much better idea than the 1 day event they did last time but I do have to wonder how much it has helped Nike as there aren’t that many runners involved i dont think. Good luck to all those still running on the last few days, i’m sure some of them have racked up some large distances…

N

It’s Saturday and I am taking it easy this weekend. Perhaps will do a little plod on Sunday but nothing too strenuous to allow my legs to recover from last Sunday. They say it takes 1 day to remove a race mile from your legs so hopefully by Monday all will be good because technically we only ‘raced’ 7 miles of it!

Last night I was both fortunate (and in the last 5 minutes unfortunate!) enough to get a leg massage from Chris Domoney of the Sports Clinic Bluewater. Two years ago when I ran The London Marathon for Fairhavens we were introduced at the initial ‘pasta party’. Fortunately for me whilst he helped out in Southend he has a much more local setup in Kent. Chris is a top bloke and tends not to mince his words, if there is any issues he will send you onto Paul the Physio. I have yet to hear any negativity about either. Quite often Physios/Masseurs are quick to take your money but may not be specific enough to your needs or worse still be scaremongering. After-all if they aren’t involved in running they will often miss-advise or suggest to give up running entirely. Chris is a runner, if you head to his clinic you will see medals and numbers from marathons all around the world including all 5 majors (inspirational in itself…Chris I will have my own display like that one day!). Fortunately, I haven’t needed to see Paul the Physio but have close relations that have and have come back with glowing reviews – these chaps aren’t out there to rob you and if you treat them with the respect they deserve I’m sure the treatment will be top notch.

I hadn’t intended on this blog post being an advertisement for Chris but every so often it’s worth shouting out to the people who have helped out along the way. If you have used either Chris or Paul in the past why not write a quick comment or review below – I’m sure they will appreciate it! If you want to get in touch with either of them see info below (copied from elsewhere):

Chris works privately in Essex as well as having clinics in Surrey and Kent. He is on hand to reply to any running,dietary or general fitness enquiries being an Athletics coach and experienced personal trainer. If you would like to get in touch with Chris you can contact him on 07739 765587.

Paul Smith is a Physiotherapist and can be contacted on 07989 282237.

Thats all for now, till next week!

A very short blog post today as I’m about to dash out of the door and go fishing

On Wednesday evening I did the perimeter run of the 2012 Olympic site. This time I had the pleasure of company from two colleagues, who both trained (and completed!) this years London Marathon and since then have continued to run.

It was a nice run, whilst the grey clouds loomed overhead the rain stayed off which was a bonus. I got to give the chaps a running commentary of Stratford and the Park, whether they wanted to hear it or not. I love running round there as every time I go past it something new has popped up or some path has been changed. Its constantly evolving and in 6 months time it will look completely different. Its a very exciting place to be able to run around and live. I can’t wait to see what Stratford will look like this time next year and ultimately in 2012

N

Obviously everyone who knows me is aware that the Sunday before last was a huge blow to me. Training for the London Marathon was a huge focus for me since the beginning of the year, but anyone that reads this blog knows that running has been part of my life for a number of years. After much reflection I realise it would be foolish to hang my trainers up for good.

Over the next few months I intend on pushing on. I have a 10km and a half lined up later on in the year and I will watch my training to see what else maybe possible to achieve in 2010. I want to spend time running with others, in particular those who have offered kind words of support over the last few weeks – you know who you are. I will also be looking at joining a club and seeing if I can get involved in some club running, hopefully helping me regain some confidence and learn where and what I am possibly doing wrong.

Before the marathon we had booked a relaxing recovery break in Tenerife for the Bank Holiday weekend. Having sulked a bit for a week Laura suggested I take my trainers in case I fancied a run. On Sunday morning when the sun was in (but temps still above 20) I decided to give it a go…
» Continue reading “The next chapter…”

Unsurprisingly for anyone who knows what happened to me on Sunday this post has taken a long time to come and to be honest there was question and doubt as to whether I should write it at all. Sadly there are no photo’s of me crossing the finishing line or with a big grin and a finishers medal and in just a few paragraphs I’m going to say what happened (or what I know of it…).

The day started off as planned, the clothes sorted the night before, breakfast eaten and Laura and I set off for the tube at 7am. Heading into London I got to Greenwich DLR and made the Green Start by 9am. Plenty of time to get prepared and relaxed, we had been allocated a tent to stand in so when the rain came we were sheltered.

At 9:45 the race started and off we went, I deliberately knew to hold back on my pace so this year I made a conservative effort to get my pace in around the 8:35 pace and all of my splits give or take hovered around this marker. Sadly – what I didn’t pay attention to is the Heart Rate… » Continue reading “Virgin London Marathon: The Post Mortem”

The schedule had me down for a 9 miler today but again due to prior commitments I could only fit in a shorter hour long run of about 7miles-ish.

The run was really tough today, my legs felt really heavy and not in great form. The whole run dragged and as soon as I got out of the door I wanted to give up. Looking at the watch stats I hovered around an 8:45 pace which is surprisingly fast considering how I thought I was moving!

Hopefully in the next 24 hours my legs recover a bit and am looking forward to Saturdays Sports Massage with Chris to hopefully relieve some of the tension in my muscles!

HavensRunners got a mini plug on the marathontalk.com podcast this week, they are sending people that way for the London Marathon Route Map. If you haven’t listened to the podcast check it out I find it a good thing to use whilst on my longer slower runs and also if you haven’t seen the map check it out and send a link to your supporters to let them know when to expect you!

Till next time.

N