Well actually it does mean something. Its my first international race, and I am quite looking forward to it.
Bags are now packed, and I will soon be off to the airport. It should be a great weekend. My legs have just come back to me, and I am feeling quite good.
I have decided not to do walk run. Its a big city marathon, and I would think it would be irritating if I was stopping every mile. What time am I going for? Well I will decide on Sunday morning.
One thing I do know the sounds of Ultrvox will be going round my head. Much better than Feeling Hot Hot Hot, which was buzzing round my head in Brighton.
I wish everyone in Sandurst Joggers well at the VLM. The weather forecast looks pretty much perfect for running a marathon.
Happy running, and good luck.
Dave.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Feeling Hot Hot Hot - Brighton Marathon
Was I hot today? Yes, but it was down to the weather, and not an over inflated ego.
We train in freezing cold condition all winter, and the Marathon that you have been training for comes along, and its the hottest day of the year!
I believe that if you have a goal, then you should go for it. Even though it was about 20 degrees today, I thought what the hell. I will have a go, and see what come out at the other end.
We got the the start in plenty of time, but the queue's for to loo's were a mile long. Urinals were OK, but one of us had to do what bears do in the wood, in the park, by a police car.
It was already quite warm, but the plan was to stay the same. 6:45 min/miles, and see were we go.
All was going well till about 10 miles, then my pace dropped off a bit. I went through half way in 1 hour 32. With the heat, I knew a sub 3 hour finish was not possible. Time to change the goal. Maybe try and go under 3 hours 15 for a London Marathon good for age time. I was keeping a good pace until about 18 mile and then started to slow down. Feeling very hot at this point. I was making use of every water station, mostly to pour water over myself. 23 miles sill going, but still slowing. Then at 24 miles I was having great difficulty moving my legs. That was a really hard 2 miles. That's when Austin passed me with a keep going Dave. I finally managed to cross the line in 3 hours 19. Pretty pleased with that in such hot conditions, and its a new PB.
Its Vienna Marathon next week. Just got to get my legs back in shape this week.
Well done to all Sandhurst Joggers who ran today.
Happy Running.
Dave.
We train in freezing cold condition all winter, and the Marathon that you have been training for comes along, and its the hottest day of the year!
I believe that if you have a goal, then you should go for it. Even though it was about 20 degrees today, I thought what the hell. I will have a go, and see what come out at the other end.
We got the the start in plenty of time, but the queue's for to loo's were a mile long. Urinals were OK, but one of us had to do what bears do in the wood, in the park, by a police car.
It was already quite warm, but the plan was to stay the same. 6:45 min/miles, and see were we go.
All was going well till about 10 miles, then my pace dropped off a bit. I went through half way in 1 hour 32. With the heat, I knew a sub 3 hour finish was not possible. Time to change the goal. Maybe try and go under 3 hours 15 for a London Marathon good for age time. I was keeping a good pace until about 18 mile and then started to slow down. Feeling very hot at this point. I was making use of every water station, mostly to pour water over myself. 23 miles sill going, but still slowing. Then at 24 miles I was having great difficulty moving my legs. That was a really hard 2 miles. That's when Austin passed me with a keep going Dave. I finally managed to cross the line in 3 hours 19. Pretty pleased with that in such hot conditions, and its a new PB.
Its Vienna Marathon next week. Just got to get my legs back in shape this week.
Well done to all Sandhurst Joggers who ran today.
Happy Running.
Dave.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
All the little noises
As many of you know I a rather rash moment last year and booked up for 2 marathons in 2 weeks. The first one is Tomorrow in Brighton, and then a week later in Vienna. For the one in Brighton I will be going for a time. Anywhere around the 3 hour mark would be good. Vienna will just be a jolly. I could well be adopting a walk run strategy for that one, but more of that in a later post.
This is the third week of my taper, and it seems to be going better that my previous marathons, but the same aches, and pains have come back. Its like sitting in a quiet, where you hear all the little noises. I am sure its my body healing itself after the hammering I have just given it.
There are two things that I am now thinking about. First. How do I get my body back into some for of shape the run another marathon a week after Brighton, and how to run Vienna. I have seriously considered walk run, after hearing an interview with Geoff Galloway on Marathon Talk, but that will be another post.
I will be traveling to Brighton this afternoon. So I can relax, and rest ready for tomorrow.
Good luck to all Sandhurst Joggers running Brighton tomorrow.
Happy Running.
Dave.
This is the third week of my taper, and it seems to be going better that my previous marathons, but the same aches, and pains have come back. Its like sitting in a quiet, where you hear all the little noises. I am sure its my body healing itself after the hammering I have just given it.
There are two things that I am now thinking about. First. How do I get my body back into some for of shape the run another marathon a week after Brighton, and how to run Vienna. I have seriously considered walk run, after hearing an interview with Geoff Galloway on Marathon Talk, but that will be another post.
I will be traveling to Brighton this afternoon. So I can relax, and rest ready for tomorrow.
Good luck to all Sandhurst Joggers running Brighton tomorrow.
Happy Running.
Dave.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Less than 3 weeks to go.
Its just less than 3 weeks to go till The Brighton Marathon, but first a quick update on the past training, and races. The routine has still been the same, but I have only run to work once since the last blog. The Grizzly was the next race. A group of us went down in convoy on the Saturday. Stopping of at the Heston Little Chief at Popham, for breakfast, then on to the River Cottage Canteen at Axminister for lunch. Then to Seaton, to meet the others at the Flat. The flat sleeps 6, and is only 5 minutes walk from the start of the race, so is a perfect location. We watched telly, relaxed, then went out to Rossini's for dinner. It an Italian, so perfect for carbo loading. That night I managed to get cramp in my right calf muscle, and the left one didn't feel much better. It was Sunday and the day of the race. No amount of straching would loosen off my calf's. Best to just get round then. I felt ok for the first half, and was running with Martin. Then I could feel my leg tightening up. That's not good. On the stairway to heaven my right calf cramped. so I had to take it slowly up the climb. Across the top my legs were ok, but as soon as I was climbing out of beer, the left one went. I did a bit more walking and it eased off. I did manage to run the rest. Finished in 3:20. Not too bad considering.
Sunday night was a curry, and far too much beer. Then back home on the Monday. I was always going to take it easy the next week, but I did even less than I was going to do, so that my legs could recover.
Next it was Fleet Half Marathon. I was not expecting much in the way of time. I set off at 6:30 miles, to get me round in about 1:25, but that was too fast, and my legs had not recovered, so I crossed the finish line in 1:28. Still not too bad, and still alot better than the last 2 years. Where I just blew up on the Half Marathons a week after the Grizzly.
I am back on the bike this week.
Now it's of for the AGM. I will have to give the Events report. Not looking forward to that.
Happy Running.
Dave.
Sunday night was a curry, and far too much beer. Then back home on the Monday. I was always going to take it easy the next week, but I did even less than I was going to do, so that my legs could recover.
Next it was Fleet Half Marathon. I was not expecting much in the way of time. I set off at 6:30 miles, to get me round in about 1:25, but that was too fast, and my legs had not recovered, so I crossed the finish line in 1:28. Still not too bad, and still alot better than the last 2 years. Where I just blew up on the Half Marathons a week after the Grizzly.
I am back on the bike this week.
Now it's of for the AGM. I will have to give the Events report. Not looking forward to that.
Happy Running.
Dave.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Always rushing around
Tuesday 1st March
Got up early in the morning, and my calf felt OK, but managed to leave work a bit late, so it was a rush of get home. Training was from my place, and would be Snap Rails Session. We had a Sandhurst committee meeting later. The sessions was the normal 6 set of 2x350m, with 30 seconds recovery at the bottom, and 60 seconds recovery at the top. I managed each rep about 5 seconds faster than last time, and I had no reaction from my calf. Panic over.
Back home, then a quick change and off to the meeting.
Then it was home and bed.
Wednesday 2nd March
I was even later getting out of work today. Another rush home. Sorted out the logistics for the canal run, then out for the Wednesday run. Curly Bridge tonight. Stayed with the group at the back, and had a nice easy run. Legs are feeling even better.
It will be an early night tonight.
Happy running.
Dave.
Got up early in the morning, and my calf felt OK, but managed to leave work a bit late, so it was a rush of get home. Training was from my place, and would be Snap Rails Session. We had a Sandhurst committee meeting later. The sessions was the normal 6 set of 2x350m, with 30 seconds recovery at the bottom, and 60 seconds recovery at the top. I managed each rep about 5 seconds faster than last time, and I had no reaction from my calf. Panic over.
Back home, then a quick change and off to the meeting.
Then it was home and bed.
Wednesday 2nd March
I was even later getting out of work today. Another rush home. Sorted out the logistics for the canal run, then out for the Wednesday run. Curly Bridge tonight. Stayed with the group at the back, and had a nice easy run. Legs are feeling even better.
It will be an early night tonight.
Happy running.
Dave.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Training on the edge.
Monday 28th Feb
Training for a Marathon, or any race for that matter is a balancing act. To get the most out of training you have to balance along a knife edge. On one hand you have to train hard enough to get the maximum benefit, and on the other, go too far and you pick up an injury. I think that I started to topple over the edge this week, but managed with flailing arms to pull myself back. The small calf strain the I had yesterday seems to have gone. My calf is still a bit stiff, but not sore. Phew!!! Should be OK.
Its an easy week this week. Not running today, but trying to finish of the entries for the club championships.
Now time for food.
Happy running,
Dave.
Training for a Marathon, or any race for that matter is a balancing act. To get the most out of training you have to balance along a knife edge. On one hand you have to train hard enough to get the maximum benefit, and on the other, go too far and you pick up an injury. I think that I started to topple over the edge this week, but managed with flailing arms to pull myself back. The small calf strain the I had yesterday seems to have gone. My calf is still a bit stiff, but not sore. Phew!!! Should be OK.
Its an easy week this week. Not running today, but trying to finish of the entries for the club championships.
Now time for food.
Happy running,
Dave.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Long hard week
Friday 25thFeb
They were trying to sign people up to do the Windsor Half Marathon at work. I wasn't going to do it, but since Clarendon had been canceled, I think that I may have to do it. Its the only half marathon that is close by, at around that time. They are trying to get 100 people from work. That out of a workforce of about 850. That's impressive.
Track on Friday was 6x870m, with 90 seconds rest. Started of with the first 4 at 3:05's, then I started to loosen up a bit. Then next one was 3:02, then the last one was 2:55. The fastest I've ever done.
Reward for that was a couple of beers, and food at the Rack Straw.
Saturday 26th Feb
It was raining when I got out of bed. Had to do food shopping first, then at 10:00am it was out for a 13 mile run. Track was still in my legs, and it was much muddier that I expected. New running shoes were covered in mud after the first 5 miles. By about 10 miles my legs were feeling heavy. just 3 mile to go and mostly down hill. Got home, showered, had some home made soup, the watched to Rugby, well watched some of it. Slept the rest.
Sunday 27th Feb
Had a lie in. Went to Jen, and Graham's for a long run. It was still as muddy, round the golf course. Legs were feeling 8 days running, and cycling without a break. We did about 15 miles, which was enough for me. I could feel my ankles aching, and when I got home my left calf was hurting. Have I overdone it? I don't think so. Just need a bit of rest, so no running tomorrow.
Summary for the Week
Ran 66 miles
Bike 40 miles
Happy Running,
Dave.
They were trying to sign people up to do the Windsor Half Marathon at work. I wasn't going to do it, but since Clarendon had been canceled, I think that I may have to do it. Its the only half marathon that is close by, at around that time. They are trying to get 100 people from work. That out of a workforce of about 850. That's impressive.
Track on Friday was 6x870m, with 90 seconds rest. Started of with the first 4 at 3:05's, then I started to loosen up a bit. Then next one was 3:02, then the last one was 2:55. The fastest I've ever done.
Reward for that was a couple of beers, and food at the Rack Straw.
Saturday 26th Feb
It was raining when I got out of bed. Had to do food shopping first, then at 10:00am it was out for a 13 mile run. Track was still in my legs, and it was much muddier that I expected. New running shoes were covered in mud after the first 5 miles. By about 10 miles my legs were feeling heavy. just 3 mile to go and mostly down hill. Got home, showered, had some home made soup, the watched to Rugby, well watched some of it. Slept the rest.
Sunday 27th Feb
Had a lie in. Went to Jen, and Graham's for a long run. It was still as muddy, round the golf course. Legs were feeling 8 days running, and cycling without a break. We did about 15 miles, which was enough for me. I could feel my ankles aching, and when I got home my left calf was hurting. Have I overdone it? I don't think so. Just need a bit of rest, so no running tomorrow.
Summary for the Week
Ran 66 miles
Bike 40 miles
Happy Running,
Dave.
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