Mid
- Late '01
|
Having
applied for the Marathon, I do not discover
if I have been successful until December. I
applied for the first time in 2000 and missed
out in the lottery for places. Anyway, in eager
anticipation I began running infrequently just
to get used to the sensation of the cold sea
breeze chapping my legs along the Felixstowe
sea front. I ran 2 or 4 miles at a time, but
only once every 1 or 2 weeks.
|
| Nov
'01 - Jan '02 |
My
training really stepped up in late November,
and then rose significantly after I had been
notified of my place in the marathon by the
beginning of December. The 2 and 4 mile runs
were now taking place regularly, as many as
3 or 4 times a week. Occasionally a 5 or 6 mile
run was attempted just to try something a little
different and see how my body withstood the
pressure.
 My
regular route along Felixstowe's promenade was
mixed in with runs towards the golf course in
Old Felixstowe. This provided useful practice
in avoiding hooked and sliced golf balls, as
I was already an expert in avoiding dog shit
and in need of a fresh challenge.
|
Sun
20th Jan
Trimley Villages
10.1 miles
1:37:59
9:32/mile |
12
weeks to Race Day
And
so begins my daily diary. This was by far the
longest run I have attempted so far, but I thought
now was the time to push myself a little and
see how I stood up to a longer distance. The
weather was a little windy but cloudy and cool
which was useful. The route was new and it really
helped to be exploring new territory which could
keep my mind off the tiredness.
I
made it to 5 miles which was the distance I
had decided to reach before turning back. I
felt surprisingly good, although I had taken
it easy for this first long distance effort.
A little voice in the back of my mind was egging
me on to run even further. Maybe make it to
6.5 miles then if you make it back alive you
will have finished a half marathon? I was tempted,
but then reminded myself of the 5 miles back
home and the uncertainty of how I would be feeling
then. Sense prevailed and I turned around and
headed home.
I
kept a similar steady pace, and my lungs seemed
to cope very well. My legs were getting tired
towards the end however. Particularly my knees
which were not used to such constant pounding
for over an hour and a half. I made it back
home, with an average pace of 9:44/mile. The
sobering thought was that my dream time for
the marathon of 4 hours would need me to run
faster than that and for more than twice as
long. Suddenly the target is not looking so
achievable.
|
Mon
21st Jan
Old Felixstowe
3.6 miles
31:47
8:48/mile |
This
morning my knees were really suffering and I was
walking around like I had just had a hard weekend
at an Amsterdam brothel. Should I rest or just
go for a short run? Hmm, I decided to go out as
I wanted a rest on Tuesday night to watch the
football (Liverpool v Man Utd).
I
ran steadily at first, not wanting to punish my
knees too much for giving me that funny walk for
the whole day. They loosened a little towards
the end but it was good to finish and know that
they would now get a good rest for a couple of
days before my next planned run on Wednesday.
|
Tue
22nd Jan
Rest day |
The
rest was good, especially as Liverpool beat Man
Utd. My knees are feeling a little friendlier,
and my walk is almost as straight as Charlie Chaplin's
now. |
Wed
23rd Jan
Fxstowe
Streets
4.7 miles
39:30
8:25/mile |
Well
my knees were 99% recovered this morning, so
it was time to push it a little again. I ran
around various Felixstowe streets, almost getting
lost at one point but then rather fortuitously
coming across a familiar roundabout that saved
the day.
The
busy streets forced me to wait to cross one
road, not something I had been used to with
my regular sea front jogs. I am rather ashamed
and embarassed to admit that I did the annoying
'jog on the spot' at the side of the road. I
know, I know, where did my dignity go?
Despite
this blow to my social confidence, I continued
to cover almost 5 miles and managed to keep
up a fairly decent pace. My right ankle was
a little sore by the end, for anyone gaining
enjoyment from my various injuries.
|
Thu
24th Jan
Old Felixstowe
4.2 miles
33:43
8:00/mile |
Another
reasonable run at a good pace. Today's unfortunate
affliction was a phlegm build-up causing
me to periodically cough like a cat with a hair-ball
problem.
|
Fri
25th Jan
Rest day |
This
one was a bit of an unplanned rest day. I was
very busy during the day and the weather outside
was terrible so, like a pathetic excuse of a man,
I decided not to go out.
|
Sat
26th Jan
Track Training |
It
is apparently good for the leg muscles to run
at a variety of paces, and not to just plod along
every run at the same speed. So as part of the
marathon build-up it is recommended to do speed
training where you maybe run fast for a minute
then walk/recover for 3 minutes, then run fast
again etc.
Not
wishing to look like a crazed idiot running through
Felixstowe fast, then walking, then fast again
etc. I do this kind of training at the local running
track in order to retain what is left of my dignity.
|
Sun
27th Jan
Trimley Villages
10.3 miles
1:31:02
8:51/mile |
11
weeks to Race Day
Today
saw the debut of my skimpy little ultra-short
running shorts. I have refrained from wearing
them thus far, for fear of causing heart palpitations
in Felixstowe's female population who line the
streets on my runs. The last thing I need is
more female attention, and my running may well
suffer if I have a bunch of groupies following
me on my runs with their zimmer frames and electric
buggies.
In
a shrewd and inspired tactical move, I took
to the streets in my new attire mid-morning
when any potential followers were inside the
local churches for their weekly worship. Without
this distraction, I managed a very good pace
for my second 10 mile run, managing to run faster
than my target marathon pace which has given
me a bit of a psychological boost.
|
Mon
28th Jan
Rest day |
Learning
from past mistakes, I will be spending the day
taking good care of my delicate knees after yesterday's
long run.
|
Tue
29th Jan
Sea Front
2.6 miles
20:20
7:55/mile |
A
disappointing run today as I had to stop mid-way
because of pains in my shins. It usually gets
better very quickly so I'll be out again tomorrow,
although I might take it a little easier at first.
|
Wed
30th Jan
Sea Front
4.0 miles
38:12
9:31/mile |
Today's
run coincided with the high tide, with waves splashing
up onto the path at some points along the route.
I followed the golden rule that all men follow
when walking into the toilets of a nightclub -
avoiding the wet patches on the floor to protect
myself from harm.
I
took things very easy after yesterday's troubles,
and managed to finish the run this time although
with a little soreness in my knees and shins.
In fact, I was running so slowly that I almost
broke into one of those annoying fast walker bum-wiggles
at one point. I just have to keep telling myself
that what I lose in self-respect I am gaining
in fitness.
|
Thur
31st Jan
Rest day |
Time
to ease the pain, if only for a day.
|
Fri
1st Feb
Old Felixstowe
4.0 miles
38:41
9:35/mile |
It
was a real adventure today. I was slowed for the
first half by my dodgy knees and shins again,
but those ailments recovered by the end. On the
home stretch along Felixstowe's promenade, however,
there was such a fierce wind that I was almost
doing my 'jog on the spot' again. To make matters
worse there was a mini sandstorm that forced me
to duck behind some beach huts at one point. Perhaps
the worse part though was the wind blowing up
my cheeks like I was in one of those space shuttle
flight simulators experiencing 50G's of force.
Slobber was dripping from my mouth like a Saint
Bernard dog. Oh, the shame of it all.
|
Sat
2nd Feb
Track Training |
More
speed training today. Just to give you an idea
of how fast/slow I am, I can run 100m in about
16 seconds (the men's world record is just under
10 seconds) and 400m in around 75 seconds (the
record is around 43 seconds). |
Sun
3rd Feb
Trimley Villages
10.0 miles
1:28:52
8:53/mile |
10
weeks to Race Day
I
am not trying anything new with my weekly long
run at the moment, just getting my legs used to
it really. I managed the 10 miles at an almost
identical pace to last time, but my body feels
better each week after the run.
I know you are dying to ask and, yes, I did wear
the short shorts again.
Incidentally, the shorts have a tight inner lining
that is designed to hold men in place without
the need for wearing any other underwear. This
gives an ever so slightly naughty feeling that
you are running naked through the streets. I can
highly recommend it. |
Mon
4th Feb
Rest day |
|
Tue
5th Feb
Old Felixstowe
4.2 miles
39:35
9:27/mile |
A
steady pace to aid recovery from Sunday's run.
No specific injuries to report, only a general
feeling that each of my legs was pulling along
a 2-ton weight. And it felt like the weights were
attached to my shins and knees by tightly wrapped
razor wire. Other than that though, I feel great.
|
Wed
6th Feb
Sea Front
4.0 miles
32:03
8:01/mile |
For
a change I ran at lunchtime today, and it was
beautiful. The sun was shining, the birds were
singing, and Felixstowe's topless sunbathers were
out in force on the beach. Well, maybe I am exaggerating
a little bit. I kept a 8 minute per mile
pace too which is the best I have managed at this
distance for a while. |
Thu
7th Feb
Rest day |
|
Fri
8th Feb
Old Felixstowe
4.1 miles
32:05
7:51/mile |
I
was a picture of masculinity today - with sweat
dripping from my face, my cheeks blowing in and
out, and my testicles manfully swaying from side
to side. This route is usually tougher than the
sea front because there are a few hills (although
hills here in Suffolk are nothing like the hills
in the north of England). However, the rest from
yesterday had done me the world of good and I
managed my best ever time for this route. |
Sat
9th Feb
Track Training
|
Some
uneventful speed training on the track. |
Sun
10th Feb
Trimley Villages
12.5 miles
1:51:35
8:55/mile |
9
weeks to Race Day
9
weeks doesn't seem very far away, so it's time
to increase the length of my weekly long run.
Afterwards I didn't feel any extra pains to those
I usually experience after my normal 10 mile run
which was a bit of a bonus. I am slowly forgetting
what it is like for my legs to feel no pain at
all. |
Mon
11th Feb
Rest day |
|
Tue
12th Feb
Rest day |
I
feel a little guilty about missing my run today.
I had a busy day and just didn't have the time.
Maybe the 2 days off will do me good though. |
Wed
13th Feb
Sea Front
4.0 miles
33:42
8:24/mile |
The
game for today was a mixture of 'dodge the dog',
'dodge the child' and 'dodge the group of gormless
tourists'. The combination of nice weather and
the school holidays meant that the sea front was
quite busy this lunch time.
I'll
start with the dogs. The first possibility is
that they are not on a lead and therefore running
wildly all over the place. If they decide not
to savage you then at the very least they cross
your path at some point, causing you to slow/stop/fall
on your arse. If they are on a lead then it is
usually very long and the dog will be on the far
right side of the path while their owner is walking
on the far left side of the path. The gap in between
is therefore a trip-wire for anyone wishing to
pass.
Now
onto children. A family of four is hogging the
whole of the promenade but I just see a small
opening in the line and decide to go for it. Unfortunately
the gap is at the side of a 4 year old child who
suddenly loses all sense of direction just as
I am about to go through the gap. Again the options
are slow/stop/fall on your arse, although if it
happens late enough the latter is your only option.
Finally
the tourists. A
group of 4 middle-aged people walking in front
of me. Not only do they block the whole path,
but just as I am about to take a chance on a slim
opening that has appeared....."Well Elspeth,
shall we just stop here in the middle of the path
for no reason at all?" "Ooh yes Elsie,
that sounds like a lovely idea." Maybe I
am not giving them enough credit. It is possible
that they were using their make-up case as a rear-view
mirror - "Well Elspeth, that runner is almost
right behind us now. Let's stop suddenly and see
what happens." "Ooh yes Elsie, that
sounds like a lovely idea."
Don't
worry, my rant is over. Luckily I managed to escape
this run without injury, but only just.
|
Thu
14th Feb
Old Felixstowe
4.1 miles
34:00
8:12/mile |
I
went out slightly later today and managed to miss
the crowds along the sea front. Today's adventure
was a burst water pipe that sent a stream of water
rushing down one road along my route. I ended
up getting a little wet running through it, but
thankfully avoided being splashed by passing cars.
I was hoping that it was only a fresh-water supply
pipe that had burst, but it was hard to tell.
|
Fri
15th Feb
Old Felixstowe
4.4 miles
34:02
7:46/mile |
The
good news is that I put on my best pace yet for
this route. The bad news is that there was a brown
and yellow residue where yesterday's burst pipe
had been causing a flood. Looks like I'd better
wash my running shoes tonight.
|
Sat
16th Feb
Track Training |
I
am not getting much faster at this speed training,
but I am at least getting a little less tired
afterwards.
|
Sun
17th Feb
I'm not quite sure
15.9 miles
2:25:01
9:06/mile |
8
weeks to Race Day
I
had a very long run today. Partly because I wanted
to increase the distance and partly because I
became spectacularly lost at one point. I decided
to take some new routes that I came across and
on the whole it was a very good idea as I had
some new scenery and new terrain to pass over.
However, at some stage I reached a sign that said
'Welcome to Falkenham'. I have lived in this area
for 3 years and never have I heard of this village,
let alone seen it on any map. A long way from
home, very tired, and wearing only short shorts
and a thin t-shirt, it was time to turn around
and attempt to retrace my steps. Thankfully I
reached civilisation again and just about managed
to make it home although the extra few miles really
punished me today.
|
Mon
18th Feb
Rest day |
Time
to practice the funny walk again.
|
Tue
19th Feb
Sea Front
4.1 miles
35:36
8:45/mile |
Just
a gentle run to smooth out my creaky knees today.
If you have ever wondered how I always seem to
know the distance I have run even when I don't
know where I have been (see Sunday 17th February)
the answer is that I have a Nike
sdm[triax 100 watch. This gives me accurate
speed and distance information while I run and
I can highly recommend it. |
Wed
20th Feb
Golf Course
6.2 miles
50:44
8:14/mile |
Another
rather embarrassing problem of mine surfaced today
after I set out on my run a little too soon after
lunch. You may be familiar with food and fluids
sloshing around in your stomach sometimes, but
unfortunately I am not blessed with such conventional
noises. My belly gives out a kind of slosh/growl/groan
combination that sounds like I am eking out a
sly fart with every step I take. I tried to conceal
it as I passed people with a few coughs, but I
think that may have made matters worse. Never
mind, at least I managed a reasonable pace over
6 miles today. I am trying to stretch some of
my mid-week runs a little further now so it was
pleasing that I kept up the pace, even with my
dodgy tummy. |
Thu
21st Feb
Sea Front
4.1 miles
30:47
7:35/mile |
Today
I put on my best pace ever for a 4 mile run. It
was all a bit bizarre really. Before I set off
there were a few injury worries - my knees were
a little sore as usual, my shins were slightly
tender, and just for a little variety I had woken
up with an ankle injury too. The ankle was worrying
me the most actually as it hurt when I walked
on it. Anyway, as soon as I set off on the run
all of these injuries miraculously went away and
I had a storming session. Apart, that is, from
the phlegm-cough problem that came up again. Where
was it yesterday when I really needed it? |
Fri
22nd Feb
Rest day |
Time
to take it easy today I think, especially as my
legs are feeling a little weary and I want to
be in good shape for my training over the weekend.
Regular
readers may be interested to know that this diary
is now being featured on the Justgiving web site.
They even left in the word 'testicles' which I
was very shocked about. Anyway, you can see their
feature here.
|
Sat
23rd Feb
Track Training |
This
track session didn't go very well. I had a few
decent sprints and then lost motivation. I think
it was partly because the wind was so strong at
times that I was hardly moving and it was really
taking my breath away. I'm a bit of a softie like
that. |
Sun
24th Feb
Trimley Villages
14.9 miles
2:12:39
8:52/mile |
7
weeks to Race Day
A
new addition to my training for today was a 'Runner's
Water Bottle'. I felt quite dehydrated last Sunday
towards the end of my run, so this at least gives
me some water through the 2 hours. It turns out
to be inappropriately named, however, as it seems
suitable for drinking during practically any activity
other than running. You have to go at the bottle
like a porn star - sucking and squeezing until
you are blue in the face and your knuckles are
white - just to get a teaspoon of fluid out of
the thing.
There
is another downside too - namely that the extra
fluid brings with it the need to go to the toilet.
And as the bottle gets emptier the water sloshes
around more and more, increasing
the desire to relieve yourself in full public
view. Leaving my tribulations with the water bottle
to one side, this was a good run and I was very
pleased with a decent pace over almost 15 miles.
|
Mon
25th Feb
Rest day
|
Time
to relax after yesterday's exertions. Maybe I
should rent an adult movie to pick up some tips
on my water bottle technique.
|
Tue
26th Feb
Sea Front
4.1 miles
33:38
8:10/mile |
I
ran about 7 minutes per mile for half of this
run while the wind was behind me, then 9 minutes
per mile for the rest as I battled against the
strong winds. |
Wed
27th Feb
Golf Course
6.0 miles
53:32
8:52/mile |
A
run through the golf course again. This really
is a dangerous route as the road is quite narrow
and has a 60 mph limit for cars and no pavement
for me. This leaves me running into oncoming traffic
who have varying degrees of courtesy. At one extreme
is the friendly driver who gives me a nice wave
and a generous car width of space. At the other
end is the driver who leaves me an extra inch
over my body width and no doubt swears and curses
at me from inside the car. Combined with the 12th
hole tee shot that crosses the road at its point
of maximum velocity, this run certainly keeps
you on your toes.
Ironically
enough it was neither the cars nor the golf balls
that almost floored me today.
The wind really was incredible - I reached the
3 mile point feeling quite good but then as soon
as I turned around the wind was blowing me back
so hard that I could hardly move. I looked like
a bad mime trying to run but without going anywhere.
I'll have to find some white gloves for next time
and maybe some of the car drivers will throw me
some loose change rather than just laughing at
me.
|
Thu
28th Feb
Rest day |
Time
to contemplate the meaning of it all. |
Fri
1st Mar
Old Felixstowe
4.2 miles
32:25
8:39/mile |
At
least the wind wasn't...well...windy today. But
it still felt to be a little bit of a struggle
and I don't feel to have had a very good week
of training altogether. |
Sat
2nd Mar
Bike ride |
Following
my poor track session last weekend and my lack
of motivation most of this week I tried to vary
things a little with a bike ride. I went around
6 or 7 miles but it didn't feel to be as much
of a workout as my usual track training. |
Sun
3rd Mar
Trimley Villages
14.9 miles
2:09:21
8:39/mile |
6
weeks to Race Day
Well
after a poor week, weather-wise and motivation-wise,
things seemed to come together nicely today. I
had my best ever pace for my weekly long run,
and the sun even shined for a little while too.
Even a seagull with diarrhoea couldn't spoil things.
I noticed it up on a lamp post I was about to
run under, then all of a sudden there was a blanket
of a thick white substance that passed within
inches of my eyes. It was so close that I almost
discovered what bird shit actually smells of.
Remarkably
the trajectory of the poo defied the laws of physics
and seemed to travel in front of me, just landing
in front of my fast moving feet. Perhaps it was
repelled by my body-odour force field.
|
Mon
4th Mar
Rest day |
|
Tue
5th Mar
Old Felixstowe
4.1 miles
34:26
8:22/mile |
My
problems today were a little delicate in nature.
First of all my underwear began (please pardon
the expression) riding up my arse, and then later
(again please pardon the expression) my balls
started to itch. All of this was most uncomfortable
and very difficult to put right in a discrete
manner. Any passer-by would no doubt have been
horrified at the sight of me running down the
street scratching at my crotch and my bum. Mental
note: wear more comfortable undies next time.
Despite these difficulties, it felt to be a good
run to start the week with. |
Wed
6th Mar
Gulpher Road
5.8 miles
50:32
8:39/mile |
This
run came too soon after mealtime and inevitably
lead to a sloshing and growling stomach again.
Just to spice things up my lunch wasn't content
at making weird noises, but this time it wanted
out into the open through the most convenient
route. This gave me cause for concern throughout
the run as the feeling went from a desperate need
for the toilet to the desperate need to hurl up
on the floor. The latter option, although inconvenient,
would not be a run-stopper. The first possibility,
however, I dare not even contemplate. Mercifully
I made it home just in time to prevent what would
have been a messy and embarrassing mishap. !
|
Thu
7th Mar
Sea Front
3.9 miles
30:58
7:57/mile |
After
a clean bill of dental health this afternoon,
what better way to celebrate than with a run along
the sea front with the sun slowly setting on a
beautiful day. And to top it all off I only passed
2 dogs along the entire sea front - a record low
since my training began. |
Fri
8th Mar
Speed training
|
Due
to time constraints I had to do my speed training
away from the track today. Half the people I walked
passed must have thought I was just dressed in
running gear as a fashion statement, whereas the
half that I sprinted passed must have thought
I had just robbed the local post office. |
Sat
9th Mar
Rest
day |
|
Sun
10th Mar
Leicestershire
15.0 miles
2:10:37
8:42/mile |
5
weeks to Race Day
I
was staying with my parents this weekend which
gave some new surroundings for my weekly long
run. My preparation was not the best as I had
spent nearly 5 hours on a train the night before
for a journey that should have only taken about
an hour (thank you Virgin Trains). I suppose it
is all good experience though in case things go
wrong before the race. At least it did not seem
to affect my performance too much.
The
highlight of today's run was seeing two people
in full fluorescent running gear stumbling out
of a field on a quiet country lane. They were
looking rather bemused and asked me if I knew
where they were. Let's face it, the odds were
really against them here. I had got horribly lost
in a town I have lived in for 3 years only a couple
of weeks ago, and here I was in an unfamiliar
place with people asking me where
they were! If only they knew. However,
by some freak of nature I did remember the name
of the village and shared my wisdom.
|
Mon
11th Mar
Rest day |
|
Tue
12th Mar
Sea Front
3.9 miles
28:59
7:22/mile |
I
had a very fast run today. I tried a new tactic
but I am not sure whether it resulted in my good
performance or whether I was just in the right
mood for a quick one today. Just before I left
I was in need of the toilet, but then thought
maybe I should just go without and it would motivate
me to run faster, knowing that glorious relief
awaited me on my return home. I don't think I'll
risk this for the marathon as I very much doubt
I could hold it in for a full 4 hours, but it
might be worth a second try to test out the theory.
|
Wed
13th Mar
Old Felixstowe
4.1 miles
36:22
8:48/mile |
I
was a bit sluggish today, partially due to more
high winds along the sea front and also because
I didn't have a full bladder to spur me on. However,
the slow run did give me the chance to consider
other ways of making me run faster, following
on from yesterday's quick performance. The problem
is that I am struggling to find 'safe' motivational
tools. I had thought about leaving the iron on
face down on the ironing board, but no matter
how fast I run I fear that it would actually burn
my entire house down. I'll have to keep thinking.
|
Thu
14th Mar
Rest day |
|
Fri
15th Mar
Gulpher Road
6.0 miles
52:12
8:44/mile |
An
extra couple of miles today as I feel a little
guilty about missing yesterday. There was a strong
wind and some huge waves on the seafront, so I
tried to mainly run inland for a bit more shelter.
My left ankle and foot were giving me problems
today, and my big toe on the same foot is also
hurting quite a bit. There's a bruise developing
on it for some reason, but I can't for the life
of me remember dropping anything particularly
heavy on it. |
Sat
16th Mar
Speed Training |
I
seem to have developed something of a phobia of
the running track recently, so I did my speed
training in Felixstowe again this week. I just
jogged through the populated areas and left my
sprinting to the more quiet parts of the route
to attract the least attention. When I begin my
sprints I look like a refined athlete, gracefully
gliding through the air. However, 15 seconds into
the sprints my arms and legs begin flailing in
all directions and I probably look quite a sight.
But who needs dignity? |
Sun
17th Mar
Gulpher/Trimley
15.0 miles
2:10:46
8:43/mile |
4
weeks to Race Day
Well
now that this one is over I only have 3 more long
runs to do before the race itself. I can't say
I'm disappointed either - I think my motivational
peak arrive many weeks ago and I am now at the
point where I just want to make it to the race
without injury and get it all over and done with.
The bruise on my big toe is still growing, but
it didn't cause an unbearable amount of pain today
thankfully. |
Mon
18th Mar
Rest day |
I
received the final marathon programme in the post
today. What particularly stood out for me was
an advert for a well known brand of diarrhoea
tablet, referring to the horrendous sounding problem
of 'Runners Trots'. No, this isn't when you lose
your running stride and begin skipping and trotting
along like a horse. This is the much more embarrassing
problem of desperately needing a shit in the middle
of a run. This one has got me really scared now,
particularly after the events of Wednesday 6th
March (see further below). A few sleepless nights
ahead I think. |
Tue
19th Mar
Old Felixstowe
4.2 miles
38:14
9:10/mile |
Perfect
conditions for running again today, but the problem
I had was lethargy after I arrived home from work.
I did manage to drag myself out though, and decided
just to take it at a very steady pace. Good job
too as I couldn't have gone much faster. I seem
to be quite sluggish at the start of the week,
so the Sunday runs are obviously taking a lot
more out of me than I realise. Just a quick update
on the big toe. The bruise seems to have halted
its spread halfway across the nail. It still hurts
but feels to be on the mend so hopefully it should
improve over the coming days. If the big toe nail
actually falls off I'll be sure to auction it
here in the name of charity. |
Wed
20th Mar
Old
Felixstowe
4.2 miles
32:40
7:50/mile |
My
toe hurt more today than yesterday. But in terms
of running performance, what a difference a day
makes. I felt far better today, possibly because
I ran in the morning and so did not have the chance
to get tired throughout the day. The nail is getting
blacker so if you haven't already sponsored me
then you may want to do so now, or else I might
just print a picture of it on this site. |
Thu
21st Mar
Gulpher Road
6.1 miles
50:19
8:18/mile |
The
first day of spring and it felt pretty hot out
there. I started off well, but then started to
think about how it had been a while since I had
any problems with my shins. Of course I then began
to feel them burning - I think it must all be
in the mind. If only I'd have left that iron on
I'd have had other things to think about. Anyway,
as my mind wandered the pain subsided and I was
able to complete the 6 miles in a pretty decent
time. |
Fri
22nd Mar
Sea Front
4.0 miles
31:13
7:50/mile |
Another
good pace for today's run. |
|
Sat
23rd Mar
Speed Training
|
I
had rather an uneasy combination to contend with
today - a few drinks last night, not much sleep,
and a big breakfast in the morning. Surprisingly
the speed session went fairly well, and only twice
did I feel like that breakfast and last nights'
drinks were going to get another look at the outside
world. |
Sun
24th Mar
Everywhere
20.8 miles
3:07:37
9:00/mile
|
3
weeks to Race Day
I
thought I would step up my distance to 20 miles
for today so I had at least experienced something
in between 15 miles and the full marathon distance.
To make up the distance I needed to bolt together
all of my other routes and it worked out quite
well. Apart from all the tourists on the sea front,
and all the stray balls and speeding cars on the
golf course, and all the exhaust fumes through
the Trimley Villages.
The
strangest sight of the day was a group of young
people on the sea front carrying a massive wooden
cross on their backs. I considered telling them
that Sunday was supposed to be a day of rest,
but then thought better of it. Anyhow, I made
it through the extra 5 miles although it definitely
felt tougher than the previous 15. At least I
can have a bit of confidence now that I have been
through 20 miles and been able to survive and
keep up a satisfactory pace. |
Mon
25th Mar
Tue
26th Mar
Wed
27th Mar
Rest days |
I
was away for these three days and did not get
the chance to go running. I feel a little guilty
about missing 3 days so close to the marathon,
but at least it will give me time to properly
recover from Sunday's run. |
Thu
28th Mar
Gulpher Road
6.1 miles
50:19
8:18/mile |
I
was back in action today with a reasonable performance
out in the sunshine. The big toe appears to
be on the mend now, but I have counted a total
of 4 problems with my feet - with only 1 of
them actually being caused by running.
- Left
foot big toe - As I have mentioned many
times this became bruised and ugly looking
as if I had dropped something on it, even
though I cannot remember any such incident.
Status: Improving
- Left
foot 2nd toe - Small bruise developing
below the nail where I stubbed the toe on
a door. Status: Bruise still developing
- Right
foot middle toe - Surface above the nail
is sore from the 20 mile run on Sunday. Status:
Beginning to harden
- Right
foot heel - Skin has been rubbed away
by some new shoes I have been wearing. Status:
Still fresh and painful
Clearly
I need to take better care of my feet over the
next 2 weeks.
|
Fri
29th Mar
Sea Front
5.9 miles
52:50
8:53/mile |
An
early morning run today that brings several problems
with it. Not only is my body tired and stiff,
but the sores on my feet are also aggravated just
as they were beginning to heal. The early start
also means lots of people out walking their dogs
- just one woman alone had 6 or 7 with her which,
quite frankly, I think is a bit excessive. I have
now realised the strategy I should have taken
all those months ago when my training began to
prevent attention from all these dogs - I should
have had a dog of my own to run with. Not that
I am particularly a dog lover (I bet you hadn't
guessed), but I notice how dogs never bother another
dog owner because they are far too busy either
sniffing the other dog's arse or snarling at it
like a mortal enemy. |
Sat
30th Mar
Leeds
3.9 miles
32:10
8:17/mile |
I
am away for the weekend and so Leeds provided
some new surroundings for today. I had a brief
run around the ring road, which went pretty well
apart from almost choking on the exhaust fumes.
The juicy blister on my right foot middle toe
has now been rather satisfyingly popped and drained.
|
Sun
31st Mar
Leeds
19.8 miles
3:01:27
9:10/mile
|
2
weeks to Race Day
My
second (and last) 20 mile run today, but this
time it was around Leeds. I needed my wits about
me during the first mile as I almost ended up
with a face full of spit from a guy walking along
in front. First of all I heard him make a snorting
noise as he built up a good thick mixture in his
mouth. I then knew I was in trouble as I was about
to pass him during the next phase - the 'gobbing-on-the-floor'
phase. Wisely I slowed briefly, allowing just
enough time for the phlegm to hit the ground in
front of me before I passed him.
With
that adventure over, there was more to come. I
took a detour to run around a reservoir but ended
up wading through muddy footpaths for a while
as the route didn't turn out to be as straightforward
as I had hoped. And yes, I thought I was lost
for a while, but soon pulled through with some
inspired navigational skills. I wasn't too pleased
with the average pace for this run, but given
the slow muddy sections and also the several hills
that I had to climb, I suppose it will do. The
consolation is that this is my last very long
run, as next weekend I'm lowering the mileage
down to 10 miles to save my energy for the race
itself.
|
Mon
1st Apr
Rest
day |
|
Tue
2nd Apr
Sea Front
4.0 miles
31:07
7:43/mile |
A
good start to the penultimate week of my build
up to the marathon. Training will be slowing down
a lot next week but I am going to try to keep
some steady short runs going for this week. |
Wed
3rd Apr
Old Felixstowe
6.2 miles
52:53
8:34/mile |
The
weather was hot and I was a little sluggish today.
I kept myself going by practicing my runner's
"Hi"s though. This is a secret greeting
exchanged between runners who pass each other
on their route. As the two runners approach, their
eyes briefly meet before moving back down towards
the ground. On passing you have two options -
either to keep looking down or to look up again
at the oncoming runner. This latter move is inviting
a greeting to be initiated by the other runner,
and may be accompanied by a brief smile.
At
this point the other runner may ignore you and
proceed (and now be labelled a 'snooty runner')
or smile back and encourage you to give a cheery
"Hi!" as you pass (and forever be known
as a 'friendly runner'). I had one of each today
but, to be fair, the snooty runner was perspiring
rather heavily so I am not sure if he could have
even managed a grunt.
|
Thu
4th Apr
Speed Training |
My
final speed training session today, along the
Felixstowe coast. The sections of walking in between
the sprinting gave me a chance to practise my
walker's "Hi". On passing people out
walking their dogs I managed a cheery "Good
evening!" from one 'friendly walker', and
a "Hello" from a 'Why are you saying
hello to me?' walker.
|
Fri
5th Apr
Rest day |
A
welcome rest day and time to give you the latest
status of my feet, as I am sure you must be
desperate for an update.
- Left
foot big toe - Bruise has maintained its
size (covering about 80% of the toe nail)
but is thankfully not giving any pain at present
- Left
foot 2nd toe - Small bruise has vanished
and this little piggy is now giving me no
problems
- Right
foot middle toe - The blister has now
healed, but I am left with a different problem.
The adhesive from the sticky plasters I have
been using is attracting all the fluff from
my socks and no matter how much I wash the
toe it will not go away. The toe has a bit
of an Afro going on at the moment but is causing
me no pain
- Right
foot heel - Rubbed away skin is starting
to heel, still protected by a plaster during
runs
- new!
Right foot big toe - A bruise is building
up that is a mirror image of the one on my
left foot big toe. This one is only covering
about 10% of the toe so far but it is slowly
spreading. It is not giving any pain so I
am wondering if they are caused by some kind
of friction with my running shoes or the adjacent
toe
|
Sat
6th Apr
Trimley Villages
10.2 miles
1:26:47
8:30/mile |
My
final long run today, and I can honestly say that
after my 15 and 20 mile runs this 10 mile one
felt like I had hardly been any distance at all!
When I think back to 3 months ago when I first
ran this distance, I realise how much I have developed
since then. Sure, I still have some aches and
pains after this run, but back in January I was
walking like Charlie Chaplin for days afterwards.
And also my pace today was over a minute a mile
faster.
|
Sun
7th Apr
Old Felixstowe
4.7 miles
41:35
8:46/mile |
1
week to Race Day
Just
one week to go, and a gentle run to loosen the
limbs after yesterday. The plan for the rest of
this week is to have just 2 more runs before the
race - one on Tuesday then the last on Thursday.
Plenty of rest to conserve my energy and to ease
the strain on my various niggling injuries before
the race.
|
Mon
8th Apr
Rest day |
|
Tue
9th Apr
Sea Front
4.0 miles
36:32
9:13/mile |
I
was a bit apprehensive about today's run because
I have picked up a thigh strain that is causing
some discomfort. It started right at the end of
Sunday's run and has unfortunately
lingered around somewhat. So I ran cautiously
today, trying not to aggravate it too much. I
could feel a small amount of pain but nothing
too bad, so hopefully the next few days will give
it enough time to heal properly. Just one more
run planned now before the race itself - it will
be nice to give my legs a decent rest.
|
Wed
10th Apr
Rest day |
|
Thu
11th Apr
Sea Front
4.0 miles
35:21
8:47/mile |
Well
this was it - my last training run before the
marathon. It felt a little weird to think that
the next time I would be running would be in the
middle of London with 26 miles ahead of me. Anyway,
onto the new injury. Today my thigh was considerably
better than on Tuesday, but there was still a
small nagging doubt in the back of my mind as
if at any moment it could suddenly begin to cause
me a lot of problems. Hopefully the 2 day rest
will give it enough time to heal properly so that
it can endure 26 miles' worth of stresses and
strains on Sunday. |
Fri
12th Apr
Rest day |
As
my physical preparation for the marathon has
now come to a close, I think it is time to reflect
a little on the last few months and look ahead
to some of the challenges facing me on Sunday.
Progress
Over
the last 5 months I have really developed my
fitness a whole lot. I have run 20 miles twice,
and 15 miles 5 times. I wouldn't say that these
runs were comfortable, but I did handle them
at my marathon target pace. In terms of my endurance
and overall fitness I am confident of completing
the marathon within my 4 hour target time...
Uncertainties
...unless
a few of the uncertain factors come into play.
The first concern is how free flowing the crowd
of 30,000 runners will be at the start. If there
is congestion for the first mile or so then
this could add on several minutes and make achieving
the 4 hours a tougher task. At least this year
all official times are taken from the time each
runner crosses the start line to the time he/she
crosses the finish. This is achieved through
the use of an electronic chip implanted in the
brain. Or is it attached to the shoe-laces?
I forget, but the principle is the same. So
congestion in the queue to cross the start line
is not a problem as far as official timings
go, but congestion after the start line would
be.
Injuries
are another uncertain factor. My feet are still
in a bit of a bad way, but hopefully any pain
from them will be tolerable for a few hours.
My thigh problem is a bit more worrying, and
if that starts to give real pain then I may
be in trouble as that kind of problem cannot
be just ignored for 4 hours. There is also the
chance of picking up a new and exciting injury
along the way, but I'd rather not think about
that one.
Positives
If
I finish in around 4 hours I will be ecstatic.
However if I do not finish in that time, for
whatever reason, I will still have to be very
satisfied at having completed the distance.
I know that with all of my preparation I am
capable of running 26 miles in 4 hours, but
if it doesn't happen on the day then I should
still be proud at having reached that level
of fitness and being in a position to put in
that kind of performance. Of course just completing
the marathon will also be a terrific achievement
in terms of raising over £800 in sponsorship
for the NSPCC, and I know that everyone at the
charity and all of the children that the money
will help to keep safe will be very grateful.
|
Sat
13th Apr
Rest day |
Lies,
damned lies and statistics...
Here
are some (approximate) statistics. Over the
last 5 months of training I
have...
- run
420 miles in around 62 hours
which is an average pace of 8:49/mile
- London
to Paris is around 210 miles
- San
Francisco to San Diego is around 460 miles
- thought
about sex 31,783 times whilst running
- had
to re-arrange my testicles mid-run 216
times
- ran
past 200 dogs
- had
a funny walk for the last 150 days
- had
80 post-run showers
- exchanged
14 runner's "Hi"s
- drank
10 litres of Lucozade Sport
- had
10 different injuries
- been
laughed at 8 times
- jogged
on the spot 7 times
- almost
vomited whilst running 4 times
- been
completely lost 3 times
- changed
the batteries in my speed monitor twice
- drank
2 litres of water from my runners'
water bottle
- almost
been spat on once
- almost
been hit by bird shit once
- stepped
in 0 piles of dog shit
|
