Marathon disappointment

Today's gentle training run turned into a disaster. My Achilles heel was sore from the off and after 8k my right calf pulled again. And I was only jogging a I'm still recovering from last week's Adidas Half Marathon. I think that probably ends my London Marathon ambitions for this year. I'm hugely disappointed as I'll have to go back into the lottery for a place in 2009. So, my next race will now the the Darenth Valley 10k in May. I've never run that race before, but it's local and even though the course undulates, there are some long hill stretches, so that should be fun!

2,375th

I made it! I came a splendid 2,375^th out of over 4,800 runners in Sunday’s Adidas Silverstone Half Marathon. I was pleased with my time of 1 hour 57 minutes 53 seconds – a couple of minutes inside my target time of 2 hours. Although it was cold on the day, the weather wasn’t too bad, but it did get quite windy during the second half of the race. There was a great atmosphere at the start of the race – there always is – but running round the track meant there weren’t many spectators, nor much encouragement, as the race went along. It certainly wasn’t as much fun as the Bath Half Marathon last year. Nevertheless, I’m glad I did it as now my sights turn to the big one – The London Marathon in just five weeks time. At the moment I’m still thinking I’ll be doing it, but I’ll need to get a gentle 25k training run in this weekend, and a 30k run next weekend to be sure. I have moderated my target time though. Realistically I haven’t done enough road running to seriously go at 4 hours 15 minutes, so I’m settling for a target of 5 hours.

FInal preparations

I haven’t been doing much running recently. I’ve been doing quite a few miles on my bikes, but have been trying to protect my delicate calves so that I can at least have a shot at the London Marathon. I’ve only managed one or two runs a week for the past couple of months. I abandoned my target of 4 hours for the marathon some while back when I realised training wasn’t going too well, however, with the Silverstone Half Marathon looming I thought I’d better see how things were. So this morning I jogged my 8k circuit twice and managed the 16k in a pretty steady 1 hour 30. My average pace was 5.37 per km, which is well within two hours for the half marathon. And no injuries or twinges! Silverstone, here I come!

Training Update

Unfortunately, I'm still not back out running following the slight calf muscle pull a couple of weeks ago. I did a gentle 12k last week and things were a little sore, but okay, however, since then both legs have been really stiff. I'm actually more concerned about the right achilles, which really doesn't seem to be healing. At least Christmas week is an excuse to take a little time off!

Half Marathon time

Saturday's half marathon training run in the gym was pretty successful. I had the treadmill on an incline to try a simulate street running, and I varied the pace quite a bit. I was getting tired towards the end, but nevertheless completed the distance in 1 hour 57 minutes and 34 seconds. That's over 5 minutes better than my previous best. No injuries, or niggles, just the continued stiffness in my right achiles in the mornings and for the first 1k of any run. I had a couple of days rest from running, then today I did a fast-ish 8k - 40 minutes (that's fast for me). Next run is Sunday when I plan an easy 15k, before raising the distances again for the following weeks, with a 22k and a 24k planned.

To run or not to run.....

It's the Wilmington 10k on Sunday, and I'm not sure whether to enter, or just go for a gentle training run. My leg were a little stiff after last Sunday's 10k and I haven't run since. Could be fun though and the weather looks like it'll be okay.

I've really suffered with leg injuries (calves mostly) over the past year. However, I now cycle much more and I've found that helps with fitness, but also seems to aid recovery from running. Doesn't help build the running miles I need to do to be ready for the London Marathon in April though.

I'll let you know whether or not I do the race on Sunday, but if you're there - look me up ;-)

It Took A Long Time, but I made it in the end

It’s now 5 years since I finally got motivated to do something about my weight. Over the course of the first year I managed to lose about 65 pounds. I did this through sensible eating, and a vigorous exercise regime. I feel good, and better than that I’ve managed to stay fit – although the doctors will probably tell me I could easily shed another 15 pounds or so. But hey, I’m fit, healthy and happy! And I think I buck the trend as a ‘fatty’ who has managed to keep the weight off.

It’s not easy though. I think I’m one of those people who is going to have a lifelong struggle with my weight, but doing the active things I enjoy (running, cycling and sports in general) gives me rather more scope than if I was leading a sedentary life style.

The next few months are really a steady build up to the London Marathon. Make no mistake, I don’t see myself as a marathon runner, but I do see the London Marathon as the culmination of my efforts. I don’t intend to make it a regular thing – the training regime is just too punishing for my fragile legs, but I have to do it just once. And the next one will be my last opportunity before I hit 50!

So pop back from time to time and check out my progress.