Tuesday, 29 April 2008
Next blog...
Have you ever clicked on the next blog link at the top of the page? I have and it's addictive, it's amazing what people blog about...go on, you know you want to!
Marathon marathon history
After running my 11th marathon this year I asked our club statto to remind me of my other performances...
13/04/08 33 London Marathon 04:43:46
22/04/07 32 London Marathon 05:28:46
18/03/07 31 Rome Marathon 04:55:05
09/04/06 31 Paris Marathon 04:29:13
10/04/05 30 Paris Marathon 04:11:16
18/04/04 29 London Marathon 04:36:45
04/04/04 29 Zurich Marthon 04:23:00
06/04/03 28 Paris Marathon 04:12:00
14/04/02 27 London Marathon 04:29:51
30/09/01 26 Berlin Marathon 04:51:24
22/04/01 26 London Marathon 04:41:52
certainly quite a range of times...wonder if I could ever do sub 4?
13/04/08 33 London Marathon 04:43:46
22/04/07 32 London Marathon 05:28:46
18/03/07 31 Rome Marathon 04:55:05
09/04/06 31 Paris Marathon 04:29:13
10/04/05 30 Paris Marathon 04:11:16
18/04/04 29 London Marathon 04:36:45
04/04/04 29 Zurich Marthon 04:23:00
06/04/03 28 Paris Marathon 04:12:00
14/04/02 27 London Marathon 04:29:51
30/09/01 26 Berlin Marathon 04:51:24
22/04/01 26 London Marathon 04:41:52
certainly quite a range of times...wonder if I could ever do sub 4?
Lazy blogger
Yes, I am a lazy blogger...tee hee.
So, how's it going post marathon then? Well, amazingly enough I am not feeling too tired and heavy legged (one week after the marathon I even managed the Flitwick 10k and a 13 mile cycle with fellow marathon blogger CMJ) and I've been training a couple of times. Probably time to get properly back into it though.
I had loads of good and virtuous plans for running at the weekend, I managed a lovely run on Saturday morning around the Mulligatawny course with my fellow NHRR-ites but sadly that was the end of my good running plans at the weekend as I joined the aforementioned NHRR-ites for a charity pub crawl on Saturday night. On the plus side we raised £100 for Roger's charity, I CAN. Also on the plus side I had a lovely evening. On the minus side I felt somewhat rough for a large part of Sunday. Silly girl, at my age I really should know better!
So, how's it going post marathon then? Well, amazingly enough I am not feeling too tired and heavy legged (one week after the marathon I even managed the Flitwick 10k and a 13 mile cycle with fellow marathon blogger CMJ) and I've been training a couple of times. Probably time to get properly back into it though.
I had loads of good and virtuous plans for running at the weekend, I managed a lovely run on Saturday morning around the Mulligatawny course with my fellow NHRR-ites but sadly that was the end of my good running plans at the weekend as I joined the aforementioned NHRR-ites for a charity pub crawl on Saturday night. On the plus side we raised £100 for Roger's charity, I CAN. Also on the plus side I had a lovely evening. On the minus side I felt somewhat rough for a large part of Sunday. Silly girl, at my age I really should know better!
Monday, 21 April 2008
SMARTer goals
In my previous post, I alluded to my goals for the next few months. Well, in order to acheive them they need to be more SMART. So, here goes:
1. Improve my 10k time by 5 minutes before the end of the summer season (let's say end of July). So let's start from my Flitwick 10k time of 58:57 and get it down to under 54 minutes. %-wise that means going from 50.74% to 55.45% (according to this age grading website)
2. In the New York marathon, (November 2nd) run sub 4:30. Ideally I'd be sub 4:20 but let's see how it goes and amend nearer the time!
3. By my sister's wedding (15 August) be more slim :-). I'm not going to reveal where I am starting from but:
3a x-10% by 22 June (that's 10 weeks after London marathon)
3b x-20% by 15 August
1. Improve my 10k time by 5 minutes before the end of the summer season (let's say end of July). So let's start from my Flitwick 10k time of 58:57 and get it down to under 54 minutes. %-wise that means going from 50.74% to 55.45% (according to this age grading website)
2. In the New York marathon, (November 2nd) run sub 4:30. Ideally I'd be sub 4:20 but let's see how it goes and amend nearer the time!
3. By my sister's wedding (15 August) be more slim :-). I'm not going to reveal where I am starting from but:
3a x-10% by 22 June (that's 10 weeks after London marathon)
3b x-20% by 15 August
Sunday, 20 April 2008
So, what next?
It's one week since the London Marathon and I've already moved on! It's amazing how you can spend all that time training for something and then just leave it behind like a peice of rubbish...
My legs were super sore until Thursday but otherwise I felt fine, not too tired at all which was a relief. On Thursday I started back at the gym and went for a 5 mile run and I felt fine and today I ran the Flitwick 10k. Not a great time (58:57) but I was very pleased with how I felt on the way round which is good.
So, what next? Well, this blog was ambiguously named so it can be a blog about training for a marathon or just a blog of marathon proportions. I think I will choose the latter, writing the blog does appear to have shamed me into some training...
And as far as running is concerned, Chris P hit the nail on the head with his comment about my training:
"Having followed your blog that was an amazing time of the back of that training. There is natural talent in there somewhere. Time you set yourself a single aim and targeted it and tried to stick with it.
It could be just to increase your age graded 10K result by a certain amount. Are you doing New York ?"
So that's it, to improve on my 10k % (well, basically my time) until July/August when I will start thinking about New York Marathon. Also, my sister is getting married in August and I'd like to be...erm...more slim by then. More over, more slim usually means more fast so let's give it a go!
My legs were super sore until Thursday but otherwise I felt fine, not too tired at all which was a relief. On Thursday I started back at the gym and went for a 5 mile run and I felt fine and today I ran the Flitwick 10k. Not a great time (58:57) but I was very pleased with how I felt on the way round which is good.
So, what next? Well, this blog was ambiguously named so it can be a blog about training for a marathon or just a blog of marathon proportions. I think I will choose the latter, writing the blog does appear to have shamed me into some training...
And as far as running is concerned, Chris P hit the nail on the head with his comment about my training:
"Having followed your blog that was an amazing time of the back of that training. There is natural talent in there somewhere. Time you set yourself a single aim and targeted it and tried to stick with it.
It could be just to increase your age graded 10K result by a certain amount. Are you doing New York ?"
So that's it, to improve on my 10k % (well, basically my time) until July/August when I will start thinking about New York Marathon. Also, my sister is getting married in August and I'd like to be...erm...more slim by then. More over, more slim usually means more fast so let's give it a go!
Monday, 14 April 2008
The day after...
So, how does it feel the day after running a marathon?
First, I find I don't sleep that well despite being really tired! I think it is a combination of adrenalin and my body complaining a lot at being pushed so hard. So today I feel a bit out of it.
The next thing is the legs. My quads are very sore, in fact they are painful to touch. I'm also pretty sore around my knees. I am staggering around the office like an old woman and walking downstairs is tricky. I feel a little like my legs will give in and collapse so I have been clinging to the handrail to make sure I don't tumble head first down the stairs. The biggest challenge I have had so far today is the stairs at Hitchin station when tryng to carry my folding bike...it was almost very nasty!
Finally, the chaffing. Yes, not a nice subject but 26.2 miles of running after being very drenched/attached by hailstones does have some unfortunate side effects. I found that my running top rubbed badly on my shoulders (that's never happened before) which was very painful as I got in the shower yesterday. Today these areas are very tender (aw, poor me!)
Otherwise, I feel fine! I managed my usual cycle to work with nowhere to sit on the train and I am currently wasting time writing this instead of working...my colleagues aren't very taken by all things marathon which is a bit disappointing but never mind!
First, I find I don't sleep that well despite being really tired! I think it is a combination of adrenalin and my body complaining a lot at being pushed so hard. So today I feel a bit out of it.
The next thing is the legs. My quads are very sore, in fact they are painful to touch. I'm also pretty sore around my knees. I am staggering around the office like an old woman and walking downstairs is tricky. I feel a little like my legs will give in and collapse so I have been clinging to the handrail to make sure I don't tumble head first down the stairs. The biggest challenge I have had so far today is the stairs at Hitchin station when tryng to carry my folding bike...it was almost very nasty!
Finally, the chaffing. Yes, not a nice subject but 26.2 miles of running after being very drenched/attached by hailstones does have some unfortunate side effects. I found that my running top rubbed badly on my shoulders (that's never happened before) which was very painful as I got in the shower yesterday. Today these areas are very tender (aw, poor me!)
Otherwise, I feel fine! I managed my usual cycle to work with nowhere to sit on the train and I am currently wasting time writing this instead of working...my colleagues aren't very taken by all things marathon which is a bit disappointing but never mind!
Sunday, 13 April 2008
I did it!
I finished in 4:43:46, here are my splits.
Initial thoughts:
I did what I wanted to which was to beat last year's Rome time of somewhere in the region of 4:55ish (I can't find out the exact time as I didn't write it down and the Rome Marathon website won't tell me)!
I did walk a little bit, mainly around water stations but nothing like the way I've had to walk in past marathons. I actually felt like I could keep running which is pretty rare for me
I slowed down in the second half of the race but it wasn't as bad as other races
I very much enjoyed it despite the driving rain and hailstones at times!
NHRR are good at supporting (so far I think NHRR are good at running, making food, eating and supporting!)
So basically I am pretty chuffed...and tired so I am off to clean up and rest now!
Initial thoughts:
So basically I am pretty chuffed...and tired so I am off to clean up and rest now!
Friday, 11 April 2008
Update on this week's tasks
Pre marathon dream
I thought I wasn't too nervous but maybe I am more nervous that I thought. Last night I dreamt that Gary and I stayed over in a hotel before the marathon (which is what we are doing!) and when I got my kitout in the morning I had Gary's running socks with me. Except in my dream his socks were enormous! Needless to say it was all very stressful sorting out the large sock problem, I ended up cutting them in half or something daft like that!
I'm loosing it...
I'm loosing it...
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
Things I need to remember to do this week
Tuesday, 8 April 2008
Marathon in the snow anyone?
After the weather of the past few weeks I am now pondering what running a marathon in the snow would be like? I've come to the conclusion it would suit me a lot more than any other kind of weather. I found the very hot weather from last year's marathon really unbearable and I've done 3 or 4 races where it's been very cold or snowy. The BBC weather forecast doesn't go as far as sunday yet but so far no sign of snow.
So, if it did snow, what would I do differently? I'd still wear my 3/4 length leggings, they are my kit of choice at the moment and I'd probably wear a long sleeve t shirt instead of a short sleeve one. My main worry would be that I'd be out there for a long time and I find I get cold the longer I am out there. A 3 hour marathon is 2 hours shorter than a 5 hour marathon after all. And if it was extreme I'd wear my gloves and my fleecy ear warmer.
So, I have a plan now, bring it on!
So, if it did snow, what would I do differently? I'd still wear my 3/4 length leggings, they are my kit of choice at the moment and I'd probably wear a long sleeve t shirt instead of a short sleeve one. My main worry would be that I'd be out there for a long time and I find I get cold the longer I am out there. A 3 hour marathon is 2 hours shorter than a 5 hour marathon after all. And if it was extreme I'd wear my gloves and my fleecy ear warmer.
So, I have a plan now, bring it on!
Monday, 7 April 2008
Getting a cold?
It's less than a week now until London (thank goodness it is almost here!). Unfortunatly I am not feeling great today which is a worry. I ran the XC yesterday but my legs didn't really fancy it. I put it down to a late night working on Wednesday, late night out on thursday and very early start on Saturday morning as I had to go to work then too. However, when I woke up this morning I still felt tired and pretty bunged up...looks like I need to remember to look after myself this week!
Saturday, 5 April 2008
Last Sunday's long run
I promised I'd tell you about last week's run. Well, here goes. After being cut short at the double Bypass I felt like another long one...I know, I know, I know, 2 weeks before London and I run 22 miles...maybe not the best idea but none of my training has been 'the best idea'!
So my main plan was to set off and see how I felt and then see where I ended up...and I ended up doing 22 miles as documented in multiple posts below! It took me a very long time (4 and a quarter hours) but I was super chuffed with my efforts when I got home...and I feel OK now (apart from the fact I got up at 4:45 this morning to go to work).
So, what next? Well, off home soon, ceilidh tonight and XC tomorrow. And yes, none ofthof this is ideal marathon run up but hey ho, it'll all be ok!
So my main plan was to set off and see how I felt and then see where I ended up...and I ended up doing 22 miles as documented in multiple posts below! It took me a very long time (4 and a quarter hours) but I was super chuffed with my efforts when I got home...and I feel OK now (apart from the fact I got up at 4:45 this morning to go to work).
So, what next? Well, off home soon, ceilidh tonight and XC tomorrow. And yes, none ofthof this is ideal marathon run up but hey ho, it'll all be ok!
Thursday, 3 April 2008
Countdown
I was reading a couple of the other blogs yesterday and both of them mentioned the countdown to London and the feelings and rituals of the penultimate couple of weeks. I have to admit I am feeling none of that, in fact, it's only in the last few days where it has really hit me that it is less than 2 weeks to the marathon now. On the train into work this morning I was wondering why I am not feeling like the others and why I am feeling so blasé about the whole thing. I've come to a few conclusions which I'd like to share with you.
First, I am definitely not performing at the same level as Secret Squirrel or Lissa. Does that really make a difference? Well, yes I think it does, especially for Lissa startinig at the elite start (scary biscuits!). Of course I want to do the best I can but the best I can do is distictly average (I am usally in the 50s when it comes to age grading %). Second, I think my expectations of myself are lower. I know I am not as fit as I could be and I am bit too lardy to be quick so that really does take the pressure off. Third, whatever I do I'll be ok with it. That's the key. I do care how fast I run but if I don't run as fast as I hope I'll still have enjoyed myself and there will always be another time! And finally, this is marathon number 11! I've done this before, I know I can finish and I know I'll do more marathons and I know one day I'll get somewhere near my PB so it'll all be OK!
First, I am definitely not performing at the same level as Secret Squirrel or Lissa. Does that really make a difference? Well, yes I think it does, especially for Lissa startinig at the elite start (scary biscuits!). Of course I want to do the best I can but the best I can do is distictly average (I am usally in the 50s when it comes to age grading %). Second, I think my expectations of myself are lower. I know I am not as fit as I could be and I am bit too lardy to be quick so that really does take the pressure off. Third, whatever I do I'll be ok with it. That's the key. I do care how fast I run but if I don't run as fast as I hope I'll still have enjoyed myself and there will always be another time! And finally, this is marathon number 11! I've done this before, I know I can finish and I know I'll do more marathons and I know one day I'll get somewhere near my PB so it'll all be OK!
Wednesday, 2 April 2008
Training week ending 30 March
Week ending 30 March
Monday: rest
Tuesday: Gym(am), 3 miles at the running club (pm)
Wednesday: committee meeting
Thursday: Circuits (am)
Friday: rest
Saturday: 6 miles (am), Bootcamp
Sunday: 22 miles
Totals:
Training sessions: 3 running, 1 circuits, 1 Bootcamp, 1 gym
Total milage: 31
Verdict: chuffed with my v long run, I'll tell you all about it later on, it's time to go to bed now!
Monday: rest
Tuesday: Gym(am), 3 miles at the running club (pm)
Wednesday: committee meeting
Thursday: Circuits (am)
Friday: rest
Saturday: 6 miles (am), Bootcamp
Sunday: 22 miles
Totals:
Training sessions: 3 running, 1 circuits, 1 Bootcamp, 1 gym
Total milage: 31
Verdict: chuffed with my v long run, I'll tell you all about it later on, it's time to go to bed now!
Tuesday, 1 April 2008
Sunday Run
My GPS had this at more like 22 and a bit (I think I am not very careful when mapping my run on http://www.mapmyrun.com
Some piccies from my very long run I did on Sunday...more words to follow at some point!
Some piccies from my very long run I did on Sunday...more words to follow at some point!
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