A third way in, a third done

I set myself a challenge, 2012 km in a year - a nice round 1250 miles.

That's 250 more miles than I've done in a year before...

And we're 4 months in so time for a review and a tally up...

It's been the finest 4 months running I think I've ever had.

The MadDog 10k took 2 min out of my PB for that distance

The Knowsley Harriers Saturday 5 km took 2 min out of my PB for that...

The day after that I took 5 min off my 25km PB

I've done 3 PB's for 5 miles taking a total of 5 min off...

My last long training run was a 15min pb over 20 miles

and last week I went out for what was going to be a gentle half marathon distance trot... The first half I barely looked at my watch and when I did I was running at PB pace... So may have decided that nothing ventured means nothing gained and took 6 min off that PB.  2:30:31 for a half marathon, is close (32s close) to a challenge I set myself years ago...

Throw in the insane delights of the Excalibur Marathon and all of the training; the runs, walks, gym work and the total for the year is looking is looking good - 721km, so just over the third of 2012 I need. That's 448 miles:-D

So, despite the scares following on from mis-measured MRIs, the lay offs due to colds and minor niggles (who would've thought that a cracked heel can be so painful) all is looking good for Belfast.

Someone asked me why I chose Belfast over another spring Marathon, and the answer is I don't know - I didn't get into London (again!), I've done Edinburgh and didn't fancy Manchester... Belfast is a city I love  and easy to get to.

So the carry-on bag is getting packed, the weather forecast being scanned, the just giving site being promoted (http://www.justgiving.com/fallotsrunner) and fingers crossed I'll be looking at another PB... But the main thing is to get around, and enjoy it...

TTFN

Paul

In the taper…

So that was my last really long run, the race simulation run… 

Same day of the week as the main event – check

Thousands of other runners – nope

Same kit as the main event – check

Water & fuel stations around the course – nope

Same prep & pre-run bits and bobs – yup

Medal at the end – nope….

I’ve less than 3 weeks until Belfast and 26.2 miles; less than 3 weeks to let me body repair itself; less than 3 weeks to get my head in the right place.

For me it is going to be a combination of head and body.  All the demons of my school PE lessons will come out as I get closer to the day, every ache and pain will be something giving in, giving up and writing me off.

The body is easier (probably) than the head; my training has gone well. The second of the 20 mile runs has a stonking 15 minute PB. Now it’s a case of easing down the miles, and keeping injury free and supple.

The head I’m tackling a couple of ways – first of I’m choosing to send a couple of friends as much love, motivation and energy as I can over the next couple of weeks. One is competing in a GB top at the European Triathlon in Israel, carrying injuries and a bucket of stubbornness larger than most.  Jus has talked me through more injury scares and psychobabble stuff than most and if my inane commentary helps even the smallest amount then it’s all for the good.

The second friend is Kieran, another bucket of stubbornness, again carrying injuries and wearing a Papworth top as he pounds out the London Marathon.  His joyful embracing of life, both of them, keeps even the darkest spirits at bay… His lives are best described in his own words – and if you can spare some cash, so much the better…

http://www.justgiving.com/kieranslondonmarathon

Both are elites in my whacky way of looking at life, both put the extra in extraordinary and I’m proud to call them both friend.

But when you line up on that start line you’re on your own, so as I try and support them I’ll be rereading a couple of books that have helped me work out how and why I run… I’d call it my philosophy of running but that sounds awfully pompous…

The Iron War is about the ultimate IronMan triathlon – and the link is about pain, I have a fair idea of how uncomfortable I’m able to get and carry on, when nothing else is left the pain I have inside will well up and keep me going.

Born to run is about the joy of running, and running for joy… It doesn’t matter if you're first or last but that you get out there and enjoy it.

And that’s the long and short of it, I will never come 1^st, the only records I threaten are my own and I can handle the pain of 26.2 miles…

So for now, all I can do is wait and say - Bring on Belfast!

TTFN

Paul

The Sword in the Stone

They called it Excalibur...

It was a marathon

It was an off road marathon

It was as tough a day in the hills as I've ever had

26 miles is never easy.

Climbing the equivalent of one and a half Ben Nevis' is never going to be easy

Combing the two in one event was somewhere between inspired and insane...

My primary aim was to finish, ideally within the 12 hour cut off.  And a mate and me did it:-)

We were hurting, and are still hurting... There was no medal, just a t-shirt and a huge sense of achievement.

As often happens the details blur into one, but there are some standouts...

- The soup at 12 miles - never has a plastic cup of soup tasted so good

- The colourful commentary we provided to some who "cut a few corners" - they say you only ever cheat yourself, tell that to my thighs!!!

- My mate channelling the spirit of Marylin Monroe and singing Santa Baby on the way down the penultimate hill...  Never has Moel Famau been subject to such tortured vocals

- The last hill, passing the car on the way up, and on the way down, that was mentally tough! Very tough.

- A deep abiding hatred for some of the newer forms of footpath construction

- A deep love for the kit I have - tip to toe is worked how it should

- The stew at the end - never has a plastic bowl of stew tasted so good.

- Dan and the Marshalls (sounds like a bad pop band) and all of the other walkers and runners - Thank you, I've run in soulless events and this one had a lot of soul.

It had a few hills and we went for them...

This is a video of the track on Google Earth - you'll see where we were zig-zagging in a desperate attempt to get up a steep bit... I seem to recall zig-zagging up a flight of steps at one point!




This is the more usual biometric containing Garmin feed



Traditionally the end of a marathon consists of swearing that you'll never do the like again, its a measure of how good (it's been 48h, my insanity is returning) this event was that we didn't say that... We did think an offroad 10k in July would be good fun (it has pies at the end!!!) and that we could always pop back to the Yorkshire Three Peaks for a autumnal jaunt.

But that's in the far future, before now and then there is the small matter of a trip to Belfast, and a much, much flatter marathon - 5 weeks!


TTFN

Paul

ps mileage so far this year - 350 miles, 564 km:-)

Blog 200 - on hold for a friend

There will be a 200th Blog - but the friend who will be providing it as a guest is up to her eyes at the moment...

The 200th blog will be coming...

TFFN

Paul