A few days more and commitment and resolve have, if anything, more than doubled!!!
Is it supposed to work this way?
Is it supposed to work this way?
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Monday, 18 April 2011
One day on....
So yesterday was the London Marathon....
A great day indeed.... the crowds were fab. Makes such a difference when people shout out for you. It is amazing to be in a place of such positivity, whilst also being in a great personal struggle.
My run was mixed, went for it from the off and paid for it in the middle of the race. I had done the miles but not the quality in training. I knew it deep down but come the day well I had to go for it and see... and see I did. The middle 6 to 8 miles were tough.
I was on for a great time but it just drifted away from me - bit hard to see the average pace on my watch show it in real time - sometimes it better not to see it!
Reflecting so soon after the event can sometimes be a "could've, should've, if-only" rant but not for me. The positives from the journey to this years run have been huge. So I had been injured, and I couldn't run at my normal pace - so what! I got out there and towed the line.
The quote of the year for me has been "All it takes is all you have" and yesterday that's exactly what I gave it. :o)
Determination to come back harder is there and my focus now switches to getting the achilles fixed up and then full on for the gym and cross training and interval sessions through the summer.
New shoes arrive today so fresh and new beginnings on this journey ....
A great day indeed.... the crowds were fab. Makes such a difference when people shout out for you. It is amazing to be in a place of such positivity, whilst also being in a great personal struggle.
My run was mixed, went for it from the off and paid for it in the middle of the race. I had done the miles but not the quality in training. I knew it deep down but come the day well I had to go for it and see... and see I did. The middle 6 to 8 miles were tough.
I was on for a great time but it just drifted away from me - bit hard to see the average pace on my watch show it in real time - sometimes it better not to see it!
Reflecting so soon after the event can sometimes be a "could've, should've, if-only" rant but not for me. The positives from the journey to this years run have been huge. So I had been injured, and I couldn't run at my normal pace - so what! I got out there and towed the line.
The quote of the year for me has been "All it takes is all you have" and yesterday that's exactly what I gave it. :o)
Determination to come back harder is there and my focus now switches to getting the achilles fixed up and then full on for the gym and cross training and interval sessions through the summer.
New shoes arrive today so fresh and new beginnings on this journey ....
Friday, 15 April 2011
Might as well run then....
So here I am, two days to go till marathon day. I never think anyone ever reads these things so this is a note to myself so if you are reading and find this rambling then hey....
The journey this year has been very different to last.... this challenge has again been a very private thing made public. This has two motivations, firstly to raise funds for the NSPCC but also as part of the removing and hiding place by making the public declaration of intent.
This year has shown that this is as much a battle with those monsters of your mind than it is of body. Relatively my achilles injury was the worse I have had (probably since breaking my elbow 20 years ago) but in reality I still ran 5 times a week and only cut back on a long run twice - one as I got up late and needed to be home for the family and the second because I was in bits and recognised that consistency and quality were more important than just falling to bits on the day.
It was great to get into the half marathons and have a plan and hold a pace (even having to hold myself back early on) - the other dimension this year was actually relaxing and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow runners. Coming into the last half mile in Wokingham and slowing to run and encourage a guy who was struggling just felt like the right thing to do - I still improved on last years time so just all round a great experience. Running with a full on triathlete during the Grindleford Gallop and crossing the line together was a real buzz.... when a couple of people said I was pacing then, and then I ran away from them.... the fact that I passed more people than passed me this year (I learnt to start closer to the back btw on that one!!!).... the stories go on...and on ... and on (as I have been told !!!!)
From support networks the general support by everyone has been brilliant. I also used some great podcasts and on line communities to draw motivation and strength. So must mention www.marathontalk.com and www.imtalk.com stand out for some great advice as well some truly motivational interviews. As I say the mind it the most important muscle to train so getting practical and sustaining information in there has been a real boost.
So coming into the last week of the training plan, final taper long run on Saturday (a split 12 miles, 6.5 miles at race pace and then backed off for the remaining 5.5) so I could then go to physio to get pummelled ! Then off to a sales conference - a gentle 2.5 (got kicked out of the gym as it closed at 10pm!) and a gentle 6 am 3miles was good and the treadmill gentle on the joints. Although a sales conference with no alcohol is truly a challenge in itself!!
It is 500 miles since the plan started on January 1st and I have to say the time has flown. My desire an appetite to run has grown. The gym work has added an extra dimension to the training and my general well being - a long way to go on that front.
To finish this blog for today - I think it has all come down to attitude and ambition. However it goes on Sunday the journey has been spectacular and my need to do more has grown. So definitely a stay tuned for more....
The journey this year has been very different to last.... this challenge has again been a very private thing made public. This has two motivations, firstly to raise funds for the NSPCC but also as part of the removing and hiding place by making the public declaration of intent.
This year has shown that this is as much a battle with those monsters of your mind than it is of body. Relatively my achilles injury was the worse I have had (probably since breaking my elbow 20 years ago) but in reality I still ran 5 times a week and only cut back on a long run twice - one as I got up late and needed to be home for the family and the second because I was in bits and recognised that consistency and quality were more important than just falling to bits on the day.
It was great to get into the half marathons and have a plan and hold a pace (even having to hold myself back early on) - the other dimension this year was actually relaxing and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow runners. Coming into the last half mile in Wokingham and slowing to run and encourage a guy who was struggling just felt like the right thing to do - I still improved on last years time so just all round a great experience. Running with a full on triathlete during the Grindleford Gallop and crossing the line together was a real buzz.... when a couple of people said I was pacing then, and then I ran away from them.... the fact that I passed more people than passed me this year (I learnt to start closer to the back btw on that one!!!).... the stories go on...and on ... and on (as I have been told !!!!)
From support networks the general support by everyone has been brilliant. I also used some great podcasts and on line communities to draw motivation and strength. So must mention www.marathontalk.com and www.imtalk.com stand out for some great advice as well some truly motivational interviews. As I say the mind it the most important muscle to train so getting practical and sustaining information in there has been a real boost.
So coming into the last week of the training plan, final taper long run on Saturday (a split 12 miles, 6.5 miles at race pace and then backed off for the remaining 5.5) so I could then go to physio to get pummelled ! Then off to a sales conference - a gentle 2.5 (got kicked out of the gym as it closed at 10pm!) and a gentle 6 am 3miles was good and the treadmill gentle on the joints. Although a sales conference with no alcohol is truly a challenge in itself!!
It is 500 miles since the plan started on January 1st and I have to say the time has flown. My desire an appetite to run has grown. The gym work has added an extra dimension to the training and my general well being - a long way to go on that front.
To finish this blog for today - I think it has all come down to attitude and ambition. However it goes on Sunday the journey has been spectacular and my need to do more has grown. So definitely a stay tuned for more....
Saturday, 9 April 2011
Last Long Run on this Plan...
So 12 miles this morning marked the last long run of this plan... First half at target marathon pace and backed on the last 5.5 to round it off nicely. Switched the long run day around so I could get back to the physio this afternoon - man sized OUCH to that one! seems to do the trick and I am thankful (no accidents with standing) it has helped get me to the start line.
Just a few easy leg-turning runs planned for the week and then rest into race day.
Will post before the day and summarise the journey since 1st January.
Just a few easy leg-turning runs planned for the week and then rest into race day.
Will post before the day and summarise the journey since 1st January.
Sunday, 3 April 2011
Caffeine high...
So starting the taper into London. 15 miles this morning and last try out for the various gear and nutrition options.
As a non caffeine drinker these days - I tried some caffeinated sports jelly beans. Boy was I wide awake and buzzing for the run. So they are definitely in for race day. Which is two weeks today!
Had the most painful physio session this week on my achilles - seems to have really helped though. But man did it hurt under treatment. Ouch indeed.
As a non caffeine drinker these days - I tried some caffeinated sports jelly beans. Boy was I wide awake and buzzing for the run. So they are definitely in for race day. Which is two weeks today!
Had the most painful physio session this week on my achilles - seems to have really helped though. But man did it hurt under treatment. Ouch indeed.
Friday, 1 April 2011
Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.
Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare. -Japanese Proverb
So..... vision = check..... :o) action = check...... :o) tendonitis = check :(
But always remember "All it takes is all you got." so everything to play for....
So..... vision = check..... :o) action = check...... :o) tendonitis = check :(
But always remember "All it takes is all you got." so everything to play for....
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