The marathon itself!

Well I have been mostly getting over the stiffness from running that marathon.

On the day, a couple of workmates came down with me and we made our way to the start. I got there about 15 minutes after the start but of course I had to get myself properly equipped and put everything that I didn't need in storage. I took my time about this as I wanted to start as late as possible. I started about 10:15am.
The intention was to walk with my workmates to 3 miles but after about 400m, I could see they were not keeping up and I lost them. (I phoned up later to find out where they went). So I walked on as I had planned to meet some more people at Woolwich at 11am. When I got there, I dumped my windjacket and other odds and sods.

The one thing absolutely key to marathon running is all the support you get from supporters on the route. Now I had my name printed on my vest. So there were a lot of shouts for my name. Also the mere fact I was carrying an inflatable guitar with me, enticed remarks like "play us a song/tune?" After a number of attempts, I finally warbled out "Valerie" that shut a few people up!

The race for me really began at Woolwich. But the heavens really opened when I got to Greenwich (6 miles) and I splashed my left shoe and got that a little soaked. When I got to around 10 miles, my legs started to feel a bit heavy. My carbs have disappeared? The only explanation I can figure out was the day before travelling around London picking up my marathon registration and taking photos of key places had tired me out. Out came the fruit pastilles, which helped a bit.

New problem came at 12 miles, when I felt like a pee. I got a bit anxious thinking where was it. When I got there, there was a long queue for about 10-12 portable loos. I had to wait another 10-12 minutes there. Continued onwards to Westferry station where I stopped to see my housemates. I went on but my stride was shortening. I was actually surprised I managed to keep going for another few miles at such a slow pace. I had to stop again for another potty break at 19 miles. Now I was really going slowly after that.

Then smack! my legs hit the wall just after 21 miles. It looked to me as if I would be walking the final 5 miles.
22 miles seemed to take forever. This was going to take too long. From somewhere, I managed to raise a gallop. I was geeing myself up but slapping my guitar as if I was a jockey whipping a racehorse. I was also pumping my fist trying to get the adrenaline flowing. You know what it actually worked and this got me to about 600m from the finish, where my legs really turned jelly and I noticed that was running as fast as people were walking. Housemate phones me up as I crossed the line and I gave him a running commentary as a rhino galloped past much to my annoyance!

After gathering my things, I went to meet my parents. By this time, cramp really kicked in and I popped in to see the people at St John's Ambulance. Top people, the girl there gave a nice thigh massage, which helped for about 30 minutes (they stiffened up again). After that, we went to a chinese restaurant. I later heard that Gordon Ramsey wanted a fry-up after his marathon run. Nothing like greasy food after a long hard run!

So there you have it, my first marathon! It turns out I did in 5 hours and 42 minutes. But during the run, it became clear the task was survival, which was never really in question.
In hindsight, I had a troubled training regime and the fact I didn't know I was running in it until two months did not help neither, so I guess I should be thankful I made it.

The lesson here is my training regime next time would be to have a 4-6 month plan.
In the meantime, I am going to be running shorter runs for forseeable future. That said I have applied for next year's marathon, which sod's law will say I will get in as I don't really want to do it next year;)

Couple of days left...

I've not updated for such a long time. Well I've been relaxing and winding down my training. My last run was the previous Tuesday (April 1st) where I jogged about 6 miles with Dartford Roadrunners. I've been mostly walking. I walked the final mile of the marathon on Sunday and walked with my housemate on Wednesday.

Thursday, I have been stuffing myself with mostly carbs, as I try to overload myself and store some energy for the marathon. I've had 4 bowls of maize, a huge buffet and chicken and hash browns for dinner. I weighed myself and I am now 69kg. If I can get another 1kg plus on before the race then I'll be more than happy.

I should think about picking up my registration at the Excel centre as well.

Run down

Just to let you know, I've not run since that 19 mile effort last Monday. I was feeling progressive worse during the week so much that on Thursday, I forced myself out of bed, showered and looked absolutely pasty that my boss told me I could go at lunchtime if I wanted to. I declined. Friday, I couldn't get out of bed after 8 hours sleep, called in sick. I had a bit of flu, but after resting all day and Saturday, I did manage to go out. I will train tomorrow though. One last week of training but I won't be running 20 miles at a time, though I am still considering the work-to-home project.

Catchup wrap (24/3/2008)

What I've not updated this for a few days. Anyways Easter holidays has almost passed. I did plan to run the full trip sometime over the Easter period but things have not quite worked out to plan. I did run 7.5 miles slowly in very windy conditions on Good Friday but felt tired, stopped at 1hr 12 mins. Been out and about over the weekend and managed to get in a run today, once again tried to see how far I can last out. I went at reasonable speed then started to go a bit quicker. I reached the same stage as Friday nearly 5 minutes quicker. In fact when I got to Surrey Quays (half-marathon trip) I was there bang on 2 hours. But then my legs started to die badly at 15 miles and really had nothing to give at about 2hr 50mins. So I can't seem to break 18 miles at this stage. I did walk about a couple of miles though so made to 20, I guess. But with 20 days left until the marathon. I have got big problems.

Daily Wrap (18/3/2008)

Weather not great yesterday so no training then. Weather not much better today. However, forced myself out to see the folks at Dartford Roadrunners. This time it was sprint training where I did a reasonably quick 400m, followed by a rest and then a 200m sprint and then a jog/rest for another 200m. I did 6 circuits but I was blowing hard after 4 or 5. Not too bad. I was passing a number of people on the 400m stretch and I figure reverting back 10km and 10 mile races may well be the way forward. We also did about a mile jogging there and back. So about 5 miles altogether but an intense 5 miles. I've gone back to my usual diet of fruit in the morning and protein/carbs during the day. I had a sausage/egg/bacon breakfast, chicken and chips for dinner. Lovely.

Daily Wrap (16/3/2008)

Quiet day, really, woke up sore. Weather was awful. Only had a few bits and pieces today.

Circle Line Challenge

The rules were changed at the last minute because I worked out it would have taken 8.5Km to run from Aldgate to Notting Hill Gate direct. So it was changed so that I would have to pass through every station on the circle line from the two points. Plus I had no map to guide me. The latter point perhaps proving the key to this challenge. As I got lost about three times, getting to Farringdon, King's Cross and Bayswater. As a consequence, I ended traveling further than I should, possibly 9 miles in the end. I finished up running for 1hr 25. My housemate completed one loop of the circle line in 55 minutes and finished his course in 1:22:30.
We later went to Nando's in the O2 stadium. Also had caesar salad, sushi and wonton soup.