Two Ten's and a Marathon

So training has been going well apart from some discomfort from my Achilles tendon (known to many as itous of the tendon). Much to my thinking that this was caused by running, it turns out it could actually be from spinning at the gym in running shoes as opposed to cleats. Lesson learned! So an agonising hour spent with James Lenaghan and his healing hands, I feel a lot less stress in my legs.

So yesterday was the St. Albans 10K. A fantastically sunny day ideal for running through the back roads of St. Albans towards Bedmond. I definitely should not have run 12 miles or spun the day before if I was to get a decent time. However, school boy errors aside, I finished 21st in a time of 39:46 (Check results here)

So next Sunday is the Wheathampstead 10K, where Running Fource will be making a debut appearance (myself, Niall, Kenny and Paul so far - feel free to join us...) and again I will be aiming for a sub-40 time (although a hilly course that could be made even harder if it rains the night before).

Following that is the ING Luxembourg Marathon on 22 May. An unusual start time of 18:00, but like Rotterdam a relatively flat course.

Till the next time.....

Rotter(damn) Marathon & Heathside

Well, again it's been weeks since an update. Two weeks ago today, I set off for Rotterdam to partake in the marathon courtesy of Adidas. A good taper I felt in the week leading up, althoguh the perils of work meant that getting in late meant meals were sacrificed for sleep and morning runs several times. On Staurday 4 April, I rocked up at the Beurs World Trade Centre, Rotterdam to collect my chip and numbers. Annoyed that I had been placed in group C (sub 3:30) I tried to get upgraded to 3:00 given my previous times, but the fuhrer was having none of it. So, stupidly with my parents, I did quite a bit of walking on Staurday and struggled to find a pasta meal in the evening - good planning Dave! Eventually we found a pasta restaurant, but I didn't eat till late and didn't eat a marathon meal (excuse the pun - cold coming on I feel).

So Sunday. I arrived at the race start early, following an early breakfast in the Hilton Hotel Rotterdam. Being at the front of the D section was comforting, but chatting to some Swiss fool and listening to his "expertise" of marathon running and how watched were a worthless necessity was just annoying. So anyway, at 11am the gun went and all was good. Despite an unplanned toilet break at km 2 (I was crammed at the front for 30 minutes so no chance to dash to the portaloo or even use a bottle) I was still running my km laps between 4:08 and 4:15. Was perhaps going a tad too fast but wasn't worried at this point. I even overtook a runner from Garden City Joggers at the section whcih loops back. At around 25km I saw my mother who was eagerly standing by the side of the track with her camera. All was good. I hit a half marathon of 1:27:30 (2 seconds off my pb for an incline half marathon) Until km 33...

So around the 30km mark, my left leg started to go. It felt heavy and was throbbing. I dropped my speed slightly, but was still holding around 4:10/km and hoping to finish at 2:56/2:57. However, I got the same sensation in my right leg, dropped back a bit until at 33 km's, I could no longer run. I walked and jogged, before being pulled over by a medic. He massaged the upper legs and told me to take some sugar right away. A bottle of Isotonic formular later, I am back on the track, but limping/walking/jogging. I decided around 37km, that jogging to the end was the only way. I swallowed my pride and the pain and continued to the finish line. The crowd was amazing (although they could have been implying I was a caring understanding nineties type or theat they would c me next tuesday - my Dutch is very limited). So 3:21 was the time and the pain was unreal. I iced both legs when I returned to the hotel and went out for a walk and coffee. It wasn't an injury - that much I know from being able to carry on running two days later, so I guess it was either setting off too fast, or not taking enough food on board. I feel cutting out too much the week before, may have been my downfall. Check out the videos and pictures and full stats here

So, Monday morning I attempted the gym but decided rest was desperately needed. Monday evening I completed a slow un-timed 4 mile run, and then a 10 mile run Tuesday morning. Ironically, Friday I completed my regular St. Albans loop in a record of 1:25 for 12 miles (very hilly and not the fastest course) and Sunday completed a 16 mile run in 1:59 (2 mins of my PB for that course) and beat a club runner. However, this week has been filled with pain and as a result a lack of running and increase of gym sessions.

Tuesday however I went along to the Heathside Running Club and completed 2X600m and 8X800m reps. 2:57 was the best for the 800's and 3:00 the worst. Defintiely some work to be done, but a friendly club. I shall join!

Today planned an 18 mile 5am run, but the rain was just too much and am feeling a cold coming on so decided a tough fast gym session would be better.... and drier.

Till tomorrow...... Oh and and forthcoming ING Luxembourg Marathon on 22 May (redemption)