London Marathon - The other side of the barrier

I am sure it hasn't escaped anybody's attention that there were a few people having a run around London on Sunday, 36k+ to be precise.

I don't want to dwell too much on the tragic circumstances that occurred at Boston.  I was out with a group of people from work on Monday evening celebrating what would have been a 40th birthday of a friend and colleague who passed away suddenly last year.  I then saw the Newsflash.  Thoughts were immediately of a PWR who was running the marathon.  The beauty of technology and social media meant that word quickly spread that he was fine.  My thoughts are with those who have suffered as result of the mindless attack.

I ran Parkrun on Saturday morning in beautiful weather and a 30 second silence as a mark of respect was impeccably observed by the 350+ people there.

In some ways the London Marathon being only 6 days after the Boston was the perfect tonic for Marathon runners and society to unite and show that acts of terrorism cannot and will not break the human spirit!

In the build up to the Marathon, I must admit I have been envious of those who were running, but I have also enjoyed sharing other people's excitement and expectation and it was also nice to help a couple of mates with their training.

Sunday morning, I awoke to another glorious morning and to be honest, it was actually quite nice having a relaxed morning getting ready to go up to London but without the pre-race nerves.

Myself Mich and Max met up with a group of PWRs on a train just before 10am. By 10:45 we were situated at our vantage point just past the 12 mile marker.  Walking to our rendezvous point, you could already sense the feel good factor in the air as we witnessed a young lad sitting on a police motorbike having his picture taken with a police hat on and being shown how to turn the flashing lights on by the Police officer.

Our vantage point had everything you could want.  It was in the sunshine, we had a band a few hundred yards away playing good old classics you could sing along to, my favourite (as it is my karaoke song) being Sweet Caroline. There was a pub only 50 metres away (important for our hydration) and we were just past a water stop (important for the runners hydration) which meant we had the bonus of people slowing down slightly to collect water giving us a better chance to see them and start shouting and waving manically.

Our 12 mile spot (note PWR vest on the pole ready to be held aloft)

We were fortunate enough to see the Paralympians run past including Richard Whithead and also got a glimpse of Mo Farah flash past with the leading Elite group.  Flash being the operative word. 

Now excuse me while I digress, but I looked at Mo's stats on the London Marathon website and I saw that he was averaging over 20km/h.  So I am going to conduct a little experiment this week.  After a warm up, I am going to increase the speed on the treadmill to 20km/h and see how long I can maintain it for.  I will update you in my next blog.

Anyway, a couple who we were with (Brian & Susie), we actually knew before we found out that Brian was a PWR.  Brian is not a bad runner (sic) with a sub 3:20 Marathon PB.  Susie actually admitted that as the throngs of runner streamed past that she had never really seen this part of a Marathon as she had normally moved on to try and ensure she could get to the next point to try and see Brian again.  Mich on the other hand was used to seeing this many runners waiting for me to trundle past.

The atmosphere was superb and it was so inspiring to see people all shapes, sizes and ages running past.  We managed to see quite a few PWRs and I also managed to see a couple of people from work and also one of my mates who I had been running with at lunchtimes.  It was quite difficult trying to keep an eye out for people amongst the constantly moving kaleidoscope of colours, spotting them, shouting, screaming & waving and then trying to get a picture, as the picture of my mate Kirbs demonstrates.

Kirbs looking good

 

Max was evidently enjoying himself and liked pointing out all of the weird and wonderful characters. He seemed to particularly like the two Peppa Pigs, the countless Rhinos and the assortment of different Mr Men characters that he saw.  He was very vocal also, even if sometime he was only copying what either myself or Mich was shouting, but by the time he repeated our shout of encouragement, more often than not the person had already ran past.  But I have to award him 10/10 for enthusiasm, despite his timing being about as good as my photography timing ;-)

 

We wanted to wait at the 12 mile mark until one of the PWR Group 1 runners (Donna) had run past and there was an explosion of noise from our group when we saw her.  She was running and she was smiling which was encouraging.  Once Donna had run past, the PWR supporting group split. Myself Mich & Max, along with Brian, Susie and their 2 boys and Jo another PWR made our way over Tower Bridge to find a spot near the 23 mile mark.

 

As we were walking across Tower Bridge a runner came past carrying a surf board, I commented that he was mad and his response was "Never bet when you are drunk"

 

I was surprised to find the 23 mile mark to start with extremely busy, especially compared to 2 years ago.  I think that it was a combination of the nice weather and also a show of solidarity by the British public.

 

It is at this point where you really get to see what the Marathon for what I reckon 90% of runners is all about.  Pain, true grit and determination.  This is not to detract from the effort and no doubt pain that the elite athletes may suffer, but they are conditioned for it.  Max was insistent on trying to get high fives and did get a bit upset that his offered hand was quite often ignored.  How do you explain to a 3 year old that these folk have been on their feet for 4 hours plus, are shattered and either don't have the energy or just completely focused on getting to the end.

 

 

Max hoping for a High Five



I was a bit disappointed that I didn't get to see everybody I wanted too, but with the number of runners, that was always going to be inevitable.  But I am sure I speak for our little group that we were all delighted to see Donna again and she was still smiling!

Inspirational Donna

Once we had seen Donna again we started to make our way home, by walking back to Tower Bridge. I then saw another side of the Marathon that probably not many people see.  The people that will have an 8hour plus finishing time, the sweep bus with dejected runners sitting onboard who have had to pull out of the race and the army of volunteers clearing up quite literally around those still soldiering on.  It brings a lump to your throat but despite some not necessarily being in great physical shape, you cannot question their stubbornness, desire and will to complete the 26.2 miles. These are the people that probably need the most encouragement yet a vast number of the crowds will have already gone. I think between us as we walked back, we made sure we shouted for and encouraged every single person!

Mich admitted that the atmosphere is intoxicating and it makes her want to run the Marathon, although first on the agenda is a 10k.  26.2 miles might be a couple of years away.

All in all a fantastic and uplifting day.  My blog probably doesn't do the day justice so if you have never spent the day at the London Marathon, put it on your 'To Do' list, in fact, put it on your 'Must Do' list.  You won't regret it.

Incidentally, Kirbs finished in 4:24 and Donna finished in 7:03.  I just want to say a massive well done to everybody I know who completed the Marathon, apologies that you have not all been mentioned in the blog, but I know that your family and friends will all be very proud.

So 29th April is when the ballot for the 2014 London Marathon opens I believe,  I have a reminder set in my calendar!

Until next time
TJH

P.S.  Donna is a fellow Blogger, and her blog can be found HERE

The Acid Test

This week was for me, a key week that I felt would gauge the chances of me running my planned marathon on the 1st June.

At the beginning of the week I did a couple of circuit training sessions to assist me on working on strengthening my glutes, lots of squats involved. The more I can strengthen my glutes and other leg muscles, the more I can even out the load from my running and ideally reduce the stress on my knee. Well that's the plan anyway!

On Thursday I went for a lunchtime run with a mate of mine (Geoff) who is running the London Marathon. We did just over 5 miles (in SNOW!!) We went at a steady pace of just under 8:50 min/mile.

Lunchtime Run

As we were chatting on our run, we got talking about the weather and he said that despite being fed up with the weather, hoped that come Marathon day the weather was still miserable as that is what he had done all of his training in. I can see his point and I am sure a lot of people will be in the same boat. Having completed all the training in quite frankly miserable weather, it could be a a bit of a shock to the system if it is hot on 21st April. As I will be up in London supporting the many people I know running the London Marathon, I don't mind it being a bit chilly, but I would prefer it not to be raining as I wouldn't want my beer to be diluted!

On Saturday, I once again ran Bromley Parkrun. As part of the Adidas sponsorhip deal (who provide the free technical t-shirts once you have completed either 50, 100 or 250 Parkruns) they were holding a competition for a chance to win a pair of the new 'Boost' running shoes for anybody who managed a Parkrun PB. Nothing like a little incentive :-)

So I decided I would try and beat my PB of 21:53. Alas I could have done with a bit of a boost as I came up short by 9 seconds only managing a 22:02. At least I didn't fall on my face metres from the finish line this time!

Parkrun Stats

Saturday afternoon, I was interested in running of a different kind, the running of the horses that I had backed in the Grand National. Max my 3yo boy picked his first Grand National horse and proudly knew the colours of his selection Ballabriggs (who I had also backed) and it was nice to go round my parents and all watch the race together as it was something I remember doing as a kid. But there was to be no glory for me or Max :-( and he kept asking after the race had finished where Ballabriggs was?

Sunday, I took part in the Paddock Wood Half Marathon. Probably not the most sensible idea going for a 5k PB the day before a half marathon, but I am sure my wife will tell, I am not the most sensible of people.

Sunday like Saturday was a glorious sunny day. Mich, Max & I drove down to Paddock Wood. Mich dropped me near the start and then made her way to a pub near the half way mark where some other friends and family of PWRs were gathering. I met up with a crowd of about a dozen PWRs and for the first 4 miles or so, we all ran together, it was like critical mass as the black and white PWR vests jogged along in unison. We began to spread out as we all had our own pace plans. For a lot, this would be their last longish run before the London Marathon. I ran with with a bloke called Christian (also running the London Marathon), who I had met once before through a mate on a night out and he recognised me as I was the bloke that was escorted out of a bar/club for falling asleep (but that is another story) Anyway Christian is also friends with some of the PWRs - small world.

Me on the left (in case you didn't realise), Christian in the grey.

We ran the first 10 miles together, before he pushed on near the end. I didn't want to push any harder than I was going as I was concerned about my knee. I had some minor aches and twinges in the last couple of miles and I think that a half marathon was probably the limit distance wise at the moment without pushing it too far. I completed the race in 1:44:04 just under an 8 min/mile. (Christian finished in 1:41:46)

Paddock Wood Half Stats

The race was very well organised, lots of friendly marshalls. I particularly liked the touch that at the first sponge station, there was a man in the stocks to encourage you to dispose of your sponge in a confined area. Upon a quick enquiry, he said he had only been hit in the face twice. I very much doubt he would have been there if the weather had not taken the positive upturn otherwise hypothermia would have been a distinct possibility. The course was very flat and was a very pleasant run through the Kent countryside and a very colourful medal to boot.

Sunday afternoon Mich, Max and I had a very nice afternoon catching up with some friends and even had the delight of standing in warm(ish) sunshine eating ice creams! who would have thought it

So, I passed the acid test (just) I am a bit achey and I am still conscious that there is some inherent weakness in my right knee, but I think that is more to do with the legacy of the keyhole surgery I had about 6 years ago and the fact that my right knee will never be 100%. So I will just build my mileage slowly over the coming weeks.

Until the next time
TJH

Back on Track - Almost

although not on the track (not just yet), but on the roads and on the treadmill, also on the gym floor and generally on the floor!  I have continued with some physio over the last couple of weeks and 'touch wood' I seem to be doing well at the moment.  I am now back running.  I have been out with PWR the last couple of Tuesday nights and I have also been doing some speed work on the treadmill at my gym.

Hakuna Tabata

I recently read an article on-line in the Guardian about Tabata Training which I found quite interesting

Guardian Article

So I thought I would give it a go one morning at the gym.  Two things I learnt a) it is bloody hard and b) don't try it on a empty stomach!  The Tabata technique is to run all out for 20 seconds, followed by 10 seconds rest and repeat 8 times.  After a 10 min warm up, I set the the treadmill at 18kmh which is certainly 'all-out' for me.  I managed 6 repeats before I had to admit defeat, feeling a bit light-headed.  I am blaming the lack of fuel :-)

Stretch, Breathe & Collapse

To supplement my strengthening and stretching exercises that I have been prescribed by my physio I have started doing Yoga (again).  I dabbled with Yoga a bit whilst I was taking part in Project 26.2.  I am not sure how I forgot how difficult it was.  When it comes to flexibility I think an RSJ has more flex than me (By the way in case you are not sure, an RSJ is a re-enforced steel joist). I arrived outside the studio at the gym 5 mins before the session was due to start and there was me and about a dozen women.  I was saved from being the only thorn among the roses, when two other fellas turned up as well.

After 10 minutes I was struggling and had a sweat on and then the instructor announced that was the warm up!  My limit at the moment is the 'downward dog' and even then I can't do that properly and not for long. Some of the positions are nigh on impossible and I spent half the session chuckling to myself as I knew it was quite plainly impossible for me to strike the pose being demonstrated.

In fact, when it comes to me and the instructor has to spend half the session trying to correct my form I think YOGA stands for "You're Obviously Getting Annoyed"  I will persevere though as I really want to do all I can to prevent further injuries.

I don't think anybody saw?

On Saturday, I ran the Bromley Parkrun, which happens to be my first Parkrun for seven weeks. I didn't do too badly and got round in 23:24.

Bromley Parkrun

I was involved in a sprint finish with another chap, the finish is on a slight incline and in a nutshell, I lost my footing and face planted.  Luckily the only damage was a bruised ego and muddy knees and hands.  Oh, and the sub-title is a complete lie, at least 50 people saw me!

I have definitely over indulged on Easter treats this weekend, so need to get back on the straight and narrow as it is now only 9 weeks until my Marathon.

Until next time
TJH