Big Weekend

Normally, after running a 15 mile race, I'd take the next day off. Not today. It was my wife's birthday and we were going to her sister's for lunch. My youngest daughter had a birthday party to go to first but my wife suggested she go to the party and I run to her sisters.

So the choice was to stay in bed for longer and run 13 miles or get up and go to a kids party. Even though my legs were like lead, I chose the run option.

I had to run with a rucksack as my wife didn't take my change of clothes which didn't make things easy. The weather was fine, too warm if anything. I walked up to the Common just to stretch my legs and then set off. Nothing really hurt and I didn't have any pain in the usual places but I just had no energy. I couldn't get any speed and just plodded along. I quickly realised I just had to get through it.

I thought I might get a few waves of energy and be able to pick up the pace but it never happened. Hills were the worst parts and climbing up to Crystal Palace was torture. I did have a couple of short walking breaks but eventually made it to Keston in around 2 hrs 15 mins.

So that was 28 miles in two days. I'm not sure I've ever run that far before in two days. I haven't run the day before or after any of my marathons and when I've run 20 mile training runs, I've not run more than 5 before or after. I new record I guess.

Quicksand 15

What a great race. Truly unique.

It started at 6:30 am with my alarm. Had my wife not nudged me, I would have switched it off, turned over and gone back to sleep. Thanks dear. I got up, had some toast, coffee and tried to eat my porridge but didn't finished it. I was feeling a little queasy. Nervous I guess.

The drive to Margate was easy enough. 90 minutes and I arrived before 9am. I sorted myself out and chatted to some people before walking down to the beach for 9:50. After a short briefing, we were off.

The first mile was along the beach and it was ok. Some pools of water and a little uneven but the sand was compacted and firm underfoot. This was going to be alright. It was then briefly onto the promenade before going back onto the sand. This time it was a little softer. The sand was looser and gave way underfoot, there was seaweed and stones you had to avoid. This lasted 3 more miles.

Up a sharp hill and onto the cliff top, the first water station and then back on the beach. This was a really hard section where the beach was completely covered in large flints and stones. It was very hard on the ankles.

It was then on sand until mile 7. Some of the sand was hard but there were many soft patches that really sapped your strength. It was then up a large flight of steps onto the cliff top and the turn around point.

The return journey was mostly the same and I was doing ok. I had a gel at mile 9 and kept my pace somewhere around the low 9 minute miles until mile 11 when we rounded the headland into the wind. The westerly wind was strong and it was all I could do to concentrate on each step and just keep going. I focused on the person in front and just tried not to lose ground.

It always feels like a race will never end and this was a prime example. The miles ticked by very slowly and with less that a mile to go, I could actually see the finish but it didn't seem to get any closer. I realised I was in with a shout of sub 2:20 so I had a 'sprint' finish and sneaked it.

I was really delighted with my effort. Its great to know I could run 15 a lot quicker or run 18-20 at the same speed and I've still got 8 weeks until the marathon. Happy days.

Time: 02:19:22
Distance: 15.00 miles
Pace: 9:17 minute miles
Elevation Gain: 162 m
Weather: Partly Sunny & Windy

Weekend Running

I lazed around on Saturday morning listening to Adam and Joe and put off going out for a run. The Indian summer had well and truly ended and it was blustery and miserable out. I eventually got my arse out of the door at lunchtime and started on my 10k route.

The first few miles were terrible. My legs were so stiff especially my right calf. I had to stop and stretch several times as it felt like running with splints on my legs. I persevered and by about mile four, my legs started to loosen up and I got to enjoy that last section around Clapham Common.

The only thing I can think caused such sore legs was the football on Tuesday. My muscles and joints are not used to running with sharp changes of direction and my lack of core stability can't have helped.

Sunday was the long run, a minimum of a half marathon. I was worried as it was the longest run for a long long time and after yesterday's hobble, I thought it would be a real struggle. Fortunately, the weather was a lot better with sun and not much wind so it wasn't too hard to get myself out. I planned a nice route and set off around 1pm.

I ran to Clapham Common and then to Wandsworth before heading to Wimbledon Common. I have run on Wimbledon Common a few times but never run over the entire length and I was surprised how big it actually is and how many trails there are. It was good to run on loose stones and on uneven paths to get my ankles used to off-road running with three cross country races coming up.

It was then into Richmond Park and a loop through the middle and out through East Sheen gate. It was at 8.5 miles as I left the park and I was doing ok. Nothing was hurting too much and I was so much loser than Saturday. My right knee was a little sore but nothing to worry about (I hope). It was then off to Putney, Wandsworth and Clapham Junction. I was at 11 miles in Putney and it was starting to get tough but I was thinking it was 13 miles so not far too go.

As I ran on I realised I was 3 or 4 miles from home and I was going to have to dig it. It was a tough last 20 minutes and I was pleased to stop running but absolutely delighted I had completed 15 miles. I'm well on target now.

September Review and October Targets

September was the first full month back running. It went ok with at least 3 runs each week. I had wanted to do 4 or 5 but my new teaching course got in the way a bit. The fact that I manage the runs I did was pretty good.

Total Runs: 12
Distance: 82 miles
Total Cycles: 20
Distance: 158 miles

October is going to have to be a good month if I want to do ok in the December marathon. I need to start with a 14 miler this weekend, then its the Quicksand 15, a 13, an 18 and a 20. All this plus other runs during each week. Its going to be tough.

Goals
1. Run 4 times each week
2. Complete my long runs
3. Complete the Quicksand 15
4. Do at least one 40 mile week
5. Drop 3lbs

Sick again, football and running

I spent the last few days being sick again. Not a cold this time but a stomach bug. Both my kids had been ill and the house still smelt of vomit when I got it. It was nasty. I missed a really good trip with the school on Tuesday which was a shame.

By Tuesday night I was feeling better so I play 5-a-side football for the first time in over 12 months. My mates were short of players so I volunteered. I used to play regularly but quit after rupturing my groin a few years back. I tried to come back after it was healed but it would flare up after each match. I'm not sure what made me play this time - a bit risky given I have a marathon in 10 weeks.

I was worried I would be more terrible that I usually am but I held my own and managed not to embarrass myself. Fitness is my strength so I spent most of the match chasing down the ball. If and when I won it I tried to make a simple pass to someone on my team and retreat to defence. It seemed to work some of the time.

Today I ran home from school. 5.2 miles at a medium pace. My knee was a little sore from football but my groin/aductor was fine - touch wood.

Long run done

Well, after missing my long run at the weekend due to a cold, I planned to do it on Tuesday night if I felt better.

By Monday I was feeling much better so I did my usual 5 miles while my daughter was at her swimming club which went ok. I wasn't the quickest but everything felt fine.

I was going to do the long run on Tuesday evening but Wednesday's lectures didn't start until one so I worked on Tuesday and ran in the daylight today.

The first 5 miles were terrible. My calves were so tight that I had to stop and stretch twice. Once they loosened up my feet started to hurt. I really wasn't enjoying it.

When I got to Wimbledon, I got up the hill to the village and switched my ipod from podcasts to music. I had downloaded Pearl Jams new album and I listened to that. It was superb and really got me going. I think the hill had stretched my feet out and with the music, I started to enjoy it. I ran easier, faster and looser. The miles felt better and before I knew it, I was in Wandsworth.

Then it was off to Clapham Common and home. Over 12 miles run which was good. I didn't time it as I'm not concerned with time at present, just distance. My feet and calves are fine but my right knee is sore so I need to monitor that closely.

Sick

I've had a stinking cold for three days now. I missed my runs on Friday and today but I have to go out tomorrow. I can't miss my 13 mile long run.

So unless it has gone to my chest, I'll be out running at 7am in the morning, coughing and spluttering as I go.