Matt Hayter’s Marathon des Sables Adventure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SarahL and Me at the finish

• Friday 14th December 2007

10k – Tempo Run

I thought i’d have a training run over the sundays race distance. I never got up to actually race pace, but it felt quite comfortable, and as i’m not pushing for a PB on Sunday I didn’t mind that it was perhaps slower than I would’ve liked. It definitely got the legs and lungs pumping though.

• Thursday 13th December 2007

3.11 miles – Recovery Run

After two hard tempo runs on the previous two days I decided to give my legs a rest and just have a gentle plod. I seem to struggle to run in the mornings these days, which is surprising as all my training used to be in the mornings. I’m definitely going to have to get used to it as morning runs impact on daily life a lot less than evening runs, and life will be changing drastically in 2008!!

• Wednesday 12th December 2007

7 miles – Tempo Run

I feel much better now, and after yesterday’s run I thought I could manage a longer, faster tempo run. Decided I would run for an hour on the treadmill and see how far I could get. I started off at a reasonable pace, and then stepped it up at the halfway point. I basically did 3 miles in 28 minutes and then 4 miles in 30 minutes, so a massive negative split. I think its runs like this that has seen me take chunks out of my 10k PB recently, but perhaps I should be concentrating on upping the mileage at the moment!

• Tuesday 11th December 2007

3.11 miles – Tempo Run

Sundays run has knocked my confidence a bit, and i’m still not feeling 100% so I decided to have a gentle plod on the hotel treadmill. It turned into a bit of a Tempo Run as there was notice saying you could only use each bit of equipment for 20 minutes. I went over that slightly but got a good fast 5k in the legs.

• Sunday 9th December 2007

6.35 miles - Awful Rubbish Run

The plan was for 16-18 miles, run out to Damflask, 3 laps of the reservoir then run home. What actually happened was I ran to Damflask suffering stomach cramp all the way there, did 3/4 of a lap when I got a stitch in my shoulder as well. Its probably the worst/slowest 10k I have ever done, but I just felt awful!! Not sure if its down to the 4 hours sleep, eating a lentil curry at 4am, or 2 litres of pop watching the Hatton fight, or a combination of the three?

I am absolutely gutted as I don’t know how many Long Runs I can squeeze in before January and this was looking like the last one, so I wanted it to be good!!

• Saturday 8th December 2007

5 miles - Tempo Run

With the Amir Khan and Ricky Hatton fights tonight, I thought I’d do a hard Tempo Run to tire me out so I can get to sleep early tonight. Not sure if this is a good idea with the planned 16/18 mile run tomorrow, but I felt good and strong. I just hope both Amir and Ricky win tonight!!!

• Friday 7th December 2007

6.22 miles – General Run

Just did a bit of a 10k plod on the treadmill tonight. I’m aware that its a busy weekend ahead, so seeing as I had time I thought i’d get to the gym. Its been freezing outside recently, so more than normal i’ve been hiding in the gym on the treadmill!!

• Wednesday 5th December 2007

3.6 miles – General Run

Had a spare 30 mins between getting home from work and dinner, so did a few laps of Hillsborough Park. I’ve not run round there for probably 2 years! A lap is about 1.1 miles, and I remember it being quite tough with a very steep incline just by the busy tram stop!! I used to hate that, because it was bad enough being a very fat person running, but a very fat person looking like they’re about to collapse of a heart attack whilst ‘running’ at below walking pace in front of dozens of people waiting for a tram, leaves scars in the memory!! But last night I barely noticed any changes in gradient at all, and flew round clocking under 9 mins a lap. It definitely gave me a boost, and I can’t wait to get out for a run again tomorrow.

• Sunday 2nd December 2007

10k – Percy Pud 10k, Sheffield

This was a bizarre race for me, not in terms of the course or anything just the pacing!! In terms of the course, atmosphere and organsiation it was spot on. Despite the horrible weather there was a large field of around 1300. The race starts near the Admiral Rodney in Loxley and then descends down for about 2k to Damflash Reservoir. It then loops around the reservoir to the Plough Inn, where you head back towards Loxley. So roughly its 2k downhill, 6k on the flat and then 2k uphill to finish. I must learn to pace myself without my Garmin as it messes with your head. The pace reading was telling me one thing, and the lap splits something else. So at 3-4k I thought I was outside my PB, and my legs were like lead despite the first 2k being downhill and the next 2k being flat. It was an out and back course so I knew I had the 2k uphill to the finish line, so I pretty much gave up. It was only at halfway that I saw our old Office Junior go past me that I started trying again. I never knew she ran, and for Hallamshire Harriers too. So I latched on to the back of her and ran my knackers off for the second half, pipping her at the line. I should’ve thanked her because I lopped off another 80 secs off my PB (46:49), but I was too busy trying not to be sick!!! (I noticed on the chip timings she beat me by 8 seconds anyway!!)

• Friday 30th November 2007

5 miles – Intervals

I’ve never done intervals properly. I always set myself to hard a target and end up giving in after a couple of sets. So tonight I decided to give myself a relatively easy target in order that I finsh them. So tonight I did a 5 min warm up at around 9:15 min/mile pace, and then did 6 sets of 500m @ 4 min/km pace with 500m @ 6 min/km pace in between, with a 5 min warm down at the end. It was pretty tough going, and basically worked out at 2 mins hard running with 3 mins jog between. One of my problems is getting my legs changing pace during races, particularly when tired. Little things like stopping for water can knacker a race for me, as once my legs stop its hard to get them going again!! So hopefully some more interval sessions should help the long distances, as well as the short distances.

• Tuesday 27th November 2007

6 miles – Easy Run

I’ve had a worrying niggle in the back of my left knee since Sunday’s run, so decided not to run on Monday in order to rest it and allow it to recover. It felt a bit better this morning, and after a loooong day of work and studying I decided to go to the gym at about 9pm to clear my head. My legs felt like lead again, and after 10 minutes I thought I was going to have to stop, but using my new Postive Mental Attitude techniques I battled through and was soon into a nice comfortable rythm. It was a very unspectacular run, but the knee held up and it was good to get the legs working again. I am at Slimming World on thursday night, out friday night and racing a 10k on Sunday, so it looks like i’ll only be able to do a longish run tonight (hopefully 10 miles), and a couple of shortish runs thursday and/or friday morning (around 3/4 miles). 

• Sunday 25rd November 2007

15.25 miles - Long Slow Run

I started off with the intention of doing 14 miles today. I thought i’d do 2 full laps of the lower reservoir at Derwent (about 11 miles), and then a bit more to make it up to 14 miles. Draycote Marathon is 4.75 mile laps around a reservoir so I thought it would be good mental preparation. But I’m still struggling with a lack of Long Run confidence from the build up to Blackpool where I couldn’t seem to run more than 13 miles without dying on my arse!! So I  knew running past my car 3 times might not a great idea. So at the turn point I kept on running and decided to do one big lap of Derwent and Howden reservoirs which I knew was roughly 15 miles. I felt a bit groggy for the first few miles, but I soon got into a rythm and was slowly (very slowly) clocking up the miles…..or kilometers, as I’d forgotten to change the settings on the Garmin from the previous Sundays 10k race!!

I don’t know if measuring the distance in km’s helped psychologically? Because with miles I know exactly what is a good, bad or average split for a mile, where in km’s I only really know what the km splits should be for 5k or 10k races, and I didn’t want to be running that quickly!! So I suppose it made me just relax and forget about time, just listen to my iPod and enjoy the magnificent views. Normally its quite busy around there in the mornings with walkers, runners and cyclists, but because of the recent cold and wet weather it was deserted.

I soon got to the half way point and felt good, psychologically it was all down hill from that point back to the start. However, in reality it is far from downhill!! I’m not sure if running around the reservoir in the opposite direction would help, or its just having 7 miles in your legs makes you feel every incline, but the second half of the run was tough!! I was fine until about 10/11 miles, but after that it just felt like hill after hill, luckily Maximo Park and male pride helped me through it!! Maximo Park came on the iPod at the perfect moment just as I was flagging and ‘Our Velocity’ gave me a kick up the arse!! Then about a mile later a group runners came into view, and before you knew I was running like a gazelle with perfect ‘for’ and incredible knee lift! It didn’t last for long though because as soon as i’d lost them I was back to my usual plodding, half dead, hunched self.

I got back to my car in one piece though, and whilst I could feel each of the 15 miles in my legs I still felt pretty good and could have comfortably carried on for 2 or 3 miles. I just need to build on this now now and aim for a 16 mile LSR in two weeks. 

• Friday 23rd November 2007

7 miles - Tempo Run

Despite having a plan there is always room for improvisation (so long as it increases mileage and not decreases it!!) Tonights run should have been 5 miles at around 10k race pace, but I was feeling good, so at about 3 miles I decided I’d push myself to see if I could do 7 miles in under an hour. I can’t say it was easy and I really had to dig deep, but reached 7 miles comfortably under an hour (57:48).

• Wednesday 21st November 2007

8 miles – General Run

The plan I am working to means I run 4 times a week with a LSR on a Sunday, a longish recovery run on Monday, a longish run midweek, and then a tempo run on Friday. So tonight called for a longish run. I decided 8 miles would do the trick, but I can honestly say I would have willingly sacked it after 200m!!! It was horrible, I was getting stomach cramps and my legs felt like lead. I soon got into some sort of rythm and toughed it out to 8 miles.

My head is really in this at the moment which helps for evenings like this. In the past I probably would’ve just stopped, but I think a programme really helps, as does a couple of articles i’ve read recently that have really inspired me. I think runs like this will really help me in the future, despite how much I hated it at the time!!

• Monday 19th November 2007

5 miles – Tempo Run

The plan was for a nice little 4 mile plod on the treadmill, but I seem incapable of that!! I always set myself little challenges to ease the boredom, and a favourite is the ‘negative split’ where I see how long it takes me to run to halfway, then I have to beat that time for the second half. Well last night I got to halfway in 22 mins and did the second half in 18 mins!!! Thats a big difference, and my quads and hamstrings are feeling it this morning. I think I am due a rest day, or at least thats what my legs are telling me!

• Sunday 18th November 2007

10k – Barnsley 10k

I read an article in Men’s Fitness last night about training your brain to ignore the messages coming from your body. Apparently its only a self preservation tactic your body uses from our ‘hunter gatherer’ days, but in actual fact your body has loads more energy reserves it can draw upon, its just a matter of training your brain.

So with me being the lightest i’ve been in years, a month of good solid training behind me and a 10k on a reasonably fast course the PB attempt was on………..RAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!

I knew I had to keep to sub 4:50 km/h pace all the way, and started off well knocking off the km’s in well under that pace. I kept telling myself “this is an easy pace”, “i’m just warming up”, “sub 49 is easy”, amazingly it seemed to work and I went through 5k in 23mins (an unofficial PB).

I kept the pace going and told myself it was now time to srike for home and hit race pace properly. Sadly my body started answering me back at about 4 miles “this is bollocks!!”, “what the hell are you doing to me??”, “this hurts, please stop!!”

But I hit 5 miles in 38 mins (another unofficial PB) and that seemed to shut my body up and it was just a matter of holding on for the last 2k. I was surprised by the number of hills in the last 2 miles (I have done this twice before but my memory is proper shit!) and it just seemed to be hill after hill. I finally hit the top of the last hill to find the 6 mile marker (mile markers on a 10k course is just confusing I may add), then it was just a 400m downhill sprint to the finish line. I was a bit gutted to be pipped to the line by the 3 blokes around me, and was even a litle disappointed not to break 48 mins. But now i’ve had time to reflect I’m pretty chuffed to have knocked 70 secs off my PB, and it seems there might be something in that PMA rubbish after all!

• Friday 16th November 2007

13.1 miles – Long Slow Run

With a 10k race on Sunday I thought I should do my LSR on friday to give my legs chance to recover. It meant running on the treadmill though which was a journey into the unknown. I’ve done a couple of 8 mile runs on the treadmill and a 10 mile run, but I normally just use the treadmill for easy runs and tempo runs of between 3 and 6 miles. I started off slowly, which is hard because my natural competitiveness (is that a word?) means I like to at least match the speed of those running next to me. But I was sensible and clocked 10.2k in the first hour. Annoyingly the treadmills at the gym only go far an hour before they stop, so that means having to restart it. Not the easiest of things to do after running 6 miles, when your body is trying to tell you to hit the showers!!

I didn’t really have a distance in mind I just wanted to run for 2 hours, but when I saw i’d cover 10.2k in the first hour I knew I just had to do 10.8k in the second hour to make it into a Half Marathon. So I cranked the pace up a bit and went for it. I felt surprisingly comfortable, my lungs were ok, and my leg muscles felt fine, although there was a bit of pain coming from my knees. Before I knew it i’d hit 21km and was able to stop. I was really chuffed to have run the Half Marathon distance in 1:57:20 in training. It seemed like ages since i’d run a Half Marathon in under 2 hours and now the last 3 i’ve run have all been sub 2. It felt great and I think I could’ve comfortably plodded on for a couple more miles if not more.

• Thursday 15th November 2007

5km – Race Pace

I didn’t have long for a run this evening so a decided to blast out a quick 5k. Started off well but faded towards the end and didn’t finish as strongly as I would’ve liked. I suppose this is what you could call ‘junk mileage’, while it will help with the upcoming 10k’s i’ve got planned it won’t really help with my marathon preparation. Still, its all mileage in the legs and will help with the weight loss.

• Wednesday 14th November 2007

4 miles – Easy Run

I went to bed early so I’d be able to take advantage of the hotel gym for an early morning plod. Felt a bit sore from the previous evenings exertions, but managed a solid (if slow) 4 miles to make a nice round 10 miles for the week so far.

• Tuesday 13th November 2007

6 miles – Race Pace

I’m away in Scotland surveying at the moment, i’ve brought my running kit with me, but its bitterly cold up here and I haven’t brought sufficient layers. Luckily my hotel has a gym and the same treadmills I use at my local gym. I started off with a bit of a plod to warm up, but soon got in my stride and blasted out 6 miles. The last 3 miles of which hurt……a lot!!! Just glad to get a run in as I thought I might end up clocking no miles until I return home on thursday.

• Sunday 11th November 2007

3.5 miles - Recovery Run

Although this mornings race was only 3.81 miles it seemed to have had an adverse effect on my body, so thought it probably wise to have a bit of a gentle loosener in the evening. My quads and shins were in a bad way, but a gentle run on the treadmill soon got the blood flowing through them again.

• Sunday 11th November 2007

3.81 miles – Leg 10 – High Peak Relay

Today I ran the High Peak Relay for Team Fetcheveryone (an online running community). I’d sneaked in and chosen Leg 10 as i’d heard it was all downhill. Which was almost true although it was more like 1 mile flat, 1 mile downhill, 1 mile flat, 1 mile downhill, which was surprisingly hard!! I started off hard (too hard) and was running at aound 6:45mm pace, and just keeping on the coat tails of a few decent looking club runners. Then hit the first descent and just let myself go. I overtook the three club runners I’d been following and opened up a gap. Then I hit the flat and everything went into slow motion!!! It really was like running through treacle, and I thought i’d start losing places, but it seemed to have the same effect on everyone round me. I was really struggling at this point, I thought I’d blown it and set off way too fast and almost considered stopping and getting my breath back. But before I knew it we were being directed off the trail and onto the final descent. I knew there was less than a mile left so I opened up my stride and just went for it. I was starting to close on the Hermitage Harrier in front of me, but I was struggling to keep my legs going on the steep descent, and at one point I thought my heart was going to pop!! So with no-one behind me I eased off a bit and cruised over the line, finishing 28th out of 43, so not bad for a fat lad!  I knew we had some decent runners running for Fetch today, but this event seems to attract some really good local clubs/athletes, so I was amazed and really chuffed that overall we finished 15th out 43!!

Me with a big thumbs up at the start of Leg 10 – I wasn’t so chirpy at the finish!!

 

Team FetchEveryone at the finish

 

• Friday 9th November 2007

6 miles - Tempo Run

A nice comfortable tempo run this evening on the treadmill. I took it easy as I have a race on sunday, and as its a team relay race I want to be fresh so I don’t let anyone down. I was thinking of doing an LSR tomorrow, but will probably just make do with this evenings run.

• Wednesday 7th November 2007

5 miles – Easy Run

Well that was a hideous horrible run, can’t believe I was so easily talked into it!! Apart from the usual aches and pains in my shins and knees, I was hurting all across my shoulders and neck. Don’t know why I was so tight? I’d also not long eaten so dinner was bouncing up and down in my gut. Not to mention my tight rattly chest and blocked nose. And then I caught sight of myself in a window bouncing and wobbling all over the place!!!!

Still, I feel much better for doing it!

• Monday 5th November 2007

5 miles – General Run

I felt awful this morning with a nasty dose of proper ‘Man Flu’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXLHWmjA5IEAlthough my wife is a nurse she normally doesn’t bring her work home with her, but surprisingly today she’s been very caring and attentive, buying me cold medicine, Heinz tomato soup, and some lovely Irish soda bread! Not sure what came over her, but i’m sure she will be bored of my whinging by tomorrow!The soup did the trick though, and I summoned up just enough energy to pop over to the gym. I had no plan really other than to stretch my legs, but I felt good and surprised myself by running 5 miles. The pace was fairly slow, but I felt great for doing it!

• Saturday 3rd November 2007

11.5 miles – Long Slow Run

As I follow the Chaos Theory training programme I set off on this mornings run without actually knowing far far I was going to run, or at what pace. All I knew is I wanted to do more than 10 miles. I decided to do laps of the lower reservoir at Derwent, which is about 5.5 miles. This should put me in good stead ahead of Draycote Water Marathon, which is 5 laps of a reservoir near Rugby.

I started off comfortably (and very slowly) doing the first lap in about an hour. I then nipped to the toilet and took some Endurolyte tablets, which replace the electrolytes you lose when you sweat. Sadly thats when it started to go wrong. They obviously disagree with my stomach, because when I got to about 9 miles I felt awful. Managed to plod back to the car, but was very nearly sick on the drive home, and was sick once i’d got home. Now I don’t like to blame other things for my previous failings, but the only time I’ve previously taken these tablets was for the two 15 milers before Blackpool, during Blackpool and during Belper. The common theme of all these runs were I had to stop before the finish. Obviously my lack of fitness had something to do with this, but I shall be sticking to water for the foreseeable future, and then maybe i’ll have to start experimenting again as I really will need a source of replacement electrolytes in the desert!

• Friday 2nd November 2007

5 miles – Race Pace

It certainly did the trick, and I lost 3.5lbs. Really chuffed with that, and it gave me a bit of a lift. Decided to do a few easy miles on the treadmill ahead of tomorrows planned Long Slow Run. Started off comfortably, but as always in the gym I get carried away and ended up breaking my balls the second half of the run! Went through 2.5 miles in around 22 mins, and then clocked 17:35 for the second 2.5 miles, and in the process I actually beat my 5 mile PB. It was far too fast really with an LSR to do tomorrow, but the legs felt good and hopefully still feel good tomorrow.

• Thursday 1st November 2007

4 miles – General Run

Thought i’d have a few miles at the gym this morning to boost the weight loss ahead of tonights weigh in. I felt quite comfortable, and it was definitely a lot easier than tuesday nights run. I just hope it does the trick!!

• Tuesday 30th October 2007

4 miles – Recovery Run

Wow that was hard!! My legs haven’t felt too heavy so was surprised by what little energy I had, just couldn’t get the legs going and I knew I was over compensating for stride length by number of strides as I was really struggling with my breath and sweat was pouring everywhere! It may also be down to the fact i’ve eaten limited carbs after reading an article in The Observer about weight loss and carbohydrates. I’m not going to do anything silly like start the Atkins Diet, but I’m aware that at the moment I eat almost solely carbs and I think that may be hampering my weight loss. So for the next month I shall be trying to have 4 or 5 protein days a week (or Red/Original if you do Slimming World).

Also for the month of November (or Movember) I shall be growing a moustache! A bit random you may think, but its all for a worthy cause – raising awareness for mens health issues, such as prostate cancer.

See web link for details

http://www.movember.com/uk/whatismov/07/What-is-Movember/?=adwords

So the first step is to be clean shaven on 31st October. I can’t remember the last time I was properly clean shaven, I normally just do a No.1 all over my head with the clippers. Don’t think I even had a shave on my wedding day! Anyway here is the mug shot for Day1:

Day 1: Clean shaven

• Sunday 28th October 2007

13.1 miles – Worksop Half Marathon

WHAT A GREAT RACE!! Its not often I say that! It wasn’t a PB, but only 3 minutes outside. But it wasn’t so much the time, but how strong I felt all the way round. I had a little wobble between miles 11- 12 but recovered a clocked my quickest mile split in the last mile!

Splits were:

Mile 1 – 9:43
Mile 2 – 8:47
Mile 3 – 8:05
Mile 4 – 8:20
Mile 5 – 8:29
Mile 6 – 8:33
Mile 7 – 8:37
Mile 8 – 8:57
Mile 9 – 9:09
Mile 10 – 8:24
Mile 11 – 8:59
Mile 12 – 9:29
Mile 13 – 8:04
Last 0.1 – 1:07

I wasn’t really looking forward to this race, as i’d heard it was hilly and that there was a steep hill at 12 miles (just when you don’t need it!). But I felt great, the hills seemed to come in all the right places, with short sharp ascents and long sweeping descents. The weather held off for most the way, but the heavens opened at around half way and completely soaked me through. Luckily I had my ‘soldier of fortune’ Buff to keep the rain off. So despite soggy trainers and a drenched cotton t-shirt (which must’ve added about 7lb!) I still finished strongly.

• Friday 26th October 2007

5 miles – Tempo

No running all week again! This is starting to become a habit. Its no good cramming all your training in at the weekend, but am finding it difficult finding time during the week. I decided I would do a comfortbale 5 miles on the treadmill, but with a race on sunday I didn’t want to ver do it. As usual though its hard to stop yourself going all out at the gym and ended up doing a very hard 5 miles doing the last mile in 7:15.

• Saturday 20th October 2007

6.3 miles – General

First training run outdoors for what feels like months! Obviously I do all my races outdoors, but for a long time now i’ve been training on the treadmill at the gym. This is all very well, and has been good for my weight loss, but I need to start doing some hills and some longer runs, neither of which is practical on a treadmill. Did a loop and a bit of the lower reservoir at Derwent. There are a few steep hills around there which were hard going. The legs felt heavy, and it was a surprisingly slow run averaging 9:30 mins per mile. I really wanted to sack it after a mile, but soon got into a rhythm and would’ve carried on if I had time.

• Friday 19th October 2007

4 miles – Fast

No running for 9 days….NOT GOOD!!! Went away for the weekend for Rachel’s birthday. We had a lovely time and purposefully didn’t take my running kit to give her and me a break from sweaty and smelly training gear. So in order to beast myself for the long layoff I did 4 miles hard. Averaged 8:15 mins per mile which i’m fairly pleased with, but was aiming for sub 8 mins.

• Wednesday 10th October 2007

6 miles – Race Pace

Decided to do a more even training run with equal splits at around Half Marathon race pace. Felt quite comfortable clocking repeated splits of around 8:50 mins per mile. I normally find sub 9 mins per mile hard work for that length of time on the treadmill, but it felt relatively comfortable tonight.

• Tuesday 9th October 2007

3.1 miles – Recovery Run

The plan was for a short recovery run to loosen the legs off a bit, but to be honest they felt fine. The slight tightness in the hamstring region had soon warmed up and I decided to up the tempo and give myself a little 5k time trial. I wonder sometimes what people make of me in the gym, I generally push myself quite hard, sweat profusely and am still considerably overweight! I think they are just waiting for me to keel over any second! Anyway, I finsihed the 5k in sub 25 minutes, averaging 7:57 per mile. Not my fastest 5k, but not bad 48 hours after a sub 2hr Half Marathon. I need to concentrate on building my mileage up again, but these midweek treadmill sessions are proving great for the weightloss so far.

• Sunday 7th October 2007

13.1 miles – Selby Half Marathon

I got to Selby at (what is known in our house as…) Matthew Hayter early. The race wasn’t due to start until 11am, but I was parked up and ready to go at 8:50am! I decided to have a wander round and find somewhere to go to toilet, a simply enough task but 45 minutes later I was absolutely busting! I was getting more and more angry about the lack of public toilets in modern day Britain, and my toe was starting to flare up, so decided that I was going to forget the race and drive home to go to toilet in the comfort of my own house! Luckily I stumbled across the Leisure Centre (Race HQ) on the way back to the car, where I managed to avoid having an ‘accident’! The anger subsided and the race was back on!

Looking round at the start I was quite concerned about coming last! There were a lot of lean looking club runners, and in a small field of about 500 there wasn’t one person in a Banana suit, which is always a concern for a plodders like me. I didn’t know what to expect from the course, but i’d heard it was flat and fast. The weather was perfect, for gardening, but without a cloud in the sky I knew it was going to be a long hard slog. So you would’ve thought i’d set off at sensible pace and conserve some energy for the last few miles…………….but no, yet again I got carried away with the occassion and set off like a gazelle (at least thats what it felt like, i’m sure eye witnesses would probably have described it more as a stampeding Hippo!)

My splits for the race were:

Mile 1 – 8.14                Mile 8 – 9:06

Mile 2 – 8:15                Mile 9 – 9:11

Mile 3 – 8:08                Mile 10 – 9:17

Mile 4 – 8:37                Mile 11 – 9:58

Mile 5 – 8:25                Mile 12 – 10:18

Mile 6 – 8:24                Mile 13 (and a bit) – 11:30

Mile 7 – 8:46

As the splits show I was starting to struggle towards the end and was paying for my ridiculously quick first 6 miles. The course was indeed flat and fast, but in a way that is quite psychologically draining as there are no hills to break up the distance. There were also a lot of long strights where you felt you were running forever and getting nowhere! But all in all I was pleased with the race. Its the first time I’ve been sub 2 hours since March, and whilst at the half way point I was looking on course for a PB I know i’ve not got the mileage in my legs to have sustained that pace. My toe was fine for the first 10 miles and only in the last 3 was it causing any pain, but nothing like the searing agony in the previous week. I am now looking forward to Worksop in a couple of weeks, and if I plan my pace better I think I may be able to go slightly faster. But 13.1 miles is a long way and you never know when its going to bite you on the arse!

• Saturday 6th October 2007

4 miles - Tempo Run

Needed to test ‘the toe’ before finally deciding whether to race tomorrow, so went for a run at the gym. As usual I got carried away and turned a gentle run into a Tempo Run as I upped the pace every 5 minutes. Went passed the 15-20 minute mark, where the toe normally flares up, without a problem. Then got to 30 minutes and decided I best take it easy if I was actually going to run tomorrow, so eased up and ran until I reached the 4 mile mark. The toe felt ok, it was a bit sore and felt as if it could flare up at any time. Which it did indeed do when I was leaping out of my chair every couple of minutes during the England v Australia game on saturday afternoon!! Was too busy being excited about the game to worry about the foot, but afterwards I practised running on the ball of my foot to eleviate the pressure on my toe. Not sure if I can run for 13.1 miles on the ball of my foot, but I need the miles in my legs.

• Monday 1st October 2007

2.4 miles – Tempo Run

Having ascertained that I’d put the Compeed dressing on the wrong toe, and it was actually a previous problem free toe that was causing the problem, I put another Compeed dressing on. Hoping this would now solve the problem I decided to go for a run and see what happened. I didn’t set myself any targets, other than to see if I could run problem free for 40 minutes. I started off well and upped the pace to 8:30 min miles. I was feeling strong and although I’ve had a niggle in my right quad, that soon warmed up. Thinking i’d solved the problem I pushed on and upped the pace again to 8:15 min miles, but at 20 minutes the searing pain came back and I stopped. I’m at a loss now! There doesn’t appear to be any problem with my toe, there’s no redness or swelling, and it doesn’t hurt to touch. It just seems to occur after 15-20 mins of running. I think it may be an ingrown toe nail, so will arrange to see a Chiropodist, but in the mean time I will rest and see if the problem goes away on its own. I’ll do a test run on friday night to see whether I can do Selby Half on Sunday.

• Sunday 30th September 2007

1.6 miles - Long Slow Run (??)

Time ran anyway from me a bit this morning, and its still technically my anniversary weekend so abandoned the Long Run around Derwent, which would’ve meant being out of the house for the best part of 3 hours. So went to the gym to do a 10 mile treadmill run (which to be honest feels like 15 miles in your head!). Decided to put a Compeed dressing on my problem toe to keep the nail firmly in place as the yesterday’s pain felt like the nail was lifting. I set off slowly at 9:45 min mile pace, but after 15 minutes the searing pain came back. I tried to press on and run it off, but the pain was just too much, and didn’t want to do any serious damage.

• Saturday 29th September 2007

5 miles - Tempo Run

Had a few days off as it was my wedding anniversary. Ate a bit too much rubbish, but had a nice time nonetheless. I highly recommend eating at the Two Rivers Restaurant at The Deep in Hull. Superb food and a unique location! But after friday’s meal I decided I needed to pull myself back in and planned a 6 mile run for Saturday, followed by a 10-12 mile run on sunday. All was going very well, I was feeling comfortable and even debating whether to carry on to 7 or 8 miles. But at 5 miles I got a searing pain in my toe. It felt like the nail had come off, and I was half expecting to look down and see my trainer turn red! I limped off to the changing rooms to inspect the damage, but there was nothing. I couldn’t even feel any pain once i’d stopped running. Still 5 miles was a good effort and i’d just tag the difference on to tomorrow’s run.

• Wednesday 26th September 2007

4 miles – Recovery Run

Legs felt tighter than expected after football, and I was aching in some unexpected places, so thought I should do a short, very slow run just to loosen the legs. It was hard work, but I felt good for it afterwards. Still doing most my running on the treadmill, I really must get outside a bit more!!

• Tuesday 25th September 2007

60 minutes – Football

Decided to play a game of football with some of my work colleagues. A bit risky with a busy Autumn of races, but I thought it would be good cross training, and would at least get some speed in my legs. I was utterly rubbish, but ran around a lot ‘breaking up play’ (getting in the way). But I enjoyed it, and still felt fresh at the end.

• Saturday 22nd September 2007

4 miles – General Run

The plan to do 10+ miles went right out of the window! I woke up with really sore hips and tight calves and initially decided not to run at all. Instead I led on the sofa and watched the SA v Tonga and England v Samoa rugby World Cup games instead. It was only in the late afternoon and after football Final Score that I decided the legs felt ok and that I would just do a short fast-ish paced run at around 8:30 min/mile pace. I had to keep the run short so I could go and watch the BAFL Div 1 final between Farnham Knights and Ipswich Cardinals at Don Valley Stadium to wrap up a ‘sportfest’ Saturday. Luckily I have a very understanding wife!

• Friday 21st September 2007

6 miles - General Run

First chance i’ve had to run this week due to work and coursework. I felt quite good, didn’t really push the pace and kept to around 9 min/mile pace. I could have gone on longer but have planned to do a Long Slow Run tomorrow.

• Sunday 16th September 2007

13.1 miles – Nottingham Half Marathon

I had demons to lay to rest with this race. I did it last year expecting to run a PB and going well under 2hrs after running 1:58 at Sheffield earlier in the year. A few weeks off over the summer and course littered with hills meant the wheels well and truly came off and I limped home in 2:22. I definitely didn’t want a repeat of that!! My training has been a bit more consistent this year and whilst i’m not in the shape I was when I was setting PB’s for fun earlier in the year, I still felt strong. I’d also heard that the course had been altered to make it flatter with greater PB potential.

Well i’m not sure who had written that in the race information, as who ever wrote obviously hadn’t run either course! Whilst the hills were probably less severe there were definitely more of them this year. And the changes in route meant you had 11,000 people running on narrow paths through parks in some sections. But those minor complaints aside this is a great event with superb organisation! The hills did take it out of me, but I felt strong and was looking at sneaking just under 2hours. Sadly at 11 miles I hit some treacle (or at least thats what it felt like!) and I began running backwards. Tried digging in but there was nothing left.

Nottingham Half Marathon route

All in all I was satisfied with the run, it was definitely a good workout and whilst I couldn’t get my legs to go any faster towards the end, there was definitely some more mileage left in them. I was disappointed that I had to change from the Full to the Half, but there was no way I could’ve run another 13.1 miles today!

• Friday 14th September 2007

5 miles – Tempo Run

Wanted to squeeze in a 6 mile run earlier in the week but hadn’t managed to, so did a 5 miler instead. Not the best thing to do 2 days before a Half Marathon, but I felt comfortable and didn’t push it too hard. I was definitely in the zone and could have comfortably gone further and quicker, but decided not to risk it.

• Tuesday 11th September 2007

4 miles – Tempo Run

Legs felt quite heavy but I soon got into my stride. I wanted to do a longer run, but time was against me. I’ve got Nottingham Half on Sunday so won’t overdo the training this week as i’m hoping for a relatively good race and don’t want to turn up tired. After this weekend though I need to concentrate fully on building up my mileage and weight loss, and just use the forthcoming races as hard training sessions.

• Sunday 9th September 2007

4 miles – Recovery Run

Decided to go to the gym and have a slow run on the treadmill. I need to get used to running when I’m tired and hurting. I was surprised how good my legs felt, which made me think I’m either in really good shape, or I didn’t push myself hard enough in the morning. I think i’ll go for the former!

• Sunday 9th September 2007

10km – BUPA Great Yorkshire Run

That was tough!! 10k’s are usually quite tough as there’s no let up in pace, you’ve just got to run as its not long enough to make the time back, but then 6.22 miles is long enough for it to hurt!! Deep down I thought I might PB, as while training hasn’t been great for the last few months, the last couple of weeks have gone really well. Unfortunately the course was harder than I expected, I knew the part of Sheffield it was in and have driven along the road numerous times, but funnily enough in the car the ‘undulations’ don’t feel that steep!

Finishing certificate for the Great Yorkshire Run

 

It was basically 5k uphill and then 4k downhill, with the last 400m being a fairly sharp incline up to the finish line (which was cruel!) I think at about 4k I knew a PB would be tough, at 8k I knew it was out the window, but that I still should get sub 51 mins. But the legs went in the last 800m, and I could barely manage a sprint finish. Still BUPA Great Runs are more of a fun event, and it was good to support a new big local race. I’m not sure where this puts me for Nottingham Half next Sunday, but i’d like to think I could go sub 2hrs.

• Wednesday 5th September 2007

7.85 miles – Race Pace

Thinking Monday was a fluke or a badly calibrated machine I decided to test the legs again. This time I wanted to see how far I could run in an hour, with the hope of getting a sub 50 min 10k at the same time. Again I was surprised how comfortable it felt running at speeds I normally save for fast bursts. I’m really confident about sunday now, I don’t think i’ll PB as the course has a steady incline for the first 5k and it will probably be quite congested, but don’t think there’s anything stopping me getting close to 50 mins. I’m feeling quite confident about my running again, all i’ve got to do is start building up my long runs again!

• Monday 3rd September 2007

6.6 miles – Race Pace

With the Great Yorkshire 10k rapidly approaching I thought I’d test myself over the race distance to see how I might fare. My 10k PB was set earlier this year when I was probably in much better shape then I am now. So I was surprised at how close I got to it (missed it by about 20 secs). I think if i’d pushed myself a bit more in the last 5 mins I might have got even closer, but didn’t want to risk pulling anything.

• Saturday 1st September 2007

5.3 miles – General Run

I had been working in London all week and hadn’t been able to get a run in, so when I visited my mum in Sunninghill at the weekend I was determined to get some training done. Most of training recently has been on the treadmill which is great for speed sessions, but its difficult to recreate hills, so I picked a route with some undulations in. I felt awful when I set off with a lot of pain in the arch of my foot and in the heal. I very nearly turned round at the end of the road, but gave it a couple of minutes and the pian wore off as I warmed up. I ran at a conservative pace, and although I didn’t go as far as I hoped (time issues again!) it felt comfortable.

• Tuesday 28th August 2007

3.11 miles - Race Pace

Had planned a tempo run of about 6-7 miles, but had to cut my run short. Decided to see if I could beat my 5km PB, got close but missed by a good 30secs. Its been a while since i’ve done a hard short run, as most of my training has been about building up long, slow, hard miles. Felt very rough afterwards though!

• Wednesday 22nd August 2007

4.5 miles – Hard Run

Went to the gym with the intention of doing 7 miles but had to cut it short. I did a 2.5 miles warm up and then upped the speed to between 13km/h and 14km/h for the last 2 miles. It felt relatively comfortable and I time allowing I felt I could’ve gone on for longer. I think I need to introduce some more of these high speed shorter sessions as I feel I’m becoming a bit ‘one paced’ (slow!).

• Monday 21st August 2007

6 miles – Tempo Run

My legs felt fine after yesterday’s run (which is annoying as they felt far from fine yesterday!!), so I decided to have a hard session on the treadmill. Set off at a brisk warm up pace, and increased the speed every 10 minutes, using the last mile as a warm down. Was pleased I managed to do back to back hard runs, I just need to work on increasing the distance.

• Sunday 19th August 2007

14 miles – Trail Run

This was supposed to be the Belper 30k race, but it all went horribly wrong!

Another DNF. Don’t know what happened, everything was going to plan and I felt great going through 5 miles in just under an hour, generally enjoying myself out in the country. But at 7 miles my legs just went and turned to lead. By 9 miles I was all over the place, really wobbly and my hands were shaking. At this point I ended up taking a wrong turn and had run about a quarter of a mile down a track before I realised and had to trudge back up it! Don’t know why I went that way, possibly it was wishful thinking and heading for the first downhill section i’d seen after what felt like 9 miles of ascent!

Belper 30k – before it went horribly wrong!!

By 12 miles I was gone, trying hard not to be sick which was difficult given I had cow shit all over me and the smell was turning my stomach. I kept sitting down to pull myself together, but everytime I did the horse flies descended and I was getting covered in them. When I saw the next marshall at the 13 mile point I told him I was dropping out and he gave me directions for a short cut (?!) back to the start. I don’t know if I misheard him or I got lost, but I ended up walking down a narrow track through all these abandoned works which were derelict and overgrown. I followed the path on for a bit longer and it ended up rejoining the course at the 5 mile to go checkpoint. Luckily the race organiser was there to give me a lift back to the start.

I was gutted. I hate quitting, but there was just nothing there. I know I can do it, as I did it last year with less training but for some reason I wasn’t 100% and there was nothing in the tank.

On the positive side it was a hard 14 mile trail run which all adds to the miles in my legs. It has also made me realise that at my current weight I will struggle to run very long distance over tough terrain. For that reason I have decided not to run Nottingham Marathon, and will do the Half Marathon instead. I need to concentrate on my weight loss over the next 6 months, building up the mileage slowly and aiming to be at my racing weight by March so I have a year to training specifically for the MdS at my target weight.

It was a tough day yesterday, but a lot of lessons were learnt!

• Thursday 16th August 2007

4 miles – Tempo Run

I had been suffering with a nasty blister on the end of my toe, but following some ‘expert’ advice I burst it and applied a Compeed dressing. It’s like it was never there, i’m amazed. i was worried about managing Sunday’s race as I was even in pain walking. But a manged a decent hard 4 mile session this morning with no bother at all. The dressing stayed in place, and I felt no pain whatsoever. Really looking forward to the race now!

• Sunday 12th August 2007

13.1 miles – Newark Half Marathon

The plan was to do this as a Long Slow Run at a comfortable 10 minute mile pace to get some miles in to my legs. I stuck to the plan a recorded a 2:08 time (9:47 min miles), but didn’t find it anywhere near as comfortable as I was hoping. In fact from 10-12 miles I was really struggling! The course was flat, with only a couple of slight inclines, and if it wasn’t held in mid-August it could definitely be a PB course. The heat got to me a bit, particularly from about 9-11 miles where we seemed to be running in the midday sun with no shade at all. Good prep from the MdS, I just hope its not as humid in the desert!

All in all it was nice to get my first race under my belt since Blackpool, and although it was my slowest time for nearly 2 years I achieved what I wanted to, and am now confident of setting a big PB at Belper. I’ve got couple of blisters on my feet, so probably won’t be able to do the training I’d planned this week, but maybe a rest would do me (and my joints) good!

• Wednesday 8th August 2007

5 miles – easy Run

Back down to earth with a bump. Really struggled tonight. Legs felt heavy and I was getting twinges in my hamstrings, so decided against a tempo run and just stayed at a constant steady (slow) pace. I’m planning to do a few miles tomorrow morning just to loosen the legs a bit, but don’t want to over do it before sunday’s race. I say race, but I won’t be running flat out. There’s no way I will PB at the moment so I will be taking it steady and just using it as a training run with a free t-shirt at the end!

• Monday 6th August 2007

10 miles – Long Run

That was great!! I was really annoyed with myself for not doing a long run at the weekend. It was partly because I was busy, but also because i’ve been almost scared of doing long runs lately. My training has been so non existant that the last couple of longish runs have really hurt. So I forced myself to do a long session on the treadmill. They’re normally worse than running on the road because its so boring and repetitive, but everything seemed to click into place last night and I felt great. So much so that I actually beat my 10 mile PB, something which i’ve never done in training! I feel really confident ahead of sunday’s race now. I won’t be going for a PB, I just want to get some miles in my legs and enjoy a plod around the course. I’ve decided to do Newark Half Marathon instead of Askern 10. I’m sure I could PB at Askern and it would be points in the club championship, but I think I need the miles in my legs, and after an awful Half Marathon at Sheffield in May I could do with a confidence booster.

• Friday 3rd August 2007

3 miles – Recovery Run

Just did a very gentle few miles on the treadmill tonight. Legs felt a bit heavy from last nights run, so didn’t want to do anything too strenuous. It was difficult to get my legs going, but once I was into a rhythm I felt ok, and was definitely the better for getting some blood into my legs.

•  Thursday 2nd August 2007

6.2 miles – Tempo Run

Despite being ‘in the zone’ a heavy social week has meant i’ve only managed a couple of runs this week. Although maybe the Scissor Sisters gig in Manchester followed by dancing down Canal Street may count as cross training!? Anyway this evenings run was awful and great in equal measures. I started off fairly comfortably, but after about 5 minutes I was getting pains in the muscle up my shin. I thought I was going to have to stop after about 15 minutes, but convinced myself to carry until at least 3 miles. Glad I did as after 25 minutes I seemed to have run it off, and had got into my stride. Upped the tempo a bit for miles 4 and 5, and then just jooged the last mile or so. All in all I was quite please with the run, and although I’m nowehere near the shape I was in 3 months ago its all starting to come back together. I’m planning a short recovery run on friday, and then a 15 mile run/walk on saturday. I’m supposed to be doing Askern 10 next saturday, but am now thinking I may do Newark Half Marathon instead as the extra racing miles in my legs may stand me in better stead for Nottingham Marathon.

• Monday 30th July 2007

4 miles – Tempo Run

This started as a very slow painful Recover Run, but after 10 minutes I got into my stride, and decided to turn it into a Tempo Run clocking splits of 10:30, 9:35, 8:55 and 7:50 for each of the 4 miles. It’s definitely boosted my confidence after Saturdays run!

• Saturday 28th July 2007

10 miles – Long Slow Run

That was depressingly hard!! Had to stop and walk for a couple of minutes at the halfway point, and the last mile was torture. Its made worse by the fact that 6 weeks ago I was doing this route as an easy Long Slow Run, and this time I had stop and cut it short. Oh well at least its a long run under my belt, and the next one should be easier.

• Monday 23rd July 2007

3 miles – Tempo Run

Finally managed to drag my arse out of bed for a pre-work run. I’m hoping to get in the routine of doing 3 – 4 early morning runs of between 3 – 5 miles. That should help increase my mileage without impacting on ‘life’ too much. This run was quite comfortable, although as always the first 10 minutes was tough. I started out at 10km/h for the first 10 mins, then took it up to 10.5km/h, and then up to 11km/h for the rest of the run. It definitely loosened my legs as my quads were feeling tight after saturdays run.

• Saturday 21st July 2007

8 miles – Easy Run

No run all week, which is a poor effort. I was away most of the week due to work, I did take my running kit, I just failed to build up the required enthusiasm! So I went out for a long run this morning instead. It was tough, particularly miles 2 – 6, my chest was tight and my legs felt heavy, but the had got into my stride for the last couple of miles. I need a concerted effort this week as Belper 30k is only 4 weeks away and I really need to put in some solid 20+ mile weeks and get at least one 15+ mile run under my belt.

• Saturday 14th July 2007

5 miles – Easy Run

Another run the treadmill in an attempt to regain a bit of fitness. The first 10 minutes were horrible and I really thought I was going to have to stop after 3 minutes! But I soon got into it, and only the thought of over doing it made me stop at 5 miles. I had planned to do a long run on sunday, but decided 12 miles would be enough for this week, and a good base to built on ahead of the 2 races I have planned in August.

• Thursday 12th July 2007

4 miles – Tempo Run

The initial diagnosis of ‘not aching too much’ on monday night came back to haunt me on tuesday morning!! My quads were really hurting, and got steadily worse on wednesday. I decided not to push myself too much otherwise I could risk injuring myself again. Felt ok this morning though and decided on a gentle 4 miles. Obviously ‘gentle’ never really happens on a treadmill as its so mind numbingly boring you end up setting yourself little targets and challenges, and before you know it you’re doing a Tempo Run (i.e varying speeds for varying durations). Worryingly I was getting back twinges and now i’m sat at my desk i’m in a little bit of discomfort. Hopefully it will pass, and hopefully its not linked to the running in anyway – surely it can’t be i’ve only done 7 miles in 4 weeks!!

• Monday 9th July 2007

3.25 miles – Easy Run

I’ve had 4 weeks off from running due to various little niggles in my knees, ankles and feet, and was dreading this first run. I was supposed to start my training again last week but have been putting it off as I didn’t want to see how much fitness i’d lost. Finally plucked up the courage last night and did an easy 30mins on the treadmill. It was good to get it out the way and was surprised how fresh I felt for the first 10 minutes, almost like running on air, the 4 weeks rest had obviously done wonders for my joints. After about 15 minutes my lungs started burning, which came as a surprise as I haven’t had that sensation since I first started running over 3 years ago. All in all it was a very short, very slow run, but I felt good and am not aching too much. Looking forward to getting out again tonight and building up to some long runs in the coming weeks.

• Sunday 24th June 2007

4 miles – Hillwalking

Continuing ankle niggles and a recurrance of the heel and instep pain i’ve had before has meant I still haven’t run since Blackpool. I’m not sure how wise it is then to persist with the walking aspect of my training for MdS, but am going a bit stir crazy not doing anything. The plan today was a 6 mile circular route from Edale, up across Kinder Scout and then down Jacob’s Ladder. The weather was fine when we set off from Hillsborough, but by the time we’d reached Edale the rain had started and the cloud had lowered considerably. By the time we were nearing Kinder Scout the cloud level had dropped right down, and given that neither Rach or I are great navigators we decided to turn back. Kinder Scout is a big featureless plateau at the best of times, so we didn’t want the run the risk of getting lost up there. Nevertheless the bit of the route we did was great and we’ll certainly do the full route on a clearer day.

On the way up to Kinder Scout

• Sunday 17th June 2007

9.5 miles – Snowdon Walk

Still struggling with ankle problems so walking up Snowdon probably wasn’t the best idea, but seeing as we were camping in the area it seemed rude not to! We picked the only day that heavy rain wasn’t forecast and we weren’t disappointed, it was just a shame we’d dressed for changeable weather as shorts, t-shirt and flip flops probably would’ve done it. We slowly made our way up the Pyg Track, passing under the impressive Crib Goch. It was fairly tough going, particularly on the quads, but as we were talking the Chihuahua’s up with us (Chico and Rocky) the pace was nice and gentle. We reached the top fairly comfortably, and to be honest was surprised by the number of people at the top. I suppose I should’ve expected it on a warm summer’s Sunday. With photo’s taken and biscuits eaten we made our way down the Miner’s Track. The dogs had been carefully stowed away in our backpacks, as whilst they had made the walk up there look easy, I didn’t want to kill them! The walk down was a lot harder than the walk up, partly because by this point we’d been on our feet for 3 hours, partly because the first section of descent down the Miner’s Track is really steep, but mainly because of the pounding my knees, ankles and quads were taking. Before long we’d reached the Lake at the bottom, the path flattened out, and after a quick paddle we made our way past Pen-y-Pass and down to the car at the junction at the bottom of the hill. I must admit I really enjoyed the whole day, but was surprised how hard going I found it, and particularly how much I ached the next day! For me I’d certainly put it on a par with a Half Marathon in terms of what it takes out of you. Looking foward to giving it another go later in the summer.

         

                              top of Snowdon with the dogs    

 

                                 Rocky relaxing on the way down

• Sunday 3rd June 2007

18 miles – Blackpool Marathon (DNF)

Preparation for this had been a bit hit and miss due work and study commitments over the last couple of months, but thought I done enough to at least get me round.

The race started bang on time and we wound through the town, down on to the promenade. The weather forecasts had been saying it would rain but at 9am the temperature was a balmy 18-20 degrees – not good, but it could have been worse. We made our way on to the promenade for the long drag out past the Pleasure Beach and to the turn around point at Starr Gate. I was feeling good and sticking to my 9:30 min run / 30 sec walk plan. I was probably running a bit too quickly on the run sections if I’m honest but I was feeling good. At 3 miles the first of my troubles started, my plasters kept falling off my nipples and I couldn’t get them to stick, which meant they were chafing badly. We reached the turn around point and headed back down the prom towards the Tower again.

I was still feeling good at the 5 miles point, clocking 48:30. Too quick really but I was ok, and was planning to slow down a bit at 10 miles anyway. As we reached the Tower I saw Rach, which gave me a boost. In her usual ‘observant’ way she didn’t see me until I ran in front of her and wave in her face (and she wonders why it took 9 goes to pass her driving test!). At 6 miles we turned off of the Prom down on to the concrete sea wall. Things started unraveling a bit here. The concrete was really taking it toll on my joints and the heat and lack of wind made it particularly hot and stuffy, so much so I was almost struggling to breath. This section seemed to go on forever, and was psychologically draining. We finally turned off of the sea wall at about 9 miles where we turned back on ourselves and ran along the headland. In a sick twist of irony we went from stifling stuffy heat on the sea wall to a head wind on the undulating head land. I finally found a St. John’s ambulance where I could get some more plasters. I covered myself in micropore and set off again.
The next couple of miles passed in a haze. I was struggling, but feeling ok. I was taking my walk breaks, but they were less regimented now. Having to keep stopping to apply plasters had messed with my rhythm and I was struggling to get it back. I finally reached the half way point where the marathoners were separated from the Half Marathoners. I thought this would be soul destroying, but actually gave me a lift as the crowd cheered and I was singing ‘Lets Go Round Again’ in my head. I looked at my watch 2:12 for a Half Marathon – not bad. I was quite chuffed with it, but knew it was a bit too fast.

The route went back on to the main Promenade through Blackpool as I started the second lap. I saw Rach at 14 miles, the runners had thinned out now and she saw me approaching. Again seeing her gave me a huge lift and I ran up and gave her a kiss. Sadly things went severely pair shaped quickly after that.

I don’t know whether it was the heat, or fatigue but the whole thing just descended into an Orwellian nightmare. While Blackpool was all pleasant and tacky seaside fun at 9am by the time i’d started the second lap the place was packed. People were carrying on with their daily routine completely oblivious of the marathon. Crowds wondered across the street in front of you, hen and stag nights were in the pubs singing and dancing, people stuffing there faces with candy floss and fish and chips and I was plodding on in the relentless heat not able to join in the fun, like I was in a nightmare not able to wake up. There were the occasional shouts of encouragement but also shouts from gangs of hen and stag parties, I won’t go into the exact comments but they were far from encouraging!!

At 15 miles my ankle ligaments really started hurting. I’ve had it before playing football where you turn your ankle, but I normally manage to run it off. I tried walking it off, and running it off up to 16 miles but it was just getting worse, I stopped at another St. John’s ambulance for more plasters as the micropore had come off again. I plodded on for another mile but had to sit and massage my ankle. By this time my legs were seizing up and the backs of my knees were starting to hurt to and my joints generally had had it. I got up and carried on to the next St. Johns ambulance where they took me in the back and strapped up my ankle. It was at this point they opened the road up to traffic and with my ankle heavily bandaged I decided to sack it. It was a tough decision but with 8 miles to go and my ankle not getting any better there was no way I’d be able to finish without doing some damage to myself.
Its my first DNF, and I can’t explain how gutted I am. I suppose I realise now that if i’m struggling to run 26 miles then how the hell can I expect to run 150 miles across the Sahara! The crumbs of comfort I can draw from this is that I’ve got the best part of 2 years to put it right, and that I needed this kick up the arse. For too long my training has been ad hoc, but because I keep setting PB’s and generally running further and faster i’ve never felt the need to structured my training. But after sunday I now realise you can’t underestimate marathons, and that you really do need to put the training in.

Marathon des Sables training starts here!!

• Monday 28th May 2007

6.2 miles - Club Run

Went for my first run with the club for months last night. Don’t seem to have been able to get over there for while for one reason or another, but glad I did. We went for a nice gentle paced run across some trails around Handsworth. It was hilly in parts, but just what I needed to get the legs moving. I’ll probably have one more run this week of around 4-5 miles and then have 3 good days rest before Blackpool on sunday.

•  Sunday 27th May 2007

30 minutes - Weights

Since I started running, nearly 3 years ago, i’ve hardly done any cross training, and particularly no weight training. This was amazingly evident from this mornings pathetic showing!! I really struggled, not so much on the weight itself (although it was pretty light), it was more the repetitions. My upper body strength was particularly poor, and just goes to show how much work i’m going to have to put in over the next 2 years. Don’t know where i’m going to find time, but I think I need to work in at least 2 weights sessions a week.

• Saturday 26th May 2007

11 miles - Long Slow Run

Decided to go for a nice steady run around Derwent and Howden this morning. It was partly to break in my new trainers, so they are a bit more comfortable for Blackpool, but also to try out these new tablets called Endurolyte. They are basically electrolytes which replace all the sodium and potassium you lose through sweating, which ultimately drains you of energy. I have tried various other electrolytes in the form of gels and drinks, but they generally make me feel sick! So I wanted to have a longish run to see if these had any adverse ‘vomitty’ side effects, and they didn’t, which is promising.

I started off really slowly and it felt as though I had lead in my shoes. But after 4/5 miles I got into a rhythm and by the time I got back to my car I was feeling in the groove. Not sure if I had another 15 miles in me though!

•  Thursday 24th May 2007

8 miles - Treadmill

Decided to do a longish treadmill run today, partly to break in some new trainers and partly to try out these new Nuun tablets. I also want to start doing some longer runs on the treadmill as it should toughen me up psychologically. The run felt ok, I felt really sluggish and heavy legged for the first 3 miles, but then I got into a rhythm and felt ok. I am slightly worried that my training has stagnated and even gone backwards and recent runs have felt really hard work. I need to start incorporating more cross training, but just haven’t had any time this month, and any time I have had has been used to clock up the mileage.

• Tuesday 22nd May 2007

3 miles - Recovery Run

The legs finally felt up to a bit of a run tonight. So I went the gym for a very slow, very short run just to get the blood back in to the legs. I need to sort my eating out as I was starving when I got in from work, so had to have my dinner. Which meant when I went to the gym at 8pm I was running on a full stomach, not the most pleasant feeling, and made me feel really heavy and bloated. Don’t think i’ll have chance to run again until Thursday when my exam is out of the way. I’m torn between putting in some hard sessions or just gently tapering ahead of Blackpool Marathon in 10 days. It seems silly to taper now when I haven’t really done the proper training in the first place. Have booked a hotel in Blackpool now. I think we have landed on our feet with a little Boutique Hotel in Lytham St. Anne’s. It only has 4 rooms, one of which is occupied by other marathoners so I am told, so the saturday night should be nice and quite with everyone going to bed early!

• Sunday 20th May 2007

13.1 miles - Sheffield Half Marathon

Well that went horribly wrong!! Was aiming to go sub 1:50 which meant doing 8min 23 second miles. Everything was going to plan up to about 8 miles and I was clocking between 8:15 and 8:30 minute miles. I slowed down to 9 minute miles until the 10 mile marker, and then the wheels just came off! The last 3 miles were a blur of plodding and staggering!! No idea what went wrong, maybe I set off too fast, maybe it was hillier than I remember, maybe I hadn’t prepared properly. Who knows, but I suppose its another 13 miles under the belt!

• Friday 18th May 2007

5 miles – Easy Run

Decided to have a very slow run on the treadmill, just to get the blood running in my legs. Have been a bit slack on the training front recently so need to step it up again. I’m still trying to break these new trainers in, but it was a bad idea 2 days before a Half Marathon!! My calf knotted up badly and was even toying with pulling out of the race altogether.

• Thursday 17th May 2007

2 miles – Easy Run

My God I haven’t run for over a week……..not exactly ideal Marathon preparation. Just haven’t had time for one reason or another – work, exams, assignments, 30th Birthday – the excuses are endless!!! Thought I ought to loosen my legs ahead of Sunday’s Half Marathon and test out some new kit while I was at it. Got some new trainers for my birthday, some Brooks Addiction’s, ugly looking things but they have been highly recommended. Also thought i’d try some new shorts, some of those proper runners shorts that are split up to the hip. I planned to do 6 very easy miles, but the shorts were definitely a mistake as I was suffering a fair bit of chafing. I really need to lose a couple of stone before I can run without cycling shorts!! Cut the run short to avoid any lasting damage, so might go out for an easy run tonight and on saturday morning too.

• Wednesday 9th May 2007

5 miles – 5 mile Race

Got back from Leicester in time and thought i’d have a run out to clear my head a bit. It was a South Yorkshire 5 mile Road League event, which is only open to runners who are members of affiliated clubs – so I went through my usual worries about coming last as I was surrounded by proper, lean runners. The course was pretty tough with the first 2.5 miles up hill, and then 2.5 miles downhill with some undulations scattered about. I went through halfway in a very disappointing time, but managed to pick it up in the last 2 miles to record a PB! Was pleased I did it especially as there was a programme about MdS on Eurosport last night, its spurred me on to up my mileage a bit and get rid of all this excess weight!

• Tuesday 8th May 2007

5 miles - Treadmill

Just a gentle plod on the treadmill as a recovery run from Sunday’s long run and Monday’s walk. Also needed to loosen my legs ahead of tomorrow’s 5 mile race (if I make it back from a meeting in Leicester in time!)

•  Monday 7th May 2007

6 miles – Hillwalking

One of the bits of advice i’ve received about training for MdS is to walk. Unless you are a ‘racing snake’ a lot of miles covered in the desert will be done at walking pace, so long distnace walking training is required. On the basis of todya’s walk i’m not surprised!! For some reason 6 miles running is breeze but todays walk was a real slog, ok we did get lost, and we were travelling over some really tough terrain (due to straying completely off of ‘the beaten path’ – thanks to my superb navigational skills), but was still surprised how hard it was. I shall now be working in long walks in to my training programme and hoping to build up some overnight, long distance treks.

• Sunday 6th May 2007

16.5 miles – Long Slow Run

I was hoping to do 18 – 20 miles today as this was going to be my last run before Blackpool Marathon. Sadly though the wheels came off at 14 miles again!! I seem to have a pschological issue getting past half marathon distance. Everything was going fine to 12 miles and then I just hit the wall, I got 14 miles ok but then had to run/walk back to the car. This has happened on all 3 of my 15 mile+ runs and now I am really concerned about finishing Blackpool. I wasn’t planning another Long Run due to social and racing commitments, but think i’ll have to try and do another 15 miler next weekend. I have read somewhere about the run/walk marathon strategy, this can be divided up any way you want, but the one I fancy is run 1 mile, then walk 60 secs. It’ll be hard to stop myself running in the early stages when I feel fresh, but could be just what I need to get me all the way round.

• Saturday 5th May 2007

2 miles – Intervals

Haven’t done a training run for ages, so thought I’d loosen my legs ahead of tomorrow’s planned Long Slow Run. It was only a couple of miles on the treadmill, but done at a rapid pace. Felt good, and it was nice to blow the cobwebs off, as I haven’t had chance to do too much running as I’ve been so busy lately. Not the best time to neglect training – 4 weeks before your first marathon!!

• Saturday 28th April 2007

9.3 miles – 15k Trail Race

Had a bit of a slack week this week as I was busy trying to do assignments, and sort out a hire car ahead of the weekend in the Lakes as my car apparently needs a new engine!! All of this wasn’t the best preparation for the weekend’s race!! The race itself was billed as Trail Race, but speaking to other competitors afterwards it was definitely more like a Fell Race. Lots of steep ascents and descents, and over 2500 feet of ascent in total. It was really hard work, but I enjoyed every second of it, and was definitely the type of quality session I need ahead of Blackpool Marathon. Not sure how much time I will have this week to run, but I’ll definitely be going out at the weekend for a 16-18 mile run.

Sunday 22nd April 2007

6.2 miles – 10k Race

Didn’t know what the course was going to be like for this race, but knew it was 3 laps. It turned out to be quite an interesting course with lots of different surfaces and few steep inclines, but quite twisty and turny which made it difficult to settle in to a rhythm. I ran with a colleague from work who ran round with me and encouraged me to a PB. Shaved 10 secs off my previous best which I was happy about and although on the day I doubt I could’ve given it anymore I do wonder what time I could’ve posted without 30 miles in my legs? But at the moment my training is all about Blackpool Marathon and I can think about setting good 10k PB’s another time!

• Saturday 21st April 2007

11 miles – Long Slow Run

Wasn’t sure what to do today, as i’m aware that I still haven’t put any really long runs in yet for Blackpool Marathon, but really wanted to go for a PB in tomorrow’s 10k race. So thought i’d go for a 10 mile gentle run to get a bit of distance in my legs without over doing it. Felt quite sluggish to start with, but soon got in to my stride and did a complete lap of Derwent and Howden Reservoirs at under 9:45m/m pace which I was pleased with.

•  Thursday 19th April 2007

6.5 miles – Treadmill

Went to the gym for a treadmill run tonight, just ran for an hour at an even pace. I supose you could call it ‘junk’ mileage, but I’ve still got a lot of weight to shift and runs like this definitely help. I was toying with going to Ladybower for a long run, but the weather turned a bit and I didn’t get home until 7:30pm. I’ll run home from work tomorrow and possibly squeeze in a long run on saturday before sunday’s 10k race.

• Tuesday 17th April 2007

6.5 miles – General

Ran home from work tonight. It was a fairly gentle paced run and quite uneventful, but it was good to have some pain free miles in the legs. Felt really strong at the end so looking forward to a longish run sometime later in the week. If all goes to plan this should be a 35 mile + week.

• Monday 16th April 2007

5 miles – Intervals

This running lark never fails to surprise me!! As my quad is feeling a lot better I decided to have a fast interval session on the treadmill to get some speed in my legs ahead of Sunday’s 10k race. I did a 5 min warm up at 10.5km/h, then did 3 x 3.5mins @ 11km/h with 90sec sprints in between @ 13.5km/h, I had a 10 min ‘rest’ @ 10.5km/h and then did 2 x 3.5 mins @ 11km/h and with 90sec sprints @ 13.5km/h, with the final 800m being run at 14km/h. The result being I beat my 5 mile PB!!! Obviously it doesn’t count, but i’ve never beaten a PB in training before so its definitely boosted my confidence for Sunday!

• Sunday 15th April 2007

5 miles – Easy Run

Decided I’d just have a bit of plod on the treadmill rather than do the planned 16-18 miles. I’m still a bit wary about my quad niggle so thought it best if I have another easy run to so how it held up. I wouldn’t say its 100% and I began to feel it after a few miles, but it didn’t ache after the run and my legs feel fine today. I shall hopefully be ramping my mileage up again this week with probably 5 runs culminating in Sundays 10k race and hopefully around 35 miles for the week.

• Saturday 14th April 2007

6 miles – Tempo Run

Did a 6 mile tempo run on the treadmill. Saturdays are generally rest days or long run days if I’m busy on the sunday. I’m not sure if doing a fairly hard run today was sensible, but I really need to start building my mileage up. I suppose I’ll just have to see how my legs bare up for tomorrows planned long run. My left quad ached a bit after the run, but quickly eased off which i’m pleased about, as I was starting to worry about it. I don’t think i’ll do the full 16-18 miles which I had planned tomorrow, instead i’ll probably just do 8-10 miles to see how the quad bares up. That will then leave me 6 full training weeks ahead of Blackpool Marathon in which time in need to at least one (but preferably two) 20 mile runs, which won’t be easy as i’ve got 3 races to do in that time!!

• Thursday 12th April 2007

4 miles – Recovery Run

Was hoping to do a 5-6 mile tempo run on the treadmill, but my legs felt really heavy from football. After about 2 miles my groin and quad tightened and became quite painful. I’m now not sure what to do about the weekend, as I was hoping to do 16-18 miles but i’m not sure if my quad will be up to and I don’t want to be stuck in the middle of the Peaks limping back to my car!!

• Tuesday 10th April 2007

Football – 60 minutes

Perhaps not the wisest decision I’ve ever made, playing 60 minutes of football with a quad niggle just 8 weeks before a marathon! I coped physically but my complete lack of footballing skills was exposed dreadfully. We eventually lost 5-0, and I know I will ache in some very unexpected areas for a few days. The quad held up ok and it was only towards the end of the match that it really impeded my movement. Nevertheless it was still a good workout and I suppose I could put it down as a Fartlek session!

• Saturday 7th April 2007

15 miles – Long Slow Run

 Went out to the Derwent Valley for a nice run around Derwent and Howden Reservoirs. It all started off nicely at a comfortable 11min/mile pace. The scenery is magnificent and it is hard to believe you are just 10 miles outside of the Steel City! I felt really good at 10 miles, where it hard started to go wrong the previous week, but at 12 miles I could feel a niggle in my quad. By 13 miles I was in a lot of pain and at 14 miles I had stop and walk. The last mile felt a very long way as I walked past numerous runners and cyclists. Hopefully my quad will be ok as I could do without any injuries with Blackpool Marathon just round the corner!

• Wednesday 4th April 2007

6 miles – General

Decided to run home from work and break in the new backpack. In theory this should be an easy route as it is mainly downhill. However, the first half mile is it hill which is never a nice way to warm up and every time I have done this route it has induced a stitch!! Then the remaining 5.5 miles really impacts on the quads as you are running downhill. Not enjoyable at all!!

• Sunday 1st April 2007

4 miles – Tempo run on the treadmill

 Felt ok considering the previous days long run. Started off as just a bit of a gentle recovery run, but its hard not step up the pace when you feel quite fresh!!