John's training diary by Jonners

It's 3 years since I first stood on the start line in the Manchester, not quite believing I was there. Since then I've always looked forward to the 3rd Sunday in May. But in 2010 it didn't quite feel the same. Over the last few months, ever since that Sunday morning last September in Sheffield, I've been trying very hard to overcome the problems that I experienced that morning. In a way I have, I've got back to running despite saying things to the contray at the time, but just as it seems that I've overcome everything, something comes along to throw me back and after careful thought and speaking to one or two people I've concluded enough is enough. The major hurdle has been hydration.  During the long winter, runs had been confined to the treadmil and has been convenient to have a litre of water by my side. The problem re-surfaced when I returned outside. Couldn't go far without my mouth in particular becoming very dry. Yes, I took a bottle with me but was restricting in far I could go. In total contrast my other "love", cycling was heading in the other direction, hydration just wasn't a problem. Transporting up to 3 litres of water with me just isn't an issue. Added to the fact that taking 2 or 3 breaks on long distance rides does not upset my rhythm in any way. By early April the runs were being confined to inside and the bike had now completely taken over outside.

As well as the hydration problem, the way my body is reacting to both disciplines couldn't be more different. There no stiff legs even after doing up 50 miles on the bike, yet do a small run, the legs soon stiffen up. Lack of support at the gym proved to be the final nail in the running's coffin. But we will not go into that. So by mid-April I made up my mind up that the GMR 2010 would be my swansong.

So we come to last Sunday and what will be my final run in public. For once I was going to try and enjoy myself. This year I would be in the white start wave, but whether I was in the pink it wouldn't have mattered. The build up to start had always been part of the day,but the long wait to the off, had started to make me feel very anxious but I taken plenty liquid beforehand and felt quite hydrated to at least to get me to the first water station. So at the stoke of 1055 the white wave were off, but took me a good 10 minutes to get through the start area, had quite realised how far back I was in the wave. So through the narrow start area and with literally 000s of others the start got pretty cramped, for first km I had to run on and off the pavement to avoid getting crushed so forget a PB.

So then up towards OT footy grounds and by now my mouth began to get very dry so from now it would be a battle of survival certainly up to the first water point was still some distance away, in fact it would be just under 5k. Greedily I managed to grab 2 bottles which were soon emptied. Si I neeeded to concentrate and get to next one, at about 7k,thankfully a run through shower was very welcoming at the 6k mark. Knowing that this was last water point, I again grab 2. 1st disappeared quickly but used the 2nd one more conservatively. Then the kick for home at about 7.5k but I still had 1 psychological barrier to overcome ...8k, this where went all so badly wrong back in September, and there was brief moment when I thought it's going to happen all over again. But this time at least I could see the finish. At about 8.5k the marshallers were handing out jelly babies and even venosline cream both extremely welcome just to give a final boast towards the end. I was now counting down the metres, got to admit all thoughts of not finishing had disappeared. So up to the finish in Deansgate as always the noise of the crowd was deafening. The end was insight...never before has a finishing line been so welcoming. After crossing it, I just throw my arms in the air in sheer relief.

Knew the time wasn't the best, was never going to be. Knew that before the start. For the record it  was 52'59".  For me it was about just finishing and not ending up in a back of an ambulance this time. 

Now that dust has settled abit I'm still not regretting it being my last one. When I got home was just totally shattered. Monday, after a Hot Stone Massage, was spent sleeping. The dry mouth in the opening K's has re-enforced my thinking that it's not worth it anymore. Been on 30 mile bike ride only this morning and there were no problems.

As for the immediate future there is a new and very exciting challenge to "worry" about . I'm aiming to do the Manchester to Blackpool bike ride... 64 miles on 4th July and I can't wait to do that. If that goes well, the plan is to do more similar ones. No point in jumping to far ahead.

The title says "its all over" and it is. I couldn't have imagined in 3 years I would have run 10 10k's, 1 half marathon, and 1 1/4 marathon, but for me it's time to move on from the running. I still want it to be a part of my fitness but it is doing me more harm than good both physically and mentally and my GP is getting very concerned again.

Thanks to everyone for reading and commenting on my ups and down over last few years. It has helped me get through to the bitter end.