Running - why do we do it?! by Raring_to_go

• One year on...

  Like on realbuzz.com

  0

  0

  ScrapbookShare

  May02201212:21 p.m.

  Unbelievable that an entire year has passed since I last blogged. So, where to start?

  Well I did get over the quads issue I was plagued with last April and went on to run an autumn marathon - Chester, in October. I finished in 4:58:05 which was a bit disappointing, but not bad considering that I suddenly developed a pain in my left foot and calf at around 14 miles! No idea where that came from and thankfully it went away as mysteriously as it came after the event. At least I got under the 5 hours, but was left still hankering after 4:45.

  Did a few more races to round of the year, including Leeds Abbey Dash in November. For this race I got a PB of 52:33, which I was delighted with - the intervals sessions I had been doing over the last few weeks had obviously paid off

  Christmas rolled into New Year, and with the dawn of 2012 came my second attempt at getting my marathon time down to 4:45. I started marathon training in January, using the SmartCoach schedule from Runners World. This was based on 3 runs per week, including a tempo run, intervals session and long run. I adapted it slightly, keeping the recommended weekly mileage about the same but adding a 3 mile recovery run. I have found that 4 runs a week with some cross-training seems to suit me okay, as long as I don't go mad with the pace for the long runs! I had entered the Greater Manchester Marathon (29th April) back in the autumn, once I had found out I hadn't been successful in the VLM ballot.

  I always like to incorporate races in my training schedule, and key races I had entered wre Ferriby 10, Liversedge Half, Snake Lane 10 and Spen 20. Pleased to report that I got PBs for all of them except Spen 20, but that one is notoriously hilly and my previous 20 mile PB had been East Hull, which is pancake flat so not a very fair comparison! I also got a 5K PB at York parkrun on 24th March: 24:48, which turns out to be my best performance to date in terms of age grading (65%). This is surprising because I always felt I was better at longer plods. Again, interval sessions have helped, as well as losing nearly a stone last year.

  Training went well and I made sure I was stretching properly, (trying to) eat healthily and had a couple of sports massages. Total mileage for the marathon training was 447 miles, which is the highest I have done leading up to a marathon.

  I arrived at the taper stage feeling quietly confident. I knew I had put the training in and it had gone well - but 4:45 hours or more is a heck of a long time to be out there, and there is plenty of scope for things to go wrong! As the last week arrived my nerves started increasing, mainly because I kept looking at weather forecast reports, which were awful! I went out and bought myself a decent lightweight wind-proof and water-resistant running jacket on Friday, and tried it out for my last run which was 2 miles at recovery pace. It felt light and comfortable, so this helped calm my nerves a bit. I also packed long tights into my race bag, a wheely bin liner and a fleece hat - all of which I needed on the day!

  Hubby and I stayed at Salford Quays remier Inn on the Saturday night, which was not too far from the race venue.  I had a chicken pasta dish for tea and got an early night. Slept okay, and woke up to the sound of gale force wind and rain lashing on the window  It really looked bleak out there and hubby wasn't happy about the thought of me running 26.2 miles in *that*! I was going though, whatever the weather...

  Got to the start line in good time and chatted to a couple of women I know from Fetch and FB - was glad to meet them as it helped reduce the nerves. We were already pretty wet from standing around in a muddy park before the start, and really wanted to just get going.

  Once we were off I settled down pretty quickly into a steady pace, taking walk breaks as and when (plus four stops behind bushes for a wee - remember there was lots of water around, which didn't help!). Can't say I remember much about the course! I never do, and was just plodding along with my own thoughts. I  remember passing Old Trafford and the Kelloggs factory (from which a strong smell of burnt popcorn emanated - yuk). I was following the 4:45 pacer, but noticed she was running a bit too fast when I checked my watch and pace band, so wasn't too bothered when she got ahead. I know that it's fatal to run the first half too quickly, so was careful to keep on track with the pace.

  All was going well despite the wind and rain, but what I wasn't prepared for was the wind chill factor. The thermometer on the car had registered 4.5 degrees earlier that morning, but with the strong wind it felt a lot colder. At around 16 miles my hands were going numb and I felt spasms going down my fingers. This made it hard to extract gels from my pocket and tie up my shoelace when it became undone. The other nice 'touch' added to the course was a stretch of ankle-deep icy cold water and mud! I must admit I was feeling a bit anxious during the second half as the wind had really picked up. At around 20 miles I saw some runners standing at the side wrapped in foil blankets, looking like they were suffering from the early stages of hypothermia. I must take my hat off to the Manchester people who were out there in force, supporting us all and handing out sweets, drinks and bin bags. This really helped our morale and kept us going.

  I must admit to feeling quite surprised to get to 20 miles and really not feel too bad! No sign of the wall, and apart from discomfort in my right hip I wasn't suffering too much. The rain was easing off and for a few minutes the sleeves on my jacket actually dried out! The thing that really amazed me was that I seemed to be overtaking quite a few people in the last two or three miles. Usually I am walking loads at this stage, but I'm pretty sure I ran the last two miles with no walking at all.

  Coming up to the finish line was amazing. My hubby apparently saw me there and was surprised at how good I looked ('good' = not limping, but running, and without an expression of utter agony on my face - which had been the case at Chester!).  Crossed the line with 4:48:21 on the clock, but later found out my chip time of 4:42:52. This is a PB of nearly 13 mins, so obviously I am very proud and absolutely delighted with the time - especially given the weather conditions. Out of the 5 marathons I've done, this one was the one where my legs felt the strongest and the second half of the race was only 2 minutes slower than the first - usually it is about half an hour slower! I'm pretty sure I could get something nearer 4:30 on a good day with the right training - or is that a bit optimistic? Time will tell!

  I have entered the VLM ballot for the 5th time, but if I don't get in I have my eye on the Marathon of the North in Sunderland. This is being held for the first time this year on 6th May, so I'll be checking out the reviews afterwards.

  Recovery is going really well. Had a sore knee on Monday and a bit of stiffness in the quads and calves, but this has all settled down now. I'm having a few days rest, and may well make an appearance at York parkrun this Saturday - probably volunteering/supporting, though may help pace a couple of women I know who are currently running around 32 mins. If I feel okay by Friday I will opt to pace at 30 mins at parkrun...we shall see

  Onwards and upwards - and happy running!

  108 post views

  Comments (4)

  • Alaistair 'Great to see you post your Manchester Report on RB...well done Viv, your PB was very well deserved after many weeks of relentless training. Glad you came through in one piece with an eye on the next goal! Can think of a couple of runners needing a 30 min pacer on Saturday...Fiona PB'd again dropping sub 26 mins, she's getting quicker for sure ;o)' added 2nd May 2012

    Report as inappropriate

  • Johanne 'Great to hear from you again after all this time! And you have been doing so much. Brilliant well done on your marathon PB that is great news. And your 5K time was flipping pretty good too - I could only achieve that on my bike. Maybe I should try some Parkruns and try to improve my speed. I have entered VLM again too so if we both get in maybe we should try to meet up?! I wish I had done Snake Lane - every year I forget about it until its too late. Next year maybe. Have you any other local runs planned? I am doing Kirkbymoorside on sunday and was tempted by the Hull half ... ' added 2nd May 2012

    Report as inappropriate

  • tinabee 'Well done Viv. Great post. ' added 7th May 2012

    Report as inappropriate

  • judith 'Well done on the PB. Very brave to run a marathon in those conditions. A great report as well.' added 7th May 2012

    Report as inappropriate

  Please login to comment
  
  

Previous Posts