Overview

I'm now back in the UK, tired but still exhilarated by the whole experience - the above sums it up!
The crowds were absolutely amazing - so much noise, so much support.
I ran 3.47.44 - which I am absolutely thrilled with especially because it was at a very even pace (half marathon time 1.53.26).  It also means I should get a good for age place for London 2010 which is great as I'm definitely hooked on this running marathons lark!
I hope everyone else who ran is happy with their runs and had a fantastic experience too - I will keep looking to see if you post times/stories etc.
I'll take things easy for a few weeks and then the training will start for FLM09!

 

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Not much to report on the running front - been doing far more eating than running!  I've done a few short runs - two more planned and that's it.

I'm looking forward to going out to NY but getting rather worried about my Wave 1 start.  I can't understand why I'm in that wave because my estimated time is not as fast as the website is predicting for that wave - I can only think it's because I have a 'good for age' guaranteed entry - it helps being old!  Oh well, I'll just have to make sure I don't go out too fast at the beginning - let them all run away from me!  And then not get too depressed when lots of speedy runners from the next wave catch me up!

My number (18435) makes it look as if I'm on the Green start - anyone else there?

Just in case I don't blog again - GOOD LUCK to everyone running - have a great time!

 

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Well, I survived both the long run and birthday celebrations last weekend!
The run ended up being 21 miles (in just over 3 hours) which I was very happy with and I felt as if I could have kept going - at least for a bit longer.  I decided to taper from then so that was it as far as long runs are concerned.
I caught up with loads of friends/family etc at my birthday party - great!  I took it as a great opportunity to take in lots of calories - rather too many from alcohol probably!
During the week I did a couple of 6 milers and then ran a 10 mile race this morning (1.18) which I'm delighted with.  I ran this with my husband and a bunch of friends - the support team included 13 children - boy can they can make a lot of noise! It's fantastic to have cheering supporters - made me wonder what NY will be like.  I've heard the atmosphere is amazing!
It's short runs this week - a couple of 4 milers (hardly worth putting the shoes on for!) and then 8 next weekend.
I'm getting excited now - and a bit nervous.......

 

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My legs are reaping the benefit of no long run last week - I went out for a 4.5 mile run this morning and it felt great - 8 min miling!  The 20 miles on Saturday may be a different story - certainly I'll be taking it a lot slower!

But the big event of this w/e is my birthday - the big 5 0 on Sunday.  I'm having 'a bit of a do' on Saturday evening (so no chance of a run on Sunday!).  I'll be asking my husband to entertain the girls on Sat afternoon so I can have a bit of a zzzzzz post run and before friends and family start turning up (old age is already catching up with me!).

The other news of this week is that I have a ballot place for London next April!  Sorry if you have read the news elsewhere but it's very exciting! 

So back to NY - I'm starting in Wave 1 (bit scary that - I thought that was for the speedy runners) but at least there's less hanging around before the start.  Although I have heard from friends who have run big city marathons that it's quite fun; everyone is really friendly and there's a great atmosphere.  It's exciting to think about it.  Also read that Paula's taking part - she's so impressive.

I'm just putting the finishing touches to my justgiving page - I've been putting off releasing it until I knew I was really going to make it to the start.  Twice before I have collected lots of sponsorship and then had to pull out - being cautious this time.  I will be running for The Stroke Association - reasons for doing so on my site.  This time I have a 'good for age' place so no sponsorship pressure but it's such a great way of raising money for a fantastic cause.

www.justgiving.com/hilaryjohnson

Not long to go now......

 

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I've been taking things easy this week - only have 8miles planned for the w/e.

My head is playing games with me now.......I keep thinking my leg where I had the stress fracture is aching more.  Maybe it's the weather getting colder and wetter but most likely it's all in my head!  It doesn't hurt when I run so I'm sticking to the training plan and crossing my fingers! 

On a positive note I heard from my brother who lives in DC (Air traffic controller) that he has definitely got Nov 2nd off work and so is up to NYC for the w/e!  Yeah!  That's doubled the size of my support team!  He's run quite a few marathons (sub 3.15) so knows what it's all about.  I don't think he's run NY but I'll check and see if he has any tips for us.

I was reading the course description on the site this week - all it talks about is hills!  I'm not sure whether it's better to be prepared or blissfully ignorant!

I'm crossing my fingers for the London ballot.  My husband heard yesterday that he'd not got a place but there was nothing in the post for me....maybe it's good news!  If I do get a ballot place hubby says he may go for a charity place so we can train together - not quite sure who'll look after the children?!  Oh well, worry about that when the time comes.

Good running everyone.

 

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I managed the 18 miler on Saturday - with the support of my wonderful running 'girls' (more accurately middle-aged Mums).
We all started running a few years ago, after having kids, to support one of the group who was involved with Race for Life.  That turned into an expanding group who run regularly every Saturday morning at 8am.

Well, this week, to support me through 18 miles one girl was up at 7am to run for an hour with me before I met up with the rest of the group.  (The fact she had to get her son to football by 9am also helped!)  And then the others helped with the rest.

Result?  18 miles run (at just over 9 min/mile pace), chatting all the way, not noticing the distance, no aches and pains ........ I just need to ship them all over to NY to run with me out there!

My ankle has ached very slightly since but nothing serious so I now believe the marathon is do-able.  I'm having an easy week this week (nothing longer than 8 miles) then 20 miles the following w/e.  Then it's tapering time.  Not long now!

I hope everyone's long runs are going well.

 

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Training has been going OK so decided to test myself (and the leg) with the Windsor Half yesterday.  It was hot (well, for this summer anyway!) and the course was rather more undulating than the description had led me to believe so it felt hard work.  However I'm happy with the time of 1.47 given my dislike of running in the heat and hills and probably just about keeps my dream of running sub-4 alive.
I'm getting a few aches and pains now so am off to the Physio tomorrow for a bit of a check up before the planned 18 miles this weekend.
Hope everyone else's training's going well - not too long now!

 

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I've been rather quiet over the last couple of months because I've been away for most of it.  Still been slowly building up the running though and having run 14 miles last week in Turkey (a bit warm!) I'm now really beginning to believe I will make it to NYC and actually complete the marathon.  I wont have done as many long runs as I would ideally like but I'm planning on 16 miles this weekend and then one 18 and one 20 miler over the next few weeks.

My previous dreams of sub 4 hours are probably unrealistic but I will get some idea of my fitness when I run the Windsor half next Sunday.  I'll then decide whether to set a target time for NYC or just hope to finish!

I've continued to read the posts and be inspired by others progress - sorry I've not been contributing - I'll improve now it's getting closer.

 

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