Manchester 0 Kirsten PB 1 Part 2 - Race Day

RACE DAY

Getting up wasn't a problem, with waking a little before my alarm, I  slipped out of bed and got dressed and a coffee, with a whisper of good bye to the other half, I snook out of the house.  My friend Lisa and her daughter had agreed to give me a lift as they were coming to support the runners from the club, which really took the worry out for me. 

Before you knew it we were at old Trafford (notwithstanding the problems with parking) and meeting up with the rest of the members of the club and those that would be supporting on route, we exchanged hugs of good look to each other and wished each other well out there. With two loo trips and a baggage drop off later meant I had to jog my way to the start which helped to warm me up.

The race start was a little chaotic and the pens were not so stringently marshaled like London or Great North Run, but I managed to find my way in to the middle of blue zone and just in front of me was the guy who was trying to beat the world record of the fastest marathon dressed as a beer bottle (note to self must get in front of him before the cameras). I chatted to those around me while they were making announcements about the front runners and the conditions on route and then we were off…. well nearly it always takes a while to get over the line (around 2mins which isn't too bad)  

The route heads off around the roads of old Trafford now, it wasn't the most inspiring of routes to begin with but it was nice because there were two switchbacks which meant that you got to look for fellow club runners, which help to concentrate your mind on something other than the 26 miles ahead of you. I managed to clock nearly all of my Trentham, the best club in Trentham, and give them a shout out, the crowd support was really great as well because they didn't have far to go to catch you going past in a couple of places.

Next you head out of Old Trafford and this is when it really starts, the street still had people on them, but it was a lot quieter and helped you get your head down and focus on the run. Catie, a fellow cub mate had made loads of signs for the ladies from the club and did a brilliant job about getting out along the course which was a nice touch!

The run itself was OK, my plan was to start at 8:30 pace, then in the second half drop down to 8:20 which a target of a  sub 3:45.  However it never happened, I started to lose focus it around 8-9 miles into the course, I saw the front runners coming back towards us.  I keep thinking that it was going to be a another short switchback however it seem to go on for ever, perhaps I should have studied the course before the race ?!?!? (note to self study course)

The switchback was ALL around Sale! which signals half way and my pace was still good, but I could feel things beginning to slip. Looking at my stats my pace really fell away at 18 miles and I couldn't seem to get below 9 minute miles, I seem to be putting in the same effort but it was not showing in my pace. 

Having said that I did managed to pull off an 8:25 between mile 20 and 21! although it wasn't sustainable, I soon fell back to over 9 minute miles. But at this point I just wanted

it to be over, my hips decided they had had enough and started a petition, which was soon signed by my knees and ankles….. everything below the waist working but mainly to rule and complaining about it every step of the way.

So I did what most would do, 24 miles in I had a little walk, but they didn't like that either!! They was simply no pleasing them, so I  zipped up the man suit and reasoned that running would get me to the finish quicker and then I could sit down, everyone seem to be in agreement with that proposal and we are off again!

The crowds in those too last miles where great and when I happened across a group of friends spectating it was deafening but real fuel for the legs and heart and spurred me closer to the line and the finish. 

Crossing the finish line, I knew I’d not quite made it sub 3:45, but then again I did get a Personal Best knocking around 55 sec’s off! Which is great and hopefully I can build on these solid foundations a for my next marathon in Edinburgh and sub 3:45 will be mine

Manchester 0 Kirsten PB 1 Part 1 - the Journey

Well Manchester Marathon seems to have finally left my legs and it is time to reflect on how I got to the start. My journey to Manchester marathon has been a rather good one really from commencing of my training on January 1^st until April 6^th.  

Journey to the start Line

Coach Dale, from the best running club in Trentham, had devised number of training plans for club members and had agreed to pull on together for me/ My plan concentrated on 2 quality sessions a week; 5 minute intervals and a tempo run either parkrun or longer with the club tempo group; the other part of the plan was 3 runs focused around time rather than miles which would either by long, steady or recovery.  

Running for time rather than miles needed a little more focus and took a little getting used to, I am in a fully committed relationship with my garmin, and I tend to focus on miles rather than time.  To help me working it all out I asked Dale to give me an indication of the pace each run should be so I could develop a route.  There is nothing wrong with going out on a route and then realising that you were 20-30 minutes short and you need to make the minutes!!!

Fortunately they were a number of us from Trentham training for spring marathons, so there was plenty of company for the  quality sessions and we all felt the pain.  It also helped when someone was down someone would be on a high and we pulled each other through.

The weeks seem to fly by and there were some ups and downs, and before you know it I am going to bed at 9:30pm on Saturday 5^th April!!!  

I had all good intentions of going to bed nice and early, but with double checking my phone alarm, my kit, my trainers, my phone alarm and my directions to my friend who was giving me a lift it was 10:30!! 

So off went the light and I was asleep zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

To find out about my race day find it here. 

Don't panic

Well after a couple of really positive weeks my running has hit a bit of a stumble, nothing major just back to back bad runs. 

I am 3 weeks away from Manchester marathon and in essence I have entered the taper period so I was thinking that my running should be getting easier but my last two runs were not good. On reflection when you look at it in the cold light of day my pace wasn't bad, I was just expecting to feel slightly better during them. 

I am not going to dwell on them too much and just notch it up to fatigue, I have had a couple of back
to back 20+ long slow runs and very busy weeks at work, along with college work and assignments it is easy to see I have a lot on my plate.

I have got a target tempo run to do tomorrow (parkrun day) and hopefully that will set everything back on track,I am hoping that 48 hours recovery and rest is just was the running doctor ordered. 

 For all those in the final throws of training for your spring marathon, I hope your training is going well and remember one or even two bad runs does not mean you are not progressing it might be just simply a sign that you are tired, take a rest and don't beat yourself up!