Onwards and Upwards

Yesterday was all about spectating and tracking my friends running the London Marathon, repaying a favor to all those who did the same for me when I ran it last year. Some running their 1^st Marathon, other running their 1^st London, handful of old vets and those trying to break records.

I woke early and took little Roxy (our temporary) lodger for a 40 minute run around ‘Lightwood’ Mountain out the back of our house. I was still in recovery and having only run twice since Manchester I thought there would be a spring my step and I was concerned about my little companion’s legs. However I needn't have worried, it would seem that my legs had still not really forgiven me, although we were back on talking terms. 
Forty minutes later and some very pitiful looks from a my four legged friend we made it back in to the house, I consoled myself with the fact that one of use was allow to sit on the sofa and the other wasn't 

Quick shower, change for me and a quick drink for Roxy and we were set up; cup of Tea, laptop, list of runners, phone and BBC One on the telly.  Everyone had been warned, DO NOT COME round, DO NOT Call and DO NOT expect a response.  In fairness I do not watch any soaps and telly during the week is normally watched when I am ironing, so I am pretty flexible really, but in order to help some of my none running friends and family who might call I explained it like 4 hours’ worth of Emerdale* (or insert the soap of choice or sport of choice in here).

The build-up was the usual BBC series of this is the route, some of the elites and personal stories of some of those running for some very good causes. We saw the wheelchair athletes off, then the IPC athletes were off, next the elite women and FINALLY the elite men and the masses!

The telly at this point became secondary to me watching my computer screen my friend trackers were moving off their lines, I felt like a mother hen counting all her chicks off in the water, when the last one had crossed the finish line I was able to watch the telly for a bit.  

After the first 5k we were treated to estimated place on route, my screen was a live with little running men moving through the route with times updating and changing, it was so exciting to watch.  Seeing how all my friends were getting on, how close they were to their expected finish time they were going to get, then before knew it some were over tower bridge and others where still around the 15k mark. I didn’t move for hours with watching the elite race and trying to catch my friends running past the camera.

Going off track here slightly but I have to say I thought the elite race was a good one, it really does go to show that it is really the last 5-6 miles that the race really takes place. Mo had a great run and I was getting a little frustrated listening to the commentary about the BBC woulda, coulda shoulda. 

Personally I think to have a GB athlete to achieve a sub 2:10 is bloody brilliant, the last time a GB athlete got a sub 2:10 was 2005 by Jon Brown. To date we only have had 15 runners go sub 2:10 and Steve Jones record has stood since 1985!!! Don’t believe me check it out here.

Back on to Sunday fortunately my little men were heading toward the finish line, so I switched the RED button where we were treated to cameras on the finish line.  So we were able to track our runner’s right up until they approach the finish line and watch them over the line.  It was truly epic and such a good way of being there and not being there. I counted them out and then counted them back in, it was such a great feeling and so motivational for me to tackle my next marathon in Edinburgh next month.

Today is all about action so Operation 4 starts commences……

• 4kg lighter
• 4 minutes quicker
• 4 inches lost waist, hips 
• 4 posts a month

On a sad note 

My thoughts do go out to the family of person who collapse at the finish line, thinking of you at this sad time. 

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.