London Marathon - Rejected Again!

I can't believe it! It was my 6th application to the London Marathon, and 5th in a row. Surely I was guaranteed a place this time? No. Apparently not. This really snookers my plans.

I've been asked over to Atlanta, by a friend, to run in March. The choice was to the the full ING Marathon or the half maranthon. Ideally, I was hoping to run the half, as part of my build up for the London Marathon. By guaging my perfromance in Atlanta I would have had a good idea exactly how my training was going, and use that information to best prepare for 26 miles. Alas, this isn't going to happen.

This leaves 2 alternatives - Edinburgh marathon in May or commiiting to the 26 miles in Altlanta. Am still undecided, but I think I'll by opting for the American option. 4 years running in the Edinburgh race has been fun, but I'm in the mood for another foreign race. And catching up with friends will be lots of fun. So, it looks like Atlanta beckons.

Post-marathon rest

I've been taking a rest from running, spending the last week letting my body repair itself from the 26 mile effort in Edinburgh.

Meanwhile, why not find out how many 5 year olds you could take in a fight? ;) I can take 25.

25

Edinburgh Marathon conquered

It is done. I have completed the Edinburgh Marathon. OK, it was my fourth Marathon in the Scottish capital, but they have all been loads of fun. And now I have another big shiny new medal for all my efforts.

Having scrambled to the starting pens with just 15 mins to spare, it wasn't the most impressive of starts. I messed around too much before heading off from the flat. The result was I ended up doing a marathon-style 3 mile dash to the start line. Still, I guess that was part of my warm-up.

For some reason I always fail to appreciate the insanity of 26 miles until it is too late. After about 6 miles we passed alongside the finish line (a taunt to us all). From there we could see the towers of the Cockenzie power station far off into the distance. No big deal? Well, it's the 12 mile stage!!! The race had a long way yet to go.

After the power station we continued along the coast towards Gosford House. On a picturesque coastline it is the only building for miles around (bar the power station which was behind us), a massive stately home, standing out in monumental splendour. Again it beyond a sane distance. We kept running, eventually passing through the grounds of the said house and arriving at the 18 mile mark. Bliss... Only 8.2miles to go.

Turning back along the coast we were all now moving with the wind. Thank goodness!! Scunnered (tired) from facing the wind for 18 miles, the weather was now in our favour.

I managed to keep going. Slowing only occasionally I was getting closer to the finish line. Back along the sea's edge, past the power station again, back into Musselbugh and torward the horse track where we were to finish. The slow-downs were getting longer and my legs were in a world beyond pain. Could I do it? Had I enough left to make it all the way. Then, just after the 25 mile mark, I saw a young lass flat on her back next to an ambulance screaming in agony/frustration. This was disturbing. But feeling her frustration I vowed to keep going. I hadn't trained for hundreds of miles to finish less than one mile from the end. And if I did it wasn't going to be for the lack of trying.

Almost there. The race track came into view. I still had half a mile to go, but I wasn't stopping for anyone now. The pain was unbearable, but it was almost over. The crowds were growing. They spurred us all on; cheering and shouting their support as we closed in on the finish line. Into the race ground - the final stretch. The agony was immense, but it was about to be worth the pain. A final sprint? I went for it. With crowds cheering I increased the pace, less than 10o metres left. Keep going. 75, 50 the line towering upon us. 25 metres. Finshed!! Yes!! Marathon number 8! And a second best time of 4.04. Not bad. What a buzz!

Quickly the pain returns. Then, like everyone I receive my medal. Not a bad piece of metal. But it's nothing really. Not compared to the elation and satisfaction. I can't say more than that. Words don't do it justice. Marathon runners will know what I mean.

Next race? 10K in East London.
Next marathon? Who knows? New York? Beiruit? Chicago? Paris? Or maybe even London?

Bank Holiday - Where's the rain?

I feel wrecked. Another run in the heat-trap that is London. I'm burned, aching and wishing there was more than 20 days until the big one in Edinburgh. And it was a bank holiday! So, where was the crappy, cloudy weather?? I could really have done with it.

Today was the May Day bank holiday. For the benefit of non-UK people, this is the public holiday on May 1 or the first Monday thereafter. Typically it means guaranteed rubbish weather. For a long distance runner from non-tropical Scotland this is far from a bad thing. However, this Monday bucked the trend. Sun and 21oC both appeared as predicted.

Maybe I should have started earlier. Running 11am -1:30pm in the heat was probably a bit stupid. OK, I admit it, really stupid. But I did manage a 17 miles and have a nice glowing tan..., which is nice. Still, it was daft.

Two more long runs to go. Eek!!

17 miles in London heat

What a run! I'm still recovering. After weeks of not really getting any better I've pushed onto 17 miles. And considering the punishing heat I'm quite pleased with this effort.

Now I have 3 more long runs before heading up to Edinburgh. Next week I'm aiming for 18 miles. Having never gone beyond 17.5 miles in training this will be most pleasing. My optimism is growng and hopefully a good race time beckons :)

Easter Training in Sunny Glasgow

I've just got back to London from spending Easter weekend in sunny Glasgow. Seeing my Mum and catching up with friends is always nice. But the idea of going for a long run there this eary in the year is not always a pleasant one. It can be seriously cold!

And it was. I'm not too sure how far I ran (10-15 miles), but I felt it all the way. And so did others runners I saw out training, all both of them. Yep, that right, I saw two other runners in the two hour spell I was out. In London I lose count after about 30 minutes.

Anyway, moaning about it never helps so I did the milage. Out to the city centre. Then along the side of the River Clyde on to Ibrox Park, home to Glasgow Rangers Football (soccer) team, and back past Hampden Park (the Scottish national soccer stadium). A good run, but I felt the winter all the way. Twice it even started snowing!! My fingers were going numb. (Note to self, buy some running gloves fool!!) Finally though, I made it home; back to a warm house and steaming hot shower. Bliss.

9 weeks until my next visit to Scotland - the Edinburgh Marathon. Time to step up a gear.

Edinburgh Marathon - all signed up

I've gone and done it! I've signed up for the Edinburgh Marathon. This will be my eighth 26 miles and fourth time round Edinburgh. If its as well organised as before and I give it my all it should be another great tour of the Scottish capital, hopefully with a nice new PB :)

I'm from Glasgow, rival city to Edinburgh. So, by 'law' I am wary of the place. However, as far as organising this kind of event is concerned they have done a damn good job every year I've been there. Every aspect of organisation was flawless (although it did rain for a couple of hours last year) and the people come out in their thousands to support the runners. I can't wait to take part. My anticpation is growing by the minute.