Marathon Training on hold again

I thought I could get back into training for some runs this summer. Alas this isn't going to happen.

As I said in my previous post, I managed a short run round the local park and nearby streets. It seemed to go well at the time. However, that same day I started noticing twinges in my achiles, telling me that I wasn't fully recovered yet. It's so frustrating, but I think I may have to sit out the summer and rest my injury a bit longer. To put it politely, it's most frustrating.

I'm going to miss some good races this summer. There's the Regents Park 1ok, Clapham Common 10 Series and Great Scottish Run to name but a few. Then there's the Royal Parks Half Marathon in October which my girlfriend Beth is running. I'm sooooo envious.

Oh well, I guess I'll just have to takke it easy for a bit longer.

First training run in seven months

I ran my first training run in seven months yesterday. It's been a long time coming (my training watch was still set to British Summer Time), but it felt good to be back training again.

Seven months of achilles pain and a aching knee is over. My run was only just over a mile, but it was pain-free: the only reason I stopped was to catch my breath from my lack of fitness. Now to ramp it up and look for races to enjoy later this year.

So what races? Ideally, I'd love to run the Istanbul Marathon later this year, but I think a more sensible ambition is required. I'm still undecided, but a 10K late in the summer may be a decent race on which to set my ambitions. The Fix Run Richmond 10K in July perhaps? Then maybe a 10 mile race or half marathon in the autumn.

Now to research those races:)

16 mile run, and more. Back on track

Albert Bridge, one of the sights on my long runs

Thank goodness! A good run, and no injuries. After two weeks of near aborted runs coupled with horrific blisters which put paid to midweek efforts, today went well.

The target was 16 miles. Having run 14 and 15 miles the previous two Sundays, the logical next step was 16. This is quite an important taget for me. I ran my first 26 miler - the Flora London Marathon - having previously only managed 16 miles in training. So, by training up to this distance I know I can at least finish. And 16 miles is just what I did, with a little bit extra just to show off. Sorted!

Now to concentrate on being ready to finish in style. Sub-4 hours is (again!) the target.

14 mile long run, and blisters

I ache like a fiend! After a 14 mile run my legs are still screaming. Even with post-run stretching I still ache all over. And the blisters don't help. Maybe I should have broken my new shoes in a bit longer before a Sunday long run.

It's 6 weeks and counting. The Georgia Marathon is getting scarily close. So, I thought it was time to stop running with the club and do my own long run. Knowing what distance I have run at any point and being able to 'chop and change' the route is a big help. 15 miles was the target. Unfortunately I had failed to properly break in my new shoes. Duh! With 14 miles done blisters started forming. And that was the end of that - homeward bound :(

I just hope the blisters heal soon...

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 :)

London Marathon Day

35,000 runners ran the London Mrathon today. Having run in 2001, experienced the superb atmosphere, and been rejected for the past four years, I was slightly envious. But I wasn't ready to run 26 miles, so I wasn't too concerned. Plus, I have the Edinburgh Marathon to worry about.



Having taken a week off because of a sore knee, I needed to do some serious training. The plan had been 16 miles. Nobody was up for the trip to Thames Embankment and back so we headed out to on a 10 mile route southwards, my plan being to add a few miles on at the end.

We set out. How many made it back I won't know until Tuesday (track day). Four of us took the 'wise' decision of taking a detour to add on a few miles and toughen up the course. Hmmm.. That quickly went awry. Rain, traffic and wrong turnings split us up and after about 30-40 minutes we became 3, then 2, and then I was on my own. I kept going, rain lashing down, not really knowing where I was going.

After a calculated detour I made it back to base. Noone was about. The continued rain and lack of a clubhouse (being refurbished) meant there was nothing to hang about for anyway. So I went home catch up on the the Marathon.

My distance? I can only guess. Roughly 13 miles?? Not ideal, but I'm back with the plan and looking to a good run next week. 16 miles? I hope so, if only so I don't get bored promising it to myself. LOL.

Oh yeh, and I've just applied for next year's London Marathon. This will be my 5th year in a row that I've applied to run my second London Marathon. I loved it in 2001 and seriously hope I get in again this time. We shall see...

15 Miles then to the Pub

What a scramble! I had to meet my brother at noon to watch the football. Glasgow Rangers against Glasgow Celtic (a match of huge significance where we are from) was being shown in one of the local bars. But first I had to run 15 miles. No problem. Right?

Wrong. I was up at 8am as planned, everything going well so far. Then I remembered all that wine I'd drank the night before. Duh!! I felt like crap. Time to rehydrate. So, by about 9.30, and after a LOT of water, I was ready to go. 20 mims warm up then off to Chelsea and back. Would I make it??

Yes. 14.7 miles later I made it back to my house, stretched, showered and got myself ready. I arrived at the bar just in time to meet my brother. We watched Rangers win against their Glasgow rivals Celtic while enjoying a few beers a free pies (all good marathon food). One of us supports Celtic, the other Rangers. Who was happier? That, I am not saying, but surviving that day makes me feel more ready for my next marathon.

Light at the end of the Tunnel

Another week of effort. Another week of desparate exertion! But now I feel like I'm making some progress.

Depite no hill training over the last week or any long run I'm beginning to feel fitter. Instead of a bout of hills, (work got in the way) I ran a little circle around the Thames from Parliament to Waterloo Bridge. Usually I go as far as Blackfriar's Bridge, but not while I am fat and unfit.

Then, hiking in Dorset at the weekend, I missed my long run. Not good. But I'm telling myself the 35 miles of walking will help. Not sure about the beer though.

And earlier tonight, back to the track. 7 times 800m with 200m intervals. Toughest yet this year. However, I didn't feel as close to death as in previous weeks, so I assume I am beginning to make some progress. We were informed that next week is miles. As you will expect, we are all looking forward to the challenge. :-\