New running shoes, and more

A good week for training for marathons. New running shoes, visa ok'd for America and a major improvement in training.

The week didn't start so well. The Frank Harmer Memorial 10K that I was hoping to run in early March, has been cancelled. Building work scheduled for the changing facilities that we would have used means the race is no more. I'm most disappointed. As I said before it would have been good to have a shorter race prior to my marathon on March 29. Oh well, no point in moaning.

On a more positive note, Homeland Security have given me the OK to enter the USA. Going there to run in March, this really helps. There is now a new requirement called ESTA, which you need to meet to travel to the States. By providing details like your passort number and address where you'll be staying in the US, they decide if you are worthy of entering their great nation. Some of the quiestions were, it has to be said a bit surprising, like:

C) Have you ever been or are you now involved in espionage or sabotage; or in terrorist activities; or genocide; or between 1933 and 1945 were you involved , in any way, in persecutions associated with Nazi Germany or its allies?

I answered no, which seemed to be what they wanted.

And this weekend has been most productive. I bought a nice pair of much needed running shoes. Now I can be reasonably sure my knees will be ok in the coming year. And a 13 mile training run to Battersea and back has put me on track for a decent performance in Atlanta this March. A bit more effort and I may at last break 4 hours. Here's hoping.

Cold running, London style

Jeezy peeps! The last week has been absolutely baltic! Not the ideal weather for running. But, with my Altanta Marathon application sorted out there's no time to lose.

With London suffering freezing temperatures my three training runs in the past week have all been less than comfortable. A grim venture outside at the weekend wasn't fun. This was followed by a trip to the track being aborted (in favour of runnign round the local park) because of ice and, most recently, another park circuit in a favour of the usual hill session - mist meant that visibilty was down to about 20 metres, and closer to home seemed a better option. None of it was fun.

On a happier not, I've just signed up for the Frank Harmer 10K in March. This is the running club's annual event and will take place on March 1 in Brockwell Park in Herne Hill. It should be a good 'tester' prior to Atlanta. And a bit warmer too:)

ING Atlanta Marathon, here I....wait

Off to America in March for the ING Georgia Marathon? Or, just off to America? I can't believe my application stalled on the final page. Now I don't know if I'm signed up or not!

With holidays booked off work and flights mind, it was time to book up for my next marathon. That should be easy enough. Well, maybe not. I logged in and provided all the necessary details - name, address, credit card details, and the rest. Fine, no probem. But when, after all that, it stalls on the vary last page it's blinking infuriating!! There's no confirmation email, so I assume I am not signed up, but can I be sure? I am so annoyed. Active.com are not my favourite group of people right now.

3 minutes? Really?

What now? I've submitted a support ticket, asking for confirmation and/or remedy. Let's see how long these guys take to respond. They are in the US, so I guess a response may be postponed untill they wake up. But they better do something fairly soon. Its tough enough training in the cold without the not knowing if I have a place or not!!:(

Running in China

I just returned from China the other day. What what a great time! I had a superb time, seeing Beijing, Shanghai and visiting friends in Hangzhou. While there, as well as seeing the Forbidden City, World Finance Centre, etc, the plan had been to do a bit of running. However the air quality made that less than straightforward.

First stop Beijing. What a city! Running round Tiananmen Square, Beihai Park and Temle of Heaven would have been so cool. It was seriously cold, but I had warm running gear so the weather was no major drama. But the air tasted of burnt plastic, so that was right out. Maybe in Shanghai?

Down to Shanghai. I arrived surfacing at People's Square in the city centre with the park full of people doing Tai Chi. It seemed like a healthy place. And being near the coast it would probably have decent air. As the day wore on, while I visited the Bund, next to the river the air started to feel manky. Hmmm... So, when I left for Hangzhou the following morning I wasn't a bit jealous seeing the Shanghai marathon running past.

Hangzhou, third time lucky? With a huge and beautiful lake (West Lake) next to the city and lots of countryside the hope was this would be a clean city. Marco Polo apparently spoke highly of it, saying it is "beyond dispute the finest and the noblest in the world". And, to be fair, it was pretty impressive. Also, the air didn't smell or taste of anything. Wey!

So, eventullay having time away from the sites I set off on a run. The choice was the lake or towards the Lin Ying Temple. The lake was always mobbed with cowds so I decided on the road to the temple. Along paths offset from the tree-lined streets, past the nearby tea plantations and on to the Temple. Then back to the flat. A joy. And my lungs were in the same state than when I set out.

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.

London Half Marathon (Run to the Beat)

The inaugural London Half Marathon, my fifth half marathon, and possibly last chance for a PB this year. Did I manage it? Did I heck.

A series of factors conspired to thwart my plans. London Transport started by having a train break down in the tube station we all needed to reach. This meant we all had an unforeseen 3-4 mile trek to the start line (at the O2 Arena). Luckily the race was postponed for 45 minutes to accommodate this. Then weather did its worst - it rained non-stop all morning. And finally, and possibly most importantly I hadn't trained as much as I would have liked. There were several reasons for this, none of which are any good.

The route was OK. Probably on a par with the Great North Run, taking place on the same day. However they didn't have a dreary mist to deal with, so they probably had some fine views. For us the Thames-side part of the our race was slightly less impressive than it could have been.

It wasn't all bad. Moaning aside, I was inspired as I was during the London Marathon by the local crowds cheering everyone one. Right or wrong, London people have a bad reputation for selfishness. Again, I saw otherwise. Through this I made it to the end, and even kept within 2 hours.

My time? 1hr 55. Not brilliant. And well outside my best. But all things considered, not a bad effort.

Nike 10K - Wembley Stadium and beyond

My head was killing me! I'd had a good night, but now I was paying for it. And I did not want to get up, never mind run 10K in North London.

Eventually I dragged my sorry self out of bed. Then, fed and watered, and watered a bit more. Slowly I began to feel alive. However as to the idea of running anywhere, never mind a 10K, I was feeling none too confident. But, having never dropped out before, and with some workmates to defeat, I made my way to Wembley Stadium.

Jeez! They really dragged it out before the race. At first a concert, then interviews, more music and more chatting. Many appreciated Paula Radcliffe and Seb Coe being there, but boy did the pre-race show drag on. Only at 7.30, half an hour late, did we, at last, set off.

Ugh! We were off. But I was still not in a good way. And at the 1K mark I knew just how bad things were. I had been aiming for 45 mins, 4:30 per K, but my watch said 5 minutes. Nightmare!! Then at 2 miles 10 minutes 20. No!!!! And at 3K I just wanted to stop. ButI kept going. As at Victoria Park, I was determined to plough on.

As I kept going it started to get easier. The crowd thinned and I stopped feeling so ill, and began to pick up some speed. Soon I reached 5K. Halfway done, there was no stopping now. Then 6K , then 7, eventually 8 and then 9. I was closing in on 50 mins.

Busting my guts I powered on. My watch read 49 minutes, but I still couldn't see the finish line. Then I heard someone say it was just round the corner, 200m away. I squeezed the last drop off effort from my aching legs. 49 mins was gone. Could I make it within 50 minutes? I sprinted on, round the corner and with the finish line in sight. With other runners doing the same I passed some and was passed my others, everyone going at full tilt. Almost there. Then over the line. Done!

My time? 50:20. Damn! I missed by a mere 20 seconds.

Good news though. London took second pace in the World Race of 26 cities, bettered only by Madrid.

And I managed to beat both workmates taking part. Sweet!