London Marathon 2012

Another year, another London Marathon. I went to check it out, again.

Sometimes it rains. Sometimes it's cold. Other times it's asolutely scorching. Regardless, the London Marathon is always a spectacle to be enjoyed; a fantasic day out, whether you're taking part of just watching. Injuries all mended I would have been keen to take part, but this year I took the easier option.

I made my way into Embankment. There, like the whole length of the race, crowds lined the route. Some of the sub-3-hours runners were making there way towards the end of the race. Being slightly slower (PB = 4.01), I am always somewhat in awe of those who take so little time to run 26.2 miles. Anyway, I took some pictures that you can see below.

Martin Mathathi breaks the Great North Run record

I'd love to take part in the Great North Run. It possibly the UK race I most want to run. However, by achilles tendon is taking forever to heal, so I am still out of action as far as running is concerned. One good thing about this is that I get to watch the events in comfort. And, with a new course record, this year's Great North Run was very much worth seeing.

Kenyan runner, Martin Mathathi, was first man over the finish line.With a time of 58 minutes 56 seconds, Mathathi become one of only 6 men to finish a half marathon in under 59 minutes. Absolutely outstanding! And I would never have seen it if I had been there running.

I'm still hopeful I'll be there one day. With a bit of luck, and a lot of stretching, I'm optimistic about being able to start running again soon. Maybe starting on a few 5Ks and working up to longer races. And if I'm up for it, and get in the ballot, next year's Great North Run. Here's hoping.

London Marathon 2012 ballot opens

The countdown to the next London Marathon has begun. Applications are now being accepted for the ballot on the London Marathon site. As before, applications will be affected by the category to which you hope to apply.

There are several categories of runner. Most runners will apply to the ballot, giving them a 1 in 5 chance of being accepted to run. Some will apply through charities or running clubs. Meanwhile especially capable runners can apply through the 'Good for age' entry process - they will be offered a place if they have a recorded race time a within a pre-determined value.

Buster Martin, world's oldest London Marathon runner dies at 104

Sad news. I read that Buster Martin, arguably the oldest person to run the London Marathon, passed away this week, on April 13. He was 104 years old.

Pierre Jean 'Buster' Martin was, by my understanding quite a character. He led an eventful life, but was best known for having run the London Marathon at the age of 101 in 2008.

Buster had become a minor celebrity over his many years. Despite repeated allegations that his life story, including his age, was fabricated, he was highly respected in many circles. Being Britain's most senior employee, he was celebrated by the media. Politicians also admired him. Former Liberal party leader Menzies Campbell said that Buster was "living proof of why people should not be written off once they pass retirement age".

A former Brixton barrow boy, Martin gained celebrity in 2007, when at the alleged age of 100, he joined men’s magazine FHM as an agony uncle. With his unkempt Captain Birds Eye beard and wry humour made him a valued addition to the magazine. He also found fame with The Zimmers, a 40-strong group of elderly rockers who had a hit with a cover of The Who’s My Generation. He then gained further attention when he finished the 10km Great London Run in 2hrs 22mins, and once more hit the news when he was reported to have single-handedly beaten off a gang of three teenage muggers.

More than anything, Buster will alwas be remembered for his London Marathon run in 2008. During the winter of 2007 he could be found staggering around Docklands in his blue tracksuit, a familiar sight that attracted many supporters who made donations to his charity, the Rhys Daniels Trust. He complete the race in just over 10 hours, a magnificent effort, raising thousands for charity.

The marathon effort was somewhat marred by the controversy over Buster's age. There is conflicting evidence about how old he was at the time - 101 or 94. Because of this he was never included in the Guinness Book of Records.

As far as I'm concerned the age debacle is irrelevant. To finish a marathon at 94 is pretty amazing by anyone's standard. And it sounds like the world lost a great character too. RIP Buster.

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:)

Hoping to Defeat Injuy and Run in 2011

This year is going to be about recovery from injury and starting running again. The achilles tendon injury seems to be mending and knees problems are fading. With a bit of luck I should be able to start running again in next 2-3 months.

I'm hoping to run some good races this year. One hope was to run in the Istanbul Marathon in October. How realistic this is I am not sure. It may be that I have to tone down my ambitions and aim for half marathons instead. From a recent conversation with the girlfriend, Beth, the Royal Parks Half Marathon may be a decent alternative. And the Windsor Half might be an goo option too.

Training will be interesting. I'll pretty much have to go back to scratch and start all over again. This may not be as bad as it might sound. From what I hear form athletics pundits, taking time out and starting over is sometimes the best way to achieve further PBs, rather than pressing on and on and never getting any further ahead. Plus, I've seen good evidence of this with friends.

So, with all this in mind, there's going to have to be a good bit of training ahead, but for now I'm sitting tight and letting myself heal. But if it works out well, hopefully be a good year of running, with a possible PB or two. Here's hoping.