At last, 16 miles

I did it. I ran a 16 mile training run. It was a bit later than hoped, but now it's done I am confident of at least finishing in Edinburgh. I ran solid for 16 miles in my first marathon - London 2001 - and ever since have related that feat to being sufficiently fit to go the distance. Now to build on that foundation :-) Target: finish in under 4 hours. My PB is 4.01.

This is Battersea Power Station, on the bank of the River Thames. Built in the early 1930s it is now a defunct empty shell. Despite this, it is a listed building and revered London landmark. Seeing this marks the 6 mile point in my favourite long run route.

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...

Ceilidh-induced pain and snow in London hinders 16 mile plans

This weekend was an important two days for London and athletics. It is the last weekend before the London Marathon - last chance for participants to manage a training run before a pre-race week of rest. Also, the Olympic flame is being carried across the city in a 31 mile relay. And, I hoped to manage a 16 mile long run. For many of us none of this went quite as planned.

London has been eveloped in snow! It usually only happens about once in every 3 or 4 years, but this is the second time in 3 weeks! I woke this morning to see the white stuff falling past the window, covering the ground and putting paid to my plans. However, after Friday night, this may have been a blessing in disguise.

You probably guessed it from the title, I went to a Ceilidh on Friday. After dragging myself up on Saturday afternoon I felt my calves and my knees like never before. I was in bloody agony!! A Saturday long run was right out! And today I felt not much better, the snow being almost a relief.

Anyhoo, I eventually dragged my sorry ass out for a run this evening. After some stretching, I staggered round the local park a couple of times. That's 4 miles. Rubbish!! Nowhere near what I wanted. But, hopefully next week we'll do the same as last year - head into Embankment, watch a few minutes of the London Marathon before running back to base. That's roughly 16 miles :-) Wish me luck.

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.

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.

Reading Half, conquered. Next stop Edinburgh Marathon?

I did it! I completed the Reading Half Marathon. And with a respectable time as well.:-)

How chuffed am I? 2 months ago I woldn't have believed it possible. Back in early January I was unfit, fat, and getting fatter. The idea of running to the end of the road was getting embarrassingly scarey. But with eight weeks of training, if with a few hiccups along the way, I managed to turn it around. The long runs, track sessions and muderous hill training has done the business and taken me past another finish line. My time: 1 hour 40 mins - my second best time out of four half marathons. Not bad :-)

At this moment I only have London Half Marathon arranged, but that's in October. Between then and now I'll need to sign up for something else. London 10K? Edinburgh Marathon,? Elmbridge 10K? Father's Day 10K? Or maybe all of them??