Nic's London Marathon 2010

Decision Made...

2010-04-04T07:44:00.000-07:00

Sadly, I have to report that I have made the big decision and there will be no London marathon for me this year.

The problem with my knee is not going away - and the worst part is that the knee pain is just a symptom of the two injury sites in my left leg.

Having completed (after a fashion) a 20 mile run last weekend I know I could get around the 26.2 miles but that is what last year was about. This year I wanted more than just getting around. I wanted to get under the 4 hour mark or maybe even better.
Then there was the pain issue. The thought of dealing with the amount of intense, localised pain I experienced during that 20 miles not just for the marathon but for the 2 very long and 1 longish run left in the schedule before the big day had me wincing at the thought.
Then finally there was the long term damage issue. I could have got around, slowly and in pain and then found that I was unable to run for the following three months (or worse). I am hoping to push on with my half marathon running later in the year having achieved a 1:38:42 with this injury I can only hope that injury free I will be able to go even faster.

So I have made the choice to defer. At least it means I won't have to worry about securing a place for 2011, if I wasted this years place I might have to wait another 5 to get in again. Hopefully I can recover now, build back up again nice and slowly and be ready, fighting fit for an even bigger challenge in 2011!

(Nearly) Big Decision Time...

2010-03-27T02:28:00.000-07:00

The three weeks since the Bath Half have, frankly, been a struggle. As already noted in a couple of my posts I had been struggling with a knee problem which despite the success of two sub 1:40 (well sub 1:39's actually :)! ) halfs had got progressively worse over a number of weeks, severely curtailing my training.

Initially, when it started, it didn't seem to matter so much as it meant I tapered for Wokingham and Bath and then enjoyed some success timewise. The writing was on the wall though suring Bath when I know, without the terrible pain in my knee I could have got around a couple of so minutes faster.

Post Bath things have got worse. The first week was no running at all. Last week was no running until Thursday and then a couple of short ones followed by a disaster last Sunday where I ended up walking home from Ashton Court unable to continue due to the searing pain.

This week, so far has been the same. No running Monday to Thursday then a 4 and yesterday a 6.25. It doesn't sound much but that 6.25 is the longest I have run non-stock since Bath and whilst it wasn't entirely pain free it was much more manageable.

I have been debating with myself over the last few weeks whether I will need to defer until the 2011 marathon. Whilst I have missed a fair bit of training in the last few weeks so many miles have been done over the last few months that that is not necessarily an insurmountable problem. Of course, as any runner will tell you, we will try and run until literally we physically can't but there is a huge difference between my running now and last year. Last years marathon was just about getting around, putting my chubby body through it and seeing if I come out of the other end. This year my expectations are so much higher, any time over 4 hours would be something of a disappointment. So what to do the lure of the London marathon or the sensible option.

Clearly I need to do some serious miles and quickly and realistically a lack of very long run this weekend will probably answer the question for me. Lucy is away so unless I make a (long) trip into South Wales where there is a 20 mile race I am pretty much motivating myself - and maybe that's not a bad thing - perhaps I need to prove to myself that my hunger for this race is still there. In the back of my mind I have been gradually withdrawing from the 2010 race now I have a glimmer of hope I need to prove to myself that I still want it or whether I have become too side tracked chasing half marathon times.

So why the glimmer of hope? Well this week I finally know what the issue is - ITBS.
Illi..thingy band syndrome. Basically my ITB is so tight it is pulling on the tendons in my leg which is misalligning my kneecap and causing the problem.

The treatment is painfull - deep tissue massage - but if it means I get to run London it will be worth it. I have had a thigh problem for a long time, and basically its a chain reaction as the knot in my thigh tightens the muscle it pulls on the tendons, pulling stuff out of line which unbalances the muscles which means they get more knotted. Bizarrely now I know what is causing it when it twinges as I run mentally I am more able to deal with it. Clearly 6.25 miles is 20 short of the target but it's a start.

Tomorrow brings an attempt at a long run - it has to be at least 16 miles (preferrably more) - otherwise it maybe time for that big decision...

A Nice Bath....

2010-03-08T07:46:00.000-08:00

At last an enjoyable Bath Half...!

Last year I swore I would never do it again but after years of messing it up I think finally the organisers got it spot on.

I took the train over to Bath which meant a nice leisurely arrival, strolling into the Runners Village at just after 10. After my Wokingham experience I decided to put my bag straight in. As it was a nice temperature this really wasn't a hardship and was made even better by having such a low number which meant that my baggage drop was the first one.

As an affiliated club runner my starting pen was just behind the elite runners. Again, this meant that the access point was perfectly located from the Rec. There was one delay whilst many orange and green runners tried to get to the start via the white entrance. But once they had all turned around it was quick and easy to get to not only the start line but also a mass rank of virtually unused loos!

Saw a number of GWR runners at the start and then after a rousing round of applause for gold medal winning AMy Williams, one of the starters, we were off.

Now the downside of starting so far forward quickly became apparent as I completed the first mile in 6:52 and the second in 6:57. I made myself slow down as there was no way I would keep that pace up all the way around. As it was miles 8-11 the pain in my knee was back. I had taken thursday, friday and saturday off again because of it and in someways perhaps I shouldn't have been running at all. However, I clung on and managed one ambition of getting to the second lap without being taken over!

In the end I completed the race in 1:38:59 - so just 24 seconds outside of my Wokingham time and 27 minutes faster than my 2009 Bath Half time. My chip 10K time was 45:03 which would be a new 10K PB!

The downside is what damage it has done. My knee was very, very sore post run. I am disappointed that I didn't have the strength of mind not to run and conserve my knee - I have obviously taken my eye off of the marathon prize a little. But then also I am disappointed that the problem with my knee had slowed me down as my first 6/7 mile splits were much better than my Wokingham times.

As the train pulled out of the station I looked over and could see people still running - that would have been me last year. I suppose I should be happy with how far I have come in a year - but unfortunately along with speed I have gained a desire to compete!

Rollercoaster Ride..

2010-02-28T13:25:00.000-08:00

After a nice easy week I was hoping for a weekend where I steadily covered 20 miles, admittedly split into a 6 and a 14.

Saturday I did the 6, averaging 8:20 min/miles and everything felt good.
Today headed off for the 14 miles. After only three or so miles the off swollen sensation in the back of my left knee was back. It has had a week off but now seems determined to rear it's head. As I tried to run through it the pain in the front of my knee started.

I tried to keep going but partly because I was running on my own and so there was less impoteous to keep going but mainly because the first three days of the week before Wokingham were spent trying not to bear weight unneccesarily and alos on ibuprofen I stopped at 5.5 miles.

Of course at this point I was in Shirehampton and so I disconsolately ran/walked back in the cold and rain, a rather sad and dejected figure.

Still I seem to be having one good week followed by one bad week. I havent yet determined how this will work out marathon wise, I hardly dare look!

I was hoping to have another easy week - something like a 5/6/slow6/rest/rest/rest/Bath Half - but event those shortish runs at the beginning of the week may be in doubt.

Who knows what is going to happen next on this rollercoaster ride?!

Sub 100 mins...!

2010-02-22T10:51:00.000-08:00

This weekend (21st Feb) was my first half marathon of the year - the Wokingham Half.

Despite having a worry about my knee (ended up not running Thursday through to Sunday) I decided to turn up and give it a try, my aim being to get a sub 1:45.

The organisation at the start was appalling, not helped by the heavy rain, but at the point when they began the countdown to the start there was still a 15-20 min baggage queue remaining. I ended up just dumping my bag in the massage tent, quick stop for the loo and then trying not to slide down the grass as I ran towards the start line.

Luckily the race was chipped but the chaotic start meant that starting positions were out of the window. Hence I was overtaking people until at least mile 10 and at that point I had quite a number of people overtake me - all of which is a little disconcerting at that point in the race.

All that said, my knee played ball. Only for the first half mile did it feel like something was trying to escape from inside my kneecap (although, bizarrely, not in a painful way!) Soon my crossness over the start was replaced by suprise as I felt strong and resonably quick.

My first few miles were faster than I anticipated and I decided to try and hang on. I felt comfortable and running within my self until around mile 10 when it became a little tougher probably from being overtaken by a big group of runners!

I crossed the line in 1:38:35!

Thus achieving my half marathon goal for the year of going sub 1:40 (and hence sub 100 mins) for a new PB in my first half of the year!

A Lesson in Communication...

2010-02-16T21:45:00.000-08:00

Tonights run was a change from the normal schedule. Lucy is off to Madrid at the weekend (lucky thing!) and so was running long. I said I would join her for 8 of her 12 miles.

Now being somewhat faster than me Lucy often finds herself leading the way - with me clinging on behind. As she had already done some miles I thought I would return the favour, so as we hit the Portway I put my foot down a bit. Unfortunately, we probably should have either pre-agreed a speed or I should have said that I would take up the pace because before we knew it we were 7 minute miling and I was feeling somewhat sick!

Proving that competitive instinct thrives even during training neither of us wanted to say can we slow down? and so we pushed each other along, unable to speak through effort, and both, as it turns out feeling quite ill!

If ever there was a simple lesson in the need to communicate properly this was it!

Twenty Miles and Counting...

2010-02-14T22:24:00.000-08:00

First 20 miler of the schedule and completed in 2hrs 54mins.

Must say very pleased with that. If I could maintain that pace over the last 6 miles then I would definitely be getting home within my target time of sub 4 hours.

So OK yes it hurt but it's always an achievement running that sort of distance.
Only downside is a sharp and very localised pain in my left knee. It seems to be a flare up of a problem I normally get in the summer. Hope it won't become too much of an issue.

Our 20 miles was finished off with a now customary cup of tea and a shared Millionaires Shortbread and piece of Tiffin. There's not many better ways to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Running for Asthma UK

2010-02-13T13:48:00.000-08:00

I have decided to use my marathon place to raise some money for Asthma UK.

The link to my Just Giving page is http://www.justgiving.com/NicOughton2010

Please donate if you can.

As this is my own marathon place every penny raised goes directly to Asthma UK.

Thanks!

Disaster to Sublime...

2010-02-06T22:15:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a way to blow away the last week a 16 mile run with no real problems (pain managed via the power of Deep Heat)

13.1 miles was hit in 1:51 and that was without really caning it. No groin stiffness during or after the run and the odd sensations seem to have settled down (only 2 nausea points :) )

Overall the 16 mile mark was in around 2:16ish - much, much happier about everything.
Hopefully next week will be a full training week

Disaster Week...

2010-02-05T20:02:00.000-08:00

Hopefully week five of the schedule will remain as the disaster week.

Saturdays run was an awful 15 - took some incredibly long time as I had to stop and stretch on several occasions - best forgotten I think!

As someone who doesn't often get colds (i.e. about once every two years) it was law of sod that the week started feeling a little under the weather and coldy
to the point where I got changed for Mondays 5 miles but having provided my usual Monday evening taxi service really couldn't face being outside in the cold so went home again.

Tuesday night training was kyboshed by waves of nausea and just feeling generally crap. The under the weather cold feeling was teamed with a growing worry about strange abdomen pains/sensations and an increasingly stiff right groin. Now of course I would never try and self diagnose via the internet - so by Wednesday I was getting really worried by the long list of things that could be wrong!

Did manage a 6 on Wendesday and it felt ok but worry about what was happening in my abdomen and groin area meant that I didn't manage to make up any distance on Thursday.

A trip to the doctors on Friday at least confirmed that it wasn't a hernia that was causing my discomfort. This seemed like the most likely explanation for the sensations I was having and would have meant a likely immediate end to marathon training for this year. Of course it didn't answer the question of what was the problem - but with the biggest fear out of the way my general demeanour toward training lightened and I can only hope that this is the one and only disaster week

First PB of the Year!

2010-01-27T14:34:00.000-08:00

Tuesday night saw the fourth of the 2009/2010 Bridge Inn 5K Winter Series races and also my first PB of the year.

I completed the race in 21:56 - which is nearly 20 seconds off of my previous PB!
Lucy finished in a fantastic 19:51 which is both a PB and her first time under 20 minutes for that distance.

Clearly the miles in our legs did not have a detrimental effect over this much shorter distance. My thoughts can't help but turn towards my two upcoming half marathons - I would so love to crack the 100 minute mark. May have to do a little schedule juggling to try and get to those start lines with fresh(ish) legs!

Just a Thin Layer of Deep Heat...

2010-01-25T14:46:00.000-08:00

After a suprisingly light week (just a 3 miler and a VO2 Max session for various reasons) the week ended with a 19 mile run. Suddenly it feels like marathon training has really started. A long, slow, slog just grinding out the miles, this is how the runs last year felt. Much longer than you are used to but with the realisation that come the day there would still be another 7 miles to do.

Of course the thing that is different this time is knowing what to expect - I know that it is going to hurt, hopefully some time after 23/24 miles. That my general tiredness is only going to increase. That at some point very soon I will want to eat all of the time. That the dull aching in my legs will probably be there until the tapering starts about 2 weeks before the big day.

This 19 miles was the furthest I have run since FLM2009 yet it will be the first of many over such distances. It was pleasing that despite needing a thin layer of Deep Heat to get going there were no real problems to report come the end, and whilst it felt slow the half marathon time was 1:53 - which this time last year I would have been over the moon with.

And that's the thing, whilst FLM2009 is still fairly fresh in my mind so much has changed for me, running wise, since that knowing what to expect only helps me plan better to hopefully achieve so much more.

...and it gets worse...

2010-01-17T08:50:00.000-08:00

My hip is very, very sore today - even had to apply some Deep Heat just for general walking around. The slight groin strain that I had just before Christmas seems to have come back and is even walking me up when I stretch at night, hence I am now sore, stiff and very tired - not a good combination :(

This all feels a little like deja vu...

The Highs and Lows....

2010-01-16T17:42:00.000-08:00

By Friday the snow and ice had all but cleared. Where it did remain it was just a slushy crust. To celebrate I completed a 4 miler in 31 minutes so that's averaging a fraction under an 8 minute mile.

It was hard going, the last week and a half of running at slower, slippier speeds was clearly beginning to take it's toll. Last year, whilst I gained an overall fitness and endurance I had no speed at all. Having gained some speed post 2009 marathon I am determined to cling onto as much of it as I can!

Nearing the end of my 4 miles it did all start to feel smoother, breathing even out, pacing was better all felt good. A great run....

Sadly, the same could not be said for Saturday. Having already reduced the weekend long run distance following the epic mid week run I set off on the same route that we trekked through the other night. Everything felt stiff and immovable. My left hamstring is once again tight and stiff, reducing the amount it will extend. My right hip is sore and my lower back has had better days.

I had to stop a couple of times to stretch during the run and whilst the overall average speed was within the training range it didn't feel good.
The worrying thing is that this seems to be becoming a theme - good run one day, bad run the next - if there's one thing that a marathon schedule needs it's consistency and at the moment it is definitely lacking.

I struggled throug hthe 14 miles in a bit over 2 hours. Only a year ago I would have been over the moon with that kind of time in a race let alone a training run - but a year on and the marathon seems a very long way away at this point

It's Snow Joke...

2010-01-13T15:07:00.000-08:00

ok sorry for the bad pun...but really getting fed up with this snow!

Tuesday night substituted the weekly interval session for a long run with Lucy. She is away at the weekend and wanted to get her long run in during the week. The plan was for her to run 4 or 5 miles before meetingup to so the GWR winter 10.

By the time we met up the snow had started. Bear in mind this was snow falling on to already hard packed snow and ice the prospects of a fun run didn't look good!

Despite the snowy onslaught we were doing OK until Lucy admitted that she wasn't 100% sure of the route. Unfortunately, we didn't err on the side of shorter and by the time we were pounding down the Portway, trying to avoid the hard ice whilst getting a full on blizzard in the face we had already racked up 8 of our 10 miles.

Strangely, there weren't many other runners about that night trying their luck on the snow and ice. On top of the slippery dangers the cold air plays havoc with controlling my asthma and I had to take my inhaler at a couple of strategic points.

By the end of the run I was thoroughly cold and wet and had completed a 14 mile run - only two days after our 15 mile run. At this rate we'll have completed our training within 6 weeks and will be able to taper for 10!

This evening I went for a slow 4 - sadly when it's one step forward and half back in the ice and slush it really is a slow affair. An eight minute mile seems a far off memory, every moment spent running on ice-clear tarmac or concrete is an all too short treasured moment.

After one slip too many I ran along cursing the weather and conditions - I can only hope that it will soon clear and I can get back to some proper running.

Weak Hips, Snow and Boy Skirts...

2010-01-09T14:45:00.000-08:00

Week one, day one and not a great start. My final pre-schedule run was a 13 miler in brand new trainers which after having only run a couple of times over the best period was perhaps not the wisest choice. Week one day one and I was about as stiff as you can be. My five mile run started with my right leg refusing to follow the left the hamstring feeling like it was about and inch long and determined not to stretch! Did slowly get it moving and struggled around a couple of miles making up the difference post interval training on Tuesday.

Wednesday brought the snow.

Prime training routes covered in white slidey stuff! At least whilst it's still crunchy you can gain a certain amount of traction and therefore still actually run - albeit a bit more slowly than planned.

Exactly twelve months on I have a slight re-occurance of the injury I had last year. Whilst the result is pain in my ankle it is actually caused by a weak hip. The particularly cold weather is probably not helping it and advice from Hannah, a GWR coach and physio, is to wear an extra pair of shorts as an additional layer to keep the hip warmer. Sadly, my choice of shorts is restricted to ones from when I was somewhat larger and on teaming with running tights resemble what can only be described as a boy skirt!

Yep, I know - lets hope a.) the hip gets better soon and b.) it gets warmer!

....finally....

2010-01-04T14:41:00.000-08:00

Good news!

Spoke to the marathon office this morning they have my form, and I am definitely in!

The post office system still thinks it hasn't got there yet - so be warned if you ever have anything valuable to send.

A Starting Point...

2010-01-01T14:44:00.000-08:00

I have been taking it easy, running wise, over the last few weeks. Had reached the point where everything was very sore, the injury that ruled out training during all of January 2009 has flared up and just generally needed a rest.

However, today I ran the Hangover 10K in 47:16. My second fastest ever 10K, taking 4 minutes off of my best time over the course. I was pretty pleased with it as I have only run once over Christmas plus I was more at my half marathon racing speed as I didn't feel sick all the way around!

So thats a starting point - training starts in earnest on Monday!

A Marathon Schedule Shared is Still a Lot Of Running!

2009-12-29T18:48:00.000-08:00

Last years plan seemed so much easier.

It was basically three things.
1. Avoid injury.
2. Run more times during the week.
3. Go to London and see how long you can run for.

This time it seems much more scientifc and I have already spent hours comparing Lucy's schedule with Runners World schedules, Garmin schedules, schedules that make my joints ache just reading them, schedules thats don't make my joints ache just reading them. I think I am nearly there. This time I am hoping for a full 16 weeks of full on training.

Lucy got a marathon place through the ballot. We are both aiming for around the same time and as we have been doing a lot of training together anyway we are trying to synchronise schedules so that we can do the bulk of our long runs together.

Just hope I don't slow her down!

@!&%^ Post Office

2009-12-24T13:01:00.000-08:00

According to their Track and Trace system my application form and cheque is still somewhere in Newport. The marathon office is closed for Christmas so I can't even check with them.

What is the point of having a trackable system if once your item goes in to the system it effectively disappears. Trying not to get very wound up about the whole thing, but until I know I am definitely in can't really make any concrete travel plans etc.

Very frustrating....

The Cunning Plan....

2009-12-22T19:24:00.000-08:00

Now the initial excitement is past it's time for a general plan.

2009 has been an amazing running and physical year for me. Finally getting the chance to run the London Marathon and making it around in less than five hours. Losing a shed load of weight - well around three stone to be precise, started the year at 14 stone 4 and will be finishing it at around 11 stone 6. Weight loss combined with proper training has seen my times tumble. My half marathon time has come down from an average of just over 2 hours to around the 1:42/1:43 mark. My plan is to get under the 1:40 (and therefore the magic 100 minute mark) in the Bath Half 2010.

For 2010, wilst I want to continue along the road I now find myself on, I also wanted to mark the year with a significant event. The reason? Two months ago I hit the age my father was when he died. It's something that has bugged me on and off for many years. For a long time I convinced myself that the same thing would happen to me at the same age. In reality I have hit the age fitter than I have ever been in my life and ready to take on a real challenge.

So for the 2010 London Marathon my plan, and challenge, is to run it an hour faster than my 2009 time of 4:52:07

Can I do it? Who knows but I am sure going to enjoy trying!

The Cheques in the Post...

2009-12-17T17:42:00.000-08:00

Form sent, everything double checked about twenty seven times. Just hope it doesn't get caught up in the Christmas post as the form has to be in the hands of the London Marathon people before 8th January.

The reality has hit a little, even though I planned to do a spring marathon in 2010 anyway, still totally over excited by the prospect though :)

Oh What A Night...!

2009-12-16T13:46:00.000-08:00

I got a London Marathon place....!!!!

My final chance, the annual club draw for London Marathon places and I was drawn out of the hat. So excited! The club has four places and I was fourth out of the hat. Doesn't get much closer than that.

On top of that I also won an award for the coaching B groups most improved athlete of the year. I have never won anything before - ever - so this was equally exciting!

Here I am receiving the prize from, my friend and coach, the lovely Lucy Ellis. All the while, you will notice, tightly clutching the brown envelope containing my London Marathon entry form!

VLM2010 here I come...!