Marathon | Obsessive Ramblings

Obsessive Ramblings » Entries tagged with "Marathon"

Hot and Cold

May 27th, 2012 | 4 Comments

Another marathon training run today. Literally. One of the best things about distance running is the joy and elation you can get from the first sip of juice when you are finished. Indeed, on a day like today, the anticipation while you are running is almost unbearable, but equally a strong motivational factor to get to the finish as fast as possible! In the past I’ve occasionally been prepared enough to get in some ‘For Goodness Shakes’ … Read entire article »

Filed under: Blogaday, Family Events, Playing, Recovery, Running, Training

Marathon Day

May 20th, 2012 | 6 Comments

The plan today was to do a marathon distance run. I’d run nearly the distance a couple of weeks ago, but it doesn’t count if you don’t do the whole thing! So I was ready about 7:00am after the normal faffing around with backpacks, juice and gels. Then I was out the door with my iPhone plugged in and my GPS and HRM strap tightened. On the last couple of my runs the HRM strap has been … Read entire article »

Filed under: Blogaday, Running, Training

New Shoes

April 12th, 2012 | Comments Off

It has been overdue for some time, but I have today received some new shoes! Rather I should say that I bought some shoes of a new type – Inov-8 Terrafly 303. I have had quite a few pairs of Inov-8 shoes before as they seem to be perfect for my shape and size of feet. They are also one of the original shoe manufacturers to consider more natural running several years ago, and although some of … Read entire article »

Filed under: Blogaday, Equipment, Running

On the Positive Side

April 25th, 2010 | 8 Comments

At least this time the trains were running on time. After six years, I had finally got a place in the London Marathon AND managed not to have to defer or cancel through illness or injury. Just. I am convinced 90% of the battle with racing is actually getting to the start line, and this I achieved, albeit with a reduced level of confidence in my ability due to a foot problem I had picked up 3 weeks previously (see ‘The final days’). So although not in perfect form and having had three weeks without any form of training to speak of, I was at least on my way to line up at the start. I met up with John at Guildford station and we had little trouble with the trains, unlike Reading, … Read entire article »

Filed under: Events, Running

The Final Days

April 20th, 2010 | 4 Comments

I have, if you had not guessed, been experiencing a slight hiccup in my training recently. Almost a year to the day since I had had a problem with the ligaments in my left foot, my right foot apparently decided that it wanted to grab a bit more limelight and prove that it too had the power to affect my schedule, just as easily as a tornado might deny a butterfly from landing on a petal. Two weeks ago, on Sunday April 4th – Easter Day, I had completed 23 miles through one of my normal routes around Guildford, but as it had been raining for some time during the previous week the trails were wet and slippery, and going down a sandy gully between Loseley House and Compton I had to … Read entire article »

Filed under: Running, Training

A Good Year

December 31st, 2009 | Comments Off

2009 ended up being another good year. Many new experiences with the Marathon des Sables still long in the future, but in the end the new experiences were so much more than just ‘make-weights’ on the journey back to Morocco. February – 3 peaks John always goes to walk the 3 peaks in Yorkshire on the last weekend in February with friends. A long standing tradition of his and this year I joined him on his tour of Whernside, Pen-y-Ghent and Ingleborough. No running involved at this stage, but a good practice out in the elements, 24 miles with a good 2000m ascent on the circuit. March – Reading Half PB As part of my training for London, I normally add a half marathon or two to test myself, but it had been some years … Read entire article »

Filed under: Running

Loch Ness – but not running

October 4th, 2009 | 1 Comment

My turn to baby-sit. Liz is running the Loch Ness Marathon today – she’s just started and the weather, although threatening to rain, has turned out fantastic. This is her first marathon so she is going through the first time curves of anticipation and worry. I’m sure she’ll be fine as she’s done a lot of training for it. Either way it will be an experience along the banks of Loch Ness. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Running

40 mile week again (the bell curve of recovery)

May 31st, 2009 | 1 Comment

So, a 40 mile week again. When you look at it like this (as in the mileage chart on the right) it really does not do it justice. With hindsight, I only had 5 weeks where my mileage was minimal, i.e. less than 15 miles (as shown by the yellow bars on the chart – the red line indicates scheduled mileage, which decreased merely because after the FLM I had not worked out my training schedule). However, in the context of the fact that this was the month which included my planned London Marathon, and it is only now 3 months to Mont Blanc, so a month on the bench is 25% of my valuable training time, I could have done without this. Eaxch day without a run has been torture; merely driving round … Read entire article »

Filed under: Running

Injury confirmed

April 5th, 2009 | Comments Off

Went for a test run on Friday – a simple easy test run but had to stop after less than 5km due to a real ache on the top of my foot coming on after about 3km. Very depressing after such good training sessions over the last few weeks. With only one more long run to do with Tim and John before 3 weeks of tapering, I thought I could manage to have a few easy weeks though. Started off on the run this morning as normal and we all agreed this was to be an EASY run! However, after only 5-6 km the ache started again, and at Compton I decided it was best to leave the guys to their 20 miles and turned back very dejectedly towards home, only managing … Read entire article »

Filed under: Running

Spoke too soon – Typical.

April 2nd, 2009 | Comments Off

Went out for a speed session this morning, trying to improve my potential for a faster time in the London. After a successful Half-Marathon time which predicts a 3:01 Marathon time, I am fired up to inch past the sub-3hr marathon point. So I duly planned to do 2 minute reps (2 minutes fast followed by 2 minutes jog recovery) The session was going well, but I felt a niggle on the top of my foot that I had not experienced before – very much like having tied my shoelaces too tight. No pain, but an unusual feeling. I stopped and loosened my laces, but it made little difference. By the end of the run I had done 5 x 2 minute reps @ 3:51, 3:44, 3:54, 3:50 and 3:58 min/km pace respectively. Although the run … Read entire article »

Filed under: Running