First entry for a while...
Ran first 1/2 marathon on Sunday for 18 months, and first proper race since Auckland marathon 2006. Was out in an eastern village called Brentwoord near Essex county with a couple of workmates. A real test of my fitness and hunger for running.
Had a huge week (relatively) leading up of around 70kms and wary of not doing any damage to myself, as my right knee and ankle were feeling a tad sore. Doing a lot of training on the road and treadmill, and very aware of the pounding on the knees and ankles. Right ankle still pretty damaged from the bad sprain last year really - missing the more forgiving surfaces of the Tan and Albert Park in Melbourne that's for sure. Likewise not really enjoying the pollution, cold, traffic and general irritations that come with trying to train long distance in a city of 12 million, but slowly getting into a routine. A self enforced drinking ban for the week leading up saw me wake Sunday feeling like I was hungover, could feel the body expelling the toxins from a particularly hectic 2 months of socialising and drinking.
Was surprised when I arrived at the start at the size of the race, at least a couple of thousand runners, and was a good feeling to be back in a race environment. Weather was perfect, slight breeze and about 8 or so degrees. Going on my 10km time from a fun run week before, I was confident of around 1:24 or so.
Ran without a watch so no idea of my splits for the first few miles (farking well hate the fact they still use miles in this country by the way) but felt quick and at the 3 mile mark asked a guy for the split and it was 18 min, 1:19 pace, quite shocked but felt ok so kept up with people around me. Fell in behind a guy who I found had a similar goal, so ran with him for about 5-6 miles which was useful. Started fading a bit by 10 miles, but knew if I could hang on till about 12 miles would be able to finish strongly. Tried to catch a couple of guys about 20 metres ahead over the last few hundred metres, and normally would have dug deep to catch them, but didn't have the killer instinct (will find it again soon) Stoked to see the race clock ticking over to 1:22 as I came up the finishing straight, completely spent but mainly in the legs which felt the pounding from the tarmac. Barely able to stand and as happy as I've been with any race I've done over the last 5 years. Realise again how much I love racing and felt back in the zone immediately. The competitive urge straight back to the surface, and the relished intense effort required to keep pushing through the pain and fatigue when I was struggling. Coming from running 3kms in 15 minutes at Christmas time to running a half in 10 weeks, it has totally blown me away. A real testament to how quickly fitness can return after a lay off.
Monday 10th - Had a letter in the mail today with my London marathon entry, stoked!. Thought I had missed out due to missing the cut off date, but the letter I wrote pleading my case must have worked. The fact that I wrote it about 7 weeks ago and had heard nothing slightly annoying, but this place does not really run on efficiency of communication. Will now cancel my Hamburg marathon entry which is the 27th April, 2 more weeks would have been ideal but over the moon can do London. Reading through the guidebook exciting in itself. 30 000 runners, it will be madness, and having been a spectator and seeing the thousands of people lining the streets, I know it will be an unreal experience. Luckily my time gives me a preferential start, in the top 500 so will be away from the maelstrom of the other thousands starting. Only 31 days to prepare, has really upped the ante for the training I need to do. My half marathon time puts me in good stead for a decent time in London, and the McMillan Oracle Calculator predcits a 2:53 at the moment, but I won't set a target till I see how the next 3 weeks go. Have a bit of trepidation for the long runs, but should be fine once I get out there.
Tuesday 11th - Well, no niggles from the half which is surprising. The tenderness in the right knee that flared up last week has dissipated. Felt like an ITB issue, but has completely gone and overall amazed at how the body is holding up. Ran 10kms on the treadmill after work, the weather is so fucking atrocious still I refuse to train outside as a futile personal protest. After initially not being a fan of running on treadmills, I have come to quite enjoy it, though only because it's warm and I don't have to worry about falling or tripping over in the dark. Is still bitterly cold at night, still like the depths of a Kiwi or Aussie winter and it's almost a month into spring FFS.
Ran easy for first 5kms, then upped speed to 15km/h for 10 mins, then 16 for 5 and last km at 17km/h which felt really comfortable. Total time 44 mins. Felt good, decent stretch afterwards, hammy a bit sore but nothing to worry about. Running home tonight, hopefully weather holds off.
