signed up

This afternoon signed myself up for another challenge-Stratford Marathon. This one is road based and liable to suit me more-it is also a half/full run with a split around the 12 mile mark.

just for a change

Well it's been a strange week-freezing Artic weather, Xmas shopping and no moaning and yet again a bloody injury. Pulled muscle in my right leg just below my calf has curtailed my exercise. No exercise generally means scoffing like a pig and lazing about. When I'm not in the zone all sorts go through my head the latest is where my running future lies is it with the new more organised Tamworth Running club or with the Peel Runners? I am not sure why I no longer feel comfortable with my current group, maybe it's the fact that most in the group are just not in the same place as me when it comes to running, by that I mean they think it is sufficient to just run and not follow plans etc. Next week should have been a local race 5 miles in aid of St Giles but with the injury it's looking unlikely.

race day

Today is the first race since my Marathon, a rather unscenic 10k race around an airfield just outside Stratford upon Avon. In this case I know exactly what to expect, flat, unscenic and fast-everything the last race wasn't. My problem is I do not know how to run it. Do I offer to run with my fellow group member or do I try to blast it? I have struggled all week with pace, my slow runs seem to have made me one paced. All the very best to the five runners of Tamworth running club who are running today.

a new start

Today was about getting a few things sorted-sorted they were and the result was
1-I managed a gentle three mile jog-yes I said jog with Liz for Company, during which I was verbally abused for the first time by four youths who thought it great fun to shout run forest run, to which I asked for a bit of originality, they then offered me a stella cos' they thought I could run quicker.
2-Issues in the running were sorted with the loss of one of my running mates Janice. Janice was the babysitter of the newbies and will be missed (you stubborn old fool)-I hope we don't become strangers.
Time to move on Monday's and Fridays off for the next 24 weeks gout permitting.

back on the wheel

A week after my mixed marathon I have sulked long and hard and decided to get back on the proverbial bicycle and run another. The next one, subject to acceptance will be Stratford upon Avon in May 2011, this is a mixed half/full Marathon which is mainly road based and with one big hill (run twice), it does what it says on the tin. My diet is under way,old style w/w points for now and the training plan has been created, The plan is five days a week with far more miles and a variety of types of runs. The target is still sub 4.30. There are a number of runs pre marathon in the diary starting with a 10k Saturday, 5 mile run around Tamworth early December and most interesting a half marathon around Silverstone race track.

where to now?

After some thought the immediate future is dieting, my very own life style coach has offered advice and it will be taken. I am entered in the Carver Full Marathon next September but am sure I will be doing one before then. Some other goals need to be sorted especially the sub two hours half. We have agreed to keep the website going until the goal is completed in the manner originally stated.

thanks

I have this evening closed the facebook group and would like to thank the following for the support and kind words.
Abena Korantema
Akis Koskinas,Alan Gifford ,Alex Strutt ,Alison Burton,Alison Dolphin,Andy Perry,Barry Denney,Bell Hare House,Ben Hudson,Benoit Assou-ekotto
Bill Nicholson,Billy Hunt,Bob Hedger-Jahbuddha ,Bolton Spurs
Carl Mcgee,Chris GingerYido Evans,Chris Moore,Craig Merricks
Crystal Sayer,Cy Art,Cyprus Spurs ,Dave Gifford ,David Stonehouse
David Waddy Waddington,Dawn Armes,Dawn Brian,Dawn Haden,
Dean Armes,Debbie Birch,Elizabeth Mcgrath,Elyse Stilgoe
Emerson Matthews,Erica Knight,Errol Christie,EShip Shop
Essentialspurs Tottenham Hotspurs ,Fran Martin
Gaught Booardh,Gavinlee Ofalvey,Gaz Burton,Hazel Nannykins-burton
Heather Burch,Helen Duffen,Helen Green,Iain Brassa Yido Braithwaite
Ian Checkley,Ian Gibbons,Ian Hollick ,Jacqueline Peat,Jay Laverick
Jayne Callaghan,Jennifer Smith,John Mcmahon,Jonas 'red' Hainsworth
Jools Glanville-Berrecloth,Judy Parkes,Julie Dolphin,Julie Hanson
Karen Irene Jane Timbrell,Katie Papasavvas,Katie Robinson
Kaz Stockley,Kazbegi Marathon,Keith Tha Bass,Kelly-Ann Jones
Kevin Gurney,Kevin Pulcella,Lee Downes,Lee Longmore,Lisa Hall
Lisa Jane Wright,Luke Fisher,Lynn Churchill,Marathon Runners Unite
Mark Stevenson,Matt Reeves,Michael Ballard,Michael Ivory,Michael Storey
Mick Hall,Mick Wood,Mod Chronicles,Mowcop Runner,Neil Reeves,Nicci Parkinson
Nigel Planer,Orlando Monday Allen,Paul Barkhouse,Paul Darkes,Paul Holland
Paul Land,Paul Woodwright,Peter Hyatt,Recycle-sale Tamworth,Rena Tsirimiangou
Rich Halpin,Richard O'sullivan,Rob Wilkes,Robert Lane,Robin Laverick
SecondHand Distortion,Sharon Chouffot Higgins,Sharon Franks Was Macreadie
Simon Bassadone ,Simon Goodship,Simone Macarthy,Siobhan Garrattley
Soula Plotsika,Spitfire Rock'n'Roll,Stacy Jo Blackley,Steffe Sharpstrings
Steph Hill,Steve Robinson,Stevey Ross,Tamworth Townies,Ted Bami
Terry Duggan Jnr,Tim Hilton,Tina Hall,Tom 'Fantana' Podmore,Tracey Barkhouse
Trevor Stevenson,Val Blundell,Wayne Alexander and Wayne Elcock.
The following are members of Tamworth running group who are always there with a friendly word of support.
Liz Parry
Chris Charno Cogan
Yvonne Cowley
Joanne Southan
Lisa Fletcher
Linda Thomas
Lesley Fulwell
Janice
Tracey
Plus Emma G from Lucozade plus and Gareth Pugh
Phil Gooch
Karl Rawlins
John Waterfield
Ian Wright
Ben Smith
all the above the stout fella's from my office at work plus Jenny Mursch and Jo sayers.
Special thanks to two Flat feet, American Dave and Igor plus the very nice lady who offered me support around the race-apologies for not knowing your name

The superstars
Laura and Matt for being there, Emma for being there for every race, Chris for driving, being there and the website. Finally my number one fan, best mate running partner and person who puts everything into perspective the one and only Mandy.
Finally everyone who's ever said anything nice and that's the vast majority.

analysis

24 hours after the run the disappointment has subsided and the analysis of what I did right and wrong.
I fully believe that several factors affected the run namely, the gout attack, increase in weight,poor sleep and a slight cold. I don't believe in excuses and there is a problem with my pacing-more later.
The course which was supposed to be undulating was very hilly in my opinion (others suggest differently). The two laps around the penninsula with the better athletes flying past you was demoralising. Carrying far too much baggage as well.
There were several issues for me. The mile markers appeared all over the show, cups for drinking and the absence of marshalls along the main road was poor. Other than that the location was superb, most of the marshalls were lovely especially the ladies around Eagleton. The t shirt and medal are first class.

well there you have it or maybe not

The day has been and gone and the goal has been met, sort of.
Up at five after a poor night's kip. It was seriously cold upon arrival, nerves were shot. Picked up the wrong chip, returned it and five trips to the lav' later and it's down to the start. What seems like a marathon later and the start line is reached.
15 mins later and were off, running at my required pace it is soon apparant to me that all is not well. Two miles in and i'm struggling, rallies around six miles and seems ok. Unfortunately the penninsula appears and the assorted hills. After one lap of the penninsula and I'm shot. Eleven miles into the race and I'm walking, this is a distance I can do with no problems whatsoever. Walking/running through to the end see's me finish in a time of 5hours 36mins and 5secs. I do manage to running for some decent spells towards the end and I think that bodes well for future runs.

marathon eve

Today has never ending despite watching Spurs(less said) and having slept for an hour. The kit has been chosen, fuel assembled and arrangements made. Tomorrow starts at 5am, breakfast number one to be eaten(porridge and a banana), visit to the toilet(also less said) and on the road at 6am. It is an hour and forty minutes drive, which Chris is undertaking. I am travelling with Chris,Emma and Mandy with Laura and Matt meeting us there. Whilst travelling the second breakfast will be consumed banana and strawberry smoothie. There is nothing more I can do preparation wise to affect the outcome, it just remains to be sensible whilst running and not try to be a super hero. A number of runners will be undertaking their first marathon today and I wish them all the very best. I will be posting photos, result and thanks this time tomorrow.

This is the reverse of my running top, the front says Johnnyh and Tamworth running club. I will be number 876. I just hope I can do justice to myself, the shirt and everyone who has supported, offered advice and just been there. Your support has been greatly appreciated and without it, the journey would have been very much more difficult. Hopefully the run will see the goal achieved and new plans made. Respect to you all.

all done

The last little run is done all I have do is get organised and put me feet up. Still nervous going to sleep visualising the first part of the race.

just when...............

think that your free of grief the gout strikes back and I'm sat here foot iced and elevated. I am now seriously worried I wont make it. Just wanna run it's getting to me.
forward 15 hours and my foot is much improved but as I have been here before I shall not hold my breathe. This week is seriously dragging and I have a headache for the second day is this as a result of tapering?