Woodbridge 10K 2013

London Marathon 2013

Greenwich Park 8:30am and there were already hundreds of runners preparing for the run.  The park hosts the three separate start points.   The red and the green starts initially take slightly different routes, then merge after 3-miles.  The blue start merges with the green route after 800 metres.  I was allocated the red start and then pen five, based on my expected finish time.   I managed to get into the pen early (too early perhaps?) and was third row from the front.  I still had 45 minutes until the start. The atmosphere was alive with nervous energy.  The 30 seconds silence in memory of those who died or were injured at the Boston marathon was perfectly observed and pretty emotional.  The tapes between the pens were removed and the runners shuffled forward towards the line. 

The race started at 10am and after a slight delay we began to walk.  I crossed the start line after 5 minutes still walking.  At 200 metres into the race there were many runners who appeared keen to ensure the gorse on Greenwich Common was well doused (possibly to reduce the chance of heathland fires?) and I happily joined them.

I didn’t really know what to expect, having never run a marathon or been part of such a massive event.  Given my training I was confident that I could run 4:15-4:30.  Maysty ran the race a few years ago and finished a few seconds over 4 hours and I secretly wanted beat that time and go sub 4-hours, so I went for it.  I set off well under sub-9 minute mile pace.  My plan was to keep going at this pace for as long as I could, get away from slower runners, to latch onto the 4 hour pace makers when they caught me and to then stay with them to the finish.

The plan worked.  For the first 18 miles.  Then it fell apart.  I should perhaps have slowed my pace when it took quite a while for the 3:45 pace maker to pass me!  Between 18 and 20 miles was very tough.  My thighs were very painful.  No gradual change, they just started to hurt.  A lot.  My pace dropped considerably and I lost interest in my finish time and was more concerned about completing the run.  I carried my own sports drink from the start of the race and had taken a sip at each mile marker, but I had had enough Lucozade Sport by mile 20 and decided to stop for water.  There are water stations after each mile marker.  I drank water while I walked and then tried to get back into my stride.  I did this at every mile marker until mile 25.  I also took a gel at mile 20 and 22.

Spectators lined the whole course, but coming out of Docklands the crowd was unbelievable.  Running along Embankment and the crowd was even larger and even louder.  Incredible.  I didn’t stop from mile 25.  I turned the final corner and the finish was a blur.  Over the line, walk over a ramp, timing chip cut off, medal around my neck, goodie bag presented, my bag handed to me as I arrived at the baggage re-claim (very impressive), then to the meeting area.  This was like an out of body experience.

I’ll be honest.  I wasn’t feeling 100% at this time.  I was having difficulty walking, I was light-headed and my stomach was churning.  I sat down at the pre-determined meeting point and waited for friends and family to arrive.  I shut my eyes and concentrated on not being sick.  I won’t give you the detail, but that plan fell apart too.  Maysty and Fiona and her family arrived, followed by Melanie and my children and then Alok and Ian. 

I began to feel better and it was only then that the post-race euphoria kicked in.   I had finished the run in 4:16, having burned almost 4,000 calories.  Just 14,381 runners finished ahead of me and another 19,788 finished behind me.

This event is mind-blowing.  The size and scale is unbelievable.  The crowd amazing, the atmosphere electric.  There are so many highlights, but the noise from drum band as I ran into an underpass at 5-6 miles (the first big live music event) was amazing and running over Tower Bridge was a truly unforgettable experience.   

 

If you get the chance, then do it.  But it is very, very tough.

Leicester Marathon 2012

Sunday 14th October.

 

After what seemed like a long build up, race day was here.  A PB in the Ipswich Half had put me in optimistic mood and I'd more or less stuck to the plan; even going for a run on the Newquay weekend!  Since then things had gone a bit off track with the old manflu, but I'd spent the last week drinking beetroot juice so that's got to compensate surely. 

Nothing for it now but to give it a go. Prep over, talk over, sponsors anticipating, relatives out on the course ... so why am I still in the queue for the loo with 5 mins to go? A quick dash to the start, no warm up, no stretch (hmm), squeezing through a gap in the barriers, and we're off. A pelaton of 3000 flow down into the city and then head north en masse over the Belgrave Road flyover. As always, it feels good to take control of the roads.

As a rookie I wasn't sure what pace to adopt and had decided on an 8 min / mile pace; based on Ipswich, (misplaced) optimism and it being easier to do the maths.

After 6 miles 80% of the field turned off to do the Half and we headed out into the Leicestershire countryside, lovely route, cool, sunny and a light breeze. Slightly ahead of the 8 min pace and a bit of chat, feeling good.

At halfway, still on pace but the chat has stopped. At ~18 miles still feel OK but a level crossing's lights go on to a general groan from the small group of runners and we have to stop. The marshall notes our numbers, but we're soon off again. I don't know if that was significant but the legs are feeling heavy now. At mile 19/20 we rejoin the half marathon route and head into Watermead country park alongside the village where I grew up.

But then I got hit with a series of sharp cramps in my calves having to stop briefly each time to stretch out before setting off again; at what felt like a snail's pace!

A short sharp climb into Birstall to where my Dad is waiting.  I'm desperate to look OK, and nearly get away with it, only to cramp up again just before disappearing from view. Then at mile 23 I pull up sharply with a full on hamstring cramp. The expletives which follow are not fully appreciated by the pushchair supporters nearby ... and I'm starting to think I'm not going to make it.

Lots of encouragement from a nearby marshall and a suggestion to wriggle my toes gets me moving and I commit to not stopping again, and grind out the last 3 miles snaking through the city centre and then up the long drag last mile towards the finish. Strangely the slope seems to help stretch out the muscles and I pick up the pace a bit. The last 200 is on the flat and with the sound of someone behind me I find a 'sprint' finish from somewhere, crossing the line with 3:40 on the watch.

It was a huge relief to get to the finish in the end and I felt quite emotional. It wasn't the race I had had in mind but at least feel that I've had the full (rookie) marathon experience, and overall pleased with the time. Would I do it again? Yesterday, it was a definate no. Today, it's a probable no.

Thanks for all the support (sorry the report's such a marathon)

 

Steve

 

Steve Whittaker's Friday 5s

Having only done the Kirton 5 before I thought it might be interesting to have a go at some of the other Friday 5 mile Series this year, taking place over the last three weeks. Brief report with 3 down: 

 

All three very different so far in both conditions and terrain, and interesting to try courses which are totally unfamiliar. Quite a few Shufflers out and a couple of guys from work to compare notes with.

 

First off Ipswich - All the chat at the start was about "the hill", worryingly. Quite warm and a bit breezy. Start and finish at St Joseph's, headed off due south down a steep hill, under the A14 and up the other side through Belstead village, then across sandy fields blowing up dust clouds into your eyes and lungs. Loop back and last mile or so up "the hill". Kept a bit in the tank, so managed to keep going on this last stretch, though there were quite a few walking, and back up to the college. Nice setting, would do it again.

 

Next up Kirton - perfect conditions, quite cool, kept layers on until the last minute. Usual tactics of hurtling off to the gate at the end of the field and then being passed for the next 2 miles. Good pace though, and a 5 mile PB for me.

 

This week was Stowmarket (held at Hawley Park) - On the face of it a nice setting in rolling parkland and woodland. In reality, gale force winds, a twisty narrow course and very very slippy in the mud. Two laps, first of which adopting a cartoon-like banana skin running technique trying to stay upright (much to the amusement of the younger suppler runners nearby). One guy blasted past me twice at pace only to end up on his a**e, the third time he kept going though. There was shelter amongst the trees, but the finish was up a stoney steep slope with a 28 mph head wind. All hopes of a PB dashed, but highly entertaining.   Approx times for the three: just over 35, 33 and 36 mins respectively.

Final instalment on the Friday 5 races (for anyone thinking of next year  ;-)   ):

Bury – picturesque setting for the start in Tatton Park south of Bury, though got a bit cold waiting to start in the drizzle. A fairly muddy lap of the park before heading out on the country lanes and the sun came out. About 1 mile of long uphill drag before turning back and trying to make up some lost places on the steeper descent. Seemed to take a long time to get to the park and struggled to get a rhythm with some old guy stomping and gasping in my ear for most of the way back. Into the trees and a boggy sprint to the line. 99^th, 33:45 but my best age category placing of the 5. Excellent tea and chips.

Great Bentley - was this Friday and another longish drive again good to share with some Shufflers.  This was billed as the must do race to get your PB, flat and all on roads. More of a mental test with long straight sections with lots of time to dwell on how far ahead those who had passed you (and had considered hanging onto) had got. Found this the hardest. Missed a PB by 10 secs. 96^th 33:15. Glorious huge slab of fruit cake to refuel.

All in all, great to have completed the full set (all different), sadly I still get a buzz from pinning on a number.

No series placings published yet but by my calculations I ended up with 8^th place for my age category, so chuffed with that.

Strangely my entry to Ipswich as a Woodbridge Surfer got translated to be a Woodbridge Shuffler, so felt compelled to join.

Cheers,

Steve 

Woodbridge 10k  - Sunday 20th May 2012

My ninth Woodbridge 10k.  2004 white with cabbage-patch family.  2005 blue with white panel.  2006 black with white star.  2007 and a new era, Orange with round the town icons.  2008 grey with cherry design.  2009 black with trainers.  2010 white with Woodbridge street signs.  2011 olive green with thumb nails of previous designs.  And so, to 2012 and another Gill Coutts' classic.
A tough race, as usual, but the sun shone and the Adnams was great.  A good Woodbridge Surfers turnout  and fantastic support from family and friends.  It was so good to hear that many of them will joins us in the run next year!
A suggestion for the organisers though from Mrs Payne.  No dogs on the Market Hill, or perhaps no old women who smell of dog urine.

Training starts tomorrow.

 

Steve W's London 10K

Sunday was London 10k for me.

Paul and Karen (who some of you know from the Dunwich Dynamo) secured some free passes again this year, but this year upgraded to VIP. This meant meeting in a swanky hotel a few yards from the start. But rather than finding the room full of fat celebs I had expected there were half a dozen elite athletes looking superhuman and doing yoga on the floor. One exception was a chap who looked grateful to see us greeting me with: "I'm guessing that you're not one of the elite athletes?" ... Thanks.

We emerged blinking into the sun with a Coldstream Guards fanfare to see 25000 runners queued up down Picadilly looking across to the start and us Elites warming up, very embarrassing. I've never had a stronger desire to be able to touch my toes, every lunge and stretch suddenly took on comic proportions. Starting one yard behind the Kenyans and Ethiopians, there was nothing for it but to run as hard as I could for the half mile or so past the queue of onlooking queued runners. Even then you couldn't see the elites for dust. Consequently the first km wasa lung busting sub 4mins! I overtook no-one all race, but with a flat course through central London and good conditions, I clocked a (provisional) surprising 41:40. Chuffed. Great Day.

Steve