... that I am hoping to raise much-needed funds for the Kent Autistic Trust by running this marathon. If you would like to help, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/Anne-Lincoln.
Thank you.
Sunday, 5 May 2013
Are We There Yet?
It's the evening before he marathon and I'm feeling strangely calm. It's too late to do anything differently now, but I'm happy that I've prepared as well as I can. I've run 20 miles twice, 18 miles probably 3 times and have tapered my training right down.
I'm staying with a friend not far from the start of the marathon and am all ready to go first thing in the morning.
I had a little wobble yesterday after I picked up my registration pack from Belfast City Hall and read that they expect everyone to finish within 6 hours. Whilst that might seem a long time to anyone who hasn't run a marathon (and many who have), I am not a fast runner, and am considerably slower than I was 30 years ago. It is by no means certain that I will finish within that time, although I feel that my training off road in sometimes hilly conditions might make tomorrow's run feel not quite so bad.
So, not much I can do about my speed (or lack of). I'm looking forward to a long run, and the fact that it's the very long awaited marathon seems strangely beside the point.
What I'm not really looking forward to:
1) The part of the course along the Sydenham bypass - boring dual carriageway
2) Worrying about finding a toilet en route when I need one
3) Spotting the place I stopped before - at approx 23 miles - in case I want to stop there again (luckily I can't remember much about exactly where it was)
4) Worrying about finishing after everyone else has gone home
What I *am* looking forward to:
1) A nice long run!
2) Running a special run with thousands of other runners
3) A nice day spent outdoors in mild spring weather
4) Looking at the trees come into leaf and flowers into bloom
5) Being nosy & looking at other people's gardens
6) Seeing parts of Belfast that I rarely visit
7) Running along the Lagan towpath, where I have never been before
8) Seeing Ormeau Park (where the marathon finishes) come into view
9) Just getting into the rhythm of a long run, when you feel like you could keep running forever
10) The opportunity to let my mind relax and unknot life's stresses
11) The support of the crowd as I start flagging
Tuesday, 9 April 2013
Terra Firma!
Another week, another 20 miler. Wanted to run somewhere between 18 and 22 miles, depending on how I felt near the end, so happy with that.
Sunday was sunny! Was lulled into a false sense of spring and wore short sleeves for the first time. However there is still a cruel easterly wind, and 7C is not really that warm, so was very chilly for some of the run. Note to self: if in doubt, wear your gloves.
Found a lovely part of the River Medway between Teston and Yalding, that I had never been along - very beautiful and good for the soul. However the weather has been dry, as well as cold, of late and the ground was rock hard. That, plus more running on tarmac than usual left my feet aching. I never expected the long runs to give me the same achy feet that I get from spending too long shopping!
The CamelBak(ish) was very useful and I drank a full 1.5 litres of water on the way round. Have been meaning to try out some energy gels, but have been reading mixed reviews of them. In any event, I forgot to buy any, so ended up with some of the kids' Fruit Flakes and nibbled these at 13 and 18 miles. It's hard to say whether they boosted my energy levels noticeably, apart from making me feel warmer, which was great!
Two days later and my toes still feel bruised, but my legs have recovered.
The scary thing is that it's now less than 4 weeks to the marathon, so I will need to start easing off on the long distances soon. It would have been great to have run 23 miles before the marathon, but there's no point doing it all in training and having nothing left for the big day.
Sunday was sunny! Was lulled into a false sense of spring and wore short sleeves for the first time. However there is still a cruel easterly wind, and 7C is not really that warm, so was very chilly for some of the run. Note to self: if in doubt, wear your gloves.
Found a lovely part of the River Medway between Teston and Yalding, that I had never been along - very beautiful and good for the soul. However the weather has been dry, as well as cold, of late and the ground was rock hard. That, plus more running on tarmac than usual left my feet aching. I never expected the long runs to give me the same achy feet that I get from spending too long shopping!
The CamelBak(ish) was very useful and I drank a full 1.5 litres of water on the way round. Have been meaning to try out some energy gels, but have been reading mixed reviews of them. In any event, I forgot to buy any, so ended up with some of the kids' Fruit Flakes and nibbled these at 13 and 18 miles. It's hard to say whether they boosted my energy levels noticeably, apart from making me feel warmer, which was great!
Two days later and my toes still feel bruised, but my legs have recovered.
The scary thing is that it's now less than 4 weeks to the marathon, so I will need to start easing off on the long distances soon. It would have been great to have run 23 miles before the marathon, but there's no point doing it all in training and having nothing left for the big day.
Monday, 1 April 2013
Twenty's Plenty!
Just finished my first 20-miler in 30 years! Not feeling too bad!!
It's a cool day (about 5C) with a chilly north-easterly breeze. Wrapped up in two layers and wore hat & gloves. Some of the run was sheltered and sunny (hat & gloves off and sleeves rolled up); other parts felt bitterly cold in the wind.
Was very glad to have the loan of the Camelbak-type drink backpack (thanks Jenny!) and drank about one litre.
As usual, the first hour felt comfortably like a warm-up. The next hour was OK, then my muscles started to tighten up and the psychological games started (am I half way round yet?). My route was, as usual, unique (to me) in places and I had a nasty moment at about 16 miles when I took a footpath across fields at random, then wasn't sure where I was. It did take my mind off the distance though! ;)
All turned out well, although I was a little out on my estimated distance, so that I was still about 3 miles from home after 18 miles. (I had planned to run somewhere between 19 & 20 miles.) Usually I underestimate the distance, so that I have to add in a little extra loop at the end. However it was a great feeling to know that I would run at least 20 miles. When I hit that magic number, I stopped running and walked home as my warm-down. I had a think about whether I thought I could have managed another 6 miles: although I didn't feel the need to run any more today, I think that I probably could manage it. It's the first time that I've believed that I will be able to finish the marathon.
Towards the end, instead of feeling heavy-legged, my legs felt strangely numb and I felt as light as a feather. I almost laughed when I saw 20 miles on my watch. Not sure if that means that I hit and got past The Wall, or if I've just been enjoying the endorphins.
Must watch Run, Fat Boy, Run again...
It's a cool day (about 5C) with a chilly north-easterly breeze. Wrapped up in two layers and wore hat & gloves. Some of the run was sheltered and sunny (hat & gloves off and sleeves rolled up); other parts felt bitterly cold in the wind.
Was very glad to have the loan of the Camelbak-type drink backpack (thanks Jenny!) and drank about one litre.
As usual, the first hour felt comfortably like a warm-up. The next hour was OK, then my muscles started to tighten up and the psychological games started (am I half way round yet?). My route was, as usual, unique (to me) in places and I had a nasty moment at about 16 miles when I took a footpath across fields at random, then wasn't sure where I was. It did take my mind off the distance though! ;)
All turned out well, although I was a little out on my estimated distance, so that I was still about 3 miles from home after 18 miles. (I had planned to run somewhere between 19 & 20 miles.) Usually I underestimate the distance, so that I have to add in a little extra loop at the end. However it was a great feeling to know that I would run at least 20 miles. When I hit that magic number, I stopped running and walked home as my warm-down. I had a think about whether I thought I could have managed another 6 miles: although I didn't feel the need to run any more today, I think that I probably could manage it. It's the first time that I've believed that I will be able to finish the marathon.
Towards the end, instead of feeling heavy-legged, my legs felt strangely numb and I felt as light as a feather. I almost laughed when I saw 20 miles on my watch. Not sure if that means that I hit and got past The Wall, or if I've just been enjoying the endorphins.
Must watch Run, Fat Boy, Run again...
Friday, 22 March 2013
Father Jack says, "Drink!"
Our one day of spring two weeks ago nearly floored me as it coincided with a 17-miler. I carried my "large" runner's drinking bottle, which contains a whole 350ml, round with me. This, I have found out the hard way, is not enough liquid for a long run in 16C temperature (although it just about keeps me going at 6C).
Obvious really.
However I was really in a bad way after 10 miles on the first day of warm weather, and seriously looking at puddles and other dubious water sources at 12 miles. The very kind barmaid at The Cock Inn, Boughton Monchelsea took pity on me and gave me a free glass of tap water (did not have any cash on me), so I just about made it home. I now make sure I carry enough cash for a swift pint!
I am borrowing a friend's Camelbak over the weekend to check it agrees with me and my running before I invest in one, although having just looked at the cost, I have just picked myself up off the floor. I may have to do a Heath Robinson - how hard can it be? ;) *Picks up a freezer bag, some tubing and a roll of duct tape*
Obvious really.
I am borrowing a friend's Camelbak over the weekend to check it agrees with me and my running before I invest in one, although having just looked at the cost, I have just picked myself up off the floor. I may have to do a Heath Robinson - how hard can it be? ;) *Picks up a freezer bag, some tubing and a roll of duct tape*
Wednesday, 20 March 2013
A Bad Case of DOMS!
A double whammy this week! Not only was the "long" run hard going, but unusually for me I have a bad case of DOMS, so have been limping about - and going downstairs is very tricky. Note to self: warm down properly!
Karate tomorrow will be added fun ;)
Sunday, 17 March 2013
Quick Update
A summary of my runs over the last 2 months:
1) Snowy:
Most of the snowy days I have run from home, but drove over to Bedgebury Forest one day, for a wonderful run in isolation round bits of Bedgebury that I had never been before. Two laps = about 11 miles. Not quite as long as originally planned, but not bad in the snow! Warm but near exhaustion when I finished. Thankfully the wonderful cafe was open, with views over the frozen lake - and complete with completely frozen vases :)
2) Muddy
The highlight of this section was a new route on the North Downs, which had included a section over a ploughed field (muddy / flinty soil) where it was so claggy that the mud stuck to my shoes a good 10 cm either side of them. Unfortunately didn't have any means to take a picture on the way round, but it cracked me up - nice to have a laugh when you're 8 miles down and 7 miles to go :)
Nice and muddy after 15 miles
1) Snowy:
Most of the snowy days I have run from home, but drove over to Bedgebury Forest one day, for a wonderful run in isolation round bits of Bedgebury that I had never been before. Two laps = about 11 miles. Not quite as long as originally planned, but not bad in the snow! Warm but near exhaustion when I finished. Thankfully the wonderful cafe was open, with views over the frozen lake - and complete with completely frozen vases :)
2) Muddy
The highlight of this section was a new route on the North Downs, which had included a section over a ploughed field (muddy / flinty soil) where it was so claggy that the mud stuck to my shoes a good 10 cm either side of them. Unfortunately didn't have any means to take a picture on the way round, but it cracked me up - nice to have a laugh when you're 8 miles down and 7 miles to go :)
Nice and muddy after 15 miles
3) Long
Am now up to a long run of 17 miles - and not enjoying the long runs at all. The first 10 miles are fine. The next 4 are OK. The last few are hell.
The worrying thing is I have *** 9 more miles *** to do in the marathon. Gulp.
Sunday, 13 January 2013
All Happed Up For the Long Run
It's been cold today. The car thermometer reckons it has been about 3C for most of the day. I fitted in my long run after lunch, but had a long debate about what to wear. Two tops definitely. One or two pairs of trousers? Which socks: normal, thick or two pairs? Hat and gloves definitely. In the end thick socks were fine, as were the two tops. I should have put on two pairs of trousers and, although the Tracksters were fine for the start of the run, my legs got very chilled on the way home. I also had a very cold chin, but that I can live with.
It was my longest run so far - 13.93 miles. The first 6 miles were fine - along a part of the river Medway that I hadn't run before. After 6 miles I hit a low as I was beginning to feel tired and was very aware that I wasn't half way through yet. (I had planned to run 14 miles.) After 9 miles things picked up a little, although my tiredness increased and I ran slower and slower. From 12 miles, I felt awful - tired cold legs, my knees ached (probably because the run was nearly all on the roads, and even the river path was surfaced) and other bits of my legs joined in the complaints, so that I ended up walking a couple of times in the last (uphill) mile. I've never felt so glad to see my house!
Curiously, last week's long run was one of my faster runs. My midweek 3 mile run this week was just as slow as today's run. The human body and mind are strange things and I can't work out why I feel so bad some days (apart from the inevitable tiredness as the long runs get longer) and surprisingly good on others.
Sunday, 6 January 2013
New Year's Update
Well, the training is going steadily and quite well, despite the predictable overindulgence in food and drink over Christmas. The mild but wet weather is a mixed blessing: off road is very muddy and churned up, but soft underfoot so more comfortable on the knees; the weather has been mild enough on some days to run in a t-shirt, but it's warm enough that I need to bring water for my long runs, which are now almost 2.5 hours. I am looking forward to the colder weather forecast for next week - I'm quite happy to put on lots of layers, gloves and hat. Hoping I get some snow runs in this year.
Looking pink after today's 11.5 miles
More info has come through this week from the organisers of the Belfast Marathon and I've signed up with The Run Lounge website (http://www.runlounge.com/) for training plans and hopefully some mutual support.
Looking pink after today's 11.5 miles
I'm up to 11.5 miles or so now at a very slow pace - averaging over 12 minute miles, so less than 5 mph and theoretically I could walk more quickly (at a fair marching pace). Am I bovvered? Not really. I'd like to be quicker, but my goal is to complete the marathon, full stop. No qualifications on time (although I'd preferably like to finish before they shut up shop and go home). I'm a little quicker on shorter runs, and do manage a variety of pace on interval runs, but now is the time for building up distance, not necessarily speed.
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