Amsterdam Marathon

Haven't blogged for a while so a bit rusty.....this was the marathon where I was aiming to run 3.15......that was my target...I flew out with my friends Ash and Tom who were both running the marathon as well. Tom running his first and Ash running his 2nd, Tom had hardly done any training for this run, longest training run being 12 miles, so I was quite worried for him, Ash had trained very hard......not having a drink for 4 weeks pre race and was in good shape.We flew out on Saturday, then had to go to the Olympic stadium to pick up our race numbers and chips which was a mission but got there in the end, on the way back to the hotel we bumped into a Women from Israel and got chatting to her and she said she was having a pasta party with 20 of her friends at the hotel and invited us. We all had a lot of pasta, me 2 plates worth (That's a p.b), Tom 1 and half and Ash just the one plate then we went back to the room and went to sleep at 9 - pretty sad ...3 lads in Amsterdam asleep on a Saturday night at 9am but we were all pretty focused on the task in hand and there was an opportunity to have drinks on Sunday night. We woke up at 7.15 showered up and we were off, we all just had shorts and t-shirts on as didn't bring any tracksuits..school boy error as was f8cking freezing- excuse my language. People were staring at us on the way to the marathon thinking who are these chumps, we were like the mighty ducks...everyone else had hats, gloves and tracksuits on...I was freezing, I am not very good in the cold as it is. We arrived at 8.30 and went into the running exhibition to keep warm, I was looking at all the trainers...love running trainers, pretty sad hey but there you go. I was p8ssing a lot so had to keep going to the toilet, we headed over to the Olympic stadium at 9.15, got in there and waited on the track and took another wee, then I left Tom and Ash as I was starting in the 3-3.30 section where Tom and Ash were starting in the 3.30-4 section. Tom did look worried and was a little quiet that morning and I can understand why, in all honesty I was worried for him. I went and stood next to the 3.15 pacers and my aim was to stay with them the whole way. There was great atmosphere in the stadium, music playing..lots of people, I was thinking this is quality, this is what a big marathon is like...so the gun went and we were off, first mile was 7.39 which was a little slow for 3.15 pace but I honestly think this helped me as I normally go off too quick, the marathon started off through the city, was congested for the first few miles then we got going.There were lots of people cheering on the sides and music playing, was a great atmosphere, the music was playing...it was brilliant, I was feeling pretty strong, I was taking a gel every 40 mins, first marathon with gels and no salt tablets.When I got to 10 miles, I needed to go for a no 2 and was starting to get worried as couldn't see a toilet, I was thinking could I hold it for a couple of hours, it wasn't going to be possible...I came across a toilet at 12 miles luckily, done the job and was off, by this time the 3.15 pacers had passed me...I caught them up and turned in 1.36ish and was on track for 3.15, I felt pretty strong.When I got to 15 miles I was running with the the 3.15 pacers and thought I feel really good, I have more in the tank, I thought I am out of here and started running 7.10, 7.07,7.11 miles..was on fire, I ran the whole way to the end in miles under 7.30...no wall, finished in the Olympic stadium with a time on the clock of 3.14ish but on my watch it was 3.13.46, checked the chipped time this morning and it was 3.13.48 so pretty accurate.Yesterday was possibly one of the best days of my life, what a relief to break 3.15, I was buzzing, I got some water and bananas and sat down at the Water balloons where I was meeting Ash. Ash came in saying he had ran 3.39, he was very happy with that ...he checked this morning and had run 3.35 so great run from him, he was happy...it's great when you see one of your mates finish a marathon.Ash has talent running his 2nd marathon in 3.35, he has really got into it, I see him smashing 3.30 next year.Ash and I waited around for 4 hours to pass as that is what we agreed with Tom, he wasn't there so we headed back to the hotel, getting the wrong tube back, managed to get back, bath and lie down.I was sitting on the bed worried about Tom, he walked in about 45 mins after us, he ran 4.19...this is possibly one of the greatest sporting achievements, to run a 4.19 marathon without much training and the longest training run of 12 miles was an epic effort, I was very happy for him, he got his medal and he was happy.We went out to a nice Argentinian restaurant and had quiet a few beers in the Dam Sq...ended up rather drunk which isn't the best recovery, I have felt ill all day today but was worth it.So 3.15 is now done, my next target has got to be to break 3 hours..it's on my radar, it's in my head, bring on next year....what a great marathon Amsterdam is, very well organised and a flat one, I highly recommend it.

Garmin report - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/53516033
Race analysis and photos- http://evenementen.uitslagen.nl/2010/amsterdammarathon/index-en.html

Kent Coastal Marathon 2010

Ran the Kent coastal marathon today...woke up at 6.15 and drove down to Kent....was after a time of 3.15, I started running and paced pretty well. The first half of the race is hilly and the sun came out, I turned in 1.36 so was on for 3.15...in the 2nd half I am not sure what happened to me but I was a mess and all over the place.... a lot of walking and finished in 3.35. I can't put my finger on it, at the end of the day it's another marathon under my belt and have Amsterdam in 6 weeks which will be a p.b opportunity.

Garmin report below

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/47679745

South Downs Marathon and Southend Half 2010

South Downs Marathon Saturday 12th June
I had been awaiting this day pretty much the day after Halstead marathon...really wanting to get my numbers up this year and starting to notice there aren't as many marathons as you think in the southern region.My friend James told me about this marathon and he was running in it as part of his training in the run up to Bad water 135 miler. My alarm went off at 5.10am on a Saturday morning and sometimes it does cross your mind - why am I doing this...but when my alarm went off I was well up for it, straight out of bed and on the road by 5.30. Love the roads early morning as there is noone on them so smashed it - arrived at Queen Elizabeth country park at 7.30 which is the end of the race, so you park your car at the end of the race then they ferry you to the start on coaches which was at Swindon College. I got on this bus with the usual characters - you do get some freaks at these events but there you go, everyone is nice. Arrived at Swindon college at 8.45ish and I still had and hour and 15 before I started as they had 3 starting times
9 - People who were running the marathon in over 4 and half hours
9.30 - Relays
10 - People who were running the marathon in under 4 and half hours
So I had an hour wait, I sat on the hill in the sun and chilled out, spoke to a couple of other runners about various races they had done or were doing, then James turned up at 9.45 who had got the train down from London, he played it very cool - turned up put his bag on the bus and we walked to the start line. James was running this event with me, he reckoned I would be around the 4 hour mark. The marathon was a 5200ft climb, we kicked off at 10 and we were off, James and I were both wearing Garmins and it was funny how they synced each other for every mile, beeping one after the other or at the same time which is pretty amazing that it's worked by GPS ( I love that sh8t, I am a geek). Anyway we started off through country roads and woods, then out into the South Downs through country land back through woods, we were running the first few miles in 7 and half mins flying...some of the hills we were going down at ridiculous speeds, James was very quick down the hills, I think I was a little nervous and didn't want to fall, he explained to me today that it takes years of practice and you grow with more confidence more times you do it. At the half way stage we were in a good position - 1 hour 45 mins so were well on target for 4 hours then at mile 14 we hit a monster hill which we chose to walk up, the 2nd half of the race was a lot more hillier. I was dehydrating massively for some reason, it was hot but I was drinking so much water, when we got to mile 22ish we hit a big hill and I was struggling up it, James walked ahead with a guy called Joe who we had met at the start of the race at this point I was all over the place, head on it's side sliding - James looked back and kept walking.. when I got to the top we pushed on, the last few miles went very quickly as always and we came in with 3.43.58 which I was vey happy with (46th position out of 580) It shows how much I have come on in a year when I ran my first marathon in 3.44 which was pretty flat, this marathon had 5200ft elevation. We sat down for a bit... then was off in he car and I dropped James off at the station, smashed it home in 1.40 mins, had a lay down - medium Pizza, chicken wings and garlic bread... then went round a mates to watch the game, had a couple of peronis. Was a great marathon and now I had the Southend Half to run tomorrow.
Untitled by petegoldring at Garmin Connect - Details




Southend Half Marathon - Sunday 13th June
I woke up this morning and was really not up for the half but my friend Smash was doing it and I thought it's a nice little local race and a good way to end the weekend. My legs were stiff, Smash picked me up at 9.15 we arrived at the race just for 10, we were late and there was a massive que into the car park so we had to dump the car and run to the start of the race.The race was delayed massively due to the car park situation and didn't start until 10.30. I had decided after running from the car to the start that I was lacking energy and legs were stiff so was never going to run a p.b so I decided to run with Ash who wanted to run between 1.35 and 1.40. I set the garmin pacer for 7.15 min miles which would bring us in at 1.34ish. We set off and Ash's shoe fell off - he caught me up, we ran the first 5 miles in 7.10 min miles so was ahead of schedule then Ash seemed to slow down. I was a little worried, the pace slowed right down, I kept encouraging Ash and he came in with a time of 1.40, I was 1.39, I ran the last mile on my own as fancied a little sprint...I felt good at Ash's pace and it was good to be sensible, I knew I could of gone all guns out which would have been stupid the day after a marathon. Always good to run Southend Half - flat course so good opportunity to run a p.b...next year maybe I Will train for the race and try and smash it...all in all a good weekends worth of running - it's a good feeling to know I can run a marathon then cruise a half the next day. Finished up with a few beers down old Leigh with my little bro Joe and a few mates, then a curry...writing this now I am very tired but looking forward to the next event. I totaled up mileage for the week and I ran 82.6 miles this week which is massive for me on a work week....this week will be a little quieter, specially with a swollen ankle.

Weekend of Garmin 405

I decided to purchase a Garmin this week as thought it's about time I drill down a bit more on my training. With GPS and a virtual training partner this should be helpfull in my goal of breaking 3.15 for a marathon this year. I went out Saturday in the afternoon at 4 o'clock - was very hot - I ran 10.55 miles with a 361 ft climb, I set the pace maker on 7.30 min miles and came in with average 7.27 min miles so was happy with that and the Garmin helps you track each mile to see how your doing. I woke up Sunday after a night watching of champions league round a friends, I was running with my friend Ash this morning, we set the pacer to 8 min miles to match his marathon 2 weeks ago - (3.34) we ended up running 16.14 miles in 2.12.21 which isn't a bad effort considering it was very hot. That takes me to 56.5 miles for the week which is not too bad...the achiles is playing up now so need to be carefull with South downs marathon in 3 weeks - 5200ft of climb so should be a great test. Ash, Tom and I entered the Amsterdam marathon this weekend which is in October - it will be Tom's first marathon, my first big marathon (15,000 entrants) and a great chance of a p.b as the course is v.flat so really aiming for a good time in Amsterdam and we are staying for a night out as well to make it a bit of a trip. I found the start of this week tough after the alcohol over the weekend but now I feel I am back to my fit self and am loving running again.

Sunday run

Untitled by petegoldring at Garmin Connect - Details

Essex Marathon 2010

Today I was running the Essex Marathon after a week of cycling 360 miles in Morocco. I flew back yesterday and was very tired and lacked a lot of energy, I entered this marathon a while ago as my mate Ash was running his first marathon...waking up this morning I knew it would be tough but couldn't let Ash down, he picked me up at 8.30 -we arrived at the course at 9.30 and were greeted by Ash's Mum Sally and boyfriend Kev - quick photo and we were off. I was aiming for 3.15, I ran the first mile in 6.32 which is far too quick...after 2 miles I felt terrible and was thinking why am I running this after the week I have had, I battled on and pulling out was crossing my mind which never normally does in a marathon. I got to 13 miles in 1.37 which was perfect for 3.15 but then hit a wall at 17, Sally and Kev were riding their bikes around the course so I saw them and they said Ash was close behind so I slowed down and he caught me up, I ran a mile with him and had a release, ended up finishing in 3.26.43...course was very undulating...I lacked a lot of energy today and was in no fit state to run a marathon but happy with that time, a p.b for me...with the right preparation 3.15 is definitely achievable.Ash finished in 3.34.15 which is a great effort for a first marathon, I am very proud of him...now siting here writing this I am very tired and looking forward to a few days of no running or cycling.

Jurassic Coastal Challenge - 26th-28th March 2010

Day 1 -

It had Rained a lot last night..woke up to sunshine which was a result.Had a bit of breakfast and was off in the mini bus to Charmouth,we started at 11.10.There were some huge hills in the first few miles and I was thinking what have I signed up for,having done no hill training...the first 6 miles took over an hour.When running it was very muddy and slippy so was hard to build up a cadence,there were times in today's race where I thought what am I doing entering this and as if I can do 3 days,then towards the end I thought I have got to take each day as it comes.I finished today in 5.05-was happy with that in the tough conditions...legs a little stiff writing this-bring on tomorrow.

Day 2-

Woke up this morning..legs a little stiff...was confident though..the starting line was just outside our sh8t caravan site. The first few miles were on road which was a nice break from yesterday.Then we hit a couple of hills - why wouldn't we.. then onto pebble paths around Portland island.There was a group of us running together - Elson, Paul, Andy and myself, I felt strong at 12 miles - I have noticed through ultra running you get these good bursts of energy and when they happen you have to take advantage so I took off from the group for a mile or so then hit check point 2. Topped up with Cheese and Pickle role, Crisps, Mars bars the lot....I ate these and realised Elson and co had kept going so caught them up. We carried along the coast and then we hit some slippy muddy hills which are v.annoying..I nearly fell over - you beauty..today was hot as well so took 2 salt tablets and consumed a lot of water. Approaching CP3 my big right toe was in pain, border line falling off but managed to run through the pain and saw the medic after the race to get it taped up.Finished on 3 monster hills, bring on tomorrow !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cambridge Boundary Run (Marathon)

I am writing this at home with some stiff legs.... I ran the Cambridge Boundary Marathon today, was a lovely days weather, sunny all day, so perfect running weather...When I arrived at David Lloyd at Cambridge I registered for the marathon and was given a t-shirt and map which I thought was worrying, I asked why the map and this is just a precaution as they don't have the manpower to Marshall the course. I aimed to break 3.30 today which would be a p.b...began the race and ran the first mile in 6.40 which is way too fast, the run was off road...... running around Cambridge and through country lanes. I turned in 1.37 which I was happy with so was on for breaking 3.30, ran the second half slower on the off road terrain and ended up finishing in 3.34.36 with a wrong turning. I was pleased with that performance as most of the course was off road so breaking 3.30 was a big ask... a very well organised marathon and a great days weather. I ran today against my Physio's advise as have a swollen ankle but I needed to get a marathon in pre Jurassic......hopefully after a few days rest the ankle should be okay, I am doing the Lydd Half marathon next Sunday with my friend Ash were I aim to break 1.30....I still got the endorphins while listening to the radio on the way home today...I am up for my next road marathon were I am sure I can break 3.30......

Country to Capital- 45 miler- 16th Jan

On 16th Jan 2010 I attempted my first ultra marathon after running 2 marathons – 1st last May - Halstead Essex Marathon and 2nd in September - Kent Coastal Marathon. I was running with my friend James Elson who I ran the 2 marathons with, James being an experienced runner having run 15 x 50 mile races before, 2 x 100 mile races and 5 desert runs so this race to him was a stroll in the park. I woke up at his house at 4.50am as was nervous, went into his kitchen and made some toast and tea, sat down to watch sky sports news, then got changed, James came in the Kitchen later..Had a bit of toast and we were off to Marylebone station. I was nervous…. very nervous….the whole week at work I was quiet and this race was playing on my mind. We got the train from Marylebone to Aylesbury, the race started at a pub in Wendover and finished at little Venice on the canal in Paddington

We started the race in the pouring rain, running through muddy woods in my Asics gt2140s slipping everywhere, it was a bad decision wearing these instead of trail shoes but had a bad ankle and the trail shoes are very heavy. Was running through woods and puddles……..after about 16 miles my legs were hurting!!!!!Was thinking not even half way and my legs were hurting…..got to the 23 mile check point and topped up with water, had a wee and noticed my wee was yellow so put a stop to the salt tablets…after 23 miles I ran 10 miles very slowly just literally fast walking/slow jogging…. Got to mile 36 and was feeling sick, I had hit the wall so we walked for a mile and I was thinking I can’t finish this, after that I ran to about 40, walked for a bit then started running again…..then I saw the finish line in the distance, my eyes started watering and what a great feeling it was to finish a race of that size – time 8.06 – was very happy with that as was thinking 9-10 hours pre race or just to finish. It has definitely given me the taste to run more races of this size or even further. My next ultra will be the Jurassic Coastal Challenge in Dorset – 3 marathons in 3 days -http://www.votwo.co.uk/votwo2007/events-and-adventure/race_view.php?i=88 .

Here are some videos which James took from the race

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62R8OMcKllo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Oql3l6U1Qo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mNbgH2F7-w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ySkdRsgFPw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQEu93hcyUQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za9zjfTWWk8