My 4th Kent Coastal Marathon

Yesterday was the 4th time I have run the Kent Coastal marathon in the 7 and a half years I have been running. In 2008, my second marathon ever, I puked heavily after 17 miles having downed 2 litres of water pre race (you learn as you go along....) so I have some good memories of this race! 

I decided to run it only last Wednesday as I fancied a marathon to see where I was with my fitness. This year has been a bit of a mixed bag; starting off the year strong with my best ever 100 miler performance at Rocky Racoon 100 in Texas with a time of 17.51, North London half 6 weeks later - 1.24.57 (Half marathon P.B), London Marathon in 3.08 (P.B - wanted sub 3), entering Spartathlon, a DNF at the Harp 24 hour due to a bad back - rest and then back didn't approve so decided to pull out of Spartathlon as I didn't want to go into the race not at 100%. I put in a few miles over the last 3 weeks so decided to run with no time pressure.  This was really nice as most marathons I turn up to I am gunning for a time.

When we turned up to Margate the wind was blowing big time and it was very cold. I entered the race at the desk and then straight back to the car to warm up- I recognised some of the usual UK marathon suspects who turn up to marathons week in, week out. I got out of my car and ran over to the start line with a few minutes to go. My girlfriend had kindly driven me down to Kent and spectate (AKA go shopping) whilst I ran. The race was a mix of people running the marathon and the half marathon. 

We started at 9.30 running a mile away from the start line towards Kingsgate and then we turned around after a mile and headed back past the start line towards Margate/Westgate. The wind was behind us for the first 5/6miles and was along the seafront with a few up and down hills- it was really nice to start a marathon with a few low 7-7.30 minute miles and not gunning for 6.45s. 

We ran out to Westgate and at about mile 7 we turned around and ran a similar course back to the start into wind so the next 12 miles, up to about mile 20, were all into wind so slowed us down a bit. I still managed to keep up a leisurely pace and chatted with a few runners about their goals, races they had done, etc. I was starting to feel a bit of fatigue at around mile 18 but knew if I could get to 20 I would be fine as would be running the last 6 miles with the wind helping.

No matter how hard or easy you run a marathon the last 6 miles always hurt.

Once I reached 20 miles I turned around and headed back toward the finish. I wanted to come in around sub 3.30 so was on for that going through 19.5 miles at 2.30. I ran the last few miles with a guy called Keith who was 50 years old and we were both feeling the heat and pain as we cruised into the finish line. I came in with a time of 3.25.10 and collected my medal. I was so happy to finish and laid down, even after running 31 marathons now I still get that buzz for finishing. 

I am happy with my time and now thinking about another marathon/ultra for Q4. I am disappointed that I won't be going to Greece to run Spartathlon in 2 weeks but I think I have made the right decision - it's not the sort of race you can turn up to unprepared. 

Finally, I'd like to say thanks to the race organisers for accommodating my late entry on the day, the marshalls/volunteers who were pointing people in the right direction and handing out water/jelly babies and the various spectators. It is a great marathon and has a real personal touch, even calling out your name as you cross the finish line which means a lot. 

After running 4 Kent coastal's I always say I won't go back with that head wind but I definitely probably will be back again one day.


Strava Stats - https://www.strava.com/activities/386340582S

Vitality North London Half and run up to the London Marathon

Yesterday I took part in the Vitality North London Half marathon. I was running this race as my girl friend Sam was running and using it a fitness test in the run up to the London marathon in just under 6 weeks time. Having run the Rocky racoon 100 miler 6 weeks ago I wasn't sure what to expect. Over the last 6 weeks my mileage has been as per the below.

Week 1 - 0 Miles (Recovering from Rocky Racoon)
Week 2 - 33.4 miles
Week 3 - 58.5 miles
Week 4 - 19.4 miles
Week 5 - 53.6 Miles
Week 6 - 40.3 Miles (Including Vitality Half Marathon)

Sam and I set off at 7am to the Saracens stadium in Barnet, we got there at 8am but with a big queue into the car park and managed to park up by 8.30am. The race was starting at 9.30am so plenty of time to get ready. Sam dropped off her bag and then we made our way to the start which was 10 minute walk from the Saracens stadium. It was really cold just in shorts and a T-shirt but I knew that once I started running I would get hot. I lined up in the 1.15-1.30 pen and had view of Mo Farah who was starting this race - he was giving the Mobot signs and dancing to a few songs (Must be getting paid a few quid to do this...). I didn't know what to expect time wise, I thought I'll go off and see how I go. I started with a 5.59 minute mile, 6.10, 6.25, 6.07, 6.20, 5.53 taking me through 6 miles in 36.54 feeling pretty good so I thought I am on for a pb here - current pb 1.25.17. The course was undulating and set up well, good water stops. The half way point took us around Wembley stadium and then through the stadium which was pretty cool to run through and then we headed back to the Saracens stadium for the finish. I felt pretty good on the way back, there seemed to a be few more hills which slowed me down a bit and slight fatigue but still felt strong. Half marathons go so quick which I love compared to ultra marathons, once you're on 8-9 miles you know you're nearly done. I went through 13.1 miles in 1.23ish and was thinking where is the finish. Ended up crossing the finish line with 13.3 miles on my watch and a time of 1.24.52. Still a p.b but was measured slightly over and I spoke to a couple of others who had the same on their watch. I was over the moon with a PB. I then waited for Sam who came in with a P.B - 2.08.59 - I was so happy to see her cross the line and a sprint finish! All in all it was great race and really well organised. With just under 6 weeks until London I feel good about the prospects of running it, just need to carry the training on and get a few longer runs in. Really looking forward to running my dream marathon.

Race Splits

Sammi and I with our Medals

Sammi finishing

Rocky Racoon 100

We set off on Thursday 29th January catching the 1.40 pm flight to Houston- it took just over 10 hours. We then drove from Houston to our motel which was an hour from the airport,  in an area called Huntsville. One thing I noticed when driving down the motorway was all the big restaurants and flashing lights all the way down the sides of the motorway- you would never have that in the UK. The motel was pretty basic and about 15 mins from the race. 

On Friday we woke up at 4am as in Huntsville (6 hours behind UK) and went to Wallmart to get a few supplies and breakfast. James then went back to sleep whereas I stayed up hoping that I'd be tired later as we had to be up at 3am on race day. 

We then met up with Chris and John part of the UK contingent who James knew. We then went to the park and ran 2 miles through part of the course to keep the legs going and check out the trails, it was a nice a day and the trails looked great. We then had a pasta lunch and Ian Sharman joined us who ended up winning the race - he ran Rocky Raccoon in 12.44 in 2011 - unbelievable really. It was great to hear his views on the race and running as he is now a full time athlete who coaches people and has various sponsors. We then headed over to the park again, dropped off our drop bags and registered for the race. This then followed by the race briefing where all 400 entries gathered and listened to the race director and his team talk through the rules, aid stations, cut offs, how the race would run, etc. We then headed back towards the hotel had a subway and got into bed at 7pm (1am UK time) - my body clock was all over the place and I hadn't slept much at all. 

The alarm went off at 3am on race day, I was awake at 2.50ish and then it hit home. I had a shower and got ready, the race park opened at 4am with a 6am race start. To ensure that we got a good place near the start line we headed off and got there just by 4am. It was then a waiting game, having a bit of breakfast and counting down until 6am. At 5.50ish we made our way to the start line, it was pretty chilly but knew it would warm up so had a hat and gloves on which I knew I would get rid of after 6 miles at the first drop bag point. We lined up on the start line and the count down started from 20 seconds and we were off. 

My strategy for this race was to start off slow and conserve energy so started off with a few slower miles jogging through the trails in the dark with 400 other people all on their own little journeys. It's pretty amazing watching all the head lights go on. As we began running I noticed the roots through the trails, it only took me a couple of miles before I tripped and went head first over one, so had to be careful- especially when running in the dark. I heard later that Travis, a guy from the UK, broke his ribs and someone else broke their ankle on these roots. 

This race was 5 x 20 mile loops, on the first loop I ran a few miles with a guy called Tim who was from Canada, this was his first time at Rocky so had a chat with him whilst running, also ran a couple of miles with a guy called Paul. I then took off and settled into my own pace. After around an hour it was light so the head torch had gone, I was feeling pretty good. I went through the first lap in 3.09 which I was happy with, I then made my way through the next 20 miles in 3.07 so slightly quicker which was great. After 40 miles still feeling good, miles passing by and the 3rd lap done in 3.27, I went through 60 miles in 9.46. 

In a 100 miler I can't describe how mental it is. It was starting to get slightly hotter at this time and I was starting to feel slight fatigue, you always go through some bad times in a 100 miler where you think you're not going to finish or things aren't going to get better - you just need to ride it out. So I slowed up a bit through these few miles and then felt okayish again. I then came through mile 80 in 13.26 and I thought I am nearly there with 20 miles to go. I also started thinking I would love to have a time starting with 17. 

The last lap was all in the dark. I must have gone over 5-6 times on the roots so had to be careful as didn't want to injure myself.  Due to darkness and obviously fatigue this lap would take longer than the other laps. I managed to go through around 95 miles in 17 hours ish so I had an hour to get it done. 

I crossed the line in 17.51.45 in 25th place, I was absolutely delighted with the result - really shows what good training can do and how much I have improved as a runner - I definitely think there is a lot more in the tank as well. 

The thing I love about running is you can still improve as the years go on up to a certain age -whereas in most sports, athletes seem to go the other way. If you said to me pre race that i would finish in 17 something - I would have been over the moon. 

Rocky Racoon is a great race, thanks to the race director and all the volunteers who gave up their time to make this possible. 

So next for me I have the London Marathon where I'm going to have another bash at breaking 3 hours. I now also have automatic qualification for Spartathalon, which is 153 miles across Greece in September in 35 degree heat with cut offs at every check point - average around 130 people finish out of 450 and takes most people two attempts. I have until the 16th Feb to enter it, but at the moment not sure - I have a few people saying I should give it a go. If not, I will do another 100 this year hopefully as I've definitely got the taste again. 

I would also like to say thanks to James Elson for mentioning to me about running this race and put in a stellar performance with a time of 14.50 which he is amazing and he finished in 8th place - shows how much improvement he has made as a runner. Great to meet Chris and John and see these guys finish as well so always good when you have 4 finishers. 

I would also like to thank everyone for the good luck messages and all the well done messages! It really means a lot!

Rocky Racoon 100 build up and a few thoughts

I haven't blogged since last April and over the last couple of years I haven't blogged much at all. I would say over the last 2 years I haven't run as much as I used to with the odd marathon and a couple of ultras - 45 miler and a 50 miler. It's been 2 and a half years since I completed a 100 mile race. I entered a 100 mile race - the Thames Path back in March 2013 and pulled out at 22 miles due to the cold,snowy weather and in all honesty my heart not being in it. Last year my main goal as a runner was to break 3 hours at Brighton Marathon, unfortunately this didn't work out the way I wanted it to with running with the 3 hour pacers until mile 21 and then completely losing it having to jog and walk the last 3 miles to come in with a time of 3.13 and collapsing on the finish line and needing a drip - scary but all good. Towards the end of last year I did the Great North run, Chelmsford Marathon, was running a bit more and I felt like I was ready to enter a big ultra again - I needed that challenge back in my life. James Elson my friend has run Rocky Racoon 100 in Texas (100 mile ultra marathon) 3-4 times over the last few years and he mentioned it to me and after a lot of thought I was like yes! - bring it on! So I entered the race on the 31st October. GIving me just under 3 months of training and time to ramp up. There were a few concerns - December being a boozy month in my job and socially with friends/family but managed to get through okay.

Training since w/c 27th Oct.

W/C 27th Oct - 44.5 Miles
W/C 3rd Nov - 33.5 Miles
W/C 10th Nov - 43 Miles
W/C 17th Nov - 30.5 Miles
W/C 24th Nov - 33 Miles
W/C 1st Dec - 24.6 Miles
W/C 8th Dec - 45.5 Miles
W/C 15th Dec - 58.8 Miles
W/C 22nd Dec - 68 Miles
W/C 29th Dec - 100.4 Miles
W/C 5th Jan - 50.1 Miles
W/C 12th Jan - 50.5 Miles
W/C 19th Jan - 18.8 Miles (So Far - likely to finish between 25 - 30)

Total - 601.2 Miles to date.

I feel really happy with where I am with my training and have put in some good weeks. From the 15th Dec I have run nearly every day with taking the odd day off here and there. I have also included some double run days, back to back long runs, a 30 miler and a marathon. If you would have asked me on the 31st Oct if I think I would have run this much I would probably have thought not. Amazing really with everything going on life you can make time to run whether it be before work, post work, running to pick things up instead of driving - it is possible people! I never believe in the excuse " I don't have time". So between now and the race I will run Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday then maybe a couple of miles on Friday the day before the race to assess the course. I fly out Thursday to Texas and the race is on Saturday then back by Monday lunchtime so it's all a bit of a whistle stop tour to maximise holiday days. I am really looking forward to it now, fingers crossed on the weather. Just looking at my weather app it looks like 13 degrees next Sat with light rain but I think it's a bit far out to be looking into the weather. The race starts at 6am US time so will be Midday in the UK and 5 x 20 mile laps with 5500 ft climbs so pretty flat. If you're interested in following the race you can by this link - http://edsresults.com/rr100/. So all in all I am feeling pretty good about this race, It's just making sure now that I get to the start line with no colds and injury free. Sam took this photo of me at a marathon in Folkestone a couple of weeks ago and overlaid this quote " A moment of pain is worth a lifetime of Glory". This is from a film which we watched a couple of weeks ago called Unbroken. I highly recommend it, it sums up everything in life and how lucky we really are - based on a true story.

 

 Happy Running!