Another PB, negative thoughts and life getting in the way…

I’ve been lax in my posts much to my own frustration and the two words that best describe my past few weeks have been agony and ecstasy!! The reasons I started blogging about my runs has been the things that have stopped me writing my entries…here starts the agony. As I entered into the 14 the week of my marathon training I started to feel something I hadn’t up until this point and that’s negativity. I started to dread runs, I was close to talking myself out of runs, I battled my mind on distances I was running and considered cutting the runs short. All these came out of no where and considering I’ve been training well plus racing well they knocked me sideways. As I am now three week out from my first marathon of 3 this year  I’ve had no choice to tell myself to man up and shake the negativity. 

As I start to see the end of this training cycle most of my training runs are merging into one and when I head out I’m happy, it’s just the getting out that’s the hard thing at times. Last week was less mileage heavy as it was meant to finish with a 22 mile run however I’d entered the Vitality Liverpool half marathon so that replaced my training run. For this race I decided I was going to practice my race conditions/hydration/nutrition/marathon pace however as per usual with me things didn’t quite go to plan. I knew the course as I had run the race last year in torrential rain however I still managed to get a PB time of 1:38:05 from it. The weather in Liverpool last Sunday was beautiful, ideal conditions for running and that nice I made the decision when we arrived at the start to ditch the tights and base layer and go with just the best and shorts…I felt naked and free!!

3 weeks before Liverpool I had ran Blackpool half marathon, in gale force winds, achieving a PB of 1:37:39, a time I didn’t think I’d get near for a while. As the start got closer and I was stood in with the 1:45:00 runners my mind was drifting towards the potential of today…

The weather is perfect

  
I’m racing well

I know the course and the biggest hill is around a mile in, easy! 

This really is PB potential and as the gun went the masses plodded off towards upper parliament street which is where my first problem arose, trying to sort my phone/music out. After setting my Strava off, starting my playlist I had to mess about putting  my phone in the waist band I am wearing in for the marathon. This frustrated me and for what felt an age I was trying to zip up pockets and get sorted but I need to get used to wearing my waist band for the marathon…nothing new or unfamiliar for that run!!  Once sorted and my first half half mile clocking at 3:26 I had a decision to make…push on or be disciplined, naturally I chose the 1st option and got my head into the task in hand. Recently I’ve passed a plateau and seemed to have kicked on in my pacing. My 7:30 minute miles now feel like my 8 minute miles used to and this is a strange feeling, I confuse easily, however it tells me whatever I’ve been doing has had some effect. However  pleasing this  is it is also slightly worrying as I now struggle to gage my pace at times, Liverpool was a prime example of this. I do though know when my body feels comfortable and in this race I felt very comfortable. The first 4 miles passed in a fast time averaging 6:45 per mile and I felt good however this is where I first encountered a pet hate of mine…runners who lack awareness. As I began to climb a hill of about 500 meters up to Sefton park a ‘kind’ lad decided that without looking he’d cut down the kerb nearly taking me out. I hate my stride being altered especially when I’ve been in it for a few miles and running well and to my dismay this guy was to plague me throughout the rest of the race. Selfish and clueless is the clean description I had of him, good job he wasn’t a mind reader. 

After my little encounter the 10k mark arose and I began to realise a new PB on the cards but not by a few seconds more like minutes I just had to keep going. As I decended onto otterspool prom from the park and hit 9 miles I messaged my wife, who had gone for some breakfast – 

“9 miles PB on. Xxxx be 28 mins”

 My spilts were good only miles 2 and 7 of the first 10 miles were over 7 minutes (only slightly) I was flying and feeling really good. 

  
As I hit 11 miles the ground became uneven and on cobbles but I had to push on it was here I got a second wind, gonna fly now came on my playlist and yes It was right I was feeling strong. I decided that 12.5 miles was my point to push to turn on the after burners and hit that home stretch, I always leave a bit in reserve to finish strong. As I looked at my watch and 12.5 miles clicked over my sense of achievement and pride began to grow I’d nearly done it and as I passed the masses of spectators in he finishing 400 yards I was hitting it hard just a final corner to negotiate. It was at this point again where my ‘Kind’ friend from before decided he wanted to run in my vest!!! Grrrr… A slight shuffle to the right and the way was clear. I spotted my wife cheering me on but I also spotted the finishing line and clock 1:31:30…the 3 week old PB isn’t just going to get beaten it’s getting obliterated. I passed the finishing line roaring in delight at my achievement and the moment was captured superbly by the official camera man…1:31:36 and a huge 6 minutes 4 seconds off my last PB. I’ll allow myself the roar (here is the ecstasy) for a job well done. 

 
 Liverpool Half Marathon

Overall I’d been ill Disciplined but I’d hydrated well, refilled well and smashed my PB so race conditions helped. Although I didn’t get the 22 miles in my legs this week it’s there as I’ve covered that distance recently. Sunday’s race was ideal, I enjoyed it and it blew away some of the negativity I’d been feeling.

The next few weeks would be tapering, mileage cut backs as Vienna is getting ever closer. I have an aim for Vienna and feel I’ve done all I can mileage wise to be prepared well for it. I’ve got my gear I’m wearing shoes etc are all known and well worn in as changing anything 4 weeks out from a marathon would be running suicide. All that’s left for me to ponder is whether  my marathon PB of 3:50:24 will be broken and become my 4 personal best of the year in my 4th race. I’ve got less than 3 weeks to wait to find out so fingers crossed and who knows…

Inspiring friends, jugling running with life and another huge PB.

As I entered into week 13 of my marathon training I am now fighting a slight dip in motivation. After the previous weekends long run I seem to have fallen into some sort of downwards rut. I have found that life has gotten in the way the last 10 days which unfortunately the knock on effect being my timing of writing this entry being later than normal. This has caused me a problem as using this blog to help clear my running angst has been invaluable on this first cycle of training for a massive year personally. In my recent training a problem I’ve found is with me 5 weeks out from running Vienna marathon is me questioning have I/will I have done enough due to my race commitments. In training the last 13 weeks I have done the following distances as long runs – 10, 12, 13.1 (x2), 14, 16, 20 and 22 

However due to me having 3 races in my final 6 weeks I’m going to struggle to get a final 20 mile+ training run in. With that in mind my 7 week count down I’ve worked to look like this 

7 weeks to go – Great north western half marathon 13.1 (race conditions)

6 weeks to go – 22 miles long training run

5 weeks to go – St. Helens 10k (race conditions)

4 weeks to go – Liverpool half marathon 13.1 miles (race conditions)

3 weeks to go – 16/18 miles training long run

2 weeks to go – 11 miles long run

1 week to go – easy 8 mile long run. 

This I feel will give me a fighting chance of threatening my marathon PB (3:50:24) in Vienna. Also I feel this will put me in a good place physically and mentally knowing I’ve done all I can however I still worry that I’ve missed a longish run in the mix. I’m planning on the hard miles ran in the 10k and 2 half marathons can go somewhat to being just as beneficial as going longer! It’s a gamble I’m going to have to take as I’m losing days rapidly. Also shoehorning extra runs makes me wary of injuries/fatigue which I can do without so close to the main event. 

The training has been going well this week and I’ve started to see the toils of me trying to be disciplined paying off as my body is now getting more comfortable running at a slower easier pace, this has taken me a long time to get comfortable with. 
  
As this week has progressed I’ve focussed my attentions on my second race of the year, the St. Helens 10k race in Merseyside, UK. However I’ve found planning for these types of races has become second nature to me and no longer the daunting prospect they were a couple of years ago, I enjoy these races more and more now. The day of the race arrived and i was flying solo, my support crew of the wife was at work so I headed to a friends who was taking part in what was to be his first ever race. I’d resigned myself to no PB on this run due to the terrain on the run, the undulation of miles 2.5-4.5 and the huge North road to be ran up and down twice. I’d spoken to my wife, discussed what I was going to do, pace I was aiming for (45 minutes) and that the Spring 10k in Sefton park in May would be my best chance of beating 43:03 set last year. However as is the general rule with me things didn’t quite go to plan. 

  
The starting pens were set up starting at 44 minutes, for the elite runners apparently. I’m comfortable running around 44 minutes and I won’t lie being classed as an elite  quite appealing. As an ex fat lad, built for power and not distance I’d earnt that accolade with hard work and my times agreed. Even so I resisted the strong temptation of joining this pen as I didn’t want to put unnecessary pressure on myself. I’m running a 45 minute race, get some discipline and get in the 44-47 pen! It was at this point the snow started to fall, cold wasn’t the word!!  

Luckily being the second pen along the race started quickly and I was able to get the legs going however frustrating it was stuck behind a giant alien and teddy bear who in all seriousness should have been back in the later pens to avoid causing a blockage. Weaving past these inconsiderates I found myself heading away from the rugby ground in st Helens and into the town as my first Strava half mile notification came through, I was fair trapping 3.20 split and on for under 7 minute miles. This made me take notice!! I’d found a pace early and in all honesty I was comfortable, I knew the hill climbs of 2.5-4.5 were coming but knew if I could hit 5k around 20 minutes my PB was to be smashed. 1st mile passed – 6:46, 2nd mile passed just as I started my ascent up north road but I again surprised myself it was quicker -6:41. 

  
As I decsended north road and headed into Victoria Park in St. Helens I passed 5k around 20:30!! This PB is on…one more push up North road from the other end and then the route back to the rugby ground was downhill. Miles 4 and 5 fell as I toyed with a couple of other runners for position me taking them on the hills, them me on the flats but what I’d realised is I was consistent. As we hit 9k and the end not quite in sight I had the lady I’d been yoyoing positions with in front of me and I also felt a presence on my shoulder, someone was trying to come down my inside but I wasn’t moving from my path. I was now in my beast mode, not far from home and more importantly I knew what ever he had wasn’t what I had. I finish strong, there’s always something left, I knew this as I turned the corner into the stadium the after burner switch was flicked and the last 300 yards were quick!  my stalker on my shoulder was banished and I managed to pick off the lady I’d been vying for position with throughout the race. As I crossed the line a glimpse over to the clock and I knew there and then that my second race of the year had brought my second PB . This was confirmed later with my official time of 40:49 over 2 minutes 10 seconds off my previous PB and this one on a course where I expected nothing! A massive result physically and mentally for me, another good day at the office. 

  
There and then my apprehension had vanished and more importantly I felt great, I felt I had more in me, I wasn’t too breathless and my legs were strong…is this training paying off??? Certainly seems like it! My focus now turns to Sunday 13th March and the vitality Liverpool half marathon. A race I’ve done before, a race I’ve PBd before however this year is about testing marathon pace (8-8:10 minute miles) I must stay disciplined. 

I can’t write about race success without a big shout out to a my very good friend and his wife who ran St. Helens with me, Mr and Mrs Bez. Both smashing the run Mrs Bez in 57 minutes and Mr Bez, in his first race ever in around 1:00:40 which he was slightly disappointed with but for his first race it’s a great achievement and definitely something to build on. YES BEZs!!

  

To finish a big thank you needs to go to a good friend of mine from our time as youngsters playing football together in Bolton. He is currently living over seas and has been quietly watching my progress from fat to fit. He’s always been supportive and recently got in touch for some advice on how I found things, what I did to get focused and how I managed this.His kind words resonated with me and unknowing to him helped me push though a difficult few weeks in training and life. Thank you Mr G and good luck in your journey, you’ll smash it!!