Training Log Archive: Rich

Robin Hood Marathon - Went much better than expected given the last few weeks and with a 3rd place finish as a bonus.

Despite not getting the best nights sleep, I awoke feeling much better than the last week or two. Right calf felt slightly tight during a little pre-race jog so gave that a quick massage but otherwise felt ok. Target was to go sub 2:40 and knew I would tire/slow so need to get ahead of the average pace need in the first half, but I could only run by how I felt during the race.

Started a few rows back and restrained myself in the first mile before some early steep hills by the castle and through the park. Early pace felt very comfortable and sat in to draft off a group of runners doing the half. Long steady hill up towards Wollaton for mile 5, the half runners dug in a little to keep up the pace, I felt it wouldn't be wise to push to keep up at this stage so slowly dropped back through 6 and 7. By the 8 mile mark I was all alone with no one with ~50m; suprising for a race with ~8,000+ people.

At was at this point a felt the first bit of hip/hamstring tightness but didn't panic and just focussed on efficient running. Seeing the 23mile marker at nine miles wasn't a big motivator though knowing there was still 14miles to get back to the same point.

Next few miles through the city centre seemed to pass in no time and before I knew it was back at the embankment splitting off from the half route and going through 13miles in just over 1:16. Felt good through this section.

13 to 18 was the lonely section through Colwich Park, and was when the sun broke through the fog and temperatures climbed, which I ran at around target pace (3:45/km). After the cut off I could only see one runner, ahead by around 3-400m at 13miles but had cruised past him by 15miles and was informed I was in 2nd place (a motivator). 18-20 was always going to be make or break with some tight turns, short sharp climbs and then the big climb up to Canning Circus and drop down the other side. I concentrated on even effort and continued to feel ok.

It was just after mile 21 heading back out towards Nott'm Uni that things became harder and I felt a slight twinge of cramp in my calf. It was now about keeping a decent pace while not over pushing and sending my calves into spasm. The hill up to the Trent building felt hard work though.

Just after the Trent building a marshall had left his post and I ended up going the wrong way; after 20-30s extra running, hesitation and shouting abuse along with the guy behind who following this was now in front, I was back on track. Mile 24 and then turn off Abbey Bridge road felt like I was on the home straight as I kept concentrating on avoiding cramp.

Shortly after 25miles the route crossed Queens Drive. This was still a live road with traffic being stopped; however no one seemed to be aware of the direction I was supposed to run and was sent off down Queens Drive to the Embankment where I turned left to run through spectators, and traffic before getting back onto the course having run around 250m further; it was fair to say I was not best pleased!

2nd was a good distance ahead now and there was no one in sight behind so I could relax for the final half mile and cruise in well under 2:40 (2:38:38). Really pleased and somewhat surprised how well it went and could have been well over 1min fast had I not been sent the wrong way twice.

C • In the prizes 4

Felt crap, fatigued and in a horrible mood all day. Knew I would be on the start line tomorrow but thought there was a good chance that I wouldn't make it around the full marathon and cutting at half way would be likely.

Event: Dales Weekend
 

Was better again this morning but booked to see physio on Wednesday anyway to get it checked over.

It wasn't happy again this evening. Very nice day mind.

Slightly better than yesterday but again was getting more uncomfortable later on. Gorgeous day to be out.

Test jog, started ok but got tighter/more uncomfortable.

Took another day of to help my calf out more. some icing too. Just feels tight to the point where I could easily damage it. Not painful, just pretty sore and uncomfortable.

Calf still feeling tight so cycled to work instead today, via a site visit in Strelley. 30.5km/170m

Slog home. Calf not happy. 25.5km/260m

Giving my calf a day to settle. Think its just tight so stretching and rest and then hopefully it'll be ok to carry on again.

ITW

3 x 1.2km T (200m jog)
3 x 1km I (400m jog)
3 x 400m R (600m jog)

Going ok until my right calf tightened suddenly ~250m in to the first 400m so stopped there, stretched it and jogged easily home. Compression calf sleeves on for the evening.