'First Half' Half Marathon 2013

I am proud to be a member of such a great running club as Pacific Road Runners in  Vancouver.  Not only a great bunch of people but also a very well organised and socialable club.  The First Half is a race that has been organised by PRR now for 24 years and it is probably the best half marathon in Vancouver.  It sells out in a matter of hours every year and is a well organised and super scenic flat fast course.  This years event has raised $50,000 to Variety Childrens Charity.

I came into this race on the back of only 5 weeks training after taking off the whole of November due to my Thailand trip and only a hand full of runs throughout a very festive December.  Therefore, I was not expecting to break any records but hoped for a decent run.  However, as a lot of fellow runners will appreciate, it's hard sometimes going into a race knowing you can't use top gear and having to keep the brakes on when all you want to do is 'let the horses run'. But after my horrendous Nottingham Half Marathon experience last year, I was determined to keep my head this time around.


I arrived at the start  line to see lots of my fellow club members volunteering and many others helping to organise the race.  It was great to see so many familiar faces and receive lots of encouragement and good luck wishes.  The weather was perfect, blue skies and cool temperature.  I positioned myself halfway back in the start line of 2,000 runners in order to stop myself from galloping off too quick with the speedy guys at the front. Nice and easy does it....



The first three miles went by in a flash and my pace was good, maybe a little too fast at 7 min/mile.  I was not going for a sub 1hr 30min this time, so I eased off a little and settled into a 7min 15sec/mile pace.  OK, this feels good.  I knocked off the next few miles at this pace.  I had been training lots on the same route that the race takes around the seawall as it's so close to my home in the West End. So I was telling myself to think of it was just another training run and relax.

By mile 10, I could feel my pace slowly a little, time to dig in.  Each of the last 3 miles were a little slower than the last but still a decent pace.  I crossed the finishing line in 1hr 36mins.  I was a little disappointed as I had hoped for a sub 1hr 35min but not too much. It was a solid run and a good work out.  Bearing in mind my last two half marathon times were 1hr 45mins at Scotiabank Half and 1hr 40mins at Nottingham Half.  This result was not too shabby.

Snowdonia Marathon 2012

  

Very funny snap of us suffering at the end!


This race has been voted the UK's best marathon in 2011 as well as one of the country's toughest.  What else is there to say? I had to do it!  With an elevation gain of 763m (2,500ft), the challenging course circumnavigates the foot of Mount Snowdon, the UK's second highest mountain. Located in the Snowdonia National Park, this race offered a great opportunity to spend a weekend in a beautiful location and take in some great hiking as well as chillin in a cosy cottage.  Both myself and Zoe did the race, with our Nottingham pals Justin, Julia and Rich joining us for the weekend to support and enjoy some hiking too. 

We headed to Wales on the Friday, with race day being on the Saturday.  After picking up our race packs from the expo, we went to find the cottage. This proved a little more tricky than expected with no road names or numbers being used in the area but we found it eventually.  The cottage was perfect, super cosy with awesome views. I highly recommend this place as a fantastic base for anyone planning a trip to Snowdonia http://www.snowdonia-cottage.co.uk/

We woke up on race day to clear and cool weather conditions.  Perfect.  Assembling on the start area with 2000 runners in stunning scenery, we were excited and a little nervous of the challenge that lay ahead.  Only having had limited training due to injuries, the plan was to just run and finish the race.  No time expectations, just get to the end! We positioned ourselves at the back and started off steady.  The first mile was easy, flat and then down hill. Running past a slate quarry as we headed out of Llanberis.  Then we arrived at the first major hill of the race, a 3 mile climb of 250m (800ft) up to Pen Y Pass. Not having done any hill training to speak of and not being a very good up hill runner anyway, I felt a little daunted to say the least.  Slowly climbing, we made our way up but at after 2 miles, my legs were telling me they were not liking it anymore. Seeing at this was only mile 4 and there was even bigger hills to come, I decided to take the sensible option.  Walking for a while, run for a little and then walking again. Just get to the top. 

Arriving at the summit of Pen Y Pass, one of the starting points for hiking up Mount Snowdon, we could see the most amazing view of the next few miles of the course, falling away from us and following the valley below.  Just awesome.  We really enjoyed ourselves flowing down the section of the course and taking in the scenery, passing lots of runners too.  We then came to the half way point in 1hr 51min. We passed through the village of Beddgelert and the next climb, just 150m (500ft) this time.  Then it was another section of flats and downhills from mile 15 to 21.  We were passing lots of runners, making good time and bracing ourselves for the killer hill at mile 21.  We knew that it was steep but upon arriving, it looked even worse.  Our legs were already exhausted and after only a few steps up the hill, it was clear that power hiking was the best we could hope for.  We were not alone, virtually everyone around us were also walking, a few brave souls were trying to run but barely going any faster than us.  This was a 3 mile climb that seemed to take forever, it took 44 mins to climb the 3 miles! 

Finally reaching the summit, we could see Llanberis below us and the finishing line was 2 miles way.  The first mile was mainly flat and the last all downhill.  We started to run again but my legs were spent, completely dead.  I had to walk, I was finished.  Then we came to a makeshift aid station with a guy offering tea and biscuits. Heaven.  No time for tea but a chocolate biscuit was just the ticket.  We walked a bit further while munching our biscuits. It was so cold at that altitude that the chocolate was virtually frozen, it took some serious munching to get them down. That was it, we gritted our teeth and ran for the finish.  The downhill was all that kept our legs moving, the finish line getting closer with every step. We entered Llanberis and the final few twists and turns through the narrow streets and the finish line was in sight.  Suddenly my legs were cramping, both calfs and one thigh.  I was half running and half hobbling now.  Only a few metres to go and we held hands to cross the line.  It was a combination of relief, pain, pleasure and satisfaction.  We crossed the line in 4hr 16min and gave everything we could give.  A few tears welled up in my eyes, we had done it. 

Robin Hood Half Marathon 2012

I was very excited to run my hometown race for the first time. I grew up in Nottingham but didn't become a runner until some 10 years after I left the city. So I was coming home to run the streets that I once walked as a boy and young man.

I still have some good friends in Nottingham and arranged to meet up with Justin, Julia and Rich. Julia was also running in the race too.

The plan was that I would come into this race full of confidence after a summer of running in Vancouver. However, I suffered an injury plagued summer and only managed to get in 3 weeks of training before the race. 

I headed down to Nottingham with Zoe who was also running in the race.  We made a pit stop at Sheffield on the way down to see Notts County play at Sheffield United which ended in a 1-1 draw. A well earned point for the mighty magpies!

It was a bright and fresh Autumnal morning when 8,000 runners readied themselves at the start line, including a large number of Robin Hoods. I chose not to wear green tights but did sport a very fetching pair of white CEP compression socks, purchased some weeks earlier in my efforts to prevent further lower legs injuries.

I positioned myself behind the 1hr 30min pacer.  This was an optimistic tactical decision when considering my little training but I felt like I wanted to 'give it a go'.  Then we were off and I ran the first two miles at 6min 45sec/mile pace, this felt quite fast so I decided to slow a little my pace a little to 7min/mile pace. However, at mile four I knew that I wouldn't be able to maintain this pace either.  My legs just didn't have it in them.  So I slowed again and just dug in.

I would like to say that I decided to just enjoy the race from that point on and take in the hometown scenery and support.  However, I found myself in a mental battle to just carry on running. The brain can play horrid games on the runner and mine was telling me that if I wasn't going to run a good time, what's the point? Just walk for while, take it easy! A feeling that many runners will have experienced for sure. 

Was I going to listen to this voice and succumb to the temptation?  It was my mind and body against my brain. A battle that I was determined to win.  Man alive it was tough!

I crossed the finish line in 1hr 40mins and was very relieved. I didn't walk a step of the 13.1 miles but can say that it was one of the toughest mental battles that I have endured in a race.  My decision to 'give it a go' rather than just run steady from the start, given my lack of training, proved to be a big mistake. Another lesson learnt!

Both Zoe and Julia had great races.  Zoe ran 1hr 38mins, her first sub 1hr 40min half marathon for some time. Julia ran a PB time of 1hr 53mins, her first sub 2hr half marathon.  Well done indeed to the girls.

Now on to the Snowdonia Marathon in 4 weeks........

Scotiabank Half Marathon 2012

After suffering from shin splints for the weeks leading up to this race, I then endured an achilles problem in my left leg. Unbelievable, more injury woes!

I was thinking that I wouldn't be able to run in the race, or at least if I did, I would be just jog around what promised to be a very scenic and enjoyable course.  Zoe, my girlfriend from the UK, was coming out on holiday during this time and had also signed up for the race too.  She is a good runner but had been suffering from a calf strain recently.

The day before the race, Zoe had decided that she would run for sure.  I was still in two minds, do I run and risk prolonging the achilles injury or play it safe and not run.  As all runners know, it is very hard to be sensible when it comes to missing out on a race.  So off we went to the race expo to pick up out race packs and I would delay my decision until the morning of the race.  Very sensible I thought.  At the expo, I saw a stand that was selling 'The Stick'. A device for massaging the muscles that works like a rolling pin to get the blood moving through the muscles and releasing tension and knots.  I sat on the seat and let the man take a look at my lower legs. It became instantly obvious that my calf muscles were as tight as a drum and knotted to hell.  This was probably contributing to the ongoing lower leg injuries that I seem to be suffering from recently. I tried using the device, it was agony but it had potential to help.  So, I bought one! 

That night I worked my lower leg muscles with the device and suffered serious pain as the muscles were manipulated but I was convinced it was helping.  The next morning, my legs felt OK.  I could walk around my apt without limping or feeling any tightness. OK, I can run.  Great!


Zoe bringing it home


On the start line I felt happy to be there but a little nervous about how my legs would hold out over the 13 miles that lay ahead.  "Just be sensible, run slowly and enjoy the event" were my thoughts. It was a beautiful cool morning, perfect conditions.  Zoe was feeling in a similar vain, don't go off like a steam train but take it easy.  However, she decided to start off at a decent pace whereas I was going off super steady. 

I am glad to say that the race went really well.  My legs coped fine, my pace was slow but I suffered no pain and ran a solid race.  The weather was great and the course was super scenic.  I crossed the line on 1hr 46mins, a personal worst time for a half marathon for me but I was relieved and happy.  Zoe ran 1hr 45mins and felt the same way.  It actually felt nice to just run in a race for a change without any pressure, chasing a time and pushing myself.  A refreshing change.  Doubt that attitude will last long though, my competitiveness will return once my legs will let me run freely again.  Please Mr Stick....work your magic!!!!

Longest Day 10k 2012

I went into this race with no training as I had been injured with shin splints since the Vancouver Half Marathon some 6 weeks earlier.  I had only run a couple of times and only short slow ones too. 

Therefore, it was just a case of trying to do a solid run and use it to kick off my come back from injury.  Not forgetting a good social event too with a number of my new running club buddies also competing and supporting as well as a good post race BBQ. Finally, a chance for me to wear my new club colours in a flashy new PRR singlet!

The run went OK for the first 5km, my legs felt good but I had no real speed in them.  Then I felt the achilles in my left leg tighten, so I slowed as it starting to hurt.  Damn!

I crossed the line in just under 45 minutes and found myself hobbling as I walked to the bag check to collect my stuff.  Not quite the plan that I had in mind.  My achilles has been hurting for the week after the race and my shin splint seems to have flared up again.  So, back to no running again for me :(

Vancouver Half Marathon 2012

After the huge disappointment of the London Marathon, I went into this race with baited breath.  Could I pull out a good performance at Vancouver and salvage something from a winter of hard training.

I have run this race the previous two years and always enjoyed the event. A good atmosphere, scenic course, fantastic support and catching up with old friends too. 

A new fast and super scenic course for 2012 drew a sell-out field of 10,000 runners to the start line. The skies were blue and the temperature was cool.  I lined up behind my friend and nemesis Susan Reynolds. We had once again made a challenge, first to the finish wins a beer. Everything was set for a great race!

Then we were off.  The first 3 kilometres were all down hill and the pace was fast.  I was trying to ensure that I didn't overcook it down the hill but still wanted to make the most of this flying start.  A fine line!  I could see Susan ahead of me by quite a distance and was tempted to try to make up ground but decided to run my own race and what will be will be.  Stay calm David! 

As each kilometre marker came, I clocked my time and was pleased to note that my pace was good and my legs were feeling fine, so different to London.  I was in good shape, just focus and prey the legs hold out.  By the half way point I was still on track, my time was 44mins and everything was going according to plan, well almost. I could no longer see Susan. Oh well, maybe she will tire towards the end, she did go off like a steam train.

Once we reached a turn around point in Stanley Park, I saw Susan for the first time for a while.  She was way ahead and looking very strong!  Damn it.  Keep focused David!





Start line with Susan

By kilometre 16, I was starting to feel it.  My pace had slowed a little and then I heard voices behind me.  I guessed it was the 1hr 30min pace bunny and the group running with them.  I was right. Shizer, I can't let them pass me!  I regrouped and picked up the pace.  Just 5 km to go, time to grit the teeth and reach into those 800km's of training over the winter. You can do this!



Each kilometre seemed to take forever. Then we could see Canada Place ahead of us as we exited Stanley Park.  I had stopped looking at my Garmin watch by this point, just stay ahead of that damn bunny!  I dug really deep in the last couple of km's. I was hurting but just had to do this.  Could I break 90 min's after two years of failed attempts.

As we reached the finishing chute, I could see the clock above the finish line.  I was going to do it but boy I had to sprint like Usain Bolt at the end to cross the line in 1hr 29mins 50secs. Redemption!! 

Congratulations to Susan. She ran 1hr 27mins 46secs to achieve 2nd place in her age group and, more importantly, whip my ass! Next time Susan, next time!  However, I'm delighted with my performance and to break that 90min threshold blows me away. 

Virgin Money London Marathon 2012

After running 3hrs 14mins at the Amsterdam Marathon in 2010, I gained an automatic “Good for Age” place for 2012 London Marathon. This would be my 10th Marathon but my first ever London Marathon. I was stoked!

When training for my previous marathon races, I never followed a structured training programme before. I’ve normally fitted my runs into my daily routines, deciding on the day how far to run and they normally always ended up as tempo runs. So I decided that this would be a good time to follow a training plan to see what difference it makes on race day.

I found a suitable training plan that involved running 6 days per week and included the whole spectrum of training runs including intervals, hills, fartlek, tempo and long runs. Much more mileage than ever before. I committed to following this plan no matter what!

After 15 weeks of hard training, I was in great shape and hopeful for a time under 3hrs 10mins, beating my current PB of 3hrs 12mins. Then a few days before the race I managed to catch a bug. I spent 3 days and nights with flu like symptoms: feverish, aching and headaches. However, with 3 days to go before the race, I recovered and felt good enough to run. Fingers crossed!

Race Expo with Zoe

Lining up on the green start line in near perfect race conditions, I was feeling pretty good. The atmosphere was electric and then we were off. I noticed pretty quickly that my legs weren’t feeling very lively but put this down to my lack of running in the week leading up to the race. They would feel better after a few miles I thought. However, by mile 10 my legs were still lifeless and heavy. I was starting to struggle. I crossed the halfway mark in 1hr 37mins, slightly down on my target but I could pull it back in the second half if only my legs finally let me run!

I soon started to slow, my energy draining away. Any chance of a PB was gone and now it was all about trying to enjoy the atmosphere and just getting to the finish . The support out on the course was simply amazing and I thank all those wonderful people that encouraged me to keep going when it was obvious I was struggling.

By mile 19 I had nothing left and ended up walking, running, walking, and running. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be, having run over 500 miles in training. Guess that’s marathon running. You win some, you lose some! I had lost big time! The last 7 miles of the race were not much fun but I got to the finish in 3hrs 38mins. 30 minutes slower than I was hoping for.

Note to self, buy a surgical mask to wear when flying on an aircraft a week before a big race. I will have to do this one again next year as I want to enjoy such a fantastic race event without feeling like pants the whole way round. London Marathon...... I’ll be back!