Let's see how brave you are...
Had been training hard for this marathon since January - smashed my comfort zones on most runs and even gym work. Everything seemed right; body felt great and had made massive progress since then joining a running club & tough gym, my 5k & 10k pace maybe improved by 20 seconds. Even so, going from 3h48m(45s!) first marathon October 2011, to sub 3:30 6-7 months later felt like a big ask. Also a big difference between knowing you can do something and actually doing it.
However from December 31st, we were living under a cloud, our eldest cat with us for 17 years diagnosed with terminal cancer and given a few days to live. It was tough but we carried on, very stressful for us but such a brave cat.
Unexpected, but she fought on right till April. At start of peak mileage monthApril, she passed away over 2-3 days, really tore us up and I came close to calling quits on training. Lots of sad times. Just before she passed, having a serious case of CBA, was sat on train and honestly crying my eyes out. A favourite song randomly came on and lyrics seemed apt and stuck in my head for weeks, popping into my head even when in a half sleep.
Let's see how brave you are,
Let's see how fast you be running
Let's see how brave you are
- Yes Madelena .. (name changed from song orig)
After every run, I always came in, give her a hug & chat so fitted in. I carried on training, felt I needed to do this. Everything else excluded, even reading was mostly about athletes & running :)
Also decided to do the run for charity, Dravats Syndrome UK, not well known but great cause, severe childhood epilepsy, a work colleague's nephew Will has this but a brave little fighter. So this race was for the little ones.
Jump forward to day before Edinburgh. Staying in Glasgow, on the way up in car, upbeat, last hilly training race was on target for sub 3:30 time with 2:37. Mentally was very upbeat, but worried about the weather forecast. Drinking loads of water. For some reason, maybe after talk by sports psychologist last year about getting into Flow state (being in “the zone”) or due to the Runners World forums good luck "Don't be Shit" motto (sorry guys, I really hate this one), we jokingly played a little positive word association game... all sorts of things coming out. Focused, be brilliant, do us proud, fear nothing - dominate everything, 15-20 words/ phrases from friends and sources.. All got me in really focused mode, even the sun was now a positive since road tarmac would be faster! I really wanted that sub 3:30 time. Sip more water.
Glasgow very hot 23-24 degrees arriving, a little 3 mile jog in the Saturday afternoon heat to test chosen kit out. All fine but baking outside at 2pm. More water, probably drank 8 litres+ between Friday - Saturday, with zero salt tablets in some. Forecast for Edinburgh better, a bit cooler and decent breeze.
Taxi across to Edinburgh early Sunday, weather promising. Mist across city and cool but sun coming though. Listened to some music including my “mantra” lyrics above then relaxed. Garmin set to manual laps not auto mile marks so I ran the proper distance and a 3:29 pace band on wrist to double check if brain started to fail (likely!).. had to stick at just under 8 minute miles whole 26.2 miles. Bright Hi viz buff on to protect head & neck from the sun, pour water over and hopefully keep cool. (Susan if you're reading, genius tip! Drink at the bar for you), plus a full water bottle to keep well hydrated.
Start well organised. Race went off bang on 9.50am and through the start line quickly. Checked pace on Garmin, nicely into stride and took first mile carefully at just over 8mm. Past first mile marker...9m10s and that was downhill? Do not panic! Something weird going on. Tapped Garmin and showed 1.2 miles run so marker in the wrong place. No change in pace, next marker, 6:40... Okay, panic over perfectly on track. Mile 3 chatted to a guy, Paul seemed to going my pace and also aiming for sub 3:30 time, so agreed to team up. Nicely hitting 7:55-58 pace. I don't like gels so had my preferred clif blok shots, packs of 6 cubes equal to 2 gels, not gooey, less waste and easier on stomach. 2 cubes every 4 miles from no4 and carried on doing roughly 8mm miles for next 3-4 miles. Every water stop, top up bottle, pour another overhead. It was hot but really felt a comfortable temp to me, not breathing hard at all and sub 8mm easy. Hit 10k in 49:43 so perfect pacing. Looking at London marathon runners splits aiming for particular times really helped here.. People who went too fast first half going for their chosen time had got me holding pace back to aim for a fairly even pace, slight drop off maybe.
Lots of Edinburgh & Macmillan people supporting so good atmosphere. Parents had their garden hoses out, kids their water guns... Wave and you got a kindly spray, even a few kids chasing you and shooting 2-3 times if lucky. 9-10 miles hoped to see my Missus around Musselbrugh but no sign (train overcrowded & delayed it turned out). All miles on track but had dropped pace 5s or so a mile and getting closer on garmin virtual partner to going into 3:29 range. Paul said "when you want to go, just leave me". Left him at 11 miles but probably helped hold me back a touch and not fly off. NB If Paul ends up reading this, get in touch!
Halfway point, reached in 1:44:11, ideal for sub 3:30 with 50 seconds spare. Teased you to think the job was nearly done but only half way, still hundreds of things that could go wrong. Oh, one point here, hamstring slightly stiff, not an injury but just a dull pain from long term tight muscle, Physio has worked on it loads, elbows & all but it's partly neural. Maybe unconventional but took a neurofen painkiller, and never really registered again.
14-16 miles ran past ace Brazilian band, also first sign of elite runners going past on other side of road... 4-5 Kenyans including John Mutai flying past for a world class time. About this time, just had to concentrate to not lose pace. Brain started to play tricks and make you doubt yourself. Workshop last year talked about "central governor", getting body to accept a hard task really is do-able and postponing perceived pain. Wife studying psychology knew about the reverse, monkey mind giving you negative thoughts. It was really weird but I can remember thinking NO, negative thoughts are just not allowed, and being able to block nearly all out.
Easy as A,B,C, Be awesome, be brave, concentrate, .Steel eyed, Focus - on the task & person ahead. Detail is important so being totally honest..I actually laughed out loud at one point when some of these positive thoughts came back into brain as just:-
"...Steel" ??!...What? I'm Steel? WTF? Weird.
Okay.. Will go with this if you (brain) say so..., Steel doesn't not bend or break so thoughts then became..
"Steel! Steel! I AM Steel !"
(it's the new "I'm Spartacus" for runners, and I've already copyrighted it, It's mine!).
Yes, it was funny, and made me smile. But no way was I going to fail on the task. My strength & conditioning coach (Mike may even read this...) called me "a man possessed" a few weeks before and I was beginning to feel a lot like that.
20 mile marker came up, getting a little hotter too, coming through forest, gravel track, and out the other side of forest, trees pushing out more heat. Split at 20 miles means you only have 6.2 miles/ 10k left to go - also very little you can do to get back on track if gone wrong. 20 miles, was in low/mid 2hr38mins so absolutely perfect. Relaxed a little, even thought of Maddie (made me sad). Dangerous still a long way to go. Focus, concentrate. Eyes on the prize.
Temperature now noticeable, others without water bottles struggling? And certainly a few with major injuries, one guy screaming every step sounded hideous, others needing to stretch with cramp – but no fade in pace from me. On other side, runners only at 12-13 miles guy in full Chipmunk outfit about 7 foot high.. Must've been so hot inside, everyone shouted his name & cheered him - some guts. Also saw the 101 year old runner Furja Singh doing his lap of relay marathon. Only downside I remember is running alongside a woman and both of us having to veer sharp when an ambulance guy walked across road with his back to the runners and didn't look. Pretty silly, plenty of time but ignored us. Also a near wardrobe malfunction, my shorts with draw string waist, with all that water over my head and back, now weighed a lot more and started to drop a bit... extra knot.. that could've been embarrassing!
Still families out with garden hoses spraying you plus their kids. All used with thanks. Had kept to my 2 gel cubes every 4 miles, and 2 waters every stop with one going over head. Mile 21ish... Only managed to get one water, most on head, tiny bit in bottle. Feeling thirsty within 5 mins but pace still on track. Manna from heaven, people handing out orange segments which tasted wonderful, and finally some water too. Last mile minor panic that I’d zoned out, but had hit 3:19 for 25 miles so nearly 2 minutes up on 3:30 time.. Legs a little tired, had to grind out the last mile a bit, pulling feet right through stride.
Hit 26 miles and could see the finish line… I just flew, full sprint for the line, the prize was in sight.
Absolutely euphoric at the end.. task achieved 3:28:02. (slight negative split on 1:44:11)
My wife saw me cross the line and could see what it meant to me. Gave her hug and explained why. Lots of hugs and tears for us both. Big smiles and we both remembered Maddie, I had a photo of her and little William with me all the way in my belt. Literally felt like I would've run through a brick wall, or jumped over it to achieve the goal. Fitting tribute I think.
Last Word though.. Maddie - 1995-2012
And if youve enjoyed reading this and would like to sponsor me/us/ William, the sponsor page for him & his warriors is here
Had been training hard for this marathon since January - smashed my comfort zones on most runs and even gym work. Everything seemed right; body felt great and had made massive progress since then joining a running club & tough gym, my 5k & 10k pace maybe improved by 20 seconds. Even so, going from 3h48m(45s!) first marathon October 2011, to sub 3:30 6-7 months later felt like a big ask. Also a big difference between knowing you can do something and actually doing it.
However from December 31st, we were living under a cloud, our eldest cat with us for 17 years diagnosed with terminal cancer and given a few days to live. It was tough but we carried on, very stressful for us but such a brave cat.
Unexpected, but she fought on right till April. At start of peak mileage monthApril, she passed away over 2-3 days, really tore us up and I came close to calling quits on training. Lots of sad times. Just before she passed, having a serious case of CBA, was sat on train and honestly crying my eyes out. A favourite song randomly came on and lyrics seemed apt and stuck in my head for weeks, popping into my head even when in a half sleep.
Let's see how brave you are,
Let's see how fast you be running
Let's see how brave you are
- Yes Madelena .. (name changed from song orig)
After every run, I always came in, give her a hug & chat so fitted in. I carried on training, felt I needed to do this. Everything else excluded, even reading was mostly about athletes & running :)
Also decided to do the run for charity, Dravats Syndrome UK, not well known but great cause, severe childhood epilepsy, a work colleague's nephew Will has this but a brave little fighter. So this race was for the little ones.
Jump forward to day before Edinburgh. Staying in Glasgow, on the way up in car, upbeat, last hilly training race was on target for sub 3:30 time with 2:37. Mentally was very upbeat, but worried about the weather forecast. Drinking loads of water. For some reason, maybe after talk by sports psychologist last year about getting into Flow state (being in “the zone”) or due to the Runners World forums good luck "Don't be Shit" motto (sorry guys, I really hate this one), we jokingly played a little positive word association game... all sorts of things coming out. Focused, be brilliant, do us proud, fear nothing - dominate everything, 15-20 words/ phrases from friends and sources.. All got me in really focused mode, even the sun was now a positive since road tarmac would be faster! I really wanted that sub 3:30 time. Sip more water.
Glasgow very hot 23-24 degrees arriving, a little 3 mile jog in the Saturday afternoon heat to test chosen kit out. All fine but baking outside at 2pm. More water, probably drank 8 litres+ between Friday - Saturday, with zero salt tablets in some. Forecast for Edinburgh better, a bit cooler and decent breeze.
Taxi across to Edinburgh early Sunday, weather promising. Mist across city and cool but sun coming though. Listened to some music including my “mantra” lyrics above then relaxed. Garmin set to manual laps not auto mile marks so I ran the proper distance and a 3:29 pace band on wrist to double check if brain started to fail (likely!).. had to stick at just under 8 minute miles whole 26.2 miles. Bright Hi viz buff on to protect head & neck from the sun, pour water over and hopefully keep cool. (Susan if you're reading, genius tip! Drink at the bar for you), plus a full water bottle to keep well hydrated.
Start well organised. Race went off bang on 9.50am and through the start line quickly. Checked pace on Garmin, nicely into stride and took first mile carefully at just over 8mm. Past first mile marker...9m10s and that was downhill? Do not panic! Something weird going on. Tapped Garmin and showed 1.2 miles run so marker in the wrong place. No change in pace, next marker, 6:40... Okay, panic over perfectly on track. Mile 3 chatted to a guy, Paul seemed to going my pace and also aiming for sub 3:30 time, so agreed to team up. Nicely hitting 7:55-58 pace. I don't like gels so had my preferred clif blok shots, packs of 6 cubes equal to 2 gels, not gooey, less waste and easier on stomach. 2 cubes every 4 miles from no4 and carried on doing roughly 8mm miles for next 3-4 miles. Every water stop, top up bottle, pour another overhead. It was hot but really felt a comfortable temp to me, not breathing hard at all and sub 8mm easy. Hit 10k in 49:43 so perfect pacing. Looking at London marathon runners splits aiming for particular times really helped here.. People who went too fast first half going for their chosen time had got me holding pace back to aim for a fairly even pace, slight drop off maybe.
Lots of Edinburgh & Macmillan people supporting so good atmosphere. Parents had their garden hoses out, kids their water guns... Wave and you got a kindly spray, even a few kids chasing you and shooting 2-3 times if lucky. 9-10 miles hoped to see my Missus around Musselbrugh but no sign (train overcrowded & delayed it turned out). All miles on track but had dropped pace 5s or so a mile and getting closer on garmin virtual partner to going into 3:29 range. Paul said "when you want to go, just leave me". Left him at 11 miles but probably helped hold me back a touch and not fly off. NB If Paul ends up reading this, get in touch!
Halfway point, reached in 1:44:11, ideal for sub 3:30 with 50 seconds spare. Teased you to think the job was nearly done but only half way, still hundreds of things that could go wrong. Oh, one point here, hamstring slightly stiff, not an injury but just a dull pain from long term tight muscle, Physio has worked on it loads, elbows & all but it's partly neural. Maybe unconventional but took a neurofen painkiller, and never really registered again.
14-16 miles ran past ace Brazilian band, also first sign of elite runners going past on other side of road... 4-5 Kenyans including John Mutai flying past for a world class time. About this time, just had to concentrate to not lose pace. Brain started to play tricks and make you doubt yourself. Workshop last year talked about "central governor", getting body to accept a hard task really is do-able and postponing perceived pain. Wife studying psychology knew about the reverse, monkey mind giving you negative thoughts. It was really weird but I can remember thinking NO, negative thoughts are just not allowed, and being able to block nearly all out.
Easy as A,B,C, Be awesome, be brave, concentrate, .Steel eyed, Focus - on the task & person ahead. Detail is important so being totally honest..I actually laughed out loud at one point when some of these positive thoughts came back into brain as just:-
"...Steel" ??!...What? I'm Steel? WTF? Weird.
Okay.. Will go with this if you (brain) say so..., Steel doesn't not bend or break so thoughts then became..
"Steel! Steel! I AM Steel !"
(it's the new "I'm Spartacus" for runners, and I've already copyrighted it, It's mine!).
Yes, it was funny, and made me smile. But no way was I going to fail on the task. My strength & conditioning coach (Mike may even read this...) called me "a man possessed" a few weeks before and I was beginning to feel a lot like that.
20 mile marker came up, getting a little hotter too, coming through forest, gravel track, and out the other side of forest, trees pushing out more heat. Split at 20 miles means you only have 6.2 miles/ 10k left to go - also very little you can do to get back on track if gone wrong. 20 miles, was in low/mid 2hr38mins so absolutely perfect. Relaxed a little, even thought of Maddie (made me sad). Dangerous still a long way to go. Focus, concentrate. Eyes on the prize.
Temperature now noticeable, others without water bottles struggling? And certainly a few with major injuries, one guy screaming every step sounded hideous, others needing to stretch with cramp – but no fade in pace from me. On other side, runners only at 12-13 miles guy in full Chipmunk outfit about 7 foot high.. Must've been so hot inside, everyone shouted his name & cheered him - some guts. Also saw the 101 year old runner Furja Singh doing his lap of relay marathon. Only downside I remember is running alongside a woman and both of us having to veer sharp when an ambulance guy walked across road with his back to the runners and didn't look. Pretty silly, plenty of time but ignored us. Also a near wardrobe malfunction, my shorts with draw string waist, with all that water over my head and back, now weighed a lot more and started to drop a bit... extra knot.. that could've been embarrassing!
Still families out with garden hoses spraying you plus their kids. All used with thanks. Had kept to my 2 gel cubes every 4 miles, and 2 waters every stop with one going over head. Mile 21ish... Only managed to get one water, most on head, tiny bit in bottle. Feeling thirsty within 5 mins but pace still on track. Manna from heaven, people handing out orange segments which tasted wonderful, and finally some water too. Last mile minor panic that I’d zoned out, but had hit 3:19 for 25 miles so nearly 2 minutes up on 3:30 time.. Legs a little tired, had to grind out the last mile a bit, pulling feet right through stride.
Hit 26 miles and could see the finish line… I just flew, full sprint for the line, the prize was in sight.
Absolutely euphoric at the end.. task achieved 3:28:02. (slight negative split on 1:44:11)
Last Word though.. Maddie - 1995-2012
1 comment:
FRC, what a brill read. Sorry to learn of the loss of your treasured pet, I lost a 14 yr old standard poodle a few years ago, still feel the pain. Great to meet you at Edi, who knows again at Edi 2013?
Kind regards
redphilby123 :)
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