Edinburgh

5 down!
(7 to go...)
This weekend was the Edinburgh Marathon. It was my slowest time so far this year, with 3 hours 51 minutes 31 seconds - a full 31 minutes slower than I ran my PB in Paris, but one of the most scenic. The route followed the coast for the majority of the run, looping through a small wood at 18 miles before heading back to the finish. It is very similar to the Brighton marathon route actually, which I ran 2 years ago.
On the downside I didn't feel too prepared for this marathon. While I'd told myself I should go easy on this run anyway (considering I'm almost halfway through the year and have the South Downs Marathon a fortnight later), an aching right knee and tender feet meant this was enforced. Because accomodation was so expensive we (Kate and I) also decided to get an overnight coach to Edinburgh. Running a marathon can be hard, but after a bad nights very interrupted sleep sitting upright on a coach, it can be a little tougher!
I'm not overly concerned by this - I was very aware that some marathons would be quick, and some would be slow. If I take anything from Edinburgh, it's that I need to sleep well, and prepare well (mentally and physically) before a marathon.
I'm much more excited about my next marathon, being that it's a trail run along the South Downs, and imagine I'll bounce back well from this weekend.


As an afterthought; I've been watching a lot of Barefoot Ted YouTube videos this week. If you've read Born to Run this will mean something to you, and if not, in a nutshell, he's one of the most prolific barefoot runners in the world. He's worth checking out, and if you like what you see then you could always head out to the Barefoot Connections Conference in late June.
And despite not wanting to make this post unnecessarily long - if you don't know who Kilian Journet is, then please search his name in YouTube too! He's an incredibly talented ultra runner, winning the Zegama Skyrunner marathon in Northern Spain this weekend. He's a real inspiration to watch running.

A Week of 2 Halves, and 38.44

38.44.
My time at last weekends Wheathampstead 10k! And, a personal best, personal record, record time - however you want to call it.
It was a great race, and a great day. I ran well - with a 10 second slower middle mile (during the ascending part of the course), but otherwise relatively consistent pacing. The sun was out, I had about 10 friends also running, and we followed it up with a BBQ. Perfect.
I feel that I can attribute my PB to a number of things, but first and foremost I believe it was largely in my mind. I know this route; I know the hills; I know the finish line; and I know what to expect. I think the 'homecoming' aspect of the run motivated me more than the training I'd achieved - in fact I didn't feel like my training had gone that well!
Overall I was a little surprised to achieve a PB. I ran a 10k a little over a month ago in Regents Park - a flat course - and was 25 seconds slower there than I was last weekend. My lasting feeling, as a result, is a satisfied warm feeling, very content with my new record.

The title of this post relates to the latter part of this week; we were burgled on Thursday night.
Aside from the feelings of invasion, and the monetary loss, the burglary is relevant to this blog because they stole both my Garmin watch and my iPod shuffle. I loved that Garmin, and had only owned it since Christmas. Since then I've used it on average about 8 or 9 times a week, with my cycling and running back and forth to work and my long weekend runs. I will miss that Garmin!

Wheathampstead 10k

I am very excited! Tomorrow is the Wheathampstead 10k, and I'm really looking forward to hitting home soil to try and beat my PB!
...whether I'll do this or not, I'm not entirely sure however! My training this week has been a bit hit and miss. On the plus side I ran my fastest run to work to date (5.3 km in 21 minutes 30 seconds); but on the down side I got quite drunk on Wednesday and Thursday and didn't get great sleep - neither particularly conducive to a PB. I tried to promise myself I'd be good, but the combination of a new starter on my team at work, and a gig meant that my plan went out of the window!
Whether I beat my PB or not, I know it's going to be a great race. I love the scenery of Wheathampstead, and the history of the race for me makes it equally important. They've changed the course this year to (hopefully) make it a better event. In previous years there's been an annoying little loop of the playing fields when you're within site of the finish. It can be quite demoralising when you think you're done! I think the new course could work well, but it will mean running the last 3km along the same track as the first - and I'm not normally a fan of out and back routes for this reason. It will also mean we don't run along the river, a particularly pleasant part of previous years. However - the additional part of the course at halfway will see us running through bluebell woods, so I'm sure this will make up for it!

To top off what should be a great race (PB or otherwise) I've managed to convince about 15 people to join the race, and will be BBQing back at Chez Ben afterwards. What a great way to spend a Sunday!

Thought for the Day - Shin Splints

One of the most troublesome injuries affecting runners, and a problem I've struggled with in the past. Altra posted this not so long ago:

My first 10k

I've been thinking a bit more in the last couple of days about my London post - and first getting into running. It was my first 10k (Wheathampstead), when I must have been 15 or 16, that got me into racing. Rather coincidentally I found a picture from that day very recently!

I must have run that first race in around 50-55 minutes (unfortunately I can't find the official race results online ). My times now are just over 39 minutes, having achieved the elusive sub-40 10k at the end of 2012:

 I feel like I've come a long way in the last 10 years!

876 Miles

The question I'm asing myself this week is, is it possible to run from one end of the country to the other? From Lands End to John O'Groats. 876 miles...
Surprisingly, the questions in my head aren't about the running. I'm mostly asking myself how to carry sleeping supplies, how much food could I afford to carry every day, where would I buy the food from, would I sleep in hotels, what if I got lost, what if there's a lack of footpaths, do I ask my friends for support.
When my brain does turn to how to run 876 miles (plus miles for error, taking footpaths rather than motorways, and diversions to go through towns and cities) it takes a more logical, rather than emotional, view on the idea... How many miles would I have to run each day? 50 perhaps? Then it might take a minimum of 18 days. Almost 3 weeks running every day - could I handle that?

Still, the thought of joining that elite club is incredibly attractive. The journey of self discovery would no doubt be pretty inspiring. And the experiences and the sights would never be forgotten.
The planning, on the other hand, doesn't sound like it would be fun.



Final thought, read this: The Unlikely Pilgramage of Harold Fry