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:
Monday, 6 May 2013
Friday, 3 May 2013
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:
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I feel like I've come a long way in the last 10 years!
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:
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Wednesday, 1 May 2013
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
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
Monday, 22 April 2013
London!
The London marathon is where it all started for me. Watching my Dad run it back in 2006 was the sole reason I decided to start running marathons, and 2008 I was lucky enough to get in. 5 years later and I was back again, ready to give it another go.
It didn't go quite to plan - 14 miles in and my legs were starting to ache. Fortunately I recognised the symptoms early (the blame of which, by the way falls on starting far too quickly - I've never been great at pacing) and slowing down and knocking back a few gels meant I never quite hit bottom. My time was 3 hours 35 - not a PB, but a satisfying 27 minutes quicker than in 2008.
My friends are family were excellent - the boost you get when you see people you know in the crowd can't be underestimated. Particularly the enthusiasm of my parents, and the inspiring home made "Run Ben Run" banner from Kate, got me through the tough 23-25 miles.
I started this post with a nod to my Dad, and it makes sense to use this opportunity to say thanks to him for getting me into running at all. I thought for a long time that it was me that got myself into running, but really it was him.
I remember being 14 or 15 and going out jogging across the fields behind our house together. To start off with it was to the end of the first field and back; then the second; then all the way to the sewage plant, then round the sewage plant and back up the hill. It went from there.
I wasn't great at sports at school, but running was something I could do. You don't really need any skills to run - just a little determination. My first 10k must have been when I was 15, and again was run in the company of my Dad and his friends. The rest, I suppose, came with time. Now I'm here, 4 marathons into 2013, and 7 marathons completed. By the end of January 2014 I'll have doubled this. And thanks for this, goes to my father.
(that's me on the left, my bro in the middle, and my dad on the right)
It didn't go quite to plan - 14 miles in and my legs were starting to ache. Fortunately I recognised the symptoms early (the blame of which, by the way falls on starting far too quickly - I've never been great at pacing) and slowing down and knocking back a few gels meant I never quite hit bottom. My time was 3 hours 35 - not a PB, but a satisfying 27 minutes quicker than in 2008.
My friends are family were excellent - the boost you get when you see people you know in the crowd can't be underestimated. Particularly the enthusiasm of my parents, and the inspiring home made "Run Ben Run" banner from Kate, got me through the tough 23-25 miles.
I started this post with a nod to my Dad, and it makes sense to use this opportunity to say thanks to him for getting me into running at all. I thought for a long time that it was me that got myself into running, but really it was him.
I remember being 14 or 15 and going out jogging across the fields behind our house together. To start off with it was to the end of the first field and back; then the second; then all the way to the sewage plant, then round the sewage plant and back up the hill. It went from there.
I wasn't great at sports at school, but running was something I could do. You don't really need any skills to run - just a little determination. My first 10k must have been when I was 15, and again was run in the company of my Dad and his friends. The rest, I suppose, came with time. Now I'm here, 4 marathons into 2013, and 7 marathons completed. By the end of January 2014 I'll have doubled this. And thanks for this, goes to my father.
Monday, 8 April 2013
Paris
It's been a while - for that, my apologies.
I've just completed my 3rd marathon this year, and a PB, in Paris - during what has to be one of my best runs ever!
I'm not great at pacing myself, but I hit the balance just right in Paris, and at 20 miles with energy left in the tank I knew I was on for a good time; in the end in 3 hours 20 minutes 48 seconds.
I'll update my thoughts at some point on my other marathons this year - there's plenty to talk about. I've now completed...
1. February - EnduranceLife's South Devon CTS Marathon (but actually 29 miles!)
2. March - Barcelona Marathon
3. April - Paris Marathon
I've just completed my 3rd marathon this year, and a PB, in Paris - during what has to be one of my best runs ever!
I'm not great at pacing myself, but I hit the balance just right in Paris, and at 20 miles with energy left in the tank I knew I was on for a good time; in the end in 3 hours 20 minutes 48 seconds.
I'll update my thoughts at some point on my other marathons this year - there's plenty to talk about. I've now completed...
1. February - EnduranceLife's South Devon CTS Marathon (but actually 29 miles!)
2. March - Barcelona Marathon
3. April - Paris Marathon
Thursday, 28 March 2013
Race Day Check List
This month I'll be running both the Paris, and London, marathons.
Some of this is a bit unnecessary, or over the top, but still an interesting look at a race day checklist from Brooks.
Some of this is a bit unnecessary, or over the top, but still an interesting look at a race day checklist from Brooks.
Sunday, 9 September 2012
Good Habits
My running is going well; I'm averaging 6 miles 4-5 times a week at the moment, enough to keep my fitness ticking over. The plan is to start ramping up miles, ahead of Januarys marathon, in a couple of weeks time. It coincides conveniently with moving in with my girlfriend - the date being pretty much bang on 4 months until Endurancelife Anglesey. I think that 4 months is more than enough time, but with the fresh start in the new flat it's important to start with good habits.
Most of my runs at the moment feature part, if not a large chunk, of Hampstead Heath. I love getting lost, and making up my runs, as I go along within the Heath. I'll still be able to run there when I move to West Hampstead, but I'll now start looking further west for inspiration too. I think Richmond Park is an achievable place to run to, opening up a nice area of South West London to my feet. Not so long ago I read 'Why We Run: A Story of Obsession' (running book titles often feature the word obsession!) by Robin Harvie, and his training took him past Richmond Park as he ran alongside the Thames for hours and hours out of London towards Oxford. I like the sound of that.
I'd welcome any running suggestions, in particular if they feature interesting trails as in Hampstead Heath, and if they start near West Hampstead, then all the better.
Most of my runs at the moment feature part, if not a large chunk, of Hampstead Heath. I love getting lost, and making up my runs, as I go along within the Heath. I'll still be able to run there when I move to West Hampstead, but I'll now start looking further west for inspiration too. I think Richmond Park is an achievable place to run to, opening up a nice area of South West London to my feet. Not so long ago I read 'Why We Run: A Story of Obsession' (running book titles often feature the word obsession!) by Robin Harvie, and his training took him past Richmond Park as he ran alongside the Thames for hours and hours out of London towards Oxford. I like the sound of that.
I'd welcome any running suggestions, in particular if they feature interesting trails as in Hampstead Heath, and if they start near West Hampstead, then all the better.
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