London Marathon 2009 Training

2009-04-30T00:09:00.001-07:00

I did it. Phew.

Undoubtedly the hardest thing I'd ever done physically, and it took 2 days to recover the majority use of my legs, but it strangely seemed worth it.

The volume of people was amazing both on and off the track, and it took a full 20 minutes to cross the start line. Immediately afterwards a trip to the loo took a further 10 minutes due to the queue, but the race got underway proper (for us tail enders anyway) at about 10.20am.

Things went really well and I clocked up 12.5min miles on target for a 5.5hr finish, but I'm afraid the wheels came off at around 14 miles.

All training had been done in the cool of the Winter and Spring, but race day was a full 20c+ day and the retirements were coming thick and fast. One guy was collapsed at a drinks station, many more were pulled up to the side of the road, some with heads in the hands and others in tears.

You don't see that on the TV but then I guess it does Flora no good to have images of someone keeled over below one of their banners..

It manifested itself personally by overheating, signalled by a racing heart which I'll admit was not a great situation but at least it was easily managed - by slowing down until it passed and then carrying on when I'd recovered. I repeated this process a fair few times until the end.

The feet were very sore, but although they felt pretty alarming I was pleasantly surprised to find that there was actually very little trauma. A couple of blisters, and the infected blister I was so worried about was overcome on the day by adrenaline and Savlon, Rar Rar Rar!

Oh yes, and from mile 16 or so I was on the edge of throwing up which didn't help the hydration regime.

The last few miles were predictably the hardest for a number of reasons. Tiredness, a degree of discomfort, being diverted by the police at one stage off the route for some reason, and being overtaken by Doris who was 70 if she was a day..

Finally as we rounded Buckingham Palace and ran into the mall it became clear that one or two other runners had set their hearts on 33,574rd place and it resulted in a sprint to the line - which I was pleased to report that in our exhausted states I won.

Then came an hour being warmed by the St John's Ambulance in foil blankets, and being pumped full of dialoryte(sp?). Urgh. Apparently I had lost my electrolytes and they needed replacing which is why I was shivering quite badly.

It all seemed odd to me as I didn't feel I had sweated a great deal, and had taken on the isotonic drinks that the marathon crews laid on. When we returned home and I showered though I see what they meant. I was scraping salt from my body in the manner of a salted cod before the oven..

So there we go - one medal which is sitting proudly on the mantlepiece, two stones lost in weight, and three months of apprehension now finished.

I will do it again, probably in 2011 but if I can do it next year I will - I guess it depends if I'm in Blighty or Australia. The additional pre-requisite is the loss of another two stone as a) I want to maintain a 5-5.5hr pace, and b) If I'm honest I think I took some liberties running at my current weight and this marathon running is a serious business.

The pace might not sound impressive, and it's not, but there aren't many runners that are carrying 35kg in ballast around with them and I'd contend that might slow them down a bit. I certainly felt it, and don't want to end up lying at the side of the road with someone fishing for my tongue and a pulse. Which reminds me - I really hope that guy was OK..

As I sign off I'd just like to say a huge thankyou to all my generous supporters on JustGiving and those who braved the London crowds to turn up and support.

Really appreciated.

Speak soon.

Stacy

D-Day.

2009-04-24T07:06:00.000-07:00

Well here we are, the last two weeks have been largely anticlimactic because I have been "tapering". This is where you cease your long distance running training two weeks prior to the marathon to build up sufficient strength for what lies before us.

Unfortunately, due to various other demands I haven't been tapering so much as jumping from a cliff. I've done pretty much naff all the last couple of weeks and it's not been for the want of trying. Attempts to squeeze in an evening run have been thwarted every time by some disaster or urgent deadline, and the latest problem was the very unwelcome return of the foot infection I had at the very start of this campaign.

As I type I am, with a degree of panic involved it should be said, spraying the offending area incessantly with Savlon trying to stop it spreading as previously, so as to aid healing (if it's possible) for Sunday.

I guess this means I will be in pain from mile 1 as opposed to, well, mile 2 but it's not A Good Thing by any means. In these situations I like to ask myself "What would Ranulph Feinnes do?".

Cut the offending toe off with a fret saw and do the run anyway. So on that motivational note I really have little choice.

On a more positive note I have been to the Excel centre in London to sign on and pick up my racing number (46239). My usual racing number (35, or let it be said - 1!) was already allocated to runners of a slightly higher standard than I, much to my disappointment.

The show itself was notable on many levels. Firstly I navigated the DLR before alighting and making my way to the centre, taking in the motivational slogans they'd thoughtfully hung from the rafters and what seemed to be "Chariots of Fire" playing from the loudspeaker. "Impossible is Nothing" was the strapline.

Nothing? Not sure I agree, and not so much Chariots of Fire as Benny Hill but bless them, the thought was there.

What also amused were the quantity of Flora jacketed marshalls floating around the atrium ensuring all the marathon runners were directed to the correct area and handing out leaflets. I of course managed to walk past all of them unmolested..

Once inside I registered and wandered about picking up my various "marathon goodies". I have attached the photo here, and it includes;

Carb gels (both for running and post running), pace wristband (I had to take 5.5hrs as that was the slowest they had), carb snack bars, lucozade drinks, racing number, safety pins, timing chip for shoe (no cheating allowed), anthony Nolan T-Shirts for supporters, motivational banners for supporters, motivational air horns x 4, supporters ponchos if it rains, cranberry sauce (I haven't a clue), a Flora 2009 London Marathon Mug (I'm keeping that), deoderant in several flavours and a can of London Pride bitter (dishwater in a tin - they've lost me with this one).

I have also solved the problem of the running vest. The one they sent was sized for a human, and thus was frankly not a good look for me. We have resolved the issue by cutting it down the sides and stitching it over one of my faithful Harley Davidson T-Shirts (Thanks Clare) which is shaped for the more ample gentleman. The resulting vest/shirt fits pretty well, although I was alarmed to note it was not especially slimming in profile.

I am also pleased to report that I have raised well in excess of the £3,000 target I set, so many many thanks to all the generous contributers.

So there we are. I hope that Savlon will come to my aid, but either way it's time to step up to the plate or otherwise.

The count down has begun.

Stacy

The Wall

2009-04-06T05:10:00.000-07:00

I hit the wall this morning. Even with my mass, it didn't move..

It's aptly named too. It was around the 15 mile mark and within seconds I went from relative comfort to a sense of being hollowed out. The last few calories had been thrown on the fire, and once burnt I was reduced to staggering around in the manner of someone who's been hit over the head with a mallet. Or indeed, someone who's just run into a wall.

This comes on the back of a) A 10 mile run a couple of days ago, and b) an empty stomach. I had neglected to take some of my gel packs with me and paid the price. Never again, it was a very long slow walk back home. I hope very very much that I pre-empt this on race day, those that say the distance beyond 13 miles is in your head are mistaken - It's very much in your legs..

On other unrelated matters I have installed a new door bell at home. Stay with me.

I fitted it up, test fired it and selected a suitable tune. Well, OK then, the least disagreeable tune which in fact was "dogs barking". Since it needs to be played quite loudly the idea of "Banjo on my Knee" every time someone came to the door was quite disturbing. For all parties I imagine. So in the absence of a "Bing Bong" selection the dogs it was.

At first I was amazed at how many people came to our door. I had left the old one in place and not working for many months, leaving many a Tom, Dick or Harry pressing the duff bell and waiting patiently before finally giving up. I just thought our lack of visitors was reflective of our local (un)popularity.

Apparently not so. I was thus also amazed at the persistence of the Tom's, Dick's or Harry's who not put off by their previous experiences are still pressing the button and vying for our attention. Postmen, Local Village Groups, Newsletters, Youth Groups, Charities, Pizza delivery companies and Burglars checking if you're in. It's all very new and very exciting indeed.

However, after 48hrs or so the bell started to randomly cycle through the tunes every time someone pressed the button. It's now settled finally, permanently, and irrevocably, on "Banjo on my Knee". Which is played at full volume, until I appear at the door usually dressed in my underwear.

Strangely, my number of visitors is going down again..

Half Marathon Completed...

2009-03-23T03:42:00.001-07:00

This morning I arose at 6am (ish), kitted up and set out for a 13 mile training run. I took two Science in Sport Gel Carb Packs which I resisted eating before I reached the end of the road, and held out for a full 9 miles..

My friend Jane (a triathlete) had put me onto these and said they tasted foul, but to be absolutely fair she isn't lying. It has a slight powdery flavour, and requires a good deal of wrestling to extract it. Nothing like as much fun as the jelly baby idea.

They did help, unquestionably, but it was curiously very hard work immediately past the 10 mile mark.

The only issues were;

1. The top of the 4th toe on the left foot needs protection for longer distances.
2. Light knee twinge (now past as I sit here).
3. Being run very close on pace by a chap walking down the road with a pint of milk and reading the paper. He looked behind him, then moved to one side, but when the expected charging rhinocerous didn't materialise he moved back and looked again. He was as confused as I was because I had all the external attributes of running; arms moving, feet leaving the ground, leaning slightly forward and sweating profusely, but apparently very little forward momentum. He returned to his paper and gave me a while longer to catch up.

Hey, I did say I was not looking for speed records.

Rob Payne has put forward an innovative sponsorship system. He sponsors me £50, but will attend. Each time he sees me walking I donate a tenner back to Macmillan Cancer Care. A sort of spread bet if you will.

More soon.

Stacy

A month has passed...

2009-03-09T01:35:00.001-07:00

Tardiness is an unbecoming trait, but rest assured I am training hard.

11 miles is now the staple of my regime once a week, and I'm hoping to move up to a half marathon distance (13 miles) next week.

I had entered the Silverstone Half Marathon on the 15th March, but to my considerable displeasure the Toyo Tires Racing Saloons have moved their Brands Hatch race from the Saturday, to the Sunday. Since we have spent hundreds of hours preparing the car with a full ground up rebuild for the season, it would be churlish not to race it. Not only that my very good friend Brian Mullender, who has spent similar amounts of time on the car, is likely to hit me over the head very hard indeed..

So a lonely half marathon it will be the week commencing 16th March, but a very necessary increase in distance. Ironically running 11 miles, while very encouraging, has brought home the realisation about what a fantastically long distance 26 miles is..

My toe husbandry is now second to none (I'd say), but running anything over six miles is opening up a whole new ball game - fuel. I need to take on calories during the event and how to do that is being tested.

I am ordering carb replacement gels (Science in Sport) from www.wiggle.com - a tip supplied from a triathlon competing friend of mine, and have been advised that jelly babies are worth having in your pocket. Yes, I need to practice eating jelly babies which all things considered is not one of the most challenging dynamics of the preparation so far.

I was also concerned over a knee twinge again, but this time further down the leg around 2cm below the kneecap. True to form I'd self diagnosed with Dr Google and was convinced my bone was delaminating, but a visit to the physio confirmed it was just bruised. Further investigation revealed it wasn't bruised from running either, in fact it was all the kneeling I'd done while working on the car. Doh! A pair of gel filled knee pads later and the problem has gone away, although it is not a good look I will admit.

(The squeemish may want to look away now)

Finally, in a bid to ensure I am not carrying around the 12 pounds of unchewed sirloin that we are all told is kicking around our lower intestine I visited the local colonics clinic and can confirm that it is just as horrific an experience as you imagine it will be.

I was alarmed early on in the process, as I was being gently inflated by the water stream and could find no means of releasing. For a few seconds I had a horrible vision, a cross between a dodgy German porn film and James and The Giant Peach. Fortunately things took care of themselves, but the end result was particularly disappointing with very little extracated. There is more, much more, but perhaps better suited for a different medium.

(The squeemish may return)

More next week post the half marathon distance, complete with the results of the carb gel test. My hopes are high. Eating has got me into this mess, it can jolly well get me out!

Stacy.

2009-01-28T06:50:00.000-08:00

A gratuitous shot of the world famous (in certain circles) Conrod Straight at Bathurst, NSW.

I am now running 3 miles every morning prior to 7am with longer distances every few days. I did suffer from some knee twinges, but have had treatment on them as it transpired to be related to tension in my quad muscles, and is now much better.

In a bid to pick the pace up (and finish the race in front of the guy competing in the diving boots) I have started interval training. This amounts to maintaining my "gentle jog" but interspersing it with sprints between landmarks. I am told this will slowly increase my basic speed, but I shall keep you posted.

In other developments I now do not take sugar in tea, take far less dairy than I used to, and have cut out alcohol altogether (aside the odd glass of red wine no more than once a week) and have cut out ice cream altogether (and believe me, this took some doing..). I know, I know, I should have done this long ago but better late than never.

Keeping up the faith

2009-01-25T05:30:00.001-08:00

While there's been no attempt to go for bigger distance I did need a change of scenery.

With the Grand Prix just a couple of months away it seemed a good time to try the Albert Park Grand Prix circuit. It's a couple of miles around the lake, and as the pitlane is used 12 months of the year, I get to buy a lucozade and a Crunchie (sorry) from what I estimate will be the Williams pit garage when it undergoes it's annual transformation.

No injuries, will get to the gym this week to turn the heat up. Curiously weight loss is minimal. According to a doctor I spoke to this is expected as I'm putting on muscle. Hopefully the tide will turn soon though!

S.

Six miles completed.

2008-12-22T02:44:00.000-08:00

A visit to the physio triggered a revelation as I realised that the lower three vertebrae in my back appeared now to be moving. And not as one.. A most peculiar sensation after they'd been frozen together in a stony, and what would without intervention, have been an eternal embrace.

After the novelty of the Ricky Martin impressions had died down I set about the matter in hand, lengthening the previous best distance. The trouble was, all this new found pelvic freedom was playing havoc with my rhythm as it tickled and spasmed for the first half a mile.

Ploughing on I hit the natural pace (slow as mentioned) and I drifted off into the Ipod.

I called the endurance test to an end after six miles, as I was nervous of pushing too hard too soon. Sure enough the knees had taken a pounding, the protection has yet to fully build, but it took only a few hours to recover. Fairly pleased with that though.

I have learnt the following; 1) More running, more often, maybe less distance, is needed to thicken and strengthen my knees to stand a chance of 26 miles, 2) I am losing water, quite a bit of it, and will need to hydrate through the event, 3) If anything changes, socks, shoes, newly mobile spines, it upsets the equilibrium. Must be aware of all that..

Making headway

2008-12-16T03:03:00.000-08:00

I was like a red missile, flashing through the sodium night. The prow of my Berghaus jacket (just above the Ipod pocket) cleaving the air as I charge relentlessly, cat like, into the darkness.

Well almost.

Having finished up work for a while I have time to train, and of course time to write this nonsense.

On the bright side, the blister has healed, and I've now marked out a 3 mile training run for my evening sojourns. Every other day this gets pounded, and by early next week I should be comfortably able to kick off the 4 mile attempts.

So less Powerplate and Body Pump, and more, well, running...

Stacy

Injuries slow progress..

2008-11-29T01:25:00.000-08:00

"Activate your inner thighs". Can't get enough of this motivational bollockology.. Body Pump is curiously both the most humiliating, and the most entertaining class I've decided, so I'm going to forego the rest from now on.

However, some niggles recently.

I certainly felt a little "peculiar" a couple of weeks ago, and had to forego any attempts at running. Instead I had a few days off, but continued popping along to Body Pump.

Fortunately it did seem to either be a smidge of over exertion repaired with some rest, or maybe a virus. Who knows, but then along came the annual awards event for the racing club. The orange dickie bow fitted perfectly, but the suit was alarmingly tight - in fact there was some concern that the jacket button might have pinged off and broken a glass or two, in the manner of a gunslinger in a western saloon.

Of course a bottle or two of red on the table soon relaxed events, the button was loosened, and before we knew where we were it was Disco Inferno until the early hours. I was complimented by a fellow racer on both "rhythm" and "freedom", but given the alcohol consumed that evening I supect his judgement was impaired. Even so, I had to admit that, yes, I was rather good. Ahem. If the little arm wriggle is good enough for George Michael, it's good enough for me. Bed was reached finally at 4am, fully clothed, and the wine sought revenge with a headache which persisted all day..

Still, a sans John Sargeant Strictly Come Dancing Sunday evening forced me out for a run, and what do you know.. Once the lethargy has been overcome, the red wine and apparent lack of preparation resulted in another new record for distance. I should do this more often. The Ipod Nano suitably packed with motivational music helps enormously too.

No speed records will be set that's for sure, in fact I suspect it may not be regarded as "running" at all, and I was worried enough that it was merely a "mild lumber" to demonstrate it to my friend Brian, who deemed it "a gentle jog". Good enough!

Still, it's a real improvement and if I beat the man in the diving suit then I shall regard that as a result.

I'll now need to move away from the nursery slopes, and the 4 miles loop of Virginia Water now beckons..

However.. Nothing is that easy. For some bizarre reason I didn't notice a blister, or a bite or something. Who knows. Anyway, within 24hrs my foot had swollen up and a deeper wider blister formed around my little toe. Ouch. So the last 24hr have been spent with it airing, and hoping hoping that it recovered enough to resume gym work on Monday and hopefully a revised running route on Tuesday. Another weeks delay to the step up the ladder, and one I can ill afford.

2008-11-07T00:34:00.000-08:00

Word of the week... S-u-p-e-r-s-l-o-w. As told by the mildly alarming instructor in this weeks "Body Pump". The (French we think) biologically perfect female specimen taking the class was strangely unattractive, and after due consideration it seems this anomaly comes down to her obvious ability to wreak physical havoc on anyone she chooses. Including me.

Today (Friday) will consist of RPM, which elsewhere seems to be termed "Spinning". I presume someone has trademarked the term. Anyway, it's cycling to you and me and I am told it is hard going - by 2pm I will know for sure.

As mentioned last week I popped down to Runner Need in Canary Wharf this week. As suspected not a great deal of their equipment was available in XXL, but I did come away with some running shorts (for wearing under trousers naturally), an Ipod holding arm band, some gloves since it's getting cold outside now, double lined socks and some nipple chaffing lubricant. I childishly stifled a giggle and couldn't resist.

Results so far..? Shirts appear looser, and certainly things are changing. Most tellingly the usual short runs (very short!) punctuated by rest periods are getting longer - in fact they've doubled. Before long I'm hoping for an unbroken run, but am keeping off the road running on a daily basis to try and avoid injuries. If I pick one up I'll be in real trouble for making next April..

2008-10-30T07:44:00.000-07:00

This week has been a blur, and already I'd consider myself something of a gym buff. From the Power Plate, through Body Pump and into Body Attack I've done them all. Naturally I'm pretty stiff, looking forward to a night or two off and between now and Monday (Power Plate again) I'll get a couple of short runs in to see where we are..

For those that don't know Power Plate is a vibrating pad which (apparently) increases the intensity of all exercise performed on it. Basically you switch it on, stand on it and do your exercise, and that's it. It might be a gimmick, but it really hurts so whether or not it's down to the machine is pretty irrelevant I guess. The instructor kept on about holding my tummy in, until I told her it was in - about as far as it's going to go.. Monday lunchtimes will never be the same.

Body Pump is organized humilation for any rotund heterosexual male with a pair of milk bottles hanging out of his shorts, but hey, this is a good cause. Music pumps out at 100 decibels, while the instructor shouts motivational slogans at you straining with your weights. "Get ready to rip it up", "over the top", "max the envelope", "ride the burn", etc etc etc. I tried and failed in the most part, but am eager to repeat the experience next week.

The next entry will be about my visit to "Runners Need". A chain of shops I have no natural affinity towards, and one, frankly, I never thought I'd need to visit...

Stacy

Training starts here..

2008-10-22T09:29:00.001-07:00

Have I gone mad?

37, grossly overweight and haven't run further than 50 yards in years (and that was more of a moderate amble for a train resulting in 30 minutes of profuse sweating, than a lycra clad sprint followed by a swig of isotonic liquid).

Now I find myself signed up to the London Marathon in 2009, running on behalf of the Anthony Nolan Trust.

The motivation, if I'm truly honest, probably has more to do with an early mid life crisis than uber generosity for the cause, but now I'm here it's clear the ANT do real worthwhile and lifesaving work, and more selfishly there's a challenge here of significant proportions but with an obvious pay back - how can I complete training and the marathon without losing some of the weight that's steadfastly stuck to my hips for far too long?

There is no turning back.

On the bright side my motor racing requires me to have a medical each year to maintain the racing licence and, aside the weight, there is nothing apparently untoward reported there. I also have a gym membership that needs more use, and a pair of running shoes which have yet to see much mileage.

So here we go.....