Edinburgh Marathon

I have never really wanted to do a marathon. However, I wanted to set myself a challenge to raise money for Cancer Research UK, and this seemed to be the most logical thing to do.

If you have been reading my previous blogs you will have noticed that I have had a few problems with my knees which has really scuppered my training. This didn’t help with my enjoyment of running either. If I wasn’t doing the marathon I think I would have quit running by now.

Come race day, it was safe to say I was a little anxious. Apart from the knees, I wasn’t happy with the distance that I have ran in training. And to top it off, it’s was going to be a scorcher of a day, making the whole experience that little bit more unbearable. Nerves were starting to kick in.

However, I was better prepared this time. Well, compared to my Great Manchester Run anyway. As well as remembering all the essentials I also remembered to put sun cream on. Although I didn’t expect it to stop me from getting burnt, I hoped it would at least reduce it. My Uncle Gordon did give me a cap to use to keep the sun of my head, but as this wasn’t part of the original prep stuff, I forgot to pick it up. Plus, it clashed with my top.

Another thing I forgot to pack was my watch to keep track of the time. Although I am kind of glad I did, because it took a lot of pressure off me to try and reach a specific time. At the end of the day I just wanted to finish. I was originally hoping for a sub 4 hour finish, but due to injury I was realistically looking for a 4½ to 5 hour finish. If I did that then I would be happy.

I got to the start of the race about a hour before, which meant I was at the front of the wave. Seems stupid as I knew that I would be at the back of it (and other waves) before the finish. I was going to be one of those people who you curse for getting in the way because they are too slow.

For the first eight miles I felt really comfortable. I didn’t feel like I was going too fast, which was something I was wary about. Although my confidence was starting to increase, I needed to keep on reminding myself that this was not a half marathon and to pace myself. It seem to helped.

One thing I was conscious of before starting the race was about needing the toilet. Okay, for guys peeing is not bad, because you can just go in the bushes, but I was more worried about number twos. Knowing my luck this is what I would need during the race, and guess what? With over 18 miles to go I needed to go, but there was nothing I could do, except run.

Come 13 miles and the stomach cramps were kicking in. There was some portaloos at the relay changeover, but the queues were huge, that I would have spent a hour queuing. It wasn’t worth it.

Apart from the toilet incident, I was feeling really good with myself because I am now officially running the longest distance I have ever done. One of the marshals was trying to be encouraging by shouting we were half way there and ‘the last half is the easiest’. I just turned to the runner next to me and said ‘Like f*ck it is’

Reaching the 16 mile mark, I started my 10 mile countdown to help deal with the last stretch. I have been told it would help and I think it did. By now the sun was pounding down and I was really feeling the heat, so for about ½ minute I decided to walk.

More annoyingly, water stations on both sides of the road has now run out of water, which is unbelievable in this weather. At first though I wasn’t that bothered about the water. What I was more bothered about is getting to the toilet as the cramps had started to get a little more painful. Thankfully at the 19 mile mark there was some portaloos so I ran across the road and dived into them.

Between the 17 and 19 mile part, we entered trail surface around Gosford House. The uneven surface is not the easiest to run on, especially after 17 miles on tarmac. By now, my feet were pounding and the heat was starting to get the better of me. I was probably walking about 40% of the time and when I was running, it was more a feeble attempt of slow motion walking.

I was also starting to feel a little dehydrated. I honestly felt there was no water left in me. I noticed that I had stopped sweating as well. Although it was nice to have a break from wiping my brow, surely that isn’t a good sign.

After hitting the 20 mile mark it was the home stretch. I aint had any water for about 6 miles and I was starting to feel it. Extremely light headed and dizziness at times. I decided that if need be, I would walk the rest of the way. The time didn’t bother me anymore, I just wanted to finish the race!!!

It was quite sad, having to watch runners trying to find drabs of water from discarded bottles on the road. And disgusting as it sounds I was thinking it myself although I was struggling to find any bottles that had water in it. However a fellow runner did come to my rescue and offered me some of her water. Whoever you were, thank you. This generosity gave me that little spurt to run again.

A little bit further down the road, I came across a caravan park (well I think that was what it was). When I passed them originally they were using a hosepipe to cool runners down. However, now they were filling discarded bottles with water for runners. In the process of trying to fill a bottle, I got totally drenched and although it was freezing, it was absolutely lovely. It felt great to get a little bit of water down my now extremely dry mouth.

For the next two miles I had started to pick up my running, with only 30% of my time walking. However, my feet were getting worse and I was starting to feel the miles. The markers just couldn’t come quick enough.

This was also the first and only time where I experienced a problem with my knee. As I started to walk, I got a sharp pain in my knee similar to what I have experienced before. It only lasted a couple of seconds and then it was gone. So what I expected to be an issue in this race turned out not to be.

I was also able to get some liquid from an official water station, although it was very depleted and got it on agreement that I shared it with another runner, which I had no problems in doing. So I paired myself with the runner next to me and off we went with a bottle of Lucozade in hand.

Although the majority of the route had spectators, it was around the 23 to 25 mile mark that they provided me the support that I really needed.

By now, I was extremely knackered, and was running off and on in a couple of minute spurts. Without the crowd, I think I would have walked the whole way. Although getting closer to the 26 mile mark, I was starting to run more regularly knowing that the end is in sight.

Coming to the 26 mile mark, the crowds were fantastic and egged me on that little more. I was even able to gain some speed until I crossed the finish line. Trust me, hearing the crowds shouting your name really helps. Although, I can’t remember anything visually apart from crossing the line, which is when utter relief hit me.

Just like the race, after the finish line just seems just as unorganised. It started off kind of well, going through a section while people struggle to give you water, Lucozade and a banana. You then came to the medal section, which I liked. I felt kind of special someone putting the medal on me and saying congratulations.

The photo section was a little disappointing. Having not even got myself composed, I had someone take a picture of me looking in pain (I was). Personally, I would have liked a backdrop showing Edinburgh Marathon which you stood in front. Instead you get someone staring waiting for them to have a picture taken!!!

Collecting the goodie bags was just as unorganised. This is where a bottle neck happened because everyone was going to the same person and asking for their size in t-shirt. Surely it would have been more practical to have different areas for different size t-shirts. It seems to work at other races, so why didn’t they do it here?

And to make the matter worse, I didn’t know how to get out of the finishing area. There was no signs showing you the way to the exit. Instead I spent about 10 minutes hobbling from one end of the field to another until I found the small gap. Granted the congregation of people finally gave it the exit away.

Would I do a marathon again? No, I don’t think I ever will. It was a challenge that I have done and to be honest I didn’t enjoy it from 17 miles onwards. Although taken into account the weather, this was probably the biggest factor for that decision. I think I will stick to 10k and half marathons from now on. Although, if I did decide to do a marathon again in the future (you know how things change), I can guarantee it would never be the Edinburgh Marathon until they learnt how to organise it properly!!! And if I have to give advice to anyone, don’t ever compete in Edinburgh Marathon!!!

Time Completed: 4 hours 37 Minutes 39 Seconds
Position: 5169 of 8419

Finally...

I just want to say thank you to everyone who has already sponsored me for doing the marathon. I still have a long way to go until I reach my target, so it's still not too late for those who haven't already, to dig deep and sponsor me.

Great Manchester Run

This year saw me entering my 3rd Great Manchester Run, with the intention of running sub 45 minutes, however this wasn’t to be due to my stupidity.

I was able to head to the start of the race a lot earlier than I normally do, with the hope of getting a better starting position. Although 25 minutes before the race was to start, it was still relatively busy.

Just as I was about to head into the wave pen, I noticed the guy's feet in front of me and then realised something and thought ‘Oh f**k'. I had gone and forgotten the chip which is used to provide my official time. A quick u-turn and a dash home to get the chip, which is probably not the ideal thing you should be doing just before a 10k run.

20 minutes later, I was back to the start of the race with a now even more packed pen. With a quick jump over the fence and a couple of minutes to try and catch my breathe, the gun went and the race had started. Let’s just say, I was now no longer prepared for the race.

Like every Great Manchester run, the beginning of the race was packed, and you do have to dodge people left right and centre to try and get a little further ahead. However, unlike last year it felt like I could relatively comfortably after 3-4km.

Coming to the 4km mark, the knee started to play up. Nothing serious until the 5km mark and then the pain started to become a little unbearable. So I slowed my speed down for a while which reduced the pain. Before hitting the 6km marker I couldn’t feel the pain anymore and was able to increase my speed again.

At the last 200 metres, I ended up trying to race a guy to push us both on to finish a little bit quicker. Of course I lost, but at least it gave me that final push.

I finished in 46 minutes and 19 seconds. A little disappointed cause it wasn’t under the 45 minute mark, but it is still a PB for Great Manchester Run. And taken into account that I had already had a 20 minute run before the race, it’s still a good time to finish in. I should just stop being hard on myself.

I have another two 10k runs before I retire from running, so I still have a chance to beat my target.

Yep you heard that right, as of the end of July, I have made the decision I will no longer be running, there are a number of reasons for this including, the constant knee injury has been a frustrating thing to experience, hopefully the rest will fix the underlying cause. Plus with me going to university in September and also trying to hold down a job, the amount of time I can dedicate to running will be reduced. And to top it all off, the possibility of getting weekends off to run are going to be slim to none.

Who knows, maybe after a couple of days, months or years the desire to run will still be there and I will find the time to start again, but for now my dedication is going into uni.

Although, there is one thing I do know. I will never run the Great Manchester Run again. Although the crowd are fantastic (you can’t fault it) I believe Great Run organisation are a bunch of money grabbers. Over the last couple of years the price of the run has dramatically increased to a disgusting £36!!! I can do half-marathons for half the price. Plus you also get a far better goodie bag at the end. Great Edinburgh Run, which incidentally is a lot cheaper for the same distance, has a far better goodie bag than the Manchester Run.

Although Great Run can get away with over-charging because it’s such a popular race. It’s sickening to feel that an organisation rips people off especially with the majority doing the run to raise money for charity.

Time Completed: 46 minutes 19 Seconds
Position: 2235 of 33000

Edinburgh Marathon Training - Week 14

Monday: Rest
The weather really put the dampener on the Monday morning blues. I just wanted to get home and forget the day!!!

Tuesday: 1 hour run
Today has seen me the happiest for a long time because this has to be the best run I have had in ages. I had no knee problems before, during and after the session. I was ecstatic.

I wanted to continue, but my face was sore due to the copious amount of times I wiped the sweat from it.

Wednesday: 1 hour tempo run
Another great run today. Only a small twinge near the end of the session, which disappeared within seconds. So apart from that I am happy.

Thursday: over 1 hour run
Probably one of the most entertaining runs. Well for people who may have been watching. Half way through the run the treadmill broke and I nearly fell off it as I wasn’t expecting the sudden stop.

I just got onto another treadmill and continued with the run. This time, I was able to get one near the fan which kepts me a little bit cool. Not much though.

Plus I got blisters on both my pinkies. They look so sweet. I think I will name them Pinky and Perky!!!

I must have also been in an extremely feel good mood today, as I got home and signed up for the Pride Games and City of Manchester 10k. I must be mad as the Pride Games is the weekend after the marathon. Not sure I will be able to do it, but we shall see.

The City of Manchester 10 is in July and I intend to run a far better race this time round and forget the awful attempt last year.

Friday: Rest
After 3 successful runs, I was kind of looking forward to the rest.

Saturday: Rest
My shins were a little sore today. Knowing that I had a race tomorrow, I didn’t want to push it so decided to rest them.

Sunday: Great Manchester Run
Full a full report on how I got on with the Great Manchester Run, then please see the separate blog.

Please note that this is going to be my last training blog for the Edinburgh Marathon. The next blog about the Edinburgh run will be the race report. So wish me luck and if you haven’t already, get sponsoring!!!

Edinburgh Marathon Training - Week 13

Monday: Rest
As you all know that the reason why Iam doing the Edinburgh Marathon is for my aunt. At the end of last year she was told that she had secondary cancer and that it had spread throughout her body All the doctors can do is provide treatment to prolong the inevitable.

I received a phone call from my mum this afternoon to tell me that my aunt had her latest results and they are good news. Although the cancer has not gone, it has retreated a little. The last time that the Doctor saw these type of resuls, the lasy lived for another four years. Although this doesn't mean the same for my aunt, it's great news taken into account that if the treatment didn't work, then this would most likely be her last.

My aunt is continuing with the treatment and if the bext set of results still show as positive, she is contemplating going back to work. I know many of us would like time off work not want to go back.

This is the reason why I support Cancer Research UK so much. Research is not about just trying to find cures, although ideally that is what we want, but it is also looks at ways to help several cancer sufferers by giving them a little repite.

Tuesday: Rest
Had to cancel today''s session at the gym because I didn't feel well.

All day, I have had a sickly feeling, and I just knew that if I stepped on a treadmill I would vomit within seconds.

Instead I headed home and had an early night.

Wednesday: 1 hour run
I had a great session today. I could have run for longer, but TV was rubbish and I wanted to get hom in time for the Apprentice.

Thursday: 45 min run
The exercises that the sports therapist provided have probably my least favourite part of the whole gym routine as I feel like a tit doing them. Although they appear to be doing the job so I know I need to do them although I find them uncomfortable.

However frustration took its toll today and I ended up quitting the exercises half way because people pissed me off. Everytime I went to get a mat to do the exrcises, someone would get there just before me. But the final straw was when I finally got the mat and then went to an exercise ball. When I came back one of the personal trainers had nicked my space and then had the nerve to ask was I there. 'Erm no, that's why my stuff is just delicately placed on the mat. Because I wasn't there!!!'

So after a mini-huff, I decided to scrap the exercises and go straiht for a run which was a little more pleasant.

Taken into account that the run that I didn't do much warm up, the run was good with a small twinge around the twenty minute work. However, when I stopped running I started to get the annoying pain in my knee. Thankfully this disappeared after a couple of minutes

Friday: Rest
Taken into account that I didn't do a run on Tuesday, I was all prepared to go to work and get inthe extra shift. However, after an extremely awful day at work, I decided that the only thing that I wanted to do was go home and chillax. And that is what I did.

Saturday: Rest
I was all dressed and ready to go for a run around my mum's place. Just while I was having a brew with my mum, heavens opened up and scuppered my run.

Granted, I could have gone for a run in the rain, but I am not that stupid!!!

Sunday: Rest
To be honest, I have no idea why I didn't go for a run today. Laziness perhaps???

Edinburgh Marathon Training - Week 12

Monday – Rest
After a non-stop weekend I was glad to have a rest and get in front of the television and watch my programmes.

Tuesday – 40 min Tempo Session
Had another good run today. Kept the same speed as the last tempo session that I had, and I was also able to run an additional 9 minutes. Personally I would have liked to have run for longer, but I was starting to get twinges in my knees so thought it was better to be safe than sorry.

Still enjoyed the run, albeit slightly frustrating at times.

Wednesday to Sunday: Rest
To be honest I shouldn’t really be doing this at the present moment, but I have decided to take a break from running for the moment due to a number of reasons.

Firstly, due to putting my concentration on other things, it has meant a lot of mini tasks just haven’t been done. And trivial as they are, it’s starting to stress me out as I literally have no time to have a look at them, let alone do something about it. Although, I technical got a small amount done in the last few days, I personally feel like I have removed a load from the shoulders.

Secondly, the exercises are starting to annoy me. I know they are doing the job they are meant to do, this can be seen in my running results, I still can’t help but feel like a tit while I do them. It’s the one part of the whole running thing that I dislike doing and I am dreading going to the gym purely because of these exercises. However I know if I don’t do them, then I expect to get an injury. So although annoying they are still an integral part of my sessions and they will still be on the schedule when I get back into it.

But finally, and more importantly, I need a break. It’s been kinda non-stop for the last couple of weeks. I just needed a couple of days if literally doing nothing and trying to enjoy life. So it’s been great to go to the cinema (the first time in ages) and use my Wii. Saying that I did do over 1½ hours on Wii fit so does that count as exercise?

I could carry on and do the marathon training and kill me (not literally), but at the end of the day I am doing this to raise money for charity. That is my goal! Not to finish within a specific time etc. Taken into account that this year has seen me deal with knee injuries galore, as long as I finish, I will be happy.