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2013 Marathon Thread
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10 miles tonight, making up for no LSR at the weekend. Steady, 9:09 average pace.
21 weeks to Amsterdam? pooh! that means it's 21 weeks until I head to Palma. Who'll have the better weather?!!!
LOL
Steady Training Stewart Tek Fiona MG1 IJ
Hope the cold clears up soon Tek
Fiona- 3 weeks of building, followed by 18 week P amd D?
IJ- well done on the 10
MG1- nice running
OH
I didn't realise, or I would have had to do the 0.03 ....
Warm Up Act part 2
Day 2 of Cape Wrath Challenge
Tuesday - The 5.4 mile Hill Race
Tired after the HM but rewarded by a lie in, the overnight torrential rain having eventually abated, we met at the race HQ for the start at 11.
The start was delayed briefly while another squall went by, while we were warned that there was a lot of surface water and the stepping stones over the 2 official river crossings were no longer an option (well and truly submerged).
We headed out along the road for a short way, the legs feeling a bit stiff after the previous day, before turning up the wet trail up and along side the hill. Puffed quite hard and had to stop to retie my shoe lace. Over an unofficial water crossing or two before descending to the two official fords. The water in the second of these was up to upper calf and flowing quite strongly but managed to get across without providing a photo opportunity!
Here we left the shorter option runners (4 milers) before heading up and over the moors and another watery section.
Up a very muddy slippery bank where I got overtaken surrepticiously by another guy (RF). Since the fords everyone had been quite spaced out. Back onto a Landrover track and the road where we were high fived by the local kids. RF steadily opened the gap as we got back to the finish line.
57:57 for me (perhaps a sponsorsip deal from heinz beckoning ...!)
Scottish Country Dancing (rehearsal) that evening ...
Warm Up Act part 3
heading for my marshalling point on the short option while Better Half did the longer route. 
Day 3 of Cape Wrath Challenge
Wednesday - The 10/6 mile Round Durness Race
Actually I skipped this day by design
Hadn't realised that it was a critical marshalling point where route left the track across the fields.
Maybe should have listened more closely to the Race Director.
However the route was well marked with tapes ... a quick check on map as confirmation ... all was well.
The rain held off for most of the race and I took a few photos before an afternoon swim beckoned.
Warm Up Act Part 4
Day 4 of the Cape Wrath Challenge
Thursday - 3 mile Beach Run
At last the sun came out.
Fancy Dress is not obligatory but those not in fancy dress are regarded as the odd ones out.
The local school kids are also bussed in to participate.
A brightly multicoloured beak, white tummy on black complete with orange legs and velcro'd black wings allowed me to pose as one of the local winged fauna!
A fun day out!
Better Half's turn to marshall.
Out along one beach, up on the dunes then back onto next beach was the intention. This year's tides didn't allow us to cut around the headland.
However the front group of runners (including me) managed to miss the turn back onto second beach so ran a longer route over the dunes before turning round the far marshall at the end of the second beach.
Back into a gentle head wind on a lovely sunny morning, I began to enjoy myself "flying" along for the various cameramen along the beach.
I "winged" (just as a small boy playing Spitfires) the Morris Dancers and the Christmas Puddings as I passed!
The slight head wind with my newly acquired wings gave me the illusion of a slight bit of lift.
Crossed the finishing line, puffing my tummy out, for my impression of a typical "Tammie Norrie" (Atlantic Puffin) landing.
A lot of folk even, including Better Half, straight into the sea after the finish (my second swim of trip)
Off to walk to Sandwood Bay in the afternoon
Weather a bit too wild for another swim
evening BBQ at the Race HQ
Warm Up Act Part 5
Day 5 of the Cape Wrath Challenge
Friday - Actually a rest day for all
Tried to kayak in Loch Eribol but had difficulty finding a suitable launch point.
Met up with others at the the Coffee/Book shop before an impromptu tea party chez nous.
Evening Meal in "Sango Sands" and more socialising ..
Ominous weather forecasts for the morning ...
OH well done on the CPB
Sounds like a great three days pity about the weather for the first two. Hope you enjoyed your swim....
Fiona thats a great few days running and hope the gardens looking well
SC Nice running.
Teknik hope you get over your cold soon mate.
MG1 Nice running the speed will come.
Jim well done on the 10 miles.
Another 4 miles tonight not as much pain this time... shhhhh.....
OH- great report
NP
MG1 what is your long run at the moment?
IJ the last time I did Amsterdam there was frost!
OH love the reports, they are proper tough runs, not for the fainthearted!
Jason I was considering giving P & D a proper go although I had half thought about the Mike Gratton approach of building mileage first then adding speedwork....? Either way will do an 18 week plan even although the autumn marathon is my relaxed 'no plan' one!
NP fingers crossed for you, great that there is an improvement. Reminds me I must go stretch although an hours weeding should help?!
F
Fiona- need to stretch again after the hour's weeding!
I am trialling the Mike Gratton plan at the moment- but there is more speedwork early on than there is in the p and d tempo run once a fortnight approach in the early stages....
True...I'll see what you think of the MG plan as I still have a few weeks to decide! Right best go stretch.
F
Cape Wrath is an unusual marathon involving a ferry crossing, a "Drinks" station offering single malt and other spirits and of course Cape Wrath Lighthouse.
The runners are ferried down to the ferry by minibus in batches: The slower runners and the return relay runners going earlier, The faster runners and the outward relayers going later. This is necessary because of the logistics. The usual ferry takes about 12 passengers for the short crossing of the kyle. There are 2 minibuses on far side for the relayers. The route on the Cape side is an out and back 11 miles along a rough unmetalled road to the lighthouse.
On returning to the ferry, the times are noted and clock stops until you are ferried back to "land side" for final 4.2 miles back up the main road to the finish at the race HQ (Community Hall)
Saturday dawned as the weather men had forecast wet++ with strong Northerly wind
(but not enough for the ferry to be cancelled and alternative routre to be enacted!) 
Better Half was doing the 15 outward leg (as she was recovering from an injury). She had to be at the HQ for 6:30 am so an early start. My meet time was an hour later so I dropped her then returned for breakfast and last minute preparations.
Arrived at ferry to hear that the ferry had broken down but an alternative boat was coming shortly. A small RIB soon arrived, but could only take 5. Our (minibus) group was split into 3 for the crossing and I was one of last three. We were helped aboard by uniformed volunteer army cadets compleete with golfing umbrella! The crossing was fast but first of our lot was already away with the second group just about to start. One of our three had a false start with the previous lot without having her time card marked and had to be called back. This wouldn't have been so bad if the first 200 yards were not the steepest part of the course.
A "gazebo" tent had been errected in the hope of keeping gear and us (transiently) dry. After a couple of minutes our tail end trio was started. Within a quarter of a mile my socks and shorts were totally soaked, the rest of my clothing (vest and merino) were not long behind despite the Montane jacket.
Although we all walked up the steep first 200 yards, I had some difficulty getting into a decent pace after that and settled into last of our threesome. After a sharp climb the road undulates for a mile before descending again to the wooden bridge (previously just a ford).
A long slow uphill then begins where I met some of the earliest starting relay runners heading the other way. Everyone greets everyone as they pass.
At about 4 miles, I arrived at "Inshore", one of the few building on route to the lighthouse after ferryside. This is where the infamous drinks station is positioned. Declined a dram but accepted a glass of water.
Shortly after this, high fived the Better Half as she headed back to the ferry.
Still wet++ but not caring, had dispensed with beanie hat a while back.
Caught up with one of our threesome as we headed slowly on up to the highest point of run (176m).
A long downhill followed to meet Peter (a running friend who was marshalling this year due to injury) at the next water station.
Peter appeared out of the hut with an improvised wooden tray of plastics of water despite the wind (he apologised for lack of choice at this station
).
Now really feeling the wind as we began the next long winding uphill. Further sharp downhill before the last climb to the lighthouse.
...
Wind really quite strong now and in my face. Passing a lot of runners who were nowheading back from lighthouse. Caught up with one of earlier starters from our minibus group. Desparately looking forward to the turn about at the lighthouse and to going with the wind for a short way.
Big welcome at lighthouse, Mars Bars on offer. Walked around lighthouse munching Mars Bar.
Now with wind behind me initially, I headed back, meeting various friends heading out as I returned. Passed Peter again at drink station. Wind against us again for long hill but managed to run most of it.
Several more of later start runners passing me by but eventually came back to "Inshore" drinkss station . Declined yet another dram but a few more Jelly Babies "bit the dust" to keep me going.
At this point last year, my legs were so spent I couldn't even run down the hill to the wooden bridge. Howeverm this year I was still going strong for me and on up the last uphill before the ferry.
Got back down to the (ferry 22 miles) just over the 4 hour mark. Time cards marked again. Forgot to stop Garmin for a couple of minutes.
Crossed back by the standard ferry, now operational again.
Met Better Half at the pier who had come back down after her earlier 15 mile leg.
Time Cards marked again before final 4.2, now along metalled road.
Dispensed with jacket as had now stopped raining and I was soaked whatever.
Ran slowly up to village, down and round the loop before last uphill to Race HQ, Better Half and another running friend catching a photo as I came round the loop.
Did manage to put a "sort of" finishing sprint as I came across the line (well a bit more than a shuffle).
4h46m26 official time (20 minutes better than last year so well pleased)
Shower, soup, sandwiches and cake ... ... then back to cottage to rest & recuperate before the magnificient evening buffet and ceilidh ...
Despite her injury Better Half managed more than she'd thought she would
Thoroughly enjoyed the week. Great running Great meeting old and new friends.
Super report OH. Sounds like A cracking race and party afters
well done sir !!!
OH another great report and a great weeks running by you and your other half I hope you had a wee dram at the ceilidh
and 20min CPB's are fantastic
LOL at the OCD Fiona
Jason thats a great days running sir.
Well out this morning for a slow 6 miles happy to report no issues, It's just a case of getting the old body moving again
on the weight front down to 10st 13 3/4lbs
so everything is now starting to turn in the right direction
.
HM well done on the group placing
Jason well done on yesterday's double. Lol at the OCD fail.
Fiona nice 6m and well done on the weeding
MG nice pace for the 5m
IJ good steady 10m
OH great race reports - it sounds like a great week!
NP well done on yesterday's 4m and the 6m today - hope the hip is ok, and well done on getting below 11st again.
AGF nice MLR yesterday
----
I managed to see the ENT specialist and I now have a load of nose drops to sort out my sinuses. Hope that works as I really don't fancy surgery.
6.7m in the woods with the gang this morning, feeling a little better.
Good to hear things are looking a bit better for NP and Tek
jason i wish i hadn't just seen your weekly mileage
Sounds like a top week OH and a great report
Nice training all
I'm feeling a bit lazy and fat at the moment having got pissed as a newt ( on mrs m's instructions ) on Saturday, missing my long run Sunday with a bad case of hangoveritis, and then taking an un-deserved day's rest yesterday.
On top of this short term blip, i'm in danger of becoming de-motivated as i found out from a third party over the weekend that mrs m was secretly hoping i'd be knocking the running on the head over the summer and when i subtly dropped the subject of Autumn Marathons into the conversation she didn't seem overly enthusiastic ...
For the number crunchers
Out to lighthouse
11.29 9.28 13.26 10.08 11.29 9.47 9.14 10.42 9.36 10.07 10.33
Back from lighthouse (right to left ie reverse order)
9.58 11.56 10.30 10.45 10.47 12.04 13.28 11.24 11.46 10.49 10.29
After ferry (left to right again)
(12.48*) 11.40 11.07 11.50 [9.04]
* forgot to stop Garmin
I think you can see there were a few hills
OH,
Great report.
Tek,
Thanks. Hope the drops sort out your sinuses.
-------
Well done on everyone's training.
A few photos of Cape Wrath for those on FB
Last Bit of Marathon: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.542499212463216.1073741829.100001094259583&type=1
OH on 26th mile
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151370390881856&set=p.10151370390881856&type=1&theater
"Round Durness"
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.542417445804726.1073741828.100001094259583&type=1
Beach Run
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.542401609139643.1073741827.100001094259583&type=1
OH,
Great photos.
OH- great reports- will check out the photos in a bit
Tek- fingers crossed that the drops do the biz
mace- sure you will win her round- just be careful you don't let her feel neglected....
Blooming hot for running here
I know, I know... shouldn't complain
- 5.69m recovery this morning and 8.21 in 1hr (7.18 av) this evening.
OH - Great race reports, and nice pics
Well done on the 20 min course best
How long were you waiting around for, and on the ferry?
Jason - Nice running today
Mace - Good luck trying to talk the missus round
Tek - Nice run today. Surgery sounds a bit extreme
NP - Hope the injury has cleared
HM - Well done on the race!
MG/Stewart/Fiona - Good runs yesterday
----------
7.35 miles @ 10:32 ave, 151 ave HR
Didn't feel particularly good. Had a sore head, was struggling to catch my breath in places and struggled to keep HR down. Think a lot of that was down to the humidity, and pollen in the air.
Still, it's done now
Looks wet and wild for tomorrow however
OH great report
Fiona longest run is 14 m but am trying to run it faster than my recent marathon pace so nearer 8.15 average. I was thinking of upping to 15 m over the next couple of weeks before increasing again at the end of June, leaving July, August and September, above also got two weeks holiday in the middle to allow for. What do you think to this plan?
NP great to hear things are heading in the right direction
Mace I am sure a little break won't hurt at all.
Tek Well done on the run in the woods, hope the sinus trouble is finally going
Jason looks like your going very well with another double
5 steady miles for me tonight with intervals along the canal route
MG1, allow LSRs to be slow and concentrate on increasing milage. The increase in endurance will allow a faster pace when it matters!
7.4 miles tonight, incl 4 laps of approx 2 x 400m effort with 400m recovery. Efforts at 6:30 - 7:00 pace. Ouch!!!
Sounds and looks great OH, if I was not such a softie I'd give it a go!
NP great news on the injury front.
Teknik I hope the drops help.
mace, would she be interested in starting to run too?
Better numbers there Jason and no complaining about heat allowed!
Stuart well done toughing it out when you don't feel well.
MG1 that sounds like a plan!
I'm running my 'long' ones slowly at the moment as I am really quite lazy 
but like you will not go over 15 then July onwards build up again. Good that a few of us are doing autumn marathons and can compare notes! 
7.56 miles
for me tonight with jogscotland up the charmingly named vomit to the mast. First UK training run in shorts and t-shirt and thank goodness I had arm warmers, gloves and hat in the car as I was cold all the way round! Average pace 8:33mm as a few steep bits! (Edit: I did wear the warm gear and did not just leave it in the car!!)
F
Good effort Fiona! not sure about the attire - I've been in shorts all year (not even snow and -8 degrees got me in long trousers!) and only ran in long sleeved t-shirts when it was icy. Even in races with snow I still just had a club vest or vest over a short sleeved t-shirt! Maybe I'm just a nutter?!