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P & D Spring marathon 2023
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Monton's a way out...did you do the Worsley Woods parkrun while you were there?
Bad luck on the water situation. I remember doing the very first The Big Half, which followed on the tail end of Beast from the East. Freezing cold with the last of the slush at the side of the roads. All I wanted was a nice hot bath after, but got home to find the water cut off. Due to the cold, loads of water mains had fractured and large parts of London were without water. Instead I had to go and queue for water bottles which Thames Water were handing out in Sainsbury's car park. Water didn't come back on for three days!
5 miles today. I am off to Belgium/Holland for the next week so I won't be running, except for parkrun. Heading to Zuiderpark to get my Z.
Enjoy Belgium and Holland Cal.
Good luck everyone running tomorrow. Not sure how to approach it myself. I've done ok with a 2 week gap before but 5 days feels a bit short. Currently contemplating a painful last 6m.
Just a quick one but I did Zuiderpark - lovely fast, flat two lap course and lots and lots of UK tourists there. I felt like I was going quite fast but ran 28:28 so I guess it's the post-marathon legs. Still enjoyed it.
Macca - I think i love you.
3:54:04 with a 1:51:35 first half (including a pit stop in Mile 8) & a 2:02:29 second half which is pretty much the same excess as Manchester last week. The slow down started at 25K today though - in spite of going out nice & easy. My legs certainly hadn’t recovered - no surprise as my mileage has been woeful for 6 months now
Macca - Superb consistency there!!
SQ - Great sub 3 run!
OO - Brilliant running. I did catch the highlights and saw the group with the second lady!
For me the goal was to run a good race, last year I got to 21 miles then the wheels came off and did a run walk, so the plan was to get to halfway in 1:32 then see what was left, if I was in sub 3 shape, I could kick down, if not I should be able to hang on!
After a couple of short warm ups, I was straight in the starting pen and positioned in between the 3 hour and 3:30 pacers. Weather was perfect I think for running fast. Set off and was quite congested to start with lots of runners around, so settled into a nice pace, was all a bit slower than planned, but only by a few seconds. After about 10k I ended up running with another runner who was also aiming for sub 3:05, and we shared the rest of the race to about 20 miles together while ticking off 7 min miles, as the field had spread out, but could always see more runners ahead of us.
Splits via watch, but 10k splits were 43:50/43:27 for the first 20k, then got to half way in 1:32:34, so pretty much bang on target and feeling good, I had already decided the pickup point would be around 20 miles, so tried to keep around the 7:00 pace we were running. Next 10k split in 43:31, still feeling good. Around mile 17, my splits started reading sub 7, without trying, so stuck to running that pace, from about 30k, we were starting to pass the runners ahead of us, and were picking off a few at a time. Lost my running buddy from 10k around 20 odd miles, I kept that pace until 23 miles and got through the next 10k in 43:49. While passing numerous other runners, after 23 miles, while it felt like I had gotten faster, I had slowed down and was now running 7:14/7:19/7:04 for the next 3 miles, still passing others who were not in as good place as I was. Passed the 26 mile marker and spotted a group of 4 runners ahead, so managed a sprint finish to pick them off, with the final 2.2k in 9:41 for a second half split of 1:31:40 and finished with a massive smile on my face on a well executed race.
3:04:14 with a 54 second negative split and a 5 minute 40 second PB. Finished around 144/1739 and 29/194 in age category.
Steve - Finishing with a massive smile says that was a very nicely paced run. Must have been ace overtaking so many runners in the closing few miles. Quite a chunk off that PB and on an upward trajectory.
Jools - Still, a damn good week of marathon running. Well done.
I am still trying to make sense of my day, in short 2:38:18, disappointed at the moment. I had some issues with my glute and hamstring, plus just didn't feel great.
Reg - Sorry your day didn't go to plan, but sub 2:40 is still a superb time. Hopefully nothing too serious/long term with the glute/hammy.
Anyway after a week with no running, I did an easy 3 miles this morning (10 min mile average) just to get the legs moving again, left quad seemed a bit tender, but otherwise OK.
Great report SQ. That’s poor about the mile markers, a big race like that should be accurate. Another great sub-3 result, congrats.
Congrats on getting your Z parkrun Cal.
Epic as ever Macca. Two 2:52s within a week is just incredible.
Well done on the double Jools.
Congrats on the PB Steve, great work.
Sorry you didn’t have the race you wanted Reg. At least you have another champs qualifier under your belt?
Tough day for me at London, finishing in 3:26. I got a mild stitch pretty much from the start. It wasn’t hampering my running at that stage, and I otherwise felt good with the legs ticking over nicely and breathing feeling very relaxed. Tried to just ignore it and enjoy myself. Crowds were incredible given the weather, and crossing Tower Bridge was an incredible experience as ever. I was also pleased to see the elite men come by the other way on the A1203 again.
At mile 19 the stitch came back and this time it was making it hard to maintain pace. If I was going for a PB I might have tried to battle on, but I quickly decided to try walking for a bit to see if it cleared. It seemed to help and mile 20 was almost back to goal pace, but the stitch kept coming back so at this point I resigned myself to run/walking the rest. It was frustrating, as the legs felt relatively ok and I could run at my goal pace when the stitch wasn’t spoiling things. I suspect it was caused by being soaked through by the rain, and then the cool wind chilling me. I’ve had similar issues in those kind of conditions before unfortunately.
Despite this I still (mostly) enjoyed myself, and tried to just soak up the atmosphere as this is the last time I’m likely to run London, at least for a while. It really is an incredible race and experience. I had a few minor wobbles where I felt fed up with how I was performing, but I tried to remind myself how lucky I was to have a place in this race, and be fit enough to get around regardless of how quick. As an extra bonus, I appeared on the BBC One coverage coming up The Mall for all of 1 second and 17 frames! https://youtu.be/ub1yMyEb8n8
I have a place at Berlin in September but think I’m going to skip that and concentrate on shorter distances for the rest of the year. I definitely have my motivation back, and I’m keen to hopefully keep regaining the fitness I once had…
Steve - great run, you put the work in and reaped the rewards. Keep going towards sub3.
Spoons - good to see you back running marathons.
Reg - still a strong run and very close to the 6mm barrier. Do another cycle on top of this and you could go quicker in October. Hammy and glute issues are one of my limiters too.
Cal – yes Monton is a way out. Much preferred the location last year in Timperley. No parkrun unfortunately. Only arrive late Saturday afternoon. Would love to do a spot more parkrun tourism! Great stuff getting your Z!
Macca – your Boston > London consistency is truly incredible! Honestly, I am in awe. Well done and I hope you enjoyed yourself 😊.
Thanks for the report, Steve. Enjoyed that. Very well run. Now when is the full on sub-3 attempt?! You’ve teed yourself up for one. Newport looks surprisingly good on a couple of videos. Nice quiet country lanes but still a ‘big’ feeling finish arch etc. Might have a look next year as suspect I will fall short on GFA again.
Great to hear a report form you, Spoons. Hard luck on the stitch but very well done on being present enough to enjoy and appreciate the day. Look forward to some grass track sessions with you once you’ve recovered.
Plenty of recovery running here. Nothing faster than 8m/m yet. Mostly short 4-5M, although have enjoyed a couple of 10M on the canal. Finished yesterday with 6 x short hill strides. So good to reawaken things a little. 5.5 weeks to Dartmoor Discovery. Time to get back to some bigger hills soon!
SQ - I'd recommend Newport, it's a fast course with good sections of support. Obviously some parts are quiet, but as it's a decent field, you'd have a group to run with.
TR/SQ - Sub 3 still feels like it's a big jump, I'd probably need another marathon cycle or 2 to get there if at all. Not sure on next year yet, as was going to focus on an ultra, but that might change with another crack at a marathon!
No running today, will do 4 miles tomorrow.
Nice one Spoons, glad a hard day didn't dampen your enthusiasm.
I just wrote a report over on the SG thread.
TR - That's exactly what I have planned, hopefully another 3 attempts going autumn, spring & autumn 24. Give it a proper go and then retire back to sensible things. Time will tell but I feel I can still make big improvements.
SQ - Good to hear you're cracking straight back on with the recovery running. I did my first recovery run this morning, I felt ok actually. I have a sore hamstring, so a small tear there but otherwise just slightly sore quads still.
I'll be trying to carefully get back to about 60 miles a week but with a lot more cycling/swimming and strength work over the early summer before following a 12 week plan to something like Abingdon.
Spoons, it feels like you been out for so long I think we can say that's a good debut. I'm sure results will significantly improve with another block or two, main things are you enjoyed it and the motivation is back.
Reg - thanks for the report. I couldn't remember your target so my initial reaction was that was a bloody good time. Now I understand the slight disappointment. I would use that to drive forwards, I like the way you were planning your champs qualifying time for next year mid race despite he distractions of Londons version of "Swedish Marathon Man".
SQ - I used your dedicating a mile to loved ones for the last 6m. It must have partially worked as I missed two mile markers on manual lapping. Is it wrong that I dedicated the last mile to myself ? (Insert Woody Allen joke) 😂.
Steve - I'm with Macca, go for sub3 in the autumn, if you just miss then you'll get your 3.03. Test yoir limits a bit, I have a feeling that you have some minutes to gain once you believe you can run sub3.
Reg - it's not supposed to be easy ! Esp after not having run a mara for a while, it would have been rude to go M45 top 10 with a sub 235. I like your plan, I have an Abo place. I like that race.
TR / Macca - Thanks, gives me something to think about, I did look at Abingdon previously but if I can't fit one into autumn, I think I'll do another cycle in spring 24.
Anyway, another easy 3 miles today.
Put some decent double digits in recently, and am moving a bit better, had some more physio today, which will hopefully help. Going to run the old faithful Worthing 1/2 on sunday, hoping to get round with nothing going ping, and ca crack on a bit then.
I got back Thursday tea time and did a sluggish four miles yesterday, then Fulham parkrun today (club social) Lovely weather but I was tired when I woke up and didn't have a lot of energy for the run either so I didn't have much change from half an hour.
TR - DD is 32 miles with monstrous hills (it's a favourite in the Shades thread where I also post...they keep encouraging me to enter but I'm not quite there yet!
Like a lot of you, I'm wondering what the hell to do for the Autumn. There doesn't seem to be a lot of choice, race-wise (having to stump up £5K for new windows and £600 for a washer/dryer for the rental flat means foreign races and even Loch Ness are going to be too expensive). Basically Yorkshire or Chester again (Abingdon doesn't really appeal as I spent 3 years in that part of Oxfordshire from late 89 to late 92, which ended up being the three most depressing years of my life. That and it doesn't have a train station). If anyone knows of any others, let me know. And not multi-lappers.
I'm almost considering doing as spoons is and doing shorter races to get my speed back (or at least partly back) but after the disappointment of Manchester, I can't help wanting to have another go.
I also thought I'd give the Invincibles another go over the distance but they started rubbing my big toe 8 miles in and, despite looking very plush, my forefeet got a little tender towards the end. So they are definitely not going to do for long distance...shorter, recovery and easy runs only.
Macca - when's the Badass race in the US, July?
First race of the year, finally, 3m, 1/2 mara, 2m. Creaked a bit early on but got going a bit better, looked set for 126ish, but decided it's better than being benched. Wind was troublesome at times but better than normal. Had a gel at 5m and pushed on a bit from about 1/2 way. Finished strong with 1.25.14, thought I was going to go sub 1.25 but after being pretty accurate at 13m i ended up with 13.22. Good to speak to Dave Bedford after. HR was 5ish beats av and max than my 1.22 last summer, and exactly the same as my 2.57 in December, so i guess thats good. Pretty tight hammy in the last couple of miles, but nothing pinged, and I probably run within myself for a lot of it, but that was the aim.
Sounds like you had a decent run there.
Cal - Nice 12 miler.
Did an easy 4 miles on Saturday, and another easy 4 miles today.
While I was a bit dehydrated on Sunday, the "funny head" thing was back yesterday even though I just walked and did some light stuff at the gym (first time there for a few weeks so didn't go mad). I am 99% sure, now, that it is an ear-related vertigo thing as it is definitely linked to head movement. So a nuisance but nothing to stress about.
Cal - well done on the 12, hopefully the vertigo thing will sort itself out.
Steve - sounds like text book recovery.
TR - Badwater is 4th July, 8 weeks away I think. I've a 2 week block of sauna sessions, then tick over weeks then another block, with the Thames Path 100 squeezed in this weekend for a bit of time on feet.
Macca - excellent plan, esp the saunas too. Get some layers on when you run too...........don't think there were AG prizes, m50 prize possible but i got my arse kicked in that cat, by someone running 75min..........so, I had 4 bpm average in reserve compared to my July 22 1.22 and 9bpm to my July 21 1.22 (but it was hot that day), so i could have had a couple of minutes in the buffer, got to get used to pushing hard again I suppose.....agreed, I need to keep up the good stuff I've been doing recently.
10m home tonight, don't appear to have broken anything.