Howdy, Stranger!
Categories
Options
Snowdonia Marathon 2018
The materials in this website are in no way intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor, qualified personal trainer, therapist, dietitian or nutritionist Runners's World, Part of the Hearst UK well-being network © Copyright 2017
Comments
Good luck to anyone running Chester tomorrow. I think a couple of you probably are.
That was on the back of 2 x 17 miles on Friday, so AGTFQS.
Not great news. Icing, rest, and elevation underway.
Hi Folks, remember me....
Yes, been meaning to post for a loong time. Traditionally I start posting when I start training.
Well, training. Now there's a thing.
I guess the issue is that I got used to my body shrugging it's shoulders and getting on with getting me to the end, without me putting in much time or effort beforehand to expect it to be capable of doing so, just believing that it was.
And it's that last word that gives me scary thoughts for this years SNOD.
Did Snowdon Trail in July, twisted my knee shortly after Beddgelert, carried on. I mean, it's only another 13 miles or so with a trip up Snowdon in-between. What's the worst that can happen? Did think about pulling out at Pen Y Pass, for all of about a nano second. On reflection, perhaps I should have as I really struggled going up from there (It was bad enough getting from the bottom to there). I got to the top and couldn't even run down until it got almost flat. 7 hours it took me in the end.
The following weekend I did the International. Instead of our week being full of climbing or walking up & down the mountains we became tourists while I rested my knee. Seemed to work. I did at least think I may be able to run on the way down.... Ended a minute slower, 1:58, than the last time I did it.
So the scary thoughts? Well, I hadn't trained for either of those. The twisted knee was me not looking where I was going rather than effort on unprepared legs (Though I'm sure that had an affect). Both the trail mara and the international aren't what you might call entry level races but my body did them, no problem on the running side, no problem on the recovery side.
We're getting to the scary part.
Did York Mara on Sunday. Told everybody I was just aiming for 4:20/4:30 as I really, really wasn't prepared.
Set off at an 'Easy' pace. Pretty much bang on 9 m/m. Went through 10k at this, 20k, halfway, 30k. All going fine and no problems. went past 21m and thought I was easily on for sub 4, I could even back peddle a bit.
Within a few yards I had nothing. Nada, empty. 11mins for the next mile. Tried picking it back up, 10 mins for the 23rd mile. Knew my sub 4 was now in danger and really tried pushing it to get back. got 9m11s for the 24th mile but I'd taken everything my poor body could give. 11 mins for the 25th mile and 12 mins for the 26th. finished at 4:04:25.
The scary part was just how much trouble I was in walking the half mile back to the B&B to get my car to drive home. A number of people asked if I was ok as I was walking along. Not a good sign eh? Scary also was the thought of if I was safe to drive, and if I was, could I actually get out the car when I got home? Scary was not being able to get comfortable on the sofa or in bed when I got home (Mrs Chimney came out to help me, giving me so much sympathy....). Scary was seizing up yesterday if I stayed in the same position for more than a few minutes.
The bit that's really scary? Thinking 'Has my body now given up and actually wants me to get it ready before I ask it to do stuff?'.
Maybe a couple of little jogs this week, Chessy half on Sunday, and maybe a jog or two next week. Sound like enough training for SNOD?
My time for this years race? Not the foggiest. My fastest is 3:47, my slowest is 4:20. Think I may be putting a new figure in for my slowest after this year.
On a brighter note, Asics gave me a place for Manchester mara in April. On a depressing note I know that I have to train for it. And that training will be done in winter.......
See you in 10/11 days.
I've got the Friday booked off so will be in Llanberis to see you off Mr Rex.
Everything seems to have recovered for me from Sunday, except a slight pull on my calf. Need to think about that. I'm really, (And I will have to constantly have words with myself to slow down), going to take the half this weekend as a jog. Being that it's a local race for me means I know a lot of people who are also doing it.
One of them is a 25yo guy who works at the same place I do. He started running a few years ago. He's getting quicker which in a way is unfortunate. You see, in all the races we've both done he's never beaten me which irks him a tad. He sees me at work smoking, eating fish & chips, crisps, chocolate, he knows what training I do. And he's been telling me for the last couple of months that he's going to beat me this weekend.
I'm a 50yo mature and sensible person who of course wouldn't allow himself to be drawn into a competition.....I'm buggered.
But I do need to watch my calf. The last time I did SNOD after injuring my calf I really screwed it. My leg collapsed underneath me on the way up to Pen Y Pass. And that was another race I really should have pulled out of, but I didn't. Saw someone at the top that I hadn't seen since 1984 so walked/jogged along with him until Beddgelert, where I was going to pull after getting to half way. But that little voice (Who's a lot more competitive than me) said that there was plenty of time and I could effectively walk most of the way to the finish and what's the worse that could happen? That phrase gets uttered by it quite a lot. It doesn't seem to realise the consequences on my physical body. I'm a slave to it.
Well the worst was that it took a very long time before to get right, and I still don't have 100% confidence in it. And that was 5 years ago. Different calf this time.
I am the master of my own destiny. Yeah right. Whoever said that hasn't met my inner voice.....
Welcome back Chimney. Good luck taking it easy on Sunday!!! I know the competitive mist that block all sensible plans well!
Hope the shin is on the mend TRex. What is it about the taper? I have had months of pain free training clocking up more miles than ever without any issues. Last long run done on Sunday no problems then yesterday I develop a stabbing pain in my right knee! I have binned the first two runs had had planned this week and think I will "try" to resist the temptation to test it before the weekend.
Glad to hear you are tapering by just doing the one marathon this week Brer!! Have fun.
This year for me:
Ibiza Marathon
6-hr event with Phoenix Running
.....
.....
And that is it.
Chimney great to hear from you and about all your adventures this year. Loved your comment about your colleague looking on at the smoking, fish and chip chocolate eating runner!! You are truly unique! Don't change! But do take it easy this weekend mate so you can get the most from Snowdonia and really enjoy it. I think we all owe it to ourselves to save enough in the tank and so stand on the SNOD start line raring to go! Good luck.
TR22 sorry to hear also about your injury. Perhaps more just a case of taper madness ! Your training and results this year have been mighty impressive.
And Brer that once again is a crazy amount of running and racing. I honestly have no words to sum that up. Just incredible. And to not be injured from all that running and impact is marvelous. 👍💪
9 days to Go! !
I’m actually glad that changes can’t be made to entries anymore or I’d be in danger of saying ‘sod it, I’m joining you!’
I’ll be there in Llanberis on race day though ( mr panad is likely to be joining the party at the back of the pack given his lack of training/hip niggles! ), so will hopefully see some of you at least... not long now
60 marathons in 2018 - wow, I don't think I've done 60 races since taking this running lark up in 2006!! A clubmate just chalked up his 100th marathon to join the 100 club the other week - I thought he was going some!
Best wishes to those with niggles - hope you're OK for a week Saturday. I must admit that 2-3 months ago I really didn't think I'd be on the start line for this year's race (not injured - just struggling with the running - not comfortable at all - something wrong with my gait given very uneven wear on my trainers - trainers only lasting just over 100 miles!). Plugged away as I didn't want to miss it this year (special one for my family) and have built up the mileage steadily - now running pretty comfortably and looking forward to the event - hopefully with the similar to the current weather in Snowdonia!!