Happy feet, but quite sore

Well I completed the course in 2:10:51, 17,908th place. I knew by the 5 mile mark that my target of 2 hours was not going to be achieved. There were just too many slower runners and walkers slowing progress. Reflecting on it after the race I think they did me a favour. The early slower pace probably helped me get through the last few miles.

I didn’t have an ideal preparation for the race, training started about 7 weeks before and I went down with a “Man” cold two weeks before. The last two miles of the race were particularly bad for me. I had drunk little and often and was fine up until 10 miles at which point the blisters on the ends of the toes of both feet became very sore. It slowed me little! Then that last long hill, 11- 12 miles, really took its toll making the last 1.1 miles seem like two.

I was a little stressed at the end. I kept on my feet and drank some water, not as nice as Lucozade! The tinfoil blanket did its job very well until I managed to get some dry clothes on. A hot cup of tea was probably the most welcome drink of the day.

Am I up for more? You bet I am. I’ll take a week off to let the feet recover and then begin a training program designed to get me up to the distance and at the best possible speed for me.

Overall though it was a great day and I’m very pleased to have been able to take part.
Thank you to all Fast Track team and the TLS members for looking after me and making me so welcome.

John-Paul

On the road again

Things are looking up, apart from a few snuffles the cold has all but gone. I have just come back from a hill climbing session with the GSK running club. This was my first proper run for nearly 8 days and really was just what I needed at the moment.

As part of my recovery over the weekend I did some bike riding. I did the same 9 mile route that I usually run. To my horror I discovered that the 9 miles, as measured in the car, was actually 8.4. I can comfortably complete this distance in 1 hour and 17 minutes. It has meant that my projected 13.1 mile time which was 1 hour and 52 minutes is now 2 hours exactly!

I’m playing badminton tonight and football tomorrow; this will test out the ankle! My last run will be on Thursday I plan an even paced 9 miles, sorry 8.4!

Whatever time I do on Sunday, I will be back for more. I can’t see any reason why, with better preperation, I shouldn’t be able to beat 1:45.

Good luck to you all on Sunday.

Not a good few days

On Saturday morning I awoke with an ankle problem. I could plant my left foot OK but any slight twisting was very painful and I had a constant ache from it. I was quite worried; I rested it for the rest of the day.

On Sunday it was still sore but had improved; another rest day. I saw Liz Yelling on the Telly running a 5k in Hyde Park. If only I could run that fast!!

On Monday my car needed an MOT, so I dropped it off before work and ran the mile and half back home. I could feel that my ankle wasn’t 100%, but I could run on it at full speed and it wasn’t too painful. I planned to rest it for the remainder of the day and to start training again on Tuesday. I was feeling much happier until in the afternoon I went down with a cold!!

I’m off work today and probably tomorrow. I hope to be back in training on Friday. I could dose myself up and carry on, but I wouldn’t do myself any good. I’d only pass it on to someone else and maybe even put someone out of the GNR. I wouldn’t want to be responsible for that.

It is not the end of the world though, at least it is this week and not next, it should also give my ankle the time it needs to heal up properly. I’d still like to get one long run in at the weekend. I’ll run a slow 12 mile as opposed to the planned 9. I’ll then have the few shorter warm down sessions in preparation for the actual day. I still feel that I’m capable of breaking that 2:00 mark.

I missed the Tuesday lunch time training session. I was in a meeting over looking the park. I could the GSK running club being put through their paces in the hot sunshine. I was deep in discussion about safety stock reporting algorithms; Supply Chain is what I do!!

I made up for it in the evening though, with some interval training using my least favourite hill close to home.

I got home a little late last night and went out too soon after eating my dinner.
I need at least two hours to digest a big meal. I won't do that again!
I still put in 6 miles at a fairly comfortable pace managing 49:26. Providing I keep up the training, I’m confident that I’ll get under my 2:00 target.

Training going well

I’ve steadily ramped up my training since I heard that I had a place on the GNR.
I started by increasing the frequency to four times a week from one. I wasn’t running that much further than the 3-5 miles that I had been used to. I then focused on increasing the distance that I run. I’ve a circular 3 mile route from my front door which includes quite a steep hill. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve increased this from one lap to two and then last night to three. I’m confident now that I will be able to do the distance.
One of the biggest things I’ve learnt this year is the importance of hydration. I drink 250ml half an hour before a run and 125ml just before. At every mile I take a sip from a bottle I carry of Lucozade Sport Hydro Active Hypotonic drink mix. Not really a Plug for the sponsors, it really seems to work for me. I still have trouble drinking and running at the same time though. I don't think I'm the only one. I’ve run a few half marathons before. At nine miles I’m usually wasted and rely on mental toughness to get me through. This timwe with a better training program, the proper diet and the taking of drinks before and throughout the run seem to make it just that much easier than it has ever been before.
Over the remaining three weeks I need to do a couple of the longer 9 mile runs. If I feel up to it I might do 12 miles or even 15. I will also carry on with the fast interval work trying to improve my speed and to improve my stamina so that I don’t fade badly towards the end of the race.

Great North Run

I’m John-Paul Thompson. I’m 47 years of age. I started running again in January.
2007 as part of my recovery from a bout of pneumonia, something I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

In June I joined the GSK running club. I find when running with others that I’m much more likely to turn up and to do the distance. I’ve also learnt a lot of proper training techniques which have helped me a lot.

Two weeks ago I was lucky enough to get a place on the GNR. This was only six weeks before race day. My last half, Reading, was also done with six weeks preparation but from a zero start point, I managed 2:02. I’ve set a realistic target for myself at anything under 2 hours.

My training is going well so far; I have the required speed but at the moment am lacking the distance and the stamina.