Wednesday 29 April 2009
Tuesday 28 April 2009
Flora london marthon 2009
Part 2
The day of the marathon was very exciting. The sun was up and so was I in plenty of time. I think I’ve already told you about getting to the start, so I won’t repeat that bit.
The race started on time, predictably and as I was in pen 6 I got away quite quickly at 9:52 (or so everyone was told in a text message at about tea time).
You can’t help but go along with the crowd and I had my Garmin set for 5.5mph which I kept to. I noticed that I started to slow down after about 3 miles which was quite frustrating, and I tried to catch up, but needed a loo break so that kind of put me off. All the loos were full with a queue, so I kept going until I found one with hardly anyone outside at about mile 5.
I took small drinks at every drinks station as I was told to do by all the experts. I also took one of the Lucozade sport drinks but only a few sips just to see how it went down (I have had them before and not liked them). I also took 5 gels with me, 3 SIS and 2 Lucozade because I noticed the SIS ones only had 35g of Carbohydrate but the Lucozade had 65 (enough for an hour).
I took one every 45 mins or so with some sips of water.
I never felt completely tired and kept what I thought was a fairly even pace all the way round, but when I looked at the times, i knew I had slowed considerably. I don’t know how the elites keep it up. Still it’s their job and they don’t have to go to work all day then train at night.
The crowds were fantastic. Cheering and whistling and shouting out my name as i went past which they got from a grotty piece of paper hurriedly penned at the hotel reception.
It was a real carnival atmosphere in the blazing sunshine. I had no idea where I was during most of the race as I had to concentrate on keeping going so as not to trip anyone up or trip myself. The only time I diverted was when I heard someone mention peter andre and I turned to see him just over to the right of me, so I went over to say hello and good luck to him and gave him a high 5. He looked very happy and enjoying the experience. (can’t say I recognised the Cutty Sark when I past it because it was all boarded up but I do remember going round the boards)
Tower Bridge appeared out of nowhere and I knew I was almost half way. Wave to the cameras again in the hope someone would see me. Over the bridge and unable to see any sites because of concentrating on people around me.
There were loads of people dropping out injured or cramped up (quite apart from all the men peeing in the bushes). The smell was awful at those points.
Saw Graham at mile 15 as arranged, bless him, he’d got the camera ready and gels and sunglasses, energy bars and drinks. What a star!
Further on and I noticed a sign saying South Quay. Aha, I thought, Hilton Hotel (where we were booked in) time for a quick toilet break. I was in two minds whether to do it or not, but then thought of the alternative queue and went for it. I don’t know if I was the only one who did that, but I got a few smiles.
Onward through Canary Wharf and loads of crowds once more. Through the Isle of Dogs (apparently named because HenryV111 kept his hunting dogs there).
I saw a sign that said “You are 3 miles away from making history” and started to well up. I felt so emotional.
Through a tunnel and out into the city down the Embankment and I knew we weren’t too far from the finish. I was quite surprised we didn’t get any oggy oggy oggy’s as we went through the bridge and felt too embarrassed to start one.
Big Ben loomed ahead it was like being in the British 10k again (embankment’s part of the route). Down Bird Cage Walk past Liz and Phil’s and into the Mall for the last few hundred yards home. Masses of people watching. Finish ahead – one last push and bugger me if I wasn’t overtaken by a bloody Rhino!!! How embarrassing.
5 hours 15 minutes and 35 seconds. More than I wanted, but it was my first marathon.
I was given my medal, then shuffled up onto a ramp where the chip was removed then over to the right to have a photo taken with the medal. Next the goody bag then to look for relatives.
Nat and Lucy were there, but I couldn’t see them. Graham was on the park waiting for me but I couldn’t get to him it took me all my time to get into horse guards where it was almost as crowded as the pens at the start. I got a standing place near a kind of landmark so that i could tell them where I was. I got a big hug from Nat and we chatted for a bit. Then Graham turned up and they both took photos of me with my medal. We then went over to find Lucy, more hugs and then over to sit on the grass where we talked for a bit and I ate a bag of crisps from the goody bag and had a recovery drink. Nat had also brought me a recovery drink which was really thoughtful.
We sat under the tree and chatted for a bit then started to make our way to the subway for the trains back to the hotel. Graham had it all sorted and we got back no probs. One kind lady gave me her seat when she saw I had just finished the marathon. We chatted for a while until my stop. We had to go up some stairs to the DLR (that was hard to do), then loads of seats on there and off we went again to the hotel at South Quay.
I went and got changed and we booked a taxi to Euston. It was only £27 and he had to keep taking diversions, so I gave him £30. The train for Preston was just about to leave, but the men on the gates insisted on seeing our tickets, so i showed them to them whilst they took us to the train. I was too tired to walk all the way to 2nd class so we bought Sunday first upgrades and stayed in first class.
Got home about 9:15.
Great Weekend.
Will I sign up for the next one? What do you think??
The day of the marathon was very exciting. The sun was up and so was I in plenty of time. I think I’ve already told you about getting to the start, so I won’t repeat that bit.
The race started on time, predictably and as I was in pen 6 I got away quite quickly at 9:52 (or so everyone was told in a text message at about tea time).
You can’t help but go along with the crowd and I had my Garmin set for 5.5mph which I kept to. I noticed that I started to slow down after about 3 miles which was quite frustrating, and I tried to catch up, but needed a loo break so that kind of put me off. All the loos were full with a queue, so I kept going until I found one with hardly anyone outside at about mile 5.
I took small drinks at every drinks station as I was told to do by all the experts. I also took one of the Lucozade sport drinks but only a few sips just to see how it went down (I have had them before and not liked them). I also took 5 gels with me, 3 SIS and 2 Lucozade because I noticed the SIS ones only had 35g of Carbohydrate but the Lucozade had 65 (enough for an hour).
I took one every 45 mins or so with some sips of water.
I never felt completely tired and kept what I thought was a fairly even pace all the way round, but when I looked at the times, i knew I had slowed considerably. I don’t know how the elites keep it up. Still it’s their job and they don’t have to go to work all day then train at night.
The crowds were fantastic. Cheering and whistling and shouting out my name as i went past which they got from a grotty piece of paper hurriedly penned at the hotel reception.
It was a real carnival atmosphere in the blazing sunshine. I had no idea where I was during most of the race as I had to concentrate on keeping going so as not to trip anyone up or trip myself. The only time I diverted was when I heard someone mention peter andre and I turned to see him just over to the right of me, so I went over to say hello and good luck to him and gave him a high 5. He looked very happy and enjoying the experience. (can’t say I recognised the Cutty Sark when I past it because it was all boarded up but I do remember going round the boards)
Tower Bridge appeared out of nowhere and I knew I was almost half way. Wave to the cameras again in the hope someone would see me. Over the bridge and unable to see any sites because of concentrating on people around me.
There were loads of people dropping out injured or cramped up (quite apart from all the men peeing in the bushes). The smell was awful at those points.
Saw Graham at mile 15 as arranged, bless him, he’d got the camera ready and gels and sunglasses, energy bars and drinks. What a star!
Further on and I noticed a sign saying South Quay. Aha, I thought, Hilton Hotel (where we were booked in) time for a quick toilet break. I was in two minds whether to do it or not, but then thought of the alternative queue and went for it. I don’t know if I was the only one who did that, but I got a few smiles.
Onward through Canary Wharf and loads of crowds once more. Through the Isle of Dogs (apparently named because HenryV111 kept his hunting dogs there).
I saw a sign that said “You are 3 miles away from making history” and started to well up. I felt so emotional.
Through a tunnel and out into the city down the Embankment and I knew we weren’t too far from the finish. I was quite surprised we didn’t get any oggy oggy oggy’s as we went through the bridge and felt too embarrassed to start one.
Big Ben loomed ahead it was like being in the British 10k again (embankment’s part of the route). Down Bird Cage Walk past Liz and Phil’s and into the Mall for the last few hundred yards home. Masses of people watching. Finish ahead – one last push and bugger me if I wasn’t overtaken by a bloody Rhino!!! How embarrassing.
5 hours 15 minutes and 35 seconds. More than I wanted, but it was my first marathon.
I was given my medal, then shuffled up onto a ramp where the chip was removed then over to the right to have a photo taken with the medal. Next the goody bag then to look for relatives.
Nat and Lucy were there, but I couldn’t see them. Graham was on the park waiting for me but I couldn’t get to him it took me all my time to get into horse guards where it was almost as crowded as the pens at the start. I got a standing place near a kind of landmark so that i could tell them where I was. I got a big hug from Nat and we chatted for a bit. Then Graham turned up and they both took photos of me with my medal. We then went over to find Lucy, more hugs and then over to sit on the grass where we talked for a bit and I ate a bag of crisps from the goody bag and had a recovery drink. Nat had also brought me a recovery drink which was really thoughtful.
We sat under the tree and chatted for a bit then started to make our way to the subway for the trains back to the hotel. Graham had it all sorted and we got back no probs. One kind lady gave me her seat when she saw I had just finished the marathon. We chatted for a while until my stop. We had to go up some stairs to the DLR (that was hard to do), then loads of seats on there and off we went again to the hotel at South Quay.
I went and got changed and we booked a taxi to Euston. It was only £27 and he had to keep taking diversions, so I gave him £30. The train for Preston was just about to leave, but the men on the gates insisted on seeing our tickets, so i showed them to them whilst they took us to the train. I was too tired to walk all the way to 2nd class so we bought Sunday first upgrades and stayed in first class.
Got home about 9:15.
Great Weekend.
Will I sign up for the next one? What do you think??
Trimpell 20
I've just realised that I didn't post the Trimpell 20 race in Morecambe.
I got a lift there from martin and Tess harrington from Chorley harriers with johnny mac. We had a good journey there and martin parked off in one of the side streets.
There was quite a crowd there and I was very nervous as this was the furthest I'd ever run and my foot was still not quite right.
Anywho, I started off too quickly as usual, although it felt like a manageble pace. The race was flat as you would expect so near to the sea and mainly on footpaths and cycle tracks traversing the river lune.
Lovely scenery in parts and not too warm, comfortable to run in.
I started to get really tired at about 16 miles and started walk/running. I had only taken 1 energy drink and that clearly was not sufficient to keep me going for over 3 hours. Lesson learned.
A very weary soul finished the race in 3 hrs 20 mins and boy was I glad of the mars bar at the end. Tess was great, she gave me my energy drink part way round and then met me at the end. Martin drove the car to the finish and picked me up from there. I could hardly walk when I got out at home. I felt exhausted.
However, my later 22 mile runs were much better as you will see if you read them.
TTFN
I got a lift there from martin and Tess harrington from Chorley harriers with johnny mac. We had a good journey there and martin parked off in one of the side streets.
There was quite a crowd there and I was very nervous as this was the furthest I'd ever run and my foot was still not quite right.
Anywho, I started off too quickly as usual, although it felt like a manageble pace. The race was flat as you would expect so near to the sea and mainly on footpaths and cycle tracks traversing the river lune.
Lovely scenery in parts and not too warm, comfortable to run in.
I started to get really tired at about 16 miles and started walk/running. I had only taken 1 energy drink and that clearly was not sufficient to keep me going for over 3 hours. Lesson learned.
A very weary soul finished the race in 3 hrs 20 mins and boy was I glad of the mars bar at the end. Tess was great, she gave me my energy drink part way round and then met me at the end. Martin drove the car to the finish and picked me up from there. I could hardly walk when I got out at home. I felt exhausted.
However, my later 22 mile runs were much better as you will see if you read them.
TTFN
Monday 27 April 2009
London Marathon weekend
I was allowed to leave work early to catch the train at 4pm from Preston to Euston. We arrived in London at about 6.11pm and actually got an apology from the conductor that we were early and sorry for any inconvenience caused!!! I reckon he's more used to apologising for being late.
Since we were an hour earlier than I thought we were going to be, I decided to go and register so that I could have a bit more time with Fran and Rick the following day. What a journey across London!! We took the northern line and then changed onto the Jubilee line. From Tower Bridge we changed onto the Docklands light railway and got on the wrong train going towards Arsenal and Woolwich instead of Beckton. So back we went and eventually arrived at the Excel Centre at Custom house.
The centre is massive and as we had some heavy bags Graham stayed outside with them so he could have a cig whilst he waited for me.
A long walk down to the arch of blue and white balloons and the BBC marathon music. I got quite emotional going in to register through that arch. There was no-one queuing at my desk so i went through very quickly. For the uninitiated, I had to show them my passport and give them my registration form, I signed it in front of them and they gave me my race number, final instructions and kit bag. I then had to go and collect my championship chip and have that initiated. Once that was done I stepped into an aladin's cave for runners. What a good job i didn't have enough time to spend looking at all the kit. I could almost hear Graham grumbling about spending money. My credit cards certainly heaved a sigh of relief when I came out.
I did buy a small bear and some lucozade gels but that's all.
As I didn't want to walk all the way round to the exit, I left via the entrance, completely missing a goody bag. I found out later it didn't contain much anyway, just a bottle of London pride and a small bottle of Cranberry juice.
So once I'd done that we set off back across London to Liverpool Street Station for the train to Bishops Stortford. Both of us quite weary by now, but it was a fairly fast train and Rick came to meet us at the station.
Saturday morning we relaxed a bit and Rick found out the train journey over to the hotel and then to the start of the race for me.
Off again at 1:15pm to Bank and then the DLR to south Quay. We had been upgraded to Executive room which was lovely. I had a bit of a sleep whilst Graham went for a wander round.
Went to dinner at about 6:30pm and had a drink (orange for me) whilst we watched PNE beat birmingham (bonus).
Service was very slow and I wasn't all that impressed with that.
Slept well and got up at 6am for a bite to eat and a drink and set off to the start just after 7;15am. The trains were quite busy even at that time, but we managed to get to the start without much of a problem. It was a fantastic atmosphere, runners all over the place resting, talking, doing the sort of things runners do before a big race. one of the main things being queueing for the toilets. It got to the stage just before the start where you went to the loo then re-joined the queue.
i think that with it being so warm everyone was taking on extra liquid.
There was a large TV screen feeding in pictures from around the site and the announcer kept the crowd's spirits up.
Women's race started, then we were all told to get to the start pens. Lots of nervous faces around. I got into the 6 pen for the 10min milers which was the one I was allocated. The crowd of athletes slowly started moving and then all of a sudded moved quite quickly as the gun went off. Loads of men jumped over the barriers for a final pee and then rejoined the throngs.
I got off at 9:52am. More to follow.
Since we were an hour earlier than I thought we were going to be, I decided to go and register so that I could have a bit more time with Fran and Rick the following day. What a journey across London!! We took the northern line and then changed onto the Jubilee line. From Tower Bridge we changed onto the Docklands light railway and got on the wrong train going towards Arsenal and Woolwich instead of Beckton. So back we went and eventually arrived at the Excel Centre at Custom house.
The centre is massive and as we had some heavy bags Graham stayed outside with them so he could have a cig whilst he waited for me.
A long walk down to the arch of blue and white balloons and the BBC marathon music. I got quite emotional going in to register through that arch. There was no-one queuing at my desk so i went through very quickly. For the uninitiated, I had to show them my passport and give them my registration form, I signed it in front of them and they gave me my race number, final instructions and kit bag. I then had to go and collect my championship chip and have that initiated. Once that was done I stepped into an aladin's cave for runners. What a good job i didn't have enough time to spend looking at all the kit. I could almost hear Graham grumbling about spending money. My credit cards certainly heaved a sigh of relief when I came out.
I did buy a small bear and some lucozade gels but that's all.
As I didn't want to walk all the way round to the exit, I left via the entrance, completely missing a goody bag. I found out later it didn't contain much anyway, just a bottle of London pride and a small bottle of Cranberry juice.
So once I'd done that we set off back across London to Liverpool Street Station for the train to Bishops Stortford. Both of us quite weary by now, but it was a fairly fast train and Rick came to meet us at the station.
Saturday morning we relaxed a bit and Rick found out the train journey over to the hotel and then to the start of the race for me.
Off again at 1:15pm to Bank and then the DLR to south Quay. We had been upgraded to Executive room which was lovely. I had a bit of a sleep whilst Graham went for a wander round.
Went to dinner at about 6:30pm and had a drink (orange for me) whilst we watched PNE beat birmingham (bonus).
Service was very slow and I wasn't all that impressed with that.
Slept well and got up at 6am for a bite to eat and a drink and set off to the start just after 7;15am. The trains were quite busy even at that time, but we managed to get to the start without much of a problem. It was a fantastic atmosphere, runners all over the place resting, talking, doing the sort of things runners do before a big race. one of the main things being queueing for the toilets. It got to the stage just before the start where you went to the loo then re-joined the queue.
i think that with it being so warm everyone was taking on extra liquid.
There was a large TV screen feeding in pictures from around the site and the announcer kept the crowd's spirits up.
Women's race started, then we were all told to get to the start pens. Lots of nervous faces around. I got into the 6 pen for the 10min milers which was the one I was allocated. The crowd of athletes slowly started moving and then all of a sudded moved quite quickly as the gun went off. Loads of men jumped over the barriers for a final pee and then rejoined the throngs.
I got off at 9:52am. More to follow.
Tuesday 7 April 2009
My last long run
Sunday morning bright and early I set off on my last slow run before tapering. I can't say I was ecstatic at the thought of another 22 miles but set off on my previous week's journey. Down the A6 to Bamber Bridge and along to St Mary's Road where I took a left and continued down to Preston Road in Lostock Hall. I planned to have my first gel after 1 hour and then every 45 mins. This time I didn't bother with the bottles and just jammed the gels into my belt. The hour came just as I had crossed the by pass where the old Leyland Clock used to stand and so out came the gel and water.
It was a lovely clear sunny morning. Not many people about, but more than last week when the clocks went forward (not surprising). Two older ladies with trainers on were across the road, I think they were just out for a walk.
I continued down Preston Road and through Farington, hoping to see someone I knew, but no one I knew was around. Nevermind, just carried on to Golden Hill Lane and to the end where I turned left on to Leyland Lane, past the old Tiger (now flats). I started to wonder whether to just do two loops of this run instead of going through Euxton and Chorley as I was pretty tired, but held on to my decision until the last moment.
Worden Park for a pit stop then on up past Runshaw College and Bent Bridge. Over the motorway and then turned left to do a two lap run. I knew, at least, that if I did get overtired I could take a short cut back home, whereas if I had gone through Chorley and up those dreaded hills, I might not have the energy to continue. I honestly think that last week's effort was the peak for me.
So back around the loop and then Stanifielf Lane where I decided to take one of my short-cuts through Lever house estate. i turned up by Haydock's farm and through St Annes Road which leads out to St Ambrose Church. Turned left down Moss Lane past Smy old school St Catherine's under the motorway and up on to the A49 past Dr Shorrock's. From then on it was just up Lancaster Lane and Sheep Hill back to home. 19.4 miles. I was supposed to do 20 so that wasn't far off.
Now it's taper time and I feel like I've been let down by my personal trainer who told me not to come anymore until after the marathon. The problem there is that he used to give me loads of encouragement which I don't get from anyone else and my enthusiasm for the training is down to a real low.
Anyway, 6 slow miles tomorrow then 6 miles steady before 17 miles on Sunday.
It was a lovely clear sunny morning. Not many people about, but more than last week when the clocks went forward (not surprising). Two older ladies with trainers on were across the road, I think they were just out for a walk.
I continued down Preston Road and through Farington, hoping to see someone I knew, but no one I knew was around. Nevermind, just carried on to Golden Hill Lane and to the end where I turned left on to Leyland Lane, past the old Tiger (now flats). I started to wonder whether to just do two loops of this run instead of going through Euxton and Chorley as I was pretty tired, but held on to my decision until the last moment.
Worden Park for a pit stop then on up past Runshaw College and Bent Bridge. Over the motorway and then turned left to do a two lap run. I knew, at least, that if I did get overtired I could take a short cut back home, whereas if I had gone through Chorley and up those dreaded hills, I might not have the energy to continue. I honestly think that last week's effort was the peak for me.
So back around the loop and then Stanifielf Lane where I decided to take one of my short-cuts through Lever house estate. i turned up by Haydock's farm and through St Annes Road which leads out to St Ambrose Church. Turned left down Moss Lane past Smy old school St Catherine's under the motorway and up on to the A49 past Dr Shorrock's. From then on it was just up Lancaster Lane and Sheep Hill back to home. 19.4 miles. I was supposed to do 20 so that wasn't far off.
Now it's taper time and I feel like I've been let down by my personal trainer who told me not to come anymore until after the marathon. The problem there is that he used to give me loads of encouragement which I don't get from anyone else and my enthusiasm for the training is down to a real low.
Anyway, 6 slow miles tomorrow then 6 miles steady before 17 miles on Sunday.
Thursday 2 April 2009
2 april 2009
Just been trying to add a link to my new charity page and the widget isn't working
but if you go to my page on katrinabarlow1 on the just giving website you can access it from there.
On sunday I managed my longest run yet. 22.36 miles no less. I don't want to share the route just yet as I'm repeating it this week so for safety reasons, I'll fill you in after i've done my last long run.
Just less than 4 weeks left to go and training is back on track after my recent set back. The consultant gave me the go ahead to start training again, so I'm going for it big time now.
I haven't yet decided what to wear apart from the shoes and socks, but i need to get that sorted very soon. I'm not that keen on Lucozade either, but i guess I'll have to get used to it so I'm training with that this week to make sure it works for me. The gels are really good although very sticky, especially when you spill them out all over you.
but if you go to my page on katrinabarlow1 on the just giving website you can access it from there.
On sunday I managed my longest run yet. 22.36 miles no less. I don't want to share the route just yet as I'm repeating it this week so for safety reasons, I'll fill you in after i've done my last long run.
Just less than 4 weeks left to go and training is back on track after my recent set back. The consultant gave me the go ahead to start training again, so I'm going for it big time now.
I haven't yet decided what to wear apart from the shoes and socks, but i need to get that sorted very soon. I'm not that keen on Lucozade either, but i guess I'll have to get used to it so I'm training with that this week to make sure it works for me. The gels are really good although very sticky, especially when you spill them out all over you.
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