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.
Monday, 27 April 2009
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.
Friday, 6 March 2009
Sunday 1 March 2009
Sorry folks this is out of order and needs to be before the horrid week post.
Met up with Johnny Mac at 9am as usual and the pair of us set off on an 18 mile trek. We headed down Southport Road and on to Euxton Lane where we turned left on to Wigan Road towards Coppull.
It was a fine morning and we both had tshirts I braved the capri pants but Johnny had his lycra shorts on. Brave man. I set the Garmin (or so I thought) for 5mm and we were running ahead of it for most of the way.
There's a long drag up Wigan road but we were OK with it. At the mini-roundabout we turned right past Camelot and after a quick drink continued on our merry way through Eccleston. We were still ahead of the virtual partner at this stage. Through Eccleston and on to Ulnes Walton Lane where we both had a comfort break and then continued on our way down to Longmeanygate, both feeling tired. 14 miles. I was more tired than I was on the half marathon the week before. Down Longmeanygate and through Broadfield estate to Worden park and another comfort break then onwards up onto the A49, through Euxton and back to base. Eccleston church hill gave me a sudden burst of energy but I tired 3/4 of the way up. Anyway, we managed to make it back to the club in 3h29 mins 18.36 miles done.
Met up with Johnny Mac at 9am as usual and the pair of us set off on an 18 mile trek. We headed down Southport Road and on to Euxton Lane where we turned left on to Wigan Road towards Coppull.
It was a fine morning and we both had tshirts I braved the capri pants but Johnny had his lycra shorts on. Brave man. I set the Garmin (or so I thought) for 5mm and we were running ahead of it for most of the way.
There's a long drag up Wigan road but we were OK with it. At the mini-roundabout we turned right past Camelot and after a quick drink continued on our merry way through Eccleston. We were still ahead of the virtual partner at this stage. Through Eccleston and on to Ulnes Walton Lane where we both had a comfort break and then continued on our way down to Longmeanygate, both feeling tired. 14 miles. I was more tired than I was on the half marathon the week before. Down Longmeanygate and through Broadfield estate to Worden park and another comfort break then onwards up onto the A49, through Euxton and back to base. Eccleston church hill gave me a sudden burst of energy but I tired 3/4 of the way up. Anyway, we managed to make it back to the club in 3h29 mins 18.36 miles done.
one horrid week
Well after 18.36 miles last Sunday my foot finally gave in.
On Monday it was hurting, but I thought that was just because of the long road run on Sunday. I could hardly walk on it on Monday all day and phoned to make an appointment at the doctor's. I also made an appointment with the physio at the gym (Clare) for Tuesday.
The doctor thought it might be fractured and send me for an xray. When I went to physio she also suggested it might be fractured and added that I should go to A & E straight away to have it xray'd and not to wait for an appointment. I went straight from there to A & E and was seen more or less straight away (lucky) The specialist nurse who saw me sent me for an xray and then confirmed that it looked like a small fracture of the 5th metatarsal. I went to the fracture clinic on Thursday and the consultant said he couldn't see a fracture!! Where to go from here? Panic started to set in and he said he would send for a bone scan for me. The soonest date is 23rd march!!! nearly 3 weeks away!!! By that time it will have healed anyway so what's the point? I may as well let some other poor bugger have the appointment.
So here I am totally depressed, unable to run because I don't know if it's fractured or not and doing my best to stay reasonably fit and healthy. Then I thought I'm not going to stand for this!! So I phoned xray and asked if they could give me another one to double check, phoned the doctor for another green card and they gave me another appt on Friday the 13th at 8.45am. At least if I get another opinion I'll feel happier about it although still in doubt.
So what have I been doing? Well I was told that I could swim, use the bike and the rower and the resistance machines, but definately no weight bearing until the results of the scan/xray come through so every day I've been down at the gym doing just that. I've also rooted out an old callanetics video which I used years ago and found very good for toning. I'd recommend it to anyone if you can keep stand the slowness of the exercises.
I've also hired a lovely automatic car because I'm not insured to drive a manual transmission one at a fairly reasonable (but still expensive) cost. At least I can get about.
The other gripe is that I have to stay off work yet again. I think the head's getting fed up with me always being off for one thing or another. I don't want to be off work. I hate being stuck at home all the time and would much rather be in work even though the kids can be little scrotes at times. I like them really.
Well for anyone unfortunate enough to have read all of this my apologies but I needed to get it all off my chest.
I've got a fracture boot on my left leg and I'm fed up.
I hope I can post something a little more uplifting next time. If anyone reading this has any suggestions I'd be more than grateful for them. Meanwhile the FLM is in abeyance. I reckon Paula Radcliffe's dropped out because there'll be no competition left if I defer till next year ;)
On Monday it was hurting, but I thought that was just because of the long road run on Sunday. I could hardly walk on it on Monday all day and phoned to make an appointment at the doctor's. I also made an appointment with the physio at the gym (Clare) for Tuesday.
The doctor thought it might be fractured and send me for an xray. When I went to physio she also suggested it might be fractured and added that I should go to A & E straight away to have it xray'd and not to wait for an appointment. I went straight from there to A & E and was seen more or less straight away (lucky) The specialist nurse who saw me sent me for an xray and then confirmed that it looked like a small fracture of the 5th metatarsal. I went to the fracture clinic on Thursday and the consultant said he couldn't see a fracture!! Where to go from here? Panic started to set in and he said he would send for a bone scan for me. The soonest date is 23rd march!!! nearly 3 weeks away!!! By that time it will have healed anyway so what's the point? I may as well let some other poor bugger have the appointment.
So here I am totally depressed, unable to run because I don't know if it's fractured or not and doing my best to stay reasonably fit and healthy. Then I thought I'm not going to stand for this!! So I phoned xray and asked if they could give me another one to double check, phoned the doctor for another green card and they gave me another appt on Friday the 13th at 8.45am. At least if I get another opinion I'll feel happier about it although still in doubt.
So what have I been doing? Well I was told that I could swim, use the bike and the rower and the resistance machines, but definately no weight bearing until the results of the scan/xray come through so every day I've been down at the gym doing just that. I've also rooted out an old callanetics video which I used years ago and found very good for toning. I'd recommend it to anyone if you can keep stand the slowness of the exercises.
I've also hired a lovely automatic car because I'm not insured to drive a manual transmission one at a fairly reasonable (but still expensive) cost. At least I can get about.
The other gripe is that I have to stay off work yet again. I think the head's getting fed up with me always being off for one thing or another. I don't want to be off work. I hate being stuck at home all the time and would much rather be in work even though the kids can be little scrotes at times. I like them really.
Well for anyone unfortunate enough to have read all of this my apologies but I needed to get it all off my chest.
I've got a fracture boot on my left leg and I'm fed up.
I hope I can post something a little more uplifting next time. If anyone reading this has any suggestions I'd be more than grateful for them. Meanwhile the FLM is in abeyance. I reckon Paula Radcliffe's dropped out because there'll be no competition left if I defer till next year ;)
Thursday, 26 February 2009
Tuesday 24 Feb
Went for a 4 mile fast run this evening but it ended up with 7.5 miles in 1hr 13 mins. Not bad but I'm now wishing I hadn't because I hurt my foot. Well that is I'm not sure if I hurt my foot running or it was the shoes i was wearing for work which have a higher heel than the ones I usually wear. I hope it's the latter. haven't worn them today just in case.
Went to the gym on Wednesday and started to run on the treadie but my foot wouldn't let me. Fortunately my trainer was there and he put me on the bike instead and told me not to run. I had to do 12 miles in 30 mins on level 7 hilly which I did in fact i did 14 miles. Then I had to do 3800m in 20 mins on the rower but I only managed 3600 in 20 mins then gave up (well he did say 20 mins!)
Tonight I went to the gym for my usual session and tried a warm up on the treadie whilst kieron was seeing to someone else. When he got round to me at 4pm he said it's best not to run today again and we did (or should I say I did) some work on the weight machines then some aerobiking followed by some leg strength work with free weights and abs on the ball.
He said i should treat this as a "toy day" and that tomorrow would be hard work. I just hope i can run.
I called in to Sweatshop to try out some new trainers because I worried that my old trainers might be past it. I tried on some 2140's which were comfy and similar to my old 2130's which I loved to wear. I might try the Asics trainers when I go back coz they're comfy as well.
That's it for now. Bye
Went to the gym on Wednesday and started to run on the treadie but my foot wouldn't let me. Fortunately my trainer was there and he put me on the bike instead and told me not to run. I had to do 12 miles in 30 mins on level 7 hilly which I did in fact i did 14 miles. Then I had to do 3800m in 20 mins on the rower but I only managed 3600 in 20 mins then gave up (well he did say 20 mins!)
Tonight I went to the gym for my usual session and tried a warm up on the treadie whilst kieron was seeing to someone else. When he got round to me at 4pm he said it's best not to run today again and we did (or should I say I did) some work on the weight machines then some aerobiking followed by some leg strength work with free weights and abs on the ball.
He said i should treat this as a "toy day" and that tomorrow would be hard work. I just hope i can run.
I called in to Sweatshop to try out some new trainers because I worried that my old trainers might be past it. I tried on some 2140's which were comfy and similar to my old 2130's which I loved to wear. I might try the Asics trainers when I go back coz they're comfy as well.
That's it for now. Bye
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
NW great run Blackpool 22 feb 2009
Really pleased with this run today.
Graham and I set off with Chaz the dog really early in the morning after eating some porridge for breakie. I wanted to get there early to secure a parking spot on Gynn square. Managed to get a spot looking out to the sea which was nice. The weather didn't look too promising and it was very cold and windy. Only to be expected for Blackpool I suppose. We went for a bit of a sally round to find a newsagents and take Chaz for a bit of a walk. I also wanted to find the Hilton hotel for the start. The sound man was setting up (yes it was THAT early) Not many people at registration, just one or two probably helpers. After paying 20p at one of the extortionate loos on the sea front we found some at the back of the hotel for free. Oh well too late. Managed to find a newsagents and made our way back to the camper. Made a drink and got changed ready for the race. i wasn't sure what to wear tights and jumper or shorts and club vest? I settled for all the above but decided to lose the jumper at the start.
It was bitter cold at the start but once we got to the start mark itself with all the runners around it seemed to warm up a bit.
I found the Runners World 10min mile marker and decided to run with him but soon found that I was outpacing him so I just carried on talking to a lady named clare who was good company for a while but then I started to outpace her as well. I got a bit of a shock when someone shouted my name and when i looked up it was Louise who i used to run with round Chorley and her hubby. It's so uplifting to have someone cheering you on. Then someone else recognised the harriers vest and shouted well done Chorley. Great stuff.
The water didn't taste very good on the first lap but I needed some on the second lap and to be honest it didn't taste as bad. Maybe someone told them. It would've been nice to have some energy drink instead at some point even if they were small amounts.
It still brings back happy memories when I see Blackpool tower and sure enough coming up Queens Parade you just see it as you come round the corner and on to the prom. The second time round is even better because there's only 1 mile left to go. I knew I'd got a good time because I had the garmin on. On the first lap i was in line for getting a 2hr finish, but must have lost a bit on the second lap and finished in 2 hrs 10 mins a PB for me as the last half I did was in Nottingham at 2h 26mins but that was a hillier run.
Got a nice goody bag at the end with lots of things in it but the tea shirt was cotton. i hate cotton tea shirts for running in so I gave it to Jason for work.
Got back to the camper and had a shower whilst Graham put some breakfast on. Lovely, bacon, sausage egg and tomatoes and a cup of tea (unfortunately it was pretty horrid tea, some sort of earl grey and very weak).
Took the dog on the beach for a run since the tide had gone out and he enjoyed it. We couldn't get to the sea because of all the little rivulets crossing the sand and I didn't want to get my boots wet.
Got home at about 4:15 just in time to catch Asda before it shut at 5pm.
Lovely day out.
this one's for Eve
Graham and I set off with Chaz the dog really early in the morning after eating some porridge for breakie. I wanted to get there early to secure a parking spot on Gynn square. Managed to get a spot looking out to the sea which was nice. The weather didn't look too promising and it was very cold and windy. Only to be expected for Blackpool I suppose. We went for a bit of a sally round to find a newsagents and take Chaz for a bit of a walk. I also wanted to find the Hilton hotel for the start. The sound man was setting up (yes it was THAT early) Not many people at registration, just one or two probably helpers. After paying 20p at one of the extortionate loos on the sea front we found some at the back of the hotel for free. Oh well too late. Managed to find a newsagents and made our way back to the camper. Made a drink and got changed ready for the race. i wasn't sure what to wear tights and jumper or shorts and club vest? I settled for all the above but decided to lose the jumper at the start.
It was bitter cold at the start but once we got to the start mark itself with all the runners around it seemed to warm up a bit.
I found the Runners World 10min mile marker and decided to run with him but soon found that I was outpacing him so I just carried on talking to a lady named clare who was good company for a while but then I started to outpace her as well. I got a bit of a shock when someone shouted my name and when i looked up it was Louise who i used to run with round Chorley and her hubby. It's so uplifting to have someone cheering you on. Then someone else recognised the harriers vest and shouted well done Chorley. Great stuff.
The water didn't taste very good on the first lap but I needed some on the second lap and to be honest it didn't taste as bad. Maybe someone told them. It would've been nice to have some energy drink instead at some point even if they were small amounts.
It still brings back happy memories when I see Blackpool tower and sure enough coming up Queens Parade you just see it as you come round the corner and on to the prom. The second time round is even better because there's only 1 mile left to go. I knew I'd got a good time because I had the garmin on. On the first lap i was in line for getting a 2hr finish, but must have lost a bit on the second lap and finished in 2 hrs 10 mins a PB for me as the last half I did was in Nottingham at 2h 26mins but that was a hillier run.
Got a nice goody bag at the end with lots of things in it but the tea shirt was cotton. i hate cotton tea shirts for running in so I gave it to Jason for work.
Got back to the camper and had a shower whilst Graham put some breakfast on. Lovely, bacon, sausage egg and tomatoes and a cup of tea (unfortunately it was pretty horrid tea, some sort of earl grey and very weak).
Took the dog on the beach for a run since the tide had gone out and he enjoyed it. We couldn't get to the sea because of all the little rivulets crossing the sand and I didn't want to get my boots wet.
Got home at about 4:15 just in time to catch Asda before it shut at 5pm.
Lovely day out.
this one's for Eve
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