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Sunday 18th November 2007 0900hrs - Spartans Half Marathon

Bringing my 'season' to an end (and what an end!) was the Spartans Half Marathon held in near perfect conditions (not!!).

I don't think I've ever raced in conditions like that. It wasn't just one element, it was the fact of having all (bar snow!) at once. Although on saying that I believe it could have been worse. The wind at 0700hrs was due South (which means a full on headwind for the last 5 miles) but by the time the race started (0900) it had moved round to a South Easterly (cross wind). Now I worked that one out at the top of St Martins, when turning right we were hit with a headwind (should have been across) joy of joy's.

Anyway, back to the 'tale' of the race.

Well the advantage of having a van soon became apparent as I arrived down at the start just before 0800hrs. Reason? well the van is a little on the big size and I really wanted to 'hide' it away. So I did. Neatly 'hidden' away just by the start/finish line and able to watch the other competitors 'file passed' dripping wet (and this is before the start!). So I'm nice and dry, sat in the back, working to my game plan.

Which is :-

0700 up and ready

0715 light breakfast (coffee/banana - fueled up nite b4)

0745 leave for race

0800 arrive

0815 oil up the legs (warm oil underneath tights)

0855 leave van for start line

0900 Race begins

So start the oiling process (supplied by Gail @ Carob health store) needs to be 'soaking on skin for 20'ish minutes, done. Pop 1 gel down the throat (not taking anything else during race) 0845 and time to start stripping down and popping the extra (correct) layers on. Just looking out of the window and seeing quite a few 'punters' wearing next to nothing! Oh dear. 0855 time to jump out, opps me needs to go visit the lav! Just got time me thinks. Deed done and headed towards the line. Ah, people seem to be running, the race has started, never mind only a couple of seconds lost (I was going to start at the back anyway, just did it a bit to well)

312 starters (still good for the weather) wind chill of 1c, strength of 29mph, gusting @ 36mph...oh and raining (.5 in during the race) nothing much really.

So race plan? well to re-cap I've been hampered by a calf injury, which has kept me off the road for 3 weeks, so rule one is to finish injury free @ around 1.45/1.50. I have no points to prove, just to test the calf and recover correctly.

So making my way through the back markers (the roads are covered with pools of water) only 2k into the race and everyone is 'damp' really 'damp'.

Up Rue St Thomas (1.6k climb) the winds behind at this point, oh what joy awaits! Everything feels fine, pace is Ok (40mins @ 8.5k) must check the halfway point time......ah slight problem there, my watch (garmin) has stopped, waterlogged me thinks! (thats how wet it became) I'm not going to re-start the 'clock' (I'll only keep looking @ it) So I'll run 'blind' for the last 10k, mind you the time'll be the least of my 'problems'.

The tricky part with a 'dodgy' calf is going down Gorey hill. For those who don't know it quite steep in a downwards direction and for those that do know, you should always run 'freely' downhill.

Now that poses a couple of problems, 1 = calf 2 = loads of leaves/mud/slippery drain covers, you really have to concentrate otherwise it could go all pear shaped. Rounding the bottom of the hill (major gusts, sideways/headways/backways...you get the picture?) and its onto the home stretch. Confirmation of the wind directional change is gained by looking @ the flags around the Castle.

SE (force big one) if anything can be positive, thats it! Get into rythem, don't force anything, feels Ok (didn't take 1 drink on the run.....why?.....all the drnks were freezing cold, instant stomach cramps if your not careful....although the guys manning the water stations were hero's, as were all the marshall's).

Mile 9, problems (calf) slight tweak, surely not? ease right down, right down! It doesn't get any worse, but no better. I think its just the lack of mileage thats brought it on. Anyway onwards and upwards, pacing really slowly a couple of punters go by, as does a couple of ambulances (not nice 2 c) only 1 thing for them to do :(

The wind is now side swiping us quite nicely, and I mean swiping, enough to knock me across the road ( I know i'm light!!). The calf is holding out and its just a case of finishing now. Head down looking no further that a couple of metres, turn the legs over. Turn off the coast road and enter the finishing area for 1 lap of the track (I'm joined by Joyce C) and wouldn't you know it...a headwind to finish! well it wouldn't have been the same without it.

Straight through the finishing line (1.43) pick up 'T' and medal and head straight for the van (another good reason for buying the van) stripped completely (I'm soaked, you just don't realise how wet you are until you strip off) towel down, coffee and head off for some well earned breakfast @ the splash.

Now it just shows how quick you can get cold. Even with removing all my wet clothing, putting on dry/warm stuff, I'm getting cold!! 4 Mocha's later I'm just about getting warm.

Overall thoughts on the day? Nothing special but satisfying to finish the 'season' with a fair result.

To all the Marshalls/Volunteers you are all hero's, how the hell did you stick it out for 3hrs???

Sunday 07th October 2007 0900hrs - Jersey Standard Chartered Marathon

So the day has appeared, all to quickly really, but hey I knew the risks. So a little background, set out a 16 week training program (this is its first test) completed it (not without some problems) totals - here - announced aim - 3hr 30min - mainly because this is what I have trained at/for. Whether I'll get there is to be seen. Intermediate time(s), well only one really (due to not racing this year) that one being the halfway point - 21.1k @ 1.45-1.50 - that allows for the run up Waterworks Valley.

0855hrs line up ready to go, brillant conditions, slight breeze, bright sunshine, which leaves not many excuses in the bag! The whole start/finish area is packed, a great venue. Must move myself to the front bit (avoid any 'messy' bits) 0900hrs the gun goes (well air horn actually) set off for the town circuit, not really going to look at watch/pace till after Waterworks Valley. Not much point really. things don't really 'level out' till then. Anyway, feeling Ok, cobwebs are out, hopefully I don't get stuck inbetween a rock and a hard place! Normally I end up 'billy no mates'.

Guess what? Yep its uncanny, pace in front is a little hot and there's no one behind - great! - oh well plod on then. Supporters/marshall's are in plentiful supply, great atmosphere for running. Slide along Waterworks, not to bad, slip along to St Johns Manor and across to St Ouens. Quick 'peek' at the clock, maybe a little quick, but feeling Ok (boy do I pay for this Later) upwards and onwards. Target is the halfway check point, weathers just right, well for me anyway, others were complaining that it was to hot (go train in Majorca then 30+) I knew there was a reason I went there.

21.1k at St Ouens (Farmers Pub actually) time? - 1.38.30 OUCH!! - far to quick, but it felt ok (?) now the problems occur, do I drop down or continue at this pace? I'll drop down just a touch (not that that helped..Doh!). Ok so where are we now? rounding the cycle track at Les Quennvais, legs are now getting stiff (and heavy) I really don't know why this is (I get this alot during long distances), now this is going to be a long 'drift' home.

Drinks station at Corbiere and I'm not having a 'good time'. Stop and take in lots of fluid (might help?). Start up again and no the legs are nice and tight now (12k to go). Pulling on experience (from Ironman racing) its best to keep moving, even if its a 'shuffle' keep moving. No looking to far ahead, just sing some tunes in your head and move forward. You know that's easier said (or typed) that done, but I do keep moving. Only one more 'stop', just before St Aubin's (on railway walk). Gather my thoughts and 'trot on'.

The way back is never easy along the front, as you can see the finish line, but she's 3 miles away. So head down, look 5m in front - no more - and just go. Get passed by several runners, as expected, never easy, always hurts when punters go by and you can't respond.

3.43.17 and I'm over the line. Feet hurt, body hot (nice) therefore shoes/socks/vest off (poor lady tried to wrap me up in tin foil !!) now I'm comfortable, straight off to pick up my bag. All my recovery drinks are in there, and the sun comes out. Me going to flop on grass!

As with everything undertaken you must learn. Did I learn today? yep, created a benchmark - 3.43.17 - understood that pacing is very important (which I did really know beforehand) and needs serious attention and respect. I'm not sure about the training program (jury's out) I've got 1 last race - Jersey Spartans Half Marathon 18th November 2007 - lets just see what happens there.

Friday 09th June 2007 1830hrs - 10k Portuguese Race

Held in near perfect conditions at West Park, this was meant to be a benchmark race for me - with the other being the Alderney half marathon 09.09.07 (assessment) - but due to the vintage car rally being held at the same time, it was decided to move the race down the road a little bit, therefore making it a 8.4k race instead, never mind 'eh.

Anyway the aim of the race was to just do it. I know I have no speed in the legs and the 'training' has been hard, so really I've no idea what's going to happen.

The result? well as expected really, a really constance pace - flat lined actually -

The blue line is the pace line - see what I mean, flat line - ignore the 2 red peaks, HR monitor playing up...either that or ST was passing me :)......

A finishing time of 37min 28sec, so the mark laid, but I don't think I'll be running another 10k b4 the marathon, so whatever. So race run, back to training.

2006

Sunday 08th October 2006 - Standard Chartered Jersey Marathon - St Helier

The phase 'I should have known better' springs to mind. The reason? well the Friday before I twicked my right calf, nothing to bad but I should have paid more attention to it. Unfortunately my heart ruled my head, I knew it was going to be a good day and race I just wanted to get out there and do it. That was the mistake, and yes it was another learning curve....the rules of the game = learn everytime you race, well I did but in I surpose a different way!

So with the calf being iced every 2 hours for 48 hours (which really isn't enough, not by a long way) I had made my mind up to start and see whow I go. 2 circuits of town should tell me if the calf will stand up to the race. Well it did and didn't, the back end of the second lap gave me cause for concern, the calf began to hurt, now thats where i should have 'jacked it', but no slowed down and carried on - BIG MISTAKE - anyway upwards and onwards, it really wasn't getting any easier, great crowds and supporters though. To cut a long story short, lasted till St Peters 23k (1.47) - thanks Alby B - and a big thank you to the lady who took me back to the Waterfront (boy that would have been a long walk).

Well I was right it was a great day and great event, one that will only get bigger. Next year.....

Sunday 24th September 2006 - Autumn 10k Gorey

Breezy day, but strangely no effect to the race conditions, 17c temp, nice. Assessment race for me for the Marathon next month, assess feelings before, after and general thoughts. Start at the front get out of the way and try tempo running. 0900hrs off we pop, get into rythem. What a mess runners on the left hand side of the road, runners on the right hand side of the road, no official pre race talk - bad!- anyway ran with Glenn R for a bit, had a chat, as you do, watched the mess in front, enough of that. Didn't look at the watch during the race, wasn't in the game plan, did just check the H/R, 131bpm, Ok. As mentioned before the wind didn't play a part in the race, up and down a couple of 'hills', not quite the same as Ironman Canada. Up to the finish line..42min 45sec..the aim was 45min (not sure how I got to that) pick a number..comfortable, no ill feelings, apart from a slight tweak on the left quad, monitor that me thinks. Pic's on Jersey Events..as a footnote, what on earth were those 'T Shirts' about???? total c**p, mines already in the bin! Oh well...................

Friday 09th June 2006, Portuguese 10k, West Park;

27.1c @ 1830hrs, now thats warm. Big breeze though, F4 down towards St Aubins that might help on the way back, help as in cooling down, how wrong can one be!

Aim = 43-45 min, steady pace, done no real speed work in training, but there again speed is not in the final equation - IMC 06 - so sort out the correct starting position and let's go. Plan 1 goes well, nice pace, legs feel Ok, able to talk and run at the same time (always a good check that the speed is not to 'hot'), get down to the turn point, take in some water and then oop's, the headwind back which I thought might cool us down on the way home turn a little nasty. You see the temperature of the wind dried out the mouth and didn't allow the throat to chill either. So no chat on the way back, head for home asap!

Well made it back, the wind was not easy, it was a good test for me, the time? 42min 57sec, not world class, but legs OK after and on the next day (biked for 4hrs 105k Saturday 10th). Recovery = fitness (my plan). And so to the next race - JCA 50mile TT 02 July.

Sunday 21st May 2006, Hash House 1/2 Marathon, St John's;

Slightly longer race report this time, as this was an important assessment race/run. Now where to start? Well terrible weather the day before, strong winds and rain, didn't really get the juices flowing, here's hoping for a 'quieter race day'.

Strong southerly winds for the day, should be sheltered for the majority of the course, better than yesterday. Personal weight for race? 83kg 900gms, perfect for this time of year (although looking back through the previous years, I did race @ 94kgs one year. Don't remember that? PB = 1hr 30mins). Forecast for the race, rain around ten o'clock, race starts @ 0930hrs, then clear till midday'ish.

Race plan? Steady start, get a grip on good starting position and just tempo it out - 4.30 kilometres. Trying for a split of 50mins each half = 1hr 40min finishing time. 0930hrs arrives, race starts, good position, no hassles on the road, feels Ok. Not much to report during 1st 1/4'ter, got a couple of 'same pace runners' around me, plus just a few metres down the road got an eyeball on 'known' runners, so to keep my pace I can use them as 'pacers'. In other words if I start to gain on them, I could be going to fast, or if they start to pull away I could be dropping my pace. I am only going to look at my watch on the odd occasion, must get the pace in my head!

Reached the 1/2 way point - 46min 30secs - quicker than my 'aim', but, not feeling to bad, so try and keep this pace. Again still have some runners around me, useful to keep me going.

The pace is Ok, weather holding out, going to get windy round St Ouens! Got into a little group of 5 runners, each working @ the front for a while, 5k left, got the nasty little drop down the hill to come, not nice, must 'run' down it. Down we go, just 3 of us left. Turn into the wind @ the bottom and up a slight incline - anything else???? - back into a rythem, 2 of us left now, but got a target in front, male runner, lets go get him. 1.6k left, round the sea front, wind now strong across, head down just look 10m in front. Through the back lane, 200m to go, quick look @ the watch 1.33...uuummmmm.....not bad, legs feel Ok, still something in there, this could be a good tester.

Finished - 1hr 34min 19secs - and its raining! Grab bag, get to car and change. Sat in the back of the car, got changed and had a review of the time/race. On reflection all seems Ok, its now down to the recovery. By that I mean how will the legs react? when will I be able to run again? how tired will I feel?

Splits = 46min 30secs + 47min 49secs

Answers =

Legs - stiff, but Ok (program is to rest them and run again next sunday, re start the training program for 12 wks)

Running again - Next Sunday, as above

Tired - Not to bad on Monday, but trained (swam) Monday and Swam/Biked Tuesday (2900m & 70k), felted tired Tuesday afternoon, should sleep well nite!!

Overall thoughts? The 16wks program seemed to work in conjunction with the other training. The positive course of action is to continue in the same vain, with a couple of slight adjustments (KPH up on running program, and a little speed in the swimming).

Sunday 07th May 2006, 10m, Sands > West Park, 0930hrs;

Well tripped out for this race, a part assessment for the 16wk training program. Surprisingly good time, although as a foot note this did happen last time (15k before the November half, felt ok then calf blow up after 8k in race !!!) Stayed well back and worked at my pace, didn't get 'involved' . Conditions were perfect, wind behind along the 5 mile road, not much but enough, climbed Corbiere hill well, overtook and left behind several punters and then got into a nice rhythm, again my pace!

It became one of 'those' races, where nobody comes past but you have 'targets' to aim for. I had about 3 targets, nicely spaced in front, this gives you the 'pacing' to work off, in other words if they don't move away from you, your pace is constant, if they begin to slow you move past them - get the idea? - anyway this happened, moved past them and eventually caught Norma M (1st Lady Senior) and race with her for the final 4k - I had to drop my pace though!!!, I can say that because I know she doesn't read this page....