Race report - Great Welsh Marathon

Now I've taken a couple of days to mull this one over...

Did I enjoy this? Yes and no, things went against me on course, diabetic hypo, which lead to a few stomach cramps and an emergency... comfort break at mile 16/17ish which left me somewhat drained. After that I couldn't get going again and my resultant poor running form ended up giving me some quite bad hip pain.

Up until then I'd been solid, slightly (3/4 mins) to fast over the first lap (we'll come to that) but regulated my pace onto the second to just about 9 a mile, even while quaffing jelly babies to keep my sugars up.

The first half marathon was solid in around 1:50, at which point I felt fresh as a daisy, but then, well check my splits!

The course was scenic enough (except for an industrial estate, but you always get something like that) but 2 laps. Now I didn't think that laps would bother me. I thought wrong. As soon as I got onto the second lap I suffered mentally, shortly after the shakes started, I'm confident they're not connected but the timing... As a half marathon this would be outstanding but the retread of the same area twice means I don't think I could recommend the full race.

Also running with the half runners the first lap was odd, as obviously very different pacing going on, and it also made the 2nd lap feel, empty, at the time where most runners need that extra energy around!

So how did I do? Targets were:

Baseline:
Not bother the nice St Johns people too much... (finish)



Achievable:
4:20:00 (9:55 min/ml)



Would be nice, but maybe beyond me this time:
4:05:00 (9:21 min/ml)


and I did:



My actual time was 4:15, due to the aforementioned reasons... watch stops when I do!

The rewards were a very nice medal and possibly the nicest running shirt I now own. Thing is beautiful and deserves to be on a better runner than me!

Overall, I didn't deserve better for the prep I'd done. But on course I felt I could have done if all was well. Mixed feelings bordering on disappointment and keen to do another, looking at Tenby in a couple of months... work hard and I'll get better results.

Be the Treforest 10k next out though end of the month.

Edit!

A note to the marshal I rushed past when he was trying to give me a gel. Toilet was calling. Leaving the gel and water outside the loo  for me when I come out was a genuine nice act. You deserve my medal more than me! 

Race Day Preview - Great Welsh Marathon

Marathon #1 of 2017, #2 ever is here... joy...

I jest, I am looking forward to it, it'll be a good test. However, my prep has been inadequate to say the least and this isn't going to be a PB or anything. I've accepted this fact.

Goals for the day:

Baseline:
Not bother the nice St Johns people too much... (finish)

Achievable:
4:20:00 (9:55 min/ml)

Would be nice, but maybe beyond me this time:
4:05:00 (9:21 min/ml)

Last one would be a PB...  which contradicts what I said... I'm going to bed...

I ran 4:09 in Manchester last year, I'm fitter/stronger now I think, but equally I'd done the prep for that one. Who knows hey!

No number shot as I get that tomorrow. Try instagram at about 8:05.

To run or not to run....

11 days to go...

11 days until the Great Welsh Marathon and my jaunt between Llanelli and Bury Port. Today I tried a much delayed long run, not as long as I would have as it's too close, but I thought 15 will do it. Give me the confidence that I'm going to do at least a passable job.

However, what I didn't realise is how close Bryn Bach Park is to Merthyr.. as a result I ran there, across a tiny stone covered road, which frequently had me stood at the side of the road waiting for cars to pass.

I have no idea what's going on with my face.

By the way, if it says go slow due to loose stones on road, LISTEN, I got battered by tiny tiny little rocks so many times...

Back on topic, I ran there and looked at my watch to be dismayed so see a mere 4.5 miles... undeterred I did a unplanned 2nd lap of the lake and headed back, same road, same issues... after a slight detour under ASDA I was about to return o the start and... still short. So I added another hill, then another loop, then I realised the run had become so disjointed there was no point anymore.



So I'm short on mileage... badly short, should I still run Llanelli, or more likely run it 'to get round' not to try and PB. I don't know, but I better decide soon.

While running I was very comfortable today, easily within myself, but I'm quite the distance away from being there...

A good year... so far

To date, as a running year, a year in which I have ran, 2017 has been a bit of a success. Well it was 'til Sunday, but I did a mile today with only mild discomfort, so I 'm not broken too bad...

Not that I was feeling well at the time. Cheers cameraman!

However prior to this, records have been a'tumblin'. I went pretty much the whole of 2016, running poorly, I lost speed as I stressed about my debut marathon so much I went too far prepping for distance and struggled to recover. 

Now 2017, to date I have set new a PB at every attempted distance:

1.  8 miles in 63:03 - Liswerry 8 in Janruary - ok that was my first 8 mile event...
2. 10k in 47:13 - Cardiff in March - 57 seconds off my previous best in Swansea in 2015
3. 5k in 21:38 - Bryn Bach Park also March - 38 second off my time on same course in 2015
4. Half Marathon in 1:45:40 - Merthyr again March - 5:16  under my previous on a far easier Cardiff course

This also means my about page has been semi constantly updated! Admin!

My Run Britain handicap has gone from 15.6 (31/12/16) to 12.1
 

This brings me on to the one remaining in tact record. My Marathon best. This stands at a not embarrassing but not impressive 4:09. I have come to thinking this can be beaten, not round Snowdon, but May 7th and Llanelli. I have training to get in, hence me testing out my leg asap.

Could I do a full set of PB's in a year (1/2 a year even)...

I'm sure I'll mention it.

It's a Marathon not a Sprint... literally

As I may have mentioned, last year was my marathon debut, my first jaunt over 26.2, my premiere jog around Pheidippides fabled distance.

It was a tough but enjoyable old day, I thought I was running well, picked up a knock to my foot from someone rushing to overtake, was enough to cause a rub, then a bit of blood, and I struggled home.

Still hit 4:09 and set a PB, as if that was in doubt, as it's my only attempt.

Well not anymore, as well as already having my name down for the Snowdonia Marathon, in 63 (I think) days time I'll be participating in:

The course is described as scenic and flat. I'm happy to just take the flat part. It could look over Shreks swap apart from that, I'll be blind with sweat within 600 yards anyway.

Notice wise, this is quite close, but I've been doing some longer distances anyway, so I'm confident I'll be ready. Really confident, if I keep saying it...

But it's done now, and the excitement can start to begin. This will also represent my first (and second) visits to the kingdom of Burry Port:

  

A 10k awaits me (tomorrow) and a half marathon (26th), so the build up is there waiting. 63 days, look out Llanelli, here I come... eventually...