March 2013

[Sweder]

Anything else? Perceived wisdom? Dietary precautions?
All suggestions gratefully received.

Are you still gunning for sub 3:45?

No. I'm now aiming at 3:51 and a bit.

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

Anything else? Perceived wisdom? Dietary precautions?
All suggestions gratefully received.

Are you still gunning for sub 3:45?

No. I'm now aiming at 3:51 and a bit.

Ah... easy then.

No, doubtless you know what you're doing. You haven't failed us yet!

On, on.

[Sweder]

Just two modest outings to report this week. I'm not too worried. After last year's failure to push the mileage this month is all about the long runs. Can't say I'm terribly upset to miss another ParkRun this morning. A tractor and a cow have just passed my window at first floor level. The wind howls and the rain lashes, our humble abode trembles like a cowering dog.

Tomorrow sees the second in a sequence of Very Early Sunday Starts. 07:00 at the Marina for another Jog Shop 20 with a couple of road miles added on at the end for those who feel they should. I'll reserve judgement. Last week I managed a little extra with little discomfort. The week before it was all I could do to hobble to my car.

I popped in to see Jog Shop Sam this week. He's on the mend after a very nasty illness that had him convinced he was on the way out. He flogged me a pair of Mizuno WaveRunner 14s. As ever with this brand they hugged my feet like long-lost friends. There are snazzier, sexier models on the market but these will do the job. I plan to knock out some mid-week road miles in them before the big day.

On, on.

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

It's nice to be able to say "another 20 miler" ... well done Sweder, doubtless you are in fine form. Hope the weather holds for you.

Is 3h51m your mara PB or Brighton PB or...?

[Sweder]

3:52 and change is my Mara PB (Paris 2006 chip time) and Brighton PB (2012 chip time). 3:51 is my PB target.
Sunday's JSJ is now out for me as I've had to stay overnight at Mum's. I'll summon the will for +20 on my lonesome when I get home tomorrow. At least flying solo I can listen to some music. Or, perhaps, some mighty fine Indian batting

I might try something I've thought about before, a real masochistic session.
Out to Ditchling via Blackcap and back with the hounds (10 miles), drop them off home then a second scoop with me, myself and I. A test of mental fortitude as much as running fitness. The wind is set to howl and the rain to fall. Perfect conditions.

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

3:52 and change is my Mara PB (Paris 2006 chip time) and Brighton PB (2012 chip time). 3:51 is my PB target.
Sunday's JSJ is now out for me as I've had to stay overnight at Mum's. I'll summon the will for +20 on my lonesome when I get home tomorrow. At least flying solo I can listen to some music. Or, perhaps, some mighty fine Indian batting

I might try something I've thought about before, a real masochistic session.
Out to Ditchling via Blackcap and back with the hounds (10 miles), drop them off home then a second scoop with me, myself and I. A test of mental fortitude as much as running fitness. The wind is set to howl and the rain to fall. Perfect conditions.

Sorry to hear your Mum's no better, all the best to you all in that regards.

The irony about Australia's performance in India is that the man rapidly taking over as our #1 batsman is ... Mitchell Starc.

F1 GP season kicks off in earnest today with the Melbourne GP. I was intrigued to see that even there, our boy Mark Webber is the oldest driver on the tour! Aussie sport is in a weird place at the mo.

[Sweder]

By the time I got home this morning, after 3 restless hours' sleep on Mum's couch, I was running on empty. Three miles into my run my best intentions wallowed in the brackish filth pooling in my Mizunos. Soaked, frozen, slapped silly by a cruel wind laced with shards of ice, I lurched sideways through a hilltop homage to the Somme. The dogs battled on, tails wagging, blissfully unaware that we were in for another ninety minutes. Five miles and almost an hour later those tails hung heavy, owners trailing behind their master. Churchill said it best. 'If you're going through hell, keep going.'

I regained some feeling in my fingers a few miles from home but it was too little, too late. I yearned for my sofa and my wood-burning stove, for roast pork and crackling and a glass of Hopping Hare. As I peeled off my mud-spattered socks the idea of changing my togs and adding a few road miles in my new Wave Riders hovered. A barrage of hailstones rattled the kitchen window to drive such thoughts into the wash basket.

Ten miles. Not enough to count as a long run or even a step-back. Plan B is to hit the streets this week, break in the road runners and bank some hard-top yards. On to next Sunday and a must-do 22.

On, on.

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

Ten miles in those conditions? Sure does count for something, OM.

You'll be fine. Churchill would have been proud, as I'm sure your Mum is. As we are, of course.

Chin up.

[Sweder]

Just got my race number from Brighton HQ: 8500
Kinda like that. No running to report. Nothing to see here, move along ...

[Sweder]

'Get your excuses in first' is a well-worn phrase in the amateur sporting world. I have no shortage of apologetic ammunition in what has become Miserable March.

Morale is low. I thought about pulling out of the marathon last week. I have a bona fide excuse and would have no problem agreeing a deferral. But I've stated, privately and publicly, that this road marathon is to be my last. If I don't make the start line on April 14, that'll be that.

This weekend I was offered the chance to run the 20 mile Worthing loop that I'd managed to miss two weeks back. I jumped at the chance, getting home at a reasonable hour on Saturday. Shenanigans featuring my daughter, a night out and a mislaid (but recovered) insulin pump saw me still awake at 3am. I woke without the alarm at 6, ready to up and feed before the run, barely able to lift my head off the pillow. My right shoulder had 'frozen' - locked up solid. I rolled about, managed to get up and chug some ibuprofen. The time to leave came and went and still I sat, sipping coffee, hunched up like Quasimodo, watching the day gently break over the garden. Arse.

Eventually I could stand up straight enough to consider running. I managed seven hilly miles before returning home for a hot shower and a cold compress.

Since then I've covered half a dozen street miles in my new boots. They feel great, bouncy, light, perfect for the race. This evening I returned from Ma's just in time to chase the remains of the day into the east, scurrying across the hills at a decent clip as the light leaked out of the ice-cold sky.

This weekend offers the last opportunity to bank a long run. Looking at the schedule my chances aren't too good, though a long weekend offers more windows than most.

Happy Easter, one and all. On, on.

[Antonio247]

I think you've trained enough to do your last road marathon in beautiful Brighton.

Best of luck with your training for the marathon.

I Hope your shoulder will get better soon, S.

Happy Easter to you too!

[The Beast of Bevendean]

I have volunteered to steward at the event solely in order to be able to yell imprecation-ridden encouragement at you as you hurtle past. You have some serious training under your belt; you'll be fine, taper starts soon.

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

I understand your predicament, Sweder. Undoubtedly you will get through the race, should you choose to go ahead with it, but I can understand why you might not want to. Get through Easter, and long run or not, make a decision then. But if you can run, I think you should. I think we should all run while we can, because the day will come when we physically can't run any more, and those days of regret will weigh all the more heavily if we pulled out too soon.

Just one more eency leeeetle road race .... ees waffer thin, monsieur.