5 Pints and a Curry

So that's done then, wow that was great! The Marlow Half Marathon was a very well organised event, there were marshals throughout the course making sure that we didn't get lost and they also offered no little encouragement. If any Marlow marshals (or any other marshals on any other half marathon for that matter) read these notes - thanks for your time, support and enthusiasm. I must also make a special mention to the African singing drummers that were playing throughout the race and that were giving an 'African feel' to the event. The Marlow Half Marathon event supports the 'WaterAid' charity, and the race organisers worked hard to make this association clear.

I am writing this note a few hours after the race, and although the stiffness in my legs is slowly settling in, it feels good that I achieved my target, and also that I saw some lovely scenery along the Thames this morning. I hadn't ran 13 miles for a few years, and had forgotten how tough it is. On reflection I got caught up in the positive atmosphere of the event and probably went off a little too fast and suffered a bit on the last few miles as a result. Regardless, I made it round and had a few pleasant chats with a few of the 1000+ runners who got up on this beautiful morning in the Royal County of Berkshire for a jog.

So what did I learn that I'll take with me for my next race?:

• Don't drink 5 pints and have a big curry the day before a half marathon (it was great to meet up with an old friend on Saturday, but maybe it wasn't the best idea to get too carried away)
• Try to run the race distance at least two weeks before the race to help build some confidence that you can do it
• Don't get over ambitious - my relatively quick start had me dreaming of a fast time and maybe a sprint finish, but by mile 12 I was just happy to slowly put one foot in front of the other and plod my way home to the finish
• Have a fluid consumption strategy. There was plenty of water handed out throughout the race, but I think for the next one I will take my own (sugar) liquid supply that will help to keep me going over the final few miles

If you would like to find out more about the 'WaterAid' charity, you can go to the link below. This charity works to ensure that poor communities all over the world receive access to clean water.

http://www.wateraid.org/

It's squeaky bum time

The marathon is only 4 weeks away and I am nervous. I have crept my mileage up to 10 miles, but clearly that is some way from 26.2. Running a marathon is not just about putting your shoes on and running, you have to prepare for the race itself. To this end I have entered a half marathon in Marlow on Sunday. 13 miles, oh dear, that's a long way isn't it?

At a running event I guess you have to think about a few things:

• Where the hell is it, do I know how to get to this place?
• Is it hilly or flat, on pavement/road or a trail (what techie equipment do I need)?
• How do I run with all these other mad competitive nutters?

I have run with a local club here a few miles away in Aylesbury, but I generally run on my own. Why would I want to run with anyone else? I don't run to be sociable, part of the fun of running for me is that there is no one else there. It's an obvious point to state that to run a race you have to run with other people, so this Sunday run out will help me get used to that. I generally don't enjoy the competitive aspect of running or any sport for that matter. I run with the purpose of that good old British Corinthian spirit - it is not the winning or losing that counts, it is the taking part, of being there (that's why I support QPR - experiencing all those wins as Man City fans do must be bloody tedious the sad smug gits).

I have run half marathons before, a good few years ago, I remember it being a rather humbling experience. As a 19 year old you think you are superman, but I do remember being passed by some relatively senior people rather effortlessly (my times were 1.45 for a half marathon - that's not bad I thought for a fat bloke). A 19 year old huffing and puffing away and being passed by a 70 year old granny on mile 12 may sound odd, but I suggest you run a half marathon race on a Sunday if you think its funny. There are a few 'experienced' people out there who will take your lunch you young fool. On that point, I passed an old duffer last week on my 10 mile run whilst going up 'Mark Hughes Hill' (regular readers of this blog will know what that is) and the old bugger said to me, 'well you are much younger than me chap'. Bugger off I thought, I am just fitter, age has little to do with it, not when it comes to recreational half marathons. Maybe at the elite level it does, but I am some way from elite (putting it generously).

So the purpose of this half marathon is not for a 'chocolate medal' but to get organised for this daunting MK marathon at the end of April, and to experience a race. Oh god, I am nervous now. It's squeaky bum time.

And they think it's all over

My team QPR could have done with that Russian linesman that enabled England to win the world cup in 1966 on Saturday. The ball did cross the line! Does it really matter? No, QPR are rubbish at the moment, and anyone that knows me well will know that I find that comforting. It didn't feel right with QPR winning every week last season, oh crushing defeat and disappointment - where have you been my old friends.

Anyway, onto a more optimistic topic. I am not giving up on the marathon just yet. I have been outside in the elements running for the last few weeks and have built up to 8 miles on Sunday (slow 10 minute miles, but they felt good). Yes, I know that's a long way short of 26, but you have to start somewhere...

I am aiming for the Marlow half marathon on 25th March, and I will see how I feel after that as to whether I push up the miles for the MK Marathon at the end of April. I have been experiencing an achilles issue for the last few months as anyone who has read this blog may know and it feels much better having not ran at all for two months. Let's see if it holds up. What's the worst that can happen, if it really goes bad I can always stop :)

I guess I could just stop, but what's the fun in stopping? I have been training for this (well swimming and biking) for months now. I have the places booked on these races, so I will go for it. I will reduce my targets and will aim to just get round. I fear that 26 miles is an unforgiving distance, but again if things fall apart halfway through the race, I am not stuck in the desert on one of those crazy ultramarathons, I am in MK - I can just catch a bus hahahaha. You have to watch out for those dangerous concrete cows though I've heard in MK, look at these:

I haven't mentioned the music I have been listening to for a while - so accompanying me on these runs recently were:

School of Seven Bells. I like this very 80's pop (but released a few weeks ago) and that's great: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUrQnDVWXvo
John Mellencamp. I haven't listened to this in years and recently came across it again. it reminds me of my 6th form back in 1993 before I discovered Britpop indie music (Blur, oasis, radiohead (is Radiohead Britpop ohhhh)). Oh it's great to indulge oneself with this american rock stuff isn't it :): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXCD7hmlicg