Like a Phoenix...

Watch this space....after a six year running hiatus (and quite a bit of therapy) I might be ready to talk running again!

The running mom...

Post race refreshments after PEI [5:40:27] 

Sometimes our reasons for getting out the door and pushing ourselves hard each day can get forgotten.  My mom is one of my running heroes and my inspiration to keep trying harder to reach my goals.

I started running in 2001, after a friend and I both entered the 2002 London marathon as a bit of a bet...I got in he didn't.  I deferred until 2003 and I don't think he entered...it hurt and I ended up in hospital (another story!!), but I did finish.  Even though hyponatraemia gave me quite a scare, I realised that I actually quite enjoyed myself...and slightly more worryingly so did my mom!

"I want to run a marathon" she declared one evening over the phone.  "I'm going to join a club and take up running" she informed me and so began one of the most committed journeys from sofa to start line I have ever experienced.

It wasn't going to be an easy trip, mom was never a sporty person and aside from the intense cardio work outs that come hand in hand with active parenting, she had little experience of even going to the gym.  But she soon discovered Bourneville Harriers and not only did she start making lots of new running friends, it wasn't long before she was on the committee and training as a coach!

Watching mom cross the finishing line at the Prince Edward Island Marathon in a respectable first timers time of 5:40:27 (only a few minutes off my first FLM time of 5:33:45) was one of the proudest moments that I can recall.  Knowing how hard she had worked made me realise that almost all of the struggles we have in completing our goals are in our heads.  She's a tough one my mom!



Kielder Marathon

Completed! Slow but very enjoyable...I'm way behind on my blogging but plan to catch up again soon with a 2012 update and some more about Kielder.

Half way...almost

Well Sunday was the half way marker in the 2012 challenge, half the year gone. So how does the target look?

After last weeks epic Mull mileage I had hoped to be almost bang on the required 1006 miles, looking towards the long run home...well I'm not quite there yet.

As of yesterday my total was 992.2 miles.

It's been a fun year to date, if a bit of rollercoaster! The mileage has grown steadily and at one point in February it looked as though my weekly totals were heading well above the required 38.5 miles. However this turned out to be too much too soon and I was soon nursing shin pain that had me back to minimal mileage.

But I got through that and in the process of recovery smashed my 10k PB to a new 46:13 and hit a new marathon PB of 4:13:15.

Things were looking up as June started until life took over and I only had time for small runs. However I had a plan!

As I knew we would be heading up to Mull at the end of the month, I hatched a plan to catch up my mileage in an epic week of running around the island.

You can read more about that adventure when I post at the weekend, but for now I'll just say it wasn't quite the loop I was looking for and resulted in a nasty shin injury that is proving very painful to get moving.

So, back to minimal slow two mile runs to sustain my LUR streak for the foreseeable future and hope that I don't slip too far behind again.

But I have learnt a few interesting things.

Slow long runs (10min plus pace) can happen on consecutive days without the world ending. And pain is a funny thing...I know it wants me to stop, but it somehow motivates me to keep going.

A friend said to me after my Mull run..."learn to love your pains; you've earned them". So that's what I'm going to do, it's a reminder of the journey that I'm on and so long as it doesn't get any worse I will keep the streak going as long as I possibly can...in some ways that is becoming more of a challenge that the miles.

Anyway, most of all I know that I'm in better shape now than I have been for a long time...I feel happy, have made a few new running friends and can't wait for the new challenges that this year still has to offer.

Mull Madness minus 1

Just back in from an easy two miler to get the legs ready for the off tomorrow and it's amazing what a difference some rest and a lazy holiday day can make.

Yesterday I was quite worried after my streaking two miles. My shins were sore, my right shin throbbing and hot afterwards and I was feeling a little light headed and dizzy even thought I only managed a slow pace.

Tonight however the breeze was refreshing and I felt so happy to have the chance to attempt to run around Mull. I was tempted to keep on going and see how far I managed, but I'll keep that in the back for tomorrow.

I'm sure by Tuesday or Wednesday I'll be longing for that rested feeling, but for now I'm going to have some supper, watch the football and go to bed happy in the knowledge that I'm going to start a cracking adventure tomorrow, one that I hope will give me even more great Mull memories to share with my family and friends.

The Burg from the garden of Traigh Mhor.
I'll be running behind the Burg tomorrow as I head towards Ben More.

(I'll try and post up some progress, but Internet via mobile is pretty ropey and so more pictures may have to wait until my return!)

Mull Madness, or not quite an ULTRA but...

I seem to be forever apologising about the lack of regular posts, but truth be told between work, baby preparations (ie complete gutting of our flat!) and maintaining my running streak, there just doesn't seem to be enough time to blog on a daily or even weekly basis.  In fact if you check my dailymile progress you may even be fooled into thinking I've not run for a while.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

Despite some pretty foul weather and being forced into running late in the evening (often past 11pm!) I have not only maintained my streak, but also increased my minimum distance to 2miles and thrown in the requirement for 50 sit-ups and 50 push-ups each day.  These additions are part of me joining the Louisiana Ultra Runners Streak Clique, a lovely bunch of running nuts!

Anyway, I digress since the purpose of this post was to update on my plans for next week when we visit the beautiful Isle of Mull, off the west coast Scotland.

Mull is a very special place for me.  It holds my favourite places on the planet and has an almost magical ability to put me at ease with everything going on  in my life and I've been going there once or twice a year almost every year after being introduced to the island by my lovely wife Jenny in 1999.

So, since I have fallen behind a little with my #run2012miles challenge I though what better way to catch up than to run around the island that I love.  107miles in 6 days...how bad could it be?

The crazy plan: A little over four marathons in 6 days

This is part of my run2012miles challenge raising money for 5 great charities.  If you'd like to help support these please click on the Virgin Money Giving button on the top right of the blog...thank you for your support!

Monday, Day 01: 12.5 miles, 558 ft of climb (DETAILS)

Gribun to Ben More

Starting off at the turning to the Gribun, day one is the shortest day to allow me to establish a steady slow and comfortable pace that hopefully won't leave me too wrecked for the rest of the week.  The first four miles are fairly flat and then there is a three mile Cat 5 climb before a steady descent to the coast and the undulating road to the Ben More car park.

Tuesday, Day 02: 18.5 miles, 650 ft of climb (DETAILS)

Ben More to Tostarie

This is my excuse for missing yet another Up&Running shop run with my friends in Bristol!  Although through day 2 the sea is always in sight, there are some serious undulations starting from around the 9 mile marker.  A 1.5 mile climb incorporating another Cat 5 climb of 200 ft is the toughest of the day, but hopefully the beautiful views of Loch Na Keal and across Loch Tuath to Ulva will make up for the discomfort.  The run ends at Tostarie, a cottage Jen and I once stayed in over Christmas. 

Wednesday, Day 03: 18.1 miles, 1129 ft of climb (DETAILS)

Tostarie to Tobermory

This will be a tough day.  Starting with another cat 5 climb inland over Tresnish point before descending down towards the coast and along to Calgary bay before climbing across the north of the island through Dervaig and the windy roads and a further 3 cat 5 climbs before descending into Tobermory and with any luck some fish and chips on the pier from the van that features in Les Routiers!

Thursday, Day 04: 20.7 miles, 728 ft of climb (DETAILS)

Tobermory to Craignure

This will be an early start as we are staying just outside Bunessan at Traigh Mhor, The drive to Tobermory is around 90mins each way.  Day 4 stays along the coast road with views across the sound of Mull back to the mainland.  This is probably the leg I am least looking forward to as it starts with a steep climb that continues for the first four miles before dropping down again to the undulating coast.  This is the longest leg and along a fast A-road without any pavement.  The only plus side is that unlike the vast majority of the island which is single track, there are at least lanes for traffic in each direction!  Getting to the car park at Calmac Ferry Terminal in Craignure will be a relief!  I'm told we are celebrating at the ninth wave...I think I'll have the lobster nomnomnom!

Friday, Day 05: 19.5 miles, 755 ft of climb (DETAILS)

Craignure to Pennyghael

Very little sea to see on Day 5, but the run through the glen is spectacular.  I've run this before and know that the climb up through the glen of over 600ft in 6 miles is tough, even on fresh legs.  But the feeling that you get encompassed by the wonderful mountains is really quite breathtaking.  I just hope that I'm in a state able to appreciate it.  This run may very well take me in excess of 4 hours on tired legs, but words can't descibe how happy I will be when i pass the Gribun turning just before Pennyghael knowing that I have completed a ciruit of the island on foot.  Wish me luck in getting there...I will sleep well on Friday night!

Saturday, Day 06: 15.5 miles, 397 ft climbed (DETAILS)

Pennyghael to Fionnphort

The final stretch and it is out along the Ross.  This is the bit of Mull that makes me tingle, that has me not sleeping like a child before christmas on the build up and contains some of the most magical places imaginable.  Unfortunately for you I'm not sharing my secrets here as they need to be discovered to be enjoyed...like most of Mull, the more time you put into exploring, the greater your rewards and enjoyment!

So a steady and enjoyable stretch to finish with along through Pennyghael and Bunessan and finishing at the Iona Ferry.  I think it would be rude not to have lunch at the one and only Keel Row and maybe soak my feet off the jetty celebrating smashing through the half way mark of my 2012 challenge!

Totals: 104.8 miles, 4217 ft climbed

So with any luck, that will be 4 marathons in 6 days, an epic weeks running of over 100 miles and hopefully I should be through the half way mark for my 2012 challenge!

It won't be possible without some serious support from Jenny and possibly Phil driving me to the starts and scrapping me up at the end of the day when I'm done...and also Mam Reed who will be filling me up with Mull pie amongst other things to make sure I'm fuelled for my runs!

I'm not an ultra runner yet, but I hope one day I'll get there!

And the winner is....

Congratulations go to Matthew, who with his predicted time of 4hrs and 14mins was the closest to guessing my Edinburgh Marathon finishing time of 4:13:15

To read all about how I got on in Edinburgh click here.

Matthew was in Bristol over the weekend as was able to pick up his prize donated by Up & Running, Bristol in person.

Matthew (left) collecting his prize from Pete outside
Up & Running Bristol

Up and Running have been fantastic supporters of my 2012 challenge on all sorts of levels.  Not only are they a great place to get specialist shoes and other running paraphernalia, but there is a great wealth of knowledge there if you pop in with any questions.  And for those just starting out running there are a number of running groups that head out from pretty much all of their stores nation wide.  I'm quite often out with one of the groups on a Tuesday, sometimes I even manage to make it to the Thursday session too!

So whether you need friendly shoe advice, or just want to talk running and find out more about running events in your area, why not pop along and say hi.

Inside Matthews Running Goodie Bag:
A technical shirt, some socks and plenty of SiS fuel and recovery

Hopefully there will be more prize winning chances for my sponsors later in the year...keep checking back on the blog, find me on facebook or follow me on twitter

Hot and Long in Scotland...or how I nearly went sub 4 for a marathon!

***Finally I have managed to make some time to catch up on a little blogging.  Technically I should really be caked in dust ripping the last bit of ceiling down, but that can wait until after lunch now!***

Race Preparation

I was a little nervous going into this race as it was 5 years ago that I last ran this distance and my training hasn't been going as well as I had hoped .  I'm at one of those life junctures where everything seems to be colliding (Work, Study, DIY, Fatherhood, 2012 challenge and marathon training) and I have yet to work out how it's all going to fit together on the other side.  But life is a compromise and so although I hadn't run as many long runs as I had hoped, I did have a good run of high mileage weeks in February and I hoped that combined with my daily running streak I would at least have a good enough base to get around in one piece.

Running through St Andrews Park...
Yes it was too hot for tights!

I did manage to taper as much as I could whilst still running at least a mile each day, knocking out 23 miles Monday to Saturday and with the exception of a tempo run on Tuesday they were all at a comfortable or slow pace.

Carbo loading began on Tuesday after my fast run and with the discovery of NUUN hydration tablets (thanks Shaun!) I felt a lot less worried about salts and hydration than I have been in previous events.

MBW took on the driving and with a stop over in Birmingham on Thursday night we arrived in Edinburgh late Friday afternoon in time for another big pasta meal and a good nights sleep.  Unfortunately, we were located in a third floor flat on Cowgate, just up from the infamous Three Sisters and so we had a choice...bake in the flat with the windows and secondary glazing shut, or try to sleep through the late night revelries of numerous local and European stag/hen parties!

Expo...or was it?

The following day after a restless sleep we headed down to the race expo which was being hosted in Dynamic Earth.

Marathon Expo and EMF events

I have to say this was a little disappointing.

Having run London and Paris marathons before, and knowing what pride the Scots take in a good event and party, I couldn't believe that the organisers hadn't managed to get a selection of trade stands together and host some talks, maybe massages, ask the experts etc... Even Bristol managed to have more going on at the 10k a few weeks ago.  Given the high cost of entry for this event this was a major let down.

However, I did get to meet some of the lovely Team Macmillan ladies who were brilliant in offering MBW a pass into the finishing enclosure so that she had somewhere to rest the bump before I caught up with everyone at the end.

L to R: Reshma, Sue, Me & Jan

I also managed to pick up some useful additions from the one small but fortunately well stocked trade stand, run and become.

Tri-berry and Strawberry Lemonade flavours...yum!

...and a handy none bounce belt for gels and nuun

After a quick bite to eat I then decided to grab a quick power nap whilst we awaited John's arrival at the flat.  I must have needed the sleep though; I awoke around two and a bit hours later with John having arrived and everyone ready for a light bite before a bit of Euro-trash to get us ready for bed.

Final countdown...just time for one last run.

Before we ate I managed to head out for a short blast down to the Parliament building and back, and in my short shorts seemed to cause quite a stir, getting all manor of whistles and shouts...worryingly not just from hen parties, but also the odd burly Scottish white van man.  Sometimes I wish I did run in headphones!

Quick shower on my return and a grilled chicken salad, then ready for bed...until we got sucked into watching Eurovision as the voting was about to begin!

By the time Sweden had won, and the UK spared a humiliating last place (thanks to Norway) it was late and pre-race angst was starting to set in. 

Race morning

The heat and noise again didn't provide the best of sleeps and I was a little agitated at breakfast.  Some rice pudding, banana and a little cold custard soon settled my nervous stomach and John and I were ready to head off to our starts.  

Having predicted a 4:30 finish on my application form I was at the blue start on Regents Road; John being a speed demon at 3:30 was a Brown starter on London Road.

Not nervous at all...honest!

The walk to the start was only around a mile, and since I was starting at 10:00 this gave us plenty of time.  The sun was already starting to warm me up though, and by the time I got to Regent's road I was happy to off load my bag and sweater to the baggage bus and head off to find a loo.

The queue for toilets was pretty enormous and I'm not sure looping everyone around the rear of the cubicles on a hot sunny morning was the best of ideas...it only takes one person in a crowded place to start gagging before there's a massive involuntary puke fest!  Not a great hydration strategy at the start of a marathon!

Whilst killing time before the start I did get to chat to quite a few other runners.  Most like me were a little worried about the heat, but the general atmosphere was one of nervous excitement.  There is something wonderful about that moment before the gun; looking around and reading peoples faces, shoulder to shoulder with strangers all united with a common goal.  I glanced down at my watch and my pulse was steady at around 70bpm...it was about to get going!

And we're off!

The first mile was a stead down hill towards the Scottish Parliament building, and despite the crowds I managed a health 8:45 split.  MBW was waiting at the turn around and I was able to give sprout a quick tap, although I was too fast for a photo apparently!

First of many Macmillan cheer points!

The lead group just after 1 mile

The route continued out through East Edinburgh (through some partially open roads which wasn't nice since fumes from traffic are not conducive to good health whilst pushing your lungs hard!) towards the coast and I managed to sustain splits averaging 8:35 until mile 6 and a necessary pee stop.  Queuing cost be around 4 minutes and I as we were along the flat but congested promenade I upped the pace a little for the next three miles to try and claw back some of the time lost.  By half way I was averaging 8:37 pace (discounting my toilet stop) and I was feeling pretty comfortable despite the heat of the midday sun.

My hydration at this point was my main concern.  I didn't want to drink too much, but the heat of the sun was making me very thirsty.  I decided to add a nuun tablet to each of the water bottles at the drinks stations and take on about a third to half of a bottle each time (around 100-160ml), discarding the rest.

There's quite a trick to getting the oversized tablet into a bottle on the run.  By the third or fourth station I had mastered the technique which involved removing and breaking the tablet when I saw the signs for drinks, then trying not to dissolve them in my hands whilst being splashed by other runners!  Sticky and slightly salt hands, but quick movement through the drinks stations was achieved

The route out along the coast road was lovely, but the dark tarmac and the beating down sun was starting to hurt by mile 17 and when I saw the Macmillan cheer point just before mile 18 I had to stop for a drink, some jelly babies and....the green afro!  With my pace still under 9 mins I was looking good for a 3:45 finish, something I would never dared dream before the start!

But the sun was really cooking the runners now.  Afterwards I would be told that out on the coast road the temperature got up to 26c, but it felt hotter than that when we moved away from the slight coastal breeze to the still of Gosford House  By mile 19 my splits had dropped to 9:30's but I still managed the 30k mat in 2:49:43 so a sub-4 looked on the cards.

The green afro was a master stroke.  Far from what everyone believed (that it would cook my head) it proved to be a huge asset, not only in eliciting moral support and cheers from the crowds:

'GO JIMMY GREEN'

'YER AIRS GOON GREEN'

...it also was great when sodden with water at keeping my temperature down!

However, despite every effort to keep cool in the tortuous heat, by quads gave in at around mile 22 as we approached Cockenzie power station on the return leg.  My splits plummeted and now it was a battle to stay sub 4:05, nope...sub 4:10....not quite, sub 4:15!

With every last bit off effort and struggling through a horrid 12:24 for mile 25 and 11:11 for mile 26, I managed to up the pace for the final stretch and power through across the finish line in 4:13:15, knocking over 45mins off my previous marathon PB.

Can you spot THE GREEN AFRO!

I was spent!  That was the toughest run I've had in a very long time.  The course is as advertised a fast flat-ish route, but why they start so late is beyond me!  I really feel for the 5-6hr runners who would have been under that intense heat for even longer.  Please EMF, if you can, why not match every other major city road marathon and start early!

Post race celebrations

Having crashed down across the finish line I wasn't in any huge rush to get into the crowds in the meeting zone and so I slowly ambled across until John and MBW caught sight of me and shouted out.

John had managed an impressive, but slightly frustrating 3:33:43 and so was a few minutes of his target, however I would learn later that another friend, Pete from Up and Running Bristol would be even closer to breaking 3:30, with a frustratingly close 3:30:28

We headed over to the Macmillan tent where we were greeted by cheerleaders and treated to a massage before refuelling on all manor of goodies.

Give me an M....

A sea of green, winners every one!

Although I was running for all five of my charities that are part of my run2012miles challenge, the support from Macmillan really made this a memorable event.  The cheer points and the tent at the end were hugely appreciated and they really did a great job in securing such sponsorship from local businesses who provided all of the refreshments and food at the end. A great charity and one I would urge first time marathoners to support as they will certainly be there to support you!

Final thoughts

Although the training hadn't been brilliant and my 2012 challenge and running streak meant that rest days were not an option, this was still a satisfying and enjoyable race.

Knowing I had friends in the field, support waiting for me and the best wishes of my friends and sponsors really meant a lot and contributed towards another memorable moment this year.  I certainly couldn;t have gotten this far without the love and support of MBW (Jenny) who made the journey up (and the 2mile each way walk to the coaches!) despite being 24 weeks pregnant with out first baby.

I'm often found eulogising marathons and I'm sure it annoys some people; it may not be everyone's cup of tea.  However, when you look at the crowd of people, spectators, supporters, runners and event crew, all enjoying being part of an event where you can push yourself, find your limits and then find out how you deal with them....well, it really is something you have to have experienced to understand how great that feels.

So a big shout out to all those people who have supported me in this, the first of this years marathons and the run that took me through 800 miles of my 2012 mile challenge!

Me and John...ready for pizza!

THANK YOU EVERYONE