But seriously. Wow!
A few months ago it became apparent to me that I REALLY wanted to run London next year.
All I needed was a place. My old GFAs had run out due to my semi retirement from marathon running and let's face it ballot isn't really an option. So I looked about for an option that would actually fit in with all my plans but still before the July cut off for GFA applications. TBH there wasn't much but Kent Road Runner caught my eye. But it was full. I requested to be put on the wait list and was very fortunate to be offered a place very quickly. (Thanks Ian, you are a star).
So, I had a place. But, I was gearing all my training to a 5k at the end of April, and I didn't stop doing that. All my training was 1k intervals and the like. I really want that sub 20. Sadly it didn't happen, and anyway the we all went wrong so the course was short, I think I blogged it.
Whatever, I now couldn't afford to waste any more time on short stuff I had to go longer. All I wanted was sub 3.50 though, so actually the pace per K was a lot less than I had been previously going for. Russ basically did me a new plan with longer runs at that pace. So the meat of it was, an 18 miler, a 21 miler and a couple of 13 miler. Last Sunday I did a hilly half at mara pace and raced a 10k on the Monday after. That was marathon training :) (much better than 16 weeks I can tell you)
All the runs suggested 3.45-3.50 was possible, I just had to go and do it.
So yesterday we took a drive to the cyclo park in Gravesend. I know this venue as I have raced a couple of 10ks here, it isn't easy as it's designed with hills in it, but the laps are short so aid is frequent.
On arrival I pretty much met every runner I have ever known, most of whom were suprised to see me. That's ok I hadn't wanted to advertise what I was doing, I put enough pressure on myself, and sometimes people saying to you ' oh yeah you will easily do that' is not what you want to hear. I don't care what you say, it's still 26 miles, anything can happen. I bet the guy who I saw laid out on the floor with agonising carmps on his last lap didn't think it would happen, but it did :-/
Anyway, soon enough we were off. Eeeek! In the opposite direction to when I have run the 10ks, bit of a head fuck! I had 4 bands on my arm so I could discard one every 4 laps. I love the number 4. Then I would run one lap with no band. Sorted. 1st k, 4.30. Oops. Slow down. 2nd k 4.30. Mand!!!! Stop it. 3rd I think was 4.57, but that included the long drag up to the finish where the mats were. Ok go with it. And I did. Anything around 5 mins a k was fine, my upper limit was 5.25 and I think there were only about 4 that went over that, but I obviously made up a lot of time on others.
I spent loads of time saying hi to other runners I knew. I ran past a crocodile about 4 times without realising. I ran past mr h 16 times I think. Once I got a gel off him, once I got brufen, 3 times in that last 4 laps I got coke...mmmmmm.
I think I knew from halfway 1.46 something that I was going to be ok. I know also that I did a positive split but that's how I run whatever the distance.
In any case I was delighted to finish in 3.39.37 a good PB and V40 prize to boot. How cool is that!
Got an amazing medal and trophy and was supported brilliantly by Mr H and Andy and Cristina who popped up halfway through. Also by all the Dag 88s who were running and supporting. An ace day.
I then got on the train to go to Hyde Park to register for today's Olympic tri in Hyde park, which I did with only one near tears incident :-D then home, pizza and bed.
My alarm was set for 4.30am, I woke at 3.30am having nightmares about all the things that can go wrong in a tri. Drank 3 cups of tea. That's better :)
Drove into town and parked near Marble Arch. Walked bike to transition and got it in no probs......this tri is well organised I will certainly give it that. That left about 30 minutes before my start time, so had another tea and heaved myself into my suit. Damn that pizza!
Soon I'm sat on the pontoon thinking ' Christ that water looks murky and cold, but at least I can wee in it' anyway, we are allowed to drop in and hang on to the pontoon until the hooter. It goes. I swim. I stop and adjust my goggles. I start again. I stop. I adjust my goggles. I start, I have a minor tight chested panic attack. I stop. I order myself to calm down and start again. That's it. got it now. I'm last but it doesn't matter. I've done what I wanted this weekend this is the icing on the cake. I swim, and swim, and swim. I'm passed by people in the next wave but no one bothers me. It's remarkably civilised I guess because I was second wave off.
I get out up the ramp and try to run. My legs tell me to fuck off. I actually heard them :-D.
I shuffle to transition. See Mike L officiating, say good morning :) find my bike no probs and get changed.
Bike. 5 laps pretty flat with a couple of turns to beware of and a hairpin lap turnaround to be very careful of.i basically keep it as steady as I can. I am not out to beat anyone, not even me, I just want to complete the bike in one piece. This means I love it! I see Mr H twice each lap and give him a big smile and a wave each time so he knows I'm fine. I love my new bike! This is it's first test and it passed big time! No incidents at all of note and I am back in transition. As I run out I hear Mike behind me saying ' now for the best bit!' And I'm thinking 'help I can't feel my feet and my arse is broken' but I smile and wave and jog out for lap one. I didn't enjoy this lap. My feet stop being numb and just plain hurt. That's yesterday's legacy, however, at almost the lap end they are giving out energy drink and I have some and I suddenly realise I haven't had any breakfast. I'm starving! But the drink makes me feel better and I start talking to the supporters. As we turn away from transition I say to the guy next to me ' oooh we will get a medal soon' but he doesn't seem that impressed, he is on lap one I'm on lap two, but I carry on talking to him because it helps me to not focus on the run which I would normally hope to smash. We pass a very happy next three laps discovering we have a friend in common and I get to meet his wife and little boy. Made me happy :) obv I had to leave him when I veered off to finish but I sat in the grandstand so I could cheer him in :).
Anyhow, a finish of about 3.05 which I'm delighted with. I DID IT.
I set out to do something and it worked, I knew today would be hard but that's the way it worked outand actually, I know doing stuff like this ultimately makes me stronger.
NEXT!!!!
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