Virgin Lindon Marathon 2012

I think it's only right that I share my VLM2012 experience with everyone! Plus it's not like I can move much today, so staying in bed sounds like a good option to me! Yesterday was definitely an experience one very different to vlm2011. Over the last few months many of you were aware that I was training for a sub 4 hour time for Sunday's London Marathon, a huge target for me as it would be trying to knock off a whole 22 mins from my previous year. I'm extremely proud of all the hard work and training I had put in, training wise there is nothing different or more I could of done and i knew that. I guess that's the reason I was so nervous about race day, I knew I would be close to my 4hr target, and I was scared about race day going wrong! The start was amazing, what an atmosphere as you waited at your start area's. I was at the blue start with the Dashers. Then 9.45am came, and the start gun went.... After a few minutes of shuffling we were off... And then stop... There was so many people you couldn't actually move, I panicked for a second but saw a dasher just in front of me and that calmed me down! The marathon really didn't get going until mile 1 and a couple of miles into to it, I was gaining pace and trying to hold back and enjoying myself.  The problems kicked in earlier on at mile 5, the plantar fasciitis that I suffered with last year also kicked in, whereas last year I had it treated throughout the training, this year I hadn't suffered any problems until a few weeks ago at the Reading half. The pain every time I put my foot down was incredible, that moment onwards the marathon was a different experience! It was not the marathon I had ran and smiled through the year before, now I was struggling and hurting and I was disappointed that this is what marathon day had become.  I managed to get to mile 9 knowing my hubby to be and mothers would be there, seeing them gave me the boost I needed, next mile marker was 19! As i got to half way point, i was in pain and pretty bad shape, I just wanted to throw my gels down and give up, all my hard work for this! It some what didn't feel fair, but I couldn't give up yet!  When I got closer to mile 19 I was upset, I felt I had let my other half down, I wanted to tell him how much pain I was in, but seeing them made me cheer and scream and again gave me that lil push I needed to the next mile. It was mile 21 where I really struggled and thought about stopping, but with so many people in the crowds I couldn't bear the thought of stopping in front of them, this kept me going! I'm surprised I was still within in my target of 4hours up to mile 21, after this mile it slowly slipped away, and I stopped looking at my watch, I was not going to use not hitting my 4hr time as a reason to give up or stop. At this point all I could focus on was getting to the mile 23 Lucazade stand, knowing the Dashers would be there and so would the 2.5miles to banner. I was so glad I had kept running, because as I got to the Dashers the uplift they gave was unforgettable and one of the most memorable experiences of the Marathon! I was so proud to be a Dasher! As I ran through the tunnel and underneath the 24 mile marker, all I thought about was mile 25, my legs were seizing up and all I told them was just a few more steps, I saw people stopping all around me, that wasn't going to me, I was running this whole race, I didn't train and get to the start to let myself down!  I think I must of cracked a smile at mile 25 but I was pretty focused, so I was told by my sister in law who saw me on TV! As others waved at the camera as they ran to the finish, I apparently  didn't and looked fixated on the finish... The 800m were amazing, I had to block out the crowds at this point and dig deep and find every little bit of strength I had to get me to finish! As a result I missed my friends who were cheering for me! As I crossed the finish, I have never felt so much pain in my life! I just wanted it to stop and go away! And I told myself never again, but now I look back and look at my achievements I would do it all over again in a heart beat! I rather have the story to tell, be it a painful one, to have no story! The marathon and the gruelling 26.2miles it brings is no joke!  Well done to everyone who got to the start, ran it and got themselves to the finish! Enjoy the glory, we deserve it!  One thing I did learn yesterday is, it's not the marathon I love and enjoy, it's the London Marathon I love and enjoy! There is no other experience quiet like it. Thank you to all the spectators, and the organisers, you all made the day memorable!  so same time next year!?  I completed the 2012 Marathon in 4hours and 2 mins a whole 20 mins faster than last year! :)

The only way to start Monday's

So this may get me into trouble.... But I snuck out this morning and went to the gym for a quick workout.

Having missed my weights session last Friday I was really feeling the need to do some weights, but I also like fancied a little run, the answer PHA training! I used to fear these sessions which my once personal trainer introduced me too, but they soon became one of my fav workouts when i was limited to time! It's been a while but I think it's here to stay for a while, reason being I want to focus on toning up for the wedding alongside marathon training!

This is My PHA workout from the morning, not to bad!

11 min warm up on the treadmill
4 min tempo @8mph pace

15 reps of each below
Single leg lunges with 10kg dumbbell
Bench press with 12kg dumbbell
Single arm upward row with 10kg

4 min tempo @8mph pace

15 reps of each below
Single leg deadliest with 10kg dumbbell
Pec flye with 8kg dumbbell
Overhead reverse flye with 2kg dumbbell

The above circuits were repeated again followed with a 8minute cool down.

So how do I feel now, apart from being a little sore, absolutely fine.
Time to take it easy now for the Wokingham half marathon.

Happy running X

Ramblings of fitness freak ...

Training was going so well!
I've been following my plan religiously and gaining a lot confidence from the tempo runs and the long runs....


I've got myself up to 18miles which took 2hours and 55mins so with in the correct pace!
On the tempo runs side I was really worried that I would struggle to run the miles around 8.20 - 8.40 mile pace, but I've surprised myself!

Until this week when I've been struck down with a deadly and extremely horrible cold.... Okay so it's just a cold but it meant my tempo run was slow... I've had to rest! Yes rest!!! My plan to run 13 miles replaced with 10 easy miles!

I'm gutted, I just want to run and train! Is that too much to ask....

With Wokingham half looming next Sunday I really hope I can perform well, up till now the plan was to race Wokingham and see if I'm on track for a 4 hour marathon.... Will Wokingham make me or break me!

I'm so quick to loose confidence with my running and training are others the same? By now I should have some confidence in myself?

Plan for the week is to get better and just some light training so I can run well Sunday.....

My first half marathon since the summer! I'm kind of excited and at the same time extremely nervous... It's been a while since I've raced and I love racing but it being a club championship pressure is on! I hope I do myself justice!

Rest, Rest, Rest.....

Today I had a rest day.... It was a tough old day! Since joining Datchet Dashers I have continuously heard and been told the importance of resting! I completely understand the concept and I've also seen the benefits of resting!

However rest days are a complete mental battle for me. Take today as an example I've felt completely rubbish rather than rested! Firstly It's a struggle for me to get going in the morning,secondly I feel guilty eating,and lastly I find it bizarre I'm not aching! Too much energy and nothing to do! I feel so lazy!

But I'm going to give this 'rest' theory a go! My focus this year is a 4 hour marathon, and rest plays a big game in me achieving this! so I've been told!

I'm hoping I'll have some positive thoughts or results shortly which change my mind about rest days!Until then you may see some more similar posts or tweets moaning! I apologise for these now!Rest is definitely a ugly word in my world!

Happy training!

Aims for 2012

Target times for 2012

London Marathon - 4 hours (current pb 4 hrs 22 mins)
Half Marathon - 1 hr 45 mins (current pb 1 hr 49 mins)
10 miler - 1 hr 20 mins (current pb 1 hr 23 mins)
10k - Under 48 mins (current pb 48mins 17 secs)
5k - 23 minutes (current pb 23mins 3 secs)

Happy Training :)

2012 Events calendar

So this year I thought I'd take it a lil easier and do fewer races but already things are looking busy! Least it keeps me out of trouble, in shape for the wedding and stress free!

Wokingham Half Marathon - 19th February
Reading Half Marathon - 1st April
London Marathon - 22nd April
Windsor Half Marathon - 7th October

Happy training all :)

2012 - What it means to me!!!

It's been a while since my last blog! I've been a busy girl, new job, lots of running, a few new personal bests (48mins @ Brighton 10k back in Nov) and getting engaged!

So this year is a big year for me in less than 6 months I get married and in less that 14 weeks I run the London Marathon again!

So with wedding plans in full swing (thanks to hubby to be) I can focus my attention on Marathon training. I'm into week two and it's going well, I have to say a special thanks to @runtoomuch and @jonhio both of whom have given me alot of helpful advice, time and confidence that I can run VLM2012! Having ran it last year you may wonder why I'm even worried, well last year my aim was to run the full distance without stopping, this year I'm running to achieve a time! My target for the marathon is to run a 4 hour marathon! Here's hoping I get to the start line healthy and fit!

Here's a little taster of what week three of my training plan looks like, it's been adjusted slightly so I can accommodate the last Thames valley cross country this weekend.

Monday : Rest
Tuesday : Club run
Wednesday : Circuits
Thursday : PT session
Friday : 15 mile run
Saturday : Rest
Sunday : Bracknell XC (Tempo run)

Right I'm off to download all the 106 marathon talk pod castes onto my Ipod. Wishing you all happy training!