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I decided a month or two back to take part the Polaroid 10k race series here in Scotland. I’ve heard nothing but good things about the series, and as the 10k has been a distance I’ve sometimes struggled with (compared to 5k and half marathon’s, my times are a bit below where they “should” be according to time predictors), it seemed like a great opportunity to try attacking my PB.

As there are four events in the series, I decided the first event was really more of a “see where I am” event. The Helensburgh course is also a bit hillier than the 2nd and 3rd events, so if I was going to dent my PB, a bit of patience was in order. My training over the last couple of months has been pretty well focused on the 10k events. A good few sharp sessions pushing my pace and making me feel comfortable. Fellow Glasgow parkrun race director Alan and I have met up on a few occasions now and sneaked in some decent sessions during the week, which complimented my running club sessions nicely. Throw in some good mileage, and I’ve been feeling pretty good about where I am.

So after collecting the chip for timing, lined up at the start, finding a spot at the back of a group of runners from my running club. Didn’t want to set off too fast, and thought keeping pace with them would work nicely. After the start, I was feeling very comfortable. Unfortunately I’d made the mistake of trying out a new setting on my race watch (Garmin 304), and that setting involved it beeping at me if I was under/over pace. Not bad when I’m out training on my own, but beeping watches annoy me in races. So I faffed about and managed to switch off the mode I was using (Virtual partner, if you’re interested), but in doing so noticed it inserted an extra ‘lap’ and also paused things, which threw things out a bit until I restarted it. Consequently my record of the run is a bit messed up, and it’s hard to be precise about km markers.

The course had been adjusted from usual, due to some gas works, and I understand it was a tiny bit hillier than normal. But the hill training I’ve done meant it was easy to keep my effort constant and make good progress in the slightly hillier first half. My pace in the first few km seems to have been around 4:25-4:30 mark (I’d been thinking of something closer to 4:20). But I enjoyed the wide, largely straight roads which gave great targets to head for and a nice bit of consistency, and room to pass runners.

After about 4k I realised my pace was a fair bit slower than I’d been after, so decided to pick things up somewhat. I’d long since past most of the group I’d set off with, so began creating targets, goals, picking off runners and reeling them in. I hit 5k at around 22m42s minutes (hard to tell exactly given my watch laps were out; basing this on Ascent calculated splits), and started to think a negative split was very much on the cards. The second half felt a bit flatter than the first half, so that helped too. Best of all though I felt like I was doing almost all of the passing. Perhaps a couple of people passed me, but if they did, they didn’t get far away. My average pace was falling nicely, and my last couple of km were safely in target 4:15-4:20 range. Broken out by my GPS software, it seems my mile splits were 07:17, 07:20, 07:14, 07:13, 07:09, 06:46 and an average of 06:25 for the last .2 miles. Tasty.

The only negative from the run was through a silly mistake I made as I neared the end. I’d got it in my head the finish was around a particular corner. When I rounded it, I was dismayed to see another 300-400m ahead of me before the corner! I did the right things though: dug deep, kept at it, didn’t lose focus (picked off a couple more runners) – and crossed the line in 44:07, which is a new PB by 20s from my previous best last year, and a negative split. 1st 5k at around 22:42, and 2nd 5k in around 21:25 (give or take a few seconds). I felt in fine form too. Tired from the last km push, but not overly exhausted.

Besides the negative split, I’m feeling quite pleased at getting my race strategy – bar the precise pace – pretty much spot on (a rare occurrence in my experience). Didn’t really feel like I put in my maximum effort, and certainly don’t really feel any adverse affects today. Plenty more in the tank (good job too, I’m running Strathclyde parkrun for the first time!). So the goal for the next event in the series next Thursday is to pick up the pace more to get my time down into the 43 minute range. Aiming for 4:17’s or so in the first half, and then see if I can pick it up any more in the second half.

All in all, a great event, and a superb way to spend a lovely evening. Some spectacular views over the Clyde, some great support out on the course, and a challenging route, and absolutely excellent organisation: Easily one of the best organised paid events I’ve taken part in.

Google maps rendering of the KML of my Garmin trace is here, although lap points messed up

My apologies for the continued lack of posts. When I’m not working, out running, doing Glasgow parkrun related things, or helping out with parkrun HQ techie things, I’m either cooking or trying to spend a bit of time with Frances.

I’ve also had a bit of a strain in my left foot the last couple of weeks. I suspect a too-tight shoelace a while back, and a slightly odd profile to my feet (oh the things you learn reading this), have bruised or strained something. So I’m doing the sensible thing and resting: Just a few easy paced runs. Think that’s done the job so hope to be back to normal soon and, most importantly, back to some speed training. A shame, as things were really starting to come together for a 5k or 10k PB challenge. Ah well.

Anyway, Frances had an early start on Sunday for work (which sadly lasted most of the day), so I grabbed the opportunity to go ‘give back’ a little and support a couple of friends, the many Bellahouston Road Runners, and plenty of parkrunners I recognised, who were running in the Balloch to Clydebank Half Marathon. I’d run this myself last year (1:40:57) as build up to my London Marathon, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I do hope to run it again next year.

Had a great time with fellow Bella Brendan snapping pics at the start, just managing to get out of the way in time after readjusting my position.

We then nipped down to Alexandria to support the runners after a few miles, before heading to The Hill (via the BP garage for a nice cup of coffee). I remember I got a lot of support from Brendan and Nick last year at this spot, as it’s the last notable incline before the descent into Clydebank.

I’d hoped to get to the finish, but managed to get into a bit of a fiddle trying to park up, so all the people I’d been hoping to support across the line had already finished by the time I got there. Everybody seemed to have a good run, and a few PB’s along the way. I think the Bella ladies got three of the top four positions, which is great. A great effort at the front of the gents event too, with a new-comer to the half marathon distance storming away.

But anybody completing the half marathon distance deserves congratulations. It’s a great distance in itself, but also great marathon preparation. Looking forward myself to trying to do a few more half marathons this year.

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I took part in the inaugural Edinburgh parkrun on Saturday, an event that was special in very many ways. The weather was absolutely perfect, the course was beautifully flat, it was exceptionally well organised, there was a huge turnout, I got a new 5k PB, and – best of all – it really felt like parkrun had properly arrived in Scotland, joining Glasgow parkrun, of which I’m one of the Event Directors.

It did require rather an early start to get over (never popular in our household), not least because I wanted to have a chat with the guys who were behind the event. I was also determined to keep my distance from them when things were getting under way, I know all too well how busy it can be being in charge of a parkrun event, and how much more stressful it can feel when it’s the first, and distractions don’t help.

Paul Sinton-Hewitt, the man who started parkrun five years ago, was along, so it was great to have an opportunity to have the first of many catch-up chats with him whilst we waited for the event to get underway. Sadly my warmup wasn’t quite as long as it should have been, but I was keen to join the start crowd for the announcements, and quite touched to get a mention in their acknowledgements.

I was feeling good for a PB, having been pushing myself in training recently, and am feeling increasingly comfortable running with the fastest group in my training set. The last 12-18 months have felt a bit ‘flat’ on PB’s. My 5k hasn’t improved at all, and my 10k has just settled into the low 44’s. Perhaps half-marathon and marathon training have taken a bit of the focus away, but mostly I think I’ve settled into a comfort zone and have been reluctant to push myself a bit harder, so I was feeling it was time to try that little bit harder, on a course that was conducive to a PB.

I set off and settled into what felt like a comfortable pace. It’s an out and back course, so great for being able to mentally break up the sections even without a GPS device giving me splits. There were also km markers at this first event, which was helpful to be able to lock on to targets. I was delighted to get a 3:57 split for the first km, but conscious that was perhaps a bit optimistic to maintain, so eased off slightly for the next km, which I managed in 4:10. A tough session on Wednesday ensured my mind was in the right place: I knew I could maintain this sort of pace for over 5k, all be it with recovery breaks, so it was all mind over body.

The half way point was naturally enough the turn back point, which is an immense boost; Really enables you to focus on the work ahead, and keep the effort up. My 3k split was 4:12, so pace was looking consistent, as I focused on what I find the toughest section of the race – the 3-4km where you’re really beginning to feel things, and need to dig in and battle those demons niggling away. 4km went by at 4:18, so slightly down, but easy now to focus on the end: It was in sight! A few supporters in the last stretch said I didn’t look like I was working too hard, but I knew I was, and somehow managed to find a tiny bit extra to cross the line with a 4:08 split, and a 20:43 overall time, a PB by 16 seconds from over a year ago, and the first PB of any sort for quite a while.

I’ve always felt it’s important not to push so hard that you’re sick at the end: I’m determined to enjoy my running first and foremost, times come after that! This time I pushed it a bit harder than I had done before, and kept my dignity (just!), and even remembered to take a token at the end of the funnel (the shame I’d have felt if I’d forgotten!).

Naturally chuffed to find myself with a spangly new PB, and feel there’s much more to come where that came from. I’ve a real sense of determination to push my times, particularly in the short-medium distance events, over the next six months, and a sub-20 5k and a low-40’s 10k time feels like it’s not all that ridiculous now.

The post-run parkrun chat went on for a long time – we finally headed back towards Glasgow around 2pm, having stayed for coffee and cake whilst the Edinburgh team did their results, and discussing various parkrun plans and ideas. The Edinburgh team did spectacularly well, and blew apart the first-event attendance record, with 204 participants. With Glasgow parkrun having 193 runners, that meant that almost 400 runners were taking part in parkrun events in Scotland on Saturday.

Huge congratulations to the Edinburgh team for staging a great event on Saturday, the first of many. And as the awareness of parkrun continues to grow in Scotland, we’ll surely see more events starting wherever there are determined individuals who fancy stepping up to make it happen. Sterling, Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness are surely only a matter of time. Perhaps even a second event in Glasgow before too long (largely we just need an event director who wants to drive it forward). With coverage such as this piece in the Sunday Herald featuring parkrun rather prominently, awareness is growing all the time

When I joined my running club, Bella, I was keen to try different types of running event. Largely that meant different distances, and a spot of cross country and trail running. But hill running just wasn’t something I’d thought I’d find myself including. Hill runners, to me, seemed one stop short of ultra-marathoners, and to be looked at a bit carefully…

But as time passed, I’ve got to know one or two, and rarely heard a bad thing said about the activity. Whilst on holiday, I also read a wonderful book “Feet in the Clouds: A Tale of Fell-Running and Obsession” (highly recommended to any runner), which sowed a few seeds in my mind, and began to feel that perhaps it wasn’t quite so bad after all. After all, you don’t have to run up the hills – just do your best to get up and down again as quickly/safely as possible, and enjoy the experience.

So when my Road Running club decided to organise a hill run – The Bella Ben Venue Challenge – it seemed like a custom made opportunity to try it out. I knew there’d be plenty of hill-running newbies taking part, so I wouldn’t feel completely outpaced.

The weather forecast though, wasn’t too promising. High winds and rain seemed to be on the agenda, as a low-pressure decided to sit over the northern reaches of Scotland. The Forth road bridge was closed to high sided vehicles. 80mph winds. I’d been assured though that a run would happen, regardless of the forecast, so seemed rude not to go and see what it was all about. It was all in a good cause too, proceeds going to Lomond Mountain Rescue team, so despite a slightly concerned wife, and baffled comments from my Glasgow parkrun co-organisers, I set off up to Aberfoyle and into the Trossachs to run up a hill not that far from where I was married last year.

After parking up, I headed through the paths to the start area, and sorted out registration. £5 is incredibly good value for a race, particularly for such a good cause, and given the marshals had a heck of a way to go to get to their various points.

Given the high winds, the course was altered. Quite sensibly. That the marshals – Mountain rescue team members I should add – couldn’t stand up on the ridge, it was felt appropriate to adjust the course. Even though it looked delightful at the start, we were sheltered, and I’d seen how changeable the weather was.

After the start, we headed up through hard-packed forest paths, which were really quite delightful. For a road-runner like myself, quite a novelty, but the steep inclines were taken steadily, and it felt quite odd (for a road runner) to be “allowed” to walk as much as I did. I was also determined to enjoy the experience, and not push too hard. Nonetheless, I had perhaps set off a bit too fast, so deliberately eased off and let a few folk past.

The checkpoint at the edge of the forest marked the start of the ‘real’ hill running. We were out onto exposed hillside, which had a generally visible path up, but it was heavy going. Very muddy indeed, and quite disconcerting to place your feet into what looked like wet grass, only to sink knee deep into quite slurpy mud! Thankfully my shoes didn’t come off, but it was a close thing! I put the prospect of having to wash my clothes out of my mind and just enjoyed it: It’s not every day you’re able to get quite as muddy

It was tough going at points. A few scrambles required, and if not a scramble then a bog to navigate, but my legs seemed to hold their own, although I was very grateful to finally see the lead runners approaching in the opposite direction. Fellow club runner Matt Williamson was just in the lead, and haring downhill at quite a rate. Impressive stuff, but I knew I had nowhere near the confidence to do anything like the lead runners were managing!

The top was approaching, and I was passed by plenty more fellow club runners, one or two of whom warned about the winds at the top. And I was grateful for the warning, as no sooner as the cairn that marked the turning point came into sight, the winds hit, and it was quite something. I was blown in all directions, and it was everything I could do to get to the cairn and see the incredibly resilient marshal note down my number, before turning and struggling back down, passing on the warning about the wind to everybody I passed!

The descent was, at first, wonderful for the fact that I had my breath back and could enjoy the experience a bit more. But soon found focusing on finding a safe path at the higher speed I was travelling more than made up for it. A few slips and a nearly twisted ankle made me certain to be careful, but also not to think too much. Instinct felt more reliable than trying to rationalise which path seemed better. Just get on with it!

Getting to the bottom of the exposed hill and on to the hard-packed forest paths was a welcome relief, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable run down through the forest. Rather than belt it out, I decided to enjoy the run, and fell into an evenly paced run with another runner, and we had a lovely chat as we descended. Some absolutely stunning views out over the Trossachs, with Loch Achray in the distance. After a while though I felt strong enough to push on a bit harder, and set off in search of a needed cup of tea!

Crossing the finish line (a time of 1:22:09, the winner finishing in 51:17!) was a great relief, with an enormous sense of achievement, but nothing as compared to the wonderfully warming cups of tea the club had put on in abundance, and a marvellous spread of home baking. Plenty of post-run analysis with the many experienced (and newbies like myself) hill runners. All seemed to agree the decision to adjust the race the correct one, and all seemed to feel it was a great new addition to the hill running calendar.

Looking at the course profile here (via Chris Upson), it seems there was 860m (1,800ft) of climb involved, over a 6.4 mile (just over 10k course). A few years ago I’d have felt that would be quite a decent achievement for a hill walk, but the idea of running up and down just not something to ever consider. Madness. Yet delighted to have felt able to have taken on the challenge, experienced hill running for the first time. Amusingly I even now find myself with an athletes entry on the Scottish Hill Racing website!

My legs aren’t too bad, two days afterwards. Much better than I expected to be honest: perhaps the hill work paid off! Whilst not a hill running convert just yet, I’m absolutely delighted to have taken part, and certainly going to try another hill run in the not too distant future. Living in Scotland means I have some of the best scenery in the world on my doorstep, and being able to combine seeing it and experiencing it through my passion for running, just seems an ideal combination.

Just a public note to congratulate my good friend David Rowe. Whilst most of us took it easy today, David, er, didn’t. He completed the Swiss Ironman. It’s an immense achievement, the culmination of many months of training and effort. The London marathon – probably the toughest thing I’ve ever done in my life – was just a training run for David!

The Ironman competition is truly something else. A 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride, and then a marathon. To even complete that it is a huge achievement, but David finished with some amazing times. 1:08:25 for the swim, 5:36:01 for the bike, and a 3:47:27 marathon time, a total time of 10:37:39, finishing in position 537 out of 2,200 participants. Indeed, he came 11th out of the 85 other UK participants in his age group.

David’s wife Sharon deserves huge congratulations too, for supporting David and, I think, probably doing most of the worrying too

Well done David. Incredible achievement.

I spent this morning up in Balloch, supporting the hundreds of runners in the Vale of Leven 10k, the last race of the 2009 Polaroid 10k series. I’d have been running myself if I’d got my finger out and entered in time, but figured it’s just as important to do a spot of supporting on occasion to make up for all the cheers I’ve received when running myself! I took my camera along and snapped away quite furiously, and think I managed to capture a picture of almost everybody taking part in the process. My pictures are available on flickr here.

I had a great spot in the first 1k where the leaders were already edging ahead, and snapped most people as they want past, even chucking some money in Tommy’s collection bucket, before jogging to the 4k mark where the runners emerged out from their loop of the Balloch Castle park. After snapping most people there, I then headed back to the finish area to catch most of the finishers. I’d missed the winners, but my excuse is I’d foolishly not put on running shoes or gear, so was plodding along in jeans and heavy shoes. Not the best. Ah well. Didn’t do too badly.

It was wonderful to see so many participants, not only from my own running club, but so many from Glasgow parkrun too. My only difficulty is remembering names! So my apologies if I just cheered something generic. So many people seem to know my name as a result of giving the pre-race briefing to the 1200+ runners who’ve now taken part, I only know a fraction of your names. But great efforts from everybody taking part. It was a warm and sunny day, so looked like it was tough going in the second half of the course, where shade was in short supply!

Regarding the pics: As I say on the notes, please get in touch if you’d like higher resolution pictures, or if you’d like to use the pictures at all.

I’m currently down in Somerset doing a spot of house sitting, and keeping an eye on my Gran, whilst my parents are away on holiday. Naturally, as my previous post suggests, I’ve been keeping up the running and a local 10k – the Wells 10k Fun Run – organised by local running club Wells City Harriers seemed like an absolute must.

I have a bit of history with the Wells ‘Fun Run’. It was, believe it or not, the very first race I ever took part in. Back in 1984 (or so), when it was a 5.5 mile run around the outskirts of Wells. I think I got around in about 55 minutes, which felt quite respectable for a 11 or 12 year old. I see the Wells City Harriers have a few old results up from around then. Fingers crossed they might scan in the results for the races I took part in. Would love to know. Slightly sad too that I didn’t keep it up in any way. I suppose mostly that was due to my own lack of interest, but also that nobody seemed to suggest that recreational sport was good. It was competition level, or nothing. And I certainly wasn’t going to be representing anything.

No matter. It’s a different setup altogether now. There are 1k for youngsters, then a 3 mile and 10k distance options for adults. The 3 mile and 10k distance are essentially one and two laps respectively, of the east side of Wells. For the first time, the 10k was full to capacity too.

I watched the shorter races set off (I’d arrived very early due to Frances needing the car to ferry a few people around back in Priddy), with the 10k due to start at 11am. Somebody had quite impressively parked a car right by the start line (despite the market place being closed to cars), but the organisers were unable to trace them. The area was deserted otherwise, so some quite stunningly bad parking.

I’d not decided on tactics, but the very warm weather (and not a cloud in the sky), and rumours of a tough hill at the end of the lap, made me think pushing for a fast time, close to my 10k PB, was probably a waste of effort, even before considering I’ve done very little speed training in the last couple of months. But that didn’t stop me trying. We set off and took care to dodge the streams that perpetually run down Wells High Street (accurately described as ‘real ankle breakers’ in the safety briefing).

The course is a good one – the main section of the course is along a cycle path from Wells to Dulcote. But it was tough going. The sun just beat down, and there were plenty of stretches without any shade at all, and felt like a gradual incline. My first few splits were good, but some seconds behind what I needed to push my PB.

Welcome relief in Dulcote from some enterprising youngsters armed with a decent array of water pistols. Second time around I encouraged them to give me their best shot, and got a very welcome soaking. But then that second time, I knew what lay ahead!

That’d be the hill coming out of Dulcote back in to Wells, and it’s a real toughy. At roughly 3.5k and 8.5k the hill doesn’t seem too bad, but gradually builds up. It’s quite an ascent, and given the way I felt the 2nd time around, perhaps gives me some self-justification for not having done any hill running so far! But I was chuffed to bits to keep plodding away, and not need to stop or drop my pace any further than I already had. My effort felt consistent.

The most picturesque part of the course is the end the lap, which takes you past Bishops’ palace, with it’s beautiful moat, and a good amount of support from the earlier runners. Definitely a good point. Second time around the finish was a lot further around than I’d expected. Somebody barrelled past me in the finishing straight, something I’ve only managed to do once or twice.

The clock suggested at time of 46:13 – I’d not started my watch properly. I finished with a time of 46:20 (79th out of 360 overall). I’m quite pleased to be honest, still almost 2 minutes off my PB, but with a hill like that not once but twice on the course, and in warm and sunny conditions. I’m also acutely aware I need to get more speed work done, and train more at race pace, so that I get more used to pushing myself hard for longer periods of time.

10k’s are a distance I struggle with. There’s something just awkward about it for me. I find, like most runners, that you can just ‘hang on’ in a nice short 5k. It’s over before you know it. A half marathon it’s about a consistent pace for longer, so it’s about finding a level your body can sustain. But 10k’s fall somewhere in between, and I’m struggling. I suspect – as with so much about running – a lot of it is mental, but think if I’m to push my 10k time down, I’ve a bit more work ahead of me over the coming months.

But anyway, the 10k was a great event. Very well organised, and I’m chuffed to bits to have a mug, rather than a medal, to mark the occasion – it’ll remind me of my day every morning for a good while longer

See also * Wells Journal write-up here

I took part in the 517th Mendip Hills Hash House Harriers hash (and my second – the first was on Christmas Eve, 2007) last night, starting at the Crown at Wells, Somerset, whilst I’m down here. My 2nd hash, and an opportunity to explore my local town – made famous by a certain Edgar Wright as the setting for ‘Hot Fuzz’ (Just with the massive Wells Cathedral digitally edited out).

The hash, as ever, starts and ends at a local pub. ‘Drinkers with a running problem’, is how hashing is sometimes described.

We started right on Wells market place. A great turn-out of about 30 runners. As I’m still learning the lingo I decided to hold back a bit and let others do all the calling (as well as getting a bit self conscious screaming “on on” and “are you!?” loudly; I imagine local residents were completely baffled as we ran past). The premise with hashing is to follow a flour trail around. The setter had been around earlier in the afternoon laying down the course. To make matters interesting there are various options, so faster runners head on ahead and work out which direction to go, doubling back when somebody else finds the ‘on’ trail. Everybody therefore gets to run together, and gets precisely the sort of workout they want.

Our course took us along side the Bishops Palace (formal residence of the Bishop of Bath and Wells), out to the east of Wells, into places I’d previously last visited far too many years back. Also good research for the Wells 10k I’m taking part in on Sunday, which followed part of the route. Along beautiful trails and up in to the hills. A few short options available for runners up for something a bit shorter, and plenty of detours for the faster and more enthusiastic runners (including myself in the enthusiastic category). Discovering new streams, paths and woods, it was delightful. Heading up a decent incline beside a recently ploughed field, my shoes got properly clogged with mud. Felt like I had weights on my feet. Good exercise, at least until the steep slippery descent with no useful grip!

The weather, rather surprisingly, held off. The Mendip hills has a micro-climate all of its own, so we were greeted with some beautiful views of the Somerset levels as we descended back down in to Wells, around the back of the Cathedral back to the Market Place, and – naturally – the pub for beer and, er, cake. Sharp’s Doom Bar, a particular favourite of mine (and very rarely found in Glasgow), was on tap. Marvellous stuff, and had a good chat with some of the regulars before heading off.

Oh, yes, the times… My run took in 5.94 miles of stunning countryside, taking 01:23:59 with a few pauses for regrouping, chatting, or scraping mud off feet. Not even slightly fast, but a pint of beer was my reward, and some good chat along the way. I count that as a great result. One of my best

One of the regulars is behind a great website that may be of interest to Garmin users: Run Replay allows runners to compare their races in a quite unique way. It’s currently largely being used by hash runners – You can see last nights run here, or the 2009 London Marathon. Sign up and have a go if you’ve a GPS.

Must give the Glasgow Hash a go sometime.

This morning I was up early (it’s starting to get a bit of a bad habit; Who’d have thought it a couple of years ago!) to help with the marshalling for the Ignis Asset Management Women’s 10k. Not a huge amount to do other than point a few runners in the right direction, and hold a rope to keep the pulses separate, but a useful job that the organisers keep asking my running club back to help with.

After watching the runners set off – all 12,000 of them – I headed out around the course to cheer on fellow club runners who were taking part, as many of the parkrunners as I could recognise, and take a few snaps. You can see all my pictures here on flickr. I’m glad the rain held off for most of the event – only coming on hard after a couple of hours, but still plenty of women out on the course, it can’t have been pleasant. But a great effort by all concerned.

I gather it may have even been a new course record from the winner (not seen that confirmed yet, just rumour). Plus I gather an age-graded world record holder was out on the course too. Excellent stuff throughout the field, from the first across the line to the last.

Yesterday I also rediscovered my photography passion, and popped along to watch the rain-soaked Dick Wedlock 10k, and invitational 10k for international firefighters.

It’s been almost a fortnight since I ran in the 2009 London Marathon, and it’s long overdue my writing up a few thoughts and notes. I had a great experience, and hit my main target of a sub-4 hour time. Unfortunately I didn’t manage to get close to my secondary target of a 3:45 time, for various reasons.

I was able to get a decent nights sleep. An early night compensated for waking up at various points in the night, paranoid that I’d overslept and missed the last train to Blackheath. Nerves weren’t too prevalent, but it was a bit harder to eat my porridge than usual. A short walk to Charing Cross railway station, and managed to get a seat on a train out to Blackheath.

Certainly a top-tip for future years. The train was busy at Charing Cross, and I felt for people trying to get on trains at Waterloo East and London Bridge. Not a stress I would have wanted, but it seems most people got on eventually.

After a chat with a few fellow passengers, we made our way to the Blue start area. I wasn’t able to hook up with my running club – it’s hard to find people when there are 15,000 other people milling about in similar attire. Main task was to put on some suncream, as it was a lot brighter than the weather forecast had suggested. Sunburn was going to be a serious risk!

It was then time to join the toilet queue. And a heck of a queue it was too. Unfortunately, as I subsequently made my way to the start area to find my ‘pen’, I noticed there were two other men’s urinal areas (which hadn’t been on the maps to my recollection) with tiny queues. Quite why the organisers didn’t see fit to mention this, I don’t know. The start pens are supposed to mean faster runners don’t have to overtake slower runners, and my number was inspected closely. However I’ve heard subsequently that a lot of other pens weren’t being checked very thoroughly, so we had pen 9 runners up in higher pens. Further, we were constantly being moved further forward all the time, ie. in to other pens. Really quite bizarre.

After the start, it took me 5 minutes to cross the start line, and the first mile or so was slow going. 09:57 by my Garmin for mile 1, then 9:00 for mile 2. Much MUCH slower than my target pace of around 8:30 miles. All very stop-start, and overtaking charity chain gangs, walkers and similar drained some of my good will. It’s still very hard to be too annoyed at people doing great things for charity: It’s an immense achievement to even get to the start line. But really, I just wish they’d gone in the right start pen (and been kept there), or given more realistic time estimates for their marathon time.

After that things got back on course, and one of the highlights just after the 3 mile marker was where the ‘blue’ and ‘red’ starts merged. Lots of jovial booing at each other was great fun. Through Woolwich, then into Greenwich along non-descript roads, but plenty of great support. The Cutty Sark was a bit of a non-event given it’s currently deeply under wraps, but it’s still a significant part of the course. Then the few miles up through Southwark and towards Tower Bridge. Support was at times massive, and at other points absolutely deserted. Very strange, and a lot more twisty than I’d expected. Managed to see a colleague from one of my clients enjoying the sun. Not sure sitting on grass near to a hedge was quite the best plan!

Crossing Tower Bridge was quite special. It’s such an iconic part of the course, and so very close to the half-way mark it’s hard not to feel the significance of the moment. I was feeling quite good at this point, and my splits were still roughly on course, but still more variable than I’d hoped. Certainly it was starting to be apparent I wasn’t going to make up any of the time I’d lost at the start, and knew only too well that things get properly tough after the 20 mile mark. I still managed a few 8:37 paces, and even – at mile 19 an 8:35 – much of that as I’d locked on to points where I knew supporters would be. The fetchpoint was a great spot, with wonderful red and yellow balloons and loads of supporters. Great to see them on the way out to Canary Wharf, and on the way back. Just the boost I needed.

The miles through Canary Wharf weren’t too bad. Bar the bits around mile 20, near Billingsgate market, much more support than I think I’d expected. But the course was a lot narrower than I’d expected it to be. Spectators encroaching on to the road was one thing, but even marshalled areas seemed to mean the course was a bit narrower than I’d hoped. Overtaking (which I was doing a fair bit of) just got fiddly and, sadly, time-consuming. I was caught up by fellow club runner Michael around here, but soon lost him behind me as I had a couple of good miles at mile 19 and 20 at 8:35 and 8:21 respectively.

Hitting 20 miles was psychologically significant. Only 6.2 miles left, and almost all of it in a straight line right through London. Easy to focus on, and tick off the miles. I only once had a difficult moment around mile 23. I was starting to feel tired. Not the “wall” by any stretch – I’d been taking gels and energy drinks. I just needed to gather up my thoughts, so I resolved to use the very brief break to gather myself up set off to the end. 20 seconds or so later (and a very stiff few strides), and I was on my way again. Still much slower at this point, closer to 9 minute miling, but doing a fair bit of overtaking (At this point so many other runners seemed to be walking), and the runners were starting to thin out a bit more, so felt a lot easier to make progress.

My determination carried me along the Embankment, and started to really feel the building sense of accomplishment. Large numbers of supporters shouting just moves you in quite a way! I knew there were some club supporters around here, and I’d not hear the end of it if I took another walking break! I stuck to my resolve and on I went. Somehow I picked out my club’s Ladies captain Carla in the crowd screaming something encouraging at me. Marvellous, and a further boost. My average pace indicator on my watch suggested a sub-4 hour was very much achievable, and that kept me going.

Hitting Birdcage walk – the last mile – was something else. The end is almost in sight, and whilst I’d perhaps distanced myself more than I’d expected from the crowds and the support along the way, I was lapping it up now. The last few hundred metres were much easier than I’d thought – the finish line is a motivator like no other – but the crowd and distinct sense of achievement as you round the corner in front of Buckingham palace to see the finish line in front of you just pulls you along like nothing else.

Crossing the line and the emotion really washes over. I’d made sub-4 hours (3:56:35), but the time didn’t really matter. I’d seen it so many times on the television, to cross the famous finish having completed the worlds biggest marathon was really quite a moment. The finish area just passed in a blur. Up on the ramp to get the chip cut off. Collect medal. Pose for photograph. Collect goody bag. Collect bags (how’d they know it was me!?). Then I just found the “L” section in the reunion area and waited for Frances. No way I was leaving my iPhone in my bag, so no mobile telephony assistance in reunions!

I’d missed out on my other goal of getting a 3:45 time, and I’ll put that down to a poor start position, the weather, but also perhaps being a bit optimistic. A marathon really is a distance that tests you like no other running event. All said I enjoyed the experience, and the distance, and I will almost certainly do another marathon. But I know I won’t be rushing back to enter London – I think I’d prefer to try a smaller event (with less congestion), and see how I do there. I’ll also be a lot more aware of the amount of time required to train. The race itself is almost the easy bit. The hard bit is finding time to train for three hours on a weekend, when there are so many other demands on my time. Having a life. Glasgow parkrun. My business. My friends. Just having time off.

In short, I thoroughly enjoyed London from start to finish. Sure, I’ve a few gripes, but they’re relatively minor in the grand scheme. I know I could run faster, and I intend to prove that someday. London’s not an easy place to get a PB, and it’s so much more than a 26.2 mile run. I know a lot of people had problems on the day, so I feel very pleased that things came together for me on the day and I achieved my primary goal, and had a big smile on my face when I crossed the line less than 4 hours after starting, and to think three years I’d have laughed at the prospect of such an achievement.

Definitely recommended. Just looking at the medal (it’s just by my desk) brings back so many memories.