Friday 22nd June - Colworth 5
My first race, 5 miles on a nice summers evening. It had been raining but as if god was smiling on me the sun was out and it all added to the party atmosphere, bouncy castles, magic shows, barbeque and drinks. So I go into the first leg of this challenge with no time target, just complete the run at a steady pace, tick off the first day and move on to the second.
There was a good turn out of fellow runners, strong representation from the Olney Runners and a supporting team of Rach and kids. A short jog with Dee to warm up and I was ready for the off, starting the race in the company of Jane and Sarah. As Sarah had run the challenge the previous year with Rach, I followed her lead thinking she'll get me through the three days and I listened to her advice "focus on today and don't think about tomorrow."
The ground was wet but I was doing an excellent job of keeping my shoes clean and then it all changed.....MUD and lots of it. This part of the run was not enjoyable, my steady stride now resembled the steps of a lady wearing 5 inch heels walking across a cobbled street. It was so slippery and I was so concious of falling over and ending up covered in mud that I stepped carefully during this stretch of the run. Fortunately I didn't fall (although I'm sure if I did it would have made for interesting reading) and I carried on to complete the run in 46.53 minutes, crossing the line with Jane.
1 down and 2 to go!!!!!!
Saturday 23rd Ju
ne - Trail 8.1Now last year this race had a real impact on Rach, it was run at midday in the sweltering heat and was mentally draining. Today, although being run at the same time, the conditions were warm but comfortable. It had rained earlier that day but all in all I would say it was good running weather. So how was I feeling, well the distance wasn't an issue but after Fridays muddy conditions, what could I expect on this trail race. The race started and all was fine but then it turned to hell, mud, mud and more mud with puddles that resembled lakes and as far as I was concerned were as deep as lakes, which I found out when I decided to run through one and ended up with water to my knees. This was not proving to be fun and it was time to forget about pace and focus on trying and stay on my feet. This I managed to do (how, I'm not quite sure) and I finished the run in 1 hour 25.20 minutes, a little muddier but still smiling.
2 down and 1 to go !!!!!!
Sunday 24th June - Half Marathon
The last day and the longest distance I've run for over seven years. It was raining (no surprise there) and although I had been told the course was not like the trail course I was wary. This was the day where I wanted to do my best and achieve a time that I would be proud of (my best half marathon time to date being 2 hours 09.46 minutes). The course consisted of 2 circuits and Rach had advised me that this was good as when you started the second circuit you were on your way home and you knew what to expect. I set off as I did on the previous days with Sarah and Jane, looking to use their experience to control my pace and make sure I finished.
After 2 miles I started to pull away as I'd found a comfortable pace on a surface which was not mud. I ran on getting support and encouragement from Rach and the kids at the 3 mile marker and then again after I completed the first circuit at 7 miles. It was at 7 miles that I thought to myself "perhaps I've gone off a little too quickly" but I managed to maintain the same pace and had it in mind to step up the effort for the final 2 miles. It was difficult, there was a mixture of road, track and cross country (mud....but not as bad as the previous day). My confidence on the mud had grown and I was more sure footed, I had traded the high heels for running shoes. I kept checking to see if Jane and Sarah were catching me as the distance started to take its toll, but I didn't see them.
The second circuit seemed longer than the first but I reached the 12 mile marker and it was the road run to home. Half a mile out and would you believe it but I start to get cramp in my right leg. I kept running convincing myself that I would run it off (it was more like I was praying that I'd run it off) and it worked, into the home straight and I manage to pull out a sprint (by this I mean a slightly faster pace than what I was running, I wasn't going to challenge for a new 100m record). I crossed the line in 2 hours 09.28 minutes, I'd managed to beat my best half marathon time in a race run over a much more testing course.
After 2 miles I started to pull away as I'd found a comfortable pace on a surface which was not mud. I ran on getting support and encouragement from Rach and the kids at the 3 mile marker and then again after I completed the first circuit at 7 miles. It was at 7 miles that I thought to myself "perhaps I've gone off a little too quickly" but I managed to maintain the same pace and had it in mind to step up the effort for the final 2 miles. It was difficult, there was a mixture of road, track and cross country (mud....but not as bad as the previous day). My confidence on the mud had grown and I was more sure footed, I had traded the high heels for running shoes. I kept checking to see if Jane and Sarah were catching me as the distance started to take its toll, but I didn't see them.
The second circuit seemed longer than the first but I reached the 12 mile marker and it was the road run to home. Half a mile out and would you believe it but I start to get cramp in my right leg. I kept running convincing myself that I would run it off (it was more like I was praying that I'd run it off) and it worked, into the home straight and I manage to pull out a sprint (by this I mean a slightly faster pace than what I was running, I wasn't going to challenge for a new 100m record). I crossed the line in 2 hours 09.28 minutes, I'd managed to beat my best half marathon time in a race run over a much more testing course.
Was I happy.......oh yes, it was all over and I'd achieved what I set out to do after only 6 months (I had also promised myself a large chocolate cheesecake as just reward).
i'm still smiling at the end, show me the cheesecakeAt the end of such a testing challenge both physically and mentally, I'd like to say a big thank you and well done to all the runners I know that also competed in the challenge, they really made me feel part of the team and encouraged me throughout. I'd like to thank Dee for coming up with the following caption that she used to describe me "he's half the man he used to be, but twice the man he was"......I must get that printed on a t-shirt.
Thank you to everyone that came out to support me on any of the days but most of all a special thank you to Rach, Oliver and Imogen who were there for all three days (no matter what the weather) they cheered me on, kept me going and made me feel great every time I passed the finish line.
it's over, we've all finished
One last thing, I mentioned earlier that Rach completed the Colworth Marathon Challenge last year. I must confess that I was not out there supporting her on any of the days and for this there is no excuse and I must bow my head in shame. In the presence of all my readers I do here commit to getting out there and supporting her every day if she decides to run the challenge next year.
So it's done, I've completed another new year resolution and all that remains is for the big question to be answered......does my darling wife Rachael fancy me even more? (just between you and me, I think it's a yes....but we'll let her comment).
Thank you to everyone that came out to support me on any of the days but most of all a special thank you to Rach, Oliver and Imogen who were there for all three days (no matter what the weather) they cheered me on, kept me going and made me feel great every time I passed the finish line.
it's over, we've all finishedOne last thing, I mentioned earlier that Rach completed the Colworth Marathon Challenge last year. I must confess that I was not out there supporting her on any of the days and for this there is no excuse and I must bow my head in shame. In the presence of all my readers I do here commit to getting out there and supporting her every day if she decides to run the challenge next year.
So it's done, I've completed another new year resolution and all that remains is for the big question to be answered......does my darling wife Rachael fancy me even more? (just between you and me, I think it's a yes....but we'll let her comment).
3 comments:
Fantastic achievement! Not just the Colworth Marathon Challenge, but the whole six months adventure. I’ve enjoyed reading your excellent blog, and following your progress and hope that you continue to keep fit and keep challenging yourself – you’re an inspiration!
Best wishes.
You are a real STAR! Have you come back down to earth following your collosal achievement at Colworth? I hope you're staying off that chocolate cheese cake...?!
Janey X
What can I say! OF COURSE I DO HE'S GORGEOUS. (always was actually, but even better now). More importantly though, I am so proud of you. You ran brilliantly, it was an absolute joy supporting you, following you around the course, cheering you on, shouting as loud as I possibly could, even in the torrential rain. I even cried when you finished I was so proud. Its so good seeing you go out and experience new things. You've come alive again, you're more than the man I married all those years ago and it's just wonderful to be with you. Congrat on the achievement and I fully support the next one. Who needs Denzel anyway???
Rachael xx
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