Chester Marathon Report

I love the Chester marathon. I try to run two marathons a year if possible and due to the summer training schedule clashing with holidays and birthdays etc. I use the Chester marathon as a race without pressure and run it just for fun with no desire to beat my PB. That way I get to enjoy both the fantastic support and beautiful course as well as getting more marathon experience in my legs for when I do race for a PB in the spring.

It's a very well organised race and I feel lucky to run two brilliantly organised and supported races on two successive weekends (with the Ealing half a week before).

We stayed the night before with my wife's sister who lives a 15 minute drive outside of Chester in Frodsham. I woke up at 7am and got my race gear on, ate a couple of pieces of toast and then we drove to the racecourse in Chester. There was a mist that wouldn't last for long but for now it meant that the weather was cool and I joined the rest of the race goers on the course waiting for the off.

After the inevitable queue for the toilet (I never really need to go but I always feel that I should go) I settled myself in to the 3:45 pen. I wanted to get in under 4 hours with an ambition of getting round in under 3:45. No real pressure but nice to achieve if I could.

My wife took a photo of me just before I headed in to the running pen.

Ready to run!

Every time I run a marathon I never actually feel like I'm ready to run a marathon. It may be my brain trying to protect me from the physical exertion ahead or it may be an outcome of the taper but it never occurs to me what I am going to put myself through!

The Chester town crier gave an amusing speech to rally the troops and then we were off. We swept around the race course and then up a hill into the town centre itself. There were crowds everywhere cheering us along as we ran through the centre, under the famous Chester clock (you know, the one from the opening titles of Hollyoaks!) and then out over the Dee towards Handbridge. It's a familiar route for me as I used to run it as part of my training runs when I stayed in Chester (also, because I've run the last three Chester marathons). The mist burned away and the sun stayed out in clear skies for the rest of the race. Maybe I should have brought my cap. Nevermind, too late to do anything about that now.

The course runs out through small villages in the nearby Chester countryside as well as several miles through Wales. At each village crowds would gather and cheer you on, some would have music playing, jelly beans were proffered and children held their hands out for high fives (which I tried to oblige them with!),

Every 3 miles or so there were drinks and gel stations. I decided to go on a gel every five miles strategy and every time I thought I'd need one a station would appear out of the distance just in time! The stations were well manned by volunteers holding out proper bottles with sports tops on (so much better than paper cups!).

At half way the course ran back on itself slightly so you could see other runners in the opposite direction. This always gives a little lift to tired legs although knowing that they've run about two more miles than you can make you somewhat jealous.

I felt fine and decided to pick up the pace ever so slightly. I was on course for sub 4 easily so I thought maybe if I just increased my speed I could get under 3:45. Two years ago I was going for sub 3:30 and picked up my pace at half way but it backfired as I had to walk much of the last two miles. This time though time was not so important so I figured I could risk it.

At about 18 miles the course merges with people who were running the metric marathon (26.2km). It meant that the course got a little more crowded but not so much that I couldn't run my pace.

I managed to avoid hitting the wall and the course started to head back in towards Chester and the finish line at the race course. Before then though there were a couple of hills to master. I say hills but in reality they are slopes, they just appear to be hills after running 24 miles. I noticed more people walking but I was determined to keep my legs ticking over. After getting up the final slope/hill on Sandy Lane with the enthusiastic encouragement of the volunteers and crowd it's pretty much a 1 mile run along the river and back into the race course.

At the sign for 400m to go I checked my watch to see how I was doing. 3:42:30. I know I can run 400m in less than two and a half minutes so I was going to make my A goal. I entered the race course and saw the finish line 300m off into the distance. No matter how little 300m can seem, at the end of a marathon it looks so far away. I stuck my head down, lifted my legs and picked up the pace again. With 200m to go I decided to sprint. I pegged along, faster and faster and saw the 3:45 pacers just ahead. I raced past one and caught up with the other right on the finish line. I punched the air and stopped my watch - 3:44:10. Then I felt like throwing up. Actually felt like throwing up. Started to throw up! I managed to move past the volunteers handing out water and was helpfully move by a St. John's Ambulanceman off to the side where he told me to let it out. So I did. And I felt much better. I've never thrown up after running before, must have been the effort of the sprint at the end. A swig of water and I collected my medal and went through the finishing chute to pick up an excellent long sleeve training top (perfect for the winter, Chester always give great tops) and a goody bag full of sweets, nut bars and porridge.

My wife had turned up just in time to see me finish and before long we were in the car and on the way to her mother's house so I could freshen up. Another great marathon and one I intend to do again and again.

Here's a video of me finishing the race, thoughtfully provided by Marathon Photos from a camera on the finishing line. You can see me in my blue and white top from about 17 seconds onwards. I thought I was sprinting but it turns out I was merely walking fast!

Here's also my Garmin stats from the race:


All in all an excellent event and one I can totally recommend. A beautiful city and a great race.

I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down and Ealing half report

I tripped and fell again!! Less than 3 weeks since the last time. This time I smacked my hand down and have really hurt the bone in my right hand below the fleshy part of the palm.

How did this happen? Again? Well I tripped on a paving slab, same as last time. Not the same place but the effect was the same. Slow motion. Realising I'm going to hit the floor. Put my hand out to break my fall. End up flailing on the floor looking foolish as cars drive by. This time though I got up and carried on my run. I've got a nice new scar on my right knee and took the scab off my left elbow. Painful but manageable. I really need to pay attention to where I'm going.

On Sunday I ran the Ealing half marathon. My plan was to use it as a training run and enjoy the race. It sort of went like that but the night before I had watched the rugby world cup match between England and Wales. Being Welsh I was beyond happy with the result. So much so that I celebrated way too much (is two bottles of wine too much? I think so). I also didn't get to bed until 1am.

The next morning I woke with the mother of all hangovers and managed to get myself to the start line for 9am. I felt and looked rough (see photo for evidence!).

How not to look on the day of a half marathon!

There were lots and lots of runners (about four thousand I think) and we all waited in the brisk autumn air in our pens. I realised that I had forgotten to put on my timing chip and that my Garmin was low on battery. This is how not to be ready for a race!

The gun went off and I settled in to my training pace.

I don't normally take on any water for a half marathon run but this time I took a bottle at each and every station. I really needed to get rid of my hangover. After about six miles it finally went away and I started enjoying myself.

Support was plentiful and it was good to see how so many people from Ealing had come out to support the race. It really feels like a proper fixture in the local calendar.

My watch gave up the ghost with about two miles to go so I had to continue on feel alone. Eventually I came in at about 1:55 which was pretty much dead on my target time.

This week has been a case of getting in a few shortish runs, no longer than 7 miles. Then my wife and I will head up to Chester on Friday to get ready for the marathon on Sunday morning. I'm hoping that a) my knee, elbow and hand stop hurting by then and b) one of my wife's family will put us up for the weekend. She has plenty of relatives so b) shouldn't be an issue.

I would like to get a sub 3:45 marathon but realistically I think sub 4 would be good at this stage. I'll write up a report once I'm back.

Back on my feet

So I missed my 20 mile run but managed to pick up my schedule again from the following week.

My elbow and knee still hurt but once the adrenaline kicks in then I don't really feel anything.

Since the rugby world cup has started I decided on Saturday to route my 16 mile run down the Thames and back via Twickenham to get a taste of what was going on around there.

I managed to run past some laconic cows by the banks of the Thames.

Cows by the Thames in Richmond

I like this part of the Thames footpath. I don't run down here too often as I can only include it on my longer runs but it's nice to change the scenario now and again just to keep things fresh.

Before long I came to the footbridge by Teddington Locks. A lovely iron bridge with a weir one side. I image the house prices around here would be a touch out of my price range.

Teddington Locks footbridge

My legs didn't feel too bad but I still don't know how they are going to cope with 26.2 miles in 10 days' time. I know that I always feel like this and that it should come together on the day but I still have mild anxiety that I'm going to crash and burn. Although last year I forgot I'd entered the Chester marathon until two weeks before when my number was posted through the door and I still managed to get round in under 4 hours so I'm hoping that will stand me in good stead.

With about 5 miles left to run I finally passed Twickenham stadium. I've been here a few times to watch Wales play (and invariably get beaten) by England as well as watched my home team the Ospreys beat Leicester a few years ago in the Anglo-Welsh cup. It's a great stadium and now it's all been decked out in the world cup glitter.

Twickenham. English rugby HQ

This weekend is the Ealing half marathon. I'm treating it as a training run so should finish in about 1:50 or thereabouts. It's an excellent event and rare to get a big half marathon in London with so much support and superb organisation. I'm looking forward to it. I'll write a report next week, my final update until the marathon a week on Sunday.

Mr. Tumble

The perils of city running. A loose paving slab, a slight lack of attention and I find myself hurtling towards the ground. Called off the rest of my run (it was only a 4 miler) and walked home. As I walked up my road a neighbour stopped me to borrow my phone. Her new puppy had locked her out of her house (she stepped outside, he butted the door, it closed, she had no key!) and she wanted to phone her dog walker who had a spare key. So that's two of us who had a bad start to the day. Still, nice to help a neighbour out.

Here's a couple of shots I took of my damaged limbs. I'm hoping I'll be ok to run my 20 miler tomorrow. It hurt for a while but now I think most of it is superficial and won't affect my running.

So, lesson learnt: pay more attention!

Nasty scrape

Blood and tears

UPDATE: The pain was worse the next day and I couldn't run without pain so called off my long run. Next run planned is Tuesday. Hoping nothing else happens before the marathon!

In the long run

I was meant to run in a 10k race last weekend with a friend who was going to be running the Ealing half with me in two weeks' time. But he cried off with an injury and I decided I didn't fancy a trek all the way across London to run in a 10k. I will however still be running the Ealing half since it's local, a really great race and cost a lot more.

Talking of which my race pack turned up in the post this week.

This Saturday I'll be running my longest run of 20 miles before three weeks of taper. I've run so many routes it's hard to find a new one. But I think I will run all the way down Uxbridge Road, down Oxford Street to Tottenham Court Road. Then turn down Charing Cross Road, head towards the Houses of Parliament and then find a route back home. That should cover 20 miles and add a few touches of a new route.

I'm bringing forward my schedule by one day for the next two weeks because I will be out on the next couple of Saturday nights (the proms this Saturday and a joint birthday celebration for my wife and me the following Saturday) and don't want the spectre of a long run on the Sunday looming over the enjoyment of the Saturday.

Hooray, hooray it's a holi-holiday!

A training schedule is the road, not the destination. It needs to be flexible to adapt to the changes that occur on the way to the goal race.

I had hoped that it wouldn't be too hot in Malta to disrupt my running too much. But that proved a futile hope. High heat and humidity. A new plan was needed. Run every other day, early in the morning, no more than six miles. It didn't help that from our hotel there was pretty much only one running route that I could take. In a similar circumstance in Cyprus a few years ago I was able to work out three or four various routes but not here. It was out along the sea front for three miles, turn around due to the road running out and run three miles back. It helped me tick over and keep my fitness up.

The great big bonus though were the magical sunrises. I just about left the hotel when the sun crept over the horizon. The views were lovely. I managed to take a camera with me on one of the runs to capture it.

Hello sun!

View from the bay by our hotel

Party revellers still hanging on from the night before!

About a mile from our hotel, sun rising nicely

Three miles out, looking back to the hotel

Almost back, stopped to take a photo of these boats

Since I've been back I've slipped back into the training schedule. 12 miles, 5 miles, 20 miles and 8 miles. It's quite a wake up call. Especially the 20 mile that I ran on Sunday.

That's the longest distance I've run since the marathon in April. I decided to go down a tried and tested route up through Wembley, down the Harrow Road to Baker Street and then back along the Uxbridge Road to home. The Notting Hill carnival was being set up and I ran past several homes that were preparing barbecues in their front gardens for the inevitable crowds later on. It smelt amazing, which with about 12 miles still to go was not ideal!

This weekend I'm running a 10k race in the Olympic Park in east London. I'd like to think I can get under 45 minutes now without breaking myself. The day after I have to run 17 miles so it'll be interesting to see how I cope.

Parklife!

Short update this week.

A 17 mile long run this Sunday so I decided to go back to Richmond Park. I followed the trails all the way around the outside of the park and took a load of photos. Sometimes it's hard to remember I'm actually in London!

River Thames by Richmond

Cows in a field. In London!

Start of the trail in Richmond Park

Beautiful morning

At the bottom of a steep hill

The greater spotted MAMILs gathering before setting off

Next week I'm going on holiday so I am starting to juggle my running around. I'll try to get as many lengthy runs in before we fly off. Experience has taught me that it's difficult to keep to a running schedule on holiday so whilst I'll be aiming to keep on track I am prepared to reduce the distances I'll be running since it may not be feasible to put in double digit distances. As long as I keep my fitness up then it should be ok, We're going to Malta and Google streetview isn't available over there so I'll have to see what the conditions are like when I get there.

I hope to take a few photos while running so I'll post when I'm over there.