The whole reason for beginning my recent fitness kick was due to my intention to run the Great North Run last September. So I was following a running plan as suggested by Lucozade sport online and loosely followed it. As September loomed I was struggling with tendonitis in my right Achilles tendon and constant pain also in my right knee (common beginner running injuries). Due to this I withdrew and had to suffer the jealously of my running pals putting in a good shift and enjoying an incredible experience as I watched at home on the TV.
Fast forward to May 2013 and I am well over my initial injuries and have completed five 10k events and two sprint distance triathlons. With my overall fitness increasing and weight decreasing I decided to up the distances somewhat in both my running and triathlons. So I timetabled in an event each month this year to enable me to plan my training around my work, life and social commitments. The two larger events are Ripon Olympic distance in July and Leeds half marathon in May, which the remainder of this update is all about. Ive also seen a middle distance triathlon in the York area late September. That's 1.9k open water swim, 90k cycle and a half marathon run to finish, or for the want of a better term, a half ironman. So if my training develops as good as I would like then I would like to have a crack at this.
13.1 miles
Originally there was supposed to be a fair sized group of us running (or the run club as big unit Rob Novis now calls us) but due to injury and other issues just three made the start line. Paul and Mike my old upper school classmates of mine and ex military lads would be my company for the pain ahead.
I picked up Paul and sped over to Leeds and got parked up without any bother and we made our way down to Millennium square which was packed full of runners and spectators much akin to organised chaos. Ive experience this before as I'm a bit chaotic at the best of times but also as I ran in the Leeds abbey dash 10k from the same venue. The queues for the portable loos were 10 deep so we jumped a fence and used the nearby pub to relieve ourselves whilst laughing at the madness outside. Mike then joined us after texting and calling Paul about 6 times. Its the first time that I've seen him since that skinny floppy haired kid used to run rings around us all on the football ground. Like Paul he was a talented sportsman and well liked by all and you'd never here a bad word said about the pair of them. Now as adults (or big kids rather) both have great banter and share the same fun outlook in life and so via the power of facebook, I've reconnected with two top lads and we have taken off from where we left off decades ago.
We made are way to the start line but couldn't see much apart from a wall of bodies. Not long afterwards a cheer went up and we were soon shuffling forward. I noticed a few fancy dressers including Spiderman, the Pink Ladies from Grease, a couple of lads in a skin tight gimp outfit thingy (probably similar to what Mike wears when his missus pops out), some military lads with Bergen's and so on. We were soon off and started steadily on the flat for about 2k. We then started a really long uphill drag that seemed to go on for miles. Later on looking at the route it lasted around 5 miles. Mike had already sped off but Paul loyally played the wingman and I'm glad he did as we really had a laugh and enjoyed ourselves which helped pass time. Paul spotted a guy skipping past and whilst incredulous at the sight, I noticed on the back of his shirt 'I don't want to run a half marathon, I'll skip it instead'. We laughed and shook our heads as he disappeared into the distance and left us for dead.
On nearing the top of this first hill, the course banked right and then left and cruelly went even steeper. My heart sank but there was no way I was gonna walk so I ploughed on. Our reward was a flat and downhill section and a lot of runners took advantage of the bushes for a pee stop. It was comical seeing spiderman amongst them as we discussed the limitations of his outfit. Until now we were both fairly strong and running a steady pace. We reached the headingley part of the route and coming slightly downhill again when an old lady on a mobility scooter overtook the whole line of runners to much laughter. She didn't seem to be going that fast, but was faster than us, I was gutted, but laughed all the same.
On reaching the 14k mark I was starting to feel both knees and I was struggling to lift my right leg enough to increase my pace. Id only ever run 10k before and my body was now letting me know this fact only too well. On the 15k mark I told Paul to go and put his best effort in as I was far too slow now. So I would now on my own with a flat 6k left to do. Although tired I kept a consistent pace and gradually chomped away at the miles. During this final section I saw a lot of runners on the side of the road walking or stretching. Some runners would go past me stop and walk then carry on again. This all helped to spur me on as I told myself I ain't no quitter. A Marshall on a bike shouted 'One more mile'. Then a final drinks station appeared, I slowed to a walk and immediately felt my legs seizing up. It scared me so I threw the cup over my head and jogged on.Now on the final stretch I passed the group of squaddies with loaded bergens and thought im hurting but not nearly close to their level of discomfort. With the town hall in sight the crowds cheered and called out the finishing runners names as they came home. The final bit was all a slight incline and I felt it all the way. I gritted my teeth and pushed until over the line.
Whilst over the line I grabbed a nearby rail as I recovered and then moved into the finishing square where you pick up your goody bag, tee shirt and medal. I bumped into a group of girls who asked for a photo taking and had a quick chat before Mike soon appeared to offer congratulations and then we met with Paul and his young family. Mike posted around 2h 5mins with Paul a minute more. I came in with 2h 13mins which was right on the money as Id said Id be looking at a 2.10-2.15. So whilst I was slightly disapointed I didn't get a quicker time, I was happy to finish with no injuries.
We went our separate ways after the race and my legs had already to become tight. Both my knees hurt with my right hip making it hard to raise my thigh. When I got into the car I had to lift my right leg with both my hands as the hip extensor muscles were totally fatigued. I knew that I would have to roll both legs (foam roller) out at and then again for the next couple of days. Monday and Tuesday I was really tired, you know that tiredness that you get when you go to bed and wake up still tired and you think shit! I guess the after work pints of ale didn't help much. I swam for half an hour on both days after work just to keep my body working and lifting some weights on the Wednesday but nothing intense on these days.
It just so happens that this week was my recovery week (on my training plan) which nicely coincided with a weeks family holiday from Thursday in Lanzarote. Which included Tony and Robs second bash at the Ironman event. So with the half mary done and chuffed at another milestone, sun, banter and plenty of local ale was the perfect remedy for all my efforts.
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