VLM, done and dusted...

Ready to go!

One week on and I’m pretty much recovered from the trauma of VLM. I say trauma, it was actually fantastic, a really enjoyable experience even though my face didn’t express this over the last few miles (see photos!!). The whole weekend was one I can’t wait to repeat, starting with picking my number up from a friend who so kindly went to the expo for me so I didn’t have the stress of having to go myself. While here, having a brew after a 3-hour drive down we got a ‘strip show’ from an unknowing neighbour, which certainly took my mind off the following days events. Laura and Neil were horrified, mostly as we had my in-laws in tow, but guys it was hilarious!

The first 'spot' @ 8.5 miles

Next stop to the hotel to meet my parents (who were apparently eating themselves with hunger!?) for quick bite of lunch, and ice-cream and a casual wonder around Hyde Park. I’d booked an Italian (surprise surprise) for my carb-loading dinner for 7pm, hoping to have eaten by 8pm….9:00 pm the food arrived, not ideal prep for a morning marathon. I certainly didn’t have time to fit dessert in (epic fail). Oh well, I was in bed by 10:30 (early for me!!) and up at 6am to eat my first round of porridge, followed by shower, dressing, a few ‘toilet issues’ and a second round of porridge at 7:30. All dressed and ready to go, shaking with nerves we got in the lift, which stopped half way down and another runner stepped in, which immediately put me at ease.

I waved goodbye to hubby, parents and in-laws who were digging into the hotel buffet brekkie knowing the next time I saw them would be en-route!

The great thing about the London Marathon is the free travel for runners on race day, just a quick flash of the number and I was through. It took an hour for me to get to Greenwich from Hyde Park and the train got busier and busier, bustling with runners and spectators. I felt a bit lonely actually as I seemed to be the only one on my own L but, I knew that the spectator plan I’d put together would make the pre-race loneliness worth it!

The green start turned out to be a 2 mile trek from the train station-not ideal, surely I must have lost some carbs and hydration in this time?

Spot the Mo-Bot...

The loo queues were immense, I was standing with a guy in his 60’s who informed me this was his 742^nd marathon (OMG!!!), I wanted to ask how his joints were faring but didn’t get the chance as was pulled out of the queue by a couple of ladies who insisted I’d be better going in the changing tent…naively I thought this meant there were some kind of ‘secret’ loos behind the said changing tent, but NO, it was a bunch of ladies, shorts pulled down squatting in the corner…ewwww! But when u gotta go, you gotta go!!!

I was in starting pen 4 and before I knew it, there were 5 minutes until kick-off so I jogged over, made sure my watch was ready and after the 30 second silence for the Boston Marathon bombings and Price Harry’s starting speech we were off.

After 6 years of applying, the moment was at last here! I was actually running THE LONDON MARATHON!!! I managed to get into my pace by about 3 miles, although at 2miles I managed to turn my stupid ankle (grrr). Consequently I was limping for a mile or so before the adrenaline kicked in and I forgot about it until the end.

Still smiling at 15 miles

So entertainment wise I saw…men in mankinis, dresses, carrying parachutes, traffic cone suits, gorillas-the lot, oh and not to mentions spectators (a few people deep) lining every inch of the course-Fantastic!

Flagging a little,
but always room for a
wave and a smile!

This race was all I could have hoped for, with the exception of the weather, too hot and sunny for runners (sunburnt shoulders, neck and dehydraition), but perfect for spectators. Being spotted at mile 8.5 and 11 by Matt, Meg and Ruth (my groupies) was pretty special , pretty sure mum and dad were at the first spot too! At 13.1 miles I was on target for a 3:12 finish which was my coaches (and secretly my) target. I spotted some of the elites after crossing the landmark Tower Bridge, as well as some of my other spectators (Laura and Co.). Then at around 16-18 miles, something happened, my quads started to ache, something I’ve never experienced before - uh oh was this the start of ‘the wall’? I tried to take on water and gels but my stomach wasn’t up to accepting much and my pace slowed quite significantly and I seemed to be all over the place, this was not ideal. The pain was showing by mile 23, the grimace on my face tells all, even Matt could tell I was in pain, I was no longer a passing ‘blur’ anymore but more of a ‘snail’!! But cheers of encouragement helped me to hang on, it seemed as though every spectator was shouting my name, its amazing how they seemed to be able to pick up on the struggling runners and really push you along. I’m not sure I’d have made it without stopping otherwise, and as much as I wanted a sprint finish, I literally had NOTHING in my tank. Any attempt at a sprint would result in cramping up and probably collapsing, it just wasn’t worth it!

Oh the pain!!!

I finished in 3:20:12. I have never been so pleased to see Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and that 6 letter word! FINISH My coach was the only person who saw me actually cross the line (red button, BBC!), stagger to the chip removal ramp and receive my medal.

It was all over, such a relief, but also a little sad, all the build up, training and hype – over in less than 4 hours. I didn’t sit down for about 2 hours after the finish, as I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to get back up again!

To celebrate, Prosecco, Steak and Chips – heaven!

My groupies :)

The proud family

Thanks so so much to my amazing spectators; Matt, Meg and Ruth who managed to run a ‘mini marathon’ themselves by the looks of it, catching me at 5 different spots along the way! As well as Mum, Dad, Marian, Brian, Laura and Diane :o) All the cheering really helped me get my PB. And a surprise visit from My god mother and brothers at the end really made my day :o)

Love you all,

Until next time…

1 week count down...

With the last of the long runs out of the way I am now officially on the taper and countdown to the big day! So I thought I’d look into the whole carb-loading shenanigans (which I never followed before my last - and only - other marathon as I ‘forgot’!!!).

I always thought that you should be starting carb-loading a couple of weeks before the big race, but apparently not, according to the official articles its only really required 2-3 days before to prevent heavy legs and therefore a more sluggish run. In that case I should probably slow down a little on the extra cakes and sweets I’ve been allowing myself!

In all honesty I’m more concerned about getting ill in this last week. Sooooo I have gone out a bought LOTS of fruit and just consumed a smoothie containing…pineapple, pear, kiwi, blackcurrants, redcurrants, raspberries, strawberries, blackberry’s, lemon and ginger (and breathe), so if that’s not gonna give me a vitamin C kick then nothing will! It’s like when you go on a well deserved holiday having worked your arse off for months and then catch a cold as you’ve let your guard down-well this is the same scenario, my running has significantly reduced but that DOES NOT mean I’m letting you horrid virus’s in (just no-one breathe on me over the next 6 days and I’ll be fine thanks)! 

The other important thing is sleep. Now I’m not an 8 hours a night kinda gal, more like 6-7 hours will do for me. I tried to get to bed before 11pm every night last week….it failed every night. MUST TRY HARDER…maybe a nightcap is in order?

Finally the BLOODY ENGLISH WEATHER! So up until the last 48 hours we’ve had admittedly ‘lower than average’ temperatures all spring. But that’s fine when you’re running a marathon. Today it was 20 degrees in London (sh*****t), sooooo I’m screwed if this heat wave doesn’t ‘do one’ over the next 6 days! A nice 5 degrees and sunshine OR a maximum of 10 but with some drizzle would be ideal please Mr Weather Man!! Thank You!

My Wishlist for the next week:

1)   More Sleep

2)   Cooler weather

3)   Super Immunity

4)   Not being knocked off my bike on my way to work

5)   No more niggles/injuries

6)   A nice (but painful) sports massage

7)   A stress free journey to London

8)   To arrive at the start line in one piece and confident that I can finish

 

Many people have been asking what I’m aiming to do it in. I’ve stopped answering this question. I’ve been trying to get onto London Marathon since 2006. I’m just happy to be running it, raising money for a worthy cause and if I get a good time, all the better J

Here's the Link if anyone wants to sponsor me: 

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SamanthaJones13 

See you on the other side…

The Penultimate Race...

Apparently this time last year we were having a heat wave and runners doing the Wilmslow half marathon were being treated for dehydration...not this year!! Try minus 5 degree temperatures and hypothermia instead!

Of the 4800 entrants only 3700 showed up for race day but I think this was partly due to various towns and villages being snowed in as well as ‘fair weather runner’ syndrome.

Jumping around like a 'loony'!

For us hard core runners (and spectators…Matt, Meg and Harry ;o) ) it was a truly Baltic race, with a mega headwind and no chance of us throwing off our gloves and headbands due to overheating. I entered hoping to get a new PB of sub-1:30 which meant running an ave of 6:50ish minute mile, sounds painful right?…yeah it was! After the usual toilet queues (twice) and trying to stay inside for a long as possible, followed by jumping around like a loony to stay warm, much to my spectator’s amusement, we made our way to the start line and swapped headbands* (thanks Michelle!). The loud BANG startled both Meg and I – no idea why as I should have expected it – and so I started the ‘penultimate’ race!

As per usual, I got swept up in the crowds and I think my 1^st mile was done in 6:10, but I couldn’t seem to slow down and think this may be due to the fact that a) it was slightly down hill, b) I couldn’t actually feel my feet, c) I felt alright!

...and were off!

At about 6 miles I got a tap on the shoulder from a fellow female  Stockport Harrier, a very experience long distance runner with  a marathon PB of sub 3 hours.  She told me to hang on to her, I managed this for all of about 2 miles (if that), she was just too speedy and I was in need of fuel. So I ‘wrenched’ the gel from my belt, (need more practice with this) and spent the next mile and a half trying to open it and consume it…not best pleased as it slowed me right down. Anyway, I eventually got the stuff down and made the executive decision to give my other 2 gels a miss as it would slow me down too much – lesson learnt, I NEED to practice with these gels before the big day!

Michelle and I, happy its all over!

The last 2 miles nearly killed me due to the headwind, I think the only thing that kept me going was Matt, Meg and Harry screaming at me and the sense that there was another female Harrier on my shoulder who I was determined to beat (for once), and I did – YAY J

I finished in 1:29:19, and we won the team prize, that’ll do!

*my head is too small for my headband and Michelle said my purple one matched her top so we swapped (hers was Velcro and adjustable).

Snow, wind, rain, hills…and an ice bath!

Pre-race, trying to stay warm
(note the snow in the background!)

Stafford 20 was on the cards this morning and I’m gonna be honest-I wasn’t looking forward to it! Having returned from warm Madeira (20 degrees) last Monday to the UK’s positively Baltic climate the last thing I wanted to do was get up at the crack of dawn on a Sunday morning, drive an hour down the M6 and race! But hey ho, that’s what I did, with my dedicated hubby in tow J

On our way down the snow seemed to get heavier and heavier the closer we got, our car temperature gauge assured us that it was indeed, Balitc. In hindsight it’s a good thing this was a race, had it been just a training run, I really don’t think I’d have got out of bed for it.

The race started and finished at Stafford University (who even knew, I just thought it was an M6 service stop!!).  Anyway great facilities, loads of parking and it seemed to be well organised bar the fact that we had to pick up our ‘finishers’ mug BEFORE we had even started….hmmm!

 We lined up at 10:30 ready for the off and were warned of the ‘bollards’ and ‘speed bumps’ (remember the ankle incident?) around the Uni grounds before exiting to the road. Within half a mile I passed a 14 mile marker, either I time travelled or….oh yes it was laps, oh so taunting. One large lap (8miles) and 2 small laps (6).  They were all ‘undulating’ although I’d rather call them ‘hilly’ (see Garmin link below). On top of that add a mega headwind and snow =  watering eyes and a wish that I’d stayed in bed, I really was doubting myself. Two girls and plenty of guys passed me and third girl tried but I managed to shake her off and never saw her again J

Matt must have been keeping toasty in the car when I finished the first lap as there was no sign of him, don’t blame him! But sure enough he was there egging me on for the 2^nd and 3^rd lap- he actually ran along side me for the last 500m or so, guiding me to the finish (the description said the start and finish are ‘tricky’, I was paranoid I’d run straight past it!!!).

Anyway all the effort, pain, cold etc. paid off as I finished in 2 hours 25 mins and 34 seconds, ave pace 7:17 minute mile, 5^th lady and won a prize - pleased with that!

Stafford 20 mile race by samjones13 at Garmin Connect - Details

(if you're at all interested in the stats, here's the link!)

I came home and yes got in an ice cold bath for five minutes (it’s ok my legs were numb, I literally couldn’t feel them, so pretty bearable!)

Next challenge, to beat 1:30 in a half marathon in two weeks, followed by LONDON MARATHON!!!

Bye Bye XC...until next time

What a busy and exiting weekend I’ve had, starting off with a reunion of the best girl friends anyone could ask for – luckily it was a ‘rest’ day on Saturday due to my final XC race of the season today.

We all went for one of those photo experiences and dressed up, played with helium balloons and party poppers, all very cheesy, you get the picture (excuse the pun)  but so much fun! Back to mine for tea and cake then out for a scrummy meal at which point Meg said ‘you haven’t done any blog recently’… so here’s that shout out I promised you Meg ;o)

After a sufficient carb-loading dinner of pizza and baked Alaska, (sans alcohol) and good old catch up I woke up fresh as a daisy and ready to go this morning! That was until I looked outside, yes as per usual on a British weekend it was grey, windy, wet, and freezing oh so tempting to stay at home in front of the cozy wood burner Matt had put on!

Pre-race (note clean legs and huuuge puddle between me and the start)

Anyway today was the final XC race in the Manchester Area League and was held at my home club Stockport Harriers. I’ve just realised the last blog I did was also about a XC held at my club…but it was a different league (last time it was the ‘Greater Manchester XC Championships’).

Post race MUD GALORE

So today was the same course but much more saturated so higher risk of loosing shoes and socks en route, I did my laces up super tight so by the time we started I couldn’t actually feel my feet-although that might also be due to the immensely cold puddles I had to walk through to get to the start line! There were 117 of us so once the gun went off it was pure carnage and I was more concerned about falling and getting trampled on with spikes than getting into a good position! Eventually the field separated and I managed to get into 14^th place before the killer hill, then somehow got a spurt of energy again and picked off 5 girls while going up that hill. I remained in 9^th position until the end coming in just 2 seconds slower than the last time but in same position (only today it was out of 117, last time it was out of 37!).

So I think that’s a good finish to the XC season and as the terminator said...I'll be back’!

Stockport Harriers didn’t win the league but we came 5^th overall, not too shoddy!!

Hanging up the Spikes for now

Now its pure slog until marathon day 69 days and counting – eeeeek!