Out with the old and in with the new

Preparation is, of course, key. Talk to any runner and ask about their training and they will never say it's going as well as they would like. We all always expect more. And so it was with me with a series of injuries, treatments, excuses etc. However, I continued to put the miles in regardless albeit not running as far as I wanted or as fast. I threw out my faithful trainers as the cushioning bubbles (that's very old technology which gives you an indication to their age) had started to pop out.

Barnet Education Arts Trust (BEAT)

For my first Marathon I raised money for the Chickenshed Theatre, an inspiring local group promoting acting, drama and music for all abilities. son Nathan had learnt guitar from Anthony Filby, a quietly spoken, unassuming guitar teacher who was one of the founders of that theatre. Years later, as Head of Music for Barnet he was asked to help set up BEAT and is Director of Standards and Excellence. The trust provides instrumental tuition and music centres across the London Borough of Barnet. This involves providing 3 bespoke music centres, a range of ensembles, a centralized A level course and both in school and outside school instrumental and vocal tuition. With so much opportunity to offer, the trust ensures that music and creativity stay at the heart of the educational agenda. (End of advert!).

I count him as a friend and a friend in need is a friend indeed or so that horrible sayting goes, so I wasn't surprised to see an email from him pop in to my inbox one day. It was a polite request to see if I could "help out". I wsan't sure what that might mean. My musical skills are, well, skills is the wrong word, let's leave it at that. I didn't think I could be philanthropic enough to make a personal meaningful difference to their coffers. So running, it must be that. I was very pleased to offer to try and raise a some money for this cause, it being a little different from the usual requests.

Once again, you, dear gentle reader, have been very generous with your support and may even be pleased to know that the donation page is available until the end of May 2014! Thank you x

Race Day

You know, it's not just about the running but more about the whole event. Having done many races and thinking I would be lucky to get anywhere near my PB (Personal Best) I took a very relaxed approach. Indeed one bit of advice from a fellow runner (see, I told you) was to just chill out and enjoy the run. This meant I paid little attention to details but I had the important bits of my kit with me at least. We'd stayed in a hotel in the centre of Reading on the Saturday night (we know how to enjoy ourselves and the Reading nightlife didn't disappoint: one girl falling over drunk onto a signboard at 7:30pm. We could have been in Newcastle for all I knew). So the next morning we just had to hop on a bus to get to the start. It was dry but cold and I hadn't brought a top that I could wear and discard. Dave to the rescue as he provided 3 of our group of 4 with black bin bags. Having torn a hole for my head to pop out I, of course, went for the no-arms look as that was the warmest. It was OK although, amazingly, I was the butt of some jokes and found it hard going upstairs on the bus.

Oh look, a medal
I must have finished then...

That's me there at the finish. Inside the red circle. Honest

We got to our pen a little early I bobbed around in the sleeveless bin bag. As we were early we were quite close to the front of our section and started feeling a little uncomfortable at the athletic look of our fellow runners. To relieve the tension, Tony the Fridge came past to take up his place on the platform for an interview. He's the guy who run long distances with a Smeg fridge on his back for charity. I asked for 2 Choc-ices but, according to his waved reply, I think he only had two chocolate fingers. His opening speech consisted of "Oggy, Oggy Oggy". That's what happens to your brain if you carry a fridge round on your back apparently.

More standing round followed by a ridiculous routine to get us warm which had people flailing their arms around in all directions and the waiting was over. Bin bags off. 70s retro headband on. Good luck all round and we shuffled forward and finally broke into a run.

I was going to be running faster than the others so just legged it. Not very sociable but needs must. I finally decided, buoyed by the bountiful buoyancy from my new trainers, to set my running watch for 7 min 30 sec miles which should approximate to match my PB. I would then decide if I couldn't keep up, or indeed could go faster (ha!), during the race. The first mile was crowded with a couple of pinch points but I found myself comfortably inside that time. I started to ignore the watch and just run, keeping up with the seemingly OK pase of the group I was surrounded by.

The first water station was quite soon and quite useless. Plastic cups of water. I was thirsty, having not had a drink for over 2 hours at this point so I grabbed one. It is imply impossible to run and drink from this cups so I got wet on the outside rather than the insisde. After 2.5 miles there is a big hill so I checked and I was comfortably ahead and feeling good. I got the hill out of the way and had dropped back on time so put in a spurt. I'm thinking about 1/4 distance and 1/3 distance now. I'll just keep this pace up....hmmm about a minute ahead.

After 6 miles we ran past the hotel we were staying in. Karen and Jo, Dave's wife, and the othes had been in the spa, drinking coffee etc. all morning and literally had to just step out hte fron of the hotel to see us. It's always a good feeling to be supported and, after a bit of over the top arm waving I racn off. Mile 8. Soon there will just be an "easy" run left. I passed the Little Ale Brewery who, helpfully, had plastic beakers (arrrggh!) of beer (mmmmm!) so I grabbed one and took a couple of sips. Bloody awful. I felt like turning back to complain but imagine that taste buds do get affected by running long distances. Fortunately the organisers had arranged plenty of proper fuel stations along the way so all I had to put up with was the smell of stale ale on my glove whilst drinking the water.

Coming up to 10 miles and I only had 3.1 to do. That's the equivalent of a Saturday Parkrun so I pictured that in my mind. I upped my pace a little and enjoyed the feeling of going fast down a hill. A mile ticked off and then I remembered how much I hated the second mile at Parkrun. Which turned over to the loathing of the third. But I was minutes ahead so there was no backing down now. Several times I thought I have overcooked it and would have to ease right off but I stuck with it and enjoyed running into the stadium to the cheers of the crowd. Only 3 of which were for me but never mind. A final sprint to the finish and I dared to look at my watch. 1 hour 34 minutes! My dream for this year was to go for 1 hour 35 and I didn't think I could even match my previous best of 1 hour 38. I was delighted.

And best of all? It didn't rain

The stats are here:

Reading Marathon Site.
The stats from my watch.