London Marathon Sunday 22 April 2012

Instead of blogging my usual build up to the London Marathon, I find myself in a different position this year.  For various reasons 1. A hamstring injury before Christmas, 2. Concentrating on getting the practical experience in for my UKA coaching course & 3. Being made redundant at work -  I have not been able to put in the same training for the marathon that I have in previous years.  Looking at my log my milage for the 20 week build up to London previously, was  2010 - 1524 miles, 2011- 1356 miles and this year only 894 miles of which the amount of quality speed work was also down.  Therefore my blog starts with the Marathon and hopefully my progression through the summer months.

Due to the above reasons my ultimate goal this year was just to try and get under 3 hours.
Setting off from the start I did not blast of as usual but tried to run at a more controlled pace, whereas the first few miles has been sub 6'00 m/m pace in other years it was more like 6'15 m/m. However did not feel that comfortable at 6 miles (Folkestone cheerleaders team 1 - were doing a great job) and thought it was going to be a long slog. However once I got onto Tower Bridge and past the half way point I started to feel a lot better. Half way was reached in about 01:22:50 approx 4.5 mins down on previous years, and at this stage went pasted Rona who was starting to look heavy legged. The next target was to reach Folkestone cheerleaders team 2 just before 16 miles who did a brilliant job of lifting my spirits, before the tough section through Canary Wharf and the 20 mile point. After this it was a long slog for home over the final 6 miles, it felt like I was going backwards but was still maintaining the pace at about 7'15 m/m. Finally getting into Birdcage Walk I was totally spent and moving on autopilot, had pain in left thigh and last mile was a real struggle but managed to cross the line in 2'56'52 and achieve my ultimate goal of another sub 3 hour marathon.
It was a long walk back up the Mall to collect my bags and the worst I think I have felt at the end of a marathon. However managed eventually to recover and wait for the rest of my team mates from Folkestone who all did brilliantly and put in some amazing performances, from the first timers to the old hands.

Job done, my annual marathon out of the way for this year and therefore will work on speed work through the summer and hopefully get in some Track Racing this season.