Marathon Day - THIS IS IT !!

After a full 4 hours sleep, the alarm went off at 05:45 and I fully realised, this was it – no turning back now. After letting this sink in (while on the loo, obviously), it was down to stretching and banana eating, along with a cocktail of painkillers designed to get me through the run. Then I coated myself with enough anti-chaffing gloop to swim the channel, stretched ‘til I could stretch no more then off we went, leaving at 7:15. It was a foolish 2 mile walk to Preston Park by which time (8ish) I thought it best to queue for the loos. At the time I didn’t actually need to go but by the time the mile long queue was complete, there was only 30 minutes to go!!

Steve Cram then did the most boring motivational speech, mostly containing pure gold like “keep going as far as you can” and “it’s a hot day so take plenty of fluids” – he’s an Olympian, you know. So the run started at 09:00 and my ipod kicked off with “Don’t stop me now” – very apt.

At 3 miles, the crowd was cheering, the adrenalin pumping and my left knee went. It was a sudden, searing pain that went round the bottom of my knee and down my shin. It then went away as quickly as it arrived and came and alternated like this for the next ½ mile or so, until I established a gait that would reduce it happening. Ok, I really might not make this, what am I going to do. I appreciate that most would go the conservative route, but today of all days, that wasn’t for me. Chances are I wasn’t going to be able to run the whole distance so that was the last goal I had, gone, after I had already said goodbye to the 4 hour dream. Time for a new dream – if I was going to walk at some point, I was going to put in a bloody good half marathon time – so off I went.

The course blurb said that the first 11 miles were mostly uphill – and they weren’t kidding. Some of the inclines were steeper than the road past Upton house whereas other were shallower but seemed to go on forever. As the temperatures rose (hottest day of the year) I took to grabbing 2 waters at a time, one to pour over my head and one to drink.

At 9 miles my right thigh went but that just maintained at ache level so not too bad. By 12 I was unable to eat any of my carbo-gels as dehydration was making me feel too sick to keep them down and no-one came along to clap and see me bring up my breakfast.

Half way was reached in 1:55 dead and I was so pleased – even though I knew that in the heat I was pretty much spent, especially as I couldn’t take the gels. Joss was there to cheer me on but I was head down, so didn’t see her.

At 16.5 miles I stopped running for the first time for 2 minutes. This gave me time to drink a whole bottle of water, eat a gel and drink most of another bottle, before running to 18 miles. By this time, the roads were littered with runners lying down suffering from injuries and heat exhaustion. They looked terrible and were a grim reminder to take care of myself.

So, from 18 miles, I walked ¼ mile then run ¾ mile all the way to 25 miles. At that point I thought, “there’s no way I’m not running in from here”. So off I went. I knew that Joss would be somewhere near the end with Gary and Sarah so bu$$er the knee – I was going to stride out and look as good as possible.

At 25.5 miles I heard the unmistakeable call of “GULLIS” – no, it wasn’t Joss being a bit cool towards me but Joss realising that almost every male was called Dave and so wanted to make sure she was heard. There they were, all 3 waving and cheering, to which I replied with a bulldog stance and a “GRRRRRRR” which sent them, and the rest of the crowd around them into hysterics.

Less than a mile to go and I could see the finish line and I thought about what I had done and had happened today. Not just the bad stuff like bad knees and dehydration but the good stuff too. People who are running for the same charity patting you on the back and running with you, the crowd shouting “Keep going Dave” (my name was on my shirt – they weren’t psychic) and waters being shared amongst the runners when they could see others needed it more.

It was all this, plus the thoughts of all the hours of training in sub-zero temperatures, the weights and cycling sessions and with Joss being at my side all the time that made the last 100 yards the most emotional sporting time that I have ever had.

Emotional? Bl$$dy yes – an experience to be repeated – you have got to be kidding!!! Finishing time 4:19:37 – with the heat and injuries I couldn’t be happier and putting in a sub 2 hour half marathon topped it off nicely.

Training - Day 118 - 1 Day to Go

Ok, time to officially changing my status to "soiling myself". Today is Eloise's birthday so the morning was all about that followed by a trip to Dean Court to see Bournemouth on the same pitch as Tranmere - that's the best I can say for them. Home at 5:45 and Joss had lovingly prepared a big pasta meal - I love this carbo-loading and might continue it after the run :-) Then it was in the car and a short 2 and a quarter hours later we were checking into our room in Brighton, over a pub. Joss had a couple of glasses of wine and I stuck to orange juice and lemonade. What a good boy I am. Now, when we've stayed here before we have tended to gone to bed a little "tired and emotional" but with this being a sober experience we were able to fully enjoy the thumping music downstairs, followed by the arguements that come with a splendid night of drinking - brilliant!!!

Training - Day 117 - 2 Days to Go

Yes still a rest day but more importantly we're in the middle of of carbo loading. So, as I had the day off it's been a mixture of cake, bagels, power bars / drinks, painkillers and chips - I feel like a real athlete!! I bet Kelly Holmes never ate a diet quite like this - if she had who knows, she might have won 3 gold medals. Off to put some ice on my knee - been a lovely day though, hasn't it?

Training - Day 116 - 3 Days to Go

Right - it's rest all the way to Sunday now. I've taken this completely to heart, booked the afternoon off and slept for nearly 4 hours. Well, I must have needed it, yes? I also wnet to Boots and got some super strength anti inflammatories. The girl behind the desk said I should only take them for 3 days at most and I should have phrased my reply better than "that's ok I only have 3 days left" judging by the look on her face - oh well.
Sat here now with ice on my knee and just about to have pills number 2 watching the golf - could be a lot worse

Training - Day 115 - 4 Days to Go

Oooooo my goodness - I have been sooo tired today. Got home from the football at 1:15 and bed at 2:00 so it's been a real trip through treacle day. Got the prediction right - how did I do that, I wonder? Today was a 4 mile run and I had no confidence. This proved entirely accurate. Both legs really hurt and although I made it round there is no way on earth I have another 22 miles left in me. I'm hoping it's because I'm so tired but fear it's just a forerunner (no pun intended) of what is to come. I'll try to get a full night's sleep tonight and I'll see how I go from there

Training - Day 114 - 5 Days to Go

As I mentioned yesterday, today I'm treating as a rest day as I'm off to Bristol Rovers to watch AFCB. My prediction is that we'll lose 1 nil but dominate the game with over 20 shots......

Training - Day 113 - 6 Days to Go

Today is down as a rest day and tomorrow a 30 minute jog. Unfortunately I'm not free to jog tomorrow as I'm off to Bristol Rovers so wenrt to the gym today instead. In another 'read between the lines' moment I in fact did the most leisurely cycle ever. Legs were hurting more today than yesterday so hence the biking decision. Not a bead of sweat earned, I stretched on a cold mat and that's it. People kept out of my way, didn't invade my personal space and that's exactly how I like it  - I wonder if I'll mellow after this run is finished with - naaahh!!

Training - Day 112 - 7 Days to Go

Rest day today. Went for an hour's walk along the beach and did 2 sets of stretching at home. Finished that off with a mother's day curry and I think you'll agree that this definately was, a rest day

Training - Day 111 - 8 Days to Go

It was an 8 mile run today and I was extremely nervous. Joss had been ill this week so I was to be on my own. Yesterday I had bought myself some Deep Heat gel as I couldn't ever feel the spray doing anything. So, with that in mind, I coated both knees, shins thighs and hips - you can't be too careful, can you. Well, it appears you can. I applied liberally and then put on all the strapping that I intended to use. It was at this point I wondered exactly how hot the molten lava of a volcano was, and whether it would be slightly chillier than my legs. How exactly is having your legs on fire meant to help - except maybe evaporating lying water on roads for people to follow in a more safe manner? Joss followed me into the toilet (my place of application) and we are hoping that she will be able to come off the oxygen any time soon. From this run I learnt 3 invaluable lessons: 1 - Just because it hasn't hurt in the past it doesn't mean it can't hurt now. My right leg had eased but my left more than compensated for this. Lesson 2: Good music really does make you run faster. I was listening to some middle of the road songs and noticed that I was a few seconds per mile down. Then on came foo fighters and by the end of them I was 2 seconds under the pace I needed - a miracle. The 3rd and by far the most important lesson is, while running, never EVER wipe your runny nose with your hand unless you are ABSOLUTELY convinced that you have washed all the deep heat off. I looked like Rudolph and was breathing fire for a couple of miles and when you have a nose like mine it's much much worse. Still - live and learn....

Training - Day 110 - 9 Days to Go

It was a cycle at the gym today. I got there and realised that I hadn't already taken off my 50cm leg tube off and so was hoping for an empty changing room. Well, you can guess the rest - full to the rafters of blokes comparing muscle definition. Great - being in a room with a load of posers is bad enough but having to get changed out of something Miss Marple would be ashamed of is another level. I did consider stalling and hoping that they'd leave but there's only so many times that you can check your bag for contents before people start to wonder what exactly you're up to. So, after that embarrassment I went to the bike that had the least amount of fresh sweat and boiled sweets on it and settled down to an audio book and 30 minutes of cycling. After that it's time for stretching. Now in the gym, there are about 6 mats. On there, was a bloke with a personal trainer and they had decided that rather than just use 1 mat, it was perfectly acceptable to lie across 4. The other 2 being busy - I walked up to them and stared until they begrudgingly gave one over - the sweat laden one. I put my stuff down and went and got some paper towels and cleaning spray and made a point of cleaning it in front of them while slowly shaking my head. They had the decency to look a little abashed but I couldn't care less - so i then picked up my stuff and dragged the mat to another spot across the gym. You know what - the older I get , the more tolerent I think I'm becoming....

Training - Day 109 - 10 Days to Go

I woke this morning hoping that there were no side-affects from yesterday and that's no too far off the mark. Sure there are niggles but I would expect no less. I put my knee support on my left and this long surgical stocking like thing on my right. Very, very uncomfortable. The tube thing was especially uncomfortable with no dignified way of adjusting it - so I spent most of the day in trap 4. Rest day today - another one of my famed read between the lines sessions because in the book it said a 30 minute jog - but I just don't want to push my luck too much.

Training - Day 108 - 11 Days to Go

Right - today's the day - a 5 mile run at marathon pace. This will decide whether this is the last run I have before the race of not. So, with 2 knee straps on the left, 1 knee strap and 1 thigh strap on the right I set off looking very much like an impoverished robocop - none of that would stop a pea-shooter let alone a sniper. Approximately 2 seconds into the run I realised the thigh strap makes no bl$$dy difference at all - still painful. But I carried on even though I felt like I was rtunning sideways, dragging my chocolate leg behind me. At 2.5 miles my left knee kicked off - but to my relief it didn't get as bad as Saturday. Part of that might be that I knew there wasn't long to go but I'd like to think maybe there was an improvement? What I do know now is that when you're carrying an injury, it's not just the pain - running is actually HARDER - ie more effort. 5 miles completed and I was cream crackered. The thought that on the day I'd still have 21 to go just doesn't bear thinking of....
Still - I'll be running this Saturday ;-)

Training - Day 107 - 12 Days to Go

You know what I love leaving work early. I'm seriously thinking that changimg my hours to come in and go early. Just how good to you feel when you've had lunch and there's not long left - priceless!! Annnnyway - it was a weights session today. Lots of upper body and leg exercises. On the one machine I didn't even have the strength to pull the lever to adjust the seat height so had to pretend that I didn't really want to move it. When I got home I made myself, from a rolled up yoga mat and a roll of gaffer tape a strong hard tube that you are meant to roll over to simulate deep tissue massage. Well, I didn't thin it would work but gave it a go and as I rolled my calfs over it the pain surged through me just like when I had the sports massage - so maybe there's somethin in it. I did the same for my thight muscles and it really hit the spot - which is just as well because the position you have to get into to have an effect is more than a little inappropriate - can't wait to do it again ;-)

Training - Day 106 - 13 Days to Go

Trying to be more positive today - but it's not easy. Tried wearing a knee support at work but you just can't wear them sat down, they all bunch up. Went and bought a matching knee support after work and wore both at the gym. You know sometimes you see people in the gym that you think ahhh bless - he obviously can't dress himself. Well, today that was me. More strapping than robocop, I caught a view of myself in a mirror and just winced - but it was too late by then. So, I cycled for 30 minutes and then jogged for 10 - it doesn't sound ling but I really believed that 1 minute joging was going to be too long so quite chuffed. Finished off with a monster stretch session and that's it for me - apart from the hot bath and then ise pack to the knee - I'm taking no chances now

Training - Day 105 - 14 Days to go

Feeling blooming rubbish. My legs hurt hurt hurt. What's the point in all this training if I feel worse now than I did 2 months ago ;-( Uh well, rest day today, and maybe some more wine...........

Training - Day 104 - 15 Days to Go

It's been 2 weeks since I last ran. I've cycled, swam, stretched and iced. I've even had a sport's massage - and the difference it's made - bu$$er all!!!
3 miles in my knee started to hurt just as it did before and it never went away. I ran the full 10 miles to see if the pain got worse, which it did a bit but more worryingly everything else started to also hurt by the end. I think that's it - the dream of 1 race and a sub 4 hour run is over. I've got to face the fact that I've no chance of starting the run injury free - so the goal has got to be survival. No matter how long it takes - I want to make it to the end and not have done any permanent damage. Easier said than done for me - but I've got to be realistic. On the plus side I ran with music on my ipod for the first time today and it did serve to take my mind off things a little. It's difficult to say just HOW much it helped as this was  much shorter run - so the "wall" wasn't looming. I'm off to boots tomorrow for a knee support and I'm going to wear that to try to speed up recovery. I'll try a jog with it on to see if it helps next week but if not today's my last run before the main event - it was all going so well 4 weeks ago....

Training - Day 103 - 16 Days to Go

Rest Day - I left work early and went to Bournemouth for a sport's massage. I really wasn't looking forward to it and it turned out that my fears were completely.....justified. I tried to steer her to concentrate on my legs as they were causing me the most concern but she insisted on also doing my back as a lot of leg pains stem from the back. I have heard stories that people can fall asleep through a massage - LIARS!! The back session was an excruciating 25 minutes or so, culminating in a pain so severe that it actually only stopped when she slipped on the floor as my tears started to flood the lino. "Can you feel that?" she asked quietly "It should start painfully but ease off as you breathe into it" At this point I'd almost bitten through my tongue so answering was limited to a pathetic wimper. When she started to inflict the same treatment on my legs I managed to comment that she must have fingers of steel. She replied "No, not really, it's all about using your bodyweight - although for your back I did have to use my elbow" Yes, I thought, it did feel rather like she'd picked the hardest, boniest part of her body to help me "relax". 35 minutes, a man sized box of tissues and 2 breakdowns later it was all over, leaving me to hobble back to the car, sit in the driver's seat and just rest my head on the steering wheel until, several minutes later, I began to feel my extremeties. This run had better be worth it!!!

Training - Day 102 - 17 Days to Go

Had some house moving decisions to make last night and you can only make life changing decisions with a belly-full of wine - so as a consequence, today has turned into a rest day. I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions as to why, but it's not difficult...........

Training - Day 101 - 18 Days to Go

I did it - I fanally managed to get up early enough to go to the gym for a swim and weights session - what could go wrong? I'll tell you - the bl$£dy boiler at the gym has packed in again and there's no hot water. If I still swam and did weights, I'd be leaving the gym at the school ru time to go home for a shower - so i shelved the swim. Instead, I did a 30 minute cycle and afterwards I took the name and email address of the manager - it's happening just too many times!!! Feel like I'm not trying hard enough this week - but if it gets me through 10 miles on Saturday - it will all be worthwhile

Training - Day 100 - 19 Days to Go

100 Days - who'd have thought it!! At this point in my "journey" my guess is that you would have expected me to have come to some sort of deep and meaningful understanding of myself - an epiphany, if you will. Well, no. What I have learned is that running hurts, and running further hurts more. Other than that - that I'm an idiot for even trying ;-). Rest day today, and taking full advantage of it