London Marathon 2009 Diary

FLM09 - Week 16 - Race Day

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 22:35:23 +0100

What a day. Most definitely the best achievement of my life. I actually did it and I am still on a high.
The day got off to an unsure start with no sign of the predicted weather of 12 degrees and light showers. Instead it was 14 deg and clear skies as we all lined up at the start. Despite this the run got under way at a very steady 10 min/mile pace.
After the first quarter I felt superb and was really going well. The heat started to increase as we got towards the halfway mark but again I was going well. A bit slower pace than I had planned but stuck with it as I felt very comfortable. I ended up running non stop to 19 miles, way further than I expected, and then really suddenly my legs decide they’d had enough. I felt great in my head and with my breathing but I just could not pick my feet up to run. I walked for quite a bit over the next 2 miles and took on plenty of carb Gels and water. Then around 21 miles things got easier again and I was able to get running.
From now on though it was a case of running at a very steady pace as the heat really started to build. The temperatures were now around 20 degrees and people around me were dropping like flies. Its really disturbing to see bodies just slumped on the floor with oxygen masks on and it forced me to just go steady. Once I got to 24 miles I felt really good knowing the end was close. I turned my iPod off to listen to the crowds which gives you a boost that you just cant believe. I managed to pick up the pace and finished with a 9:35 mins for the last mile (faster than my 1st mile) and crossed the finish line with my arms in the air and a huge smile on my face. You just cant explain that feeling and I urge you all to try it for yourself.
From start to finish there was not a single part of the course that wasn't lined with people cheering you. The noise is almost deafening and at times I just could not hear the music on my iPod. I think next time i will run without it.
The first question everyone seems to ask me is will I do it again. Well the answer is a definite YES, YES, YES. I would do it next week if I had the chance. An experience that will live with me forever and one I would recommend to anyone.

Thanks to everyone who has sponsored me and to anyone who hasn’t yet, its not too late. www.justgiving.com/gd4mnd
There are a few pictures up already of me with more to come later in the week. Just follow this link. If asked for my number its 2095. http://www.marathonfoto.com/index.cfm?RaceOID=19802009S1&LastName=DENNEY&BibNumber=2095&Mailing=22650

FLM09 - Week 15

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 22:31:12 +0100

I decided to do one extra big run due to my disappointing attempt last Sunday when I struggled for over half of the 20 miler. I changed the route just a bit to avoid the dangerous downhill from Thornton to Earby where 3 cars almost wiped me out last week. I replaced that section with a climb up Castle Road and back down Old Skipton Road. Other than that it was the same run, however this week I planned my water intake a lot better and knocked 17 mins of the time. I felt great right through to 16 miles and then things started going slow but to be honest thats just about what I expected. Very happy now and full of confidence going into the Marathon next week.
So Just 2 more 6 mile runs this week and then thats it, all training completed. Based on the training times I have been getting I am definitely setting my target at 4 hours 30 mins. If I’m quicker than that I will be ecstatic and if I have a bad day then no worse than 5 Hours.
Wish Me Luck :-)

FLM09 - Week 14

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 22:27:59 +0100

After the success of last week I decided to rack up some miles again. Monday saw me do a 6 miler, Wednesday a 13.1 miler (Half Marathon distance) after work, Saturday I just did a gentle 4 miles and then today I went for the biggy. 20 miles through Colne, Foulridge, Barlick, Thornton, Earby and back home. This was a real struggle as the sun came out and the temperature, at 16 degrees, was higher than any of my other training runs so far. After just 9 miles I was struggling from dehydration and had to limp round to 13 miles before I found a shop open where I could buy some more water. Several times I felt sick and weary but managed to get back home by running and walking the last 7 miles.
My time was just over 3 and a half hours (a bit less if you take into account time spent in shops) and despite the struggle this was still just on target for my 4.5 hour marathon.
Going to do it again next week although need to adjust the route slightly to go past shops at regular intervals. I’m praying its not that warm on the actual marathon day.

FLM09 - Week 13

Sun, 5 Apr 2009 22:25:30 +0100

I thought I would test myself this week and went for 3 good size runs in just 5 days. I started on Monday (just 2 days after the Larne Half Marathon) with a 6 miler at gentle pace. The day after I pushed myself round 11 miles and then 2 days later I went for my biggest run to date. 15 miles to Barnoldswick and back. It was tough going over the last couple of miles but I made it and got a real lift from the achievement. I am now confident of getting a couple of 20 milers in before the big day. I also came through without any trouble from my knee which is another big plus.
Also this weekend was our annual lads golfing weekend in Lincoln so playing 4 rounds in 3 days will go a long way to keeping my fitness levels up.

FLM09 - Week 12

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:22:25 +0100

A week back on training and another half marathon under my belt. Just did the one training run of 9 miles this week as I did not want to over do things after the injury. Went to Ireland and competed in the Larne Half Marathon which is another milestone for me being my 10th Half Marathon in just over 18 months. All in all I seem to be getting back on track and going to start building those miles up.

FLM09 - Week 11

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 22:18:56 +0000

From the doom and gloom of the last 2 weeks I was finally able to get out running. The first run on Sunday was a gentle 6 miles through Barrowford and although my knee was a little sore towards the end, I think it went quite well. I followed this up with the same run again on Tuesday and again it felt quite good although reasonably slow.
After 2 days rest I decided to take a risk and increase the mileage. I aimed to do 10 miles but due to a miscalculation on the way round I ended up doing 12 miles, including the 1 mile hill at Barden, and felt very comfortable. No pain from the knee at all so hopefully that is now behind me as I gradually build up the mileage. A round of golf this morning also confirmed all is well with the knee so all set now for next weeks half marathon at Larne in Northern Ireland.

FLM09 - Week 10

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 22:10:23 +0000

The injury is healing slowly but at least I can now get around a bit. The worst bit is the frustration of not getting out running. Its driving me mad as I see the Marathon getting closer. I have been trying to create a new training plan and its going to be a struggle to do anything over 20 miles before the big day. Hopefully next week I can get back running and things will be a bit clearer then.

FLM09 - Week 9

Sun, 8 Mar 2009 20:02:42 +0000

Second half of the training schedule gets off to the worst possible start with an injury that stops me from running. On Thursday I decided to go for training run today even though my knee / shin has been aching all week.
What a disaster.
I had only got a few yards while warming up and it felt like I had been shot in the leg. Just below my knee, at the top of my shin was a really severe pain that was continuing down my leg, this felt like a break or fracture. Debbie took me to the hospital as I could not walk or apply pressure to my leg.
Turns out there is good news and bad news and its not as bad as first feared. I have strained the Medial Collateral Ligament (see picture) which basically connects the thigh bone to the shin bone and creates support for the knee. The strain is at the point of connection to the shin. The good news is it is about 5-10 days to heal and there should be no permanent damage, the bad news is zero training for at least 7 days and then slowly build back up.
At this point in my schedule thats very very bad news. I was supposed to be taking part in the Trimpell 20 mile race next week but that is just not going to happen now. For all those who have sponsored me though, don’t worry. It wont stop me running in London, it just means it will be harder.

FLM09 - Weeks 1 to 8

Sun, 1 Mar 2009 18:55:06 +0000

Well thats the first half of the training done and dusted. 8 weeks down and 8 more to go.
Its been really tough this week with a run every other day. My schedule has me starting to increase the mileage quite a bit and this week was the first taste of that. After the GNW Half Marathon last Sunday it has been followed up by 6.6 miles on Tuesday, 8 miles on Thursday and 10 miles on Saturday. To add to this I played 5-a-side for an hour today as well. Although I feel fit enough to run a lot more than this, as in my heart rate and breathing, my calf muscles have other ideas. The pain has been quite intense at times and I’m really hoping that eases a little this week. Also there is a reacurrence of the problem with my right knee that hampered my training for last years Great North Run. I’m praying that settles back down again.
Also this week, seeing as I had done over 600 miles in my New Balance trainers, I thought it was about time I got some new ones. After reading some running forums and reviews I finally settled on Nike’s Air Zoom Vomero+ 3 and today they arrived in the post.
I decided to jump straight in and wear them for todays 10 mile training run and WOW! how comfy are they. I could hardly feel the impact with the ground and my speed increased a little with the extra spring in my step. Proof I think that my old trainers had finally lost their cushioning and support.
So 8 more weeks to go with the next 3 being the toughest for mileage, I cant wait :-)