Pondering Re-Entry!
With a back scan coming up… I can feel a call to Whizz Kidz next year and prepping for the London 2017 marathon…. Unfinished business!
This was the day. Today I ran the furthest prep run for the marathon that I will do.
The 20 mile route took me from Streetly (Did the Mothering Sunday duties first) down to banners gate. Running through Sutton Park rising from Banners Gate over the hill and dropping to Town Gate, which was heaving in the lovely weather with families out for the day and a tempting ice cream van doing a roaring trade.
Bearing left, I ran up towards Bracebridge Pool and the took the half mile climb past Four Oaks Private Estate where the Exmoor ponies graze and emerging from the park at Four Oaks gate. From there I dropped down the other side of the hill to Mere Green.
At this point, circa 5 miles, the sun was shining brilliantly and I was wondering if it would have a big deteriorating effect. As it happens that was the least of my worries. From Mere Green I turned towards Lichfield and began a 4 mile straight trek along the main road. During this time, cloud first cancelled the sun for which I was grateful but the chill that accompanied it spoke of downpour and it came along shortly.
Nobody needs this on the horizon
Running in drizzle, I can report, is refreshing. Running in a proper downpour, is insane.
Eventually the dark sky relented and I turned left up into Shenstone village. If you do not know the roads and route that well, I would advise that you pay more attention to road names. I knew it was not good news to turn at my alloted junction into ‘St Johns Hill’ thankfully St John was a compassionate man and his hill was merely taxing.
The 3-4 mile run to Stonall was definitely pleasant, open rolling Staffordshire countryside and knowing I was going beyond half way, lovely. Stonall was a bit of a maze but an old chap gardening pointed me in the way of the Chester Road, I called him ‘chief’ when thanking him – I can put that down to the strange effects endurance running has on your mind.
Turning left on the Chester Road, the skies opened for a second time and now it was not pleasant at all. Again the downpour was heavy but no more than 10 minutes, enough for a good soaking. Turning left into Mill Lane, the road slopped downwards and with it a river.
Emerging onto Walsall Road by Little Aston Hospital, I turned left and followed the long curving road up past the private estate and began a long steady energy sapping climb all the way back up to Four Oaks Gate. From here I followed the reverse journey back.
My legs ached a lot. It is a strange sensation seeing you are travelling forwards seemingly putting one foot in front of the other almost robotic like, without conscious thought. A lot of the challenge is mental. I need to work on this as things stand I am not confident I will run the course. That said today I ran 75% of it over a more hilly terrain without the support of the crowd and I will strip fitter for the effort. This is the story I shall reinforce.
Next week, a confidence boosting half marathon is on the cards. Anyone care to join?
Please please, if you have not yet consider a sponsorship: www.virginmoneygiving.com/timlarden.
Some final notes as I enter the last two weeks. Firstly I have been tee total for ten days. This will remain the case until the marathon is completed. Then I plan on getting smashed.
I am also planning a fundraising auction (great stuff already in!) as well as a fundraising trip to Ascot.
Whizz Kidz have sent loads of supportive stuff out. They have 550 runners for the marathon, I know none of them personally but feel like a member of the team proper! I look forward to passing the cheering posts they have specially set up for their supporters and meeting them at the pub / restaurant they are taking over near the finish.
After the marathon I am heading back to Birmingham on the train where rumours are running amuck I may hold court at The Hardwick on the evening.
Two weeks of debauched slackness in the training schedule left me a little stuffed this weekend but I managed a decent run – please donate at www.virginmoneygiving.com/timlarden
I held an entry for the Forest of Dean half marathon which I didn’t take up (I made my apologies to those colleagues who did run it). Instead I ran 15.5 miles on the road in a return circuit.
I started from Defford running up and over the hill to Besford, on to Wadborough before hanging a right and making the undulating run past private forest to the main road. A quick jink and I was back on the quieter lanes, running through the village of Drakes Broughton under the railway line and up to the A44, another quick couple of turns and the final mile into Peopleton (pub looks worth a return visit). Then turn around and repeat.
The only surprise was the dog. I am used to dogs careering across gardens to threaten your very existence. Thankfully they are behind decent fences. Molly, who belongs to a farmer was not. Thankfully noisy but not bighty.
With three weeks to go, I have probably time for two big prep runs. The week before the marathon I am going to the national meeting at Aintree so will have to manage a run in there somewhere.
On the donations front I have done precious little to raise funds but I am starting in earnest now. There will be the Charity Auction, the Ascot Racing Day and a concerted effort to get people on www.virginmoneygiving.com/timlarden
16.3 Miles Yesterday – 11 minute miles
Yesterday I managed to run the furthest I have ever achieved in my life. 16.3 miles is a long way!
The route was a nice loop, which I much prefer to running directly to and from one single place.
Leaving Defford in the direction of Upton, I turned into the lane that takes you towards Lower Strensham. I crossed the motorway (circa 2.2 miles) and carried on into Strensham. at points on this stretch you could look left and see the return route of the roads over by Bredons Norton. Knowing I would not be there for the best part of two hours running was an oddly exciting feeling.
From Upper Strensham I climbed over the hill to Twyning. I never realised that there was a bit of a climb there, having driven it you just do not notice. Turning a quick right and left in Twyning put me on the road to a lovely little village called Church End.
It was in Church End where a large Alsatian decided to demonstrate his territorial warnings with some vicious barking from behind a thankfully decent looking fence. Having not seen it until its aggressive barking, I must admit, I scampered across the road looking not too manly about the whole thing.
Running through Church End I joined the A38 to Tewkesbury dropping into the town crossing the marina and turning left to Bredon. Running on main roads was not as pleasant as the first 6 miles and particularly the climb to Bredon running on a main road, was not the best.
Under the motorway bridge and into Bredons Hardwick, managed to frighten a woman to squeak at me as I ran on past her. I don’t know what the etiquette is – Should I have shouted a warning? I would suggest that would be worse!
Through Bredon and left onto the final third. Past Bredons Norton, the long road to Eckington, looking West trying to pick the bits of the distant vista I had run on while completing the outward trip.
Through Eckington over the bridge, the gentle climb to Defford and home.
A pint of coke. I never drink the stuff but it was like nectar to a bee. Then a night in the Hardwick. Six pints. It is what all the top athletes do, I assure you.
Played footy tonight as well, legs ache but pretty pleased with that!
A Tuesday night training run with the work running club tonight and it was a decent workout.
We left Endsleigh Park heading along the Shudington Road towards Cheltenham, at the lane before the traffic island we took a left and followed it to the end where you join the main road, further down from Morrisons. Turning right we made our way back to the traffic island on the Shurdington Road.
We made right and ran back up past Endsleigh Park. At this stage we had completed the first 4/5 miles at nine minute miles. This was slightly quicker than my going pace and I could definitely feel the difference.
Phil kept up the fair clip as we passed Endsleigh Park heading up to the main junction on the A417, we continued straight over, passed the Chase Hotel and up to the island with the Shell garage.
This was about the 6 mile marker and by now I could definitely feel the slight increase in tempo.
As we turned up towards the Twelve Bells, I maintained the pace for half a mile before accepting that the shame of dropping off the pace slightly would be preferable to the pain of maintaining it.
Up the hill to Bentham dome, I was within a few hundred metres of the pack at the top. Back down through the lanes emerging through Church Lane, Green Lane, Dog Lane and Dark Lane, eventually coming back out on the Shurdington Road and the short run in.
Two minutes slower than the main group.
Enjoyable stuff, good company, nice to work at a slightly higher tempo. Planning another 15 miler for Saturday.
Blew up on Bredon Hill – 8.4 miles
Yesterdays training run was a change in training strategy. Having managed 15 miles last weekend, this weekend a bit of sharper work was in order.
Running from the road on the Bredon side of Eckington, I jogged down to the village of Bredons Norton to meet a fellow runner who was down for the weekend. We set off from Bredons Norton to climb the Bredon Hill bridleways and paths and arrive at the folly / triangulation point at the top.
Bredon Hill from a distance
For those who do not know Bredon Hill, it is on your port side as you travel past Strensham Services between J7 and J8 on the M5 southbound.
Running up it was something my running partner and old mate (Shad) does regularly and within minutes it became obvious it was not going to be simple to keep tabs on him.
Running up an extremely muddy track (you could not race horses on it), we scrambled over the first few gates. Within the first 400m we were soaked and muddy. I only had my normal running shoes which made the experience interesting.
Sadly, within the first five minutes, I blew up. Breathing very quickly became heavy then laboured then thirsty gulps for air. Shad suggested we had gone off a bit quick although I think he was being kind. I did something I really do not like doing in training, I walked for a stretch with the stench of defeat mingled with mud. Stitch in my ribs was murder.
The run up the hill was continued but punctuated with a couple of such walk breaks, due to my stitch / weakness.
The tower atop the hill
We eventually ran the last stretch up to the top which consisted of a pretty section of woodland before opening into a less attractive stone rutted field which was the final 400m climb to the tower. A quick break for a photo and we were off (2 miles covered). Glad to be back running as the wind was very cold, we both enjoyed free wheeling down the hill although the treacherous conditions did for Shad and he ended up in an impressive ten metre powerslide on his back, less then graceful.
At the top under the tower
We joined the lanes under the hill and ran back to Eckington village with nice views to our right of the Avon. Over Eckington Bridge and back to Defford, caked in mud.
Pit stop and then pub. 4 pints , rugby, happy days.
I was less than happy with the opening hill run bit, I might run a few more hills to build that strength. Running trainers needed the washing machine!
15 Miles of Running -2 and a half hours of pain
Ouch – I was determined to kick my training distance up a notch and so today I embarked on a 15 mile effort.
This was 2 miles into the unknown given my half marathon run in Birmingham was the furthest I had previously managed.
I left Defford heading north towards Besford continuing on to Wadborough. Following the road to Stoulton I turned left running through Littleborough until bearing left down to the motorway. This represented the half way point as I turned round and ran the route in reverse.
The whole route was Worcestershire lanes. It was very damp, cool and overcast.
I managed to complete the route but I have to admit that the last two miles was the toughest run I have had yet. My legs felt leaden and I had to have a serious chat with myself to ensure I finished.
I am hoping that as I extend from 15 miles, it might feel easier. It did feel like I was breaking through a barrier. I spent the afternoon horizontal watching sport!
Post Work Spin – Ran Seven Miles 66 Minutes
Quick spin after work with the Endsleigh running club. A small group tonight which consisted of four runners setting off at sixish.
We ran a route through the lanes behind Shurdington before looping down past the Chase Hotel, hanging left up past Twelve Bells to Bentham before an extended run back to Endsleigh Park.
Rodders set the early pace and I held back with young Marvin. After fifteen minutes there was less chat as the regular breathing became more important! We ran our seven miles in 66 minutes. This is just a touch faster than my usual jogging pace and I have to say I could tell.
The pace of Rhodri slackened in the last two miles and he joined me in the pursuing pack.
My own racing notes read: Started slowly, held up, always in rear, shaken up from 6 furlongs but no response, plugged on gamely at one pace, found to be lame.
I have an invite from the Northern runner Shadbolt to run Bredon Hill on Saturday. A bit of hill work might be good but I was also hoping to extend my distance too and cover 12-15 miles. Shad if you’re reading, let’s have a think…
Two weeks of slackness paid for in a punishing 11.5 miles
For the best part of a fortnight, I have not managed to get out on training runs. What is worse is the evening decadence during this time with three or four big meals often accompanied with drinks.
The net result was getting to yesterday and feeling like not much progress was being made.
Surprisingly bush like in the dark, he knew what he was doing.
Having put myself through a painful run yesterday I know that I cannot start to extend my distances at the weekend beyond half marathon pont without some smaller distance keep in shape runs in the week.
The current regime also means I keep as much weight on as possible which is a hindrance to extending the distance covered. I am pretty sure that in my current conditioning if I lost a stone, I would be able to run the marathon.
So, discipline from here on in. I want to plan my runs at the start of the week so I can start to see where the windows of opportunity are to get a quick run in.
This made yesterdays run a bit painful. It followed largely the route of a fortnight ago just with some extensions. I ran from the Parson and Clerk pub down to Banners Gate before running through Sutton Park past the pool (Keepers?) and the municipal golf course. Turning first towards Boldmere (forget the name of the gate) before turning back across Sutton, passing Wyndley running track and sports centre on my right.
At Town Gate, I turned west and took the long slow climb through the park up to Four Oaks Gate.
It was at this stage that I had the fright of my life. It was 6pm and the days residual light was very weak. There was cloud cover which didn’t help. Running up towards Mere Green, a large bush suddenly moved and revealed its true identity as a member of the herd of exmoor ponies that they graze in the park to keep down some of the unwanted gorse type stuff. It raised its head and looked at me when I as about 5 metres away, I think I swore.
At Four Oaks gate, instead of turning down Streetly Lane for the more direct return I ran down the Walsall Road before turning left onto Rosemary Hill Road. At Streetly village I took the road that swings up to the Hardwick Pub before turning left back onto Chester Road and climbing up to Bridle Lane. I turned into the Hundred Acre estate and ran over to the Queslett Pub before the last two turns back into Elmwood Road.
It was punishing. Since my last 9.5 mile run, the prep has been several bottles of wine, a few gallons of beer, venison, brandy, quail, gin and tonics and a couple of currys! (not in that order or one sitting)
It was also windy, very windy.
I am glad I did it though. Consider it penance for not doing enough sport and eating like it was the last days of Rome. I am certain though that this is not how Haile Gabreselassie did it.
Pleased to have the miles on the clock. Football tonight, a couple of six milers this week. Lots of soup. 15 miles next weekend????
9 and a half miles around Sutton Park
Yesterdays training run extended the distance quite healithy to 9 and a half miles. The speed did not change, 95 minutes, 10 minutes per mile, regular as clockwork.
The run took me from my parents house in Sutton Coldfield down to the Banners Gate entrance to Sutton Park. I took the internal road which is pedestrien only over to Wyndley and Town Gate, an udulating couple of miles.
From Town gate I took the long climb up to Mere Green running through some of the private estates that form the edge of Sutton Park.
From Mere Green, I followed Streetly Lane down to the traffic island before following the road up to the Hardwick pub. From there, a couple of detours around the Hundred Acre estate and back to Elmwood Road.
Really pleased to get a reasonable distance covered. I could have managed a mile or two more. The weight is coming off, the distances are growing. 26 miles in April, here I come.
Football might be a bit achey tonight!
Tim Larden - Whizz Kidz - 2011 London Marathon 