Week 15, Getting back into it

MONDAY
Plan
Bike1hr15min with last 25min hard
10min run
Endurance swim 140 lengths
It was quite an easy weekend so I got up ready to go. first task was a bike ride, just 10 miles to start the day followed by a dogjog. Cycle went well dogjog not so. Jed was a pain in the but stopping every 2 seconds to sniff, I gave it up as a bad job. 
After work I decided to go for a bike ride rather than a swim, as my cycling needs work. I went out after tea and headed for Burton Leonard where I stopped my watch and went to Dads grave. had a chat and a tidy up, then back at it, up hill all the way to Wormald Green, across to Markington and then up again to Howe Hill, on the breaks most of the way down (what a wimp) then the climb up to the back of Studley and Aldfield, Finally the payback, downhill all the way back to Ripon Wheeeeee!


Total
Cycling 20.56
Run 1.24


TUESDAY
Plan
Easy run 6.5 miles
A lovely day for a change, so we took the juniors up to Studley, my group did 3 miles, then it was into the cars for a trip to Thirsk for the HDSRL race. it was a flat course but i didnt know how it would be so I hung around at the back and took it easy chatting to Lucinda and slowly passing people as we went. I lost touch with her in the field and started to chase people. i finished in a surprisingly fast time. 49:23 for 5.5 miles


Total
8.5 run


WEDNESDAY
Plan
REST
It was a rest day. I went for my sports massage, Libby ironed out a few niggles and found a couple I didnt know I had. felt better for it though. Then it was a visit to mum  and drama group. A busy rest day.


Total
0
THURSDAY
Plan
Club training run
Got up early and went for a cycle, a little further this morning, I was almost home when a lorry driver reading something whilst driving between Hutton Conyers and Nunwick forced me into the hedge. Good job one of us was looking.
Next was a Dog Jog, Jed was more cooperative and we managed 2 miles by the river.
After tea was club Training, Ian took us up to the school field where we ran 400's and zig zags practising turns and acceleration. my fastest 400m was 1:52


Total
Cycle 14.7 miles
Run 7 miles
FRIDAY
Plan
Swim training
Swim training was tough, medleys. I used every muscle and was shattered afterwards. good session though.
Made it home in time to watch the Olympic flame arrive in the country.


Total
1.11 miles
SATURDAY
Plan
90 mile bike
10 min run
It was cold and wet but swimming was on at the lake. Watched the Olympic torch relay start before we headed for the lake. Because the weather was so horrid we changed into our wetsuits before we left. I put a jacket over the top Hubby didnt. Good job we never broke down. We got to the lake and it was confirmed to be 11 degrees in the water. it was only 7 degrees air temp Brrr!
We got in and I reconsidered," i dont think I can do this, I may have to get out" Hubby said we'll just go to that buoy,  so we went to the buoy, it took your breath away it was so cold. We got to the buoy and to be honest wimping out is not my thing so off we went heading for the islands. Hubby immediately was a splosh in the distance. I ploughed on, it was pouring down but beautifully peaceful, in fact no sun was a blessing because it normally is blinding. i found my stroke and settled in, as I reached the first island I noticed that hubby had stopped for a chat with Emma and Steve, " Are we doing both?" I shouted, "Ok" he called back and set off towards me. He soon caught up and passed me. As I rounded the Island it all became much tougher, the wind was in my face and I kept getting my breathing/sighting wrong and was often coughing and choking. I did breaststroke whilst I regained my rhythm as hubby became a dot in the distance. I finally made it back to the jetty and stopped my watch, under 37 minutes, wow not bad for me. When I went to get out I fell over. One advantage to poor weather is not a big audience when you fall over and stagger like a drunkard.
After we had been home and defrosted and washed the pond off us, we went to Harrogate to look at wetsuits and girlie saddles. My wetsuit is not a great fit and I can never get a good breath as its too short in the body, as for my saddle, well its fine on a short journey but on long ones Ouch!
After a rather long time being fitted into a rather nice 2XU suit, medium mans, for body length, we ordered a large ladies for comparison, it should be in next week. we then went for the saddle, I had to sit on a pad to measure my bum bones, Ha Ha medium not large bought a girl seat.
After fitting the seat I had to try it out, so went for a bike ride to try it, felt ok.
Total
1500m swim
15.6 miles bike
SUNDAY
Plan
Endurance run

15 miles

Woke up naturally and took my time to get going. My hips were a bit sore so I readjusted my bike seat a bit.
I went out for 2 laps of the Ripon tri bike route. I set off in the opposite direction up Hutton Bank and through Sharow as a warm up. I had done 3 miles in 15 mins when I got to the racecourse and set off on the loop, it was a bit breezy, Boo hoo! The wind was in my face from Minskip and by the time I was on the A168 it was a battle. I was about to pull out to go around Dishforth roundabout when Hubby passed me. "You don't mind if I go on do you?" "Go ahead I need to do this twice" I said, secretly gutted He had set off ages after me I had hoped to have been further when he passed me. At last the wind was in my favour as I chased Hubby down the A168, he was still getting away. on the hills I was gaining a bit but on the was down he was flying. 
I completed loop 1 in 1 hour 40, happy with that and set off for the second lap, this time it was a little tougher, I lost time between Staveley and Minskip whilst I ate a Snickers. The a168 seemed even tougher this time. Heading up to the Windmill the road was busy, I thought I was doing OK at 50 miles to be going up at 12 mph into a head wind, but the cars were impatient and cutting me up  overtaking in the face of oncoming traffic, horns were beeping and all I could breath was fumes. It was awful and very scary. It didn't improve all the way along the Boroughbridge road, it was unusually busy. when I reached the racecourse in 1hr 45 I realised the races were on.
I had only gone 54 miles and I wanted to do more so I headed out for Littlethorpe and a few more miles.
When I finally got home.I put the bike back upstairs and went to the loo. I filled a drinks bottle, put on my trainers, and set off for a run, It didnt feel good, I thought Id head for Studley Church and see how It felt. It was tough, my feet were numb, and my quads wrecked. maybe I'd cut it short, whilst I was dithering whether to cut it short or not I realised I had auto piloted to the Caravan park, the church it was. The Main drag up was exactly that but I reached the gate without stopping, 3 miles, had a dextrose tablet and a mouthful of water, as I reached the car park entrance I decided to do the 7 bridges, I coped with them quite well but it was a struggle up to Sam's seat, I forced myself onwards and as I reached the crossroads I thought I'd go home through Hell Wath and town. I ran it all I was really pleased with myself. It wasn't fast bit it was OK.
I was glad to get home to get my legs up the wall, do some stretches and get a bath before stuffing my face with a gorgeous roast dinner cooked by Hubby after he returned from his 27 bike ride and 6 mile run.

Total
61.61 miles bike
7.8 miles run

• 149miles
• 15:06time
• 11952calories
• 13workouts
•  
• 05/14 – 05/20

So far in 2012 I have covered 1913 miles in tri training
This week has been tough trying to get back into it. It really is so tough balancing work, training, hospital visits to Mum, running club, drama and family. It is hard trying not to let anybody down.
6weeks to go

Week 14, Recovery

MONDAY
Plan
Bike 1hr10min with 10x2min hard
10min run
Endurance swim 125 lengths


The 2 marathons have taken it out of me a fair bit, so I decided to have Monday as a total rest and to swap it with Wednesday.I never set my alarm and took the day quite easy, I just did a bit of walking with the dog and around town.
last week at the Ilkley race, I was asked to work out a route for Tuesdays club run, I spent some time doing this.
Total
0 miles


TUESDAY
Plan
Easy run 6.5 miles


Back to work following the Bank Holiday weekend, set alarm for 6 am and started the day gently as Tuesdays always end manic. True to form it was the usual mad rush from work to Junior running club but with the bonus this week of not having to walk the dog as hubby was home and he had made me a jacket potato to keep me going. 
The cricket club had a match on so we met at the pavilion but moved to Outwood Academy to use their track for a track session, relays, 800m and 400m, this meant i did not have to do any running thus saving my legs a bit.
When the youngsters had gone home we all piled into cars to go to Grewelthorpe for a run, we met in the  Crown Inn car park and split into 3  groups . my group did the run I planned, there were some faster runners in the group and I was worried that I would be dragged along. When I planned my route and mapped it I knew it was an uphill start, but oh boy it was uphill, this evened everyone out and we stayed quite together. After the run we met back in the pub for food and drink.
Total
5.9 miles run (not easy)


WEDNESDAY
Plan
REST
Set the alarm for 5:30 to get a cycle in but I struggled to get out of bed. I did go for a swim after work though and managed 86 lengths before visiting mum and going to Drama, another tiring day.
Total
Swim 1.2 miles


THURSDAY
Plan
Club training run
I set the alarm for 5;30 and this time it was not as tough to get up, I got on the turbo as it was pouring down again outside and got a steady rhythm going. I did 30 mins and then took the dog out for a walk. After tea was club training and after a day of torrential rain the sun came out as we headed to Land rover Hill for another of Ian's tough sessions, we didn't cover many miles but the effort was massive.
Total
Turbo 8.84 miles
5 miles hill running


FRIDAY
Plan
Swim training
To make up for being  a bit lax in my training i forced myself up at 5:30 and onto the turbo for a few miles before walking the dog.
After work it was swim training with Sylvia. As always she worked us hard, there were not as many there as usual, but there are a few events coming up, its that time of year now when there are lots of races.
Totals
Turbo 10 miles
Swim 1.2 miles


SATURDAY
Plan
70 mile bike
20 min run
Woke up tired today. I had arranged to go down to the lake for my first OW swim of the season. I got up at 5:30 to give me time to walk the dog and get some breakfast. We went down to the lake for 7:00, hubby and I so we could get a swim and cover for will whilst he swam. The temperature was 11 degrees, the minimum that we are allowed in at. The water was high from all the recent rain and the sun was shining, it was nicer than it felt.
I struggled into my wetsuit, I'm sure it shrinks over winter. I walked to the jetty and didn't let my brain recognise the cold, I just went for it. then as the water seeped in the zip at the small of my back, my brain registered the cold, there was no time for splashing around in the shallows, it was a case of getting on with it.
As with all my sports I am not fast and was soon at the back of the group of brave swimmers, I was managing to get my face in the water, an improvement from last year but struggled with bilateral breathing as the sun was blinding to the left, I came level with the first island and had wanted to attempt the full 1500m but the rest of the group had turned at the first island and I didn't want to be on my own so far away so I also turned at the 1st island and headed back. Cold as I was I was just starting to warm up as I approached the jetty, I didn't want to stand up, I knew Id have wobbly legs and the breeze was cold, it was actually warmer in the water.

As the day wore on I grew progressively tired and felt a bit flu ey. After visiting mum I came home to bed and slept 3 hours, I felt a bit better but not great.
Total
0.8 mile swim


SUNDAY
Plan

Endurance run 

10 miles

Today was the Ripon 10 mile race and I was down to marshal, it was sunny and cool but I was tired and had a head full of snot. Oh great, a head cold. Determined not to let it get me down I walked the dog and then went for a bike ride. It was great to be out on the bike again but I didn't have the time to enjoy it, I had to get back for the race.

I walked to the cricket club to collect my hi vis jacket and a space blanket, met Stephen (@MrNimby) and we had a chatty walk to Studley deer park to my post, Its great to catch up with an old friend. Stephen helped me marshal, taking pics of the runners and guarding the gate to the park after a heard of cattle after the charged down the field. Then we locked the gate and walked back to club with Stephen marking his way with munzee http://www.munzee.com/s . I left Stephen near where he is camped an went back to club.  Congratulations to everyone competing in the Ripon 10 mile race, it is a toughy, undulating and multi terrain. I must have walked a good 6 miles today. Was going to go for a run but I feel tired. I will probably benefit more for the rest. 49 days until Outlaw

Total

10 miles bike

• 43miles
• 06:24time
• 4868calories
• 8workouts
•  
• This Weektime period

Pics Marathon of the North

The Stadium of light Sunderland 0?05/2012

 The crowds are gathering

 The nerves are starting to show

 Not far to the start

 Last to start but not last to finish,

 Sally on car park duty. lol

 Enthusiastic at the start

 View from the bridge

 the bridge on the way back

 I dont feel as happy as I look, only 8 miles to go

 Approaching 20 miles, it@ll be over in an hour or so

 Rehydrating like a professional

 Well done Dennis

 I survived

 But feel like poo

 Recovery has started already

Another medal and t shirt

Pics courtesy of marathon photo http://www3.marathon-photos.com/scripts/event.py?new_search=1&event=Sports/CPUK/2012/Marathon%20of%20the%20North&match=822

Week 13 recovery/taper

Week 13 recovery/taper


MONDAY
plan
50 min cycle
100 length swim
Legs a bit tired after the marathon. Left quad niggling. I forced myself to walk normally and took the dog out. Legs eased slowly. Throughout the day I moved around as much as possible. The most uncomfortable thing to do was bending my legs to sit and get up again. After tea I went for a swim with no distance in mind. I did 60 lengths and I felt ok. I spent some time with my bad leg near the pool inlet and it worked like a massage.
Total

1500 m swim


TUESDAY
plan
6 mile easy run
It was the usual Tuesday mad rush, but made slightly easier because my son had walked Jed. The weather was dry but the ground was not so we did a short run and then activities on the field.
We were a coach short so we split into two groups instead of three, we went around the old school x country route which was very wet in parts. I normally bring up the rear but tonight I was way behind any of the youngsters. We did 2 miles and it was hard my legs were really unresponsive.
Straight after juniors I got a lift with other club members to Ilkey for the first club league race. I ran this course 2 years ago, it comprises mainly of a long climb followed by a long descent and then a flat bit. I hung to the back so I didnt get dragged along but soon was passing people, I ran all the way up the hill and was looking forward to the down. I couldnt believe how well I was doing. On the way down my quad felt like a big jelly and felt bruised so I held back a bit.I finished the 4.8 mile course in just over 46 mins. Happy with that. We then had food, Ilkley put on a great spread of sandwiches, chips, jacket potatoes and loads of cake. I ate loads of cake and had 1/2 pt cider before we all piled into the cars to come home.Thanks Andy for the loft.
Totals
6.8 miles run
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/175741992

WEDNESDAY
Plan
Rest
The school running club members have joined with the athletics club so I just supervised.
Straight from school was my sports massage, Libby straightened me out and spent a good few painful minutes on my left quad.http://www.puretreatmentrooms.com/libby_hancocks.html
After tea it was Drama group. The youngsters are practising Shakespeare's Midsummer Nights dream and are really getting to grips with the language, I however am not.
Totals
0 miles



THURSDAY
plan
running club training
There were not many of us but there were more than last week. Ian took us along a public footpath to Galphy Road where we did a pyramid session along the road. The longest interval ended just before the 1 in4 hill. Glad Ian didnt spot it or he'd have had us running up and down that too. Legs felt ok. Quad gave me no bother, thanks Libby.
Total
4.8 miles running

FRIDAY
plan
50 min cycle
swim training
Friday is normally swim day but there was no training this week so I planned a cycle instead. After work Hubby and I walked the 2 miles to the garage to pick up the car. The wind had picked up it was raining and cold. I decided to turbo instead.(wimp)
I put Audiofuels ride with Chrissie on, I didnt have time to finish the session cos tea was ready but I did an hour. It was quite an intense session it more than made up for not being out on the road.
Total
22.5 miles turbo.


SATURDAY
plan
30 min cycle
I marshalled the Harrogate parkrun. Its good to give something back and it was great to see all the runners smiley faces. It was cold so I wrapped up warm and really enjoyed it. One of our juniors cam 17 th over all and his little sister was 7th female. All the Ripon Runners did really well. Thanks Vicky for the lift. The rest of the day was a rest. Eating and drinking and preparing for the marathon.

SUNDAY


Plan
Marathon of the North
I set the alarm early, 5:30,  to give me chance to get my brekkie and walk the dog to loosen off my legs a bit before the car journey, it went off giving me a right fright, I had not had a good nights sleep.
Soon it was 7:15 and time to set off, double check bag, go to the loo, and off we go. It was a lovely bright morning, but cold and frosty, we soon forgot that as we drove up the A1 with our sunglasses on and the warmth of the sun through the window. By gum what a shock when I got out of the car at the stadium of light. I decided to remove my thermal top and put on a bin bag instead.
As we walked to the start area we passed into a shady area and it was pretty nippy, but I would risk it, forecast was dry.
I said good bye to hubby and joined the other runners, then I saw Dennis coming towards me, another Ripon Runner, we had a chat and separated after wishing each other a good race, Dennis is way quicker than me. As the runners started to gather and split, yellow numbers in the start pens for the Marathon and red numbers outside for the 10km to be started later on. I started to feel sick, What would happen? Could I really run 2 marathons so close together? We had a few moments applause in honour of Claire Squires http://www.justgiving.com/Claire-Squires2 The fundraising marathon runner who sadly died at VLM.
Then we were off, there were not many of us so it didn't take long to cross the line, then we stopped as the course narrowed and we bottlenecked momentarily. I had decided to set off in the under 4:30 group and see what happened. My game plan was run reasonably hard and fast for as long as I could and then just survive, I hoped to get to at least 16 miles before I started to slow.
I soon settled to a decent pace and within a couple of miles I was within a group all running a similar pace, in particular there were 4 Sunderland Strollers, making it look easy and a man I later found out was called Eric, I ran predominantly with Eric, at around 7 miles he dipped out for the loo, I carried on, the course here was by the beach and had a couple of sharp rises and corners, suddenly my right hamstring started to pull, I tried to ignore it, but I was slowing and the Sunderland strollers pulled away. It took a few miles to settle but I was aware of my leg with every step, just before 10 miles Eric re appeared at my side, "well done for catching back up" I said, "Took a few miles" said he. I told him my leg was sore and pointed ahead to where we were, but we stayed together for a few more miles, it was his first marathon and he wanted to do 4:30 I told him he would have to go off as I was struggling at 14 miles, I didn't want his time spoiled because he was pacing with me. It got harder from there on, it seemed to take longer and longer to reach each mile marker. I took water from every station and at some I took the energy drink supplied by Asda, I didn't like it much, it was like neat squash, very sweet and thick. The water was in pouches, we had these last week too. on a couple of occasions I squirted to hard and the water went down the wrong way causing me to cough.
As I approached the town and the bridge again there was hubby, a welcome site, keep going he said you could get a pb, "I'm struggling now" I said, the course went back to the stadium of Light and as I passed people were finishing, I still had 12 km to go, feeling a little deflated I headed out towards the course and again there was hubby cheering me on. This route was slightly familiar to me from running the Great North 10km 2 years ago. The course now felt hard, I was running away from the finish, just over an hour and it would all be over. as I was approaching 21 miles I saw Dennis running for home, he looked comfortable.
Each mile now got tougher it was taking all my will power not to walk, as I slowly passed walkers I told myself that it was faster than walking, still going forwards, It,ll soon be over. I had a caffeine gel in my pocket to boost me the last few miles, but I didn't dare take it as I knew I was struggling and my heart-rate monitor was not working so I had no idea what my heart rate was. so I didn't dare I stuck to the yucky Asda drink.
My legs were shot,my hamstring was aching, my feet ached and my shoulders were sunburnt. The course was not mountainous but it was far from flat, undulating with lots of twists and turns, I wish this one had been the first of the two marathons, still I was getting their slowly but surely the finish was getting closer.The turning point was a blessing it boosted me for a while the spectators and marshals were amazing with there well wishes. I could see the bridge ahead to the left, another boost. Eventually I made it back to where I last saw hubby and made a right turn away from the bridge towards the stadium, nearly their everyone was saying, I knew there was a humpback bridge to get over first, I remember it from that 10 km 2 years  ago but then it would be about 400 meters more. I was right soon enough I took a left turn and struggled up the bridge and wobbled down the other side, nearly there, keep going, there were tears in my eyes, fortunately hidden by my sunglasses, and there it was The finish I raised my arms and crossed over to the other side.
There was hubby waiting, I could hardly breathe and I hurt, I really hurt. I felt sick from the sugar and sore from the sun, but I couldn't stop grinning Id done it and in my second best marathon time of 4:32:07 I ran it all.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/175742073

Weekly totals

• 62miles
• 08:25time
• 7135calories
• 6workouts
•  
• 04/30 – 05/06

Pics from Manchester

 Just the place for carbing up

 Man united

 Anyone for breakfast?

 Theyre GGGrrreat

 John Bull and I with a fellow freezing runner

 The start was a bit of a wash out

 Ron Hill getting ready to start the race then run the first 7 miles

 And theyre off

 A welcome finish line

Just a few pics from Manchester, hope the portray how rough it was out there

To see my marathon photo pics and finishing video go to                                    http://www.marathon-photos.com/scripts/event.py?new_search=1&event=Sports/CPUK/2012/Greater%20Manchester%20Marathon&match=7649

Week 12 Taper

MONDAY
PLAN
50 min bike
10 min run
100 length swim
Today my back and quads were tired. Rest is best, so rest it was.

TUESDAY
6mile club run
The usual rush to juniors, more so because it was their championship race at Hell Wath,a mile and a half away, there was a good turn out of kids and family, I marshalled.
The race was about 2 miles long and the youngsters were issued numbers and all ran well, next race will be a handicap.
Afterwards we walked to cub for the adult championship race, this week was the scratch race, the next one will be handicapped.
We were told not to run with watches or phone apps. It was weird running without my Garmin, I never look at it in a race, I just run how I feel, but its a comfort blanket.We had to guess how long it would take us to run the route, I guessed 58:34
We set off to Studley and I was trying not to race hard, my legs were tired, but I couldn't resist the chase and ended up running hard chasing Annette and Caroline. I think I did around 59 mins
After I finished I went to encourage the others in, Well done Trish and Moe, you hadn't planned on racing tonight and you did great, well done also to Andy and Chris who ran London Marathon on Sunday and still ran tonight.
Total
Lots of walking and jogging
6 miles of running.

WEDNESDAY
PLAN
Rest
Cancelled school running club. Awful weather and the kids deserve a rest after last nights race too. So its another rest day. 2 in one week. Cant remember when that last happened.

THURSDAY
PLAN
Club training
It has been raining now more or less for 3 days now. Everywhere there are enormous puddles and even the grass is under water in places. There were not many at club only 9 and a couple of others who went for a run. Training was short fast sessions and running up steps. Once youre wet youre wet. Good session. But great to get home and into a warm bath.
Total
4.9 miles run

FRIDAY
PLAN
50 min bike
swim training
Only did the swim training today. I tried to hold back bot its not always that easy. It was a good session and I was quite tired afterwards but not shattered.
Total
1800m swim

SATURDAY
PLAN
30 min easy bike
No training at all. Had a lie in and got up at 7, ate a huge breakfast (banana, yoghurt, 2 crumpets and a bowl of muesli) and went up town for a few supplies, including Thomas' flapjack for breakfast tomorrow. Whilst I was up town, hubby took Jed to the kennels.
We set off for Manchester under cloudy skies which seemed to get darker as we approached the Pennines. but as we crossed the highest point we looked over Lancashire as it was bathed in sunshine, It was still windy but at least it was dry.
We went to straight the registration/expo but the car park was full and we were directed to a car park around the corner. This saved us looking for the hotel because the overflow car park was Old Trafford cricket ground, and that was where our hotel was.
We walked around the corner to the Expo,(phone said it was 1.1 miles away, (wish all the marathon miles were measured by my phone)it was actually 5 mins walk. I searched for my number on the wall and went to collect it. we were given our T shirts too. It says Finisher on it, Hmm! does that mean I don't need to run?
We looked around the expo picking up leaflets for races we fancied but will probably never do, we entered som competitions and tried several energy products. Hubby liked the beetroot juice, thoght it tasted like Benylin. I bought Ron Hills book The history of the Manchester Marathon and he signed it for me and we had a chat. What a lovely man. Then we went to the Brooks stand where I met someone I've met a few times at races. Andy works for Brooks (my choice of trainer since 2008. The first Time I met Andy was at Darlington 10km, then at Snake Lane,he was also at VLM 2011. He was standing by the trainers I have been wanting since I first saw an ad for them. The limited edition Union Flag Adrenaline GTS. Since it was Andy I bought a pair but they will not leave the house until I carry the Olympic flame on June 19.
After the Expo we went to Harry Ramsdens for fish and chips followed by sticky toffee puddung with custard. We went back to book in to the hotel.
Later on another Ripon Runner popped round for a drink at the bar before going to look at the start. Then he went to his friends and we went to Frankie and Bennys for more traditional carbs. I really am not keen on pasta but needs must. We then walked back to the hotel. It was really cold, had a bottle of cider and and after double checking my kit and alarm it was time for bed.

Totals
No training but plenty of walking

SUNDAY
PLAN
MANCHESTER MARATHON
Well this was it the day had arrived, I'd slept well, thats a first for me, I don't normally sleep well the night before a race. I got out of bed and looked out of the window, it was sunny and dry, I hoped the forecast for rain had been wrong. the car park was already filling up and it was just after 6 am.
I had breakfast and got dressed, I packed all my stuff and at 7:30 we left the hotel, loaded the car and set off for the start . It was raining, not a little bit but absolutely pouring down and bitterly cold and windy, it was a real shock to the system after the warmth of the hotel. On the way John phoned to let me know he was there. I told him I was on my way.
We met up by the baggage tent, I left hubby and John chatting and went to the loo, the queues were short for a change. I went back to hubby and we went to shelter under a charity tent, everyone was sheltering as best they could until we were called to the start which was a fair walk away. There wasn't the warm up advertised and when we got to the start we went into a cafe to shelter until 8:55. my hands were freezing so I asked the cafe man for some of his food prep gloves. he was very kind and gave me some, they were a bit small but warmed my hands.
We went back into the weather and stood by the 4:40 sign, there was no one around it so we moved up to the 4:15 and soon there were other people around us but it was apparent that there was not the expected amount of runners, there were also supporters mixed amongst us. John worked his way amongst the others and was soon lost from sight. I needed a wee, too late now, it will pass.
The Klaxon went and we were off, a slight incline led to the start gantry, I pressed start on my watch as I approached the gantry and passed under it, "Go Lena" Hubby shouted from the side as he walked back to the hotel for a couple of hours shelter. I passed the 4:30 pacer and thought as long as she doesn't pass me I'll be doing ok. My previous marathon PB was last year at Edinburgh where I did 4:33. I slowly warmed into the run, by mile 2 I took the blue plastic gloves off. by 3 miles I was feeling comfortable, though I still needed a wee. I felt I was running comfortably and soon found I was sticking around a group of similar paced runners, one was a clown (Steve)there was lots of cheers on such a grey wet day for the brightly dressed clown, I stuck with him a while then slowly I passed him then there was Ron Hill at the side shouting words of encouragement. Then I could hear people calling "Nice hair Chris" after a mile or so I looked over my shoulder and saw Chris, he was wearing a bright blue wig, I laughed, I checked my watch at 10 km and 10 mile, my pace was good, under 10 min miles, at 13 miles my watch read 2:01. brilliant I thought. I still needed a wee so checked every loo we passed, they all had queues, Chris (blue hair) nipped to the side, probably for a wee. I was still running amongst quite a few runners and we got bottlenecked in the lanes especially n the flooded ones where people were single filed down the middle trying not to get too wet, but when you're wet you're wet, so I ran down the sides. All this time the wind blew and the rain still fell.
At 16 miles there was no loo queue so I decided to stop, there was some one in, I kept moving but I was getting cold and anxious as so many runners ran past me, I checked my watch, 3 minutes had passed, I banged on the door, "Are you OK?", "yes" came a voice.Soon a young man emerged, I ducked in and did what I had to and was back out running, it felt fast but I thought 4 mins, 1/2 a mile, I could settle back when I caught up. I soon saw the colourful clown and caught and passed him, and Chris (blue hair). I could not believe I was managing to do this. I soon spotted the lady I had run near for most of the race, sometimes she was ahead sometimes I was, sometimes we were side by side, I spotted her and pushed to catch up, a little ahead was the 4:15 pacer. A new target now that I had got back to where I was, but my pace stayed good and the wind was now in my face and the rain was falling, I was cold, I could not heat back up after the loo stop. at 23 there were people walking and ambulances all over the place, there were spectators calling to my, "well done Lena" "you're doing great" I got tears in my eyes as I got all emotional. "Get a grip I told myself, there'll be time for that at the end, focus" a short while further along a young girl running beside me sniffed, I looked over she had tears running down her face as she ran "I'm sorry she said, I just got emotional, its my first marathon" I told her it was OK and that she was doing great she was nearly there.
At mile 25 there was a bit of a surprise, we had to run down an underpass and up the shallow steps at the other side. It was draining on my legs, but this was the last mile, I can do one more mile, I shook my hands to try and warm them.
As I approached the finish the clock said 4:19:something and I sprinted for the line. I passed under the finish gantry before the clock turned to 4:20.
Someone wrapped me in a foil blanket and someone hung a medal on my finger. someone else tried to give me a bottle of drink, "I cant move" I said, shocked at how quick the cold had grasped me, she put the drink in my hand under the foil and I shuffled off.
I struggled with cold fingers to get my phone out and phone hubby, and like a small child I stayed still and he came to me with the rucksack of dry clothes. We moved to a generator and leaning on the wheel I struggled into my dry clothes putting them over my wet ones, I pulled off my socks and hubby warmed my dry ones on the exhaust pipe before I put them on, they were lovely and warm as I put my dry socks back into my wet trainers.
I was so cold as I shuffled to the cafe for a hot chocolate, the queue was random but soon hubby was placing the warm cup in my hands, it didn't take long to be effective and soon I was feeling a bit like my old self.
I wondered if John was back, we should wait but as soon as I went out the cold started to grip me with its icy fingers again. We had to go, we trusted that Johns friend would be there to help him when he finished.
We walked back to the hotel to get the car and drove to KFC to get warm and eat protein. just before we left John phoned, he had finished in around 5 hours and was looking for his bag in the baggage tent, apparently it was chaos, glad hubby had mine. I was glad John had finished safely and we set off home to pick Jed up from the kennels.
Gun time 4:20:00 chip time 4:16:26 a pb of over 16 minutes.
Here are the details

Total
26.38 miles