Berlin marathon day minus 3

It's three days , until my next marathon.
This time a return to Berlin for my 18th marathon, in a great city.
Hopefully the weather is dryer than last years consistent rain until 15-16 miles or so, splash splash heavy rain so much that I wore one of those poncho things for 10 miles plus.
The latest BBC weather forecast for Berlin states 20degrees and sunny.
More pleasant then consistent rain, especially for spectators.
This year the marathon will also be shown on BBC 2 in the UK - probably because my running hero and national treasure Paula Radcliffe is running.

Once again I am fundraising for the Nightingale House Hospice in Wrexham.
Www.everydayhero.co.uk/robrunsberlin

And big thanks to everyone who has donated so far, the hospice and staff do a wonderful caring job.

Mick Hall Photos

Rob by appointment -
sort of
proud to be on the front page of Mick Hall running photos

linked here.

In my Buckley Runners vest on my way to my 2nd marathon pb in 6 weeks - Chester Marathon 31/5/2010

Age defying running - new PB & more running Icons

I have a new marathon personal best time of 4hrs 19 minutes 17seconds.
I am very pleased with this as i ran 4hrs 20 around 25 years ago. Since then i have run a few 12 in total now- marathons, and i would like to believe have a little experience about running marathon running and mental focus.

On April 25th 2010 i was at the start of the Shakespeare Marathon in Stratford. It was the same day as the Lodon Marathon , but having run London 3 times , yes it is a very enjoyable experience but it is rather busy. So i decided on a change.

Shakespeare marathon was said to be rather flat , but did in fact have a couple of cheeky hills. The marathon route was 2 laps - the start of the race was busy with lots of runners 'only' running 13 miles. I held my pace back - though still well under my tagret 9min50 per mile. After a long - it seemed - 3mile run back to town along the 'greenway' a cycle path on old railway line - the half marathon runners peeled right for a 2 mile run to finish, we peeled left for another lap.
I find marathon running is part physical training and dicipline ; and part mental training and dicipline. As i ran oto the greenway the first time - i felt that it was relatively easy going- very flat and a little give in the surface, also first time round there were a few half marathon runners slowing down.

For the second lap, i initially though that there would be very few of us, but for miles 11-15 or so i was with others chatting. The 2nd lap took a slightly different route so the hill on lap 1 didnt seem too bad. However the greenway was very long and straight. Many people seemed to have a problem with this - either because of the boredom factor, long & straight, or the warmth- in Stratford it was warm and sunny- London had the rain - we had no rain, anyway lots seemed to be slowing and walking. I tried to encourage a few fellow runners, 'hey we can run 6 miles' - i have learnt to try and be positive , thonk of only 6 not that its 8 of 26. I did manage to encourage a few - one fetcheveryone runner in fact emailed me afterwards to thank me. That does mean a lot.
However i didnt encorage many, i was on a mission, checking ,y 4hr 18 pace band , and seeing that i was still well inside target time.
Mind games and mental dicipline are certainly needed in the last part of a race - & probably any project. Keep the focus. One trick - or focus tool i have developed is to dedicate a mile to a family member, or friend and thinks of lots of things about him / her - come on we can run 0.2 mile etc - until the garmin beeps that i have achaived another half mile or mile. My pace did drop a bit later, but i managed to sprint the last 0.2 mie to get a pb - and it felt goooood. After a minute of recovery !

Big thanks to Stratford Rotary Club for organisation of a great event. Thanks


Running Inspiration - i ve probably mentioned before - Mick n Phil. Mick is a runner around my age, but he is far faster and stronger than me. Phil is Mick's son - - Phil has special needs - and Mick pushes Phil in his wheelchair in marathons and half marathons. Phil is now an adult ! As they live near Stratford - they were given a well deserved ' special start' to the acclaim of all other runners. I had a chat with Mick when i - eventually -caught them up - on one of the hills. Unfortunately - on this occaision they didnt finish, but they have run 100s of races. keep going lads - have a look just google Mick n Phil

Training increases

The last 4 or 5 days - i have run the marathon distance - in 2 runs , an 18mile run on Thursday evening. Thanks Sue for chatting with me on the second 9mile lap. Ans Sunday sfternoon a faster 9 mile loop.
progress.


here is a link to the justgiving site for Nightingale House for my London marathon 2009 run.

Dublin Photos 2008

Dublin 2008 with some dedications and time goals written on my arms !

Dublin marathon - again.

Following my 'comeback' marathon in Dublin in 2001 ~I completed the Dublin Marathon again yesterday.
(The 2001 run was my 'comeback ' as it was my first marathon in my forties after running 2 in my twenties!).

So to Dublin 2007;
In summary,
my 9th marathon, goals:-
to finish , ACHIEVED.
to finish in 'not a personal worst' - ACHIEVED
to enjoy the day ACHIEVED
Also I ran all the way .

Lots and lots of highlights
The touristy bit of the bus tour of Dublin, the cream & green busses have a ‘live commentary’ as Craig and later Declan kept reminding us. And as for the singing of Danny Boy & Molly Malone – by driver Declan that must have been a free extra.

The Runners World ‘forumites’ pasta get together at Lougi Malaones . Thanks to Barry K. for organising the meal. Its always great to meet other runners. And a special thanks has to go to Liam, who says he is local though he sounds like a Lancashire lad ! Stockport FC ? For organising the meet up at Kennedy’s bar – which closes early – but then the visit to Porterhouse for their ‘Porter Ale’ and much needed post marathon food.

The Race itself – my longest ever race carrying a daffodil. Some people do some daft things to get attention. It worked !
The support from the spectators, the people of Dublin, runners relatives , and the many visitors from the U. S. of A. , was wonderful. In the last mile or so it was especially good, it made me feel so emotional, people calling my name (hint for runners – for city marathons – have your name in BIG letters on your chest it worked for me !) . Hey it feels good- thankyou Dublin.

Meeting up with Joggin Jon & Joggin Sarah & Mark from Telford at the start helped. Mark & I ran together, then Duncan (Darth Vadar from Runners world Forum ) joined us after 3 or 5 miles or so, and we ran together until around 13miles- also with Nurse ?Caroline from Manchester for a while !.
The 3rd ¼ of the race probably was a bit slower for me – I have yet to analyse the pace on the Garmin. But having (inadvertently) lost Duncan & Mark around 13miles I ran and chatted to folks for a while- Thanks to Melissa from Boston & a German runner from ?Hamburg . For the first time in 9 marathons , I experimented with carbo-gels . Experienced advice is never to do anything new on race day ! Oops i did. But luckily – taking small sips/ portions of gel & washing down with water they seems to stay down !
At around miles 17 & 18 I usually slow down , this time I am not sure . I got the ipod out at around 20miles and it was either the really bouncy songs – or the caffeine containing gel – I seemed to get a lift and renewed energy. A finish – jogging all the way – in 4hrs 37.

A great big hello to everyone I met and chatted to , thanks for being there , to Runners World Forumites- lots to mention , did ‘pink shoes from Rochdale really beat me by one second ??
Thanks to everyone who sponsored me for this and the Great North Run – together we have raised around £400 for the Stroke Association.
Thanks to Veranne L. & Duncan W.– who by entering Dublin Marathon months ago, gave me the impetus to join up. Even though we didn’t meet again on the day very well done on finishing .
Under 4hrs Dunc wow.

Marathon number 8

Another day another marathon! Having enjoyed the 2007 Flora London Marathon a couple of months ago for wonderful attmosphere & a feel good run , but disappointed with my time - another personal worst- i decided to run anoher marathon soon . So Today , less than 2 months after London , I completed the Blackpool Marathon.
And goals acheived
goal 1 to finish - acheived
goal 2 comes from goal 1- to complete 2 marathons in the same year for me the first time ever- acheived
goal 3 - to buck the trend , my last 2 marathons have been personal worsts- acheived
a finish better than not only the personal worst in London - but also better than my previous time - back to the near to 4:30 mark , with a finish today of 4:36 or 4:37 - awaiting official chip time.
As ever, lots of emotion of good and bad points
or better still the highs and the learning points
the highs - the running community cameraderie, the volunteers /marshals/ race organisers- thank you
- and meeting Mick N Phil ( do a google & see the web site)

Learning points
-once again keeping the pace after 17 miles , keeping the focus in the dark time , today the mile 22 to 25 time.

And this is marathon number 8 completed for me, and thats 6 since hitting age 40 . There is life..

London Marathon in a day

Briefly- early to bed Saturday, but its always not the best sleep as anxious to make sure up early . So up early sunday morning - i had laid my kit (and gear for pre & post race) out in the bathroon of my sisters house~ so as not to distrub others in the house ~ well not too much . Breake 0630 ish white toast & some porridge. Then drive to the tube station, a couple of runners easily identifiable by our FLM kit bags, and more runners at each station. My sister came with me ( big big thanks to Hannah for an early start Saturday to come to the expo & Sunday for the marathon) & We had planned to change at Bank Station for northern Line to london Bridge then Overground/South East Train to Blackheath- BUT distaster- Northern Line Closed- Luckily Hannah knew that it was only a few 100yards accross the river to London Bridge. Then the platform to Blackheath then the train like the undergound at rush hour ~ but friendlier, full of lots of runners looking healthier & fitter than me.

The exciting walk to Blackheath park Blue start masses & masses of people - and OOPs change of plan 2 - only runners were allowed into the baggage change area- so Hannah couldnt come to my pre agreed meeting point with pals. aha but that meeting point - by the first baggage Lorry was only by the entrance - good luck, i met up with Buckley Runners Sue & Ann, met briefly acouple of folks from Runners world discussion forum.
How did they find me ?
The cunning plan - the 3foot tall blow up daffodil purchased from the party shop in Mold for 3£.
Then ~ anxiety reduction again Pippa from Buckley runners found me - great - as we planned to run together. then the usual panics for Loo visits & setting bagage onto the lorries & photos. & a jog accross the now near empty reception area ~ from the loo blocks ~ to the start , At last - many months of waiting & training & 0945hrs Sunday April 22nd has arrived. & as predicted nothing happens as we are in pen 8 - next to the back !! it takes a leisurly 10minutes or so to get to the start & wave goodbye to Pippa's parents & my sister & hope we'll see them again on the course with my wife and brother in law ~ on the Highway mile 13 & 22 .
The start was a bit stop start - cos of the crowds , there had to be some walking as thousands of runners were forced through bottlenecks/ narrow area. We passed the man with the boulder - how did he get there ?? More later with Photos