London Marathon 2010 Completed!

That's it - that the marathon run! I can hardly believe now that those 4 months of training have finished, and I have run the London Marathon!

I completed the course in 4 hours, 1 minutes & 15 Seconds!. I did set myself a target of under 4 hours, so just missed that, but am very happy with the time I ended up with.

The experience was incredible, and really lived up to what I was expecting. The crowd support is amazing, and I made sure I wrote my name on the front of my vest, which led to hundreds of shouts of "C'mon Ian!" and support like that from just random people who turned out to watch the event.

The whole race experience started on Saturday, when we drove up to the ExCel centre in East London to pick up our race numbers. We then scouted out the train station we were to use the following day to check times etc. We then found the hotel, which was in Barking, and pitched up there for the night, eating yet more pasta, potatoes and chicken. Dinner was followed by a walk in Barking... not something I would recommend, before an early night in a room that was 25 degrees and had a major road outside the (open) window!!

We set off on marathon morning from the hotel at about 07:30, following porridge, toast and banana breakfasts, and got to the start at about 08:45. The official start was 09:45, but I did not cross the start line until about 5 minutes later. It rained as we were waiting to start, but I don't think it rained at all during the race, with the temperature staying at about 15 degrees.

The 26 mile experience was the toughest thing I have ever done, and after about 18miles, each mile got harder and harder... the final 6 was pretty much agony. The training I had done certainly helped, but the act of 'braking' or 'dodging' other runners who were either stopping, walking or moving to pick up water from the side meant it was very hard to get into a real running rhythm. This constant avoidance tactic really took it's toll and made my legs hurt like I have never know before. The whole thing was quite emotional as well, as you see so many people running for charities where they have lost someone, and wearing pictures of their loved ones.

Crossing the finish line was truly an amazing experience, all those miles in training; 81 in Jan, 144 in Feb, 162 in March & 95 in April....482 in total.. add to that the 26 on the day - that's over 500 miles ran in 2010. I did not feel physically particularly well when I crossed the line, but the feeling of finishing one of the greatest races in the world was good, and to finish it pretty much on my target time, without stopping, closing in on a sponsorship pledge target, made the sense of achievement all the better.

Thanks to everyone that donated, to everyone who supported, to all the comments and encouragement from everyone. It all helped make it worth the effort. Our charity target has been smashed, and there are still donations coming in.! Feel very proud of the personal achievement and the impact this will have on some of the kids my charity provides opportunities for.

Last but not least, my wife and son for supporting all the hours of training that made me the absent father and husband pretty much every weekend, and that mountain of washing you kept on top of. Without your support, I could not have done this, and I can't wait to one day talk Theo through daddies Big Day out in London! xxx

This is the end of this blog, thanks for reading, thanks for the donations, thank you and goodnight.

much love

Week 15 - Time for Taper

Only 3 runs completed this week, as per the plan. I did one day on, one day off through this week, with some short runs through the midweek, and a 12 miler on Saturday. That is about it now for training before the big day. I can see myself running a couple of times this week, just to keep myself ticking over. Some opinions are that there should be no running this week, but listening to my body, I find that a 3-4 day rest means my next run is a bit of a slow starter... bit like an old Ford!! If I keep ticking over every day or every other day, I keep fresh, and starting the runs is easier. It's interesting to see what your body can put up with when training hard enough.

It all feels quite strange now, almost 4 months of dedicated training all for one day. I am really excited about the day. The training miles are in the bank, and there is not a lot now that I can do now except keep healthy and keep away from any stupid injuries. Under 4 hours is still the target, and the training times suggest I can make that, so I am hopeful to make the goal.

The sponsorship continues to build, we are now at 79% - such an achievement, so thankful to everyone that has put in! If you would like to donate – anything will make a difference! -> http://www.justgiving.com/ian-and-robin-do-london

Week 15 Target: Taper Down!
Week 15 Actual: 23 Miles

BMI 24:16, Weight 74 KG (11 stone 9 lbs) – I think this is now my fighting weight!!!

ONLY 1 week (7 days) to go!!!!

No music this week, just discussions with my running partner about race day tactics!

Week 14 - That's The Hard Work Done...

This week is pretty much the last of the heavy training weeks. I completed 18miles today, so the long runs are getting progressively shorter now. 12 miles next weekend and that’s it for the long ones! I am feeling good after today’s run, and finally this week saw the sun coming out. I think that this week was the first time in the entire training plan that I have been able to swap the running tights for shorts. Feels goooood!! And I actually put suntan lotion on this morning… does that mean summer is here?

I was able to go out 5 times this week, with the Easter break helping provide some spare time. Next week I intend to crank that down to 3 runs, as I am now entering the serious ‘taper’ phase. From what I have read, the miles I have put down so far this year are now ‘banked’ and the key is to start to rest more, and start to eat more carbs. So 2 weeks of pasta and Playstation?? Actually more time with my wife and baby boy I think! I can’t wait to only ask of my long suffering wife to have to throw my dirty training gear into the washing machine a couple of times a week!

The fundraising reached a new high this week; we are at 70% of the total (Over £1,400). Amazing responses – so pleased with what everyone has put in and really want to thank each and everyone! It's the final push now! -> http://www.justgiving.com/ian-and-robin-do-london

Week 14 Target -> 44

Week 14 Actual -> 40

BMI 24:46, Weight 74.9 KG (11 stone 11 lbs) – Finally I put a kilo back on!!!

ONLY 2 weeks (14 days) to go!!!!

The song that helped burn off those Easter Eggs -> The Smiths, This Charming Man

Week 13 - The Furthest Run Yet!!

This week saw the longest run so far. 22 miles completed on Saturday. It was without doubt the toughest physical thing I have ever done, tougher that all those years of football and cycling. I am writing this blog the morning after, and actually feel pretty human. My knees are sore, and I have managed to bruise my big toe, but nothing of any real concern.

The midweek training was tough this week, which was mainly due to me coming back into training following the bout of norovirus I picked up last week. It has taken the best part of 2 weeks to feel normal again. Fingers crossed I do not get anything like that in the upcoming 3 weeks.

I am getting increasingly excited about the marathon day now, the training is going well, the injuries are staying away, and we have just booked a hotel for the night before to make logistics easier.

Thanks to everyone who has donated so far, all told, we are over 50% of the sponsorship target, which I think it amazing, and really makes the difference when the cold & wet training runs are required!! If you would like to donate – anything will make a difference! -> http://www.justgiving.com/ian-and-robin-do-london

Week 13 Target -> 46

Week 13 Actual -> 42

BMI 24:39, Weight 73.9 KG (11 stone 8.9 lbs) – My wedding ring now does not fit on my finger L

3 weeks (21 days) to go!!!!

The song that kept me going through my week of recovery: Guns ‘n’ Roses, Paradise City

Week 12 - Sicknote.. :-(

I guess I have to call this the worst week so far in my marathon training. I blogged this time last week about the joys of getting my personal best over the half marathon, and was looking forward to this (week 12) week of training. Alas, it was not to be…. I contracted some sort of stomach bug, which made itself very obvious about midnight on Monday. I was laid up in bed all day Tuesday, and did not really recover until Friday. Still – rather go down with something like that now, and not in race week.

Needless to say, the training suffered. I was able to get out on both Saturday and Sunday, posting 11 miles each day. Going out on Saturday was really tough, my legs did not know what hit them. Sunday was as little better.

Got a little boost in the week when the letter turned up with my London Marathon number. If you are watching, I will be running as # 39401, probably with the Get Kids Going charity vest on.

Have hit 45% of the sponsorship target. Big thanks to all that have donated. We are collecting at http://www.justgiving.com/Ian-and-Robin-do-London and are so close to that magical £1,000 (50%)!!

Week 12 Target -> 43
Week 12 Actual -> 22

BMI 24:39, Weight 74.7 KG (11 stone 10.7 lbs) – not a good sign – a kilo lost to the damn virus this week

4 weeks (28 days) to go!!!!

The Song that really pushed a weak body around this weekend: Don’t Stop me Now – Queen.

Week 11, First training Race - Personal Bests Busted!!

This week – and today in particular, saw me pretty much smash my personal best at the Half Marathon. I complete Fleet Half in 1 hour and 37 mins (17 secs…) the course was actually 13.28 miles from start to finish, so I might even be able to claim a 1hr 36 minutes half marathon. This has beaten my previous PB by about 3 minutes. I started the race thinking that I would try to take it easy, and not try to hammer a PB as I did not want to risk injury. Once the miles started to drop in at 7min 20 secs per mile, I started to believe that I could keep it up, and keep it up I did!!

Feeling OK now as well (writing this about 6 hours after the event). I think it was worth it pushing myself. I quickly got into the mindset that it was now or never. I have never been this prepared for running in my life, so really put the effort in. Might need more that 1 day rest this week….

Did not hit the target miles this week, as the race was (only…) 13 miles, and the training plan was asking for a longer run, but will make that up through the coming week.

Have now hit 40% of the sponsorship target. Huge thank-you to all those who have donated. Really means everything to me as I prepare for the race. If you have not had the chance and would like to donate – please goto http://www.justgiving.com/Ian-and-Robin-do-London

Week 11 Target -> 49
Week 11 Actual -> 41.5

BMI 24:69, Weight 75.6 KG (11 stone 12.7 lbs) – it still goes down!!!

5 weeks (35 days) to go!!!!

The Song that made sure I got some of the big midweek miles done.. :..
Feel Good Inc by the Gorillaz

Week 10 Down - Some real miles to talk about..

Through this week I have been watching the documentary about Eddie Izzard, the English (Welsh?) comedian who completed 43 marathons in 51 days last year. Found it incredible, and very inspiring as I try to build up to just one! If you get a chance, I recommend watching it.

I hit 20 miles on the Saturday run this week. The start of the week was really hard as I had a very sore ankle, as I had aggravated the ankle sprain that signalled my retirement from football in the summer of last year. I iced it every night last week and it got better really quickly. I was back out on Tuesday night doing speed work around the athletics track.

I thought 20 miles would kill me, but surprisingly, I felt OK on Sunday (again with the help of an icepack in Saturday night following the 20). OK enough to get out for another 5 miles (although that might have been the pull of my ne running top and SKINS ankle guards!!). After this week, I am pretty sure I can bolt another 6 miles onto the 20 to complete a marathon. Not sure what my body will do after 20 miles though, that test will come with my 22 mile training run in 2 weeks.... I can't wait.....

Week 10 Target -> 35.5 Miles
Week 10 Actual -> 45 Miles

BMI 24:75, Weight 75.8 KG (11 stone 13 lbs) - still going down!!!

6 weeks (42 days) to go!!!!

The Song that reminded me of when I was young and would never dream of doing a marathon : The Housemartins – Happy Hour