Race 8: The Canterbury Half Marathon

Hills, hills & more stupid hills! I appear to be a glutton for punishment when it comes to going up & down as this race proved. Although not quite as 'undulating' as Dartford, there was a monster downward slope between miles 2 & 3 which, given that this was an out & back, came back to bite me on the bum between miles 10 & 11! 60 metre decline/incline in half a mile is fun one way but not so much the other...

It was a pretty damp day, which was a blessing after the heat waves of my previous runs. I was certainly pleased with the weather. My support team, not so much....

This helped to a slight improvement in my time from Dartford. I finished bang in 100th place (out of over 450 starters) in a time of 1:37:44.

Next up, the Tonbridge Half Marathon, my last half of the year. Here's hoping for similar weather but a flatter course, to try and get sub 1:30. It can be done!

Race 7: The Dartford Half Marathon

Another month, another race with a stupid amount of hills....

After a distinct lack of training (this is becoming a worrying theme) it was with some trepidation that I set off. Having read that it was not a PB course, I was pleasantly surprised by the gentle hills. Until mile 3, which saw a 25m climb in the space of 1/4 mile. Which was nice.... What followed were 3 more similarly steep peaks, topped off with a killer final hill at about mile 10, which was a 40m incline in under 1/2 mile!

I'm pleased to say that I was able to keep a relatively consistent pace throughout the race and finished with s respectable time of 1:40, about 10mins off my PB so about on par for the course.

As expected, my 'support' staff was more interested in trying to steal my post-race banana but it was nice to be cheered along nonetheless! I was especially chuffed by hearing the MC at the finish line liken me to Usain Bolt as I sprinted (well, sped up slightly) over the finish line, which is nice!

Next up is the Canterbury Half Marathon, another hilly half. Training is going well so am aiming for at least 1:40 again, if not slightly better. I'll also try not to be QUITE so late with my update next time as well!

Race 6: The North Downs Run

Well, that was tough! Possibly even harder than the marathon the month before. I have included a copy of the gradients, which doesn't really do it justice. 30k trail run, you say? Easy, surely? Far from it. It started in 20C plus heat and only got hotter, hence the very stylish new hat! The heat also contributed to the worst cases of cramp that I have ever had, with both thighs seizing up within a km of each other at the 24k & 25k marks.

The upside was the scenery. It was probably the most beautiful race I am ever likely to run with plenty of time to take in the stunning views as a lot of the track was single file (certainly at the start) meaning that it was like a fast paced stroll corn & poppy fields.

Despite being struck down by cramp I was able to finish in a respectably time of 2:53:49. Having no frame of reference for this I am taking it as a good time!

I would normally say onwards and upwards at this point but given the hills, that it not accurate! Next up, the Dartford Half Marathon.

Race 5: Kent Roadrunner Marathon 2014: 31st May

I am officially a marathon man!

That was, without doubt, the toughest thing that I have ever done, not only in terms of the race itself but also the training. There were times in the month leading up to the race where I was seriously questioning whether I would be able to finish the race or not. I am very pleased to say that I did, although it was not easy!

First off though, a massive thank you to all of the people who came along to support me on the day, it really meant a lot and it may have caused me to get a little bit emotional (it was a fly in my eye, honestly!).

To the race itself; it was a gloriously hot day, so there were sun tans all round. It made for hard going but after learning the hard way whilst training I made sure that I had plenty of supplies in my very stylish bum-bag. Although originally daunted by the idea of doing 17 laps, it was actually surprisingly helpful and not at all dull. The support there on the day was amazing, not just in terms of my own but everyone, with pockets of spectators all around the course giving encouragement to all of the runners.

I had been hoping to come in at around the 3:30 mark and for the first 15-16 miles this certainly felt achievable. And then, the wall hit! This was the longest distance that I had run before and although I had hit the wall in training before, it was never as bad as this. for the last 4-5 laps I had to walk a couple of times because my legs were on the verge of giving up, which was a bit disappointing. That being said, I was still able to put in a sprint(ish) finish, coming over the line 65th out of 354 finishers, in a time of 3:39:20, which is respectable!

Straight afterwards, I was saying that I would struggle to do another marathon again this year but having had a couple of weeks rest, I am eyeing up the Fosters law marathon in September, so we shall see....

The final word has to go to the organisers, tz runs, who put on a fantastic event. All of the support staff were amazing and I want to say a massive thank you to all of them!

Race 4: 31st Folkestone 10 Mile

After my tough time in Sevenoaks I have been hard at work training for the Folkestone 10 miler. It was a very pleasant run along the coast to Hythe and back, with almost perfect weather conditions. Thankfully the wind was blowing behind on the way back, which helped me to get over the line! My new regime of munching on jelly babies and having a bottle of water with me certainly paid off as did having my usual support team back in action!

I finished in a respectable 1:08:16, coming in 70th out of 447.

The hard work starts now though; my next race is my first ever marathon! Luckily I have a bit of time as it is not until May 31st. Now, wear did I put those running shoes....

Race 3: Sevenoaks Rotary 10K: A lesson in why you need to train!

Well, that was tough! It was a beautiful, sunny day yesterday over in Sevenoaks for the 8th annual Sevenoaks Rotary 10K in Knole park. It was been a difficult few weeks and I've not been able to get out to run since the Headcorn Half Marathon. I went in to the race aiming for a sub-45min time, given my lack of practice. What followed was an abject lesson in a number of things!

1. Training really pays off, even if you have been suffering with a bad cold
2. A water bottle is essential!
3. Pace management pays dividends
4. Remember to learn the course before you start...

I am pleased to report that I finished in sub-45, finishing 22nd out of 452 in a time of 43:40 but it was very hard going. Were it not for the 2nd water station there is a good chance that I might not have been able to finish! I did manage a sprint finish again (that's 3 from 3!) although I needed a good five minutes lying down afterwards.

Still, I am stiff & sore but pleased with the result this morning. I have a few weeks now until the next race so, regardless of a few snuffles, I will be out running again later this week to make sure that I am as primed as possible.

No race support team for this one, sadly (Nikki missed out on the first sunny race!) so I had to make do with a rather sweaty selfie afterwards.

Race 2: Headcorn Half Marathon

Sunday saw the second of my races, the inaugural Headcorn Half Marathon. It was a pretty cold day, albeit dry. The going was all on the road, thankfully, although it started with a lap of a very small park (more on the wet grass/mud later). I was supported as usual by my very understanding wife, my grinning little boy and this time by my mum, who doubled as official photographer.

It started with smiles before the hooter went off. There were not quite so many smiles at the end...

There were 380 starters on the day and I am pleased to say that I came in 37th with a time of 1:30:54. I am really pleased with this time, it being my first half marathon. The going was pretty tough, even though it was a flat course. Running into the wind was not overly fun but it was nice to run around the Kent countryside! I managed to keep myself going at a pretty consistent pace of 7 minute miles, upping it to 6:30 for the final mile. I even managed to sprint over the finish line, even though it involved running on mud which felt like I was running in slow motion! A bout of nausea later and it was off to the pub to rehydrate with a couple of creamy pints of Guinness and a roast dinner.

Onwards and upwards. Next up is the Sevenoaks Rotary Knole Park 10K on 16th March. I am expecting a slower time than the Bromley run, as this looks like it is mostly off-road. Here's hoping for no rain for the next few weeks!