Stilton Striders RC
News of the Stilton Striders as they train for the 2006 London Marathon.
Susanne Birley, Anne Brindley, Chris Genes, Tim Hicks, Kate Kaczmarczyk, Tim Legge, Vicki Lowe, Chris Southam, Richard Stratton, and Darryl Woolward.
Result: 23030 (5501) Susanne Birley 4:46:58
Category: V40
Marathon PB: 3.26:55
Number of marathons completed: Two
Target FLM Time: 3.20
Reasons for running FLM: To get a faster time and a goal to keep me running.
Progress:
December: Did a 2 hour run.
January: Over the New Year, Anne and other half Tim Legge spent nearly four weeks in the Alps for some high quality altitude training. However, skiing took a high priority and running has been infrequent.
February: Training going OK so far, with 2 PBs for the first 2 league races (6m and 5m) so I am definitely faster than last year. The 5m race was a whole minute off my previous PB so I was very pleased with this! Did my first really long run last week at 18 miles at just over 8 min miling (2hr 25min), so again pleased with this, though I am not sure if my subsequent ones will be this quick! I am doing most of the weekday runs on the treadmill in the gym - good & bad really - excellent for speedwork, but not so good for hills or steady/tempo runs as it's a bit boring! Trying to fit long runs in at the weekends when there is a race is very tricky, as I can't do long runs in the week. We end up doing stupid things like running on after a race to make up the distance - not much fun! Mileage per week is quite low (around 35 mpw), but I am substituting the slow/easy runs with cross training in order to prevent (hopefully) any injuries. The proof of whether this works will, as they say, be in the eating! (and I love eating puddings!)
Result: 2690 (236) Anne Brindley 3:15:27
I
was very very pleased with my marathon effort with a time of 3:15:27.
However I was also disappointed that it wasn't just 27 seconds faster
as then I could have qualified for the women's elite race next year.
I am 100% sure I could have done it, if I had set out with that target
in mind. However I was aiming for 3:20 and spent most of the first 10
miles trying to slow down (with not much success! I was doing 7:20 ish
miling for this phase). I eventually settled into 7:30 miling and then
managed to sustain that for the rest of the race. From about 21 miles
I knew I was close to 3:15 but thought that it was too late to make
up the difference. Then at 23, I latched onto an Owls lady runner who
was going quite well and stuck with her. I still thought it too much
to make up the time, but I gave it my best shot and did the last mile
in 7 minutes (only 10 seconds slower than my 10k pace! I really don't
know how I did this!). On reflection it was a great run and I didn't
seem to go through the pain of previous years. I will just have to do
another one to get the 3:15 (at least I know I can do it now!) so may
aim for an autumn marathon this year (Abingdon?).
Category: MV50
Marathon PB: 3.32:24 (2003)
Number of marathons completed: Three (London, Amsterdam and Dublin). Plus an off-road marathon (Belvior Challenge).
Target FLM Time: sub 3.30
Reasons for running FLM: I have to under go a toe operation which I have deferred until after the FLM. Unfortunately there is no guarantee that it will be completely successful and this may be my last opportunity to run a full marathon. I am planning to give this one everything and follow a dedicated training programme with the objective of achieving a personal best.
Progress:
December: My target is to have a reasonable level of stamina, built up by racing local cross country events, to be ready to start in earnest in the new year.
January: Start of week three was a disaster, hadn't even started any quality sessions when I broke down after only two minutes of running following the weekend of the County Cross Country Championships. Mike Yoeman sorted me out the following week, apparently my left hip was 'out of alignment'. Spent the next three weeks rebuilding endurance and time on my feet.
February: Mid-Feb I managed 1:45, although slow. Soon be ready to step up a gear, hopefully, but I do not want to push it too hard too soon. Still 8 weeks to go. Targeting the Ashby 20 to gauge progress. Ran 43 miles in a week in late-Feb, including a 17 mile long, but slow, run. I’m keeping it steady still and will hopefully try some hill/speed work. As a fall back I can use Tallinn as my target marathon and FLM becomes a long run on week nine.
March: I bought some news running shoes eight weeks ago, but half a size bigger, deliberately to allow for my feet to expand at the end of 26.2. Big mistake. All going well until running a course with a lot of hills. Although good for training, the down hills meant my left big toe was slipping and banging against the inside. Result - when I finished it felt as if I had a heavy weight dropped on my toe. The agony was almost unbearable and it took several hours, and quite a few anti-inflammatory tables, with my foot elevated before I could even attempt to go to bed. But after a restless night it is improving well. Back to my normal shoes. There must be a moral in here somewhere.
After sorting out my infected toe I managed to get around the Ashby 20. Not quite to plan. I messed up my watch at the start and ended up running as I felt, rather than at a pace. Got to the 10 mile mark at 8:05 pace, I was targeting 8:20-8:30’s. Felt really good at that point, but at 14 miles I died. But I still got around within the time I was looking to achieve, sub 3:00 (2:56:57). I must re-educate myself to run at a correct pace. Although I managed my target the last six miles were tough and physiologically it was damaging. At least my toe stood up to the test, although I have a blood blister underneath another toe nail and I have suddenly developed blisters!!.
Managed 51 miles in the last week of March, with a long steady 21 mile run with some difficult hills. Not very fast as 3:15 relates only to a 4:00 FLM. Hopefully a flatter course and the atmosphere will help. Planning to run to Hose (8.5 miles) before completing the half before I start a two week taper. Still think its two - three weeks too soon for me as I have been taking it steady and not putting in much quality work (speed and fartlek's).
April: I start to taper now. I ran nine miles to the start of the Belvoir, then planned to run the half in 1:55 as a steady last long run. Decided to increase the effort from 8 miles to replicate how I might feel at the end of London and I was very pleased how strong I felt at the end and finished in 1:48:30. I need to trust the taper (not very good at this part as I'm worried what I might lose over the next two weeks). Now beginning to look forward to the day.
Result: 7608 (6459) Chris Genes 3:44:53
Crossing the official green start line in around 45 seconds I very quickly got into my stride and settled into a 8:00 minute mile pace and when we merged with the blue start runners I was positioned with the 3:30 pacing group - my ideal target. At the three mile mark my left foot suddenly ached and my calf became very tight, not sure why as I have been running 50+ per week for the last few weeks. Persevered for the next few miles then at seven miles the aching seemed to ease. Continued with the pacing group and felt really good at this pace. Passed half way mark well within 1:45. At eighteen miles began to fall away a little from the pace and at 20 miles it began to hurt! By mile twenty one it really hurt and I slowed down considerably with some walking. Managed to pick it up again along the Embankment with Big Ben in sight and finally crossed the line just within 3:45. I had targeted 3:40 and hoped for a good run to make 3:30 and did not consider 3:45 as an option so initially I was disappointed. However, I will take 3:45 gladly into my next nine weeks of training for Tallinn and remind myself that I have just run a marathon and 27,000 people did finish behind me.
Category: V40
Marathon PB: 3.06:13 (FLM 2001)
Number of marathons completed: Five (four London Marathons and the Rutland Marathon).
Target FLM Time: Under 3.06
Reasons for running FLM: A desire to run 26.2 miles without stopping. Maybe 6th time lucky. Anyone know how to avoid cramp?
Progress:
December: Gradually building up the mileage through December with three runs per week. Longest effort so far has been an 18 mile run on Boxing Day that included a lap of Rutland Water.
January: January has brought injury after one long run too many. Severe shin ache after another trip round Rutland Water meant lots of pain and three weeks out of action. I have now started running again but only gentle efforts on grass.
February: A cold at the start of the month meant another few sessions lost. Latest re-start following a more sensible build up of the long run on road has progressed to a trouble-free 2 hr run - yeah! Mileage is about 30 miles per week. Have been playing squash in a local league a couple of times a week. Now that's a great game. I tell myself it counts as cross-training.
March: Gradually get into reasonable form. A pleasing run of about 18 miles at the start of the month, incorporating a pb of 1hr 52min around Rutland Water, followed by a pb in the Desford 10k have been encouraging, but on the down side I'm struggling to manage keep up 30 miles/week. And now for another setback. A few days after that pb, I find myself off work with a nasty sinus-busting cold. Time to run is running out.
At the end of March I realised that I would not be able to get fit enough to run the London Marathon and so, reluctantly, I have decided to withdraw.
Kate has pulled out of the race this year.
Category: Senior (Tim will be a creaky M40 come marathon day)
Marathon PB: 2.53:05 (FLM 2003)
Number of marathons completed: Seven
Target FLM Time: Under 2.50
Reasons for running FLM: Good question...
Progress:
December: I have started a few longer runs (up to 17 miles) and have been hitting about 40-45 miles a week. I am trying to improve my pace with one or two speed sessions each week and am trying to lose a bit of excess weight. I think training is going pretty well and I am looking forward to testing out my progress with the LRRL races in January.
January: Over the New Year, Tim and Anne spent nearly four weeks in the Alps for some high quality altitude training. However, skiing took a high priority and running has been infrequent.
February: Despite a cold I have now hit 50 miles for a couple of weeks and am up to 17.5 miles for my long run. I am trying to do these at about 7 minutes per mile although this is proving tough. Speed is ok. A little down on last year judging by LRRL results but only by a few seconds a mile. I was pleased to do the Ashby 5 in 29 minutes 28 seconds. Sub 6 minute miling for the first time in this stint of training.
As March approaches, training is going well for me. I have managed to keep my long runs going and have now hit 20 miles. I have been doing these at a slow pace - which is what my programme recommends. I'm really pleased with my speed. I have leapt from 52nd to 22nd in the Leicester road races and I think I still have a little in the tank. Having said all of that, I am still thinking that 2 hours 50 minutes is a more realistic target than 2:45. Going to the Wednesday night training sessions is definitely helping me to get back to where I want to be.
March: We're on the final straight and I think things have gone pretty well. I did a half marathon at Bournmouth on 2 April and with hills and a driving wind into my face - I finished in 1:21. This isn't as quick as I hoped but it was a hard race. I am doing the Belvoir half on Sunday the 9th and hoping that will give me a better idea of whether I can hit that 2:45 mark for the marathon. I have stayed injury free and done some good quality sessions so I am hoping it will all come good on the day.
Result: 676 (650) Tim Legge 2:53:13
Another
amazing day in London for the marathon - it really is worth all of the
hard work, sweat and litres of lucozade sport!
I enjoyed the first 20 miles and was going well. Sadly my legs seemed
to get heavier and heavier and I struggled with the last 6 miles (again).
I finished in 2 hours 53 minutes and 14 seconds. - only 9 seconds off
a pb.
I am sure I could have gone quicker but stupidly raced 2 half marathons
in the 3 weeks before London. You would have thought after 7 previous
marathons I would be a bit smarter by now. I have learnt more about
myself and intend to hit that 2:45 time later this year.
This is my advice to myself for next time:
1. Do not race hard within 3 weeks of the marathon - my recovery time
is not as quick as others.
2. Take on more energy gels (miles 8, 13, 18, 22)
3. Do more training at proposed marathon pace (10mile run each week
at 6m17s /mile)
4. Go steady in first half of marathon
5. be realistic about the goal
6. Don't underestimate how hard the marathon is.
7. Stick to a programme
8. set specific targets for speedwork sessions
9. keep a training log.
I hope this advice might help some others too.
I'll be back next year.
Category:
Marathon PB: 3.57
Number of marathons completed: Two
Target FLM Time: 3.45
Reasons for running FLM: My reason for running the 2006 marathon is the challenge to achieve a time of 3.45. I look forward to an injury free/good health training over the next three months and will visualise the atmosphere and great feeling when you cross the finish line of this race.
Progress:
March: As time, approaches, overall my training has gone well. I have achieved a couple of PBs in the winter league, noting particularly Markfield where with the help of Phil Douglas, as my pace maker, I knocked a minute and a half off my 10 k. My only disappointment would be the fact that after completing five, 20 mile long runs and four 18 milers they are not getting any easier. It's not that my legs ache, I just feel like I need to sleep for the rest of the day. I had a set back the week leading up to the Ashby 20 where I had a cold and ended up doing the race slower than last year. I am really looking foward to London now and surprisingly I am not fed up with running. Will I achieve 3.45?... um did I say that!
Result:
9607 (1537) Vicki Lowe 3:53:09
Category: V40
Marathon PB: 2.37:57
Number of marathons completed: Seven
Target FLM Time: 2.35:00
Reasons for running FLM: Best place for a marathon pb also the atmosphere is fantastic.
Progress:
December: Ran a pb for the half marathon at keyworth but have had a cold and sore hamstring since. Have been taking it easy, but hope to get going again in January.
January: Managed my highest training millage ever in one month for January (222 miles). Hamstrings still sore so not going too mad with speed work yet, no rush though.
February: Doing plenty of miles but don't think I'm doing enough 2hr+ runs. Right hamstring still sore but loosens up, trusting it for speed work now and again. Looking forward to running Ashby 20 in March to see how I'm going in longer races.
Result:
97
(87) Chris Southam (and 8th M40) 2:33:59
A
little bit different this year starting at the Championship start. Free
sports drinks and water, plush toilets with no queue - after getting
there 1hr 20 before the start! Soon noticed some familiar faces from
Leics and Notts. After a brief walk we found ourselves surprisingly
close to the front of the elite start. After a slight injury digging
in my allotment four days before the start I set off fearing the worst
but after five miles all seemed ok. I set my pace band for 2.37 but
hoped to go quicker. Time whizzed by and at fourteen miles I felt tired
but was heading towards a 2.35. By eighteen miles you start having doubts
and have to concentrate, only eight to go! At twenty miles I started
to race harder and felt surprisingly good (much the same as last year).
Looking at the clock with 40 metres to go I had to get under 2.34. Only
just - 2.33.59. I'll call 2.33 (sounds better). 2.30 next year!!!!
Category: V40
Marathon PB:
Number of marathons completed: None
Target FLM Time: 3.15:00
Reasons for running FLM: I started running two years ago and have loved entering 10ks and half marathons. The marathon has to be the biggest challenge and luckily I got a place this year. I'm also running to raise money for Breast Cancer Care which means a lot to us as a family.
Progress:
February: I have trained well this month, extending the long runs to 22 miles. I ran a 1:31 half marathon, which is nearly 6 minutes better than my previous PB so feel in good shape to push on from here.
Result: 4075 (3630) Richard Stratton (Notts AC) 3:26:16
I
did it! My first marathon and my main objective, to complete it, was
achieved handsomely. I got round in 3 hours 26 minutes and 16 seconds.
What an experience. I had been told that London has the best atmosphere
of any race but the reality was awesome. To have crowds lining the course
every inch of the way and complete strangers yelling their support was
inspirational. Perhaps that's what made the first 15 miles or so feel
so good, I was floating round. Then it got hard...from 20 miles in it
was hell, I just had to hang on and keep moving, determined to finish.
I learned so much from this. I started running two years ago to lose
some weight and get a bit fitter. Now I am determined to keep getting
my times down and to enjoy racing. Meeting other runners and getting
their hints and tips has been brilliant. Tim Legge and Anne Brindley
have been exceptional in their support, thanks for the motivation and
encouragement guys.
Category: V50
Marathon PB: Watch this space
Number of marathons completed: none
Target FLM Time: 3.30
Reasons for running FLM: To be able to eat plenty of chocolate.
Progress:
January: Got off to a great start with some training in the sunshine and a steady 1.40 half marathon. However, like a lot of other people, too much too soon so I paid for it - 2 weeks off with a bad back.
February: Great to get back to Wed night club run and I felt like I was flying. I must have been as the next day I woke up with Bird Flu! Another 7 days off. Is somebody trying to tell me something? Playing catchup now and have managed a steady 16 so hopefully back on track.
March: Increased my longer runs to 20 and plan a 23 as my last long run to see if I can live through it! Finding it really hard to run so often (nobody told me it was going to hurt) but then was pleasantly supprised with feeling comfortable at the Ashby 20. Starting to wind down around 3rd April. The best thing about this whole experience so far is being able to eat cake, cake and more cake!!!!!
Result:
7995 (6771) Darryl Woolward 3:46:40