Back to the marathon
You might remember from the beginning of the year that my 2014 running plan of running a marathon went horrendously wrong when I injured my IT band in both legs.
Although it put me out of running for the best part of two months, I was determined that it wasn’t going to be the end of my goal, although it was painful to see my Manchester Marathon number arrive!
Over the last few months, I’ve slowly been training towards the Chester Marathon, which is held on Sunday 5 October.
And slow really is the correct word; I’ve deliberately set my pace at slower than 10 minute miles, which would add nearly half an hour to my overall marathon time.
I’ve also been less rigorous with my mid-week runs, both with distance and with pace. In fact whilst I was in Glasgow, my weekend long runs where the only ones I did.
I was a little nervous last week when I went up to 15 miles as that’s when my injury developed last time.
But I got through it running alongside the canals of Birmingham – although I did wonder where exactly I was at the time!
Over the last week I’ve found that my legs are getting back towards my pace pre-injury and found that I’m beginning to get faster in both my mid-week runs and my longer runs.
I’ve just got to slow myself back down – after all, I’ve got another 5 weeks of 18+ miles to go. I’ll save the speed for the big day!
Glasgow 2014 – Bring It On!
For the last couple of weeks I’ve been in Glasgow, soaking up the city and volunteering at the Commonwealth Games.
Although I didn’t get to see any of the athletics in Hampden Park, I did get to see the marathon, some hockey and the gymnastics where I was helping out with the press operations team.
My role involved helping press reporters get the interviews with athletes they want and giving them any information they need.
I was just a few metres away from the action on the pommel horse, and mere inches away from some of our medallists as I held dictaphones for reporters that couldn’t reach.
The two weeks have flown past and have been immense; every day has brought new challenges, spine-tingling atmosphere and, of course, incredible sport.
As I’ve been in Glasgow for 12 days I needed to go for a run – justified as just the one as I’d been on my feet for hours at a time whilst I was on shift.
I was camping for the Games and the marathon route passed right outside my “door”, with the blue racing line being painted on Friday night.
I’m back in marathon training (don’t say it too loudly; I don’t want to jinx it!) so needed to do 13 miles to keep myself going, and with the marathon course being two laps, it seemed perfect to use the course for my run – otherwise the chance of me getting lost in the city was pretty high!
The course was a nice mix of Glasgow city centre and suburban countryside, showing the rich variety and heritage that the city has, including the refurbished docklands now used as concert and conference venues.
It was the slowest half-marathon I’ve run as I’m really taking training easy this time round, plus the crowds in the city centre for the Games don’t make it easy to get by!
The 11 days of sport have been great to watch and have really changed perceptions of Glasgow, including mine.
It’s just a shame it’s all finished!
Tommy Running 