This time last year I was returning to Mersea Island for Xmas with the folks and a run round the Island.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24bWizFLzfk
Looking back sat in our lovely cottage in south London and awaiting both families to arrive for an amazing Xmas I can reflect on an awesome year. Not only did I get married to Mrs UB, which was the most amazing day ever, we had the perfect honeymoon in Sri Lanka.
On a running front, it was all about one event......my first 100, the SDW100. Firstly, I wanted to finish (readers will remember that 2 years ago, a leading consultant at King's said I would never run a marathon again after breaking my leg in 3 places...."maybe some light jogging Sir") a 100 miler and catch up with great buddies David Immune, Jezza and George. Not only did I want to do that but I wanted to prove that I could do it. I then set a goal of finishing in under 24hours. I did this too! Add in another 11 marathons and ultras and 2028 miles (3264km) so farand I've had an awesome year......not the quickest, but the furthest.
Here are some stats:
SDW100 - 23hrs 30 mins
12 marathons and Ultras
18 races in total.
Fastest marathon 3.43 (slow by my standards.......I did want to go sub 3.15 this year and never got near to even my PB)
Highest placing: 9th Bewl Water marathon (I won't count the 1st place lost on the last 1.5 miles of the Founders Marathon!)
5 x marathon/ultra top 20 placings
Slowest marathon - Gatliff 50km (actually 58km of mud bath and flood) 8.03 in appalling conditions and still came in 17th!
Fastest race: Stage 11 of Green Belt Relay 7.6 miles in 51 minutes, 6.35s on a cross country course through fields and a highest GBR placing for me of 7th.
Favourite race of the year: SDW100
Total miles so far 2028 miles (3264km) with a week to go.
So, to targets for 2013..............
SDW100 where I will aim for a sub 22 hour 100.
Another 100 to be decided.....
Winter Tanners 30 in a couple of weeks, followed by St Peter's Way 45 mile in Feb. No doubt the Stinger, Bewl and 3FM will feature as they are favourite events. I think that 2300 miles is not unachievable and I would still like to think that I can go a bit quicker........
.....finally a word about Mrs UB. She is in for London Marathon 2013, which will be her 3rd Mara. Support and training provided by Mr UB of course.
Happy Xmas and happy running to everyone!
Showing posts with label 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2012. Show all posts
Sunday, 23 December 2012
Saturday, 9 June 2012
South Downs Marathon Report
Off we went in the marathon machine with myself, the amazing Mrs UB and Lily, to the SDM on possibly the sunniest day for ages. Having looked forward to it for ages, there was no sense in me not running the marathon, despite a bout of illness this week. I would take it easy as the girls ran the half (starting with a tough climb of nearly 800ft straight up Butser Hill!) so at least I could recce for the SDW100 in 21 days time.
No sooner had I arrived in Slindon for the point to point marathon start than I was able to catch up with John Kipps, and then a good old chat with Helly D, Chaz and none other than 100 marathon legend Johnny Mack.
Helly and I were in the last wave of runners to leave, of which I clearly stated I would be lingering near to the back. Off up and up Westwood Down from near sea level to 699ft on a long, long drag. I knew what I was letting myself in for having done the race before. I was travelling light as I was not hungry in the slightest so overtook loads of people up the Down. I then had to stop and walk and dart in to the bush for an unscheduled retch. I felt a little better and was hoping that the multicoloured anomaly would have cleared my system and I would be able to enjoy the rest of the run......
Up to the top of Sutton Down at 799ft and then another unscheduled stop, not far after the first water station at 5 miles. Lucky I had a Lucozade tropical with me to wash the sickness out of my nostrils. Time to carry on.
The next couple of miles were good miles. I wasn't in a chatty mood, just one foot in front of the other and head down with a job to do. Off Scotcher's Bottom down to about 300ft and then back up to Woolavington Down at 790ft. The next unsheduled stop was near Teagleaze Farm, about half a mile later where the rest of my breakfast joined the South Downs Way. Luckily I had someone else to stop for and check out here as a chap who had gone in wave 2 had tripped over a root, dodging some mentalist cyclist who had "route one" and to hell with the runners. Cock. A couple of other runners helped him up as he had a bloody face and was clearly shaken. He told us to carry on and a chap with a mobile called for help and stayed.
I felt that the smell of vomit might not help. The route undulates through woods here so was nice and cool out of the sun. Time to see if I could manage a drink....No! The last retch convinced me that the 13 mile checkpoint at Cocking would be my first DNF. Sadly, looking up to the summit of Didling Hill at 814ft was lovely, with a trail of day-glo miature figurines bobbling up the hill from the halfway point, spurred on by the recently quaffed gels at the marshall point.
This meandering mindset reminded me that I was probably dehydrated by this point and I should follow my head and not my heart. I managed to find 3 lovely ladies who were driving off to CP3 at Harting Down. After I checked with the marshal that it was OK to leave the course, I bailed. Despite the sickness, I managed the first half in a pleasing 16 minutes quicker than 2 years ago.
The ladies were supporting their brother/BF/nephew and were very posh and it was his first marathon. I gave them directions and we had chit chat for 6 miles about running, tennis and maps. Then I commandeered another ride to the finish from Matt and his wife and kids and friend who had been running the marathon relay. All very posh but all very nice. Good luck to the both of you brilliant runners and supporters.
And then I had to speak to the organiser to give them my number as a DNF......really sad point as I might have been able to finish.......but I also could have ended in hospital so now am feeling glad that I did.
So.....lessons learned......
1. Mind bikes on the SDW. Most are nice but some think they own the track and are cunts.
2. When people say that some parts of the Downs are easier.....this bit is not true for this section. It is a beast and will strike.
3. There is more shade here than nearer to Brighton
4. Don't run marathons after a heavy bout of food poisoning.
5. Hitch hiking is the new black
No sooner had I arrived in Slindon for the point to point marathon start than I was able to catch up with John Kipps, and then a good old chat with Helly D, Chaz and none other than 100 marathon legend Johnny Mack.
Helly and I were in the last wave of runners to leave, of which I clearly stated I would be lingering near to the back. Off up and up Westwood Down from near sea level to 699ft on a long, long drag. I knew what I was letting myself in for having done the race before. I was travelling light as I was not hungry in the slightest so overtook loads of people up the Down. I then had to stop and walk and dart in to the bush for an unscheduled retch. I felt a little better and was hoping that the multicoloured anomaly would have cleared my system and I would be able to enjoy the rest of the run......
Up to the top of Sutton Down at 799ft and then another unscheduled stop, not far after the first water station at 5 miles. Lucky I had a Lucozade tropical with me to wash the sickness out of my nostrils. Time to carry on.
The next couple of miles were good miles. I wasn't in a chatty mood, just one foot in front of the other and head down with a job to do. Off Scotcher's Bottom down to about 300ft and then back up to Woolavington Down at 790ft. The next unsheduled stop was near Teagleaze Farm, about half a mile later where the rest of my breakfast joined the South Downs Way. Luckily I had someone else to stop for and check out here as a chap who had gone in wave 2 had tripped over a root, dodging some mentalist cyclist who had "route one" and to hell with the runners. Cock. A couple of other runners helped him up as he had a bloody face and was clearly shaken. He told us to carry on and a chap with a mobile called for help and stayed.
I felt that the smell of vomit might not help. The route undulates through woods here so was nice and cool out of the sun. Time to see if I could manage a drink....No! The last retch convinced me that the 13 mile checkpoint at Cocking would be my first DNF. Sadly, looking up to the summit of Didling Hill at 814ft was lovely, with a trail of day-glo miature figurines bobbling up the hill from the halfway point, spurred on by the recently quaffed gels at the marshall point.
This meandering mindset reminded me that I was probably dehydrated by this point and I should follow my head and not my heart. I managed to find 3 lovely ladies who were driving off to CP3 at Harting Down. After I checked with the marshal that it was OK to leave the course, I bailed. Despite the sickness, I managed the first half in a pleasing 16 minutes quicker than 2 years ago.
The ladies were supporting their brother/BF/nephew and were very posh and it was his first marathon. I gave them directions and we had chit chat for 6 miles about running, tennis and maps. Then I commandeered another ride to the finish from Matt and his wife and kids and friend who had been running the marathon relay. All very posh but all very nice. Good luck to the both of you brilliant runners and supporters.
And then I had to speak to the organiser to give them my number as a DNF......really sad point as I might have been able to finish.......but I also could have ended in hospital so now am feeling glad that I did.
So.....lessons learned......
1. Mind bikes on the SDW. Most are nice but some think they own the track and are cunts.
2. When people say that some parts of the Downs are easier.....this bit is not true for this section. It is a beast and will strike.
3. There is more shade here than nearer to Brighton
4. Don't run marathons after a heavy bout of food poisoning.
5. Hitch hiking is the new black
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