VLM Ballot. Spiderman or Bumblebee

Ha.  Spent 2 and a bit days waiting for either the Spiderman or Bumblebee magazine and look what turned up in my inbox instead.

6th successive rejection.

Gutted.  Absolutely gutted.

I'll put my rejection into the club draw in November and hope to win one of three places but there's a smaller chance in that than the 1 in 15 chance in the regular ballot.

Why dont you run for charity I hear you say?

I'm sorry but I have no inclination to run for charity. I run for me and me alone. Who is going to sponsor me to run a marathon when I've run 5 already before? It just isnt reasonable to beg friends & family for money. Been there, done it and never again.

So what next?
Who knows.  I'm just too pissed off right now.

Product Review: Brooks Glycerin 13

Following the brief 15 mile flirtation with the Ghost 7s, I had a couple of runs out in my now retired Brooks Glycerin 12s.  I really havent been a fan but they have serviced me well.  Well almost.  I've only just managed to squeeze out 300 miles from them which has been awful in comparison to the way the old Glycerin 11s used to hold up.

A Friday afternoon LSR of 13.1m, my longest run since Brighton in April was a test.  If I'm honest, there's now way I should have been running in the 12s as they are well past their sell by date now.  Running the odd 5k or 10k would be manageable but 13.1 miles was a significant test of my resolve.  Next to no cushioning and after 5-6 miles, the shock of every stride could be felt through the achilles and calves.  Not ideal nor recommended.

Having put myself through that run, I took it easy over the weekend and as promised by Lyz at Brooks Running, the new Glycerin 13s arrived part way through Monday, taken in by our ever-so-lovely neighbour, Angela.

And here they are...along with their previous versions...

Left to Right:  Brooks Glycerin 11s, Glycerin 12s and the new Glycerin 13s

I'm not going to get technical.  I dont understand the technical jargon the running shoe manufacturers use when describing what the shoes are made of, what technical changes they've made etc.  Nor do I want to quite frankly.  I'd be accused of being a running geek otherwise.  Cant be having that now, can I?

So, I look for three important things...

1.  General comfort and feel.  I like some cushioning but not too much and its nice to have a spring in your step.

2.  Rubbing and the potential for blisters.  Entirely separate to comfort for me.  I'm prone to blisters by wearing running shoes without support in the right places and this is a major priority for me.

3.  The bling.  My god, they have to be blingy.  I cannot have just a pair of grey running shoes.  They need to be bright and bashful.

The Glycerin 13s  meet the blingy criteria.  I love anything blue, let alone running shoes and we've got a dose of hi-vis yellow in there too.  Perfect.  All that was left to do was take them out for a run and see how I got on.

I ran Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week, a real mix of my running.  Monday was a high tempo speed session, just a little shorter than 10k but at all out 10k pace.  Ran my fastest 5 miles ever (well, when I say ever, the fastest 5 miles recorded on my Garmin connect account!)  Tuesday was a very warm up, run as a recovery run really for 4 miles and then a good 20 minutes of hill reps.  Then Wednesday, I was out with the Plums on the Group 2 run.  Around 18 miles in the space of 3 days would clearly iron out any issues.

The comfort was spot on.  Plenty of room in the toe box, where I'm prone to banging the front of my toes when the shoes are slipping on a long run, causing toenail bruising.  Absolutely none to speak of.  I always ensure my feet are properly in the heel of each shoe before tying the laces.  I leave the laces loose at the toe end and I find that gives me plenty of room as I dont like my laces too tight as I've been prone to cramp in my feet in the past.  Whether that is down to the laces I dont know but since I've loosened them, I've not had it so dont change something if it isnt broken.

The Glycerin 13s feel like they are more substantial under foot.  The cushioning seems much better.  In the first mile in them, I was conscious of my achilles getting used to the shoes but after that, I didnt notice it again in the next 17 miles or so.  A good sign.  There was plenty of support too.  My right foot was over-pronating in the Ghost 7s, which led to my foot blistering badly.  Not such experience in the Glycerin 13s.

After only 18 miles, my first impressions of the Brooks Glycerin 13s are good.  The Glycerin 12s never really compared to the comfort factor of the Glycerin 11s but maybe the Glycerin 13s are now the shoe that the 12s should have been.  I'll report back in another 75-100 miles time and I'll tell you whether I would buy another pair.

You can find the technical info about the Brooks Glycerin 13s here.

I've been struggling to come up with an analogy of my experience with the Ghosts.  I guess its like being in a long-term relationship which began to get a bit stale...and the Ghosts came along like the flirty girl in the office who you chat to at the photocopier and they suggest you go out for a drink.  They look fab but you know it just wont work and the personality, well, it just doesnt cut it.  You go home, find the Mrs has dolled herself up and put Steak and Chips on the table and got a cold beer out of the fridge for you.  Well not quite lol.

Again, I'd like to express my thanks to Lyz @ Brooks Running for helping me out with the Glycerins.  Much appreciated and I hope to be a Brooks customer for many more years to come.

Now I just need to sort out a decent pair of trail shoes in time for cross country season :)

Update: Post-Brooks Ghost 7 review and Brooks Customer Services

Less than 24 hours after writing my review of the Brooks Ghost 7 running shoes, I'm delighted to be able to tell you that I have good news!

Let me recap.  I picked up a new pair of the Ghost 7s via SportsShoes.com last week and I had my first run in them on Friday (around 10k), then I ran again on Tuesday (7.5 miles at tempo).  Despite only running approximately 14 miles in the shoes, both feet had begun to blister in my mid-sole region, just below the ball of my foot.

This certainly didnt measure up to my expectations, given my previous experience with the Brooks Glycerin range.

So I fired off an email to Brooks Running customer services and I had no choice but to run in them on the Plumstead Runners Wednesday night run.  I took it easy and swept up the back of group 2 but the discomfort was all too obvious.

Having spoken to Dave, Andy and Gary (and anyone else who would listen about my running shoe woes), I had made my mind up to look at the Hoka One One brand following Dave's persuasion.  However, having checked my emails, I'd received a nice email from Lyz at Brooks.

Lyz told me she was sad to hear that I was disappointed with the Ghost 7s and went on to tell me that the main difference between the Glycerin 11s (which I loved so much) and the Glycerin 12s (which seem to have given me an achilles niggle!)

Once I confirmed my proof of purchase, Lyz sent me this email...

How's that for customer service, eh?  Exemplary.  I wouldnt have expected anything less from such a reputable company.

I'd like to express my huge thanks to Lyz and Brooks for putting me out of my misery so quickly.

Anyhow, the new Brooks Glycerin 13s can be seen here.  I will will follow up with a review of them once I've spent some time in them to see how they fair compared to the 12s.

Product Review: Brooks Ghost 7

Ever since I have run, I have always worn Brooks running shoes.  Once you find a pair, its often best to stick to them.  I discovered Brooks Glycerin about 4 years ago now and I've not run in anything else.

Given my usual mileage, a pair normally lasts 3-4 months on average and I would comfortably get around 350-400 miles out of them before needing to change them.

This was pretty much the norm and I had no issues at all.

However, after going through 4-5 pairs of Glycerin 11s, I finally got around to buying the updated Glycerin 12s.  If I could have found a pair of 11s I would have had them again but having searched and searched, I relented and got the 12s instead and thats when I started having issues.

I ran twice in them before the Brighton Marathon.  After my second run in my taper, I was comfortable but I felt a niggle in my left achilles. It went after a few days and I ran Brighton but I felt the achilles as soon as the 1st mile in Brighton.  This niggle has stayed with me on and off since April.

When I went back to my old 11s, I cant feel it.  The 12s, I'm conscious of it.  So I made the decision of trying a different make.

A few of the guys at Plumstead Runners have been raving about the Brooks Ghost 7.  Another neutral shoe, apparently lighter than the Glycerin and considerably cheaper.  So I took the plunge and picked a pair up.

Left:  Brooks Glycerin 12s  Right: Brooks Ghost 7s

First impression was good.  The Ghosts do feel significant lighter than the Glycerins.  However, one thing concerned me.  The mid-foot.  To explain, the area below the ball of my foot where the shoe narrows from the toe box.  (See the 'Anatomy of a Running Shoe' diagram below, area highlighted in red!)  The shoe felt too close.  I've been prone to blisters in this area in the past from other shoes but this felt like it could give me an issue.

With this in mind, I applied a liberal amount of vaseline to my feet in that area and I wore twin-skin running socks before I ran in them.

I ran twice in the Ghost 7s, 10k first and then 7.5 miles second time and without doubt, I could feel an issue in the mid-foot area within the first 2 miles of each run.  Towards the end of the second run, my right foot felt sore.  I was in danger of blistering.

As it happens, once I got home and looked at my foot, it wasnt good...

After only 15 miles in 2 runs, I was left blistered.  Not a great photograph but there is definitely a blister there.  Really not what I expected from a manufacturer like Brooks.  After so many years of buying their products, I'm not struggling to find a shoe that works for me.  The Glycerins have changed beyond recognition, going from the most comfortable running shoe in the world to something not even close and now the Ghost 7s have caused another issue.

Looking at the positives, the Ghost had more than sufficient cushioning for those that need it, resulting in a very springy-like feel to your cadence.  There was plenty of room in the toe box for a standard size 10 with broad feet like myself but what the hell is that mid-foot area all about?  It feels far too narrow.

I'm so disappointed.  Pay out a large wedge of cash for a shoe that I now cant wear.  Its not even as if I can send them back to the shop as they just wont accept them (and rightly so!)

Back to the drawing board.  I may have to go and try the Glycerin 13s.

Sadly I cant recommend the Brooks Ghost 7s from my experience.

Update

An awful lot has been going on since the last update.

Lets get the boring running stuff out of the way first.

I'm almost (stress 'almost') flying again.  I'm still a good 4-5 lbs off race weight but I'm getting quicker and quicker and the stamina which I've been long striving for is coming back.

Now, I've got something to admit here.  Following the recommendation of Alison and our friends Stacey, Jan, Sammi and Marion, I went to see a lady called Helen who is a Hollistic Therapist, Reflexologist, Accupunturist and Reiki Healer.  The idea was that I went along to see her for a general body MOT to see what could be done for me.  £40 a session so didnt have a lot to lose financially but it may just give me some answers as to why I was feeling lacking in energy.

Helen is a lovely lady.  I turned up for my appointment and she invited me in and I laid on her couch.  She has this chart and a pendulum which spins/moves/rotates based on your varying energy levels.  Basically, she performs a 'measurement' and then treats you accordingly.

Once she'd done her readings, she gave me her prognosis.  Highly stressed (yes, correct - I was having issues selling my flat and work was going mental all at the same time), I wanted everything done yesterday (correct) and my body was knackered (yes, pretty much could agree with all of that!).

So she recommended I took liquid iron as well as magnesium and vitamin c supplements.  This would help my energy levels and improve my sleep.

After only a couple of weeks taking the supplements, my energy levels have gone through the roof and its showing in my running stats.  My sleep quality has improved massively.  I wake up feeling alive and not wanting to go straight back to bed again.  I feel like I sleep a whole lot deeper than I ever have before.  As a result, I've got the spark back that I've felt like I've been so desperately missing for the last 6 months or so.  Long may this continue!

I'm going back to see Helen in about 4-5 weeks time but I've been told to stay on the magnesium and vitamin c but to drop out the liquid iron once the bottle is finished.  I've been very skeptical of alternative therapies but this really seems to be working.

Its well as having a physical effect, its also having a mental effect on me.  I've felt far more emotional than usual.  This is an effect of my levels realigning.  Helen said I had no negative energies so that was really good and she was pleased with my progress.

The proof is in the pudding as they say and my stats are reflecting the improvement.

This week, I seem to be firing on all cylinders.

First up, I ran my fastest 5k of the year and fastest in almost 18 months.  I rarely run the 5k distance and its normally a means to an end where I dont have enough time to get in a longer run before having to go out with Alison or something like that.

25:11 at 8:03 min/mile pace. Considerable improvement compared to the odd 5k I've run on this route in recent months. The weight is settling down but the body chemistry seems to be improving.

Wednesday Night meant a run with Plumstead Runners.  A nice 7 mile loop out and back to Bexley and Sidcup with some torrential rain thrown in for good measure.

Our route from Danson to Bexley takes us up Parkhill Road.  When I first started running with the Plums just under 3 years ago, this hill used to absolutely kill me.

I remember it well from my cycling days as it used to be my main route out to the Kent lanes.  Its not particularly steep but its a horrible little steep/drag combo.  It certainly takes some effort to run up it.

Here's the elevation profile so you can judge for yourself...

As you can see, the segment include the hill and then the drop down the other side to the war memorial at the junction of Hurst Road.

Here's my segment times...

A new PB by 8 seconds.  Considerable improvement.  The fact that I backed off the pace from the top to recover and didnt run hard down the other side tells me I could have run it faster.  However, coming to Plums straight from work without eating properly all day is energy sapping and the main aim of the Plum runs is to get around in relative comfort so its good to hold something back.

Because of the weather, it was a reasonably small turn out in comparison to previous weeks but a good turn out given the circumstances and every one of them Plums deserves huge credit for getting out there in the elements and putting themselves through it.  I actually prefer running in conditions like that, as long as I can avoid my shoes going through deep puddles!

Here's the complete data for the run...

A thoroughly enjoyable run with brilliant company. Cant ask for any more than that.

So that's all the running/fitness stuff done.  There's been a whole lot more been going on.

In brief, my flat has finally sold.  Debts cleared.  A lovely lump sum now sits in the bank.  A very nice position to be in and I'm a lucky man.

I blogged last time that I was heading off to Spain for a week.  We had a great time and I can honestly say that was my favourite holiday ever.  It was the first time I was able to take Izzy away for a sunshine holiday and she loved every minute of it.

You can check out the pictures here.

I treated myself to a Go Pro before we went and we had a real laugh playing with the camera in and out of the water on holiday...

Truly stunning footage at 1080P and 60fps. Proper geekage. Now all I need to do it pick up some different mounts and I can start to use it when I'm out running. Should be some interesting footage.

Anyhow, Izzy has been talking about setting up her own 'Driscoll TV' You Tube channel for some time and while we were off together, we started 'practicing' for what sort of films would work.

Izzy will kill me for making this public but hey, its about time she made her online debut.  Let us know what you think.

All filmed on the iPad. The idea was devised in about 2 mins before she hit the record button and quickly edited and rendered on the iMovie app afterwards. Hey, not bad for a first attempt.  We quickly filmed a few other clips but they've not been put together yet.  Unfortunately, it looks like I'm going to get a starring role but hey, if it makes Izzy happy then I'll make a fool of myself gladly.

Wedding plans are coming on nicely.  Honeymoon is now booked.  Almost 3 weeks on the American West Coast.  Conveniently booked for May so I wont have to defer my VLM place when I get it.  (See what I did there?  Positive thoughts.  I've manifested my place for next year.  Its going to happen.  It really is!)

Talking Weddings, Alison has been her usual brilliant self recently.  Despite having an awful lot to deal with at work, she's always there for me...and Izzy as well.  Alison came to support Izzy at her major Gymnastics competition of the year, the South Eastern Regional Championships, at the Guildford Spectrum last weekend at Izzy's insistence, despite the fact she could have well done with a lay in.  8am registration on a Sunday morning is bordering on the insane.  I'm used to it what with the various races/rides I've done which have meant being up at 4am for preparation and breakfast etc.

Anyhow, Alison has taken to life with a 'step-daughter' like a duck to water.  They both get on brilliantly and I really couldnt ask for more than that.  Alison loves her like she would love one of her own.

As it happens, the Guildford Spectrum was also the venue for the first ever 'Alison-meets-ex-wife...ex-wife-meets-Alison' event.  [EDIT: my thoughts are not for public reading].  All done and dusted now. 

On the bright side, Izzy done brilliantly to finish 5th in her category, her first competition since qualifying for the intermediate level standard.  We are all very proud of her.  Amazing considering she was having a major meltdown about not being able to remember her routine properly 24 hours beforehand.

So there we go.  The running is going better than I could have hoped 4 weeks ago and life is steaming forward.

This weekend is Alison's parents 50th wedding anniversary party which we're all looking forward to. The marquee is already up in our garden and we'll be partying until the early hours again.  No running on Sunday this week, thats for sure.  Will just have to go out on Saturday instead ;)

The 'come back' continues...

Almost 2 months in and still injury free.

The back is still giving me some trouble but I'll talk more about that another time.  Its manageable.  I really must get around to doing some core work and booking some physiotherapy as recommended by the specialist.

However, putting that completely to one side, I'm getting on with things as best I can and am slowly (with emphasis on the word slowly) getting back to fitness and I feel encouraged by my progress.

My mileage is back on an upward trend.  Averaging just shy of 24 miles a week over the last 2 months.  Not a huge amount but its a lot more than I managed between April and June.

As you'll see from the 5k, 10k and 10mile indicators above, I have cut my distances right back in order to come back slowly.  No point in rushing back to run major distances until I've got a race booked and then training can start in ernest.  That isnt likely to be until later this year.  The legs are getting stronger though.  The recovery is getting easier.

Now I'm beginning to run pain free again, its time to start mixing things up and scheduling in some dedicated sessions.  I've already done one speed interval session which I will start to increase my reps and I'm about to start regular hill reps to build my strength and power.

Most importantly, I seem to have found my self-resolve with the intake of calories...

Not a single day over my calorie limit of 1,770 calories a day since 12th July, just over a month or so ago.

As a result, I'm now within 4lb of my race weight.  Not far off at all, after feeling like I was miles away from that target only 6 weeks ago.  As the weight comes off, the legs get quicker and the strength and power comes back.  With some dedicated intervals thrown into the mix, I'll be maximising the progress curve.

...(cont 16/08/2015)... since writing the above, I've actually done my first set of hill reps.  It wasn't fun and it hurt a lot but you know it will make all the difference...

Watling St near my parents house makes for the ideal hill.  Not steep by any stretch of the imagination but its a lung buster.  I've ran it many a time over the years and know the bits that hurt.

The first three reps were consistent but my legs had pretty much had it by the 4th rep.  Then I managed to find a tiny little bit more for the last one.  Working some hill reps into the schedule once a week will pay huge dividends.

I'm also starting to work on some speed reps...

Much nearer to home, I'm now running the local block, concentrating on some short bursts heading down Sutherland Avenue, Northbound.  Only just less than 1/4 of a mile.  As you'll see above, I ran the loop anti-clockwise, so the 1st rep is part of the warm up.  The plan is to do this at least once a week and to increase the number of reps each time.

Since coming back, I seem to have lost what speed I had so its imperative I do something about it.

So all in all, things are most definitely looking up right now.

I will be heading to Spain for a week in 10 days time, so I'll need to take my running kit with me just to make sure I can keep things ticking over.  I'm not prepared to let things start slipping again.

Progress

I popped in to see my parents last night and my Mum greeted me at the door...

"Hello.  Blimey, are you feeling ok?  you've lost a lot of weight?"...

Now that was music to my ears quite frankly.  Well at least its beginning to notice then.  As I blogged a few weeks ago, the plan has been to concentrate on what I'm eating, cut out as much crap as possible and get myself back on the straight and narrow, meanwhile attempting to up the training efforts where I can injury permitting.

First, lets look at the diet...

43 days in, I'm doing more than ok.

37 days under the 1,770 net calorie target and 6 days where I've crept over.  There was one weekend away in that at the beginning of July which meant no training, otherwise my progress has been more than acceptable.

I'm averaging around 1,202 calories a day and have run up a total calorie deficit of 24,411 calories.  The weight loss is now kicking in and my running is benefitting hugely.

Of course, what with injuries, running has been very difficult in the last few months but I've managed to get back into some sort of routine over the last 6 weeks and it shows...

With the possibility of two more runs left in July, I will have racked up more than 90 miles this month.  A huge improvement given the disappointments of May and June.  Hopefully, August will see further improvement.

At this point, I'm still 100% certain that I made the correct decision in pulling out of the Berlin Marathon as early as I did.  In terms of marathon training, I'd have two months left now and would have been running up in the high teens now in terms of distance so I dont think there is any doubt the decision was correct.

The fact that I've managed to get the miles in this month is testament to the fact that my back is getting better.  It is nowhere near being 100% but its manageable at this current time.

Thanks to Alison's BUPA cover, I booked myself into see a specialist, Mr Colin Natali at the London Independent Hospital, just around the corner from my office in Whitechapel.  Mr Natali sent me for a MRI and this is the result...

Now that you can see there is a cross section of my spine.  Lets take a look at the more common view of a spine which will allow me to explain what is going on here.

As you can see from the diagram on the left, the spine is split into different areas, C1-C7, T1-T12 then L1-L5 and S1-S5.  The vertebrae are most made up of water.  Did you know that?  No, I didnt either!  Anyway, the MRI scan show that I have 'dehydration' of the L4/L5 and S1 vertebrae.  That means that instead of the usual 90% water content, my lower back is around 78% and this causes the fluid sack to bulge against the nerves.  I've got a small right-sided bulge why I get a lot of discomfort in my right groin and right bum cheek and down my right hamstring, the common sign of sciatica as it presses on the sciatic nerve.

So thats the diagnosis.  Cure?  Hmm.  90% of people respond to physiotherapy and pain management through pain killers.  A small percentage of people end up having surgery.  Fingers crossed the physiotherapy works for me.  As yet, I havent booked the physio but I need to get a move on.  Although I'm not suffering from discomfort, I am experiencing a lot of stiffness (ooooh er missus, someone call the innuendo police!)  I feel ok when I'm moving about but first thing in the morning and whilst sitting down for long periods at work, it takes me a long while to get upright (oh for goodness sake, do stop it!)

So, all in all, things are definitely moving in the right direction.  I'm feeling much better in myself, both physically and mentally.  Running like a non-runner (pardon the expression) for the last few months has been exhausting mentally.  When you've run 26.2 miles and then struggle to run 5k only 2 months later, you'll know what I mean but I'm most definitely on the way back up to where I should be.  Happy Days!

Was Brighton only 2.5 months ago?

Was it really only 2.5 months ago?  It feels like a bloody lifetime away now...

Apologies for not updating the blog sooner.  There's been an awful lot going on at home, so the blog has very much taken a back seat for the time being.  Let me fill you in on what has been going on.

After Brighton, the plan was always going to be that I was going to take a few weeks off, recharge the batteries and come back fresh, ready to take on the Berlin Marathon in September.

Two weeks off, then back into it all be it slowly and struggling.

Alison and I went on our long planned holiday to Mexico (see the pics here) at the beginning of May.  Keeping things ticking over in Mexico from a running perspective was virtually impossible.  I've never felt humidity quite like it.  Its fine just sitting by the pool or on the beach but as soon as your heart rate goes above 130 bpm, I'd liken it to running in a shower.  Uncomfortable didn't even cover it.

Then there was the food.  Despite only being away for 10 days, I made the most of it.  I don't think there was a day in the ten where I only had 1 course for breakfast.  You name it, I'd eaten it.  I haven't eaten as unhealthily as that in a good 4-5 years and it resulted in me ballooning.

The first morning back in England and getting on the scales was a massive shock.  I've lost 12lbs since but I need to lose another 6-8lbs sharpish so I can get back to enjoying my running again.

Since we've been back, the last two months have been very stop-start and I seem to be getting no where.  My Asthma has played up and I lost a week of training then I tweaked my back bending down to get my running kit out of the washing machine.  I've lost a good 12-14 days of training on and off due to the Sciatica flare up, treated primarily with Naproxen (an anti-inflammatory), Diazepam (a muscle relaxant to stop the muscles spasming) and the pain managed by Co-codomol.

With the lack of activity over the last 2.5 months, it's been a huge shock how quickly my pre-marathon form and fitness has dropped off at an alarming rate.  3 months ago, I was running 22 miles in training at a comfortable sub 4 marathon pace.  All of a sudden, running 5k at 9:30 min/mile pace two days in a row is a massive achievement.

Sciatica has been dogging me for the best part of 4-5 weeks now, so I've asked my GP to 'refer' me to a specialist, using our private healthcare.  Hopefully, the specialist will get to the bottom of the problem quickly.  At the moment, any long spell sitting is playing havoc with my back.  It stiffens quickly (come on people, clean thoughts here!) and going from a sitting to standing position takes time and it takes me a good while to get properly upright.

Marathon recovery, holiday and injury = bye bye 100 miles per month minimum target :( 

Along with an almost constant niggle in my left Achilles Tendon and right Hamstring after Brighton, I made the decision to withdraw from Berlin and all future races until I'm ready to race again.  I'm not willing to run the worlds quickest marathon course in the worst shape possible.  I want to be firing on all cylinders again before I even contemplate it.

The way I feel at the moment, I may well have run my last marathon.  Yet again, my marathon recovery has been nothing worse than shocking.  Ok, I've had a long holiday, put a bit of weight on and been struggling with a few niggles but in myself, I feel worse than ever.  Given how great I felt in March and at the beginning of April, I find this a massive surprise but I can relax in the knowledge that it'll hopefully only take me 2-3 months to get back into shape again but obviously out of contention for Berlin but just in time for the London Marathon ballot where a decision can be made if needs be.

Right, let me move away from running for a moment.  There's been a couple of other big changes in my life...

I met Alison just over a year ago now.  Our first date was in the Bull's Head at Chislehurst and got on like a house on fire.  Second date, she fell into my arms (literally - she claims she wasn't drunk but knowing how she does like a glass of red wine, she's got no defence!) and the rest is history...

The last year and a bit has been out of this world.  We've been to Amsterdam, Venice and Mexico already and we head out to Spain in August to take Izzy on her first sunshine holiday and I just cant wait to see her face when we tell her we're finally taking her on a plane when we see her this weekend.  

Al and I in Mexico

Al has opened up my eyes to a world that I didn't really believe existed.  One full of happiness and laughter.  Thinking back to May 2008 and the conversation with my parents about would they mind me sleeping on their sofa for a couple of days until I got myself sorted (which then turned into two years lol), I'm a million miles away from that now.

Al has also opened my eyes up to a whole host of different things.  Geordie Shore, Love Island (yeah, you 'crack on' love, I've just been 'pied'...like WTF?!?!)...Masterchef Australia, haha what other crap TV has she inflicted on me?  I remember the look on Al's face when I took her for dinner in the We Anchor In Hope in Welling.  It was one of 'this man needs some educating'.  Well she's done a pretty good job of that thus far.  Jeez, I've even developed a taste for red wine!  I never expected that.  It has been a year of many firsts for me and Al is the main reason behind them all.  Likewise, Alison has been getting to grips with words not so familiar in her vocabulary...like football, running, cycling.  She's so supportive in all I do.  She understands why I feel the need to get up early on a Sunday and run 18 miles for 'fun'  (although she still thinks I'm mental!) She pretty well knows me better than I know myself.  She's just bloody awesome. 

The best thing of all, I've had the pleasure of Alison meeting Izzy and seeing their relationship develop.  Lets not forget here, we (Izzy and I) came as a package.  Not many women would take a man and his daughter on but Al has welcomed us both with open arms.  Izzy and Al gang up on me terribly and we have so much laughter together.  It's so good to see them get on so well together.  Izzy thinks the absolute world of Al and that makes me bloody happy, I can tell you!

Part of me feels like I'm living a dream of a kind.  This time last year I was living in a two-bed flat in Welling.  All of a sudden, I'm living with an awesome woman in a big house in in Petts Wood.  I couldn't imagine my life without Al now.  

So as it happens, I asked Al to marry me.  Thankfully, she said yes.  Something I learned a long time ago, you have to live for the moment and live each day like its your last.  We could have dated for another year and come to the same conclusion.  So there you go.  The man that vowed never to marry again is getting married again.

So yes honey, I do love you and now you've got it in writing too so you can always go back and refer to this.  I remember a while ago you said I dont ever write about you.  Now I have lol.

Right, enough of me being a total wuss.

There's one other big change going on at the moment.  My brother and best-mate, Steve, has/is moved to Liverpool.  Well Birkenhead actually.  He has found love too.  Many of you will know what Steve has been through so I cant begin to tell you how happy I am for him.  That really has been the cherry on the top of the icing as far as I'm concerned.  Of course, from a selfish view, I wish he was still down south but hopefully this move will be the making of the new Steve.

I've met Steve's girlfriend Lindsay a few times now and I like her a lot.  Al and Izzy like her and the old dears seem keen too.  She's Steve's dream woman by the looks of it and I'm just so pleased for him that he's found some happiness in his life too.  He is well overdue some luck and happiness.  We're looking forward to spending some good times with them in the future, up in the North West and back in London and the South-East.  (So when did you say the Liverpool Marathon was, Lee & Dave?)

Steve's in the process of shifting his stuff up North and trying to find a job but given his skill set, it really shouldn't take him long, fingers crossed.

Best of luck matey :)

Oh...and no more borrowing cars.  I've got my own again.  After 5 years of pleading with the old man to borrow his Honda Civic and spending the last year using Alison's 4x4, I've finally got my own motor again.  A nice little Ford Focus (little compared to the 4x4!)  Sensible choice I think.  Cheap to run, fun to drive.  Oh the joys of having my freedom back again, so I'll be able to drive myself to races and long training runs with the Plums, then Alison won't think her car has been stolen and calls the Police!

Home Sweet Home by dusk in Petts Wood

So all in all, live is pretty damn good right now.  You can't ask for any more than that.  Unusually, I don't have an awful lot to moan about at the moment.  Alison may tell you otherwise ;)

[Update:  I've now seen the Spinal consultant.  He has ordered a MRI scan and depending on the results, he'll advise on best course of treatment afterwards.  To be continued!]

Marathon #5 - Brighton Marathon 2015 Race Report

'Time is a healer' is a common phrase which I've heard over the years.

Its a good job I didn't come on here on Sunday evening otherwise I think I would have poured my heart out to anyone that would listen.  I've given it just about 3 days now but I'm still smarting.  No, smarting isn't the right word.  Hurting would be more appropriate.  I hurt like I never knew I could.

Quite simply, Sunday did not go to plan.  So much for thinking I was capable of around  a 4:03-4:08 finish time.

The first half did go to plan, within reason...

First 13.1 mile splits from Strava via Garmin Connect

...through halfway in 2:03:41.  Not bad.  A tiny little bit slower than I'd planned but near enough perfect for the planned negative split.  Then it all went wrong.  Very wrong.

Let me take a step back here.  Saturday was straightforward.  Fellow Plum Lee Edwards drove over to us and Alison gave us a lift to Petts Wood station.  Train to Brighton was a reasonable £22 for 2 singles with the Gold Card discount applied.  Straight to the expo to pick our numbers up, bumping into another Plum, Lynne with her partner on the walk from the station.  Collected our numbers, had a quick walk about the expo and saw European 10,000m champion Jo Pavey being interviewed and then we walked down to our 'Guest House' via the Wetherspoons to catch the end of the Grand National, the first disappointment of the weekend.

Checked in.  Now this Guest House was basic.  It certainly wasn't a hotel.  A small room each with a tiny shower and shared toilet facilities.  Good job it wasn't any more than the basic £45 per night, which for the record did include a full English Breakfast which we didnt eat because that would have been suicidal before a marathon.

A quick bite to eat in Harry Ramsden's (hmm, maybe Fish & Chips wasn't the best preparation carb-wise in retrospect?), a very slowly drank pint in one of the local pubs, where we saw Colin Calderwood, ex-Spurs Centre Back, now Assistant Manager at Brighton & Hove Albion FC and then it was back to our rooms for an early night. 

I'd eaten well on Saturday.  Porridge for breakfast, pasta for lunch, grazing on a tub of flapjack mini bites, Fish & Chips for dinner, a sandwich about 10pm.  I really can't say I didn't carb-load because I did.  Had I drank enough though?  Thinking back, possibly not!

As Saturday went on, I appeared to be carrying a niggle in my calf.  I'm not sure what it was but it wasn't there first thing on Sunday morning.

Now customary pre-race Plums vest and bib number shot...

I felt good Sunday morning.  Really good.  The legs felt good, I felt good in myself.  I'd had my porridge and was good to go.  I met Lee in reception and we started the slow walk down to the start.  Along the way, I realised I hadn't had anything to drink that morning and I grabbed a bottle of water from one of the water stations.  I was absolutely gasping.  My stomach felt a little tense so I slowly sipped from the bottle but I could have downed the lot.  Thinking back now, I felt very dry.

We bumped into more Plums on the way down to the start, as Dawn and Colin caught up with us.  Just as we met them, Lynne had just shot past in the 10k pack.

Dumped the bags in the left luggage trucks, we said our farewells, wished each other good luck and headed for the start pens.  15 minutes or so later, we were off.  Lee and Colin were in the first red wave, I was in the second blue wave.

Colin, Lee and Me just before the start...

The first mile was hectic to say the least.  Very crowded and on the residential roads outside Preston Park.  It thinned out after that.  I felt my calf in the first mile or so but it settled down after that and it went to the back of my mind.  Somewhere just after 5k, I heard "Daddddddddddddddddy".  Quickly looking left, I saw Izzy jumping up and down with Alison and my brother Steve.  I quickly changed direction, planted a kiss on Izzy's lips, quickly remembered to kiss Alison too then I was off again.  The first 10k went by in a flash.  58:10.  9:23 min/mile pace.  Spot on.  Miles 7-13 went reasonably well too.  At halfway, 02:03:41 was at 9:26 min/mile pace.  Bang on the pace window I needed and felt reasonably good.  The left hamstring was feeling a little tight but nothing that couldn't be managed.  I'd spotted Izzy, Alison and Steve at halfway just as the winner was coming back into the finishing straight and Alison said to me afterwards that she'd checked my time, said I was on target pace and I was looking reasonably comfortable.

To describe the second half, I can use one word.  Hell.  I have never felt anything quite like it before.  Just after halfway, the pain kicked in.  My legs felt heavy, I felt drained.  Just after 14 miles, the course turns into this little out and back detour, with a 1.5 mile upward drag.  Its not really a hill as such, its just a long drawn out drag with becomes taxing.  On 99/100 runs, it really wouldn't have bothered me but this was my nemesis.

Just as I turned in, I looked up and into the distance.  I could see it was going upwards, I could see thousands in front of me, I could feel the pain and I could feel the heat all around me.  That was the mental wobble.  I knew it.  I had to keep going, I fault against it for the best part of half a mile but I was done for.  Then the cramp set in.  Left hamstring first, right soon after in the space of 100 yards.  That was it.  I was walking.

Boooooooooollllllllllllooooooooooooooccccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkksssssssssssss.

I did not train for 3-4 months to be walking.  What would the Plums ever thing of me?  I could imagine Robin screaming at me "Come on JohnBoy, we're a running club, not a bloody walking club!"

I tried to run again.  The pain was horrific.  I could feel a blister forming on my right foot.  I could feel my left calf niggle again then the cramp kicked in properly.  I think I'd managed about 300 yards before having to walk again.  There was no coming back from that.  No matter how much liquid I took in from that point onwards, the cramp had done me.

A mile or so later, still climbing that drag, my stomach went into "OMG, I'm going to be unloading in the next 30 seconds so you need to stop....and stop NOW!" mode.  By pure coincidence, thankfully, there was a church to my right with a sign saying the toilets were open to runner.

In I went.  Get that vision from Dumb & Dumber back in your heads.  Thats exactly what it was like.  Bloody hell, this was horrific.  Now, imagine trying to haul yourself off that porcelain throne after running the best part of 16-17 miles by that point with cramp in both quads, cramp in the groin, I even had cramp in my arms.  I was done for.

As I told Alison and Izzy afterwards, if they hadnt been there watching, I would have pulled out at that point as I was in pieces.  The next 9 miles or so was quite possible the most uncomfortable 9 miles I have ever run.  I dont think I ran a complete mile without stopping for the rest of the marathon.

Second 13.1 mile splits from Strava via Garmin Connect

The splits from the second half of the marathon tell a story.  I completed the second half in 2:39:48 for a finish of 4:43:29.

I crossed the line a broken and very dejected man.  No matter how much you plan, there's always a possibility something can go wrong for whatever reason.

So what did go wrong?

To be honest, I really don't know for sure.  I can only pin point one thing and that was the cramp.  Cramp can only be down to dehydration mostly.  In future, I need to ensure I drink more, both before and during the marathon.  Thinking back, I needed a wee for the first part of the race.  Pretty much from the start line to mile 12ish when I could no longer hold it anymore.  Had I not needed a wee, I probably would have drank a lot more.

I'd definitely eaten the right things beforehand.  I'd taken my gels religiously every 4 miles as per what I'd been training with but that wasn't even enough on this occasion.

I just have to put it down as one of those days unfortunately.

Two special mentions.  One, for Melanie Roberts, who gave me the biggest hug at around 22-23 miles as I passed her and she made me feel like a superhero for about 30 seconds, and second, the lady Sittingbourne Strider who's banter distracted me from the pain in the last couple of miles.

A huge thank you to Alison who has put up with me being 'MMP' (Mr Moany Pants) in the last couple of days since the Marathon.  I've had a bad case of DOMS (for the record, I still ache all over now almost 72 hours later) and I've been like a bear with a sore head about the time I clocked.  It was brilliant to have Izzy down in Brighton watching me.  If it wasn't for them two being there I probably wouldn't have finished.

I'm definitely not posting my race photos up this time around. I don't look pretty and the pain is clear for all to see and I dont want to be reminded by what I went through in this run but I can share with you a nice photo of me and Izzy when I got home after a much needed long hot soak in the bath...

Hopefully, I can recover in time to get some miles behind me before I attempt to crack my PB again at the Kent Road Runner marathon on Saturday 30th May.  

For the record, the other Plums finished in:

Richard Vero 3:32:21 (Mr Chairman is just a machine!)
Colin Hyde 3:34:51
Lee Edwards 4:05:09 (despite a stop at an Ambulance suffering from pins & needles!)
Andy Vero 4:16:41 (a massive 15 mins PB from 2014 so well done that man!)

[Edit:  A special mention for Lee Edwards too, or should be wall you Lee Edmunds from now on?  A top bloke and bloody good company throughout the weekend. Apologies if I was a bit of a grumpy sod on the way home!]