London Marathon Training Blog

Well another race over with. 71:55 - hoped for a minute faster! But have to be honest was tired before the start and found the first 4 miles hard going up those hills.

Ran home afterwards - my legs were absolutely ‘dead’. Fortunately caught up with a lady from Poole Runners who was also running home to Broadstone, so that helped greatly. Didn’t realise it would be nearly 7 miles back!

Went for a nice walk along the prom later in the afternoon which helped ease my legs.

Starting to feel generally tired most of the time, and missed another session on Monday (thats 3 missed in 9 weeks - not too bad). Legs now seem to run automatically, it’s the rest of me thats the problem.

Looking a head at my London Marathon training, I plan to do the Duchy 20 mile race in Cornwall in early March - says its “in the flat part of Cornwall”!

Well first half-marathon race out of the way, and what a tough one!

Mark Bradley and I went to do the Blackmore Vale Half yesterday morning organised by the Blackmore Vale Lions Club - our first real chance to check progress for our London Marathon preparations… and what a morning!

This race was always going to be about mental toughness as well as physical fitness. The course is a hilly one, passing from the start at the village football pitch of Bishop Caundle and through some wonderful Dorset countryside, finishing back at the start by the football pitch.

The first half of the course is definitely tougher, and with a strong wind blowing some of the ascents were slow going. The first 6 miles took me 46 minutes. Fortunately the course and wind direction eased and the next 6 miles to 42 minutes. Leaving the uphill slog for the last mile to the finish, which I was pleased to get up at 7:45 pace; finishing in a time of 1hr 37 mins. 

Reflections for London Marathon training:

When I entered this I wasn’t going to really use the finishing time as an indication compared to my last Half at Gosport in November, but I must admit I was relieved not to have done it slower - as really I had hoped to it a little quicker. But to have done exactly the same time is re-assuring as this course is a lot harder and the conditions tougher. I know I could have improved by starting nearer to the front, as the narrow lanes made passing impossible for the first mile. I had had a throat/chest infection during the week and I hadn’t tapered for the race.

I guess what I am really pleased about is the strengh in my legs - at no time did I feel like stopping or slowing - and that the last 3 miles were run relatively easily.

I recovered quickly after the finish, and could have carried on further at that pace - but could I have gone round again? Too soon to say! 

Mark had a brillant run, finishing well under 2 hours for a debut Half! so its good to see his training going well.

Dear Mr Bedford,

 A work collegue reminded me yesterday that you rejected me! Why, Oh why?

Let me put my case….

1. I’ve always run
2. I coach others
3. I’m Chairman of a running club
4. I organise two races - “Round The Lakes” and “The Beast“
5. Your brother made our Club a London Marathon partner
6. I run in lots of other races
7. I’ve raise money for charity through running
8. I remember your races on the old ‘black and white’ TV
9. You’re almost my hero…

But, oh no!, not enough - I was rejected - and you chose many whose contribution to the sport will be limited to their own goal - take out but put nothing back!

“Do I look Bovered?”

Best Wishes,

Mr Dejected of Poole

This journey into the London Marathon world is definately a one-off - oh yes no repeats, so if you’re going to do something like this I believe that:

1. You should aim to achieve as high as realistically possible
2. Let others benefit

So the training schedule is ambitious and motivates me.

And I really what to use my efforts to somebody’s else benefit other than my own fun and ego - so for that reason I choosen to support the “Round Table Children’s Wish” which helps to give a little fun to those children with life threatening illnesses.

As a father of two healthy children I feel so lucky when I’ve come across other families so blighted by illness and grief. Recent changes to my life have only amplified my love for my own children - they are a blessing. So to be able to do something small to help those who life has barely begun and yet is so threatened is satisfying.

With my other 2 collegues we hope to raise as much as possible - £10,000 would be brillant.

So if you’re reading this Blog - please do make a donation on our JustGiving page. Donations go direct to the charity.

Well the training really started last October with a few half-marathons just to find out whether my knees could take the extra pounding that would be needed to get near to marathon fitness after years of running abuse and some arthritis.

The first “Solent Half Marathon” was pretty poor really - funny how the memory doesn’t fade but the body does! - started far too quickly and finished a jabbering wreck in 1:42. Slower than the last time I ran this course 10 years ago in 1:27

Committed to doing the “Gosport Half Marathon” in November for my club, Poole AC in the HRRL, training carried on with a few longer runs - oh! and a holiday to Malaga - please to finish in 1:37 - progress!!

So I’ve drawn myself up a 16 week schedule to deliver me in “tip top” shape for the marathon on the 13th April. Trouble was it started on December 23rd - not very Christmas friendly. It’s also aimed at doing it in sub 3:30!

Good News! I have stuck to the schedule and the olde knees are still good at the moment. More about the schedule later, but my brain is just about absorbing this extra life pressure. The rest of my body isn’t too bad apart from first thing in the morning.