Rotterdam Marathon 15 April 2012

Distance 26.2 miles
Time 3hr 56.52
Pace 9.00 per mile
Weight 75 kg

A great race in my first overseas expedition. Conditions were going to be perfect for attempt no 3 for a sub 4hr Marathon, though I was ultra nervous beforehand as I was recovering form various ailments and injuries.

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Race went largely to plan, at least up to mile 20 when I was maintaining a steady 8.50 pace. My inner thigh muscles started to let me down at this point and I had a worrying mile 23 when my lap time showed 10.30mins; if I didn;t pick up the pace I wouldn't reach my target. It was still looking 50/50 with a mile to go so I just had to knuckle down and push push push. When I reached the 500 metre marker I glanced at my watch and it said 3.54 - this was the point I knew I was going to do it and I had a smile on my face as a I crossed the finish line. 100 yards after the finish I fell to the ground with the most intense painful cramp I've ever known so thanks to the runner who came to my rescue. And thanks to Ian and Bronwen for their supporrt

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Very happy to have beaten my target...but I can do better. And I will.

ps I've done all I can now and given it my best - now it's over to the Olympic Selectors. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Exeter Half Marathon 2012

Distance 13.1 miles

Time 1hr 36.05 (?maybe)

Pace 7.19 per mile

Weight 73 kg

If I was ever going to set a PB again at half marathon distance today was going to be the day. To save stress on behalf of the reader I achieved this with ease. But did I beat nemesis number 2 (Jonathan)'s time of 1.36.05? Read on...

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Conditions were perfect today, cold, flat and no wind. I suppose this course would always be flat come to think of it but the weather suited me like a glove. I knew I needed 7.20 pace to match nemesis's time and set off at this pace for the first lap (3 laps from the Canal Basin to the Swing Bridge) and felt good, kept the pace up for the 2nd lap and felt good at the final turn with 2 miles to go. Average pace on the garmin was 7.19, this was going to be tight. Entering the final straight I knew I was going to be agonizingly close and just gave it everything I had. The final turn at Piazza Terracina with 20 metres to go brought the clock into view and it had just turned 1.36 - I had about 5 seconds to make it... 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and as I crossed the line I heard the Marshall say 'and 5'. So did I tie with the running legend (perhaps legend is to overstate things, let's say enthusiast)? I'm still waiting for the results to appear. Can't bear the suspense.

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Also running today was work colleague Sophie who was competing in her first half marathon (first race in fact) and she smashed through the 2hrs 10 marker with a minute or two to spare. Well done. I was thrilled to see her appear at the finish, I wasn't worried she'd fallen it's just I was getting very cold by this point.

First Chance 10km 2012

Distance 10kms
Time 44.09
Pace 7.07 per mile
Current weight 75.00 kgs

And so it came to pass that at 10.30am my brother Ian and I lined up for the duel of the year (so far). The training was done, the psychological battles fought. It was now time for the talking to stop and for the truth to be learnt...

For the first 5kms it was nip and tuck, for the first mile I was ahead, then Ian overtook me whilst I snuck in behind waiting to pounce. As the second half loomed I felt Ian was starting to flag...it presented a natural quandry; should I hang back so he wasn't hurt by the sight of me running passed him? He is my brother after all. The thought lingered for less than a second before I powered passed him and off into the distance until I was sure I had left him physically and emotionally destroyed. There's no such thing as brotherly affection when we get racing.

The final couple miles were tough but I managed to keep up a good pace. Entering the final straight I looked over my shoulder just to check Edwards junior wasn't in view before crossing the line in just over 44mins. Ian was just over a minute behind. Victory was mine today, but he has done 10kms recently in 41 mins at a pace I can only dream off so I know he has revenge on his mind...

Gosport Half Marathon 2011

Distance 13.1 miles
Time 1.43.55
Pace 7.56 per mile
Current weight 74.90 kgs

Better. Planned to do the first few miles at 7.40 pace and see how I felt. Managed to keep miles at under 8min for the first half but then found it a bit of a struggle but kept on target for a sub 1.45 throughout. The toughest sections were around the airfield for some reason, just felt more challenging along wide open spaces than along the pavements.

Miles 11 and 12 were the most enjoyable of any half marathon I've done, down by the beach with a lovely gentle breeze to cool you off. It set me up for a blistering final mile, overtaking lesser runners who clearly got their stategies all wrong. Fools.

Today would have been PB territory had I trained better and eaten less chocloate recently. And a message to a certain Regional Manager; don't get too comfy, I still have your record in my sights...it's only a matter of time.

Plymouth 10km

Distance 10km
Time 47.01
Pace 7.27 per mile
Current weight 75.2kgs (ouch)

If you want to see how not to run at 10km read on...

Went off way too quick - 6min 29secs for first mile and paid the price thereafter. I really should know better, will I never learn? Shame as it was perfect weather and a flat course. I shall return one day to seek my revenge, not going to be beaten by Plymouth without a fight.

On way home stopped at shop to have a drink, a yorkie bar and to construct a plan for next month. Decided top of the list has to be to stop eating chocolate with immediate effect (once I'd eaten the final chunk of course).

Onwards to Gosport in 2 weeks...