Capon Runs

This is my journey to the 2016 London Marathon CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR ME

[caponruns]

Week 13/16…Saturday
Marathon Countdown…22 days
Today - 18 miles
 LONGEST PRE-MARATHON RUN DONE! 🎉🎉🎉🏃🏃🏃🎉🎉🎉 After last week's shocker of a run and how it killed my spirit, I really wasn't looking forward to this run. A friend (and seasoned marathon veteran) agreed to meet me half way through their 20 mile run, to do the last 6 miles of the London Marathon route. She actually gave me some great advice for race day in 3 weeks time, but most importantly gave me the confidence and determination to get up to 18 miles today! After my horrendous 15 miler earlier in the week, I didn't want to go into race day having only completed 15 miles in one go before. Now that I've done 18, it finally feels like this marathon might actually be possible! Also went on a little tour of London past the London Eye, all along Embankment, up past Big Ben, around Buckingham Palace, through Trafalgar Square & Piccadilly Circus, finishing up with a return journey all the way down the canals and home. Amazing weather and it feels like I've finally achieved a respectable distance in this marathon prep. The countdown really begins now with 3 weeks to go until the big day but I feel more ready than ever!

[caponruns]

Week 13/16…Monday Marathon Countdown…27 days 
Today - 15 miles 
Month Total - 50 miles 
Month Average - 8'22"/mile

This blog might as well be called CaponDoesn'tRun after I’ve been plagued with injuries for 2 weeks 😕

Finally got out today and had to do a big run but my body really didn’t like it. This felt like the worst run I’ve done in terms of speed, comfort and just overall desire to complete it. I was surprised how difficult I found it just to run. Even from the start I didn’t want to worry about pace and just wanted to slow it all down but even then it didn’t help.

The only consolation is that I’ve finally gone past the 13.2m mark but this means somehow I have to find another 11 miles in the tank to complete the marathon 😕😱 it feels like I’ve actually lost whatever fun I got out of running…along the way today. I’m sure it’s there somewhere and I’ll find it before the big day (if I don’t I’m screwed!)…onwards and upwards.

[caponruns]

Week 10/16…Sunday 
Marathon Countdown…42 days 
BATH HALF MARATHON DAY Today - 13.2 miles 
Month Total - 35 miles 
Month Average - 8'00"/mile

Today was an amazing experience running alongside more than 15,000 runners and 30,000 spectators! Definitely a well needed triumph as well before the marathon and a good boost for what’s to come…probably the hardest 6 weeks of training of my life that are now between me and the London Marathon! 🏃😬😳

Considering I did a half last week (not in race conditions) and found it quite tough, I wasn’t sure I was going to beat my best half time which was Swindon almost 5 months ago! I wanted to be faster or at least the same time to show I was making progress and positive steps towards the marathon in April.

I started to realise my timings in the last few miles and that’s when my pace started to pick up. The crowds were huge today and the support was incredible which definitely gave me a boost. In the last 3 miles I gave that run everything I had in the tank and when I saw the finish line in sight it spurred me on even faster! Crossing the line and not feeling dead like last time was a massive bonus (I felt like I could’ve run a bit further), but to do that distance one more time on top of that in 6 weeks time still feels like an impossible task.

The next few weeks are all about maintaining those longer runs and actually getting out during the weekend instead of being lazy!

Pretty buzzing as well that I came in 2330th place out of 15,000 runners! That means I was in the top 15% of all the runners today :)

[caponruns]

Week 10/16…Thursday 
Marathon Countdown…45 days 
Bath Half Countdown…2 days 
Today - 4.47 miles 
Month Total - 21.7 miles 
Month Average - 8'08"/mile

Saw a bad omen on my run today…this cab got obliterated by a lorry and it’s how I’m starting to feel from this marathon training already 👍🏃

Just a small run today to try and warm up for another half marathon this weekend. If all goes well the run distances need to take a big step forward if I’m gonna be ready in 6 weeks!

[caponruns]

Week 9/16…Sunday 
Marathon Countdown…49 days 
Bath Half Countdown…6 days 
Today - 13.2 miles 
Month Total - 17.2 miles 
Month Average - 8'07"/mile

My legs haven’t stopped moving this weekend. Walked 5 miles during a round of golf on Saturday, ran over 13 miles in the evening, then woke up and did another 5 miles of walking / golfing today on Sunday so now my legs are fully destroyed.

Yesterday was the first time I’ve tried a half marathon distance since the last race in October and it actually felt pretty good. I think this is purely down to the fact I wasn’t even thinking about time or pace. I had my music on but tried to ignore the Nike+ pace updates every hour so it didn’t become my motivation.

I worked on my breathing and overall running technique (which are probably both pretty poor at the best of times) and it helped to take my mind off the task at hand which, as far as I was concerned this weekend, was all about taking up some miles. I’ve been really slack recently on my longer weekend runs at the weekend so thought it was time to finally step it up a gear.

I’ve got the Bath Half next weekend so will hopefully have a good solid run next weekend but now I’m going to rest up and try to squeeze a few 4 milers in this week.

*During the big run around my village (compared to the well lit-up city in used to) I started running through complete darkness and hailstones 👍 I asked my Dad if he had a head torch I could use for the run and it turns out he had a portable lighthouse I could carry on my head :) this thing was SO bright! 🏃🔦

[caponruns]

Week 9/16…Thursday 
Marathon Countdown…52 days 
Bath Half Countdown…9 days 
Today - 4.05 miles 
Month Total - 4.05 miles 
Month Average - 7'17"/mile

The wine seems to be helping me run quicker! That’s another 5k PB :)

Managed to get out during my lunch hour and go around Regent’s Park but didn’t set out for a time, just tried to make sure my legs would make it and then I’m ready for a big run at the weekend. Off the mark for March as well.

[caponruns]

Week 8/16…Sunday 
Marathon Countdown…56 days 
Bath Half Countdown…13 days 
Today - 8.06 miles 
Month Total - 39.8 miles 
Month Average - 7'57"/mile

Spent the weekend visiting friends in Market Drayton and despite the wine last night, I still managed to get out for 8 miles this morning in the Shropshire countryside :) ❄️❄️❄️

My legs felt fine but after a 3 hour train back to London my hips feels worse than ever…going up and down stairs will be interesting for the next few days.

Can’t believe it’s less than 2 weeks until the Bath Half and only 8 weeks until the big day of the marathon…I still have no idea how it’s going to be physically possible for me to do 26 miles…need to really step up the training this week otherwise I’ll never make it :(

[caponruns]

Week 8/16…Wednesday 
Marathon Countdown…60 days 
Bath Half Countdown…17 days 
Today - 4.35 miles 
Month Total - 31.8 miles 
Month Average - 7'57"/mile

It was good to get back out and start running again after my holiday. Legs felt great it was just my lungs that seemed to have a hard time dealing with the breathing. Maybe too much alcohol has been consumed in the last week 🍺🍷which hasn’t helped so I need to go pretty much dry in the next 8 weeks.

I’m nervous now that I’m only half way through the 16 weeks I set myself. Looking forward to the weekend run to really test my distance.

Primrose Hill was good again today and is definitely becoming a big part of my training again which is good news!

[caponruns]

Week 7/16…Holiday Total Distance Skied - 157.6 miles Maximum Ski Speed - 67.0 mph (107.8 km/h)

[caponruns]

Week 7/16...Wednesday Marathon Countdown...67 days Bath Half Countdown...24 😕days Today - 3.5 miles Month Total - 27.4 miles Month Average - 7'59"/mile Holiday 🇮🇹🗻❄️🎿 This week has so far been all about skiing (roughly 25-30 miles a day) which is working my legs hard for when I'm back but today the weather wasn't as great so we cut our ski time 2 hours short. I thought I'd be clever and go for a run and to make sure my legs still got some punishment. The first problem was that I didn't bring my running shoes...I stayed in this hotel last year and it didn't have a treadmill and I've been to this resort quite a few times and the roads are normally covered in snow and ice and could be a huge hazard for running (this was proven when we came into the resort in a mini bus and couldn't get up the road without snow chains). Secondly the only other shoes I have are Nike High Tops which I've read can do more damage than good when it comes to running. After a lot of Googling, I came to the conclusion barefoot running on a treadmill would be a good idea...I was wrong. Completely wrong. I've got friction burns now all over my feet and couldn't manage any more than 3.5 miles. I can also barely move my legs and am writing this post with my legs up on the wall to stretch them out 👍👍👍

[caponruns]

Week 6/16…Thursday 
Days left - 73 days 
Today - 4.06 miles 
Month Total - 23.9 miles 
Month Average - 7'55"/mile

Went out with vengeance today thinking I wanted to smash these 2 records that I haven’t broken since October. Managed to break them but then it absolutely ruined for me the rest of the run! Went through the park instead of around it and went up Primrose Hill again…I completely forgot how good it was for your legs - this photo doesn’t give justice to how steep it is!

I’d spent most of the summer running up this hill and I remember when I did the half marathon in October, it was pretty hilly and that’s where I made up a solid chunk of time because most people struggled on the climbs whereas I maintained a good pace all the way up.

Looking forward to the weekend and running on Saturday as far as I can get my legs to go. Then skiing from Sunday so my thighs will get a hammering before getting back into more running when I’m back.

[caponruns]

Week 6/16…Wednesday 
Days left - 74 days 
Today - 4.72 miles 
Month Total - 19.9 miles 
Month Average - 7'54"/mile

<p>Felt rough today but finally told the world of Facebook this blog exists so I thought I’d better actually get some more miles on the clock. I haven’t made it to the top of Primrose Hill in a while but it was good to get back to some familiar territory. I would run up and down this hill all the time when I trained for Tough Mudder, but I’ve definitely found it easier to climb in the past. It needs to become part of my regular route again.</p>

<p>Took a few days to get back out there after the weekend disappointment of not hitting a distance target, but it felt good and I started out all guns blazing with a 7'27" mile. This is the fastest mile I’ve recorded for a while which is a bonus but it’s not the speed that I’m concerned about after the weekend…it’s the mileage. </p>

<p>Hoping to run again this week and then attempt to run at least a half marathon distance on Saturday (13.1 miles) right before I go skiing for a week. My legs feels good at the moment, and although skiing could be great for my legs, the lack of running could make for some interesting post holiday runs!

[caponruns]

Week 5/16…Saturday 
Days left - 78 days 
Today - 10.0 miles 
Week Total - 15.1 miles 
Month Total - 15.1 miles 
Month Average - 8'00"/mile

🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃

Today was a valuable lesson. I considered it a failure in a sense that it was the first distance I’ve set out to do and have not been able to finish but in hindsight I’m being too hard on myself - it’s still another 10 miles to add to the training regime so not a complete disaster.

I set out 5 weeks ago wanting to accomplish all my bigger weekend runs even if I was struggling with the mid week running. I did have one thing that didn’t help though today…I played 90 minutes of bubble/zorb football beforehand which involved getting thrown around and slammed into the ground so it wasn’t exactly the best warm up for 14 miles.

I wanted to stop after 5 (which stopped right outside my flat), but I turned around and got back out there again, copying the same route is just taken for another 5 miles. Most of this training and pushing myself to get through it, is all in the mind but today I physically couldn’t go any further.

At this point with 11 weeks to go, I feel like my mind is able to get through this thing, but my legs still have a long way to go.

[caponruns]

Week 5/16…Wednesday Days left - 81 days Today - 5.08 miles Week Total - 5.08 miles Month Total - 5.08 miles Month Average - 7'48"/mile Haven't felt up to a run the last few days but really had to get out today. Legs ached and still managed a strong pace over 5 miles in the dark so was pretty happy. One thing I'm learning is that I'm really bad at slowing down my pace which could cause me some problems during race day. I don't need a sub 3 hour marathon, so part of me thinks I should focus on a slower time to preserve my legs over the 26 miles of the marathon (even to survive the training over the coming months!). I could probably go for longer at a more consistent pace if I slowed it down but part of me can't seem to slow down. Another part of me thinks I shouldn't even be thinking about a time, so maybe I should just keep running at whatever pace I feel comfortable at and see what happens?! I hope that if I get used to running at a certain faster pace and I do decide to slow it down on race day, my legs should find the 26mile battering a lot easier :)

[caponruns]

Week 4/16...Saturday Days left - 85 Today - 12 miles Week Total - 23.7 miles Month Total - 74.9 miles (PB) Month Average - 8'05"/mile

Went for another big run this weekend and managed 12 miles alongside the man who is responsible for me signing up for the marathon. We even managed a little photoshoot in the railway tunnels in Swindon Town centre :)

My records fell in what was a really well paced run and these PBs have been around for a while and I haven’t managed to break them since the adrenaline of the last half marathon i did back in October so it’s finally helping me to see progress in all this running.

It’s encouraging to see the difference between when we did a similar route together back in September how much I’ve improved and how much stronger my legs have now become.

Still feels like a long way to go until race day and I’m losing weight at a really fast rate (something which I haven’t got a lot of anyway!) so that’s something I’m really going to need to get on top of over the next few weeks. I almost can’t wait for the marathon to be over so I can put the same energy back into the gym.

[caponruns]

Week 4/16…Tuesday Days left - 89 Today - 7.2 miles Week Total - 11.7 miles Month Total - 62.9 miles Month Average - 8'10"/mile

Tonight felt great 🏃🏃🏃

After yesterday’s run I stretched out a lot before going to bed and was convinced I was getting up early to run before work but as my alarm went off at 6:30, I couldn’t face it and went back to bed (I later found out I missed the most amazing sunrise…great!).

I’d already planned my route so knew exactly where I was making up the 7 miles in my plan, but as I started to get going it started raining. Luckily it only showered for a few minutes but I was splashing through puddles everywhere…and I couldn’t see them so got soaked!

Pace felt great today even thought slightly slower than normal, but I think I need to do more of that in the next few weeks before the Bath Half to just ease my legs into it. By the time I’m doing 18/20 mile training runs I don’t want them to feel like an impossible distance.

I also learnt 2 important lessons tonight - 1) orange flavour energy gels taste good...I've been told some of the flavours are horrific 2) don’t plan to shower at work after a run and forget to bring fresh underwear :)

[caponruns]

Week 4/16...Monday Days left - 90 Today - 4.5 miles Week Total - 4.5 miles Month Total - 55.7 miles Month Average - 8'09"/mile After my big run at the weekend, I didn't think my legs would be too keen to move today but thought I'd give it a shot any way. The golf yesterday definitely did my legs good. I managed a nice steady 4.5 miles today and it hasn't been as cold in the last few days so no need to run through the park in a hoody :) legs felt great...I was just really hungry running before lunch! I can't believe how fast the days seem to be counting down and there's so much more hard work ahead of me especially in the next few weeks. What I'm finding as time goes on, is rather than dreading the longer runs at the weekends, I'm now looking forward to the test of the longer distances so I use the shorter mid-week runs to prep for the weekend. This will be harder in a few weeks when I lose 2 weekends to my holiday...but I'm going skiing so the legs should get a hammering. I might even find they're stronger when I get back.