Regular readers will know that I am currently trying to complete a self imposed challenge to travel 2012 “self-powered” miles in 2013 in order to try and raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Although not technically in my rules, I am also trying to pick up some race bling along the way and hope to average at least one race per month.
I only started running 9 months ago, and at the beginning it was REALLY HARD. I couldn’t even run a mile without having to walk bits of it and by the time I finished each of my training runs I was dripping in sweat and breathing like Darth Vader. Since then my legs have run over 900 miles, including over 270 so far this year.
My longest race so far is a half marathon. In fact, I’ve now done 2 of them. My next big challenge is just 10 weeks away. My first full 26.2 mile marathon. Double the distance. On my birthday! (The old Neil would think the new one is mental)
Here is a summary of my 2013 races so far….
January 2013 – Disney 5k
Whilst on holiday in January, my family and I took part in the Disney 5k Family Fun Run, part of the official Disney Marathon weekend. I had planned to do either the half or even full marathon, but sadly the event was sold out before I’d been able to confirm travel arrangements, luckily the 5k still had space.
My highlight of the race though has to be seeing my 3 year old daughter run across the finish line. My wife and daughter were in the “stroller division”, but my daughter insisted on getting out and running the last mile in her Cinderella dress! Very proud Daddy.
February 2013 – Gloucester 10k
This weather was wet and windy, but 600+ people still turned out for the first Gloucester 10k. I think the weather must have put some people off, but to be honest, I quite like running in the wet. I’m not so keen on heavy rain, but some light drizzle is a great way of keeping the body cool when running at race pace is busy warming it up. For me the Gloucester 10k was a great race. I improved on my 10k personal best by approx 3 minutes with a finish time was 47 mins and 35 seconds. As I sprinted across the finish line I knew in my heart that I could have pushed myself harder and finished even quicker! At least that gives me something to aim at on my next 10k.
March 2013 – Adidas Silverstone Half Marathon
My first official half-marathon – done! Although Id done a number of training runs of 13.1 miles or greater, the Adidas Silverstone half-marathon was my first race at this distance.
When I started running I suspect it would have taken me over 3 hours to complete a half-marathon, if I’d managed to finish at all. I was really pleased with my time in this race when I finished in 1 hour, 49 minutes and 53 seconds. My ultimate goal was to run a half marathon in under 1 hour and 45 minutes, but for my first attempt I was more than happy with my finish time. I was also quicker at the 10 mile point than my finishing time at last year’s Great South Run (10 miles). Thanks to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust I was also lucky enough to get a quick sports massage at the end of the race.
March 2013 – Warwick Castle Half Marathon
Just 2 weeks after completing my first official half-marathon I was lining up ready to start my second. My target was simply to try and match my time from the Silverstone Half Marathon. That was until I saw how hilly the Warwick Castle course was.
When the first racer to finish crossed the line about 20 minutes slower than the Silverstone winner, my wife decided she wouldn’t need a camera ready until at least 1 hour 50 minutes after the start. This view was only confirmed when some of the early finishers were interviewed and commented on how hilly the course was.
I really enjoyed the course, running through some great countryside with plenty of hills to keep it interesting. To be honest, I think the course was great at keeping my motivation up and this was helped even more by the spectators cheering the runners on. The result of all this? I crossed the line in 1 hour, 43 minutes and 43 seconds – more than six minutes quicker than Silverstone! My long term goal of a sub 1 hour 45 minute half marathon was achieved on just my second attempt. The only disappointing thing was the muddy, slippery grass at the end which stopped me from doing a sprint finish.
Race Schedule
So now there are just 10 weeks until my first marathon. I have a target time in mind, but my biggest priority is simply to finish. I never thought I was capable of running a marathon. My birthday present to myself will be proving this theory wrong.
My upcoming race schedule includes:
- The Plymouth Half Marathon (one more race before my first full marathon)
- The Edinburgh Marathon
- The Two Castles Run
- The Great North Run
- The Great South Run
I am doing my 2013 miles in 2013 challenge in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust as I have been surprised since I started fundraising for the CF Trust just how many people are unaware of this disease and so I hope my efforts will not just raise money, but also awareness of the UK’s most most common life-threatening inherited disease.
The rules for my 2013 miles in 2013 challenge are quite simple:
- All miles must be completely self powered (no motors, sails, etc)
- I must be able to evidence all miles, either via GPS or with a picture of any static gym equipment
