Hemel Hempstead 20

On Sunday I took part in the Hemel Hempstead 20 mile run. It is an annual marathon warm-up race around the countryside in Hertfordshire. The race is run in a great spirit with enthusiastic marshals who offer encouragement, drinks and even jelly babies!

It was a very early start thanks to the clocks changing and looking around I seemed to be the youngest and least experienced. There were mainly club runners and I wondered if could hold my own amongst this company.

With the faint smell of muscle rub lingering in the air, we set off to the sound of several hundred stopwatch beeps. The course was described rather conservatively as ‘undulating’ on the runners world website. I didn’t realise that Hemel was in fact home to some of the highest mountains in Europe! It felt like I was running uphill most of the way. The downhill sections offered little respite, as they were far too short.

After around 14 miles I felt good and found myself overtaking people. Maybe this was my inexperience showing as I found the last few miles very tough and subsequently lost most of those places. I soon went from feeling positive to hating everything. I had no reason to be angry, but I was just running on empty. I hate hills, I hate leg pain, I hate the sun, I hate mile markers, I hate running. I hate everything.

I made it to the finish line ok, although it came abruptly. Subsequently I was left with no real sense of accomplishment. The post-run euphoria that usually happens at that time was strangely absent. I finished in 2hrs58mins. Ideally I would have liked 10-15 minutes quicker but considering everything I was happy with the time.

The race taught me a number of valuable lessons; most importantly to keep a steady pace throughout. Speeding up and slowing down cost me a lot of energy and ultimately time. Not knowing what was coming around the next corner was a huge psychological disadvantage. I’m going to spend a lot of time visualising the marathon course over the next few weeks! I also need to get used to running early in the morning. Running that distance at that time was a shock to my system. However it is of great comfort to me that the London Marathon is flat!

Wallpaper Paste

A very intense nine days of training culminated with my longest run so far on Friday- 18 miles. It was a test both physically and mentally for me after 38 miles and 2 gym sessions! My legs felt very heavy from the start and various aches and pains made it difficult to get into a good rhythm.

I was also weighed down with all the things needed to sustain me for such a distance. This included 500ml liquid, 3 biscuits, and 2 60ml energy gels. The effect was for my stylish running belt to dig in across my stomach. This was my first experience of energy gels and they are as horrible to eat, as they are difficult to carry. It’s essentially an over sized ketchup packet filled with something that has the appearance and consistency of wallpaper paste. The bizarre gloopy substance even sticks to the inside of your mouth and throat causing small amounts of gagging! However by the second packet I was able to swallow it all without breaking stride.

They must have been effective, as I seemed to have the strength to dig deep and grind out a time I would be satisfied with. I even learnt to enjoy the pain of the last few miles. I finished in 2hrs40mins, which, although slower than last week, was great considering the circumstances. It kept up my excellent record of only dropping into nine-minute mile territory once throughout my training- a horrible 12 miler I stupidly undertook around the time of my virus.

I think I deserve a rest after all that! I won’t be trying to improve on that until the 29th march for a 20-mile marathon warm up race in Hemel Hempstead.

15 Miles

In my last long run I covered 14.6 miles in 2hr01min. That works out at just over 8 minute miles. Pretty good I thought!  No doubt my most enjoyable run so far, seeing as I’m incapable of feeling positive if I run slower than I expect! Everything went smoothly on a sunny afternoon around Totteridge. I felt very light on my feet as and found covering the ground easy. I even had loads in reserve so I finished with a sprint! I recovered quickly with just a small tightening of my hamstrings.

It seems however much I eat before running I still need a snack while running! Every 45 minutes my energy levels drop a little so I need an input of fuel. My current habit is a few biscuits along the way. I’m not sure if this is usual practice- I don’t remember seeing many runners eating during a race! I guess the body is a machine and you need the appropriate input (food, water and oxygen) to achieve the desired output (running).

Not sure what my plan should be for race day. Obviously I won’t need to carry a drink as I currently have to but I’ll have to bring food! I’m planning on testing energy gels next week-oh the excitement!       

Pain Is Inevitable

Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

The quote above is courtesy of a well-known author, but I think it deserves a mention. It highlights the importance of mental strength when it comes to running long distances. It’s up to the runner whether he can stand it any more.    

The experience has been great but not without its problems. Physical stress and exhaustion has caused my body to react in different ways. Generally, I become ill once a year, yet barely into the February I found myself suffering on two occasions! The flu and a stomach virus took hold of my weakened immune system and were enough to disrupt my training, but I am determined that they affect my time only minimally!  

The day to day things include all the knee, groin, ankle, calve, hamstring, or any other kind of pain that you wish to think about. It’s funny how when you first start training your brain tells you it could be serious but now it’s just mildly annoying!  

Hopefully that’s illnesses out the way. That’s my moaning out of the way too. Had to be done.  

Seven Weeks

Hello and welcome to Nick Scannell’s marathon blog.

I am writing this to show people what goes into a marathon effort so you will be more willing to donate generously! Make sure you check out the fantastic projects currently taking place at AforH UK on the website.

I’ll start by thanking all at Architecture for Humanity UK and everyone who’s supported me. This is my first marathon so please feel free to comment if you have any advice or experience.

Here’s an update on the last few months;
I started with a fairly good base level of fitness around November. My training schedule has been 4-5 sessions a week. With a relatively accurate record I can estimate my total miles to date as in excess of 160. That is strictly road miles and doesn’t include cycling, swimming and circuit training that I do regularly. I like to mix it up. I am now at a stage where I plan to increase my training so as to peak at the right time!

I’m going for what might seem an ambitious time for a first timer, but why not aim high! 3hrs30mins is my goal. With seven weeks left let’s see what I can do!