11th October 2007
Tan Shop 3 Mile
Conditions: Mild
Run Type: Easy
Notes: After another trip to the tanning shop I decided to do another run around Heanor. I opted for a short run but with a slight tempo. After a one mile warm up I attempted to get my average pace below nine minutes. As the run went on a managed to get it closer to nine minutes but I did not want to push too hard. New York is just around the corner and I do not want to throw it away so close to the big day.
Run time: 28:35
Pace: 9:32 / mile
Days to New York Marathon:
“Never give in as long as you have an earthly chance.”
New York City
"Running 26 miles around this place.....I can think of nothing better"
Thursday, 18 October 2007
4th October 2007
4th October 2007
Smalley-Heanor 4 Mile
Conditions: Warm, Sunny
Run Type: Easy
Notes: Having looked back at all my previous marathon photos and seeing my anemic legs stand out like milk bottles I decided to get a tan before I head out to New York. Call me vain but this is the biggest thing I have ever done and I want to look sort of ok on my photos that I show people for many years to come.
With a session planned I decided to run to the tanning shop. I was a steady run of two miles each way with nothing on either side of the fence to report. The run there was good and the only difference on the return leg was that I was a lot hotter than on the out leg.
Run time: 36:12
Pace: 9:03 / mile
Days to New York Marathon: 31
“Running is one the best solutions to a clear mind.”
Smalley-Heanor 4 Mile
Conditions: Warm, Sunny
Run Type: Easy
Notes: Having looked back at all my previous marathon photos and seeing my anemic legs stand out like milk bottles I decided to get a tan before I head out to New York. Call me vain but this is the biggest thing I have ever done and I want to look sort of ok on my photos that I show people for many years to come.
With a session planned I decided to run to the tanning shop. I was a steady run of two miles each way with nothing on either side of the fence to report. The run there was good and the only difference on the return leg was that I was a lot hotter than on the out leg.
Run time: 36:12
Pace: 9:03 / mile
Days to New York Marathon: 31
“Running is one the best solutions to a clear mind.”
20th September 2007
20th September 2007
Mystery 7 mile
Conditions: ???
Run Type: ???
Notes: This run to this day I do not remember. With me working so hard now in my new business I do not get the time like I did in my last position to fill out my running log every single day. I cannot for the life of me remember this run however, so I have nicknamed it the ‘Mystery Seven Mile’.
Run time: 1:04:20
Pace: 9:12 / mile
Days to New York Marathon: 45
“Get going. Get up and walk if you have to, but finish the damned race.”
Mystery 7 mile
Conditions: ???
Run Type: ???
Notes: This run to this day I do not remember. With me working so hard now in my new business I do not get the time like I did in my last position to fill out my running log every single day. I cannot for the life of me remember this run however, so I have nicknamed it the ‘Mystery Seven Mile’.
Run time: 1:04:20
Pace: 9:12 / mile
Days to New York Marathon: 45
“Get going. Get up and walk if you have to, but finish the damned race.”
Nottingham Half Marathon
Nottingham Half Marathon
16th September 2007
Race #6 – Report
This was my first race since may and the Edinburgh Marathon. I was looking forward to this race as it was my local half marathon and attracted a good field. I had heard that the course was very hilly so I was not going to go gung ho for the PR and risk injury for New York.
I awoke around 7.30am and after a light breakfast and a gentle jog around the block I set off for Nottingham. It felt a little strange today as this was the first race I had gone to alone. What this did however was give me time to clear my mind and focus on the race.
On arrival in Nottingham I soon realized the scale of this race. Of course a number of the runners were entering the full marathon. It was a beautiful day so I picked a spot on the grass and started preparing for the race. As I went through my bag I realized that I had left my Garmin at home. “Fantastic start” I thought to myself. All that money spent and I leave it at home. I was planning on using the watch to pace myself throughout the race and if close towards the end, I could push for that PR.
After handing my bag in I made my way to the start line and after a ten minute wait or so we were off. I only vaguely remember the first mile or so. The first thing I remember clearly was early in the race we had to climb up towards Nottingham Castle, on cobbles!! This was a challenge so early on as you want to get to the summit as quickly as possible, but not too quickly that you use vital energy stores needed at the end of the race. Once at the top I was please by the long descent down the other side.
The next phase of this race again was a bit of a blur. The next thing that I remember was again another challenging hill. This time the course leads up past the Queens Medical Centre and into the grounds of Nottingham University. The grounds are very hilly and the climb was long, however the support at this point was fantastic.
After another welcome descent down the other side the course led out towards Wollaton Park. It was at this point that the heat and the two challenging hills started to take their toll. It was around the half way point and with no pacer I had little clue of my time or current pace.
I soon pushed through the oncoming fatigue, just in time for another challenging hill at Wollaton Park. The support here was again fantastic and this hill although probably the longest was the most enjoyable due to the support and how close the crowd was. It was after this hill that I realized why they called this a challenging course.
After the course led out of Wollaton Park I took on fuel and water at the next station and really got into my stride. I was pretty confident that I would not get the PR, however if I could at least get close I would know that it is a huge improvement on my last half marathon time as that was an almost flat course, apart from the first two miles.
At around mile ten the course comes back on itself and it was here that I really started to suffer. I had clearly pushed the hills to hard and was paying for it now. The final two miles were tough but I pushed through them. Coming towards the finish line the crowds grew, and so did my fatigue. I saw the full marathoners split off for the seconds thirteen miles and remember clearly thinking that I was happy not to be one of them.
The crowd support was amazing for the final few hundred meters, and as soon as I saw the finish line I kicked it (be it a little early) and came across the finish line a little over two minutes outside my PR. I was happy that I was close but unhappy knowing that if I had my Garmin I would have easily got that PR. However I was not subdued as I had done it. Two down, one to go. I collected my medal and energy bag and made my way to my car.
The next time I line up at the start of a race it will be in New York City. Come on!!
Conditions: Warm, Sunny
Time: 1:52:06
"Divide your race into thirds. Run the first part with your head, the middle part with your personality, and the last part with your heart."
16th September 2007
Race #6 – Report
This was my first race since may and the Edinburgh Marathon. I was looking forward to this race as it was my local half marathon and attracted a good field. I had heard that the course was very hilly so I was not going to go gung ho for the PR and risk injury for New York.
I awoke around 7.30am and after a light breakfast and a gentle jog around the block I set off for Nottingham. It felt a little strange today as this was the first race I had gone to alone. What this did however was give me time to clear my mind and focus on the race.
On arrival in Nottingham I soon realized the scale of this race. Of course a number of the runners were entering the full marathon. It was a beautiful day so I picked a spot on the grass and started preparing for the race. As I went through my bag I realized that I had left my Garmin at home. “Fantastic start” I thought to myself. All that money spent and I leave it at home. I was planning on using the watch to pace myself throughout the race and if close towards the end, I could push for that PR.
After handing my bag in I made my way to the start line and after a ten minute wait or so we were off. I only vaguely remember the first mile or so. The first thing I remember clearly was early in the race we had to climb up towards Nottingham Castle, on cobbles!! This was a challenge so early on as you want to get to the summit as quickly as possible, but not too quickly that you use vital energy stores needed at the end of the race. Once at the top I was please by the long descent down the other side.
The next phase of this race again was a bit of a blur. The next thing that I remember was again another challenging hill. This time the course leads up past the Queens Medical Centre and into the grounds of Nottingham University. The grounds are very hilly and the climb was long, however the support at this point was fantastic.
After another welcome descent down the other side the course led out towards Wollaton Park. It was at this point that the heat and the two challenging hills started to take their toll. It was around the half way point and with no pacer I had little clue of my time or current pace.
I soon pushed through the oncoming fatigue, just in time for another challenging hill at Wollaton Park. The support here was again fantastic and this hill although probably the longest was the most enjoyable due to the support and how close the crowd was. It was after this hill that I realized why they called this a challenging course.
After the course led out of Wollaton Park I took on fuel and water at the next station and really got into my stride. I was pretty confident that I would not get the PR, however if I could at least get close I would know that it is a huge improvement on my last half marathon time as that was an almost flat course, apart from the first two miles.
At around mile ten the course comes back on itself and it was here that I really started to suffer. I had clearly pushed the hills to hard and was paying for it now. The final two miles were tough but I pushed through them. Coming towards the finish line the crowds grew, and so did my fatigue. I saw the full marathoners split off for the seconds thirteen miles and remember clearly thinking that I was happy not to be one of them.
The crowd support was amazing for the final few hundred meters, and as soon as I saw the finish line I kicked it (be it a little early) and came across the finish line a little over two minutes outside my PR. I was happy that I was close but unhappy knowing that if I had my Garmin I would have easily got that PR. However I was not subdued as I had done it. Two down, one to go. I collected my medal and energy bag and made my way to my car.
The next time I line up at the start of a race it will be in New York City. Come on!!
Conditions: Warm, Sunny
Time: 1:52:06
"Divide your race into thirds. Run the first part with your head, the middle part with your personality, and the last part with your heart."
14th September 2007
14th September 2007
Adale Road 2 Mile
Conditions: Hot, Sunny
Run Type: Easy
Notes: After a long week working with my new business I opted for a short two mile run to Adale Road and back as my final run before the Nottingham Half Marathon. I have to be honest that my commitment to my future has led to my running suffering but I will not let it affect my mental state either for Sunday or for the 4th November.
Run time: 17:37
Pace: 8:49 / mile
Days to New York Marathon: 51
“There's nothing noble in being superior to some other man. The true nobility is being superior to your previous self.”
Adale Road 2 Mile
Conditions: Hot, Sunny
Run Type: Easy
Notes: After a long week working with my new business I opted for a short two mile run to Adale Road and back as my final run before the Nottingham Half Marathon. I have to be honest that my commitment to my future has led to my running suffering but I will not let it affect my mental state either for Sunday or for the 4th November.
Run time: 17:37
Pace: 8:49 / mile
Days to New York Marathon: 51
“There's nothing noble in being superior to some other man. The true nobility is being superior to your previous self.”
7th September 2007
7th September 2007
Syntax 8 Mile Finale
Conditions: Hot, Sunny
Run Type: Easy
Notes: Having agreed a leaving package with Syntax I ceased working for them on 4th September and have since been concentrating on building my business with my Dad. I did however have a few things left at work so I decided to run into work and collect them, and then get a taxi home (or even a sneaky lift).
As I left my house it soon became apparent how hot it was. I struggled with the early part of this run but as soon as I passed Morley I was running well. I remember really enjoying the run down towards Broomfield as so many times on ‘Syntax 10k’s’ I have struggled up that same hill.
After the short climb up towards Oakwood I became very hot but I pushed through it and soon enough I was passing the Odeon Cinema en route to Syntax.
I arrived at Syntax at mile seven and managed to get a lift back to Smalley Cross where I ran the final mile up into Smalley.
This run was the end of an era for Syntax based runs, but that chapter of my life has now come to a close, it is time to start a new chapter.
Run time: 1:14:34
Pace: 9:20 / mile
Days to New York Marathon: 58
“All it takes is all you got.”
Syntax 8 Mile Finale
Conditions: Hot, Sunny
Run Type: Easy
Notes: Having agreed a leaving package with Syntax I ceased working for them on 4th September and have since been concentrating on building my business with my Dad. I did however have a few things left at work so I decided to run into work and collect them, and then get a taxi home (or even a sneaky lift).
As I left my house it soon became apparent how hot it was. I struggled with the early part of this run but as soon as I passed Morley I was running well. I remember really enjoying the run down towards Broomfield as so many times on ‘Syntax 10k’s’ I have struggled up that same hill.
After the short climb up towards Oakwood I became very hot but I pushed through it and soon enough I was passing the Odeon Cinema en route to Syntax.
I arrived at Syntax at mile seven and managed to get a lift back to Smalley Cross where I ran the final mile up into Smalley.
This run was the end of an era for Syntax based runs, but that chapter of my life has now come to a close, it is time to start a new chapter.
Run time: 1:14:34
Pace: 9:20 / mile
Days to New York Marathon: 58
“All it takes is all you got.”
Tuesday, 16 October 2007
2nd September 2007
2nd September 2007
Spondon 17 Mile
Conditions: Mild, Raining
Run Type: Long
Notes: Having started working weekends for my Dad’s new business my Sunday long run came late this week. I decided to run and brand new route and opted for Spondon as the target destination. After the usual mile warm up I set off for the semi planned run of fifteen miles plus.
I do not remember too much from the first part of this run which shows that this was as it should have been, easy. As I led away from Smalley and down towards Spondon I do remember feeling pretty good. At mile five and was in Spondon and opted to stop for a drink as I was pretty sure there were no more shops on the route I had in mind.
After the short refueling stop I was off again out of Spondon and up towards Deale Abbey which was a good climb. Once at the top I realized where I was and the route home was extremely hilly so I decided to turn around and head back the other way.
I turned around at mile nine but had a slightly different route home planned so I knew that today’s run would be at least seventeen miles, as the route home was slightly quicker but through some beautiful grounds and past ‘The Lake’. It was at this point that I felt the first bit of fatigue but the scenery prevented me from feeling tired or slowing off.
Once out of the grounds I was back on the same route I had came and the toughest part was the climb back up towards Morley which was steady but long.
The best part about this run was how I felt at the end. Normally I drag myself those last few miles but this time I enjoyed them and when I reached Smalley I was tired but felt fantastic.
In closing absolutely loved this run and will be doing it again for sure, sometime in the future
Run time: 2:42:03
Pace: 9:32 / mile
Days to New York Marathon: 63
“Dreams can often become challenging, but challenges are what we live for.”
Spondon 17 Mile
Conditions: Mild, Raining
Run Type: Long
Notes: Having started working weekends for my Dad’s new business my Sunday long run came late this week. I decided to run and brand new route and opted for Spondon as the target destination. After the usual mile warm up I set off for the semi planned run of fifteen miles plus.
I do not remember too much from the first part of this run which shows that this was as it should have been, easy. As I led away from Smalley and down towards Spondon I do remember feeling pretty good. At mile five and was in Spondon and opted to stop for a drink as I was pretty sure there were no more shops on the route I had in mind.
After the short refueling stop I was off again out of Spondon and up towards Deale Abbey which was a good climb. Once at the top I realized where I was and the route home was extremely hilly so I decided to turn around and head back the other way.
I turned around at mile nine but had a slightly different route home planned so I knew that today’s run would be at least seventeen miles, as the route home was slightly quicker but through some beautiful grounds and past ‘The Lake’. It was at this point that I felt the first bit of fatigue but the scenery prevented me from feeling tired or slowing off.
Once out of the grounds I was back on the same route I had came and the toughest part was the climb back up towards Morley which was steady but long.
The best part about this run was how I felt at the end. Normally I drag myself those last few miles but this time I enjoyed them and when I reached Smalley I was tired but felt fantastic.
In closing absolutely loved this run and will be doing it again for sure, sometime in the future
Run time: 2:42:03
Pace: 9:32 / mile
Days to New York Marathon: 63
“Dreams can often become challenging, but challenges are what we live for.”
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The Five Boroughs
"There's more to this place than Manhattan"
Staten Island
"Only the first half mile is spent on Staten Island as you immediately leave across the Varrazano-Narrows bridge into Brooklyn"
Brooklyn
"Almost half the race is spent in Brooklyn, where many different neighbourhoods and cultural changes are passed through"
Queens
"The race enters Queens at exactly the half way point by crossing the Pulalski Bridge, over Newton creek, where you get your first amazing view of the City. The next 3 miles are spent here until crossing the challenging Queensboro Bridge over the East river."
Manhattan
"The first of two visits into Manhattan comes at mile 16 as you leave the Queensboro Bridge. Greeted by thousands of screaming spectators makes this one of the most memorable moments of the race, before the 4 mile stretch up First Avenue towards the Bronx"
Bronx
"At mile 20 you cross the Willis Avenue Bridge into the Bronx where little over a mile is run before returning to Manhattan across the Madison Avenue Bridge, where you see the Yankee Stadium, which has to be the highlight of the short trip across the Harlem river"
Manhattan 2
"As you arrive back in Manhattan the course proceeds down Fifth Avenue for 3 miles before entering Central Park for the final push and that moment that will last forever."
Varrazano-Narrows (Staten Island-Brooklyn)
Pulalski Bridge (Brooklyn-Queens)
Queensboro Bridge (Queens-Manhattan)
Willis Avenue Bridge (Manhattan-Bronx)
Madison Avenue Bridge (Bronx-Manhattan)
