February, for me, was a bit of a disaster. The month started and ended with sickness and wasn’t much better in-between. Let me recap:
I had booked in to doing my first race of 2024 at the start of Feb, a 10k which went up and around Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, and was a VERY hilly route. On the morning of the race I woke up and it was blowing a gale outside, which meant that the top of the hill during the race would be like a hurricane, so sensibly (I’d not done an event since October) I bowed out.
The following week I got ill. Nothing major, but enough to knock me on my arse for a few days. Then it was half-term at school meaning my boy (5yo) was at home all day so no time for running then either!
The week after my Grandma died. She was almost 91 and had been ill for a while so it was expected, but still not the nicest of times.
Then last week I got ill AGAIN, this time somewhere between a cold and the flu, lost my voice, all of it.
So you see I’ve not really had anything to blog about! It’s the second week of March now though and I’ve been out running, healthy eating, cooking decent food and have a holiday next week to look forward to. Even gonna take my running kit!
Well THAT was a long month wasn’t it? I didn’t even think my calendar HAD a 47th of January but it definitely felt like it! Before I get to my favourite part if running and blogging (stats!), here’s how the last few days of the longest month went…
Monday January 29th 2024
I took my son to school and then made my way home (because that’s where I live). I told myself that I needed to get in to my running kit and back out of the door before I did anything else with my day. No coffee, no having a snack, and no watching Homes Under The Hammer (that could all wait).
Todays plan was to get miles done. There was no need to be keeping an eye on speed or pace or to get any hill reps done, all I needed was to get the miles clocked off to give me a fighting chance to reach my target for the month.
The route, as I’m sure you’ll guess if you’ve been following my month of running, was laps of the river side path near where I live. Not one. Not even two. But THREE full laps. There were plenty of other people on the path too (in both directions) so it seems resolutions are still being stuck to all over the place (next to the river anyway). It was a little bit of a struggle today (I should’ve had more for breakfast) but I got the miles done, got home, and rewarded myself with an hour of Homes Under The Hammer. Ideal Monday!
(8.01miles – 1:21:30 – 10.10/mi)
Tuesday January 30th 2024
Today was my first day back at work after my days off (6.30am – 6.30pm) and I slept RUBBISH the night before. Still, I took my running stuff with me and even though it was raining a bit I ran home after work. I’ve started taking my evening meal in to work (as well as lunch, obvs) which means I’m eating 90 minutes before I run home and it’s really helping with my energy levels. I used to eat when I got home and the run was usually a bit of a slog but doing it this way means I’m all fuelled up.
I ran home, ran a mile lap after that, and then ran a half mile lap after THAT to bring me up to 7.5miles for the day. And you know what? It felt kinda… easy? I mean I didn’t push myself and it’s a slight downhill route most of the way, but it 100% felt like an easier run than it has in the past.
(7.5miles – 1:17:01 – 10.16/mi)
Wednesday January 31st 2024
Same set up as yesterday, ate at the same time, did exactly the same route home, and you know what? It did NOT feel easy in the SLIGHTEST. Yesterday me lulled today me in to a false sense of security, the git. I’m sure it’s something to do with it being my third run in three days that’s over seven miles, or maybe it’s the whole month catching up on me, but it was a full on struggle.
However, the whole way I kept my mind focused on the task and ticked off the miles as they came, because these seven and half miles, on the last day of January, brought me up to a total monthly millage amount of… ONE HUNDRED MILES RUN!
That’s it, done, thanks for reading, bye. Noooo I’m joking! Come back!
You know what? I’m proud of myself. (Chuffed, as us Yorkshire folk say). I did Dry January alongside the running too (didn’t really have much choice, can’t afford alcohol in January) and stuck to my healthy eating pretty much all month (a few cheat meals here and there, as expected). I have a job where I’m getting a fair few steps in (running aside) and I got just over 150miles of walking done in January which, along with the running step count, means I hit just over half a million steps for the month.
My weight loss went better than expected, my target had been 15lbs but I dropped an extra 4lbs on top of that which gives me a nice head start on Februarys target. For sticking to my running and for not having any beer all month I treated myself in a very grown up way and bought myself a new coffee machine:
I always put a lot more updates on my Instagram about my running and food pics and general day to day life (although all the January ones are food and running) so if you feel you just need that little bit more of an insight into what I’m doing between blogging, you can find out here!
OR if you want to fully deep dive in to my running stats (how fast WAS that last mile though?) my Strava is round about here. Always nice to find new people to follow (on the app, not in real life. Although that’d make me run faster I think?)
My race season starts THIS SATURDAY with the Edinburgh Winter Warmer 10k. It’s two laps which both (obviously both, two laps) have a HUGE hill near the start. So that’ll be nice. Look for a race report probably Sunday for that!
Otherwise thanks for keeping up with all my nonsense for the month and let me know how yours has gone, no matter how good or bad.
In Which I Think I’m Getting A Bit Fitter, I Run In More Storms, And Get A Sub Hour 10k
Week four is at an end! Surely that means it’s time for the monthly round up? Well no, because months have more days than just 28 you know. Apart from February that has 28. Apart from February THIS year that has 29…
Monday January 22nd 2024
I’d just done a few stormy hill reps yesterday (did you see? If not, here you go!) and was hoping for nicer weather for tonight’s run commute home. Storm Isha had gone on her merry way but as it turned out storm Jocelyn was right behind her and turned up today.
It wasn’t as bad as it was made out to be however, and I only got slightly damp on the 10k run. I’d just finished work (12hrs, always 12hr shifts) and I’d had some food an hour-ish before finishing time, so felt quite good. JUST sneaked over an hour which I was chuffed with, one of my fastest (read, only) 10ks since October!
(6.23miles – 1:00:05 – 9.38/mi)
Tuesday January 23rd 2024
Ah THERE’S the proper storm! I. Got. Soaked. Again. The good thing about running in bad weather (always look for a positive) is that you’re so happy when the run is done and you appreciate things that you take for granted, like a roof and not being an outdoor animal that has to just deal with the weather as it happens. Same route as yesterday but due to rain, six minutes slower. So… 10% slower? I think that’s how maths works?
How hard you can get hit by a storm
(6.23miles – 1:06:13 – 10.38/mi)
Thursday January 25th 2024
I’d take a rest day on Wednesday (all part of the plan, rest days are as important as training days as I told myself from the comfort of my sofa) and today I’d planned on five miles. Two laps of the river path that I keep going on about (I promise, in nicer weather, I’ll change up my routes).
I got to about four miles in (one to go, maths) and saw that I was keeping a pace that would (if I went further than planned) get me a sub hour 10k. So that’s what I went for. I was a bit knackered at mile five but I’d committed myself so tried to push that little bit more. I stuck to the mile lap that I know is mostly flat (is that cheating?) and managed to get to 10k in 58.10!
Training and healthy eating definitely paying off.
(6.23miles – 58:10 – 9.20/mi)
Sunday January 28th 2024
I had my son home with me (stays with me on all of my days off, I get four in a row so it’s a nice amount of time) and we had a family member visiting, so I did what every good host does and got her to watch him while I went out for a run. (I made food first, I’m not THAT bad of a host). Two laps of the river path (I PROMISE I’ll change the routes, stop going on at me!) and was a bit speedier again, this time averaging 9.13/mi!
(5.2miles – 47.58 – 9.13/mile)
Totals For This Week:
23.89 – 3:52:22 – 9.43/mi
That’s my best distance in a week so far (just) for this year but more importantly my pace is getting faster, so I can see that the fitness stuff is working. Now to get through these last couple days of January and get to my first race of the season on the 3rd Feb!
As always you can find me on Instagram here and/or Strava here, or at various start lines throughout the spring.
In Which I Have To Be Sensible Because Of The Stupid Weather
Week Three done and dusted, and the dusting of snow and ice meant that it was a bit of a poor week for running and that means not much to update on so you’re gonna get some random stuff. As you’ll see RIGHT NOW:
Monday January 15th 2024
I wanted to start Week Three strong and carry the momentum all the way through the next seven days, but the Scottish Weather had other ideas. It was SOOOO cold. I’d worked a 12 hour shift at work (because that’s where I work) and didn’t really take much notice of the weather or the temperature, so when I set off home I wasn’t ready for the freezing-ness of Edinburgh. Sensibly though (have to be at some point I guess) I took it nice and steady and paced myself to a slow 10k run/walk home.
I checked my weather app when I’d done and it said -1c but feels like MINUS 6 and you know what? It chuffing did feel like -6c.
(6.22miles – 1:07:26 – 10.50/mi)
Tuesday January 16th 2024
Asda (Supermarket in the UK. DO they have them elsewhere? I dunno. I’m literally on a computer right now thats connected to the internet but I’m not gonna check. Keep the suspense alive). Anyway, ASDA sent me an email with one of those yearly updates/flashback things that everyone seems to do lately (you’ve got a lot to answer for, Spotify) and on it, was this:
How corny. (The pic, AND that pun just then).
Sunday January 21st 2024
The rest of the week was a write off, what with all the ice and everything everywhere. Then with my shifts and parenting the next time I had chance to get out for a run was today, and you know what was happening outside? Storm Isha (should’ve been “Storm Isha-noyying”). I. Got. Soaked. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t finishing the week with just one run done though so had to get it run and done.
5km of the hill reps that I did last week then I got home and got in the shower which seemed LESS wet that being out in the storm. After that I had a lazy-ish evening and caught up on some reading. (Currently reading The Passage by Justin Cronin. Very good it is too!).
(3.11miles – 30:12 – 9.41/mi)
Totals For This Week:
9.33miles – 1:37:38 – 10.28/mile
And just like that the week is done! Moving in to the last week of January (already!) and then race season starts. For me, anyway. I’m sure there’s plenty of you that have already started with this years official runs. My weight is coming off at a nice steady rate but I’ll do a full end of month recap next week (at the end of the month.)
In Which I Run More Times In A Week Than Ever Before, And Get A Bit Lost
That’s the end of week two ALREADY! Halfway through January and I feel like I’ve only just opened my Christmas presents (got loads of peanut butter chocolate that’s been hidden at the back of the cupboard until February). This is how I’ve gotten on:
Monday January 8th 2024
On my first run of week two (which I imaginatively named on Strava “First Run Of Week Two”) I stuck to my favourite riverside route. It’s a 2.5mile lap and only about half a mile of that is running next to a road, meaning you get a fair bit of peace and quiet and get to dodge loads of kids on scooters and bikes (and shouldn’t you be back at school by now?) and there’s some nice scenery to be looking at.
Keeping Healthy
I did this route twice to make it five miles (2.5 x 2 = 5, I did maths, me) and then I went to work a 12hr night shift because as the saying goes: “You’re gonna be chuffing tired mate.” Not the BEST known saying, I’ll give you that, but it was a very TRUE saying by the next day.
(5miles – 50:18 – 10.02/mi)
Tuesday January 9th 2024
The next day, I got home and slept after my shift. I woke up not long after midday (noisy binmen outside) and so I had a coffee, watched a bit of TV, and decided I should be looking in the local area for somewhere to do some hill reps. The problem with living near the coast where I am is that the area is quite flat. However, I know there’s a bit of a hill near the Co-Op (local grocery store for all you non-UK folk) and then there’s ANOTHER bit of a hill to the train station.
I mapped it out on my route mapper outerer app (plot a route, if you’re interested, not a sponsor) and from the start to the end and back again was bang on a mile. Well that settled it! Hill reps needed to be done! Wonderfully (for a stat-mad bloke like me) from my door to the start of the run was exactly half a mile. I ran to the start (after getting into my running kit, obvs) then did two reps of the route (six hills total), back home, and added a little more to make it 5km.
The 5k was done in 31.16 (which I was chuffed with, because hills, and I was even more chuffed when I saw that I’d hit negative splits per mile!
(3.12miles – 31:16 – 10.00/mi)
Thursday January 11th 2024
As Wednesday had been a rest day (as would Friday), and I was still buzzing from my hill reps on Tuesday, I decided to run them again. But MORE. I told myself that four laps of the hill rep route would be a decent way to get five more miles ticked off (half mile there and back, four lots of one mile reps). The first two laps went without a bother, I was feeling good. On the third one I started to feel it a bit in my thighs and the fourth was a mixture of running and recovering at the top of the hills.
But, it got done. And I got a bit of a cheer from a Lollypop Lady which is always nice. This time it was TWELVE hills and oh my life didn’t my legs know it (total of 347ft).
(5.01miles – 50:07 – 9.59/mi)
Saturday January 13th 2024
Two full weeks of no beer or alcohol of any kind! Whoop!
My son got picked up from mine around 2pm (he stays with his Grandparents when I’m working) and I had another run planned. Pretty much the same route as Monday but went a different way at the start (and at the end) to make it one five mile loop instead of two 2.5mile ones. I think that you need a bit of variety in the training routes you do otherwise you run the risk of getting bored with seeing the same paths, the same trees, the same kids on the same bikes and scooters (it’s a Saturday, I’ll let them off) and so I mixed it up a bit.
My legs could tell I’d had a rest day as my minutes per mile had improved on this one, but still a lot more progress to make. (Maybe it was the McDonalds we’d had for lunch that gave me a load of energy?)
(5.01miles – 47:30 – 9.29/mi)
Sunday January 14th 2024
End of the week at last. Although the start of the week work-wise for me, I work four days then have four days off so my day back to work is different every week. After my shift was done (12hrs, joy) I got out in the cold Scottish air and ran my usual route home. However, the lights that are normally on on the path that goes down to the cycle path weren’t lit. And it was dark. VERY dark. Handily though, I had my phone (never leave home without it) and my phone has a torch which I made use of. Not sure I’ve ever used the torch app before? Anyway, the sky was clear and cold and so (as I had my phone in my hand) I tried to take an arty night pic.
I then ran/walked the rest of the way home (tired from work), had a shower, and updated my running calendar. Also had some food and watched a bit of TV. I’d earned it I think!
(5.5miles – 57:51 – 10.31/mi)
Totals for this week:
23.64miles – 3:57:02 – 10.02/mi
Again, doing my best to be healthy this week and got a couple of races entered. I’ll do a seperate post about those later in the week because you’re a busy person and you need to stop being distracted by all of my nonsense.
BUT if you want MORE distractions you can find me on Instagram and/or Strava by clicking on those words in this sentence that you’ve just read.
In Which I Go Into More Detail About Week One(And Probably Repeat A Few Things From The Last Couple Of Posts)
One of my (many) New Years Resolutions is to keep up with my blog like I used to do, minimum of weekly updates, with insights on how the running and healthy is going. So here’s one for you now!
Monday January 1st 2024
I finished work at 6.30am and, as I’d been telling everyone that would listen, I was planning to run home. I’d been getting myself ready for it from around 5am, looking at the route on Google maps and imagining my breakfast when I got home.
The route was one I’ve done plenty of times before, took me around the edge of Arthurs Seat in Edinburgh, down a long country road type of path called the Innocent Railway (I keep meaning to look into why it’s called that, maybe I’ll do it now?) and then through part of a housing estate before getting on to my road (because that’s where I live!)
Innocent Railway
A grand total of five, new years day miles, and surprisingly I didn’t see ANY other people out running. I thought they’d be loads with it being the 1st of the year but maybe other people are a bit more sensible than me?
Thursday January 4th 2024
The 2nd and 3rd were rest days (my mum was up visiting from Yorkshire, and I was a bit achy anyway) so we’d done plenty of steps for those days including a trip to the Christmas Market in Edinburgh (and a go on the big wheel).
View from the big wheel (Edinburgh Castle at the back)
Today I’d left my son (5yo) at home with my mum so that I could get out for a few miles. I ran a slightly new route around where I live, went along the path at the side of the train tracks and then on the regular section next to the river, up and down the street outside home to get up to four miles for the run.
It was my mum’s last night visiting so we got takeaway ordered and I replenished all the days calories (and more)!
Fooooooood
Friday January 5th 2024
I had five miles planned and know I did five miles (because I watched my watch) but Strava was an idiot and didn’t sync to my phone. The bastard.
Sunday January 7th 2024
I was on day shift so worked 6.30am til 6.30pm, I get plenty of steps in at work due to patrolling and checking things are where they should be and making sure nothing is where it shouldn’t (I’m on a security team).
Originally I was thinking to do five miles but realised that if I did six (10km) I’d log 20 miles for the week. It was pretty much the same route as New Year’s Day but as I needed to add an extra mile on, I got near(ish) home and took a road that I thought would lead me around the other side of my street.
I was wrong.
After I realised I was lost (in the dark) I turned back and went the actual way I knew. Funnily enough it turned out I’d been lost for half a mile then half a mile to get found so that was the extra mile I needed! Every cloud and all that I guess?
Sweaty mess
Miles run this week: 20
Weight lost this week: 8lbs
That’s the week!
I’ve been eating (mostly) healthy and have a lot of my food pics on my Instagram (along with a load of other nonsense).
Also, if you want to motivate each other on Strava, let’s do it!
In Which I Surprise Myself And Actually Stick With The Plan
I’m about to ask you to cast your memory back to last year, all the way back to… New Years Eve, 2023. If you read my latest post you’d see that I had an eventful night watching the fireworks then a tired morning running five miles home at 6.30am New Years Day. The other thing I did that night was to get my resolutions organised and ordered and tried to decide which ones were plausible (be healthy, be running) and which ones weren’t (be King, be cool).
Now I know what you’re thinking, we go way back and we know each other that well, you’re thinking “oh but quite often you rush into things and then kinda fizzle out” which is true, I’ve had that habit in previous years (see the lack of blog posts from 2020 to 2022) but this time THIS TIME I’m determined. I’m headstrong. Mainly I’m too stubborn to quit, but if I’m being honest it’s the fact that I’m nowhere further along running-wise, fitness-wise, and health-wise than I was at the start of 2020.
In 2021 I told myself this would be my year, I’d get all the PBs. I didn’t.
In 2022 I told myself this would be my year, I’d get all the PBs. I didn’t.
In 2023 I… you get the idea.
But now is 2024. I’ve been building myself up and egging myself on that this will actually be the year I get a new 10k PB (currently 47.15), a new half marathon PB (1.52.43) and a brand shiny new full marathon PB (3.59.15). You know what? I’m doing it.
It’s eight days into the new year and so far I’ve eaten healthy each day, and just as importantly I’ve stuck to my running plan. (Smug I know). I’m not running every day but I’m planning to be out three or four times per week to build up the consistency and then from February onward I’ll work on the speed and distance side of things.
I’m sounding a bit ahead of myself I’ve no doubt, it’s only one week in and I’m talking about breaking all of my running records but I’m one of those people that likes to visualise things happening and I believe that they’ll manifest themselves if you keep believing in yourself. If that makes sense? I originally started this blog (back in 2012!!) to keep a track of my running and to keep myself motivated and maybe that’s what I’ve been missing these last few years? Accountability! Well I’m putting myself out there once more and you’ll be seeing LOADS more updates from how this yer pans out (Alexa, how do you unsubscibe from a blog?)
Anyway! Let me know how your resolutions are getting on, hope you’re well, and I’ll see you in a few days with a full Week One recap!
Lets be friends! – Instagram and/or Strava (Also if this post wasn’t as bad as you thought it would be, please could you give it a like? Thank you!)
In Which I Start The Year Right, Realise I’m Out Of Shape, And Do Some Maths
Happy New Year!! What time did it change into the new year for you? Here in Edinburgh it was at midnight, same as last year. I was working over night on the 31st December which meant I didn’t need to convince myself to stay awake for the celebrations. Also, however, it meant I couldn’t actually join IN with the celebrations because of the aforementioned work.
What I did get the chance to do was go up on the roof of our building (it’s a balcony, I was safe, don’t start) and saw the fireworks getting set off over Edinburgh Castle.
I started my New Years Resolutions a couple days early (due to night shifts, not due to choice) and so had my last bit of alcohol (UNTIL MARCH) on the 30th December. New Years Eve was the start of healthy eating and so had a chicken salad (instead of a takeaway) and for snacks I had chicken breast (instead of eight packets of biscuits).
My 12 hour shift finished at 6.30am New Years Day and I’d brought my running kit to work so I had no excuses not to run commute home. Not gonna lie, it was a struggle because of the shift and because I’d not had a biscuit in ages but I stuck to my motivational promises and got it done. Usually when I get home I watch a bit of TV to unwind but I was chuffed exhausted so went straight to bed.
In 2022 I averaged 10,300 steps a day for the year which was a total of 3.7million over the 12 months, which, I don’t need to tell you because you’re GREAT at maths is 4.99miles per day (average).
In 2023 I wanted to aim for 12,000 per day and you know how many I finished on? 11,726 (a total of 4.2million over the year). Now I know what you’re thinking, you’re thinking “oooh you were so close” but you’re forgetting that that’s average per day and so the 274 steps I was short needs to be multiplied by 365 (thought you were good at maths?) and so I actually missed the target by…. 10,010 steps. Still, gave me an average distance of 5.82 miles each day!
Unfortunately that’s all of the update I’ve got for you, just need to point out that as it’s January 1st I’ve run AND blogged EVERY DAY this year so far! How’s your January looking?
(You can find me on various start lines of various races or on instagram as @runhemingwayrun by clicking the pic below which takes MUCH less effort from us both!)
In Which I Look Back, And Look Forward, And Get Dizzy Moving My Head So Much
Looking Back: Usually when I’m in the right mind set to aim for stuff, I try to get over 500 miles ran in a year. I think my best is maybe 510? I’ve only gone over 500 three times in 11 years of running though. This year must be one of my worst years, only 301 miles (so far, doing a few runs before the end of the year but nothing massive).
Looking Forward: Nearly every year (read, EVERY year) I tell myself I’m gonna get over 1,000 miles in the bag. I usually start with the right effort, one year I’d clocked over 200 miles before the end of Feb! In 2024 if I’m wanting to get all of those shiny new PBs I need to get fully in the zone and take it seriously. (Something else I say at the start of every year!) I will be blogging more (lucky you) and I’ll be adding other bits and pieces here and there too, to make sure I’ve got some regular output in my writing.
London Bling
Looking Back: In 2023 the official races I did were Edinburgh Kids 1km (with my son), Scottish 10k, Edinburgh Half, London Marathon and York Marathon, so only added four new medals to my collection (would’ve been six but a 10k got cancelled and I slept in for a 5k). I work a funny shift pattern of four on, four off, so don’t always get the chance to get to races (single parent too so THAT takes up a bit of time).
Looking Forward: I’ve been checking the race calendar against my work schedule for 2024 and it looks like I’ll be able to get a fair few more medals next year. If I’m creative with my holiday dates I should be able to do the 5k that I slept through, a couple of 10ks, three Half Marathons and three FULL Marathons. All nicely spaced throughout the year. York Marathon will be my 11th time there and the other two will be new (to me) so excited for those!
Running Round Edinburgh
Looking Back: My training was sporadic at best this year. I got injured when I was training for London Marathon which knocked my confidence and motivation but then got some of it back later on when training for York went well. My son started school this year which freed up a few more day times for runs and healthiness but since October (after York) I’ve used the free time playing on my PlayStation or watching Netflix.
Looking Forward: I’ve got a plan. A GOOD plan. An easy to stick to plan. From January if it’s a school day I’m going to break up my free time in to blocks for the day. Get home at this time, run/exercise at this time, lunch, free time, etc. I’ve always found that if I’m following a list or a plan then I can stick to it much better than just trying to listen to my own internal plan. (i.e. “go for a run in a bit? Maybe after Frasier?”) I’m not just mapping out January’s run schedule right now, I’m planning each day that I’m alone in detail. So don’t ask me to the pub OK?
Let me know your plans for 2024, either running or others! And maybe see you on a start line somewhere!
In Which I Get A Decade Of Yorkshire Running Checked Off
Saturday 14th October – Travel Day
Set off up to the local train station around 8am, I’d been as prepared as I always am and did my packing for the trip the night before. What with living in Edinburgh, I have to make my way to York for the marathon (because that’s where it takes place). Got the train into Edinburgh city centre then had a bit of time to spare before the York train so waited around. Not the *most* exciting way to start a blog, but it’s real and that’s what counts.
0915 – Got on the train.
I didn’t get a coffee in the station because I’d had one when I was getting ready and figured I’d get one on the train. Unfortunately the train staff had other ideas because they didn’t start selling anything until we’d gone through Newcastle so had to wait like an hour. See? NOW it’s getting exciting! Got a coffee finally. Then got to York just before noon and went to drop bags off at the apartment I’d booked.
The rest of the day was spent doing touristy stuff around York, the Museum had a ghost display around the gardens which were loads of figures and characters made from mesh wire to look like ghosts. Then because it was the day before a marathon I got my carbs on and had a massive burger with chips. Following that it was a nice relaxed evening and more carbs then to bed!
Sunday 15th October – Marathon Day!
I slept a bit rubbish, a combination of pre-marathon nerves and a slightly smaller bed than I’m used to. Got out of bed around 6am and made a coffee, then had a microwave meal of spaghetti bolognaise (seems to work for me for marathon morning carbs!) and got dressed, then after double and triple checking I had everything I needed I set off for the bus.
I got to the transfer bus around 0730 (saw a fox!) and updated my facebook page to say I’d got on the bus. The transfer goes from York train station to York University where the marathon starts and finishes and takes about 15/20 minutes. The race wasn’t sue to start until 0930 but, as previously mentioned, I’m one of the 37 runners who have taken part in EVERY Yorkshire Marathon since it first started in 2013, and we were all getting VIP treatment.
Usually before a race I’m queuing up at the portaloo and hanging around trying to keep warm waiting for the start. Not this time! This time I was sitting at a table drinking free coffee and eyeing up the free pastries. The VIP bit was in the Central Hall of York Uni and was great, no queues for the toilets or anything. Plus it meant I got to chat with some of the other ever-presents and we all got a group photo taken, then escorted to the start line. How the other half live!
Go time. My training this year has been, what can be politely described as, a bit shit. As such I figured I could get around the route in maybe 4.45, maybe closer to 5hrs. I wouldn’t be annoyed at going over 5hrs though, because I know that I’ve not put the effort in as much as previous years. But as the goal today was just to get round and get my 10th Yorkshire Marathon medal, I was gonna try enjoy the day (as much as you can enjoy running 26.2 miles…)
Start to Miles Two – I saw the 4hr 30min pacer in front of me so decided to stick with them as long as I could, which wasn’t very long because I got stuck in the crowd and couldn’t really get going for the first 10 minutes or so. Ah well, I’d just try stay ahead of the 4hr 45min pacer instead and see what happens. The first few miles are full or smiles and cheers and all the happiness of the race being under way. It goes right in front of York Minster around two miles in and the bells were ringing away.
Miles Two to Seven – After the huge York Minster we ran in pretty much a straight line for the next five miles, there’s a bit of a hill to where the relay people have their first change over (think they do like 6 and a half miles each?) and I was feeling all good. I’d reached the 10k point in about an hour and two minutes so was looking OK to get under five hours.
Miles Seven to 13 – After getting to 10k I told myself that I was going to run for two miles then have a bit of a walk (and a couple jelly babies) and carry on in that way for as long as I could manage. No WAY did I plan on running the whole thing, I know my limits. This part of the route is the scenic bit, it winds it’s way through a bit of the country roads and there’s a long(ish) bit that’s lined with trees on both sides. Then before you know it you’re at the 13 mile point, and then halfway! (2hr 18mins).
Miles 13 to 20 – The tough bit. There’s a short out and back from mile 13 to mile 15 but it’s always really well supported so it’s not so bad. I was starting to feel the effort but was still sticking to run a couple miles and walk a couple minutes. 15 to 17 is a bit tough, the support dies away for this section and it’s a steady uphill all the way. Plus if you’ve done the race previously (I have!) then you know there’s another tough bit to come. From mile 17 it goes down hill and you can see thousands of other runners coming the other way, as this is the looooong out and back bit. There’s amazing support on this section and someone on a microphone shouting and cheering you all on. The turn around is around mile 18 and then you run all the way back up (this time being one of the ones on the other side, obvs) and it’s a bit of a slog. Luckily, the 4hr 45min pacer group caught up with me and they had music going so I decided to try and stick with them to take my mind off the uphill-ness of it all. Finally FINALLY you get to mile 20, and the last 10k of the run.
Miles 20 to 26 – I stuck with the pacer group longer than I thought I’d manage (they don’t walk) and so I didn’t have my next bit of walking until around mile 22. I’d reached 30k in approx. 3hr 20mins so was feeling confident in getting back in under 5hrs. The last few miles for me are always a mixture of feeling so good that I’ve come so far, feeling so happy that I’m ticking off the last few miles, and feeling like I want to sit down and find someone to carry me to the end. I wasn’t running two miles at a time anymore, but I was keeping going by counting my steps and I was running 100 steps then walking 100 steps. Honestly, if you’re every struggling in a run, try it.
Miles 26 to 26.2 – Why the chuff is there a massive hill? Why did I forget it was here? Ah well, doesn’t go on for long, and having reached the top it’s a nice steady downhill sprint (HA!) to the finish line. Official time was 4hr 51mins 58sec. VERY chuffed with THAT.
Post Race – My legs hurt. I’d finished though, and well under 5hrs. Made my way to the event village where we (the VIPS) were told we had a special souvenir to pick up (pic below, arty shot with my medal on it) which was a really nice gesture from the organisers at Run For All. Actually ALL of the VIP stuff was amazing.
Found the way to the transfer bus back into York city centre and it took ages because of the traffic, so by the time I was getting off my legs were nice and seized up. The joys of being a hero. Got back to the apartment (via the shop for beer) and had a shower (with a beer) then it took me like eleven hours to get dressed. The evening recovery plans were Thai food and alcohol and that’s exactly what happened, the Thai food was amazing and went to a place called Evil Eye for an Old Fashioned (just like Hemingway used to drink. And just like this Hemingway was drinking now!) Few more pubs, then back to the apartment for much needed sleep.
Monday 16th October – Recovery Day
Ow. Suck it up, legs! Today was full of touristy stuff so no time to listen to the aches and pains I was feeling. Instead, I vocalised them constantly. The morning was a trip to the Jorvik Viking Centre (home to the biggest poo in history! Honest!) followed by a visit inside York Minster, lunch (was a bit put off by the massive poo) and then Wizard Golf, which is obviously inspired by Harry Potter but without the licencing. Dinner was two big pizzas and more beer.
So that’s it! My Yorkshire Marathon recap for ANOTHER year done. I’ve got plenty of races lined up for 2024 already and decided that THIS time I’m gonna take it seriously (as he says every time). Thank you to everyone that takes the time to read me mumble on about this kinda stuff, and for the nice messages and comments I get. I’ll do a post next week about what’s coming up in 2024 and hopefully see you at a start line!
Marc Hemingway 