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From Michael
Since arriving back at the hotel post-race, I’ve been giving some thought to what happened out on the course and possible explanations; I’ve yet to discover a satisfactory answer. In an attempt then to help place the pieces together (and it’s a long one), here is my chronological account of what transpired on race day. I still haven’t come to a conclusion as to “why” events unfolded the way the did, that will require much more time, but for now… the good, the bad and the lovely. Read the rest of this entry »
From Michael
I was born in August which makes me a Leo, although I find it hard to see the characteristics other may disagree. I was also raised with a lot of pets and noticed that, in general, a) when cats are sick, hurt or about to die they tend to take themselves off to be alone, b) when dogs don’t feel well, they seek company. Today, more then anything I was a cat, I really wanted the anonymity of a small race, allowing me to wallow in the pain and suffering of my marathon… alone. Unfortunately, due to the crowds here (which were out-of-this-world) I was pushed, again and again. For the first 24 miles the crowds were 3-4 deep with the odd wall of noise that was completely deafening. The last 2 miles were altogether different, 5-6 deep and fanatic with their encouragement. The first time I walked, and there were many, was after passing 21 miles in 1:18:27, from there on in I would get “come on 991, you can do it“, then someone else would join in, 3, 5, and before I’d taken 10 steps over 100 people would be encouraging me onward. Then, when I relented everyone would cheer, it was something I’ve never experienced before. Read the rest of this entry »
From Michael
Was up at 4:45, quick change and then I woke RC up, he had his ear plugs in and slept like a baby. We were out for a jog across Tower Bridge, to be repeated again in a few hours and then back for breakfast. You could not believe what they were serving (and I kid you not) baked beans, black pudding, bacon, fried mushrooms, hash-browns, wow! Needless to say I opted for the cereal and banana, plus a couple cups of coffee.
Just finished a light stretch (RC is doing some yoga) and then we’ll be downstairs waiting for the coach out to the start (police escort the entire way). Thanks again for all the comments, they mean a lot to the both of us. Alright then, until later…
Training: easy 10′ with 2x strides
From Michael
5:45 woke up feeling good, this time tomorrow I’ll be getting up and preparing for race day, today, I roll over and try to go back to sleep
7:10 wake up, and get out of bed (RC still sleeping like a bay). Decide to go and try and find a good coffee, there is a very exotic looking Starbucks just around the corner, St. Katherine’s Docks.
7:23 stupid Starbucks doesn’t open until 8:30 on Saturday or Sunday, I can’t believe it. This is London, surely they most open earlier… I miss Cook St. Starbucks
7:50 return to the room to find it empty?
8:01 find RC eating in a swanky breakfast room, join him for two bowls of cereal, yogurt and a pastry (oh, and two cups of coffee)
8:35 head back to room and put feet up for a few hours
10:55 thirsty, go in search of some Lucozade
11:30 RC returns, we get ready to head out for our final pre-race tune-up; run over Tower Bridge and explore some fascinating, small and very old streets. Head back to return over the bridge only to find the deck raised as a boat travels underneath, cool.
12:32 I’m hungry, RC is in the shower. Once we find a place to eat it’s all rest and relaxation for the rest of the day, oh, and some footy. Thanks again for all the nice comments of support, BC & HE you’ve inspired me to run my goal pace nothing less. Ally, wish you were here, taking loads of pictures:) Until tomorrow then, cheers and thanks for reading…
2:230 had a nice hour nap, I love naps!
7:36 Just finished our last supper prior to the race, and what a supper it was. RC and I managed to have dinner with all the elites, this trip has really been an event of a lifetime… any other marathon will be hard to top. I didn’t know what to eat and went with pasta (surprise) , tomato sauce and some chicken. There was some really good looking meat sauce but I was too scared. The funny thing though, when I walked past the Kenyan table on the way back to my seat, everyone of them had the meat sauce… that’s the secret boys and girls, you heard it here first. As RC may have already mentioned, we’re writing independently of each other, I found out at the elite meeting that my PIH singlet is illegal, the word Harriers is written too large… who would’ve known or thought that it mattered. So, I’m going with my back-up plan, always have a back-up plan, the white Frontrunner’s Adidas top. It’s technically illegal too but only by a small margin, I’m hoping that they don’t notice. Some guy just sat next to me and logged in, “14 hours to the London Marathon” he said. I have still so many things to do, what am I doing here. Okay, Carter is chewing his thumb nail, I think it’s a signal, until tomorrow then… thanks for reading!
Training: easy 16′ with 4x strides
From Michael
I could see it happening before ever taking that next step, it was actually frightening, a) what I saw and b) the fact that I could foresee the future. Rumon and I were returning from dinner after a quick stroll through Trafalgar Square. We’d boarded at Charging Cross and were changing at Embankment. As it was still busy, the tail end of rush hour, it was everyone for themselves and I looked up to see Carter five steps in front of me. Then, out of the corner of my eye I could see this middle-aged man swarming for the door like it was his lifeline. I picked up the pace, stepped around a few people getting off, but said man was still beelining for the door, and in so doing, cutting me off. It was inevitable, there was no way around it, we collided, I swear he saw me, in fact I know he did as his look later wasn’t one of shock, but surprise that I’d made it on the tube. Never mind the bloody gap, watch out for the doors! The doors shut, slamming on my right arm… I ricocheted in with my shoulder bag on the outside. Thankfully, the doors opened, and in a in a well orchestrated move my bag swung in, I ended up doing a 360 carrying forward what little momentum I had, hit the said man in the back and then came to a dead stop in the middle of the train. Nice.
This afternoon was out-of-this-world, you’d have thought we were celebrities. Read the rest of this entry »
From Michael
It’s here isn’t it? Although not quite tangible I can feel it in the air, there is also that low background buzz that I can’t quite identify but can definitely hear. News stories are becoming more frequent, there was a piece on the BBC last night giving some tips on last minute training. Road closures are beginning to take affect and there are posters in the tube stations. The count down to the Flora London Marathon is now measured in hours , not days.
I didn’t realize until this morning just how much I’ve enjoyed staying outside the city and away from all the hoopla. Here, on the edge of the countryside, I’m sure the marathon is one of the furthest things from people minds and it has been from mine too, that is until I woke up today. Rumon’s plane will be landing in little over half an hour and with some luck (okay, who am I kidding, a LOT of luck) we’ll be meeting up at the Tower Hotel in about three hours. This is what we’ve been working toward, building toward for almost 12 weeks. All those early morning runs in the rain (the one’s Brad hates so much), the countless laps around the mile loop in BHP, Epsom salt baths, massages with Janet and the endless support from friends and family (thanks Ally). Everything has been driving toward one moment, getting to the start line (9:45 a.m.). For me though, I think I can honestly say the achievement has been in the process:
- I’ve always wanted to experience what it would be like to train to the edge of my ability, to push myself further then I’ve ever done before. The results have been good, I’m in the best marathon shape of my life and have recently enjoyed the success of running a PR over 21.1 km;
- The process has also brought the three of us friends closer together. We’ve shared many a pint plotting our next step, the next workout, and have laughed and cringed with extreme embarrassment (thanks to our CBC piece). Seamus why did you ever start singing;
- I’ve also shared in the disappointment and frustration, watching one of my good friends and the founder of this adventure have to change his plans due to an injury he sustained.
These reasons, and others, have been what it has been all about for me… pushing yourself and building friendships along the way.
Training: easy 20:16 in my race flats with 5x strides at the end of the run. I didn’t notice my achilles at all, but although less noticeable then yesterday, my right knee was acting up (I’m sure it’ll be fine on race day).
From Michael
After a light stretch last night and finishing The Greatest: The Haile Gebrselassie Story, I went to bed with a sore achilles, feeling tired but yet optimistic. My achilles has been bothering me on and off for over two months now but I was confident that things would settle down in the next day or so. I awoke this morning feeling good, the achilles was still sore but the burning sensation had left. After breakfast, a flurry of emails with Rumon and another stretch, things felt better… so much so I decided to do what yesterday I said I wouldn’t, I went into London. This time though I was determined a) not to do much walking and b) wear some better footwear. After packing lunch and throwing a bottle of Lucozade in my bag, I laced up my euro shoes (with a plaster on my foot and the inside of the shoe) and set off.
After arriving at Marble Arch, I decided to hop on a bus tour of London; today was another day full of sunshine and warmth. Given streets more congested then normal, the tour was longer then the planned two hours but I didn’t mind; I sat atop the roofless double-decker, listening to our guide and and enjoying the scenery – Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, St. Paul’s, the Tower of London… it goes on and on. I was also fun people-watching. We were informed that only about 4,000 live in London proper but that over 500,000 commute into the city each day, everyone with their own agenda. You defintely get a wide-angle picture when you’re on the top deck. As I was enjoying the tour, I couldn’t’ help but think that I’d be running down these very streets in a little over three days. I tried to contain my excitement, but couldn’t stop the wry grin that spread across my face (the tour also included a free pub crawl that started at 6:00 but I’ll have to save that one for another time, can we come back Ally?).
I noticed today that I didn’t have that groggy feeling that I’ve been experiencing in the afternoons ever since arriving, if I’m to assume I’m over the jet-lag, 5 days isn’t bad.
This might be the last time that I manage to post prior to putting my game face on. Tomorrow, Rumon flies into town and we’re checking into our hotel. I can only imagine the next few days being a potential world-wind of excitement and nervousness, I feel good about it though. The last five days have been restful and I was afforded time to spend with my aunt, uncle and two cousins (Gog & Tweety). Thanks for reading, and until later… cheerio!
Training: day off, no running; my achilles feels better, but my right knee is still bothering me (forgot to mention that yesterday).
From Michael
My poor feet and achilles, what have I done? Whether due to a) walking around in some running shoes that I’m not familiar with, i.e. making like the fashion victim he is, Jerry Seinfeld, b) just too much walking and standing or c) a lack of mileage, but my left achilles has flared up again. It has been bothering me for the last week or so, during the first 10-15′ of each run, but usually fades away. Unfortunately, as I sit and type it is throbbing. I’ve decided to take tomorrow easy which coincides with the schedule. I was given a choice, either a) an evening 30′ easy run or b) OFF, I’m leaning towards the off at the moment. Although it feels hot and like someone has rubbed sandpaper up and down my achilles I’m not too worried. I know I’m fit and there is nothing a little rest can’t help cure (damn those shoes). The days events then: Read the rest of this entry »
From Michael
I’m dead tired at the moment, and I still have yet to stretch (in fact, I should be stretching first and writing second). I realized yesterday that I’ve only stretched once in over a week. Reflections on my third full day in the city then:
- I learn more easier by touch, sight, and smell and hence it’s aromas and vistas that trigger my memory. Walking around London there are two distinct smells that I’ll forever remember. One, the smell of years of creosol/tar that you get when your down near the tracks waiting for the tube. It’s almost sweet smelling. The other, this ubiquitous cologne that the men seem to wear here, you’d think there was only one type… but hey, I like it.
- I’m missing the playoffs. The Canucks are playing tonight but I’m going to have to wait until tomorrow to check the scores. I see they’re up 2:1 in the series but Dallas is a solid team. I even popped into Canada House (on the edge of Trafalgar Square) hoping for a touch of home but it wasn’t the Canada I knew or needed.
- It has taken me a few days to put a finger on it, but when traveling on the tube, no one, I mean NO ONE looks you in the eye. I don’t know where people look but they definitely do not make eye contact. It’s not that they don’t look at you, but there have been times when I’ve smiles or nodded in the way you might do to recognize another human being. But, the people here stare right through you… it’s odd, but then perhaps it is me that’s odd?
- Hey, I should’ve mentioned this earlier, congratulations to Mark, Mike, Mike and everyone else who ran Boston in what looked like character building conditions, well done!
- I have to keep pinching myself, remembering where I am and what it has taken to get here. That said the waiting is starting to kill me and there are still five days until race-day. Tomorrow is the first day the registration is open and I’ve decided to head down and check out the expo, apparently it is absolutely HUGE!
- I went and checkout out the Imperial War Museum today. I thought I remember my da taking me when I was little but nothing seemed even remotely familiar. I thought I would’ve liked it, and perhaps if I was younger I woud’ve but it didn’t do it for me today; I don’t think I was in the mood. That said, there is a relatively new Holocaust exhibit on the top two floors which left me speechless and numb. It was extremely sobering.
- Had curry this evening, the best I’ve had since being here two years ago with Ally, it was f-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c!
- After my uncle drove me around this afternoon, taking time to show me what might be some good running routes, I resorted back to Old Faithful. The roads around here are just too narrow, many with no shoulder or footpath. When I set out I lacked any form of motivation but, after 10′ I was fine. Toward the end of the run I threw in a series of six strides that felt really smooth, fast and explosive. Where did that come from? Tomorrow I have my last tune up before the big day.
- I don’t think I’m going to get the stretching in…
Training: 40:16 with 6x strides
From Michael
I usually have Monday’s off and as I had yet to hear from Bruce, what with being eight hours ahead, I decided to go into London this morning. Starting out at 8:30, I managed to avoid the early morning commute, and just navigating the tube system here was almost fun enough. After only one change I popped off at Westminster Station and walked the steps into the bright sunlight to find myself surrounded by Big Ben, the Thames, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, wow! As the HP didn’t have tours until 2:30 I decided to hit the Abbey.
The Abbey was dedicated on 1065, and since crowning William the Conqueror in 1066 has been the nation’s coronation church ever since. There is about 3,300 people buried in the church some of whom include Edward Longshanks (re: Braveheart), Edward the Confessor, Mary Queen of Scots, Geoffrey Chaucer and many other I don’t remember. It was pretty cool but after 1h40, my feet were sore and I was hungry and decided to leave. Read the rest of this entry »
