Reading Half 2011 - last minute change of tactic

Tried a different tactic on Sunday at the Reading Half - no specific training, longest run since New York was 1:20 and went to the start line hoping for a 1:45 ish time to show some form for IM. But really even that was going to be a good one I thought.

But on the start line I decided to change tact as I was standing next to the 1:40 pace guy. I wondered how far I could keep up with him.........*note to self - if you do this next year it might be an idea to train a bit harder first?*

Well I kept up with him until about 17 km after which he went off into the distance and I ended up with a time of 1:41:31 which was ONE second slower than my Reading 2010 time.

Splits:

5km - 23:27
10km - 46:42
15km - 1:11:18
20km - 1:35:58

Dutch hills

No such thing as a Dutch hill but we have the wind here to compensate for cyclists who wish to pretend that they are going up hill and was it windy yesterday! Cycled 2 hours and was in the lowest gear for about 15km - great practice but very tiring.

Slipped in a rather lethargic 60 lengths this morning.

Gradually coming together

Gradually being the operative word.

Back in pool and up to 50 lengths with no reaction so that gets a tick. Running is OKish with no real long runs done but plenty of hour- hour and a half runs in place. Cycling as always taking back seat as it is still so cold here. Just can't get the motivation to get out and cycle 2 hours in 4 -5 degrees and in the wind. Still turboing but that has to be the world's most boring exercise. It even makes running on a treadmill seem fun.....

Reading Half in 3 weeks so looking for a 1:45 to show I am in some sort of shape before I really crack the cycling.

Slowly, slowly..................

Up to 12 lengths in the pool now and reckon on adding 4 more per week until I get pain in the shoulder, at which point I will have to stop. At this this rate I will be doing the IM distance in about 35 weeks which is no good as IM is in 30. So there has to come a point where I just stay in the pool and keep going maybe adding 5 lengths per session? wow...frustrating stuff.

Have decided it really is new bike time once I have swam 40 lengths in a reasonable time. Dilemma between a Cube Agree and a Kuota Khama. Sorry Colnago but you are just too pricey v value for money at the moment.

Back in the pool - just 20 mins but felt great!

5 minutes slow front crawl followed by an even slower 10 mins breaststroke.

3.8km seems a long way off............but good to be back and got a nice welcome from the TTL guys after nearly a year's absence!

Sucker for punishment

Just signed up for New York marathon 2011 - well, they say pain is temporary.....so next year I am all set for the two BIG CITY marathons.

New York and ..................Leiden.

New York Marathon

Home in one piece after the new York Marathon in a PB time of 3:53:55.

Mixed feelings really as I was expecting to run 3:50 but the course was simply brutal in some parts and the Queensboro Bridge (see picture taken by my running mate NE) at 24-26km was so tough that simply getting over it felt like an achievement.

Reaching First Ave however made the climb all that more satisfying because the support was awesome.

Here are the stats:

Place 12008
Age place 1415
5km 26:21
10km 51:53
15km 1:17:56
20km 1:44:47
Half 1:50:51
25km 2:12:39
30km 2:40:11
35km 3:09:59
40km 3:40:45
ave 8:56 per mile

Splits on the day up to 30km were bang on target. After that the hilly nature of the course made it so tough that I inevitably slowed. In fact Central Park was more like a cross country!!

Superb marathon and the support was out of this world. Would I do it again? Yes, you bet!!