London Marathon 2009

I'm thinking 2009 could be the time for my first Marathon. I've got my entry in through the online ballot - all I can do now is wait and see.

Lance Armstrong - my new training partner

I had a great training run with Lance Armstrong yesterday afternoon. After 8 minutes of steady warm-up, we did a bunch of intervals - 4 minutes at 80% effort followed by 4 minute of recovery, repeated 4 times. Lance is a great training partner - very motivational, just when you need it.

Ok, no, I didn't really go running with Lance. He was busy. Instead I downloaded a 40 minute Nike + workout from iTunes - Lance Armstrong: Run Longer Coaching Mix - $13.99 very well spent I think as I'm going to use this at least once a week from now on.

Purple Patch Runners

I've toyed with the idea of joining a running club for a long time. I nearly went along to Maidenhead AC after work to have a run with them once or twice, but my desire to get home after work and see my kids before they go to bed has always got in the way of that. Nevertheless, I've still been interested in joining a club to try and strike up some kinship with fellow runners.

Whilst looking at future races, I came across an organisation called Purple Patch Running. They organise training weekends and a number of races throughout the year. They also have a running club - Purple Patch Runners. They're sort of a virtual running club - they have no premises and no 'club' night on which they meet up and run. They also have a list of targeted races at which members can meet up. Members get all the usual benefits of being a member of a running club - affiliation to UK Athletics, discount on race entry fees, etc.

The Maidenhead Easter 10 was my first race as a Purple Patch Runner. I wore my club vest and I saw another one too (going past me at speed!). I hope to see more at future races.

Maidenhead Easter 10 - 21 March 2008

I work in Maidenhead and the route of this 10 mile race intersected with part of my usual lunchtime training run route. It started off with two laps around a business park and then out into open fields (where it was incredibly windy). The route took us around the outside of White Waltham Airfield and then back round to the business park to finish. 

The business park sections are a little dull from a scenery point of view, but it did mean I was able to run past my wife and kids who were there cheering me on, which was lovely. Once out of the business park, it was all paths across fields and country lanes - a great route.

I finished in 1:27:42 which was very consistent with my half marathon time at the beginning of March.

• Race summary at MotionBased
• Google map of my run

As I was coming in towards the finish of this race, I saw a couple of ambulances and an air ambulance. I later found out that someone collapsed shortly before the finish line and was taken off to hospital unconscious. This morning, I read that this runner has sadly passed away. My thoughts go to his friends and family.

Reading Half Marathon - 2 March 2008

This was my first half marathon and I really enjoyed it. There were a little over 11000 runners which meant that the pack never really thinned out much, but the support along the route was fantastic and the weather perfect. I bought a bag of jelly babies and put 13 in my pocket before the race - one for every mile completed. I don't know if they really helped or if it was a placebo effect, but looking forward to a jelly baby after every mile did seem to make the race go quicker.

I had trained up to about 8 miles so I was definitely feeling my legs after 10 miles or so. By 11 miles I was starting to cramp a little but I kept going and finished in 1:57:11 - under 2 hours which was my goal. The finish in the Madejski Stadium was fantastic.

All in all a fantastic day and I'll definitely look to do this event again. I also enjoyed the distance - more half marathons for me I think!

• Race summary at MotionBased
• Google map of my run