Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Following Charlie being revived after a long absence!
Monday, May 02, 2011
Off to the Great Wall
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Sunday, April 10, 2011
Dutch goes Dutch for 26.2 miles!Today I completed my 6th full marathon; this year though it was Rotterdam rather than London!
The start of the race was rather a tense affair as there were no loos in sight and we ended up having to queue in a small MacDonald’s to use their toilets before the race (as did a lot of other runners!!!) - thankfully though MacDonald’s didn’t make us purchase a cheeseburger or similar for the privilege! We then had to find our way to the starting pen which wasn’t sign posted and it was generally just chaotic with no real organisation…not the best way to start a race but thankfully we made it to the start area before the canon went off!
The start was quite crowded as runners tried to find their pace and this proved a little tricky at times but after a few miles things settled and the race opened up a little. The plan was for Charlie, a fellow CYM runner and CYM’s founder, and I to stick together as far as we could and try to maintain a pace of around 8:20 minute/miles for the first half of the race to give us some ‘banked seconds’ to use in the second half. In order for me to challenge my personal best time of 3:47:57 I also needed to aim for a time of around 1:50 for the half and 2:50 for 20 miles…this was the plan! In the back of mind though I knew this would be a tough ask, as it was a really hot and sunny day, not ideal running conditions. However I had nothing to lose and I wanted to give myself a chance of getting a PB and if not, plan B would be to aim for a sub 4 hour finishing time.
The first few miles passed by quickly and we managed to pretty much stick to the timing plan. I never really feel that good for the first few miles of any run (in fact I am often only starting to get into my stride and feeling relaxed and more comfortable at around 10 miles) and today was no exception but I knew that I had strong running in me as the Oakley race a couple of weeks ago had given me that confidence and our timing plan today, which we were sticking to, was re-enforcing this.
Miles 6 to half way passed with relative ease although I did at times feel like the pace was getting the better of me but I knew that I had to continue and stick with it to give myself a chance at a new PB. I kept telling myself, “this is what marathon running is all about, it shouldn’t be easy and today is the day to push myself to my limit”.
Miles 14 to 20 went according to plan and I reached 20 miles in 2 hours 50 minutes and although I felt tired and the heat/sun was taking its toll I was inspired to see the 3:45 Runners World pacers. I was thinking to myself “keep them within sight and a PB is possible”…. However, as I neared the end of mile 21 the purple balloons that they were holding were getting further and further away and even though I tried I wasn’t able to pick up my pace to catch them; I looked at my watch as I completed this mile and realised that this was the first mile that I had let myself go over 9 minute/miles (09:14)…unfortunately I didn’t have anything left in my legs to pick up my pace again so I knew that all I could do now was focus on keeping going and try to not let the pace slip too much more.
Miles 22 to the finish line were the toughest 4 miles I have ever run; not even London last year, where I felt awful in the last few miles, could compare to how I felt today. My fitness was there but my legs had just given up, they felt heavy and were aching like mad. It was really hard mentally at this point too as I just wanted to stop and walk but I also knew that if I was going to finish and get a sub-4 hour time (Plan B was now the main focus) walking wasn’t an option…so I plodded on and just kept telling myself “just keep putting one foot in front of the other and it will soon be over”.
As I ran over the ‘1000m to go’ sign painted on the road, I felt some sort of relief that the finish was here and somehow managed to pick up my pace and push for the finish line. As I crossed the line my watch read 3:56:58 – I had made it and I knew that the official time would also knock off a few more seconds.
It’s hard to explain in words the emotion that I felt when I finished today’s race but the fact that I burst into tears as soon as I had finished I think is a sign that this race was one of the hardest things I have ever done but so rewarding too.
This wasn’t the best marathon race for me; the heat was overpowering at times and I think it played a huge factor in everyone’s run. I am, however, delighted to have completed this race and to have got a finishing time of under 4 hours again (my official finishing time is: 3:56:50). It has also made me realise that for future marathons (yes, I have already signed up for my next one! – Robin Hood in September) I need to put more effort into my long runs in training to ensure that the final few miles are not so painful.
I am so pleased to have had the chance to run this marathon and to raise money for my charity (Climb Your Mountain) and it was really nice to experience this marathon event with three CYM friends: Charlie, Stewart and Natasha – thank you all for making it a great weekend and well done on your own marathon achievements :-)
Thank you to all my wonderful friends, colleagues and family for supporting me and sponsoring me; it really is appreciated x
For anyone interested in my route and split times etc., they can be found here:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/78932773
Next stop the Great Wall of China trek, 30th April…
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
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Location:Ring Rd E,,United Kingdom
Catching Up!
With only 4 days to go until the Rotterdam marathon I thought I should update my blog on what has been happening and how my training has been going….I am sorry for not updating this more regularly over the past couple of months but things have been so busy with training, fundraising and generally trying to carry on with work and other life!! The result being that blogging has unfortunately had to take a back seat; however I am here now!
My training has been going well for the marathon and as part of my training I have also completed three races:
1) The Watford Half Marathon: this race was back in February, this was a very good race a little hillier than I remembered (!) but it was a good training run all the same. I didn’t run this race with a PB or fast finishing time in mind but I treated it purely as a training run, although I was still pleased to finish under two hours (my competitive side never leaves me unfortunately, even when I tell it too!)
2) The Milton Keynes Half Marathon: this race was on Sunday 13th March and it was a fantastic race; not only did I get a good finishing time (well good for me!) of 1 hour 47 minutes and 12 seconds I also saw lots of my CYM running friends finish the race too, some of them not having run in a formal race before, this was very special. Well done everyone :-)
3) The Oakley 20 Mile race: this race was on Sunday 27th March and well what can I say other than this is the best race I have ever done…not only did I finish in a great time (again great for me and especially in relation to my marathon targets) but I felt superb at the finish, strong and with lots more to give. Thanks to my running pal Charlie for his company during the race J
I am now well into my tapering period and trying desperately to avoid ‘tapering madness’….which anyone who has run a marathon will completely understand. I am feeling rather restless and feel like I just want to get on with it now…..
All that’s left for me to say is thank you to everyone who has supported me and kindly sponsored me – it really is appreciated and for anyone who hasn’t yet sponsored me but would like to then please visit my JustGiving page here: http://www.justgiving.com/Charlotte-Lisa-Dutch - no amount is too small or large!
P.S. You may have noticed that I have added a Twitter feed to my blog; this is so I can post updates whilst I am in Rotterdam and then again when I do my Great Wall of China Trek later in the month (more to come on that soon!)…so please do check back as I will be tweeting everyday whilst I am away :-)
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
The 1st CYM Half Marathon Longer Run Training Session
This evening a group of CYM runners looking to take part in the Milton Keynes Half Marathon on the 13th March (http://www.mkhalf.co.uk/) got together to start a 10 week programme of longer runs. I am leading this group and tonight saw the first of 10 runs that we will be doing. Each week we will be increasing the mileage until we are doing around 11/12 miles just prior to the half marathon in March. We had a good turn out this evening and we did a great run. Well done everyone :-)
The run stats and route can be found here:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/62171426
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Virgin London Marathon 2010 - completed in 4:02:39 Wow, what a great race today and very different to the others I have done. For a start it was raining heavily at the beginning and then became very humid and then the clouds lifted and the sunshine appeared. Regardless of the weather it was another great London Marathon with the crowds cheering and the streets lined with spectators from mile 1 to mile 26.2 - the carnival atmosphere was once again there.
For me, the race couldn't have got off to a better start; although the start was crowded and the running was slow going (whilst everyone found their pace) I felt good and strong. As the miles progressed I started to pick up my pace and found my rhythm. I thought I was running a little fast at times but it felt good so I continued. The miles passed and the spectators continued to shout and cheer everyone on. Miles 1 to 21 were superb for me, I felt I was gliding along with ease and looking at my watch I seemed to be within reach of a finishing time of between 3hrs 50mins and 4hrs....however just after 21 miles something happened, my legs started to get very heavy and it was if I was suddenly having to run whilst carrying someone else on my shoulders. At around 21.5 miles I heard my name being shouted out by my good running friend and this really spurred me on. However, miles 22 to the finish were a struggle and this is where my mental strength had to take over as physically my body was telling me it had had enough and that I should stop! However, I kept focused and kept running (albeit a lot slower now) and without really being able to take in the world around me, I was consumed by tiredness and focused only on one thing: getting to that finish line. It was a delight to see the 800m to go sign and I don't know how but I picked up my pace (probably my bodies way of saying 'get this over with now') and ended the race at a near sprint in 4 hours, 2 minutes and 39 seconds......wonderful!
This was my fourth London Marathon and probably the toughest and although it wasn't a personal best time for me this year it was still very special. The London Marathon is a fantastic event, a world class marathon and I am so pleased to have had the chance to run it again and to raise money for my charity (Climb Your Mountain).
Thank you to all my wonderful friends and family and a special thanks to my lovely husband and daughter for travelling up to London with me today and for supporting me. Sorry I didn't see you both at mile 25 but I was beyond looking for anything at this point apart from the finish line x
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Wow, what a lovely weekend we are having and this morning the weather was perfect for running. I headed off to Newlands at 9am and did a fast 5 miles (laps around Willen Lake) before joining up with my CYM running club. The club run today was great; about 7 of us did a fast run up to the canal and then along to Willen Lake and around the top lake (a total of around 3½ miles) but all done at a really good pace (between 8 and 8 ½ minute miles) it felt really good to stretch the legs and to push myself. After the club run I continued and did another lap of both lakes to complete a total running distance of 12½ miles for today – all of them wonderful :-)
The marathon is only two weeks away now and I am starting to get very excited about it as well as a little apprehensive. I know that my training has gone well but I also know that I haven’t managed the extra couple of long runs over the past couple of weeks that I had planned due to a slight injury on my right foot and this is worrying me a little. I’m sure it will be fine but I can’t help but worry a little! Also, hopefully the weather conditions on race day will be similar to today.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Oakley 20 mile race
Today I ran in my first ever 20 mile race; I have done shorter and longer distances but never 20 miles. I was looking forward to it as I was treating it as my long training run for the week and normally I have to do these on my own and I must admit that I do find these long runs really hard (mentally) when I am on my own.
The race was superb; the weather was sunny (although the wind was tough going at times) and the course was very scenic. It was undulating but I found it useful to have some hills in my training, normally my routes in Milton Keynes are flat (with the occasional incline) but we did have to run up some tough hills today and it was a good challenge. I will definitely be looking to run this again next year and as a bonus we got a really nice hoodie instead of a medal!
I felt strong throughout the run which has also given me confidence for the marathon. I am thinking I may need to do one or two more longer runs (probably another 20 miles this coming weekend followed by maybe an 18 mile run the week after) and then it will be time to taper J I am actually getting very excited about the marathon as its now only 4 weeks away!
If anyone is interested in the route and my stats for the race, they can be found here: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/30798998
Saturday, March 27, 2010
I have had a good few long runs over the past few weekends; I have done a 17 and 18 mile and then last Friday, straight after work I did a good (slightly faster) 15 ½ mile run. Tomorrow sees me running in the Oakley 20 mile race and I am looking forward to it although I am told it is quite a tough undulating course!
Sunday, March 07, 2010
My friend and I had a really good race at the MK Half Marathon today. The weather was perfect and the organisation of the race was superb. It was a new course this year starting outside of the Exscape building and it was a well attended race. It actually felt (atmosphere wise) a little like the start of a major marathon, it was really good. The course was also well thought out and very enjoyable although I think my friend would disagree about the final hill coming into the finish J Excellent race and I will definitely be entering this one again next year.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
After work my friend and I headed out to do a 10k run; we normally do a longer run (between 8-10 miles) but as we are both running in the MK Half Marathon this coming Sunday we have reduced our mileage this week and decided this evening to do a faster but shorter run instead. So a 10k route from the Open University up to Willen Lake (via Woughton Park) around the first lake and then back again; simple we thought – well it would have been if the paths hadn’t been flooded. The problem was that once we had navigated ourselves safely around a few puddles we were committed and it just got worse! The first major hurdle was a bridge that was no longer a bridge but had been lost in the water, all that remained were the wooden sides of the bridge that we had to climb on and along to get across, this was soon followed by a few minutes of side stepping and balancing on metal fencing to get across the next large puddle (puddle in this situation really doesn’t do it justice, ‘small lake’ would be more appropriate!). You really had to be there to truly appreciate what we had to climb over and along just to get to Willen Lake! The return route was quickly re-thought and I am pleased to report free of any water obstacles! At least we had a good laugh about the situation and the the rest of the run was solid and fast, even if we did leave a trail of mud behind us :-)
Sunday, February 28, 2010
This morning I headed out early (6:30am!) for my long run as I wanted to get it completed without impacting the rest of the day for the family. So, off I ventured into a dark, misty and wet morning which really didn't get that much better for the whole 17.24 miles; well OK it got a little lighter but that was about it. I think the perfect description of my run today is that it was 'horrible and good all at the same time'. The horrible part was the wet weather which meant that after about 30 minutes into my run I was soaked through to my skin (which isn't a nice way to run) and then the cold that soon followed....the good is the fact that I covered 17.24 miles (I set out with 17 miles as my target) and it feels great to have accomplished this distance today. Also, it's good as it shows me that I can deal with the challenges that I am faced with...there is no doubt that on many occasions throughout my run today I questioned myself on what I was doing but each time I kept reminding myself that marathon training is hard and that to succeed I need to be strong both mentally and physically and today without any doubt I trained both these elements!
Friday, February 26, 2010
I did a good solid run this lunchtime; incorporating some fast interval sessions during the middle of the run and the whole run was made extra challenging by the windy weather conditions! It was however nice to add some speed and has made me realise that I need to try to incorporate more speed sessions into my weekly training.
A wonderful way to spend a lunchtime :-)
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
This evening my friend and I ventured out straight after work with the intention of running part of the MK Half Marathon route (in preparation for the race on the 7th March, which we are both running in) and I’m pleased to report that we not only managed to complete what we set out to do, but we both felt really strong at the finish.
Tomorrow is a rest day for me and then I intend to run 3-4 miles on Friday lunchtime – perhaps doing a few fast intervals!! Then its cross-training on Saturday and my long run on Sunday (17 miles this week!)
Sunday, February 21, 2010
….finished off nicely with a steady 15½ mile long run today! and thanks to everyone running with CYM this morning for doing the first 4 miles with me :-)
This week has been a really strong running week for me, seeing me run 5 out of the 7 days and totalling 37 miles. The defining point though was today’s long run where I still felt strong after 15½ miles; this was very satisfying and encouraging!
The following is a summary of my runs this week:
Monday 15th: 3M pace run
Tuesday 16th: 5M steady
Wednesday 17th: 10.5 steady
Thursday 18th: Rest day
Friday 19th: Rest day
Saturday 20th: 3M easy
Sunday 21st: 15.5M long
Happy running everyone :-)
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
ge moving along the waterways. The smell this morning of the log burning fires on the barges moored at Campbell Park was lovely. The names of some of the barges are quite fun too. There is a lovely painted one, moored this morning at Campbell Park, named 'Paris' and another one called 'Violet Clare 2' but my favourite one that I saw this morning was a double width barge called 'Moose Drool'!