2010 Great South Run – The Facts

8 weeks after taking up running I ran the 2010 Great South Run.

My time was 1 hour 26 minutes and 29 seconds.  I came 4,219th out of over 25,000 runners – 365th for my age.

I have no blisters and only slightly sore thighs.

Two days later I’ve done a brisk 2.5 mile run and I feel fine.

I’m the proud owner of a dodgy medal and a Great South Run T Shirt.

I raised £574 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer plus £155.13 of Gift Aid.

The River

The last cross-training session, so the last bike ride, on my Great South Run schedule.  In truth the Saturday morning bike rides have become a bit dull.  I like cycling, but this project is all about running – how far and how fast.  If cycling is part of the next project I need to make it more interesting.

Running experts seem to be divided on whether cycling is good cross training.  For some it’s about the best thing you can do,  MTFD looks down its nose at it.  No one else worries how interesting it is though.

For the final ride I gave up the pleasure and pain of the College Road climb and cycled across Clapham Common to the Thames at Plantation Wharf.  About 5 years ago, when I was working here, I di this route on a fold up Brompton bike.  It was hard work.  Being fitter and having eight gears made this easier .

I paused briefly  at the Thames to take a picture.  I was never that happy working here so the grey October skies seemed somehow appropriate.

I am a Number. I am a Free Man!

I’m very excited.  My GSR race number has arrived, along with assorted leaflets and a handy gadget to strap to my shoe and record my running time.  For Patrick McGoohan his number (6) meant imprisonmet.  For me 23,575 is a symbol of freedom – a sign that I’m fit and able to run ten miles.

Running. Brocoli or Sushi?

Two early morning 5 milers this week , time to reflect on the last seven weeks.

I started running for two reasons.  First I wanted to be healthier, to weigh less and reduce my waist line, spurred on by the correlation between waist size and life expectancy. It was time to relocate  from the hazardous  border of the Chubby/ Fat ghetto to the leafy suburbs of  Slimishville.  Second, as mid-life approaches I’m seized by a desire to accomplish goals.  Episode 8, Season 7 of Frasier, The Late Dr Crane, puts this better than I can.

At first running was Brocoli.  Not enjoyable, but worth doing to achieve my goals.  A means endured to an end.

Quickly things changed and I now enjoy running for its own sake.  I look forward to Run days and wake disappointed on Bike  and Rest days.  The pain of Brocoli changed to the craving of  Sushi.  An enjoyable sensation with a  happy side effect – even if there’s a few Brocolish miles before the soy sauce kicks in.

Tip No 6. Running by Numbers.

As  I decided to follow a plan (Tip 2), I needed to know where to run and how far.  My, very limited, previous experiences was running in the gym.   MTFD (Tip 3) reassured me treadmills minimise injury risk.  Plus you know how far you’ve run (and you can watch TV).  However, The GSR is outside so I’d have to tackle roads sometime.   I also want to finish by 7 a.m. to continue with the day.  My local gym opens at 6.30 only allowing short runs.   So I’ve braved hard payments, puddles and milkmen and taken to the streets.

Technology makes it easy to plan a route.  Lots of Internet applications show mileage as you draw a route on Google Maps.  I use the Map Tracker on Take To The Streets, which also  flags mile stages on the map.  A quick rummage for a dust-covered digital watch and  I can now track road miles as if I’m in the gym – although sadly I can’t watch TV.

Finally the Accountant in me records date, time and distance of each run on a spreadsheet.  This motivates me to keep up the pace, will let me know when I need new running shoes (Trip 1) and, let’s face it, is just so interesting.

Nine out of ten

A Sunny South London Sunday and nine miles in 85 minutes.  I remain confident of completing the GSR – I’m more concerned about the time.  I’d really like to do 90 minutes.  Two weeks of training left and I’m improving all the time.  On the plus side I won’t have to negotiate roads or Sunday morning dog walkers, and I won’t be saving myself.  However, it’ll be a scrum at the start and there’s every chance my fellow runner will fancy a swift half and a fag on the way round.

Fitness wise my knee is slightly sore again, but not when I run and I’ve every confidence it will wear off in the week.

Tip No 5. Sweat gets on your wick.

 

Wicking refers to technical fabrics that move sweat away from the skin to the outer surface of the fabric, where it evaporates.  I never knew that.  After two miles cotton T-shirts get sweaty. They may declare your fondness for Chelsea’s 2005 Championship win, the 2007 Latitdue Festival or the retro chic that is Carmageddon 2, but they’ll get heavy and rub uncomfortably.  Instead stay cool in  Dri Fit Wicking tops.   But remember, you’ll look like a runner so keep the keep the pace up.  You don’t want to be overtaken by a Cotton Top.

Not so chubby…

One side effect of running is weight loss.   A stone and a half in a couple of months, helped also by a better diet.  Old clothes discarded, much older ones rediscovered and belt-tightening for George Osborne to envy.  But has anyone  noticed, or said anything?  Not a sausage…until today when a banker not seen since June remarked upon my newly trim self.  It’s all been worth it now.  And the banker will definitely get our business.

Knee Knack No More

4.5 miles this morning, one of MBA Dartmouth’s “Easy Runs”.  I started with yesterday’s pain in my knee and ended with no pain.  A true miracle has occurred in South London.  Who needs Ice Packs?

Call yourself a runner?

On Sunday morning a 10k run passed through Dulwich Village.  Well-heeled locals looked up from Cappuccinos and Sunday supplements with curiosity and admiration.  I’d normally have a mixture of envy and regret.  Not anymore.  I chugged past smug that, compared to 8 miles, 10k is light duties.

I completed 8 miles in 78 minutes.  Actually I think ran 8.2 miles as I couldn’t quite find a neat circular route of exactly 8 miles.    As ever it was hard at first, improved along the way and was very enjoyable for the last two miles.

On the downside I now have a sore knee, the first time in this programme that I’ve suffered any after effects.   MTFD recommends new shoes, stretching or ice baths for any form of ailment.  I’ll be taking the slightly more Tupperish approach of a good meal and some fine white wine.