Written 5 May 2013, Brisbane
Last October I completed my first full marathon - The Melbourne Marathon. My time was a glacial 5hrs 40 and I decided as I ran across the finish line that my second attempt would be better. A lot better. I had expected to finish in under 5 hours and I made the commitment - there and then - to achieve better than 4:40 at my next attempt. A full 1 hour better than last time.
So, the decision was made, along with the acceptance of the challenge being difficult, scary and demanding on my time and my mental and physical capacity. For many people 4hours 40mins may not be overly challenging but for me- the most unlikely endurance athlete you can imagine- its a huge ask.
There will be a lot I need to do. I am not a 'natural' runner (I was the slow guy at school), I am ungainly and unbalanced, I am not overly competitive in the generally accepted sense, I suffer constantly from breathing and sinus issues and I have a naturally low heamaglobin blood count meaning my body is specifically unsuited to aerobic exercise, especially distance events. Two seperate medical specialists have told me my low oxygenation means I will never compete any endurance event and both were suprised when told I had already completed several (albiet slowly).
The main issue in Melbourne was a lack of specific preperation. Although I had completed 5 half marathons in the lead-up, I was wrong to assume the challenge was 'just to complete 2 Halfs in one day - I turned out to be much more than that! As well, I was overweight by a few kilos, I was not strong enough overall to handle the distance and time requirements, I did not pace myself correctly for the distance and I suffered from leg cramps as a result of poor running form, lack of correct fuel and lack of training in the correct distance.
On the good side I hung in there and completed the event 'no matter what'. And the course was beautiful and I loved it and I couldn't wait to do it again.
Now, 6 months later there is still a lot to do to get ready. I have spent the time strengthing my body by completing lots of weights sessions, doing regular hills runs and short warm up races, and by completing mid-week interval style boxing sessions, as often as my travel schedule would allow. I am stronger, and feeling better than ever.
But I am no where near ready.
Its time to start building distance, getting used to running longer and longer, and to increasing my aerobic and lactic threshold by doing longer and harder interval sessions.
Its time to get serious, and 'specific'. It's also time to start completing some warm up races
So let's get going. Time to go for a run.
Until next time……. 'keep living, laughing, lovin' and runnin'
‘Wandering James’, the Slow Runner
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