Home safely and Philly is just a memory, a very fond one, helped by the pictures that are plentiful and available for all to see here - Please take a look and tell me what you think of the festivities :)
But as ever, once a race is over, thoughts turn to the next stage of the plan, the next target. I wonder do I really have a plan, or am I running on wishful thinking. My goal has been to Boston Qualify again for 2008 - I'm already cutting in fine by aiming for Surf City - It's less than ten weeks away, I'm at least 15 lbs overweight for a decent time, and since the 13 in Philly, I have managed no more than 3.5 miles at any one run, and that was gentle - Am I too ambitious in my plans?
Maybe I should reflect on the fact that I am 49, nearly 50, and my speed is behind me. Concentrate on what I enjoy doing and maybe then the BQ will come in time. Or maybe I should steer clear of the Xmas Parties, work my butt off in the next two months, and be as ready as I can be for Surf City and try my damnest to get that 3:35:59..............
OK - I've convinced myself - I'm going to work hard. Tonight it was a 5K on the dreadmill - it was 8:30 pace, a 26:13 clocking, but a run when I wasn't really up for one - The work starts tonight. A 5K Jingle Bell race on Sunday will be the first real step on the road to California, no target here, just a good run and hope that I can dedicate myself for another 70 days of graft.....
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Philadelphia Marathon Weekend
After a hiatus from posting on here, I am back - well, almost. I'm actually in Pennsylvania as I write this, having traveled over last week to New York, and then onto Philadelphia for a fantastic weekend with all my friends from Kick Runners at the Philadelphia Marathon.
If you have had the misfortune to follow my blog this year, you may recall that I was aiming to qualify for Boston this year, at the Philadelphia Marathon. Unfortunately, as ever, the best laid plans go astray, and due to a flare up of Plantar Fasciitis, I was unable to train much over the past 6 weeks, and so my goals were re-evaluated and Philly was going to be a Great Weekend, with the running a secondary consideration.
Without going into the full details of the weekend, I will post a full round-up when I get home, suffice to say I had a wonderful time. There were around 50 Kickrunners in town for the races, and from Friday lunch to Monday leaving, fun was had.
I started the Marathon, with the intention of finishing, but feeling my PF all the way, and ready to take it very easy. I started at 9 minute pace, and more or less maintained this for my race. When I reached 8 miles, I felt the heel, notably on a steep down hill stretch, so I decided at that point, that 13.1 would be more prudent, so I ran to the halfway point, which was the finish of the Half Marathon, so getting an official result. OK, my time was nothing to write home about, 1:59:29, coming in 1482 out of 4269, but the pace was exactly on the 4 hour mark that I had set out to run. On the positive, my legs felt great, and my breathing was excellent, so the pace was comfortable - The PF flare wasn't too bad on the day, and I can report that no extra problems have arisen since. If I had continued on the full 26, maybe I would have done some damage, but I am more than happy with my weekend's work.
I have a bucketful of pictures, and if you are mad to see some pics, just go and look at the KickRunners site, as there are tons of pictures of the events taken by one and all who were in town. I will be in the US until Sunday, then home and a 10 week programme to build up to my next big race - The Surf City Marathon in California at the beginning of February. If it's half as much fun as Philly was, it will be heaven.
If you have had the misfortune to follow my blog this year, you may recall that I was aiming to qualify for Boston this year, at the Philadelphia Marathon. Unfortunately, as ever, the best laid plans go astray, and due to a flare up of Plantar Fasciitis, I was unable to train much over the past 6 weeks, and so my goals were re-evaluated and Philly was going to be a Great Weekend, with the running a secondary consideration.
Without going into the full details of the weekend, I will post a full round-up when I get home, suffice to say I had a wonderful time. There were around 50 Kickrunners in town for the races, and from Friday lunch to Monday leaving, fun was had.
I started the Marathon, with the intention of finishing, but feeling my PF all the way, and ready to take it very easy. I started at 9 minute pace, and more or less maintained this for my race. When I reached 8 miles, I felt the heel, notably on a steep down hill stretch, so I decided at that point, that 13.1 would be more prudent, so I ran to the halfway point, which was the finish of the Half Marathon, so getting an official result. OK, my time was nothing to write home about, 1:59:29, coming in 1482 out of 4269, but the pace was exactly on the 4 hour mark that I had set out to run. On the positive, my legs felt great, and my breathing was excellent, so the pace was comfortable - The PF flare wasn't too bad on the day, and I can report that no extra problems have arisen since. If I had continued on the full 26, maybe I would have done some damage, but I am more than happy with my weekend's work.
I have a bucketful of pictures, and if you are mad to see some pics, just go and look at the KickRunners site, as there are tons of pictures of the events taken by one and all who were in town. I will be in the US until Sunday, then home and a 10 week programme to build up to my next big race - The Surf City Marathon in California at the beginning of February. If it's half as much fun as Philly was, it will be heaven.
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