As you may remember our year started in Kent and London covered in snow which made running virtually impossible and a shock to my system as it dawned on me how am i going to keep up with my mileage training for April’s marathon? I’ve actually always been against using running machines (No heavy impact which is easier to run on, no wind resistance and a motorised belt propelling you along?) I always thought using one of these things and at times expensive things was cheating!! When the snow came and i had no choice but to keep my running trainers indoors the penny finally dropped..... wow these machines are actually quite handy. Alas i had no access to a running machine so i sat there seething trying to melt the snow and ice whilst my blood boiled not being able to run.
What seemed like an eternity (17 days) the snow finally melted the next thing on my agenda was to choose my next running shoes whilst upping my mileage for the Watford Half marathon in February. The training for a half marathon isn’t a problem. I’m getting some experience running these. My problem is actually choosing a comfortable pair of shoes? I appear to fail in this area of running almost every time i step into a store. I started with a pair of Brooks and last year ran in a pair of Asics 1140’s. WOW absolutely loved them but speaking to an assistant the Kayano 16’ would be the trainers for me as he gave me his know doubt rehearsed sales pitch. So suckered in i bought them from Sport Direct at almost half their retail price... thinking i had a right bargain! Notice how i said “thinking”.
Well convinced by the “assistant” i hit the streets with my cut price high end trainers. Oh my god from the very first day i had a pinching pain across the top of both feet. The laces kept coming undone no matter how much i pulled them tightly, they felt like deep sea diving boots rather than running trainers and could not believe these £120 trainers felt so uncomfortable?
My Asics 1140’s were too far worn so i still ventured up to Watford with my Kayano’s in February as part of my running club with the MPAA to yet another very cold start to the Asics half marathon. Not sure if you have run this course before but i resent this course with a passion!! Its obviously not as the notorious beachy head that ive heard so much about but as an asthmatic the amount of hills thrown into this course makes this a very, very hard half marathon for me indeed. Although we arrived late and i had to leave my driver struggling to find car park space as i headed to the start line for my warm up and last minute pre race routine drills.
For me the race was still in preparation for the London Marathon and i have to say all went to plan with taking my fluids, gels and keeping up with my pace my only concern was with my Kayano 16’s? I still had to stop half way round to tie my laces and the tops of my feet still felt like they were getting pinched. This was actually taking my mind of the pain of running such distance compared to the pain shooting through my legs with every foot strike. I was more than happy to finish the course waving to my daughter and mum holding off one cheeky person trying to out sprint me to the line in the last few metres. I came home in 1hr 34mins which is currently my half marathon PB considering last year i ran this same course in 1hr 46mins which i think is quite an improvement? One handshake later and a goody bag to collect. I was too tired(again) or too lazy to warm down (........BIG MISTAKE i know) i stepped into my SKINS compression tights and dived into a warm car and headed back home down the M1.
Looking through my mile splits on my Garmin. I was quite pleased as felt they were consistent even through the changes of terrain. I wouldn’t say i was ready to run another 13.1miles but apart from my footwear i think all went to plan for me. http://connect.garmin.com/splits/24284735
The last two years i’ve managed to sneak a place in the London marathon so this race has been run with one eye on the marathon just two months late,r so i haven’t felt the need to push it on these days? I still hate the race organiser as why oh why would you plan a course with so many hills? If i came from Africa then bring it on! As i am not oh come on then give me a break!! please
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