My Forum

OO lets go. wrote (see)

Alum I usually start to suffer around 22 but this year it didn't happen. I mainly put that down to better training- a longer a higher quality campaign. I'm still worried about the cramp at 25.5 miles but this is seperate issue from my pace which I more or less sustained to the end this time.  

Strangely, cramp was one thing that I didn't suffer from this time around.

I'm going to give Halstead a miss (too close and pointless if I'm not shooting for 3:15) and aim for the Kent Coastal in early September. The first half is quite hilly (did the half in 2010) and covers part of the old Thanet 20 course whilst the second half is pretty flat.

BirminghamOwl wrote (see)

The BBC article on it has a picture of Alun on the front

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-17893156

You're famous Alun

Liam68 wrote (see)

looks like Rupert Murdoch to me...

DTs wrote (see)

Think I spent a lot of time overtaking/being overtaken by Alun. 

http://www.marathon-photos.com/scripts/photo.py?event=Sports/CPUK/2012/Milton%20Keynes%20Marathon&photo=MKML2721&bib=63&match=63

I'm sorry you had such a torrid end to your run, I don't think I can remember being so cold in my life but I'm glad you are feeling a little better now. 

Hi everyone,

Thanks for you enquiries, opinions, congratulations and commiserations over the last 48 hours, I've had a chance since Sunday to think about what happened, what I did differently from before,what I did the same as before, whether the outcome was really any different from my first three marathons and what I can do differently the next time? There will be a next time!

I've fuelled "in race" the same way every time so perhaps it's time to rethink my strategy. I seem to get to 22 or 23 miles in reasonably good shape but I'm obviously already slowing before I implode completely in the final 3.2 miles.

Is there a general consensus as to how you should fuel during the race? I tend to stick to water and gels, staying away from energy drinks altogether?

Cheers,

Alun.

Nice grimace....

Psimon wrote (see)

Alun, commiserations on not achieving the sub 3:15.  Looking at your splits, then the potential is definitely there, and the conditions yesterday were absolutely awful to say the least.  I have never run in anything like it.

As for South East Marathons, you could try out Halstead (although not exactly flat), but I would say perhaps wait now until the Autumn and get some 5K's, 10K's in over the summer.  Certainly helps leg speed, and then start on the Endurance training come mid July.  The Kent Coastal Marathon is not flat either, the first 13 miles are very up and down, however the last 13 are very flat (fortunately).

Hi Psimon, I did the 1st half of the course in 2010 and it crosses parts of the Thanet 20 which I did this year in 2:20 so the course can produce some quick times.

Mennania wrote (see)

Alun, Well done on your PB in what have to be the worst running conditions you can expect to run a marathon in britain. Like has been said before - starting is an amazing acheivement. Like the graphs - what software is it?