Regular North East Runner contributor Ronnie Coupland, of Tynedale Harriers, talks about his final preparations for the London Marathon.
Ronnie was a County standard athlete in his teens but his priorities and targets have now changed....Can he hit his target time?
Ronnie was a County standard athlete in his teens but his priorities and targets have now changed....Can he hit his target time?
With only a week or so to go before the London marathon I thought that I would take this opportunity to reflect on the last 15weeks of training and try to admit to myself where my real race expectations are. It's fair to say that I am a little apprehensive before London. This will be my second marathon attempt, the first coming to a disastrous end after getting sunstroke at the 10mile point in last years Amsterdam marathon, from mile 13 I was running just under 10 minute miles and struggled badly to a 3.26 debut. In addition to that I was very ill with sunstroke following the race - so now that I look back I'm not sure exactly why I'm running in London.
My training started brilliantly and I managed to get a 90mile week in towards the end of January and was going very well indeed. Since then I have had a week away from training with cold, a few weeks away when I was working abroad and my work commitments have meant that i haven't completed every session. Added to that fact are too many corporate dinners, hotel rooms and the odd bucket of wine resulting in me not being In tip top shape (not that I recollect what that actually is). However, disappointing though that is, us mere mortals have to remember that we have another life too, work and family are more important than any run and it's important for us to get the balance just right (arm now untwisted).
Whilst I have missed a bunch of training I have largely managed to get through my key sessions, a couple of marathon paced half marathons feeling good, a few 20 plus mile runs with long stretches at marathon pace, lots of long tempo runs at marathon pace, the dreaded 3x2miles and even turning the recent Blyth 10km into an 18miler (where we ran the 10miles after race run faster than We ran the race). Believe it or not, I even managed a 28.20 5miler 3weeks ago. A jog for many but the fastest I have moved in many a year.
So all in all I have been feeling quite positive and bullish about this years London. My plan has been to run 6.3x miles for as long as I can and see where that gets me. However, with two final key sessions planned this week, things took a turn for the worse....Tuesday's run with Mr Marsden and Mr Parker left me unable to complete a 10 miler at marathon pace with stomach cramps, and then Thursday's 2x3 miles left me hunched over in dizziness after 1 mile and having to walk back to the car. Far from ideal and a little worrying to say the very least. So much so infact that I either needed to run again on Thursday or postpone this marathon attempt. Fortunately after some carbs I was able to complete the session at sub marathon pace and feel okay.
Whilst I have missed a bunch of training I have largely managed to get through my key sessions, a couple of marathon paced half marathons feeling good, a few 20 plus mile runs with long stretches at marathon pace, lots of long tempo runs at marathon pace, the dreaded 3x2miles and even turning the recent Blyth 10km into an 18miler (where we ran the 10miles after race run faster than We ran the race). Believe it or not, I even managed a 28.20 5miler 3weeks ago. A jog for many but the fastest I have moved in many a year.
So all in all I have been feeling quite positive and bullish about this years London. My plan has been to run 6.3x miles for as long as I can and see where that gets me. However, with two final key sessions planned this week, things took a turn for the worse....Tuesday's run with Mr Marsden and Mr Parker left me unable to complete a 10 miler at marathon pace with stomach cramps, and then Thursday's 2x3 miles left me hunched over in dizziness after 1 mile and having to walk back to the car. Far from ideal and a little worrying to say the very least. So much so infact that I either needed to run again on Thursday or postpone this marathon attempt. Fortunately after some carbs I was able to complete the session at sub marathon pace and feel okay.
So maybe it's just nerves, or perhaps lack of food as I try to not binge before the big day? Either way I should definitely know better at my age (21 and a bit if anyone is asking) Despite my wobble I Am Looking forward to giving this marathon one almighty effort - not least as there will be a big Tynedale team challenge with myself (no real plan) Ian Marsden (following the Hanson plan)and Pete Hearn (Pfitzinger plan) all having focused on this race for sometime. An Olympic place might be beyond us, but it will be a good old fight nevertheless, I can only hope it comes to a sprint finish down the mall - it might be the only way I can get bragging rights. I do have two regrets about this years London, not that I would have liked to do more training - I accept that's always going to be the same, but Namely that I cannot watch the race, as it threatens to be a world record breaking run as the Kenyans go for Olympic selection and also I am intrigued by the promise of a wonderful race for the women's third British Olympic spot including the regions own Alyson Dixon - secondly I would have very much liked to take part in the Terry O'Gara Memorial 5km race on the same day. My own little silent tribute will be to run london in his fashion, never ever ever giving up. To all of the regions many other London competitors I wish you good luck and if you see me approaching the end anywhere near three hours give me a good kick up the backside and feel free to swear.