As you read on Monday, the London Marathon has come and gone. It has been my sole focus since mid-December, so to have it gone is a bit unsettling. I still have my long term goal of qualifying to run the Boston Marathon in 2019, but it seems so far away and I am not really happy with my London Marathon performance. Yes, I got a PB, but deep down I feel it is because I didn’t stop and use the bathroom as many times as I did in Berlin. I also didn’t stick with my goal of 9:30min/miles. Friends warned me not to start off the London Marathon too fast. I did though (the cheers are infectious!) and tried to rein myself in. Near the start of the race, my splits were estimating I would finish in 4:15:00. But my body just wasn’t strong enough. Hips and legs started to hurt at mile 16, which was 10 long miles from the finish line.
This has always been my problem during a marathon and I know how to solve it. Is it fear that keeps me from strength training? Lack of time? Self-sabotage? I have all the kit I need, the knowledge of the exercises, free access to a small gym, a membership to an online gym with tons of video resources yet there is a mental block.
After every marathon (or usually 2 weeks before), I swear I will lift for the next race. My butt shouldn’t be lazy. My heels should come up to my bum when I run not barely lift off the ground, right?
It comes down to how badly do I want it? How much am I willing to give to reach Boston, to finish a marathon feeling strong rather than limping around for the following week, to fit the expected aesthetics of a personal trainer (another one of my insecurities)?
To bring things into focus, I have set myself three SMART goals:
Complete 2 strength sessions a week for the next eight weeks
Three rounds of 10 kegals and clams six days a week
Run Chicago Marathon in 4:15:00 (8 October 2017)
As a #fitnessrockstar in Julia B Fit’s online gym (where a free basic membership is available), I am fortunate enough to have access to most of her videos. There are a dozen programs or you can mix and match videos as you see fit. Julia recommended a few specific workouts for me that fit in my two sessions/week goal, as well as getting my body into better running shape. She has introductory videos for all the programs to give you specific instructions on each move. This allows you to ‘hit the ground running’ when you watch the workout. As a personal trainer, I find her combinations of movements refreshing. The body is continually challenged, no matter which video you watch. A lot of the workout can be done without any equipment or simply dumbbells and a yoga mat.
Working out in my narrow flat
Don’t worry, I will keep busy on the other five days of the week. I have a few spin classes that I am taking at the Velodrome and RUNch sessions mixed in too. In June, I am taking part in the London 10 Mile race in Richmond Park (anyone up for brunch?) so I need to keep logging miles. Something else is planned for July too but I will share more about that soon.
After the eight weeks of strength training, it will be time for me to start marathon training properly again. I am considering hiring a run coach to give me a bit more structure to improve my speed. If you have ever worked with a running coach, please leave a comment below on any advice you have for selecting one. Or if you have any tips on getting over the post-marathon blues, I would love to hear about them.
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I am very happy to share with you my thoughts on the Virgin Money London Marathon (VMLM) my first Abbott World Marathon Major of 2017. It has been a challenging four months of prep for one race, but it was worth it. Thank you to everyone who reached out to me with best wishes in the week leading up to the race and then congratulations after. It meant a lot to feel the love. Race entry and fees: Hugely popular with runners worldwide, VMLM has a 1 in 19 chance of winning the ballot. Most people opt for charity places or if you are fast enough, a’good for age’ entry. I ran with Plantlife who asked me to raise £1000 this year (it might change for 2018) after paying £50 registration fee. I probably ended up spending £200 of my own money across the several fundraising events I organized.
Course and bogs: I was in the red start in corral 8 and bumped into Haydy walking to the same start zone so we chatted a bit along the way. It was very organized and sign posted for bag drop in large trucks and starting pens in the main road. Before checking my bag, I popped a handul of EnergyBits and pulled out a Bounce ball for a last minute snack. The port-a-loos were arranged in little U shapes along the edge of the park, which made cueing much more organised. Charlie and Tom came over to say hi and to alert us to the shortest loo queue on the world. Score! I ended up leaving my corral after the start of the race to use the loo last minute anyways and was really glad I did.
Queues for the loos
I wore my new Kalenji bum bag from Decathlon which fit four MyProtein energels, my phone, and a 500ml water bottle with Tailwind. There was plenty of water stations along the course at every mile from mile 3 to mile 25. Lucazade, one of the major sponsors, provided sports drink at miles 5, 10, 15, 19 and 23, as well as gels at two points along the way. Port-a-loos were stationed at several points along the way. I stopped at mile 8 for a quick pee (unlike Berlin when I stopped several times in a variety of locations).
Location: The race starts in South East London in Greenwich and ends on The Mall by Buckingham Palace. The 26+ miles winds it was through many of the streets north and south of the Thames.
Course map at the expo
Atmosphere: This day has to be the one day of the year that everyone in London is happy. People are friendly, chatting with strangers along the side of the road and on the Tube. The majority of the course is well-stocked with people cheering for friends and strangers alike. Many spectators carry homemade signs and others hand out jelly babies to the runners. It is truly an amazing day to be in London, whether you are running or cheering. I am so grategul to have had James at Mile 20, my Team Naturally Run girls at Mile 22, and Advent Running at mile 24. It made all the different to get to the finish line.
Crossing Tower Bridge. Nearly 1/2 way!
Goody bags and bling: The medal is substantial with good weight. I might have missed a chance from Princes Harry and William giving me my medal, but I didn’t think they would still be around by that point. My goody bag contained an apple, sweet and salty snacks, a few flyers about Virgin companies, plus a few drinks (water, coconut water, and a guava Lucazade). The finisher shirt that came in the goody bag was a bit odd because it has an ice cream cone on it saying ‘I licked it’. I really don’t get the reference.
New PB of 4:30:07
Snack attack! Oldland was more interested in the snack than my presence.
Things to know if you want to take part next time: I would say not to bother carrying water with you as there are stations nearly every mile. But see how you do on your training runs to see if this is appropriate for you. I noticed with this training cycle, I became really hungry on long runs and craved real food. Next time, instead of gels, I would carry Clif bars or Bounce balls over the spare two gels. Sabine suggested I have James hold a snack for me, and I am so glad I listened to her! I would also encourage my supporters to carry a balloon or inflatable something so they stand out in the crowd. I tried to convince James of this this year but he didn’t believe me. He does agree with me now that it is best to leave the dog at home at home because of the packed crowds and all the sugary candy on the ground.
Feeling like you are up for the challenge? The Virgin Money London Marathon ballot opens 1 May 2017and closes on 5 May 2017. Magazines are posted in the autumn to let you know if you have won an entry. Let me know if you are lucky!
I am very happy to share with you my thoughts on the Virgin Money London Marathon (VMLM) my first Abbott World Marathon Major of 2017. It has been a challenging four months of prep for one race, but it was worth it. Thank you to everyone who reached out to me with best wishes in the week leading up to the race and then congratulations after. It meant a lot to feel the love. Race entry and fees: Hugely popular with runners worldwide, VMLM has a 1 in 19 chance of winning the ballot. Most people opt for charity places or if you are fast enough, a’good for age’ entry. I ran with Plantlife who asked me to raise £1000 this year (it might change for 2018) after paying £50 registration fee. I probably ended up spending £200 of my own money across the several fundraising events I organized.
Course and bogs: I was in the red start in corral 8 and bumped into Haydy walking to the same start zone so we chatted a bit along the way. It was very organized and sign posted for bag drop in large trucks and starting pens in the main road. Before checking my bag, I popped a handul of EnergyBits and pulled out a Bounce ball for a last minute snack. The port-a-loos were arranged in little U shapes along the edge of the park, which made cueing much more organised. Charlie and Tom came over to say hi and to alert us to the shortest loo queue on the world. Score! I ended up leaving my corral after the start of the race to use the loo last minute anyways and was really glad I did.
Queues for the loos
I wore my new Kalenji bum bag from Decathlon which fit four MyProtein energels, my phone, and a 500ml water bottle with Tailwind. There was plenty of water stations along the course at every mile from mile 3 to mile 25. Lucazade, one of the major sponsors, provided sports drink at miles 5, 10, 15, 19 and 23, as well as gels at two points along the way. Port-a-loos were stationed at several points along the way. I stopped at mile 8 for a quick pee (unlike Berlin when I stopped several times in a variety of locations).
Location: The race starts in South East London in Greenwich and ends on The Mall by Buckingham Palace. The 26+ miles winds it was through many of the streets north and south of the Thames.
Course map at the expo
Atmosphere: This day has to be the one day of the year that everyone in London is happy. People are friendly, chatting with strangers along the side of the road and on the Tube. The majority of the course is well-stocked with people cheering for friends and strangers alike. Many spectators carry homemade signs and others hand out jelly babies to the runners. It is truly an amazing day to be in London, whether you are running or cheering. I am so grategul to have had James at Mile 20, my Team Naturally Run girls at Mile 22, and Advent Running at mile 24. It made all the different to get to the finish line.
Crossing Tower Bridge. Nearly 1/2 way!
Goody bags and bling: The medal is substantial with good weight. I might have missed a chance from Princes Harry and William giving me my medal, but I didn’t think they would still be around by that point. My goody bag contained an apple, sweet and salty snacks, a few flyers about Virgin companies, plus a few drinks (water, coconut water, and a guava Lucazade). The finisher shirt that came in the goody bag was a bit odd because it has an ice cream cone on it saying ‘I licked it’. I really don’t get the reference.
New PB of 4:30:07
Snack attack! Oldland was more interested in the snack than my presence.
Things to know if you want to take part next time: I would say not to bother carrying water with you as there are stations nearly every mile. But see how you do on your training runs to see if this is appropriate for you. I noticed with this training cycle, I became really hungry on long runs and craved real food. Next time, instead of gels, I would carry Clif bars or Bounce balls over the spare two gels. Sabine suggested I have James hold a snack for me, and I am so glad I listened to her! I would also encourage my supporters to carry a balloon or inflatable something so they stand out in the crowd. I tried to convince James of this this year but he didn’t believe me. He does agree with me now that it is best to leave the dog at home at home because of the packed crowds and all the sugary candy on the ground.
Feeling like you are up for the challenge? The Virgin Money London Marathon ballot opens 1 May 2017and closes on 5 May 2017. Magazines are posted in the autumn to let you know if you have won an entry. Let me know if you are lucky!
I am so excited to announce that I have joined Plantlife’s London Marathon team for 2017. This will be my 5th marathon and 2nd World Major race. I cannot wait to run the streets of the city I now call home and take part in a race I have watched so many times from the sidelines.
Proper training will start in January so for now I will continue on strength training (you can start for free!), Friday mornings with Adidas Runners London, and developing my fundraising strategy. I have pledged to raise £1000 for Plantlife by 20 April 2017 and would love your support. There are a few ways to get involved:
2. Buy a limited edition 2017 wall calendar* PRICE REDUCED (21 x 28 cm) for £8 plus £2 shipping to UK addresses only or a desk calendar for £6 plus £2 shipping to UK addresses only.
Sizes
2. Order wildflower seed packets* PRICE REDUCED(£1.50 plus 50p for postage) or boxes (SOLD OUT) which make the perfect stocking stuffer.
Big thanks to Wildflower Favours for supporting me on this aspect of my fundraiser.
Check back on 9th December for a full list of prizes. Drawing to take place 20th December so prizes can be posted in time for Christmas. Prizes will only be posted to UK addresses.
4. Attend the Winchelsea Christmas Fare in Forest Gate on Sunday 4th December, where I will be selling the calendars, seeds, Krispy Kreme donuts, raffle tickets, and other goodies. Stop by The Wanstead Tap, 352 Winchelsea Road Forest Gate, London E7 0AQ between 12pm and 8pm and say hello.
5. Attend a health workshop with yoga, running, and goal setting tips in Central London in January and March 2017, co-hosted by my friend, Emma Heald. Register your interest here.
Plantlife is the organisation that is speaking up for our wild flowers, plants and fungi. From the open spaces of our nature reserves to the corridors of government, we’re here to raise their profile, to celebrate their beauty, and to protect their future. HRH The Prince of Wales is our patron. Wild flowers and plants play a fundamental role for wildlife, and their colour and character light up our landscapes. But without our help, this priceless natural heritage is in danger of being lost. Join us in enjoying the very best that nature has to offer. Britain’s countryside. Save it with flowers. *All proceeds to go to Plantlife.
I am so excited to announce that I have joined Plantlife’s London Marathon team for 2017. This will be my 5th marathon and 2nd World Major race. I cannot wait to run the streets of the city I now call home and take part in a race I have watched so many times from the sidelines.
Proper training will start in January so for now I will continue on strength training (you can start for free!), Friday mornings with Adidas Runners London, and developing my fundraising strategy. I have pledged to raise £1000 for Plantlife by 20 April 2017 and would love your support. There are a few ways to get involved:
2. Buy a limited edition 2017 wall calendar* PRICE REDUCED (21 x 28 cm) for £8 plus £2 shipping to UK addresses only or a desk calendar for £6 plus £2 shipping to UK addresses only.
Sizes
2. Order wildflower seed packets* PRICE REDUCED(£1.50 plus 50p for postage) or boxes (SOLD OUT) which make the perfect stocking stuffer.
Big thanks to Wildflower Favours for supporting me on this aspect of my fundraiser.
Check back on 9th December for a full list of prizes. Drawing to take place 20th December so prizes can be posted in time for Christmas. Prizes will only be posted to UK addresses.
4. Attend the Winchelsea Christmas Fare in Forest Gate on Sunday 4th December, where I will be selling the calendars, seeds, Krispy Kreme donuts, raffle tickets, and other goodies. Stop by The Wanstead Tap, 352 Winchelsea Road Forest Gate, London E7 0AQ between 12pm and 8pm and say hello.
5. Attend a health workshop with yoga, running, and goal setting tips in Central London in January and March 2017, co-hosted by my friend, Emma Heald. Register your interest here.
Plantlife is the organisation that is speaking up for our wild flowers, plants and fungi. From the open spaces of our nature reserves to the corridors of government, we’re here to raise their profile, to celebrate their beauty, and to protect their future. HRH The Prince of Wales is our patron. Wild flowers and plants play a fundamental role for wildlife, and their colour and character light up our landscapes. But without our help, this priceless natural heritage is in danger of being lost. Join us in enjoying the very best that nature has to offer. Britain’s countryside. Save it with flowers. *All proceeds to go to Plantlife.
Berlin Marathon was my 4th marathon but my 2nd big one. It was so much fun so travel to Germany with Sabine, of My Life My Challenges, and meet up with the Advent Running/Adidas Runners London crew. I love visiting new places and running through them is even more fun. Sabine and I had big plans to do lots of touristy stuff around town, but because of all the fun marathon events, we only made it to the Berlin Zoo.
If you ever get a chance to run with Adidas Runners, I highly recomend it. The Berlin group was so welcoming during the shake out run and pasta party at their base. Adidas also hosted a marathon base for us to get ready, drop off our bags, and then eat afterwards. Because of this luxury, I cannot comment too much on the logistics in the runner village at the race.
AR Berlin race base
Runner getting his official bracelet
Race entry: I didn’t even know it was hard to get a spot as I was awarded an entry on my first try (I always have said I was good at games that don’t involve knowledge or skill). For 2017, you can enter Berlin Marathon through a ballot of 40,000 runners. I am not sure if there is good-for-age entries available. In 2017, there will also be a 3-person relay option available, which would be a good way to take part if the 26.2 miles intimidates you.
You pick up your race packet at the expo and are tagged with a ribbon bracelet. You must where this all weekend to get into certain events and the race village too. The packet pick up was a well-oiled machine with several stages- ID check, ribbon bracelet, packet pick up with your bib printed right then and there. Sabine and I went over to the expo area after and spent hours there! Shopping, run analysis, sports massage, and sausages in the sun.
Sunshine and sausages!
Long loo lines
Course and bogs: The course takes you all over Berlin and it known for being fast and flat (hence all the world record-breaking times). We didn’t see as many tourist sites along the route as I thought we would (based on what was highlighted on the course map), but there were bands along the way for entertainment.
As I mentioned above, I was lucky enough to be invited to hang out with Adidas Runners Berlin, so I was able to use their bag drop and loos. Lines for the loos were so long at the start line, I didn’t even bother. Only once the race started (we were in the last wave) did I jump the barrier to go for a quick wee. Each water station had a few loos but there was always a queue so I never stopped. Instead a took a wee in the bush, in a parking lot and in a cafe. I have never had so many pee breaks in a race before (nor peed outside so much!). My PB would have been more impressive if I didn’t have to make so many stops.
Bag drop
The bag drop area looked very well organized but I cannot comment on if it worked well for bag pick up.
A few charities and run clubs had cheer stations which were a nice boost along the way. I was really looking forward to seeing the Adidas Runners cheer squad, but they had decreased in size by the time I got there.
Location: The streets of Berlin, Germany
Atmosphere: This race is pretty serious. There aren’t any official pacers beyond 4:15 which means most people are aiming to be quick. There was some people cheering from the sidelines and not much fancy dress/costumes on the runners. People were there to run!
Goody bags and bling: The goody bag included water, an apple, pretzels, croissant, apricots. and Red bull (one of the sponsors). You could also pick up an Erdinger alcohol-free beer at the bag collection area. The bling has a German flag ribbon is was silver medal this year and a good weight to it 🙂
Celebratory gelato
Things to know if you want to take part next time: Not a great race for those who run 5+ hour marathons as anything slower than 4:15 is in the last pen and there aren’t any pacers. The event area shuts down too if you are at the ‘slow’ end.
It isn’t often that I run such a big race so I forgot to take in bottlenecks when setting my pace. The water stations really slowed me down as they were crowded and there was a carpet of cups lining the road. I would suggest training for a little faster pace to make up for these areas.
Also, the finish line is further than it looks. I thought the Erdinger arches were the finish, but they weren’t. Then I though Brandenburg Gate was the finish, but it was actually a bit beyond that. So keep running until they make you stop!
Finally, the newspaper on Monday prints a special section listing all the race finishers and their times. We waited until late in the day to pick up a copy which meant we had to make several stops before we were able to find a copy.
Overall, I had an awesome weekend. Thanks to PlusHotels Berlin for being so accommodating to all the guests who were taking part in the marathon too.
Did you run Berlin this year? If so, leave a comment below and let me know what you thought of the race village, bag check, loo lines, and free non-alcohol beer.
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