Day 7: The Great North Run

Over the past two days I have tried many methods to reduce the pain of my shin splints including ibuprofen, ice, hot flannels, stretches, walking on heels and rest. According to all the websites shin splints are caused by increases in activities by more than 10% and take a minimum of 2 weeks to recover from, so I was very concerned that my exertions earlier in the week were going to prevent me running The Great North Run (the biggest half marathon of its kind). 

I woke up this morning and as soon as I walked out of bed I could feel the shin splints still there so I was very pessimistic about my chances of running. I felt that I had a 20% chance of completing the race and about a 5% chance of being able to run it the whole way round. Luckily I had support as my brother Ben and his fiance Laura were running and my girlfirend Katie was prepared to brave the rain to support.

When the starting gun sounded, it took a further 8 minutes of walking to get to the start line. Once over the start line the race began and I opted for a change in running technique which involved a slower pace from what I had been running in the week with my feet only just coming off the ground so as to reduce impact. The first few miles were very touch and go as I could feel the splints but they were not as painful as in the previous run on Thursday. I tried not to get too carried away with the atmosphere and the awesome tunes I had playing on my ipod and keep my speed steady. As each mile passed I was getting a bit more excited about the whole thing. It wasn't until at 7.5 miles I passed Robbie Savage and at 8.5 miles at a water station I was handed a drink by Dame Tanny Grey-Thompson that my spirits were lifted to a point in which I thought I had a chance of finishing (Although I couldn't take a pic of either of the celebs as I didn't want to stop, here is what I feel we would of looked like together...)

 

As the miles started to climb and the roads stayed relatively flat I took in more of the atmosphere and realised it was probably the best atmosphere I had experience on a long distance run. The northern crowds were ridiculously loud, there was great live music and the course was very good. I would recommend the Great North Run to any aspiring runners for these reasons and for the fact it sounds like a great run (marathon) when it is only half a great run. Anyway the last mile or so was painful on the shins but I had enough energy in me from my previous runs to keep me going. I ended in a time of 1 hr 49 mins and 20 seconds which I am very chuffed at. My brother ended in 1 hr 35 mins and Laura achieved a PB of 1 hr 53 mins, so we all did very well. 

Although I set out the week to run 7 half marathons in 7 days I am still very proud of the fact that I managed 5 in 7 and especially proud of the last half marathon in which in all likelihood I shouldn't have run but in which I am very glad I did. 

Thanks for reading the blog. If you enjoyed it and have a few pounds to spare I am raising money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research as it is a fantastic charity to be involved with. Please check out the sponsorship page here: 

www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/BromleyandClarke

Day 6: Recover from injury

Can still feel the shin splints just from walking so going to have to miss the run today in the hope that will be fit for tomorrow's Great North Run.

Day 5: Recover from injury

Unfotunately Friday 13th is an unlucky date as it turns out. The cramps I got yesterday in my left leg turned out to be shin splints which means I cannot run a half marathon today. Attempting lots of different recovery methods so as to hopefully get back on track.

Day 4: Richmond Half

This was the half marathon I was most looking forward to as it was the furthest out of the city centre (so less people, less pollution and better scenery) and I had cycled around the area pre-John O'Groats to Landsend so knew the area pretty well. 

The run started by getting out of the hustle bustle of Richmond and before long I was on country roads. It got a little too country when I got near Hampton Court as there was no concrete to run on so I had to run on the grass. There were many obstacles on this part of the run, some small and some not so small....

After heading past Hampton Court Palace, I reached the half way point at a good time which meant I was exactly halfway through my 7 half marathons so was feeling pretty chuffed. Things got even better when I started to recognise I was on the same street from which I watched the Olympic Cycle Time Trials in which Bradley Wiggins won Gold - fond memories. 

However just after this point, cramp hit and there were some issues (I blame the people of Kingston who got in my way with their bags of shopping). Basically I needed to take a timeout as I knew from having cramp before that if I ran on without fully recovering I would get it again. So I had a little sit down at a rather dodgy bus stop, one woman moved away from me as I think my body odour wasn't exactly fresh. Then when I was feeling fresh and raring to go I set off again and it wasn't long before I was in Richmond Park. 

Now I thought this was going to be the best bit of the run, the sun was setting and the scenery was superb, I even saw 6 deer and got within 1 metre of 1 of them (they pretty much just chew on leaves and don't budge for anyone). However what I forgot was that past of Richmond Park there was a 2 mile hill. It turns out that adjusting the Richmond Half Marathon route slightly to get the Park was a bad idea... At this point I was struggling and what didn't help was the cramp started to come back. The last few miles were pretty slow and I ended up with a time of 1hr 53mins and 59 secs which I am still very pleased with. 

Day 3: Royal Parks Half

What better way to spend a soggy Wednesday evening than out running the mean streets of London? This was my first half marathon in the capital which meant I had to deal with busy congested streets (the worst was trying to run up The Strand against a sea of peak time workers trying to get home. However with the negatives there were also positives, I got to run around the delightful scenery of Hyde Park, Green Park and St James' Park and run along the river Thames.

I got off to a relatively slow paced start running around Hyde Park but as soon as I hit The Mall things started to pick up. Having a route filled with landmarks helped me set myself timed targets passing Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the London Eye and Temple Walkabout!

Running back towards Hyde Park was a bit of a chore as it was slightly uphill but thanks to some lovely scenic Royal Park views I made it and in a second PB in 2 days timing 1hr 42 mins and 16 secs. A 36 second improvement on yesterday but every second counts. I dug deep in the last mile so I am not sure I am going to be able to top this time... roll on Richmond Half tomorrow to find out.

I am doing these runs and a London to Paris Cycle ride next month  to raise much needed money for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research and the vitally important work they do towards beating all blood cancers. If you can spare a few pounds, I would greatly appreciate it. Please donate here: www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/BromleyandClarke

Day 2: Run to the Beat Greenwich

I was looking forward to Day 2 as I was following in the footsteps of those who ran Run to the Beat in Greenwich last Sunday and listening to top notch tunes while running around the landmarks of South East London. Although I didn't manage to get my hand on a pair of Dr Dre Beats headphones, I did manage to compile a playlist full of tunes to see me through the run - probably my favourite was Boyzone - Picture of You - what a classic.

The run went a lot better than yesterday as my map didn't lie, there was less traffic lights and was quite simple to follow. I ran round Greenwich Park and then further east and down to the docks before heading back along the waterfront towards the millenium dome....

After touching the millenium dome I headed on the straight for home but there was one final obstacle... the hill in Greenwich Park. Up until the 11th mile I was going smooth and was not suffering from yesterday's run but a ridiculously steep hill, followed by a good view on a bad weather day and I was beat with only a mile to go. I slowed my pace to ensure I got to the finish line with some puff left. 

Finished the run today in 1hr 42 mins and 52 seconds which is my quickest ever half marathon time so am pretty chuffed, considering I have run Silverstone, Hastings, Milton Keynes, Bath and East London. You shouldn't read too much in to the >5 min improvement on yesterdays time because I knew where I was going and I stopped my watch while waiting on traffic lights. And you certainly shouldn't be expecting any times near 1hr 30 mins (Ollie Houston - stop setting me ridiculous targets!) but today was pleasing on the eye so the Royal Parks Half Marathon tomorrow better watch out!

Day 1 : East London Half

 At 16:58pm on Monday 9th September I started the East London Half Marathon by my larry lonesome. There was no starting gun but there was a dangerous looking chap in a hoody so I decided that was all I needed to get started.

The run took me through the mean streets of West Ham, before heading to the all too familiar Stratford and alongside the legendary Olympic Stadium....

At this point I admit to getting a little lost as all paths around the Olympic Stadium seemed to be closed off. However I got back on track and ventured through some estates (helped quicken my pace) in the middle of the run, before finishing off the race in West Ham Park:

Finally, with some helpful directions from some weed smoking teenagers (something along the lines of "Run Forrest Run" I think they said) I found the finish line and recorded a quite sensible time of 1 hr 48 mins and 10 seconds. The only other hiccup I endured was while reading the map and running at the same time I went head first into an very poorly trimmed bramble bush.