My thoughts after the Manchester Marathon - a reflection

This was my Dictaphone recording that was then transcribed by AI - not bad!

Okay, so these are my thoughts on the Manchester Marathon, a couple of days later. So I'm quite split, to be honest, between wanting to feel proud about having completed it, but also disappointment and embarrassment that it took me seven hours. 

And I just, in my mind, feel that I failed quite miserably, to be honest. That failure is 100% my own fault for not having the discipline and the mental capacity, I suppose, to do the training plan that everybody else did. I was too flippant, too casual, too lazy, even. That showed, because whilst everybody else managed to do it in 4 or 5 hours, I was one of the last people on the course. And it's just, it's not good. Clearly, I didn't learn from the 100 mile bike ride, as it was the same thing, I just didn't put in the hours, 

I didn't appreciate the task at hand. So that's two things that I don't think I can be particularly proud of. People will say otherwise and say, oh, well, at least you finished. But, I dunno, I don't feel proud and I don't feel happy about it. If I could, I'd probably sign up and do it again in six weeks time, just to prove that I could do it in less than six hours. But it has made me think. 

So that's my own personal feelings about my performance. But my pride and happiness is in the fact that Natasha, Lewis, Charlotte, Jack, and obviously other friends, Pauline, et cetera, did so very, very well and got the reward that they deserved for all of their months and months of hard work and training. And to think of us as a family of five, that do clearly have a competitive nature, but can say that we all just got on with it and just have done and completed a marathon together, is really pleasing. And that's where my pride is

So what now? I So the reason for this reflection, I guess, is to try to recapture this feeling of disappointment, frustration anger, for when I have a new challenge, I take it seriously and put the hours and the dedication in that is required. I did it for Kilimanjaro. So I have proven that I can do it but I guess my heart wasn't really in this. I don't like running and I guess that showed and I've been rewarded so to speak accordingly i.e. not really rewarded at all. my temptation is to sign up for a half marathon and put the time in for that so that I can complete that in a reasonable time whether that's Oxford or somewhere else but a half marathon quite obviously is less challenging than a full marathon and more achievable which would be a lot of fun. 

Hopefully I will get out and still continue to run the miles and keep the level of fitness that I have built up to. It has been a success in that respect that my fitness level has improved. Now I don't know if my body shape has changed much but I do feel better about myself from a health and fitness perspective.  

That's the intention but that might just be my anger speaking. I mean I have found it hard enough to go out and do runs with the marathon looming so with no particular target in mind what is going to motivate me to get out the door and run. So I'll do updates. I'll do reminders. I'll do whatever and just see what happens but I do have to change my mindset so that I'm better disciplined probably in general in my life not just when we have a challenge ahead of us. 

Well that's my whining over for now. So as I say I need to have this reflection. I need to reflect, address the elephant in the room, so to speak.

And I need to stop making negative comments when people say well done. Stop, putting down the achievement, because I did it, albeit, not to my satisfaction. And just one last thing it was very, very hot. It was very hard. It was brutal running out there and so many people on Twitter and social media just said they flagged and died. 

It was so hard and to be fair the cramp that I experienced at mile eight onwards and just having to keep stopping, it was hard. I can remember it now, it's just so so desperately hard. 

Not sure I'd do a marathon again

Manchester Marathon - Race Day (and night!)

So, marathon day today. 

What we've all been training and waiting for is finally here. 

Didn't have a particularly good night's sleep, nervousness and bed was comfy, just not the pillow, but can't complain. But we've woken up to a really nice sunny morning and I suspect it's going to get hotter. So, we got ourselves sorted, packed the van and I even went out to the van and cooked porridge for mine and Natasha's breakfast at 7.00am. So, we had fuel ready to go, checked in with everybody else and everyone was fine. Wished Jack luck because he was obviously starting a lot earlier than us. And then jumped in the van, it was about half past eight and incredibly, the run into Manchester along our route was no traffic whatsoever. So, a half our drive was only 20 minutes. We found our parking garage and that was really safe and secure and that was a really good find. With Charlotte and Miles we then parked and as we walked out, Gigi and Ev walked past. So, there was all that excitement in seeing them.

We then walked a bit aimlessly around Piccadilly not sure where to go. But lots of people clearly for the marathon were going in the right direction. And we found the tram stop within Piccadilly station. And as you would imagine, pretty busy. But we got on the first tram that came and off we went towards Old Trafford it was. And it got busier and busier and the stops, they were not letting people on at one point. It was just so crowded, but we had our banana. We had our pasta. 

Then at one point you looked out the window and you could see where the marathon had started and we were going parallel to all these people running, it made it all a bit real all of a sudden there are 36,000 people running the marathon and then you get about 130,000 people watching and supporting so you can imagine how busy it is. We managed to connect with Lewis and we all milled around the staging area whilst groups were called out to go to their starting areas. We said our goodbyes to our supporters and walked through, took some photos and had last minute toilet breaks - which then as they called us through it was a long walked to the starting area - nerves all around! We were in good time and needed to wait there for about 20 minutes.

The groups went off, Pauline Bampton was in the one ahead of u, and like I say, we were pink, and yeah, slowly the time ticked down, and then at 11 o'clock, a bit of smoke and a bit of fire, a countdown, and we were off. 

Goodness me, it was fucking hard. So, very quickly, I was way behind everybody, I set my slow pace, and they sorted their pace, but it was so crowded, and the people cheering and shouting, so I turned my headphones off just to take it all in, it was great. But I did notice that I don't think I actually ran past anybody. They all just went past me, which is fair enough.

And yeah, so very quickly I was just on my own, so to speak, you know, in terms of not having friends, but having lots of people around me. And I then settled down for the long haul. The problem was that it was incredibly hot. I don't know what the temperature was, but it was easily in the 20s. And as we found out afterwards, it just affected so many people, insofar as not being able to continue, stopping and walking, but mostly not meeting their expectations of time to complete it (including Jack!). All of their times were just so much lower, as in higher, sorry. Because... It was just so exhausting.

So, what was my race like? I struggled. I got to about 8 miles, I think, and had to stop. And then, once I'd done that, it was just stop, start, stop, start, all the time. I just had no energy. I had cramp in my right calf. And...Yeah, it was just... from 8 miles, so, 18 miles left to get through.

I was just a bit pathetic, really. I didn't think I'd walk as much as I did. And, in hindsight, it's all my own fault. I didn't do the work. I didn't put the time in. I didn't put the miles in. I didn't put the hours in. And it showed. I got exactly what I deserved. But, that's a different post for another day. What I did enjoy was all the people waving, and cheering, and partying, and drinking, and dishing out sweets, dishing out drinks. Even many people had their hosepipes connected and on, so they were just spraying everybody as you ran past. Again, it was just so hot, you didn't mind. You were soon dry again.

At a couple of points, I did see John, Miles & Zoe. And then we saw Miles and Kate Miller near the end, about, what was that, about mile 18. So that was nice. And then, I got there, and you kept seeing notifications on the phone. Saying who's made it, who's there, where is it. where's everybody. And, slowly, my time just kept increasing. I knew before I started I wasn't going to do five hours. Then I realised I wasn't going to do five and a half. And in fact, I think I was at 20 miles at five and a half hours. So, it was another hour and a bit. 90 minutes, thinking, oh no. And, so persevered. And then, the last two miles came into play.

And, yeah, the last mile and a half, all the family and everybody was all at a barrier. But behind me, the sweeper truck was looming. I did stop and do a selfie with the family. Which was funny. And then I carried on. And eventually got to the home straight. That was about 400 metres. By now, we're talking seven hours. And six o'clock at night. And, the crowds were sparse. To put it mildly. But, what do you expect. And I was running down. Well, I wouldn't say running. But, trying to, then I had both legs cramping. Cramping on me. 

I heard the man on the tannoy say something like. "Come on everybody. Cheer the last few runners in". And, it just made me feel a bit shit really. But, I crossed the line. And, thankfully, I get a time. I got a medal. I got a finishing t-shirt. I think if I'd been another 15 or 20 minutes longer then I might not have got those. So, that was fortunate to say the least. I went through the various merchandise and freebies that they hand out. But, I just wanted to get out. And, at the end of it all was everybody. And, we all hugged and said congratulations. And, took celebratory photographs. And, everything like that. And, yeah, it was a great feeling. But, most importantly was as a family, we've done it. This is being recorded a couple of days later. And, I don't feel I can say that I ran the marathon. But, I can say that I "completed" the marathon. So, I'll stick with that. That'll do me. And, in future. It'll be forgotten. And, it was just a t-shirt and a medal that I've got.

But, yeah, really good. Really, really proud of everybody. And, everyone did so well. Jack, 4 hours something. I think it's 4 hours 15.

Lewis and Mum were 5 hours 20 and 35. Charlotte was, I think, 4 hours 15 or something. I'm not sure off the top of my head now. And, I was 7. Goodness me.

Marathon Day Night

So, this is a continuation of the marathon day, in case the file was too big. So, we took photos and knowing we had a table or a booth booked at Albert Schloss at 7.45pm, we got an Uber and went back to our car park, got our things and booked into our Travelodge hotel. That was on Piccadilly Square, right in the centre. Brilliant location.

I think everybody would have been perfectly happy not to go out again. But it was booked and we had to make the most of the celebration, the adrenaline and just reflect on the feat that we had achieved. So, we persevered and met downstairs, made our way to Deansgate. Great location, love it there. John and Pauline were ahead of us and had our booth set up. And then we ordered alcohol, which we've not really had for a long time. Well, not much of anyway! Looking forward to that..

In saying that, it took a while for the first pint to go down. After that I was okay, I had three, but it was, it was hard, so tired. And then Gigi and Ev and all their friends arrived. They were in the booth next to us. There was a great atmosphere, there was a good band, very loud. And you just looked around and including ourselves, there were people in their finisher t-shirt, or with a medal around their neck. Because, in fact, lots of places in Manchester would give you a free drink or free food or whatever if you had your marathon medal. We didn't find any, but it was just nice to walk past people and say, "well done, excellent, enjoy it". So yeah, that was good. We then all had a meal. Very quickly, it was like 10pm. I knew I had work tomorrow, and some other people had work. In fact, Lewis and Emily didn't even come, at one point we all looked at each other and just said, should we just go home? And that's what we did. Made our way back to the hotel. After saying our goodbyes and off to bed for a well-deserved sleep.

What a day, what an experience. It was something else. Thinking about it now, I did really enjoy it. But I'm sure my face and my features and my demeanour would suggest that I didn't enjoy it that much.

And I'm proud of everybody.

The Day before the Marathon

Okay, so this is the day before the marathon.

Just got things sorted and ready really. We collected Zoe, then took Bess to Victoria and Danny's because they were looking after her for the weekend, and then we went to Bicester Garden Centre because it was Ralph's fourth birthday. That was nice, we stayed there for 30 or 40 minutes whilst they all played in the kids play area and we had a coffee etc and everybody wished us luck and then we left that and got on the road. I drove whilst Tash and Zoe chatted and ate and quite quickly we got to Knutsford, although we did have to pass Lewis's house in Holmes Chapel because of delays on the motorway, but that's exactly what happens with him is their town is used as a quick route through, but we parked up and funnily enough where we were going to park, there was a circus or... a fair setting up and I just didn't feel comfortable with everything in the van, with the gypsies around, completely irrational, but I moved it and we then met everybody at Piccolino Italian restaurant and made a bit of a fuss for Natasha's birthday, dragging this out again. But it was nice, so there was me, Natasha, Zoe, Miles and Charlotte, Lewis and Emily and Jack and Jodie and obviously everybody had pasta. 

Lewis had a beer and then non-runners had beers had alcohol. Fair play to them, but yeah, the rest of us were quite disciplined. After the meal, we all made our way back to Lewis's house and had a coffee and those that haven't been there had a tour of the house It was just nice, nice and relaxed and then after about an hour or so we made our way back on the road again just to the north of Manchester and we were actually in a Travel Lodge on the M62

At first glance you thought oh shit. What have we done? but actually once we were in the room, it was very quiet We had a room with Zoe and it was fine. We got sorted and Charlotte and Miles had a friend in the Travel Lodge on the eastbound side on the other side of the M62 and we met them in the local pub for a drink, which none of us had any alcohol again but that was nice and then that was it, more pasta.

We're all quite tired really, so it's bed at 10.00pm - excited and nervous about tomorrow 

God knows how that's gonna go

Camping for the weekend - Devon

So we had a nice morning, bit of breakfast and jump in the hot tub as it had been left on all weekend so had to make use of it.

Then got a few things sorted in the morning and it felt like Emily was trying to move things along so that they could make their way back to Manchester so we went to the cafe on the A40 near Eynsham (really quirky place) to get coffees and then off to the Bluebell woods for a quick walk around there.

Then it was back to the cars by about 1.00pm and then we all went off our different ways, Mum home, Lewis and Emily up North and us down to Devon.

We went past Burford and joined the M5 that way - the road and traffic down to Devon was fine and we were soon arriving and Tim and Chrissie's house where we received our usual warm welcome - lovely to see them and catch up. After about an hour or so we then jumped in the cars and drove to their local beach/cove that they really like, walked through a smugglers tunnel and then across the beach and then off to another beach (Shaldon) which is their favourite and is separated us from Teignmouth on the other side of the estuary and we had a pint in the FBI pub (The Ferry Boat Inn) which was lively and they told us tales of what it's like there in the summer - can imagine it's very popular.

As part of our chats we found out that Tim is performing with his band at Lattitude this summer - so we'll have to try and see him there, but it would also be good to get down to Shaldon beach etc too. Perhaps we'll do so on a tour that we keep saying we'll do!

Once that was done we walked back to our cars and said farewells and then we set off for our campsite that was about 30 mins away. Stopped for a burger first and then found the campsite hidden away, got there about 8.00pm but very nice and we got sorted.

Walked Bess and didn't take long to get ourselves into Camping mode and all settled in. I got the Mifi out and tested it, ended up using it all weekend as it was super fast and better than the phone connection - really pleased with it.

Sunday we had breakfast and then set off on a hike for Broadsands beach, nice little place and then walked the coastal path towards Paignton, caught sight of the steam train and was on the bridge when it went past smothering us in it's smoke - that was call - good video. 

The coastal path was nice and lots of travellers there too, carried Bess up some of the steeper steps - bless her! Went past a few other beaches and eventually got to Paignton, had coffee and our sandwiches which Tash had made. Felt like we'd walked ages and I started checking Uber - would have cost £5 to get home - was tempted! Anyway, walked through Paignton - proper seaside place - chavvy! Then we made our way back to the campsite - wasn't so bad, worked out at about 12 miles in the end.

I got chicken curry on the go and we had a nice dinner and then sorted out the bed and watched a film in the van - Life List, proper chick-flick but I did enjoy it even though we could tell all the things that were going to happen. We then watched a couple more episodes of Prison Break - getting close to the end of the first season at long last - it's been a slog!

Anyway, lights out about 11.15pm

Decent nights sleep, bit of breakfast and then packing things away. Campsite said it was fine to leave the van for a bit as we went for a walk and that was a good idea - went to Stoke Gabriel - more of a town than village - such a great find too. Down by the River Dart and we had coffee and then made our way back across farmer's fields and then set off. 

What should have been about 3 hour drive took well over 4.5hrs - as predicted the traffic was very busy and not enjoyable. Anyway, got home in the end, but tired. Tash unloaded everything and I went to sleep for an hour with the intention of running but I couldn't be bothered. So had dinner and sorted a few things out at home and then watched TV and went to bed.

A long but very enjoyable and packed weekend.

We have loads coming up too so will be very, very busy indeed!

Lewis is 30! And they're having a boy!

Where has time gone? Lewis turned 30 this weekend, he was down in Oxford on Thursday but was going to be back in Manchester on his actual birthday on the Monday which was a shame that he wasn't spending it with his family down here - but there we go!

So normal Thursday here for work etc and then they arrived about 5.30pm so they had a good run down - took Bess for a walk and caught up with things.

They announced that they're having a baby boy and did know about it some time ago but had kept it quiet.

Lovely to know and very exciting - Tash handed over the presents we'd got for the baby but now we know we can get boy things now!

We then had dinner and a nice evening.

Friday morning was Easter Friday so no work for us, I went out for a run - only for an hour and when I got back Charl was over and they were all waiting to open presents and have breakfast. Once that was done we then went in the hot-tub and then got ready and went out to Bicester as we had an hour booked to play Padel. We were pretty useless but Jack was fine and it was a bit frustrating as there were no quality rallies or anything, just messing about - but it was nice.

Back home and we got ready for evening meal and then got Mum and went to Beaconsfield where we had a nice booked at The Crazy Bear there. Tash got some champagne ordered and then we walked down the road a bit as we were in the Snug in the Thai restaurant and were treated to a 10 course taster meal. That was go good and really enjoyable. No rush and loads of food - a great evening.

We paid (£750.00) but that was fine as it would have been that much had we had a party or something so we didn't accept any money from people trying to pay us.

Along with the 30 year savings account Tash has been running and gave to Lewis (£5.6k) I think he's had a pretty decent celebration - although I do wonder how "appreciated" it actually is - there's never much coming from either of them, that's a lot of money to hand over. I don't know.

Anyway, it's done - hope they do appreciate it.

Back home and everyone tired and ready for bed. 

A lovely birthday and decent day today, a shame they're going back up North tomorrow for other birthdays (not Lewis's) so he's not around on the day in question and we are not invited up there either. It's going to be interesting (or very hard) when the baby arrived to determine how welcome and comfortable we feel going up there - just hope we're invited! 

Run and Mifi

Normal day at work - although we're being monitored even more now on timesheets so I am being very anal in keeping tabs on literally everything I am doing and recording it - see how long this lasts for!

At the weekend I ordered a mifi for the van (and an EE Data sim card) so that we could have internet on the go anywhere and not have to rely on hot-spotting my phone in the hope that it'll be a good connection and I can work remotely in the van.

Both arrived today and it didn't take too long to set up and test and the results are amazing. Admittedly I think we're in a good location here in Wolvercote but still, using the sim as the data connection on my laptop worked so well and quickly. I am excited to try and book some time away now!

This week and next we're supposed to be "tapering down" our runs and loading up on carbs, it means less running after doing the 20 miler, and to be fair my legs have been feeling good so I went out today and quite comfortably ran 3.5 miles - just as a loosener really.

Can't say that I am looking forward to the marathon but I will be glad to get it out of the way, I think that will the right fuel that weekend I should be able to complete it, albeit with a fair amount of walking but I can live with that. Just hope I make under 6 hours.

Jack's Birthday weekend

Jack was 24 this weekend - how old is that??

Jodie was down all weekend which was really nice and made it special for him.

Tash and I went out for a meal on Friday night with Clare and Greg, we met at The Store and went in their rooftop bar for a drink (non-alcoholic for me!) and then went to Quod for a great meal. Felt a bit awkward not having a decent drink but I was disciplined and kept to only a glass of wine. We did got for a pint next door at my suggestion and it was a really nice evening.

Even though we started around 5.00pm we still didn't get home until after 11.00pm.

Saturday was Jack's birthday, he went out for a run and then we got up and going, he didn't know what we were doing.

Stopped at Jeremy Clarkson's pub (Jack, Jodie, Tash, Me, Charl and Miles) - 10.55am and people were queued at the door for 11.00am opening! We explored and sat out in the sunshine of the garden and had tea and pasty which was so good. 

We then told Jack what we were doing and we had a bit of time to kill (Jack was hungry too!) so we stopped in Burford, that was very busy, and then carried on our way to North Leach for our "Scenic Sauna". Great little set up and location with loads to do there but we were there for the sauna and were not disappointed - other than it would have been good to be there for an hour longer - 55 mins was just a bit quick.

We relaxed and used the sauna and the cold plunge pools - I wimped out on those - the wind was cold enough for me! But fair play to all the others - they went for it! When our time was up we had coffee and cake and it was nice and relaxing.

After a bit it was time to go home - Jack and Jodie were going out in the evening for a meal (and a few of his friends were surprising him) and I had this long run I needed to do.

So we went back home and I slept for 40 mins and had a bit to it (not enough!) and then I set off for my 20 mile run. I originally was planning to do the Ring Road but as it was 5.00pm I thought I didn't want to do a part of it in the dark so I decided on 3.5 laps of the Wolvercote/Cutteslowe/St Giles triangle.

I did okay for the first 8-10 miles but it was hard and then it only got harder still. I didn't have enough water or gels and I'd not eaten enough food in the day so I was lacking energy. Charl and Miles drove past and so did big Thommo and tooted. I slowed down of course and soon I was struggling with 14 min miles, at 18 I tried to throw up, retching the lot but I had nothing to give. Tash then turned up and I was jogging at her walking pace so I think just walked and then by First Turn Jack drove past going home to get changed and stopped and I had to get a lift home - 19.67miles! Big let down!!

I keep telling myself that with proper prep and food/fuelling I will do a lot better so we'll see. I did get a few niggles and stopped a couple of times to stretch or wee, but that was only a couple of mins in total so not bad.

Bath at home for 45mins and then bed - didn't sleep a wink though!

Sunday I was up and okay to be honest, Jack went out for a run and we pottered around and then Tash walked Bess to Summertown but Jodie's not in good shape with her leg so I drove her there and we met with Jack in one of the coffee shops which was nice and relaxed. 

Back home we got all the food ready for his "party" with the family all coming round from 2.00pm onwards, sadly the rain spoilt it a bit and we were inside and out - more outside in the end so that was good. I did have a few bottles of Corona (about 4) but for 7 weeks now I've drunk very little alcohol!

Party went well and it was great having people over and we had a nice time and slowly they all left.

Didn't really do anything in the evening when it was just the four of us left, started watching a film but I was wiped out so went to bed about 9.30pm.

A good weekend - only two weeks now until this marathon

What is interesting though is that it is completely dominating all our conversations - literally 100%! I'll be glad when we have something different to talk about. We're talking about the accommodation, where to see people, what food, what driving, what to do afterwards, what runs we have left...and so on!  

Mothers Day weekend

So it was Mother's Day this weekend and we certainly went to town to spoil Tash! Of course it was a weekend for a start - not just Mothering Sunday.. :-)

So Friday Charlotte came over after work and got things sorted because her and Miles had told Tash they were doing dinner, in fact we were all doing dinner, she had bought loads of ingredients so that we could make our own sushi rolls etc. 

That was a nice start to the evening and she got things sorted, especially the sticky rice, and when Miles arrived we got going. We watched a couple of videos and then had a go ourselves. Great fun, and we were pretty good a it after a couple of goes. Had an experiment with a view ideas but all in all we kept making great tasting rolls of rice and getting full up on them. 

Had some chocolate pudding at the end but such a good idea and it was so healthy. Really enjoyed doing it. Pottered around for a bit but it was late so they left and off to bed.

Next morning Tash did a run and then we got sorted and went over to Charlotte and Miles again and they drove over to Leamington Spa where we met up with the boys around midday. We chose there because Charl and Miles were going to go to a friend's engagement party but they decided not to so that meant we had more time together which was nice.

Met Lewis and Jack and then wandered around Leamington to a coffee shop and then a record shop afterwards but it was nice just catching up and chatting. Back to the car and collected our picnics and then found a place in the park next to the river, unfortunately it turned a bit cold as the sun went in and people wanted to move on. But we had loads of nice food and treats and played some games.

Went for more of a walk around Leamington but to warm up we went to another bar and had a coffee - no alcohol again.

All went well and then we called it a day and went our separate ways. 

Back home I had a snooze and then went out running and did 13 miles which was hard work because I think I'd not eaten properly, only the rubbish in the picnic.

Back home I was wiped out.

Next day was Mothers Day and it was nice and we went out for a walk in the morning over to Blenheim as we had the kids and then back home and Tash did Sunday roast for us all.

A really nice weekend