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World Maratons

World Marathons

So it goes something like this...several years down the line you find you are watching sport not playing it, the natural fitness has been taken over by unnatural overeating and at this rate, you will need to buy XXL tee-shirts! The solution after a male ego standoff at work, sign up for a local half marathon, but lets up the ante and aim to get into the London Marathon and run a sub three hour time. So maybe add brain imbalance to that list as well? I hadn't been running for 17 years. At least give me full marks for being ambitious?

Did I achieve that initial dream? Read on and find out where the next 10 years took me. You may be surprised to learn this is a person who did this solo as in having never joined a runner's club. So some of my tips may be useful for others starting down the same path as learning by trial and error can be frustrating. I hope you enjoy the read.

Berlin Marathon 2009

So we come to my first marathon. I had always been good at running at school but that was a long time ago. Despite all the books saying you should run regularly for 3-4 years before tackling a marathon, with 6 months of running to my name I decided to go big and set a goal. They don't get much bigger than the Berlin Marathon, with entry instantly confirmed for the 36th edition on the 20th September 2009 I had some 9 months to get into condition.

Having been nervous about doing my first half marathon, running that distance again straight after seemed impossible. But people run marathons all the time so I just had to believe. After scouring the internet I found a 20-week plan for beginners, had a gait analysis done to make sure the running shoes were correct, and started the plan.

All went well until 10 days before the event when out of the blue I got a calf strain. Disaster! A sports massage at the local running shop provided me with lots of words of wisdom with the promise that if I stayed off running and wore compression socks, all would be OK for the big day. I will also remember in our general chatter being told that most runners have 10 years of full-on running in them: how right he was!

Travelling to Berlin solo, just finding my way around made me nervous but was soon settled in. The buzz at the expo in the old airport hangars in Templehof was amazing, I had never witnessed anything like this. At that point, I had no idea I would attend so many over the next few years. As you would expect, the expo pack was very comprehensive. Then the morning came to line up with some 35,000 others in the Tiergarten.

Being unseeded I was near the back and remember being quite emotional. Would I make it? Would that injury strike again, I hadn't run for 10 days, would I hit the wall? The first marathon is pretty terrifying. The gun went off and slowly we shuffled to the start line. It would take 12 minutes before I crossed and got into a jog/slow run. I guess this helped as it kept me at a sensible pace for quite a few miles before the field started to open up.

It's been said 70 bands and a million spectators lined the course that year and I have no reason to doubt it. The big city marathon atmosphere is unique, its energy is infectious and stops you from having time to overthink other things. One moment it's waving to the course photographer, the next is giving the kids in the crowds high fives while weaving between thousands of runners. The Swiss with their cowbells and chefs banging their pans always stick in my mind.

Passing halfway at 1:50 the calf was trouble-free so the sub 4:00 seemed a reasonable aim.

Bit by bit the miles were ticked off at a steady pace but suddenly at 40 km, I had a feeling like no other. It would be one I would get used to in the years to come but when you have that drained lethargic feeling for the first time, you think the "wall" is imminent. The last 2 km seemed to take an age with the Brandenburg gate one minute seeming close only for the course to take you away from it.

Running through the gate must be seen as the course highlight being such an icon of Berlin. But I really didn't savour that moment as I knew the finish was just beyond it and that was all that I wanted. Crossing the line at 3:50:56 was a mix of exhaustion with exhilaration. High temperatures for the time of year saw a rush for the drink stations by all but soon enough we were all flaked out in front of the Reichstag.

I guess I should mention that the biggest post-race challenge after your first marathon is invariably getting up and downstairs which is often done sideways! On the subways, you can easily spot the runners moving gingerly. For me, this would last for the next 2 days but in the true spirit of travel, I was out and about that night: no time to waste when in one of the great cities of the world. Over the years, I have learned it is best to go for a small run in the following days, so to try and flush out the legs of all the lactic acid. That's sports science for you.

Barcelona Marathon 2010

I'm guessing the story of my second marathon in the spring of 2010 will resonate with many. A few days after your first, you either say never again or you forget all about the pain and long training hours and start planning your next convinced you can go so much faster. It was the latter for me with the Barcelona Marathon starting to build a reputation as well as being one of the most highly-rated long weekend locations in Europe. With no ballot, acceptance was instance and so I downloaded the 3.30 hours training plan from their web site. I really did have the bug and saw 3.30 as my next logical step towards my 3.15 Good forAge ambition needed for London entry.

Training went well with the runs in the final weeks being very encouraging with the so-called runners high (endorphins) being a regular occurrence. The 7th March 2010 arrived and I was lined up at the Plaza de Espana ready to go with ten thousand other runners.

I've heard some say that the Barcelona course is boring with much on dual carriageways, but passing the Camp Nou early on and then the Sagrada Familia and down part of Las Ramblas in the latter stages, I would tend to disagree. Every city has to make up the miles somewhere so it can't be a constant source of interest, 26.2 miles is a long way.

Doing what many fledgling marathon runners do, I was swept along with those around me from the start and found myself well above my planned pace and hit a half marathon personal best at 1:34:31. All reasoning had deserted me and went for glory, latching onto the 3:15 pacemaker group. At 30 km I had reached a ranking of 1,748 but it's from this point you earn your marathon wings. Today was not going to be that day and slowly the 3:15 pacemaker balloon disappeared from view and I could do nothing about it.

Energy depletion level is not that unusual and is something long-distance runners learn to manage. On this occasion, I crashed straight through it headfirst. All these years later I can still remember wanting to close my eyes and almost sleep while running, this was the fabled "wall" big time and the post-race statistics showed. By 40 km my ranking had dropped to 2,098 and then to 2,258 by the finish. There's nothing worse then being overtaken by so many - it's almost if you are running backward. Luckily some 5-10 minutes after the initial feeling I seemed to wake up and get back into something more coherent. To be fair to myself I never stopped running. Crossing the line I was so light-headed, but with a finish time of 3.23.19 was a massive 31 minutes off my debut time.

I guess many runners have a race experience similar to this after the joys of that early enthusiasm although having only been running for 18 months I was asking for it.

It's a shame in those days race photos weren't always that guaranteed. Nowadays I carry a smartphone for the pre/post photographs but always like at least one action shot. Alas in this instance there was only one to pick from off the web site.

The event photo prices demanded always seem ridiculous but they know its a treasured moment, it's the only way most of us can get a record of the event.

Toronto Waterfront Marathon 2010

With two marathons under my belt and running times getting faster, a combined airline/hotel deal through the Toronto Waterfront Marathon agency seemed too good to be true. With the reputation of being a very flat course and having never been to Canada, the temptation was too much to bear! It's fair to say I had fallen for the marathon way of life hook, line and sinker.

However, I was still so inexperienced. After the spring marathon, I had picked up some sort of groin injury and just couldn't run long distances. I rested and did some exercises but training time was ebbing away. This is where I learned the lesson of if you have any sort of persistent injury, go and get a sports massage.

They soon work out the issue, often a deep massage and they will also advise exercises. This worked but I had missed several long-running slots so was resigned to the fact this would be another to add to my experience rather than a vastly improved time.

The excitement of just going to Toronto was something and a valuable travelling experience. Being able to take in Niagara Falls for a day was a real bonus plus a baseball and ice hockey match.

With a start time of 7 am, this still holds the record for my earliest. Not to be confused with the Toronto Marathon this one had the distinction of being run on the 2,500 year anniversary of the first-ever marathon run (26th September). The Olympic flame from Greece had been brought over specially.

As to the race, several distances are run simultaneously. I will always remember passing the door of my hotel as the half marathon runners peeled off to finish and thinking if only! If I had joined them I would have finished 309th out 7,884 finishers but alas I had another 13 miles to go. By 30 Kms, the Greek gods had deserted me, and getting to the finish was the only goal which I duly did with a net time of 3:37:07 finishing 563rd out of 2,776 which didn't sound so bad.

Crossing the finishing line will always be a special moment and I treasure the medal as I do them all. The early marathons were very much a learning curve, learning how to cope with the mental as well as the physical demands. We all have our own ways. I always equate the last 6 miles to a 10 km run at home telling myself that distance is nothing when your body tells you otherwise. I did have a laboured walk after this one for a day or two. It would take a few more marathons before that stopped happening.

Edinburgh Marathon 2011

Having been unsuccessful in the London Marathon ballot yet again, the sub 3.15 Good for Age entry still seemed my best prospect, so it's time to find a marathon with a flat course where I could keep the effects of traveling and exploring to a minimum. At this time Edinburgh was billed as the UK's flattest and second-biggest marathon with direct flights from home so it fitted my criteria.

Being my 4th marathon, I thought I had got to grips with the do's and don'ts. Because of work joining a club was never an option and I had always trained alone. All my knowledge came from books, online content, and learning things the hard way. The lesson here was getting a calf strain and after 10 days of rest thinking it had healed, only for it to happen again and lost another three weeks.

As I started the marathon in good condition, I still went for the time but the last 11 miles was really hell on earth, the legs just didn't have the miles in them. I remember taking jelly babies from the crowd just to get a burst of energy. This is where I realised I had a default get me home pace. I also learned a lesson about pre-race nutrition. Because it was a relatively late start, having toast first thing doesn't work with me. Keep to an energy drink and energy bar!

As to the race, back then you didn't see the centre of Edinburgh, you headed off to the coast coming back on yourself so finishing at Musselborough racecourse which was disappointing followed by real mayhem trying to fight through crowds to get to the buses to return to Edinburgh. Out of all my marathons, it's the one I'm happy to forget, but things may have improved being so popular. Having only half marathon finishers shirts left at the end summed it up. The most noteworthy point was that night Scotland was hit by high winds causing airports to shut and with fallen trees blocking the main train lines into England so I was stranded for 24 hours.

Athens Marathon 2011

I often think people fall into two camps, those that can get a sense of history when visiting a place and those who just see it as a location. After starting two marathons knowing that I wouldn't reach my desired target time, I turned my attention to an iconic event rather than chasing a time - the one which symbolised the origin of the race, the Athens marathon. Being a first-time visit to the city there would be so much for me to see and do.

This is the one where they bus you out to Marathon where the battle took place in 490 BCE with an unexpected victory for the Athenians with a messenger then running the 26.2 miles back to Athens to announce the good news. Or in our case along a dual carriageway to the city limits then into the centre and the Olympic stadium. The course is hilly and is about history, not PB hunting territory. Many of the forums warned of a steep killer ascent at 30 km.

I often think of 2011-13 as the peak of my midlife crisis as demonstrated by the fact that I would lose three weeks of my training plan, being away in Nepal doing the Everest base camp trek! But surely walking at altitude should count for something? Of course, being a first-time visit to Athens there were lots of other things to see and do.

The 13th November 2011 started with a 4.45 am get up to catch the 5.30 am bus to Marathon some 26 miles away with the rise and fall of the road's elevation duly noted en route. On arrival, the heavens opened and a strong wind saw us all packed into the sports stadium. Luckily the wind and rain subsided and we were loaded into the starting pens just 15 minutes before the 9 am start so to keep warm. Some 6000 people from 80 countries were taking part and I accepted an olive branch from a local near the start to tuck into my shorts. The course initially circles around the Marathon tomb said to house the ashes of 192 Athenian warriors who died in the battle. This and the olive branch really got me energised and I settled into a good 7:20/mile pace with the other runners.

There is no hiding the fact that this was one of my more demanding marathons with periods of drizzle and the predominantly upward elevation in the first half of the race, but remarkably my pace held firm - normally this fades after being swept along with the initial excitement. I do remember a sharp pain in my glutes (muscles) at one point, something I had never had before but thankfully this passed after a minute. Phew! Reaching halfway in 1:37 confirmed that I had been sensible with the pacing for a change. The check of my watch got me mentally prepared for the supposedly dreaded 30 km upward elevation and I had a gel for good measure, but to my surprise, it seemed to me to be overhyped, I had included a long upward slope in my training runs back home so maybe this made the difference? I now had the realisation that the 3:15 London qualifying time was a real possibility as we descended into Athens. If anything this increased my pace to 7:10 - 15 but I actually eased back slightly. I had never run this quickly, especially at mile 19, and didn't want to invite an injury. This was new territory.

I ticked the miles off in my mind and as I had been listening to music during the run, the playing of Queen's " Don't Stop Me Now " seemed very apt in the final run-in. It had been noted by some that they have never seen me with such a big smile as shown in the finishing photos as I clapped eyes on the race clock. Finishing in 3:12:18, I was now in the UK Good for Age category and automatic entry into the London Marathon if I wanted it. I truly didn't think it would happen here. It was such a high I just couldn't believe it.

Finishing 316th out of 6,134 finishers certainly left me with a spring in my step for the rest of the weekend. Out of all my marathons, this is just one of two which I've ended with seemingly bundles of energy. As a marathon, this has to be one for the running CV? Finishing in the Panathenaic Stadium is an honour, the only marble stadium in the world with a track here since 330 BCE. How many feet have trodden this space since then? Sense of history goes into overload...

Rome Marathon 2012

With the London Marathon place guaranteed for 2013, a new challenge was found for 2012 in the shape of the Rat Race Hadrian's Wall run. With my logic suggesting an early spring marathon to get a good base fitness before starting ultra training in April being the way to go. What could be more inspirational than starting and finishing in front of Rome's Colosseum? Plus it was a city I very much wanted to revisit having just scratched the surface some 20 years earlier.

I chose the higher mileage Intermediate Marathon Plan for the first time with the intention of not overdoing it with the speed work and I must confess found the training hard work. This was the first time I had attempted a plan with substantial mid-week mileage. But I managed to complete it without injuries so turned up in Rome in pretty good shape.

Having checked in at the expo I now had a full day spare before the marathon, so with my small stylized Rome Marathon backpack courtesy of my expo goodies pack, exploring Ostia Antica was not probably my cleverest move considering the miles walked. But speed was not the motivation here and above all else, I needed to keep injury-free.

On a glorious sunny blue-skied day, I made my way to the starting pen where it soon became obvious how constricted the start was going to be. Previous times gave little advantage in positioning and I was glad I didn't get there later and start even further back. Finally, the time came to run the 18th edition of the Rome Marathon on the 18th March 2012. As we left the shadow of the Colosseum and rounded the Typewriter (as locals call The Victor Emmanuel II National Monument) we hit the promised cobbles. Making any progress through the crowd was almost impossible. It was almost 10 km before the path cleared enough to start getting around people with ease. Looking at my GPS watch, the pace was a lot slower than usual so I upped this to rein in some time. Yes, I know what I said, but I guess I'm always competitive with myself.

The course took us out of the city past St.Paul's gate and the Pyramid of Cestius before turning back along the Tiber and to one of my most memorable moments, turning a corner and seeing St. Peters straight in front of me. I'm sure I must have said wow! I'm guessing marvelling at the sights just took my mind off my pacing as I passed halfway in 01:30:52, a half marathon PB and actually feeling pretty good. As ever with marathon training plans, it should leave you more in the tank than you expect if you tapered well.

Of course with the realisation of possibly my first sub-3-hour marathon I cracked on. The temptation was too great to ease back. It is a flat course and I more or less kept the pace but just couldn't rein in the required 2 minutes. On the final run-in I had no more to give but with a 3:01:58 I was in dreamland. Some 10 minutes off my PB.

After four years of running, I started to believe I had turned the corner. The physiological changes you go through with running must have taken place? Coming 311th out of 12,500 is something that gives you a real mental boost. This was just the thing needed to make me think I could conquer the running world. As a postscript, I stayed in Rome for a couple of more days and the following day must have walked at least 8-10 miles along the Appian Way and back around the parks of the viaducts. That night I slept like a log and realised how much the marathon had taken out of me. But I knew I was in good shape for ultra training.

The Wall 2012

Hadrian's Wall Ultra

When growing up, did you ever hear about people doing crazy impossible challenges? Doing a marathon was never a boyhood dream, let alone to run the length of Hadrian's Wall. But swept along with my enthusiasm for running, the news of a new event being organised by Rat Race to do just that caught my eye. I just had to get a place! Not the two-day event but a crack at the one-day Expert Challenge.

Having no ultra experience, the purchase of a training guide with a training plan was a must to learn about the nutrition and science behind this with its tips and suggestions on equipment and strategy. This would be a different world to marathon running.

Training centred on running with a back-mounted water bladder and trail shoes and to pace at a level so as not to cause energy crashes. The longest training run was 38 miles with most of the runs off-road with navigation also a consideration. Following a night of heavy rain, on the 23rd of June 2012, I joined 246 others going for the Expert option starting at Carlisle Castle.

After a mandatory kit check by the organisers we were off at 0830, but within minutes had wet feet as the River Eden had breached its banks leaving large areas of water on the flood plain. Would this lead to blisters? Not a great start. We had soon left the fringes of Carlisle and I will always remember passing a house where the residents shouted out "where is this race going?"

"Newcastle, just 60 miles to go," I shouted back. The look on their faces! By the time I got to the end of Stage 1 at Lanercost Abbey after a couple of hours (15 miles), it was time to refuel with the rain starting to lessen. Wet feet didn't seem to be an issue - wicker socks work well.

From now on I could see the wall ahead of me which varied in size as we ran into the wilder part of Northumberland. Whin Sill will always be remembered for this is where the heavens opened with ferocity with drips of water falling from my eyebrows. I thought I would cheer myself up with a chocolate bar but this soon led to acute stomach cramps and I was forced to walk for a few minutes. I wouldn't be doing that again. But luckily the end of Stage 2 was close by at Vindolanda at mile 32 which was a sea of mud with tractors on hand to tow vehicles on and off the field. Happy with an elapsed time of 4 hours 55 minutes and the stomach cramps having subsided, I soon tucked into a cup of soup and fresh dry socks was a great pick me up. Luckily I had only one blister but not in a problematic area.

Stage 3 now awaited. The two-day competitors would be camping here but not me. Climbing up over the hill looking back gave a great view of the old Roman fort and the checkpoint, but no time for reflection. Time to press on to Hexham.

It still felt like the wilds of Northumberland following tracks and negotiating muddy terrain but the sun was starting to shine and the rain had stopped. I had wondered if the stomach cramps would reappear but thankfully not. Passing half distance was a motivation booster although passing the 38-mile mark I realised I was physiologically in new territory having never run this far before. But a few miles from the next checkpoint I paired up with Stuart from Nottingham and we chatted about the aches and pains and fast disappearing sense of energy.

In ultra circles this is known as "bonking"!, I would just add the ultra world is heavily influenced by the Americans who have lots of long-distance trail runs and words do not always have the same meaning as they do in the UK! It's basically when the body runs out of instant energy so has to burn your fat reserve in an inefficient manner. Basically it's hitting the "the wall" but you learn to live with it. So realising others were not immune was nice to know. Hexham was reached in 7 hours 28 minutes which brought up the 45-mile mark.

On paper, Stage 4 in my mind was going to be the toughest, a 17-mile segment (Mile 45 to 62) so a long period of lonely running. We were now on paved roads the majority of the time with settled weather so time to change into fresh traditional running type gear and out of the heavier trail shoes.

Crossing the River Tyne and A69 and aiming for Newburn the route soon took us down flooded riverside paths where I had no choice but to get wet feet again. I was not amused! Thankfully the terrain was fairly flat but the runners were well strung out with very few marshalls. I kept a video diary during the run and playing back I was certainly starting to feel dejected. But was also doing this run for the Stepping Stones charity (https://steppingstonesproject.com) and it would be here where I would really earn my sponsorship.

When on your feet so long you think about all sorts. I had really got fed up with gels and energy bars, so much so I really couldn't face taking any more. But hearing the distant chimes of an ice cream Van sent my mind into a state of ecstasy. Allowing myself a brief call to my support crew to go in search of a choc Ice, the news that there was a Van parked up at the next pit stop was music to my ears. By now the ankles had tightened, the stride shortened and the pace dropped to 11-minute miles. As we passed George Stephenson's house, there was some confusion over the course markers. I did go wrong but luckily two runners came towards me which highlighted my error. I had only strayed half a mile or so, they had found out the hard way and done a couple of bonus miles before realising and having to do a U-turn.

Entering the car park at Newburn was a great feeling with people cheering. 63 miles completed in 10 Hours 59 minutes with just 7 miles to go but with the low of finding out the ice cream van had just left without anyone realising! Then it happened - a wave sensation passing through my body followed by dizziness, I knew straight away that I had just had an energy crash. All I could do was sit down, eat a banana, and wait. Some half an hour later I felt I was ready to go again, cursing the fact so much time had been lost. As I started to run again the legs seized due to the lengthy stop. the sensation of what I guess was dried blood and lactic acid in my muscles was excruciating but after 10 minutes I was moving freely again, albeit slowly.

The course brings you into Newcastle along the Tyne. I spotted a runner ahead but as soon as he saw me he picked up his pace. I just couldn't catch him. Crossing the Gateshead Millennium Bridge was a great feeling with the guy at the finish line spotting me with my name going out over the PA with people on their way to their Saturday night out clapping and saying well done. I doubt they could really believe I had started the morning in Carlisle?

Looking back I actually see this as one of my biggest achievements, having only been running some 4 years but finishing this inaugural event in 12 hours 36 minutes 46 seconds, so placing me 25th out of 216 who finally finished the one day race. I reckon I lost some 10 places with the energy crash. But hey, saying you have run Hadrian's Wall has great kudos value! If you want to do an icon ultra, it has to be a contender. I see it's still going today. I have to say though it was a rubbish medal and we didn't get a certificate. But great memories and a sense of achievement and doing this as a charity run I raised £2,200 for Stepping Stones.

London Marathon 2013

So the day arrived with the staging of the 33rd edition of the London Marathon on the 21st April 2013 and the culmination of 5 years of dreaming and even more ambitiously the ultimate goal of doing a sub-3 hour marathon.

Getting into the event had been a marathon in its own right with repeated ballot declines and four marathons entered in the hope of getting a Good for Age automatic entry. In November 2011 I finally succeeded, but because of the way the dates fell had to wait for 2013 for my slot.

This was the marathon I would throw everything at it, following an advanced marathon training plan which peaked at a weekly mileage of 85 at one point. Heavy snow in Feb saw me retreat to the gym and bang out 16 miles on the treadmill and for the first time proper core training. Miraculously I kept fit with no injuries and lost 1.5 stones in weight. Surely this would be my year?

On a sunny April morning at 7 am I made my way to the railway station near Tower Bridge, waved to my dad, and off to the Red start I went. The exciting chatter of runners abounded with my ears pricking up when I overheard a runner talking about going for his first sub-3. Soon enough we arrived at Blackheath with thousands of people milling around. But as I was in a select band of Good for Ag runners, some 200 of us had our own special area and facilities and we would start right at the front. I felt I had joined the big time (the elite started from the Blue area). At the start, I was surrounded by seasoned club runners who chatted about past races and their hopes for this. My plan was to go out at a 6:30/mile pace with room to fade to a 6:50 average and the ultimate 3-hour mark at worst. I knew from training runs I could do this pace to 18 miles, but could I continue it to the full 26?

Nervous yes, but finally we were underway. The pace of the group was 6:20/mile but it felt fine. If you get the taper right in training, you should have extra pace so I kept with it. Will always remember when we merged with the Blue start runners seeing a guy in a full gorilla suit in front. Sure enough, he ran out of steam. Found myself weaving through the field with great crowds as we ran through Charlton and Woolwich, but rounding the Cutty Sark was something else, a real wall of sound. As we continued south of the river around the 11-mile mark, I did have a drained sensation for a couple of minutes, but thankfully it passed. You just don't know what race day will bring you: every start is different, there are so many factors involved, but as we passed the next big cheer point at Tower Bridge all was well. I was unbelievably still tracking 6:21/Mile average reaching halfway at 1 hour 23 minutes 47, a half marathon PB, surely this wouldn't last?

Now over on the north bank of the Thames heading towards Canary Wharf and the elite women started to appear heading down the opposite carriageway, while the crowds lessened. The tall skyscrapers of Docklands caused the GPS to lose lock but passing along the Colonnade the crowds came alive which is always uplifting. Coming through Poplar and passing the mile 20 board meant just 10kms to go. The watch had re-synchronised and my mental maths told me if I could run a 42 minute 10K I could be on for something special. It's at this stage fatigue normally sets in and the dreaded "Wall" lurks if you have got you pacing/hydration wrong, but I felt good. No sign of fade as yet.

Down the Embankment passing Tower Hill, Black Friar's, Monument and Westminster, the iconic place names just kept on coming. No one had passed me for miles and passing through Parliament Square I felt I could now give it my all with the finish so close. Managing to fend off a number of runners with Buckingham Palace behind me, the finish line now awaited and with a broad smile and a punch in the air, a finish time of 2.48.11.

The finish has always brought joy but also tiredness, aches and dizziness sometimes. But this time I had no ill effects at all other than a strange fuzzy sensation in the knee caps for a couple of minutes. This had been a never to be repeated run. Who said dreams can't come true?

Every runner has one race on which they can live on forever. This was mine! Finishing 448th out of 34,267 finishers and 75th in my class (40-44), my favourite stat has to be passing 136 people in the final 7 km with no one passing me. An average speed of 9.4 mph (15.1 kph) meant I was tracking miles at 6 minutes 25 seconds. The second half was just 37 seconds slower than the first half so I had accomplished an even split. I'm still amazed my 5 km split at 35 km was 19:51 minutes.

Yes, this all sounds big-headed, but I haven't and never will run a race like this again. The amount of training, the tiredness, making running your life for 16 weeks is unreal. I can't run a mile at that pace nowadays and to be honest, can't believe we are talking about the same person. It just shows training is everything and that includes diet, core training, and the little things. I soon lost this fitness, never to be regained so now realise why the professionals have to train so hard all of the time. Amazingly this still remains my first and second-best times for a half marathon!

As to the actual event, for many runners apart from being a Major, it's one of the must-do marathons and the difficulties of entering other than via running for a charity still frustrates many. International runners find it particularly hard to enter. I would imagine congestion is a real issue at the start if in the main pack while the course starts with a downhill section which will probably encourage you to go faster than planned. There are a few inclines en route and a few turns but in the main, it’s a fast course. But the crowds are great and the event is embraced by the Londoners. On this occasion, the selection of after race snacks were pretty sparse compared to other events and the finishing T-shirt was a one size fit all which was a bit bizarre. But things may have changed in the intervening years? As you can see the post-race statistics are ace. Show me a runner who doesn't like some good stats?

Helsinki Marathon 2013

Back in 2013, the Helsinki Marathon used to be held in August which was quite unusual as most are spring or autumn dates. So using the theory that I would still be in top form from my previous outing with the chance to visit one of the lesser-known Baltic capitals, this seemed to tick all the boxes. However, reality set in with a less aggressive training plan leading to tight muscles and eventual trips to the sports massage. You just can't step down from high mileage training without consequences - a lesson learned. Which also meant I didn't manage to complete the desired training. I would be relying in part on memory muscle from the spring and London training.

The packet pick up was at the Olympic Stadium with 4,369 entries, although I did think there would be more than a couple of tables selling things. I hadn't brought gels thinking these would be readily available. It was one type or bust!

The start time was also unusually kind being midday. However, a heavy rain shower while lined up at the start was one of those moments when it's better to laugh rather than cry. But soon enough we were on our way from a start close to the Olympic Stadium and soon dried off.

The route was in the main out into the countryside circling an area of open water known as the Seurasaarenselkä Fölisöfjärden so a few inclines and the odd humped back bridge had to be endured. At the halfway stage we emerged near the Helsinki quayside before being turned around and sent back along much the same route back to the stadium. I see nowadays they do a complete circuit which must be an improvement.

In many ways, the highlight was finishing in the 40,000 seat stadium which had held the World Championships in 1957, 1994 and 2005, and the European Championships some 13 months previously in July 2012 and seeing your name on the scoreboard. Mo Farah's name would have been on the same scoreboard in 2012. That's the only similarity we share!

The most bizarre thing was afterwards getting a pack of four bread rolls and a whole tub of margarine. But saying that, it did mean I had enough for a snack back at the hostel.

Boston Marathon 2014

There are some things in life which you will look back at forever: the catalyst may be born from sadness but the collective human feeling creates such a unique experience as was the case with the 2014 Boston Marathon.

Held a year after the 2013 bombing near the finish line, the 2014 event was a celebration with the field size increased by some 9,000 runners, making it the second-biggest total for the world's oldest continuous marathon since its inaugural event in 1897. Three people died on Patriots Day in 2013, with hundreds injured and 16 losing limbs. Boston Strong was the slogan for 2014.

In normal times, the Boston Marathon is always seen as a special event for runners as not only is it one of the Majors, but for most, you can only get in if you meet certain time criteria. Making this the runners’ marathon led to some apprehension while waiting for that confirmation email to arrive. Having a decent time from the London Marathon my ranking was sky high so when a fellow runner spotted my bib at the expo and said "nice number" it did fill me with pride.

As part of the expo pick up we received a bag of chocolate which I found a little perplexing. Was this really the food for supposedly fit people? Needless to say, I did eat it all!

As ever it was an early get up to be bused out to the start line at Hopkinton in a fleet of yellow school buses followed by a lengthy period waiting, so keeping warm was a must. Being able to see the elite lining up just a stone's throw ahead of me seemed an honour with over 35,000 people behind. Three army helicopters did a flypast and the crowds cheered enthusiastically from the quintessential white wooden houses that you would expect to see in America bordering the starting area. It was 10 am on the 21st of April, Patriots Day.

I had actually come to the start with a mild calf strain which wasn't fully healed and not wanting to hold up a stream of runners, kept with the brisk pace thanks to the downhill profile of the first 10 km. But soreness and a twinge led to a brief stop at the medical tent for some pain relief gel. This wasn't the moment to cry wolf. Today was about other people's courage, so I soon hit the road again at a more conservative pace. High fiving the kids and geeing up the crowds was the order of the day. Passing into Norfolk County made it seem like home while running through the legendary Wellesley scream tunnel makes you smile at the halfway stage.

After passing through sections of the countryside and various towns you enter the suburbs of Boston where crowds increase and of course there is Heartbreak Hill just past mile 20 but didn't seem as bad as its reputation makes out. To my relief, the calf had held firm as long as I didn't open my stride and finally made it to Boylston Street and the finish. With a time of 3:37:34 and a position of 11,656, it was all I could ask for. I was relieved to of made it around if I'm honest.

A nice touch was opening the Red Sox Baseball stadium in the evening to runners and being given a poster that lists every runner's name. Along with learning about the Patriot's and exploring a city full of history, I can't recommend Boston enough. If you have the opportunity, do it! Getting the acceptance confirmation and finisher's certificate in the post shows the classiness of the event.

Chicago Marathon 2015

The Chicago Marathon has always been one of the major calendar events so is thereby worthy of its Majors status. After spending 3 weeks touring the canyons of western USA, it made sense to stop over at the Windy City when homeward bound. Automatic entry via Good for Age meant I could bypass the ballot process which attracted 70,000 applicants. A total of 20,144 men and 17,038 women ended up finishing the 38th edition on the 11th of October 2015.

Being in holiday mode, training runs were pretty sparse in the 3 weeks leading up to the event but in Los Angeles running down Sunset Boulevard and over the Hollywood pavement Stars on an 18 mile run at 5 am in the morning was memorable. Thought I might as well make the most of jet lag!

Race day arrived and made the mistake, despite staying close to the start line, of arriving just 45 minutes before corral loading cut off time. Security checks funnelled massive crowds of runners which was slow going and I only got into my starting pen with 5 minutes to spare.

Starting in "A" corral meant a really impressive view back. The course passes through 29 neighbourhoods with great crowds estimated at 1.5 million which makes such a difference. For once it's a looped course making logistics easy with the start/finish close to many of the hotels.

Talking of logistics, it's reported there were 1,500 medical personnel on duty with supplies including 77,760 gallons of water, 12,000 adhesive bandages, 75,000 bananas, and 400 trash bags. Placed 3,939th with a 3:28:20, considered this a fair reflection of the training.

Maybe not as iconic as other events for those that live outside of the USA but still a great atmosphere and an interesting city to visit - and a must if you're chasing your 6 stars.

The Thames Trot 2016

For a long time, I had eyed the Thames Path 100 mile ultra as a real challenge. However to enter you have had to of run 50 miles under 15 hours within the last 3 years. So on the 6th of February, I lined up for the Thames Trot with 294 other runners. With the Thames Path 100 just 12 weeks away, I couldn't afford to get this wrong. But after heavy overnight rain and wind gusts of 40 mph forecasted, this wasn't going to be easy.

Starting at 08:30 am three miles south of Oxford near the Iffey Lock, the course tracked the Thames finally finishing in Henley after checking in at 5 timing points along the way. Much of the pathway was a sea of mud and I made a schoolboy error early on by not tying my laces tight enough and leaving a shoe embedded in the mud while I kept running. Great start!

Keeping on your feet was tricky and I could imagine getting injured very easily.

In the main, the weather was drizzle with the odd squall with the promised winds and the areas of poached mud did lessen on the back end of the course. The ultra community seems to be a small band of people with some doing this each year with little training. One pair I talked to on the move were worried that the tough going would delay their getting to watch the 5 Nations on TV!

Another lesson learned was not wearing my head torch on the last stage. The light faded quicker than I expected with the last few miles following someone who was wearing one. Doah! But I finally made it in 09:33.50, 104th out of 218 finishers with 76 dropping out. Cold and wet but the job is done. My prize was a shot at running a 100 miler if you can call that a prize?

CP1 Culham Lock - 9 Miles - 01:34:59
CP2 Benson - 19 Miles - 03:15:12
CP3 Streatley - 27 Miles - 04:59:02
CP4 Mapledurham - 34 Miles - 06:38:15
CP5 Sonning - 41 Miles - 08:13:29
Finish Henley - 50 Miles - 09:33:50

Cyprus (Paphos) Marathon 2016

With my love of travel and Marathon bling and the need to get in some training miles for the TP100, the Cyprus marathon seemed to be an obvious choice, so lined up on the 6th March 2016 for the 18th edition. I hadn't done a tailored training plan for this event but fitted in with the Ultra training plan. With just 181 starters the packet pickup was a smallish room by the Paphos harbour - no big Expo here! But it was part of a much bigger running festival which included 5k,10k and half marathon events.

On a blued skied morning we piled onto a bus at 6.10 am which took us out to Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodite’s Birthplace) and the start. I had taken no notice of the terrain map whatsoever so the motion of the bus going up and down hills soon got my attention. On reflection, this has to be one of the toughest marathons I've completed. Mentally it destroys you!

The rolling nature of the course was fair enough, but to make up the distance you run downwards towards the airport then turn around and go back up (i.e. a dogleg) fully aware of the incline you just ran down. Must be why the guy at the bottom offers you a banana? Later on, you merge with the half marathon and 10K runners which gives you a lift. But as you get to the Paphos outer limits, they peel you away down a section of dual carriageway for a couple of miles then back the other side with you fully aware the other runners are nearing home.

I wasn't bothered about the time of 3:43:05 which made me 39th in the standings until I saw the post-race photos for if I had got ahead of the guy just 2 seconds in front, I would have got an Age Category placement and a Trophy. I was gutted. But my mood changes later that afternoon when I received an email saying I had got a ballot place into the New York Marathon.

For the first time for a long time walking post-race was a struggle. But in the evening when in one of the main restaurants it was easy to spot fellow marathon runners. Which was a relief, as it became evident it just wasn't me that found the course demanding. Another nice touch was getting the finisher's certificate in the post several weeks later.

Thames Path 100 Mile Ultra Marathon 2016

On the 30th April 2016, 295 hardy souls lined up at Richmond near London and at 10 am headed off along the banks of the River Thames heading for Oxford, some 100 miles away. Ultra marathons are bonkers. You run marathon distances in training for them albeit, at a slower pace, you have to worry about nutrition: will you get blisters?: and with this one will you get lost? After a few hours, the field is already getting strung out. It really is mind over matter. It's one I had always wanted for the running CV and is the one which raises the eyebrow of non-runners when mentioned.

Training had gone ok but not brilliantly and knew that I wasn't as fit as I could have been. By 40 miles mild panic was starting to set in as I just didn't feel right with a long way to go. But eventually, I worked out I was dehydrated, bourne out by the fact I dropped 31 places in stage 2. It's a fine line but by taking extra sips from the backpack I soon got back on track. With 15 Centurion staff (the organisers) and 96 volunteer staff along the route, the food on offer at the checkpoints was gratefully received. My purchased baby food was just not appetising!

Although the weather started sunny, a couple of showers did develop and this is where the dedication of the press-ganged support crew has to be mentioned, at one stage finding them huddled below a tree trying hard to stay dry. Luckily from

mid-afternoon it stayed dry for the remainder of the race.

Henley at the half way point meant an extended stop and a change of clothing and putting on a head torch with darkness approaching. I was again feeling decidedly ropey but a hot cup of tea came to the rescue. Disappearing into the darkness I suddenly encountered the shivers, all reminders of the madness of this race, but after 10 minutes they disappeared never to return. I guess that was all part of the body's core temperature sorting itself out? I have to say it was a bit bewildering.

The first part of the race was on clearly defined paths with some great views as you passed places such as Hampton Court and crossing the bridge at Windsor. But after Henley, it really was out in the sticks and I was so glad I had done the Thames Trot two months previously so had visual reminders in the dark, even though I had run from the other direction (Oxford to Henley). At one of the spots where I planned to meet the support crew, we missed each other completely in the early hours. When we did eventually meet it was only right to send them to their accommodation. It had to be soul-destroying waiting for 2 plus hours for me just to appear and be off again 5-10 minutes later. Bit by bit the stages were ticked off and yes, jogging not running was the order of the day.

Race Stats

30 Miles-Dorney 05:18:15 RANK:109

51 Miles-Henley 10:02:05 RANK:140

58 Miles-Reading 12:26:47 RANK:157

71 Miles-Streatley 15:59:58 RANK:141

91 Miles-Abingdon 21:38:08 RANK:130

100 Miles-Oxford 23:27:23 RANK:117

Every so often you would join up with a fellow runner, have a natter but invariably your pace would be different so would then part. But you did tend to see the same faces come and go as were probably tracking a similar finishing time. Seeing the mist over the meadows bordering the Thames on sunrise seemingly miles from any houses will always be a lasting memory. I had been listening to music off the phone when the battery unexpectedly died which was a worry, as I had no way to phone ahead to give an ETA. I hoped it was due to the coldness and it indeed did eventually give me enough juice for one call later on as things warmed up. At the Streatley checkpoint, one of the runners fell asleep sat upright next to the food table. No one had the heart to wake him.

I actually felt better in the second 50 then the first although the strides were shortening as the muscles tightened. When checking into Abingdon I realised I could have a shot at getting the "100 mile" one day buckle which for me would mean I had made it as a respectable ultramarathon runner. I forced the pace which actually probably helped get rid of some of the lactic acid and looking at the stats I overtook 13 people in the last 9 miles. I don't tend to be an emotional runner but looking across the field to the finish I couldn't stop a burst of tears. The enormity of actually having run 100 miles hit home. But I did manage to man up for the final run in! I felt I could have gone a fair bit quicker with the right training but being 117th out of 207 (70% of the starters completed the race) with 128 of us under 24 hours, I had to be happy. It was almost life-changing in some ways but I have no plans to run another 100 miles. It's interesting to see that from 2012 to 2019 a total of 1,369 have finished the course and I currently sit at 660th in the table. Still, I feel I could of have done a lot better.

Most marathons come with a back story as that's the joy of running. Everyone has their own tale to tell, their own expectations. But this one for me was laughable on reflection, even though it did cost me a Good for Age 3:15 finish. If you look at the medal photograph notice something going on with the top of the shorts? After just a mile my shorts kept falling down! I hadn't tied the short's cord strings firmly and one had disappeared into the seam. So there's me standing on the Staten Island Bridge central concrete divider wondering what to do as runners streamed past in their hundreds. The only option was to use the safety pins used to fasten my number to my top and to clip the top of the shorts with the running top. A massive schoolboy error which obviously cost me time. I got around in 3:17:28, a respectable 2,400th out of 51,319 but it should have been sub 3:15! But hey, this was the New York Marathon, savour the moment.

New York Marathon 2016

If you ask people to pick just one marathon to do, many would undoubtedly say New York. You could say everything in New York is on a huge scale, with 51,390 finishers completing the 46th Edition on the 6th November 2016 making this the biggest of the Majors. I deem myself very lucky to have got in on only my second ballot attempt with the numbers applying growing greater by the year. I hadn't contemplated going for the 6 Star finisher award until this happened.

With so many people, I expected the Expo to be packed and as I was one of the earlier starters (as this is done in staggered waves) I could expect a very early bus ride out to Staten Island. Seem to remember setting my alarm for 4.30 am to get to the Central Library to catch my allocated bus. There was lots of waiting around at the start and a jostle to the start line a few minutes before we were off (see photo). This makes a throwaway fleece a recommendation. Expect congestion on the bridge onto Brooklyn but space will open up soon enough. Crossing over the Pulaski Bridge at the halfway point is eerie with no crowds and the amplified echoing of hundreds of feet striking the ground. Then expect a few ups and downs in elevation in the final 3 miles if trying to chase down a time. They killed me off.

Greater Manchester Marathon 2017

The Greater Manchester Marathon 6th edition was held on the 2nd April 2017 with the start close to the Old Trafford football stadium. Billed as having the UK's flattest course with only 54 metres of elevation, it has since grown into the UK's 2nd biggest marathon finishing at the Old Trafford cricket ground.

After years of goading, my much younger cousin called my bluff and agreed to do a marathon. I have to say my training was sparse but we went round together at 3:35:28 which was extremely respectable for Tim being a newbie and pleasing for me. But I'm not sure if he will ever do another one! The course was congested in the early stages and we didn't expect big crowds as we headed off down country lanes. But I can vouch for the flatness of the course which helped me with the lack of training. Plus I would say early April is a good time with less chance of sudden heat waves which have occurred in later April at other events. It's worth a look if living in the UK and you are after a PB.

Paris Marathon 2018

Held on the 8th of April 2018, I entered Europe's biggest marathon after failing to be successful in the Tokyo ballot. With 55,000 starters and being near the front, it was an impressive sight waiting on the Champs-Elysées Avenue looking back towards the Arc de Triumph where we would finish nearby some 42.195 km later.

The course does have its undulations so maybe it's not the best for PB hunters. However, there is plenty to marvel at as you pass by the Louvre out towards the woods at Bois de Vincennes before tracking back along the Seine and past the Eiffel Tower. Before running through the woods of Bois de Boulogne which does affect the crowd levels in the final stages. But with so many runners taking part, there's plenty of company throughout the route.

I started, having just recovered from a foot injury, and in hindsight, despite my years of experience set off far too quickly. That's the trouble with big-city marathons and the energy they create. Sure enough at 20 miles, the ankle seized. But I had never failed to finish so I wasn't going to start a trend here (although it did put me out of action for 6 months). The last 10 km was completed with a hobble/limp action and the French crowd shouting "Tristan Allez Allez Allez". I have to say when they print your name on the number bib and you hear this shouted out, it is uplifting. I finally got home in 3:36:42...if only.

Tokyo Marathon 2019

Tokyo is one of the 6 Majors and is possibly the hardest to enter with the 13th edition on the 3rd March 2019 attracting 330,271 applicants with only 37,500 spaces available. Of these, 4,700 were available as a charity slot on a first come first served basis and this is a route I took with a very nervous logging on when the registration opened. Especially when you commit to 100,000 yen which is non-refundable and then apply for the actual race and hope that your session doesn't time out.

With 102 countries represented and 35,460 finishers, this is seen as a big event by the locals with great crowds, efficient planning, and with an estimated 5 million watching on TV. Starting at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and finishing outside the Tokyo station, you do pass some of the city's iconic sights such as Senso-Ji temple, the Skytree, the Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, and the Tokyo Tower. There are several metro stations near the finish making getting back to your accommodation easy.

By all accounts, the weather is usually rather cool and indeed on this occasion rain and drizzle was encountered for most of the day, although it had been blue-skied the day before. There are plenty of local eateries excellent for carb-loading with soba noodles being the obvious candidate. As to the course, it's relatively flat with no remembrance of moments of despair generated by slopes!

For me, this was a special moment as I finally qualified for my Abbots 6 Star finishers medal which at that time had only been awarded to less than 5000 runners worldwide. I've calculated that I must have flown over 35,000 air miles for this baby! But what surprised me was the reaction from the other runners with their congratulations and acknowledgment of my achievement. For a few hours, I did feel like running royalty. Back in the UK, I've always

been a solo runner having never joined a running club, so few will know of the prestigious club I now find myself a member of.

As to the finishing time, at 3.50:40 it was almost full circle as was only 16 seconds quicker than my first ever (and slowest) marathon in Berlin in 2009. No surprise really due to a lack of training. See my Antarctic photo section to see why...

The future

I have to say I do see myself coming to the twilight of my running career or at least I’ll drop down to half marathons or below. Having said that there are a couple which still takes my fancy and around 20 would sound so much better than 18 wouldn't you say? It appears I'm still in denial!

One of these was scheduled in 2020 but this particular year will only be remembered for one topic so time to rethink. I confess I now know why they have age classes in marathons, as after a certain birthday they get a lot harder! Let’s see what the future holds......