In October 2020 my right knee got injured. I could not bend or straighten my right leg. I walked or attempted to run over the following months (Typical monthly mileage would be 120 – 160 Miles). I had knee surgery in February 2021 and at times I thought I would never run again. I failed couch to 5k twice but got through it the 3rd time:
October – 22 Miles
November – 11 Miles
December – 23 Miles
January – 7.5 Miles
February – 11.8 Miles
March – 3 Miles
April – 31 Miles
May – 30 Miles
June – 15 Miles
July – 16 Miles
August – 71 Miles
September – 65 Miles
October – 70 Miles
November – 103 Miles
December – 96 Miles
Just as I was starting to come back I caught covid in September, this was not too bad but it left me with a bad cough for 3 months which ended up with me hurting my ribs which stopped me from running for half of December, just as I was trying to start building up my miles to start marathon training. I completed the cross country season with Doncaster Athletic Club, I thought if I can get through cross country then I can consider myself fixed.
I did Run Every Day January and covered 200 miles with an 18 mile run and a 20 mile run in the month. I have not done many 200 mile months before.
February – 124 Miles with a 20 mile run and another 20 mile run.
March – 146 Miles, probably should have done another long run but just did shorter runs up to 12 miles.
Manchester – thaks to Alison for making all the transport and hotel arrangements, both were great.
Race day – got to the start in plenty of time, it was cold (1 or 2 degrees), dry, light wind. Good conditions really. Went with the second start for people aiming for 2:55 to 3:15.
Started too fast but at the time, the hope was there that I could hold the pace or if not, then put some time in the bank. Sub 3 would have been a dream and at half way I was on about 1:27. Its a flat marathon but the hills over the bridges killed me. Still running a decent pace until about 22 miles and sub 3 was achievable. But the pace started to slow, then really slow. I was hanging on from about 15 miles so pleased to have managed to keep the pace going for another 7 miles. The last 4 miles were terrible, my quads were killing me.
Finished with a time of 3:04:42, this should get me a Good For Age place at London Marathon 2023. I am thinking about the Yorkshire Marathon late 2022.
To have run 3:04:42 off 3 months of reasonable training is great. And other issue I have is I am 10kg heavier than before knee surgery.
The weekend was great, spotted loads of people I know from both my own club and other clubs around Doncaster and South Yorkshire.
Stopped in a nice hotel with the lovely Alison and we had some great food and drink over the weekend.
To get better – consistent running 40-45 miles a week, improve the strength of my quads and drop 10kg.
I raced to music, I have always been a big fan of drum and bass, and hard trance from the 90’s and below is my playlist for the Manchester Marathon: