Papi Runs

Blog Post: 2 Marathons in 2 Days...

Papi runs — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:52:00 GMT

The Christmas period has been a strange one for me. I've been running lots in preparation for the Liverbird Marathon Double (26.2 miles New Years Eve & 26.2 miles New Years Day) although have been set back by the birth of my son and 'runners knee' to both knees!

So, as Christmas approached I decided to take a week off to recover and in this time had my works Christmas do as well as another evening out. Christmas then came very quickly and I only ran 10 miles over the 2 weeks before the Marathon Double (fair to say I was worried and thinking of a million excuses to get out of it!).

However, the fact that I was rested and had eaten lots, (as you do at Christmas) eased my mind and preparations went ahead as planned; winter running kit, drinks, energy gels, plasters, ipod and hat.

The Liverbird Marathon Double is a small event and attracts an interesting selection of participants best described as a bunch of nutters about to enter 52 miles of pain... A good atmosphere though and a very simple course, 4 laps up and down the water front at Liverpool docks.

Day 1 wasn't too bad, I finished the race in 3.23 in 7th position and most importantly no issue with runners knee!

So marathon 1 done and home for new Years Eve with my family... I was in bed by 10pm and when I was woken up the next morning at 6am I was straight into think of 'how I can get out of this' but the fact that I had so many texts from people saying "well done" and "good luck" forced me to again start the preparations, drive to Liverpool and get it done!

Looking back, it was comical, getting out of my car and hobbling to the start line, laughing at myself for being so stupid.

Once the race began the first half marathon was OK, I got into the zone and although I was running at a slower pace than the day before I did actually think I could finish the thing.

The pain really kicked in after mile 13 and once I got passed thinking ‘I can’t do this’ I was plodding along at around 9 minutes per mile for a few miles. Then the moment of the whole experience came;

A guy that I’d been running with earlier on had dropped out and walked past me the other way. He gave me a high five which knocked me for six, out of my ’zone’ I nearly fell over and my knee really hurt. After stumbling for about 20 meters, I had a warm feeling that went from head 2 toe taking all pain with it and leaving me in a state that I can only describe as ‘being stoned’ – it was ace and lasted for about 2 miles, taking in the sun set, smiling chatting with passers by.

The rest of the race was horrible… But the sense of achievement was well worth it and I’m now looking forward to my first Ultra Marathon later this year!

Blog Post: The Big M in 4, by Norman Edwards - Book Review...

Papi runs — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:24:00 GMT

I was asked by The Running Bug to read and review the following book:

The Big M, by Norman Edwards

Having read a number of books about running in the last year, i'm in a good position to compare and make comment.

The Big M by Norman Edwards is brilliant!

It's a light hearted account of a man in his early 50s not only deciding to run a marathon but setting himself a target of running it in a time that is less than 4hrs.

Norm has recorded all of his training notes and the pains, joys and mind games that go with it in an easy to read, funny and relevantly 'true to life' way that makes you want to read on even when your eyes are tired.

It's an honest account of one man on a mission to reach his goal and i'd definitely recommend it to runners of all ages and abilities. So much so that i've already ordered another copy for my marathon running Mother in Law!

To order a copy, contact the man himself: normwag@btinternet.com

Blog Post: Cross Training, Tendonitis and a baby!

Papi runs — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:42:00 GMT

Following on from my previous post I can now confirm that I have been suffering from tendonitis in my foot (a shooting pain and constant aching in the arch of my left foot) and ‘runners knee’ which from what I have read is due to the tendon that stretches over your knee and rubs on the bone when exercising usually when one leg is favoured (my right), probably due to my initial foot injury (my left).

Up until now the only training that I’ve been doing is running, basic strength training and stretching. So suddenly changing to cross training was tough and a bit of a shock to the system.

By cross training I mean; the cross trainer machine in the gym, exercise bike and rowing machine and my aim was to do 20 minutes on each per 1hr or so gym session. However, I kept finding myself 3 miles into a run on the treadmill, limping and trying to kid myself that it doesn’t hurt.

I had a 2 day break then went for a run and this is when my knee became the issue. I tried and tried to run on it and get through the pain but finally had to admit that I was in agony and that I actually need to have a break and rest it!

My break lasted 2 days and I’ve since been building up my mileage by doing 2 miles in the morning and two in the evening. Then I did 3 in one go, then 5 and then 7.5 miles without pain!

I’ve been running much slower for fear of the ‘runners knee’ coming back, so from doing 7 minute miles at the most, I’m doing over 8 minutes per mile.

I’ve also concentrated on my diet, eating less rubbish food and more natural food; lots of greens, berries and lean meats and I’m sure this has helped my recovery.

Having not had a beer in ages and having completely quit smoking I spent money saved (it’s surprising how much we spend on alcohol etc!) on a Garmin 405cx which is a quality bit of kit that I’d recommend to anyone into training.

I then did an 11 mile run and felt OK, no sign of injury, nothing to get in the way of some serious training apart from; the arrival of my son, Jack who was born just the other day and may well keep me out of my running shoes for a couple of days…

Next post – 5 weeks to train for the Liverbird Marathon Double!

Blog Post: Chester Marathon 2011

Papi runs — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:30:00 GMT

The Chester Marathon http://www.chestermarathon.co.uk

I started out doing 7 minute miles which I maintained up to about mile 10 then I started flagging, my stride was wobbly and I realised that the rest of the race was going to be tough. One of the first lessons I was told when I did my first ever road race: http://www.lostockac.co.uk/lostock-6 was “don’t go out too hard, start steady and save some for the end” Oops!

The facilities at Chester Marathon were great, the support was fantastic and the weather was perfect but even the energy gels I had with me had little effect. I think I experienced ‘The wall’ in this race and relied on numerous ‘2^nd winds’ and mind games to get through it.

I was happy with my time, 3:22 but it came at a cost, injuries to both feet; tendonitis to my left and bruising on the top of my right which made it really hard to run the following week.

So….

I’ve mentioned previously that I have an extremely addictive personality, I’m also really competitive and within 2 days of completing the Chester Marathon I was looking for my next challenge.

I’ve put myself in for my first ultra marathon, a 62 mile race in October 2012

http://www.adventurehub.com/Ultra_Races.html

But that’s way off and I’ve since found the Liverbird Marathon Double; 26.2 miles on New Years Eve and 26.2 miles on New Years Day which seems like the perfect way to keep away from the temptation of a boozy Christmas and keeping focused on fitness.

I’ve run everyday since the Chester Marathon but during a 13.5 mile run at the weekend (7 days after) my foot injury reached it’s peak and I was walking or should I say, limping!

So leg raised, ice pack strapped on and resting. I’m injured and really pissed off!

I’m now planning a week of cross training, stretching and recovery.

Oh and I’m on call as baby number 2’s arrival is imminent!

Blog Post: The Great Langdale Marathon 2011

Papi runs — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 07:46:00 GMT

I woke at 6am with a two hour drive in front of me and I wanted to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything (although I’d been planning for the last few days).

Breakfast was Shredded Wheat with Rice Crispies and sliced banana with a bottle of water. I took a flap jack and a 2 litre bottle of water for the journey.

I arrived early and it all seemed much quieter than last year, probably because it was pouring down with rain! I found a cup of tea, and took in the panoramic view, sizing up the hills/mountains that I was about to run up and down (and of course I checked out the competition or ‘the proper runners’ as I call them).

The Great Langdale Marathon is two laps of a 13.1 mile route with some serious hills, the worst of which is at the 2^nd/ 14^th mile. My plan was to make it to the top of that hill on my second lap without stopping, like I did last year.

I ran the first ½ marathon in 1:42, not bad I thought, and I did get to the top of the hill (of doom). All the way I repeatedly counted up from one to a hundred (in my head) and each time I got there I said out loud “that was for you Ben” (my 5yr old son). When I finally got to the top I shouted “I fucking love that boy” much to the amusement of the two Marshalls at the top!

I felt like I’d won the race! It was an amazing feeling. I ran the rest of the race (apart from the 39 steps that I walked due to cramp) and finished in 3:38, knocking 20 minutes off last years time and finishing in a respectable 17^th overall position.

The drive home took a couple of hours and all the way I was thinking “what’s next? when’s the next race?”

A couple of days after the Langdale Marathon, I was offered a place in the Chester Marathon (which was just over a week later) by a friend who had to drop out through injury.

I accepted the offer (how hard could it be after the Great Langdale marathon). “It’s flat”, I thought, “and I’ve already done the training”.

It wasn’t easy… TBC

Blog Post: My New Addiction

Papi runs — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:18:00 GMT

It's all or nothing for me, one extreme to the next and now running is taking over my life!

I take you back about 13 months; I'm approaching my 30th birthday, I'm a secret smoker, I have a habit of drinking almost every day, father of two, a slight sleeper and alongside my demanding job in advertising I'm playing guitar and singing in a bar twice a week for free beer.

Due to the music, I haven't played football for a while and having done the odd 10k run over the last year have got a bit out of shape.

I decide to look online and look for a 'pre being 30 challenge' and found The Great Langdale Marathon (one of the UK's toughest), booked my place on it with 11 weeks to train. Slightly under-prepared I completed The Great Langdale in 3h58, experiencing immense pain (cramp in the front of my thighs), followed by the unbelievable sense of relief and achievement.

I now take you forward to March this year (2012), I haven't run since the marathon last September, I've turned 30 and my girlfriend is pregnant prompting me to make a pledge to be good, cleanse my blood and let the white return to my eyes - at least until the baby is born.

I book myself in for The Great Langdale Marathon again, quit drinking, secret smoking and the rest and throw myself into a training schedule running 4 days per week minimum, 100 press ups & sit ups a day and eating healthy food - 5 a day, every day!

Within six weeks I've run 13.5 miles twice and a 20 mile run in training, my body has started to change shape, slimmer and stronger and I've started reading books such as 'Born to Run' by Christopher McDougall, 'Fit for Life' by Ranulph Finnes and 'Ultra Marathon Man' by Dean Karnazes and I'm totally inspired!!

Then finally, Saturday 24th September arrives and I wake up at 6am - time to get ready to head to Cumbria for my second attempt at The Great Langdale Marathon.

To be continued...

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Anonymous — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:13:00 GMT

With the news of his new baby, Rowan decided to put the beers, cigs and the rest to one side and run the Great Langdale once again. Caught by the running bug, he's finding it's infectious.

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