The Last Post

What a race. The slowest time I have done of my 3 marathons, 4hrs 11mins and by far the hottest but it was simply the best atmosphere. The crowd this year was tremendous and the banter was just great.

Whilst the pain and soreness make you want to stop right now the crowd just pulls you back in. I think it will actually be my last for a while and if so it was a great one to do.

Slightly disappointed with the time but in no way did I feel as much hatred for it as i did last year just really enjoyed it.

Whilst the training is hard and your body never quite gets time to recover I would suggest it as something everyone should do once in a lifetime.

Thanks for reading the blogs over the last few years and supporting me.

Bye

2 Days To Go

All the training is done 574miles - 11 more than last year and 86hrs 25mins - obviously trained a lot slower as those 11 extra miles took 6hrs longer. Knees are sore and ache whenever I walk but other than that the legs feel fine and so does the rest of the body. Really looking forward to this years race, not as nervous as the last couple of years though not sure if I feel as fit as before which might be a good thing as I wont go off like a rocket and burn out after 21 miles. I have run 24 miles and felt good afterwards so I can do this and finish in a time I want too and not feel too crap afterwards.

Bags are packed and the early train awaits tomorrow. Bananas, porridge, drinks are all sorted. Watch charged up running gear checked. Very excited cant wait.

United to beat City and me to win the marathon. Ones a dream one is a reality.

3 Weeks To Go

A good weeks training. No injury worries - legs actually feel quite good. Sunday saw my longest nonstop run ever 24 miles done in under 3hrs 30mins - i could have walked another 2 and still have been quicker than my best marathon time. I have hit the wall around 21/22 miles for the previous two marathons so to keep going until 24 was great. I actually got a tad excited and was to be seen punching the air after finishing. Probably the most excited and pumped up I have ever been after finishing a training run. The taper off has started now so hopefully the legs arent going to feel as tired and I should start to get a bit more refreshed. 3 or 4 sessions this week with a long run of 20/21 possibly on Mothers Day so I will need to be on my best behaviour to get away with that one.

4 Weeks To Go

Ok no excuse but working hard, studying for my MSc, training for the marathon, two boys, and writing a blog one thing had to give and it was this but hopefully for the next 4 weeks I will be here and let you know what the run in is going to be like.

Whats happened over the last few weeks.

RACES

Parbold Hill Race - Hill being the word you need to take from that - After running up numerous ridiculously steep hills we encountered a bizarre situation were you are stood at the top of a hill you have known most of your life to be the highest peak in the vicinity and the relief that the next 4 miles must be downhill you then somehow manage to keep on running uphill but somehow end up back at the start. How we got back to that point I will never know, and running through farmers fields is also not the easiest thing in the world. Other than that it was a cracking race and a brilliant change from the usual tarmac slog. A big thanks to Paul & Chris for running it as well, and a special well done to Chris who managed to kick for home in the last 5 metres to leave me trailing 3rd out of the there of us. Cross Country, trail running and fell running will be the next challenges - just dont tell the wife.

The only road race I am doing this year before the marathon was the Great North Western Half Marathon - lets get the times out of the way first I was 8 1/2 mins slower than last year whilst Paul was 12 1/2 mins slower. But thankfully I didn't need to dip on the line to edge out the 8 min/miler who also happened to be a woman. A funny old race, besides the mad wind that hit you each time we turned back north, I got a stitch which i never do and also felt a bit sick after about six miles which I never do, usually after 21 and I bring the whole works back up. It is a good flat race but i guess we both just werent up for record breaking this time. Would like to come back and do it when there is no wind but I think after this year my running time is going to be seriously challenged by my better half.

INJURIES

These have been bad this year and much worse than any of the previous 2 years - which basically means I am going to run the best time I have ever done.

Dodgy left knee - became very sore and at times felt like it was just bone on bone grinding - would cease up on a night and would hurt and become stiff though the night but somehow and I have no idea how it just went. Very dull little pain now but gives me no grief what so ever.

Achilles on the right leg, very sore, very stiff and basically could hardly walk. Not sure if this was down to the trainers but after stamping all over the back of the trainers it seemed to disappear so unless it was just the stiffness of the shoe rubbing constantly as I was running that was causing it i dont know but that also was bloody sore.

Shin Splints (We believe) - right leg - ridiculously sore and painfull - 18mile run done in wigan then later that week leg started to hurt could hardly walk, no training done and just stupid pain, 21 mile run done at home following sunday daft as it is rested felt ok ish so did it once the adrenelin kicked in forgot about the pain, then that night leg swelled up to about 20 times its normal size - ice pack on and compression socks finally brought the swelling down - very very sore then - x-rays done following morning but didnt show any fractures so nurse believes shin splints. Told to rest and it has been ok since.

TRAINING

Very mixed bag last few weeks with all the old injures etc etc. 18 miles in Wigan was tough, very hilly really shoudnt have done so many hills. A big thanks to Swav who joined me for the last 10miles and dragged me through it. Though it did give him the chance to look ridiculously fit and healthy next to me. A 20 mile run the the outlaws which culminated in me "sprinting" the last mile to try and get under a certain time which I achieved - not sure what I was really playing at there but the mind does play funny tricks on you after 3 hours of running the streets. A couple of 21 mile runs over the last 2 weekends both very good and over 10 secs a mile quicker that what i had been doing up until then so very pleased with that - might not sound a lot but it is to me and is a big "get in". I just wish the lock keeper would shut the canal gates in Castleford as for 2 weeks now they have been left open and it means that after 12 miles I have to run up and over a very steep foot bridge and let me tell you that aint easy. 1 last long run this sunday which i hope to try and do 24miles - I seem to have a barrier at 21 and just cant seem to break through it so I am trying a new pace tactic this week and will see if I can crawl past it. A short 18miler the following week so that should be like a little stroll in the park then.

Number has come through 40350, not sure what pen i am in or what start i go from but the number really does mean it ain't that far away.

WEIGHT LOSS

Very brief - there hasnt been any - compared to the last 2 years I am well over a stone heavier - was about 14.10 the other day last year I think i ran at 13.5 so still a bit of work to do.

Stats so far

Week 12 - 31.1miles - avg pace - 8.34min miles

Total - 457 miles - avg pace - 9.01min miles

www.justgiving.com\davidmcnamara2011

6 Weeks Gone 10 To Go

This has been one tough week. The main problem has been the ankle. It has been very sore and extremely stiff when I have got up to go for a run.

A good variety of runs this week. One session was pure Hills - 10 2 mins shuttles up the hill followed by a 3 min jog back down. Gets tough after about 5/6 runs.

A nice long run midweek which kept a good time over. Did my long run on Saturday this week which was a good idea as i just loved having a total day off on Sunday with no running or work. That is the first time this year that has happened. Was supposed to do 20 miles on Saturday but tried something and it didnt quite work. Set out over a number of very steep hills and when I reached 10 miles I, for some reason, decided to turn around and run back over said same big hills, to see if i could do the 2nd 10 quicker. Kept it up until just under 2 miles left and the last big hill did me. I just didnt have anything in the tank to get me up the hill.

It was also belting it down but once you are soaked you cant really get any wetter. My time was slower than i had wanted and i did 2 miles less but it felt really good to hit the hills and I felt like i had had a proper good workout.

Looking ahead to this week and i hit every distance I will probably do over 60 miles. That just seems such a ridiculous amount to do.

The bug is very well back and even though it hurts I am enjoying the long runs. Probably enjoying them more than the shorter ones. It does feel good to just set off and run.

Beer Belly - Still a good 42ins - isnt going anywhere

BMI - 27.38 - No real change - if the belly aint moving this certainly isnt

Week 6 - 41 miles - 6hrs 21 mins - avg 9.14min/mile

Total - 232 miles - 35hrs 08 mins - avg 9.05min/mile

www.justgiving.com\davidmcnamara2011

5 Weeks Down - 11 To Go

Another week gone and the body really is starting to suffer. The knee is still sore but my ankle is really hurting, not sure if it is anything serious but it hurts as soon as I start running and then takes the rest of the day to calm down.

Other than the pain it has been a good weeks training. 19 miles run today and it was a good run, the same route as last week just the other way round with a cheeky little extra mile thrown in at the end.

Keeping a good constant pace and feeling ok for most of it, other than having to run up Mount Everest at the end, never going to get used to running up hills - we are not meant to do that, but really happy with the way it went and how I felt, didnt even try and speed up when the slim little blonde ran past me, was too focused on what I was doing to try and show off. Getting more and more confident that i will be ok and able to get around London.

The good lady wife has also gone and bought me some super special running gear, a compression top and shorts. Tried the top out today and after pouring myself into it and seeing what it can do for a beer belly I think it actually did some good. Supposed to make you more this and better at that and some extra of the other which in all truthfulness I think it actually did. I will give the shorts a whirl this week and see how they fair up. Bought some knee high socks as well but they don't fit right so I cant wear them and I was looking forward to literally just having my knee caps on display whilst running.

Do you ever fall over that line of going from being a charity runner to someone who actually likes going out and running and doing the marathon is just actually a bit of a challenge to maybe just keep you focused rather than being the ultimate goal. I should probably be careful not to belittle running 26miles or else it is going to really hit me. I suppose the biggest challenge this year is going from being a good sight bigger and unfit than I was last year and probably the first year. I have a lot more realistic goals in mind for what I want to achieve this year regards time and hopefully i wont let the occasion go to my head and try and beat the Kenyans this year.

Beer Belly - Without super top on 42ins

BMI - 27.39 - Up a bit but I needed to eat after todays run so that is my excuse

Week 5 - 45miles - 6hrs 39mins - avg 8:53 min miles

Total - 191miles - 28thrs 47mins - avg 9:03 min miles

www.justgiving.com\davidmcnamara2011

4 Weeks Down

Yet another week done, it was a hard week training. Was bloody cold on some days and last sundays abysmal run took a lot of getting over. But whatever magic beans my better half used in last nights cooking certainly worked. Last weekends long run 16 miles avg 9.25mins todays 18 miles avg 8.48mins nt quite sure what happened but just kept going and going and felt good????? Also did a good 5 miles yesterday so feel great tonight. Body is aching, left knee now hurts within the 1st 5 yards of running and I can constantly feel a dull ache in it, and the back of my right ankle feels very tight so will need to keep an eye on it.

Went on a good route today, with quite a few miles along the trans pennine trail which was a cracking stretch to run on, had to pass through a slightly wierd estate to get on to it but then bam a great running section. Was also flat.

Saw a good handful of runners today which is a change from previous weeks. Was fairly mild though and i didnt have my lovely tight lycra on so people actually acknowledged me as well.

My vest also came through for the marathon so I will post a picture of it on here when I have done one.

I think I could be fairly safe in saying that if ever there was going to be a session missed it is going to be tomorrows I can just tell in my legs that it is going to be a tough one to get up for tomorrow. Only 4 miles but it is going to be hard.

Couple of races sorted for the next few weeks, Parbold Hill Race, never done it before so looking forward to it, and the Great North Western Half Marathon. Hold my PB on this but it is a new route so we shall have to see. Planning to do probably 2 more races, Spen 20, and another half somewhere.

Beer Belly - Coming down - 42 ins

BMI - 27.25 falling faster than Man City

Week 4 - 41.5 miles - 6hrs 11mins - avg 8:58 min miles

Total - 146 miles - 22hrs 07mins - avg 9:06 min miles

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara2011

3 weeks Down 13 to go

I should probably say why I am running the marathon for those that don't know.

6 years ago my eldest son was born 15 weeks premature and amongst a number of 'issues' the one that probably affects him most today is his deafness and communication, it is the main thing that holds back his ability to integrate with his class mates. Since last years marathon he has come along unbelievably his vocabulary has flourished and his ability to say the words he can clearly is amazing. At the back end of last year we came across Hearing Dogs for Deaf People that provides trained dogs to people of various ages who suffer from severe deafness. One area that was of particular interest to ourselves was the supply of 'Team' dogs to children aged 7 and above, whilst my son is too young to be included, we still looked in to this more and we felt it was a brilliant scheme and one that when you see actual examples you can see the benefit a Hearing Dog has to a young person, and as always if putting myself through a bit of pain for a few months helps even more people benefit then it is worth it.

This has been another bloody hard week. I am getting the miles in but just cant get anywhere near the times I would like to be doing the runs in.

The legs have been fairly sore and stiff this week which probably means i am well into my training and to get used to it as it aint going away for the next 3 months. My knee was particularly sore and at times felt as if there was something properly wrong with it but it eased off through the week.

A 16 mile run this weekend and feel very good that i completed the distance. It hurt, especially the last 3, which seemed to be constantly up hill but probably wasnt really. In 2 1/2 hours of running saw exactly zero other runners out there. It really is a lonely existance being a long distance runner. I did the long run yesterday, and havent run today so hopefully this week the legs will feel a bit more refreshed and should hopefully be able to have another good week.

This years running vest has turned up and it is a beauty, I will get a picture of it and post it. Lets just say it is in the style you would expect of a charity that has dogs as a main component.

Beer Belly - Still a rounded 42.5 ins

BMI - 27.43 how does running 40 miles make sod all difference

Week 3 - 39 miles - 5hrs 58mins ran - avg 9:11 min miles

Total - 104.5 miles - 15hrs 57mins - avg 9:10 min miles

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara2011

2 weeks Down 14 to go

A big thankyou to Phyllis for my first sponsorship - first one again for the 3rd year running.

2nd week done and it was no easier than the first. It has been hard getting up this week to do the early morning runs and bloody cold - two hats and two pairs of gloves have been a daily requirement.

34.5 miles done this week, a mixed bag of short runs with a 14 miler today. Glad i did the miles today but the time i did was shocking, i dont know if it was the headwind for the first 11 miles or maybe the touch of black ice that caused me to go slower, I am certainly hoping it was or it is going to be one hell of a slog over the next few months - it probably was really the big fat gut swinging around in front off me that did it.

Had to miss a run midweek though due to my little angel wanting to have a chat with his dad for an hour at 3.30am, by the time i had finally persuaded him that it was good to go back to sleep there was no way i was going to get/stay up and run 7 miles.

Still need to sort a local 10km race out for the end of Jan. Not sure about doing one i have done before as I always like to beat my previous best and I just dont think i am anywhere near as fit as I was last year.

Legs where sore on Monday after last weeks long run so I am not holding out much hope for them being fine tomorrow. I think it is going to be another week of running on aching legs. Though I am drinking a lot more 'fitness runner type' drinks so hopefully that may help.

Beer Belly - 42.5ins - the six pack is getting ever closer

BMI - 27.13 - going up, it always takes a bit of time, allegedly, for the benefits of exercise to show through ??????????????

Week 2 - 34.5 miles - 5hrs 18mins ran - avg 9:15min miles
Total - 65.5miles - 9hrs 59min run - avg 9:09min miles

1 Week Down 15 to go

I cant believe I have signed up to do this again. Truth be told I love it. The buzz of running in the London Marathon is amazing and I guess I just wanted to feel it again.

This first week has been bloody hard, 31 miles run this week just another 560 odd ish to do.

I dont know if it has been the volume of turkey eaten or the amount of ale drunk or the thick snow in Wigan which has made it tough it just felt hard. It could be the fact I havent run for about 10 weeks and am now a massive 15 stone.

5 runs during the week of 4 or 5 miles and for some reason they were tough i just couldnt get going. Did 11 miles today and felt so much better and it actually felt fairly pain free and was suprisingly the most enjoyable run of the week.

I am in the process of sorting my pre marathon races out so i will post them all here so that you can all join in.

Beer Belly - 43 ins - this is 3 ins more than this time last year so it looks like a good bit of work is going to be needed to get rid of this.

BMI - 26.82 - which is half a BMI point up on last year. God I am going to have to work hard this year.

31 miles - 4hrs 40mins ran - avg 9:03min/mile

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara2011

1 Week Ago

Sunday was the hardest thing I have ever done. I went out at 8 min/mile pace and was able to keep it up until 18/19 miles but it hit me after 21 and after that it was just murder. An ever increasing mix of walking and running there after saw me finish in 4hrs 2mins. The muscles ached like never before and my stomach was a complete mess. 4 little deposits across London resulted in a chat with the St Johns Ambulance and a very slow last mile walk.

I have said never again and at the minute that still stands.

I will have raised in excess of £2000 when all monies have been collected and that is amazing, i must remember why i put myself through all the pain and to raise that much money for a charity that means a lot to myself and my family feels very good indeed.

Thankyou all.

3 Days To Go

No more training to do. I will go for a 2 miles pathetic run /jog/fast walk tomorrow evening just to stretch the legs off.


I feel good and more than ready for it. Just a bit concerned about the weather which is supposed to be HOT.


Now for the training stats:


563 miles done - 16 more than last year. 21 marathons and 1 half marathon.


80hrs 11mins 50secs total training.


86583 calories burned

wii fit bmi - 24.97 - I am IDEAL - just watch me go now on Sunday.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara2010

6 Days To Go

Less than a week to go, feeling good, last longish run completed yesterday. 12 miles done and felt ok afterwards.

A few shortish runs this week just to keep the legs ticking over and a massage tomorrow just for good measure.

All my gear is sorted and ready, new socks and a new vest with my name on.

Really looking forward to it which is weird, even though I have trained harder than last year, it is still tough to run so far but it will be good, i am sure the atmosphere will be great.

12 Days To Go

The last race before the big day was attempted on Sunday. After 2 days of feeling like crap I managed 5 miles before all the energy drained out of me. With 2 weeks to go, I made the decision to just jog the last 8 and actually enjoyed it, the scenary isnt exactly the best though - Blackpool is a shit hole and is filthy but other than that it was good to just run at an easy pace an not try and break your neck doing it.

Another good run by Swav and a very good debut from Ste.

18 Days To Go

A bit of a mixed bag over Easter and it did include some eggs being troughed.

Missed my run on friday but towed my big lad around on the bikes for 11 miles so I felt that I then didnt really need to go out. Did a short run on saturday all in preparation ahead of Sundays biggy.

My last BIG run ahead of the marathon - 23 miles done. I cant believe I am about to say this but it felt ok!!!!! Did however stop a couple of times due to making the most stupid decision ever to try some new socks out. Those girly anklet type socks that only just come above your trainer, well they decided to fall down numerous times and resulted in me taking a good bit of skin off both ankles. A nice bit of blood.

After the delights of Sunday I didnt have the energy to go out on Monday, the legs just didnt have it in them. Needed a day off to recover so went out and did 7miles yesterday - minus big Ipod that wouldnt switch on, running watch that wouldnt switch on (wife thankfully fixed it ??????) and little Ipod that did switch on but lasted 3 mins. A thoroughly crap run.

Following the love of the massage last week I have actually gone back for more and it hurt just as much as last weeks did. The line I would like to use would be what the hell did he do to my backside but that might get misinterpreted so I will just let you know it hurt like hell, as did all of it.

8 miles tomorrow and 10 on friiday then the last race in pre-marathon mode is on Sunday with the Blackpool Half Marathon. A personnal favourite as it was the first I ever run when we did it to raise money for the ward that Evan was looked after on when he was born.

A couple of folk joining us on Sunday which will be good as we aim to break 1hr 30mins for the first time - come on Swav you know you want too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wii fit BMI - 25.12 - still overweight - I am super fit as I can run 23 miles carrying this overweight torso.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara2010

23 Days To Go

Dont ever go for a massage - I would rather go and have all my teeth pulled out without having an injection. The 15 stone rugby player size bloke certainly didnt hold back.

Oh Dave those muscles feel a bit tight let me batter them to pieces it will be worth it in the end.

There was pain like I've never known.

Last proper long run this sunday, 23 miles, and I am so looking forward to it.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara2010

26 Days To Go

Sunday was by far the hardest run done so far. I dont know if it had anything to do with cycling all the way from Pluto to the Sun and back again - stopping for a beer not long after Mars. Ok 13 miles done on the bike up and down an old railway line in York towing a very lazy 5 year old who didnt want to help in any way what so ever. Not the best preparation for a 22 mile run.

I will run in any weather as was evident on Monday evening after doing 4 miles in the lashing rain but I absolutely hate the wind. Did 13 miles ok on Sunday then turned for home and the next 6 were in to a force 10 gale that reduced my mins per mile from just over 8 to at one point 11.5. It was murder. The hardest ever. By the time I had done 19 I had no energy left and was wrecked and had to stop I couldnt physically do anymore.

6 miles done this morning which felt ok but the legs are getting very tired now, so I have decided, sanctioned by the wife, to go for a massage tomorrow evening to see if that will work. First time ever I have gone for a massage!!!!!

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara2010