Race Day 6 - Edinburgh Marathon

Aaron Douglas Trimble once said "Nothing's better than the wind to your back, the sun in front of you, and your friends beside you". After a wonderful weekend in Edinburgh with friends, family and the small matter of another marathon I would tend to agree, although he missed the bit about the beer afterwards!

Speaking of beer...build up to the marathon didn't start well when I fell of the wagon a little bit on the Friday and had a few too many beers but you can't pass up the opportunity for a few tinnies on the train, can you? You can? Oh! Well it was worth it!

Saturday was spent relaxing in the beautiful Scottish sunshine (no, you didn't read that wrong!). At a balmy 24C I was starting to get a little concerned about the weather on race day but the ice cream was providing reasonable consolation. No matter how hot it got it had to be better than last years race where Edinburgh delivered a cracking day of Scottish weather with all four seasons in one day. There was...

...a wee bit of wind...

...some choppy waters in the firth...

...the odd bolt or two of lightning...

...a few small hail stones...

...and a minor volcanic eruption on Arthur's Seat!

OK, so that might be a slight exaggeration but they did close all of the bridges due to the high winds which did not make for an easy run.

The Edinburgh marathon is the second biggest marathon in the UK with 27,695 runners signed up this year (including Fauja Singh who at the age of 101 was running the final leg of the marthon relay - fair play fella, fair play!) . To support so many runners requires 167,525 bottles of water, 9,920m of barriers, 25,000 cones and 250 portaloos! It's also the fastest marathon in the UK so I was hoping that the legs had enough in them for a shot at a PB, with 500 quid on offer if I could run sub 3:20 (fat chance, but worth a shot). Interestingly, the record for the slowest running of the Edinburgh marathon is currently with Lloyd Stott who took six days to finish the race. To be fair to the chap he did do it in a 100lb deep sea diving suit and he did have a case of food poisoning. Can you imagine trying to get out of that suit and to the toilet in time!

This got me interested and with a little help from the T'Interweb superhighway I was able to find some other pretty wacky marathon attempts. Here are some of my favourites...

Draggin' a dragon! In 2006 Lloyd Stott (yes, it appears he is completely off his rocker!) dragged an 8ft dragon around the London marathon course!

In 2007, you guessed it, Lloyd Stott dressed as Indiana Jones and dragged a massive boulder around the London marathon course! What an absolute mentalist!

It looks like next years challenge is going to have to be a good one if I'm going to complete with people like this ;-)

The race itself was pretty uneventful. It was obvious pretty quickly that I wouldn't be able to run sub-3:20 as the legs just didn't have it in them from the start but a PB was on the cards for 20 miles. I slowed a little in the last six miles and ended up over seven minutes away from a PB with a disappointing time of 3:34:27. Unlike the previous week there was no finish line drama (a bit of a disappointment for the spectators I'm sure) and I felt like there was plenty left in the tank so may just have misjudged this one a bit, or more accurately got scared by a little bit of sun and not pushed myself as hard as I could have. On the plus side without any recovery time needed we were down the pub much quicker and tucking into an ice cold Tennents (the drink of kings, or is it Neds, I can never remember). 

The 1986 Tennents lager ladies. Pure dead brilliant bit of beer car art, although I'm not sure about Marie's hair! Whoever invented these really was a visionary, why waste valuable drinking time going to art galleries when they can bring art galleries to your can of beer! Genius! :-)

Sunday afternoon was spent in the park enjoying yet more beautiful Scottish sunshine. I don't know who's idea it was but this included a few "sporting" events, including a 100m sprint (where I am not allowed to mention anything about the performance of other non-marathon running participants) and some pretty risque gymnastics (nuff said)!

Yet another massive thanks to Ellie for letting us stay and being such a wonderful host! Also a massive thanks to Lisey and Mikey for putting up with having to watch there second marathon in a week, to Jo for pushing through a stinking hangover to be there and to Madi who was subjected to almost five hours of my bad chat on the train back to London! Seeing a friendly face on the sidelines makes such a massive difference so thank you all!

Race Day 5 - Brathay Windermere Marathon

Another week, another marathon. This week the Brathay Windermere Marathon, one of the toughest courses in Europe, 26.2 miles around England's largest lake with 2,500ft of climbing and a serious dose of man flu to boot, not that there's any dose of man flu that isn't serious! It is an irrefutable scientific fact that man flu is more painful than childbirth*. More men die each year from MFN (Man Flu Neglect) than lots and lots of other things (like rabbit attacks or choking on toast). Every minute in this country one man is struck down by man flu. Women, all we ask is that each of you offers them a cup of tea or coffee, some kind words and your undivided attention and care. Then maybe, just maybe, we'll beat this monstrous disease together.

* Based on a survey of over 100,000 men.

Ater the Three Forts Challenge and the Halstead & Essex Marathon, I thought I would be getting used to hilly courses...not so much! Turns out that hills are evil! They must be stopped! Calling the course "undulating" is a serious understatement! The course is consistently undulating with some MASSIVE hills around 7, 14 and 21 miles, where Sherpas should have been involved!

After last weeks pretty spectacular blow up around mile 15, I was determined that the same thing wasn't going to happen again. Having done some bedtime reading on the course, tactics were adjusted accordingly. Unfortunately, the new and improved tactics didn't take any of my man flu requirements into account. There was no extra time built in for sneezing, hacking up of lungs or throwing up (turns out throwing up and running should not be attempted at the same time!) I also didn't account for Billy the Blister returning around the 12 mile mark. I haven't seen Billy in a couple of years and my has he grown!

The undulations on the course seemed to be set up perfectly to ensure that there was a large hill at the beginning and end of every mile, meaning that every mile consisted of falling behind the required pace on the initial hill, working hard to get the time back for the rest of the mile and then working even harder to keep it on the final hill of the mile. The course really is brutal, not just in terms of the hills but the hardest sections seem to hit you just when mentally you need them the least. This year 18 brave people ran this course every day for 10 consecutive days, finishing yesterday with the main marathon! Absolutely amazing and yet more people putting me to shame!

I think it was Henry Ward Beecher who said "It's easier to go down a hill than up it but the view is much better at the top". Can't argue with the man! I thought last weeks scenery was beautiful but the Lake District is just stunning! Home to an annual Easter trip with the soon-to-be White's and the not-quite-so-soon-to-be-but-soonish-to-be Matthews' I should remember this but what do you expect when you rent a house that's attached to a pub! 26.2 miles of beer haze free running really was a great way to see such a beautiful part of the world.

All in all, a wonderful marathon, beautiful scenery, challenging course, fantastic marshalling and organization and a brilliant atmosphere. A nice touch at the end was that friends and family were allowed to jump in and run the last steep hill up to the finish line. Elise, Mike and the wee man (who has a surprising turn of pace on him for a small fella) definitely gave me a boost for the sprint finish, where Ma and Pa Campbell were waiting to capture a few less than flattering photos just after finishing. Only negative was that the mile markers were out by about 0.2 miles with the difference tagged on at the end, meaning that I missed my target of sub-3:50 by just over a minute. Official time was 3:51:12 which was good enough for 199th place. It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit.

A massive thank you to the Campbell Clan (Ma, Pa, Elise, Mike, Tyler and Bella) for coming along for the day out and helping with support, post race recovery and beer supply J

Next week, the Edinburgh Marathon. The only remaining "easy" marathon and weather permitting (i.e. not like last year where it was so bad that even the race winner stopped for a wee break) a chance for a PB. With £500 on offer for charity if I can post a sub-3:20. Let's hope that the body recovers and I can really give it a good go.

Race Day 4 - Halstead & Essex Marathon

Another week and another marathon ticket off. This week, the Halstead & Essex marathon, which was, surprisingly enough, in Halstead, Essex. Now, I know what you're all thinking! Essex???...white stiletto heels, silicone enhanced breasts, peroxide blonde hair, over-indulgent use of fake tan (lending an orange appearance), promiscuity, loud verbal vulgarity and socialising at downmarket nightclubs....where do I sign up ;-) In all seriousness I have to admit the marathon was "Brezz" (for those of you who don't speak Essex that means brilliant), well organized, friendly and the countryside simply beautiful! I will most definitely be back to give this one a go with a fresh pair of legs!

After last weeks slog in the South Downs I was feeling pretty good about the prospects for this week on an undulating and hilly course rather than a mountainous one, so much so that I set my new watch up to try and pace me for a 3:25 PB. After a couple of miles it was pretty obvious that I would struggle to keep up the pace needed but through 15 miles I was feeling pretty strong, so much so that when I saw Euan (who had kindly come along to support for the day) at 14 miles there was enough energy for the obligatory (extremely) poor Borat impression and a quick "high five".

Yakshemash!

Essex! It is nice! I like!

Thankfully (for you) I can't find the picture of me in my mankini. I'll be sure to look it out for next weeks blog, it's pretty "Lineham" (Essex for cool, apparently?!?!?!?).

Anyway, back to the race. At around the 15 mile mark I really started to feel the pace. I don't know if it was the heat (a balmy 15C, don't laugh...I don't deal well with the sun!), last weeks exertions, a combination of the previous three weeks marathons in the legs or my complete inability to drink from a cup while running and therefore stay hydrated. Most larger marathons have bottles on offer at each water stop. Unfortunately the smaller ones try to keep costs down and so usually prefer to hand out drinks in plastic cups. Most (normal) people seem to be able to drink from a cup while running without too many issues but it seems I was at the back of the queue when the big man was handing out this particular skill! With water it isn't too bad but you learn pretty quickly not to take the orange juice on offer as it just results in a skicky face! It got to the point where I was trying to grab three or four cups of water at each station in the hope of getting one cups worth of water into my mouth.

Missed again! I have a drinking problem!

So, after 15 miles of orange juice and water throwing I hit the wall! My average pace dropped from 8 min/mile, to 9, 10, 11 and then 12 minute miles! I don't think I have ever run a 12 minute mile in my life! Feeling that drained and realizing that there were another 10+ miles to go was mentally pretty tough and the goal quickly changed from a sub 3:30 marathon to just getting round in under the magic four hours. I don't think a single person passed me in the first 15 miles and I know for sure I didn't pass anyone in the last 11 miles! You know you're in trouble when everyone that passes you shouts encouragement at you! You also know you're in trouble when you see some of the more unusual runners and unorthodox running styles starting to pass you! You see...

Old men...

Old women...

People who wouldn't look out of place in the Ministry of Funny Runs. I kid you not, there was a man who ran like this who came steaming past me around 18 miles!

Fat runners...

...and small runners. OK, the team of midget runners weren't there...but the rest is (pretty much) true!

At around 24 miles I was really starting to worry that I was going to miss the four hour mark but with the end in sight I was able to dig deep and find a couple of sub-10 minutes miles to come in at 3:57:41. Not exactly the time I had been hoping for but considering the 11 miles of agony, I'll take it! Both Euan and Aisha were there at the finish to help with the recovery which involved everything from feeding and dressing me to trying to get me off the ground once my shoulder decided to cramp (lesson learnt, no Friday shoulder sessions in the gym before a marathon!).

Ouch!!!

Did I mention...Ouch!!!

Thankfully nothing that a Mr Whippy and a few pints can't fix! A massive thanks to Euan and Aisha for coming along to support and looking after me, it really does make such a massive difference! Also a massive thank you to everyone for their continuing "messarginis" (messages) of support!

Finally, a massive thanks to Lotte from Link who managed to get Eddie Izzard to send me a personal good luck message! Eddie has just announced that he will be running 27 marathons in 27 days in South Africa! Big show off!

"Good luck to Frazer Campbell in running his 10 marathons in 10 weeks. I hope he has enjoyed his first 3 marathons and hope the other 7 go well. From my experience I'm not sure if the word enjoy is the right one, but maybe 'endured' could be substituted. Anyway it is an adventure and it is healthy and it raises money for a good cause - and that is what is important." Eddie

Four down and six to go! Next week, a weekend at home to look forward to, capped off by one of the hardest marathons in Europe, around Lake Windermere in the Lake District. "Reem" (I am reliably informed that means cool in Essex speak !?!?!?!?!). Ohshatuuuup!!!!!!

The grand total continues to creep up, now standing at an amazing £4,528.75! Thank you again to everyone who has been able to support Link in their fantastic work!

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/FrazerCampbell_10_in_10

Race Day 3 - Three Forts Marathon

Wow! That was TOUGH! Whoever came up with the nickname "The Tough One" has clearly never run that race. That was beyond tough! I'd have gone with something more like "The arduous, backbreaking, demanding, exacting, exhausting, fatiguing, punishing and tough one"! 27.2 miles and 3,450ft of climbing seemed like enough of a challenge but the conditions were, and I quote one of the marshals, "the worst the race has seen since it started in 1977"! It was so cold and wet when I got there that I actually contemplated hiding in the portaloo to keep warm! Thankfully a quick whiff brought me to my senses!

The marathon started with driving rain and wind and within a couple of hundred yards it was apparent that this wasn't a regular marathon with a traffic jam at the first of many farm gates on the route. The first 2.2 miles was a 550ft climb to Cissbury Ring (Fort 1) a combination of the narrow path and heavy mud made it tough going.

Cissbury Ring

The first water station was a welcome sight after the first big climb, especially when I realized that each station was going to have not only water, but orange squash, ribena, cakes and wait for it.....JELLY BABIES! AMAZING! Over the course of the marathon I learnt quite a lot about the pros and cons of the various delicacies on offer and was even able to rank them (that's what happens when you leave me with my own company for four hours!).

Aaaaaaat 5: Propping up the chart was the cookie. Now don't get me wrong, I love a good cookie as much as the next person and was more than a little excited to see them on the menu. However, it turns out that when you're running and breathing heavily you just end up spitting crumbs everywhere!

Aaaaaaat 4: Only marginally better than the cookie was the flapjack where the bits that I can only assume are the flap of the jack get stuck in your throat.

Aaaaaaat 3: Nanas. Effective but a little too healthy for my liking!

Aaaaaaat 2: Fruit loaf. Taking healthy food and making it unhealthy, genius and mmmmmmmmm! Especially the slices with a cherry in them, bonus!

Aaaaaaat 1: JELLY BABIES of course! Think I must have decimated an entire nation of jelly babies over the 27.2miles Yum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unfortunately my running watch got drowned in Stratford-upon-Avon last week (good Czech engineering) and there were very few mile markers on the course so it was pretty difficult to get any idea of pace. To make matters worse every time there was a mile marker it was a massive disappointment. The first mile marker turned up at 8 miles but I had myself at the halfway point. At the halfway point I had guessed at 18 miles, at 18 miles I was guessing 21 and at 21, well I was guessing about 21 as I'd cottoned on by this point. Nothing like realizing you've got a lot further to go than you thought to keep the spirits up!

The climb to Devils Dyke (Fort 2) was tough with a sharp 700ft from the Adur river to the submit, but the downhill was equally difficult as you had to constantly fight to keep your speed down to stay on your feet. As the race went on the tracks just got worse and worse, to the point where I had so little grip that I couldn't do anything other than keep running in the direction I was going, which was usually either off the path and down a hill or into a barbed wire fence.

Devils Dyke - please note that this picture is for illustrative purposes and in no way represents the conditions on the day!

By the point the third climb to Chanctonbury (Fort 3) I was really struggling but refused to walk. On the uphills I was able to pick off quite a few runners, although the passing was reminiscent of when you see a big lorry struggling to overtake another big lorry on a steep hill on the motorway (without the cool flashy thing they do with their indicators to say thanks obviously, and yes I am a large lorry in that analogy!). Unfortunately on the downhills I just couldn't keep pace with people who actually had proper cross country running shoes which were offering at least some grip.

A well prepared runner!

As one final treat you have to climb Cissbury Ring (Fort 1) again on the way back to the finish. I was just about prepared for the hill from miles 22-24 but wasn't expecting another one at 25 miles (I'm sure it wasn't on the map!). I have to be honest, the last 7 miles or so were pretty low, to the point where all I could think about was to just keep putting one foot in front of the other, and that's why I enjoy running so much. You learn a lot about yourself and what you're capable of. The feeling of satisfaction when you've managed  to keep yourself going when it feels like you've got nothing left is fantastic. At the end of the day I was pretty disappointed with my time of 4:42:25 but it was enough to come in 128th place so can't be too down about it.

So, that's three down and seven left to go. So far, they've all lived up to their name and reputation. London was the best supported marathon, Stratford-upon-Avon was the most Shakespeary marathon and the Three Forts Challenge was most definitely a challenge. It was also the most British marathon imaginable. Cold, muddy, wet, encounters with the wildlife and their droppings (predominantly sheep and cows), enough cakes that it could have been my grandparents house and to top it all off, the turn at the top of Devils Dyke was round...wait for it...A TOURING CARAVAN!!!! Makes you proud to be British!!!!!

Thank you again for the continuing donations. The grand total now stands at an amazing £4,403.75! Next week, The Essex & Halstead marathon, innit!
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/FrazerCampbell_10_in_10