Marathons etc

dermotcoll · 22 Jun 2011, 08:02

You looking for a mankini body ??

leedeetee · 22 Jun 2011, 14:20

You looking for a mankini body ??

Got it in one!

leedeetee · 1 Nov 2011, 21:10

This thread seems like an ago now, but anyway, almost exactly one year on from the start of this thread, I've taken the plunge and signed up for another marathon. The Greater Manchester one here in the UK.

At the moment I'm really buzzing about it and I've just started the training as it was 6 months til the start on Sunday! I've got the Leeds 10k in a few weeks and then will be focussing entirely on the marathon after that.

I've still got my target of losing (lots of) weight as the main reason for me doing it, but I also want something to be proud of. Mrs T and I also want to start a family soon, and all the books tell me I should be as fit as a fiddle!

So here we go! ...

dermotcoll · 2 Nov 2011, 12:28

Hope you get to achieve this goal Lee, but what with this marathon training and trying for a baby - you'll be disappearing rapidly!!!!

leedeetee · 22 Nov 2011, 15:57

Well I did my 5th official 10k on Sunday and it was my 5th consecutive PB. Only 58:22 but very happy.

Anyway the marathon training starts tomorrow! (it was going to be today but my legs are still aching after Sundays effort).

dermotcoll · 22 Nov 2011, 16:28

Great stuff Lee. Keep er lit!!!

leedeetee · 27 Dec 2011, 10:28

So, after all the food, drink and fesitivites over the last few days, it's time for my marathon training to begin today, and it starts with a little 3 miler. I got a new iPod shuffle for xmas (my wife washed my last one in the washing machine!) so that should help .....

leedeetee · 11 Feb 2012, 13:58

Got into double figures this morning with a 10 mile run in freezing conditions. Literally. My wooly hat kept freezing! Things are progressing very nicely and feel better than I ever have done when I run.

leedeetee · 22 Apr 2012, 09:06

I'm sat watching the London Marathon, getting very nervous for next Sunday, which is the big day. Especially as I've done hardly any running in the last few weeks due to a injury. Still, I've done 20m in training so I should be OK.#

BRING IT ON!

Rich O Brien · 22 Apr 2012, 09:37

Best of luck next week.

I love watching the marathon. Such a spectacle.

leedeetee · 22 Apr 2012, 09:47

@unknownuser said:

I love watching the marathon. Such a spectacle.

Definitely. These guys are unbelievable.

leedeetee · 30 Apr 2012, 12:48

Well I did it!

5:00:53 for me. My first one.

Absolutely gutted about the 54 seconds - I had to walk a couple of times and just can't help thinking 'if only.'

Oh well, I'll just have to do another one, eh. I raised £600 for Barnado's too, which is a charity close to my family's heart. That takes a lot of the disappointment away.

I do think however I would have gone sub 5hrs if there'd have been enough energy gels/shotbloks for everyone. There was nothing between 10 miles and 23 miles (both approx - can't really remember). I had taken nothing of my own (a mistake in hindsight) so this obvioulsy impacted on me.

Couldn't believe the conditions - one of the guys I was talking to said he'd done over 500 races and yesterday was the worst conditions he'd ever ran in. Was a total mudbath in parts. The horizontal persisting rain, freezing windchill and hail stones made iy extremely challeging.

Rich O Brien · 30 Apr 2012, 12:51

Well done Lee

It'd be nice to see you crossing the line.

leedeetee · 30 Apr 2012, 12:57

Thanks Rich. Rather geekily I've been making a video as my training as progressed - 1/2 a second of footage for every mile ran. I'll post up when it's done.

EarthMover · 30 Apr 2012, 15:08

Good luck Lee. Super inspiring thread. I'm honestly considering get back into physical activities as this office work (plus kids and marriage) is starting to atrophy my previously athletic physique. Never been much of a long distance runner, at 6'3" 230lbs and with several basketball injuries, but would love to get into some power hiking and push running as much as possible. I think I'll show the misses this thread as well and see if we can't get inspired together. Thanks so much for sharing your efforts!

leedeetee · 1 May 2012, 09:26

Hey thanks Adam.

I never thought I was a runner (I'm 6'2" and 245lbs!) but I have got a lot out of my running. I've found the time alone with my thoughts and the constant breaking of barriers has been amazing for my confidence, something which I have suffered with previoulsy. The process of, every week, running further than I have ever ran before is an amazing feeling.

Even thinking about doing another one!

leedeetee · 1 May 2012, 19:21

Well in case anyone is interested, my video diary of my marathon experience is here:

Cheers.

todd burch · 26 Oct 2012, 02:02

I will run my first 1/2 Marathon on 11/11/2012 in San Antonio. Looking forward to it too!

leedeetee · 11 Nov 2012, 22:37

@unknownuser said:

I will run my first 1/2 Marathon on 11/11/2012 in San Antonio. Looking forward to it too!

How did it go Todd?

I am continuing my running adventure - I managed to get in (via the ballot!) to the London Marathon. Amazing. The training starts ..... NOW!

todd burch · 11 Nov 2012, 23:37

Hi Lee. Congratulations on the London Marathon! Wow!

I just got home from driving back from San Antonio, Tx. I finished! I'm wearing my "finishers" shirt right now. Got a medal, and all. There were ~30,000 participants - it was very crowded. It was very hot too. We trained in the mornings, starting ~5 AM, with the temp ranging in the 50's and 60's (~10C -> ~18C). Today, we started about 7:50 (by the time we crossed the starting line). My wife and I ran together. I didn't check the temp during the race, but an hour after we finished, it was 82F / 27.7C.

I got dizzy a couple times. We ended up walking much more than we trained for. We weren't used to the hills either. Here at home, this area used to be laser-planed rice fields.

All in all - it was a great experience that I don't care to repeat. My feet REALLY hurt!