Weekend Round Up 22nd 23rd April
The major Tuff turnout for this week was the very successful turnout at Splashpoint 5k, where a separate report has been released. But this still leaves space for kudos to the following:-
LONDON MARATHON
Congratulations to Simon Thistlethwaite and Sue Pinky for each completing the London Marathon. Also well done to Tony Pearce. Tony is looking to rejoin now London has been completed and he turns his attention to Triathlon. We have two reports, firstly from Simon & then from Sue.
“I never thought I’d say this but I think I’ve found a new romance with Marathon running. I’d never given it much thought before as I’ve only ever done two previous to London 2023 and found the experience quite harrowing! Partly because I wasn’t prepared or trained properly for either due to injury or because I decided last minute to do one”.
“2023 London again I was unprepared due to a chest infection that lasted 8 weeks which hit me right in the middle of what should have been peak training then I get better and it’s time to taper so looked like it was going to be a hard day at the office again”.
“I arrived in good time Sunday morning to sunny skies but there was a nip in the air and people were wrapped in thermal blankets and taking shelter where possible from the rain. It started raining more just as we entered the start pen but with less than 10 minutes to the off I was ready and raring to go”.
“I was blue wave two and hadn’t realised at first but had planted myself with sub three hour runners knowing I would be filtered back before too long. I knew it was going to be hard and at some point the hurt would come but until then I would just run how I felt and worry about the fatigue when it came”.
“I settled in quite well and ran very comfortably with the sub 3:05 crowd for the first 12 miles and felt good. I made every effort to high five the little ones that were cheering us on in the pouring rain and was enjoying the moment. Spectators, marshals everyone just cheering you on making it a memorable experience yet again”.
“By halfway I dropped my pace to 4:30km to ensure I had at least something left in the tank and knew that if I could keep the sub 3:15 marker behind me as long as possible I’d have a bit of a buffer when the fatigue came over the 20 mile mark. It came at 18 miles and was mildly uncomfortable as the calf’s started to ached – I stopped briefly remembered laughing a little at how painful it was then shortly started running again. I knew at that point the last 8 miles would be hard and my km times would start to drop”.
“With just 9km to go my km times were just creeping over the 5 minute mark and I could feel the weight in my legs and my speed visibly decreasing”.
“I was being encouraged to keep going after stopping for a second time so I soon got going again knowing the end was not too far away. It was a wall of hurt and the last 6k was tough but I had to switch off and push through it”.
“I remember from 2017 when I ran with David March that the finish barrier wasn’t where I’d wanted it to be and the last 385 yards after the final corner seemed to last forever”.
“All in all a great experience but a little disappointed I wasn’t able to train properly and compete with a lot of the stronger runners finishing ahead of me. It’s given me a great respect for marathon runners and the like and as a result I cannot wait for the next one.”
“Thank you Tuff Fitty for making it possible for me to enjoy this experience once again”
Simon
“London marathon. Not how I’d hoped would go. Started well. Mile 2 my knee started to hurt so started to walk. Kept a good pace and was on for 6 hours. All changed around canary wharf. The wind picked up, vertigo kicked in big time and the rest of the race was spent hanging on to my support runner Tim, trying to stay upright and in a straight line. Slowed down, I had no choice. All thoughts of time went out the window. It was all about getting over that finish line. Kept feeling sick, blisters on the balls of my feet, kept wanting to cry and cry I did when I crossed that finish line. Sheer determination got me there. My slowest marathon but my best due to everything that I endured. Two marathons in 3 weeks with litte training makes me one proud cookie.
Sue
PARKRUN ROUND UP
Littlehampton parkrun saw Fraser Kidd cross the line as first Tuff home again this week. Colin Simpson was our next runner. Wendy Frost, Sue Simpson & Alistair Evans. Thanks to Al who was also on the volunteer team this week. Jenny Oliver also ran to complete our super six runners.
Worthing parkrun saw Danny Cunnett finishing as the quickest Tuff. Les Pearce is steadily approaching his next milestone with his 191st parkrun. A Tuff who completed a milestone was Ed Lay who completed his 100th run at Worthing and his 125th parkrun overall. Elaine Rousseau was also running along the prom completing her 151st run.
Bognor parkrun saw a Tuff trio in Hotham Park. Katie Young didn’t push the run ahead of her forthcoming international race but still finished as 3rd female runner. Next home, a fine run by Will King who set a new PB by 8 seconds – impressive when considering his PB was set back in 2016 so Will is maturing very well! Clive Harvey completed the Tuff roll call.
This still left club members out for some parkrun tourism:-
Kingdom parkrun is situated close to Hever Castle comprising a 3 lap flat course. Whilst numbers are usually below 100, it is nice to report Kate Evans and Sheila Bailey ran as part of their running club’s ‘on tour’ schedule.
The Lake District is the setting for Rothay Park parkrun. Steve Fryer ran here for the first time recording a 21:56 around the edge of Rothay Park across a mix of terrain.
Just inside the M25 close to Watford is another parkrun now showing as a ‘Tuff woz here’. Rickmansworth parkrun is held around the Rickmansworth aquadrome and Trevor Harvey was in attendance around this two lap course.
Well done to all sixteen.
