Tick, tick, tick…these
are the sounds of a runner! All you think about is the ticking of
that clock as you approach the finish, dreaming of that PB (Personal
best) that you have been training for, hoping to do a little better
each time. Even the milliseconds count. I remember my very first
marathon instead of this ticking noise I am sure all I could feel is
thud, thud thud! I was a broken man. Whatever possessed me to run
this ludicrous distance over road? In the end my achievement was
complete I finished in 4:13:35! My first marathon was complete and I
was ecstatic, this was back in 2008 and little did I know that my
love affair with running would be rekindled in such dramatic fashion!
In all honesty in the
run up to Dublin all I was doing was plodding miles. Progression
runs, long slow runs, recovery runs and fartleks (what are these!) I
did not really understand what any of these meant. If I was ever to
move up a level and become a better runner I needed others who I
could train with. The question was how do I do that? Which club do
I choose? I remember just sitting down having a look at local clubs
and drawing up a list. I saw the Glossopdale Harriers site and when
I turned up to a session I just felt at ease, why did I not try and
join Glossopdale earlier! I regularly attended the speed sessions on
a Monday and the results I gained came quick and fast..a 3:39
marathon in Belfast after a short term with the club. Where could I
go next? My dream to finish in under 3:30 could be close….How
close would it be? Next on the agenda was the Great North Run…..in
all honesty this was a disaster. I completely mis-paced the run and
I set off too fast. I was now more determined than ever. The great
road runs that the club committee pick and the coaching and pushing I
get from those in the club really have helped me to stay focused and
enable me to become a better runner.
My disappointment at
the Great North Run in 2012 spurred me on in 2013. This was the year
I really stepped up my training the support from the club was
amazing. This was the year I smashed my marathon time and finished
with a 2:49:57 marathon, not only had I automatically qualified for
the 2014 Virgin Money London Marathon but I narrowly missed out on a
championship start, something I could not imagine before. I also
gained my first fast paced running number for the Great North Run and
managed to finish under the elite time clock running into the
awaiting media circus..(ok they where only interested in the elite
runners….but to finish at this point and in 123rd
position was amazing). This then led to one of my most amazing feats
as a runner – gaining an elite number for the Conwy half
marathon…ok it’s not London but it is one of the best half
marathons in the country.
The next stop for me
happened to be the London marathon. This was my main aim for the
2014 season and if it hadn’t been for the club I never would have
got the chance to complete a warm up with Mo Farah and New York
Marathon winner Geoffery Mutai.
Jeroen (the coach!) had
arranged such a great training plan for me as well as Becky arranging
entry into the national and regional cross country championships.
Everything had been going so well but my London marathon did not go
to plan and the PB I had aimed for was not to be. The support when I
was disappointed with my times was as ever immense and I knew I could
rely on my friends at the club to pick me up and that’s just what I
have done.
I have some other goals
this year namely another great chance at the Great North Run, and a
crack at the Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon as well as going back to
Conwy. Whether I get a PB or not in these races, at least I have
trained well with my good friends at Glossopdale. For me it is
always a pleasure to put the blue and orange vest on and put my best
foot forward and hope to have a good solid performance for my friends
and for the club. So when people ask me why do I run for a club, I
tell them all the amazing chances I have had, the people I have met
and that I would not be able to get these fantastic times without the
support of those in the club.
Thank you Glossopdale
Harriers
