Run Fat Boy Run

I like to run on Sunday mornings. There is a certain pre-church peace with few folk out on the roads and stress free drivers going about their business without the weekday morning hassles.

It was warm again this morning which meant that I could venture out in shorts! I suppose since I came back to running first in 2004 it has always been my favorite of the 3 disciplines of triathlon (although I have grown to love cycling). Running clears the head and I've used it to sort out business and other issues that I'm wrestling with. Whenever I'm uncertain about things a run will help me rationalise the problem and invariably come back with a solution.

When I started training for the Edinburgh Marathon I was clueless. I didn't run with a club just went out and did the same routine as the day before. It was therefore with a sense of interest I opened my Christmas present from Danielle to find a book about marathon running by Sam Murphy. I gobbled, no Christmas pun intended, it up and soon started following one of the marathon training plans. This was exactly what I needed. I'm good with plans and especially good at following them. If it says do a hill session on a Tuesday, I do a hill session on a Tuesday.

Now I had a plan I started to make progress and weight started to drop off. Soon my 17.5 inch shirts were too big and baggy training trousers too big. Not only did I ned to buy work clothes I needed new training kit. The washing machine couldn't keep up with my new addiction and as part of my Christmas present I was to go and buy some new training shoes. I knew nothing of pronation or cushioning and presented with an amazing array of options I started looking at colour, an obviously important issue. It seemed that the assistant in the sports shop shared my interest in colour, expensive shoes but knew little about why the various shoes were different.

This concerned me because I decided that there must be a reason brands like Mizuno and Nike produced so many different types of shoes. So after lurking about outside the running shop in Edinburgh called Run and Become I eventually plucked up the courage to go in. In my head I thought they would think that here was another middle aged fat bloke dealing with his New Year resolution to start running and would therefore be not taken seriously. How wrong was I!

The people in the shop knew exactly what they were looking for and after watching me walking up and down the shop recommended a pair of ACICS 2010s. The price made me choke as I had been expecting an investment of £35 and to pay more than twice that seemed a tad over the top but Danielle insisted and I walked out of the shop with my shoes boxed up and looking splendid. A slight disappointment was that they were yellow and not the striking red ones in the window.

As we left the shop Danielle suggested in a positive reinforcement sort of way that I'd better use them!! I've stuck with the brand and still run in the latest version of the same shoe.

As I said I stuck to the plan and run every step with the aim to run a sub-four marathon. I had no basis for this but felt I had it in me. My training went well and I followed the plan with only the odd day missed due to illness.

So when it came to race day I felt fit and ready. The weight had come down to just under 15 stone and I felt fantastic as I set off for the start line. The start of any marathon is full of nervous energy. Pale faces contrasted by black bin bags worn in a vain attempt to keep warm. At least it was dry which was soon to become a blessing in disguise. Three trips to the portaloo's didn't sort out my grumbly stomach and as the starting gun approached I felt that at some point it would catch up with me! I bumped into a pal at the start which was remarkable given the number of starters. Mark Brough was starting his second marathon and his presence calmed my nerves as we caught up on the news since we had last spoken many years before.

I decided to see if I could stick with Mark, a massive mistake as he was running a faster schedule and aiming for 3.30 with my plan to run 4 hour pace. So with an almighty bang the 2005 Edinburgh Marathon started. I started well and felt strong. The elation of taking part in such a big race took over and the miles passed quickly. The route took us down to Cramond at which point my grumbly stomach began to play tunes. There were queues at the portaloos but I knew there was a set of permanent toilets at the Cramond turn and this became my target. Almost 13 miles in and I was still hanging on to Mark but I knew a quick visit to loos was required so I bade my farewell, wished him luck and headed off. The toilets were deserted and I felt great after a quick pit stop.

I quickly picked up the pace and got moving again. I had carried my phone with an earpiece in and when it rang I felt so well I answered. It was Danielle, I told here I was at 14 miles and feeling good. This took her by surprise as I wasn't supposed to be at 14 miles. Anyway buoyed by the call I ploughed on with the target of seeing my kids in 3 or 4 miles time. Sadly I was going too fast and they didn't make the rendezvous point until after I had passed. The disappointment was massive but it wasn't their fault as I was ahead of schedule.

At 18 miles I heard a shout from the crowd and immediately recognised Andrew and Pauline cheering me on. I stopped briefly, said hello and carried on in tears at the joy of seeing them. (I'm not the weepy sort so tiredness was obviously a factor) The route took us around Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre and as soon as I turned the corner to head towards Mussleburgh I knew I had a problem. I had completed 19 miles in 2.25 and only had 7 miles to go.

I had hit the wall, a bit early but the fast pace finally caught up with me and my legs started to cramp up. The drink they were giving out was lucozade which I gulped down but it was all I could do to walk. I hobbled along making very slow progress and stopping every few steps to stretch out my cramping limbs. I had to finish. I couldn't let down the people that had supported me to make the start line or myself. Every step was painful. I was encouraged by all of the runners passing me but I could not get going and felt terrible. It took me over 2 hours to reach the finishing straight but I did finish in 4.32. This was only 32 minutes more than my original target but felt like a lifetime.

I had learned a painful lesson that you only race yourself and you can only run your own race. I had mistakenly started way too fast and paid a huge price.

I was hugely proud of my first marathon medal and held onto it tightly as I met Danielle just outside the finish zone. I was exhausted and elated and headed home to share the news with family and friends.

Today's run was a mere 8 miles in comparison completed in 1 hour and 6 minutes. I felt better running today although I'm still fighting off sinusitis. After saying I wouldn't weigh myself for a month I lasted until today and celebrated losing 4lbs on reading the gauge.

So I feel I'm off to a good start both with my training and food intake. Long may it continue!