Cranleigh 21

Today was the last of my long runs before London and was a good test for me to see how the lack of training had affected me.

The Cranleign 21 has an added bonus of an opt out at 15miles in case it's all going horribly wrong.

I arrived just about in time to get a carparking space and headed for the toilets and start line. On the way I bumped into loads of people from DMVAC.

From the off I set off at a 8min/mile pace, and managed to get ahead of this pace to get some 'time in the bank'. The second mile clicked by in less than 16 minutes and the pain in my ankle started to go. I did 10 miles in 1:18, half marathon in 1:43 and reached 15 miles in under 2hrs, I was still ahead of 8min/mile pace.

At 15 miles I was starting to feel some pain, but had promised myself I would do the 21 miles, so I carried right on going.

I stuck to my strategy of a gel every 40 minutes and took the paracetamol. Around about 17 miles I was suffering. Painful quads and a blister on my left big toe. 18 miles and I was digging in, took the last gels and told myself only 5km to go. By now I was having trouble adding up and couldn't work out if my split time was ahead of 8min/mile still.

10 times 8 = 80
8 times 8 = 64
80 + 64 = 144
144 minutes = 2 hrs 24 minutes

I was behind pace, where did all that time in the bank go? I guess I was now doing nearer 9min/mile pace and just hanging in there.

At 19 miles I started to worry was there 2 miles to go? Or do I have to run a mile AFTER seeing the marker, was it 3 miles? Quick have a debate with yourself! 2 miles to go, yes it is, it as to be.

It was! The 21 mile marker went by, the crowds clapped and the last 200 metres was in sight. A good surge and finish strong. I finished in around 2:51 I am happy with this, under 3 hours is good by me. 2:51 is about 8:15/mile which gives a marathon time of 3:35 ish.

Official Results
Place Bib Name Cat Club Time
190 135 CURTIS, Andy VM40 Dorking Mole Valley AC 2:51:28 AM


If I do the London Marathon in 3:35ish I will be over joyed, somehow I don't think I will manage that.

Move over on the couch of doom, I am joining you for the afternoon.