Marathon Mania

It’s that time of year again where social media is awash with the buzz of the London Marathon – certainly where my old UK running chums are concerned – and I can’t help but feel a little bit nostalgic thinking back to the many times I’ve pounded the pavements of the capital, along with thousands of other people, both as a novice marathon runner back in the 1990’s right up to running with the elite elite as part of the England AAA National Championships in more recent years. I ran my best times on the London course and I’m sure that this weekend, there will be many others celebrating – whether it be smashing a PB, finishing their first marathon, breaking a time barrier, or overcoming an illness against all odds and getting across the finish line. I’m sure there will be plenty of stories to tell, and I can’t wait to hear them.



"The Wall" at the London Marathon

For me, the London Marathon always meant it was spring time and every year that I did it, conditions were perfect for running. There was never any, “Jeez, I hope it isn’t icy or snowy!” or “I hope I can run in a vest and shorts instead of 10 layers of clothing!” – in fact, the only thing I ever remember complaining about was a brisk head wind in the final 3 miles when coming along the Embankment one year – I missed a PB by 40 seconds that day and was so frustrated with the weather – and that was despite running a 2.48 !

A few old friends - Finish of the London Marathon

Since moving overseas, if it weren’t for social media, I probably wouldn’t even think about the London Marathon these days as my focus for the past couple of years has been the Calgary Marathon in late May. That’s a huge event too and it has become one of my favourite races. This year it celebrates its 50^th anniversary so yet another excuse to party in the City!

Much as I love the Calgary Marathon, I had no intentions of running it this year and had decided instead to offer my services as a volunteer, to give something back to the sport I love. Besides, I would still be recovering from my exploits in the Red Deer Marathon and figured that racing Calgary just 2 weeks later would not be wise.

Another favourite - Calgary Marathon :-)

Thankfully I am flexible, but I’m also slightly stupid, and for the past week or so, I have been merrily entering competitions to win free race entries at various locations around the US and Canada.

If past history was anything to go by, I didn’t need to worry about winning anything, but when my name was drawn for 2 free entries to Calgary Marathon, I was chuffed to bits and very, very excited! It never entered my mind that doing 3 marathons within 5 weeks of each other - Red Deer on 18^th May, Calgary on 1^st June and Banff Marathon on 22^nd June – would be a tall ask but hey, I’ve always been a seize the moment kind of person – worry about the consequences afterwards.

I’m sure the intention of the prize wasn’t to make me go around the course twice so it meant that one of the entries was up for grabs. Most of my friends had already entered and those that remained were either injured or were pure trail runners. However, there was one avid trail runner that may just be up for it - and that’s despite also having a tough 100 miler to contend with in June. Would Joanna – with a huge love for mountains, trails, adventure and the outdoors - be up for running 42km on pavement around a city, bearing in mind that the tough 100 mile race is just 3 weeks or so later? Pah – what’s 26 miles when you’re aiming to run 100? Of course Joanna said yes, and so, on June 1^st 2014, we WILL be running in the 50^th Anniversary of the Calgary Marathon.

It’ll be great to run it for a bit of fun this year rather than chasing times and chasing people. It was never on my race plans anyway, so there is absolutely no pressure to perform and it will be nice to offer encouragement to friends and let them dictate the pace, but hopefully help them to achieve their goals if needed. In addition, I’m lucky to have some big hearted friends who have been greatly touched by the story about Monika Allen (see links below if you want to know more!) and as a result, several of us will be running in tutus to support this lady and send out a message. It’s going to be a grand day, and I’m excited already.

For now though, masses of good luck to all of you guys heading down to London this weekend – I hope you achieve your goals, and more. I meanwhile have some serious stuff to contend with, with the Spring Trio 10km race on Sunday. No prizes for guessing what the weather forecast is for tomorrow. You got it – cold with a bit of snow – whoo hoo!

http://katiecouric.com/videos/marathon-runner-monika-allen-responds-to-self-magazine