Monday 30 April 2012

London Marathon One Week On The Last Marathon Blog

I feel this blog is important to write for my records to look back on in the future, without doing it my journey would be incomplete.

The strangest week of my life ever, how so many emotions and feelings can be crammed in to one week is beyond me yet it happened. Elation for reaching my goal, Relief for not letting anybody down least of all me I will be honest I had bad thought about failing but never told anyone, Pride that Team Thinking Slimmer was such a success. Pride for myself that the biggest thing that I could do in my lifetime I nailed it, that people quite rightly had doubts and concerns for me including myself. I have a history of failure of not handling pressure very well and I had that breakdown in training that really tested my resolve, to come out of that a man with my head held high knowing I had slayed my demons, the sad part is it took 47 years of my life to achieve it, I am never going back there again, that part of my life ended when I crossed that Finish Line  in 6:27:41 a Hero not only to myself but to my family.

My legs felt normal by Thursday after two leg massages to ease my calf's I was able to do my job when I went back to work on Tuesday walking around with achy legs but walking normally which again was with relief and pride and showed that the training worked. I was on a natural high till Wednesday then my body decided it needed to shut down and rest this did not happened until Thursday afternoon I came home from work left the computer off laid down on the settee and slept for nearly 4 hours woke up had dinner and a bath and went to bed and slept all night, I really don't remember sleeping like that in the past without staying up to silly o'clock because i was not tired after a nap. It was great to give my body that time to recharge and I felt the benefit Friday morning as I awoke fresher and relaxed  than in ages, the other thing I noticed was the need to road I needed that recovery run.

I had spoken to Lorraine Albon and arranged to meet up for what I thought was my recovery run. there was 3 of us running, it was a 10k loop. I was very scared of this run due to my calf's going in the marathon totally irrational and silly but we think these things anyway, and it would only be a recovery run right!!! We start of slow and steady then after 2 or so miles our 3rd member tells us to go on she will meet us back at the car and she manages to get 4 miles in a very sterling effort well done. Lorraine has now forgotten the word recovery and we push on, Lorraine is amazing at getting me to dig that little bit deeper and challenge myself we are now going for a base time for 10k on a hilly but not too bad course this I do in 1:16:37

I realize that I have not only completed my first post marathon run but I have achieved a target for my next goals which are three 10k races and Lorraine has unwittingly put me ahead of schedule without me realizing that it was happening. I may jest Lorraine but I'm so grateful that you push me, yesterday was so much more fulfilling than if I have just ran around on my 4 miler on my own not pushing and challenging myself this was a indeed a recovery run with a purpose and I loved it.  http://connect.garmin.com/activity/173024280   

Tuesday 24 April 2012

Virgin London Marathon The Race

The most amazing day of my life.

The day started at 05:30 with a bang on the hotel door to wake me up, kettle on for breakfast cup of porridge and a banana and a cup of tea. Opened the curtains to a glorious morning blue skies and the sun out, after the recent weather this was a welcome bonus, nothing worse than getting wet and cold waiting to start a race, once the race is on it does not matter as proved latter in the day.

Left hotel at 06:20 for 5 minute walk to Victoria tube station with my big red virgin marathon race day bag, you would have thought I was going for a week with what I put in that bag. Had to wait 10 minutes for the tube to open waited with other marathon runners the buzz and excitement was making the day very real. I got the tube and made my way to Lime House Station on the DLR as I stepped off the train I met Dawn Walton in the flesh for the very first time it was like I had known her for years and not a first meeting it was all very natural. We had about 10 minutes then Becca Jones arrived Team Thinking Slimmer all together for the very first time.

We arrive at Greenwich Park walked up the steep hill that got the blood pumping this massive park awaited a massive television screen thousands of runners milling around the line of trucks all ready to take our bags to the finish this was the point I had trained hard for, all those cold hard training runs the good days the really bad days all come down to this point the build up is just as important as the race for me its part of the overall race day experience. We decided its time to put our bags on the truck and think about getting to our start area pen 9 at the back.

We made our way to pen 9 got in a decent place so not right at the back, the buzz was amazing everyone so friendly had a chat with a couple of runners. 09:45 and the start for us, 22 minutes later we cross the start line and off we go to say I was elated would be a massive understatement after a few minutes we see the first of the crowd and as far as the eye could see many thousand marathon runners in front of us. I had been given loads of advice about the crowds and I really thought it was over hyped, how wrong I was from the start to the finish it never ended the cheering the crowd calling our names. We run pretty much on one side and the kids were standing there still shouting and holding their hands out. If they could still be doing that to us near the back of the field the least I could do was high five them back I did this for the for pretty much the whole way. They deserved every high five and my hope is these kids will be inspired by 37,000 runners running past them to take up an active lifestyle and change the image of the computer culture of today.

The first 6 miles were just so much fun I was having to slow down, them pesky kids with there hands out just made me go a little faster!!!! I loved it. we had reached the point were Dawn was starting to fall behind a little we had made our plans and pacts beforehand so that there would be no guilt no worries no bad thoughts, we double checked with Dawn that it was the right time and off we went. Dawn you are the bravest person I know taking on the best part of 20 miles on your own I know you were geared up and all your training was running alone even so very very brave.

Becca and I push on it seemed we were running a little faster we certainly felt the pace a little nothing silly just a little puffed out,looking at the Garmin we clearly did not have a that much of a spurt. We are feeling really great the crowds are still amazing we reach mile 11 and much to Becca's shock she really does need the loo something she has never had to do in a run before I take advantage silly not to.

The next 4 miles are great we have a steady pace no point catching up for lost time that will haunt us at the end think 26.2 miles not miles 12 and 13. We get to mile 16 Becca need's  to walk she is just starting to feel her calf's getting tight, I am relieved and tell Becca that I am struggling with mine and that walking and running will now be good because that is what I always did in training and I always got to rthe end of my training run. I think Becca was relived when I told her this we could still do this. Then to my shear horror the worst thing ever starts to happen my left calf gets worse not better, Becca mentions the St Johns crews what a brilliant idea a quick leg massage might help that's mile 17 ruined we start again with instructions walk long strides heal to toe see how it goes,we do this I try and jog slowly I struggle for another mile Becca spots another St John's Station I give Becca the option of carrying on I know that I cannot run/jog any more, straight away she says no we agreed we would start and finish together and that's what we are going to do.

We stop and I get treatment on my calf I have never screamed moaned or tensed up so much in my life. My Marathon running was over it was power walking all the way now. I have a little cry of frustration because of my calf and because Becca's chance is also gone. So you all know I would have done exactly the same thing and got Becca to the end if the roles were reversed. I felt sorry for myself and Becca for about half a mile then I snap out of it. Plan B look after injury and get to the finish in one piece, think how far you have come in 15 months lets get real finishing the greatest marathon in the world is the goal always has been never was a time mentioned therefore we/I have not failed.

I struggle to keep up with Becca's power walk pace we have a chat I tell Becca that I am a naturally slow walker and that she must keep the pace up my calf does not hurt whist walking so we are good to push on and make the finish line and history. The weather takes a turn for the worse around 23 miles we pass a drinks station and get plastic poncho's to keep us a little dry the wind has whipped up bottles and rubbish swirling around lucky we go through a tunnel and we put the poncho's on this was not an easy task thank you again Becca The crowds are still out in the rain shouting our names and encouraging us on, I never heard one bad comment from the crowd only encouragement to not give up and keep going, they know their stuff .

We reach the 385 yards to go sign we agree to walk to the bend then jog in like the conquering heroes we are we just start running and on the corner on our right hand side is Sandra and Chris from Thinking Slimmer they weren't supposed to be there meeting point J was the plan the sheer joy of seeing them is amazing for Becca and myself hugs and kisses all round and off we go to cross the finish together in 6:27:41  Darin McCloud Marathon Runner. This will take some time to sink in but I will get used to it. We collect our medals and goodie bag we go through and get our baggage and go into horse guards parade we head to our meeting point Becca see's Mr J and gets the hug she deserves I get a hug from Mr J too. We then see the remarkable Dawn sitting down she had made it and not only that finished before us, for me I'm so glad that Dawn had finish before us Team Thinking Slimmer all within 6 mins 30 seconds.

This is the link to my Garmin for the Marathon http://connect.garmin.com/activity/171361887
This is the link to Becca's blog http://fromsnickerstomarathon.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/virgin-london-marathon-2012.html?spref=fb
This is the link to Dawns blog http://www.themoiderer.com/blog/2012/04/virgin-london-marathon-2012done.html

Whilst this was a day of personal triumph of never giving up of having a race strategy and adapting to events as they happened, It was with extreme sadness that one of us did not make it home. My deepest respect goes to Claire Squires and my thoughts are with her Family I am amazed by how much people from all over the world have paid tribute by giving to her Charity this must be such a massive comfort to her family. If you read my blog and have not sponsored anyone for this years Marathon please please give to Claire's  just giving page this is the link  http://www.justgiving.com/Claire-Squires2

RIP CLAIRE SQUIRES   






Saturday 21 April 2012

The London Marathon

This is my last blog before the London Marathon, all my training is completed to a level that will not only get me to the start line but also see me over the finish line. All that hard work in the cold freezing weather when staying in doors was a better option has finally paid off and boy am I getting the benefits of it now.



How Dawn Walton who lives in Scotland and has had way worse weather has managed is beyond my comprehension, Dawn you are the true star of training and the fact that you went out and trained in nasty weather then meant that this southern softy had to step up and get out there and do my bit. Thank you so much for all your help support and advice in my dark days when I need it the most. This will seem weird to people who don't know us but I can not wait to meet you in person at last, it will be like meeting an old friend who have not seen each other for a while rather than a first meeting. Work and marathon training has got in the way of meeting up before now. I am so proud to be one of your official running partners in what will most likely be your one and only running race.

Becca Jones who lives in London again it is beyond my comprehension how you train with all that traffic and with all those people/tourist about and the other star of training because we have run together before GSR and Brighton Half we have a good understanding of each other and complement each other we each bring different thinks to the table and I feel that we are two half's of one whole that allows us to complete our races. Becca will be in charge for the first half of the race making sure we slow down keep the pace steady let everyone around us run off slow and steady at the start gets you across the line at the end, then the second half of the race pace will not be a problem then, I step up and take control, motivate, push on make sure we break when we need it and start again. This worked a dream in Brighton and will again. I am so proud to be one of your official Marathon running partners in what will almost certainly be your first of two or many more marathons in the future. This is the link to Becca's last marathon blog. http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ffromsnickerstomarathon.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F04%2Fmy-marathon-mile-dedications.html%3Fspref%3Dfb&h=qAQFTGV5jAQEfFxp5TrwnGORtxZ3Ru91mDiMdC86jWO7oMA&enc=AZMd-yzjcdvqAoDp6yF_UpCGiH-8N3DIafL5v0R2pcqCseDq8Xd77e9cUSFkxSoRsmC4lM-Tx9C89nYXVSt48k0W

Darin McCloud who lives in Portsmouth had the best of the weather I did not lose one day's training to the snow and I am still to do a full training session in the rain and I have the ideal training ground a 2.6 mile seafront that in the winter is pretty much just runners doing what they do best running up and down I also used a route from home that has only a little traffic on for me to worry about, I am not a star of training I am the luckiest bugger of training and I will take that any day of the week!!! This will also be my one and only marathon but I will keep running at half marathon distance and below and that way make sure that I never fall out of love with running ever again.

That ladies and gentleman is TEAM THINKING SLIMMER. Three very brave extraordinary remarkable people who will on Sunday 22nd April 2012 at 09:45 make history not only for themselves but will inspire many more people to change there lifestyle and get control of there lives for the first time, as the saying goes if we can do it anybody can do it. I wrote this paragraph not to be vain but to remind me in the future of just what I was able to achieve after a lifetime of underachievement and giving up at the first or second hurdle, and that with "PATIENCE" anything is possible.

TEAM THINKING SLIMMER the support network these people are equally as important as us runners, we would not be able to function without them each and everyone of you are stars.

Sandra Roycroft-Davis and Trevor Silvester without whom we would not be here today you both know the impact you have had on me and Becca and Dawn. I owe you everything for believing in me when I did not believe in myself, the bottom of that barrel was a lonely cold empty place, thank you for finding me and changing my life for the better.

To all the staff at Thinking Slimmer behind the scenes doing all the work I thank you all from the bottom of my heart you work for a truly great company enjoy your work you make a difference in other peoples lives that is priceless.

Lorraine Albon (Dr) I don't know what else to say that I have not already said your support has been immense. I look forward to paying you back later in the year when I can be your training partner as you prepare for your marathon. (did I real just say that and be able to back it up) You created the running monster and I'm thankful for that.

My Mum and Dad two remarkable parents that have had to put up with disappointments as my life choices were pretty crap, stupid or just plain wrong, always there to pick up the pieces dust me off and wait for the next big thing for me to mess up, for never giving up on me when I had clearly given up on myself. It is with pride that whilst the marathon is a personal journey for me, I dedicated this once in a lifetime marathon run all 26.2 miles to you both. I love you both so much. You will now both get a decent rest home later when needed cheap but decent!!!

Hazel Meldrum my partner god knows how that's still the case the last 4 months have been tough and she has taken the brunt of it, My journey has been public through my choice and Hazel has taken more than her fair share of flak for this I am eternally sorry and will make sure this does not happen again, from my point of view I think it has made us stronger and  better able to communicate with each other (still work in progress) I thank you for help and support and look forward to spending more time with you.

Lastly to all the slimpodders each and every one of you are stars, as you embark on your own personal journeys the road is long and bumpy but worth while sticking with. Remember the golden rules you have had a lifetime of struggling this is a lifestyle change not a diet it will take the rest of your lives to complete your journey this is no hardship although it may seem like it now, you will get control of your lives back and enjoy the new found freedom, enjoy the new learning experiences I know I have and will continue to do so for many years to come. My buzz word that you all know PATIENCE this won't work overnight nothing works overnight there is NO quick fix weight loss never has been never will be. Listen to your pods write down your positives they are there even if you don't see them, and set your goals short and long term. I am proud of each and everyone of you and you all inspire me to keep to going on my journey.

I look forward to blogging after the Marathon and telling you about how I ran with 2 remarkable amazing women and achieved something quite amazing.

This is just a afterthought my weight this morning is 15st 5lbs or 97kg I am very pleased to only be 5lb heavier than my lowest recorded weight. This just shows that if you do proper long term training and refuel your body in the right way you can eat more than you normally would without any long term weight gain I am sure that most of that 5lb is muscle gain because I am seeing friends I have not seen for a while who say wow you are still losing weight, again I don't see it because of training and eating, my clothes are the big test and they fit nicely so all is good.

I need to mention a good friend, Female (obviously)!!! who wished me luck for the Grand National I think this is the best good luck message ever and when I need a boost around Aintree near London this will bring a smile to my face and help me along. Thank You (I won't name you) 

I still need to reach my sponsorship target if you can spare a few pounds that would be great.   http://www.justgiving.com/Darin-McCloud1    









           

Monday 9 April 2012

Surviving London Marathon Training

With just 13 days left until the biggest challenge I'm ever likely to face I have just completed 99% of my training  and to be honest with you it has been a bit of a trail that has seen me look in trepidation at the Training Plan but excited at the end result, enjoy my training, challenge myself (15 mile hill run in 3hrs with Dr Lorraine Albon)  not complete a race (Worthing 20 mile) hate training and fall out of love for running feeling fat, unfit and unworthy, recover from that to be fit and ready and get my love of running back again all this in less than 4 months. To be able to say to you all I am ready and able to complete on the 22nd April 2012.

The first thing I need to say is that its no fun having a sheet of paper telling you when to run and how far to run no matter what the weather you have to go out and run, I know I have to do it to be able to get myself on the start line and in a position to finish the race. Whilst I am lucky in living on the south coast and not in Scotland like Dawn Walton and all that snow I have still had to get out and run in freezing cold weather as has everyone else training for the marathon. I never realized how much training was required before the marathon and 4 months of mostly cold weather training was an eye opener. Total respect to every person who has ever gone through that hard training and turned up a decent day to run the marathon with people at home saying its a nice day for them and not realize what they have been through the previous 4 months.

In my training I have had 2 spells of not running the 1st was for 5 days when I was ill the break was needed as it allowed my body to recover  the 2nd was 9 days when I was at my lowest ebb again the break was needed for my body to recover and get myself mentally back on track to not train for that length of time and not feel guilty about it just shows how far I have come mentally on my journey those 9 days in the past would have been failure and time to give up throw in the towel and say you tried but failed yet again just like you always do.  Failure is not an option anymore just like Worthing was not a failure how can you complete 10 miles and be a failure this was my body saying Darin you have done to much I'm slowing you down because I want us to complete the great challenge that is the London Marathon, I am so glad that because of http://www.thinkingslimmer.com/ whilst I am still not good at handling pressure, I am so much more aware of why or what is causing the pressure and asking for and getting help to see me through the tough patch. I need to mention Trevor Silvester and thank him for doing me a pod at short notice whilst getting ready to move house and the pod is the most amazing thing I have ever listened too. Also Sandra who answered her phone on Mothers Day when I had stopped running at Worthing and just needed a kind word to be able to see the wood from the trees two truly amazing wonderful caring people who deserve all the success and good fortune that will come there way.

I also need to mention my two training/running partners Becca Jones and Dawn Walton who without a doubt   have kept my on the straight and narrow although we have not trained together Portsmouth London and Scotland made that impossible. Thanks to facebook and twitter we have encouraged pushed helped each other sometimes the girls have done the training first sometimes me but between us we have completed the training with the help of each other. Go Team Thinking Slimmer    

I would like to put on record now that this will be my one and only marathon, never will I put this much pressure on myself again not only has it been tough on the training it has also affected my home life which was a rather unpleasant episode that I do not want to go through again. That Hazel and I are still together again shows how far I have come as a human being and a partner and has made us stronger.

Should you ever enter a marathon? I would say yes its hard work very time consuming and training in pretty awful weather at times, but totally worth it.

Do I regret anything since entering the London Marathon? Not on your life I may not want to do it ever again but the chance to be able to say Darin McCloud Marathon Runner well that's pretty special and no one will ever be able to take that away from me. I will still be running my distance of choice will be 5k 10k 10miles and half marathons that is were I am comfortable with the training needed to be able to enjoy my running and still push myself.

I am so looking forward to the tapered training over the next two weeks and to the big day itself my running number is 42021 you can follow me on the Virgin Marathon Website on the day. I also need sponsorship still to reach my target my just giving page is http://www.justgiving.com/Darin-McCloud1 or emailed me for other methods.