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Newsdesk 2002
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RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 61 24 APRIL 2002
Web site: http://www.surreyweb.net/rharriers
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LONDON MARATHON SPECIAL
My invitation to runners to send me their impressions of the race brought
responses ranging from the very brief ("Horrible, I have flu!!!!!" from
Chris Spink) to the lengthy and erudite, as you will see.
First Bev Ali, who cracked the five hour barrier for the first time:
"A big thank-you to all those who helped me through the training and those
who were there on the sidelines on Sunday, especially the ones who saw me
at my grumpy best near the finish - the thought of having to tell everyone
either why I didn't finish or why I didn't finish in under 5 hours
definitely kept me going in the latter stages! AND, I promise not to
volunteer again until I can finish a half marathon in 2 hours (seen any
flying pigs lately?) AND you may feel free to remind me of this if I ever
weaken in my resolve.
As any of the other participants can verify, the weather was absolutely
perfect, the crowd support and race organisation superb as ever and I
thought the music along the way was even better than in 2000.....(and, in
case you are wondering, the combination of running for 2 more years with
the best coaching, not drinking too much water, and the Championchip start
timing, has reduced my official finishing time by a whopping 40 minutes!).
Yahoo!"
Marcus Gohar, winner of the Winter Cup club marathon championship:
"I'd done the training, surely I could beak 3.20 and put my P.B. out of
Eliete's reach. We arrived at the station in plenty of time to avoid the
rush. The departure time of the train came and went, the departure time of
the next train came and went, the pre-race relaxation techniques went...
40 minutes late a train finally arrived. We caught one of the later trains
from Waterloo East, just. We only just squeezed in, it was shoulder to
shoulder and totally airless. Then someone farted!
I just about made the start and we were off. My pre-race plan was to
follow Steve Badgery, (Hercules Wimbledon), who had a P.B.of 2.15, set in
1971! He was aiming for 2.40 and with his considerable experience could be
relied upon not to do anything stupid. He quickly disappeared into the
distance clocking about 5.40 pace so I followed the far more sensible
President Peace instead.
We strolled through 10K at a sober 37.15ish, but around Cutty Sark I
discovered that the blue vest to my right was not Mike. Out on my own with
several hundred other runners I trotted on to Tower Bridge and through
half way in about 79.30, more than two minutes slower than last time. 14
miles in 84.15, gaining on last time, 15 miles in 1.30.10. moving up. 16
in 1.36.02, forging ahead! Passing runner after runner, including old man
Badgery, regretting his earlier folly. Past Canary Wharf, mile 17, mile
18, drop slightly, but no more tired than on many a long run. Just a lap
of the park to go. Fired up by the sight of a sub 2.40 I charge towards
twenty miles which I hit in 2.00.30.
When I say "hit" I mean HIT. Suddenly my legs decide that their contract
stipulated two hours only. So close to a fast time I am having none of it
and tell myself that it's all in the mind, and attack the final 10K. The
runners drift past me as I pass Tower Bridge. Coming out of the
Blackfrairs tunnel a runner hops nimbly by, waving to the crowd and doing
a little dance. Some people just don't take these things seriously. On the
Embankment Christian cheers me on, but my mind's on other things. My watch
tells me that Ken Fotherby Junior can not be far away. Onto the Mall and
in front of me a runner is running bent over at 90% at the waist. Is he
doing it for sponsorship? He falls over, at least I pass one runner in the
final stages. Someone shouts "Go on Ranelagh". Moments later they shout it
again. Ken must be right behind! I actually manage a sprint finish, which
is more than I do in the Surrey League to record what must surely be the
worst ever time to win the Winter Cup. Ken, and a revitalised Steve
Badgery are just behind".
At the other end of the field, our last finisher was Mike Rowland:
"Not one of my best marathons. I was on my feet for 7 hours working at
Registration on the Friday. Not an ideal preparation! I adopted my usual
tactics of waiting until all other competitors had left Blackheath before
I started walking. That way, I have a clear road and it allows me to
develop my rhythm for the race (essential in race-walking). It's just that
my rhythm on Sunday was too bloody slow!
What a debut marathon by Paula Radcliffe! That's got to be the
greatest-ever marathon by a woman".
Fiona O'Donovan was a first-timer:
"I had a wonderful time. Being my first marathon, I was completely
mesmerised by the crowd support, it was amazing and certainly helped the
miles fly by. I wouldn't say it was a painless experience, the Isle of
Dogs was 'interesting', but it is definitely worth a return next year - I
am hooked! Big thanks to Frances for her training schedule and guidance".
Alastair Sinclair was another improver:
"This was my second attempt at London. I was at the red start, in pen 2 and
so not far from the front. It only took 40 sec to cross the line after the
gun, so after a mile or so the road opened up a bit. It was pretty good
weather: excellent conditions for running. I kept to around 7:20 to 7:30
miling for the first 10 miles or so. I felt OK and was enjoying the weather
and a reasonable space on the road. That became a bit ruined when the sub
3h15 pacers passed me on Tower Bridge, with a battalion closely packed in
behind them, and I almost ended up off the road at one point. I decided not
to keep up with the group as I headed out towards Docklands. At half way I
was 1h 38, pretty much on course for a reasonable showing. I saw the elite
men's race pass by on the other side of the road as they headed back towards
the finish. They were all looking very comfortable. I encountered one
Ranelagh supporter on the way out to Docklands before the bulk support at
the usual 17 & 20 mile spot. Several friends had also turned out at the same
spot: well done to all who turned out to watch. I was feeling OK at 17
miles, but had lost a bit of concentration with regard to my pace. I was
still OK by 20 miles, but after that I started to hurt. By 22 miles my legs
were beginning to suffer badly, and all along the Embankment it got steadily
worse. There was Ranelagh support at various points on the Embankment, but
by the last mile or two I guess I didn't notice it. Afterwards, Chris Owens
told me he was at 40km, and I looked like I was "obviously concentrating
hard". I think that means I was too spent to notice. I knew in the last 2 or
3 miles I would not beat the 3h15 mark, I just did not have enough in me to
make an increased effort by that stage. I finished in 3h 17min 24sec,
beating my time of last year by just over 11mins, which I was pleased with.
I was shattered at the finish, much more so than last year: it took me ages
to wander up to collect my gear and I could hardly move. The last 3 miles
were definitely the hardest I have ever run. Despite this I really enjoyed
the run, and after some food and drink I recovered. I would like to try
again as I think I can improve further. My training was less than optimal
and so it is worth another shot sometime".
Finally Alberto Simon:
I had in mind that I could, and would, run in under 3hr30m. And that's
what I told the guys on a Tuesday night. But it was tough.
I started in the 3hr 45m pen and I was surprised to take less than two
minutes to cross the starting line. I was further surprised at having to
walk part of the first mile and it took me almost to five miles before I
caught the 3h 30m Runners World pacer. By this time I knew I had an
inkling as to how hard it would be. The Paula Radcliffes and the Haile
Gebreselassies of this world have it easy - they can just get into stride
and relax! No chance for me with runners pushing past and others slowing
so that I had to push past. It was worse at the drinks stations. This
was no fun run.
The sense of occasion didn't hit me until the Cutty Sark. It was
excellent - great crowds, lovely weather and feeling strong. I had
trouble believing it was me, Alberto, running the London Marathon. Wow.
But with the problems of running in such a large crowd I tried to
concentrate on just keeping up the pace.
Near the half way mark I expended a bit of energy cheering on the lead men
who were nearing the 22 mile mark. My excitement quickly passed when I
thought about the eight miles I would have to run to get to that point.
The miles through the Docklands were a grind, but I still kept up the
pace. I had a few supporters cheering me on during the 22nd mile, but my
energy levels dropped dramatically thereafter and the last four or so
miles were hell. I had practised positive thoughts to get me through to
the end, but at this point I could only think negatively. My body
screamed for me to stop, but though I felt I could walk quicker, I kept
going. The crowds, the mile markers were of little comfort by now. I had
walked these roads many times, but I didn't recognise any of it. Not even
the sight of Big Ben could speed me up. Time? Forget it, I just wanted
to finish. Birdcage Walk, Buckingham Palace, I knew the end was close,
but I couldn't speed up.
But turning into The Mall, seeing the finish line, oh glory what a sight.
And the time on the clock? Surely not! I sprinted (or so it felt like it
to me) and then finished. The relief and joy would keep exhaustion at bay
for hours to come. And I knew I was pretty damn close to my intended
time. If I had any energy left I would have cried, so great it felt.
Before the race I had told myself that I would give my all and if it meant
I couldn't walk for a week after, so be it. It's three days since I
finished and the aches and pains are still very much evident. But I have
been walking since Sunday and walking tall. Albeit with a limp and a
wince.
I'd like to thank all at Ranelagh, especially Stephen (Stuart) & Robin
(Drummond) for all the advice, encouragement and training. See you soon.
Alberto - a sub 3hr 30m marathon runner".
As usual we had a strong presence in the Richmond borough team for the
mini marathon, and some equally strong results:
Girls 15 - 17
1 F Fullerton (Havering) 14.31
11 Alice Beverly 17.11
23 Jessica Harvey 17.59
102 Hannah Turnes 20.29
180 Dina Lacmane 23.48
Girls 13 - 14
1 L Snow (Newham) 15.50
64 Laura Ball 19.40
Girls 11 - 12
1 R Taylor (Bromley) 16.42
13 Alex Hook 18.25
75 Sarah Harwood 20.26
79 Emily Ball 20.33
I think Stacey Barber was in there too, but for some reason I can't find her
result.
Boys 15 - 17
1 L Bowron (Ealing) 13.03
168 Alister Hook 17.48
NEXT...
More details of the following from Andy Bickerstaff (07966 552302 /
mailto:norris.hobs@ndirect.co.uk) or Sarah Seal (020 8995 2380 /
mailto:sarahs@walker.co.uk).
Sunday April 28th 1900 Stafetten Relay in Aarhus, Denmark
Saturday May 11th / Sunday May 12th Green Belt Relay
Sunday May 19th Ranelagh Richmond Half Marathon at Old Deer Park, 8am
start.
Sunday June 9th Dorking 10 miles road race (note the date is the
9th, not the 2nd as originally thought). 10.45am start. Entry form can be
downloaded from www.dmvac.org.uk
Entry forms for both the Half Marathon and the Dysart Dash 10km on June
30th can be downloaded from our web site.
TRACK THIS DOWN
Margaret Auerback writes:
"The Veterans track league is starting again on 29 April and this year all
matches are being held at Battersea Park. I am hoping to get together a
women's team so that I don't have to do all the events myself!
Dates are 29 April, 13 May, 24 June, 15 July,( all Mondays ) starting at
6.30 with the distance running events usually from about 7.20 onwards. Age
groups for women are W35, W50, W60. Men are M40, M50, M60 . Team manager
is John Curtin tel.01932 787658 or see Clive Naish or me at Ranelagh on
Tuesdays and Wednesdays or Barn Elms on Thursdays".
FINALLY
Many on the London course will have noticed the South London Harrier
running with her arm in a sling in the elite women's field - but in the
Rotterdam Marathon last weekend Kenyan Kenneth Cheruiyot went one better
by falling and breaking his arm after 10km. He got up, continued the race
and finished 2nd in 2.09.43.....
Steve Rowland
Telephone: 01926 318734
Fax: 0870 4006901
e-mail: srowland@calorgas.co.uk