Today's Manchester marathon was got to be the worst conditions ever for a UK event. The wind and rain was incredible, bad enough for us in our wet weather gear, runners in shorts and vest...
Royton road runners were on duty at the 38k aid station dishing out water,gels and shot blocks. New to me was the water packs as they were like sachets with a valve, they were quite easy to prepare and dish out with the added feature of splatting if a runners stands on them.
The shot blocks however we ended up cutting them out and pilling into boxes as runners had a hope in hell chance of tearing them open with tired frozen hands... Lord know we couldn't!
It was good to see our Oldham parkrunners on the route, first passed our station was Dave Peart who I believe snook under 3 hours which was bang on his target and his very first marathon. I would easily credit 10 minutes off any runners time in that area due to the weather!
I missed Simon but saw Anne-marie, Tony and Angie as well as a few Heaton parkrunners, Scouse John, Andrea and thought I saw Ria Bright heading up the road as we were leaving... The trousers surely could be no others.
Well done to every one who part including Andi Jones and Tony Audenshaw, their legs must be strong given they were running in the VLM last Sunday!!!
Over the last month I have started back in the gym and I have a trainer working on my Core, Glutes and arms. This has been a great motivator but unfortunately work and family life have meant running and cycling at an absolute minimum (parkrun my only running and the bike looks a bit dusty) I have however done a bit of swimming. The Wilmslow Triathlon is only a couple of weeks away and I must say my enthusiasm is very lacking, not helped by the fact xtramile events have not sent any correspondence to suggest I am taking part, not even a start time!
After watching the VLM last week on the TV and subsequent session in the pub to ease the torment of not being involved, I had a shake up and decided to give up booze once more! The next drink I should be having will be in "The moon on the mall" after the VLM 2013!!!
So now I am soaking in a hot bath after taking some strong painkillers for my dodgy shoulder, which the physio will be beating up on Mondays session...
Have a good running week!
Mark K
