Very happy to say I survived and finished the marathon in 4hrs29mins, one whole minute ahead of my target time! :-) I still finding it all slightly surreal when I think back over the different bits of the race. Thanks to the pouring rain I got a nice big fat blister on my foot around mile 8 but it didn't stop me enjoying myself. The kids doing high-fives and the crazy fancy-dress costumes kept my attention away from my own aches and pains (the man in the leopard print thong- you know who you are!). I have to admit by mile 23 once it started to hail I was really finding it hard work, despite what everyone says, even if you've done a 20mile run in training, those last 6 are a killer! Still, I did manage to avoid hitting the wall, thanks to all the Lucozade, even if I suffered mentally in the last few miles. As I sped up along the last 200m with Savage Garden's 'Affirmation' blaring out from the speakers (corny but fabulous!) it was definitely worth it. I'm having trouble leaving my flat now as I have to hobble down 3 flights of stairs squealing in pain but I've just entered next year's ballot so watch this space!

Zoe

Intro to Zoe:

I started running seriously this summer and decided to set my sights high and aim for the ultimate goal... the London Marathon. I used to be a really keen runner when I was at school, I loved athletics and represented my school a couple of times in the 800m and cross country. My running since then had become a bit sporadic (what with university and the inevitable lure of beer and takeaways!) but I guess running a marathon had always been one of those dreams in the back of my mind. It wasn't until I started reading up on how to enter and what the training involved that I got really determined to do it.

I am running the marathon for the Samaritans, a charity which I have supported here in Canterbury for a couple of years now. The fundraising is proving almost as challenging as the running so I'm glad I'm running for a charity I really believe in and support. I have found that training for a marathon does seem to take up every spare minute of my life, whether it's running or fundraising, and it can be hard to go out and train after a full day at work.. However I do work as a chocolatier so it's the perfect way to burn off the extra calories from all the chocolate tasting I have to do! It's a hard life! :-)

Zoe at striding out at Hastings Half

I have joined the Canterbury Womens Running network which is great, they are a fabulous bunch of ladies and it feels safer and definitely makes me more motivated to go running on the dark and cold evenings! I do most of my running around Canterbury city centre in the week, and go further into the countryside at the weekends for my longer runs. I run about four times a week, and am up to 13 miles on my long run now. Yesterday I completed the Barretts Canterbury 10 mile in 1hr26mins which I was pretty chuffed with! My aim for London is to complete the marathon in 4hrs30mins (or less if possible!) and to run the whole way round! I really don't want to stop and walk! Between now and April 13th I am running the Brands Hatch half marathon, Sussex Beacon Half Marathon and the Brooks Hastings half marathon. Brooks have been helping me out with some great new running kit and shoes, and are giving me some coaching at the Hastings half which I think will be invaluable!

Latest Post - 7th April 2008

I'm off to the Expo today to get my race number... really excited now but the nerves are starting to show. My stomach does a somersault every time someone mentions the M word! There's really not much to say about training this week as I have been doing more resting than running! Just did 5 miles on sunday and have done a couple of 30 min jogs so far. I'm doing one more short run tomorrow then just resting until sunday. It feels a bit odd and I must admit after all the training I feel really lazy now! Still, I am planning to fully embrace the carb-loading as i do love a nice big pasta dinner-it's a good excuse to eat loads! If I am still able to get up and walk to the computer on monday I will let you know how I got on!

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31st Mar 2008

It's been a fairly steady week of training for me, just keeping up the regular runs in the week and have cut down my mileage a bit now in anticipation of the big day. Did a nice muddy 10 mile run in the countryside round Canterbury yesterday which was really quite enjoyable! I'm feeling quite satisfied that I can run this distance so comfortably now, trying not to be smug about it though as I'm aware that 26.2 is still gonna be hell! I'm starting to get this rather sick feeling in my stomach every time somebody mentions the word "marathon" now but I'm calling it nervous excitement. :0)

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25th Mar 2008

So my most intensive week of training is done and there's only three weeks to go until the big day! Did a great 6 mile run along the beach at Walmer on thursday night with some sections running along the shingle... pretty hard work on the legs but it felt like a good challenge! Yesterday I did my last long run, also along the beach but in Worthing this time. Although it was freezing and windy I managed 18miles so I'm pleased with that! It's just so much harder to keep runnning when it's not a real race! Starting to taper my training this week, hoping I've done enough preparation for the real thing!

Zoe

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18th Mar 2008

The main event of the week has definitely been the Hastings Half Marathon today! I actually ran the race with Andy from Brooks who was giving me useful tips for London, I think the pace I was running at was more like a gentle jog in the park for him but it was definitely as fast as I could go! The course was alot more hilly than Brighton, and the weather less pleasant, so I was pleased to finish in 1hr52 again! Around mile 7 I felt really tired after the long incline at the beginning, but picked up speed a bit on the last 4 miles.

Zoe with Andy from Brooks pre race

Feeling glad that my achilles has stopped hurting, I took a couple of days rest at the beginning of the week and put ice on it which helped. Back on track now, next monday I'm planning to do my last long run of 20miles before the taper so hope it stops raining!

Zoe

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11th Mar 2008

Training has been a little less intense this week as my legs needed a bit of recovery time from the Thanet 20! It seems to have taken its toll on my achilles which is aching, but still managed a shorter run on tuesday, some speedwork on thursday and then a steady 16mile run yesterday. Ive had my official race registration forms for London through in the post so really feeling excited about it now! Hoping the grotty weather improves for the Hastings Half Marathon on sunday!

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4th Mar 2008

I am very pleased to announce that I've just completed the Thanet 20! The race went pretty well, I made sure I kept a nice steady 10minute mile pace, which felt slow at the start but by mile 16 was about as fast as I could manage, especially up the hills! The race went all along the east kent coast from Sandwich, through Ramsgate to Broadstairs and back which was lovely in the sunshine. Having never run that far before I was pleased to finish in 3hrs15mins. I never knew jelly babies could taste so good!

Also did a really good 7 mile run on thursday with 3 miles at 8min/mile pace. I think the speed wortk is definitely helping make my longer runs seem easier. Only 6 weeks to go until the real marathon now, it's looming! Almost all of my spare time is now taken up with training, fundraising, eating and sleeping now but I'm almost there!

Zoe

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25th Feb 2008

Have managed not to fall over this week!

Well the weather has been gorgeous the last few days so I ran all the way from Canterbury to Whitstable and back along the Crab and Winkle way in the sunshine yesterday, which I think was just over 14 miles. Having done a few races recently I was suprised at how much slower I seem to go when running on my own! I missed the convenience of the water stations too but it was a beautiful day so a very enjoyable long run!

I had taken it fairly easy at the beginning of the week, still feeling slightly pathetic with my bruised knees, but by thursday I managed 7 miles with no aches! I've just received my race number for the Thanet 20mile next sunday... yikes! Feeling a bit nervous about that one but it'll definitely be good practice for London!

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18th Feb 2008

Started the week feeling motivated from surviving Brands Hatch, ran 3 miles on monday and 5 miles on tuesday. Must admit that thursday I skipped the official training run in favour of going out for a curry- not the heathiest of options but hey, it was Valentine's day! I did about 5 miles on friday then rested saturday in preparation for the Sussex Beacon Half Marathon on sunday.

It was a great atmosphere on Brighton beach, lots of music playing, loads of spectators and a lovely sunny day! I actually managed to fall over at mile 3 (do feel free to send video clips to You've Been Framed if you witnessed it!) but got up and finished faster than last week, in 1hr52mins, despite my bleeding knee! There is no lasting damage, apart from a slightly dented ego, and I'm pleased with the time so roll on another week of training!

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12th Feb 2008

Well, the highlight of this week has been surviving the Brands Hatch Half Marathon! I did it in 1hr56mins which I was really pleased with, although I have to admit I found it hard work! It was a beautiful day which was nice, although the heat made it even harder going up the hills! Being on the race track and running through the pit lanewas pretty cool though.

Training is going well... Put in some last minute hill training on tuesday in preparation for Brands Hatch, plus some extra leg exercies in the gym, then did a steady 6 miler on thursday. This sunday I'm doing the Sussex Beacon Half Marathon... which I hope won't be quite as hilly as Brands Hatch. Wish me luck!

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4th Feb 08:

I'm feeling all enthusiastic and motivated this week as I went to the London Marathon seminar for Golden Bond place runners on sunday. They gave us all loads of tips on training, nutrition, avoiding injuries and fundraising. It was really exciting watching the footage of last year's marathon and being told what to expect on the day! I went out and did 6 miles in the sunshine this morning and felt rather inspired by it all!

Done some good training sessions this week, including a 7 miler with 3 miles at threshold pace which was a good challenge. I am also feeling quite proud of my black toenail, which I got from running downhill too fast the other night, it's made me feel like a proper marathon runner!

Feeling slightly nervous about the Brands Hatch Half Marathon this sunday... It'll be my first experience of a half marathon and apparently it's pretty hilly. Ah well, onwards and upwards!

More next week...