Being inspired

After recently viewing another blog of a professional climber and photographer http://www.ianparnellphotography.blogspot.com/ I was encouraged to watch a YouTube video clip of current marathon world record holder Haile Gebreselassie breaking a record. I'm far from being an elite long distance runner, but I still couldn't fail to being inspired by such a sporting performance. So surely my own personal best time in a half marathon could be 'smashed' on the next attempt, right?

The normal butterflies appeared on cue at the start line of the Kenilworth Half Marathon last Sunday. A combination of having carbo-loaded (pasta!) the night before; weather sunny and fine, and surrounded by very motivated athletes was a recipe for success. But for some reason the legs didn't feel fresh in the first hour of running. There were plenty of distractions including being surrounded by other runners breathing heavily, something I'm not used to. Plus running in the company of two chaps, one pushing the other who was sat in a wheelchair. I would get overtaken by them on the downhill sections, but I soon caught them up on the uphill sections. They happily refused any help of pushing from us during those stretches.

After eight miles the legs suddenly loosened up, so time to up the tempo and dream of being the new Haile or Paula Radcliffe. So again the 'race' was on for a new PB. Every time a distance marker was passed, a quick look at the watch confirmed that my minutes per mile were dropping.

Have you ever watched the London Marathon, or other long distance running on TV and noticed how some people, after they cross the finish line, have a complete lack of coordination? Why do they bumble sideways? Perhaps cruelly I've been guilty of chuckling at them but at the same time feeling slightly sorry as well. Yep you've guessed, it happened to me. After crossing the finishing line and gasping for precious air, I tried my best to walk straight ahead to Harriet. It wasn't happening, a stare down at my feet didn't make any difference, they would not go one in front of the other. I looked forward in desperation to Harriet as I went sideways and backwards. It was most unsettling. Can someone out there please explain why that happens?

However, just as I regained the ability to walk vaguely forwards, there were massive cheers from all around to celebrate the success of the wheelchair pilot and passenger crossing the finish line just five minutes behind me. Now THAT's inspiring.

On the next post I will review last winter, with photos that didn't quite make the cut then - just like these two.

Martin

P.S. After 13.1 miles of running did I better my personal best time? Nope, missed it by just 21 seconds !?! The things you do, to try to get fit for the next ski season......