APRIL UPDATE

April was the month to see how all of the hard winter miles had paid off and first up was the Glasgow 2 Edinburgh Ultra, 55 miles flat following the Forth and Clyde Canal from Ruchill to the Falkirk Wheel and then the Union Canal in to the centre of Edinburgh. The weather was kind and it was ideal conditions as we started and I had Robert Soutar for company for the first 25 miles resisting the temptation to chase two early leaders who had shot off at a rapid rate. I knew the marathon two weeks previously would kick in at some point and just hoped I could maintain a steady pace throughout and Rob only really started pulling away from about 38 miles in.

Photo by Sandra McDougall

 A mostly uneventful race only livened up on reaching the second last checkpoint (Linlithgow I think) to be told I was currently in 3rd place as the first two runners had pulled out. I had Duncan Oakes in 2nd place in sight for the next 15 miles but could not pull him back in finishing 2 minutes behind in 7hrs 17 minutes, Rob had won in a superb 6hrs 53 mins. Huge thanks to Rob's mates Andy and Sam for providing support throughout the race and even taking us back to Gartcosh Social Club and ensuring we had enough beer to take the pain away from our legs.

Celebrating 3rd place

And so on to the London Marathon at the end of the month where I was pacing again for Runners World doing the 3:30 / 8 minute mileing from the blue start.

All the members of Team Craig were entered which must be a bit of a record for family members with Holly making her marathon debut and raising lots of dough for McMillan Team McKeown. Kate and myself were on the blue start and she decided after a while she had had enough of my celebrity status wearing the big flag brings and wandered off in the distance, next seen in the pub afterwards.

Team Craig reunited.

 The race itself was fun but there was hardly a point where I could relax due to the volume of people and it took all of my concentration to maintain even splits, I was constantly weaving in and out of bodies being in the part of the race with the largest volume of runners.

Here are my splits :

Split	Time Of Day	Time	Diff	min/km	km/h	Place
5K	10:36:25	00:24:53	24:53	04:59	12.06	-
10K	11:01:40	00:50:08	25:15	05:04	11.88	-
15K	11:26:52	01:15:20	25:12	05:03	11.90	-
20K	11:52:01	01:40:29	25:09	05:02	11.93	-
HALF	11:57:26	01:45:54	05:25	04:56	12.16	-
25K	12:16:33	02:05:01	19:07	04:54	12.25	-
30K	12:41:12	02:29:40	24:39	04:56	12.17	-
35K	13:06:16	02:54:44	25:04	05:01	11.97	-
40K	13:31:02	03:19:30	24:46	04:58	12.11	-
FINISH	13:41:40	03:30:08	10:38	04:51	12.39	5352

In the last 4 miles I passed 617 runners which would account for me running a longer distance with all the zig-zagging going on. A great feeling passing the 600mtr to go sign and urging the runners who had been tagging along to finish strong and reach their goals.

We all met up at our usual meeting point and it seemed we all had a good day although Kate had to pull out at halfway not wanting to risk further injury with a little niggle. I also met training partner James Stewart who had rattled a PB after months of hard work.

LONDON MARATHON

After withdrawing from last years London Marathon to save my legs for the Fling I have regretted it since as it stopped my ever present from 2003. So this year the decision was to run both in the same week principally  to get miles in the legs and get some nutrition consumption practice in. With the sad events in Boston a few days beforehand a sense of togetherness had flourished and arriving in London on Friday afternoon and hitting the expo there seemed a really special feel about the place.

Friday night myself and Michael went to our favourite restaurant for steak and chips which I washed down with a few beers as part of my carbo loading. Saturday morning was cool but sunny and we had a lovely pre breakfast run around Hyde Park with a wee stop off for photos.

Full bhuna fry up was then consumed before a short stroll round Regent Street and then search for a barber for my marathon haircut. Evening meal was early with the Team McKeown McMillan squad who were down in force fundraising for their charity.

Early rise on Sunday morning, breakfast consumed and then off to let the fun commence. The trip on the underground to London Bridge and then the train to Blackheath is always fun with a mix of nervous first timers and experienced runners all heading for different start zones. We are fortunate enough to qualify for the Fast Good for Age which is a separate section on the red start and small enough to meet up with the usual suspects.

A nervous wait for the start and we managed to lose Duncan in the muster area and have not seen him since and then a 30 second silence for the victims of the Boston attacks and we were off. The planned pace was for a  2.50 finish for Michael which I was going to pace him towards and ease off about 20 miles but after 3 miles he had disappeared behind me but I thought he wouldn't be far away. The crowds were overwhelming in places and certainly the numbers must have been greater than ever. Not many spots on the course now where there is no support. I passed through 22 miles at 2.24 and sussed 2.50 was not on so eased off a bit and just enjoyed the run in to the finish, or as much as I could as I felt a small twinge in my right calf which felt a bit like it was going to cramp. Crossed the line in 2.52 and my official time is 2.51.53 which is only 50 seconds short of a pb so happy with that although I did go faster than the plan. Michael, Mark and Al all came in between 2.56 and 2.58. Michael did tell me off for going off too fast but I pointed out to him I had paced it perfectly for him to 22 miles where he was meant to push on for the sub 2.50 but unfortunately he had not kept up.

Me and bro.

Bag hunting.

A few beers at our usual haunt Henry's next to Green Park underground and then airport and home.

Me George and Al rehydrating.

Splits

Split	Time Of Day	Time	Diff	min/km	km/h
5K	10:19:27	00:19:21	19:21	03:53	15.51
10K	10:38:44	00:38:38	19:17	03:52	15.56
15K	10:58:35	00:58:29	19:51	03:59	15.11
20K	11:18:45	01:18:39	20:10	04:03	14.87
HALF	11:23:07	01:23:01	04:22	03:59	15.10
25K	11:39:03	01:38:57	15:56	04:05	14.69
30K	11:59:32	01:59:26	20:29	04:06	14.64
35K	12:20:30	02:20:24	20:58	04:12	14.31
40K	12:42:28	02:42:22	21:58	04:24	13.66
Finish time	12:51:59	02:51:53	09:31	04:21	13.83

Garmin details here : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/301805263 

A few days rest now and see if my legs recover for 53 miles of the Hoka Highland Fling on Saturday. Hoping for a sub 10 hour finish but really not bothered as I just want to get to Tyndrum feeling I could continue on and not feel totally gubbed.