Under Pressure

It was lovely in Florence & certainly no Ice Ice baby, but I certainly felt the pressure in the final 5km in the beautiful Italian City.

The race starts in the Piazza Michelangelo overlooking a wonderful city scape, The start was delayed to allow for TV coverage but whilst in my pen I found a Brit & an Austrian to chat to & at 9.20 we were off.

It was a little congested in the first KM which is flat (before a nice downhill stretch from there until around 4km's)& after 1km I was already 45 seconds off the pace I wanted, knowing I needed to run 4.28 for each Km to achieve the goal of a sub 3.10 marathon.

In the early stages i ran into (well not literally - I wouldn't have been popular !!)a guy called Ron from Bristol & we discussed the Comrades marathon & our Mutual friend Trin :)

Over the next 13 miles I gradually chipped away a few seconds each KM & was aided by the company & challenge of keeping up with a lad from Watford I had bumped into at 5km - not sure how he knew I was British (maybe it was the Union Jack shorts & Buff or the very British (non) tan ?!!).By half way I had caught up with a chap from Aberdeen & there was some real competition in the fashion stakes - My Union Jack shorts v his Tartan shorts !!) my halfway split was 1.34.55 (5 seconds inside target !) We were both going for the same time & really helped push each other along but with 5km to go i really had to push it as i knew it was slipping away & had to run 4.20 min km's to get to my goal.I was feeling the pressure but just dug deep & with 50 yards to go I knew I was just going to make it & even had just enough time for the most picturesque of airplane finishes in front on the church in the plazza St Croce & finally touched down in 3 hours 9 mins & 27 seconds. whilst for much of the race I was behind schedule I just wouldn't let it go & my tenacity was rewarded.

yards after the finish I bumped into Ron again & chatted somemore - I met & ran with some wonderfully supportive people which makes a big difference.

If you want a destinbation marathon that combines it all this is THE ONE,a great city, scenic flat race & i bet it was warmer there than it's been here ?!!!

FORZA ITALIA !!

Ciao Bella :)

Foxy !

RUN TO THE HILLS .....

& when you get to 'em you got to run up them & when you think you've reached the top you turn & see the same in front of you.

The Cornish marathon was a bit of an animal, the first 8 miles were incredibly brutal but to my suprise I ran up every hill (a first for me)normally I break into a walk on hills but I have been feeling fit & strong lately.

The whole weekend was fantastic had a few beers with friends old & new & enjoyed the company of a foreign visitor Mr Stella Artois on Saturday night.

After vaselining up my nipples, with arguable assistance from Mr Rumbles (as shown !!)we set off round the Cornish countryside, my goal was to get round in 3.30 but 5 miles in that seemed optimistic but I kept going with great support from Allan,Chris & Colin.

Colin's much better looking other half Trin was a fantastic support around the course -taking photos, cheering us on & taking away our excess clothing, it was a lovely day, much to our suprise following the previous days storms & high winds, I was rather over dressed.

I reached halfway in 1.45.33 a fraction off 3.30 pace & by 18 miles I was over a minute off, so 8 min miling became 7.50's then 7.45's & the final 3 were 7.30's I dug deep refussed to give up & got my rewards with my 5th fastest ever marathon finishing in 3.26.48.

Over the moon I got the airplane out of the hangar for the trademark finish :)

Easily the toughest road marathon I have ever done, but the most rewarding too.

The Cornish pasty was a fantastic treat at the end & i'll be back in 2010.

In case you were wondering - Iron Maiden !!

Keep flying Foxy !!