A race guide/report for the 2019 Comrades Marathon (the worlds most famous ultramarathon - 87km from Durban to Pietermaritzburg) and an overview of the area - the people, the place, and things to do.
I wrote a pre race report for the first time. That is probably worthwhile prerequisite material. This was the first time I have written a pre race report because I took this one really quite seriously.
In advance of the race I had a think about why I wanted to
History suggests that I am quite good at racing marathons. I have run 2 marathons (what I would deem) 'properly' - Berlin 2016, and Boston 2018, and both times I have run faster than my training might have suggested.
For Berlin I did Pfitzinger 18/70. I got through the
Better late than never?
I very rarely run the same race twice (I like not knowing where I am going) but on this occasion I made an exception. I ran this race back in 2016 but excessive milk consumption (to complement my cereal - carb loading) the night before made
I knew whilst training for the Boston Marathon that I also had an entry into the London Marathon.
Boston (being Boston) was my goal race.
That said, (me being me) I knew that if I hit my goal (sub 3) in Boston then I would almost certainly run London too.
On 16th April 2018 I ran the 122nd Boston Marathon in 2:58:18. Not a personal best but definitely, secretly, really a personal best given the race conditions/my condition.
Training
I did Hal Higdon's Advanced 2 plan (again). I had used this for my first marathon in Manchester.
On 11th February 2018 I ran the Pacific Road Runner’s First Half in Vancouver, Canada. I ran a 1:25:23 - a Personal Best.
Since being in Vancouver I have been running with a club at Forerunners on 4th Street. Having run with them a few times I
I wrote a separate post about my trip to New York (more generally).
Race details
The New York City Marathon was held on the 9th November 2017 in New York, New York.
It was my third marathon, and I finished it in 3:28:58.
More information about the race
Race details
The Essar Four Villages Half Marathon was held on the 17th January 2016 in Helsby, England (and surrounding villages).
It was my first half marathon, and I finished it in 1:26:50.
More information about the race can be found here.
Travel and accommodation
Helsby is fortunately
In 2015 I ran the Chester Metric Marathon. After completing the race someone mentioned that if I trained properly I could be a good runner.
Running a marathon had crossed my mind at numerous points over the previous years, and as such I decided that I would train and try