Yearly total: 467km over 36 runs (2013 total:799 km)
24th April (11km)
Did a "I'm single and have too much energy" run today. 11km in just over an hour. None too shabby for me. Got a wee bit sunburned though, so need to start slapping on sun tan lotion from now on.
Left leg wise it was a rocky run, I need to give it a decent rest but honestly, I don't have the patience, or the GF, that'd allow me to not run for more than a few days.
20th April (18km)
Well, a week had gone by and, contrary to my promise, I found myself doing 18km. Was slow though as I was running with someone else who's pace is less than mine, but I still managed to work up a good sweat so all's well that ends, slowly, well.
In other news, I've bought a motorbike.
April 13th (21km)
T'was the morn' afore the day after the night before and ...well, you know...thousands of runners, including little ol' me, were standing at the start line of the Vienna Marathon. I'd been toying with 2 hours as a target (to beat my HM PB of 2.29) so when I saw the 2 hour pacer balloons in the starting block just ahead of me I made my mind up...I'd keep up with that balloon or die in the attempt!! As it turned out the balloon popped after about 15km, I didn't make the 2 hours and I didn't die...so I got that badly wrong.
Anyway, the gun went off at 9 sharp and we were off...sort-of. They actually had 3 starts, in order to stagger the runners a wee bit, so I crossed the start line at about 09:20 and we were off! again...and for the next 21km it was like close quarters combat with sweaty people. Bear in mind this was my first big race, it was at least 4 times bigger than the Night Run, so maybe they're all like this, but man alive! people can't run in a straight line can they...or even at a constant speed. I'd be over-taken by someone, who'd then cut in front of me, and who'd then slow down, forcing me to slow down or over-take. And so on it went, all rather frustrating. To be fair, part of this is me, as I really don't like crowds, I find them annoying, stupid creatures, full of smelly people but this..this was extreme. And now back to the positive. The course was great, full of local support, with refreshments every 5km or so and a real positive atmosphere the whole way around. Having a pacer (remember that balloon?) really helped me to keep my speed up, and the supporters and other runners helped make it one of the most enjoyable races I've done (I've only done 2, including this one, so far but hey!).
Somewhere around Schonbrunn the balloon popped and I was left to pace myself but I knew that I was on the home straight now (well, the last 5km) and, every now and then, I could see the tip of Stephansdom, so I was able to keep the speed up. I could feel my left foot (I suspect my metatarsals are bloody wussies who can only run 20km) were starting to complain by now but no where near as they do after a 25km run so I wasn't overly concerned - and then we were running down Mariahilferstrasse, and on to the Ring, and turning the corner into Heldensplatiz and then we were done! My final time was 2 hours, 1 minute and 40 seconds - down from my previous PB of 2 hours 29.
Below is a a wee review that I wrote for runnersforum.co.uk
What's goodAn almost flat course (was won, in 2014, with a 2.05.41 compared to VLM 2014 of 2.04.29) with water every 5km or so, real scenic, lots of local support so so far so good.
The not so good
There were just too many people - now, granted I started at the back of the back pack but I spent pretty much the whole 21k duckin' and divin' my way through other runners. It was shoulder to shoulder a lot of the time with a fair few crush points along the way. At no point did I have to walk but it got close more than once. Also - the price - not so good - €80 for which you get to run and get a medal but no real goodie bag, no t-shirt, nuffink!
Conclusion
Value for money - poor. Experience good. Overall impression - glad I've done it, but I'd not run again unless they made one significant change - and that's halve the price.
April 3rd (0km)
Bugger! Tried what should have been a real easy (16km) run back from Rennbanweg but ground to a half due to pain after only 2km. Ended up taking public transport home again. My left left's to blame, again. I'm gonna take recovery a little bit more seriously this time - no more running for me until the half marathon in 9 days and then I'll play the recovery card again. Looks like April's gonna be a slow month, well, slower than usual.
2nd April (6km)
After my last long run (to Kahlenberg and back) my leg (same old same old) was hurtin' some so I rested up as long as I could but come 10pm I'd run outta patience which is why I found myself runnin' round the Ring . It helped that the temperature was nice, almost perfect for a night run, as it was knocking on 15c, maybe a wee bit under. Anyway, the leg still hurt, I could feel it twinging underneath me as I ran but I ran a reasonable run - did the full ring in 42 minutes which knocked off 3 minute from my previous personal best (ran in October of 2012). I am getting tired of my left leg though. I'd like a new one.
