Sonia Samuels – Running to the top

So it was back to Berlin last Sunday for a run out over the Half Marathon distance, it was here I made my debut over the distance in 2011. I was hoping to eclipse my PB set two years ago although when I landed in snowy conditions on Friday I wasn’t filled with much hope. However, the sun came out on Sunday morning and we were blessed with some “almost” spring-like weather and a PB performance I did.

The race also marked a very important re-match between Nick (the hubby) and myself over half marathon. In this very race two years ago I dropped Nick at 18k and finished a minute ahead of him. The 2011 Half Marathon Power of 10 rankings will be a one to show the grand-kids and let’s just say it has been a bit of a thorn in Nick’s side ever since. Nick likes to tell everyone he had trained hard the day before but I put it down to being better than him on the day. Although it has been great to have him help out on some of my long tempos it has also improved his endurance and it isn’t so easy to drop him these days as Sunday proved. I look forward to the day when I can wipe that smug grin off his face again, not that we our overly competitive in our house!

Some High 5 action with the ‘pacemaker’ aka Mr Samuels

The first 10k was into wind and a chilly wind at that, unfortunately Nick needs to eat a few more pies before he can offer me some decent shelter but at least I had someone to chase. We went through 10k in 34.16 and I was feeling pretty strong. The support was great as was the entertainment on the side of the road. The kilometre markers were coming around fast and before I knew it I hit the last 95m. It was always going to be difficult to out sprint Nick a 1500m man but I was determined to beat other guys in our group.

The marathon in September highlighted some key weaknesses, particularly in my hamstring which can be unpredictable and hampered my training before Christmas. Since January I have been able to put some base work in and, although I feel strong, I don’t seem to have another gear right now. I feel encouraged by my performance in Berlin as it shows that things are heading in the right direction but I now aim to put some speed back into the legs. I’m still working hard on the strength and conditioning which will hopefully allow me to now do more quality work heading into the track season….I can’t wait to get stuck in and “back on track”!

It has been a while but I finally have something to shout about – another medal at the National XC, this time silver! My last competitive outing was over the marathon distance in September in Berlin. Whilst I was really pleased to run a good time I felt like I had a grey cloud hanging over my head. As I highlighted in my previous blog, my marathon build-up was not without problems. After a well needed rest it was time to face my sciatica and hamstring problems.

The run up to Christmas was difficult. I decided to go back and do some supply teaching to take my mind off running but I only managed to pick up every illness going including the flu 4 days before Christmas. All the stopping and starting wasn’t good for the leg/back or my mood. I was miserable.

What better way to kick start 2013 and my comeback but to head out to the Rift Valley. With the backing of Virgin London Marathon I was given the opportunity to train with the best in the sunshine.  In Iten, Kenya you are surrounded by inspiration and given the medical support to put you on the right track. With the help of Duncan Mason @athletematters and Hannah Griffiths I was finally able to string some good training together. For the first time in 4 months I felt like a proper athlete again. It was also an ideal opportunity to work on a good daily S & C programme.

My first aim of the year was compete at the National XC at Sunderland, not quite home turf but close enough. Training was going well and I was adapting back into my routine in Loughborough but nothing would prepare me for the brutal conditions at Herrington Park. I’ve never been a fan of the cold I’m definitely a fair weather athlete. So with 40 minutes to go before the start of the women’s race I was in a tent with both feet wedged between two hot water bottles. I stood on the start line with as many layers as I could wear – arm warmers, longsleeve, T-shirt and my vest on top. Survival of the warmest and the toughest but I felt lucky – lucky to be on that start line and racing again. This is what all the training is for.

It was a great testing course but I think the conditions were definitely more challenging for me. My feet were painfully cold and getting worse as the race progressed. The freezing muddy slop reaching my face! My reward a super,  sparkling silver medal. Bronze last year, maybe next year…

Well they say every cloud has a silver lining. The injury problems definitely highlighted the importance to stay on top of the stretching and work on that core! It is all worthwhile when a plan comes together.

Setting an alarm for 4.45am to eat breakfast with your eyes shut just seems a weird way to wake up and start a Sunday morning but that’s what marathon runners do and it is oddly satisfying. At 7.45am we took a stroll to the start area from the hotel through the Tiergarten Park. Berlin is an amazing place with so much going on. I did my year out in Germany for my uni course so it is always good to come back.

The weather was perfect with the sun shining and very little wind. Today was also exciting because Nick was also running the race with me and secretly I wanted to test him out.

The atmosphere at the start was great and there were some great tunes playing. I found myself standing at the front of 40000 people ready to run 26.2 miles. Although I was really nervous I wanted to enjoy this moment, this is what all that hard training was for and I had made it to the start line. All I had to do now was to run the best I could. A couple of days before the race I read a great quote on the Runners Centre FB page which really stuck in my head:

“The human body is capable of amazing physical deeds. If we could just free ourselves from our perceived limitations and tap into our internal fire, the possibilities are endless.”

Dean Karnazes

I had worked a lot on my mental preparation going into this race. Having to pull out of the race in the later stages was a very realistic scenario if my leg was playing up but one I would not let myself think about. I tried to focus on the process and not the outcome, getting to the next drinks station was the only thought in my head. Speaking of drinks stations, it was a good job I had my race head on, I ended up in a few scuffs with a couple of blokes trying to get to my drink.

Anna Hahner, a new talented German marathon runner was looking to run sub 2.30 and had a few pace makers lined up to take her through each point in the race on pace. This was ideal as I planned to go with this group as long as possible.  As I passed through each drinks station and the crowds shouted encouragement I felt more at ease that I was going to do this. My legs didn’t feel fantastic today but I wasn’t having a bad day either. We reached half way in 74.22 and I felt comfortable.

With 14k to go my leg was tightening up and I was slipping off the back of Anna’s group. I had to start digging deep and remind myself of the quote. I was ready for this and determined to fight to the line. Nick was running a great race and on this occasion I was unable to run him into the ground. In fact, he was annoyingly very relaxed the whole way with enough energy to shout at me for the last 2k. This time I didn’t tell him where to go but used it to fire me up! As we came through the Brandenburg Gate the finish line was in sight…. and the clock! I had to push this last 150m to break 2.31.

It is always a fantastic feeling to run a personal best but also a relief that you completed the course as there are so many things that can go wrong even when you are 100% fit and healthy. So to all those marathon runners who ran – you achieved something amazing today! On reflection I am very happy with the performance and I know there is a lot of room for improvement. I’m looking forward to some down time to rest and recover and then planning the next target.

Disappointingly I didn’t do much dancing at the after party nor did I get to go on a beer bike (too tired to pedal) but  I did get a picture with Geoffrey Mutai enjoying a glass of red wine.