3hrs 31 mins 6seconds

Last Sunday I competed in the Edinburgh marathon. I finished 892 out of about 8500 in a time of 3hrs 31 mins 6 seconds. I wanted to do it in 3hrs 30 gutted. I was about 4 minutes ahead of schedule until mile 23 when the 'wheels' fell off the hebson running machine and the legs began to feel like lead weights being dragged along. Kev and Gareth were a fair bit off there targets too. Just wasn't our day.

The climber in me wants to look for excuses, stopping for a piss must of taken 45 seconds, fumbling a jelly babe another 10 seconds, it was really a bit too hot, I got very little sleep the night before etc etc but the truth is I just needed to man up and push through the pain. I tried, the photos of me all the way round show me with my 'trying' hard huffing and puffing face but still that didn't do it. Maybe if I spoke to my best mate from school before the race and knew he had done it in 3hrs 28 I might of pushed harder to try to crush his time.

Competing in the race was a great experience, enjoyable and strangely a bit overwhelming at times. 1000's of strangers lined the streets to cheer us on shouting encouragement, spraying water, offering drinks, jelly babies and supporting us. All very heart warming and giving you faith in the human race.

So what now? do another marathon? I said i wouldn't but i would like to get a quicker time. We'll have to see but all the training is hard work, boring and not bouldering. We'll see if some one asks me to do one with them after I've had a few pints.

Last few weeks bouldering I've just tried to stay ticking over. I've managed a few sessions. I had a good evening at Woodwell and climbed screaming slave. Always good to tick Gaskins problem.

Headed to Longridge with Laurie for a bit of a session. Tried big marine a few times. Had to jump into the starting holds because of the newish designer floor level. After getting it sussed out the rain blew in and soaked the crag. Great. Another problem to add to the 'must do' list.

Had about four wet weather sessions at the excellent red wall. Just repeating lots of the eliminates and of course fell off ying yang a lot.

Today I headed into one of my favourite valleys. Kentmere a beautiful village in a quiet corner of the lakes with some good bouldering to be had. Unfortunately my session wasn't as pleasing. After the hike up the garburn pass to the boulder, I managed to get warmed up then split two finger tips trying to suss out the moves on Phantasmagoria. I thought I cracked it when I manged to reach a side pull/pinch over the bulge but couldn't get into the finishing pocket. Another one to go back for.

So final thoughts for this post. It's time to get stuck into some bouldering, try to build up more multi day fitness, get stronger, get out more and get some classic lakes problems done!