Countdown Clocks
Kilimanjaro Marathon!
3 weeks ago I saw a letter at our office about Kilimanjaro Marathon, and since I didn’t have much to do that day I googled the event, and shortly after I had read that is was a yearly marathon that was happening in Moshi, just at the bottom of Kilimanjaro (in Tanzania). I thought: “I’ve had ‘To run a marathon’ on my bucket list for a long time, maybe I should do this one?” so the following day I booked hotel, flights and paid the fee for running (got it covered by IL Modig, my club in Fresvik!).
I’ve never run a race further than 10km, so this was
something new for me, and even though I didn’t really have money for it (still
have to live in Zambia for 4 more months without a lot of income) I made the
decision to do it. I started running the very same day I booked everything. And
since then, 25 days ago, I’ve been running a lot. I stop lifting weights and
ran instead, on the treadmill, in the compounds, at the running track.
I haven’t been running a race since May 2013 when I ran 10km
Bupa Charity Run in the city centre of London (awesome to run, and I collected
over £200 for children in Aylesbury). So
my fitness level wasn’t great (imagine after 2 months on holiday around Africa
for Christmas!) therefore it was a lot of work (running) ahead of me, before
the marathon on 2nd of March.
Week by week
The first week I ran in total of 84km, mostly short runs every day
The second week I ran 106km, which was 5 days of intervals and long runs and 2 days rest
The third week I only ran 74km, 2 days rest and some intervals and long runs, but my legs, joints muscles was aching, so I took it chill.
This is the fourth week, about 40km, and I will run more on Tuesday, Wednesday, and even Thursday, so guess I will get another 30km before I start resting for the Marathon on Sunday.
The first week I ran in total of 84km, mostly short runs every day
The second week I ran 106km, which was 5 days of intervals and long runs and 2 days rest
The third week I only ran 74km, 2 days rest and some intervals and long runs, but my legs, joints muscles was aching, so I took it chill.
This is the fourth week, about 40km, and I will run more on Tuesday, Wednesday, and even Thursday, so guess I will get another 30km before I start resting for the Marathon on Sunday.
It’s been a lot of fun training for this event, since I
suddenly had something to focus on and look forward to.
Goal
My initial goal was to finish the marathon in 4 hours 20 minutes, but then I “improved” my goal with 20 minutes (to finish within 4 hours).
My initial goal was to finish the marathon in 4 hours 20 minutes, but then I “improved” my goal with 20 minutes (to finish within 4 hours).
During my training I’ve consulted with my brothers back home
in Norway, who are some of the best runners in their age-group in Norway. So it
was natural for me to listen to their advice. I have to thank them for advice
and support
Last year
I’ve been looking at the result lists from previous years (Kili Marathon) and the best runners are all from either Kenya or Tanzania. Here are some of the numbers:
I’ve been looking at the result lists from previous years (Kili Marathon) and the best runners are all from either Kenya or Tanzania. Here are some of the numbers:
- · 239 participants
- · Best European was a Frenchman who ran it in 3h18m25s
- · Average last year was 4h6m
- · No Norwegians participated
- · Best Scandinavian (Danish) ran in at the time of 4h33m16s
- · Best time was Kipkemoi (Kenya) at the time of 2h14m58s
- · On the top 14 there was 13 Kenyans and 1 Tanzanian
The "wall"
Have you seen the british movie called “Fatman”? It’s an English comedy about a unfit guy who runs a marathon to win over his lost love. In his marathon he meets “the wall” which a lot of people talk about when they run marathons. The “wall” is when your body runs out of carbohydrates to burn, and switches to fat, and all runners get this after 1-2 hours of running. I’m hoping to be ready for this mental challenge and jog through it. What is important is not to push too hard, since you don’t want to get lactic acid when you’re only half way.
Have you seen the british movie called “Fatman”? It’s an English comedy about a unfit guy who runs a marathon to win over his lost love. In his marathon he meets “the wall” which a lot of people talk about when they run marathons. The “wall” is when your body runs out of carbohydrates to burn, and switches to fat, and all runners get this after 1-2 hours of running. I’m hoping to be ready for this mental challenge and jog through it. What is important is not to push too hard, since you don’t want to get lactic acid when you’re only half way.
How I’m getting there
I’m taking a taxi to the airport on Thursday at 22:00, and my flight to Nairobi is at 24:15 and takes about 3.5 hours. I will fly from Nairobi to Moshi (which only takes an hours) at 8:30. So I will arrive Friday morning and therefore I will have entire Friday and Saturday to relax and check out Moshi/Kilimanjaro. The race starts at 06:30 on Sunday.
I’m taking a taxi to the airport on Thursday at 22:00, and my flight to Nairobi is at 24:15 and takes about 3.5 hours. I will fly from Nairobi to Moshi (which only takes an hours) at 8:30. So I will arrive Friday morning and therefore I will have entire Friday and Saturday to relax and check out Moshi/Kilimanjaro. The race starts at 06:30 on Sunday.
Guess my finishing
time
If you haven’t guessed my time on Facebook then you can do so in the comment area at the bottom of the page. So far 33 has guessed, and the average is 4h15m29s. Median: 4h22m30s
More on: http://kilimarathontraining.blogspot.com/
If you haven’t guessed my time on Facebook then you can do so in the comment area at the bottom of the page. So far 33 has guessed, and the average is 4h15m29s. Median: 4h22m30s
More on: http://kilimarathontraining.blogspot.com/
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