I haven’t used the Nike+ Running app for a long time, since getting a SportWatch. However, I dug it back out after starting to use the Nike Training Club app (as it ties into the Running app to check you have done a running workout). Now, Nike have put in a coach with plans for 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Full Marathon distances. Interesting.
The Virgin Money London Marathon was disappointed to hear the news that Liliya Shobukhova has been handed a two year doping ban by the Russian Athletics Federation (VFLA).
It notes that the VFLA has annulled Shobukhova‘s results from 9TH October 2009, which includes her results in the London Marathons 2010 – 2011. If this decision is confirmed after any appeal, then it would mean that results from the years she ran in the London Marathon 2010 (1st) and 2011(2nd) or would be annulled.
Hugh Brasher, Race Director of the Virgin Money London Marathon said, “London Marathon is at the forefront of the fight against doping in our sport, and we are very proud to have been the first major marathon to introduce blood testing for all of our elite competitors, prior to each event. This mandatory blood testing commenced at the London Marathon in 2002, and has continued with all our elite competitors throughout. As one of the world’s leading marathons, we continue to work very closely with UK Anti-Doping, the IAAF and WADA with the aim of eradicating drug taking in our sport.”
As part of London Marathon elite athlete contracts, any athlete found guilty of a doping offence will be required to repay any prize or appearance money.
The athlete has a right to appeal the Federation decision. London Marathon is unable to comment further until that has either expired, or any appeal has been determined.
Virgin Money London Marathon – Shobukhova doping ban, Virgin London Marathon – Latest Race News.
Despite the Sheffield Half Marathon being cancelled moments before the start, thousands of runners disobeyed orders and decided to complete the race anyway.
In heart-warming and sometimes amusing scenes, the people of the Sheffield rallied behind the ‘rebel runners’ – handing out bottles of water and offering loud cheers and applause.
Organisers were ‘very reluctantly’ forced to cancel the race before its 9am start time because of ‘insufficient water’ being delivered by suppliers and a subsequent safety risk to runners.
Sheffield Half Marathon somehow still a roaring success despite chaotic cancellation | Metro News.
Today’s target: 16K. Did 16.51K in just under 2 hours. Not my fastest or best time, but I’m pleased because 8K + 16.51K = 24.51K, which means I’ve done more than a Half Marathon distance over the course of the weekend.
Run Stats:
Another long run weekend. Today’s target: 13K (8.1mi). Met that in 1:28:17 (Average pace: 6’47″/km), and got a new trophy.
Stats (via Endomondo):
Well, I guess I’m not running the RPHM. :(
Still, I can still train for it.
Second day of the long run weekend, and it didn’t turn out too well. I decided to run my local park instead because the weather looked ominous. One lap around the park (about 1 mile), and my hamstring was hurting again. Seemed to ease up if I changed my running posture, though. So perhaps I picked this up because my running style is poor? I ended the run early to give it a rest, and maybe work on a better posture. I probably never had this feeling because I don’t normally do 15+K runs.
Still, on the plus side, a new trophy came my way:
First day of the long run weekend. Today’s target was 14K, which I hit in about 1hr 26mins. Endomondo Track here. I was using my Nike+ SmartWatch as well, and kept it going till I got home, which was another 3K. Total distance out: 17.2K, total time out: 1hr 58min 58secs.
No Endomondo PBs were broken on this run, but I did set several on Nike+: Farthest Run (17.2K), Longest Run (1hr 58min 58secs), Most Calories Burned (1,140kcal), Fastest 5K (28’51”), Fastest 10K (1’02’12”). I also got the Afternooner trophy (1500 Nike Fuel earned between 2pm and 5pm)
This was one of the longer runs I’ve done in a while, and coming down the last 3K, my hamstring in my right leg started to hurt.
Tomorrow’s target is 16K. If I clock that, my target of a 30K weekend will be achieved. In fact, I will have done more than a Half Marathon over the weekend. Most likely, I’ll use the same route as I took today, so by the end of tomorrow, I’ll have a double 17K under my belt.
Blender Fox 
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