FLM 2005. Why am I doing this?

Done and Dusted

2005-06-01T15:38:00.000Z

With all the sponsorship money collected, I took a trip to Cranstock and handed over a cheque for £761.40.

Passing on the Sponsor money.

I'm sure they will put it to great use, and that it will have some good effect on all who attend the centre.

Blogging off

2005-04-20T09:03:00.000Z

So thats it really, my diary's done.

I'll update it again to add some photo's (when I learn how), that way I'll have a full record of the last 4months.

If all the sponsorship pledges are upheld I hope to have raised in the region of £500 for Cranstock,
"a daycare centre for adults with learning disabilities located in Woking, Surrey",
which my handicapped brother attends 5 days a week.

Good luck and god bless,
Andy.M.

Never again.....

2005-04-20T07:37:00.000Z

Well I don't say that about anything, but I have to admit it doesn't really appeal to me at the moment for several reasons.

Firstly, has to be the way it consumes your life for months, your energy, time, family life, any other interests you follow all get shelved for months.
Secondly, I can't believe that any marathon experience could ever top that.

So as I sit here I can actually feel the warm ache in my thighs (I can walk upstairs without clinging to both handrails now) and honestly say that I won't.

Although.....
I'd love to try and do a half marathon in under 2hrs.
Now there's a thought.

Anyone else fancy giving that a go?

The Crowd

2005-04-19T11:55:00.000Z

Truely amazing.

I can't believe I'll ever experience anything like that again.
26.2m of energetic, enthusiastic supporters lining every inch of the course.
I't made me feel guilty when I walked, especially at 7m when I felt great.
The effort they put into cheering the last few thousands of runners like myself, was all very humbling.
Without a doubt having my name on the front of my vest, enabling the 'personal' support (there were plenty of Andys out there), gave me a tremendous boost and definitely spured me on to keep going.

My Time

2005-04-19T08:52:00.000Z

4:56 with a smile (or the best I could manage).

The official time web site is brilliant, you can analyse how your suffering effected your splits. Masochistic or what.

Splits.
10 KM 1:07:56
20 KM 2:18:37
30 KM 3:30:33
40 KM 4:41:31

Half 2:26:12
Full 4:56:08

I managed to run a steady pace for the whole race!
3 walking breaks, 7m, 14m and about 21m 'ish' where you go under those tunnels/bridges.

If I didn't know any better, I could assume I was in full control all the way.
None of this reflects the fact that I nearly collapsed at the 14m point, feeling sick, dizzy and with a cold sweat.
If I had of stopped then I would not have re-started.

I noticed from Michelles blog (one of the many that have helped me on my way) that we ran identical splits to the half way point, almost to the second.
I makes you wonder how many other bloggers ran side by side without even knowing.

Post before I forget

2005-04-18T08:31:00.000Z

I'm going to write down/list everything I can about the day while its still fresh in my head.
In a couple of days when its all sunken in I'll post again to reflect on it all.
So here goes......

Before the race.
1) Restless nights sleep, as expected.
2) Up at 05:30 feeling pretty good and ready for it.
3) 05:55 spend 5mins scraping ice of the car, go back in the house to round up hat, gloves and anything else I might need for a cold run.
4) Drive to Staines, catch the 06:37 train to Waterloo. Already meeting up with other runners.
5) Walk to Waterloo east to catch train to Blackheath blue start - runners everywhere - arrive about 08:00.
6) Blackheath fills up very quickly, massive queues for toilets, free tea and coffee's a nice touch. Glorious sitting in the sun, on the grass relaxing with a cup of tea.
7) Change into running gear - no hat or gloves needed - load bag on lorry.
8) Go to pen 8 at about 09:20, sit down waiting to start.
9) When the hooter goes we're so far from the front I don't even hear it.
10) Start walking to line, after 10mins stop for another wee.
11) Cross the line after about 15mins or so.

The Race
1) Set of at a steady jog, crowds fantastic.
2) Cross the 5m at just under 55mins - everything going according to plan
3) Decide to walk for 2mins at 7m still feeling good - crowd amazing
4) Cross tower bridge on target time
5) 14m.....oh dear, feel very sick, light headed and dizzy, cold and clammy. Start to walk, other runners start to ask if I'm OK (must have looked like shit). Wash myself with water and walk for awhile then start gently jogging again.
6) 15m, back into the swing of things, feeling not to bad. Can't work out what pace I'm doing so forget about it and just plod on, soaking up the atmosphere.
7) 16m, only 10m to go registers very distinctly in my head, I feel happy and comfortable that I'll finish.
8) 20m, in my key pocket I have 6 joosters for the last 6 mile posts. The first one tastes great.
9) Last 6 miles, crowd support still amazing me - I wrote Andy on the front of my vest and the 'personalised' cheers are really great. Somewhere in the last few miles there was a couple of long tunnels, no crowds, so I walk through them.
10) 3 or 4m to go, still feeling ok but tired. Pass Tony Cottee who's wearing a West Ham top, as a life long West Ham fan he's always been an idol of mine.
11) Last 2m my legs are really tired now and my knees are getting sore but - I know I should break 5hrs, I haven't hit 'the wall', and I'm really enjoying the experience and trying to take in as much as I can.
12) Cross the line, smile and wave for the photo, stop my watch at 4:56.

After
1) Tag on shoe is removed, all the helpers are smiling, happy and supportive. Collect medal, then have a photo taken wearing it.
2) Retrieve bag, then get stuck in a big hold up to get away to the changing area. While I'm waiting I eat everything I can get my hands on.
3) Once changed I try to get back to Waterloo. Decided to walk rather than Tube, which gives me a chance to watch others finishing, and gently keep my legs moving. A long walk as it turned out as you couldn't cross the course to get to Westminister bridge. Loads of runners working and struggling along the last few miles, I stopped and supported several times.
4) Snooze on the train. A quick chat to a few other runners at Staines stn, and then drive back to Camberley arriving home just after 18:00.
5) Greeted at the door by my daughter and training partner who has watched every second of the race coverage on TV.

Finished. Free medal and free sun tan.

Back Down to earth
1) Have to ground my boy (aged 7) for a week for swearing at his sister.
2) Its Sunday and school tomorrow, so I have to wait in a queue for the bath.
3) Sun burnt agony on my back and shoulders
4) Work tomorrow - if I can walk.

Carbo loathing

2005-04-16T20:15:00.000Z

Tomorrows the day then.
I've been trying to rest all day - which in itself is hard work with 3 young children.
Drinking plenty of fluids - no alcohol, booo.
Ate a big bowl of pasta with bread - yuk. I'd rather have an ulster fry or a big steak and kidney pud. Who knows maybe tomorrow I will.

Got to get up at 05:30 to leave the house by 06:00.
I hope everyone running has a successful day, a day to remember.

Good Luck.

Ants in Pants

2005-04-15T21:05:00.000Z

Finished work for the weekend, got home and was climbing up the wall's.
Very unlike me, I couldn't sit still and was all on edge, so I went out for a nice slow jog.
Just under 3m in 33mins.
Thats my planned pace for Sunday.
11min miles with some walking every 5.
Then again my plans rarely come to fruition.

Thinking back on the last few months I can hardly believe that I've just jogged 3m to relax and calm down, when 4months ago I couldn't have run 1.

I can't wait for it to start.
I can't wait for it to be over.

Numbers up

2005-04-14T07:40:00.000Z

Picked up my number and registered yesterday. (6808)

A really long day in London, masses of people, plenty of freebies, loads of stuff to tempt you to spend your money and a massive queue for the pasta party.

Some really nice souvenirs, but it seemed a bit odd to buy them before your've actually done the run. I'll get them on the internet after.

Returned home very tired, then went out for the last time and drank too much Guinness.

Thats it I'm ready.

Long time to ponder

2005-04-10T15:05:00.000Z

Had a nice steady 4 miles again today, thinking about all sorts of stuff - a bit like this.
1)Next week I'll have to take a day off work to get my number - which is a bit inconvenient at the moment.
2)On race day I have to get to London early (obviously), but Camberley is a right pain when it comes to trains so I may have to drive to Virginia Water or Sunningdale to get a mainline train.
I'll have to have a serious look at that.
3) Theres no way I can run 26m. Couch potato to marathon runner in 4 months just doesn't go.
4) I recon a run walk policy will work, as long as I treat it a bit like water intake, ie take it before you need it or its too late.
5) I'd love to get round in under 5 hours.
6) I'd love to smile as I cross the line.
7) I'd love my daughter to be able to come and watch (she's helped in all my training) but thats not going to happen.
8) I wonder what the weather will be like.
9) I wish I had someone I knew with me (just for the hour or so at the start).
And on and on and on.
I suppose I'll have a week of these sort of thoughts.
No real worries though, which is pretty good.

Taper for England

2005-04-09T19:36:00.000Z

Ok, 5 days with no running - now thats what I call tapering.
Felt really guilty today so did a nice steady 4m.
Will probably do the same again tomorrow and that might be it, I'll see how I feel.

Logan's Run

2005-04-03T18:00:00.000Z

We (the children and I) do the Logan's run each year, this is the 4th, in Aldershot. Its a 1km fun run or a 4m main run.
Last year I couldn't run the 1km without walking and this year I did the 4m run in 33mins.
My daughter was second girl in the 1km and 5th overall.
How good is that!

I wonder if next year I'll be walking the 1km again?

One things for sure, I need to buy a running vest in case its hot on the 17th, even in a running T shirt today it was stiflingly hot.
'Stiflingly' did I just make that up?
You know what I mean.

Easter Holls

2005-04-02T22:44:00.000Z

Off work for a week. No blogging so here's a quick summary.

Sun - Rest day (hung over)
Mon - Rest day (british superbikes at brands hatch, great day out)
Tues - Rest day (go to Dover a few days)
Wed - 5.4m in 53mins (running along the sea front and peir, really nice, - and flat!)
Thurs - Swimming with the kids (absolutely knackering)
Fri - Same 5.4m in 53mins (bit boring second time, very hot and humid)
Sat - Rest day (come back home)

The big run

2005-03-27T12:55:00.000Z

So the plan goes like this.......
last long run, 18m or so then my favourite bit - the taper.
Finally a bit of the training schedule I know I can do.
The taper, I love it.

Sorry, back to the 'big'run. Went over the woods with my two training parteners. Jogged/walked for nearly 3hrs, don't think I covered alot of distance (14m or so) but with all the up and down hills it was pretty good.
I quite enjoyed it, ran to Crowthorn, Bracknel and Bagshot via Swinley forest - thats where if we get the 2012 olympics the mountain bike stuff will take place.
Finished with energy left, a very tired little dog, and a daughter with a saddle sore bum.

Got very drunk Saturday night (start of the taper!)

loosener

2005-03-24T20:49:00.000Z

Very slow jog (about 2miles) just to get my legs working again.
Very tired but thigh pain seemed to have eased.
This has become a real chore.

Fleet half

2005-03-20T20:22:00.000Z

This half marathon was only just down the road for me and was pretty flat - what could be better?
So after a short drive and a short walk I'm there, far to early and feeling like billy no mates standing around on my own. The park soon filled up and then we're ready to go.

The first couple of miles included a hill (twice!) and my left thigh was really paining me. I don't know why and it was only really 'can I do this' bad on downhill bits (not many of those though thankfully).

Plodding along at a comfortable pace, missing mileage markers, until the 4m post when I realised I was still doing the same as at Reading, 10min miles.
Tried slowing down and some walking but that was pretty uncomfortable so I just carried on crossing the line in a clock time of 2:11.

Good bits
Great crowd support (including my daughter and neighbour), good country roads/views, flatish course, know what my comfortable/natural pace is, ran with batman and robin for a few miles, beat the bloke carrying 2 oars.

Bad bits
Not fit enough to do my prefered pace for much more than 13m, none the wiser as to a plan for marathon, really painful right thigh muscle for whole race, no goody bag.

I'm sure there's other stuff but I'm tired, come to think about it I'm physically tired all day everyday now.

Is it just me?

Jack it in?

2005-03-18T20:59:00.000Z

That dam jack russell. :-)
Went for a run over the woods - planning a steady jog taking it nice and easy, with the Jack Russell for company.
The weathers really changed and it was so hot, I was sweating and feeling the heat even after a few minutes.

When I'd settled into a slower than normal plod the dog was obviously bored and being naturally mischeivious she decided to run between my legs mid stride - results - me on my knees eating dust, the dog sprinting away as fast as it could.
A few minutes later she did it again - same result but with a serious sense of humour failure on my part.
For the next 10mins or so if she came near I kicked out, I dread to think what we must have looked like.
I must have taken my eye off her for a second 'cause she did it again, this time cleanly, quickly, with no contact - then sprinted ahead stopped and just looked at me, I swear she was smiling.
She didn't try it again.
Mission accomplished maybe? I hope so.

Managed 47mins, but without the distractions it was a hard, hot slog with really tired legs.
Fleet half on sunday - deep joy.

mmmmm chicken

2005-03-16T21:50:00.000Z

Skived off work a bit early tonight, got home just after 5.30 and went straight out for a run.
The plan was to do a steady hour of plodding but after about 10mins I was starving and I knew there was a big plate of spuds, veg and chicken waiting at home.
Only managed to do 43mins before I gave in.

Legs were OK, used a pace that was slow and comfortable, most of my thoughts were about the Fleet half this weekend.

Still, its the works tenpin bowling do tomorrow night and I'm driving. Which is a bit of a result really as I won't be drinking and I'm sure its usually compulsory to get drunk on St.Patricks night if your names murphy - I can't be doing that while I'm in training.
Can I?

Camberley Fun Run

2005-03-13T22:38:00.000Z

Sunday morning fun run - all my kids love to do it each year in a hotly contested family 3km run. This year, as ever, my youngest (the boy, 7) finished first with me (old man, 41) a close second, the eldest girl (11) not far behind and bringing up the rear, the middle one (girl, 9) on a sunday morning stroll.
3km in under 18mins for a 7yr old!
If I could have caught him I would have tripped him.

Late afternoon I went over the woods at the back of our house for an hour long jog with my friend and training partner sandy, the jack russell.

My thighs are still tired from the reading half, but the jog was good and always enjoyable with an active, unpredictable jack russell in tow.

Really poor training this week because I was stupid on the reading run, but I'm injury free and 5 weeks to go.

The weak end

2005-03-12T19:24:00.000Z

It was friday night so instead of running I went out for the first time in a long while and drank loads of guinness and boy did it feel good.
This morning I took the children swimming in Guildford, I swam and swam until my legs and arms were like jelly, which probably doesn't make up for the beer last night but as far as cross training goes its gotta be good.
No running since wednesday.

Still tired.

2005-03-09T21:04:00.000Z

My legs were as knackered tonight as they were at the end of the half marathon. My thighs were just so tired and sore.

Agonising 2.5m.
Lovely soak in the bath.
Great bottle of red wine.

The other reading half

2005-03-07T12:25:00.001Z

Other stuff about the day!
Didn't even notice the cut on my foot - a bit of blood on my sock at the end but thats all.
My daughter did the 2.5m run and had a warm up session with the cheeky girls who then beat me in the half marathon, which amused her greatly.
Went behind a bush to spend a penny, during which I noticed a young lady doing the same, a gentleman as ever I turned my back, only to pee all over my own shoes.
I was overtaken by 5 blokes in a caterpiller outfit and an emu, but I did beat Elvis and father christmas.
I was bumped into from behind by a blind bloke whom I immediately told to watch where he was going - oops, we had a laugh about it before he ran on ahead.
Anything else?
No thats about it - looking forward to a couple of rest days now.

Reading Half

2005-03-07T08:18:00.000Z

Decided to run.
Huge number of runners at the start - I lined up at the 2hr 15min post and there was virtually no one behind me.
It was very cold and the start was delayed so keeping warm was a bit of a problem. Then we're off, well sort of, from the back it seemed like a good 5mins walking to cross the line then start a steady jog.
Felt really comfortable keeping a steady pace each mile until about the 9m post, thats when I started to feel it - but stupid as I am I decided to maintain the pace to the end (which I did) no matter what, found myself watch+marker post obsessed.
Running so far on hard surfaces is really tough on the legs, all my training incorperates grass verges and soft surfaces.

So in Summary...................
1) finished in 2:21, less some time to cross the line (which is to fast)
2) maintained a steady pace for the full race (good)
3) didn't walk at all (silly)
4) had a good run but couldn't have run much further, let alone do it all over again

To live through the FLM......
1) discardable bin bag for the start needed (also old gloves/hat/jumper if required)
2) adopt and stick to a run walk policy, probably time based.
3) decide on a mile pace and ensure I never go faster than it - even when I feel good.
4) walk up hills - even small ones

To run or not to run?

2005-03-05T20:50:00.000Z

Did a nice steady 3 miles yesterday evening.
The cut on the sole of my foot didn't give me any real grief, I knew it was there and could feel the plaster (compeed stuff) in my shoe, but no real discomfort.
Reading half tomorrow and I'm still undecided whether to run or not.
My daughters running the 2.5m fun run so I might decide when we get there (the weather might just sway it).

Blisters or wart?

2005-03-02T11:40:00.000Z

Compede for blisters - great stuff.
The idea is that you stick it on and it acts as a second skin while the blister heals. Trying it over my cut and it seems good, might even try a little jog tonight.
Keep calling it 'Compound W' by mistake, but that was the stuff my mum used to put on a wart I had when I was little, it went on like tippex, stank and tasted foul (I know you shouldn't taste the stuff but I was only young!)
Anyway, I'm smiling again.

Healing

2005-03-01T10:50:00.000Z

The first few days were certainly the worst, I can always feel the cut as I walk now but it's not overly painful.
I've had loads of advice, some good, some bad, most of it contradictory but all of it well meant. (thanks all)
At the end of the day it's just a case of keeping it infection free and giving it time to heal.

Upstairs downstairs

2005-02-27T21:31:00.000Z

Murphys law struck again on friday.
Just when everything is going well - yours truely falls down the stairs.
Now its not as bad as it sounds - my foot slipped on the edge of a stair and I skidded to the bottom on my bum, resulting in a sore bum and a carpet burn on my elbow (long time since I had one of those, he he).
However...........
at the bottom of the stairs is the phone socket with very sharp corners and heres me skidding down on my arse feet first.
So there it is, a cut about 1cm with a flap of skin to match on the sole of my left foot, and all my wife was worried about was a few blood spots on the carpet.
Its sunday evening now and although I can walk on it its very sore.
As if marathons weren't hard enough!

Kids like snow

2005-02-24T20:12:00.000Z

I got bullied into to taking my daughter for a run, at the Reading half marathon she's doing the 2.5m fun run.
It was basically an excuse for her to go out in the snow, so muggins had to go as well.
This was the first time I had run two days in a row and it turned into a 'nice jog and chat in lovely flakey snow fall' (her words not mine).
Anyway 2.5m nice and slow.

Freezing cold

2005-02-23T21:57:00.000Z

Did a 3 mile run, snow, wind etc etc.
I ran quickly because of the cold - really hard work but quite good fun, if thats the right word.
Sucking in freezing cold air when I was gasping for breath at the end wasn't particularly nice but there you go.
My better half is collapsed on the sofa with a terrible cold/flu/lurgey thing.
KEEP AWAY!!!!!

Sooore

2005-02-22T10:15:00.000Z

My just over 2hr run was just over 11 miles.
Yesterday (Mon) my legs were killing me - used some deep heat rub stuff that smells great therefor must work!
Today I felt much better, and will probably jog a couple of miles tomorrow.
All being well the Reading 1/2 in a fortnight should, maybe, take about 2 1/2 hours - and some very sore legs again.
If I do it that quick I'll be having a few pints in the pub by the train station to celebrate (its called Scruffy Murphys - how goods that?)

Longest time/mileage yet

2005-02-20T18:01:00.000Z

Had a really long walk with the family and dog on friday. No pains or aches, which is good. Decided to go for a long run today, based on 20mins jogging/2 mins walking. Carried a bottle of orange lucozade sport drink stuff and sipped when I walked. Everything went well, did just over 2hrs. Although tired and a bit sore a few hours later it was ok (tomorrow?).
Will work out distance later.

Fun in the park

2005-02-16T04:51:00.000Z

All 3 children on half term this week, I took wednesday off and took them to the park, while I jogged slowly around - legs still sore from my 10k 'sprint' at the weekend. Did a couple of miles and felt better for it.
A bit embarrassing when the 3 of them started cheering me on when I was barely beating walking pace. Kids!

and we're off

2005-02-13T14:40:00.000Z

or not.
Start of the 10k race was delayed by 45mins, when it did start I was still chatting/keeping warm - all a bit chaotic really.
3 laps around sandown park. 1st one to fast as I was caught up in the occasion, 2nd proper pace and the last to fast for no reason I can think of (its not as if I was trying to win!).
Really good fun, took an hour but I wouldn't have been able to run much more.
So... as a training run it wasn't good, as an experience it was great.
Lessons
1) try my utmost to stick to my own pace (use watch and km posts?)
2) don't speed up for no apparent reason
3) don't be to pig headed to walk (especially up hills)
4) enjoy the scenery/chat

Cross training?

2005-02-12T18:06:00.000Z

Can I count 3hrs following my wife around the shops? No.
What about 2hrs walking the dog? No.
Lets try 4hrs playing golf?
OK, so I've done no training, but I have caught up with stuff I haven't found time to do for a while.
Looking forward to my first 10k 'race' tomorrow.
Should be a good training run and a new experience.

Recovery week

2005-02-09T20:40:00.000Z

Or so a couple of my schedules say, and who am I to argue?
My 9 year old daughter has been nagging me for weeks about running with me - perfect.
So of we go.......so slowly I could honestly walk faster - bless her.
We did a mile together then she went to the car and I did a mile or more at a slightly 'brisker' recovery pace.
Back at the car she had the doors locked (good girl) and the CD up full blast (typical girl). So to get her attention I had to bang on the car roof.
We both nearly wet ourselves - her with fright, me with laughter.

Stock take

2005-02-06T21:11:00.000Z

7m today. A good run with no serous problems.
So......
1) 2 months in I can do 7 miles without collapsing.
2) Trouble with right ankle seems easier with gentle stretching, dan :)
3) Sore nipple today - buying some proper gear should sort this, instead of the first Tshirt I find.
4) Can't follow a published training schedule.
This by far exceeds all my expectations when the acceptence letter arrived.

On the otherhand.....
1) I've got to be able to do three and a half times this in 2 months time - scary.

Hilly run

2005-02-02T22:02:00.000Z

Just done a quick 1.8m run with two big hills, working really hard up them, jogging easy between. A nice run.
Monday, after the 7m on sunday, my knees felt a bit sore but they were fine today. I assume this is just an increase in mileage and because I've started doing the long runs on tarmac instead of over the woods. Might change this around a bit.

Good - bad

2005-01-30T16:02:00.000Z

7m run, not timed (forgot to start my watch!). Felt good and, dare I say, comfortable.
Until.......
a couple of hours after, the back of my right ankle (achilles tendon?) seemed to tighten up - not sore, but noticable lack of flexibility compared to my left one. I suppose stretching may help but I don't. If I stretch wrongly I recon I'm more likely to do harm than good.

Fun run training

2005-01-28T17:55:00.000Z

Did'nt go running yesterday due to the lure of the pub after yet another crap week at work. My daughter (11yrs) wants to do the 2.5m run at the reading half marathon so we did 2.5m at her pace, jogging/walking in 31mins. It made quite a nice change. We'll do it again in 3 weeks or so and see how shes getting on.

Got to go

2005-01-26T20:39:00.000Z

Ran a quick 2m, 5 laps around the park.
No motivation but its got to be done.
Felt good afterwards.

Some miles but not enough

2005-01-23T16:59:00.000Z

Jogged over the woods for 50 mins - not very far but a good run. My legs felt pretty tired while running but ok, adding up to a really poor training week.
There were loads of squadies over there doing an orienteering competition, now those young lads were fit. One of them came charging out of the trees and undergrowth following a compass bearing rather than the tracks - like he was getting chased by a lion or something - completely mad!
Must put some mileage in this week, which will mean running in the late evening after work and cutting down on pub visits.
No one said it was going to be easy!

Which excuse

2005-01-22T21:34:00.000Z

I could list lots but the end result is still the same.
No running this week.
Sunday tomorrow and a nice steady jog over the woods, about an hour and a half. (and no excuses).

Sunday wake up call

2005-01-16T19:36:00.000Z

Having only done 2 runs so far this week, with a grand total of 4 miles, I decided to do a nice steady long run, with my daughter on her bike for company. Went down to the hospital and back, 7m in 1hr 13min. A bit faster than intended but still a nice run, certainly noticed that running on the pavement/tarmac is a lot harder on the legs than over the woods. Someone gave us a toot on the car horn as they drove past, no idea who, and saw a couple of people I know who looked really shocked - so my 'secrets' out.

Its friday

2005-01-14T18:59:00.000Z

That goodness its friday. Crap week at work comes to an end, a quick 1.6m finishing on a big hill and then hit the pub.

A bit of a high

2005-01-12T21:09:00.000Z

Took my daughter to guides, its just by sainsburys, so I decided to do 5 laps around the park. Felt ok jogging around thinking about all sorts of stuff (none of it to do with running), next this I knew I was done. Did it in 21:40, without even realising, felt really comfortable and good! Ok, so its only a couple of miles but I actually feel as if I'm getting fitter.

Read before rant

2005-01-10T22:31:00.000Z

OK so I didn't read the articles I just flicked through them. They did highlight the most important runs for the week and it emphasises the importance of rest days. My thighs are really sore so 2 rest days will do me good. If you exert yourself on a hard run should your thighs be sore after? I was expecting calfs, or shins, but thighs? oh well not to worry.

My running schedule is

2005-01-10T16:39:00.000Z

Is what exactly? I can't run on mon or tues because I work then go Tenpin bowling in a league - not even the beginners schedule gives you 2 rest days in a row. What do I do shuffle it all around? Will it still work? I don't want to injure myself by doing 2 sessions back to back which should be split by a rest day. Anyway, my legs were tired this morning after my 'tempo' run yesterday (ha, ha). Ran 4.9m nice and slow in about 1hr (daughter on bike for company), had to walk up 2 massive hills though. Walked the dog for a warm down. Thighs very tired but ok.

Runner's World knowledge

2005-01-09T17:35:00.000Z

Bought my first running mag yesterday. Flicking through it as we speak (sorry type). Great marathon stuff. I'm obviously a beginner, which means my target time is 5:30 to 4:30 - thats the first useful bit of info I've had since I started training. Turns out my crap week of training wasn't. My tues 'male ego' run was in fact fartlek training, my thurs 'down the hill and back' could have been hill training and low and behold yesterdays 'forgot my gloves' was a tempo run......what a good do! Worth the money all ready.

Cold

2005-01-09T17:10:00.000Z

No I haven't got a cold (touch wood), I had a flue jab for my asthma that seems to have saved me from all sorts of snuffles so far. It's so cold outside and so warm in the house who in there right mind would go out in this? My kids.....they insisted in a few laps at sainsburys. I forgot my gloves my fingers were like frozen fish fingers, I ran 5 laps as fast as I could 20.35mins. Remember your GLOVES.

Back to work lethargy

2005-01-07T16:56:00.000Z

I don't want to. It's raining. I'm tired. My eldest daughter was having none of it. We live on a hill so a slow and steady pace all the way down it and all the way back. Not very far but that hill!!! 21.20mins

Happy new year, 4 days late!!!

2005-01-05T14:42:00.000Z

Oh dear, 3 days 'rest'. Its not as if I over indulged at new year or anything - in fact I was very restrained - I just really struggle with motivation. Having said that I did go for a quick/slow jog today - in daylight. Trouble is everytime I saw someone I jogged fast, then slowed right down again when I'd passed, saw someone else and jogged fast again then slowed down, this continued for the whole run (whole makes it sound alot it was only 25mins). Was this male ego? Is it my mid-life crisis? Am I an arse? Is this normal? Does anyone else find themselves doing this?

Measure this

2005-01-01T14:27:00.000Z

Today I bought a cheap mileage speedo thing for my daughters bike. Then I (we) went for my first run on a tarmac/hard surface. Jogged nice and steady for 62mins with no walking, including a couple of long hills. It was 5.6m as measured by the gizmo (£2.99 in halfords). It could be a good buy as she enjoyed it and it gave me company while measuring the run.

Would I rather be shopping?

2004-12-30T13:16:00.000Z

Took my wife to sainsburys, while she was shopping I took the children to the little park. 5 laps in 23.19. Its so boring running round in circles. I changed direction a few times but to be honest it was because there was this dog with only two legs and a sort of wheel attachment at the back instead of hind legs, and no word of a lie I'm sure it could go quicker than I can jog. The kids couldn't work out why I was avoiding it, I told them I didn't want it getting in my way. Had to sit in the car for at least an hour waiting for her to finish shopping - getting cold and feeling cramp in my calfs, while the children insisted in listening to music loud enough to burst eardrums. Lessons learnt?

Well done kids

2004-12-28T16:16:00.000Z

Yes I couldn't motivate myself again. After consistent badgering from all 3 of my children I succumbed. I took them (really they took me) to sainsburys again, where I did 5 laps of the park - first and last slow (with the children) the others a quicker pace. Total time 23.37. I could do with knowing how far I'm running, I'm sure its not far - but how far is it - how far should I be running?

Bring on Xmas

2004-12-24T20:15:00.000Z

I've just done a run over the woods, a very slow jog for 1hr 10min, and it all felt really good. New shoes did the trick, but the left one feels a bit loose - is one foot bigger than the other? - do I just need to lace it tighter? - will I suffer with blister on my left heal? Still, I'll think about that after Xmas.

The clowns new shoes

2004-12-24T13:59:00.000Z

Sorry about that rant yesterday. Today I bought a pair of running shoes, nike ones that I looked up on the internet to find out about before buying. Got them cheap (£45), also bought some proper track suit bottoms and bid for a FLM shower proof running jacket on Ebay. I suppose after the last two days this is what they class as retail therapy. Tomorrow I'm going for a long run before Xmas day.

Feeling stupid? I know I am

2004-12-23T19:01:00.000Z

Did 5 laps again today in 22.58. I felt really tired (must be all that shopping yesterday), and I'm bored with running round in circles. I've got to find other places to go. Trouble is I only run in the dark because of my working hours which rules out the woods. To be honest I don't like running where people can see me because I feel really stupid jogging slower than a tortoise, dressed like a clown with no real running gear. Childish or what?

Does anyone know anything?

2004-12-22T13:48:00.000Z

Finished work early and decided to buy some running shoes. Nearly every shop I went to they knew less than me about the damn things! All really helpful if you want an expensive pair in a particular colour. Failed and frustrated I bought a really cheap sweatshirt and a cheap fleecy thing.

Thanks Kids

2004-12-20T16:33:00.000Z

My children made me feel so guilty about not running, I took all three of them to the park at sainsburys for a run. We ran 2 laps really slowly as a group then, as they played, I ran another 3 at a quicker than usual pace total time for 5 laps 23.40. There now that wasn't so bad was it. Thanks kids.

Get out of bed, fool

2004-12-19T19:36:00.000Z

Nobody could ever accuse me of being an early bird, and true to form all good intentions of a long sunday morning run were cruelly cast aside for a lie in. Sorry.

Oh dear 3 rest days and today makes 4

2004-12-19T04:20:00.000Z

I wish I had an excuse or better still a reason for not running but there you go. I went swimming with my kids today and I did swim until I could swim no more - can I put this down as cross training?

Jog over the woods

2004-12-15T17:22:00.000Z

Another couple of 'rest' days under the belt and, feeling guilty, I went for a run over the woods at the back of our house. Just jogged along really slowly for 1hr. I felt tired but fine.

More rest days!

2004-12-12T14:10:00.000Z

After 2 rest days I've been again this time 5 times around, steady pace in 23.10. It felt OK. My kids came with me jogged abit and played in the park while I ran round. It felt better having company.

I enjoy the rest days

2004-12-09T15:53:00.000Z

After 2 rest days I was ready to go again. So I've just been to sainsburys again, and run around 4 times nice and slowly - in 20mins, no walking at all, which I am happy about but my legs felt tired and sore. I really need to get some running shoes as the trainers I've got are certainly not designed for this.

Where can I run

2004-12-06T16:46:00.000Z

After the fiasco of wellies yesterday I decided to drive down to sainsbury's where theres a little park I can try and run around. The trouble I have is I live on a hill which theres no way I could run up (yet) so this little park is ideal - only used by a few dog walkers and people carrying shopping home. Ran around once in 3.30 mins, which was ridiculous because it was too fast and I could bearly make it round a second time. It's very quickly sinking into my thick skull that this is going to be a real struggle.

Here we go - lets start

2004-12-04T19:32:00.000Z

Walked the dog to day for an hour and a half, jogged up a few hills when I was sure nobody was looking. Felt like a complete fool but this may have had something to do with the fact I was wearing wellies.

Oh my god I'm in

2004-12-03T22:31:00.000Z

So I've been accepted, I've read the details several times and I'm unsure whether I feel elated or horrified. I obviously won't start training today as I'm far to lazy.