training (b)log

5M: 34:26 (TM) running with Elvis Presley Live at Madison Square Garden.

training (b)log

5M: 43:28 (TM) running with Ewan MacGregor, Nicole Kidman and the cast of Moulin Rouge.

Experiential living!

'If you want to win something, run 100 metres. If you want to exeperience something, run a marathon.' Emil Zatopek

I've never been much of a sprinter, but I am keen for experiences and what I really want to experience at some point in the next 12 months is a new PB for 26 miles. I've two goals in mind, both probably too ambitious, but you can never dream too big!

Goal one: to run a marathon 1 minute a mile quicker than my current PB. Target = 3:08:05

Goal two: to run a marathon in under 3 hours

Whether I make it not I can but try, after all we've all got permission to fail. This blog will record how I get on.

training (b)log

6M: 42:51 (TM)

the story so far...

My running 'career'/experience (such as it is) has consisted of 3 races - a 5k, a half-marathon and the London Marathon. These, and these alone, represent my PBs, my personal bests:

19:39 Serpentine Last Friday 5k - Hyde Park (Jan. 2005)

1:30:51 Brentwood Half Marathon (2005)

3:34:05 2005 London Marathon

As someone once said, 'that and better will do!'

Here's the deal

Yesterday was not the first time that I had watched and encouraged thousands of courageous people running through the streets of London.

I'd been along in 2004 to watch two mates chase each other along 26 rain soaked miles of tarmac. We all got drenched, but it was quite simply one of the best experiences I'd ever had.The sense of comraderie, the spirit of community and the atmposhpere of mutual encouragement was something I'd rarely been apart of, certainly not on the same scale. Virtually a spiritual experience.

So yesterday wasn't my first experience of the London Marathon, but it was my first experience of the marathon... having run it! And I'm not sure I liked it.

Don't get me wrong the whole thing was just as inspiring and enjoyable, but it wasn't the same. It wasn't the same as running it!

So this time next year I know which side of the barricades I want to be on... knees willing?!

on your marks..get set...

here goes! the start of a quest to run 26.2 miles in less than 3 hours.