knees willing?!

Week Two:

2010-01-16T15:03:00.000-08:00

Sunday 10th January: 50:31 6M (Easy)
Saturday 16th January: 22.10 3M (Steady)

TOTALS: 1:12:41. 9M

2010 in the beginning...

2010-01-16T14:55:00.000-08:00

Sunday 3rd January: 21:52 3M
Tuesday 5th January: 20:51 3M
Thursday 7th January: 22:26 3M

TOTALS: 1:05:10 9M

Week SIX:

2009-09-29T05:50:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 29th September: 20:11 (3M)
Thursday 1st October: 20:27 (3M)
Saturday 3rd October: 38:59 (5M) E

TOTALS - 1:19:37 (11M)

Week 'FIVE':

2009-09-25T14:26:00.000-07:00

Saturday 19th September - 20:45 (3M)
Saturday 26th September - 31:02 (4M)

TOTALS - 51:47 (7M)

Week FOUR:

2009-09-05T04:08:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 1st September - 20:34 (3M)
Thursday 3rd September - 20:59 (3M)
Saturday 5th September - 29:59 (4M)

TOTALS - 1:11:32 (10M)

Here we go again?!

2009-08-30T14:27:00.000-07:00

Saturday 8th August - 21:27 (3M)
Monday 10th August - 19:56 (3M)
Wednesday 12th August - 13:59 (2M)

WEEK ONE: 55:22 (8M)

Saturday 15th August - 23:43 (3M)
Monday 17th August - 19:48 (3M)
Wednesday 19th August - 14:42 (2M)

WEEK TWO: 58:13 (8M)

Sunday 23rd August - 13:45 (2M)
Thursday 27th August - 20:47 (3M)
Sunday 30th August - 30:27 (4M)

WEEK THREE: 1:04:59 (9M)

It's been a while...

2008-03-31T00:14:00.000-07:00

...almost a year in fact, since I posted anything on my 'running blog', which testifies very potently to the fact that I haven't been running much - at all in fact! Until now, well until recently anyway.

Needless to say with the London Marathon just around the corner the temptation to lace up again is proving too enticing to resist. So knees-willing, legs-willing I've tentatively marked out a 2M circuit to test the water. Having eased in with 14.07 and 14.04, tonight felt good, perhaps too good as the watch stopped at 12.07.

Bouyed by the lighter evening (courtesy of British Summer Time!) it felt great to have a good workout but I'll wait to see how I'm feeling in the morning before getting too excited! This may yet turn out to be a once-only post!

Wait for it

2007-04-11T20:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon I ran 3M in 20.10 and felt fine.

Today I'm not so sure!

The dull ache in my left thigh is slightly less dull, depressingly less dull. But we'll see how tomorrow feels before I lurch head-long into a pit of depression?!

So far, so good?

2007-04-08T22:00:00.000-07:00

Same gentle jog, well, slightly less gentle (21:34) but so far there's not much to report. That said the legs did feel a little heavier today, but it has been a while!

What doesn't help is that I've started reading John Bryant's 'The London Marathon: The history of the greatest race on earth' - it just gets you going! I want another marathon!

That'll learn me!

2007-04-07T10:05:00.000-07:00

At the end of September (two weeks before the Cardiff marathon!) I happened to mention how I'd done rather well to train for two 26-milers without any significant injuries(!) - I'll not be saying that again! About 3 days later my hamstring went and so have the last 6 months!

Not only did I train for and miss Cardiff, for the first time in four attempts I got a place for London which I've had to postpone until next year. Coupled with the fact that a stack of friends are also running it this year, it's fair to say that I'm a little gutted. With mates chatting about how their training is going and 'Runners World' landing on the door step every month there has been no getting away from the frustration of a prolonged injury.

But thankfully all things come to pass (hopefully!) and so last night, tentatively I laced up again and headed out for what Lisa instructed had to be 'a gentle 3M jog'. And it was (22:30 gentle). And so far as I can tell from the morning after 'we're' doing OK, but as I foolishly said back in September - 'it's a matter of time'!

it's been and gone...

2006-11-06T22:27:00.000-08:00

...'the moment of truth' that is! And the sad truth was that it didn't happen.

I may have put in a decent 3M time, but it came at a price - a dodgy hamstring! Which meant an usused ticket to Cardiff, an unpinned number and a 'fruitless' three months of training!!

When faced with challenging training schedules Tour de France legend Lance Armstrong is quoted as saying 'you'll get over the pain, but not the disappointment'. If I'm honest I was absolutely gutted when number 813 arrived in the post the day after my hamstring went. Hopefully the disappointment will be short-lived - once I get running again - there's always next year?!

The moment of truth!

2006-10-13T00:38:00.000-07:00

Is fast approaching! At some point in the next 48 hours I'm going to have to decide whether or not I'm taking part in the Cardiff marathon. Despite my 15 week build-up a dodgy hamstring threatens to wreck my plans at the last hurdle. Having not run for the last week my leg is feeling much better, but whether or not its ready for 26.2 miles? As Billy Shakespeare once said - 'that is the question'.

I know that the sensible option is to rest and wait for the next marathon, but I can't help thinking what if... I am OK and I'm being too cautious (admittedlt this is not a character trait I particularly well known for!). Of course I've also got to consider the alternative 'what if' of running too soon and doing some serious damage while hobbling to the finish clutching my left thigh?!

Still, while the moment of truth is fast approaching it is not yet upon me and one should never rush to do today what one can and should really do tomorrow (especially when it is the wrong side of 12.30am!).

Watch this space....

DISASTER?!

2006-10-04T15:19:00.000-07:00

I said it would be a 'matter of time', and it seems that 'time has told' and the story ain't good - in fact, it could be a blinkin' disaster!

With just 10 days to go to the Cardiff marathon (the training for which has occupied a large part of my life for the last 14 weeks!) I had to hobble back from my 6M session this morning - unable to complete the last mile. It would seem that the 'sore thigh' that greeted me post-race on Saturday has deteriorated somewhat?!

Having literally just booked my train tickets for heading westward, one could surely be forgiven for labelling this injury crisis a disaster!

(N.B: However frustrating, I am fully aware that in the scheme of things (even a small scheme!) this unfortunate development is anything but a 'disaster', but rabbinic exaggeration always goes down well!)

Training (b)log - the story so far (week thirteen)

2006-10-02T21:07:00.000-07:00

4 sessions; 33 miles; Total running time: 3hr 54m 46secs

(remember - we're 'tapering'!)

And relax?!

2006-10-02T21:01:00.000-07:00

The next two weeks are going to be nice - well the next 10-11 days anyway. Why? because as the training schedule says I'm on 'a serious taper' as I head towards 'a rewarding marathon' - or at least that's the plan!

Which means that instead of last weeks 22-miler, todays 'long run' was a mere 18! Which meant I had an extra half-hour to play with! All done in 2hr 14min and 36secs.

That'll be the day!

2006-09-30T17:06:00.000-07:00

Based on how I performed at the Serpentine yesterday the McMillan Running Calculator reckons I could/should run the following times:

10K - 37:43
Half - 1:23:55
Marathon - 2:56:59!

Flippin' right! Not with a sore thigh!

A matter of time

2006-09-30T14:46:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately I'm not talking about the clock, I'm talking injuries! There can be little doubt that having trained for two marathons and never picked up a significant injury I've done pretty well, but perhaps my 'luck' is about to run out - at the worst possible time?!

After yesterday's race I awoke this morning with a rather uncomfortable left thigh - perhaps I pushed myself too hard, perhaps it's nothing... only time will tell! As for today's 'time'? 49:53 for 7-ish miles.

That and better will do - a new PB!

2006-09-29T23:55:00.000-07:00

Now I know - having been a little unsure about timings and mileage today was D-day! A 5k race - with proper timings and everything!

So having run 3M (5k) around Hyde Park's Serpentine some bloke with a beard and a watch was able to tell me how long it had taken me - which was nice!

So, now I know! It blinkin' hurt but an 'official' PB of 17.30 was worth it... I think! And I of the 193 runners I came 9th - so that was OK!

Roll on next month?!

Yeh, yeh

2006-09-27T22:25:00.000-07:00

Another 5M in 32:47 - I think?!

Training (b)log - the story so far (week twelve)

2006-09-25T09:02:00.000-07:00

5 sessions; 48 miles; Total running time: 5hr 31m 39secs

Worrying?

2006-09-25T08:53:00.000-07:00

No, not the run - the 'big one' (22M) passed by without too much incident (2:46:34)although big, whopping trucks that seem to enjoy turning left without bothering to check if there are any skinny runners in the brightest flourescent yellow running tops also looking to 'pass that way' are somewhat tiresome! It's fair to say that London is a vastly different place on a Monday as opposed to a Sunday - even at 6.30 in the morning!

No, what is slightly worrying is that I am now waking up at 5.45am - 5.45am!! without an alarm! Which is even before Joshua wakes up! I remember the days when I was able to sleep all the way to 7 or even 7.30am - there was this one time, when I lay in bed until 8.30 - oh, those heedy (non-running), care-free(child-free), days!

The calm before the storm?

2006-09-23T22:08:00.000-07:00

Not much to report given that today's run was a 'slow' 5M with the clock stopping on 37:41. Pretty uneventful from start to finish, but no less enjoyable for that, it probably was the 'calm before the storm' because tomorrows the big one - literally! Tomorrow, before I speak at Startford Central Baptist, I'm due to run 22 miles - ideal sermon prep!

If only...

2006-09-22T19:40:00.000-07:00

Couldn't drag myself out of bed when the alarm went off this morning (probably something to do with spending 5 hours standing at Waterloo station yesterday?!), so it was a rare mid-morning run.

Would the toast in my stomach make a difference?

What about the fact that I was actually awake?

Who knows, but it was a decent run with some decent breakdowns:

4M - 27:15 [6:49 per mile]
7M - 49:58 [6:45 per mile)
10.3M - 1:08:52 [6:41 per mile]

If only I could run another 16 miles at that pace - I'd be a happy, and retired(?) marathon runner! Three weeks time we'll know for sure.

Roll on the Last Friday 5k

2006-09-20T12:41:00.000-07:00

This morning was another Fartlek of sorts. After an easy first mile, there were three fast miles and then another easy mile to finish. All done in 29:16 with the middle 3 timed at 16:08. All timings unofficial of course - until the 29th at the Serpentine!

The East End at night

2006-09-19T23:37:00.000-07:00

Tonight was my first night run - 4M in an 'easy' 29:16 and it's fair to say that the sights, sounds and smells are different at night.

The sounds change because its dark! I feel the need to concentrate a little more, so the radio gets ditched and we go 'natural'.

The smells change because its late! I still get the odd lung-full of bus fumes, but its mixed with the fragrance emanating from the endless fried chicken places desperately seeking business.

The sights change because there's a call to prayer and numerous Muslims end to a mosque that seems to operate from someones front room. I guess if Christians can have house church Muslims can have house mosque. I wonder if they've thought of 'Cafe mosque'?!

Training (b)log - the story so far (week eleven)

2006-09-17T15:30:00.000-07:00

5 sessions; 50 miles; Total running time: 6hr 16m 47secs

32,187 steps later

2006-09-17T15:29:00.000-07:00

Twenty miles is a fair way to run and two hours thirty-one minutes and thirty-three seconds gives you a fair chance to think, listen and observe - especially when you're shuffling around early morning London.

Things I saw... someone sleeping on a bed in the middle of the street, a discarded condom (thankfully these two were not linked?!), and the biggest rat I've ever seen!

Things I heard... Big Ben chime 7am as I turned into Parliament Square, DJ Spoony's last 'Early Doors' club on Radio 1 (a real pity as he's kept me company on most of my long runs), and Ozmosis' awesome track 'Imagine the dreamer' - check it out.

Things I thought... why?! Is this what a heart-attack feels like? I really need to find a toilet - quick!

Dangerous game

2006-09-15T23:47:00.000-07:00

To get a copy of the training schedule I wanted to follow I had to sign-up/subscribe to RunnersWorld - a magazine aimed at the budding runner - don't you know! But I thinking it's a dangerous thing to do. Don't get me wrong, I've found it really helpful and a pretty good read (if you're into the running thing!), but the danger lies in temptation. Hardly a new or original 'danger', but a danger nonetheless!

The temptation for me is to want to run every marathon going - well the flat ones anyway! The opportunity to run through some of my favorite cities (and a few I haven't yet been to) is really appealing. Admittedly running 26.2 miles or 42,195metres to do so may seem rather bizarre or extreme, but life is a strange beast and I rarely end up doing things the easy way - just ask my teachers/parents/wife!

Recognising that I am perhaps unlikely to run them all I thought I might start compiling a 'wish-list' of possible marathons (as my wife is always telling me - I am a 'list' person!). So here's what I've got so far (in no particular order):

Stockholm (June) - one of my favorite places, the race finishes in the old Olympic stadium. But at £45 it's not exactly cheap, but that doesn't seem to stop the 17,000 entrants.

Rome (March) - possibly my favorite city in the world, a city oozing with history, culture and architecture. What better way to see it? (alright I'm sure we can think of plenty more leisurely options?!) Starting and finishing around the Colosseum and taking in pretty much all of the major sites (St.Peters/The Trevi/Spanish steps) it seems like a great way to spend a few hours. Besides I don't really need too much excuse to spend a weekend in Rome!

Edinburgh (May) - while I'm a little worried this might be a 'hilly adventure' it would be great to shuffle around this wonderful place. As the promotional blurb says '26.2 miles of inspiration - an ancient castle, a beautiful coastline, an extinct volcano, a royal palace, an amazing place!' Sounds roo good to miss?! And if I can suss out whether or not 'back-to-back' marathons are feasible, next year could be a possibility.

Berlin looks good too, particularly because its an autumnal (September) event. It's a city I've yet to visit, but with 40,000 runners and the whole ballot thing this might have to stay on the wish-list a while longer.

Perhaps I should wait and see how Sunday's 20M training run goes first - I wouldn't want to get ahead of myself!

Man, did I sweat!

2006-09-15T23:13:00.000-07:00

Since I was up at 6am to head to a community leaders breakfast it was perhaps not surprising that I didn't manage to get out early for a run?! And as the day transpired it was dark before another opportunity arose. To be honest I didn't fancy heading off in the dark so I optd for a session on the running machine. Not only is it easier on the knees, but using the 'incline function' it allowed me to do some 'hills' work.

It may've only been 5 miles (41:21), but I was dripping by the end. Whether it was just because I was stuck indoors or not I don't know, but I certainly felt like I'd had a workout (I also had a a good sing-a-long with Sting and his Mercury Rising album - in between the 'hills'!).

Typical!

2006-09-13T22:47:00.000-07:00

I pay my money and my legs turn to lead!

This morning was a right drag - literally. It was a drag when the alarm went off at 6am and it was still pretty dark. It was a drag when my radio couldn;t find a decent reception for more than 5 minutes. And it was a drag when, after 2 miles, I wanted to ditch it and get the bus home (this being the very reason that I never take any money with me - you don't want to make it too easy to sack it!). It was a drag because I had another 10 miles to go!

Ultimately I still dragged myself around in 1:29:04, but I didn't really enjoy it. Which was a shame as I'd plotted my first route around the Isle of Dogs/Canary Wharf - a run that allowed me to relive possibly my favorite part of the 2005 London Marathon (one of the many places where I saw Lisa and the Weeman). But there won't be too many happy memories from this morning - hopefully next April will be different?!

Blessed rain!

2006-09-12T21:44:00.000-07:00

I love the sound of the rain outside when I'm lying in bed - just not when I know I've got to drag myself out of bed and into the rain at some unearthly hour - ie. this morning!

Thankfully(?) having got wet in the first 10-15 minutes the rain abated - a mixed blessing, but a blessing nonetheless. 'Just' 8M this morning which I was 'glad' about, at least I was glad when it finished 1:02:42 later.

Home sweet home

2006-09-11T23:51:00.000-07:00

It's nice to be home and while the last two weeks have been virtual blow-outs, week 11 started today with my nice Olympic park 5M - easy does it - 32:07.

Newfie running

2006-09-11T23:42:00.000-07:00

I can't say that Canada was a fruitful training ground - it was beautiful, but not fruitful, largely because of the blessed hills! I couldn't run anywhere without having to scale some pretty hefty mounds!

This fact, coupled with an energy-sapping illness, meant I was not a prolific runner on the North American continent. That said, I did get out twice. The first outing was 6-7 miles (hard to tell with the hills!) in 58:23. While the next day was a taxing 9M that involved running up the biggest hill in the world (now obviously I am not claiming to have run up Mt Everest, but this thing came a close second! It went up and up and went on for miles!). Bearing that in mind I was glad to finish the run in 1:24:47.

Not much to show for 9 days in Canada, but every little helps!

The great transaction is done!

2006-09-11T22:38:00.000-07:00

Actually, in the scheme of 'transactions' it probably wasn't that great, but it is done - I've signed up to run the race that I've been training for for the last ten weeks.

My £29 has been paid and I have officially entered the 2006 Cardiff marathon - so there's no turning back now, I'm mean £29 is a lot of money! It's more than £1 a mile I've paid for the brief privilege of finishing in the Millennium Stadium, I guess I could've got a ticket for some sporting event for less and bougt myself an over-priced hot-dog with the change! And I wouldn't have had to do so much training for that!

Training (b)log - the story so far (week eight)

2006-08-27T22:21:00.000-07:00

4 sessions (getting lazy?!); 37 miles; Total running time: 4hr 24m 26secs (slacker!)

That hurt!

2006-08-27T22:16:00.000-07:00

I don't know why I can't just stick to the plan. It really would be alot simpler (and I suspect, a whole lot less painful!)

Today, being a Sunday, meant it was a 'big one' - the biggest yet. I had to run for 18 miles (easily) with a suggested time of 2hrs 40 minutes. Not one for doing things the 'easy way' I set off too fast, then thought 'I wonder if... I can keep going at this pace!' The fool.

I guess I pretty much did keep the pace up (7 minute miles as opposed to the 9 minutes recommended!), but there is no doubt that I slowed towards the end or that the last 4M really hurt!! So I can confirm that 18M in 2hrs 8mins and 7 seconds really hurts! Can't wait for tomorrow?!

A new PB!

2006-08-25T07:36:00.000-07:00

Unofficially!

Today was a kind of fartlek (I think?!) because I had to run 3 miles fast sandwiched in between 2 (slow) 8 minute miles. So I ran fast and clocked an 'unofficial' Personal Best time of 16:08 for 3M (Total running time - 31:58). I'll need to do another Last Friday 5K at the Serpentine to get an 'official' time.

Doh!

2006-08-23T08:37:00.000-07:00

I managaed to run the ten miles to Tower Bridge and back with my top on inside out! That's one hour, twelve minutes and fifty-three seconds totally oblivious to my 'condition'. Thankfully on my return Lisa was quick to probe as to whether or not I knew that I was 'inappropriately' dressed?! Handy to know as I got into the shower!

Top running track at the moment? Feeling's 'Never Be Lonely' - great tune!

I cheated!

2006-08-22T20:26:00.000-07:00

This morning, being a Tuesday, was a 'fartlek day' - always a joyous occasion!

This morning torturous session involved a 1M jog followed by fast runs for 1 minute, 2 minutes, 4 minutes, 2 minutes, 1 minute - all punctuated by 1 minute 'recovery' jogs, with a 1M jog home afterwards. You should know I could've done with more than 1 minute to 'recover', but there you go!

Anyway I cheated because having done this once I was supposed to REPEAT the bizarre ritual, but I was a little late leaving home.. (and I was feeling a little lazy!) and so I headed home 'early'.

4M - 31:28

Training (b)log - the story so far (week seven)

2006-08-20T16:32:00.000-07:00

5 sessions; 42 miles; Total running time: 5hr 6m 01secs

My kinda town

2006-08-20T15:10:00.000-07:00

Today wasn’t about distance or PB's as much as just keeping going. I’d set myself the challenge of running for 2 hours – which I did (2 hrs 1 min 58 secs to be precise!), covering 16 miles in the process.

It perhaps goes without saying that when you’re running for so long you do cover a bit of ground and in a ‘town’ like London you get to see a few things. Here’s some of the ‘things’ I saw this morning…

The Tower of London, the towered bridge that some Americans thought they had purchased a while back, City Hall, Southwark Cathedral, a very empty Borough Market, Drake’s golden Hinde (which I first saw as a 9 year old when it ‘toured’ the UK and made it up to my home town!), Shakespeare’s (the Cockney rogue?!) Globe, the Tate Modern, the Oxo Tower, the Royal Festival Hall, the Royal Courts of Justice, Fleet Street, St. Paul’s Cathedral (which is looking great at the moment – well the parts that have been blasted clean), and the golden crowned Monument. I also ran past numerous people sleeping out where they had dropped and about 13 Pizza Expresses – city life!

Lots of folk travel thousands of miles to see these places, but for me it’s just 16!

Jesus, pride & the humility provider

2006-08-19T19:18:00.000-07:00

When Jesus was walking about the place he once chatted about the fact that it's really hard to hide a city that sits on a hill and that you'd be daft to light a lamp and then stick it under a bowl (or some similar covering?!). In 'running speak' I'd paraphrase that to mean 'if you run a personal best time, you'd be daft not to blog about it' (in passing you understand!). If I've got this wrong, please forgive me and ignore the following...

It was Lisa'a fault anyway! She was heading into town with Joshua as I was setting off for a 5 mile run. Conscious that she was watching on I probably set off a little quicker than normal(!) and I guess things just carried on from there. Besides, last one back home was on the teas! A race is a race! And I 'won' it in 28:58. Which is, so far, for me, a PB for 5 miles.

Needless to say, on her return, Lisa was suitably underwhelmed!! Don't wives just keep us humble?!

Back in the groove?

2006-08-17T08:02:00.000-07:00

having fed Joshua i was out on the road by quarter past six. Even better was the fact that when I got back 1hr 9min and 3secs later Joshua (and Lisa) were still sleeping! Perfect. It just doesn't happen that often, but we'll take it when we can! Perhaps I should run 9M every day?!

Getting serious!

2006-08-16T11:02:00.000-07:00

Having had such a lay-off there's no room for any more 'setbacks' and I really am playing catch-up so the mileage is going to have to be ramped up. But perhaps more importantly I've got to get used to keeping running! In other words timing isn't necessarily as important as running for chunks of time.

So today was about running 8M but it wasn't about running 'fast' as much as running for an hour. I managed both in 61:19.

A little later...

2006-08-15T22:22:00.000-07:00

...than usual, but it was nice to get running again. For one reason or another (my bed was just too inviting this morning!) I ended up going out at night for the first time.

Perhaps the ten day lay-off did me good, perhaps I just went off to quick(!), but my time for 4M was good - 26:43. In all honesty I should've dragged myself back to 8 minute pace, but I was enjoying the feeling! We'll see what a good idea it was(!) tomorrow morning when the real work starts again. Anyway here's splits:

1M 6:41
2M 13:26 (6:45)
3M 19:50 (6:24)
4M 26:43 (6:53)

For the record

2006-08-14T11:56:00.000-07:00

It dawned on me it might be handy to have a note of my 2005 results (for future reference).

Runner No: 44870
Position (Overall): 5060
Position (Gender): 4428
Position (Age group): 512

Splits:

10K: 0:50:33
20K: 1:43:54
HALF: 1:49:48
30K: 2:36:11
40K: 3:24:04
FINISH: 3:34:05

Room for improvement?

training v. sportsweek

2006-08-13T20:54:00.000-07:00

Rather bizarrely I can confirm that a weeks kids camp dedicated to sports is not conducive for marathon training. Its something to do with getting to bed anytime between 12 and 1am and getting back up anytime after 6am just to get into the showers before the kids! For some reason I couldn't get myself out of bed any earlier to pound my way through the pavement-less country roads - especially as which ever way I seemed to run... it was uphill!

So the training has taken a rather disappointing hit, all I have to 'log' is 5M in 33:46 and 8M in 56:32. Still tomorrow is another day!

It's been a long time coming...

2006-08-04T08:52:00.000-07:00

...well, four days, but four days is a long time when you're playing catch-up! Nevertheless, after four days ill it was back on the road today. Having never before been ill while training I was rather unsure what to do for the best, but opted not to rush back, best to get it out of the system once and for all - hopefully.

Anyway, today, 'armed' (that really should be 'shoed'!) with my juicy new running shoes the 7 miles flew past 'gently' in 46:55.

It felt good to be running again.

Aaagghhhh!

2006-07-31T12:02:00.000-07:00

Perhaps inevitably, illness has struck! Following two really good days of runs and with confidence at an all-time high sickness has stolen in. Traced from Joshua to Lisa, I have now succumbed and the training schedule is on hold, but hopefully not for too long?!

A rest can't do too much harm, can it?!

Training (b)log - the story so far (week four)

2006-07-30T09:56:00.000-07:00

5 sessions; 35 miles; Total running time: 4hr 16m 46secs

A first - for 2006

2006-07-30T09:49:00.000-07:00

This morning I was back running south of the river (briefly). The 12 mile run took me over Tower Bridge, past City Hall, and through Borough Market before crossing back across the Thames and home along the A11.

It was nice to be south again, but it was so much nicer to go home (in 1:31:26).

Nice one!

2006-07-29T19:48:00.000-07:00

This morning was definitely one of those days when I would've been very happy to stay in bed. It was very tempting to feed Joshua and then to return to bed for another hour.

Generally as I give Joshua his milk I tentatively stretch off a bit, just to see how I'm feeling (you've got to 'listen' to your body you know!) and as I did this morning I wasn't quite sure. But yesterday was a rest day, so if at all possible I had to go out today. What swung it was that I was tryong a new route for an 'easy' 5 miler.

At least that was the plan.

As I got going I actually found I was feeling quite good and got into it all quite easily withthe first mile going past in a little over 7 minutes (it probably should've been at 8.5-9 minute pace). Unfortunately I hadn't taken any notice of any further mile 'markers' so I wasn't really aware of my pace generally.

That was until the loop headed back and I passed the first mile marker (now the 4 mile marker) and realised I was on for a decent time. It's worth noting at this point that tomorrow's goal (and indeed the 'goal' of the last 4 weeks) was to run either a sub-40 6M or sub-32 5M - neither of which I really held any hope of achieving (not yet anyway). But as I glanced at my watch with a mile to go and saw that it was just passing the 26 minute mark I felt compelled to see how close I could get to the 32 minute mark.

I reckon I made a lot of noise as I puffed and panted my way through Stratford High Street to the 'finish', but it was worth it, well worth it, as the clock stopped at 31:45.

To say I was chuffed is an understatement. I felt good and was really encouraged to think that hopefully if I'd actually set out for a fast time I would be able to go faster. But only time will tell?!

I knew those fartleks were a good idea!

A bad combination?

2006-07-27T21:45:00.000-07:00

I don't know if it's just the heat or if I need to address my diet and start including some more energy-inducing produce, but I was feeling tired today. I still managed the required 8M in 60:31, but I felt tired.

Perhaps kids clubs and early morning runs don't go - especially in the middle of a heatwave?!

I think there's a good chance tomorrow will be a rest day!

If the Chinese ever run out of torture techniques..

2006-07-26T22:43:00.000-07:00

... they could do worse than try fartleks!

Today's idea, following a 1 mile jog, was to run 'fast' for 3 minutes (0.5 miles) - jog for 1 minute - run 'fast' for 3 minutes - jog for 1 minute etc... 7 times!

Now the first three minute 'burst' seemed OK and the 1 minute 'rest' was nice too, but as the repititions went on the three minutes seemed to get longer while the rest breaks got shorter - funny that! Mind you I could say the same about the fartlek sessions in general - it's only one (painful!) day but it doesn't half come round quickly!

Thankfully the 6 fartleky miles (41:24) have been done for another week.

week four - day one

2006-07-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

It dawned on me today (because I'm sharp like!) that by the end of the week my training for Cardiff will be one-quarter complete (25% if you prefer). How it's flown! Before I know it, it'll all be over and I'll be facing a cold winter preparing for London 2007.

Such were my musings as I shuffled the proscribed 4 miles from where I'd started (31:38 earlier) back to where I finished?!

My specific musical highlight was the Soup Dragons (which I hadn't heard for about 10 years!) and generally the return of Chris Moyles to do his own 'international' show - lazy toad!

Training (b)log - the story so far (week three)

2006-07-23T20:21:00.000-07:00

5 sessions; 31 miles; Total running time: 4hr 0m 31secs

Early in the morning...

2006-07-23T08:53:00.000-07:00

...while it was still dark (actually at this time of year its perfectly light, but its still really early!), he arose and prepared his sermon while running to Tower Bridge.

Urged on by the austere finger-wagging effigy of William Booth and his neighbouring bust, I can confirm that E15 to the 'tower' and back again constitutes a run of 10 miles and that 1hr 17min and 1 sec is long enough to put together/finalise some thoughts for preaching. Actually I should probably wait until I've shared these 'thoughts' before claiming anything!

Training (b)log

2006-07-22T08:52:00.000-07:00

An 'easy' 5 miles in 39:50 dedicated to Jonny - the Birthday boy!

It may sound silly...

2006-07-20T12:49:00.000-07:00

...but you've got to run quite a way to run 7 miles. Certainly around here anyway where there are no obvious long routes - you end up weaving in and out all over the show! it's a job remebering where you're going! Still, the future Olympic site was succesfully circumnavigated (with a few little extra bits it came to the required 'slow' 7M) in 55:02.

Flamin' fartleks!

2006-07-19T22:43:00.000-07:00

Frustratingly, everything you read about running quicker seems to agree that 'fartleks' are essential - something about pain and gain probably! Anyway, after the intial jogged mile (8:11) the three miles that followed were 6 'minuters' with a little big of 'recovery' in between and a final mile jog to finish. All done (5M) by 7am in 38:32. Until next week's fart-session!

Week three already!

2006-07-17T21:49:00.000-07:00

Four very hot miles (and it was still only 7am!) though East Ham again (I initially left teh 's' out of East which changed the place name into a meat-eating instruction!). Anyway, hot, bothered and probably a little tired from yesterday, I shuffled round in 30:46.

Training (b)log - the story so far (week two)

2006-07-16T22:45:00.000-07:00

5 sessions; 26 miles (18 of them in Wales!); Total running time: 3hr 16m 10secs

The long one!

2006-07-16T22:38:00.000-07:00

In the scheme of things this run probably isn't that 'long' but you've got to start somewhere. So today I did (start!) and finished back where I'd started some 8 miles and 58minutes 55 seconds later. Then it was off to church!

Roll on October!

2006-07-14T09:18:00.000-07:00

Following yesterdays rest day - although no-one told Joshua, so it was still an early morning(!) - it was my last run (4M 27:29) in Wales before the marathon in October - hope its a bit faltter in Cardiff!

Training (b)log

2006-07-12T21:17:00.000-07:00

Thankfully just a straight forward 6 mile run this morning. Found a nice (relatively flat!) 3 mile circuit with the 'job' done in 45:46

If I could hate...

2006-07-11T20:10:00.000-07:00

..I'd hate Fartleks. Still my first one is out of the way - 4miles run in 31:09

I think I might be an 'Urban Runner'

2006-07-10T21:02:00.000-07:00

It might be good to look at, but the countryside is no place to run! No pavements, patchy radio reception and 1 in 4 slopes do not make for a pleasant running experience!

Then on top of that every blinkin' house seemed to have a dog of some description whose hobby it was to menacingly bark and chase any unsuspecting runners who were daft enough to run past! As much as I try to convince Lisa that I'm not actually scared of dogs I must admit that I don't like the way they made me feel as I was puffing and panting my way through North Wales.

With all the hills/dogs etc 32:41 for my first 4 Welsh miles was fine.

Training (b)log - the story so far (week one)

2006-07-08T08:04:00.000-07:00

Acknowledging that when it comes to re-commencing one's running 'career' discretion is definitely the better part of valour and having 'adapted' the programme a little week one has been a pretty comfortable and enjoyable reminder of the joys of running - even the early mornings have been OK! There really is something nice about having run and being showered by 7am ready for the day feeling that whatever else happens (or doesn't!) in the day ahead, you've achieved something!

Anyway, week one, the numbers:

4 sessions; 17 miles; Total running time: 2hr 8m 39secs

'I love it when a plan comes together!'

2006-07-08T07:51:00.000-07:00

Now there are two reasons why it'll be a long time before I ever lie in again in a Saturday. Firstly, and undoubtedly most unavoidably - Joshua. He has yet to grasp any customary difference between weekdays and weekends. So everyday pretty much without fail he will awaken around 6am and want some milk before lightly dosing for another half hour or so. Secondly, and temptingly avoidable (especially when wet!), this running lark.

This morning though, it all worked like clock-work - non-raining clock-work! Joshua came to just before 6am, I got up, gave him his milk, he dropped off again so I laced up and headed out. Just as I arrived back and was cooling down Joshua came to again and was ready to face the day. The beauty being that I'd completed my 5M run (40:10) for the day and Lisa hadn't yet been called into action - wonderful!

Running soundtrack included Richard Ashcroft, Orson, and Aztec Camera

Steady?!

2006-07-06T19:05:00.000-07:00

The running schedule I'm following assumes that I've regularly been doing 25-30miles every week - the truth being I've probably not run 30 miles since last years marathon!

So yesterday I 'adapted' the schedule and opted for a rest day - you've got to build these things up!

Anyway, today I was back on 'the plan' which told me I had to do 4M 'steady' in 29 minutes (roughly), so things were stepping up. Mind you the thought of a 29minute 4-miler didn't sound 'steady'. Still, it was good to stretch the legs a bit and I actually finished in 27:03. I know it really isn't about the times (certainly not at this stage), but I can't help clock watching, here are the breakdowns:

1M - 6:50
2M - 13:40 (6:50)
3M - 20:25 (6:45)
4M - 27:03 (6:38)

I certainly didn't feel like I was getting faster! Thankfully tomorrows another rest day (and this one is on the schedule!).

[Musical inspiration came from Dirty Little Things, The Bluetones and Neneh Cherry]

The hardest day - the day after the first?!

2006-07-04T16:38:00.000-07:00

I can confirm that it was even hot at 6am today! Well just after 6 really, but I certainly wouldn't have wanted to be running much later. Anyway day two, and so far the early morning are proving do-able. Mind you, it's probably only due to the uncomfortable heat that means that getting up (even to start running!) is a blest relief. We'll see. Anyway...

day two: 4M (slow) 30:30 (the knees are feeling OK) According to the training schedule 'easy' is slower than 'slow' - I guess that's why its 'easy'?!

Musical inspiration this morning came from Oasis, Blink 182 & Razorlight (amongst others).

Day One!

2006-07-03T07:54:00.000-07:00

Accompanied by Snow Patrol, Franz Ferdinand and The Zutons I started training for the Cardiff marathon(some time in October I think?!). And it was an early morning of firsts...

My first day training in East London.
My first day training in the middle of a heatwave!
My first day training with a young son awaiting my return.

Who needs an alarm for these early morning runs!

So far so good 4 miles 'easy' in 30:56 we'll see how the knees are feeling tomorrow morning!

training (b)log

2006-04-30T22:21:00.000-07:00

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

training (b)log

2006-04-28T07:43:00.000-07:00

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

Experiential living!

2006-04-25T22:22:00.000-07:00

'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

2006-04-24T22:33:00.000-07:00

6M: 42:51 (TM)

the story so far...

2006-04-24T22:24:00.000-07:00

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

2006-04-24T19:35:00.000-07:00

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...

2006-04-24T16:29:00.000-07:00

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