What now? A Quick Half?

My Race

2006-05-03T19:36:00.000Z

Well I've left a bit late (10 days) to post about it but here goes......
I actually got up in time - 05:20 drove to the station and caught all the right trains to arrive in Blackheath in plenty of time to soak in the atmosphere, use the toilets, have a cup of tea etc all before the crowds start building.
Londons a big marathon - some 35,000 runners start and the buzz all around was great.

Had a good chat with some blokes in the starting pen then started nice and slow, enjoying the carnival atmosphere for the first few miles.
The weather wasn't too hot, wasn't too cold with a nice gentle drizzle of rain - perfect for running, pretty crap for supporters though it didn't deter them, every inch of the route was lined with supporters.
My right calf was quite sore at the start but it didn't really worry me.
Settled into a 4hr 30min pace and was actually enjoying it.
At about 9 miles I could feel the burning sensation of a blister forming on my left big toe, unusual as I never get blistered and the shoes and socks were well tried and tested. Stopped at about 10 miles took of my shoe checked my sock could see the blister but couldn't find any cause - oh dear.

Enjoyed running over Tower bridge - I can't remember that bit from last year!
Crossed the half way at 2hrs 15mins - sweet.

About 15-16miles I could feel cramp starting to build up in my calves, which took the pain away from the blister at least.

It must have been around 20miles when I was exhausted, my thighs were sore, I was so hungry and I could only shuffle along. Classic symptoms of hitting the wall - so I've been told.

Several times over the last few miles I tried to regain my pace but I just couldn't.
I eventually finished in 4hrs 40mins.

The crowd noise from 19 miles onwards was deafening - no really it was quite over whelming - just a constant roar. I really can't imagine any marathon coming near to this level of support.

After crossing the line I felt fine, legs very tired but fine.
Walk to the train station and off home.
After a my tea and a soak in the bath my legs stiffened up and my hips, knees and ankle joints were sore.

Work on monday was tough and it wasn't until friday that I could walk in total comfort.

Admittedly most of my training had been geared towards my sub 2hr half marathon with the only really long training run being a solitary 18 miler and my weekly mileage rarely went over 20 miles, so to be honest my stamina was always going to be a problem.

But I've got the medal and a personnel best - so I'm well happy.

What challenge do I set myself now?

London Marathon 2006

2006-04-23T21:08:00.000Z

4hrs 40mins

Ran all the way non-stop. Well except 1 wee stop and 1 blister check on my left foot.

A pb.
A great day.
My legs ache more this year than they did last time, but its still a wonderful feeling to have completed it again.

Will post more later - when it hurts less.

Mice and Men

2006-04-22T13:50:00.000Z

Up until I finished the Reading Half Marathon I hadn't paid any thought to the London Marathon, but since then its been ever looming.

My right calf is still a bit sore - but hopefully it won't make much difference come tomorrow.

So my best laid plans are..........................

Do nothing all day - a challenge in itself with 3 kids
Have a long soak in the bath - this I can do
Spaghetti bolognaise for tea - more spag than bog
A few glasses of wine then early to bed - yeah right
Up at 05:15, leave the house at 05:40 - snooze button?
Drive to Staines and catch the 06:15 train to Waterloo - that damned snooze button!
Get to Blackheath at about 08:00 - or later perhaps
Run the Marathon - hopefully in under 5hrs
Back home by 18:00 - running time, trains, ability to drive permitting
Bath, food, beer, bed - these will all happen but unsure of timings, order or quantities
Work on monday in Exeter - a 3hr drive away
Tenpin bowling league match on monday night - will I be able?

I can quite easily pick 4 of these that are almost certainly not going to go to plan.

Anyway - I can do no more than just turn up and run.

Last little jog

2006-04-21T19:36:00.000Z

Got home a bit early from work today, 3:30 or so, skiving shhh.

Dragged of to Sainsburys to do the weekly shop, got back about 6, a quick banana then my last jog pre marathon.

To be honest my right calf was a bit sore so I wasn't sure I should go.

Everything felt awkward but I'm sure that's just nerves and worrying about last second injuries and niggles.

2.7 m
27 mins
135 avg bpm
142 max bpm

I feel better for going now.
Just rest and take it easy waiting for Sunday.

London Marathon Expo

2006-04-19T19:30:00.000Z

Its a great place for buying running stuff thats for sure - thankfully I showed some constraint and just bought a few London Marathon souveniers.

You have to go, to pick up your running number in person.
The bad bit is that its a long day and I had to take a day off work as annual holiday - I get precious few of those as it is.

I bought a book - The London Marathon by John Bryant - which is a pretty good read so far.

Only a few days to go now.

BSB at Thruxton

2006-04-17T19:26:00.000Z

Spent the whole day at Thruxton race track watching the British Super Bikes.
Great day, good racing with plenty of spills directly in front of where we were stood.
Ducati's ruled the day as usual but I'd have to admit that Lavilla is the best rider by far.
Shakey Byrne is my fav at the moment and from starting at the back gave good entertainment clawing his way through the field.

Good Stuff.

Asthma UK 10k

2006-04-16T19:17:00.000Z

I've been on holiday in Dover - with absolutely no running.
I came back to do this run in Windsor on Saturday.
It was around Dorney Lake, which is the venue for the 2012 Olympic rowing events.

10K
49 mins
170 avg bpm
191 max bpm

Worked really hard for the whole race.
All my km splits were within 10 seconds of each other except the last which I did faster.

Another personal best - by 3 mins.
Can't be bad.

Reading Half PB

2006-04-09T20:29:00.000Z

The Reading half is a big run - over 13,000 runners.

Advertised as a course ideal for personal bests, but if you start at the back (2hr time pen) with thousands of runners in front of you passing through some narrow streets around the town it could prove difficult.

After the first 2 miles I was 2 minutes down on my target time and still being held up.
Surely all those runners in the under 2hr time pens shouldn't be walking after 1 mile should they? - or next time should I just line up as far forward as I can?
I was really pissed off, dug in deep and was eventually back on schedule at the 6 mile marker. Steady running until 10 miles and then gave it all I had left for the last 3.
At the 12 mile marker I had 15 mins to spare and that's when I started to smile - a big, broad smile that wouldn't stop - all the way home.

1hr 55mins.

It seemed to go quickly with no real worries, other than not being able to run steadily for walkers in the first 2 miles.

Good crowd support and the finish in Reading football stadium has got to be the best.

Got the T-shirt

2006-04-09T16:36:00.000Z

Reading Half marathon.

13.1m,
1hr 55mins,
160 avg bpm,
179 max bpm,

Fastest mile - the sixth in 7:47, playing catch up.
Slowest mile - the first one 9:59, narrowly beating the second 9:57.

I did it!
Under 2hrs.
Still have a self satisfied glow of achievement.
I'm really really happy.

Will post details a bit later.

Jog over the woods

2006-04-07T20:18:00.000Z

Friday today and I haven't been running since Sunday.
Went for a quick run with the dog.

3.1m
30mins
152 avg bpm
174 max bpm

Legs felt heavy and it was pretty hard work.
Reading half marathon on Sunday but my under 2hrs doesn't look likely if I'm this sluggish.
I'll run at my set pace for 5 or 6 miles then I'll decide wether its on or not, then I can go for it or ease of and enjoy the run, although I can't imagine Reading being that scenic.

Paula pulls out

2006-04-04T17:30:00.000Z

So Paula Radcliffe has pulled out of this years London Marathon.
She obviously heard how well my training was going, last year she beat me by about 2 and a half hours, this year I was going to reduce that by a good 2 minutes or so.

I went bowling last night in a league match and I was woeful. My highest score was only 180, I'm not saying what my lowest was but needless to say we lost all three games for an 8-0 thrashing. My legs were tired and after bowling my thighs were quite sore.
Anyway the reason I mentioned it is that my partners Dad who gives him a lift and then watches, had an accident at work and severed his left thumb almost clean off. He's had a few days in hospital and he can't go back to work (no money) for at least 12 weeks.

Your whole world can be turned upside down very quickly and easily at any time.
Most of us take our relatively good health for granted, and often moan about small ailments.

Going to work today I was in a long tailback on the A303 just past Stonehenge, when I eventually got past the hold up all that was left was a completely trashed car and the remaining emergency services vehicles after the air ambulance had left. Probably somebody just driving to work like they do everyday - but not getting there.

We've got to appreciate everything we have everyday because you don't know what's going to change for the worse or when.

How depressing is that?

This Sunday is the Reading Half marathon and I'm going to do it in under 2hrs and next week I'm going to bowl 3 games over 180 (unless I'm on holiday, which I hope I will be)

Long Run

2006-04-02T17:24:00.000Z

Yes I actually did one.

16.6m
3hrs 8mins
133 avg bpm
181 max bpm

As slow as I could I set off for a 3hr run, distance not important just the 3hrs of running.

So down to Bagshot and back,
up the maultway to Deepcut,
down onto the Basingstoke canal,
along to and around Frimley Lodge Park,
over to Frimley park hospital,
up to the London road and along to the Jolly Farmer Roundabout,
then home.

I really enjoyed running a route I've never done before.

The weather was a pain, I set out in lovely sunshine which after a hour had a few April showers which were lovely and refreshing, later followed by torrential rain and cold winds.

Still none of it proved to be a problem, and I actually feel quite pleased myself - a few beers tonight that's for sure.

Faster woods run

2006-03-31T19:51:00.000Z

Plan was to do 30 or 40 mins over the woods pretty quick pace taking in a lot of hills.

3.5m
32mins
153 avg bpm
176 max bpm

Nice run, the dog loved it.

Night Lag

2006-03-30T18:34:00.000Z

A bit like jet lag really, swapping between day shifts and night shifts.
Went for a jog over the woods with the dog and after about 20 or 30 mins I had nothing in my legs at all - I felt fine I just had no energy.

Plodded on at little more than walking pace for quite a nice run.

8.4m
1hr 32mins
141 avg bpm
169 max bpm

All the kids finish school for easter tomorrow so hope fully we'll be able to get down to Dover - swimming, runs on the sea front - sounds good to me.

Logans Run 4 miler

2006-03-26T17:37:00.000Z

This title should have been 'Long Run', as every marathon schedule you read has at least an 18miler at this stage before a marathon.
But hey - its mothers day, we always do this family fun run, I'm still tired after the half marathon.
There's three good excuses - well not that good but convincing enough for me to only do a quick four mile race and then head home to watch the British Super Bikes on TV.
BSBs first round today at Brands Hatch, I went to it last year with my brother and my eldest daughter - it was a really great day.

Anyway.....
4 miles in 32 mins.

This week I'm on nights so training will probably be pretty much shelved I would imagine.
Only 4 weeks to the London Marathon!

Murphy's Law

2006-03-25T21:01:00.000Z

Well I've obviously lived with it all my life but it still jumps up and bits you occasionally.

When the acceptance letter for the London marathon came through the letter box - I pulled a hamstring within the week.
When, after the fleet half, I decided I was able to run it and decided to raise money for Asthma UK - I have the worst week of breathing I've had for about three years.

On the plus side my attempts to learn how to swim the crawl is going great, took all three kids to the pool at 06:30 this morning for a bit of training. I haven't managed to swim a length yet but all in good time.

Knackered laps

2006-03-22T21:35:00.000Z

Dropped my daughter at Guides then went for a few of my usual wednesday laps.

Felt good before I started but could barely jog to begin with, second lap was a bit more comfortable. Third lapI tried to go fast but my legs couldn't do it. Gave up and went for a slow jog around the roads - and by slow I mean slow.

My legs have nothing left - but I'm injury free after really pushing myself on Sunday so thats good.

2.5m
26mins
138 avg bpm
163 max bpm
3:38 fastest lap

23 Seconds!

2006-03-21T21:00:00.000Z

I stopped for a wee, I stopped and said hello to my daughter, I gave her a quick kiss for goodness sake.
Thats gotta be at least a minute.

Anyway, mustn't dwell on it.

I went tenpin bowling last night, we didn't have a league match but went to practice anyway.
A bloke in our league got 299.
Brilliant bowling, fantastic score - but didn't quite make the magic 300.

Reading half in a few weeks time.
Run Andy Run.

Failed

2006-03-19T18:12:00.000Z

Yep, I failed.
2hrs 23secs.
Very close but not under 2hrs.

The problem was the Garmin 301, well no thats not really true, its because I didn't run fast enough and I relyed on my Garmin for everything (fool).

I used it in Training Assistant ("training" that should have been a big enough clue) as a Virtual Partner. This shows you how far behind or infront of your schedule you are displayed as a distance.
Brilliant so far.
Now I know its not 100%, but usually because it joins satelite fixes by straight line it usually comes up short on distance, which would be fine.

Running well keeping on schedule nicely.
Nearing the 7m marker I heard the Beep for 1m lap but I was a good 150m short.
I always have it set to 1m laps so I can download and check splits, this was the first one I had heard. It showed a 1m split of 9m 12sec which is fine.
But 150m short!

Didn't worry to much then at 10m it was a good 200m short - panic.
Put in a quicker mile - still short.
At 12m I was still well short so I basically gave it everything I had to catch up.

Running like a metronome I can do, putting in quicker miles I can't.

Garmin Result
13.1m
1hr 59mins

Actual Result
13.1m
2hrs 0mins 23secs

So lesson learnt - Garmin is a great training tool but when it comes to races use a watch checking splits manually at each mile marker.

Happy with a PB by 9 minutes, absolutely gutted at not breaking 2hrs.
I'm going to have to do it all again now - the sub 2hrs is going to be done.

Summary

2:00:23
13.1m (13.28 garmin)
161 avg bpm
186 max bpm

slowest mile = 9th in 9:25 (long steady hill)
fastest mile = 13th in 8:28 (panic mode)

Fleet

2006-03-18T15:30:00.000Z

Probably not fleet of foot, but this will be my first attempt at running a half marathon in under 2 hrs (the subject of this blog).

So tomorrow at 11:30 I'll be giving it a go.
My longest run since the Lnodon marathon last year.

I'm attempting to knock 9mins of my PB, which is quite a lot but I'm looking forward to giving it a go.

I'll use my Garmin with its training aid thing which you put in the distance your going to run and the time to do it in, then it tells you how far ahead (or behind) schedule you are.
I't could be very drepressing or inspiring.

We'll see.

Its really cold today though so what to where could be an issue.
I sound a bit like my wife - does my bum look big in this?

Laps

2006-03-15T21:10:00.000Z

Sainsburys laps day again - it sure seems to come around fast.
Dropped the daughter off at guides (thirteen today!) then lapped.

7 laps x 750m

3.4m
32mins
146 avg bpm
186 max bpm (another bum reading from the garmin - 223 !)
3:05 fastest lap

more than normal and a hard effort, but good.

Frimley Lodge Fun Run

2006-03-12T21:33:00.000Z

Do this every year with the children, a really nice fun run.
Daughter 1 (12yrs) ran all the way round without stopping in a quicker time than last year.
Daughter 2 (10yrs) stayed in bed.
Son 1 (8yrs) ran very well and sprinted at the end to beat me.
And this little piggy jogged all the way with son 1, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

1.8m
17mins or there abouts

Not quite the scheduled long run but hey, you've got to have a life.

Friday run

2006-03-10T21:29:00.000Z

Always a good way to get all the crap from the working week out of your system.

To Bagshot and back.
Not far but suprisingly hilly.

3.8m
36mins
152 avg bpm
166 max bpm

I needed that!

Sainsburys Lap

2006-03-08T20:59:00.000Z

2.8m
147 avg bpm
173 max bpm
3:04 fastest

Felt good, wanted to do more but didn't have the time - picking girls up from guides.

Long and woody

2006-03-05T21:20:00.000Z

The aim today was to run for two hours.
I decided to go over the woods for a change (and because the dog needed a good run out).
Obviously the terrain was to make the going pretty tough - I walked up three rather vicious hills - but other than that I managed to plod on for the full time.

10.9m
2hrs
145 avg bpm
225 max bpm !!! bum reading I guess - I'll edit that when I download the Garmin.

A good run, no real struggles, but my legs are sore now.

157 max bpm - thats better.

Usual laps

2006-03-01T21:36:00.000Z

5 x 750m, slow fast slow fast slow
Same old same old

2.3m
23mins
141 avg bpm
185 max bpm
fastest lap 3:07mins

nice run - very cold

Not long but useful

2006-02-26T20:04:00.000Z

Didn't do a long run today, yes I know I should've.
What I decided to do was my regular 7m loop ensuring I kept the pace at the required rate to complete my under 2hr half marathon.
It was a hard but a suprisingly comfortable running pace which got me round nicely.

I'll try and do more runs at this pace so my mind and legs know it off by heart.
But this week I have to get back to my long runs.

7.1m
1hr 4mins
166 avg bpm
184 max bpm

Woody

2006-02-24T19:59:00.000Z

First time I've been over the woods with the dog for ages.
I've been running on the roads after my hamstring problems as it doesn't have the same strain on it as hilly wood runs.
The dog loved it, she'd really missed he runs - as indeed I had.
It was tough - hill after hill - I'd forgotten how energy sapping my runs over the woods were.
Very enjoyable.

2.9m
31min
154 avg bpm
173 max bpm

Not so Long Sunday

2006-02-19T13:18:00.000Z

I only ran my usual 7m loop today - down to Frimley park hospital - when I should be doing a 10m plus.
Right, in my defence, I haven't been running mid week so if I just keep increasing the long run and doing nothing else I'm increasing the chances of injury. Well thats what I recon.
I need to sort out some midweek runs then start upping the weekend ones.

7m
1hr 10mins
153 avg bpm
171 max bpm

Early knock off Friday

2006-02-17T20:11:00.000Z

No running mid-week again.
But an early finish today let me do a quick 2.7 miler

2.7m
26mins
158 avg bpm
178 max bpm

Felt good running, felt good afterwards - its just lacing up the trainers and getting out the door thats the tough bit for me at the moment.

Tooooo much

2006-02-13T19:55:00.000Z

Up at 6, swimming with the kids from 6:30 to 8:00.
Drive to Dover (105m) have lunch - drive home (another 105m).
10 mile run - in the rain.
Tea.
Down the pub for a belly full of Guiness.
Thank goodness I wasn't working on the monday.

9.8m
1hr 45mins
145 avg bpm
163 max bpm

Really tiring.

Knackered

2006-02-11T19:50:00.000Z

A tough week at work has left me absolutely knackered and I haven't run since the quick 5 miler last sunday.
Tomorrow I'm supposed to do 10 miles, but even as slow as I like it'll be murder, and the kids are on half term holiday and I promised to take them swimming.

Quickie

2006-02-05T20:37:00.000Z

This time last week I'm sure I promised to up my number of weekly runs - currently stuck on two.
But as predictably as ever I didn't. I wanted to but I just couldn't be bothered.
Anyway, today the plan was for a 5 mile "race". By myself? Hopefully I'll win.

5m
43min
168 avg bpm
187 max bpm

Good fast run (for me), half on tarmac and half in the woods, including a couple of big hills.

Laps

2006-02-01T21:49:00.000Z

5 laps again (750m), slow fast routine - again.

2.5m
24min
145 avg bpm
181 max bpm
3:11 fastest lap

Very cold and a bit of asthma on my last slow lap - forgot to take my inhaler before going.

Enjoyed it though.

Sunday run

2006-01-29T18:55:00.000Z

Thats the long one.

8.1m
1hr23min
147 avg bpm
163 max bpm

Tried to jog along at a heart rate of less than 150bpm.
Nice run legs a bit tired now though.

Now I'll have to do a midweek run after work some day this week - deep joy!
I'll also have to start doing some of my runs on grass or over the woods as I'm sure pounding the tarmac for all your mileage can't be good for you.

Get serious!

2006-01-25T21:04:00.000Z

Laps at sainsburys park again (750m x 5).
Slow-fast-slow-fast-slow, you get the picture.

Fast was faster than last week, slow was slower.
Generally quite good fun which is good I suppose.

2.4m
24mins
150 avg bpm
182 max bpm
Fastest lap 3:20

I'm only running twice a week.
One set of laps (as above) and one long run.
To acheive my half marathon in under 2hrs (and I've still got half an eye on a marathon) I've got to up the weekly runs.
This week I'll do it.

Long Run

2006-01-22T20:11:00.000Z

Well not that long.
But a repeat exercise of last Sunday.
7 mile loop to Frimley park hospital and back.
Again I tried to keep my heart rate below 150bpm but struggled, but generally it felt a lot more comfortable than last weekend.

7m
1hr12min
150bpm avg
162bpm max

Lapping it up

2006-01-18T20:06:00.000Z

Sainsburys laps again 750m each.
It'll probably become a routine as I drop my eldest daughter at Girl Guides at 7 and pick here up at 9, so its ideal for a few laps.

5 in total tonight.
1 slow
1 fast
1 slow
Etc etc you get the picture

It felt ok.

2.4m
23min
154 bpm
181 max bpm
Fastest lap 3:22

Hit the road

2006-01-15T19:45:00.000Z

Decided to go for a long slow run on tarmac today.
The thinking being that it may be easier on my leg - no ups and downs and uneven surfaces like my usual woody runs.
And it worked - alright not perfectly but pretty good.

I ran trying to keep my heart rate bpm below 150 but I started to fast and when it got high it tended to stay there no matter how slowly I took the pace. It does give you something to focus on though.

7.2m
1hr17min
154bpm
173bpm max - badly planned run finishing with a hill!

Good run, I enjoyed it.

Old ground

2006-01-12T21:47:00.000Z

Decided to go for a very short run tonight around the Sainsburys park that I used to use all the time.
750m each lap.
First steady jogging.
Second upping the pace to a good lick to test the leg.
Third to warm down (with a slow jog to the car).

It went OK, again I could feel the weakness in my hamstring but it wasn't too bad.

1.5m
15min
147bpm - 164max
Fastest lap 4:01

Woody jog

2006-01-08T21:41:00.000Z

steady plod again.
My hamstring isn't going too badly, I'm being very careful and I'm always aware of it being a bit week but I've got to start running on it or I can kiss goodbye to the marathon in april.

4.4m
51mins
147bpm - 171max

a little bit further but still at a very conservative pace.
Any uphill bits hurt a bit, but the longer I ran the more comfortable it seemed to feel.
Which hopefully is good.
The dogs loving the running again too.

Not too bad

2006-01-03T14:43:00.000Z

Went for another jog over the woods with my dog again - walked up a couple of bigger hills but generally plodded along nicely.
Very slow pace and always aware of my left hamstring, but it was good.
I really wanted to run a bit faster but managed to stop myself as I'm sure it would have done some damage.

3.5m
45mins
156 bpm - 176max

I'm healing slowly but surely.
:)

Gently gently

2005-12-30T23:39:00.000Z

My son got a new bike for christmas and was dying to take it over the woods for a ride - so the boy, the bike, the dog and I set off in the rain.

Thankfully bikes are easy downhill but not so swift (when being pushed) uphill.

Nothing to strenuous but a good test for my leg.

2.3m
34mins
147bpm (max171)

Now easy does it back into training. Too fast and I'll be back to square one.

Here we go again

2005-12-28T20:15:00.000Z

My last jog/shuffle proved my leg wasn't ready so I've done no running since.

A very nice christmas, a few long slow walks with my kids and dog, and a few good swimming session's with my kids (no dog).

Tomorrow, nearly four weeks after my hamstring strain, I'm going for another jog.
Fingers crossed.

Weeks

2005-12-18T21:22:00.000Z

2 weeks since I strained my ham string and 1 week until christmas.

I finish work on the 23rd and I'm hoping for a nice quiet family xmas. (unlikely)

Went for a very gentle jog today to test the leg.
I picked a pretty flat tarmac route and kept it to just above shuffle pace.
It felt ok.
My calf cramped up a bit but the hamstring was fine - tomorrow - well, we'll see in the morning.

2.2m
26mins
128bpm (142max)

Like I said a shuffle, but I'm prepared to try and take it easy and let things heal.

I'm really looking forward to finishing work on friday.

Stringy Ham

2005-12-13T20:03:00.000Z

As soon as the acceptance letter for the London marathon comes through the letter box I go and strain a hamstring in my left leg.
Its not a serious one and should be fine in 2-3 weeks with lots of TLC (1 week already done) but I just hope this isn't the shape of things to come.

Oh well.
Feet up, a bit of light stretching and a few glasses of red wine - makes marathon training almost a pleasure!

London Marathon 2006

2005-12-06T20:44:00.000Z

I suppose that once you've entered the FLM once, each year you'll receive an application form from then on.
And, probably like me, most people will fill it in safe in the knowledge that the odds on being accepted are slim to say the least, but it makes you feel good because at least you tried.

There's only one problem. I got accepted.
Entered twice accepted twice, I'm either very lucky or very unlucky depending on your perspective.

This year I wanted to run and raise money for a cause very close to my heart - and so I did.
I've no real ambition to run it again - so I'll stick with my aim of a 1/2 marathon in under 2hrs, I'll enter one in late Feb/early March and train for that, then in April.....
......well lets wait and see shall we.

Update

2005-12-04T21:00:00.000Z

I'm running, once a week, but I'm not getting to post much - I suppose I should make time but hey, theres always so much else to do.

Anyway.
Sun 27th Nov
4.9m
48min
157bpm (max175)
A good run on the road (makes a change from X-country).
Felt good but tired.

Fri 2nd Dec
3.6m
35min
161bpm (max180)
Back to the woods for quite a fast run in the woods with the dog.

How bad

2005-11-20T21:07:00.000Z

Took all the family to see the new Harry Potter movie in Bracknell this morning.
So this afternoon I had earned time to do what I wanted.
Running I go!

The idea was to go for a 3 mile circle (approx) and run it at a pace that I will have to maintain to achieve a 2hr half marathon, thus enabling me to gauge how bad I am and how much work I need to do.

So....
2.8m
26mins
158bpm (180max)

I struggled to keep the pace up and it was really hard work.
So now I know.
Gulp.

Golf last weekend

2005-11-19T21:15:00.000Z

I love golf.
But like most things this year it has been shelved and neglected.

Every year I go to France in November, meeting up with 29 other blokes.
We only meet once a year and that's to go for a longweekend, playing golf, eating good food, drinking far to much and spending rakes of money.
I'm allegedly a 17 handicap but the few times I've played this year I've been woefully off the mark.

The first round was on a relatively easy woodland course and although I didn't play that well I ground out a reasonable score (+20).
The second round was on a hard links course and it reflected on the score (+24).
That night was the last we see each other for another year.
The last round and the hardest course, I was still drunk on the first tee after 3hrs sleep!
I was 11 over after the first 4 holes.
Fortunately my game came together and I finished with a glorious back nine (+27 overall).

Next year I'm going to practice loads before I go, keep the drinking down and get 8hrs sleep each night.......
Yeah right!
Roll on next year.

Catching up

2005-11-19T21:00:00.000Z

Went for a run on 3rd Nov (my 42nd birthday!) didn't particularly want to but it made my conscience clear to get completely blind drunk that night.

5.1m
54min
156bpm
180bpm max

6th Nov. My son whose 8 was picked for the school xcountry team and I promised to take him over the woods training the weekend before.

3.4m
50min
142bpm
179bpm max

it was running, walking and a lot of chatting, two big hills which he insisted running up, oh and it was pouring with rain.
Great fun - I couldn't have wished for a more pleasant Sunday afternoon.

Paused

2005-10-26T20:04:00.000Z

niggly heath problems again and slowly but surely getting swamped by work - or the commuting to and from it anyway.
No running - no blogging.
I'll be back - sooner rather than later I hope :)

At last

2005-10-15T20:47:00.000Z

all mended and went for a nice slow steady run over the woods today.
The dog loved it, I on the other hand found it really hard graft.
I'm in no way a natural runner or fitness bloke and a couple of weeks slobbing around the house certainly takes its toll on what little fitness level I had.
3.9m
42min
153bpm (max177)
Knackered!

Ear we go

2005-10-10T17:08:00.000Z

This blog is about my running efforts (as feeble as they maybe).
So, no running = no blogging.

Well except for excuses anyway.

I got a sore ear after swimming, something I'm also trying to master.
Turned out to be a mild infection - no problem, a course of tablets and off we go.
But then I could hardly hear and head aches.
Turned out to be earwax build up - gross.
Syringed last friday and due again this friday.
There no running!

Once a week

2005-09-20T20:16:00.000Z

..whether I want to or not.
No not my love life - my running.
I seem to be settling into a routine, probably due to a lack of something to aim at. I'll have to start entering races again, just to focus my running.

Went today, over the woods taking in every hill I could see.
3.9m
40min
156bpm - max182

Not much else happening really.
Tenpin bowling last monday night. The first match of the new league, my partner couldn't turn up so our team got thrashed 8-0.
I bowled ok. 188,185,159.
Started to take the children swimming on saturday mornings, 6.30 to 8.00. Its good fun, although I still cant do the crawl, but I'm trying.
Watch this space!

Over the woods

2005-09-13T20:04:00.000Z

Steady jog after an early knock off from work.

5.6m
56min
157bpm - max191

A hilly run but didn't work too hard except for a couple of steep hills.
The dog was at it again, tripped me over once and attempted to chase a deer. Fortunately I managed to get her back with a dog whistle I've been training her with, usually she disappears hunting something and takes an age to get her back to me.

I saw two deer today, beautiful young ones.

Speedy

2005-09-08T20:13:00.000Z

Ran as fast as I could around a measured circuit.

2.7m
21.42min
164bpm - max186

did this last time on 27th July in 22.02min - so no great improvement there then.

Still, if I'm only running once a week what can I expect.

Feeling hot hot hot

2005-09-03T21:16:00.000Z

Its hot and sticky again.
Went for a run over the woods today with the dog, but it was pretty uncomfortable, so I cut it short but did some steep hills to make up for it.
4.3m
43min
156bpm (185max)

Contacted a running club yesterday which train in the same woods that I always run in, so if I can pluck up the courage (I'm quite shy by nature) to attend a run next week it might help me improve, or at least focus my running to breaking my 2hr target.

Promises promises

2005-08-29T20:58:00.000Z

I did promise myself that I'd go running today, but it was very hot and we did loads of typical bank holiday family stuff.
But a promise is a promise, so I pull on the trainers at about 7 and went for a quick hilly run.
1.9m
17mins
146bpm (176max)
only a very short run all on tarmac but it includes 2 pretty good hills.
Work tomorrow - oh happy days.

Played golf yesterday for the first time in about 3 months and it showed.
11 on the first hole - a long par 5, finished with a score of 102 thats 30 over!
and I'm supposed to be a 17hc.
I'm gonna have to work on that.

Back to work

2005-08-27T18:19:00.000Z

Yep, holiday over.
Work was ok (didn't really do alot), but the drivings getting me down already.
Did pluck up the enthusiasm to put my trainers on on thursday.
3.8m
36min
158bpm (max182)
Enjoyable run but the struggle is going after work - well getting out of the chair.

I was going to go running tonight but I've just pigged out on chicken curry and chips from the chinese take away. Can't go tomorrow cause I'm playing golf so it'll have to be bank holiday monday.

Holiday Walk and Runs

2005-08-21T18:36:00.000Z

I like walking.
I went for a minimum of 2hrs a day, often with my dog, often with my children.
We walked along the south coasts beaches, cliffs, public footpaths, stretches of the south downs way, sections of the saxon way and often to the end of Dover pier for an ice cream.

I like running, but I usually do this alone (sometimes with the dog).
I only went for 4 runs while away the first two were along the seafront and pier - really flat.
4.4m and 5.5m,
41min and 55min,
148bpm and 139bpm.
both quite comfortable runs with my daughter cycling beside me for one of them,
but to be honest a bit boring.

So for the third run I decided to do a section of a walk we'd done the day before - Dover seafront to the top of the cliffs above the docks.
It was murder, when I got there I was shattered - thighs burning, gasping for air and sweat flowing freely. I had to stop for 10 mins before heading back, which as its downhill was actually enjoyable.
3.1m
31min
156bpm (peak 190)

Didn't run again for 4 days. Recovering yes, but also building myself up to my next run.
Dover seafront up the cliffs and keep going to the South Forland Lighthouse (a great walk we'd done before)
The cliff climb was hell, as you'd expect, the rest of the run was great, tough but beautiful. The White Cliffs are a pleasure to run (or walk) along.
6m
1hr 2min
159bpm (peak 188)

Holiday Swimming

2005-08-21T18:01:00.000Z

I'm not a good swimmer by any stretch of the imagination.
Don't get me wrong I can swim and I'm not afraid of the water or anything, its just that I'm not very good.

I didn't learn to swim until I joined the army at 16 and was given 8 weeks to pass a military swimming test. My lessons were brutal to say the least, but effective as I passed the test.
Jumping into a pool from the high board - treading water for 2mins and swimming 10 lengths. As far as I remember I cheated on the number of lengths and, with the aid of some very good mates, managed to get away with a few paces in the shallow end and a few clings to the side.
I can't really remember trying to swim again until a few years ago. Always in the sea splashing about or in the pool with the kids (shallow end or slides etc).
When I was training for the London marathon this year I did a few sessions swimming breast stroke until I was knackered, but were talking a couple of lengths hanging onto the side as required.

Why am I writing this?
Oh yeah - I was getting pretty tired and sore on holiday from walking, running etc so I decided to do a few pool trips, my daughter was also keen to learn crawl (freestyle?), so lets do it together.

After 4 sessions my breaststroke is looking OK, my crawl is non-existant.
My daughter is swimming like a fish.

The good news is that I really enjoyed it, it leaves me exhausted and its something all my children are happy to do with me.

Holiday

2005-08-04T20:21:00.000Z

Here we go, once a year whether I can afford it or not.

Yes its holiday time, two weeks with my wife and children on the Kent coast, trying to do stuff that I want to do but invariably doing stuff they like to.

Thankfully, as children grow up there are occasional periods in their short lives when they like (and aren't affraid to admit) to do stuff with there sad old dad.

So the eldest daughter is into cycling, walking the dog and swimming, all of which she'll happily do with me as long as she's not at home where any of her mates might see her.
The middle child (also female) doesn't like anything much, but is happy to hold hands and talk all day long.
The youngest (the boy) enjoys anything competetive as long as he wins (or at least doesn't lose).

So I recon that walking the dog, with ice creams, seeing who can eat them the fastest but making sure the boy doesn't loose should keep everyone happy.
Except my wife.
I'm affraid only shopping will do that - which is something I don't intend to do on holiday, but I have a credit card that may have to keep her company on those long lonely trips.

I'm really looking forward to it.
I have running gear, walking boots, some good books, and I am not affraid to use them.

Quick post

2005-08-01T21:50:00.000Z

First time I've had the computer on for over a week.

Summary....
1 run, 3m as fast as I could.
1 mother in law - now gone home ;-)
1200miles driven for work.
Booked 2 weeks holiday starting this friday
Hooooooray

Gotta go

Busy week

2005-07-24T20:52:00.000Z

Simple, I don't like commuting.

My new job is great, but it takes me about 2hrs to get there and the same to get back each day.
I don't know how long I'll put up with that for.
The company is quite happy to put me up in a swanky hotel any night (or all) of the week, but I'm sorry, whats the point of being married with 3 kids and not seeing them every day?

I dislike moaners, so I'll say no more.

Went running on wednesday.
Over the woods with the dog,
4.1m
40mins
163bpm
Went running today.
Over the woods with the dog,
8.1m
1hr24mins
157bpm

The dog is knackered!

Now you may be wondering - new job, commuting, tired, generally fed up yet 2 runs?

The mother-in-law flew over from N.Ireland and is staying for "a while".
Need I say more..........................................

Too hot for running

2005-07-17T21:22:00.000Z

Well, too hot and a bit too lazy.

Did one run on Wednesday over the woods with the dog, very hard work.

5.2m
52mins
163bpm

Start my new job tomorrow in Bristol - nice commute!
All of which may interfere with my running, tenpin bowling, family life etc etc etc.
I know a change is supposed to be as good as a rest - but I'm not so sure.

A week that was

2005-07-10T20:57:00.000Z

Eventful weeks do come and go.

Winning the olympic bid - excellent (glued to the radio all morning),
beating the French in the last two - icing on the cake :-).
Bombs in London - devastating.
Services no longer required at work after this friday 15th - oh dear.

Did go for a run on thursday evening just to mull it all over.
Very relaxing, just my dog and I, over the woods at a nice slow steady pace.
6.8m
1hr 14mins
143 bpm

Didn't do any other running this weekend, really couldn't be bothered.
I think I need to get a half marathon schedule together and focus my training on it.

Looking forward to a new week.

British 10k

2005-07-04T09:05:00.000Z

Oh dear, this journey didn't quite go to plan.
Left home at 6am to catch the 6:37 train from Staines - but that doesn't run any more, really should have checked. Caught the 7:16 which the got stuck behind a broken down train and was diverted, anyway as a result I got to Waterloo about 8:40.
Now I don't know or go to London so I was standing around a bit lost, managed to find some girls with numbers pinned on and asked if I could follow them. I'm greatful they were there and that they were happy for me to stalk them to the start - but they walked so slow!
Luckily (for me) the start was delayed.

The starting line up was complete chaos with everyone seemingly getting as close to the start line regardless of their predicted finishing times. This made it almost impossible to run a steady pace, forcing frustrating and dangerous dodge and weave behaviour from many runners.
Thats the winge over.

The race was good, great scenery - don't know what much of it was, like I said I don't go to London. (In fact I only realised I was standing in Trafalger square afterwards when I was looking around trying to get back home)

51mins 54secs
172 bpm

Personal best!
That'll do nicely.

Running at last

2005-06-28T21:09:00.000Z

Had to go for a run today after work - no, not just to get out of the house because all hell seemed to be breaking loose (3 hyper kids and a stressed out mum), I just felt I had to get back into running, leaving it until tomorrow is so easily slipped into.

Pretty easy day at work helped - even managed to slip away unnoticed for two games of tenpin bowling at lunch.

Intended to do a 1hr run over the woods with the dog.
5mins in and the thunderstorms that had been promised all day finally arrived (about 7pm), it was a tough uncomfortable run, didn't make the hour.

4.7m
46mins
6.2mph
161bpm

Back home, straight in the bath, cheese on toast with baked beans on top for tea.

No running

2005-06-26T19:28:00.000Z

Now which excuse shall I use? No, lets go for the truth.

Couldn't be bothered monday or tuesday or wednesday.

Thursday I played in a works golf day (Leica Geosystems) up in Northampton. 9 holes texas scramble then 18 holes matchplay, evening meal - drinking till 03.30 in the morning then work on friday.
Played quite well, although lost both matches. (Theres a lot of bandits at do's like that!)

Anyway, I must be too old for all that, because its sunday now and I'm still tired and ache all over.

And to rub it in my running number for the British 10k turned up - so I'll have to go for a jog before next sunday.
As for the 10k. I've only ever run one and I did it in 1hr dead - I really want to better that but it could be difficult as its such a big race.

We'll see.

School sports day

2005-06-21T20:03:00.000Z

Well she ran her 800m race and even though it was a roasting hot day, stuck to her training plan and enjoyed it.
14 people ran, and at the half way point she was last - and getting enthusiastic cheers from school teachers and pupils alike, you know how everyone cheers the gallant loser.
But she passed all but two on the second lap, finishing 3rd with a big smile on her face.

and a run, of sorts

2005-06-19T20:59:00.000Z

I did go running.
I went at 6pm, which I thought would be cool enough.
How wrong can I be. It was murder.
The first 3m were fine, hot but fine.
After that my heart rate was way to high, I really was too hot, and my energy and enthusiasm were drying up fast.
I just got slower and slower, walking after 5m for a bit, then stopping on a footbridge for a minute or two to cool down - great breeze.
When I got home I was on my last legs.

6.6m
1hr 7min
161bpm

Such a tough run.
Yet now I've recovered, I feel great for doing it - how weirds that?

Fathers day

2005-06-19T20:38:00.000Z

Being grumpy on fathers day isn't something I try to be, but it has been known to happen.
Hottest day of the year (so far) today, so I was up early to have a run before the heat kicked in. Stalled my start to let my daughter come with me on her bike - all geared up to go when she tells me she's got a puncture.
Having fixed it, we find her gears are broken and stuck in top, tried to fix that but I couldn't.
Nearly ten now and very hot.
So I spit the dummy out and sulk the way dads do.
Fixed the other childrens bikes (why didn't they tell me when it happened?) then cut the grass.

Having calmed down a bit, I watched Dr Who with all my kids (we taped it last night), then I was given a few pressies.......
which included
a book - Feet in the Clouds by Richard Askwith.... started it already its great,
a CD - Alison Krauss and Union Station Live.... I do love a bit of blue grass,
and some chocolate, but no socks!

800m

2005-06-16T20:46:00.000Z

More 800m training with my daughter for her sports day.
Same as before, a bit quicker, still a good (if short) run.

Looking forward to a nice hot weekend and fathers day on sunday.
New socks, some chocolate and a bit of sunburn - perfect.

Long sunday run

2005-06-12T20:38:00.000Z

Sunday is the traditional day to have a long run, isn't it?

But as usual with the best laid plans of mice and me.
My daughters doing an 800m race in the schools sports day in a week or so and wanted some practice.
Her major problem being not knowing how far 800m is (the youth of today, what do they learn at school....mumble, grumble) .

Anyway I know a small park which is nice and flat and just under 800m around the perimeter path.

We ran around together nice and slow,
I ran around fast as she timed,
She ran around fast as I timed,
Then me again,
and then together nice and slow.

Only about 2miles in total, but I really enjoyed it.

We were so full of beans afterwards, that this afternoon I actually did some gardening!
The grass was so long the mower wasn't man enough so I had to borrow a strimmer, and the hedges - well, you can imagine.

Target found?

2005-06-08T21:44:00.000Z

I think I've found a race for the assault on my under 2hrs.
The Windsor half marathon on Sept 25th.

Its local for me, a pretty big event with a fun run for my daughter aswell.

And get this, there's about 5 people at work who ran it last year and Tim, a QS, ran it in 1hr 18mins and came 17th in the race!

I think I'll stick with my plan of under 2hrs.

British 10k

2005-06-08T21:26:00.000Z

Just had a good look at the web site for this run on 3rd july.

Good points.
1) Big run - 15000
2) Through traffic free london streets
3) Prestigious - good for the ego down the pub

Bad points.
1) Expensive
2) Probably not good for times - 15000 people over 10k!
3) Starts at 09:35 - may struggle to get there

But, if I get get there (by train) I'm in.

Easy option?

2005-06-08T20:24:00.000Z

Just got back from a run over the woods, didn't fancy a long run so I went hilly instead.

3.2m
32mins
9.58mpm
159bpm

Really hard going up hill but fantastic coming down. Legging down hill as fast as you can was like being 6 years old again, couldn't stop myself giggling even when I was struggling to avoid falling over.

Summer break

2005-06-06T22:20:00.000Z

Last night was my last tenpin bowling match in the monday league (tuesday league finished last week). Bowled really well - 611 series, 222 last game.
But that means for nearly 4 months I have no planned 'activities', for want of a better word, on monday or tuesday nights.

Maybe.....
Lots of running to get under my 2hrs?
A scheduled night out drinking?
Gardening?
DIY?
Golf? - haven't been able to play to my handicap for ages.
More blogging/surfing the net?
(do people still say "surfing the net"?, always sounded a bit stupid to me.)
or perhaps just doing nothing - no that'll never happen.

Dover workout

2005-05-28T20:40:00.000Z

Uploaded a workout into Garmy, the idea is ............
1.5m at 145bpm
15mins at 175bpm
1.5m at 145bpm

On holiday in Dover and I love it. Right on the sea front, a flat with sea views across to France a lovely flat prom and pier to run on.

1.5m no problem - actually pleasant,
15mins at 175bpm a different tale all together. To get my heart rate up to 175 on a flat run I was sprinting (well jogging faster than I ever have) like a madman, when I got it up there it was still tough to keep it high.
Then 1.5m at 145, hard to keep it that low.

Finished the run feeling really tired but great.
A real buzz running with a set and measureable effort level.
Definitely the best feeling after a training run I've had.

Shower, 6 tins of Guinness, a few hands of poker then bed.

Woods run

2005-05-23T20:32:00.000Z

Pretty uneventfull but fast run.
Yet again Garmy Forerunner of little use over the woods - up and down like a.......yoyo (thats not phrase my dad still uses, but far more polite).

I'll have a hunt on the internet as there must be some guidance for heart rates on hilly runs like this.

3.3miles
29mins
8.53mpm
167bpm

Lapping

2005-05-20T19:42:00.000Z

Went for a run with the dog and garmy (my new toy).
Set it to record each mile as a lap - don't know why.

4.16miles,
40min,
9.41min/m
161bpm

I think most of the data it collected was pretty academic as where I run is up and down hills all the way, so pace/speed is eratic, even heart rate is difficult to maintain within the set band.
Its no good, I'll have to find out how to use this stuff.
Also it was a bit awkward as I tended to be looking at the thing all the time instead of watching where I'm going, the novelty of that will soon wear off.

With all my heart

2005-05-18T21:50:00.000Z

So, heart beat at rest = 60bpm.
Easy just take it in the morning when you wake up.

Maximum heart rate, a little more effort required.
They quote a formula where you take you age from a number, or where you take a percentage of your age from a different number, or you can do it by running.

Good run ending in a sprint (well a rapid jog) up a very steep long hill (well a small incline).

Calculation method, 182bpm.
Running method, 195bpm.

Really enjoyed the run.
But what does all this stuff mean?
How does it help?

3.75miles
34mins
9.06min/m
164bpm

Garmin Gadget man

2005-05-18T18:41:00.000Z

Garmin Forerunner 301, including heart rate monitor.

What a gadget, absolutely no idea how to use it or what use it will be but, what a great gadget.
Total cost £153 from Ebay, to my door, on my wrist.
Went into the garden to track a few satalites and it confirmed that my heart was beating and that I was standing still, how cools that.

If the wife finds how much it cost I'm in deeeep shit.

Blow the cobwebs

2005-05-14T11:38:00.000Z

2 miles 'ish' quite fast, not timed, just a leg loosener and I have to say very enjoyable.
My eldest daughter followed on her bike - and was knackered - great ego boost for me.

I've got my eye on one of those Garmin Forerunner GPS HRM singing and dancing training gadgets on Ebay, retail £210 but I recon with a bit of shrewd bidding I can get one for under £150.

Watch this space.

and we're off

2005-05-13T00:16:00.000Z

So here we go, a month after finishing the London marathon I need something to motivate myself to
1) not go back to my life of slothe
2) occupy the extra time that has seemed to materialise
3) make full use of the long summer evenings

A half marathon in under 2hrs.
Doesn't sound like much, I've done 2 in the last 4 months.
Reading in 2:11 and Fleet in 2:09, although I ran both non stop it was really tough. The difference in time was probably due to Fleet being really flat and a much smaller field of 'athletes'.

Also in the Reading half the cheeky girls beat me by 15mins which my children found hilarious - so now its personal!

Will start training tomorrow, maybe.