Saturday, 17 January 2009


No running today resting. The wind is blowing... and not due to the new complex carb's diet...So I'll just write about something totally unrelated.
Managed to miss the London Irish v Connacht European challenge game as I don't have SKY.
75 - 5 to the Exiles with Aussie Peter Hewat scoring an amazing 5 tries.
Pearse saw the other leg in Ireland and reckoned they put out a B team because they knew... top of the table Irish would beat them.
All a far cry from the muddy days when I played for them... at Sunbury. They may now be professional but there's not a better day out at the Rugby at club level... particularly on St Patrick's day.

Friday, 16 January 2009


Quick running machine run today at my Gym. David Lloyd in Kidbrooke and weights session. Completed an 8 mile run to work this week as well. I'm not a good morning runner as I my normal running time is after 9.30PM... but it certainly woke me up.
Today’s 5km in 21m - interval training -on the running machine was the first time since late Oct I've had a pain free run. I picked up an Iliotibial Band Syndrome IBS injury after the Run to the beat half marathon. I think this was because it was so cold and wet. This is very painful creating a stabbing pain at the side of the knee but stretches* and exercises from Alison my sister, who is a trainee doctor and Chartered Physiotherapist, have really helped. Also advice by text from sports coach Pearse McGuigan - has been great, as I was clearly not resting enough. Less is more.
Pearse is now training swimmers in Ireland... but was part of the training team for the British Olympic Modern Pentathlon Team. Pearse is running the Belfast marathon in May… so will have my time to beat. *Link to one very effective stretch

Tuesday, 13 January 2009

Why I am running for the Evelina hospital


Scarlett enjoying an ice cream today



Scarlett at the Evelina shortly after she was born

About my charity : GUY'S & ST THOMAS' CHARITABLE FOUNDATION AND RELATED CHARITIES GUY'S & ST THOMAS' CHARITABLE FOUNDATION AND RELATED CHARITIES
The Evelina Children's Hospital, at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, provides everything from routine care to life saving treatment for over 100,000 children every year. It is “a hospital that doesn’t feel like a hospital” and includes intensive care, neurology, and specialist heart and kidney units. Patients come from London, Southern England and much further a field for life threatening illnesses. While the children receive world-class care and treatment, NHS funding can not meet all the hospital’s needs. This is where the Evelina Children's Hospital Appeal steps in by raising money to buy the very best equipment and facilities.
Charity Registration No 251983

Monday, 12 January 2009

Start of Log

Well I said I'd do this on my just giving site. As....

It is meant to create a reason for people to return or pass on the site... Well... we'll see.

I've decided to create a template to record info quickly about the big push to do 26 point something miles...

Mileage, runs and stat's - for those who may want run a sweepstake on my finish time there is a feed from my running log at the bottom of the blog. Mileage is rising but hasn't gone beyond 10 miles yet as it's been so cold! - 5! However... times are getting a bit quicker almost 7 mins miles.

Running equipment and other nonsense: Due to the cold I bought a running jacket - £12 from Decathlon and it's fantastic light with vents under the arms to stop you sweating. As it now feels like my fingers are going to fall off I also got a set of silky european footballer gloves £4.50.

Injuries: Two lost toe nails from the Run to the beat half marathon are growing back. Huge blood blister on my right foot but it's popped and doesn't hurt. I've had some knee pain but that is going thanks to, Dr, (in a few years), Bob Cregan who as a physio has given me good advice on training and streaches.

Food - Peanut butter can't get enough of whole earth. Tried every other cheaper brand but this is the one... nothing but nuts good source of good fats and protein. When your knackered it's like a meal in two minutes.

Tunes- I am listening too while running on my MP3: 128 BPM for running at the moment. I get all my tunes from Beatport.com - in particular keeping me going is - Ministry of Funk - Way Back - a mix of lots of classic summer tunes all in one track.

News on getting the money in: Good considering money is tight and it's only just after Chrisitmas. With off line emailed promises and gift aid I've broken the £200 barrier. Only £1600 to go then.