Sun...

For the first time in months... I've run with the sun shining. This made a massive difference as running was no longer an ordeal.

I can see now why people in the past got very obsessional about the seasons. Running involves spending hours out in the elements just like the farmers, travellers and workers of the past would have done and the difference a bit of sunshine makes is amazing. Today we pop into our cars, from one nice warm, lit building to another and barely notice the cold.

Anyway 15 miles! The furthest run yet in 2hrs 03mins and 10 sec's. Now applying the formula - T2 = T1 x (D2/D1)^1.06 where T1 is the given time, D1 is the given distance, D2 is the distance to predict a time for, and T2 is the calculated time for D2 = a marathon time of 3.40.53. I know I can run faster and hopefully more training and the excitement of the race will help me break 3.30.

Check the archive

Due to the number of posts to read the whole blog check the archive on the left.

This is make the page load faster.

Gimme shelter...

On the big day I will joined by a very good friend Ben Morgan... Hopefully we'll attempt 15+ miles together this weekend. Running is the new going out...

The reason I mention this is he's got his justgiving page sorted now... so if you know Ben through me and want to help him and his charity SHELTER. Click or save the link below.

http://www.justgiving.com/benmorgan1

Over a 100 miles a month

Jan I did 93 miles. I did 5 miles in the last couple of days of Dec when I started logging. See RSS feed at foot of blog. So far this month I'm up to 35. The snow knocked a good bit off and it's a short month so 100 seems out of reach. But the aim must be 130+ for March.

Half Marathon - Done!

Today - Sunday - I got a half done in well under 1.45. Less than 8 min mile pace... I forgot to time it again... but this is how fast I will need to run to get a sub 4hr time.

Sunday morning at 6.45 is a strange time to be out. The streets are filled with... people on a mission while the rest of the world sleeps.

There is the good... going to church. In Lewisham this involves wearing some pretty wild Sunday best. Then there is the bad well dressed but now dishevelled people staggering home from the clubs and the ugly... me sweating away.

Whilst on my run the temptation to give up was very real today... not just in my head. As I usually run in a hoop there is always the temptation to knock a few miles off and head home. Today a fella in track suit walked out a newsagents ahead of me. I cruised past him but then suddenly he started sprinting. My first though was... race...! but this was mile 8 so I plodded on. Surprisingly I managed to not only catch him but the bus as well... this was because the driver thought we were together, so waited for me. He then started shouting at me to get on the bus. Very tempting... but... I did the full run and went home... to turn rocks into sandwiches*...

These were needed to go to the Tate and take in some Russian constructivist modern art before watching Ireland hammer Italy.

A good day! In all all... and it's school hols.

* A Sunday / Lenten joke

Love and legs...

It’s Valentine’s day so no training today… Did 10k before school on Friday and felt very comfortable. 10k now feels very short and I really wanted to do more…

I have a week off work now so the aim is to lift my mileage and weight train more often at the gym or in the garden. I rarely do lower body focused exercises so I’m getting used used to lunges, squats, donkey kicks, step ups and calf raises. Frankly, I know why I don’t do them… … they’re sooooooooo dull so I’ve combined them with upper body moves to make them more interesting. E.g. step and shoulder press, squat with cleans. However lunges can’t be done with anything… they look like they should be easy… just walking a bit funny… but they’ve given me the worst DOM’s I’ve ever experienced… which is a sign they’re worth it?

These excercises will, according to the reading, strenghten my legs to make me run faster and/or longer...

As it’s Valentines day we’ve been eating fizzy lovehearts…. We all got nice messages such as “Your cute”… apart from Scarlett whose first ever loveheart read “Grow up”. ???? They were still lots of fun... especially as we had them at our wedding too.

Rugby this afternoon is excellent. Scotland didn’t get thrashed and in fact you could say they were robbed (by an Irish referee), so should get a win… to unsettle things. It’s midway in the England game with Wales… and both teams look a) Beatable b) Capable of winning this game.

Tomorrow is the Ireland /Italy game… really want to go to see this game one year in Rome. Tomorrow I'll need to get my long 13 mile run done early to be done before kick off.

Our local shop which sells Irish produce such as white pudding, fig rolls and Tayto crisps has shut... So I'll have to be on the look out for a new fig roll seller as the Irish ones are so much nicer than any others and a great snack after a run.

My new picture - by Orla

Orla has drawn me in my running vest. To compare this to the real me in my running vest go to my justgiving online donation site:

http://www.justgiving.com

Giving in this way means 28p extra for every pound you donate goes to the hospital thanks to the tax man (or woman).

Back on track and drinking from a tap

Back running on the road. As the ice has gone. The only snow left are big balls of ice, in the local park where people, like us made snowmen. It looks a bit like a cold version of Easter Island.

Did 4.5 miles yesterday and I'll run 7-8 to school tomorrow. Plus the long one at the weekend which needs to be about 13. So things are getting on track again.

I've realised as I eat incredible amounts of food that have little need for a nutrition plan. I eat loads of everything that is advised.

The London Marathon website says that when I pick up my number there will be a pasta party... Great free pasta... NO!

It's at the "incredible" price of £5... Well I have been to the Excel centre and would rather have a meal in a veal cart. At home pasta would cost... £5 for all the family.

There is a lot rubbish talked in the mags and websites about the marathon most of it linked to sponsorship. This a good example:

VITTEL
Vittel Natural Mineral Water is the water of choice for marathon runners. With its well-balanced supply of essential minerals such as calcium and magnesium, Vittel Natural Mineral Water is the most natural way to stay hydrated and reVittelised throughout marathon day. One of Vittel's most high-profile devotees is Paula Radcliffe, the record-breaking long distance runner and reigning London Marathon Champion.
Commenting on Vittel, she says; 'Drinking Vittel is an important part of my training programme. It helps me prepare my body and eases fatigue and muscle cramp after a race and generally helps me stay in peak condition.'

How on earth could you be devoted to a mineral water. She also drinks either her own drinks or any water that is sponsoring the race. As you can see... Anyway my water comes from a tap.

Ireland win and my Dyson explodes...

10KM on the running machine yesterday... in 46 mins watching the last 5 mins of the Ireland game. Very enjoyable and I did it as two Pyramids the second one faster than the first.

We've beaten le blues! The best six nations team by a long chalk. I hope that we can build on this and we haven't peaked too early. No one else seems on form but the Welsh. Ireland are the most consistent team to never win the six nations, (there was only 5 nations when they won it last), so hopefully it will be our year.

It was my plan to watch the game at the gym but while doing a bit of cleaning my Dyson started smoking and then died. Smoking is clearly bad for your health. Boom Boom. So I was dispatched to the shops via checking the internet for a suitable replacement.

When you buy something now instead of reading the company blurb I find its better to read the reviews. The remarkable thing was... I found 10 reviews, at least, on different sites which started... I decided to buy this cheaper vac after my Dyson... blew up, burst into flames, billowed smoke etc...

After running 10KM - it's difficult to weight train as I used too... so I've cut to 1 day a week to focus on running. This has meant a toal change in routine to lighter stuff focusing on the core. This so the guides say is essential to remain upright and running well for 3+ hrs. So I'm now standing on a BOSU ball and Powerplate to intensify the workout. The later was developed to help Russian astronauts with no time to train in space stay fit...

Anna Friel claimed she uses one on Jonathon Ross... on Friday as has Madonna. On the negative side - it did Sam Allardyce no good at Newcastle... his players complained bitterly it made them go to the loo. See news story.

Ireland, meet the experts and getting running again

Due to Snow... I've not been running until today. I did mean to go to the Gym... but it was far too cold to do anything but enjoy being at home. So...instead I've been at home making sure Jo doesn't get cold, clearing snow and ice and eating El Paso Fajitas - which I love and think could be pretty healthy. Chicken and veg...

So I'm off to the gym today to run and watch the Ireland game. Which may be a disappointment as Ireland have only ever beaten the French twice since the game went professional. But if they do it will be a great start for the new regime and six nations.

Tomorrow I'm going to the Institute of Education (IOE) - at the University of London for a master class - "Meet the experts session re: training for the marathon. Includes team GB members... I'll try to get some pic's. This is part of the golden bond place from the hospital that requires me to raise £1800 for the cause. Going to the IOE will be a bit strange as Jo is studying her Art education MA at the Uni and I completed my Headship exams there. I'm sure it's a novel location for some but feels like going back to school for me.
Hopefully this will be fun and not just a sell you expensive trainers day... especailly as the whole family is coming so Jo can visit the libary to get some books.

Music on the I-pod for running includes - Japanese popstars - Facemelter. Sort like the Prodigy - Don't know if they are Japanese...

Actually scrub that their from Derry - in Ireland. Aren't all the best popstars. Click the pic for Myspace page.

The UK and I grind to a halt!

No work, no running... so lets build a snowman, eat hot dogs and drink cider. Will my training ever recover! Well pushing this big snowball was a good work out.