Update 13th April 2008
The night before was terrible, only slept for a couple of hours.
I started right at the back, thought it would be better to be with the slower runners so I didn't go off too quickly. My Achilles started to hurt after a mile. I was a bit worried but it was fine after it warmed up. I took it really easy. I was overtaken by a few rhinos, Batman and Mr Tickle. I didn't see the 101 year old, perhaps he was ahead of me.
I met up with Nicki, the boys, Mum, Dad and Colin at miles 11, 15 and 18. Met Vlad and Sandra just before Tower Bridge and saw Gill, George, Jodie and George at Canary Wharf.
The rain was freezing. I felt great all the way to mile 14, then struggled but picked up towards the end, I even overtook Mr Tickle and a huge inflatable telephone.
The most painful part was pulling the super-strong blister plasters off my nipples. I should have shaved them first!
It's all over, don't ever have to do it again. Thanks to everyone who sponsored me.
Update 9th April 2008
Four days to go. I went out for my last training run last night.
When I started training, a 3 mile run was hard work. Gradually (very gradually at first), things got easier. Everything was going really well up until the beginning of February. I then started to feel fit, I got a bit over confident and, against all advice, I started to over train.
I think it was the sprint at the end of 9 mile run that did the damage. I tore some fibres in my left Achilles tendon. I was on crutches for a couple of days and spent a lot of time and money at a physio. The injury put my training on hold completely for 2 weeks. Since then, not a day has gone by without me feeling some pain in my Achilles and worrying over whether it will stop me running the marathon.
The injury has badly affected my training because I can't run (or walk sometimes) for a few days after a run. But, in total, I have run 228 miles while training for this marathon. I haven't lost any weight. In fact, I think I may have put on half a stone (that's not supposed to happen!) I will be there at the start and, hopefully, at the finish as well (many hours later).
The best news is that I have reached my target of £2000 for Cancer Research UK. So a big thanks to everyone who has sponsored me.
2nd January 2008
I must be mad, or suffering another mid-life crisis, but I will attempt to run 26.2 miles around London on 13th April 2008. It sounded like a good idea when I applied for a place back in the Summer!
I have already spent a fortune on running gear - I look like Max Wall in my running tights. I have started training and it has confirmed what I already knew - I have neither the patience nor physique for long distance running.
I am running for Cancer Research UK who fund world class research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Cancer kills over 150,000 people in the UK every year. It affects many families and has directly affected my own family - my inspiration for running this marathon is my mother-in-law, Christine Colledge.
Every penny raised will go to Cancer Research UK. I have pledged £2000 and have started by donating £500 myself.
Please click here to visit my sponsorship page.
Please dig deep and give generously.
22 Oct 2007 | 28 Oct 2007 | 24 weeks to go | |||||
Date | Name | Miles |
Time | Avg. speed (mph) |
Avg. HR (bpm) |
Calories | Notes |
23/10/2007 18:22 | First run | 3.18 | 40:27 | 4.7 | 141 | 512 | First run with GPS and new shoes. Right hamstring hurt at first like it always does but then felt fine until near the end when my feet ached. Hope new shoes are OK. |
24/10/2007 17:09 | First Run from Work | 2.77 | 29:42 | 5.6 | 143 | 445 | Thought I would feel bad, but took it easy and it was OK. Tried not to run on outside of right foot and it was better |
26/10/2007 17:17 | Run from work | 2.75 | 30:19 | 5.4 | 147 | 438 | Back hurt after half mile - it always does but it gets better. Started well, but then felt tired. I suppose it's been a hard first week. |
Weekly Total | 8.7 | ||||||
29 Oct 2007 | 04 Nov 2007 | 23 weeks to go | |||||
Date | Name | Miles |
Time | Avg. speed (mph) |
Avg. HR (bpm) |
Calories | Notes |
29/10/2007 18:05 | Run with Nick | 3.13 | 31:58 | 5.9 | 145 | 503 | I have been tired (and drunk) all weekend so wasn't looking forward to this. Actually felt good. Much faster than last week and, probably for the first time ever, I was stronger than Nick |
31/10/2007 17:22 | Run Back from work on Halloween | 5.07 | 1:00:23 | 5 | 142 | 787 | Felt really good except for hamstring that hurt. Missed first 1/3 mile - forgot to start clock. Spent ages running round estate looking for Nicki and boys |
02/11/2007 16:15 | Run From Work | 2.76 | 29:41 | 5.6 | 140 | 448 | Again felt tired - I alsways do on a Friday |
Weekly Total | 10.96 | ||||||
05 Nov 2007 | 11 Nov 2007 | 22 weeks to go | |||||
Date | Name | Miles |
Time | Avg. speed (mph) |
Avg. HR (bpm) |
Calories | Notes |
05/11/2007 17:17 | Normal Monday Route - without Nick | 3.14 | 32:14 | 5.8 | 140 | 505 | Felt good at first but then got a bit tired. Need a wee half way round - a problem |
06/11/2007 18:02 | Run with Nick | 3.22 | 32:58 | 5.9 | 141 | 519 | Felt quite good considering I had run 3 miles yesterday |
Weekly Total | 6.36 | ||||||
12 Nov 2007 | 18 Nov 2007 | 21 weeks to go | |||||
Date | Name | Miles |
Time | Avg. speed (mph) |
Avg. HR (bpm) |
Calories | Notes |
12/11/2007 17:38 | Run around Thatcham | 4.43 | 51:25 | 5.2 | 132 | 507 | First run since 5-a-side in reading on Thursday. First run with IPod that Nick gave to me. I was slow but felt OK, nice and steady |
13/11/2007 17:41 | Run around Thatcham | 2.16 | 24:14 | 5.3 | 134 | 252 | Felt tired all day after yesterday so I didn't want to go out but I have Poker in reading tomorrow so thought I should. felt OK. the only thing that hurts is my right foot, I'm not sure if my trainers are good for me? |
15/11/2007 17:30 | Cold Run around Thatcham | 3.7 | 42:08 | 5.3 | 137 | 438 | My foot has been hurting. I tried to convince myself that I should rest, and that it was too cold but I went out anyway. I'm definitely not getting faster |
Weekly Total | 10.29 | ||||||
19 Nov 2007 | 25 Nov 2007 | 20 weeks to go | |||||
Date | Name | Miles |
Time | Avg. speed (mph) |
Avg. HR (bpm) |
Calories | Notes |
19/11/2007 16:57 | Run around every Thatcham house I've lived in | 5.19 | 1:00:59 | 5.1 | 139 | 590 | Heard today that I've got a place in the marathon. Pouring with rain. Foot still painful |
22/11/2007 17:42 | Slow run | 2.2 | 24:43 | 5.3 | 134 | 260 | My legs have felt gradually worse since the 5 miles on Monday. All OK though except my right foot is killing me. |
Weekly Total | 7.39 | ||||||
26 Nov 2007 | 02 Dec 2007 | 19 weeks to go | |||||
Date | Name | Miles |
Time | Avg. speed (mph) |
Avg. HR (bpm) |
Calories | Notes |
29/11/2007 19:40 | Run with old trainers | 3.6 | 37:28 | 5.8 | 140 | 430 | I haven't been out for a while because my foot has been hurting. Decided to run with my old trainers - much better and I was flying! |
Weekly Total | 3.6 | ||||||
03 Dec 2007 | 09 Dec 2007 | 18 weeks to go | |||||
Date | Name | Miles |
Time | Avg. speed (mph) |
Avg. HR (bpm) |
Calories | Notes |
03/12/2007 17:46 | Run After Physio | 5.23 | 1:00:33 | 5.2 | 133 | 611 | Saw physio about foot - my trainers are wrong for me. She said I had amazing thighs! I ran again with my old trainers. Felt a bit sluggish - not surprising after works do in Putney and Schezuan on Saturday. But felt I could go for a long one until my neck started to hurt a lot so I headed home (thought at once stage I would have to phone Nicki to come and get me) |
06/12/2007 17:10 | Run from Work | 2.75 | 26:19 | 6.3 | 151 | 326 | Car was getting a recall fixed so I arranged to run home from work. Felt really quick, thought I would get tired later but I didn't. |
Weekly Total | 7.98 | ||||||
10 Dec 2007 | 16 Dec 2007 | 17 weeks to go | |||||
Date | Name | Miles |
Time | Avg. speed (mph) |
Avg. HR (bpm) |
Calories | Notes |
10/12/2007 06:03 | Early Monday morning run | 4.1 | 41:22 | 5.9 | 138 | 488 | Couldn't sleep so Nicki persuaded me to get out at 6am. Felt OK, still using old trainers. Ran around Thatcham and then picked up my car from the Crickets |
11/12/2007 18:21 | Run from Work | 3.78 | 39:49 | 5.7 | 138 | 453 | Ran a long route back from work. Got lost around Southend - I thought I knew everywhere in Thatcham? |
Weekly Total | 7.88 | ||||||
17 Dec 2007 | 23 Dec 2007 | 16 weeks to go | |||||
Date | Name | Miles |
Time | Avg. speed (mph) |
Avg. HR (bpm) |
Calories | Notes |
17/12/2007 18:09 | Run with Julian and Nick | 4.4 | 46:58 | 5.6 | 139 | 508 | Julian's first run - he was slow!! Then joined Nick and we really pushed it - felt good |
Weekly Total | 4.4 | ||||||
24 Dec 2007 | 30 Dec 2007 | 15 weeks to go | |||||
Weekly Total | 0 | ||||||
31 Dec 2007 | 06 Jan 2008 | 14 weeks to go | |||||
Date | Name | Miles |
Time | Avg. speed (mph) |
Avg. HR (bpm) |
Calories | Notes |
01/01/2008 14:43 | First Run in New Year Run (with Pika) | 2.8 | 27:14 | 6.2 | 140 | 319 | First run after Finland, with new (neutral) trainers. Decided to take Pika. She was quite good until she saw saw a half-eaten kekab and nearly broke my wrist. My right foot still hurt a bit for just a few minutes. |
02/01/2008 20:05 | Long Run with Julian | 7.38 | 1:19:24 | 5.6 | 143 | 889 | Nick is still injured after his ice skating accident. Julian wanted to go at 8pm. Felt too late but had tea first and then went out. He is much, much fitter than last time. We went round the loop twice. Longest run so far. Chatting all the way. Foot hurt a little but not bad |
Weekly Total | 10.18 | ||||||
07 Jan 2008 | 13 Jan 2008 | 13 weeks to go | |||||
Date | Name | Miles |
Time | Avg. speed (mph) |
Avg. HR (bpm) |
Calories | Notes |
07/01/2008 18:08 | Monday Route twice | 5.67 | 1:01:39 | 5.5 | 135 | 674 | Chris Hudson came with us. We probably went a bit too fast for his first run. It's encouraging to realise how fit I am compared with someone who is fit but not used to running. It's amazing (and a bit annoying) how quick Julian has caught up with me. We would have gone a bit longer but I was dying for a shit! |
08/01/2008 17:31 | Run with Pika and then on my own | 4.33 | 46.28 | 5.6 | 140 | 506 | Did first 2.5 miles with Pika. She was good. But she did a big shit which I had to carry round in a poo bag for half a mile. I felt a bit tired (I did over 5 miles yesterday). Foot hasn't hurt for two complete runs. Maybe physio was right. |
Weekly Total | 10 | ||||||
14 Jan 2008 | 20 Jan 2008 | 12 weeks to go | |||||
Date | Name | Miles |
Time | Avg. speed (mph) |
Avg. HR (bpm) |
Calories | Notes |
15/01/2008 17:40 | First run for ages | 3.43 | 36:02 | 5.7 | 144 | 402 | I have been ill for a week now - it has badly affected my training. This was the most difficult run I have done so far. I felt really bad, thought I was going to cough my guts up at any moment. And it was absolutely teaming with rain. Anyway, I did it, and then collapsed on the sofa |
16/01/2008 19:02 | Another run feeling bad | 4.71 | 50:22 | 5.6 | 138 | 557 | I still feel really bad but I've got to start piling on the miles. Went out with Pika for first mile. Why does she always have to shit. And why does it always have to be nowhere near a bin. There were loads of people out running tonight. Felt OK. My neck hasn't hurt for a while - maybe I'm running more freer? I probably could have gone further but had to get back to watch West Ham at Man City (3rd round FA Cup replay). We got beat! |
19/01/2008 10:03 | Run back from Greenham Common | 6.09 | 1:06:28 | 5.5 | 139 | 731 | We all took Pika for a walk and I ran back through Newbury. Felt really tired and slow. I was overtaken by two old women as I was struggling up the hill past the garden centre (well, a slight incline then). I thought about saying something like "I always hit the wall at 20 miles" |
Weekly Total | 14.23 | ||||||
21 Jan 2008 | 27 Jan 2008 | 11 weeks to go | |||||
Date | Name | Miles |
Time | Avg. speed (mph) |
Avg. HR (bpm) |
Calories | Notes |
23/01/2008 17:54 | Longest run so far | 8.5 | 1:37:22 | 5.2 | 134 | 999 | Still not feeling completely right. Still get headaches every day. No idea what's wrong with me. But I felt OK tonight. Not bad considering I had loads to drink last night - went to Nawab with Nicki (they spilled a plate of curry down my coat). Didn't plan to go so long but felt OK. Slow though. I actually ran almost one third of a marathon - I don't know if that is encouraging or not |
24/01/2008 17:25 | Run home from work | 3.86 | 41:31 | 5.6 | 134 | 455 | I thought I would feel really tired after yesterday's efforts but I felt OK. The only problem I have is that I need to wee after a few miles. It's a real pain. I am definitely over my illness so I can push on a bit now. The fundraising is also going well - 65 % now. People have been very generous. |
27/01/2008 10:15 | Run through countryside | 8.02 | 1:31:52 | 5.2 | 138 | 935 | My first run in daylight so I decided to go up to Bucklebury and Cold Ash. Harts Hill was really hard, I felt really tired and very slow but I just kept going, I had to because I was miles from home!. I couldn't help noticing how I was greeted differently in Bucklebury and Cold Ash. "Hello, nice day" or "Good morning". It reduced to a nod in Ashmore Green, and then a stare with a "What the f*** are you doing" kind of look in Thatcham. |
Weekly Total | 20.38 | ||||||
28 Jan 2008 | 03 Feb 2008 | 10 weeks to go | |||||
Date | Name | Miles |
Time | Avg. speed (mph) |
Avg. HR (bpm) |
Calories | Notes |
30/01/2008 07:04 | Early morning run with Julian | 4.14 | 43:05 | 5.8 | 135 | 498 | Julian persuaded me to set out at 7am. Not nice, waking up to an alarm clock, I'm not used to that. Nice easy run, watching the sun come up. |
02/02/2008 10:47 | From Snelsmore | 10 | 1:46:45 | 5.6 | 147 | 1,189 | It's been a bad week. Nicki has been out twice and I went to see West Ham beat Liverpool so I wanted to do a big one today. We all took Pika over to Snelsmore. It was freezing cold. Got a bit lost and had to negotiate the A34 and M4 junction. Hard work, it's not getting easier. Really tricky, sliding on the ice. Caught a glimpse of my reflection in one of those mirrors people use to reverse out on to a busy road. I do look a bit stupid in this running gear. And I might stuff a sock down there next time I go out during the day. Neck was very painful (and my nipples for the first time) but furthest so far! |
03/02/2008 16:04 | Guilt run with Julian and Nick | 5.19 | 50:59 | 6.1 | 152 | 617 | Julian was upset that I went out on my own yesterday (I did phone and email him!). So I had to go out today with him and Nick. I was, understandably, very tired and I think Julian was punishing me a bit. I went home after 5 miles and left Julian and Nick to go a bit further but I have to pleased with being able to 5 miles a day after running 10 yesterday. |
Weekly Total | 19.33 | ||||||
04 Feb 2008 | 10 Feb 2008 | 9 weeks to go | |||||
Date | Name | Miles |
Time | Avg. speed (mph) |
Avg. HR (bpm) |
Calories | Notes |
06/02/2008 18:06 | With Nick, Julian and Chris | 8.81 | 01:30:24 | 5.8 | 142 | 1,056 | Nice to run with 3 other people. Ended up with me and Julian doing quite a big run. I was telling Julian that I was pleased to have no injuries and then tripped over a kerb. Julian wanted to race the last bit, and then sped off, I couldn't keep up. He has got fit so quickly. He pisses me off frankly. But he is built like an Ethiopian |
Weekly Total | 8.81 | ||||||
11 Feb 2008 | 17 Feb 2008 | 8 weeks to go | |||||
Update 12th April - Disaster 30 minutes after getting back from the 9 mile run, I couldn't walk. My achilles tendon was killing me. Went to Physio on Friday. He reckons I'll be out of action for at least 2 weeks. Looks like I'm out of the Reading half marathon. I am praying that I still have time for London. But achilles are difficult to heal. I can afford to miss two weeks, but not much more. Spent the weekend on crutches, I don't exactly look like someone who will run the marathon in April |
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Weekly Total | 0 | ||||||
18 Feb 2008 | 24 Feb 2008 | 7 weeks to go | |||||
Date | Name | Miles |
Time | Avg. speed (mph) |
Avg. HR (bpm) |
Calories | Notes |
18/02/2008 | Run/walk up and down the lane | 1 | It is healing, but very slowly. I still can't walk properly, let alone run. I feel like a failure. The irony is that I got this injury because I was getting so fit. My physio suggested some sets of walking for 4 minutes and then slow jog for 1 minute. It was painful to start with but did ease up once I warmed up a bit | ||||
Weekly Total | 1 | ||||||
25 Feb 2008 | 02 Mar 2008 | 7 weeks to go | |||||
Date | Name | Miles |
Time | Avg. speed (mph) |
Avg. HR (bpm) |
Calories | Notes |
01/03/2008 14:23 | Walk/slow jog up and down the lane | 1.99 | 05:47:00 | 4 | 117 | 197 | I'm getting desperate. As well
the physio, I am also seeing a weird acupuncturist. She really hurt me; all
she could say was that I had a lot of chi! I had 2 good days when my achilles was not hurting much, but this morning it was agony walking round Newbury. Anyway, I have to start running again so I did what the physio said – 4 minutes walk, 1 minute slow jog for half an hour. And it was OK. I’m hoping it won’t start hurting after the exercise, but it’s a little bit of encouragement. I averaged 4 miles an hour, so it would take me 7 hours to do the marathon at that pace. I wonder what time they re-open the road to traffic. |
02/03/2008 19:01 | Walk/slow jog | 2.12 | 31:44:00 | 4 | 112 | 206 | I was supposed to be running in
the Reading Half Marathon today. It was a really nice sunny day so that would
have been a really enjoyable run. Instead, I spent the morning watching
Charlie play football, limping because my achilles was hurting so much. I
went out for a walk/jog in the evening for half an hour. Thatcham was like
South Central LA, speeding boy racers tearing through the estate, police
sirens everywhere. Like yesterday, the achilles wasn't too bad, until I stepped in a hole in the pavement, right on my bad ankle, and screamed. I'm still hoping that I'll be able to get enough miles in to limp round on the day |
Weekly Total | 4.11 | ||||||
03 Mar 2008 | 09 Mar 2008 | 6 weeks to go | |||||
Date | Name | Miles |
Time | Avg. speed (mph) |
Avg. HR (bpm) |
Calories | Notes |
03/03/2008 19:16 | Walk/slow jog | 2.5 | 36:42:00 | 4.1 | 106 | 241 | It's been hurting most of the day. I phone Cancer Research and told them I was injured. They suggested deferring my place till next year, or maybe the New York Marathon in November. No joggers out tonight, I suppose everyone did the Reading Half yesterday. Again, I went very slowly, and again, it felt OK |
04/03/2008 19:00 | Walk/jog around Newbury | 3.24 | 45:08:00 | 4.3 | 115 | 331 | While Charlie was at football training. Felt OK, and I was getting confident. Then I nearly keeled over when I twisted my foot on an uneven kerb. Achilles hurting for 5 minutes afterwards. I wish this thing would go one way or the other - either get better so I can start running properly, or completely fail me so I can resign myself to defeat, and stop paying for physio, acupuncture etc. |
06/03/2008 18:28 | Walk/run | 2.18 | 31:36:00 | 4.1 | 114 | 218 | Phil Harris (physio) was trying
to get me up to see a sports injury specialist for an ultrasound but he
couldn't get me an appointment, and it was £109, so we decided my best bet
was new trainers - with pronation support, rather than neutral. It will be my
third pair! Took Pika up and down the lane for first 10 minutes, she was a nightmare (she has been badly behaved since she had her bits done - she bit through the Sky cables yesterday! I felt OK tonight, again very slow, but no pain. I was running without a limp, until I went up the slightest incline (I suppose it stretches the tendon more when you go uphill). I will be out of action for a few days because I need an eye operation tomorrow for ptosis, "very common, but usually in old people" - wtf |
09/03/2008 16:13 | Argument down the lane in the rain | 4.25 | 55:34:00 | 4.6 | 132 | 437 | Had the eye op on Friday. I'm
not supposed to do any strenuous exercise for two weeks, but my running is
not exactly strenuous so I think I'm OK. Took Pika up and down the lane to start with. She was bit by another dog and chased by a bloke, big argument. People are so nice and friendly. First run with new running shoes (designed for pronators) and they felt OK. Longest run for a while, in the pouring rain, I feel a bit optimistic for a change! |
Weekly Total | 12.17 | ||||||
10 Mar 2008 | 16 Mar 2008 | 5 weeks to go | |||||
Date | Name | Miles |
Time | Avg. speed (mph) |
Avg. HR (bpm) |
Calories | Notes |
12/03/2008 17:49 | Tired and cold run around Thatcham | 4.6 | 59:24:00 | 4.6 | 123 | 499 | I have decided to walk/run on all my runs, as well as in the marathon itself. It feels like cheating a bit, but it's the only way for me this time round. My achilles was hurting after a mile but I walked for a bit and the pain went away. I felt tired though. I need to get the fitness back |
13/03/2008 17:53 | Picked Pika up from Mum and Dad's | 2.48 | 34:04:00 | 4.4 | 112 | 246 | Nice gentle run/walk (mainly walk!). Don't want to overdo it. My right foot started to hurt in the same place as it hurt with my first trainers (they were similar to the new ones). I might have to wear a different trainer on each foot - shame they are different colours! |
16/03/2008 10:42 | A cold and very wet Sunday morning | 10 | 1:57:13 | 4.8 | 129 | 968 | The achilles has hardly hurt over the last few days. Exactly four weeks to go. Everyone advises to taper the trainging with three weeks to go, so I've got this week to get some miles in. Set off up Lawrences's lane, had to jump over the floods (good test for the achilles) and run against the freezing wind. Took it easy and felt OK. I even considered going on a bit further but I didn't want to risk it. |
Update 17th March My achilles was fine until about 3 hours after the last run, and then it got steadily worse until I couldn't walk at all by the time I went to bed. I thought the whole marathon was over. But I woke up and it was fine. It has hurt a bit all week though. |
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Weekly Total | 17.08 | ||||||
17 Mar 2008 | 23 Mar 2008 | 4 weeks to go | |||||
Date | Name | Miles |
Time | Avg. speed (mph) |
Avg. HR (bpm) |
Calories | Notes |
19/03/2008 18:42 | Walk with boys and Pika | 2.3 | 00:37:37 | 3.7 | 103 | 207 | Tonight was only a walk really. First mile with the Robert (on his Heelies) and Charlie (on his bike) and Pika. Charlie said he will do a marathon when he's older. I went very slow, and not far, because it still hurts after last Sunday. I'm planning a long one this weekend. |
22/03/2008 09:54 | Longest and coldest so far | 16.1 | 03:33:38 | 4.5 | 134 | 1,691 | Snow, sleet and hail. Spoke to Ged Adams (he has run 2 marathons) and he reckoned I need to do a 15/16 mile run before the big day. I really wanted to test my achilles, I would rather have it fail me on a training run than in London. It was freezing - TV said a windchill of minus 2. Went up through Cold Ash and Frilsham. The achilles was fine. I had more problems with the other foot, hurting at the top, same as before Xmas. I was wearing odd trainers, not sure if that was a good idea. Felt so good after 13.1 miles (half marathon) so I went down towards Siege Cross, which I regretted when I turned round into a strong headwind and hailstones. The achilles didn't even hurt that night, or next day. I will almost certainly be there at the start in 3 weeks time. |
Weekly Total | 18.4 | ||||||
24 Mar 2008 | 30 Mar 2008 | 3 weeks to go | |||||
Date | Name | Miles |
Time | Avg. speed (mph) |
Avg. HR (bpm) |
Calories | Notes |
25/03/2008 19:08 | No walking and no pain | 3.86 | 00:43:36 | 5.3 | 139 | 439 | Round Newbury while Charlie was at football training. Ran all the way, except for first 5 minutes warm up. Achilles felt really strong but I felt tired (still got Saturday's 16 miles in my legs). |
27th March - My Bithday Nick and Karen bought me a DVD - Run Fat Boy Run. It's about a fat person running the marathon. Very appropriate. |
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29/03/2008 11:05 | Half Marathon with Julian | 13.18 | 02:37:03 | 5 | 141 | 1,458 | 2 weeks to go. Last long run, First training run without gloves, we must be getting into Spring. It was was freezing in the rain though. Julian's bald head was cold! We planned to do about 9 or 10 miles then thought we might as well do a half marathon (like you do). Felt tired, still can't imagine doing that twice! Achilles was a bit painful afterwards but I don't think I've done enough damage to keep me out of the marathon in 2 weeks time. For the next 2 weeks its short runs, rest and eating pasta, I think I'll fnd that a bit easier. |
Weekly Total | 17.04 | ||||||
31 Mar 2008 | 06 Apr 2008 | 2 weeks to go | |||||
Date | Name | Miles |
Time | Avg. speed (mph) |
Avg. HR (bpm) |
Calories | Notes |
01/04/2008 17:58 | First run in shorts | 3.17 | 00:32:34 | 5.8 | 144 | 378 | Warm enough to warm shorts (just). Nice easy jog round normal route. Felt really good at first but then my legs stared to feel tired (I did a half marathon 3 days ago). Right hamstring felt tight - I'll ask Nicki to massage it tonight :-) |
02/04/2008 18:26 | Normal route with Nick | 3.16 | 00:32:30 | 5.8 | 138 | 372 | Not sure if I should be running on two consecutive nights. I would hate to overdo now. But it was nice and gentle. Exactly the same pace as I did yesterday so at least I am consistent (ly slow). |
Weekly Total | 6.33 | ||||||
07 Apr 2008 | 13 Apr 2008 | Last week | |||||
Date | Name | Miles |
Time | Avg. speed (mph) |
Avg. HR (bpm) |
Calories | Notes |
08/04/2008 18:21 | Last run before the big day | 2.19 | 00:35:37 | 3.7 | 107 | 219 | My hamstrings have been aching for the last 3 days. I have no idea why - I haven't done anything. I wanted to give my legs a bit of a stretch. This was a gentle walk round the lakes with Nicki, Robert, Charlie and Pika and then a slow jog back home. 5 days to go, just eating from now till then. I am frightened! I keep waking up in the middle of the night thinking about the marathon. |
Four days to go. I | London Marathon | 27.88 | 05:48:00 | 4.8 | 154 | 2,987 | The night before was terrible,
only slept for a couple of hours. I started right at the back, thought it would be better to be with the slower runners so I didn't go off too quickly. My Achilles started to hurt after a mile. I was a bit worried but it was fine after it warmed up. I took it really easy. I was overtaken by a few rhinos, Batman and Mr Tickle. I didn't see the 101 year old, perhaps he was ahead of me. I met up with Nicki, the boys, Mum, Dad and Colin at miles 11, 15 and 18. Met Vlad and Sandra just before Tower Bridge and saw Gill, George, Jodie and George at Canary Wharf. The rain was freezing. I felt great all the way to mile 14, then struggled but picked up towards the end, I even overtook Mr Tickle and a huge inflatable telephone. The most painful part was pulling the super-strong blister plasters off my nipples. I should have shaved them first! It's all over, don't ever have to do it again. Thanks to everyone who sponsored me. |
Weekly Total | 30.07 | ||||||
Grand Total | 256.7 | ||||||