I think I might be in a bit of trouble.
You remember that king-sized blister I mentioned last night? Well it is really, REALLY painful. Walking on it is a bit tricky, so you can forget running. What's more is that I'm sure the calf injury is as a result of the blister....blister on foot = running instinctively trying to avoid putting weight on said blister = straining the leg = guess what??? injuring muscles in said leg.
If only I had worked this out before it happened then it might not have happened (who am I trying to kid??....I'd still have gone blundering out running when I shouldn't!) as now it is looking suspiciously like a no-running weekend. I am not prepared to risk the war for the sake of a battle. A few days rest and then carrying on is surely going to be a better option than going out for a run and REALLY knackering my leg, and along with it my chances of running London.
I can't help but be worried. Things were going so well, and now I am going backwards merely by standing still. Not fun.
Like so many things however, I can moan by arse off about it, but it's still going to have to be the same decision. So; I can make the decision, and waste the weekend in worry, or I can make the decision and enjoy the rest, catch up on all that 'stuff' that keeps piling up, and get my leg and foot back to full fitness. Does that sound like a no-brainer to you?? Yep, me too.
Also going to use the weekend to find a solution to the blister thing (sorry to keep going on about it, but it HURTS!!) - asides from not being an idiot and running 14 miles in a new pair of running shoes that is - I feel some googling coming on.
Long journey home tonight as usual, and it's time for a very early night. Had my beans on toast for tea, and the electric blanket should by now be the approximate temperature of a nuclear reactor (it's chilly out theeeerre! nothing better than hopping into a toasty - or in this case third-degree burn scalding - bed!!).
Nightie night.
P.S. 52 days......
Thursday 28 February 2013
Wednesday 27 February 2013
Boost!
Amazing how things work out eh? The day began with blocked ear, sniffles and worry; and yet I lie here on the bed (don't get carried away; wearing my sweats.....how's that for a cold shower if it were needed?) before bedtime with a smile on my face. So what occurred?
Nothing much at the beginning; but I did notice some clickedy-clicking in my dickie ear every time I blew my nose (clickedy-clicking.....key medical term THAT one) and it felt like it was slowly clearing up. Still felt pretty rough though and was feeling anything but confident that going for a run was going to be the best move in my current state. I concluded to 'see how it goes'; which is the colloquial term for 'not a chance'.
Then it happened.
Do you remember the Olympic Saturday night when - in the space of an hour - Team GB won three gold medals? Well it felt kind of like that when I checked my e-mails to find 'Virgin Money Giving' telling me that 'someone has just sponsored you'; lovely boost, and perfectly timed from Wee Ali (remember her?!).
Then, quite amazingly, as I was clearing the other e-mails, up popped another sponsorship!! Now this one was exceptionally exciting as the donor wished to remain anonymous!!! AAAAAAAAAAAGGHH. Who are you anonymous person? Well, whoever you are; my thanks to you. Sure you don't want to spill the beans and tell me who you are? or do you prefer the old adage of 'do good and disappear'?!
If that was amazing, then what happened next had my socks blown off so far they were stuck to the ceiling. Yes; another one baby! This time my brother and his lovely lady (on the promise that I pop in to Fortnums on the way past to pick up some buns on the way; what an image that would be!!). Boost on boost on boost; not a bad way to spend an hour or so.
AND may I add; all these donations coming on top of Gavin's that broke the sponsorship duck. Quite extraordinarily, I wrote the sponsorship launch blogpost, and before I had even exited the site he had already given!! We are on our way.
What a day, and after all that there was no way on earth I wasn't going out for a run tonight; and now here I am, four more miles under the belt, in sweet repose, ear still feeling a bit funny but much less blocked, blister reeeeeally sore and I need to do something about that before Sunday's biggie (looking more likely now as poorly boy is not so poorly) or else it is not going to be pleasant, also have a bit of a calf strain (so I'm taking it to the vets......fnar fnar) but a few days rest should hopefully do the trick.
Not out of the woods yet, but the trees are thinning out and sunlight is starting to break through.
53 days and still counting!
Nothing much at the beginning; but I did notice some clickedy-clicking in my dickie ear every time I blew my nose (clickedy-clicking.....key medical term THAT one) and it felt like it was slowly clearing up. Still felt pretty rough though and was feeling anything but confident that going for a run was going to be the best move in my current state. I concluded to 'see how it goes'; which is the colloquial term for 'not a chance'.
Then it happened.
Do you remember the Olympic Saturday night when - in the space of an hour - Team GB won three gold medals? Well it felt kind of like that when I checked my e-mails to find 'Virgin Money Giving' telling me that 'someone has just sponsored you'; lovely boost, and perfectly timed from Wee Ali (remember her?!).
Then, quite amazingly, as I was clearing the other e-mails, up popped another sponsorship!! Now this one was exceptionally exciting as the donor wished to remain anonymous!!! AAAAAAAAAAAGGHH. Who are you anonymous person? Well, whoever you are; my thanks to you. Sure you don't want to spill the beans and tell me who you are? or do you prefer the old adage of 'do good and disappear'?!
If that was amazing, then what happened next had my socks blown off so far they were stuck to the ceiling. Yes; another one baby! This time my brother and his lovely lady (on the promise that I pop in to Fortnums on the way past to pick up some buns on the way; what an image that would be!!). Boost on boost on boost; not a bad way to spend an hour or so.
AND may I add; all these donations coming on top of Gavin's that broke the sponsorship duck. Quite extraordinarily, I wrote the sponsorship launch blogpost, and before I had even exited the site he had already given!! We are on our way.
What a day, and after all that there was no way on earth I wasn't going out for a run tonight; and now here I am, four more miles under the belt, in sweet repose, ear still feeling a bit funny but much less blocked, blister reeeeeally sore and I need to do something about that before Sunday's biggie (looking more likely now as poorly boy is not so poorly) or else it is not going to be pleasant, also have a bit of a calf strain (so I'm taking it to the vets......fnar fnar) but a few days rest should hopefully do the trick.
Not out of the woods yet, but the trees are thinning out and sunlight is starting to break through.
53 days and still counting!
Tuesday 26 February 2013
Tired Little Soldier
Still deaf in one ear, still sniffley, still knackered, still crazeeee.....after all these years......
.....54 days to do......
......and so to bed xx
.....54 days to do......
......and so to bed xx
Monday 25 February 2013
.....As A Bear's Behind
In case you hadn't worked it out; at this 55-days-to-go mark I am feeling rough. I tell you; this is needed about as much as the proverbial; ironically I currently feel like I do actually have a hole in my head.
I guess it was inevitable that with the coughs and splutters which fly around an office, I would eventually succumb; thought I might have dodged it though. It's not debilitating enough to be off work (at least not for me......mommy's bwave little soldier), but enough to be extremely tiring, and extremely irritating; particularly the fact that I have gone stone deaf in my right ear. I've stuck so much olive oil down there (meant to 'soften the wax'; if it is indeed wax) you could shove in a couple of leaves of lettuce, croutons and a boiled egg and you have the makings of a Caesear Salad (sooooooo sorry for that one; it's widely acknowledged that a joke that bad can poison the brain if not released!).
.....at least I haven't lost my sense of humour......
I am genuinely worried about the training though; really can't afford to miss a week with the big day so close. At the moment, upping the training as I am every Sunday gets me to eighteen miles before tapering down (reduce the mileage a fortnight before the race to conserve energy); I feel I need to be at this level for that all important confidence boost. At this rate I fear I may be missing one, two, or all of my training and heaven knows what effect a setback like that might have (I think, 'bad' would be an accurate generalisation).
Plus I broke in a new pair of running shoes on Sunday and I have a STONKING blister to show for it (note to self, when first wearing a new pair of running shoes, do not take them on a fourteen miler!). Apart from all that everything is fine.
Still; it is what it is. When you're not well everything seems to be so much harder; and a marathon that a week ago seemed like a walk in Davenport Park now feels like scaling Kilimanjaro; minor worries that can be laughed off now seem like insurmountable problems.
So what am I going to do? What I always do (and no, that isn't to hide in the corner of a room, in the dark, rocking back and forth until it all goes away), and that is to realise this won't last forever, to relax, and make a plan. I'm going to have tonight and tomorrow night off; then if I am able to walk, I will be going for a run. Okay, it might be a two minute one, but I will don the gear and at least keep my body on it's toes (metaphorically and literally), not to mention giving me the mental boost of at least having a go.
As for the long run on Sunday, I guess time will tell. If I'm feeling fitter I will give that a crack too, possibly go for a shorter one, or - perish the thought - give it a miss altogether. Like everything else, we'll take it one day at a time.
I guess it was inevitable that with the coughs and splutters which fly around an office, I would eventually succumb; thought I might have dodged it though. It's not debilitating enough to be off work (at least not for me......mommy's bwave little soldier), but enough to be extremely tiring, and extremely irritating; particularly the fact that I have gone stone deaf in my right ear. I've stuck so much olive oil down there (meant to 'soften the wax'; if it is indeed wax) you could shove in a couple of leaves of lettuce, croutons and a boiled egg and you have the makings of a Caesear Salad (sooooooo sorry for that one; it's widely acknowledged that a joke that bad can poison the brain if not released!).
.....at least I haven't lost my sense of humour......
I am genuinely worried about the training though; really can't afford to miss a week with the big day so close. At the moment, upping the training as I am every Sunday gets me to eighteen miles before tapering down (reduce the mileage a fortnight before the race to conserve energy); I feel I need to be at this level for that all important confidence boost. At this rate I fear I may be missing one, two, or all of my training and heaven knows what effect a setback like that might have (I think, 'bad' would be an accurate generalisation).
Plus I broke in a new pair of running shoes on Sunday and I have a STONKING blister to show for it (note to self, when first wearing a new pair of running shoes, do not take them on a fourteen miler!). Apart from all that everything is fine.
Still; it is what it is. When you're not well everything seems to be so much harder; and a marathon that a week ago seemed like a walk in Davenport Park now feels like scaling Kilimanjaro; minor worries that can be laughed off now seem like insurmountable problems.
So what am I going to do? What I always do (and no, that isn't to hide in the corner of a room, in the dark, rocking back and forth until it all goes away), and that is to realise this won't last forever, to relax, and make a plan. I'm going to have tonight and tomorrow night off; then if I am able to walk, I will be going for a run. Okay, it might be a two minute one, but I will don the gear and at least keep my body on it's toes (metaphorically and literally), not to mention giving me the mental boost of at least having a go.
As for the long run on Sunday, I guess time will tell. If I'm feeling fitter I will give that a crack too, possibly go for a shorter one, or - perish the thought - give it a miss altogether. Like everything else, we'll take it one day at a time.
Sunday 24 February 2013
Thank You For The Music.......Champions
14 miles......done!
I almost added 'no problem' to the above, but that would be what is called in the English vernacular as....LYING!! It's a reeeally long way. There was the usual mucking about before setting off, but in the end I took it in my stride (albeit a shortening one towards the end). The route works well with predominantly downhilly bits at the start; okay, this means uphilly bits towards the end; but that's the encouraging part of that phrase; 'towards the end'. Once I hit the hardest part of the journey I am almost almost home.
Twenty-six miles does feel like a long way away; but I'm just going to have to trust the training schedules and advice of all those runners that have done before me. If you can run 18-20 miles in training, this will get you to marathon distance on the day.
The weight loss is certainly having an effect; but not quite in the way I expected. Rather than making the run easier, it feels just as hard; the difference being that I am running faster. I need to check my stopwatch, as if it is to be believed; I have just run 14 miles, a quarter hour faster than I ran the 13 miles of Newcastle (less that ten minute miles!). I don't feel like I'm going all that fast, but maybe the increased fitness is doing the trick, and 'not all that fast' is a level that is getting faster!
One mistake I did make was playing the theme tune to 'Champions' on the Ipod with a mile to go; it always gets to me. Champions is a semi-famous movie based on the true story of Bob Champion and Aldaniti; winners of the Grand National after the former underwent treatment for cancer and the latter recovered from a career-threatening injury. I remember watching the incredible race, and as you can no doubt guess, it is a very emotional a film. The theme tune is instrumental, and let me tell you I have never heard a piece of music with more feeling; it is both desperately sad, and hugely inspiring.
If there was ever a tune which was to summarise all that has gone on in the last two years - and hopefully what will be happening in the next eight weeks - this is it. The overweight man with no hope of being anything else, the personal declaration that this is unacceptable, the first faltering steps on a longer journey, and ultimately the joy of success (which, finish the marathon or not; this has still been......but I still think I will!).
So how can one instrumental track say all this? Well, you'll just have to download it to see........or......hear.......
8 weeks - 56 days - to go!
I almost added 'no problem' to the above, but that would be what is called in the English vernacular as....LYING!! It's a reeeally long way. There was the usual mucking about before setting off, but in the end I took it in my stride (albeit a shortening one towards the end). The route works well with predominantly downhilly bits at the start; okay, this means uphilly bits towards the end; but that's the encouraging part of that phrase; 'towards the end'. Once I hit the hardest part of the journey I am almost almost home.
Twenty-six miles does feel like a long way away; but I'm just going to have to trust the training schedules and advice of all those runners that have done before me. If you can run 18-20 miles in training, this will get you to marathon distance on the day.
The weight loss is certainly having an effect; but not quite in the way I expected. Rather than making the run easier, it feels just as hard; the difference being that I am running faster. I need to check my stopwatch, as if it is to be believed; I have just run 14 miles, a quarter hour faster than I ran the 13 miles of Newcastle (less that ten minute miles!). I don't feel like I'm going all that fast, but maybe the increased fitness is doing the trick, and 'not all that fast' is a level that is getting faster!
One mistake I did make was playing the theme tune to 'Champions' on the Ipod with a mile to go; it always gets to me. Champions is a semi-famous movie based on the true story of Bob Champion and Aldaniti; winners of the Grand National after the former underwent treatment for cancer and the latter recovered from a career-threatening injury. I remember watching the incredible race, and as you can no doubt guess, it is a very emotional a film. The theme tune is instrumental, and let me tell you I have never heard a piece of music with more feeling; it is both desperately sad, and hugely inspiring.
If there was ever a tune which was to summarise all that has gone on in the last two years - and hopefully what will be happening in the next eight weeks - this is it. The overweight man with no hope of being anything else, the personal declaration that this is unacceptable, the first faltering steps on a longer journey, and ultimately the joy of success (which, finish the marathon or not; this has still been......but I still think I will!).
So how can one instrumental track say all this? Well, you'll just have to download it to see........or......hear.......
8 weeks - 56 days - to go!
Saturday 23 February 2013
You Can't Beat A Bit Of Downton
Pre-run nerves are already starting! Fortunately (or maybe not!) although the sniffles are no worse they are not really any better either. Still, I'm going to give tomorrow a go; fully prepared to give it up as a lost cause if things are not going well, but I have to try at the very least.
Despite the tidying up, shopping, brewing up, lunch and dinner-making Mum and I had a pretty lazy day. The sore throat sadly prevented me from reading to her - as is one of our pastimes - but didn't stop us from sitting down, chatting, watching the rugby, dropping off to sleep and watching what is fast becoming one of the best TV Series currently airing.
Confession time here, over the last couple of Christmasses, I have been buying Mum the various series DVD box sets of Downton Abbey. Whilst I bought it in the confidence that she would enjoy it, I also bought it in the knowledge that when Mum watched an episode, I would be watching it too! We are now onto the third series.
For those of you who know them; Downton has shades of 'Upstairs, Downstairs' and 'Gosford Park', but for me it is SO much better. It is that rare combination of casting, characters, plots, sub-plots which makes watching only one episode on DVD nigh-on impossible (how people managed when it was on TV I shall never know; only one episode a week?!). Oh, and yes; in case you were wondering, it does have more than it's fair share of romance (and yes: in case you were wondering, there is a common denominator which runs through my favourite TV!). A couple the night before their wedding, kissing with their eyes closed to abide by the 'groom not seeing the bride' rule was sooooooo sweet!
I know I know.....soppy old sod.......
Anyway; I left Mum tucked up in front of the telly, watching Mrs' Browns Boys. and it's time for me to retire (chance would be a fine thing). Good night's sleep urgently required. Nightie night!!
......57 days and counting......
Despite the tidying up, shopping, brewing up, lunch and dinner-making Mum and I had a pretty lazy day. The sore throat sadly prevented me from reading to her - as is one of our pastimes - but didn't stop us from sitting down, chatting, watching the rugby, dropping off to sleep and watching what is fast becoming one of the best TV Series currently airing.
Confession time here, over the last couple of Christmasses, I have been buying Mum the various series DVD box sets of Downton Abbey. Whilst I bought it in the confidence that she would enjoy it, I also bought it in the knowledge that when Mum watched an episode, I would be watching it too! We are now onto the third series.
For those of you who know them; Downton has shades of 'Upstairs, Downstairs' and 'Gosford Park', but for me it is SO much better. It is that rare combination of casting, characters, plots, sub-plots which makes watching only one episode on DVD nigh-on impossible (how people managed when it was on TV I shall never know; only one episode a week?!). Oh, and yes; in case you were wondering, it does have more than it's fair share of romance (and yes: in case you were wondering, there is a common denominator which runs through my favourite TV!). A couple the night before their wedding, kissing with their eyes closed to abide by the 'groom not seeing the bride' rule was sooooooo sweet!
I know I know.....soppy old sod.......
Anyway; I left Mum tucked up in front of the telly, watching Mrs' Browns Boys. and it's time for me to retire (chance would be a fine thing). Good night's sleep urgently required. Nightie night!!
......57 days and counting......
Friday 22 February 2013
Weigh in (85)
You know how I said it would be a dark day if I put on weight again this week? Well, it's looking distinctly bright out there! Yes, by George, by Jiminy and by Jingo, he's got it! Now weighing in at 15 stone 7.6 pounds. So rounding up to 8 pounds means a loss of four (count them with me......one....two.....buckle my shoe.....three.....FOUR... think I might lose some more!) pounds. Get in there!!
Happy? Yes...very. Relieved? Abso-flamin'-lutely! Now not only do I know I can do it, I know what I need to do to do it. A four pounds loss may be a bit extreme; but as the exercise distances increase so to does the need to have less load on the legs. Even I have to admit that the repeated exercise - particularly the endurance sessions - has made my pins extremely lean and looking good, but I still don't want to see them give way like the legs of a cartoon horse when a fat cowboy sits on top of him. Having so much less weight on them will be of huge benefit. Keep going at this rate and I'll be sub-fourteen stone before race-start!! Not likely, but it would be interesting to know how I would look and feel at that sort of weight (I suspect, 'good' and 'great' respectively!); it's secondary school - and early secondary school at that - when I was that lean.
It's going to be a busy weekend by all accounts (would you believe I have already done my packing for work on Monday morning?!!); off to see my ol' Mum tomorrow which is most of the day; then Sunday is a record-breaking (as opposed to record-equalling) run. I fear this weekend is going to race by and I will be typing my pre-return-to-work post before I know it. Looking forward to a Monday night off at the hotel; I send a bit of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Tax Inspector (that's right isn't it?) on DVD.
But, that's later. Tonight is a night for celebration; I confess that I might even treat myself to a Chinese Takeaway. I had one last week so I think I'm safe!
....58 days to go!!
Happy? Yes...very. Relieved? Abso-flamin'-lutely! Now not only do I know I can do it, I know what I need to do to do it. A four pounds loss may be a bit extreme; but as the exercise distances increase so to does the need to have less load on the legs. Even I have to admit that the repeated exercise - particularly the endurance sessions - has made my pins extremely lean and looking good, but I still don't want to see them give way like the legs of a cartoon horse when a fat cowboy sits on top of him. Having so much less weight on them will be of huge benefit. Keep going at this rate and I'll be sub-fourteen stone before race-start!! Not likely, but it would be interesting to know how I would look and feel at that sort of weight (I suspect, 'good' and 'great' respectively!); it's secondary school - and early secondary school at that - when I was that lean.
It's going to be a busy weekend by all accounts (would you believe I have already done my packing for work on Monday morning?!!); off to see my ol' Mum tomorrow which is most of the day; then Sunday is a record-breaking (as opposed to record-equalling) run. I fear this weekend is going to race by and I will be typing my pre-return-to-work post before I know it. Looking forward to a Monday night off at the hotel; I send a bit of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Tax Inspector (that's right isn't it?) on DVD.
But, that's later. Tonight is a night for celebration; I confess that I might even treat myself to a Chinese Takeaway. I had one last week so I think I'm safe!
....58 days to go!!
Thursday 21 February 2013
Mr. Sniffleupagus
...and if you know where that comes from, you are showing your age again!
The usual long drive home, and I am sorry to say am too bone idle to do my strength training. Said strength is at a bit of a premium at the moment as I fear that the germs, coughs and sniffles which have been flying round the office over the last couple of months have finally managed to penetrate my northern exterior. A tickle in the throat has developed into a full on sore one and feeling generally rubbish. Very tired boy tonight and it's definitely time for an early one.
Really hope that whatever this lurgy is, it won't prevent the 14 miler on Sunday. I sense I'm going to be torn between a need to keep to the training schedule, and not risking heavy exercise when not well. Here's hoping a good night's sleep, and intra-venous Lemsip (there's an image; can you imagine THAT episode of ER?!) will nurse me back to health.
Nervous about the weigh-in tomorrow. This is one week where I simply cannot see how I can be putting on weight. I have been a very, VERY good boy (with the exception of missing out on breakfast this morning.....overslept!). Have cut-out the cookies and the naughty crisps, and ran a half marathon last Sunday. Tomorrow will be a dark, dark, darkedy dark dark day if the worst happens.......
59 days to go.
The usual long drive home, and I am sorry to say am too bone idle to do my strength training. Said strength is at a bit of a premium at the moment as I fear that the germs, coughs and sniffles which have been flying round the office over the last couple of months have finally managed to penetrate my northern exterior. A tickle in the throat has developed into a full on sore one and feeling generally rubbish. Very tired boy tonight and it's definitely time for an early one.
Really hope that whatever this lurgy is, it won't prevent the 14 miler on Sunday. I sense I'm going to be torn between a need to keep to the training schedule, and not risking heavy exercise when not well. Here's hoping a good night's sleep, and intra-venous Lemsip (there's an image; can you imagine THAT episode of ER?!) will nurse me back to health.
Nervous about the weigh-in tomorrow. This is one week where I simply cannot see how I can be putting on weight. I have been a very, VERY good boy (with the exception of missing out on breakfast this morning.....overslept!). Have cut-out the cookies and the naughty crisps, and ran a half marathon last Sunday. Tomorrow will be a dark, dark, darkedy dark dark day if the worst happens.......
59 days to go.
Wednesday 20 February 2013
Here We Go!!
I remember talking about the build up to previous runs, and those knee-trembly moments that make them seem that bit more real; those things that make the 10k, half or in this case full marathon loom that much larger on the horizon. Sometimes it's when I book my hotel, maybe it's when the official charity t-shirt arrives; it's definitely when the race pack - including race number - is delivered.
And here - on the 60 day to go mark - is another one of those moments.
For those of you who have been paying attention (and not spending their time reading this blog while the TV is on in the corner of the room, as opposed to me writing this while I have the TV on in the corner of the room; like I would ever do that.........oops.......advert break.....) you will know that after running two out of three runs in aid of the British Heart Foundation in loving memory of my Dad (total of £1,400 raised), I will be running the London Marathon for the excellent charity AGE UK and dedicating it to my Mum! Yes, I am an official member of 'Team Run For It' (also as I recall the name of a notorious gang of shoplifters working just north of Moss Side, Manchester). I'm so excited to be giving my sweat, and I fear blood and tears for such an excellent organisation that helps so many of the older generation; Mum being just one of them.
The target to reach is £1,750 and I am going all out to get there. Work colleagues, work contacts, family, friends, friends of family, friends of friends, family of friends; you name it. I'm even going to try for some media exposure (if you don't ask, you don't get.....okay, in this case if you ask you probably still won't get, but what the hell; I'm giving it a try)!! If I fall short then I promise to make good the difference (it won't be for want of trying); but wouldn't it be great to finish all of this on a high by meeting or even beating the target?
More of the charity - and Mum - later on, but for now it is my great pleasure to launch two things.....the first being the official London sponsorship logo.....
Like it?.....amazing what you can do with Microsoft Powerpoint and a bit of wordart isn't it?
Second, and most importantly, it is my pleasure to officially launch the Fat Man To Marathon Man sponsorship website.......
www.virginmoneygiving.com/adyblady
I hope you've enjoyed the last two years of blogging, and while you are never under any obligation to make a donation; it would be so wonderful if you could.
Are we - am I - really this close to the end of this journey. I can scarcely believe it. Such excitement, exhilaration, happiness, strength, joy and sadness; all at the same time.
At this rate it will be a rather interesting contrast; all the emotion in the build-up will make me a mental wreck at the beginning of the marathon, and a physical wreck by the end!!
And here - on the 60 day to go mark - is another one of those moments.
For those of you who have been paying attention (and not spending their time reading this blog while the TV is on in the corner of the room, as opposed to me writing this while I have the TV on in the corner of the room; like I would ever do that.........oops.......advert break.....) you will know that after running two out of three runs in aid of the British Heart Foundation in loving memory of my Dad (total of £1,400 raised), I will be running the London Marathon for the excellent charity AGE UK and dedicating it to my Mum! Yes, I am an official member of 'Team Run For It' (also as I recall the name of a notorious gang of shoplifters working just north of Moss Side, Manchester). I'm so excited to be giving my sweat, and I fear blood and tears for such an excellent organisation that helps so many of the older generation; Mum being just one of them.
The target to reach is £1,750 and I am going all out to get there. Work colleagues, work contacts, family, friends, friends of family, friends of friends, family of friends; you name it. I'm even going to try for some media exposure (if you don't ask, you don't get.....okay, in this case if you ask you probably still won't get, but what the hell; I'm giving it a try)!! If I fall short then I promise to make good the difference (it won't be for want of trying); but wouldn't it be great to finish all of this on a high by meeting or even beating the target?
More of the charity - and Mum - later on, but for now it is my great pleasure to launch two things.....the first being the official London sponsorship logo.....
Like it?.....amazing what you can do with Microsoft Powerpoint and a bit of wordart isn't it?
Second, and most importantly, it is my pleasure to officially launch the Fat Man To Marathon Man sponsorship website.......
www.virginmoneygiving.com/adyblady
I hope you've enjoyed the last two years of blogging, and while you are never under any obligation to make a donation; it would be so wonderful if you could.
Are we - am I - really this close to the end of this journey. I can scarcely believe it. Such excitement, exhilaration, happiness, strength, joy and sadness; all at the same time.
At this rate it will be a rather interesting contrast; all the emotion in the build-up will make me a mental wreck at the beginning of the marathon, and a physical wreck by the end!!
Tuesday 19 February 2013
Cracked it?.......
61 is the number people. I repeat; 61 days to go!!!!
Feeling a bit more positive this week. Whilst I am not absolutely completely utterly living like an absolute, complete and utter saint; it is a much better performance than last week so far. The differences??
Feeling a bit more positive this week. Whilst I am not absolutely completely utterly living like an absolute, complete and utter saint; it is a much better performance than last week so far. The differences??
I am breakfasting!..and no I don’t mean relapsing into full-englishville.
The temptation for cholesterol hell just isn’t there any more; mind you, with a
bowl of cereal, two rounds of toast AND a bowl of porridge one could hardly
accused me of pecking at my food. It seems to be setting me up nicely for the
day, and a lunchtime cup-a-soup seems to be all I’m ready for during the
day.
Less crisps, no cookies!...I did succumb to a packet of
Quavers with my Subway last night, and the two, four-packs of Snack-a-Jacks are looking rather depleted; but no gooey
bikkies, plus I’m not having cheese on me sarnie. I know these are small
things, but whatever the ‘result’ on Friday; I’m eating better. It also shows I
am being more conscious of what I am shoving in my mouth, which is something I
have forgotten to do over the last month.
Exercising! As well as the ‘Mara’ on Sunday, tonight was the
interval training run with the Spartans. A chilly night – not to mention
leaving work a bit late so having to negotiate a tricky ‘getting changed in the
car while no one is looking as they are going to see oooooh so much more than
they bargained for – but good fun; repeated two minutes ‘bursts’ (eeeeeew,
ew-ew-eeeeeeew) with one minute rests. From my perspective this was bordering
on an all-out sprint; for others, a light bit of jogging……so annoying….they
could have at least puffed and blown a bit……!
So I am cautiously optimistic about Friday’s weigh in. Not
going to set myself up for a fall by expecting a weight loss; whatever happens I
know I am finally going in the right direction. If the result is not what I
want it to be, I will just have to be even stricter. If I can crack it then I
think not only will I lose weight, the increased distances will mean bigger
weight losses. That’s the plan anyway.
Strength session after arriving home Thursday, quick
joggette on Friday night and a day of rest before the Athon on Sunday (gawd
knows what Porthon, Aramin and Dartagnan will say).
No running tomorrow; nevertheless do pop back, as it will be
a very special night, VERY special.
Got you curious now haven’t I? Well; you’ll just have to
tune in to find out what the heck I’m going on about. Mind you, don’t hold your
breath; I have people who have known me for decades and they STILL can’t work
out what language I’m speaking (they just smile and nod).
Monday 18 February 2013
Blaydon.......Adrian Blaydon.......
....62 days to go......
There is something very comforting about hotel rooms sometimes; you know why? It's very simple; it is one room, and when you walk in after a hard days work there is only one logical thing to do......get into bed!!!!
Come on, cut me some slack; half marathon yesterday, up at 4am, four hour drive, full day at work. If that isn't an excuse to get under the covers at an unnaturally early time I don't know what is!
Tuna mash tonight; plus a couple of packs of Snack-a-jacks (oooh I could crush a grape....nope.....got that wrong....) while 'Skyfall' plays on the laptop. There are worse ways to spend an evening...!
A shortie today; BUT.....up nice and early for a porridge-fest (oh the images that conjures up; possible a Glee-type musical number?) even if it kills me (the getting up, not the porridge) and interval training tomorrow night. Going to take it steady considering the case of knee-twingies I fell victim to last time, promise.
Will let you know how I get on......
There is something very comforting about hotel rooms sometimes; you know why? It's very simple; it is one room, and when you walk in after a hard days work there is only one logical thing to do......get into bed!!!!
Come on, cut me some slack; half marathon yesterday, up at 4am, four hour drive, full day at work. If that isn't an excuse to get under the covers at an unnaturally early time I don't know what is!
Tuna mash tonight; plus a couple of packs of Snack-a-jacks (oooh I could crush a grape....nope.....got that wrong....) while 'Skyfall' plays on the laptop. There are worse ways to spend an evening...!
A shortie today; BUT.....up nice and early for a porridge-fest (oh the images that conjures up; possible a Glee-type musical number?) even if it kills me (the getting up, not the porridge) and interval training tomorrow night. Going to take it steady considering the case of knee-twingies I fell victim to last time, promise.
Will let you know how I get on......
Sunday 17 February 2013
Dedication....Dedication....Dedication....That's What You Need!!!
....and if you remember that, you are showing your age!!
Yes ladies and gentlemen, I will soon be a record-breaker. The reason why is that the furthest I have ever run has just been equalled. The thirteen miles of the Great North Run joins the thirteen miles around the Lancashire hills!! Next Sunday, and every Sunday following will now be a new personal best; a new record; and may I say, that feels pretty cool.
You remember the pre-run nerves I talked about? well they were particularly jingly-jangly today. First of all the difference between 'twelve miles' (last Sunday) and 'half marathon' (today) feels like much more than a mile. Then there was the disastrous weigh in on Friday, meaning the increased distance is now being negotiated with increased weight. That said, jingle-jangling though they were; nerves didn't stop me getting out there and doing the do; cos I did!
As luck would have it; it turned out to be a spectacularly beautiful day today. Crystal clear, cloudless blue sky, sparkling sunshine and ideal temperatures made running at the beginning a real pleasure, and at the end it proved a lovely distraction. It is amazing what a boost it can be to the body and mind when the sun comes out; particularly for a man born and bred in the North-West of England, where the sun is so rarely seen it has become a thing of myth (the whole of Lancashire stops for a good hour if it ever emerges, pointing with bewildered awe at 'that orange shiny thing in the sky', we are much more used to 'that wet stuff wellying it down on me 'ed'). Anyway, it brought a smile to the face and a spring to the step; not to mention momentarily stopping me from thinking 'are we there yet? are we there yet? ARE WE THERE YET???!'.
I confess to being in a state of disbelief this morning when crossing the metaphorical finish line. I had been running for well over two hours, but it felt that no sooner had I started that I was staggering to a sweaty halt. The entire run blurred into fastforward and I have had to repeatedly check the route (mappedometer; brilliant tool for planning routes) to satisfy myself that it was actually thirteen miles. I am relieved to say that it was; not often I blow my own you know what; but I am very proud of myself. Amidst what will hopefully be the ultimate victory I am determined to enjoy the mini-wins!
Two things of note. Firstly I am starting to recognise the 'regular runners' of a Sunday morning; often passed twice (counting them all out, and counting them all back), once with a perky, downhill, just-started-my-run 'morning!!!', then two hours later with an extremely breathless and high-pitched noise that could be interpreted as a greeting, but could in all honesty be an attempt at 'call the paramedics!!' It is quite amusing and a little sad that these brief interactions constitute the entire relationship I can have with these people even though we all share a passion; it's not like we can stop and have a bit of a chinwag can we?!!! Powerboats that pass in the night?
Secondly, I have a question for you. Supposing you are on foot, in a town the geography of which you are not too familiar with. You need to find your way and the only option open to you is ask for directions. Do you ask.........
a. a policeman
b. the newsagent owner
c. a passer by
d. an out of breath, exhausted looking runner who is speeding by you in the opposite direction... ...while wearing headphones.......!!!??***?!!!
Guess what happened to me this morning?????
I tell you, it did make me giggle!! Ten yards from reaching him I saw his lips moving so removed said headphones to find out what incredibly, earth-shatteringly, critically important issue meant he simply had to talk to me. On discovering that he wanted 'to get to the shops', my first reaction - running by him - was a surprised noise, something along the lines of.......
'GLUH????!!'
.....followed after a pause by waving my hand behind me with a cry of ......
'THAWAY!!!!!'
Note to self; laughing is very VERY difficult after ten miles of running!!!
Anyway my friends; early start in the morning and need to get packing and get that early night. Sweet dreams!!
......63 days to go..... also known as 9 WEEKS???!!!!!.......
Yes ladies and gentlemen, I will soon be a record-breaker. The reason why is that the furthest I have ever run has just been equalled. The thirteen miles of the Great North Run joins the thirteen miles around the Lancashire hills!! Next Sunday, and every Sunday following will now be a new personal best; a new record; and may I say, that feels pretty cool.
You remember the pre-run nerves I talked about? well they were particularly jingly-jangly today. First of all the difference between 'twelve miles' (last Sunday) and 'half marathon' (today) feels like much more than a mile. Then there was the disastrous weigh in on Friday, meaning the increased distance is now being negotiated with increased weight. That said, jingle-jangling though they were; nerves didn't stop me getting out there and doing the do; cos I did!
As luck would have it; it turned out to be a spectacularly beautiful day today. Crystal clear, cloudless blue sky, sparkling sunshine and ideal temperatures made running at the beginning a real pleasure, and at the end it proved a lovely distraction. It is amazing what a boost it can be to the body and mind when the sun comes out; particularly for a man born and bred in the North-West of England, where the sun is so rarely seen it has become a thing of myth (the whole of Lancashire stops for a good hour if it ever emerges, pointing with bewildered awe at 'that orange shiny thing in the sky', we are much more used to 'that wet stuff wellying it down on me 'ed'). Anyway, it brought a smile to the face and a spring to the step; not to mention momentarily stopping me from thinking 'are we there yet? are we there yet? ARE WE THERE YET???!'.
I confess to being in a state of disbelief this morning when crossing the metaphorical finish line. I had been running for well over two hours, but it felt that no sooner had I started that I was staggering to a sweaty halt. The entire run blurred into fastforward and I have had to repeatedly check the route (mappedometer; brilliant tool for planning routes) to satisfy myself that it was actually thirteen miles. I am relieved to say that it was; not often I blow my own you know what; but I am very proud of myself. Amidst what will hopefully be the ultimate victory I am determined to enjoy the mini-wins!
Two things of note. Firstly I am starting to recognise the 'regular runners' of a Sunday morning; often passed twice (counting them all out, and counting them all back), once with a perky, downhill, just-started-my-run 'morning!!!', then two hours later with an extremely breathless and high-pitched noise that could be interpreted as a greeting, but could in all honesty be an attempt at 'call the paramedics!!' It is quite amusing and a little sad that these brief interactions constitute the entire relationship I can have with these people even though we all share a passion; it's not like we can stop and have a bit of a chinwag can we?!!! Powerboats that pass in the night?
Secondly, I have a question for you. Supposing you are on foot, in a town the geography of which you are not too familiar with. You need to find your way and the only option open to you is ask for directions. Do you ask.........
a. a policeman
b. the newsagent owner
c. a passer by
d. an out of breath, exhausted looking runner who is speeding by you in the opposite direction... ...while wearing headphones.......!!!??***?!!!
Guess what happened to me this morning?????
I tell you, it did make me giggle!! Ten yards from reaching him I saw his lips moving so removed said headphones to find out what incredibly, earth-shatteringly, critically important issue meant he simply had to talk to me. On discovering that he wanted 'to get to the shops', my first reaction - running by him - was a surprised noise, something along the lines of.......
'GLUH????!!'
.....followed after a pause by waving my hand behind me with a cry of ......
'THAWAY!!!!!'
Note to self; laughing is very VERY difficult after ten miles of running!!!
Anyway my friends; early start in the morning and need to get packing and get that early night. Sweet dreams!!
......63 days to go..... also known as 9 WEEKS???!!!!!.......
Saturday 16 February 2013
A Quick One.......oo errr....
.....64 days to go......
Just furtling today; furtling with the blog and furtling with my sponsorship page soon to be officially launched on here. Watch this space.
I'm not one of the world's great furtlers, but I can furtle should furtling be required.
Yes considering it's meaning (something to do with potatoes); I know the 'furtle' has no earthly business being in these sentences, but I really like the word!!
Just furtling today; furtling with the blog and furtling with my sponsorship page soon to be officially launched on here. Watch this space.
I'm not one of the world's great furtlers, but I can furtle should furtling be required.
Yes considering it's meaning (something to do with potatoes); I know the 'furtle' has no earthly business being in these sentences, but I really like the word!!
Friday 15 February 2013
Weigh in (84)
Okay, this is now moving away from annoying territory and moving into embarrassing. I feel I need to apologise for this, to you; not to myself as apologising to my self for something I have done is just a little bit out there (you know me, as sane as the next man.....). Weighing in tonight at 15 stone 11.6 pounds, rounding me up to one on at fifteen twelve. The utter ridiculousness of it. A man in training for the London Marathon; running an average of twenty miles a day, and putting on weight.
So, a genuine apology to you, and a promise that I am going to do the best I can to find out what I am doing wrong. Let's face it, there must be something, or more likely a number of things. Speaking of which.....
There are specifics such as not eating breakfast - I think I may have said that before....last week - and generally eating too much of the wrong stuff, but it all comes under the same general category; and it's a category we have met, and 'conquered' before. We've had our 'Star Wars', and we have moved on to 'The Complacency Strikes Back'.
What an idiot I have been to let this happen again; to once more have the arrogant presumption that all the exercise I am doing gives me free rein to eat like the Hungry Hungry Caterpillar and still turn into a butterfly. It is laughable that I am struggling to recall what I ate this week; and how can you eat sensibly when you have lost control of your diet. Truth? Managed the hotel breakfast only once this week, two subways; one of which is a footlong Meatball Heart Attac.....errrrr.....Marinara, and with each was a packet of crisps and three-pack of gooey cookies. Finally on my healthy instant mash and tuna night (actually not that unhealthy) I actually manage to work my way through a sixpack of crisps (in case you were wondering.....very unhealthy).
Good grief. On reflection it's a miracle I only put on one pound.
I don't think the two subways thing is all that bad if I am sensible with it; but I need to control all the stuff that goes with it - the crisps, the cookies - and I need to control it quickly. I simply can't afford to have another week like this. Even a break even next week would be better than a gain.
Quite by coincidence (no such thing?!), I heard a beautiful and extremely insightful phrase on the TV not long after the weigh in (and you can guess how I was feeling at the time can't you?). It gave me hope......
"What's impossible becomes hard, what's hard becomes easy, what's easy....becomes beautiful"
So many things can be learned from this; it is worth attempting the impossible, perseverance is a good thing, beauty can come from unusual places and so on. For me it is a map, and I've realised I'm not where I thought I was. Here's me thinking I was comfortably within the 'easy' zone, but in actual fact I've not left 'hard' yet. Knowing that will hopefully give me the focus that I need. If I don't pay attention to what I'm eating, I am going to be in deep trouble.
......65 days to go.......
So, a genuine apology to you, and a promise that I am going to do the best I can to find out what I am doing wrong. Let's face it, there must be something, or more likely a number of things. Speaking of which.....
There are specifics such as not eating breakfast - I think I may have said that before....last week - and generally eating too much of the wrong stuff, but it all comes under the same general category; and it's a category we have met, and 'conquered' before. We've had our 'Star Wars', and we have moved on to 'The Complacency Strikes Back'.
What an idiot I have been to let this happen again; to once more have the arrogant presumption that all the exercise I am doing gives me free rein to eat like the Hungry Hungry Caterpillar and still turn into a butterfly. It is laughable that I am struggling to recall what I ate this week; and how can you eat sensibly when you have lost control of your diet. Truth? Managed the hotel breakfast only once this week, two subways; one of which is a footlong Meatball Heart Attac.....errrrr.....Marinara, and with each was a packet of crisps and three-pack of gooey cookies. Finally on my healthy instant mash and tuna night (actually not that unhealthy) I actually manage to work my way through a sixpack of crisps (in case you were wondering.....very unhealthy).
Good grief. On reflection it's a miracle I only put on one pound.
I don't think the two subways thing is all that bad if I am sensible with it; but I need to control all the stuff that goes with it - the crisps, the cookies - and I need to control it quickly. I simply can't afford to have another week like this. Even a break even next week would be better than a gain.
Quite by coincidence (no such thing?!), I heard a beautiful and extremely insightful phrase on the TV not long after the weigh in (and you can guess how I was feeling at the time can't you?). It gave me hope......
"What's impossible becomes hard, what's hard becomes easy, what's easy....becomes beautiful"
So many things can be learned from this; it is worth attempting the impossible, perseverance is a good thing, beauty can come from unusual places and so on. For me it is a map, and I've realised I'm not where I thought I was. Here's me thinking I was comfortably within the 'easy' zone, but in actual fact I've not left 'hard' yet. Knowing that will hopefully give me the focus that I need. If I don't pay attention to what I'm eating, I am going to be in deep trouble.
......65 days to go.......
Thursday 14 February 2013
Thank 'eavens; For Little.......Sat Navs!!
....66 days and regretfully still counting......(why don't these numbers go UP for a change??)
Hell on the roads!! I've been extremely lucky lately with journeys to and from work; it was really only a matter of time before the motorways conspired against me; even the local radio traffic reports helped for a change.
So what was three and a half hours became four and a half. Might have been longer though, if it hadn't been for the glorious Tomtom function of 'avoid part of route' which diverted me away from the trouble. Okay; it diverted me away from trouble into more trouble, but the latter trouble was not quite as troublesome as the former. There comes a point where all you can do is sit there, crank up the music, and crawl along (okay Mr and Mr. Pedantic, I would like to clarify that I was not actually crawling) with the rest of the cars wishing they were somewhere else (okay Mr and Mrs Pedantic; the drivers were wishing, not the cars!).
Having said this, no matter how bad it gets, I always take comfort in the fact that there is one thing worse than being stuck in traffic (something of which I have bitter experience); and that is taking a wrong turn onto the motorway, THEN hitting stationary traffic while going in the WRONG DIRECTION......and looking at the clear-as-a-shiny-new-pin lanes on the other side (where you want to be going). The polite word you are looking for is 'vexing'; the not so polite word, well that is too much for your beautiful ears so I will spare you.
Nervous about the weigh in tomorrow. I've been putting on weight now for too many weeks. Previously, losing weight was important, and although gaining was 'a shame' it was something I could bounce back from. This time it's different; I actually NEED to lose weight. My knees and ankles are living on borrowed time, and if I can't turn this around the fears I've talked about of one Sunday run being a mile too far are going to come true.
Hark at me: sounding defeatist before the results are even in. Less Englebert Humperdinck, more Bucks Fizz please........
Hell on the roads!! I've been extremely lucky lately with journeys to and from work; it was really only a matter of time before the motorways conspired against me; even the local radio traffic reports helped for a change.
So what was three and a half hours became four and a half. Might have been longer though, if it hadn't been for the glorious Tomtom function of 'avoid part of route' which diverted me away from the trouble. Okay; it diverted me away from trouble into more trouble, but the latter trouble was not quite as troublesome as the former. There comes a point where all you can do is sit there, crank up the music, and crawl along (okay Mr and Mr. Pedantic, I would like to clarify that I was not actually crawling) with the rest of the cars wishing they were somewhere else (okay Mr and Mrs Pedantic; the drivers were wishing, not the cars!).
Having said this, no matter how bad it gets, I always take comfort in the fact that there is one thing worse than being stuck in traffic (something of which I have bitter experience); and that is taking a wrong turn onto the motorway, THEN hitting stationary traffic while going in the WRONG DIRECTION......and looking at the clear-as-a-shiny-new-pin lanes on the other side (where you want to be going). The polite word you are looking for is 'vexing'; the not so polite word, well that is too much for your beautiful ears so I will spare you.
Nervous about the weigh in tomorrow. I've been putting on weight now for too many weeks. Previously, losing weight was important, and although gaining was 'a shame' it was something I could bounce back from. This time it's different; I actually NEED to lose weight. My knees and ankles are living on borrowed time, and if I can't turn this around the fears I've talked about of one Sunday run being a mile too far are going to come true.
Hark at me: sounding defeatist before the results are even in. Less Englebert Humperdinck, more Bucks Fizz please........
Wednesday 13 February 2013
Oh Dear......
Soooo many good intentions this evening (road to hell anyone?!) all coming to nought. A mighty annoying evening as it seems when I did the Sunday night packing, I forgot the compression top. Now I guess I could have gone for a non-sporty-t-shirt run, but we all know what that leads to don't we boys and girls; and joggers nipple is not something I am interested in revisiting. It hurts, A LOT!!
I freely admit that whilst the predominance of the decision-making process is as above, there may have been 10% of 'I've had a long day at work and would very much appreciate a night snuggled up on the bed, watching the football and having my tea, and not fagging round the Steven paths of cycleage'. Not sure yet, but I fear it might be a worrying thing when the reaction to this unfortunate series of events is less disappointment, and more relief. So far I have not had a run since last Sunday, and whilst the long runs are getting longer, I need to keep on schedule with at least three runs per week; preferably four.
Still feeling calm, still feeling good; but I don't want to reach panic station (you know the place; one stop down from Ithinkimintrouble Square, just before AAAAAAAAGH Central) as you usually arrive there when it's too late to remedy the situation. We're not there yet but it's just around the corner.
So, if I'm going to have the evening off, I am determined not to spend it worrying about the running I am not doing. I will indeed be watching the football. Doubtful that I'll be making it out on the road after a three and a half hour journey home tomorrow night, but Friday it's time to get back out on the streets.....in a non-red-light sense of course; ooooh the offers I have had.......!! Five miler should get me ready for a Mara on Sunday morning (do you get that one??)'.
At least I managed to get down to breakfast this morning; there is something quite masculine about eating porridge......and then I go and take a swig of coffee with my pinky finger sticking out.....
....67 days to go...
I freely admit that whilst the predominance of the decision-making process is as above, there may have been 10% of 'I've had a long day at work and would very much appreciate a night snuggled up on the bed, watching the football and having my tea, and not fagging round the Steven paths of cycleage'. Not sure yet, but I fear it might be a worrying thing when the reaction to this unfortunate series of events is less disappointment, and more relief. So far I have not had a run since last Sunday, and whilst the long runs are getting longer, I need to keep on schedule with at least three runs per week; preferably four.
Still feeling calm, still feeling good; but I don't want to reach panic station (you know the place; one stop down from Ithinkimintrouble Square, just before AAAAAAAAGH Central) as you usually arrive there when it's too late to remedy the situation. We're not there yet but it's just around the corner.
So, if I'm going to have the evening off, I am determined not to spend it worrying about the running I am not doing. I will indeed be watching the football. Doubtful that I'll be making it out on the road after a three and a half hour journey home tomorrow night, but Friday it's time to get back out on the streets.....in a non-red-light sense of course; ooooh the offers I have had.......!! Five miler should get me ready for a Mara on Sunday morning (do you get that one??)'.
At least I managed to get down to breakfast this morning; there is something quite masculine about eating porridge......and then I go and take a swig of coffee with my pinky finger sticking out.....
....67 days to go...
Tuesday 12 February 2013
....68 days to go.....
Tired boy tonight. Working late.
I confess there was a Spartans interval training session, but it was as good as sprinting so I thought I would give it a miss. Opted for some core strength training instead (lots of muscles stretching and tensing). Could have gone out for a solo run but will save that for tomorrow night; the ground is clearing up so we should be good to go.
Still struggling with the meals, second morning of the week without breakfast. Managed to sort out the lunchtime cup-a-soup but the lack of that kick start to the day is still a worry. The lure of the extra half hour, thirty seconds before I SHOULD get up for breakfast is just too tempting to refuse.....
.....imgettingupimgettingupimgettingupimgettingupimgettingupimgettingupimgettingupimgettingup....
YAAAAAAAAWN!
....justanotherhalfhourjustanotherhalfhourjustanotherhalfhourjustanotherhalfhourjustanotherhalfhour...
I need earlier nights if I am going to make the earlier mornings.
I confess there was a Spartans interval training session, but it was as good as sprinting so I thought I would give it a miss. Opted for some core strength training instead (lots of muscles stretching and tensing). Could have gone out for a solo run but will save that for tomorrow night; the ground is clearing up so we should be good to go.
Still struggling with the meals, second morning of the week without breakfast. Managed to sort out the lunchtime cup-a-soup but the lack of that kick start to the day is still a worry. The lure of the extra half hour, thirty seconds before I SHOULD get up for breakfast is just too tempting to refuse.....
.....imgettingupimgettingupimgettingupimgettingupimgettingupimgettingupimgettingupimgettingup....
YAAAAAAAAWN!
....justanotherhalfhourjustanotherhalfhourjustanotherhalfhourjustanotherhalfhourjustanotherhalfhour...
I need earlier nights if I am going to make the earlier mornings.
Monday 11 February 2013
Thought For The Day
A wee bit creaky this morning, so I confess to being more than a little relieved when the Spartans running session was cancelled due to heavy snow on the cycle paths. There are actually people - clinically insane people mind you - who run in snow and even icy conditions, but I'm not one of them. I have enough trouble keeping from going arse over 'ed on a pavement in the middle of a June heatwave, let alone when it's slippier than a cartoon banana skin (incidentally, I have never found banana skins that slippy; seedless grapes however, they will easily make customers do a Torville or Dean down the fruit and veg aisle of Gateway Supermarket on Castle Street; any prizes for guessing what I used to do for a Saturday job??!). So it's a night off for me. Don't worry though; there's always something to talk about!
A very apt motto appeared on my tear (as in 'rip' not 'boo hoo') off calendar today; and it did make me giggle.....
'Anyone healthy enough to run three miles, is healthy enough not to have to' (now they tell me!!)
It may not exactly be marathon-thinking, but however much I may disagree ever so slightly with its sentiment, for it to appear on my calendar now does make me smile. By means of reparation for enjoying something which flies in the face of the marathon world, I would like to add my own extension to the saying as follows.....
Anyone healthy enough to run.....
...six miles, is just about mad enough to do it
...nine miles, may as well round it up to ten
...twelve miles, don't you drive???
...fifteen miles, there is a really good therapist I can recommend
...eighteen miles, the therapist......clearly wasn't THAT good then
...twenty-one miles, is probably also a fan of Gina G, S Club 7 and The Pussycat Dolls
...twenty-four miles, is beyond hope
...twenty-six miles, oh what the hell; may as well go run the London Marathon.....
Why do we do it then?? Well, someone who genuinely has to ask that is not someone who is ever going to do it. I'm not that someone......
69 days to go.
A very apt motto appeared on my tear (as in 'rip' not 'boo hoo') off calendar today; and it did make me giggle.....
'Anyone healthy enough to run three miles, is healthy enough not to have to' (now they tell me!!)
It may not exactly be marathon-thinking, but however much I may disagree ever so slightly with its sentiment, for it to appear on my calendar now does make me smile. By means of reparation for enjoying something which flies in the face of the marathon world, I would like to add my own extension to the saying as follows.....
Anyone healthy enough to run.....
...six miles, is just about mad enough to do it
...nine miles, may as well round it up to ten
...twelve miles, don't you drive???
...fifteen miles, there is a really good therapist I can recommend
...eighteen miles, the therapist......clearly wasn't THAT good then
...twenty-one miles, is probably also a fan of Gina G, S Club 7 and The Pussycat Dolls
...twenty-four miles, is beyond hope
...twenty-six miles, oh what the hell; may as well go run the London Marathon.....
Why do we do it then?? Well, someone who genuinely has to ask that is not someone who is ever going to do it. I'm not that someone......
69 days to go.
Sunday 10 February 2013
....70 days to go.....that's 10, I repeat, 10 weeks...! It's beginning to look, a lot, like, pa-nic....
You know that a distance becomes really long when it is even a bit of a journey by car; and twelve miles is not a drive to be sniffed at. Running it however is a total doddle........ahem......
I tell you guys; these long runs take it out of you. The physical side is obvious, but mentally it is almost as tough, and takes you through the whole gamut of emotions......
Phase One
The mental fortitude needed first thing in the morning to get up, get the kit on, and get out (in all but the most impassable of conditions) is considerable. I am now at the stage where each Sunday run is one mile longer than the last, and with this knowledge the doubts start to sneak in there; is this the extra mile I can't do? Is this the day when the dream dies? Is this the day when I realise the truth; that I really CAN'T 'do' the London Marathon? This fear of failure gives volume to the voice which is egging you to just have the day off, sit and watch a bit of telly. If you don't try, there is no way you can fail eh?
While this internal battle is going on, I am on autopilot; gearing up, stretching, stocking up on fluids, re-checking the route. The mind fights back, telling me that the only 'can't' which I am allowed to use is 'I have come so far; and I CAN'T possibly give up now'. A louder voice resonates in my head 'Adrian; just get out there and do it'.
Battle won......
Phase Two
The run itself, finding a pace that's comfortable; trying not to think about how long I have been running for (usually not long enough!), and how much further I have to go (usually too far!!). Switching the mind between that calm, almost meditating place which lets the miles go by unnoticed, and the alertness of remembering your route, controlling your pace, being aware of your body, not crashing into people, and making sure cars don't crash into you!
It is ironic that during the most physically taxing part of the run, I can actually find the most peaceful mental state; and I don't only mean while running. I find a level of calm which normal life rarely affords. I love that feeling. There are people I am sure to whom the prospect of being left alone with their thoughts is a terrifying thought (maybe even thinking about being left alone with their thoughts is a terrible thought, maybe even thinking about thinking about being.......) but for me, peace of mind is a precious thing; it de-frags my brain and makes room for the week ahead.
As the end of the route approaches, I seek distraction to avoid thinking about how long there is left to run. Contemplating what I am going to have for lunch, looking at the lovely Lancashire scenery (sheep......a hill......another sheep.....another hill.....), listening to music (you should see my arm movements to 'Ooh Aaah; Just A Little Bit' by Gina G, and 'Jai Ho' by The Pussycat Dolls....macho image?.......what macho image??!!).
Almost there.....
Phase Three
Coming home. Those last few steps to the finish (usually at my front door). Sheer relief, sheer complete and utter elation. Punching the air. Looking at the stopwatch to convince myself that I have indeed been running for over two hours, as I can't quite believe it. Walking around slightly awkwardly, reflecting on what I have just done, confidence high, tired but feeling so strong; and for that glorious few minutes there is nothing I can't do.
That was how it was today (and hopefully how it will be next Sunday....and the Sunday after that). 12 miles under the belt; made all the more challenging by the fact it was in the middle of a blizzard!!
Often we don't know the most memorable moments of our lives as they happen' but when running uphill, with the biting cold and snow pelting my face; I knew that this was one of the many moments which I will look back on when that marathon medal goes round my neck. I am beginning to realise now that anyone who gets that honour, has truly earned it.
Guilt-free feet up in front of the box this afternoon and an early night. Up at half past daft as usual tomorrow!!
You know that a distance becomes really long when it is even a bit of a journey by car; and twelve miles is not a drive to be sniffed at. Running it however is a total doddle........ahem......
I tell you guys; these long runs take it out of you. The physical side is obvious, but mentally it is almost as tough, and takes you through the whole gamut of emotions......
Phase One
The mental fortitude needed first thing in the morning to get up, get the kit on, and get out (in all but the most impassable of conditions) is considerable. I am now at the stage where each Sunday run is one mile longer than the last, and with this knowledge the doubts start to sneak in there; is this the extra mile I can't do? Is this the day when the dream dies? Is this the day when I realise the truth; that I really CAN'T 'do' the London Marathon? This fear of failure gives volume to the voice which is egging you to just have the day off, sit and watch a bit of telly. If you don't try, there is no way you can fail eh?
While this internal battle is going on, I am on autopilot; gearing up, stretching, stocking up on fluids, re-checking the route. The mind fights back, telling me that the only 'can't' which I am allowed to use is 'I have come so far; and I CAN'T possibly give up now'. A louder voice resonates in my head 'Adrian; just get out there and do it'.
Battle won......
Phase Two
The run itself, finding a pace that's comfortable; trying not to think about how long I have been running for (usually not long enough!), and how much further I have to go (usually too far!!). Switching the mind between that calm, almost meditating place which lets the miles go by unnoticed, and the alertness of remembering your route, controlling your pace, being aware of your body, not crashing into people, and making sure cars don't crash into you!
It is ironic that during the most physically taxing part of the run, I can actually find the most peaceful mental state; and I don't only mean while running. I find a level of calm which normal life rarely affords. I love that feeling. There are people I am sure to whom the prospect of being left alone with their thoughts is a terrifying thought (maybe even thinking about being left alone with their thoughts is a terrible thought, maybe even thinking about thinking about being.......) but for me, peace of mind is a precious thing; it de-frags my brain and makes room for the week ahead.
As the end of the route approaches, I seek distraction to avoid thinking about how long there is left to run. Contemplating what I am going to have for lunch, looking at the lovely Lancashire scenery (sheep......a hill......another sheep.....another hill.....), listening to music (you should see my arm movements to 'Ooh Aaah; Just A Little Bit' by Gina G, and 'Jai Ho' by The Pussycat Dolls....macho image?.......what macho image??!!).
Almost there.....
Phase Three
Coming home. Those last few steps to the finish (usually at my front door). Sheer relief, sheer complete and utter elation. Punching the air. Looking at the stopwatch to convince myself that I have indeed been running for over two hours, as I can't quite believe it. Walking around slightly awkwardly, reflecting on what I have just done, confidence high, tired but feeling so strong; and for that glorious few minutes there is nothing I can't do.
That was how it was today (and hopefully how it will be next Sunday....and the Sunday after that). 12 miles under the belt; made all the more challenging by the fact it was in the middle of a blizzard!!
Often we don't know the most memorable moments of our lives as they happen' but when running uphill, with the biting cold and snow pelting my face; I knew that this was one of the many moments which I will look back on when that marathon medal goes round my neck. I am beginning to realise now that anyone who gets that honour, has truly earned it.
Guilt-free feet up in front of the box this afternoon and an early night. Up at half past daft as usual tomorrow!!
Saturday 9 February 2013
Saturday, lovely Saturday
Good day today. I had a looooooong list of things to do - nothing special; the usual shopping, haircut, tidying washing, yada yada yada - and here I sit in the evening with all but two of them crossed off. AND furthermore in addition moreover also; once I've finished typing this, the entry of 'write blog' will also be history!! That just leaves 'the washing' tomorrow and I am a gentleman of leisure......that and twelve miles that it.
It's always nice going to the hairdressers. Kath - as it turns out - is also a runner, and shared the tarmac with me in both Manchester and Newcastle. Regretfully - and may I say, very sensibly - I will be trudging the streets of London alone (you know what I mean) but it's nice to exchange training stories while she is 'giving me a number four' (that is not meant to sound pervy......which of course it doesn't........just the way some people's minds work....but not mine of course). She is up for the Great North Run again, and I have to confess that despite my pledge of the London Marathon being the last 'big one' and never again, I am tempted to have another crack at it! Let's face it, to train for London I am going to be doing in excess of a half marathon every Sunday, so Newcastle won't be quite as scary a prospect.
Anyway, first things first.....!
I'm also in a good mood as I've just seen a top movie. You know those films where even the title gives you basically the entire plot, inclusive of the schmaltzy ending? Well this was just such a film; utterly, totally, completely predictable; and I LOVE IT! If you haven't seen 'Frends With Benefits' I can highly recommend it for those rainy/chilly/oh stuff it, even 28 degrees in the shade and beautiful days! Look out for the mix-cd, it is the most uniquely romantic one I have ever heard; wish I'd thought of it!!
Anyway; that's enough of talking to you, got to get an early night for the big run tomorrow morning....the nerves are already jangling.....
71 days to go......
It's always nice going to the hairdressers. Kath - as it turns out - is also a runner, and shared the tarmac with me in both Manchester and Newcastle. Regretfully - and may I say, very sensibly - I will be trudging the streets of London alone (you know what I mean) but it's nice to exchange training stories while she is 'giving me a number four' (that is not meant to sound pervy......which of course it doesn't........just the way some people's minds work....but not mine of course). She is up for the Great North Run again, and I have to confess that despite my pledge of the London Marathon being the last 'big one' and never again, I am tempted to have another crack at it! Let's face it, to train for London I am going to be doing in excess of a half marathon every Sunday, so Newcastle won't be quite as scary a prospect.
Anyway, first things first.....!
I'm also in a good mood as I've just seen a top movie. You know those films where even the title gives you basically the entire plot, inclusive of the schmaltzy ending? Well this was just such a film; utterly, totally, completely predictable; and I LOVE IT! If you haven't seen 'Frends With Benefits' I can highly recommend it for those rainy/chilly/oh stuff it, even 28 degrees in the shade and beautiful days! Look out for the mix-cd, it is the most uniquely romantic one I have ever heard; wish I'd thought of it!!
Anyway; that's enough of talking to you, got to get an early night for the big run tomorrow morning....the nerves are already jangling.....
71 days to go......
Friday 8 February 2013
Weigh in (83)
....72 days and counting....
Hmmmm, head officially being scratched; it's 15 stone 9, UP to 15 stone 11 pounds. 2 pounds on. Annoyed? Well.....yes actually. Don't worry though; it's not you, it's me.
It seems I am having to re-learn nutrition around the new routine as it's still clearly not right. A week in which I run over twenty miles (five of which were right before the weigh in) and still not losing weight?!!!
So what is happening? Okay, a four pound loss like last week might be as unnatural as the big gains I've had and almost ignored; so this might be classed as a 'settling down'. Clutching at straws much? It just seems like the results are fluctuating way too much lately. So here's what I'm going to do.....
Eat breakfast - for much of this week I admit, I have not. Is it really that much of a big deal that your digestive system needs to wake up when you do? (breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dinner like a pauper and all that). If the not having breakfast is a significant factor in gaining weight, then that would explain a lot!
Eat lunch - hmmmmm, the penny might be slowly starting to drop. The no breakfast thing was this week combined with running out of cup-a-soups at work. So you know the whole king-prince-pauper thing? Well it's been more like 'breakfast like a pauper, lunch like a pauper, dinner like an uber-king' I'm not sure that this is the perfect recipe for weight loss.
So positives.......positives?......to be honest I really can't think of any....
......HE LIED......!!
I'm still feeling good! An eleven mile big run up and down the rolling hills of Lancashire, on marathon training schedule. Plus the weight does not seem to be causing too much of a problem for the knees and ankles. Not only this, work is going well, with body and mind managing well through the 4 hour commuting on a Monday morning.
So it is going to be some fine tweaking next week; upping the long run to twelve miles this Sunday. Surely the amount of exercise I am doing now should be more than enough compensation for the odd tricky meal? If next Friday is bad news then I'm in such trouble; the like of which I have not experienced since lying about my history homework to Mr. Mitchell; I was a very, VERY bad boy.
One thing is for sure; it's going to be a nervy one!
Hmmmm, head officially being scratched; it's 15 stone 9, UP to 15 stone 11 pounds. 2 pounds on. Annoyed? Well.....yes actually. Don't worry though; it's not you, it's me.
It seems I am having to re-learn nutrition around the new routine as it's still clearly not right. A week in which I run over twenty miles (five of which were right before the weigh in) and still not losing weight?!!!
So what is happening? Okay, a four pound loss like last week might be as unnatural as the big gains I've had and almost ignored; so this might be classed as a 'settling down'. Clutching at straws much? It just seems like the results are fluctuating way too much lately. So here's what I'm going to do.....
Eat breakfast - for much of this week I admit, I have not. Is it really that much of a big deal that your digestive system needs to wake up when you do? (breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dinner like a pauper and all that). If the not having breakfast is a significant factor in gaining weight, then that would explain a lot!
Eat lunch - hmmmmm, the penny might be slowly starting to drop. The no breakfast thing was this week combined with running out of cup-a-soups at work. So you know the whole king-prince-pauper thing? Well it's been more like 'breakfast like a pauper, lunch like a pauper, dinner like an uber-king' I'm not sure that this is the perfect recipe for weight loss.
So positives.......positives?......to be honest I really can't think of any....
......HE LIED......!!
I'm still feeling good! An eleven mile big run up and down the rolling hills of Lancashire, on marathon training schedule. Plus the weight does not seem to be causing too much of a problem for the knees and ankles. Not only this, work is going well, with body and mind managing well through the 4 hour commuting on a Monday morning.
So it is going to be some fine tweaking next week; upping the long run to twelve miles this Sunday. Surely the amount of exercise I am doing now should be more than enough compensation for the odd tricky meal? If next Friday is bad news then I'm in such trouble; the like of which I have not experienced since lying about my history homework to Mr. Mitchell; I was a very, VERY bad boy.
One thing is for sure; it's going to be a nervy one!
Thursday 7 February 2013
The Voyage Home.......
Once again made it home safe and sound after negotiating A1/M1/M6/MI5/KGB without major incident; this time making use of the M6 toll. It may be expensive for the privilege of simply driving twenty-five miles (give or take); but when the motorway matrix signs are saying things like......
"ALERT ALERT, M6 DELAYS Jn 6-10"
followed by
"OI, ARE YOU RECEIVING ME?!! I SAID, DELAYS Jn 6-10; ALRIGHT THEN, DON'T SAY I DIDN'T WARN YOU"
culminating - just before junction 3a in
"LAST CHANCE YOU IGNORAMUS; DON'T COME CRYING TO ME WHEN YOU STAGGER THROUGH YOUR FRONT DOOR AT HALF TEN TONIGHT"
(does anyone remember 'L.A. Story'?....how daddy is doing?....hug me?....nope?....okay, just me then)
....it's time to dig into the wallet for a few quid and the promise of a smoother ride and a home arrival before bedtime.
This brings me onto another of my many bugbears (am I starting to sound like a grumpy old man?......what do you mean...."starting"....?!); namely the 'TP' button which now lurks on most modern car radios. What it is supposed to do when enabled, is override whatever rubbish music you are listening to on the cd/radio (or the far from rubbish public speaking of Dave Gunson in my case) when it receives a signal for an imminent radio traffic report. In principle, it is a brilliant tool, particularly useful for a Monday and Thursday commuter like my good self.
Now, those observant people amongst you, you will notice the use, and indeed lack of use, of certain words, both of which might indicate what is coming next. 'In principle, it is a brilliant tool' means of course that in practice, it doesn't....flaming well.....work. So why is this?
Which brings me on to our very own missing-words round. Between 'imminent' and 'radio', surely there should be the word 'local'? ("yes, there should be the word 'local'; and don't call me Shirley")
Sadly, there isn't. So, what transpires is that wherever I am on the journey which spans half the country; I have my precious intros to songs like Dire Straits 'Money For Nothing' ('IIIIII Waaant my eeemmmmm teeeeeee veeeeeeeeeeee'), rudely interrupted by a lady or gent telling me all about the traffic conditions........somewhere else. Great isn't it......!
Leaving Stevenage - north of London on the A1, northbound; the radio told me that there was heavy traffic on the M25 (okay, I'll let this one go as I was pretty close)
Joining the M1 at Luton-ish - further north, northbound; the radio told me that there was heavy traffic on the.........M25 (bit further away....but okay, still understandable.....just....)
Joining the M6 at Leicester-ish, hitting traffic and slowing down to a crawl; but on a positive note the traffic problem on the M25 is clearing up (getting daft now)
Stationary on the M6 just South of Birmingham before cutting off onto the toll; matrix signs telling me to abandon all hope......and I am still being interrupted on the radio with tales of the London ring road.
A change!! Cruising - albeit slowly - through Stoke on the M6 to be told that traffic is running smoothly past Sheffield on the M1
Arriving at the Manchester ring road (M60) while being told of the traffic conditions through Stoke on the M6.
That's right; not once on the journey did I get a traffic report for the road I was actually on; hilarious really.
Still, I made it home; and it is a lesson for all to learn. If you want to know about the M6 heading through Manchester........drive to Sheffield and turn on your radio!!
.....73 days.....in case you've lost count.....!
"ALERT ALERT, M6 DELAYS Jn 6-10"
followed by
"OI, ARE YOU RECEIVING ME?!! I SAID, DELAYS Jn 6-10; ALRIGHT THEN, DON'T SAY I DIDN'T WARN YOU"
culminating - just before junction 3a in
"LAST CHANCE YOU IGNORAMUS; DON'T COME CRYING TO ME WHEN YOU STAGGER THROUGH YOUR FRONT DOOR AT HALF TEN TONIGHT"
(does anyone remember 'L.A. Story'?....how daddy is doing?....hug me?....nope?....okay, just me then)
....it's time to dig into the wallet for a few quid and the promise of a smoother ride and a home arrival before bedtime.
This brings me onto another of my many bugbears (am I starting to sound like a grumpy old man?......what do you mean...."starting"....?!); namely the 'TP' button which now lurks on most modern car radios. What it is supposed to do when enabled, is override whatever rubbish music you are listening to on the cd/radio (or the far from rubbish public speaking of Dave Gunson in my case) when it receives a signal for an imminent radio traffic report. In principle, it is a brilliant tool, particularly useful for a Monday and Thursday commuter like my good self.
Now, those observant people amongst you, you will notice the use, and indeed lack of use, of certain words, both of which might indicate what is coming next. 'In principle, it is a brilliant tool' means of course that in practice, it doesn't....flaming well.....work. So why is this?
Which brings me on to our very own missing-words round. Between 'imminent' and 'radio', surely there should be the word 'local'? ("yes, there should be the word 'local'; and don't call me Shirley")
Sadly, there isn't. So, what transpires is that wherever I am on the journey which spans half the country; I have my precious intros to songs like Dire Straits 'Money For Nothing' ('IIIIII Waaant my eeemmmmm teeeeeee veeeeeeeeeeee'), rudely interrupted by a lady or gent telling me all about the traffic conditions........somewhere else. Great isn't it......!
Leaving Stevenage - north of London on the A1, northbound; the radio told me that there was heavy traffic on the M25 (okay, I'll let this one go as I was pretty close)
Joining the M1 at Luton-ish - further north, northbound; the radio told me that there was heavy traffic on the.........M25 (bit further away....but okay, still understandable.....just....)
Joining the M6 at Leicester-ish, hitting traffic and slowing down to a crawl; but on a positive note the traffic problem on the M25 is clearing up (getting daft now)
Stationary on the M6 just South of Birmingham before cutting off onto the toll; matrix signs telling me to abandon all hope......and I am still being interrupted on the radio with tales of the London ring road.
A change!! Cruising - albeit slowly - through Stoke on the M6 to be told that traffic is running smoothly past Sheffield on the M1
Arriving at the Manchester ring road (M60) while being told of the traffic conditions through Stoke on the M6.
That's right; not once on the journey did I get a traffic report for the road I was actually on; hilarious really.
Still, I made it home; and it is a lesson for all to learn. If you want to know about the M6 heading through Manchester........drive to Sheffield and turn on your radio!!
.....73 days.....in case you've lost count.....!
Wednesday 6 February 2013
........74...........
Never EVER EVER EVER have I been so relieved to simply stand up!
My hunky is not necessarily totally dory, but it is normal stiffness if you know what I mean; nothing that remotely resembles any major injuries. So it looks (touchwoodtouchwoodtouchwood) like we are still good to go.
Not wishing to tempt fate though, so it's heavy strapping on the knee and cancelling the plan to go for another run tonight. Running a marathon may be insane, but I'm not completely stupid (only partially).
So it's hotel room, the second half (fell asleep) of 'Taken-2' and a Nando's double chicken breast burger with large Peri-Peri chips. Not a bad way to spend an evening.
I am a little worried though. So far this week I have been favouring the extra half hour in bed as opposed to having my usual porridge breakfast, and add to that the fact that I have run out of Cup-a-soups (so that's lunch out then) means I am one meal a daying at the moment. That can't be good can it? Well, maybe it's something I need to see for myself to realise it is in fact, not a good thing to do!
But hey, twingeless knees.........result!!
My hunky is not necessarily totally dory, but it is normal stiffness if you know what I mean; nothing that remotely resembles any major injuries. So it looks (touchwoodtouchwoodtouchwood) like we are still good to go.
Not wishing to tempt fate though, so it's heavy strapping on the knee and cancelling the plan to go for another run tonight. Running a marathon may be insane, but I'm not completely stupid (only partially).
So it's hotel room, the second half (fell asleep) of 'Taken-2' and a Nando's double chicken breast burger with large Peri-Peri chips. Not a bad way to spend an evening.
I am a little worried though. So far this week I have been favouring the extra half hour in bed as opposed to having my usual porridge breakfast, and add to that the fact that I have run out of Cup-a-soups (so that's lunch out then) means I am one meal a daying at the moment. That can't be good can it? Well, maybe it's something I need to see for myself to realise it is in fact, not a good thing to do!
But hey, twingeless knees.........result!!
Tuesday 5 February 2013
There May Be Trouble Ahead; Fingers Crossed Pleeease.....!
Houston, we may have a wee bit of a problem here, and no, it's not the realisation that there are only 75 days to go (although come to think of it........AAAAAAAAGGGGHHHHH!!).
Interval training today. Now don't nod wisely like you all know what that means; for those of you thinking that it involves running down a cinema aisle at high speed during the break in the middle of a movie, buying a choc ice at every lap, you are dead wrong (but I think we may have just seen the future of exercise). It consists of running in shorter, more intense bursts, followed by a slow recovery; how hard you run during the runny bits (eeeeew......runny bits......!) depends on the time split between the two levels (shorter bursts with loner recovery = more intense).
Tonight was a 3 minutes (exercise) 2 minutes (recovery) split, which meant that you were really giving it some welly. It felt reeeeally good; very out of breath but to sustain that level of exercise impressed even me. All was going so well until one 'cycle' before the end when my right knee decided to make itself known in the form of a sharp and rather disconcerting pain. I need not remind you that this is not something you want to be experiencing less than three months before the London marathon.
You know the theory that your life passes before your eyes when you die? Well my blog passed before me in a matter of seconds when the pain hit; irrationality took over and all my dreams and ambition were suddenly dashed......was it/is it all over?
Hope not!!
Fortunately Vulcan logic took hold again. An extremely positive thing is that I didn't stop running. I reduced stride length and relaxed it into a light trot-jog, and the pain abated; by the time I got back into the car I was a little stiff and sore but could walk without holding on to anything.
What happened is likely to be a simple of case of pushing too hard and has not done any permanently damaging damage. Yes, this is some conviction supplemented by a hefty chunk of hope. If there are any repercussions I will know tomorrow morning, in that moment when I stand up from the bed; I am trying not to think about what it might mean if I struggle.
It would come as such a blow, and so ironic as it has come during a session when I felt so very, very good. I do keep on harking back to the Adrian of old, and what I was capable - and incapable - of. I'm starting to believe (with that little bit of luck you always need, especially now) that I might actually do this.
So like I said.....keep your fingers crossed........!
Interval training today. Now don't nod wisely like you all know what that means; for those of you thinking that it involves running down a cinema aisle at high speed during the break in the middle of a movie, buying a choc ice at every lap, you are dead wrong (but I think we may have just seen the future of exercise). It consists of running in shorter, more intense bursts, followed by a slow recovery; how hard you run during the runny bits (eeeeew......runny bits......!) depends on the time split between the two levels (shorter bursts with loner recovery = more intense).
Tonight was a 3 minutes (exercise) 2 minutes (recovery) split, which meant that you were really giving it some welly. It felt reeeeally good; very out of breath but to sustain that level of exercise impressed even me. All was going so well until one 'cycle' before the end when my right knee decided to make itself known in the form of a sharp and rather disconcerting pain. I need not remind you that this is not something you want to be experiencing less than three months before the London marathon.
You know the theory that your life passes before your eyes when you die? Well my blog passed before me in a matter of seconds when the pain hit; irrationality took over and all my dreams and ambition were suddenly dashed......was it/is it all over?
Hope not!!
Fortunately Vulcan logic took hold again. An extremely positive thing is that I didn't stop running. I reduced stride length and relaxed it into a light trot-jog, and the pain abated; by the time I got back into the car I was a little stiff and sore but could walk without holding on to anything.
What happened is likely to be a simple of case of pushing too hard and has not done any permanently damaging damage. Yes, this is some conviction supplemented by a hefty chunk of hope. If there are any repercussions I will know tomorrow morning, in that moment when I stand up from the bed; I am trying not to think about what it might mean if I struggle.
It would come as such a blow, and so ironic as it has come during a session when I felt so very, very good. I do keep on harking back to the Adrian of old, and what I was capable - and incapable - of. I'm starting to believe (with that little bit of luck you always need, especially now) that I might actually do this.
So like I said.....keep your fingers crossed........!
Monday 4 February 2013
...76 days to go.....
Is it me or is the countdown counting down ominously quickly??! It is almost impossible to imagine that in these sub-zero temperatures that in just over ten weeks thousands of people will be out in their skinny shorts, in the centre of London, about to run the races of their collective lives. Quite apart from wishing my life away, I am wishing my life goes veerrrrry vvveerrrrrrryyyyy slllloowwwwlly.
Busy day at work today and after yesterdays run I think it is more than acceptable to miss the Spartans beginners session tonight; I will however - promise! - be out with the gang tomorrow for interval training. Hopefully my knees will be in a much less creaky-weaky state by then.
So tonight is a night of Subway sandwich, and making use of the fact that I am in Room 14 of The Abbington Hotel - TV with in-built DVD player. I've treated myself to 'Taken 2'; a film of rare beauty, of rare emotion, of rare je ne sais quoi, and of very common Liam Neeson knocking seven bells out of people who wronged his family...........what, again??!!
Busy day at work today and after yesterdays run I think it is more than acceptable to miss the Spartans beginners session tonight; I will however - promise! - be out with the gang tomorrow for interval training. Hopefully my knees will be in a much less creaky-weaky state by then.
So tonight is a night of Subway sandwich, and making use of the fact that I am in Room 14 of The Abbington Hotel - TV with in-built DVD player. I've treated myself to 'Taken 2'; a film of rare beauty, of rare emotion, of rare je ne sais quoi, and of very common Liam Neeson knocking seven bells out of people who wronged his family...........what, again??!!
Sunday 3 February 2013
11 Miles!!
I suppose I had better start to get used to this formula………
…..waking up early…….
….realisation that it’s long-run morning……
….nerves……
….hope that conditions outside (snow, ice, molten lava) would make running outdoors impossible……
….the dawning that it did not snow last night, it was not cold enough to freeze, and I am not in a Bruce Willis movie…..
…..more nerves…..
….putting it off as long as I can…..
….donning of the running gear…..
….double-check of the route distance….
…..even more nerves…..
….stretch….
….front door open, walk-jog-skip-walk-skip-jog-walk-skip along the road…….
….switch on the mp3, get the headphones on…..
….run!!!
…..waking up early…….
….realisation that it’s long-run morning……
….nerves……
….hope that conditions outside (snow, ice, molten lava) would make running outdoors impossible……
….the dawning that it did not snow last night, it was not cold enough to freeze, and I am not in a Bruce Willis movie…..
…..more nerves…..
….putting it off as long as I can…..
….donning of the running gear…..
….double-check of the route distance….
…..even more nerves…..
….stretch….
….front door open, walk-jog-skip-walk-skip-jog-walk-skip along the road…….
….switch on the mp3, get the headphones on…..
….run!!!
I have to pinch myself sometimes that a guy who once
struggled to run the 400 yards – downhill – to the corner shop is now taking on
eleven miles around the pavements of Lancashire. It’s a reeeally long way when
you don’t have a car; did you know that?! Feels like you are running FOR EVER!!
But, you know what the most amazing part of it all is? That I can not only do
it, I can do it without feeling like my legs are going to fall off. Yes it does
sting a little towards the end, and yes some of the hills (particularly the
three mile continuous one towards the end) are pretty brutal, but I don’t feel
out of place passing by (crossing, or them overtaking me, never overtaken one
yet!!) my fellow runners of a Sunday morning.
Okay, now it’s time to run (metaphorically this time)
around; tidy the house, pack for the commute to work tomorrow all before my
muscles seize up. Then, when all that is done I am going to sit down…..and not
get up again for quite some time.
......77 days to go........
......77 days to go........
Saturday 2 February 2013
Weigh in (82)
Oooonleeeee; 78 days, from Londooooon!!
(that’s Londooooon as in ‘London with a long final syllable’ not Londoooon as in ‘Briga….’)
So, 4 pounds down, training on schedule, and asides from some serious nerves about getting out on the road tomorrow for an 11 mile run am feeling all in all pretty good!
(that’s Londooooon as in ‘London with a long final syllable’ not Londoooon as in ‘Briga….’)
A slight variation to the routine this week with Strictly
taking up last night the weigh-in was bumped to Saturday. Also, if the truth be
known I was living in a little village called ‘Procrastination’ (you know the
place; it’s just down the road from ‘Avoidance’, on the outskirts of ‘Toonervous’).
I remember that old feeling of having what I think has been a good week and
expecting to have lost weight, but extremely nervous in case the familiar
pattern of weight gain continues. If it does then I would start to wonder how
good I need to be to get back to winning weighs (see what I did there??).
As it turns out; number 82 (weigh-in) and 78 (days to go) has been
a roaring success. Now weighing in at 15 stone 9.4 pounds; rounding down to 9.
Now, let me see; taking into account last week’s 15 stone 13 pounds makes……….dragging
this out aren’t I?.....hey, cut me some slack; it’s been a while…..a loss of
phwoarrrr pounds; now that really is more like it!
It was as much with a sense of relief as a sense of warm,
fluffy-bunny-feeling when I got off the scales. I’m not arrogant enough to claim to
have ‘turned the corner’, but it is nice to get back to a successful week. So, 4 pounds down, training on schedule, and asides from some serious nerves about getting out on the road tomorrow for an 11 mile run am feeling all in all pretty good!
I’m sure that equilibrium-threatening challenges are just
round the corner; but for now I am just going to sit back on my slightly less
heavy rear, and enjoy the evening!!
Friday 1 February 2013
You Make Me Feel Like Dancing!!
....79 days to go......
Now that my friends, is what they call a top night!!
Let me take you back a month and a bit…..nope…..must go
further back…..to 2004. It was that year that ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ hit the
television screens across the UK. For those uninitiated – where have you BEEN
the last decade?? - it is a programme which pairs celebrities (some famous and
some….not so famous….!) with professional dancers who take them under their
wing and introduce them to the world of the ballroom or the latin. Week on week
they appear on live tv to amaze – and often horrify – judges Craig, Len, Bruno and Arlene/Alesha/Darcy with their
latest routine; and week on week, one of them is voted out of the competition
by combination of the judges and viewers phone vote.
In the ten years since the series kicked off, Strictly has
become a phenomenon; now with versions in over forty (yes, FORTY other
countries). In the UK, what originally was an eight week series one shown in the
middle of Summer, has now become a twelve week extravaganza forming the
linchpin of the BBC’s Christmas build-up; culminating in the Christmas day
special.
So why has it become so popular? Now that is simple; it’s
brilliant!! Whether you like the dancing, the pretty dresses, ‘the journey’ of
the celebrities into the world of dance, or maybe even the handsome gentlemen
or the pretty girls (how positively neanderthal of you……you won’t find me
gazing fixedly at Christina Rihanoff’s legs, ooooh no!......well ok, maybe a little); there is surely
something in it for everyone to like. For me, I do love the dancing (I can even
cut a mean salsa rug myself!); but above all, it is just pure, unadulterated,
fun!!
So from early October, Strictly takes over my life; many a
Saturday and Sunday night see me sat in my own living room, sat with my Mum,
sat with my family, watching the latest batch of tangoes, rhumbas, jives, waltzes.
Then, after Christmas, the fun is over; and not only do we then have to negotiate
being back at work after the holidays, we have to do it without the dancing.
Boo hoo!
But, as Fraulein Maria said; when God closes a door,
somewhere he opens a window. The window in this case is ‘Strictly Come Dancing
– Live’!! Yes; for the fifth year running, the Blaydon clan – in some way,
shape, or form – have alleviated the cold tv-turkey by paso-doble-ing along to
the MEN Arena for one final Strictly fix; and I – in a fit of mass generosity –
have yet again bought the tickets; this year for Mum, brother, sister-in-law,
sister and me (pssst – don’t tell anyone, but I kind of have a vested interest
in doing this, as I get to go too; kind of like dragging a child to see Disney’s
‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarves’ because you want to see it yourself!).
It’s much the same format as a regular episode, but we get
to see them up close and personal (and as I book the tickets about a
femtosecond after they go on sale; VERY close and EXTREMELY personal). SUCH a
good night; plenty of laughs, plenty of fantastic music, plenty of incredible
dancing, a wee bit of dreadful dancing, and a LOT of fun! So hats-off to Lisa,
Denise, Fern, Dani, Michael and Louis (stole the show with the iconic ‘Dirty
Dancing’ finale, including ‘the lift’; amazing!) for putting on another night
to remember. I'm already on the mailing list for 2014!!
Oh, almost forgot to tell you; not only did we get our
dancing shoes on tonight; Clare (sister) also treated us to afternoon tea at
the Midland Hotel. Now let me tell you; THAT was the perfect way to start a great
night (champagne, sandwiches, cakes, more champagne, scones, more champagne, pot of coffee……the ooooonly way to
fly!!).