London Marathon - Update 1

Some five years after having to pull out of the London Marathon through injury, I have finally got another place. I think I learned my lesson, so this time, I shall be taking my training very gently to start with, to try and avoid any further calf and heel problems.

I also need to shift about 15 pounds of excess weight otherwise my knees will complain. So no more cakes.

It's about 5 years since I stopped running seriously and focused on cycling, so, even though I still do the occasional run, I haven't run any events for over 2 years (last one was the Great Capital Run in 2008). And I haven't run further than about 12k for quite a while. Half hour on the treadmill will be enough for today, then I can see how stiff my legs are tomorrow and get a training plan together....

Wish me luck!

Marathon disappointment

Today's gentle training run turned into a disaster. My Achilles heel was sore from the off and after 8k my right calf pulled again. And I was only jogging a I'm still recovering from last week's Adidas Half Marathon. I think that probably ends my London Marathon ambitions for this year. I'm hugely disappointed as I'll have to go back into the lottery for a place in 2009. So, my next race will now the the Darenth Valley 10k in May. I've never run that race before, but it's local and even though the course undulates, there are some long hill stretches, so that should be fun!

2,375th

I made it! I came a splendid 2,375^th out of over 4,800 runners in Sunday’s Adidas Silverstone Half Marathon. I was pleased with my time of 1 hour 57 minutes 53 seconds – a couple of minutes inside my target time of 2 hours. Although it was cold on the day, the weather wasn’t too bad, but it did get quite windy during the second half of the race. There was a great atmosphere at the start of the race – there always is – but running round the track meant there weren’t many spectators, nor much encouragement, as the race went along. It certainly wasn’t as much fun as the Bath Half Marathon last year. Nevertheless, I’m glad I did it as now my sights turn to the big one – The London Marathon in just five weeks time. At the moment I’m still thinking I’ll be doing it, but I’ll need to get a gentle 25k training run in this weekend, and a 30k run next weekend to be sure. I have moderated my target time though. Realistically I haven’t done enough road running to seriously go at 4 hours 15 minutes, so I’m settling for a target of 5 hours.

Number 4282

Well my number arrived for the Silverstone Half Marathon today. The race is on 9 March. I'm number 4282. I've got one long training run this weekend, then a short run early next week following which I'll be resting before the big day. Sub two hours and injury free means I'll be lining up for the London Marathon in April so there's a lot to race for. Wish me luck!

Still running

I've decided I HATE GOLF! I've had lessons, but making progress is just such hard work. I went down the driving range today at lunchtime and it was a good half an hour before I was even hitting them straight. Really, what is the point?

I cycled to work on Wednesday as usual, then did an 8k run when I got home. And it felt really good. I'm planning a half marathon distance training run tomorrow, but as the weather is looking like it's going to be really cold, I think I'll do it down the gym on the treadmill. I've got a table tennis match right afterwards, so at least I'll be in the right place. Running is generally easier in the gym, so I make sure I put the machine on a small incline to at make it feel a little more realistic. I'm going to take it real easy - aiming at 2 hours for the 13 miles. I don't want to push it too early and risk injury!

I'm pondering entering the San Francisco Marathon in 2008. I love San Francisco. I could see some baseball afterwards as well.

It Took A Long Time, but I made it in the end

It’s now 5 years since I finally got motivated to do something about my weight. Over the course of the first year I managed to lose about 65 pounds. I did this through sensible eating, and a vigorous exercise regime. I feel good, and better than that I’ve managed to stay fit – although the doctors will probably tell me I could easily shed another 15 pounds or so. But hey, I’m fit, healthy and happy! And I think I buck the trend as a ‘fatty’ who has managed to keep the weight off.

It’s not easy though. I think I’m one of those people who is going to have a lifelong struggle with my weight, but doing the active things I enjoy (running, cycling and sports in general) gives me rather more scope than if I was leading a sedentary life style.

The next few months are really a steady build up to the London Marathon. Make no mistake, I don’t see myself as a marathon runner, but I do see the London Marathon as the culmination of my efforts. I don’t intend to make it a regular thing – the training regime is just too punishing for my fragile legs, but I have to do it just once. And the next one will be my last opportunity before I hit 50!

So pop back from time to time and check out my progress.