Starting week 7

Just 6 more of these runs left, then I'm really into it. Am really starting to feel like a runner now, and even forgot to check my watch again for one of the walking breaks this evening. And when I'm asked to run for 10 minutes, that is saying something, trust me.

Thursday 29 Nov. Walk 30 seconds, run 10 minutes, 3 times. 31.5 minutes total. 3.64 miles covered.

And it's my first pay day since I started my new job tomorrow. And I love my job. Everything fantabulosa.

Week 6 finished

Yep, I actually did it. Just 2 more weeks' worth of the beginner stuff, then I'll be on to the proper marathon training programme. A couple of very nice men have offered to train with me sometimes after work, which will make a nice change from running on my own, either listening to music or the painful sound of my own breathing. I've also applied for a place in the Brighton Half Marathon in February as a kind of trial run.

Monday 26 Nov. Walk 30 seconds, run 10 minutes, 3 times. 31.5 minutes total. 3.67 miles covered.

Probably Thursday for the next one. We have guests for dinner tomorrow and I have a meeting after work on Wednesday.

Week 6 - still

I should have gone out yesterday, but I simply didn't want to. Had a lovely day instead, including a full on afternoon nap wrapped in a granny blanket and a monumental roast dinner. I'll be going out tonight to run instead, than plan to get back on track with additional sessions Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Week 6 Part Deux

Saturday 24 Nov. Walk 1 minute, run 9 minutes, 3 times. 30 minutes total. 3.4 miles covered.

Week 6

Something of a breakthrough this evening. I actually kept forgetting to check my stopwatch to find out when I could do the walking bits in between.

Thursday 22 Nov. Walk 1 minute, run 8 minutes, 3 times. 27 minutes total. 3.18 miles covered.

Wahey and other related stuff.

Just a quick message

Not that anybody seems particularly keen to get involved at this point, but I just thought I'd let you know - I recently had a comment placed on the Blog by some random in Portugal trying to get me to sell BB on behalf of a Portuguese provider. This is clearly not contributing to the site, or what it's there for. So I have had to switch on 'Comment Moderation' to avoid the whole Blog being taken over by spam-happy timewasters.

Please, PLEASE, PLEASE do submit comments as and when you want to. As long as they're about what the Blog is about, I'll publish them whether they're complimentary or deeply sarcastic and mickey-taking. I'll get an e-mail message as soon as you post your comment and will approve it asap.

So start writing, people. See you soon.

Final run, week 5

I'm mingin'. Well, obviously, you all knew that by now, but bear with me. The weather's mingin' and my clothes are now mingin'. Actually, I don't know why I asked you to bear with me, this is going nowhere.

Tuesday, 20 Nov. Walk 1 minute, run 8 minutes, 3 times. 27 minutes total. 3.02 miles covered.

Next run planned for Thursday.

Sorry, but NO WAY

I woke up today with the best of intentions of going out again. But I'm just back from the weekly shopping trip, there's a bitter cold wind, all the bloody hills are still there and the weatherman reckons there could be snow on them soon. And I have man flu. Will not be running today, so come back Tuesday for the next update. Ciao.

And the second one

Yep. Am gonna stick to the plan. We've already established that running uphill makes we wanna vomit. Well, I can now confirm that when I'm hungover it's EVEN WORSE. Nevertheless, got further in the time today than yesterday. Will finish week 5 tomorrow.

Saturday 17 November. Walk 1 minute, run 4 minutes, 6 times. 30 minutes total. 3.26 miles covered.

1st run of week 5

On something of a high today after a very good day at work. As promised, now trying for 4 runs a week.

Friday 16 November. Walk 1 minute, run 4 minutes, 6 times. 30 minutes total. 3.22 miles covered.

Last run of week 4 of program

I set out this evening with a spring in my step and a limp in my wrist. Might as well have been the other way round.

Weds 14 Nov. Run 10 minutes (well, I mean what?!?!?!?), walk 2 minutes, run another 10 minutes (yeah, right). 22 minutes total. 2.54 miles covered.

I've now run a marathon in total (26.64 miles) during training, which is something of a milestone.

I'm half way through the wheezing old sad act part of the program, building up to being able to run 30 minutes without stopping, so I can start actually training for the marathon itself. Living half way up a hill on the side of a valley with a hill opposite and surrounded by hills is not helping these distances. I really am trying, honest.

Will go out again Friday, Saturday and Sunday this week, then start regularly doing Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday to get this 'preparation' phase of training out of the way.

2nd run of week 4

I know, I know, it's over a week later and I still claim to be in week 4. In my defense, I was preparing to leave one job, with a massive project to deliver, and preparing to start another. Quite apart from all the working, this also involved a substantial amount of alcohol consumption and a bit of a 'thank god, I can have a bit of a break' situation.
Anyway, I am now happily ensconced in my new role, cycling to work every day (12 mile round trip) and back to training properly. This run was bit of a struggle - quite a break since the last one, and also the first time I've attempted to do one having just cycled home.
Wednesday 7 November. Walk 1 minute, run 4 minutes, 5 times. 25 minutes total. 2,71 miles covered.