Seconds out, round 3 (From The Argus)
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Stable Genius
6 years ago
Me!
After the Brighton Marathon 2010
Saturday, 3 October 2009
Friday, 14 August 2009
I'm oh so quiet, I'm oh so still - and I'm oh so going
I know I said I'd keep this blog and the one on the Argus going, but I just can't. It's too much faffing.
If you're following the blog via Facebook, I'm going to try to work out how to pull in the posts from The Argus. Otherwise, PLEASE subscribe to follow me at:
http://www.theargus.co.uk/blogs/blogs/brighton_marathon/profile/34535/
Below is my recent post on that site. Ciao.
I have made the cycle commute a couple of times this week, just to keep the blood pumping and remind my body to create muscle, not fat, from what I eat.
Today I walked home from the office, a trip I believe to be between five and six miles. Along the seafront all the way from the West Pier to Hove lagoon, then onwards through Portslade.
I know it's trendy (one of the longest trends ever, I suspect) to slag off and generally bemoan all politicians. Normally, I'm moaning along as loudly as anyone and I think the kind of politician we actually get to see on television and hear on the radio and read quotes from in the press is basically a waste of skin and a potential food source for the third world.
But whoever's in charge of maintaining that stretch of the seafront deserves a medal. It's so clean. There are plenty of what the Americans, for once cutely, refer to as 'facilities'. And loads of bins with cigarette stubbers that, as far as I can tell, most smokers actually seem to use. The restored bandstand and the swirly pavement around it look lovely. Just yummy. I can't wait to do a marathon on it.
Speaking of which, I'm tentatively planning to include a run in my day tomorrow. At some point. Possibly.
Sunday, 9 August 2009
Stag Do + Scorchio = Slowio
Having run Friday morning, I gave Saturday morning's usual session a miss this week. Besides, I was attending my first ever stag do in the evening. I had been advised to practice talking about women and cars. I wasn't sure that was completely right for this particular group and the research was boring, so I had a drink and an afternoon nap like an old person instead.
I did spend some time researching Breakdown Cover, as I've just had a renewal notice from my current provider. They want to charge £137 for the year and the comparison sites are presenting some companies prepared to offer equivalent cover for under £50. I'm sure you get what you pay for, but I've tried reading a lot of the policy wording documents and, although I'm not stupid, it's all utterly meaningless. Could someone please just tell me who to go with and what level of cover to purchase if I want to be able to get home from anywhere in the UK and have a hire car if mine's seriously poorly, including home cover?
Anyway, this stag do business. I've heard quite appalling things and, not having been into Brighton for a night out, much less a Saturday night, I was interested to see if it was all as bad as I've been led to believe. Well, I can only say I was very pleasantly surprised. We went to Due South (9 of us) for a 3 course meal. I can wholeheartedly recommend this as a meal option, if you don't mind paying a bit. It's worth every penny and, although I was on water all night I understand the wine list is very good too. The staff are patient, friendly and can put up with drunk old men being a bit difficult. I did notice a tendency among the clientele to pour their wine using the thumb-in-the-dimple-on-the-bottom-of-the-bottle-that-people-who-put-their-thumb-in-probably-know-the-name-for technique, as opposed to the more common grab-it-by-the-neck-and-tip-it-upside-down we were using. But, live and let live, I say.
We fitted right in, with Ollie (the other youngster and son-of-the-bride) regaling us with edifying tales, such as and e.g. his friend used to DJ in a club in Brighton and Ollie used to come down and meet him and then the DJ would drive them both back up to London and on the way out of Brighton they would stop off at a place called Top Totty where the women weren't actually up to much but if you bought a lapdance you got a free pizza so why not?
Then it was on to The Cricketers on Black Lion Street for a few drinkettes (mineral water for me) and a civilised conversation. The Cricketers has perhaps the most cheerful bouncer ever and a really nice atmosphere, even at the end of what had clearly been a very long night for some.
The guys' taxi arrived at 12:30 to take them all back to Heathfield, and it was while walking back to the car that I began to see signs that Brighton's not entirely benign at 1am on a Saturday night (Sunday morning). There were hundreds of young people (and some old ones, ick) 'walking' as if their legs were on backwards and they were trying to avoid gaping holes in the pavement, only there were none. I felt all sort of grown up and superior.
I'm fairly sure I've scuppered any chance of being invited for a week of largeing it in (on?) Ibiza, but most of my friends are married already, anyway. Some of them have even found the time to get divorced as well.
I've digressed massively from the training-for-a-marathon raison d'etre of this blog. I do that, you know. I'm famous for it at work.
So, back on topic. I finally got to bed last night at about 2am. So that would be this morning, then. I'd made some vague noises of a '15k tomorrow' nature, but in my head at least had given myself the option of 12k. Thank god, because how hot and humid actually is it actually? Also, I didn't sleep all that well. I think my body had gone into shock from not being in bed at 10pm, or something, but I was still awake at 3, awake again at 5 and again at 7.30, eventually getting up about 9.15.
I'm very lucky to be living so close to the majority of the Brighton marathon course. I tend to head South and hit the coast at the bottom of Boundary Road and then head into the centre along the prom, and then back. Ooh, I must digress again.
This is the second run I've blogged here. On both occasions, there have been cyclists on the No Cycling bit down by the sea. But, do you know what? I don't care. They are big enough to see coming if they're heading towards me and, if they're going the same direction I am, one of those laws of relativity things means I am basically stationary in relation to any object whose velocity can be measured, and they can come past me with no problem at all. The problem? Pedestrians. Keep your dogs and your disgusting ill-mannered offsprings under control and there's no reason why cycling, walking, running and those people who are really old enough to know better but travel around on boots or planks on wheels can't all use the same space.
I got to 5k in 32 minutes, which was quite nice. On the way out, the sea breeze was in my face. The 7th kilometer was huge nightmare, in part I think because I'd run across Hove lawns and was travelling back alongside the coast road and the cycle lane - which, by the way, was absolutely rammed; has anyone considered the possibility that congestion could be a reason why some cyclists, especially those who can wear lycra without getting vomited on and travel at respectable speeds, might not want to be restricted to a 2-foot-wide section of one of the widest pavements in christendom?
Kilometers 8, 9 and 10 were quite good (I was back by the sea, you see, and the Lucozade Sport was kicking in), but 11 and 12 were pure torture.
I finally finished in 1 hour 8 minutes and 59 seconds. Theoretically, this is still sub-4-hours for a full marathon, only if you consider I was barely moving by the end and this implies additional downslowage over incremental distances, let's call it 5 for now.
We have recorded the Girls Aloud concert at the O2 (I LOVE THEM), which I shall now watch while again trying to decipher this breakdown cover rubbish. Please comment with a suggestion ASAP if you have one and save me some work!
I did spend some time researching Breakdown Cover, as I've just had a renewal notice from my current provider. They want to charge £137 for the year and the comparison sites are presenting some companies prepared to offer equivalent cover for under £50. I'm sure you get what you pay for, but I've tried reading a lot of the policy wording documents and, although I'm not stupid, it's all utterly meaningless. Could someone please just tell me who to go with and what level of cover to purchase if I want to be able to get home from anywhere in the UK and have a hire car if mine's seriously poorly, including home cover?
Anyway, this stag do business. I've heard quite appalling things and, not having been into Brighton for a night out, much less a Saturday night, I was interested to see if it was all as bad as I've been led to believe. Well, I can only say I was very pleasantly surprised. We went to Due South (9 of us) for a 3 course meal. I can wholeheartedly recommend this as a meal option, if you don't mind paying a bit. It's worth every penny and, although I was on water all night I understand the wine list is very good too. The staff are patient, friendly and can put up with drunk old men being a bit difficult. I did notice a tendency among the clientele to pour their wine using the thumb-in-the-dimple-on-the-bottom-of-the-bottle-that-people-who-put-their-thumb-in-probably-know-the-name-for technique, as opposed to the more common grab-it-by-the-neck-and-tip-it-upside-down we were using. But, live and let live, I say.
We fitted right in, with Ollie (the other youngster and son-of-the-bride) regaling us with edifying tales, such as and e.g. his friend used to DJ in a club in Brighton and Ollie used to come down and meet him and then the DJ would drive them both back up to London and on the way out of Brighton they would stop off at a place called Top Totty where the women weren't actually up to much but if you bought a lapdance you got a free pizza so why not?
Then it was on to The Cricketers on Black Lion Street for a few drinkettes (mineral water for me) and a civilised conversation. The Cricketers has perhaps the most cheerful bouncer ever and a really nice atmosphere, even at the end of what had clearly been a very long night for some.
The guys' taxi arrived at 12:30 to take them all back to Heathfield, and it was while walking back to the car that I began to see signs that Brighton's not entirely benign at 1am on a Saturday night (Sunday morning). There were hundreds of young people (and some old ones, ick) 'walking' as if their legs were on backwards and they were trying to avoid gaping holes in the pavement, only there were none. I felt all sort of grown up and superior.
I'm fairly sure I've scuppered any chance of being invited for a week of largeing it in (on?) Ibiza, but most of my friends are married already, anyway. Some of them have even found the time to get divorced as well.
I've digressed massively from the training-for-a-marathon raison d'etre of this blog. I do that, you know. I'm famous for it at work.
So, back on topic. I finally got to bed last night at about 2am. So that would be this morning, then. I'd made some vague noises of a '15k tomorrow' nature, but in my head at least had given myself the option of 12k. Thank god, because how hot and humid actually is it actually? Also, I didn't sleep all that well. I think my body had gone into shock from not being in bed at 10pm, or something, but I was still awake at 3, awake again at 5 and again at 7.30, eventually getting up about 9.15.
I'm very lucky to be living so close to the majority of the Brighton marathon course. I tend to head South and hit the coast at the bottom of Boundary Road and then head into the centre along the prom, and then back. Ooh, I must digress again.
This is the second run I've blogged here. On both occasions, there have been cyclists on the No Cycling bit down by the sea. But, do you know what? I don't care. They are big enough to see coming if they're heading towards me and, if they're going the same direction I am, one of those laws of relativity things means I am basically stationary in relation to any object whose velocity can be measured, and they can come past me with no problem at all. The problem? Pedestrians. Keep your dogs and your disgusting ill-mannered offsprings under control and there's no reason why cycling, walking, running and those people who are really old enough to know better but travel around on boots or planks on wheels can't all use the same space.
I got to 5k in 32 minutes, which was quite nice. On the way out, the sea breeze was in my face. The 7th kilometer was huge nightmare, in part I think because I'd run across Hove lawns and was travelling back alongside the coast road and the cycle lane - which, by the way, was absolutely rammed; has anyone considered the possibility that congestion could be a reason why some cyclists, especially those who can wear lycra without getting vomited on and travel at respectable speeds, might not want to be restricted to a 2-foot-wide section of one of the widest pavements in christendom?
Kilometers 8, 9 and 10 were quite good (I was back by the sea, you see, and the Lucozade Sport was kicking in), but 11 and 12 were pure torture.
I finally finished in 1 hour 8 minutes and 59 seconds. Theoretically, this is still sub-4-hours for a full marathon, only if you consider I was barely moving by the end and this implies additional downslowage over incremental distances, let's call it 5 for now.
We have recorded the Girls Aloud concert at the O2 (I LOVE THEM), which I shall now watch while again trying to decipher this breakdown cover rubbish. Please comment with a suggestion ASAP if you have one and save me some work!
Saturday, 8 August 2009
Solids are definitely the way forward
Well now. Our local newspaper, the Evening Argus, has invited me to join their team of bloggers. It's all too exciting. I promise to keep this blog going, too, but am being very lazy today and just reproducing my first published post from their site below. Follow me at: http://www.theargus.co.uk/blogs/blogs/brighton_marathon/profile/34535/
If you've not read my old blog and, let's face it, you haven't (but you should), you're probably quite rightly wondering what on Earth I'm going on about. Allow me to explain.
From the bio, you'll know I'm in training for my third fundraising marathon for Diabetes UK, which happens rather excitingly to be the first one ever n Brighton. I've created a full training plan (I'm a project manager by trade, not a total lunatic, by the way) to prepare for the big day, but I'm starting now to try to build up some level of fitness. I've spent most of my spare time since the last marathon in a vegetative state. Apart from a couple of sessions on the Wii Fit, which is now basically gathering dust. And that doesn't really count anyway...
So, two Saturdays ago I did a 10k run, which I prepared for by eating a curry and drinking a foolish amount of vodka the night before. It took me 57 minutes and 41 seconds.
I did another 10k last Saturday. I decided my preparation for the previous one probably had not been the best, so I changed some things. On the Friday, I ate nothing at all, all day, and drank even more vodka. This time it took me 59 minutes and 5 seconds. Not a lot of difference time-wise, but it was, like, really, really hard.
I am working from home today, which means if I get up at the usual time, I can wake up slowly and get a run in and still log on at the same time I would usually, if I'd rushed about, got the bus to work, arrived there and realised I'd forgotten my glasses and my lunch and logged in. So that's what I did.
Last night, I had a curry again. But, because even my tastebuds are a bit limp, it was a mild, red thai one. And I had a sensible amount of wine. While watching the Proms. It was actually rather gorgeous.
And the run today took only 55 minutes and 32 seconds. Now, that's not a massive improvement time-wise. But it felt so much easier. Absolutely no urge to 'do a Radcliffe', no dry heaves or retching. I won't say I floated along, because I quite simply am not and never will be built for that kind of ease of movement. But it all felt coordinated. It flowed. I could tell that my head and legs were connected. By what is not quite clear (see 'not floaty' comment above), but nor is it hugely relevant. I ran 10k and it felt good.
So, we have learned, food is very important and getting drunk is not advisable when you're trying to prepapre for a very long run. I shall call that a success.
I remember before my last marathon, towards the end I was dreaming of running, of passing Paula Radcliffe in a sprint finish, of 'negative splits' and being all thin-waisted and stuff. Last night, I dreamed that I had a pet fox that I'd trained as a kind of sheepdog, only with squirrels. And then I went to a meeting with my boss (I think it was my boss from about 4 jobs ago) and explained to her with a completely straight face why the Wii Fit was going to revolutionise the World and banish obesity, saving the governments of the World gazillions of £, or $, or whatever in healthcare, and allowing us to feed the starving while the fat became thin. And she told me if I could put it in writing as well as I'd explained it to her, I would win the Pulitzer. And I did, and I did.
Stick with me, people. Now till 18 April 2010 is going to be quite a ride.
If you've not read my old blog and, let's face it, you haven't (but you should), you're probably quite rightly wondering what on Earth I'm going on about. Allow me to explain.
From the bio, you'll know I'm in training for my third fundraising marathon for Diabetes UK, which happens rather excitingly to be the first one ever n Brighton. I've created a full training plan (I'm a project manager by trade, not a total lunatic, by the way) to prepare for the big day, but I'm starting now to try to build up some level of fitness. I've spent most of my spare time since the last marathon in a vegetative state. Apart from a couple of sessions on the Wii Fit, which is now basically gathering dust. And that doesn't really count anyway...
So, two Saturdays ago I did a 10k run, which I prepared for by eating a curry and drinking a foolish amount of vodka the night before. It took me 57 minutes and 41 seconds.
I did another 10k last Saturday. I decided my preparation for the previous one probably had not been the best, so I changed some things. On the Friday, I ate nothing at all, all day, and drank even more vodka. This time it took me 59 minutes and 5 seconds. Not a lot of difference time-wise, but it was, like, really, really hard.
I am working from home today, which means if I get up at the usual time, I can wake up slowly and get a run in and still log on at the same time I would usually, if I'd rushed about, got the bus to work, arrived there and realised I'd forgotten my glasses and my lunch and logged in. So that's what I did.
Last night, I had a curry again. But, because even my tastebuds are a bit limp, it was a mild, red thai one. And I had a sensible amount of wine. While watching the Proms. It was actually rather gorgeous.
And the run today took only 55 minutes and 32 seconds. Now, that's not a massive improvement time-wise. But it felt so much easier. Absolutely no urge to 'do a Radcliffe', no dry heaves or retching. I won't say I floated along, because I quite simply am not and never will be built for that kind of ease of movement. But it all felt coordinated. It flowed. I could tell that my head and legs were connected. By what is not quite clear (see 'not floaty' comment above), but nor is it hugely relevant. I ran 10k and it felt good.
So, we have learned, food is very important and getting drunk is not advisable when you're trying to prepapre for a very long run. I shall call that a success.
I remember before my last marathon, towards the end I was dreaming of running, of passing Paula Radcliffe in a sprint finish, of 'negative splits' and being all thin-waisted and stuff. Last night, I dreamed that I had a pet fox that I'd trained as a kind of sheepdog, only with squirrels. And then I went to a meeting with my boss (I think it was my boss from about 4 jobs ago) and explained to her with a completely straight face why the Wii Fit was going to revolutionise the World and banish obesity, saving the governments of the World gazillions of £, or $, or whatever in healthcare, and allowing us to feed the starving while the fat became thin. And she told me if I could put it in writing as well as I'd explained it to her, I would win the Pulitzer. And I did, and I did.
Stick with me, people. Now till 18 April 2010 is going to be quite a ride.
Saturday, 1 August 2009
Brighton Pride 2009
Minced in, trolled around for a quick varda and minced off again. Needs nice weather and proper planning to really enjoy it, I think.
There are some photos here. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=127655&id=530049972&l=7ed9a6109c
They are not very good. My feet are killing me.
There are some photos here. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=127655&id=530049972&l=7ed9a6109c
They are not very good. My feet are killing me.
Another 10k
Last weekend, I did one, if you remember. I thought that time that my preparation had not been the best, so this time I made some changes.
I ate absolutely nothing. At all. All day. Yesterday. And I drank a bit more vodka than last time.
Am I a committed athlete, or what? That's a serious question, actually, if you know what I am please tell me. 57:41 last time and 59:05 this time.
I know you can do something clever to your car to make it run on chip fat. But what the hell kind of modification does the human body need to make its performance bloody nearly identical, whether it gets any solid fuel in a 36-hour period or not? And, more to the point, how did it happen without my noticing?
So, a bit of calfular crampage and spots before the eyes aside, another successful, if not stellar, outing this morning.
I ate absolutely nothing. At all. All day. Yesterday. And I drank a bit more vodka than last time.
Am I a committed athlete, or what? That's a serious question, actually, if you know what I am please tell me. 57:41 last time and 59:05 this time.
I know you can do something clever to your car to make it run on chip fat. But what the hell kind of modification does the human body need to make its performance bloody nearly identical, whether it gets any solid fuel in a 36-hour period or not? And, more to the point, how did it happen without my noticing?
So, a bit of calfular crampage and spots before the eyes aside, another successful, if not stellar, outing this morning.
Friday, 31 July 2009
Saturday, 25 July 2009
10k. Done.
Not yesterday. I couldn't be bothered. And the reason I couldn't be bothered contributed to the pain of today's experience.
Not that anyone in the World but me would need to be told this, but curry and half a bottle of vodka may be fun at the time, but are not the ideal menu selection the night before attempting the longest run you've done in over a year. In my defence, I had a bit of a stressful day, both work-wise and in seeing the village next door to my parents' home in Spain burning uncontrollably on the News. Their home phone line was not working and I couldn't get hold of them mobilely. They did turn up, safe and sound. Thank bloody god.
Anyway, glorious sunshine and, once I'd made it down to the Hove seafront, a nice cooling breeze.
57:41 was the time, which is not bad at all considering my preparation technique!
A day in front of the telly having fun with Merlin and Excel beckons. F1 qualifying (how sexy is Heikki Kovalainen!?!) and London Athletics. Nice.
Not that anyone in the World but me would need to be told this, but curry and half a bottle of vodka may be fun at the time, but are not the ideal menu selection the night before attempting the longest run you've done in over a year. In my defence, I had a bit of a stressful day, both work-wise and in seeing the village next door to my parents' home in Spain burning uncontrollably on the News. Their home phone line was not working and I couldn't get hold of them mobilely. They did turn up, safe and sound. Thank bloody god.
Anyway, glorious sunshine and, once I'd made it down to the Hove seafront, a nice cooling breeze.
57:41 was the time, which is not bad at all considering my preparation technique!
A day in front of the telly having fun with Merlin and Excel beckons. F1 qualifying (how sexy is Heikki Kovalainen!?!) and London Athletics. Nice.
Friday, 24 July 2009
Pause for thought
I got up at 6.30 fully intending to go out and attempt a 10k. I haven't been that far for a long, long time. But then the weather went all British Summery, so I've postponed that. This evening, if I can be bothered by then.
Anyway, this gave me some flopping on the sofa with coffee and a book time. I'm reading Jeremy Clarkson. I know I should object to his very existence, but I'm sorry, I think he's intelligent and very funny and you can't spend your life taking things personally, right? I also believe he's identified some particular traits that others, including Catherine Tate, have gone on to make a lot of money by caricaturing.
Anyway, I'm reproducing below his column from The Times, Sunday 15 April 2007. And by attributing it, I'm taking no credit for the bits I agree with and no responsibility for the bits I don't. If you know me, I hope you'll know which is (are?) which.
Jeremy's title for the article was 'What the hell are we saying here?'. I'd like to subtitle it with 'And does it need saying?'. Over to Jeremy.
A few weeks ago I became a businessman, which means I've started going to meetings. Or, as they should be known, 'places where nothing happens and nothing gets done'.
Here's how they go. Each of the people round the table expresses their opinion on a particular subject, and each of these opinions is completely different. Then, after you've drunk a cup of what might be coffee, but could be oxtail soup, a biggish woman - and it's always a woman - says: 'Well, we're outside the box here with a new kind of hybrid venture and we can't know what the result will be until we've run the flag up the flagpole and seen which way the wind's blowing.'
Plainly, you want to argue with this, but as you draw breath to speak you realise that what she just said didn't make any sense. And anyway, she hasn't finished.
'It's mission critical that we use blue-sky thinking and that we're proactive, not reactive, if we're to come up with a ballpark figure that we can bring to the table.'
Again, you raise a finger to make a point. But you don't know what that point might be, so you pour yourself another cup of winter-warming coffee broth, help yourself to another triangular tuna and cucumber sandwich and wait for the pastry-faced woman in culottes to finish.
'We must maintain a client focus so that we can incentivise the team and monetise the deliverables, and only then can we take it to the next level.'
You look round the table at all the old hands, the sort of people who whip out their laptops every time they're at an airportand know what a Wi-Fi looks like, and they're all nodding sagely, so you stop yourself from actually saying: 'I'm sorry but what the hell are you on about?'
Later on in the day, you ring the person who called the meeting and in less than a minute decide on a course of action. And then, when you get home, you wonder why it was necessary to have the meeting at all. So you can listen to a farmyard animal in a power suit turning nouns into verbs and talking rubbish for half an hour to mask the fact she hasn't got a single cohesive thought in her head.
To get round this problem, a friend and I developed a new scheme to make meetings more interesting. We would give each other a band as we walked through the door and then we'd compete to see how many of their song titles we could lob into the conversation without anyone noticing.
That's why, last week, I actually said: 'Every breath you take is like an invisible sun. We are spirits in a material world, or, as they say in France, Outlandos d'Amour.' And do you know what? Nobody batted an eyelid.
And nor did anyone cotton on when my friend replied by saying: 'We're on top of the world looking down on creation, and we are calling occupants of interplanetary craft.'
Eventually, though, even this became wearisome so I went on holiday, but even in the Caribbean there was no escape. A fax arrived from my new business colleagues advising me that there was to be a conference call at 2 p.m. Barbados time between people in Los Angeles, Aspen, London and Cairo.
I've never felt so important in my life. Me? On a conference call? Spanning the globe? Wow. I was so excited that I completely forgot about it until 1.55 p.m., by which time I was very drunk, and on a sailing boat.
No matter, I dialled the number, entered the security pin I'd been given and was asked to state my name so I could be introduced. 'Beep' went the phone, and then on came an electronic voice to say: 'Captain Jack Sparrow has joined the conversation.'
Conference calls are great. They're exactly like a normal meeting in that nothing happens and nothing gets done and everyone talks rubbish, but you don't have to sit there remembering not to fall asleep or what Culture Club did after 'Karma Chameleon'.
You can just pour yourself another rum punch and look out of the porthole. At one point, when the boat went about, or whatever it is sailing boats do when they turn round, I fell off my chair, dropped the phone and couldn't find it for five minutes, and when I finally rejoined the conversation nobody even noticed I'd been away.
Unfortunately, one of the decisions made in a follow-up phone call to the man who'd hosted the conference chat was that we'd have to go to Los Angeles.
Hollywood, America. And have meetings there, face to face with the people we hadn't been talking about because they were in the box and we were outside it, at the top of a flagpole seeing which way the wind was blowing.
Gulp. American business meetings. That'd be scary. A whole new raft of power women and even more white-collar nonsense. I'd better get sober.
Strangely, however, the Americans have got meetngs down to a fine art, which is probably why they have NASA and Microsoft and we have Betty's tea shoppe. You walk in and the receptionist asks if you'd like some 'wadder or something'. You are then ushered into a conference room where you say your piece, and when you've finished, their top man stands up, thanks you for coming and leaves.
They've realised that the meeting is useless for getting anything done, so they listen'n'go. And move straight to the follow-up phone call where the decisions are made.
I therefore have a new rule. If I go to a meeting, only I am allowed to speak. And then something happens.
Anyway, this gave me some flopping on the sofa with coffee and a book time. I'm reading Jeremy Clarkson. I know I should object to his very existence, but I'm sorry, I think he's intelligent and very funny and you can't spend your life taking things personally, right? I also believe he's identified some particular traits that others, including Catherine Tate, have gone on to make a lot of money by caricaturing.
Anyway, I'm reproducing below his column from The Times, Sunday 15 April 2007. And by attributing it, I'm taking no credit for the bits I agree with and no responsibility for the bits I don't. If you know me, I hope you'll know which is (are?) which.
Jeremy's title for the article was 'What the hell are we saying here?'. I'd like to subtitle it with 'And does it need saying?'. Over to Jeremy.
A few weeks ago I became a businessman, which means I've started going to meetings. Or, as they should be known, 'places where nothing happens and nothing gets done'.
Here's how they go. Each of the people round the table expresses their opinion on a particular subject, and each of these opinions is completely different. Then, after you've drunk a cup of what might be coffee, but could be oxtail soup, a biggish woman - and it's always a woman - says: 'Well, we're outside the box here with a new kind of hybrid venture and we can't know what the result will be until we've run the flag up the flagpole and seen which way the wind's blowing.'
Plainly, you want to argue with this, but as you draw breath to speak you realise that what she just said didn't make any sense. And anyway, she hasn't finished.
'It's mission critical that we use blue-sky thinking and that we're proactive, not reactive, if we're to come up with a ballpark figure that we can bring to the table.'
Again, you raise a finger to make a point. But you don't know what that point might be, so you pour yourself another cup of winter-warming coffee broth, help yourself to another triangular tuna and cucumber sandwich and wait for the pastry-faced woman in culottes to finish.
'We must maintain a client focus so that we can incentivise the team and monetise the deliverables, and only then can we take it to the next level.'
You look round the table at all the old hands, the sort of people who whip out their laptops every time they're at an airportand know what a Wi-Fi looks like, and they're all nodding sagely, so you stop yourself from actually saying: 'I'm sorry but what the hell are you on about?'
Later on in the day, you ring the person who called the meeting and in less than a minute decide on a course of action. And then, when you get home, you wonder why it was necessary to have the meeting at all. So you can listen to a farmyard animal in a power suit turning nouns into verbs and talking rubbish for half an hour to mask the fact she hasn't got a single cohesive thought in her head.
To get round this problem, a friend and I developed a new scheme to make meetings more interesting. We would give each other a band as we walked through the door and then we'd compete to see how many of their song titles we could lob into the conversation without anyone noticing.
That's why, last week, I actually said: 'Every breath you take is like an invisible sun. We are spirits in a material world, or, as they say in France, Outlandos d'Amour.' And do you know what? Nobody batted an eyelid.
And nor did anyone cotton on when my friend replied by saying: 'We're on top of the world looking down on creation, and we are calling occupants of interplanetary craft.'
Eventually, though, even this became wearisome so I went on holiday, but even in the Caribbean there was no escape. A fax arrived from my new business colleagues advising me that there was to be a conference call at 2 p.m. Barbados time between people in Los Angeles, Aspen, London and Cairo.
I've never felt so important in my life. Me? On a conference call? Spanning the globe? Wow. I was so excited that I completely forgot about it until 1.55 p.m., by which time I was very drunk, and on a sailing boat.
No matter, I dialled the number, entered the security pin I'd been given and was asked to state my name so I could be introduced. 'Beep' went the phone, and then on came an electronic voice to say: 'Captain Jack Sparrow has joined the conversation.'
Conference calls are great. They're exactly like a normal meeting in that nothing happens and nothing gets done and everyone talks rubbish, but you don't have to sit there remembering not to fall asleep or what Culture Club did after 'Karma Chameleon'.
You can just pour yourself another rum punch and look out of the porthole. At one point, when the boat went about, or whatever it is sailing boats do when they turn round, I fell off my chair, dropped the phone and couldn't find it for five minutes, and when I finally rejoined the conversation nobody even noticed I'd been away.
Unfortunately, one of the decisions made in a follow-up phone call to the man who'd hosted the conference chat was that we'd have to go to Los Angeles.
Hollywood, America. And have meetings there, face to face with the people we hadn't been talking about because they were in the box and we were outside it, at the top of a flagpole seeing which way the wind was blowing.
Gulp. American business meetings. That'd be scary. A whole new raft of power women and even more white-collar nonsense. I'd better get sober.
Strangely, however, the Americans have got meetngs down to a fine art, which is probably why they have NASA and Microsoft and we have Betty's tea shoppe. You walk in and the receptionist asks if you'd like some 'wadder or something'. You are then ushered into a conference room where you say your piece, and when you've finished, their top man stands up, thanks you for coming and leaves.
They've realised that the meeting is useless for getting anything done, so they listen'n'go. And move straight to the follow-up phone call where the decisions are made.
I therefore have a new rule. If I go to a meeting, only I am allowed to speak. And then something happens.
Thursday, 23 July 2009
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Could I have got the name for this blog more wrong?
I haven't cycled, or run, for a while. Flu scare at the end of last week, nasty windy wetness so far this week and, although the sun was shining this morning, I've been up most of the night with food poisoning, effectively meaning I got 0 calories in me yesterday.
I have, though, created a detailed training plan for the marathon, which has shown that I can get through the full programme twice if I start in mid-September. That makes anything I do now definitively optional, so I'm not feeling bad about a little break.
Maybe tomorrow morning?
I have, though, created a detailed training plan for the marathon, which has shown that I can get through the full programme twice if I start in mid-September. That makes anything I do now definitively optional, so I'm not feeling bad about a little break.
Maybe tomorrow morning?
Saturday, 18 July 2009
Viruses and paranoia
Had horrible problems yesterday which resulted in an early exit from the office and a nasty afternoon spent sweating, aching and sneezing at home.
This morning, the runny nose is still with me, but the fever appears to have gone, replaced by stomach trouble. I'm fairly confident now I don't have the dreaded you now what, but am equally sure I won't get any exercise done - at least not today.
This morning, the runny nose is still with me, but the fever appears to have gone, replaced by stomach trouble. I'm fairly confident now I don't have the dreaded you now what, but am equally sure I won't get any exercise done - at least not today.
Thursday, 16 July 2009
Feeling deeply virtuous
Had a BIG meeting in our London office today, which scuppered the scheduled morning run - I've been doing them on a Friday because I've been working from home, but the silver dream machine (I love my MacBook) is not quite configured right to make that possible just now. So it's into the office for me on Fridays for the foreseeable. Heigh ho.
Anyway, escaped and travelled back down to Brighton a bit early. I have noticed a strange correlation between the amount of work I manage to get done and the number of people in the office - an inverse relationship, obviously. So I went for a run when I got home.
It went very well indeed. 6.7k in 38 minutes. 500m more than last time, 5 minutes quicker. This clearly indicates that vodka is good for you and early morning activity is just plain wrong.
And now I'm beavering away, clearing my inbox faster than ever before because everyone else from work is logged off and there's nobody to contradict me. I guess I have that to look forward to in the morning. Mood matching the weather. It's been a good day.
Anyway, escaped and travelled back down to Brighton a bit early. I have noticed a strange correlation between the amount of work I manage to get done and the number of people in the office - an inverse relationship, obviously. So I went for a run when I got home.
It went very well indeed. 6.7k in 38 minutes. 500m more than last time, 5 minutes quicker. This clearly indicates that vodka is good for you and early morning activity is just plain wrong.
And now I'm beavering away, clearing my inbox faster than ever before because everyone else from work is logged off and there's nobody to contradict me. I guess I have that to look forward to in the morning. Mood matching the weather. It's been a good day.
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Another drizzly run
Up at 6, a quick coffee and off I went.
Definitively avoiding hills wherever possible for now. I encounter a couple of minor ones and I think it's my technique that screws me, but I seem to lean forward and compress my diaphragm, which basically means I don't breathe at all when I'm running uphill. I have a feeling this is not ideal.
Frightened the occasional dogwalker this morning - I still maintain that nobody looks good in lycra, and even wearing another layer on top I'm a particularly disturbing vision at 6.15 in the morning. Small dogs I can outrun and large ones tend to head for the hills (figuratively, although I obviously wouldn't be going in that direction, so it wouldn't be a bad move it it was literal, either!), so it's not too bad.
6.2 k in 34 minutes. Pacing not bad at all. I need to sit down with the 16 week programme - which I plan to do twice - and work out when I need to start.
Definitively avoiding hills wherever possible for now. I encounter a couple of minor ones and I think it's my technique that screws me, but I seem to lean forward and compress my diaphragm, which basically means I don't breathe at all when I'm running uphill. I have a feeling this is not ideal.
Frightened the occasional dogwalker this morning - I still maintain that nobody looks good in lycra, and even wearing another layer on top I'm a particularly disturbing vision at 6.15 in the morning. Small dogs I can outrun and large ones tend to head for the hills (figuratively, although I obviously wouldn't be going in that direction, so it wouldn't be a bad move it it was literal, either!), so it's not too bad.
6.2 k in 34 minutes. Pacing not bad at all. I need to sit down with the 16 week programme - which I plan to do twice - and work out when I need to start.
Monday, 13 July 2009
Did absolutely nanty yesterday
The sun was out, yes. But what on Earth was that wind about?
It really can't seem to make up its mind this morning at all, can it? Patches of blue sky, but loads of black cloud. Quite chilly and fresh, but very humid.
Cycling again today. I'm sticking in lowish gears, cos it's all about weight loss and CV stamina for the next few months. It seems to be accepted that we'll be wearing shorts in the office at the moment, too, so I'm not wearing the traditional padded gusset, instead cycling in what I'm going to wear all day but changing my top when I arrive. There are limits, after all.
There are so many appropriate songs about my feelings towards Mondays lately, but I'll let you pick your own favourite. The one that's best fit for me this morning is top right.
It really can't seem to make up its mind this morning at all, can it? Patches of blue sky, but loads of black cloud. Quite chilly and fresh, but very humid.
Cycling again today. I'm sticking in lowish gears, cos it's all about weight loss and CV stamina for the next few months. It seems to be accepted that we'll be wearing shorts in the office at the moment, too, so I'm not wearing the traditional padded gusset, instead cycling in what I'm going to wear all day but changing my top when I arrive. There are limits, after all.
There are so many appropriate songs about my feelings towards Mondays lately, but I'll let you pick your own favourite. The one that's best fit for me this morning is top right.
Saturday, 11 July 2009
How I love the rain
Did the usual run to Tescos this morning. I think there must have been a Saga tour or something. Full of old people stopping dead with no warning, turning their trolleys sideways and blocking entire aisles and generally being hopeless and tiresome.
I don't know if it's because I'm reading a Jeremy Clarkson book, but I completely lost the ability to be polite to...anyone...old people, slags with uncontrollable multiple brats, you know the types. I resorted to running over the children (no great loss to society, in fact I may have saved us all a few bob) and bashing into everyone else's ankles shouting, 'Excuse me, non-pointless-young-person-with-a-continuing-contribution-to-make coming through!' And I let down the tyres on the old gits' coach. Well, I didn't, but I bloody well would have had there been one.
Blood was still a bit boily when I got home, so I decided to release some tension with a run. I've been doing, just in case you've managed to miss previous instalments, the same course for a while now, trying to shave time off. I decided this time to increase the distance and see how that went.
The rain is actually really great to train in, as long as it's not too windy, and today's conditions suited me quite nicely. Did 7.5 k in 42 minutes, which is nothing to write home about but also nothing to panic about, given that I've got 9 months until the marathon.
And a body update, for anyone interested. There's definite gluteal tautness and upliftage developing, but persistent abdominal and mammary porridgeyness.
Also, I still think my nose is too big, my top lip's too thin and I have a weak chin.
I don't know if it's because I'm reading a Jeremy Clarkson book, but I completely lost the ability to be polite to...anyone...old people, slags with uncontrollable multiple brats, you know the types. I resorted to running over the children (no great loss to society, in fact I may have saved us all a few bob) and bashing into everyone else's ankles shouting, 'Excuse me, non-pointless-young-person-with-a-continuing-contribution-to-make coming through!' And I let down the tyres on the old gits' coach. Well, I didn't, but I bloody well would have had there been one.
Blood was still a bit boily when I got home, so I decided to release some tension with a run. I've been doing, just in case you've managed to miss previous instalments, the same course for a while now, trying to shave time off. I decided this time to increase the distance and see how that went.
The rain is actually really great to train in, as long as it's not too windy, and today's conditions suited me quite nicely. Did 7.5 k in 42 minutes, which is nothing to write home about but also nothing to panic about, given that I've got 9 months until the marathon.
And a body update, for anyone interested. There's definite gluteal tautness and upliftage developing, but persistent abdominal and mammary porridgeyness.
Also, I still think my nose is too big, my top lip's too thin and I have a weak chin.
Friday, 10 July 2009
Another lovely a.m. in Brighton
The sun's back! Although, apparently, not for long.
Cycling today. A lovely little troll along the plage, soleil sparkling on the briny.
Cycling today. A lovely little troll along the plage, soleil sparkling on the briny.
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Still moving about a lot
I'm still in EITHER run OR cycle mode and this morning running won.
I'm still sticking to the same course for a while. It's an easy way to judge earlier on whether or not I'm getting better.
And I am! Another 7 seconds knocked of the previous time. Fairly piffling, but an improvement nevertheless. And the cycling seems to be helping stretch out my muscles, as my thighs are no longer giving me gyp, whether I spend 30 minutes stretching or not.
Still definitely no visible change in weight. Mind you, I've only really been going for 2 weeks. So impatient, you see. If people will invite me to weddings, they should expect me to worry more about my weight than theirs. I mean, they have met me, right?
Onwards and upwards.
I'm still sticking to the same course for a while. It's an easy way to judge earlier on whether or not I'm getting better.
And I am! Another 7 seconds knocked of the previous time. Fairly piffling, but an improvement nevertheless. And the cycling seems to be helping stretch out my muscles, as my thighs are no longer giving me gyp, whether I spend 30 minutes stretching or not.
Still definitely no visible change in weight. Mind you, I've only really been going for 2 weeks. So impatient, you see. If people will invite me to weddings, they should expect me to worry more about my weight than theirs. I mean, they have met me, right?
Onwards and upwards.
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
Don't give up on Summer just yet!
Yesterday. Ooooh, no thankyou very much. My garden seemed to enjoy it, but I didn't and nor did my cat.
Today's much more like it. Got up early enough to go for a run, but decided instead to cycle to work. I've tried before doing both on the same day and it simply doesn't work. Or rather, it didn't when I was smoking like a chimney. May be worth a try at some point, I suppose. Especially if I'm ever going to do a triathlon, which I really quite fancy.
I don't own a pair of scales (I feel the same about them as I do about mirrors, they're bastards), but I do have a Wii Fit. I may dare a quick weigh-in and yogafest and try to build that back into my routine to monitor whether all this tedious moving about is having any effect.
Quite flatteringly, a lot of colleagues who've signed up for Brighton next year as their first marathon are coming to me for advice. They've all seen the picture of me on the London course with a beer and a cigarette in 2005 and they still come to me. Talk about laugh.
Anyway, on with the work thing now.
Today's much more like it. Got up early enough to go for a run, but decided instead to cycle to work. I've tried before doing both on the same day and it simply doesn't work. Or rather, it didn't when I was smoking like a chimney. May be worth a try at some point, I suppose. Especially if I'm ever going to do a triathlon, which I really quite fancy.
I don't own a pair of scales (I feel the same about them as I do about mirrors, they're bastards), but I do have a Wii Fit. I may dare a quick weigh-in and yogafest and try to build that back into my routine to monitor whether all this tedious moving about is having any effect.
Quite flatteringly, a lot of colleagues who've signed up for Brighton next year as their first marathon are coming to me for advice. They've all seen the picture of me on the London course with a beer and a cigarette in 2005 and they still come to me. Talk about laugh.
Anyway, on with the work thing now.
Sunday, 5 July 2009
Someone else's turn
No running or cycling for me today, although I've walked rather a long way.
My sister, however, with a couple of friends, completed the 5km Race for Life course for Cancer Research this afternoon. Couldn't be prouder. It was damned hot, too, so extra special congratulations due. I enjoyed watching for once! :-)
Photos on Facebook and Video on YouTube shortly.
My sister, however, with a couple of friends, completed the 5km Race for Life course for Cancer Research this afternoon. Couldn't be prouder. It was damned hot, too, so extra special congratulations due. I enjoyed watching for once! :-)
Photos on Facebook and Video on YouTube shortly.
Saturday, 4 July 2009
How very British of me
Talking about the weather again. Anyway, it clearly rained overnight, but that doesn't seem to have done much to reduce the humidity or cool things down. It's absolutely mingin', innit.
Went running anyway. No direct sun, as it's so cloudy, but really hot anyway. Managed to be organised enough to take a drink with me. Drinking on the run is a lot harder than I remember and definitely something I'm going to have to start practicing again. Is that an embarrassing confession I've just made, or a helpful hint for novices if any stumble across this site? Whatever.
I did exactly the same course as yesterday, 3.25 miles, but finished it 27 seconds more quickly than yesterday. All after the usual Friday night curry and 'a drink'. Can't be bad. And it's actually the first run since I restarted where I felt like a runner - the technique, breathing, coordination and all that felt right. Fingers crossed I can keep it up.
Time for work now. Waiting for the Wimbledon ladies' final, but not with as much anticipation as I'd hoped - Williams v Williams AGAIN. I have nothing against them, but when I watch them it always feels like the really amazing shots are more by luck than judgement and it winds me up that their opponents seem to psych themselves out. Hey ho.
Went running anyway. No direct sun, as it's so cloudy, but really hot anyway. Managed to be organised enough to take a drink with me. Drinking on the run is a lot harder than I remember and definitely something I'm going to have to start practicing again. Is that an embarrassing confession I've just made, or a helpful hint for novices if any stumble across this site? Whatever.
I did exactly the same course as yesterday, 3.25 miles, but finished it 27 seconds more quickly than yesterday. All after the usual Friday night curry and 'a drink'. Can't be bad. And it's actually the first run since I restarted where I felt like a runner - the technique, breathing, coordination and all that felt right. Fingers crossed I can keep it up.
Time for work now. Waiting for the Wimbledon ladies' final, but not with as much anticipation as I'd hoped - Williams v Williams AGAIN. I have nothing against them, but when I watch them it always feels like the really amazing shots are more by luck than judgement and it winds me up that their opponents seem to psych themselves out. Hey ho.
Friday, 3 July 2009
And now, the weather
Can't remember exactly what the forecast said yesterday evening. But I'm fairly sure it didn't, there are many reasons why it couldn't and I'm kinda glad it wouldn't and never will say 'Mostly moist'.
Meteorologically and sudoriferously accurate, nevertheless.
Running. Done it. Innit.
Meteorologically and sudoriferously accurate, nevertheless.
Running. Done it. Innit.
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Cycled again
It's really hot and that's making running quite unattractive. The cycling to work and back is deeply lovely, though. It's before it gets too hot in the morning and in the evening it's just starting to cool down.
I may take my camera with me one day, if I remember. Which isn't all that likely, I confess.
Am going to try to cycle 3 times a week and run 3 times a week until I launch into the marathon preparations. Perhaps I'll end up with a waist again at sme point? At the very least some of my current wardrobe (unchanged in many, many years) might start to fit again.
It's rehydrating time. Ciao e buona serata!
I may take my camera with me one day, if I remember. Which isn't all that likely, I confess.
Am going to try to cycle 3 times a week and run 3 times a week until I launch into the marathon preparations. Perhaps I'll end up with a waist again at sme point? At the very least some of my current wardrobe (unchanged in many, many years) might start to fit again.
It's rehydrating time. Ciao e buona serata!
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Travelling, not running
Dear reader. Talking to myself again, you see. First sign. There are plenty of others.
So there's been a bit of a hickup with my other half's salary this month and we're pretty much broke before we start. Therefore no drinking (see previous post) and I'm going to have to take to the bike again instead of using the bus to get to work.
I used to do this regularly anyway, but took the shortest route possible (loads of buses and traffic lights and daft pedestrians, no cycle lanes) and just tried to get it over with as quickly as possible. I'm trying to make it more enjoyable now, though, as the marathon training's going to be enough grind to be going on with.
So it was low gears, down to the seafront, taking it easy, dedicated cycle lanes 90% of the route for me this morning. And it really was nice. Bright and sunny, but a nice sea breeze, no traffic, peace and quiet.
What used to kill me and take 25 minutes was very relaxing and took 35. I was still early to work. JUST NEED TO GET MacBook SORTED AND GET SOME WORK DONE. Not all that bovvered, though, to be honest!
So there's been a bit of a hickup with my other half's salary this month and we're pretty much broke before we start. Therefore no drinking (see previous post) and I'm going to have to take to the bike again instead of using the bus to get to work.
I used to do this regularly anyway, but took the shortest route possible (loads of buses and traffic lights and daft pedestrians, no cycle lanes) and just tried to get it over with as quickly as possible. I'm trying to make it more enjoyable now, though, as the marathon training's going to be enough grind to be going on with.
So it was low gears, down to the seafront, taking it easy, dedicated cycle lanes 90% of the route for me this morning. And it really was nice. Bright and sunny, but a nice sea breeze, no traffic, peace and quiet.
What used to kill me and take 25 minutes was very relaxing and took 35. I was still early to work. JUST NEED TO GET MacBook SORTED AND GET SOME WORK DONE. Not all that bovvered, though, to be honest!
Sunday, 28 June 2009
A new beginning
Along with several colleagues, I was among the first thousand people to register for the inaugural Brighton marathon, happening next April 18 (exactly a week after my birthday). It's time to do some exercise again!
I haven't cycled to work in months and the running has been very patchy. I went for a run this morning (by the way, christ it's hot) and going past the plate glass frontage of the local off licence (where we have been a bit too regularly lately!) was an unneeded and unnecessarily cruel reminder of why the only mirror I look in at home is the one that's only just big enough to shave in. My face, I mean. Even I'm not THAT gay.
Anyway, it is a bit early to start training for the marathin in earnest. What I really need to try and do in the short term is try to get some kind of physical activity built in as a regular part of my week. Cycling, running, whatever. Knowing me, I probably will launch into the marathon training programme fairly soon and just do it multiple times.
I have recorded previous training programmes for London in as amusing a way as possible in the past, and will be doing the same here again. Read the back-catalogue if you have some spare time - if you're a first-timer who's registered for Brighton there could be some useful tips and if you're struggling, at least you'll know you're not alone!
Looking forward to hill runs and those dreaded fartleks - guaranteed to turn my face and, occasionally, the pavement 'all the colours of the speculum', as Victoria Wood once said. Bring it on!
At least (apart from a little bit around Brighton marina, which I've tackled before in the Sussex beacon Half Marathon) the course is almost completely flat. I'm therefore heading down towards the seafront for training runs now and missing the hills out unless the training programme acutally specifies a hill session. It's fairly flat to the South of us, not completely flat, obviously, or we'd have to be airlifted to safety every time the tide came in. People of South Portslade, Shoreham, Lancing, Worthing, Hove and Brighton be prepared for a regular display of moobs and wobble-bot over the next few months. I PROMISE ALWAYS TO WEAR A TOP!!! I hope you will do me the same courtesy. You know who you are.
I haven't cycled to work in months and the running has been very patchy. I went for a run this morning (by the way, christ it's hot) and going past the plate glass frontage of the local off licence (where we have been a bit too regularly lately!) was an unneeded and unnecessarily cruel reminder of why the only mirror I look in at home is the one that's only just big enough to shave in. My face, I mean. Even I'm not THAT gay.
Anyway, it is a bit early to start training for the marathin in earnest. What I really need to try and do in the short term is try to get some kind of physical activity built in as a regular part of my week. Cycling, running, whatever. Knowing me, I probably will launch into the marathon training programme fairly soon and just do it multiple times.
I have recorded previous training programmes for London in as amusing a way as possible in the past, and will be doing the same here again. Read the back-catalogue if you have some spare time - if you're a first-timer who's registered for Brighton there could be some useful tips and if you're struggling, at least you'll know you're not alone!
Looking forward to hill runs and those dreaded fartleks - guaranteed to turn my face and, occasionally, the pavement 'all the colours of the speculum', as Victoria Wood once said. Bring it on!
At least (apart from a little bit around Brighton marina, which I've tackled before in the Sussex beacon Half Marathon) the course is almost completely flat. I'm therefore heading down towards the seafront for training runs now and missing the hills out unless the training programme acutally specifies a hill session. It's fairly flat to the South of us, not completely flat, obviously, or we'd have to be airlifted to safety every time the tide came in. People of South Portslade, Shoreham, Lancing, Worthing, Hove and Brighton be prepared for a regular display of moobs and wobble-bot over the next few months. I PROMISE ALWAYS TO WEAR A TOP!!! I hope you will do me the same courtesy. You know who you are.
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
And another one
Grey and miserable this morning, but not too windy and not actually raining. 'Why not?', I thought. I couldn't think of a good reason, so off I trolled.
I seem to be having horrible problems with my quads since I started again. (The chafing, you'll be pleased to hear, has gone.) I used to suffer a bit on downhill sections, but at the moment, no matter how much I stretch or what warm up exercises I do, they feel really tight and sore, even on the flat. Hey ho, I'm sure it will wear off if I manage to keep it up.
iPod Genius went all acieed on me this morning, which helped keep the tempo up and which I feel entitled to blame for my current spots-before-the-eyes condition. Which, actually, I'm finding rather pleasant.
Coffee, shower, then BRING ON THE DAY.
I seem to be having horrible problems with my quads since I started again. (The chafing, you'll be pleased to hear, has gone.) I used to suffer a bit on downhill sections, but at the moment, no matter how much I stretch or what warm up exercises I do, they feel really tight and sore, even on the flat. Hey ho, I'm sure it will wear off if I manage to keep it up.
iPod Genius went all acieed on me this morning, which helped keep the tempo up and which I feel entitled to blame for my current spots-before-the-eyes condition. Which, actually, I'm finding rather pleasant.
Coffee, shower, then BRING ON THE DAY.
Sunday, 7 June 2009
Holy ****
Same route - until I get my book back, I lack the imagination to come up with a bynch of different courses, or the guts to attempt more than 30 minutes. I didn't wear my lycra underthings this morning, my reasoning being: it's thirty minutes, how much chafing could there be?
Without going into any detail. OH MY GOD A LOT.
Without going into any detail. OH MY GOD A LOT.
Saturday, 6 June 2009
Friday, 5 June 2009
Success
Managed to sleep right through to my alarm this morning and get out for a run. I repeated the reverse route from the other day (where there's a major shunt right at the end). It's the first time since I started beinng active again that I DIDN'T STOP FOR A WALK IN THE MIDDLE! Hurrah!!!. I got round what used to be my 30-minute medium-pace course in 30 minutes 26 seconds.
Now, that is about 10 seconds per mile slower than before, which sounds quite a lot. But it's actually on 1.67%, which is pretty darned good. Faithful iPod and its new Genius feature helped, picking a sequence of dance tunes with very similar BPM, including Mac Thornhill's 'Who's gonna ease the pressure'. Now this is a piece of very early house genius. Immensely long, but towards the end there's this sequence of what was then cutting edge sampling, which is an absolute pant wetter. It's not on Blip, but if anyone finds it on Last or Spottify, I might consider giving them a try.
Thinking of other people for a bit, my friend and colleague requires sponsorship for the Great North Run later this year. Mr David Hughes, more power to your elbow. Knee. Whatever.
And congratulations to Maddie Wood, who completed her first marathon, the Edinburgh, in ferocious heat and despite the fact that they ran out of water (echoes of Boston) last weekend. Please sponsor Maddie here.
Now, that is about 10 seconds per mile slower than before, which sounds quite a lot. But it's actually on 1.67%, which is pretty darned good. Faithful iPod and its new Genius feature helped, picking a sequence of dance tunes with very similar BPM, including Mac Thornhill's 'Who's gonna ease the pressure'. Now this is a piece of very early house genius. Immensely long, but towards the end there's this sequence of what was then cutting edge sampling, which is an absolute pant wetter. It's not on Blip, but if anyone finds it on Last or Spottify, I might consider giving them a try.
Thinking of other people for a bit, my friend and colleague requires sponsorship for the Great North Run later this year. Mr David Hughes, more power to your elbow. Knee. Whatever.
And congratulations to Maddie Wood, who completed her first marathon, the Edinburgh, in ferocious heat and despite the fact that they ran out of water (echoes of Boston) last weekend. Please sponsor Maddie here.
Thursday, 4 June 2009
Oh dear
Just reread my last post. Wasn't I all full of myself. Haven't been for another run since!!! I set my alarm for 6.30 every morning to give myself a chance to go out before work. But I keep waking up at 3, getting back to sleep eventually and hitting 'snooze' a lot. Maybe tomorrow, my work from home day, will be better.
I also clearly haven't been on Blip.fm (which is FAB and you must join) for a while. I'll rectify that immediately.
Until tomorrow. I hope.
I also clearly haven't been on Blip.fm (which is FAB and you must join) for a while. I'll rectify that immediately.
Until tomorrow. I hope.
Saturday, 30 May 2009
2 days in a row
Woke up this morning feeling great. Sunshine. So I went for a run. Same course as yesterday, only reversed. That meant the shunt from yesterday became a nice, downhill breath-catcher. Of course, it also meant the nice downhill bits from yesterday became today's shunts, only more so, because one of them IS REALLY STEEP AND RIGHT AT THE END.
We live on a shunt, surrounded by shunts. Moving to Norfolk is obviously out of the question. I mean, come on. Amstedam's a possibility. Is there an Amsterdam marathon, I wonder? If there is, I bet it's a right laugh!!!
We live on a shunt, surrounded by shunts. Moving to Norfolk is obviously out of the question. I mean, come on. Amstedam's a possibility. Is there an Amsterdam marathon, I wonder? If there is, I bet it's a right laugh!!!
Friday, 29 May 2009
Morning run
The most gorgeous start to the day. I have to run some errands a lunch time, by when I hope to have stopped sweating. And we have a company barbecue this evening, so I won't be running then. So I went this morning before work.
My 30-minute route from when I was training regularly took me 32 minutes. It's roughly 3.6 miles. So not too bad. For me, anyway. I'm sure for the innocent bystanders it was quite as shocking as the last one. Not a lot of bystanders this morning, actually. And they were all either extremely old or extremely young. Did they finally make teenagers illegal? If so, Mr. Brown, all is forgiven, please claim your next replacement lightbulb on me! Anyway, back on topic.
I did stop and walk half way through, too. The route has this huge bloody great hill called Foredown something-or-other. I always have to much sweat in my eyes by that point to see if it's a Road or a Drive or whatever. And it's a complete...let's call it a shunt and you can slip a la freud as you see fit. I'm sure it's allowed, but I lent my book to my friend Madeleine Wood, who used it to train for the recent Edinburgh marathon. Maddy, can I have the book back? As I say, I know there are training sessions that permit walking, but you know me, I have to have EVERYTHING ini writing.
TTFN
My 30-minute route from when I was training regularly took me 32 minutes. It's roughly 3.6 miles. So not too bad. For me, anyway. I'm sure for the innocent bystanders it was quite as shocking as the last one. Not a lot of bystanders this morning, actually. And they were all either extremely old or extremely young. Did they finally make teenagers illegal? If so, Mr. Brown, all is forgiven, please claim your next replacement lightbulb on me! Anyway, back on topic.
I did stop and walk half way through, too. The route has this huge bloody great hill called Foredown something-or-other. I always have to much sweat in my eyes by that point to see if it's a Road or a Drive or whatever. And it's a complete...let's call it a shunt and you can slip a la freud as you see fit. I'm sure it's allowed, but I lent my book to my friend Madeleine Wood, who used it to train for the recent Edinburgh marathon. Maddy, can I have the book back? As I say, I know there are training sessions that permit walking, but you know me, I have to have EVERYTHING ini writing.
TTFN
Monday, 25 May 2009
Ooops
I was fully intending to go for a run this morning. But my other half woke me up this morning and it was HALF PAST ELEVEN.
We have had the most brilliant weekend at my cousin's house. And we did walk for miles and miles and miles, both at the Heathfield show on Saturday and walking the loony dog yesterday, so I'm not feeling all that guilty.
Pictures here:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2629564&l=6802310725&id=530049972
We have had the most brilliant weekend at my cousin's house. And we did walk for miles and miles and miles, both at the Heathfield show on Saturday and walking the loony dog yesterday, so I'm not feeling all that guilty.
Pictures here:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2629564&l=6802310725&id=530049972
Friday, 22 May 2009
Been for a run. Sort of.
First one for...ooo...months and months. And therefore, not surprisingly, hideous both for me and for anyone unfortunate enough to have seen me. Children crying, old people with zimmer frames and cataracts asking me to 'move along, please', pregnant mothers asking if I'm taking the piss running around with a pillow stuffed up my t-shirt and 'do you know how it really feels'. That sort of thing.
Was out for about 30 minutes and, with no batteries for my pedometer and therefore just estimating against how far I remember being able to get when I was in regular training, I'm about 15% worse than before.
But then, with the excess I'm lugging around lately, as Patsy Stone once said, 'It is a miracle that I can walk at all.' She also said, 'Smoking is good for you.' Ab Fab was brilliant, wasn't it. All sort of like the bible. Which bits do you just believe and which require a value judgement?
Was out for about 30 minutes and, with no batteries for my pedometer and therefore just estimating against how far I remember being able to get when I was in regular training, I'm about 15% worse than before.
But then, with the excess I'm lugging around lately, as Patsy Stone once said, 'It is a miracle that I can walk at all.' She also said, 'Smoking is good for you.' Ab Fab was brilliant, wasn't it. All sort of like the bible. Which bits do you just believe and which require a value judgement?
It nearly worked
Only, I managed to sleep right through the night last night. I have the scary lycra on now, though, and plan to 'run' at lunchtime.
Thursday, 21 May 2009
I have a cunning plan
I'm making a concerted effort these days to go to bed at a decent hour. 4 months or so off the ciggies and my sleeping patterns have returned to normal. That means six or seven hours' sleep a night. But I'm so focussed on the getting up that I keep failing to realise that 9.30 or 10 o'clock is TOO early to turn in. I keep waking up and just lying there, tossing and turning.
So tonight I will put a set of running gear in the living room. That way, I can get up and go for a run without clattering around in the dark looking for stuff and waking my other half up! Whether or not I actually do, of course, remains to be seen.
But I can actually feel jigglage when I walk and it's been over twenty years since I had that. Time to do something about it, and the lighter mornings will help.
Fingers crossed.
So tonight I will put a set of running gear in the living room. That way, I can get up and go for a run without clattering around in the dark looking for stuff and waking my other half up! Whether or not I actually do, of course, remains to be seen.
But I can actually feel jigglage when I walk and it's been over twenty years since I had that. Time to do something about it, and the lighter mornings will help.
Fingers crossed.
Friday, 15 May 2009
Friday, 21 November 2008
Not running, but moving
I still haven't got back into the running thing, but hope to start this weekend. As long as it's not snowing.
I am doing daily Wii Fit now, though. And I had my bike fixed at long last, so have cycle commuted yesterday and today. If the pounds don't start dropping off my waist and adding themselves to my shoulders, I'll be most upset.
I am doing daily Wii Fit now, though. And I had my bike fixed at long last, so have cycle commuted yesterday and today. If the pounds don't start dropping off my waist and adding themselves to my shoulders, I'll be most upset.
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
Fitpiggy filling up
Still not been for a run, but did a Wii Fit session at lunchtime yesterday and am opening up more and more exercises. Yoga's fun and really making me aware of my appalling posture. Muscle exercises are highlighting the fact that I have no muscles.
I also had my bike collected yesterday and hope to get it back today so I can start cycle commuting again.
I also had my bike collected yesterday and hope to get it back today so I can start cycle commuting again.
Monday, 17 November 2008
Physical activity has occurred
It's not massive progress and certainly not enough to get me on the way to the half marathon in February. (I still haven't actually had confirmation I have a place, mind, just that they've accpeted my entry fee. Anyone else?)
But I did 30 mins on the Wii Fit yesterday, doing every available exercise once. Now, of course, I've opened up some more. Sigh. And, also, ow. My calves are killing me. Also my back. And, oh, my stomach. That'll be the lunges, press ups and jackknifes, then.
Am working from home for the next couple of days, so should be able to squeeze in sessions before I start and am also hoping to get my bike fixed by this lot, who are apparently fabulous.
Off the buses. Expect to hear whinge about by glutes in the near future.
But I did 30 mins on the Wii Fit yesterday, doing every available exercise once. Now, of course, I've opened up some more. Sigh. And, also, ow. My calves are killing me. Also my back. And, oh, my stomach. That'll be the lunges, press ups and jackknifes, then.
Am working from home for the next couple of days, so should be able to squeeze in sessions before I start and am also hoping to get my bike fixed by this lot, who are apparently fabulous.
Off the buses. Expect to hear whinge about by glutes in the near future.
Saturday, 8 November 2008
Colds ain't what they used to be
This one's lasted 2 weeks so far. But I feel the end is in sight. I can breathe and taste my food again at last, but still cough every time I laugh, which is really annoying cos I laugh ALL THE TIME. Am hoping to run tomorrow. It was going to be today, but there was brandy last night and I've got ridiculous amounts of work to do this weekend which I'm focusing on today. I think I'll try the 'long run' from whichever week in the programme I'm meant to be in in order to be ready for a half marathon in February. Just working that out could take a while, but onwards and upwards and I'll let you know how it goes if and when it happens.
Saturday, 1 November 2008
I think you'll find it's double pneumonia
I've had a head full of yuck all week, aches and pains, etc. I haven't done any exercise at all and don't plan any today. Clearly, this can't be a simple cold. I am a man, after all. (Please feel free not to comment.) If I make it through the weekend without enduring a slow and painful death, I shall expect to be treated as a total hero and then I'll get back into the health thing.
Medical dictionaries are tremendous fun, aren't they? I believe I have some or all of the following:
Pneumonia
Tuberculosis
Ebola
Dengue Fever
West Nile Virus
I am therefore already a medical miracle and an absolute marvel. Go me!!!!!!
Medical dictionaries are tremendous fun, aren't they? I believe I have some or all of the following:
Pneumonia
Tuberculosis
Ebola
Dengue Fever
West Nile Virus
I am therefore already a medical miracle and an absolute marvel. Go me!!!!!!
Saturday, 25 October 2008
Why do men have nipples?
So, I've finally restarted my physical activity. Set up the Wii Fit this morning and did a 20-minute session as a warm up. Actually, I did a 20-minute session and then had a ciggie, but what the hey.
Starting again with Sam Murphy's book 'Marathon from start to finish' as I'm aiming for the Brighton half marathon in February. 20 minute 'steady run' today, which wasn't as difficult as I thought it might be given my sedentary lifestyle since the London Marathon in April this year. I covered 2.24 miles. But my nipples are killing me, despite the low-friction running gear. Why, god, why? I know they're quite fun when they get the right sort of attention, but that hasn't happened this millennium and doesn't seem likely again....ever.
Depending on the pain level in my lallies, I'll try to get out again tomorrow. Anyone in Brighton know a good and cheap bike mechanic? I need some low-impact exercise while I train to try to protect these Friday-night-special knees of mine.
Excuse the overuse of the old hyphen. I'm finally starting to forget all the useless crap I learned at school. At least I didn't capitalise randomly like I do at work. Sometimes it's as if I were German!
Starting again with Sam Murphy's book 'Marathon from start to finish' as I'm aiming for the Brighton half marathon in February. 20 minute 'steady run' today, which wasn't as difficult as I thought it might be given my sedentary lifestyle since the London Marathon in April this year. I covered 2.24 miles. But my nipples are killing me, despite the low-friction running gear. Why, god, why? I know they're quite fun when they get the right sort of attention, but that hasn't happened this millennium and doesn't seem likely again....ever.
Depending on the pain level in my lallies, I'll try to get out again tomorrow. Anyone in Brighton know a good and cheap bike mechanic? I need some low-impact exercise while I train to try to protect these Friday-night-special knees of mine.
Excuse the overuse of the old hyphen. I'm finally starting to forget all the useless crap I learned at school. At least I didn't capitalise randomly like I do at work. Sometimes it's as if I were German!
Saturday, 18 October 2008
Fitness planning ahoy
Just returned from 2 weeks in Spain, staying at my parents' house in the hills in Almeria province, near the towns of Mojacar and Vera. It was utterly bona. a couple of really thundery days, which nobody minded as it turned the surrounding 'desert' environment a truly amazing shade of green as dormant plant life took advantage of the unusual weather. It also gave us an opportunity to spend time indoors playing ridiculous games and laughing a hell of a lot. Including doing Yoga and Aerobics on my prents' new Wii Fit, a birthday present to go with the Wii console we all clubbed together to get them for their ruby wedding anniversary.
Well, I'm inspired. It's real exercise, but indoors. So I bought myself one, too and will be using it regularly, as well as now committing to getting back into the whole running thing. I also need to get my bike fixed so I can start cycling to work every day again.
And the rest of the holiday was just great. Fresh, healthy mediterranean cuisine. Lolling about on the beach getting my lallies all bronzed and vardaing the dolly little pollones and great butch omies (of which there is a gratifying plethora) mincing up and down the sabled plage.
Back on pudding island (but with some surprising and most welcome sunshine), 8 weeks in the office and then off we all troll back to Spain for Christmas and new year.
Fantabulosa!!!
Well, I'm inspired. It's real exercise, but indoors. So I bought myself one, too and will be using it regularly, as well as now committing to getting back into the whole running thing. I also need to get my bike fixed so I can start cycling to work every day again.
And the rest of the holiday was just great. Fresh, healthy mediterranean cuisine. Lolling about on the beach getting my lallies all bronzed and vardaing the dolly little pollones and great butch omies (of which there is a gratifying plethora) mincing up and down the sabled plage.
Back on pudding island (but with some surprising and most welcome sunshine), 8 weeks in the office and then off we all troll back to Spain for Christmas and new year.
Fantabulosa!!!
Saturday, 13 September 2008
Not dead yet
I promised after completing the marathon that I'd keep up the running. That's not happened. I tried giving up smoking. (Again.) It lasted 2 weeks. I've been off the booze now for 2 weeks, but am eyeing a brandy as I type this. Nevertheless, I haven't entirely given up hope of regaining something resembling my youthful figure, nor of that level of fitness. I'm highly motivated by...well, frankly...by photos of some utterly divine men on other people's blogs, some of whom obsess me to an almost frightening degree. I downloaded Webshots just so I could turn them into a screensaver and how bloody sad is that? I used to effing look like that. I had a 42 inch chest and a 28 inch waist and 5.5% bodyfat. If I could do it all over again, etc, etc....
Anyway, we've bought one of those...are they called elliptical trainers? Those gym machines that involve both arms and legs with a dirty great flywheel thingy. One of them. And I've just applied for a place in the Sussex Beacon Brighton half marathon again to give myself something specific to inspire me.
If you want to follow my progress, I don't expect it to be particularly rapid or consistent in the very near future. Work is utterly insane at the moment. But there's always the RSS option that will let you know when there's something new to read and, as usual, I'll probably be ruder about myself than I'd ever allow anyone else to be and it could be an amusing read in those idle times.
Ciao for now. Ooh, apparently I'm a poet and I...never mind.
Anyway, we've bought one of those...are they called elliptical trainers? Those gym machines that involve both arms and legs with a dirty great flywheel thingy. One of them. And I've just applied for a place in the Sussex Beacon Brighton half marathon again to give myself something specific to inspire me.
If you want to follow my progress, I don't expect it to be particularly rapid or consistent in the very near future. Work is utterly insane at the moment. But there's always the RSS option that will let you know when there's something new to read and, as usual, I'll probably be ruder about myself than I'd ever allow anyone else to be and it could be an amusing read in those idle times.
Ciao for now. Ooh, apparently I'm a poet and I...never mind.
Wednesday, 9 July 2008
Perhaps this is where I went wrong in my training!
Click the title of the post for a ruddy good laugh from one of my favourite websites.
Monday, 21 April 2008
Oh my god! I'm addicted!!!
Went out for a run yesterday. For fun! What the hell's wrong with me? I think it's the stimulation of the Evening Standard supplement and seeing my name listed along with all the other heroes and heroines that finished. And the official photos are out online and available for purchase. All the ones of me are towards the end where I can barely lift my feet off the gorund and am basically going backwards, but there's a great on of just me, just after I turned onto the Mall for the final 400 metres. I really think I might buy a copy - I'm using the one Colin took of me at mile 22 to promote my donation site at the moment, and everyone keeps commenting on how fresh I look. Well, for evidence that I really was in a terrible mess by the end, just go here:
www.marathonfoto.com
and search for colgate 10910 under London Marathon 2008. Truly scary.
The upshot is, I think I might try to keep getting out for regular runs. Nothing silly, maybe 30 minute sessions, and I'm not going to be bothering to measure how far I get each time. If nothing else, it will help maintain the reduced waistline I've developed (I lost 3 inches altogether over the six months' training).
And at some point, I'll get back on here and work out my total mileage over the full duration of my blogged experiences.
www.marathonfoto.com
and search for colgate 10910 under London Marathon 2008. Truly scary.
The upshot is, I think I might try to keep getting out for regular runs. Nothing silly, maybe 30 minute sessions, and I'm not going to be bothering to measure how far I get each time. If nothing else, it will help maintain the reduced waistline I've developed (I lost 3 inches altogether over the six months' training).
And at some point, I'll get back on here and work out my total mileage over the full duration of my blogged experiences.
Monday, 14 April 2008
The End
I can't quite believe it's all over, you know. I was really apprehensive when I got up yesterday morning to head to the start, but mainly because we were caught in a hailstorm that just appeared out of nowhere on Saturday afternoon.
I was a lot less nervous and a lot more excited after going to the Expo on Saturday. This is where everyone has to go and register, to collect their running numbers for their vests, and their 'Champion Chip' to attach to their laces and make sure their personal race time is recorded. Otherwise you're stuck with the time on the race clock, and it can take ages to get across the start line, which can depress you a bit when you think you've done a decent time.
I did all the admin stuff and then Colin and I spent a happy couple of hours wandering round all the charity and sportswear stands, meeting very nice and very nervous people and generally soaking up the atmosphere. I bought myself a watch with some money I got for my birthday. Then we went for a wander around Oxford Street and couple of drinks, before heading back to Tom and Marjorie's house in West London. They are great friends and have a fantastic family, and put us up for the weekend.
Sunday dawned quite bright and lovely and I got up at 6 to make sure I was on the tube for 7 to head to the start. It was a great journey, despite my utter loathing of the underground system (I suffer with claustrophobia and just heading down the escalator can set me shaking like a leaf). From Perivale, there was only one other runner (we were easily identifiable by the huge 'FLM 2008' kit bags. This gradually increased as I headed into central London, until by the time I got to London Bridge, there was just a sea of running people giving off nervous and excited vibes in equal measure. We were crammed in like sardines, but everyone was just so nice and good humoured about it. The people who came to support me said exactly the same thing. Normally, London transport is totally silent - people ignoring each other and just praying for a seat. But the crowds on marathon day are stupendous when the line the course and friendly, happy and chatty when travelling. My cheering squad had a thoroughly lovely time. Colin was up, obviously. My mum and dad flew back from Spain to come and cheer me on. My sister joined them. Hayley's mum Sharon and her partner John were there. (Hayley was unfortunately not able to come - she's not diabetes-related ill, thank god, but has been suffering with University stress for a couple of weeks and been sufficiently poorly as a result to make the additional stress a bad idea.) And Tom travelled in with Colin, accompanied by the eldest of their 4 children, while Marjorie took the youngest two to a party.
Anyhoo, I suppose I'd better get on and tell you how it went. It was freezing to start with, except when the sun found a break in the clouds, when it was glorious. The 3 mile point where the blue and green courses merge (I was at the blue start this time, having been at the green one last time) was utterly hysterical again and eased some tension - the people from each start shouting 'cheat' and other such witticisms at the people from the other. Not particularly clever or funny, I know, but believe me, it was enough to amuse those of us doing the run!!!
I had been really concerned that I hadn't done a long enough long run during training, having not got further than 15 miles. But things were great to 15 miles and beyond. A torrential downpour that only lasted about 10 minutes managed to cool me down rather nicely, but made things slightly uncomfortable until the kit dried out. I passed the 15 mile mark...16...17...18...19. It felt really smooth, although there was obviously some pain and fatigue setting in. (I didn't see my cheering crew, who should have been at the 13 mile mark, which would also be the 22 mile mark when I passed it in the opposite direction on the way to the finish. They were, apparently, about an hour behind their schedule and I was ahead of mine.)
At 20 this sodding right knee of mine began to twinge. Now, this is the reason the marathon took me over 6 hours to complete last time. My pelvis and spine were twisted, causing the ITB in my right leg to be under tension even when at rest. Doing the marathon highlighted this and after last time, I had 6 months of physio and 18 months off running. I've had no such trouble during training this time, though and I was REALLY fucked off when the pain kicked in - it was exactly the same pain, in exactly the same place. It was not, however, as bad as last time - I could take weight properly on the leg, and if I had to walk for a bit (which I did periodically for the last 5 miles or so), it did ease and allow me to put in another burst of 'running'.
I was desperate not to walk at all this time round. Apart from anything else, I've found during training that I'm much better off not stopping for any reason (including comfort breaks - I managed the entire distance without one of those, at least), as starting again, especially when I'm tired, is really difficult and I never quite get back to the pace I was at before I stopped. But I had no choice, the knee was having none of it.
Once again, the crowds carried me through. I simply can't express the atmosphere, the support, the amazing goodwill that surrounds you at this event. The spectators must have been cold, they were certainly soaked twice (as was I), but they just want everyone to succeed. Having my name on my shirt proved a massive bonus again, as people were shouting for me (and at me, but in a nice way) by name. The adrenaline rush you get when someone calls your name and gives you encouragement is without comparison. On a number of occasions, I really felt like quitting, limping along at a snail's pace with tears streaming down my face. I saw Sharon and John at 22 miles (and Colin, on the other side of the road with Tom, Laurel and Karalo), which was just after the pain started. With 4 more miles to go on that knee, I really couldn't picture myself crossing the finish line. But how can you drop out with thousands and thousands of people encouraging you, driving you on, supporting you?
Those last 4 miles were agony. I took on a lot of calories (thanks to everyone who brought jelly babies!!!!) and fluid (I'd been taking a drink at every station, but just taking a few sips and mostly discarding the rest) and that did seem to help a bit. The pain didn't go away, obviously, but it gave me the strength to get my posture sorted and lift my knees properly in front of me, which reduced the impact with each stride.
I think I must have been the slowest person on the entire course for the last mile and a bit. Everyone passed me and I passed nobody. But I did it. I bloody did it.
I crossed the line in 4 hours 30-something minutes. I have to be honest, I wasn't looking at the race clock and while my pedometer said 4h30mxxseconds, I had looked down at one point on the course to find it had switched itself off or gone into standby or something, so I'm not taking that as gospel.
The full results will be in the Evening Standard on Tuesday. I've ordered a copy to be delivered to my home out here in the provinces, but I'm not that fussed. I was and hour and a half quicker than last time. So there.
I don't think I will ever do a marathon again. It's been proved twice now that my knees can't take it. Also, my nipples are unbelievably sore. Just thought I'd share. But I'll do half marathons (and would like to try a triathlon). And I'll definitely be joining the crowds and cheering on those people brave enough to take on this mammoth challenge. I'm incredibly proud of myself (filling up again now as I type this, god I'm such a girl).
I hope those of you who have been following my progress have enjoyed the experience. If this is your first visit, go back and read it from the beginning. It's funny!!!
Farewell.
I was a lot less nervous and a lot more excited after going to the Expo on Saturday. This is where everyone has to go and register, to collect their running numbers for their vests, and their 'Champion Chip' to attach to their laces and make sure their personal race time is recorded. Otherwise you're stuck with the time on the race clock, and it can take ages to get across the start line, which can depress you a bit when you think you've done a decent time.
I did all the admin stuff and then Colin and I spent a happy couple of hours wandering round all the charity and sportswear stands, meeting very nice and very nervous people and generally soaking up the atmosphere. I bought myself a watch with some money I got for my birthday. Then we went for a wander around Oxford Street and couple of drinks, before heading back to Tom and Marjorie's house in West London. They are great friends and have a fantastic family, and put us up for the weekend.
Sunday dawned quite bright and lovely and I got up at 6 to make sure I was on the tube for 7 to head to the start. It was a great journey, despite my utter loathing of the underground system (I suffer with claustrophobia and just heading down the escalator can set me shaking like a leaf). From Perivale, there was only one other runner (we were easily identifiable by the huge 'FLM 2008' kit bags. This gradually increased as I headed into central London, until by the time I got to London Bridge, there was just a sea of running people giving off nervous and excited vibes in equal measure. We were crammed in like sardines, but everyone was just so nice and good humoured about it. The people who came to support me said exactly the same thing. Normally, London transport is totally silent - people ignoring each other and just praying for a seat. But the crowds on marathon day are stupendous when the line the course and friendly, happy and chatty when travelling. My cheering squad had a thoroughly lovely time. Colin was up, obviously. My mum and dad flew back from Spain to come and cheer me on. My sister joined them. Hayley's mum Sharon and her partner John were there. (Hayley was unfortunately not able to come - she's not diabetes-related ill, thank god, but has been suffering with University stress for a couple of weeks and been sufficiently poorly as a result to make the additional stress a bad idea.) And Tom travelled in with Colin, accompanied by the eldest of their 4 children, while Marjorie took the youngest two to a party.
Anyhoo, I suppose I'd better get on and tell you how it went. It was freezing to start with, except when the sun found a break in the clouds, when it was glorious. The 3 mile point where the blue and green courses merge (I was at the blue start this time, having been at the green one last time) was utterly hysterical again and eased some tension - the people from each start shouting 'cheat' and other such witticisms at the people from the other. Not particularly clever or funny, I know, but believe me, it was enough to amuse those of us doing the run!!!
I had been really concerned that I hadn't done a long enough long run during training, having not got further than 15 miles. But things were great to 15 miles and beyond. A torrential downpour that only lasted about 10 minutes managed to cool me down rather nicely, but made things slightly uncomfortable until the kit dried out. I passed the 15 mile mark...16...17...18...19. It felt really smooth, although there was obviously some pain and fatigue setting in. (I didn't see my cheering crew, who should have been at the 13 mile mark, which would also be the 22 mile mark when I passed it in the opposite direction on the way to the finish. They were, apparently, about an hour behind their schedule and I was ahead of mine.)
At 20 this sodding right knee of mine began to twinge. Now, this is the reason the marathon took me over 6 hours to complete last time. My pelvis and spine were twisted, causing the ITB in my right leg to be under tension even when at rest. Doing the marathon highlighted this and after last time, I had 6 months of physio and 18 months off running. I've had no such trouble during training this time, though and I was REALLY fucked off when the pain kicked in - it was exactly the same pain, in exactly the same place. It was not, however, as bad as last time - I could take weight properly on the leg, and if I had to walk for a bit (which I did periodically for the last 5 miles or so), it did ease and allow me to put in another burst of 'running'.
I was desperate not to walk at all this time round. Apart from anything else, I've found during training that I'm much better off not stopping for any reason (including comfort breaks - I managed the entire distance without one of those, at least), as starting again, especially when I'm tired, is really difficult and I never quite get back to the pace I was at before I stopped. But I had no choice, the knee was having none of it.
Once again, the crowds carried me through. I simply can't express the atmosphere, the support, the amazing goodwill that surrounds you at this event. The spectators must have been cold, they were certainly soaked twice (as was I), but they just want everyone to succeed. Having my name on my shirt proved a massive bonus again, as people were shouting for me (and at me, but in a nice way) by name. The adrenaline rush you get when someone calls your name and gives you encouragement is without comparison. On a number of occasions, I really felt like quitting, limping along at a snail's pace with tears streaming down my face. I saw Sharon and John at 22 miles (and Colin, on the other side of the road with Tom, Laurel and Karalo), which was just after the pain started. With 4 more miles to go on that knee, I really couldn't picture myself crossing the finish line. But how can you drop out with thousands and thousands of people encouraging you, driving you on, supporting you?
Those last 4 miles were agony. I took on a lot of calories (thanks to everyone who brought jelly babies!!!!) and fluid (I'd been taking a drink at every station, but just taking a few sips and mostly discarding the rest) and that did seem to help a bit. The pain didn't go away, obviously, but it gave me the strength to get my posture sorted and lift my knees properly in front of me, which reduced the impact with each stride.
I think I must have been the slowest person on the entire course for the last mile and a bit. Everyone passed me and I passed nobody. But I did it. I bloody did it.
I crossed the line in 4 hours 30-something minutes. I have to be honest, I wasn't looking at the race clock and while my pedometer said 4h30mxxseconds, I had looked down at one point on the course to find it had switched itself off or gone into standby or something, so I'm not taking that as gospel.
The full results will be in the Evening Standard on Tuesday. I've ordered a copy to be delivered to my home out here in the provinces, but I'm not that fussed. I was and hour and a half quicker than last time. So there.
I don't think I will ever do a marathon again. It's been proved twice now that my knees can't take it. Also, my nipples are unbelievably sore. Just thought I'd share. But I'll do half marathons (and would like to try a triathlon). And I'll definitely be joining the crowds and cheering on those people brave enough to take on this mammoth challenge. I'm incredibly proud of myself (filling up again now as I type this, god I'm such a girl).
I hope those of you who have been following my progress have enjoyed the experience. If this is your first visit, go back and read it from the beginning. It's funny!!!
Farewell.
Friday, 11 April 2008
My birthday, last training run
Woke up this morning as a 37 year old. Eeek. Last half hour session polished off, now it's all eat, sleep, don't panic.
Whether you're lining the streets this Sunday (which is in itself a great experience, I've heard) or watching on telly, keep an eye out for me and cheer me on. I'm the skinhead in the Diabetes UK top (pink and black), with my name on the front and the back. My running number is 10910.
The next post will be the last, after I've done the thing. Woo hoo!!!!
Friday 11 April. Easy 30 minute run. 3.4 miles covered.
Whether you're lining the streets this Sunday (which is in itself a great experience, I've heard) or watching on telly, keep an eye out for me and cheer me on. I'm the skinhead in the Diabetes UK top (pink and black), with my name on the front and the back. My running number is 10910.
The next post will be the last, after I've done the thing. Woo hoo!!!!
Friday 11 April. Easy 30 minute run. 3.4 miles covered.
Tuesday, 8 April 2008
1 more session to go
Okay. Trying to stay positive. I mean, I KNOW I can finish the distance, I'd just really set my heart on running the whole thing this time. This evening felt fluid and easy. And if the weather's like this on Sunday, it'll be perfect. Bloody glorious evening. Now, THIS is what Spring should be like.
Tuesday 8 April. 30 minute easy run. 3.42 miles covered.
Tuesday 8 April. 30 minute easy run. 3.42 miles covered.
Saturday, 5 April 2008
Last 'long' run
Four sessions in the book this week, but today's was a 30 minute 'cross training' session. I could probably have managed a few hours' 'slightly irritated gardening', but given the forecast for tomorrow, I thought I'd be better off doing the run instead.
Saturday 5 April. Run 5 miles. 42 minutes 33 seconds.
Just 2 sessions next week. It's my birthday on Friday and Colin's on Saturday, but there will be no fun-having. So we're out to dinner Thursday night with my mum and dad, who are coming back from Spain to join the happy throng cheering us all on on Sunday. Then I've got Friday off to travel to London, Saturday to try to carb up (and keep them down!) and the big day.
Saturday 5 April. Run 5 miles. 42 minutes 33 seconds.
Just 2 sessions next week. It's my birthday on Friday and Colin's on Saturday, but there will be no fun-having. So we're out to dinner Thursday night with my mum and dad, who are coming back from Spain to join the happy throng cheering us all on on Sunday. Then I've got Friday off to travel to London, Saturday to try to carb up (and keep them down!) and the big day.
Thursday, 3 April 2008
10 days and counting
OH MY GOD!!!!!!!
Can't believe it's almost here.
Thursday 3 April. Run 30 minutes. Piece of piss. Well, you'd hope so by now, wouldn't you? 3.46 miles covered.
Can't believe it's almost here.
Thursday 3 April. Run 30 minutes. Piece of piss. Well, you'd hope so by now, wouldn't you? 3.46 miles covered.
Tuesday, 1 April 2008
2 weeks to go
Way too late now to really build up the stamina I'm sure I'm lacking. But I plan to do every run in the last two weeks of the programme in exactly the order and form prescribed. Additional distance not really the aim at this stage, but I'll keep recording them as I'm sure at some point I'll get round to totting up my total mileage.
Tuesday 1 April. (And no, I'm not lying. Did anyone see the BBC's flying penguins? GENIUS.) Interval run for 20 minutes. 2.47 miles covered.
Tuesday 1 April. (And no, I'm not lying. Did anyone see the BBC's flying penguins? GENIUS.) Interval run for 20 minutes. 2.47 miles covered.
Sunday, 30 March 2008
Time to taper
Yeah, right. E-mails coming in from all over the place - the marathon site, Diabetes UK, the online store I bought my trainers from. Everywhere. 'You must cut down your distances now'. 'Don't run more than 4 miles in a weekday session.' 'Don't attempt more than 10 miles in this weekend's long run.' If I'd managed to keep on track throughout my training, I'd be over the moon and happy to cut down. But I've had a few dodgy weeks since Christmas and not really done a genuinely long run yet. So I set myself a target today of at least getting past 15 miles, which has proved to be something of a mental barrier so far. I ran to Worthing pier from home, which turned out to be 8.25 miles exactly, then turned round and tried to get all the way home. I didn't hit the wall as I have done in the past, but 15 miles was my limit. And not in the best time ever. Hey ho. I'll just have to hope the crowds, the atmosphere, and people to compete with bring something out of me on the day.
Sunday 30 March. 15 miles covered in 2 hour 27 minutes 36 seconds.
Sunday 30 March. 15 miles covered in 2 hour 27 minutes 36 seconds.
Monday, 24 March 2008
Better than nothing
Weather earlier was kind of OK, so I decided to attempt a proper long run. I should be in the 20 mile range by now, as these next couple of weeks should be a major 'taper' time. I'm so far off 20mile capability it's not even funny, but I wanted to do at least 2 hours today and I managed that, without stopping once, and also covered the longest distance I've managed in a single session, non stop.
Monday 24 March. Run. 14 miles covered in 2 hours 8 mins 37.
Monday 24 March. Run. 14 miles covered in 2 hours 8 mins 37.
Friday, 21 March 2008
Windy, innit?
I wanted to work today and Monday - I have loads to do and this was a chance to get ahead on some things and keep up with others. I went in at 7 this morning and there turned out to be 2 locks on the office door - my key only opens one of them. Not best pleased and now dreading going back on Tuesday, instead of getting up to date and going in all relaxed. Sod it.
Swirly, wintry wind this morning, but by the time I got back from the office after kicking the door for a bit, the rain had at least stopped. Went out for a moderately challenging run - I had kind of given up hope of doing the 20 mile/3 hour session this weekend what with work plans, but may now do another longer session tomorrow and give that a go on Monday. It's not like I made plans for any fun, after all.
Friday 21 March. Run 1 hour. In spite of the wind, which seemed to be in my face the whole time - impossible, I know, I'd need my own microclimate and while I'm admittedly not in the best shape ever, it's not like you can look me up on Google Earth or anything - I covered 7.22 miles.
Swirly, wintry wind this morning, but by the time I got back from the office after kicking the door for a bit, the rain had at least stopped. Went out for a moderately challenging run - I had kind of given up hope of doing the 20 mile/3 hour session this weekend what with work plans, but may now do another longer session tomorrow and give that a go on Monday. It's not like I made plans for any fun, after all.
Friday 21 March. Run 1 hour. In spite of the wind, which seemed to be in my face the whole time - impossible, I know, I'd need my own microclimate and while I'm admittedly not in the best shape ever, it's not like you can look me up on Google Earth or anything - I covered 7.22 miles.
Wednesday, 19 March 2008
Quick troll
I had to go to our London office today, which is never my favourite journey. And it's sodding freezing. So just a short session today to keep my...um...hand in. That doesn't sound right, but it's a stock phrase and you know what I mean.
Wednesday 19 March. Run 30 minutes. 3.56 miles covered.
Wednesday 19 March. Run 30 minutes. 3.56 miles covered.
Monday, 17 March 2008
Missed the BIg run this week
Erring on the side of caution, given all the health issues I've had recently, I decided not to go out in the pouring rain yesterday morning. I've decided that the only way I can really do these long, long runs properly is to make them the first thing I do that day. After slogging round Tesco, etc., I always find I'm not really interested, which is not the best frame of mind in which to try something you've never done before. So even though it stopped raining later on, I didn't run yesterday. On the majorly plus side, this is the first time I've done a 90 minute session (Saturday) and had no aches and pains, no trouble moving about, at all afterwards. So I think I'm approaching the stage where this training is doing more good than harm. Hopefully, just in time!!!
Saturday, 15 March 2008
Satisfactoriness
Quite a nice day, not too warm and not too cold with a decent breeze (in the face for the first half, on my back on the way home). Felt much better over the distance than I have for quite a while. Usually I start to struggle with the muscles right at the top of the front of my legs, level with my wotsits - I'm sure there's a name for them, but I can't be bothered to find out - anyway, they're the ones that lift my knees up in front of me properly, after about 8 miles. But today, no problems at all.
Saturday 15 March. Run 1.5 hours. 10.08 miles covered.
Saturday 15 March. Run 1.5 hours. 10.08 miles covered.
Friday, 14 March 2008
Definitely back to fitness (approximately)
Abandoned programme now, as there's no way it will get me to where I want to be. I'm just doing time-based runs this week to build up. Will try 1.5 hours tomorrow and 2 hours Sunday, then try some 'proper', prescribed sessions during the week next week and either 20 miles or 3 hours next Sunday, whichever comes up sooner.
Friday 14 March. Run 1 hour. 7.06 miles covered.
Friday 14 March. Run 1 hour. 7.06 miles covered.
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
I'm back
Well, it's been a bit of a break, but totally guilt-free as I was legitimately ill. I am a bit worried about getting to the required mileage over the next couple of weeks, after which I'm supposed to start tapering. My longest run so far is 15 miles and I hit the wall after 11, although I think that was down to the onset of the chest infection that's kept me out of action.
I'm hoping to retry the 15 miles this weekend and then aim for 20 next weekend to get back in line with the schedule. I really don't want to have to do a super long run any closer to the big day.
Anyway, went out this evening for the first time in over 2 weeks.
Wednesday 12 March. Run 45 minutes. I made it hilly. Distance covered 5.20 miles.
I'm hoping to retry the 15 miles this weekend and then aim for 20 next weekend to get back in line with the schedule. I really don't want to have to do a super long run any closer to the big day.
Anyway, went out this evening for the first time in over 2 weeks.
Wednesday 12 March. Run 45 minutes. I made it hilly. Distance covered 5.20 miles.
Tuesday, 4 March 2008
Officially ill
Yes, finally I have a proper illness that can be treated. I visited the doctor yesterday and was told I have a throat and chest infection, probably also an ear infection although I'm too waxed up (blech) for them to see properly. I had already started to feel a lot better, but am much happier now I have antibiotics to mop up the rest of the germs and am confident that when I start running again - I'm not quite there yet - I'll be able to do it all properly, with no further interruptions. The big day's starting to loom quite large inthe near future, so this is a real relief. It's unlikely I'll get out this week before Friday at the earliest. I fly to Dublin on business tomorrow evening and get back late on Thursday. But by then I hope to be pretty much 100% recovered. I plan to give myself a break from the truly killer long runs again this weekend, but will try to do a proper two weeks' worth of weekday training, including getting out this weekend for shorter runs if possible, and hit the big miles again next Sunday - probably with a 17 miler. Please keep coming back even if there's no new news on the blog, and send me your messages of encouragement. I need all the help I can get!!!
Thursday, 28 February 2008
Nah.
You may have gathered I didn't go out on Tuesday evening. I feel rotten. Most of the aches and pains have now left me, but my throat is incredibly sore still and my chest is very tight. Am hacking away in a manner that appears to frighten quite a lot of my colleagues. I'm on the mend, though - I can think straight and walk properly, at least. I'm hopeful I'll be shot of this bloody infection in the very near future and am resolved not to panic about falling behing schedule. I'll definitely not be doing a long run this weekend, but come Saturday I may start combining this week's shorter runs with next week's, so I can attempt next week's long run at the end of next week. I'm worried whether that makes sense. Reading it back, I see that it does. More drugs, please! Ciao.
Tuesday, 26 February 2008
Bloody ill a-bloody-gain
Had a horrible time running on Sunday (as you will have seenin the entry for that day). When I got home, I started violently shivering, but just thought that was because of all the energy I'd burnt up. That's why they give you those lovely foil capes after marathons, after all. But then I lost all sensation in my fingertips and it took hours to come back. I had a nap after stretching and eating dinner and woke up feeling OK - no soreness, or stiffness. But since yesterday morning I've been feeling dreadful. Every muscle in my body hurts, I'm getting shooting pains in my bones (feels a bit like when you break a bone), I have a dry, sore throat and a cough and I feel all weak and shaky. And my stomach is in a mess. A couple of other people at work have the same thing and so does my aunt. I'll be trying a 30 minute run this evening, but am not convinced I'll get very far. But for the weekend runs to go properly, I need to spread out the shorter ones better through the week.
Hayley's still doing really well, by the way. I'm probably suffering more than she is lately!!!
Hayley's still doing really well, by the way. I'm probably suffering more than she is lately!!!
Sunday, 24 February 2008
There's something about race day
I was stunned and thrilled, as you know, with how well last weekend's race went. Back to normal for today's long run, unfortunately. The last 4 miles were agony. And I have my doubts again about the reliability of the pedometer I'm using. At half way, it was showing about 1 hour 11. I wasn't expecting anything great, as I felt quite flatfooted and was making a lot of noise with each footfall, in contrast to last week. But this would mean I ran a negative split and, trust me, that is simply not the case.
I don't know what it is about running with an audience that lifts my performance. Perhaps my ingrained fear of embarrassment.
Sunday 24 February. Run 15 miles. Time taken 2 hours 19 minutes 34 seconds.
I don't know what it is about running with an audience that lifts my performance. Perhaps my ingrained fear of embarrassment.
Sunday 24 February. Run 15 miles. Time taken 2 hours 19 minutes 34 seconds.
Saturday, 23 February 2008
Hill run. Aaagh.
2 dry days and nights in a row. 1 day at a time.
Saturday 23 February. 50 minute hill run. 5.71 miles covered. Damn those hills.
Saturday 23 February. 50 minute hill run. 5.71 miles covered. Damn those hills.
Friday, 22 February 2008
Done something
Missed yesterday. You may have noticed. Back out tonight, though.
Friday 22 February. Run 1 hour. 7.2 miles covered.
Friday 22 February. Run 1 hour. 7.2 miles covered.
Thursday, 21 February 2008
Crap week
As you might have gathered, I was on a real high after the half marathon. And I recovered really quickly, no aches and pains on Monday. I was planning to run Tuesday evening, but my car was broken into so I had to fiddle about sorting that out. And yesterday morning my remortgage, which I thought was all sorted, went a bit wrong and I just couldn't motivate myself.
I will be out this evening if it kills me and may try another run tomorrow, then the two weekend runs as normal. And now an announcement. I am an alcoholic. I simply cannot drink in moderation. Therefore I can't drink at all. Simple as that.
I will be out this evening if it kills me and may try another run tomorrow, then the two weekend runs as normal. And now an announcement. I am an alcoholic. I simply cannot drink in moderation. Therefore I can't drink at all. Simple as that.
Monday, 18 February 2008
Official time confirmed
Results posted online this morning. 1 hour 51 minutes 22 seconds. Woohoo! I was the 1914th person across the line, but some of those finishing ahead of me were slower than me - they just started further forward. The reults are in PDF, so I can't sort them on 'chip time' to actually find out where I finished in terms of time, but I'm well chuffed with the time itself. And I seem to be able to walk about like a normal person this morning.
Sunday, 17 February 2008
Brighton Half Marathon Completed!!!
A fantastic morning. I was feeling a little dubious about my potential today, given the ridiculous quantity of vodka I consumed yesterday. My stomach was not happy and my legs were very shaky. Beautiful bright sunshine and blue skies promised much, although it was bitterly cold at 9.15 when I arrived in the start area and when I had to remove my warm gear and head to the start I thought I'd die of hypothermia.
But it all went very well once we finally got started. I crossed the start line with 6 minute 50 already showing on the clock - there were about 5000 people running - and started my timer. For the first two or three miles it was actually quite difficult to run at my preferred pace, as we were really packed together through the narrow streets. Once we got onto the seafront, though, I started to stretch my legs. I was 2 minutes behind where I wanted to be at the 4 mile point, but had cut that to 1 minute by the end of the 7th mile. And my finish time (based on my time spent racing, not the official clock) was quite simply shocking in a brilliant way. Bearing in mind my target time was 2 hours and I thought 1 hour 57 might be doable, I'm ecstatic. Especially as, lovely though the course is in general, there was series of utterly bastard hills, both up and down, from 9 miles or so to the end. I even managed a proper push for the final mile.
Sunday 17 February. Half Marathon Race. Time taken 1 hour 51 minutes-ish. I stupidly forgot to press 'stop' on my timer when I crossed the line, but the official clock said 1 hour 57 minutes something, so based on when I crossed the start line this is as close as I can guesstimate.
But it all went very well once we finally got started. I crossed the start line with 6 minute 50 already showing on the clock - there were about 5000 people running - and started my timer. For the first two or three miles it was actually quite difficult to run at my preferred pace, as we were really packed together through the narrow streets. Once we got onto the seafront, though, I started to stretch my legs. I was 2 minutes behind where I wanted to be at the 4 mile point, but had cut that to 1 minute by the end of the 7th mile. And my finish time (based on my time spent racing, not the official clock) was quite simply shocking in a brilliant way. Bearing in mind my target time was 2 hours and I thought 1 hour 57 might be doable, I'm ecstatic. Especially as, lovely though the course is in general, there was series of utterly bastard hills, both up and down, from 9 miles or so to the end. I even managed a proper push for the final mile.
Sunday 17 February. Half Marathon Race. Time taken 1 hour 51 minutes-ish. I stupidly forgot to press 'stop' on my timer when I crossed the line, but the official clock said 1 hour 57 minutes something, so based on when I crossed the start line this is as close as I can guesstimate.
Saturday, 16 February 2008
Another warm up - BIG DAY TOMORROW
I was planning a four-run week, but tomorrow's race day for the Brighton Half Marathon and wise words from people at work who have more experience in these matters made me rethink and switch down to 3 runs including the race. I should really have done this second one either on Thursday or yesterday, but my god it's been cold in the evenings so I went out this morning while the sun was out. Very nice it was, too, and I felt really good.
Saturday 16 February. 50 minute Fartlek 'of your choice'. Well, by choice I wouldn't do a fartlek of any description. But I combined it with a hill run and included 8...well...for the sake of argument, let's call them sprints. 6.05 miles covered.
Really looking forward to tomorrow, especially if the weather's like today. I hope to have a very impressive time to report (am aiming for under 2 hours) tomorrow afternoon.
Saturday 16 February. 50 minute Fartlek 'of your choice'. Well, by choice I wouldn't do a fartlek of any description. But I combined it with a hill run and included 8...well...for the sake of argument, let's call them sprints. 6.05 miles covered.
Really looking forward to tomorrow, especially if the weather's like today. I hope to have a very impressive time to report (am aiming for under 2 hours) tomorrow afternoon.
Tuesday, 12 February 2008
Week 9, 1st session
I've been meaning for weeks to try to do a run on Tuesday. The back end of the week has been really loaded, which has left me to stiff too manage it previously. Today, though, I got back on the bike to work and back and that seemed to loosen up most things, except my hamstrings.
So I went out for the first run of the week tonight. I definitely still had a lot of Sunday's session still in my legs, but I hope this means I can go out again Thursday, then Saturday and Sunday and establish that as a pattern.
Tuesday 12 February. Run 1 hour. Only 6.94 miles, but as I say, I hope to see steady improvement in these runs now if I can avoid doing Friday, Saturday and Sunday all in a row.
So I went out for the first run of the week tonight. I definitely still had a lot of Sunday's session still in my legs, but I hope this means I can go out again Thursday, then Saturday and Sunday and establish that as a pattern.
Tuesday 12 February. Run 1 hour. Only 6.94 miles, but as I say, I hope to see steady improvement in these runs now if I can avoid doing Friday, Saturday and Sunday all in a row.
Sunday, 10 February 2008
Chuffed or disappointed?
Not really sure, to be honest. Slower than a slow thing on a slow day, but I completed the target distance of 14 miles, which I wasn't sure I'd manage after last week's 12.5 mile blow out. Pain, pain and more pain. Beautiful weather again, although I could have done with a bit more of a breeze. And I lost the lid of my drink bottle, so I ended up wearing more than I drank, which I don't think helped the time either. Also, thanks to the weather, the seafront in Brighton was absolutely packed. Now, I have no problem with that. But for god's sake, you lovey-dovey, self-absorbed couples, if you see someone staggering towards you in agony clearly trying to run (regardless of how fast they're actually moving), can you not let go of each other for two bloody seconds so they don't have to do a hoppy jumpy skippy maneuver to get round you? Seriously.
Sunday 10 February. Run 14 miles. Time taken 2 hours 8 minutes 41 seconds.
Sunday 10 February. Run 14 miles. Time taken 2 hours 8 minutes 41 seconds.
Saturday, 9 February 2008
2nd run, week 8
There was another session I could have done last night, a 30-minute 'cross training' (i.e. not running) thing. But I couldn't be bothered. It's been a really busy week at work and I was knackered.
Today the weather is gorgeous!!! Running along the seafront was lovely and for the first time in a long time I didn't have to wear a windproof top over my t-shirt. I therefore sweated a lot less (sorry, but these details are important) and got a lot less tired, so my pace was much better than it has been recently. Really pleased with the result.
Saturday 9 February. Run 1 hour. 7.31 miles covered.
14 miles tomorrow! And next Sunday is the Brighton half marathon. If you're in Brighton, come down to the seafront and cheer. If you're not and you're coming into Brighton, for god's sake leave your car at home!!!
Today the weather is gorgeous!!! Running along the seafront was lovely and for the first time in a long time I didn't have to wear a windproof top over my t-shirt. I therefore sweated a lot less (sorry, but these details are important) and got a lot less tired, so my pace was much better than it has been recently. Really pleased with the result.
Saturday 9 February. Run 1 hour. 7.31 miles covered.
14 miles tomorrow! And next Sunday is the Brighton half marathon. If you're in Brighton, come down to the seafront and cheer. If you're not and you're coming into Brighton, for god's sake leave your car at home!!!
Wednesday, 6 February 2008
1st run week 8
Short blog tonight, dinner's coming.
Wednesday 6 February. Run 40 minutes. 4.66 miles covered.
Wednesday 6 February. Run 40 minutes. 4.66 miles covered.
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
Bloody hell!
I've finally got round to doing another running total distance check. So far altogether I have covered 163.46 miles!!! (About what Paula Radcliffe does in a week, but for me this really quite a shock.)
This is over 6 marathons!
If I hadn't blagged my way through (i.e. basically missed out totally) about 4 weeks' worth of the programme, god knows what the total would be.
Will be really interesting to find out the final total.
This is over 6 marathons!
If I hadn't blagged my way through (i.e. basically missed out totally) about 4 weeks' worth of the programme, god knows what the total would be.
Will be really interesting to find out the final total.
Sunday, 3 February 2008
Marvellous weekend
We went to 'Sing-along-a-Sound-of-Music' last night with my sister and my insane cousin and her partner. I'd never seen the film, but as soon as we got to the theatre (after a yummy meal at Al Duomo, the best Italian restaurant in Brighton) and saw the men dressed as nuns, women dressed as kittens and every other combination you can imagine I knew we were in for a good night. Even before the film started, a very funny man spent a while holding fancy dress competitions and telling us all the moves we had to do during each song, who to boo and who to cheer, etc. Within about 30 seconds of the film starting I had a stitch and tears streaming down my face and couldn't see what was going on on screen, so I contented myself with waving my arms in the air shouting 'the hills, the hills' every few minutes and randomly doing actions and making noises, la-la-la-ing my way through songs cos I couldn't read the words. Tawk abaht larf. You must do this at least once. Finally got to bed about 2 o'clock - it took a while to unwind once we got home, and the thing didn't finish until 11:00.
Majorly horrible wind today, but I managed to work out where it was coming from correctly this week, so it was in my face most of the way out on today's run, and pushing me along most of the way back. I didn't manage the full 13 miles, but am nevertheless most chuffed with myself. In much aching an paining right now, though and dreading trying to get out of bed or move about tomorrow!!!
Sunday 3 February. Run 12 to 13 miles. I did 12.5. Time taken 1 hr 51 minutes 8 seconds. Even my arms ache!
Majorly horrible wind today, but I managed to work out where it was coming from correctly this week, so it was in my face most of the way out on today's run, and pushing me along most of the way back. I didn't manage the full 13 miles, but am nevertheless most chuffed with myself. In much aching an paining right now, though and dreading trying to get out of bed or move about tomorrow!!!
Sunday 3 February. Run 12 to 13 miles. I did 12.5. Time taken 1 hr 51 minutes 8 seconds. Even my arms ache!
Saturday, 2 February 2008
I lied
I underestimate myself sometimes, you know. For the past couple of weeks I've been a total wreck thanks to my mortgage lender, Platform, unable to motivate myself to run. I thought that would probably continue till the end of this week at least, but yesterday I suddenly seemed to snap out of it.
I have therefore done one of the runs from week 7 today and will try the long run tomorrow (weather permitting). Given that it's supposed to be 13 miles and the furthest I've been so far is 10 miles, 2 weeks ago, that may prove overambitious, but as long as I get out and do a substantial distance I'll be happy. Today's run gives me hope - it went much better than I could possibly have expected given my recent progress.
Saturday 2 February. Run 50 minutes. 6.06 miles covered.
I have therefore done one of the runs from week 7 today and will try the long run tomorrow (weather permitting). Given that it's supposed to be 13 miles and the furthest I've been so far is 10 miles, 2 weeks ago, that may prove overambitious, but as long as I get out and do a substantial distance I'll be happy. Today's run gives me hope - it went much better than I could possibly have expected given my recent progress.
Saturday 2 February. Run 50 minutes. 6.06 miles covered.
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