Wednesday 19 January 2011

A short one

A short run and short post. Only a mile on the treadmill then 40m Plyometrics. Quite tired.

Tuesday 18 January 2011

One direction

Managed to drag myself out for an evening run and did 5.25 miles at 9 m/m. Decided to run up to Richmond and back. When I got to the top of Richmond Hill, I was greeted by at least 200 screaming girls. Not for me, but for some modern "vocal harmony combo" called "One direction." Needless to say I went the "other direction" without their autographs.


On a serious note, I ran past a person who was knocked down by a car. They looked in a bad way and were being treated by paramedics. Remember fellow Janathoners on dark nights to wear bright clothing, flashing lights and an ID bracelet. It could happen to any of us.

Sunday 16 January 2011

Not dressed for the weather

My mind was still stuck in the weather of a few weeks ago. I came out in plenty of layers and a hat, to find it quite mild (note to check weather the night before!) First lap of the park was quite tough, we managed it in 60 minutes, then my two friends deserted me and left me to do the second lap on my own. Without their motivation I managed the second lap in 66 minutes. So a nice 15miles at 8:50 m/m pace. I will blame the strong wind coming down Richmond Hill towards Roehampton.

All in all, a satisfying day, although I still wasn't first out - that honour goes to pingpong. There is always next week.

Saturday 15 January 2011

Saturday run with my Personnel Trainer

After football this morning myself and my Personnel Trainer (Lance - aged 9) went out for some training. He on his bike shouting "come on slow coach." Me calling him names under my breathe.

He loves cycling through the park, particularly the down-hills. I do worry for the walkers, but luckily no casualties this week. So a safe 4.5miles at 9 m/m pace.

A nice long run tomorrow, 7.30am at Kingston Gate if anyone fancies joining.

Friday 14 January 2011

Sore legs

After my extended run last night my legs are still sore. So no major run and no visit to my gym (the place where Cathy suffered a few nights ago.) Just a run across Tottenham Court Road avoiding traffic. Hopefully, have more to report tomorrow.

Thursday 13 January 2011

Stragglers

Re-introduced myself at my running club tonight.

I am in The Stragglers in Kingston (South-West London.) We are the friendliest club in London! Tonight there was at least 200 people there. All shapes and sizes, running all distances from 1 mile to 11 miles, from very slow to blindly fast. We even have a blind runner (and he is fast.) You can get more information at www.stragglers.org

I went out in Simon's group (the blind runner). I must be "deaf" because I thought I heard them say 6 miles at 8:30m/m. We ended up doing 10 miles at 8 m/m. Simon must not have been looking at his GPS!

If you are not in a running club. I suggest you join one, it really makes running fun and much safer going out for a run on a dark night in a big group. The Virgin Marathon site has a list of the clubs in the UK;  HERE

Wednesday 12 January 2011

Speed Training

Quite happy with myself today. I managed to do my scheduled speed session. It was six intervals each 800m at 6min 40sec pace. Starting to feel an improvement.

Tuesday 11 January 2011

Apologies

Only managed a sprint up the stairs at work yesterday and didn't feel that I had anything to say - so didn't blog. So I guess I have lost my chance of winning. But will still keep going to see how far I can run in Janathon.

Today, I managed to get to the gym and do 3 km on the treadmill at 4 min/km. Then I managed 30 minutes of Plyometrics. I would never had guessed that Plyometrics can take it out of you so much, not only in your muscles but also cardio. But I do think it is improving my fitness. Here's hoping.

Interval training tomorrow....oh goody

Sunday 9 January 2011

Red Wine

Sitting here with a nice glass of red wine to soothe my aching legs.

I was out at 6:59am today (beaten by two other early Janathoners, next week I aim to take first spot.) A 12 mile route through the Park in 1hour 48 minutes. Came straight home and logged, however, it has taken me 12 hours to blog.

I spent much of the day at the London Wetlands Centre in Barnes with the twins. I should have taken my GPS to log the miles, must be another 5!

Saturday 8 January 2011

Dirty Shoes

A busy day, up early and took my football team (Space Whites - (seven 9 year old boys) to play in their Cup at Kingston Little League. Unfortunately, they lost both games but luckily I wasn't sacked as coach.

I then persuaded my son to get his bike out and join me while I went for a 5 mile run. We went through Richmond Park up to Petersham then back the river path. Much to his delight there were loads of big mucky puddles, but my shoes took a hammering.


I have decided that I won't win Janathon. So have decided to award myself a prize. If over Janathon, I cover a100 miles I will buy myself a nice pair of new shoes. Recommendations welcome!

Tomorrow is a 12 mile run through Richmond Park again. Kingston Gate at 7am if anyone wishes to join me.

Friday 7 January 2011

Weights in the gym

I read some article in Runners World about weight-training for runners. I will try anything to break this four hour marathon barrier. So today I went to the "jail section" of the gym. Well I may have done too much, my arms and chest are sore.

Finished off with two miles on the treadmill.........I think I prefer running.

Thursday 6 January 2011

All this work is getting in the way of running

Struggled to get out of work today for a run, it was between a haircut and a trip to the gym. I like to think the the new haircut will make me faster!

So today it was running for the bus at 6am, a whole 0.1mile, but it was fast. And yes, I caught the bus.

Wednesday 5 January 2011

First Day back at work

Managed to sleep in, then get to work 30 minutes late. I managed to sneak out for a quick 5km on the treadmill. A respectable 20mins 59 secs. Let's hope for more tomorrow.

Tuesday 4 January 2011

Thwarted by Currys

Day 4 of Janathon and I only managed 0.2miles (Yes, the decimal place is in the correct position.) A quick run to the local shop to get a fresh pint of milk.

On Christmas day our Fridge broke, Currys couldn't deliver until today. They said between 1pm and 5.30pm. I had visions of them coming at 2pm, leaving me plenty of time for an afternoon jog. Silly me, they arrived at 5.28pm and by the time they had finished, I had lost my running Mojo.

Tomorrow I will make up for it with a fast 5km. Fingers crossed!

Monday 3 January 2011

12 miles in Richmond Park

Richmond Park - Probably the nicest place to run in the UK, although I didn't see any deer today, which is very unusual.

Started at 7.20am when it was still dark and frosty. Did a quick lap in 56mins 26secs. Then a short loop through Isabella Plantation, which is probably the nicest part of the Park. If you haven't been, then I would put it on your list of places to go running.

So Day 3 of Janathon complete, now time to go swimming with the kids and take them into town to spend some Christmas money.

Sunday 2 January 2011

Plyometrics

Got a quick mile on the treadmill. Then 40 minutes of Plyometrics, which is very tiring. When you see it in the magazines it looks easy but my thighs say different. Have a look on Youtube or www.runningplanet.com/training/plyometrics.html


Tomorrow is my long run, first of the year. Going out for a few laps of Richmond Park, starting at 7.30am. Hopefully, I will do about 12ish.

Saturday 1 January 2011

London Marathon Training Begins


In a wet and cold Cheshire road, my long journey to Blackheath started. A speed session - ten intervals at 6:30mins/miles. So a total of 3 miles.

Luckily, I had a wife and two (out of three) kids there supporting me. So I have photographic evidence, you can just about make out my little pot belly. Hopefully that disappears soon!