"Training" update

...and I do use the word advisedly.

This last week, being the fourth week, was intended to be a gentle seven days with just two midweek runs of low-level intensity, designed to give the body a rest in preparation for another hard three weeks, then another week at low-level and so on. Sadly, due to commitments at lunch and after work, the "gentle" training was in fact non-existent and midweek runs totaled a big fat 0.

Unperturbed, my weekend run was to be around the perimeter of Richmond Park (they won't allow me within the park after that incident with the deer), a distance of approximately seven miles, adding on a small loop to bring me up to the schedule's requisite eight miles. I did manage a circuit, but no loop sadly. I reckon, right, I reckon, it was because of the hilly nature of the park, right, and also, right, I reckon it was because of my unusually tight calves and sore shin, right, yeah, that's why.

Regardless of the reasons, it could have been a better run, but the hill training aspect will help in the long term. Next weekend is a nine-miler, one which with proper preparation, will I'm sure erase the memory of this week's less than impressive "training".

Training update no. 2

Another week, another four runs...

All of differing lengths and intensities including the infamous "fartleks", and I can confirm that the only funny aspect of them is the name. It's basically a set period of running, e.g. half an hour and within that you run at a higher level in several short bursts, e.g. 8 lots of 30 seconds with a couple of minutes recovery running in between each. Apparently very good to get your body used to running at a higher level so effectively and theoretically your standard pace becomes easier. That's the idea anyway...

Other than that a good 7 miler on Saturday which I managed to do in less pain and about three or four minutes quicker than the previous weekend. 26 miles looks a long way off at the moment, but I know with training everything should be okay.

This week is a comparative rest week, so only two midweek sessions and then about 8-9 miles at the weekend. A couple of the weekend runs will be substituted for actual races; the Reading half-Marathon on 25th March (http://racepayment.mirrorservers.co.uk/readinghalfmarathon/) and the Kingston Breakfast run (http://www.humanrace.co.uk/breakfast/index.html) which true to its name starts at 8am on April Fools Day. These will, I'm told, break the monotony and serve as good practice for race day, for example learning how to run in a crowd, correctly use the water stations without falling over, and which buses get you nearest the end of the route. I am, of course, joking. I'll be taking a taxi.

It's a Marathon, not a Snickers...

So I've stupidly decided to "run" the London Marathon on 22nd April 2007. I'm pretty sure of my reasons for doing it, yet I still find myself sat in the corners of rooms rocking back and forth, wailing like a lost child.

But I'm not screaming, "I want my mummy!", I'm screaming, "I WANT YOUR MONEY!!". I'm running to raise money for Asthma UK, an illness which afflicts over 5 million people in the UK, although I think they're just suffering from Asthma, not necessarily the UK bit on the end. Anyway, my initial target is £1,500 and if you look carefully above this post, you will see a box indicating how the fund-raising is going. Ifyou haven't donated yet and feel guilty about the 1.1 million children who suffer very badly from Asthma (UK?) and who would really benefit from your money, then please click on it to donate. Any amount, no matter how big or small is gratefully received and will be taken into consideration at the gates to Heaven. *

* nb this may not be necessarily the case and there are no refunds if you get let in there regardless.

I will be updating this on a regular basis to keep my fans informed of how my training is coming on. At the moment, my "long run" at the weekend was just over 7 miles and the one this weekend coming will be of a similar length. To put it in context that's the furthest I've ever run without police sirens to motivate me, so that feels very good. I appreciate that it is going to get a lot harder before it doesn't get easier, but I am ready for that. I sense a fortitude in myself which I have never felt before in my life. I may be getting my backside into gear late on in the day, but as James Brown said, "I'm heading for the turn around", and that feels good (he said that too).