Lisa had a word with me about my training.....or lack of it ! Lisa is doing really well and is a great motivation who keeps me incheck...I had been running once, maybe twice a week but not for long....when it is 5.30am, dark, freezing, -3 and everyone's asleep it is hard to get out of bed, put on your kit and run for more than half an hour.
Change of plan...join Virgin...I'm not a fan of the gym but I can pay monthly until April and train in the warmth whilst watching the footie and MTV.
Start with enthusiasm...do too much...legs buckle but, hey, it felt better than running in the cold, freezing mornings of recent weeks.
I have been 5 times in last 12 days and realise how at 15 stone, 6 ft 1" I'm not made for this running game......part of me wishes it was a tennis or golf challenge !
Anyway, each time I run I visualise crossing the finishing line....how I'll feel....how I'll feel for Lisa when she crosses the line.....the more I visualise the easier the running seems to get. If I can avoid injury, my left knee gives me slight discomfort, I honestly believe I can and will do this. I go to the boozer after work with colleagues and mention I'll be in the gym later - they do not believe me ! I have a coke, go home, play with my daughter, put her to bed and then go to the gym........I hit my 10km marker....a 1 hour run without stopping, a milestone in my early training.
Saturday morning Isabelle has me up at 6....my wife in bed unwell....we shower, have Weetabix and hit the Park. After lunch, with wife feeling better, I go with customers and watch Northants Saints demolish Toulon.....the team look quality and the customers clearly enjoying everyones company and free bar......I have a couple of cheeky pints of Guinness....well I knew the no alcohol objective would be a tough one !
Tomorrow is the 1 hour 30 minute long run....a test for the left knee and the mental challenge of boredom and belief I can keep going for this amount of time.
When I reflect on the last couple of weeks it surprises me how often people have said you won't do the Marathon....how often in life do we keep telling each other you can't, you won't ?
These friends genuinely care but just don't think I'm built for it. They are right I'm not....but equally they said that about the Great North Run in 2007 and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in 2008....I will do the Marathon in 2009 !
I have always been a great believer in the saying.....if you believe you can or you can't your right !.....this Marathon Lisa and I can.
Saturday, 24 January 2009
Monday, 5 January 2009
Monday 5th January 2009
Tuesday 29th December
Straight form work around Brackmills, its cold but a pleasent afternoon, an easy run of 30 minutes I am meant to achieve, instead I do a steadish run and complete the circuit of Brackmills in exactly 30 minutes - not bad..
Thursday 1st Jan 09
New years day - after a lazy morning I go for my 40 minute easy run. I complete about 4 miles and pass many hung over people. Thank god I decided not to drink on New years eve. I have to remind myself what an easy run is so I don't get carried away. I must be able to hold a conversation, so I begin to talk to myself just to double check. Am doing well
Saturday 3rd Jan 09
Myr first real steady 40 min run, 12 minutes in and I am struggling, I get up to 20 mins, its freezing, I cannot catch my breath, I feel sick and am stuggling to swallow. I take a 10 second breather, releave my mouth of its contents and then struggle on, my mouth is so dry I am not sure I can make it home then I remember I need to run 26 miles. I make it home and have realised I have run my 40 minutes and run a further distance than Thursday, the fac tI couldn't talk at all on this run makes me know I ran it steady.. maybe a bit too much.
Sunday 4th Jan 09
My first official long run.... i plan a route just over 5 miles. Today it is bloody freezing, th epuddles are iced up but a steady 60 minute run I complete averagingin myself to just over 11minute miles. I am please, I go home have a hot bath to recover.
This is it. I am off the alcohol for a minimum of 1 month at least and am 1 week into my training plan. I have spent most of my Christmas money on running kit - how sad am I??? Four times I ran last week and am pleased with my performance so far. Have a few aches but nothing as bad as what I thought I would be feeling at this stage which is good news. Maybe I am a better runner than I thought. I think the key is I know that I can run this. I am still struggling with the mentality of it all and dread the Steady and long runs. I am also struggling to sleep, not sure if this is due to the increased amount of excercise or the apprehension of what I am actually going to do. I hope it isn't the latter as otherwise I won't have any sleep for the next four months. I received the good news that my brother in law has a place in the London Marathon, thank god, he is a much better runner than I and he does inspire me alot.... heres to week two!!!
Straight form work around Brackmills, its cold but a pleasent afternoon, an easy run of 30 minutes I am meant to achieve, instead I do a steadish run and complete the circuit of Brackmills in exactly 30 minutes - not bad..
Thursday 1st Jan 09
New years day - after a lazy morning I go for my 40 minute easy run. I complete about 4 miles and pass many hung over people. Thank god I decided not to drink on New years eve. I have to remind myself what an easy run is so I don't get carried away. I must be able to hold a conversation, so I begin to talk to myself just to double check. Am doing well
Saturday 3rd Jan 09
Myr first real steady 40 min run, 12 minutes in and I am struggling, I get up to 20 mins, its freezing, I cannot catch my breath, I feel sick and am stuggling to swallow. I take a 10 second breather, releave my mouth of its contents and then struggle on, my mouth is so dry I am not sure I can make it home then I remember I need to run 26 miles. I make it home and have realised I have run my 40 minutes and run a further distance than Thursday, the fac tI couldn't talk at all on this run makes me know I ran it steady.. maybe a bit too much.
Sunday 4th Jan 09
My first official long run.... i plan a route just over 5 miles. Today it is bloody freezing, th epuddles are iced up but a steady 60 minute run I complete averagingin myself to just over 11minute miles. I am please, I go home have a hot bath to recover.
This is it. I am off the alcohol for a minimum of 1 month at least and am 1 week into my training plan. I have spent most of my Christmas money on running kit - how sad am I??? Four times I ran last week and am pleased with my performance so far. Have a few aches but nothing as bad as what I thought I would be feeling at this stage which is good news. Maybe I am a better runner than I thought. I think the key is I know that I can run this. I am still struggling with the mentality of it all and dread the Steady and long runs. I am also struggling to sleep, not sure if this is due to the increased amount of excercise or the apprehension of what I am actually going to do. I hope it isn't the latter as otherwise I won't have any sleep for the next four months. I received the good news that my brother in law has a place in the London Marathon, thank god, he is a much better runner than I and he does inspire me alot.... heres to week two!!!
Thursday, 1 January 2009
Happy New Year !
mmmmmmmm.......for those that know me well will understand the blog never got updated after the November Business Awards Dinner that was the start of many late nights in December ! With all the doom and gloom around and projected for 2009 I thought I,friends and business colleagues had to enjoy what was left of the year ! 2008 was a tough year....2009 will be even tougher .....business, Marathon training......oh yes, and turning 40 in March ! Happy New Year to you....lets have a good one !
The company Christmas Party went smoothly for a change.....no misbehaviour I am currently aware of ??? and then Michael 'Lucky' Harley Junior winning £ 300.00 at the Casino.....I'm looking forward to his generous Marathon donation ! ( I'll thank you now Michael...no pressure ! )
My 2 year old daughter made me smile all Christmas...when Father Christmas asked what she wanted at the local Grotto, Isabelle answered 'a biscuit and a mushroom please'......I'm sure next year will be different !
On donations I'm 40 in March and will be asking for NO PRESENTS....Yes, NO PRESENTS BUT we would like donations.....lots of them.....for the Marathon Charities Lisa and I are running for.
Just to recap.....the nurses at Cynthia and Bury Hospice for helping my Mum and 1000's of others fight cancer in difficult months,days and hours and the emotional support they still give my father ( and many like them ). In addition, MKSNAP, giving opportunities for children and adults with physical disabilities....they were ALL an inspiration, we left grateful for there time and our lot.....we have an opportunity to change what we have where many can't ! Hence why they need our support...financial, YES, but equally you may be able to give time ? to this and similar Charities.
Make the time and go to MKSNAP or a similar charity......they also offer some business services....you will leave inspired, motivated and may be able to give them some business or/and your time !
Side note...Congratulations to great friends, Sharon and Duncan, married at Fawsley Hall on the 30th December.....great day/night/party and no hangover......have a wonderful life together Mr & Mrs Brebner !
Oh yes, training.....I've done a run a week for the last 5 weeks......upto 3 miles on a good day.....just had my last takeaway curry and beer before the REAL training, no alcohol and diet begins tomorrow !
I am just over 15 stone, have a 1 pack and need to lose weight.....I have read my Marathon magazine and clearly understand the scale of the Challenge ahead......tomorrow my training and diet begins.
Objective 1 - 13 stone by March 10th - my 40th Birthday !
Objective 2 - no alcohol until 27th April ! ( 1 stag party and 40th birthday during this time ).....in my mind I am postponing 40th celebrations until I achieve the Marathon on April 26th !
Objective 3 - complete the Marathon with Lisa in less than 4 hours 30 minutes.
Happy New Year again......hopefully I'll improve my blogging frequency !
The company Christmas Party went smoothly for a change.....no misbehaviour I am currently aware of ??? and then Michael 'Lucky' Harley Junior winning £ 300.00 at the Casino.....I'm looking forward to his generous Marathon donation ! ( I'll thank you now Michael...no pressure ! )
My 2 year old daughter made me smile all Christmas...when Father Christmas asked what she wanted at the local Grotto, Isabelle answered 'a biscuit and a mushroom please'......I'm sure next year will be different !
On donations I'm 40 in March and will be asking for NO PRESENTS....Yes, NO PRESENTS BUT we would like donations.....lots of them.....for the Marathon Charities Lisa and I are running for.
Just to recap.....the nurses at Cynthia and Bury Hospice for helping my Mum and 1000's of others fight cancer in difficult months,days and hours and the emotional support they still give my father ( and many like them ). In addition, MKSNAP, giving opportunities for children and adults with physical disabilities....they were ALL an inspiration, we left grateful for there time and our lot.....we have an opportunity to change what we have where many can't ! Hence why they need our support...financial, YES, but equally you may be able to give time ? to this and similar Charities.
Make the time and go to MKSNAP or a similar charity......they also offer some business services....you will leave inspired, motivated and may be able to give them some business or/and your time !
Side note...Congratulations to great friends, Sharon and Duncan, married at Fawsley Hall on the 30th December.....great day/night/party and no hangover......have a wonderful life together Mr & Mrs Brebner !
Oh yes, training.....I've done a run a week for the last 5 weeks......upto 3 miles on a good day.....just had my last takeaway curry and beer before the REAL training, no alcohol and diet begins tomorrow !
I am just over 15 stone, have a 1 pack and need to lose weight.....I have read my Marathon magazine and clearly understand the scale of the Challenge ahead......tomorrow my training and diet begins.
Objective 1 - 13 stone by March 10th - my 40th Birthday !
Objective 2 - no alcohol until 27th April ! ( 1 stag party and 40th birthday during this time ).....in my mind I am postponing 40th celebrations until I achieve the Marathon on April 26th !
Objective 3 - complete the Marathon with Lisa in less than 4 hours 30 minutes.
Happy New Year again......hopefully I'll improve my blogging frequency !
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