Week 17 / 17

Day 113 / 119

2014:

A rest day today - and I need every moment of rest I can get

Both achilles / calfs ached and I wondered if all yesterday's stretching and icing had done any good at all

Maybe it was a little better.....

Then a chance remark at work had a friend rolling up his trouser legs ..... to show me his compression sock

He told of its virtues of not only helping him run despite suffering similar problems to me, but them acting as a positive healing aid

Lunchtime couldn't come quick enough and I was up to the running shop to get my own

While the shop woman wouldn't be drawn enough to actually recommend them (health and safety gone mad) she did say plenty used them and confirmed how useful they can be

Not only did I buy them but I walked out wearing them and whether placebo or not, I genuinely did feel better wearing them

Maybe this run is still doable, just maybe ......

2011:

Today is down as a rest day and tomorrow a 30 minute jog. Unfortunately I'm not free to jog tomorrow as I'm off to Bristol Rovers so went to the gym today instead. In another 'read between the lines' moment I in fact did the most leisurely cycle ever. Legs were hurting more today than yesterday so hence the biking decision. Not a bead of sweat earned, I stretched on a cold mat and that's it. People kept out of my way, didn't invade my personal space and that's exactly how I like it  - I wonder if I'll mellow after this run is finished with - naaahh!!

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Day 114  / 119

2014:

Today was a 2 mile jog

Having spent all of an early night resting my legs on ice then stretching, I was as ready as I could have been

I don't think I've EVER nursed myself through such  a short run so gingerly

My leg wasn't pain free but was much better than Saturday

At no point though could I avoid the hiding menace of the calf going pop

It was always there, just niggling away

The good news is that I made it round, the bad news is that I have to run a lot faster and a lot, lot further

Who knows, miracles do happen, don't they .....?

2011:

As I mentioned yesterday, today I'm treating as a rest day as I'm off to Bristol Rovers to watch AFCB. My prediction is that we'll lose 1 nil but dominate the game with over 20 shots......

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Day 115 / 119

2014:

Today was meant to be a 4 mile run at marathon pace

Nope, just wasn't going to do it

I know I've banged on about sticking to the plan but reasoned that the author was assuming you hadn't messed your LEG UP WITH JUST 1 WEEK TO GO!!!!!

Calm down...........deep breaths................

Work was good enough to allow me to work from home so I spent the whole day icing my legs and wearing my "special" socks as I tapped away on the laptop

I'm hoping that this has given me the edge - time will tell ..............

2011:

Oooooo my goodness - I have been sooo tired today. Got home from the football at 1:15 and bed at 2:00 so it's been a real trip through treacle day. Got the prediction right - how did I do that, I wonder? Today was a 4 mile run and I had no confidence. This proved entirely accurate. Both legs really hurt and although I made it round there is no way on earth I have another 22 miles left in me. I'm hoping it's because I'm so tired but fear it's just a forerunner (no pun intended) of what is to come. I'll try to get a full night's sleep tonight and I'll see how I go from there

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Day 116 / 119

2014:

Scary day time

I woke up early and decided to do yesterday's 4 mile run

I was thankful that I no longer had to wear my water vest because adding that to the lovely socks, I would have looked completely mental

I started slowly and gradually built up the pace until I was running at better than marathon pace

Both legs felt dodgy from the knees downwards and I still don't know whether long or short strides are the way to go

I must have lost 2 stone in fear-sweat and countless times I thought they were going to break but somehow they made it to the end

Where I'm finding the extra 22 miles to safety I have no idea - my sister suggested looking down the back of the settee - and believe me, I did look

The dream might have taken a hell of a beating but it's still alive....just....

2011:

Right - it's rest all the way to Sunday now. I've taken this completely to heart, booked the afternoon off and slept for nearly 4 hours. Well, I must have needed it, yes? I also went to Boots and got some super strength anti inflammatories. The girl behind the desk said I should only take them for 3 days at most and I should have phrased my reply better than "that's ok I only have 3 days left" judging by the look on her face - oh well.
Sat here now with ice on my knee and just about to have pills number 2 watching the golf - could be a lot worse

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Day 117 / 119

2014:

The nerves have finally kicked in - I only need to think of the run and I have to rush off to trap 4 (the comfy one)

It's rest days all the way and I had a HUGE lie in until 7 am

Work had been brilliant again today and I was working from home

A full day of ice on the legs followed by the wearing of my "special" socks then rolling over my cylindrical pain-giver

Just walking around I can feel the calfs straining and that's just walking from the front room to the kitchen

That's normal though, right?

I've even turned down a chinky take-away for a pasta salad - this had better all be worth it.........

2011:

Yes still a rest day but more importantly we're in the middle of of carbo loading. So, as I had the day off it's been a mixture of cake, bagels, power bars / drinks, painkillers and chips - I feel like a real athlete!! I bet Kelly Holmes never ate a diet quite like this - if she had who knows, she might have won 3 gold medals. Off to put some ice on my knee - been a lovely day though, hasn't it?

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Day 118 / 119

2014:

Well, it's one day to go

I know I've done all this before but I am SO nervous - I've been all over the place today

Mere mention of the run has brought me out in a cold sweat followed by an achilles testing dash to the loo

More legs' icing today and plenty of rest - I've even been cooking to take my mind off the inevitable

I am aso very grateful for twitter Mark "reminding" me that it all kicks off at 10:00 and not 9:00 like I had in my mind

Bad enough with the nerves without standing on the start line for an extra hour

Well that's it for today - an early alcohol free night to try to squeeze some hours of sleep in although between you and me - it seems a very unlikely request to make of my shaky body at this stage

2011:

Ok, time to officially changing my status to "soiling myself". Today is Eloise's birthday so the morning was all about that followed by a trip to Dean Court to see Bournemouth on the same pitch as Tranmere - that's the best I can say for them. Home at 5:45 and Joss had lovingly prepared a big pasta meal - I love this carbo-loading and might continue it after the run :-) Then it was in the car and a short 2 and a quarter hours later we were checking into our room in Brighton, over a pub. Joss had a couple of glasses of wine and I stuck to orange juice and lemonade. What a good boy I am. Now, when we've stayed here before we have tended to gone to bed a little "tired and emotional" but with this being a sober experience we were able to fully enjoy the thumping music downstairs, followed by the arguments that come with a splendid night of drinking - brilliant!!!

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Day 119 / 119

2014:

So here we are – run day
 
I was going to say race day but somehow that description doesn’t really suit with how today went
 
I was up at 5:30 – not on purpose, just too many nerves going through me to stay asleep
 
I had my energy bar and banana and started on the painkillers I hoped would help with my legs after this most trying of weeks
 
We set off a few minutes late and I compounded this by only realising I wasn’t wearing my GPS watch half way to Bournemouth
 
Blast
 
Back we went but still made it to the Fitness First gym for a last minute use of the “facilities” at around 8:45
 
Joss then gave me a lift to as close to the start line as she could and drove off to get her vantage point
 
I met up with twitter Mark for the last half hour of waiting in pretty cold conditions and we both stood their shivering from the cold or possibly just nerves
 
The starting horn was sounded at exactly 10 and we were off
 
I glanced down at my watch after just 100m or so and the readings were all over the place so I had to restart it as I was running – not the best of starts
 
The crowds were out and Mark quickly ran away from me, despite me running ever so slightly quicker than I’d intended – still, it would be a good
buffer for later on, I thought
 
My “special” socks were doing me proud however and when I first saw Joss, Tracey and the kids at about 5 or so miles I was feeling pretty good
 
The course doubles back at that point so I saw them again at 8.5 miles and my time was looking great
 
Note to the organisers – there were MANY times the course doubles back on itself and when you see people flying in the other direction without there being any sight of the turn – that’s like a slap in the face
 
I’d like to say that I gained some benefit from when I ran the other way – but there weren’t that many runners behind me ……
 
A mile later Louise was at the side of the road waving a banner for me but unfortunately for her she didn’t recognise me until I could practically shake her hand so had to sprint ahead of me to get a photo
 
It made me laugh though and I appreciated her doing that because I’ve a feeling the official photographs won’t be quite so flattering
 
At 10 miles I had the first feelings that things weren’t entirely right
 
Nothing too bad, but my back started to have a little whinge
 
At 12 miles it was getting a little more aggressive but I played it down as I caught Mark up because his right knee had all but gone
 
12 miles on one leg takes some doing
 
At 14 miles, the run effectively ended for me
 
It felt like I’d been knifed in the small of my back and pains shot up to my shoulders bringing me to a complete standstill
 
After a few moments bent over to stretch I started off again but now the pains were going into my hips and down my legs making
every step so painful
 
Apparently Joss saw me another 3-4 times but I didn’t see her – I just had my head down trying to continue – I still had my time to aim for and all that charity money riding on me
 
Of course I couldn’t run the rest of the way without stopping so I could see my average time getting higher and higher but as I reached 18 miles I was still on track for a 4 hour marathon
 
At 18 miles, you have to run up a hill past the BIC which was so steep that my back / hips wouldn.t allow me to lift my legs high enough to run so I had to walk, thus ending the 4 hour dream
 
The last 8 miles was purgatory and without injury you get through this with mental toughness – with injury I felt like it would never end
 
The crowds did their best though and I firmly believe that without their cheering and motivation I may not have made it
 
The last .2 miles of the 26.2 the course funnels into the finish and the crowds are almost on top of you creating a crescendo of noise
 
It encouraged me to even put on a bit of a “sprint” to the end to finish in a little bit of glory
 
So what’s next – do I have another go to try to beat that blinking 4 hours (final time was 4:19:31) or do I give my aging body the rest it deserves
 
It’s all too early and too raw at the moment – I guess I’ll just have to see once everything heals up

2011:

 After a full 4 hours sleep, the alarm went off at 05:45 and I fully realised, this was it – no turning back now. After letting this sink in (while on the loo, obviously), it was down to stretching and banana eating, along with a cocktail of painkillers designed to get me through the run. Then I coated myself with enough anti-chaffing gloop to swim the channel, stretched ‘til I could stretch no more then off we went, leaving at 7:15. It was a foolish 2 mile walk to Preston Park by which time (8ish) I thought it best to queue for the loos. At the time I didn’t actually need to go but by the time the mile long queue was complete, there was only 30 minutes to go!!
Steve Cram then did the most boring motivational speech, mostly containing pure gold like “keep going as far as you can” and “it’s a hot day so take plenty of fluids” – he’s an Olympian, you know. So the run started at 09:00 and my ipod kicked off with “Don’t stop me now” – very apt.
At 3 miles, the crowd was cheering, the adrenalin pumping and my left knee went. It was a sudden, searing pain that went round the bottom of my knee and down my shin. It then went away as quickly as it arrived and came and alternated like this for the next ½ mile or so, until I established a gait that would reduce it happening. Ok, I really might not make this, what am I going to do. I appreciate that most would go the conservative route, but today of all days, that wasn’t for me. Chances are I wasn’t going to be able to run the whole distance so that was the last goal I had, gone, after I had already said goodbye to the 4 hour dream. Time for a new dream – if I was going to walk at some point, I was going to put in a bloody good half marathon time – so off I went.
The course blurb said that the first 11 miles were mostly uphill – and they weren’t kidding. Some of the inclines were steeper than the road past Upton house whereas other were shallower but seemed to go on forever. As the temperatures rose (hottest day of the year) I took to grabbing 2 waters at a time, one to pour over my head and one to drink.
At 9 miles my right thigh went but that just maintained at ache level so not too bad. By 12 I was unable to eat any of my carbo-gels as dehydration was making me feel too sick to keep them down and no-one came along to clap and see me bring up my breakfast.
Half way was reached in 1:55 dead and I was so pleased – even though I knew that in the heat I was pretty much spent, especially as I couldn’t take the gels. Joss was there to cheer me on but I was head down, so didn’t see her.
At 16.5 miles I stopped running for the first time for 2 minutes. This gave me time to drink a whole bottle of water, eat a gel and drink most of another bottle, before running to 18 miles. By this time, the roads were littered with runners lying down suffering from injuries and heat exhaustion. They looked terrible and were a grim reminder to take care of myself.
So, from 18 miles, I walked ¼ mile then run ¾ mile all the way to 25 miles. At that point I thought, “there’s no way I’m not running in from here”. So off I went. I knew that Joss would be somewhere near the end with Gary and Sarah so bu$$er the knee – I was going to stride out and look as good as possible.
At 25.5 miles I heard the unmistakeable call of “GULLIS” – no, it wasn’t Joss being a bit cool towards me but Joss realising that almost every male was called Dave and so wanted to make sure she was heard. There they were, all 3 waving and cheering, to which I replied with a bulldog stance and a “GRRRRRRR” which sent them, and the rest of the crowd around them into hysterics.
Less than a mile to go and I could see the finish line and I thought about what I had done and had happened today. Not just the bad stuff like bad knees and dehydration but the good stuff too. People who are running for the same charity patting you on the back and running with you, the crowd shouting “Keep going Dave” (my name was on my shirt – they weren’t psychic) and waters being shared amongst the runners when they could see others needed it more.
It was all this, plus the thoughts of all the hours of training in sub-zero temperatures, the weights and cycling sessions and with Joss being at my side all the time that made the last 100 yards the most emotional sporting time that I have ever had.
Emotional? Bl$$dy yes – an experience to be repeated – you have got to be kidding!!! Finishing time 4:19:37 – with the heat and injuries I couldn’t be happier and putting in a sub 2 hour half marathon topped it off nicely.

Week 16 / 17

Day 106 / 119

2014:

I'm not sure why, but that was the worst night's sleep I've had in ages - no way was I doing Pilates this morning

It was a 40 minute jog this morning and I traipsed my tired body to the gym

My back was hurting, my knees were hurting and my right thigh was chipping in too

The jog was slow, though and after a few minutes it all started to feel better

I was then able to fully concentrate on the odour of the guy to my left and the stamping of the feet from the girl to my right

Pure bliss - made all the better by my phone losing my regular Running playlist while taking the mere 3 hours to upgrade to ios8

It really was the perfect storm

At least I got through it without pulling anything - less than 2 weeks to go before I properly punish my body - kinda wishing I'd spent a little more time on nutrition as well as exercise - still - I'm bound to lose the remaining flab before the 5th ..............

Start Weight - 84.4 kg
Last week Weight - 79.6 kg
Current Weight - 79.2 kg
Weekly Loss - 0.4 kg
Overall Loss - 5.2 kg

2011:

Trying to be more positive today - but it's not easy. Tried wearing a knee support at work but you just can't wear them sat down, they all bunch up. Went and bought a matching knee support after work and wore both at the gym. You know sometimes you see people in the gym that you think ahhh bless - he obviously can't dress himself. Well, today that was me. More strapping than robocop, I caught a view of myself in a mirror and just winced - but it was too late by then. So, I cycled for 30 minutes and then jogged for 10 - it doesn't sound long but I really believed that 1 minute jogging was going to be too long so quite chuffed. Finished off with a monster stretch session and that's it for me - apart from the hot bath and then ice pack to the knee - I'm taking no chances now

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Day 107 / 119

2014:

Another day, another walking with Zombies' audition

I slept well enough, just not long enough

It was a 30 minute x-trainer today and when I eventually got to the gym, Joss was the only one on a whole row of x-trainers

I, of course, did the right thing - and took a machine right next to her

To be fair it worked well for me - I needed the motivation

She was only doing one level less than me and she was really powering through it - you've just got to admire her effort

I wish I could say the same for myself as I felt myself going through the motions

Yes I did get a sweat on and yes it does mean that I should be good for tomorrow's marathon paced run but I still feel I should be doing more - I just don't have the energy

It's an early night tonight and tomorrow will be a brand new day - time to refocus and realise I HAVE come a long way and the dream of a 4 hour run is still alive !!!!

2011:

You know what I love - leaving work early. I'm seriously thinking that changing my hours to come in and go early. Just how good to you feel when you've had lunch and there's not long left - priceless!! Annnnyway - it was a weights session today. Lots of upper body and leg exercises. On the one machine I didn't even have the strength to pull the lever to adjust the seat height so had to pretend that I didn't really want to move it. When I got home I made myself, from a rolled up yoga mat and a roll of gaffer tape, a strong hard tube that you are meant to roll over to simulate deep tissue massage. Well, I didn't think it would work but gave it a go and as I rolled my calfs over it the pain surged through me just like when I had the sports massage - so maybe there's something in it. I did the same for my thigh muscles and it really hit the spot - which is just as well because the position you have to get into to have an effect is more than a little inappropriate - can't wait to do it again ;-)

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Day 108 / 119

2014:

Bed at 8:15 meant that when the alarm went off at 5am I was feeling pretty fresh

I downed my cocktail of banana, energy bar and paracetamol and was off at 6:15 for a 5 mile run at the marathon pace of 9 minute miles

I sprinted off and my GPS watch clearly got the shock of its life because it went haywire

First I was running 15 seconds too slowly, so I sped up

Ten seconds later it was showing I was going 15 seconds too quickly, so I had to slow down

I continued this erratic pattern - the VERY worst way to run, for about 1/2 a mile until the watch's panic attack subsided

I then was able to run at 8:55 pace and it was.......easy!!

So easy in fact that I tried to ease the pace to get up to 9 minute miles and I actually sped up!!!!!!

I finished the run averaging 8:50 pace and felt GREAT

First time in ages I finished with confidence

I completely appreciate having to keep on running at that pace for another 21 miles will be "tricky" but although the 4 hour goal is still going to be the toughest thing I've done - I genuinely feel that I have a shot at it

Onwards and upwards..............

2011:

Right - today's the day - a 5 mile run at marathon pace. This will decide whether this is the last run I have before the race of not. So, with 2 knee straps on the left, 1 knee strap and 1 thigh strap on the right I set off looking very much like an impoverished robocop - none of that would stop a pea-shooter let alone a sniper. Approximately 2 seconds into the run I realised the thigh strap makes no bl$$dy difference at all - still painful. But I carried on even though I felt like I was running sideways, dragging my chocolate leg behind me. At 2.5 miles my left knee kicked off - but to my relief it didn't get as bad as Saturday. Part of that might be that I knew there wasn't long to go but I'd like to think maybe there was an improvement? What I do know now is that when you're carrying an injury, it's not just the pain - running is actually HARDER - ie more effort. 5 miles completed and I was cream crackered. The thought that on the day I'd still have 21 to go just doesn't bear thinking of....
Still, I'll be running this Saturday

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Day 109 / 119

2014:

After a late night last night I surprised myself by getting up for a 30 minute jog

The idea of daily pilates has gone right out of the window, however - I just hope it's not something I regret sometime down the road (pun intended)

I have to admit to a couple of overpriced plastic glasses of wine last night so it was true to say I wasn't really "feeling it"

What didn't help was that yesterday I had to go to work suited and booted and the "new" experience of not wearing supportive trainers hadn't gone well with my knees

Both felt like there wasn't a cushioning ligament between them and the bone on bone feeling had me doing my lunchtime Poole Park walk looking like Steptoe - anyone else mentioning the myriad of other similarities between me and him gets a slap

The jog itself started fairly painfully for my knees but within a few  minutes my body created enough bone slipperyness to allow the pain to subside

The music helped too and I rewarded myself with an extra long stretching session

I could have done with the last remaining stretching mat NOT being almost part of the coffee area but I'm sure the ladies that breakfast were more embarrassed by me being almost under their table than I was.....probably.....

2011:

I woke this morning hoping that there were no side-affects from yesterday and that's no too far off the mark. Sure there are niggles but I would expect no less. I put my knee support on my left and this long surgical stocking like thing on my right. Very, very uncomfortable. The tube thing was especially uncomfortable with no dignified way of adjusting it - so I spent most of the day in trap 4. Rest day today - another one of my famed read between the lines sessions because in the book it said a 30 minute jog - but I just don't want to push my luck too much.

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Day 110 / 119

2014:

Last gym session of the day and I decided to do something different by having a go on the bike that makes you feel like you are lying down

My thinking was that the x-trainer was a bit too much like running so at this late stage I don't want to tire my legs too much

Of course I am an idiot - what was I thinking?

All I managed to do was not work up a very convincing sweat and strain both achiles

Remember them?

I haven't mentioned them for ages but today they let me know that they are still here and DON'T like the bike

The noises I made while stretching them afterwards cleared everyone out of the stretch area - I sounded demented

I think (hope/pray) that the whining was worth it though because I haven't had any more pain today but my run tomorrow will be my true barometer - last run of my training run - let's just hope it's not my last run full stop

2011:

It was a cycle at the gym today. I got there and realised that I hadn't already taken off my 50cm leg tube off and so was hoping for an empty changing room. Well, you can guess the rest - full to the rafters of blokes comparing muscle definition. Great - being in a room with a load of posers is bad enough but having to get changed out of something Miss Marple would be ashamed of is another level. I did consider stalling and hoping that they'd leave but there's only so many times that you can check your bag for contents before people start to wonder what exactly you're up to. So, after that embarrassment I went to the bike that had the least amount of fresh sweat and boiled sweets on it and settled down to an audio book and 30 minutes of cycling. After that it's time for stretching. Now in the gym, there are about 6 mats. On there, was a bloke with a personal trainer and they had decided that rather than just use 1 mat, it was perfectly acceptable to lie across 4. The other 2 being busy - I walked up to them and stared until they begrudgingly gave one over - the sweat laden one. I put my stuff down and went and got some paper towels and cleaning spray and made a point of cleaning it in front of them while slowly shaking my head. They had the decency to look a little abashed but I couldn't care less - so i then picked up my stuff and dragged the mat to another spot across the gym. You know what - the older I get , the more tolerant I think I'm becoming....

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Day 111 / 119

2014:

This is it - the last run of training - 8 miles at marathon pace - what could go wrong ?

For the first 5 miles, absolutely nothing

The weather was great, the pace was good, I was running easily and the view over Holes Bay was breathtaking

At that point a tramp ran out of the bushes and caned me across the back of the right leg between the calf muscle and the ankle

At least, that's what I WISHED had happened because the true tale, for me, is much, much worse

It was might right achilles, twanging

I refused to believe it and just carried on running.

The pain was there and to be fair it didn't get any worse but to put it into context, I had only miles to go, next Sunday I'd have more than 21 miles to go - that just can't be done.....

I've gone 111 days of getting up early, training 6 days a week and with 7 days to go, this happens with so little recovery time before putting my body through the hardest challenge I can put it through

I reacted to this in the only way that I could - drinking heavily

Today is a dark day - I just feel the injustice of it all - I don't know what else to say

2011:

It was an 8 mile run today and I was extremely nervous. Joss had been ill this week so I was to be on my own. Yesterday I had bought myself some Deep Heat gel as I couldn't ever feel the spray doing anything. So, with that in mind, I coated both knees, shins thighs and hips - you can't be too careful, can you. Well, it appears you can. I applied liberally and then put on all the strapping that I intended to use. It was at this point I wondered exactly how hot the molten lava of a volcano was, and whether it would be slightly chillier than my legs. How exactly is having your legs on fire meant to help - except maybe evaporating lying water on roads for people to follow in a more safe manner? Joss followed me into the toilet (my place of application) and we are hoping that she will be able to come off the oxygen any time soon. From this run I learnt 3 invaluable lessons: 1 - Just because it hasn't hurt in the past it doesn't mean it can't hurt now. My right leg had eased but my left more than compensated for this. Lesson 2: Good music really does make you run faster. I was listening to some middle of the road songs and noticed that I was a few seconds per mile down. Then on came foo fighters and by the end of them I was 2 seconds under the pace I needed - a miracle. The 3rd and by far the most important lesson is, while running, never EVER wipe your runny nose with your hand unless you are ABSOLUTELY convinced that you have washed all the deep heat off. I looked like Rudolph and was breathing fire for a couple of miles and when you have a nose like mine it's much much worse. Still - live and learn....

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Day 112 / 119

2014:

What a big girl I was yesterday

I haven't come this far just to throw it all  away

Sure the chances of my achieving what I want to achieve next week is slim to nothing - but while there IS a chance, I'm going for it

It's a rest day today and I've spent it either on the floor, rolling over my muscle pummeller and the other half resting BOTH achilles on ice packs

Is it doing any good ? Who knows

My fear is that psychologically the damage is already done

I was nervous before, now I'm REALLY bricking it - but I HAVE to try to remain positive

For me, this has now become the biggest challenge I've had to face because in my heart of hearts I know that if something happens on the day, there's really nothing I can do about it

I'm running for Autism Wessex so I WILL be competing - the rest is in the hands of fate

2011:

Rest day today. Went for an hour's walk along the beach and did 2 sets of stretching at home. Finished that off with a mother's day curry and I think you'll agree that this definately was, a rest day

Week 15 / 17

Day 99 / 119

2014:

Today was a rest day - but rest is for the wimps

Instead of taking it easy I did my pilates before doing a 30 minute jog

Sure, it's not much, but it has to be better than nothing.

The only fly in the ointment was the meagre weight loss - I knew it was coming though - I just wish I wasn't so weak where food is involved

It's been like that for 46 years though, so I really shouldn't be s surprised

Start Weight - 84.4 kg
Last week Weight - 80.0 kg
Current Weight - 79.6 kg
Weekly Loss - 0.4 kg
Overall Loss - 4.8 kg

2011:

Another morning that I couldn't get up early enough for the gym, so I went after work. I'm all for kids learning how to keep fit - but why do  they have to do it around me. There's something about kids mucking about around me that makes me come over all....violent. I did a 30 minute x-trainer today and although there were a few twinges I think it was pretty much pain free. I then went on to do some weights but found it very difficult to concentrate as a tattooed bloke with arms the size of my legs sat opposite me. How did he get like that?? It was a sight all the more incredible as he stood up - he was only about 4 foot nine. I spent the whole of my stretching session thinking, why would a small man need such big arms? - Maybe it's lifting himself up so that the barman can see him...or pushing people off him who think they're sitting on an empty seat - who knows?

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Day 100 / 119

2014:

100 days - who would have believed it. All those days ago I'm sure I thought I would be fit and confident by now - but the doubts are still looming high

I still genuinely feel like I've not tried hard enough and not prepared enough

My back could still give way but I can't do anything about it - my left calf, however, could be nurtured and so I've bought one of those cylinders you roll over

It was blinking painful last night doing it - hopefully that's a sign it's working ?

Today was a 30 minute x-trainer and apart from some inconsiderate fool training next to me despite the huge array of free machines, it was a non-event

It looks like there's every chance of me lining up injury free on the 5th for that I am grateful - I hope I haven't just put the mockers on this ........

2011:

100 Days - who'd have thought it!! At this point in my "journey" my guess is that you would have expected me to have come to some sort of deep and meaningful understanding of myself - an epiphany, if you will. Well, no. What I have learned is that running hurts, and running further hurts more. Other than that - that I'm an idiot for even trying ;-). Rest day today, and taking full advantage of it

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Day 101 / 119

2014:

As well as feeling absolutely shattered from watching the AFCB debacle last night, my body also decided that "Neil's Cold", as I'm now calling it, was worth sharing

I felt rubbish and as the alarm went off at 5:30, there was no way I was getting up for Pilates

30 minutes of trying to get out of bed later, though, and I was off to the gym

It was the 2nd of 3 30 minute jogs today and as I studied myself in the mirror I looked awful

So pale and drawn out

What made it worse was an amazonian women fresh from a sunny holiday decided to run next to me - the contrast couldn't have been more stark

All I was waiting for was the sound system to belt out "Ebony and Ivory" just to make sure everyone's full attention was upon us

I skulked away as soon as the event free 30 minutes was over but held it together enough to do a full stretch

To say that today has been "trying" is an understatement and I was glad to find the matchsticks in my desk to keep my eyes open...........

2011:

I did it - I fanally managed to get up early enough to go to the gym for a swim and weights session - what could go wrong? I'll tell you - the bl$£dy boiler at the gym has packed in again and there's no hot water. If I still swam and did weights, I'd be leaving the gym at the school run time to go home for a shower - so I shelved the swim. Instead, I did a 30 minute cycle and afterwards I took the name and email address of the manager - it's happening just too many times!!! Feel like I'm not trying hard enough this week - but if it gets me through 10 miles on Saturday - it will all be worthwhile

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Day 102 / 119

2014:

It was a sad day today - not just because my gym card didn't work but because they traded my trusty old blue pass for a shiny new red one

It means that I no longer stand out as someone who's been coming to the gym for a long time - with a red pass I could be any Jonny-come-lately

How else am I going to feel superior to everyone else?

Certainly not through the x-trainer I did for 30 minutes because not only did I find  it incredibly hard, but my left calf felt like it was going to ping

That NEVER happens with a x-trainer!!!!

Not the result I needed so close to the event

What if it DOES go on the day, after all the work I've put in ?

It would be awful but not a lot I can do about it - except spend an hour this evening rolling over the cylindrical "muscle pummeller"

It hurt like mad at the time but after a bath it IS feeling a bit better - fingers crossed for tomorrow's jog.....

2011:

Had some house moving decisions to make last night and you can only make life changing decisions with a belly-full of wine - so as a consequence, today has turned into a rest day. I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions as to why, but it's not difficult...........

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Day 103 / 119

2014:

I did put the mockers on it a few days ago as today I woke up with a bad back and my left calf feeling just shocking

Just walking to the gym from the car was painful and all my fears for the day itself bubbled to the surface

Today was a 30 minute jog and as I stood on the treadmill I seriously considered just walking away thinking that maybe caution was the better part of valour

Then I realised people were staring as I clearly wasn't a rapid decision maker and they were all wondering what the blooming heck I was doing - which rather forced my hand

Off I trot and the first minute I sweated more than I normally do for the whole run, I was so worried that my calf was going to ping

But it didn't - I don't know why but was so relieved as it came to an end

It's a bigger test tomorrow but for today I WIN!!!

2011:

Rest Day - I left work early and went to Bournemouth for a sport's massage. I really wasn't looking forward to it and it turned out that my fears were completely.....justified. I tried to steer her to concentrate on my legs as they were causing me the most concern but she insisted on also doing my back as a lot of leg pains stem from the back. I have heard stories that people can fall asleep through a massage - LIARS!! The back session was an excruciating 25 minutes or so, culminating in a pain so severe that it actually only stopped when she slipped on the floor as my tears started to flood the lino. "Can you feel that?" she asked quietly "It should start painfully but ease off as you breathe into it" At this point I'd almost bitten through my tongue so answering was limited to a pathetic whimper. When she started to inflict the same treatment on my legs I managed to comment that she must have fingers of steel. She replied "No, not really, it's all about using your bodyweight - although for your back I did have to use my elbow" Yes, I thought, it did feel rather like she'd picked the hardest, boniest part of her body to help me "relax". 35 minutes, a man sized box of tissues and 2 breakdowns later it was all over, leaving me to hobble back to the car, sit in the driver's seat and just rest my head on the steering wheel until, several minutes later, I began to feel my extremities. This run had better be worth it!!!

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Day 104 / 119

2014:

A 5:00 alarm and I woke up with both my back and my left calf hurting - brilliant

Paracetamol and an energy bar later, I set off into the pitch black for a 10 mile jog

I honestly can't remember my legs feeling so heavy throughout the whole of this training

Where's my fitness gone ?

How the flipperty flip am I going to run an extra 16 miles, all at a much quicker pace ?

My back felt like all the vertebrae were slowly fusing together with each step and my stride got shorter and shorter until it looked like my shoe laces had been tied together - yeah I looked a proper professional

That said, looking at the positives, although my left leg felt dodgy it didn't ping so I've given myself more time to pummel it into submission before the big day

Also I wasn't out of breath at all, so I think lungs and heart are ready, even if everything else is crumbling away

My race number came today, so I'm not making it up - this really IS going to happen - I just need to be pig-headed and stubborn - something I feel I was born to be :-)

2011:

It's been 2 weeks since I last ran. I've cycled, swam, stretched and iced. I've even had a sport's massage - and the difference it's made - bu$$er all!!!
3 miles in my knee started to hurt just as it did before and it never went away. I ran the full 10 miles to see if the pain got worse, which it did a bit but more worryingly everything else started to also hurt by the end. I think that's it - the dream of 1 race and a sub 4 hour run is over. I've got to face the fact that I've no chance of starting the run injury free - so the goal has got to be survival. No matter how long it takes - I want to make it to the end and not have done any permanent damage. Easier said than done for me - but I've got to be realistic. On the plus side I ran with music on my ipod for the first time today and it did serve to take my mind off things a little. It's difficult to say just HOW much it helped as this was  much shorter run - so the "wall" wasn't looming. I'm off to boots tomorrow for a knee support and I'm going to wear that to try to speed up recovery. I'll try a jog with it on to see if it helps next week but if not today's my last run before the main event - it was all going so well 4 weeks ago....

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Day 105 / 119

2014:

It's a rest day - and I have rested - who says I can't follow instructions

2011:

Feeling blooming rubbish. My legs hurt hurt hurt. What's the point in all this training if I feel worse now than I did 2 months ago ;-( Uh well, rest day today, and maybe some more wine...........

Week 14 / 17

Day 92 / 119

2014:

Today was a 40 minute jog and in the spirit of trying to cram as much training in as possible - I was up at 5:30 for pre-match pilates

To be fair with the expectation of being on pager this week sleep was always going to be "troublesome" so I could have got up even earlier than that

Pilates was poor as usual but at least when I got to the gym there were plenty of free treadmills so I picked one under the air conditioning

Within minutes there was the faint aroma of BO and once I'd checked around me I came to the only rational conclusion - it was me :-(

Luckily, I thought, at least I was alone

As if just to teach me a lesson, I was almost instantly surrounded by 1 young girl on my right and 1 young bloke to my left

Brilliant

I don't know if you've tried running without moving your arms to prevent any excess odour but it's blooming difficult - and of course, fully deserved

I metaphorically hang my head in shame - but at least it did take my mind off my aching right thigh - swings and roundabouts eh?

Start Weight - 84.4 kg
Last week Weight - 81.3 kg
Current Weight - 80.0 kg
Weekly Loss - 1.3 kg
Overall Loss - 4.4 kg

2011:

Last night I packed my bag ready to go for a swim in the morning but after waking up at 3 in the morning I turned off the alarm in favour of more sleep. So I left work early (not a hardship) and met Joss for a 40 minute jog. At 5 minutes my leg just below my knee started to hurt again and by 20 I'd had enough. I left Joss to successfully complete the run as I sloped off to the bikes. I have got a doctor's appointment tomorrow and she had better have some quick solutions because at this rate I've got no chance of starting the race fit. I'm determined that I'm going to complete the run but it would be nice to make it home under my own steam and not from the back of an ambulance !!

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Day 93 / 119

2014:

Not only did I get up early to do a pilates session but I did the PM session last night - get me !!!!

The only thing is, is since I've done it I actually feel worse in my back than I did before - it hardly seems fair

Today's exercise of choice was a 30 minute x-trainer

My body was very much in a niggly mood with both legs whining a bit and more worryingly my knees seemed to be hurting more than usual

At lunchtime I go for a walk in Poole Park and throughout the whole time both knees hurt

I've a few spare pairs of running trainers and I'm thinking of wearing them for the next 4 weeks just to offer a little more support as I approach the "big day"

Not the trendiest footware I could choose - but I've been dodging the fashion police for so long now, I figure one more offence won't do me any harm.....

2011:

I meant to go to the gym early this morning but my alarm on my phone didn't go off. Apparently it was running out of juice so was sounding off all night and Joss found that "a tad annoying". I guess I'm lucky it's in one piece. Went to the doc's and saw someone new (again) but she had run several marathons herself so she must know what she's doing. After the briefest of examinations (I don't blame her) her advice was not to run for the next couple of weeks but if I had to - they had to be short runs. I'm ok to cycle / swim etc to keep up the aerobic fitness but nothing jarring on my legs. She also recommended a sports massage but warned that this itself was not a pain free solution - in fact, when I told Karrsey he said he had one and suggested he'd rather give birth than do that again so I'm really looking forward to it. Went to the gym this evening and cycled 31 km in an hour then did a load of stretching. It's the first time I can remember for ages feeling really good about a workout - yes it hurt, but this time in a good, I've been working hard, way. (not I think my legs are going to drop off way). Time to be more positive - of course I'm going to make it !!!!

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Day 94 / 119

2014:

So, carrying on the theme that I've not been trying hard enough I decided to do today's 8 mile outside rather than the comfort of the gym

The task was to run at 8:45 pace which is a full 1 min 45 secs quicker than I have been running outside so to say I was nervous would be a HUGE understatement

Getting up at 5am on a workday bites too but in order to get INTO work at a "reasonable" time there was no other choice

So I set off at quite a trot but when I looked at my watch I was going at over 9min miles so I had to go even faster

Quite frankly I felt like I was sprinting and all I kept thinking was that there was NO way I could do this for 26.2 miles

I know I was running at faster than marathon pace, but not by that much!!

Then, at about 4 miles something curious happened

The doubts didn't go away but the running did become noticeably easier

So much so that I actually sped up and finished the run having averaged 8 min 30  pace - I was so chuffed

I desperately looked around hoping to see all the other joggers who had sneered at my slow pace previously so I could show that I COULD actually run but sod's law, none could be found - typical!!!

The only minor issue I had was my left calf feeling like it might get knotted again but it never quite came to that

I can only hope for  such luck on the day

2011:

Doc's yesterday - physio today. I told her it's my last one though as I've only got 4 more owed to me for the year and clumsy as I am I'm bound to do something to need more help so will keep them in hand. I've been given some more stretches and one of them I've got to lay on the floor with my bum as close to the wall as I can with my legs straight up the wall. I have to say that it felt weird, looked weird and you get a massive head rush when you get up - so all good as far as I'm concerned. Swam this evening - 700m . Now I know that the pool is for everyone, but if you're not actually swimming, surely common decency says that you move to the side doesn't it? Well, if you're in your sixties, male, with receding hair and a pony-tail - those rules just don't apply. I would have given anything to have had a pair of scissors and set his hair, and his dignity, free. And as for his rotund, unswimming wife bobbing about wrapped in 4 woggles getting in everyone's bl$%dy way while calling "George..." at the top of her voice all the time - a harpooning would have been too kind

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Day 95 / 119

2014:

Another early start, another rubbish pilates session - surely there has got to be a point when I start getting good at this ?

I'm taking an online course in it so the way I'm going I'll be able to teach it but not demonstrate !!

Don't get me wrong, I don't intend to teach anyone except myself - just my luck - if I pass I'll have all the skills just not the ability

Today was a 30 minute jog at the usual pitiful pace and despite being crowded on the treadmill it went without a hitch

My knees hurt a little during the day but my decision to start wearing old running shoes for extra support seems to be paying dividends

I still don't quite see how I'm going to be prepared for the big one but it does look like I'm going to be lining up injury free (ish) which is already one better than last time

2011:

It's a self-imposed rest day today. I'm still putting ice on my left leg and sitting against a wall with my legs in the air so a pretty normal Thursday really

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Day 96 / 119

2014:

Another blessed day  - a Friday rest day

I didn't even do pilates - a lazy, lazy day, and I loved every single minute of it !!!

2011:

I did it. I actually got up early and went to the gym. Actually, I went swimming, THEN went to the gym - get me!!! In the pool there was only a 4 other swimmers. 2 that swam relentless front-crawl lengths (and both in budgie-smugglers - coincidence?) and 2 swimming breast stroke like meerkats - heads never dipping beneath the water. That's my staple stroke too - but I'm determined to get better so had my goggles with me. After a few of my normal lengths, I slipped the goggles on and swam a WHOLE length front crawl. How does the breathing go though? I've no idea. 1 length and I'm puffing like I've climbed 10 flights of stairs. It was because of this inability to control my breathing that I could only try every 10 lengths or so - I needed the other lengths to get my breath back. I did 5 full front crawl lengths and was very proud. 5 out of 50 - making a grand total of 1km!! At that point we were told that again there was no hot water in the showers. Great!!! Still, that didn't stop me - off to the gym and did a weights session. Even the drinking water packed in - so I made sure the bloke behind the desk knew that this was less than satisfactory - it's becoming a regular thing, me complaining to them. More ice and stretching tonight - planning a 2 hour bike ride tomorrow

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Day 97 / 119

2014:

This is almost embarrassing to write, today was a slow, slow, 3 mile run

Yes you read that right, 3 poxy miles

I just don't really see how this fits in - am I meant to be recovering from something?

If so, what? Because quite frankly I've clearly NOT put in enough effort because I feel totally fine

Fact of the matter is that I don't even HAVE a 3 mile course so I improvised with a 2 mile loop and added on a run to the shops to get some milk

I hadn't quite factored in the fact that despite such a short distance I was still going to sweat, and therefore smell in the tight confines of the corner shop - but their service was poor so I hope they are still searching for that lingering smell near the dairy isle....

2011:

As I wasn't running today I took advantage by having an enormous lie in, until 7:30. Usual breakfast and get up preparations done, we went to the gym for a 2 hour bike ride. Joss "needs" to be on the left of me and so I ended up on the far bike. As I settled in, sorting out seat height, location of drinks etc etc I realised that I must be on the popular bike. How else could you explain the 'tunes' sweet, jelly bean and 2 lots of chewing gum that were stuck in various places all over the handle bars. How do people live like that - don't they know how to behave in public??? Still, that took my mind off the pedalling for a while working out which bit was safe enough to touch. The first half hour was good until the pain started. Was it my dodgy right thigh - no. Was it my shin splints - no. Was it my hamstring - no - It was my backside. Whoever invented solid plastic saddles for bikes needs to have a large blunt object inserted into the point of pain mentioned while small animals are let loose on him to gather nuts for the winter. By the end of the first hour, (and 31km) it was pretty much all I could think about. But luckily Joss was on hand to completely take my mind off the pain with 4 simple words "I need the loo". Now prior to that, I'd not even considered going. But now it was mentioned, I realised that I had  drunk over 2 litres of water and maybe, just maybe, I could do with going too. Just a passing query at first, but that soon ballooned, as did my bladder, in the next 30 minutes. The last 30 (making 2 hours and 63km) were spent mostly in prayer - I had no idea what the effect of excessive water on the electric bike would be but I guessed it wouldn't be good. The 2 hour alarm finally came and I went to run to the loo, only to find my legs had been replaced by someone else's, and I veered off to the left, into a startled man working on his calfs. Still it's nice to make a new friend isn't it? The book advises a huge pasta meal after long training so I followed the advice to the letter and had a curry and wine - again, they call it 'reading between the lines' ;-)

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Day 98 / 119

2014:

A rest day and after such a rubbish run yesterday, nothing to recover from, so nothing to say

2011:

I can't believe it - just 3 weeks to go and I'm not allowed to run!!! Starting to get really nervous now - I've almost forgotten HOW to run. Still I've got to stick to my enforced running exile if I've any chance of getting to the start line with a chance of finishing. Today is a Sunday rest and that is very much what I did!!!

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Week 13 / 17

Day 85 / 119

2014:  

Officially today is down as a rest day but as I'd messed about with the order of things last week I'd already had 2 in a row and my own guilt would not let me get the hat-trick

Despite my last drink fueled night pre race (well, that's the plan at the moment) I got up early for my usual robotic pilates followed by a 30 minute jog down the gym

The rest really had done me good as the only discomfort I was in was that of embarrassment

I know I've put on weight but the way my upper half was flapping around no-one could have got on a neighbouring treadmill even if they wanted to

This is the main reason for the whole going on the wagon idea

I'd hate for all this effort to go to waste through my own greed and there is a very real danger of that happening

I even threw away food at lunchtime once I'd adjudged myself a pig for what I'd ordered - could I be growing up at last ....?

Start Weight - 84.4 kg
Last week Weight - 82.3 kg
Current Weight - 81.3kg
Weekly Loss - 1.0 kg (seems VERY unlikely)
Overall Loss - 3.1 kg

2011:

Woke up feeling a little better today and the day got better and better as I reread the schedule and today was ANOTHER rest day - yes 2 in a row. I couldn't stop smiling all day. Went to the physio this morning and was told that my back was almost back to normal but she could see why I was having problems with my legs. Unfortunately I was referred here for my back so she wasn't allowed to help me out - although unofficially she did "suggest" some extra stretches to do. I tried them tonight and they must be hitting the spot because they hurt like hell.
Weights tomorrow - bring them on !!!

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Day 86 / 119

2014:

I was very very tired this morning but managed to get through 30 minutes of pilates before going off to the gym for a x-trainer session

Joss was there already and had secured a good position under the air conditioner so that was good as I'd managed to forget my water despite actually putting the water in the bottle just before I left

For the first time in a few outings, my knees decided that perhaps they'd been neglected over the past 12 weeks

They weren't exactly screaming at me - more of a tetchy teenager not getting their way and moaning in that ever so appealing whiny voice we all do well to ignore

So I chose the same route and ignored them

They have scolded me a little more during the day for not getting the attention they felt they deserved but as I say to the kids - it's character building - and they'll need to toughen up for tomorrow's extravaganza ....

2011:

As previously posted, today was meant to be a weight's day - but I was in a quandary. Although my legs hurt, should I avoid doing ANY leg exercises this week? I'd already decided not to run on Wednesday - am I going down the wrong path? So, I decided to do a 30 minute cycle. The compromise would be to set the resistance to really low and pedal slowly. Unluckily for me there were more people in there than I could ever remember for a morning, so they all witnessed my feebleness. At the end of the 30 minutes my face was flushed but from embarrassment rather than effort. Went to the changing room to get my water bottle and it was then that I saw the no hot water sign. AGAIN!! I know I'd not tried hard but not even I could go to work after gymming without washing so I had to go home first and did the full set of stretching there. I did try to put in a complaint over at reception but the poor chap looked so forlorn I felt sorry for him and didn't bother - I must have been in a funny mood - it wouldn't normally have stopped me

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Day 87 / 119

2014:

A midweek 5am alarm was greeted much more happily than usual as I'd gone to bed by 8:30 last night

I've turned into a right saddo - the truth is I would have wanted that early night even if I WASN'T getting up so early

Today was an 8 mile quick run which on the treadmill means just under 13 km at 11.1 km/h

Joss ran on the treadmill next to me and it brought a smile to my face as she set the speed at 12 km/h and set off like she had a rocket up her backside

To be absolutely fair she lasted far longer than I anticipated before going back to her normal pace - I'll have her running the marathon with me next year

It's far easier to come up with a comic quip when things go wrong but today I just had no source material

Sure it was harder than usual but once I'd got into the swing of the pace, it actually felt quite comfortable

Even the left calf played ball (which was a VERY pleasant surprise)

To cap the good news off the impressive running guy next to me left before I had to take the energy gel I'd brought with me so I didn't even give him the chance to think what a show off / cheat I was

I'm not convinced that I could keep that pace up for a further 18 miles....... but if 8 was the correct target it must mean I'm on track - I've just got to believe.....

2011:

Nope - couldn't do it. Try as I might there was no way on earth I was going to be able to haul my lazy backside out of bed to do an early morning swim. I had a contingency, though, in that Kieren  had a swimming lesson at 18:15 so I could go for a swim myself at the same time. However, it was a long day at work culminating in training the new guys in the afternoon and I had the dread fill me, getting worse and worse every minute at the prospect of the evening swim. I just wasn't in the mood. Then, a magical moment as I received a text just after 4 - The instructor had cancelled - hoorraay!! After all, if Kieren wasn't going there was no need for me to leave the house. Topped the day off with a nice chippie tea along with the thought that tomorrow will HAVE to be a gym day !!

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Day 88 / 119

2014:

Today I had the choice of a 30 minute jog or rest - guess which one I chose ......?

WRONG!!!

I picked the jog, and here's why:

I am genuinely concerned that I haven't tried / trained hard enough

Of course I don't want to be like I was last time and have to stop training because I'm in so much pain but it just seems like an ENORMOUS leap from where I am now to where I need to be

The Wednesday run was tough at the time but thinking back was it really that tough ? I don't feel I could have carried on at that pace for another 18 miles so shouldn't I be doing something more ?

This weekend is another slow run of 14 miles

I'm so tempted to run at marathon pace but I won't

I figure that if I follow the plan and don't hit the 4 hour mark - it's the plan that's failed, not me :-)

2011:

Sooooo tired. Again, no chance of getting to the gym early so (very happily) left work early to get some exercise. Decided against the X-trainer and went on the bike for 30 minutes. Set the resistance higher as I'm still gaining weight and managed to get through it all with just a little pain. This is no time for wimps, though, and so then did a weight's circuit. My favourite pastime when doing this is that some of the weights machines mean you sit at right angles to those on the treadmills and I like to stare straight ahead between sets. The aerobic people can sense that someone is looking at them but it takes a brave man to turn that far to see who it is while running. It's like a game of chicken that I can't lose, because if they DO manage to look - I then find my ipod really interesting and start playing with it and they just think that I was in my own world. After the session went and had a shower and as I got out to get changed, this freakishly tall instructor started putting his stuff in the locker next to me (don't get me started). A tad angry, and not a little intimidated I decided to front it out and get dressed as if he wasn't even there. An act I could have easily carried off had I not got my foot stuck in my underwear and the resulting heave upwards sending me crashing towards the locker opposite. Not cool, never have been, never will be

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Day 89 / 119

2014:

A rest day today and it was bliss

First time I can remember in months I had been able to eat breakfast and have a cup of tea in bed

This running lark seems to have aged me beyond all recognition  - what with that and my new found love of GBBO I'm just a short step from a flat cap and cardigan

2011:

As we get nearer to Marathon Day, we get more rest days. Today was another - so that's what I did. In fact, the only exercise I did was 45 seconds on a treadmill when trying out new trainers. That would have gone smoothly had the assistant not wanted to film me running to make sure they did the job and made me roll up my trouser legs to knee level. Uh, and did I mention that the shop was packed and because I run so flat footed the noise of my steps brought the shop to a standstill and so they all turned to watch me in my office gear, trousers rolled up ridiculously. No you're right, not embarrassing, not at all

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Day 90 / 119

2014:

Today was a 14 mile slow run which had me in a dilemma as that distance doesn't fit that well with my preferred routes

It left me with 3 options:

1 Do 1 x 8 mile lap then have the bore of 3 x 2 mile laps
2 Do a 7.5 mile lap and then 6.5 miles of that same lap, leaving me a mile away at finish
3 Do 2 x 7.5 mile laps

Well, as I'd already worried this week that I've not been trying enough, I went for option 3 and converted 14 miles into 15 miles

On the first lap my left calf kept feeling like it was going to knot up and it reminded me that no matter how much I prepare, it would only take that to go and the whole thing would be over

Luckily today it seemed to ease off but there is the concern that at a faster pace, would it be as forgiving?

As I ran along Holes Bay there was a guy sitting on the rocks in a sleeping bag with all his possessions scattered around him

As he looked out over the water as the sun came up I followed his gaze and thought to myself that if he WAS homeless I bet he'd not woken to a better view before - in fairness it was stunning - a pity I take such beauty for granted

The second lap was a little more troublesome with both knees having a right old gripe and I remembered that for the last marathon I wore knee supports - I'll give that some thought

Apart from that, the only real concern was again my back

It completely froze up and when a giant bug landed on my leg I just couldn't run and bend down to flick it off

It's now a pet and has it's own room.....

These next 4 weeks I'm going to be a yoga Yoda - "My back I have to fix....."

2011:

Today is a 14 miler and Joss isn't with me today so I've got to carry as much water as I can and adapt my route so I can pass the house and pick more up. I've even invested in some magic jelly beans that are meant to help running - feeling a little like Jack!! Started my run feeling tired but ok. At 3 miles however my left knee started to hurt. Tried to get into the music on my ipod to forget about it and ran for another 5 before I really started to worry. The pain was no worse and I KNEW I could get to the end - but at what cost. I read an article recently where a runner was asked for his top tip for marathon running and he said "Always stand on the start line, injury free".
So, I'd reached Asda on Holes Bay and I stopped. I then thought - what a wimp - get running, and started again. 20 seconds later I thought - what am I doing, and stopped. This stop start continued all along Holes Bay - I must have looked a right idiot. Even now I can't work out why I kept starting - was it for me or was it that I didn't want to face people saying that I didn't make it. The irony was that this was the first time the wind was with me on that stretch!! I've got 4 weeks left - and I think it's time to listen to myself rather than rigidly staying to the schedule. Next week is meant to be the last of the long runs but I'm already thinking that might be too much - I want to be on that start line with the best chance of finishing - and if it's in a good time - well that would be a bonus

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Day 91 / 119

2014:

A rest day - my thigh and hip seemed to want a trip back down memory lane and they ached like they did back in the first few weeks

Why now ? Oh well - I've still got 4 weeks to make or break me - lots of stretching ahead of me, I think...

2011:

It's the usual Sunday rest day and even though there's plenty to do - I'm just not doing it (no change there then, I hear from Joss). I'm shattered - and without a proper rest this weekend I can't see how I'm going to recover for the next bout of training. I have, however, slightly gone off the rails by eating the biggest roast dinner and pudding - so I have lots to carry around on me - back to bread and water tomorrow...

Week 12 / 17

Day 78 / 119

2014: 

I have decided that from today I shall be known as "Deviation Dave" and not "Deviant Dave" as the auto correct rather worryingly tried to call me.....

This weekend AFCB are away to Norwich and I plan to make my first away trip

That means that I can't possibly do a Saturday long run so I will have to do it Friday, thus bringing all of the days' tasks forward by one day

So instead of a 40 minute jog I did a 30 minute x-trainer

Just as well I wasn't actually moving forward as the tears in my eyes from seeing my new weight reading made it quite difficult to focus

The session itself was mostly pain free apart from the occasional twinge of the knees and my newly reformed moobs hitting me in the face

Altogether a far better result than my debauchery deserved and I prepare for the sprint tomorrow - God help me

Start Weight - 84.4 kg
Last week Weight - 80.3 kg
Current Weight - 82.3kg
Weekly Gain - 2.0 kg (haha TOTALLY deserved)
Overall Loss - 4.1 kg

2011:

I've used this blog many times to complain about other gym-goers and see no reason why that should change but before that, here's the background story. I got to the gym this cold morning at 6:45. I had a jumper on but thought that the gym actually felt a bit warmer this morning so decided I didn't need it. I settled down to do some weights and apart from a fire drill (didn't have to leave or anything) it was all pretty non-eventful. There was just one other in the gym and she left just as I finished the last set. So, next was stretching. Unfortunately, these mats are quite close to a fire door which doesn't fit too well so it was a little cooler here. Right behind the mats are the rowing machines - well, behind and up, they are on a platform. So, to recap, door - mats - row of rowing machines - empty gym. Empty that is until some bloke came in and sat on a rowing machine. I was at one end of the mats so did he choose a rowing machine at the other end? No. He picked the one right above my head. So, not only was it inconvenient as he was exercising unnecessarily close to me, the spinning wheel was blowing cold air all over me. Mid stretch, I sat bolt upright and in my best Colin Firth acting style looked all the way down the line of mats. I then made a point of looking at the bloke and then down the whole line of running machines. Sadly, I then shook my head from side to side, got up and went to the mat at the far end. He only lasted a couple more minutes on the rower - I like to think that it was the shame that sent him off - good!!!

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Day 79 / 119

2014:

So, first day back at work for over 2 weeks and it felt like I was getting up in the middle of the night

I can't remember the last time I needed lights on the car in the morning but it was definitely called for today

I planned to do the 11.27 km (7 miles) (rounded up to 11.5km to include a walking start) at 11.4 km/h and guestimated that I'd take just over an hour so an energy gel would be required - shame I never actually brought it with me - d'oh !!!

I also seem to have trainers that magnetically attract small stones but only when I've actually started running - the question is, how the heck to get there on a treadmill ???

The run started  with me feeling like I was sprinting despite it being only slightly faster than marathon pace - not a good sign

After about 10 minutes I seemed to settle in to the pace of it although I was helped by a bag of bones picking the treadmill next to me and making my blood boil as I was the only one running at the time !!

For God's sake - and she was wearing a scarf - how much effort can she be putting in if a scarf is required ??

I only had one more obstacle - the treadmill read-out

I didn't realise that the distance reader only had space for three digits until I'd reached 10k

Before that the read-out goes up every 10 m so you can really see your progress - after 10k it goes up every 100m so I really did think for a long while that it had just stopped

The last 1.5km was tortuously slow but as the only niggle I had physically was just good old fashioned tiredness, I really shouldn't complain

I even eeked out the holiday by an extra hour by convincing myself that I needed a cold bath after such exertion so it was back home after stretching

Today I walked around a bit like Old Steptoe but I feel like I'm hanging in there - just 6 weeks to go GULP

2011:

It's been 79 days but today is my first bitter taste of defeat. Today was meant to be a quicker 7 mile run and because of other commitments I had to do it at lunchtime. It was a cold sunny day but I still felt pretty confident as I waited for my GPS to get to the starting point. Confident that is, until I started running. I instantly had a pain in my right thigh and both legs just felt dead. Breathing was tricky too because of the cold. I mis-timed the run as Poole Bridge was still up so I ran through whitecliff and up to Evening Hill. At 3.5 miles I turned round to come back. At 4 miles I started to get a pain in my knee and for the next 3/4 of a mile I churned over in my mind whether I was doing more bad than good - I can't afford to get injured at this late stage. So I stopped and walked back to work. Feeling low, I bumped into a friend who remarked that I looked a **** in my lycra trousers (or word to that affect) and for some reason that picked me up a bit. I've 2 rest days now before a 10 mile run on Saturday - lots of stretching and I'll be back on form, I'm sure!!!

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Day 80 / 119

2014:

SOOOO tired this morning - I was very close to just giving the gym the old heave ho but somehow dragged my sorry ar%# down there for 6:15am

Today I was due either a rest day or a 30 minute jog but I felt too guilty for the former and just too tired for the latter so I went for a 30 minute x-trainer

It was horrible

I felt like I was wading through treacle for every second of it and to top it off someone nicked my favourite stretch mat

What added insult to injury was that the woman was just using it to sit and talk to her friend - if you want to stretch, sit there, if you want to chat, bugger off!!!

2011:

Today was a rest day AND I had the day off work. I would however, question the word rest when I was decorating like Mr Bean all day. That's probably doing a dis-service to him. In the first 2 minutes of decorating a bedroom, I'd smashed the light fitting, cut my finger open picking the glass up and dripped blood all over the carpet in the process. Brilliant!! I later managed to stab myself with a stanley knife and not notice the blood on the wallpaper until I was hanging it up. Long, hot bath at the end of the day followed by lots of stretching. My knee still feels a little dodgy and I am exhausted - Can't wait for Saturday's Run !!!

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Day 81 / 119

2014:

Today is a designated rest day but I thought I'd get up anyway and do some pilates for the first time in about 3 weeks

Rather like when you have a beard and you decide to shave it off and you convince yourself that underneath you were a dashing young fellow only to have your dreams shattered, I'd convinced myself that I would have improved

In hindsight, and let's face it, any decent foresight, this was a ridiculous thought and I found myself floundering on the floor even worse than last time

I have to get back into this - I genuinely think this might make the difference to me getting to that start line with the best chance of achieving a 4 hour marathon

All I need to do is conquer my overriding laziness when it comes to getting up early in the dark.....

2011:

Another rest day, another day off another day of decorating. Feeling a bit achey from yesterday and my other leg is now playing up - I think it's jealous that it's not getting as much attention. Stopped decorating early today to relax a little for a change and have a big, energy giving pasta dinner mmmmmmmmm dinner

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Day 82 / 119

2014:

It was back to the slow run today and 10 miles seemed like a piece of p*** in my head

It's amazing how the fact that it's so much shorter than previous runs influences how you run - I just knew I was going to do it so the pains just kept away

The only slight fly in the ointment was that my music got all mixed up so someone with my OCD  didn't cope well as the next song was always wrong - mental note: must fix that

The weather was perfect - a few showers and nice and cold - I couldn't have asked for better

It helped me all the way around and despite nearly being knocked down by Asda, it was the best run so far

My OCD failed me again at the end as I approached the house I saw Eloise coming the other way

The trouble was my watch showed I'd only run 9.97 miles so I had to briefly say hi as I ran past her. I couldn't stop - does this make me a bad person?

Stretching and cold bath were a breeze (well, not the bath but I wanted this to be a positive post) and off to work, happy in the knowledge that no exercise means a drinking weekend - WIN

2011:

A very nervous day today - failed at 7 miles on Tuesday, today was 10 miles. Went through the usual preparations: painkillers, porridge, banana, pre-match and then fully greased up before putting on the lycra. It was a colder morning (like Tuesday) but kept telling myself I've done this distance loads of times - I can do it. Deliberately went slower today and that seemed to pay dividends. Fine through Creekmoor, Upton, Hamworthy and just started to get the first aches of my knee running down the quay. Then through Poole and onto holes Bay and we discussed that one of these days, the wind was going to be with us - but not today. We decided that that one day will be the day after the Race !! With a mile to go - I speeded up and Joss noticed with a quarter of a mile to go at which point I said it was the first time I was confident that I was going to make it. It was at that point I almost got run down by a guy driving round the corner without indicating. I "calmly let the driver know my displeasure" and finished the run. I think it was this acceleration which made me descend the stairs at Dean Court this afternoon sideways as the pain in BOTH knees going down forwards made me cry like a baby. Live and learn.....or not

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Day 83 / 119

2014:

A rest day today and off to Norwich to watch the mighty cherries take a well deserved point

Shame Eloise missed the goal, blessed as she is with her father's pea like bladder......

My legs didn't enjoy the 4-5 hour journey each way - thank goodness I wasn't driving

2011:

Rest / Decorating day today. Legs are feeling very weak and having to constantly step up and down on a chair so I can reach the ceiling properly really isn't helping. Didn't even have time / energy / inclination to do the stretching exercises but did manage a decent lie in so hopefully I will feel a lot better tomorrow

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Day 84 / 119

2014:

Yet another rest day - I could get used to this :-)

Week 11 / 17

Day 71 / 119

2014: 

Looking forward to today from yesterday I saw that it was the most unexpected of surprises - A REST DAY!!!!

Absolutely what I needed on week 2 of my Costa Creekmoor holiday so participated in a few glasses of wine last night

The worrying sign is that there were no ill effects this morning - my tolerance levels must be dangerously high

Still, no drinking tonight as I'm building up to the "big one" on Saturday and I need to start curbing my fun a little - no too much though ..... :-)

2011:

Had a bit of late night last night so today I've been feeling a little "sluggish". My foot is showing no signs of real improvement so I switched from running to the x-trainer figuring that there wouldn't be much pounding and so would be better for me. Nope - still hurt way too much. I stopped after 5 minutes and went on to the bike. Managed to get my foot on the pedal in a way so as to not press down on the sore bit and managed to go for 30 minutes. As I sit here typing this, my foot is resting on an ice block and the coldness has so far gone as far as my knee, and just like these blinking cold baths, I just hope it's doing me some good because Saturday's run is going to be unbearable at this rate

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Day 72 / 119

2014:

So we braved it together - more shared wine last night and a treadmill session today.

I had a 30 minute jog to endure and despite my bravado last night that I could do it in my sleep, this was far from easy

I could feel every ounce of fat flubbering all over me as I bounced up and down. Not a baywatch moment though - more like perpetual motion of a jelly under earthquake conditions

I looked awful and felt just as bad

Even my knees were hurting for the first time but I have really only myself to blame

I want to run as smooth as a Rolls Royce but have been using cheap hooch and chip fat as fuel

I just hope there is enough time between now and October for me to undo the ill effects of this marvellous holiday

Start Weight - 84.4 kg
Last week Weight - 80.3 kg
Current Weight - 80.3kg
Weekly Gain - 0.0 kg (I think the scales must be broken)
Overall Loss - 4.1 kg

2011:

Getting up and going to the gym first thing in the morning is tough. We all know that. Getting up and going to the gym first thing in the morning when there's no school, so no-one else in the house has to, or does, get up just isn't fair. I sulked over the injustice of it all throughout the first few weight machines but found that that seemed to keep people away even more than usual so at least I've learned something useful. The session itself went well but my foot is still hurting. I can't believe that I was so worried over my bad back and yet it's a part of my body that has never caused me problems before that seems to be the weak point. Maybe me pounding the pavements carrying the extra stone of blubber has something to do with it. More salads for me I fear....

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Day 73 / 119

2014:

It was a late night last night having watched AFCB heroically lose and then "having" to argue with tweeters who could only see the loss rather than the performance - I had to bow out before I said anything I'd really regret and settled for a 1/2 bottle of concentrated vitamin C.......

This morning it was a fast 3 miles which worked out just under 5k at 11.1 km/h at the gym

The knees moaned again at the beginning and my back was just about to start in with the chorus when the run was all of a sudden over

When did a 30 minute run become easy ?

It's bloody working, isn't it? I've decided to do my big run this Friday to give me a last weekend of drinking and eating crap

If I can keep myself together for this weekend, I may still have a shot at this 4 hour attempt - I still can't quite see it but I've got everything crossed

2011:

You know the old song "The knee bone is connected to the - thigh bone" well it turns out that there's more truth to it than I expected. At the physio this afternoon, I was told that my back injury was causing my hamstring tightness, which in turn was causing the knotted calf muscle, which resulted in my foot hurting. Who'd have thought it - unless it was her subliminal way of suggesting that as everything was so connected that I should try acupuncture - veerrrrry cunning - still not convinced. After work I went to the gym and went up a level on the bike but still didn't sweat too much so not sure if it did me all that much good. The stretching regime that I've now been given seemed to hurt quite a bit so I assume it's working. Big run on Saturday and that's what this week is all about!!!

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Day 74 / 119

2014:

Ok so it's the last few days of my holiday so I decided that I didn't want to throw away my Friday night by preparing for the Saturday run so will now be doing the run on Friday morning

Once that was decided, it was an easy hop, skip and a jump to the decision of making this a rest day

A trip to Swanage didn't stretch me too far and it's bed by 8:30 for tomorrow - wish me luck

2011:

Getting a bit nervous about tomorrow's run. Today was a rest day and a dress down day so had the perfect excuse to wear trainers to give my foot the best chance of recovery. Also gunning down the anti-inflammatories just in case they might help as all the pain looms. Was very pleased with myself as every time we go for a run we go past Asda and the smell of hot-cross buns is so lovely it's not fair - so on the way home remembered (finally) to stop off at Tesco and bought 8 - that's probably enough ;-) - I'm not sharing, though......

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Day 75 / 119

2014:

Today's the day

After 2 solid weeks of punishing my body with a steady cocktail of alcohol and fried food I was asking it to carry me round a 21 mile run

This is the longest run I've done since the training run of 3 years ago as the actual race was somewhat of a disaster

Fully kitted up with water and energy gels I set off at just gone 6 am and was feeling surprisingly buoyant

No-one was around at that time of the morning which was nice but as I completed my first lap of 7.5 miles I encountered several people from work either walking or cycling in and then Eloise on the way to work

I later discovered that she thought I was just about to finish when she saw me, rather than still having 14 miles to go so I must have looked a right state

That first lap I was constantly trying to keep my speed down but soon after that I was fighting to keep UP with the pace

To be fair I was never out of breath and my legs were fine but it was my back that was causing the problems

It felt like the whole of back was fused together and I was running like I'd soiled myself so I decided to run a little quicker which did seem to loosen the back up a little

Before I went to bed last night I watched a programme about how planes filled up while in the air by the tanker letting out a hose that the fighter needed to connect to

I had respect for that at the time but as I was unable to pass a water bottle into a bin whilst running at a snail's pace maybe they had made it look a tad easier than it was

The second 7.5 mile lap was completed with me feeling better that I'd thought but I had made a tactical mistake

The final 6 miles were to consist of 3 x 2 mile Creekmoor laps and I hadn't taken into consideration how disheartening it would be doing the same boring lap time after time

Worse still was that there was a set of builders that I had to run past 3 times at 16, 18 and 20 miles so they had the best view of my demise whilst chuckling as I shuffled by

I didn't have the strength to worry though and just stared at the pavement

The 21 mile marker arrived and I stopped instantly but unlike 3 years ago I was able to walk around Salisbury
shopping and then relax with more alcohol in the evening

2011:

Today is a pivotal day – no question about it! I’ve gone from  “a bit nervous about the whole event” to “how the blinking hell am I going to do this”. Training this week has been impaired by my foot hurting but I had no idea the effect was going to be this bad. Two weeks ago, I ran 19 miles slowly and had enough “in the locker” to speed up over the last 2 miles to finish with a decent time. So, this time I thought I’d follow the training plan’s mantra by starting quicker and slowing up which is what normally happens. At 5 miles I was ahead of marathon pace, feeling pretty good. At 12 miles I’d slowed considerably and just finishing was the goal – who cares about the time. At 13 miles I broke my personal trainer as she had started the route exhausted from a week’s decorating, so I was on my own. By 16 miles my only thoughts were that of survival. My legs were like lead, my feet killing me and mileometer on my watch had stopped completely – or so it seemed. A wise man (Karrsey – yes I know it’s difficult to believe but true) said earlier this week that the “wall” that runners face was as much mental as physical. I now know what he means. When the pain starts to kick in, it’s the fact that you still have so far to go that is the killer. True, most people hit it at the 18 – 22 mark when they want to give up, but it starts so much earlier. I must MUST wear an ipod next time because all I had to think of was how much it hurt and how far there was to go. At 18 miles Joss and Hattie were stood at the side of the road with water and cheers and I was really pleased to see them – but just had nothing left in me to do more than smile. The last 3 miles were more torture than was needed as my mind completely went and went the wrong way so the last 2 were spent going uphill. I counted the fractions of the last mile down and finished right in front of a packed bus stop. Embarrassing enough, you might think, but my body had a extra little trick to play. Having stopped, my legs decided “oh good, that’s over” and stopped, literally. So, the chortling audience, who had watched me barely moving coming towards them, saw me stop in front of them, then shuffle away like I had my shoe laces tied together – brilliant!! 21 miles took a shade under 3 hours and 13 minutes, the 1 mile walk home took approximately 40 minutes. In fact I was so long Joss came looking for me, pity I’d reached our road before she drove up to me. Another stretching session and cold bath ensued –  to Eloise’s raucous laughter and I’m now walking around like I’ve done something nasty in my pants. Overall – a lovely productive day – bring on the chips and wine!!

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Day 76 / 119

2014:

A rest day full of wining and dining - my back is loosening up and legs hardly hurt at all - feeling pretty chuffed allin all

2011:

If I've learnt anything from yesterday, it's that I've not been taking things seriously enough. I'm carrying a stone too much and eating what I like and drinking each weekend is doing me no favours. So, it is with heavy heart that I cast aside alcohol and rubbish food until the race is complete. So, to give it all a darn good goodbye - it was chips, wine and more wine last night. Awoke feeling a little worse for wear but to be fair I was much better than I deserved. Even my legs only scored a 6 out of 10 on the hurt scale and they have got better as the day progressed. A well deserved training free day today - back to the treadmill tomorrow

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Day 77 / 119

2014:

Yet another rest day due to the fact I did the big run on Friday rather than Saturday - should be on fine form tomorrow when the exercise gets quicker and the food portion size gets reduced - there's no way I can drag this flabby body around Bournemouth so the hard work really starts now