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

Week 10 / 17

Day 64 / 119

2014: 

So, after a weekend of fried food, beer and wine a 40 minute run wasn't the best idea

From the first moment I could just feel it swilling all around me and the smells seeping from my body was even making ME feel nauseous 

So the very last thing I needed was confrontation ....

About 15 minutes in a strange bloke took the treadmill next to me (git) and started walking whilst clinging on to the railing like his life depended on it

I could see him in the mirror and every 20 seconds he'd turn his head and stare straight at me

This went on for 5 minutes making me feel very uncomfortable

So uncomfortable I'm fact that I took one of my earphones out and asked "do you know me?" 

When he shook his head I asked why he kept staring at me because it was really off putting 

He said that he was looking at the clock on the wall so I pointed out he had a clock on the treadmill right in front of him

He just turned and stared at it for 30 seconds without reply, then stopped the machine and walked off

Weird? Yes - and as I left I kept my wits about me just in case he pounced Kato - style from the pink panther

Still, it took my mind off the run and it's a big tick in the box of training though my holiday

Start Weight - 84.4 kg
Last week Weight - 79.5kg
Current Weight - 80.3kg
Weekly Gain - 0.8 kg (kind of forgotten what a weight loss feels like)
Overall Loss - 4.1 kg

2011:
Went to the physio this morning and after a bit of prodding and pulling she suggested I tried acupuncture. I told her I didn't believe that sticking pins in me would help as I reckon that you have to believe in that kind of thing to feel any benefit and I just can't see how it could possibly work. I think this must be a reaction she must get a lot as it didn't seem to phase her and it looks like it's still a possibility. Throughout the training I've pretty much stuck to the training plan but I think it's time to start "reading between the lines" - so, when it "suggests" I jog for 40 minutes, I now can see the small print that says that if your foot is hurting, 30 minutes of gentle bike riding will do just as well - so that's what I did. Did enjoy the new kids being taught how to use the rowing machines and was especially pleased to see a boy try to ride it side-saddle. Finished with some stretching and decided to have a hot bath tonight instead of the cold one's I have been having - much better. 

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Day 65 / 119

2014:

A 30 minute cross trainer today and after yet more wine last night I wasn't exactly on top form

I decided though that my best course of action was to just "go for it" and at the end I was little more than a gibbering mess

I wasn't even bothered that I couldn't stretch in the usual place and was forced to do it in full view in the main hall

Sod everyone else - I was just past caring

At least my injury niggles were holding up...

2011:

I was up at 6, yes, read it again, 6 in the a.m. to go to the gym. It was freezing cold and pouring down so ended up doing weights looking like michelin man with all the layers I was wearing. Some of the more cruel might suggest that's what I look like all the time....Anyway, the weight's session went really well. I fully rested my aching feet and legs and have now totally knackered the top half of my body as well. As I finished the obligatory stretching I noted that there were very few parts of my body now that doesn't hurt - who said getting fit was good for you!!!! From there I've got 36 hours to get ready for my next run hmmmm - I wonder what else I can read between the lines, maybe a nice sit down with a glass of wine....

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Day 66 / 119

2014:

A night WITHOUT wine (no I can't believe it either) meant that I was in good shape for my early, early start eating high energy stuff ready for my 6 mile run at 8:45 pace

Last time I did the quicker run I didn't go through the pre match ritual so I was hoping that this would make the difference - I didn't want my calf to go again

At the beginning I decided to walk .34km to warm up which meant I had to run to 10km at 11.1km/h

Again it felt like I was sprinting but to my great pleasure that feeling seemed to subside after 5 minutes as the pace became more comfortable

I was even treated toa show as Joss accidentily threw her water bottle to the floor and it split, showering all and sundry

If I'd not been conentrating on my breathing so much I'd have laughed out loud - for my marriage it was probably for the best

The rest of the run was, dare I say it, strong and as I was on holiday I was able to finish the job with a stretch and cold bath

While it appears to be working I'm sticking with it - I just wish it was a little more pleasurable......

2011:

I've actually remembered to bring some bottled water to the gym - it's about time. Today was a quicker paced 6 miles which is just about the limit I can go to on a treadmill. I was a bit worried about my leg but within the first 2 minutes that wasn't going to be a problem, well, not compared to the pain in my left foot. It felt like I was running with a golf ball in my shoe and the more I limped away from the pain, the more the other side of me started to hurt as I over-compensated. So, I turned up the audio book and hoped for more deaths (not my own) to take my mind off it all. It did sort of work but I was looking at the distance monitor every few seconds so the miles seemed to be passing at a snail's pace. At 2, 3 and 4 miles I was ready to quit. Was it worth continuing if it might jeopardise Saturday's run? It was at 4 miles that a class of moody kids were led to the treadmills for part of their training only to find that there weren't enough treadmills for all of them and the ones due to miss out were clearly unhappy. That was all the spur I needed to stay for the final 2 miles. They won't learn how to take situations gracefully if I just got off at the time they wanted me to, would they? Cheered up no end after that and was genuinely pleased I got to the end

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Day 67 / 119

2014:

This holiday lark is definitely starting to impact the training and we could only manage a mid morning gym visit to let the wine effects completely wear off

To be fair the fact I'm still sticking to ANY sort of plan during a holiday is much better than I could have hoped for, especially with my engrained laziness

Today was a 30 minute slow jog so even though I did start to get a slightly acidic taste in my mouth, the run itself was very gentle and very easy

I still went through the stretching part though because I really do think that it's helping and although I do need to get back on the pilates horse, I still think I'm in better shape than last time

2011:

It was a toss up between 30 minutes x-training or rest and as I had the day off I chose the rest day. Hadn't figured on the scale of walking Joss had planned for me so will be spending the rest of the day mostly sitting, and sighing

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Day 68 / 119

2014:

Today was an unexpected glorious day - a rest day !!! We took advantage by going to the Harry Potter studios and drinking awful Butter Beer and eating more fried food - perfect training material.......

2011:

Today, someone came up to me and said they were following me into the blogging world for a scheme of his own - I won't say who it as and what the plan is as I don't want to spoil it. When he told me I said how brilliantly motivating it was in that when I didn't feel like training it made me do it because I knew I had to write about it. Of course my smug spouting hadn't taken into consideration my underlying and not inconsiderable laziness. Instead of going to the gym to do some weights as I said I was going to do, I settled for going home and having a kit-kat. In many respects, I think you'll find the benefits are much the same....

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Day 69 / 119

2014:

No drinking last night meant I was up bright and early for today's easy 10 mile jog

I had an extra spring in my step as today I was truly revisiting the training of the past as Joss was off work and so volunteered to get up early and cycle with me, carrying waters and gels

Now that's TOP wifing (Tracey take note)

I ran without my "special" vest which was good and without music, which felt just weird

I couldn't run WITH music though as I wld have felt too selfish ignoring Joss after she'd made the selfless gesture

As it turned out, it was a good thing because the run was so slow we were able to happily chat as we went around and it completely took my mind off any potential aches and pains

Unfortunately my company obviously wasn't as dazzlingly interesting as hers as for the last 4 miles we had an in-depth conversation about how exactly you COULD strap a cushion onto a bicycle seat - for the obvious reasons.....

I did half expect to leave a slimy trail behind me very remiscent of the snail's pace I was going after all the greasy food I've eaten this week but despite my obvious flaws in nutrition, the rn felt strong

On this performance I don't think the 21 miles of next saturday will be a walk in the park, but at least I have a week to right some of this week's wrongs but as I'm on holiday this week too, that does seem very unlikely.....

2011:

I know that I am not the first to come to this conclusion and I won't be the last but I feel it's important to say - I'm an idiot. I could end today's entry right there and most would be perfectly satisfied but I should put some unnecessary meat on the bone. Leading up to the marathon, the remaining Saturdays are split between long runs (20 miles +) and short runs (10 miles or so - I know I know not that short). The reason for this is so that your legs and lungs get used to running long distances and are " rested" every other week to prepare yourself for the long run. What you are meant to do is run all of the runs at a similar pace to conserve your strength and prevent injuries. What you are NOT meant to do, is run the shorter runs 25 seconds per mile quicker than you need to, cos "it's only 10 miles". Guess what I chose to do?  So punishment was required  and so it was another cold bath in my pants and t-shirt. Funnily enough - these baths are not getting any more pleasant and for Joss to join me (in the bathroom, not the bath) and laugh throughout really was the icing on the cake. Still, I guess I brought it on myself

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Day 70 / 119

2014:

Another ill-advised night of drinking with friends meant that I was again grateful for Sunday's being a rest day - I've got less than 50 days left, that's more than enough time to really knuckle down, probably......

2011:

That's it - 10 weeks complete. Today, as is every Sunday, is a rest day. For the first time in a few Sunday's, however, I had a full and proper lie in and it was bliss. I have been so naive throughout this process. At the beginning I thought as long as I kept up with the training I'd be fine. I really didn't take into consideration the general wear and tear it would have on my body. Today we walked to the shops and by the time I'd got there it would have been hard for me to point to some part of my body that didn't hurt. I did enquire about using one of the mobility scooters but was too scared to fight the old lady that also wanted it. Joss was game though and carried me home afterwards....

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Week 9 / 17

Day 57 / 119

2014: 
So, it's the week of a longer run but I'm away for the weekend so I've got be daring and throw away a day's training so I can do the run on Friday

The bigger pain in the bum is that as it's such a long run I've got to take Friday off as I'd never get to work on time - not exactly the best way to use my depleted holiday stores but it's too important a run to miss

I decided to miss today's 40 minute jog and go straight to Tuesday's cross trainer

One bonus was that I was doing it next to Joss - a rare treat as normally when I'm on it she's on the treadmill and vice versa

Unfortunately she didn't see this as a bonus and made it clear afterwards that the added pressure of me watching made her go faster

My evil plan worked mwah hah hah *exit pantomime left...

In truth it also made me work harder so it was a great, pain free workout - fingers crossed for me taking that success into tomorrow

Start Weight - 84.4 kg
Last week Weight - 78.8kg
Current Weight - 79.5kg
Weekly Gain - 0.7 kg (totally worth it - a great weekend)
Overall Loss - 4.9 kg

2011:
It was a low day today. My legs were sore, my throat was getting sore and work getting me down!!! After a trip to the doctor's for Kieren's all clear (thankfully) there just wasn't time for training. No that's not true - for the first time I just didn't want to. Even the exercises I've been given for my back I can't seem to get right. I'm meant to flatten the stomach muscle below my belly button but try as I might, I can't feel anything moving. Admittedly it is a bit like the princess and the pea trying to feel a muscle through my full keg (so much more than a six pack) but still - nothing. Hopefully I'll get back on track tomorrow....

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Day 58 / 119

2014:

Today starts a new phase of the training - gone are the midweek sprints and enter the prolonged "faster than marathon run" runs

For today it was 4 miles at 8:45 pace and as I decided to do the midweek runs at the gym, to help with the treadmill that coverts to 6.44 km at 11.1 km/h

Again I had the pleasure of Joss working out beside me and we synchronised watches and off we trot

I say trot but I thought I was bloody galloping

Sure it was quicker than marathon pace but only by 15 seconds per mile yet I felt the only one capable of passing me was a certain Jamaican who allegedly wasn't that keen on Glasgow

The run only lasted 35 minutes but it felt like a lifetime and a knot in my left calf, like an old friend I'd forgotten about, came back to haunt me

I've had it all day now and it's p***** me off no end - everything had been going so well - I refuse to stop just yet

Tonight will be painkillers and rest - tomorrow it will be better, I'm sure...........

2011:

Went for a run down Holes Bay this lunchtime with Gary. Always infuriating running with him as he always looks like he's running at a pace that's too slow for him, which encourages me to go quicker and quicker until I feel sick. Luckily, or not so luckily, my right thigh was hurting so much speed was never going to be an issue. We ran for just under 4 miles and to be fair it did feel easier as it warmed up but it is like it's niggling all the time with the menace of what might happen. Ibuprofen helped a little more and there was nothing for it - I had another cold bath. This time I wore a t-shirt and swimming shorts but when I got in it was still horrible. This time though I made it worse for myself as I hadn't put enough water in. Now, getting into icy water takes your breath away - sitting in a bath that is slowly still filling with more cold water is like a slow motion death. Managed to stay in for 15 minutes before fear of anything dropping off got me out. Not sure if it's worked on my legs but if nothing else it's given the rest of the family a laugh

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Day 59 / 119

2014:

After spending an hour last night rolling my leg over a tin of baked beans (no expense spared) I wasn't sure if it was better or whether I'd just pummeled it into submission

Early, cautious, morning steps seemed to be ok but I got up early anyway to do a pilates session to give it that extra stretch / warm-up

On the treadmill I was due to do 30 minutes at 8km/h which as usual is pitifully slow but this time I was thankful for it being no quicker

During the run it felt like I'd fixed a broken leg by wrapping toilet paper around it - it was being held in place but there was that awful pit of my stomach feeling that the slightest wrong move would have me broken

But, despite the worry - it didn't break !!

I felt like I'd won today's special prize and even though no-one else knew it - this was a very good day

2011:

If the cold baths have had any effects I'd hate to think what my legs would be without them because I can't imagine my legs hurting much more than this. The left leg is now being overshadowed by the right and I'm walking like Egor, dragging the leg as I shuffle by. I still got up this morning and went to the gym but thought running might be too much for me so went on the bike. I did it at a level that was just shy of it turning the pedals automatically and then did some weights. That all seemed to go ok and then I spent ages doing some stretching. As the day went on, my leg got worse, putting the Saturday run in jeopardy. So, I stopped off at the shops and got some 'deep freeze' gel. I had a hot bath first to get the most contrast and then liberally spread the gel over my leg - rather too liberally as it turns out - still, I now know what it feels like to stick my leg in a furnace and then jump in a plunge pool - so I can tick that off the 'must do' list. Rest day tomorrow with as much ibuprofen as is humanly possible as I'm determined for these 'niggles' not to stop me.

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Day 60 / 119

2014:
So I'm half way through this and I still haven't learned that wine on a school night isn't a great idea

I woke up a little "tired and emotional" - still it took my mind off my aches and pains

I was always going to do weights as I need to protect myself for tomorrow but the grogginess made it really the only choice

Alone today as Joss had the luxury of a lie in and it was so hard to get motivated

I got to the stretching again without a bead of sweat on me and at one point when I was on my knees stretching my back with my head on the floor I swear I nodded off for a moment or two

I don't think I was quite rattling the rafters with my snoring but there was a definite lack of consciousness

An early night for me tonight - tomorrow is going to be grim....

2011:

I was giving my hamstring a good pummeling this morning (not a euphemism) and found that quite a bit of that area felt numb. When I went to the docs last week she specifically asked for that and at the time it wasn't the case so I panic-booked another docs appointment. Once in, I explained that I had been asked previously about numbness but wasn't told whether it was significant or not. She looked at me with an 'of course it's not' expression and explained it was just another symptom, adding "now get out and run you malingerer" - well - not quite but that was the message. So, mind put at rest I'm taking this as a rest day and although I just don't know whether I'm going to be able to do it - I've set my mind on the 19 miler tomorrow. Joss has been brilliant and mapped out a new course to keep it interesting - let's hope for more downhill stretches than uphill!! If I make it, it will be the furthest run so far and I'm expecting it to be the most difficult - but as I've said before, if it was easy - what would be the point!!

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Day 61 / 119

2014:

So here we were - 19 miles of fun ahead of me

I had 2 waters lined up outside my front door, 2 waters hanging from mum's fence and 2 waters in my waist coat thing, along with 4 gels - that should do it

The first 20 yards are up hill out of the garage block and already I was feeling my left calf

Please let this not all go wrong now

I carried on and the knot seemed to travel up my leg and as soon as it hit the back of my knee, it DISAPPEARED 

Yay!!!

A short-lived yay as it came back many times but each time it disappeared in the same way

The weather was good for running but I was determined to stick to the pitiful pace

I had no idea my pace was so indiscriminate 

Be they black, white, old, young, male or female there was no one that couldn't pass me today

Even as I muttered sullenly under my breath "I CAN go faster" I was proud that not only didn't I shout it but I didn't chase after them either

To be fair I wouldn't have caught the 100 year old bloke that went past me - he was really motoring

Apart from the calf my legs held up well - it was my back that was the problem

By the end of this gruelling run I ran like I'd soiled myself so stiff was my back - I ha no mobility at all

As I rounded the corner with 4 miles to go Joss an Kieren were there walking the dog and they cheered as I high fived them as I went past

It was only a joke but it was just the thing I needed to pick me up and get me to te end

In fact I had to slow myself down as I slipped in a mile 1 minute quicker than I should have been going, so buoyed was I by the reaction

I finally made it to the end and despite the fact that I could barely take my socks off and my back has been a real b****** all day - I couldn't be more chuffed with myself

I have 2 days of r&r with Harriet in London now - bring it on :-)

2011:

The day has arrived - 19 miles carrying injuries to back and both legs. It was a scary thought and we had to be up even earlier than usual to get kids ferried to various locations so preparation wasn't great. I decided that I had to be sensible about it and set off at a deliberately slow pace. The first mile was agony but as I climbed the hill past Upton house the pain started to ease as things loosened up. Joss had mapped out an extra part to the route to go round Upton and it was at that point that my feet started to hurt. I decided, though, that the more you thought about pain, the worse it seemed to get so tried to put all thoughts of that out of my head and concentrate on the take-away and wine I had planned for the evening. It was a long, hard run but the weather couldn't have been better and I was glad with my decision not to do any of the water carrying - if my legs hurt I wanted it to be for the running and not because of what I was carrying. At the end of the run there was the biggest high that I've felt throughout the training and we stopped and hugged in the street. Sort of regretted, though, that the end point was right outside the pub. WE knew how far we'd run/cycled but the locals after a few pints didn't.....
As we walked back home I shared with Joss my thoughts of not concentrating on pains and said how my feet had started to hurt in Upton (3 miles into the run) but I manfully thought past it. As you do when you speak, you act out what you're saying and so when I mentioned my feet I pointed to them. It was at this point I noticed the new red motif on my sparkling running shoes. Maybe I should have taken more notice. At home the reveal was non too pleasant but luckily Joss knows my strengths and weakesses and so had the smelling salts handy so it only took 5-10 minutes to come round after seeing all the blood. Another frrezing bath (they had better be doing me some good) cleaned me up so that you'd notice the blisters on the other foot more than the cut on the first and I feel that I have been truely initiated into the running world. That was nearly 3 hours of running - just another hour and a bit to go and I'll have run a marathon.....

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Day 62 / 119

2014:

A rest day today and I took Harriet to Alexandra Palace for the weekend for the YouTube festival Summer In The City

Today we met / saw lots of people who cause a beetle mania like reaction from the crowd - I had no idea who they were but it was VERY exciting, apparently

2011:

Woke up this morning with my head hurting more than my legs which is the best result I could have hoped for. The reason for that is I have a vast and extended experience / knowledge or curing headaches - whereas training pains are still relatively new. Rest day today so just did the exercises the physio gave me and that was that.

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Day 63 / 119

2014:

Yet another rest day and day 2 of the YouTube festival

Today as we waited the rain came down in biblical proportions

I couldn't have been more wet had I sat in the fountain

Upon entry I was forced to the loos and in a cubicle was forced into the ultimate indignity

I had to strip off, put the 1 dryish t-shirt I had left on, wring my underwear out and PUT THEM BACK ON , then stand like that for 30 minutes as I dried my jeans under the hand drier

It wasn't a good day

Harriet though was AMAZING and suffered the wet with truly admirable fortitude - showed me something about her that surprised me and made me proud and kept me positive when all I wanted to do was go home