Kid A

Week 20

Lovely day out – I mean run – did 3 miler with Kid A – who fell in dog poo – barring that was lovely lovely run – she is an athlete I am merely a runner – telling though after 2.5miles she sprinted home left me for dead I tried but couldn’t even hang close to her – she is 12 years old.

five mile

week 20
by rights should not have run today as I had the trots during the night and my stomach felt knotted not the colitus methinks but rather the effect of turkey three days on the trot. no emergencyshitdisaster- target was five miles before the new year and did it - big effort - really bad ice on the roads and had to dance around that for the full run - especially at new gate really dicey - was not for giving up today had some of that acme rocket fuel and had plenty of energy - read a good running article about hydration and running and have been taking advice from that - been trying to figure out why I have been so sluggish and this might be the reason - other than the fact I am 45 and by rights should not be good at running or energetic - need to be honest really - i sleep bad too that cant help - stil one thing at a time as I run early before breakfast I need to make sure I drink more water during the day.

run stats - 5.2miles - 30mins - fourlanes with newgate

boxing day

week 19
made of lead – my legs - big stocky heavy lumps of lead – inelastic heavy and cumbersome – 2miles to work off some of yesterdays Christmas pudding – icy as hell could only run on the roads as I did not have ice skates on – still lovely Christmas and thats another notch on my running schedule. nice short one ready for my first 5 mile on monday.

2 mile - 20mins - oaklanegravellanecumberlanemoorlane

acme rocket fuel

I have received four bottles of energy drinks from Orbana and been asked to review these - as I am not a trainedolympicchampionathlete but rather an enthusiasticamateurplodderalong - this was a surprise - the drinks came last week and are four bottles with powder in the bottom to which you add water and shake to dissolve –reminds me of Creamola Foam - I drinked that and loved that as a kid - Ill save you the blurb on why the drinks are powdered – it’s the performance that I want to look a – Orbana claims to provide energy without the initial burst or subsequent burn out associated with other sports drinks - for me that sounds good - what I want is a slow energy release so this makes sense. –and that’s what I got – the drink tasted nice and was orange flavoured - I waited 30mins before my run as advised then plodded out on my four mile - no need for visions of a wiley coyotes with an acme powered rockets strapped on its back - I wouldn’t say that that I ran faster - however on completion the 4 miler I felt noticeably more energetic - not as tired as usual – and that was good it’s a slow release energy drink and that’s a good thing – so what I can say is that – it does what it says on the tin - its not like a caffeine drink so you wont feel sudden need for speed but neither will you feel spent after that caffeine rush so - people of Orbana it is a good - I liked it - One left I’ll use for my five miler next week.

LINK
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creamola_Foam

sometimes life is just great

week 19
Well you know if you’ve been reading this ive been struggling a bit with a sore knee and the dark mornings and the pissing rain - so I wake Sunday and its thick snow out side and its really really cold – ive no frame of reference for this - do proper runners go out in the snow - will my neighbours realise I am actually a mental case - will the cold make me get sore knees and catch a chillvirusflu or will I slip and fall and spend christmas in traction – I sat looking out the window and there is nothing – nothing but snow – no cars no people and no noise and I realize my inner child is the strongest voice – I just want to have some fun - its snow it makes everything look new and beautiful and any way I have some woolly gloves and a hat and I used to play football in the much colder Scottish snow – so Im convinced - and it is great – one tip is not to run on paths in the snow as there can be ice under the snow and it can be slippy and you can end up spending christmas in traction and I doubt that that is very much fun – run on grass or trails like me – and it will be great fun – the snow makes everything quiet and your feet crunch along – it was not cold at all – it is just beautiful.and I did not feel at all like an adult or a mental case.

run stats - sunday - 4.5 miles - 42mins - newgate loop with bit added

one hundred days

week 18
one hundred days to the wilmslow half marathon - not long really and I can only run 4 miles - need to dig in over christmas and not let this slip - though I'll be full of mince pies - I'll have more time for running over christmas and new year.

grim day

Week 18
Had a half day off work so did a quick 2miler before school pick up - it was freezing and very muddy and very rainy and not that nice mud and splashy rain and fresh cold that i like but really bitter cold unpleasant frosty mud and wet rain - believe me -thats the worst kind - did 2 miles in 18 mins that was pretty quick for me -wanted back to my warm house. Maybe this running thing is over rated.

run stats - wednesay - 2miles - 18mins - short newgate loop

4 miles in daylight

Week 18
Frosty 4 miles – very cold Sunday morning run very pleased to up my mileage feel as though this is a step forward – went out at 8.30am and there was daylight – gosh what a treat – almost forgotten usually dark when Im out plodding – I was trying to go slow but my time seems to stick at 10min miles so that’s okay Im comfortable running at that pace. big cheer for 4 miles shit Id have another 9 to go on a half marathon.

Run stats - sunday - 4 miles - 40 mins - four lanes

worried man

week 17

my big dread is a colitis flare up and the last couple of days are troubling - I seem to get one flare up every year and this morning I had stomach pain - and its an early warning sign for me - my next run is sunday and the whole running thing is part of my fight against colitis - itll never be cured -never ever -

sleep deprived runner

Week 17

sleep deprivation is bad for morning runners up all night with a sickly child and desperate for a little sleep before taking on the world and winning always winning sleep is necessary sleep is needed sleep is fuel sleep did not happen and therefore the run did not happen

run stats zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

joy

Week 17
Had a cold over the weekend so didn't get out for the sunday run was feeling too much like a lump of brown stuff - but this may have been best for me anyway - got out this morning and any kneethighcalf injury worries I had have now gone my legs were comfortable and running was easy enough though I was lacking a little energy as I am not 100% over the cold - felt good for it though need to concentrate over christmas period to keep a decent slow but consistent mileage build. My current route is very boring - its basically an out and back from my house as its too dark for the nice off road tracks- still Im happy to be out running again - hat gloves hiviz running in the cold and dark and defo no tights for me running.

Run stats
fourlane out and back - 30mins - 2.7 miles

scrooge 2

as predicted it was raining for the santa dash really raining not drizzling or wet and misty it was chucking down - £50 quid (family entry) for that pleasure - no thanks

White van arsehole

Week 16
Okay back running did a 3 mile run walk on Sunday - that got my confidence back – my legs feel fine after runnig just a little weak however they get stiff the day after the run. I’ll keep going and try to get back on programme – I would be absolutely gutted to miss the Wilmslow half and this keeps me going – got to indulge my pet hate this morning – the two wheel up on the pavement parking thing - that really pisses me off - selfish – white van neanderthal ---- did this and I had to swing out on the road as I couldn’t get past his stupid ugly white van -. Its not hard dickhead - roads for cars pavements for pedestrians – you are a selfish idiot – hope he is there again Friday - I’ll let his tyres down this should add some fun to my running.

run stats
sunday - 30mins - 2.7miles -newgate loop
wednesday - fourlanes out and back(cos it was too dark for woods) 30 mins 3miles

scrooge

Week 15
my demise has not happened yet - will run on sunday and have now amended my programme -its now a slower build and fingers crossed this will work out. sunday is important run I am gonna take it real easy make sure that I remain fit. Been thinking of a santa run but couldn't believe the price 20 for me and 10 for the girls simple maths £50 for the family - okay so it includes the suit still - no thanks itll be raining.

more misses than hits

Week 14
Taking it easy for the momenbt kness thigh calf still getting sore so im doing 3 miles only and not upping this and doing these as frequently as possible - im race marshall at the athletics club x country this sunday - will cheer on my girls as they pass hope they do well - better than crippled me. stil taht the 100 miles milestone reached - not so bad.

fragile knee

Week 14
More missed runs - really pissed off about it- my knee is fragile – but doen’t seem too serious building mileage is not gonna happen for the moment - so I will need to tinker with my program – plan for the moment is to keep my runs regular but short – tracks are even muddier now and in one area so soft my whole foot disappeared and came out caked in mud - it was a real mess – could hardly se my shoes for the mud – really pleased though - my shoes now look hardcore – need to do a shout out on the running bear shop in alderley edge did a good price on nike span shoes and free socks for KID A – her last shoes were nike at sports direct and they were crap – stick with the specialist shops.

run stats - 30mins - 3 miles - four lanes

The Fear

Week 13
No progress - seem to be stuck on a three mile slog – there is not a hope in hell that I could attempt anything near 13 miles – to add to my current state of misery I really hate running on the streets – up and down kerbs looking out for cars – it is taking fun out of it for me –still better than sat on my butt- stick to the programme stick to the programme stck to the programme – I ve got a 6 mile coming this Sunday - kinda dreading it – I like the idea of a test but feel so far away from that type of distance I have THE FEAR OF FAILURE AND DEFEAT.

Run stats - 30mins - 3miles - four lanes

Stick to the programme

Week 13
Fallen tree in my path this morning – it was about 500mm diameter – hurdled it and sprinted off –well maybe not – I was relieved to find I could get round it even though I got nettle sting on my legs. Tons of mud to enjoy just now but its slippy as hell – festival muddy – body seems happier on the trail runs - less impact so that good at least I know why I was getting leg and joint pain - Still stuck at 3miles – and getting impatient – seems like I have been doing the whole half hour run thing for ages now – 3 miles wont cut it for race day. Repeat the mantra stick to the programme stick to the programme stick to the programme stick to the programme stick to the programme stick to the programme stick to the programme stick to the programme

Run stats - 3 miles - 30mins - newgate loop

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Week 12
Injuries have all healed and had nice run round usual loop it’s a lot lighter in the mornings so can choose between the street run and the bridle paths – think I will do the streets as its best I get used to running on harder surfaces I think that has caused my recent problems and need to get my knees more used to some hard pounding – big project did not come into the studio and as it had my name on it – I need to worry about redundancy again – thought I was going to survive but the practice has been hit hard and I think something will need to give – would like to provide a good punching to some of the idiots who have no idea of the mess that has been made on our economy - grrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Run stats 30mins – 3miles – four lanes

Running post

Week12

Its was effing wet this morning – first day back after a week out with a sore knee –- the pain I was having was still there but disappeared after two strides in – go figure- it was a bit of a drag to be honest seems I cant get comfortable doing the half hour run – ill go slower next time to see if that helps – pounding more pavement than before as I need the streetlight – maybe this is why I’m getting aches – I’ve been used to soft paths – hopefully this is only short term discomfort I’ll need to stop myself – keep it slow – I’ve now registered for the Wilmslow half – £28 seemed a bit steep –maybe that’s the going rate – want this to be my first race – very excited – will try to enjoy – it’ll just be a nightmare or walk - if I’m not ready

Run stats 30 min - 3 miles - four lanes route

non running blog

No runs– decided not to run this week – ive developed a thigh and knee pain that is not healing -so rest is best – it started when I did consecutive runs - sat and sun and has not healed since then. Doing the fast speed mile seems to have caused the problem so It'll be no weekday runs – no panic though – plenty of time to get back on course but do wonder if this trainng program is proverbial bollocks rather than dogs. Who knows – ill give it another chance.

high levels of guilt though and suddenly seems like im back to square one - reality check required its only two runs missed- positive thinking is required

motorik running

Week 11

Michael Rother lived in Wilmslow – this is the town that houses Kerry Katona, various football wives, footballer wife wanabees, coronation street stars, a hundred thousand trolley dollies and pilots and me. What this town is not is a town of culture – so I was stunned to find out that the Krautrock giant Michael Rother lived here. Okay so its only a place but hell - krautrock legend - this does not compute – and the running link –there isn’t one - but if I were to name my top five bands of all time Id have to namecheck Neu! – they are so often overlooked but not here and methinks the motorik beat of Neu! will make a brilliant running soundtrack.

run stats

thursday - 3 miles - 30mins - fourlanes

sunday 4.5miles - 45mins - fourlanes out and back

four lanes

Week10
Finally succumbed to the failing light and run the streets instead of the lovelywoods. Perfectly fine though - run the four lanes moorlane,southoaklane, gravellane and cumberlane then back to bridle paths to finish my 3mile half hour adventure – the asphalt paths are a bit of a pain - very slopey - and also the whole twowheels on the pavement thing that some folks seem to think is okay but blocks the pavement– still - other than very grumpy running man with dog it was nice and quiet - maybe he was grumpy because he was up early and does this route all the time and was pissed to see another runner.

run stats - 30mins - 3 miles - fourlanes route

You didn’t go out dressed like that !

Week 10
2 runs at the weekend - on Saturday I did a quick 1.4 mile with a 7.5min mile which was completely knackering - hardly seemed worth it as I was barely out the front door and I was back. Supposedly this time multiplied by 1.3 gives me my anticipated race pace and after a quick calculation - this means I should be on 9.75 min miles at half marathon race pace – I am still running 10min miles so will see if this improves – Sunday was funny - a sartorial disaster - I have come a long way in a short time and dont really care what I look like - I just want to run. Heres the deal - my shorts were dirty so I wore my swimming trunks – I need to confess that these are a disgrace they once were blue but are now a chlorine induced pink – they are not lovely – in addition all sports socks were out of commission so it had to be black ankle socks - yes yes - not a good look - indeed a bit of a state – my family were all vocal, I am never to go out dressed like that again – I may have brought shame upon us – to me I arrived home happy - run completed - trunks on - excellent – lucky for all - they were not speedos or pouchy things.

Run stats
Saturday – 1.4mile – I mile fast – 7min mile – short loop
Sunday – 4miles – 44mins – newgate loop with lake

Good v Evil

Week 9

Woke up this morning and thought I might stay in bed - and put off my run - however I took up the struggle between good and evil and managed to win the philosophical argument with mybadself to drag my ass out of bed and do the run – not been having too much trouble getting out in the morning but there is increasingly miserable weather and inevitably this will get more difficult especially when things get colder - for the moment the fight has been had and good has triumphed.

Run stats – 30min run – 3miles – newgate loop

Simplepleasures

Week9
Saw a fox this morning and will add that to the rabbits horses squirrels, sheep mouseratrodentthing that make up my animals spotted list. I am lucky to have a nice route for running and am hanging on to this route - even though I know its too dark now , Im sure that there are even luckier people who have lovely sandy coasts bathed in sunshine to run but this is beautiful to me – I love dodging the puddles and twigs and horse poo – simple pleasures are the best.

run stats 30mins - 3miles - newgate loop

Fuel

Week 9
Lets just say that my filling up with two bowls of popcorn and half a box of chocolate - washed down with orange juice on Saturday night was akin to sticking diesel in an unleaded engine – everything seized up and did not work properly .still run was completed it just was not fun. Remember that old computer maxim garbage in garbage out that’s pretty much how it is.

run stats - 30min run - distance 3 miles - newgate loop

Training plan

Posted to the left is my programme for running the Wilmslow half marathon in March - Ive been looking at different programmes and Ive used the Jeff Galloway as the basis for my training plan. I can only feasibly do a long run on Sunday so this works for me. Now i have achieved the whole running for half an hour in 8 weeks thing - its time for a new goal and this is it. Techies can note Ive posted a table in blogger - yippee.

run stats - 30mins - 3 miles newgate loop

Fantasy running scenario # 3

Olympic Stadium Berlin

For me this is the most beautiful stadium in the world – a great piece of architecture - and I would love to run here – my dream run would be 10 laps of this track – I was lucky to see this before the addition of the roof though the refurbishment is amazing – steeped in history too – not all good - but that befits a great stadium – a place of contest and spectacle - sublime.

Still lightweight

Week 8

Will give my self a pat on the back - did my first half hour continuous run this morning without too much drama – can now call myself a runner - I wonder though when I will be a hardcore runner – switched my run from last night as it was raining and went this morning instead – it really was dropping down – though I saw the local roadrunners still out - so I guess they are hardcore and I am not – I am still lightweight – a fair weather runner – this I can accept - for the moment I am happy.

run stats - 30min run - 3 miles - newgate loop

Why I run before breakfast

Week 8

It was a big weekend birthday bash at Blackpool for Mums 70th and I had my running kit packed in expectation of a nice Sunday run along the promenade –the running didn’t quite go to plan, in fact the plan was not approached or considered and most definitely not implemented – my only feasible excuse consisting of my imbibing a pre run breakfast of sausage, eggs, bacon, tomatoes, fresh orange, coffee, toastwithmarmalade, another coffee and more toastwithmarmalade which then rendered me inert for the rest of the day.

Run stats - zero - leaning toward abject failure

The End

Week7
End of week 7- end of training plan - end of boot camp - end of rookie runner - its time for me to try and run the full half hour – felt great again on this mornings run, felt like I had wings – good pace too – excited about doing the half hour run think I will need just over 3 miles for this. Looking back at the last 7 weeks all those early pains have gone – everything is much more comfortable and most important of all it has been fun. The only way is down.

Run stats 15min run / 1min walk / 15min run Newgate Loop 3.2 miles

10 minute miles

Week 7
Whoo hoo - ten minute mile - slow? no idea sounds fast to me though - im happy - one more run on 15/1/15 - then I do my first 30min continous run - the first time in 25 years I will have done this - mission accomplished - I have learned that the body learns quickly - each time I stretch the run time my body complains but as long as these increments are small and steady next time in - its great and the body finds its rhythm and comfort zone and for the moment thats a 10min mile.

run stats 15min run / 1min walk / 15min run newgate loop 3 miles

morning of the living dead

Week 7
Sunday runs are usually a day of over friendly pleasantries with strangers that I pass as I run – however today the feels is different and distinctly weird – I am considering that I may just be a little paranoid – sometimes I feel self conscious and wonder if I have a funny gait or odd running style that forces comments from drivers or passers by that see me plodding along – but this morning this is multiplied everyone I pass looks at me in a distinctly odd way – a bit night of the living dead – quietly distant – and strange – I always thought zombies hung out in groups I didnt know they hung out on Sunday mornings to stare at sweaty runners – weird shit I kid you not – hoodie woman was weird weird ( that’s double weird) probably age late sixties with dark teenage boy hoodie look - not only her but every other passer by was odd - I mean darkoddhorrorshitodd – this was not the usual jaunty Sunday morning crowd walkin dogs and scaring my fluffy rabbits – got paranoid and thought it must be me – had mrs riderunner woke in the night and drew a swastika or other unsanitary social emblem on my head - for laughs or something – run home fast but the mirror does not lie – it was not me – they were zombies

Run stats 15min run 1min walk 15min run – newgate loop short

my rabbits

Week 6

Okay so fluffy bunnies are not exactly in keeping the popular image of the hardcore road runner iron man but I am willing to argue that the proliferation of these little guys along my route lifts the heart a great deal more than the cars - and passers by that I would encounter on the local streets – quite nice they are really – their number seems to increase each morning and I had one as a companion for 50metres or so along my path – its said that humans were built for running as a means of hunting but I would like to see the man who could run a rabbit down –I like running in the woods so I’ll keep with it – just hate the dogs – they scare off my rabbits.

run stats 3 x 12min run / 1min walk newgate loop 4 miles

I cant get no sleep

Week 6

Shit woke up at 5.30am again – think I have issues with morning waking this is way too early – this is great for getting up and doing a morning run but bad for my developing sleep deprivation issue. Desperately want to be awoken by my alarm. Swapped my Tuesday night run for a morning run to avoid running in pitch dark this means more problems with the morning dog walkers – too much barking bounding and generally putting me off my stride - think Id rather run in the dark – hit 4 miles now - its been a slow build - but great fun makes me regret I left this running lark so long.

run stats 3 x 12min run / 1min walk newgate loop - 4 miles

poop bags II

Week 6

Unhappy me is now not so unhappy all the poop bags are nearly gone - there is only one left I have no idea where they went maybe carried off by a swarm of flies or something. Started week 5 with a lot of trepidation – big increase in running this week with decrease in walking - daren’t say this was easy but on current progress I would recommend this programme to anyone wanting to follow and start to run – each week has appeared more difficult but completing this is a psychological boost and you carry forward a sense of achievement – had to increase the length of run again as I was running for 36mins – 3 x 12/1 run walk.

run stats 3 x 12min run / 1 min walk Newgate loop

Bad Day

Week 5
Terrible day at work – and I cant wait to do a run that will take my mind off things - that’s week 5 completed – I’m on to 12min internals now – seems like the 30min continuous is close now. Things at work have been going so well our new building is about to be unveiled and it’s a big statement – and all I have is colleague bickering to deal with – had a couple of glasses of wine last night and that just made me feel worse – I’ve been having zero booze recently and with the running and that I ve been doing this is a big health kick. Oh well the only way is up - it’s a wonder architects can forge any human relationships as we have such lengthy relationships with the built environment.

run stats 3 x 8min run /2 min walk Newgate loop

Looking like an Idiot

Pretty easy to get the running look wrong i reckon - however these are mrs riderunner approved.

As modelled by the invisible man - £6 each from decathalon

Night Runners

Week5
Really enjoyed my run last night – though I was battling against the failing light again – even worse this time I was running through the woods rather than the sports fields and there was just me, my new orange performance running top, and the trees, the new top was fine though I noticed that I sweat more than with the cotton t shirt. The performance one has small holes in the fabric – and these are supposed to allow the body to breathe but I for sure reckon this does not work as I just got hotter. Still it wont soak and that is the main plus - as that’s when it begins to chill - 8mins is now a breeze – it was a good idea to do 2 x 8/2 on Saturday rather than the 3 x 8/2 as this eases me in. Dark though – so dark I am sure to trip or fall - mornings will be dark too – – what to do? Miners lamp? I do jest! - suppose I might need to give in and run where there are streetlights. Dark running - im sure there must be a support group for hardcore runners that do this - sign me up.

run stats - 3x 8min run / 2min walk - newgate loop - 3 miles

slogging

Week 5
Sunday run was a slog – The 8/2 x 3 seems soooooooo much longer than the 5/2 x 4 - I really thought that this whole ‘running and getting fit and being active and de-stressing thing' was going to be easy but apparently not - since the first week Ive been fairly comfortable running but yesterday the body did not want to play along – maybe its telling me that the 5 minutes thing is enough and the 8 minutes thing is way too much – we shall see - we managed to slog it out and came home with a flourish for our first 3 mile. Bought myself some running gear as a reward - I’ve now completed the first half of the whole 'running and getting fit and being active and de-stressing thing' – chose 2 running tops - orange one for night and black one for day – they are ‘performance’ clothing apparently.

run stats - 8min run 2min walk x 3 - total 3miles - 30mins

cool hand luke

Week 5
Fantasy running scenario #2 - think I may be developing a theme here - I look a new route today and passed the dog kennels - all the dogs were barking loudly and as I turned the corner to run through a wooded path the sound of barking dogs and me running reminded me of paul newman running to escape the chasing dogs in cool hand luke - it was just like the movie it was beautiful sunny day and the dogs didn't get me either.

Run stats - 2min walk 8minrun 2minwalk 8min run 2.1miles - newgate loop

poopbags

Week 4
Who is leaving the dog poop bags hanging on the fence and who do they think is gonna come and take them away - ffs if you cant be bothered taking it home Im pretty sure no one else will – Ive gotta run past this now and will notice every fucking time and it will make me unhappy - Ive gotta a lovely running route in the mornings and its usually me, the horses, and the odd person out for an early jogstrollwalk - now its unhappyme, the horses, the odd person jogstrollwalking, and the poopbags that hang on the fence.

run stats - 5min run 2 min walk x 4 - 28mins - triple short loop

Blair Witch

Week 4

Too dark on last nights run – I was running around the sports fields with no lighting and it was pitch dark after 10 minutes into my run – it was scary dark and scary quiet - all I could hear was my feet splashing into the wet grass and my own breathing – couldn’t even see my stopwatch which is pretty cheap and has no backlight. I Just kept circling round in the dark - just me and the dark – going round and round - thinking about the Blair Witch Project

run stats - run 5mins walk 2mins x4 - 28mins - styal hockey fields

slim jim

Week 4
BMI has dropped - now 24.8 and I'm now normal weight category- thats official and proven I'm not fat and I'm not overweight- that was easy - hooray for running -week four programme 5/2 times 4 - need to lengthen my route though had to tag extra on today -chased by a dog today -grrrrrr - give me a break - been dry while running but there is a lot more mud on the tracks but this adds to the fun . Only did a Sunday run this weekend my shins were sore again -cant work out if this is worth worrying about.

switch

Week 3

last run this morning on week 3 cut this short as kids go back to school and I had shitloads to do before work - still did the 3/1 bit but repeated 4 instead of 6 since I'm doing 4 a week instead of 3 - this is okay. Felt like a runner and not a novice today could easily run past the 3 mins but kept the brakes on.

Gonna switch and stick to the runnersworld programme this will be be two weeks longer than I wanted to do but will mean 30mins run target at 8 weeks rather than 20mins at 6 weeks - the programme looks good and as Ive taken this up at week 3 and its going well this seems like a good idea.

The Plan

Week 1 Run one min, walk 90 seconds. Repeat eight times. Do three times a week.
Week 2 Run two mins, walk one min. Repeat seven times. Do three times a week.
Week 3 Run three mins walk one mins. Repeat six times. Do three times a week.
Week 4 Run five mins, walk two mins. Repeat four times. Do three times a week.
Week 5 Run eight mins, walk two mins. Repeat three times. Do three times a week.
Week 6 Run 12 mins, walk one min. Repeat three times. Do three times a week.
Week 7 Run 15 mins, walk one min, Run fifteen mins. Do three times a week
Week 8 Run 30 mins continuously.

run fatboy run

Week 3

Picked up a training programme from runners world website and they provide an eight week beginners programme. Week three consists of 3min run 1min walk sections repeated 6 times. I am following this pattern for this week. This requires an increase in my route length – I am now completing a 2mile circuit and it takes me around 25mins to complete.- progress has been steady and consistent though we were at Leeds festival Saturday so the Sunday morning run was never going to happen, shifted that to the Monday.

Bought a stopwatch and I like the rigid 3/1 running pattern as this will let me gauge progress better. Didn’t think I could be bothered running with a watch but it works quite well.

Iam not so worried about my leg pains there are no consistent areas for concern so will just keep going – depressed to find out I am actually overweight – when did that happen? - checked my BMI and this came out at 26.4 – on the cusp but this will help spur me with a target to achieve 'normal' weight.

Got to think about winter gear – apparently technical t shirts are what I need – WTF could possibly be technical about a t- shirt – I live and learn.

embarrassing illnesses

Week 2

So what are the odds - I have two of these - payback for sins of my youth - hyperhydrosis and ulcerative colitis. Both can be extremely embarrassing and both are concerning me as a novice runner. I'll leave the first for another time but the Colitis I need to consider - I am in no way sure how my running will affect this and feel I need to visit my doctor to get his okay - Im way better off than many - and im sure there are thousands of runners who just get on with it - but if it goes wrong - it could be bad - the anxiety of worrying about this I could do without. The picture I posted is not funny its an eyeopener to the bodily stress running can induce - especially to a colitis sufferer with a 'flare up'. I doubt I could run at all if I come out of remission - so I'll keep taking my ASACOL faithfully and cross my fingers - and legs - if the need occurs. For any other runners with colitis who read this - take heart - Steve Redgrave took Olympic gold after his UC diagnosis - all I need to do is run for fun.

soundtracks

Week 2

Persil man today - beautifully laundered white shorts - white socks - white t shirt- white trainers - progress good - nice run weather holding up nicely - first run with mp3 player today - prefer running without music though - dulls the senses - I like to hear my feet on different surfaces - crunching gravel and padding on mud - still variety is good - my shorts have good sized pocket so I dont have to strap the f****r to my arm - that always looks stupid - Metric - stadium love was track for the day - great stuff. Very comfortable run sticking with the programme - still got some pain in my left shin - I wont up the pace or length of run until im sure this is just my body learning to cope with strees of sudden running regime.

running with the brakes on

Week 2

My legs feel really tight since yesterdays run - not had a problem with tight legs before - but trying to go slow has really taken it out of me - fell like Ive been driving with the handrake on - lots of effort and noise but slow movement - definitely wont be able to keep this going but fear of injury is keeping me in check - still got a niggle on my left shin and I am going to watch this - have put a marker dot on the exact place to find out of its happening in the same spot. By end of the week my legs may look like they are ready for surgery - maybe I should go the whole hog keep writing on myself, date all the niggles and cross reference with suspected causes. Would that just make me look like a nutter? Still Sunday is not my favourite day to run anyway - too many dogwalkers - all saying good morning and smiling - very nice - still - the man with the writing should scare them away - mad man coming through!

pain

Week 2

Week 2 start - the penny dropped reading a novice runners blog last night - poor woman after 4 weeks training with 'couch to 5k program' was stricken with a very painful knee injury - still thinking I am 21 my body has been forcing my 'natural' pace. Heed advice methinks - those pains in my right calf and left shin should not be ignored - Im old school - Alf Tupper and Zatopek - but i now fear shin splints and have slowed down - bingo - the pains have dissappeared - need to build up slowly - rewards will come later. sticking with 20mins walk run - aiming to run for solid 20mins after 6 weeks. Note to self buy some sports socks today - had to run in soiled socks today - fast route to athletes foot - duh!

there will be blood

Week 1

First week finished - I guess thats what you might call a milestone - 4 sessions complete on a 1.4m course with erratic run walk intervals - Im not sure what to think - my body still hurts while running - but the pains seem to happen in different places - Im sweating like mad and do not feel fitter - i know what you are thinking its only a total of 5.6 miles in one week hardly major road running - on the positive - I am hooked rain will not deter me - will power - i have in abundance - this for me will not be a problem. Big mistake though Ive cut down on my calorie intake - Im not too over weight but a little weight loss should help me develop that effortless glide - rather than the thumping action I seem to have at the moment.

I ran a marathon 25 years ago - and I think my body remembers - it wants to travel at the same speed - still knackered still hurting but Im doing it - stick with the plan do this for another week then try to extend the run to walk balance on each trip. Will however need to up my calorie intake as I have been feeling weak - especially at work in the day - will hang in there another week and reassess.

day zero

Week 1

I am now a blogger, and this is a series of firsts, 25 years ago i run the Glasgow marathon and have been wondering if this would be possible again, believe me a lot has happened then till now and none of it involved putting on running shoes.

I am a 44year old architect - father of three - unmarried but permanently living in sin. I live near Manchester after 20 years in London caring for little except for sex drugs and rocknroll and most probably in that order. My blog intends to diary my attempt to get fit enough to run a half marathon March 2010 without boring myself and you to death.

After watching my 12 year old daugher take silver in the 200m at a sports meet, I have made this decision -

So it goes - Saturday 15th August - first run - my plan is for mornings - I dont want anyone to see me run - i have planned a route in my head but don't know how long it is I have read some other blogs and have an idea to do 20 mins walk run four days a week - it felt funny in shorts like I had someone elses clothes on - still its early no one will see me - I am running on soft ground on bridle paths but my body is not happy - Im not particulary overweight but could go that way - after about 100m I am knackered - sweating and knackered - and my body hurts - there are six or seven twinges around my body and one in my shin that is worrying. slow down and walk some more.

Now I remember - the finish - runners high - is this possible after 1 mile walk run -not much is it? will do again tomorrow - if i can stop sweating and hurting.