2 months and 24 days to go until the London Marathon and 6 weeks until the Silverstone Half Marathon, Each week I'm increasing the length of the runs (time wise) by 15 minutes. So today was 1 hour 45 minutes and 9.5 miles, which is still 11 minute miles. I do want to increase the pace but that's what I concentrate on mid week, Sundays is about banking the miles.
I ran an old route from last year which I hadn't tried this time around, from home to Crownhill Police Station and back plus a loop of Saltash. As I was running I normally try to get inspiration for my blog, but today was a bit short of inspiration. The biggest inspiration was that I ran up one hill that even towards the end of my training last year I usually dropped to a walk. No such problems today. It's a weird route, it feels long and like you're running a lot but probably more because a large chunk is very straight. It was actually disappointing when I got home and worked out I had only done 9.5 miles.
As you can see not a lot to report, so what a pleasant surprise when I log in to write my blog and find I have a new follower and it's not someone I know. Welcome Jennifer. Jennifer is over in the US and running in Boston. I love Boston, my brother took me over for my 40th Birthday and I had a great time, it was the first time I went in pub with smoking ban, oh how times have changed. I also would one day love to run the Boston Marathon (Boston is really flat!!!).
I'm going to follow Jennifer as well it's like virtual camaraderie, there was no honking today but a few other runners out there today, it's great when everyone acknowledges each other.
I just want to say thanks to all the people who emailed me after I sent out my email around A4e.
I now have a good running playlist, but would still welcome some more suggestions to keep a variety going. Today's started with Ace of Spades and ended with Dancing in the Dark.
Anyway gotta go, speak to you Tuesday.
Cheers
Snooky
Sunday, 31 January 2010
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Loneliest run so far....
2 Months 27 days to go....
A little late out tonight, I didn't hit the road until just after 8. Either there was something really good on TV tonight or I missed all the normal running crowds, in fact in the whole hour run I only saw two other runners on the route.
The weather was absolutely perfect for running, no wind and fairly mild, there was a slight misty rain towards the end of the run. It was the most comfortable run so far, I even found a really good turn of pace as I passed a big group of hoodies!!! (obviously not interested in what ever was on the tv).
Anyway feeling really good at the moment and looking forward to the Silverstone Half Marathon in 6 1/2 weeks (I miscounted the other day!), It will be a good test and also the first time my brother and I will run together in competition. It will be interesting to see how we compare, I'm nearly 6 years older, a few stone heavier, but have the experience of one Marathon and 2 halves. My training is pounding the streets 3-4 times a week clocking up the miles. Paul has a personal trainer working in a gym, doing boxing and weights with the occasional run.
That's all for now folks, speak to you soon.
Cheers
Snooky
A little late out tonight, I didn't hit the road until just after 8. Either there was something really good on TV tonight or I missed all the normal running crowds, in fact in the whole hour run I only saw two other runners on the route.
The weather was absolutely perfect for running, no wind and fairly mild, there was a slight misty rain towards the end of the run. It was the most comfortable run so far, I even found a really good turn of pace as I passed a big group of hoodies!!! (obviously not interested in what ever was on the tv).
Anyway feeling really good at the moment and looking forward to the Silverstone Half Marathon in 6 1/2 weeks (I miscounted the other day!), It will be a good test and also the first time my brother and I will run together in competition. It will be interesting to see how we compare, I'm nearly 6 years older, a few stone heavier, but have the experience of one Marathon and 2 halves. My training is pounding the streets 3-4 times a week clocking up the miles. Paul has a personal trainer working in a gym, doing boxing and weights with the occasional run.
That's all for now folks, speak to you soon.
Cheers
Snooky
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
2 Months and 29 days to go...
Hi folks, Tonight could have been a potential banana skin to my training regime as I was down in Penzance for the day and my wife was in Birmingham and not getting back until past 9pm. I didn't fancy running that late so I managed to get back from Penzance and squeeze a Fartlek session in before I had to pick up my boy from after school club.
I ran my short route (3.5 miles) and then ran to my son's afterschool club to pick him up, he decided he wanted to run home with me, bless him and off he went, he had good pace and I had got a better work out than I expected. What gave me a boost was the pride he showed as he ran alongside me. He said "look dad we're running together", "I want to run the Marathon with you one day" (He's got to wait another 12 years before he can do that). I promised him last year we would run the Saltash Fun Run this year, and we will (it's the week after the London Marathon).
Anyway best go and get some sleep, speak to you Thursday.
Don't forget keep honking!!
Cheers
Snooky
I ran my short route (3.5 miles) and then ran to my son's afterschool club to pick him up, he decided he wanted to run home with me, bless him and off he went, he had good pace and I had got a better work out than I expected. What gave me a boost was the pride he showed as he ran alongside me. He said "look dad we're running together", "I want to run the Marathon with you one day" (He's got to wait another 12 years before he can do that). I promised him last year we would run the Saltash Fun Run this year, and we will (it's the week after the London Marathon).
Anyway best go and get some sleep, speak to you Thursday.
Don't forget keep honking!!
Cheers
Snooky
Sunday, 24 January 2010
Keep honking!!
3 Months and 11 hours until the London Marathon and only 9 weeks until the Silverstone Half Marathon.
I had a look back at last years blogs to see what I was doing this time last year, exactly a year ago I was still walking, I walked 9 1/2 miles over Dartmoor and it took me about 3 hours, today I ran/jogged 8.2 miles in just under 1 1/2 hours (11 minutes miles which is under the 5 hour Marathon rate). So I'm well ahead of last years training.
Today's run was under the midday sun and although I felt cold as I left I was soon stripping off . The weather was perfect, no wind and mild. I must be running a bit faster, because I had to keep adding loops to the run (yes I remembers to start my watch this time!!) Including another hill in St Budeaux, which I have never run all the way up before (it was the last leg of my run from home from work), but this time I just ran all the way up, again it seemed to have shortened. I then decided to run my short route backwards (predominantly up hill). The Sundays runs will keep increasing week on week so it's time to start protecting those sensitive bits again. Oh yes break out the micro pore tape next week.
In a previous blog (last year) I talked about honking, both in geese and groups of runners, well I want to thank two lovely people for honking me on the way around today, Thanks Steve and Thanks Angie (my Slimming World consultant who is also running the London Marathon this year!) Both gave me a honk from their cars as they passed and it gave me real boost. So if you see me out there please give me a hoot with your horn, it does make a difference.
Music today was again courtesy of the shuffle, but today it seemed to play more rock than anything else which suited me just fine. Although after this blog I'm off to put that play list together.
Anyway signing off, speak to you Tuesday.
Cheers
Snooky
Thursday, 21 January 2010
Is a swarm a collective noun?
3 Months 3 days to go and another wet and miserable evening, I am glad to report I have my running mojo back (watch out Bro'). There was no question as I donned my running tights and yellow coat, plugged myself into my Ipod (on shuffle) and stepped out into the rain.
The run was a quick one, as Tuesdays and Thursday night runs are about improving pace and therefore are relatively short runs (3-5 miles). I got out a bit earlier tonight, just after 7, I didn't see the usual swarms of yellow coats, however there were still plenty of other runners out, and the camaraderie was really good. There were a couple of small groups but not the usual swarms, which lead me to think about the definition of swarm, is it a collective noun for insects or is there a definitive number where some becomes a swarm. The free dictionary.com says:
"An aggregation of persons or animals, especially when in turmoil or moving in mass: A swarm of friends congratulated him." but still no definitive number.
Most of the other runners were from Devon, as once again I met most of them twice on the bridge, despite the weather (which bizarrely enough was harder in Devon than in Cornwall) everyone acknowledged and smiled at each other, which left me smiling all the way around.
Anyway feeling good, the plantar, knee and ankle all holding their own (I hadn't told you about the ankle because I didn't want to worry you!)
Speak to you soon.
Cheers
Snooky
The run was a quick one, as Tuesdays and Thursday night runs are about improving pace and therefore are relatively short runs (3-5 miles). I got out a bit earlier tonight, just after 7, I didn't see the usual swarms of yellow coats, however there were still plenty of other runners out, and the camaraderie was really good. There were a couple of small groups but not the usual swarms, which lead me to think about the definition of swarm, is it a collective noun for insects or is there a definitive number where some becomes a swarm. The free dictionary.com says:
"An aggregation of persons or animals, especially when in turmoil or moving in mass: A swarm of friends congratulated him." but still no definitive number.
Most of the other runners were from Devon, as once again I met most of them twice on the bridge, despite the weather (which bizarrely enough was harder in Devon than in Cornwall) everyone acknowledged and smiled at each other, which left me smiling all the way around.
Anyway feeling good, the plantar, knee and ankle all holding their own (I hadn't told you about the ankle because I didn't want to worry you!)
Speak to you soon.
Cheers
Snooky
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Make or break day
Hi, 3 months and 5 days to go, and today was another rainy evening in Cornwall, time to make a decision about commitment. I could sit there and it's raining I'll give it a miss or get wrapped up and get out there. The other option was to join the gym, I thought about it for about half an hour, decided I could afford to join a gym right now and plugged myself into my ipod (Paolo Nutini -Sunny Side Up), donned my dayglo yellow jacket and stepped out into the rain!
Tuesday nights is Fartlek night, that's basically pace training, randomly increasing and decreasing your pace through out the run. I was late out tonight so missed the swarms of stick insects, instead I only came across an unmarked stick insect of the Devon variety. I know he was from Devon because I passed him both ways on "the Bridge".
For those who are not from these parts, a quick geography lesson, Devon and Cornwall (or England and Cornwall as the Cornish like to refer to it) are separated by the river Tamar, for which the main connection is the Tamar Bridge which connects Plymouth (Devon) and Saltash (Cornwall). Basically for runners both sides of the river the bridge is always included in their routes for two reasons 1. the psychologically running to the next county and back is a great boost, secondly and probably the most importantly it's the flattest bit of pathway in Devon & Cornwall and very conveniently is exactly half a mile from one end to another.
I have to be honest it's this blog that keeps me going, but I would love to know you're out there reading, (thanks for letting me know Jessica & Henry). So far I have had Eye of the Tiger suggested for my training play list. I found a good track for Fartlek training "A simple Life" by Paolo Nutini check it out you'll see what I mean.
My brother has finally had his place in the London Marathon confirmed, so now it get's really serious!!
Anyway best go.
Cheers
Snooky
Tuesday nights is Fartlek night, that's basically pace training, randomly increasing and decreasing your pace through out the run. I was late out tonight so missed the swarms of stick insects, instead I only came across an unmarked stick insect of the Devon variety. I know he was from Devon because I passed him both ways on "the Bridge".
For those who are not from these parts, a quick geography lesson, Devon and Cornwall (or England and Cornwall as the Cornish like to refer to it) are separated by the river Tamar, for which the main connection is the Tamar Bridge which connects Plymouth (Devon) and Saltash (Cornwall). Basically for runners both sides of the river the bridge is always included in their routes for two reasons 1. the psychologically running to the next county and back is a great boost, secondly and probably the most importantly it's the flattest bit of pathway in Devon & Cornwall and very conveniently is exactly half a mile from one end to another.
I have to be honest it's this blog that keeps me going, but I would love to know you're out there reading, (thanks for letting me know Jessica & Henry). So far I have had Eye of the Tiger suggested for my training play list. I found a good track for Fartlek training "A simple Life" by Paolo Nutini check it out you'll see what I mean.
My brother has finally had his place in the London Marathon confirmed, so now it get's really serious!!
Anyway best go.
Cheers
Snooky
Sunday, 17 January 2010
Why the FSI?
So 3 months and 7 days to go until the London Marathon, I managed to get out for another run tonight, did just over an hour. Another glorious day, but once again I had to wait until it was dark before I got a chance to get out. I only saw one other runner tonight (and pulled away from him!!).
While I'm running I tend to think about what I'm going to write in this blog, today I was thinking about why I'm doing it and more importantly why for The FSI.
Most people support a charity that they can relate to, that they have had a close relative or friend who affected by the illness or disability that the charity helps. I thought about who I should be supporting, my mum died of heart failure aged only 50, My uncle and grandfather both passed away with bowel cancer, my father has diabetes and also has had a growth removed from his bowel, I have two good friends who suffer from Crohns, My daughter needed to go into the special baby unit when she was born, plus a lots more. Even if I wanted be totally selfish I would love to run for a charity who's trying to find a cure for Psoriasis or obesity! So which one do I choose, which is more important than another? Well none are and that's why I'm supporting the FSI, a charity that supports many different charities, helping people who have that focus on one goal, one cause, helping them to make the most of the money they raise, give them the skills to manage their charity more efficiently, raise money more effectively etc. I don't have enough time and money to give to all the charities that support the people close to me, so I'm giving it to someone who does have time and drive to support them all.
Support me to support others by visiting my justgiving site.
Speak to you soon.
Cheers
Snooky
While I'm running I tend to think about what I'm going to write in this blog, today I was thinking about why I'm doing it and more importantly why for The FSI.
Most people support a charity that they can relate to, that they have had a close relative or friend who affected by the illness or disability that the charity helps. I thought about who I should be supporting, my mum died of heart failure aged only 50, My uncle and grandfather both passed away with bowel cancer, my father has diabetes and also has had a growth removed from his bowel, I have two good friends who suffer from Crohns, My daughter needed to go into the special baby unit when she was born, plus a lots more. Even if I wanted be totally selfish I would love to run for a charity who's trying to find a cure for Psoriasis or obesity! So which one do I choose, which is more important than another? Well none are and that's why I'm supporting the FSI, a charity that supports many different charities, helping people who have that focus on one goal, one cause, helping them to make the most of the money they raise, give them the skills to manage their charity more efficiently, raise money more effectively etc. I don't have enough time and money to give to all the charities that support the people close to me, so I'm giving it to someone who does have time and drive to support them all.
Support me to support others by visiting my justgiving site.
Speak to you soon.
Cheers
Snooky
Sunday, 10 January 2010
What's that coming over the hill, is it a monster?....
No.... with 3 months and 14 days 12 hours to go its a lesser spotted yellow coated blob insect, a larger cousin of the yellow coated stick insect often found swarming in packs of 15 -20 at a time on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
Tonight I was running alone, I guess on Sundays most people run during the day, unfortunately I had other things to do during the day. So as the sun set over Cornwall I set off on my first longish run for about 4 weeks. Guess what... it only started to snow! It was only that dusty snow so not too bad. It was warmer tonight than Thursday so the lungs were fine, however after so many weeks of inactivity the thighs were feeling it today, but I've just got to keep it going.
Music this run was supplied by my Ipod on shuffle with a variety from 80's soul to the title track of this report which helped me get up the last hill of the circuit. Let me know what I should include in my playlist.
The target for this years marathon is to finish around 4 1/2 hours, that's an hour and 20 minutes quicker than last year, but having said that I'll be happy just to beat last year.
Anyway that' it for now, speak to you soon.
Cheers
Snooky
Tonight I was running alone, I guess on Sundays most people run during the day, unfortunately I had other things to do during the day. So as the sun set over Cornwall I set off on my first longish run for about 4 weeks. Guess what... it only started to snow! It was only that dusty snow so not too bad. It was warmer tonight than Thursday so the lungs were fine, however after so many weeks of inactivity the thighs were feeling it today, but I've just got to keep it going.
Music this run was supplied by my Ipod on shuffle with a variety from 80's soul to the title track of this report which helped me get up the last hill of the circuit. Let me know what I should include in my playlist.
The target for this years marathon is to finish around 4 1/2 hours, that's an hour and 20 minutes quicker than last year, but having said that I'll be happy just to beat last year.
Anyway that' it for now, speak to you soon.
Cheers
Snooky
Thursday, 7 January 2010
Back on the road again
3 months, 17 days to go
At last I have got back out and running, just a short run of 3 miles. There were loads of runners out tonight grabbing the opportunity as we experience a short break in the poor weather.
The run went ok, as I took it quite easy (first run for 4 weeks) and also the paths were still very icy in patches. especially where people obviously used hot water to clear cars. A large section of the route I had to run on the road. The foot injury seems to be holding up well, which is a relief.
I don't know where the time has gone but it's only 9 weeks until the Silverstone half marathon and 14 weeks until the London Marathon, so it full steam ahead from here on in.
If anyone wants to help with my training playlist let me know what I should be listening to. Tonight I was running to Gary Moore Blues Live, it was right for the pace I was attempting and the opening track was quite apt....."A Cold Day In Hell"!!!!
Anyway that's it from me, speak to you soon.
Cheers
Snooky
At last I have got back out and running, just a short run of 3 miles. There were loads of runners out tonight grabbing the opportunity as we experience a short break in the poor weather.
The run went ok, as I took it quite easy (first run for 4 weeks) and also the paths were still very icy in patches. especially where people obviously used hot water to clear cars. A large section of the route I had to run on the road. The foot injury seems to be holding up well, which is a relief.
I don't know where the time has gone but it's only 9 weeks until the Silverstone half marathon and 14 weeks until the London Marathon, so it full steam ahead from here on in.
If anyone wants to help with my training playlist let me know what I should be listening to. Tonight I was running to Gary Moore Blues Live, it was right for the pace I was attempting and the opening track was quite apt....."A Cold Day In Hell"!!!!
Anyway that's it from me, speak to you soon.
Cheers
Snooky
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Damn this weather
I haven't had time to update this site, but here's a brief summary of the last couple of months. Training started well following the London Marathon training programme, the weight fell off and I was 5 months ahead of last year. Then a combination of a foot injury and horrendous weather means I haven't run for the last 4 weeks and gained 6lbs over December.
So Christmas and New Year festivities over the plan was to run tonight, along comes the snow! So restart delayed again. However eating plan in full swing, so hopefully the weight will start coming back off.
So here we are 3 months 19 days 11 hours to go, I am still a good 2 months ahead with my training over last year.
The fundraising is for the FSI again, please look at their website for more info. I will be warming up by running the Silverstone Half Marathon in March.
Speak to you soon, hopefully once I've got back up and running again.
So Christmas and New Year festivities over the plan was to run tonight, along comes the snow! So restart delayed again. However eating plan in full swing, so hopefully the weight will start coming back off.
So here we are 3 months 19 days 11 hours to go, I am still a good 2 months ahead with my training over last year.
The fundraising is for the FSI again, please look at their website for more info. I will be warming up by running the Silverstone Half Marathon in March.
Speak to you soon, hopefully once I've got back up and running again.
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