sinj's running foolishness 2007

Popped an extra mile onto my run today, and have football (soccer!) tonight so a busy day.

37:32 for 5 so 7:30 miles with no problem.

I officially have my first marathon training blister on my left middle toe.

Please send congratulations :)

Difficult today. Combination of reasons I guess - too soon after breakfast. Red wine last night. General tiredness after stepping up the miles this week.

Going to have to start to take the sleep/diet stuff more seriously from here on in I think.

took an hour which is not that much slower than usual but it wasn't easy.

I'm going to be saying this a lot over the next few weeks, but this was the furthest I've EVER run. 14.25 miles. Stopped a few times for drinks and, ahem, comfort break.

I live at the top of a hill, so there's no avoiding a few hills, but the route I chose was too hilly. There were a couple of monsters, plus the last 2m was uphill. tough.

clocked 2:27 which is, with stops, around 10m miling. My programme says to run these ones VERY slow so as to get used to the distance/time so I'm happy enough. It was definitely the big climbs that made it hard.

My legs are achy/sore today, but not too bad. Should be fine for tomorrow's run.

So - this is where the going gets tougher I think!

steady on the treadmill after tough time on Sunday. Started stiffly but eased out. Quite surprised. Feel better AFTER than BEFORE. Magic!!

winter has finally arrived in the UK and we're freezing.

After Sunday which was a little demoralising, I start to see the light. Bouncing round my 7 miles today was a breeze and felt good, despite the freezing weather. Just about my PB for my very familiar loop. Didn't measure the time accurately - wish I had.

slight tickle in my throat. Don't know whether to stop for a day or two and let a cold take hold or "fight it off" by continuing with my programme.

snow tomorrow!

30:11 fastest yet. pushed hardish on the treadmill. Quite happy given that this is the third day running. There is progress :)

Had a family function to attend over the weekend so missed BOTH my runs. Decided to run home from work today instead (>13 miles). Cold, wet and a bit miserable - but got there in a slow time. This is allowed though according to my programme and its advice to make the long ones slow (I wouldn't say I had much choice in the matter). 02:19

I fell off my healthy eating/drinking regime last week with lots of nights out, takeaways, beers and chocolate. Have stepped back on today and resolve to continue!!

Bobbed round the park with Roger today. Not bad considering did 13+ yesterday. Wednesday and Thursday will be interesting though!

29:19

treadmill. intervals between 12 km/hr and 14 km/hr for 5 miles. Comfortable but worked in pushing up HR to ~160. Time 37:11. Definitely recovered from my slump last week! :)

keep it plain and simple today. 4 miles at 12km/hr. No hassle, no pain which is great as it is four days running in a row this week. Looking forward to my Friday day-off however :)

steady lap in prep for 15m tomorrow (my furthest ever, again!)

nice and easy at good pace (for me). 56m (roughly) as annoyingly I left my HRM in the office yesterday.

I cannot tell you how HAPPY I am. Met mate Rob for 15m two laps round beautiful richmond park, and we stuck to 9m pace solidly. No pain, no real fatigue so ended up on 2:13 for 15m. Absolutely thrilled as this definitely breaks my 1/2 records and is a real pick up after the slow times from  last week. Those were slow, i've decided, because of the weather and the hilly terrain near where I live. I'm going to have to come to terms with the fact that my mile times will be slower on my local runs because of the hills. should get the benefit on the day though.

COOL!!!! Only 11 miles more :)

34:00

pacy, easy - amazing how four miles hardly feels worth putting on your shoes these days! The time looks slow but this includes some big hills.

day off work so got to do my local favourite loop.

Treadmill - 8 miles at fixed pace. This was a challenge for me to keep attention (on purpose). Working to feel a fixed natural pace that I can maintain. 64 minutes.

Quick catch up session i the gym to get back on programme. Still not feeling great - I think the advice is to rest completely but this wasnt too bad.

www.asthma.org training day. This is the charity that I am running for in the marathon.

Interesting day with advice from trainers, physios and a chiropractor. Atrocious weather and I'm still under the weather, so did 10 of the 17 planned miles (one lap of richmond park instead of two).

about 1:25

felt good.

2:28

have felt poorly for around a week so have eased off training. Today is "comeback" day. Took afternoon off work and headed back to Richmond park to tackle two laps.

Unfortunately, the weather turned biblical - rain, wind, hail - I expected a shower of frogs to come pouring down on my head at one point. Abandoned the park after 10m and headed for the gym where I did a further 10k on the treadmill in my sodden gear - I got a few strange looks!!!!

by the way - if anyone would like to sponsor me it is: http://www.justgiving.com/simonpowell2007

cheers