Day: 11
Distance: 6.13 km
Time: 37:05 secs
Picture the scene: I'm out for a friend's 30th Birthday celebrations. Celebrations include numerous beers, a Brick Lane curry and banter. We'd started particularly early as friends were over from Canada, so it seemed to be quite late in the day when Jim texted at 8:33pm to enquire as to whether I fancied going for a run the next morning. As a sign of my dedication to marathon training (and possibly of my inebriated state) I immediately texted back in the affirmative. What Jim hadn't told me in the first text was that, because he had to go to work the next day, we'd be starting at 7:30am ...
Cut to 7:08am this morning and I was woken up by another text from Jim asking if I was still up for running. My thumb hovered for a long time over the keypad on my phone before I replied to say that I would indeed be joining him. One bottle of water later and I felt ready to venture out into the still dark streets, I whispered a few apologies in the general direction of my wife in case I woke her up whilst getting ready and went out to meet Jim.
The most difficult thing was getting up, but once I was up I really enjoyed the run and felt pretty good about myself for actually doing it as well. Any signs of a hangover from the previous night's celebrations quickly disappeared. At this point, I must offer an apology to my fellow London joggers as two people surprised the hell out of me by saying hello as we crossed paths. I think that's the first (and second) time that has happened in the time I've been running in London.
As I walked back into the flat I was greeted by my wife calling out "enjoy your run?", or at least that's what I assumed she'd said. In fact, I hadn't woken her up at all on the way out. Instead I woke her up on my way in, but she thought that I was just about to head out for a run at 8:15, hence she'd actually told me to "enjoy your run". At least someone got a lie in ...
Thursday 30 December 2010
Breaking in a new pair of trainers
Day: Nine
Distance: 6.8 km
Time: 42:04 secs
Today I went for a run around my little corner of South London with my mate Jim. As Jim is training for a half marathon I suspect we'll be going out for a few more runs over the next few weeks and months.
This was my first run in the pair of trainers that I've bought specifically for running the marathon. I've had the same pair of trainers now for 2.5 years or so and they've loyally seen me through numerous 10km runs and one half marathon, so I am quite attached to them but I felt it was time to get a new pair and to wear them in properly before the marathon. After trying out a few different pairs in Sweatshop (ethically questionable name, sure, but a post-Christmas sale is not to be sniffed at in the "current economic climate") I opted for the New Balance 1064 and although it's very early days I was very impressed with them on this first run. They seemed like a very comfortable fit and, unlike others that I tried, they are very light. I'm no trainer expert, but surely those two attributes are pretty important?
Although the last few runs have been done with other people I haven't been listening to music at all, but I have been thinking about my running playlist some more. I received a few suggestions of songs to add to the list after I posted on the subject a while back and I also received some timely advice in the form of The XFM Top 1000 Songs of All Time. Leafing through this book after Christmas dinner I realised that I had some glaring omissions from my running playlist - "Suffragette City" by David Bowie, "Keep the car running" by Arcade Fire, a couple of tunes by the Buzzcocks and this work of lyrical dexterity from Dan le Sac Vs. Scroobius Pip.
Distance: 6.8 km
Time: 42:04 secs
Today I went for a run around my little corner of South London with my mate Jim. As Jim is training for a half marathon I suspect we'll be going out for a few more runs over the next few weeks and months.
This was my first run in the pair of trainers that I've bought specifically for running the marathon. I've had the same pair of trainers now for 2.5 years or so and they've loyally seen me through numerous 10km runs and one half marathon, so I am quite attached to them but I felt it was time to get a new pair and to wear them in properly before the marathon. After trying out a few different pairs in Sweatshop (ethically questionable name, sure, but a post-Christmas sale is not to be sniffed at in the "current economic climate") I opted for the New Balance 1064 and although it's very early days I was very impressed with them on this first run. They seemed like a very comfortable fit and, unlike others that I tried, they are very light. I'm no trainer expert, but surely those two attributes are pretty important?
Although the last few runs have been done with other people I haven't been listening to music at all, but I have been thinking about my running playlist some more. I received a few suggestions of songs to add to the list after I posted on the subject a while back and I also received some timely advice in the form of The XFM Top 1000 Songs of All Time. Leafing through this book after Christmas dinner I realised that I had some glaring omissions from my running playlist - "Suffragette City" by David Bowie, "Keep the car running" by Arcade Fire, a couple of tunes by the Buzzcocks and this work of lyrical dexterity from Dan le Sac Vs. Scroobius Pip.
Tuesday 28 December 2010
Week one: Done
Day: Seven
Distance: 6km
Time: 34:37 secs
So that's it. Week One of my marathon training is over.
The week ended with another run with my brother-in-law. Running on Boxing Day didn't seem quite as weird as running on Christmas Day, but we were still just about the only people who had ventured out on a very cold Winter morning.
For these two runs I've been back at my mum and dad's in Essex and one notable difference with running there compared with running in London is that when you pass other joggers or people out walking their dogs they generally offer a cheery "good morning" or "Merry Christmas!". This was disconcerting at first as I'd assume that I'd attract some very odd looks, if not outright hostility, if I attempted to actually speak to people whilst running in London.
The main reason for starting this blog was to record my progress through my marathon training, so an audit of my first week shows that over the course of four runs I've covered around 29 km and it has taken me 2:48:28 to complete those runs. The plan I'm supposed to be following calls for five runs per week, but I'm happy with four in my first week and I struggle to see how I'll ever fit five runs in as resting in between runs is important.
Distance: 6km
Time: 34:37 secs
So that's it. Week One of my marathon training is over.
The week ended with another run with my brother-in-law. Running on Boxing Day didn't seem quite as weird as running on Christmas Day, but we were still just about the only people who had ventured out on a very cold Winter morning.
For these two runs I've been back at my mum and dad's in Essex and one notable difference with running there compared with running in London is that when you pass other joggers or people out walking their dogs they generally offer a cheery "good morning" or "Merry Christmas!". This was disconcerting at first as I'd assume that I'd attract some very odd looks, if not outright hostility, if I attempted to actually speak to people whilst running in London.
The main reason for starting this blog was to record my progress through my marathon training, so an audit of my first week shows that over the course of four runs I've covered around 29 km and it has taken me 2:48:28 to complete those runs. The plan I'm supposed to be following calls for five runs per week, but I'm happy with four in my first week and I struggle to see how I'll ever fit five runs in as resting in between runs is important.
Saturday 25 December 2010
A 57 minute long blip in the festival of over indulgence
Day: Six
Distance: 9.2km
Time: 57.24 secs
So much for taking it easy.
I'd agreed to go for a Christmas morning run with my brother-in-law Andy on the proviso that we took it easy. My interpretation of an easy run was 30 minutes on pavements/roads that had thawed out. Andy had other ideas.
Just over 9 kilometres in an hour may sound quite slow but our run took us over still icy pavements, across frozen fields and through woods where the snow was so compacted that we'd have been better off wearing ice skates instead of trainers. We would have made for a comical sight, but luckily most sensible people were still indoors shaking off a hangover, opening presents or putting the turkey in the oven.
I admit, it seems pretty weird to go for a run on Christmas day but I really enjoyed this run and it certainly made a change from the over indulgence more commonly associated with the festive period. Obviously, once we were back home we went straight back to eating and drinking too much. After all, it is Christmas.
Distance: 9.2km
Time: 57.24 secs
So much for taking it easy.
I'd agreed to go for a Christmas morning run with my brother-in-law Andy on the proviso that we took it easy. My interpretation of an easy run was 30 minutes on pavements/roads that had thawed out. Andy had other ideas.
Just over 9 kilometres in an hour may sound quite slow but our run took us over still icy pavements, across frozen fields and through woods where the snow was so compacted that we'd have been better off wearing ice skates instead of trainers. We would have made for a comical sight, but luckily most sensible people were still indoors shaking off a hangover, opening presents or putting the turkey in the oven.
I admit, it seems pretty weird to go for a run on Christmas day but I really enjoyed this run and it certainly made a change from the over indulgence more commonly associated with the festive period. Obviously, once we were back home we went straight back to eating and drinking too much. After all, it is Christmas.
Wednesday 22 December 2010
If you can't stand the Deep Heat ...
Day: Three
Distance: 8km
Time: 44:44 secs (though I walked for the last two mins)
The second run of my training plan called for "45 mins off-road/hilly". I'm training in London, which presents a couple of difficulties for this kind of run. Firstly, there aren't any large parks/wooded areas in SE1 where I work, so any kind of off-road run is somewhat difficult. Secondly, there aren't too many hills in the area either unless you count Tower Hill, which I don't.
Despite my best intentions to follow my training plan to the letter I had to get innovative and sort out a different route instead, so I ran the Vauxhall Bridge Loop. If nothing else, it's the right kind of length.
This run was notable for two occurrences in particular, one mildly embarrassing the other slightly worrying. As I noted in a previous post, I like to run to music and today was no different. As I came over Vauxhall Bridge and started running along the South Bank The Libertines' "I get along" began playing. If you don't know this song I've attached the video for it below. This is a good song for running as it "angries up the blood" (to quote Grandpa Simpson), but the incessant chorus of "get along, get along, get along, get along" demands a spirited singalong. The quizzical looks from passersby suggest that my singalong (complete with air drums) was more spirited than intended.
The second occurrence of note was that towards the end of the run I felt a twinge in my left ankle/achilles area. Not wanting to do myself any mischief at this early stage of training I decided to walk the final stretch (about 2 mins) and then proceeded to slap the Deep Heat on liberally. As I haven't played football (or any sport for that matter) regularly for years, I'd forgotten just how hot that stuff is! Still, I'm hoping that rest + Deep Heat = no lasting problems, but I think I'll take it easy on my next run.
Distance: 8km
Time: 44:44 secs (though I walked for the last two mins)
The second run of my training plan called for "45 mins off-road/hilly". I'm training in London, which presents a couple of difficulties for this kind of run. Firstly, there aren't any large parks/wooded areas in SE1 where I work, so any kind of off-road run is somewhat difficult. Secondly, there aren't too many hills in the area either unless you count Tower Hill, which I don't.
Despite my best intentions to follow my training plan to the letter I had to get innovative and sort out a different route instead, so I ran the Vauxhall Bridge Loop. If nothing else, it's the right kind of length.
This run was notable for two occurrences in particular, one mildly embarrassing the other slightly worrying. As I noted in a previous post, I like to run to music and today was no different. As I came over Vauxhall Bridge and started running along the South Bank The Libertines' "I get along" began playing. If you don't know this song I've attached the video for it below. This is a good song for running as it "angries up the blood" (to quote Grandpa Simpson), but the incessant chorus of "get along, get along, get along, get along" demands a spirited singalong. The quizzical looks from passersby suggest that my singalong (complete with air drums) was more spirited than intended.
The second occurrence of note was that towards the end of the run I felt a twinge in my left ankle/achilles area. Not wanting to do myself any mischief at this early stage of training I decided to walk the final stretch (about 2 mins) and then proceeded to slap the Deep Heat on liberally. As I haven't played football (or any sport for that matter) regularly for years, I'd forgotten just how hot that stuff is! Still, I'm hoping that rest + Deep Heat = no lasting problems, but I think I'll take it easy on my next run.
Monday 20 December 2010
Train in vain
Day: One
Distance: 5.85 km
Time: 31:43 secs
Well, I'd been planning to start my official training plan today. Unfortunately, the "Arctic conditions", "travel chaos" and ensuing "misery" so beloved of tabloid journalists in need of a negative story at this time of year meant that my training was in trouble before it had even begun.
I had originally planned to run from home into work, but the pavements close to home would be best described as treacherous. With that idea out the window I thought I'd bring my running gear into work in the hope that I'd be able to get out for a run at some point. Surprisingly, the conditions in the centre of town weren't much better so I was doubtful as to whether I'd be able to start training today.
At lunchtime I decided that I'd give it a try. After all, my training plan only called for "30 mins easy". That's 30 minutes of running at an easy tempo. I failed on both counts. Firstly, the Lambeth Bridge Loop at lunchtime is difficult at the best of times (what with all the tourists), but throw in the snowy and icy conditions and a packed out German Market on the South Bank and this run is decidedly less 'easy'. Secondly, because of the aforementioned conditions my run took 31:43 instead of 30 mins. Admittedly, that one's not so much a fail as over-delivery in terms of time but that route would take less time on a non-snowy day when the German Market ist geschlossen.
So, my training for the London Marathon has now begun. One day down, 127 to go. I hope the weather improves at some point.
Distance: 5.85 km
Time: 31:43 secs
Well, I'd been planning to start my official training plan today. Unfortunately, the "Arctic conditions", "travel chaos" and ensuing "misery" so beloved of tabloid journalists in need of a negative story at this time of year meant that my training was in trouble before it had even begun.
I had originally planned to run from home into work, but the pavements close to home would be best described as treacherous. With that idea out the window I thought I'd bring my running gear into work in the hope that I'd be able to get out for a run at some point. Surprisingly, the conditions in the centre of town weren't much better so I was doubtful as to whether I'd be able to start training today.
At lunchtime I decided that I'd give it a try. After all, my training plan only called for "30 mins easy". That's 30 minutes of running at an easy tempo. I failed on both counts. Firstly, the Lambeth Bridge Loop at lunchtime is difficult at the best of times (what with all the tourists), but throw in the snowy and icy conditions and a packed out German Market on the South Bank and this run is decidedly less 'easy'. Secondly, because of the aforementioned conditions my run took 31:43 instead of 30 mins. Admittedly, that one's not so much a fail as over-delivery in terms of time but that route would take less time on a non-snowy day when the German Market ist geschlossen.
So, my training for the London Marathon has now begun. One day down, 127 to go. I hope the weather improves at some point.
Thursday 16 December 2010
On running playlists
Music is a huge part of my life. A recent trawl through my Facebook status updates from 2010 suggested that music and marmite are the two things I talk about most often. That seems like a pretty fair summary.
Listening to music whilst running is one of life's pleasures. The right song at the right time can make a real difference to a run. So, with this in mind, creating a great playlist for when I'm running seemed like a crucial part of my training plan. The playlist I have at the moment features Biffy Clyro, Rage Against the Machine, AC/DC, Blur, The Ramones amongst others. The problem is that, at 2 hours in length, my playlist is no longer 'fit for purpose'. It was perfect for a half marathon, but I now need something to carry me for a full marathon.
As it's now the week before I start my 'official' training plan it seems like a good time to consider what to do with my playlist.
I thought I'd begin by having a look online for some inspiration and the first thing I found was this Runners World article. Any playlist that starts with guff like "Pump It" by the Black Eyed Peas isn't even worth considering. Sure, they redeem themselves somewhat by suggesting "You shook me all night long" by AC/DC, but then they go and blow it completely by recommending "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi as a "booster" song that "personally pumps you up". Pump me up? It's more likely to wind me up.
After the Runners World debacle I visited the London Marathon website and found the Virgin London Marathon Runners Top 10 playlist. It's not as bad as the Runners World article, but it'll be a cold day in hell before I run to the sound of "Eye of the Tiger". They've also suggested a Black Eyed Peas song. How is this in anyway helpful?
The Marathon website also has famous athletes' playlists. Liz McColgan's is just horrible - two Daniel Merriweather songs is surely two Daniel Merriweather songs too many. Iwan Thomas's is okayish and I think I'll borrow "House of Jealous lovers" by the Rapture from him. Veronique Marot (who?) put together an interesting list with Nirvana and Radiohead featuring, but "All Apologies" off of In Utero is in no way a song to run to. The best of the lot is by someone called David Bedford and features The Who, The Kinks and Blur among others. Having read this I can't believe my playlist doesn't already include "My Generation" or "You really got me". I'll be rectifying this sorry state of affairs shortly.
I then turned to a Guardian article written by two marathon runners. It gets off to a good start:
The second writer includes the Jam's "Town called Malice" on her playlist, which is a good idea and another one I'm going to borrow. She ruins it though by including Bon Jovi and annoys me by getting the title of the Killer's "Human" wrong.
So, after visiting three sites I have a grand total of four songs to add to my playlist. Not a great success rate given that I reckon I'll need somewhere in the region of 5 hours' worth of music in total. Evidently, relying on the internet isn't an option, so I'm hoping that if anyone actually reads this they might suggest some songs or bands that are going to give me the boost I need when I really need it.
WANTED: Inspired suggestions for my running playlist. Bon Jovi need not apply!
Listening to music whilst running is one of life's pleasures. The right song at the right time can make a real difference to a run. So, with this in mind, creating a great playlist for when I'm running seemed like a crucial part of my training plan. The playlist I have at the moment features Biffy Clyro, Rage Against the Machine, AC/DC, Blur, The Ramones amongst others. The problem is that, at 2 hours in length, my playlist is no longer 'fit for purpose'. It was perfect for a half marathon, but I now need something to carry me for a full marathon.
As it's now the week before I start my 'official' training plan it seems like a good time to consider what to do with my playlist.
I thought I'd begin by having a look online for some inspiration and the first thing I found was this Runners World article. Any playlist that starts with guff like "Pump It" by the Black Eyed Peas isn't even worth considering. Sure, they redeem themselves somewhat by suggesting "You shook me all night long" by AC/DC, but then they go and blow it completely by recommending "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi as a "booster" song that "personally pumps you up". Pump me up? It's more likely to wind me up.
After the Runners World debacle I visited the London Marathon website and found the Virgin London Marathon Runners Top 10 playlist. It's not as bad as the Runners World article, but it'll be a cold day in hell before I run to the sound of "Eye of the Tiger". They've also suggested a Black Eyed Peas song. How is this in anyway helpful?
The Marathon website also has famous athletes' playlists. Liz McColgan's is just horrible - two Daniel Merriweather songs is surely two Daniel Merriweather songs too many. Iwan Thomas's is okayish and I think I'll borrow "House of Jealous lovers" by the Rapture from him. Veronique Marot (who?) put together an interesting list with Nirvana and Radiohead featuring, but "All Apologies" off of In Utero is in no way a song to run to. The best of the lot is by someone called David Bedford and features The Who, The Kinks and Blur among others. Having read this I can't believe my playlist doesn't already include "My Generation" or "You really got me". I'll be rectifying this sorry state of affairs shortly.
I then turned to a Guardian article written by two marathon runners. It gets off to a good start:
Music is my constant companion when I run. It is there urging me forward when things get tough. It is there to put a smile on my face when the rain beats down and the wind steals my breath. And it is there to frame the sudden rushes of elation on those days when the blue skies and country views make me wonder why the whole world isn't outside running too. First comes a decent pair of shoes, and second comes a decent soundtrackAt last! A kindred spirit. His playlist is even pretty good and features RATM and Arctic Monkeys. He's mentioned some others that I'm less familiar with - Decemberists, Cold and the Mountain Goats - but seeing as how we're pretty much running soul mates I'm going to investigate his suggestions ...
The second writer includes the Jam's "Town called Malice" on her playlist, which is a good idea and another one I'm going to borrow. She ruins it though by including Bon Jovi and annoys me by getting the title of the Killer's "Human" wrong.
So, after visiting three sites I have a grand total of four songs to add to my playlist. Not a great success rate given that I reckon I'll need somewhere in the region of 5 hours' worth of music in total. Evidently, relying on the internet isn't an option, so I'm hoping that if anyone actually reads this they might suggest some songs or bands that are going to give me the boost I need when I really need it.
WANTED: Inspired suggestions for my running playlist. Bon Jovi need not apply!
Tuesday 14 December 2010
London (Marathon) Calling
What better way to celebrate turning 30 next year than putting myself through 26 miles 385 yards of physical pain and emotional torment? Well, I could have a party or organise the pub crawl to end all pub crawls, but that's going to have to wait until after 17th April 2011.
I'd always been sceptical about running a marathon. Obviously, it's an unbelievable achievement but much like scoring the winning goal in a Cup final, walking on the Moon or finding a cure for cancer it was an achievement that I could never realistically see adorning my CV. Over the last couple of years I've got into running and found, to my amazement, that I'm actually pretty good at it. I've now run numerous 10k races and I ran the Brentwood Half Marathon earlier this year so I now feel that I'm ready to tackle the aforementioned 26 miles 385 yards (or, for any European readers out there 42.195 kilometres).
Thanks should go to my employer, GfK NOP, for giving me a place in next year's London Marathon. I'll be running on behalf of Diabetes UK, who I hope to raise loads of money for. I'll be setting up a justgiving site in the New Year.
Much like marathons, I'd always been sceptical about writing a blog. I'm a self-confessed Luddite and have often wondered what people's motivations were in setting up blogs. My motivation is that I really want to document the progress that I make whilst training for the marathon and having a blog seemed like the best way to do it. This blog is intended to be an online diary that records my progress through my training plan right up to the big day. I'll also take the time to discuss such crucial elements of my training plan as the play list I'm developing to help keep me running on the day.
I'm not so vain as to suppose that many people, if any, will read this blog but in a way that's not the point. Much as I'd love people to read this and post their opinions I'll be happy to simply have a record of what I'm going to be doing over the next few months.
I'd always been sceptical about running a marathon. Obviously, it's an unbelievable achievement but much like scoring the winning goal in a Cup final, walking on the Moon or finding a cure for cancer it was an achievement that I could never realistically see adorning my CV. Over the last couple of years I've got into running and found, to my amazement, that I'm actually pretty good at it. I've now run numerous 10k races and I ran the Brentwood Half Marathon earlier this year so I now feel that I'm ready to tackle the aforementioned 26 miles 385 yards (or, for any European readers out there 42.195 kilometres).
Thanks should go to my employer, GfK NOP, for giving me a place in next year's London Marathon. I'll be running on behalf of Diabetes UK, who I hope to raise loads of money for. I'll be setting up a justgiving site in the New Year.
Much like marathons, I'd always been sceptical about writing a blog. I'm a self-confessed Luddite and have often wondered what people's motivations were in setting up blogs. My motivation is that I really want to document the progress that I make whilst training for the marathon and having a blog seemed like the best way to do it. This blog is intended to be an online diary that records my progress through my training plan right up to the big day. I'll also take the time to discuss such crucial elements of my training plan as the play list I'm developing to help keep me running on the day.
I'm not so vain as to suppose that many people, if any, will read this blog but in a way that's not the point. Much as I'd love people to read this and post their opinions I'll be happy to simply have a record of what I'm going to be doing over the next few months.
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