Turnip head. This week I will slow down

That’s what I keep telling myself every Sunday at 8:55AM. I know I can’t continue at this pace and hope to complete a marathon so I give myself a stern talking to and make myself promise to slooooww down. But then as soon as we start it’s “off with head, on with turnip” and I’m back to killing myself and clock watching, what a pillock.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m happier than a dog with 2 ……..bones but I can’t help thinking it’s wrong. Consider the facts;
BG ½ 2006 13.1 miles 2hr 25mins = 11 min/miles
31st Dec 9.8 miles 1hr 38mins = 10.0 min/miles
7th Jan 11.2 miles 1hr 45mins = 9.4 min/miles
14th Jan 11.9 miles 1hr 46mins = 8.9 min/miles
21st Jan 13.3 miles 2hr 05mins = 9.4 min/miles
28th Jan 14 miles 2hr 07mins = 9 min/miles

Now my knowledge of mathematics is fairly rudimentary (There are only 3 types of mathematicians; good ones and bad ones) but it seems that the further I run the faster I get. That can’t be good for me so from now on if you see me running too fast please do me a favour and trip me up. So sorry Trish, you may be on your own from now on. Or maybe not. Having said all that I will be doing the Chichester 10k on the 4th Feb and I will be going all out to improve on my PB of 57:30. We shall see.

Psychologically the runs are definitely getting harder. I have a copy of the FLM course on my fridge and as some of you may know I use it to introduce virtual landmarks on the run. For example, when I started flagging this week I visualised crossing Tower Bridge (as I passed the Real Cornish Pasty Shop in West Street) before hanging a right to run alongside the Thames (Guildford Road). I then found myself gazing at Canary Wharf which miraculously appeared somewhere over BBH before finishing alongside the Rotherhithe Tunnel (Tesco’s Car Park). Is this normal or should I seek therapy.

While we’re on the subject of insanity I am missing the track sessions. It was cancelled on Thursday due to an icy track and I shall be away this Thursday and will miss out again. My total mileage for the year is now 108 miles which is equivalent to Horsham to Coventry and by 8:00PM Tuesday I should be in Solihull, let joy be unconfined. Methinks running is taking over my life.

Weekly mileage: 23.9 (didn’t run Wednesday, bad dog!)
Long run: 14 miles
Weight: for it
FGI: 9

Quote of the week:
I do not run to add days to my life, I run to add life to my days.
Ronald Rook

Until next week,
N

A new force arrives on the track & “Is this a Jogger I see before me?"

“Is this a Jogger I see before me….or art thou but a jogger of the mind, a false creation?”

Oh do be quiet Will, what do you know about running? Before today’s run I worked out that as I passed the cricket pitch in Byfleets Lane on the return leg it would be the equivalent to going over Tower Bridge in the “Virtual Marathon”. It’s one of those iconic images that we’re all familiar with on the telly (the bridge, not BBH Cricket Club) and it still seems a little unreal that I’ll be there for real in April (touch wood).

I have to say I struggled for the first time today especially along Strood Lane after we got off of the A281. Thankfully Trish was on hand to help pass the time; I must also say it was a gutsy effort from her to complete her first 13 miler while putting up with my delirious babbling. Well done & thank you. Thanks also to the days provender, Ann.

By my reckoning it was 13.3 miles today with just over 750ft of ascent. In comparison the Barns Green ½ is only 630ft so I was pretty pleased to take 20 minutes off of my 06 BG time. Next Sunday is a new route courtesy of yours truly, I know how you all missed doing Hammerpond on the 12 miler so I’ve incorporated part of it into the 14 miler just to keep you all happy. No need to thank me.

The speedwork session this week was livened up by 2 events. First we had Eileen “Hollywood” Quinton being filmed by the BBC for a forthcoming programme. We were promptly inveigled into “performing” for the cameras and I’m pretty sure that our showbusiness lap was the fastest lap of the night. I just hope they got my best side, “Teeth and t*t’s everyone!”. Rumour has it that Dame Helen’s coming down next week to coach us on how to run whilst wearing a tiara and carrying 2 Golden Globes. Steady there, that’s enough of your smut Jen. Thanks for the donation by the way.

The second event saw the birth of a new group of uber-atheletes. Running sets of 800’s on your own can be pretty gutting but this is a problem no longer as we now have Z-Group, hurrah! I must thank Zoe for providing guidance and encouragement to all of us track newbies. She was taking no prisoners and secretly I think she quite likes it. “TRACK, out of the way Keith!”.

Weekly Mileage: 26.7
Long Run: 13.3
Weight: 96.9kg
FGI: 7.5

Quote of the week:
I always loved running... it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs.
Jesse Owens

See you all Tuesday,
N

Damning with faint praise

I know I’m a little tardy with the blog again, how slovenly. Maybe it’s because I’ve been too busy RUNNING for heavens sake! I’m writing this in my hotel room having just completed a run in Solihull del Sol, there’s commitment for you. Still, at least I got a decent kipper tie and I’m about to hit the mixers, whatever that means.

I really enjoyed the 12 miler on Sunday, it made a difference to see that big yellow thing in the sky again and I managed to negotiate the route in good order thanks largely to encouragement from Ron H. In fact I got round so quickly that Chairman G and Alan Sweatman were only just leaving the car park as I trotted in (although I’m guessing they did have time to shower and wash their hair). According to my calculations it was 11.9 miles in 1hr 46mins which equates to, wait for it: 8.9 minute/miles!! Well go to the foot of our stairs, where did that come from, an 8 point something? Yes I know it’s a point 9 but I’ve got to start somewhere. Track training is improving also with 6 sets of 800 on Thursday in an average of 3:45.

The race schedule is firming up, a bit like my ar nooooooo TMI! I’m doing the Chichester 10k on Feb 4th, Silverstone ½ on 18th March and the Worthing 20 on April Fools Day (insert your own devastatingly witty quip here). Oh, and apparently there’s something on the 22nd April as well.

Weekly mileage: 25.8
Long run: 11.9
Weight: 75618.56 Scruples (UK,apoth. It’s a genuine unit of measure, honest!)
FGI: Got to be a 9

Motivational Quote:
“You must always aim for the moon, even if you know you can only hit the Sh1thouse door.”

Finally a “D” group reminder, the Valentines Run in Southwater is confirmed for Feb 11th and the deal is this. Run it or marshal it! There can be no exceptions and I will accept no excuses whatsoever. The entry fee is only £2 so take a deep breath and do it for the greater glory of the club

N

Just another day in paradise?

Well, week 2 of training squared away and the good news is today's 11 miler went without a hitch. The bad news is that in my "virtual" marathon I'm still in bloody Rotherhithe, I was so looking forward to Bermondsey too but patience never was my strong point.

Once again the weather was perfect for marathon training, ducks and Southern Water but awful if you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder. No complaints from me though, caring soul that I am.

This was followed by lunch with my Physio friend & families. I took her advice on re-hydrating very seriously and proved it by pouring just enough Chimay and wine down my neck. It seemed rude not to and anyway I reckon I'm worth it.

I should be around this Tuesday (small possibility of jetting off to Tamworth but unlikely) and Thursday I'll be back on the track. See what you've started Gordon?

Weekly mileage: 25.4
Long run: 11.2
Weight: 98.9kg
FGI: 8
(Ooohh, do you think that's a bit too Bridget Jones?)

I was particularly pleased to see that one of my work colleagues donated to my justgiving page this week until I saw the accompanying message: aut vincere aut mori. Now I never been done much of that learning stuff but I reckon that's victory or death. Charming.

Finally this week's quote:
Some of the world's greatest feats were accomplished by people not smart enough to know they were impossible. - Doug Larson

Until next time,
N