117 Days To Go

Date & Time : 29/12/09 10:00
Distance : 4.5 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 248 miles
Route & Stats: Crown Point Hill, Whittlingham Hall, Big Broad, Home

Just a quick trot/splash around the Big Broad and back. Still finding it difficult to find the time (or energy) for a longer run, but that shouldn't be a problem in the New Year.

Had my mum staying with us for a couple of days, which was great. Went to see the Robin Hood panto at the Theatre Royal in Norwich on Monday and it was really good, well good enough for me to stay awake nearly all the way through.

Tuesday we took the girls to the cinema in the afternoon to see Nativity, which for a family film was excellent and I managed to stay awake through the whole film.

120 Days To Go

Date & Time : 26/12/09 10:00
Distance : 4.5 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 243.5 miles
Route & Stats : Crown Point Hill, Whittlingham Hall, Big Broad, Home

Boxing Day morning run - why did I think that would be a good idea? Loads of rich food, champagne, wine, gin, port and about 30 chocolates the day before is not a good recipe for success. What it is a good recipe for is stomach cramps and low levels of energy. Still I managed to get home without the need for a Paula Pitstop and was glad to get another few miles in.

Later I went to Carrow Road to see Norwich beat Millwall 2-0 with a comfortable performance and 2 very good goals. With any luck we might pick up 12 points from 4 games over the holiday period and I think that may well leave in the 2nd automatic promotion place - we dare to dream.

122 Days To Go

Date & Time : 24/12/09 15:00  
Distance : 6 miles  
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 239 miles  
Route & Stats : Brackendale, Carrow Road, Riverside Road, Inner Ring Road, Grapes Hill (ouchy), Home


At last!!! The snow and ice have receeded enough for me to get out for a run. And what a good one it was too, 6 miles of pure running heaven, loved every minute of it, while listening to the appropriately named Blace Ice album by AC/DC (who else!). It's such a relief after 12 days off and wasn't anywhere near as hard as I expected it to be and sets me up a treat for the rest of Christmas Eve and some full on indulgence tomorrow. If all goes well I'll get out again on Boxing Day morning before heading off to Carrow Road.

Thanks to everyone who donated to my page for a chance to win the chocolates, all in all £260 was raised for CLIC Sargent and has really given my page a boost. Well done to Keith Talbot, who much to the delight of Mrs Talbot, walked off with the monster Hotel Chocolat box.

I fulfilled one of my lifetime ambitions last week when I attended a 'pop and rock star' themed fancy dress party, as Angus Young. I wasn't sure if anyone would recognise me, but to my surprise and delight quite a few people did and revealed themselves and closet AC/DC fans - for those about to rock we salute you!


Ok, just time to get showered and then off for my annual visit to church with the family for the Christingle service at St. Andrews in Trowse, it's a nice way celebrate the start of the Christmas festivities and most of the village seems to turn out. I am trying to persuade Mrs W, that a pit stop in the pub on our way home is a good idea.

Merry Xmas to one and all.

134 Days To Go

Date & Time : 12/12/09 09:30
Distance : 4 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 233 miles
Route & Stats : Crown Point Hill, Whittlingham Hall, Big Broad, Home

Just a quick one this morning, managed to average under 9 min miles which is good for me. Could only get half way round the broad due to flooding which was a pain.

As expected December is proving tricky, but hope to get a decent long run in next saturday.

137 Days To Go

Date & Time : 09/12/09 17:45
Distance : 4.5 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 229 miles
Route : Hall Road, Ipswich Road, Ring Road loop x 2

This was my second training session with Paul Evans and he had us doing interval training. That's running at 90% of your top speed for 1 minute then 40% for 3 or 4 mins, then 90% again for another minute and so on and so forth.

I have to say that even though I was blowing out of my a**e, I did enjoy it and it certainly is a good way to get the heart rate up quickly. Over time the idea is to gradually extend the 'effort' time and reduce the 'recovery' time and your overall speed increases, well that's the theory anyway.

As expected, in December its becoming difficult to stick to a training routine, so I think the best plan is just to keep things ticking over until January. Will try and get in a decent run on Saturday morning and then its the over 40's footie on Sunday.

140 Days To Go

Date & Time : 06/12/09 10:00
Distance : 7.5 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 224.5 miles
Route : Discovery House, Hall Road, Marston Lane, Eaton, Round House Way, Colney Lane and back

So the run with the Virgin runners turned out to be the run with the Virgin runner. It was absolutely shocking weather as Michael and I set off from Disco House and by the time we'd reach Eaton we were both soaked to the skin. We covered the first 3 or 4 miles at a brisk (well for me anyway) 8 mins per mile and then I eased off a bit back to 9 min miles and let Michael shoot off at his pace. It was a nice route, fairly flat and not much traffic to worry about. Wouldn't mind trying it again in better weather.

I started to plan my training for the New Year today. I am looking to supplement the normal training runs with a few organised events and here is my starter for 10,

01/01/10 Wymondham 10k
21/02/10 Bungay Black Dog Great East Run 20k
07/03/10 Wymondham 20m (eeek)
21/03/10 Broadland Half Marathon
04/04/10 Trowse 10k

Will also need to fit in a 22 miler somewhere!!!

But not worrying about that yet, just need to get through December by getting 2 or 3 decent runs a week dodging between the parties and the hangovers.

143 Days To Go

Date & Time : 03/12/09 06:15
Distance : 5 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 217 miles
Route : Brackendale, Carrow Road, Riverside, Whitefriars, King Street, Home

First run since the half marathon and not very enjoyable. I had intended to run Wednesday evening but due to work stuff I couldn't so decided on an early morning run instead. Weather cold wet and miserable and my legs felt a bit wooden. But I managed to get round and was glad to get a few miles in anyway.

Planning a longer run on Sunday morning with a few fellow Virgin runners, which I am looking forward to.

Issy's sporting achievements are going from strength to strength, as she won a touch rugby tournament with her school. The comments on her certificate was 'great team play and good positioning'. Lovely.

147 Days To Go

Date & Time : 29/11/09 11:00
Distance : 13 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 212 miles
Route : Norwich Half Marathon

What a great experience. I was a little nervous before the start, but my preparation had gone well and even my pre-race pee was timed to perfection. The weather was foul leading up to the start of the race, but literally as the runners stepped onto the start the sun came out and it could not have been better conditions.

One mistake I did make was lining up too far back in the pack with the rest of the 2 hour estimates, most of whom were lying I found out and therefore spent the first 2 or 3 miles trying to get past quite a lot of slower runners, which I think probably cost be a minute or two.


The first half of the race went really well. I was pleased with my pace, averaging 9 min miles, which is about 30 secs faster than my normal training pace. I crossed the half way point exactly on the hour. As I started my second lap I got a real boost when I saw Lorraine and the girls and Karen and Anna cheering me on.

The second half also went well. At about 9 miles I started to feel it in my legs a bit, but thought back to some advice I had been given that morning, which was to relax and enjoy it. I found the inclines much easier to deal with than the downhill sections and found that I was making up a lot of time and ground on the runners around me. Must be all that up hill training that I do starting out from Trowse.

11 to 12 miles was a bit of a struggle up the hill, but once I got to the top I had a really great last mile into the showground for the finish, and really motored down the finishing straight. Last time I did this race, 10 years ago, I had a horrible last couple of miles so it was great to finish so strongly this time and it a great confidence boost for the marathon next April.


Overall I really loved it, and can't wait for the next one, if anything I wish I had started further up the field and gone a bit faster, then I might have had a chance of breaking 2 hours. I'll also take more Jelly Babies next time, I was giving myself a treat every 2 miles, but ran out after 8 miles - poor planning!


Time 2:00:19.
Position 1399 out of 2233.
Position in category M40 - M44 199.

149 Days To Go

Date & Time : 27/11/09 19:15

Distance : 3 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 199 miles
Route : Brackendale, Ber Street, Queens Road, Home

Just a leg loosener tonight in preparation for the half marathon on Sunday, which I am really looking forward to, which probably means it will be horrible.

CLIC Sargent came into Virgin Money today to tell us about what they do. I am so glad I am running for them they are an amazing charity. The following video gives you an idea of some of the great things they do. If you like what you see and want to support them, then why not sponsor me for a few pounds and then you will be safe in the knowledge that my months of hard work and (mild) suffering will be doing some good where it is really needed most.

151 Days To Go

Date & Time : 25/11/09 18:00
Distance : 7 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 196 miles
Route : Hall Road, Ipswich Road, Ring Road loop x 3

I joined the Virgin Runners for the first time tonight which was really good. We were joined by local running legend Paul Evans who is going to coach and advise us for a few weeks. It was a good run and just what I needed to get the stiffness out of my legs after my 10 miler on Friday and playing footie on Sunday. I'm pretty much all set for the Norwich half marathon on Sunday, although a short leg loosener on Friday or Saturday might be a good idea.

Sunday turned out to be a really interesting day. Got up very early to take Issy to her first ever Hockey tournament at Harlesden Hockey Club. It was her team's (Norwich Dragons U11's) first ever tournament and bless them they tried hard without much success. By the time I had to leave they had played 7 of their 9 games and a nil nil draw was the best result by a long way. However, they battled hard and seemed to be enjoying themselves, despite the foul weather. When I got home later that evening, Issy came running out to the car "Daddy we won a game", I was so pleased for her, made me feel very proud, then she said "the other team were really bad!", which made me smile as I gave her a big hug.

I went straight from the Hockey tournament to my football match, for my beloved Norwich Hotspur. I won't dwell on the details here, the game itself was great, however the circumstances of the afternoon led to both local and (allegedly) national press coverage of the game. Click on the links below to follow the story.

Norwich Hotspur Match Report

Norwich Evening News

156 Days To Go

Date & Time : 20/11/09 18:45
Distance : 10 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 189 miles
Route : Brackendale, Riverside Road, Inner Ring Road, Dereham Road, Earlham Road, Bluebell Road, Newmarket Road, Home

Running 10 miles on a Friday night. Dedicated or sad? Probably sadly dedicated is the answer. There is definitely a feeling of self righteousness as well as a bloody sore right ankle. I'll make up for it tomorrow night with a nice chinese take away and bottle of red.

This was my last long run before the half marathon next Sunday and I was hoping that I would be able to get round completely pain free which I nearly did apart from the last mile. Anyway I'll ease off a bit next week and just do a couple of 4 or 5 milers and then I'll be set fair for the race.

I have a Norwich Hotspur match this Sunday and we need to bounce back from a 10-0 humiliation last time out. We have a decent squad for the game and I am expecting a win. Will probably only play a half myself with one eye on the following Sunday.

159 Days To Go

Date & Time : 17/11/09 19:45
Distance : 7.5 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 179 miles
Route : Brackendale, Carrow Road, Riverside Road, Inner Ring Road, Grapes Hill (ouchy), Unthank Road, Outer Ring Road, Home

Felt really up for this one tonight and literally bound around the 7.5 miles feeling strong all the way from start to finish. Really starting to convince myself that sub 2 hours might be possible for the half marathon a week on Sunday, however I will need to be on top form for that and injury free of course.

I've been asked to play in a work 5-a-side tournament 2 days after the half marathon which will either be a great way to run the stiffness out of my legs or a bloody disaster. The team I am playing in is a mixture of experience and ..... um, errrr even more experience, with Ron The Cat Black in goal, Shutout Arnold and Chris No-Nonsense Holliday in defence with myself and Kev Cantona Parsons making up the numbers. In honour of Ron's hirsuteness and Kev P's passion for Man Utd, we've adopted the team name of Man Chest Hair United - genius.

161 Days To Go

Date & Time : 15/11/09 14:15
Distance : 9 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 171.5 miles
Route : Brackendale, Queens Road, Earlham Road, Bluebell Road, Eaton Golf Course, Hall Road, Sandy Lane, White Horse Road, Home

This afternoon was a real triumph of mind over body. Having had a great night out with friends last night at Pinnochios I was feeling less than enthusiastic at the prospect of pulling on my trainers and getting out their on the streets.

With the two older girls happily playing in their bedroom and Imogen having her afternoon sleep it was all setup for me to hit the sofa and have a nice afternoon snooze. We'd already been out for a family walk around the broad this morning so I could have easily have given myself the afternoon off.

But giving myself the afternoon off is not going to get me round 26.2 miles on 25th April, so out came the lycra, on went the anti-chaffing cream and trainers and 1 hour and 30 mins later I had a pretty good 9 miles under my belt.

163 Days To Go

Date & Time : 13/11/09 20:15
Distance : 4 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 162.5 miles
Route : Brackendale, Ber Street, Chapplefield, Queens Road, Home

I have learnt a key lesson about marathon training tonight - do not run 1.5 hours after eating a king prawn curry.

Here's a thing though - I found myself in JJB at lunchtime buying gum shields for Issy and Ellie. No they have not taken up boxing, but have started hockey training which I think is great. They've not shown much interest in team sports in the past, mostly into dancing and horse riding, so I am secretly quite pleased about it and hope they stick with it.

166 Days To Go

Date & Time : 10/10/09 20:00
Distance : 6 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 158.5 miles
Route : Brackendale, Carrow Road, Riverside Road, Inner Ring, Queens Road, Home

Not especially enjoyable tonight, felt a bit laboured and a tight left calf muscle was annoying. But nonetheless I got round and my work is done for a couple of days.

Listened to probably the most boring football commentary ever with Norwich playing at Swindon in the Johnstones Paint Football League Trophy Southern Section Area Quarter Final or JPFLTSSAQF for short. Dull game finished nil nil but we're through on penalties and that's another step closer to Wembley, in fact it's only 3 wins away from Wembley on March 28th - this League 1 football is not so bad afterall. The draw for the next round is on Saturday morning and I will be looking forward to who we get in the JPFLTSSASF (you see what I've done there!).

167 Days To Go

Date & Time : 09/11/09 19:00
Distance : 4 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 152.5 miles
Route : Brackendale, Ber Street, Chapplefield, Queens Road, Home

Do you know I actually felt like I was running for the first time tonight, instead of my run ugly slow jog. I averaged under 9 min miles and felt very good for the whole 4 miles. The problem is I'll start getting it into my head that I will be able to break 2 hours for the half marathon in 3 weeks time, which will probably only lead to disappointment.

I'm glad that run went well as my enthusiasm had started to curb in direct proportion to the air temperature. So I decided to take positive action and bought some thermal running gear today and it's great and it's called 'under armour' how cool is that!


And yes it looks exactly like that when I am wearing it too, probably.

p.s. well done to The Hayemaker and NCFC for great performances on Saturday.

169 Days To Go

Date & Time : 07/11/09 09:00
Distance : 9 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 148.5 miles
Route : Crown Point Hill, Whittlingham Hall, Big Broad x 2

Nice run this morning, very good first lap (4.5 miles) slightly tougher second lap. Feeling comfortable at this distance now. No real aches or pains, although the beginnings of a beauty of a blister on my left foot.

I entered the Norwich half marathon this week which is on 29/11/09 so will focus my training on that for now, I'd like to break 2 hours but will need to be at my best to achieve that. The last and only time I ran it was 10 years ago just after Isobel had been born and would have broken 2 hours then if it wasn't for that damn hill at the end. I believe they have changed the course now so that the hill is no longer part of the race - I hope that is true.

Going to enjoy the rest of the day, Norwich are on the telly at lunch time in the first round of the FA Cup against non-league Paulton, surely we can't mess that up, can we?

Then we've got friends round later for fireworks, hot dogs and a couple of beers (or mulled wine) and finally I'll settle down to watch the heavyweight world boxing fight David Haye v Nikolai Valuev - have you seen him, he's a monster. Come on 'The Haymaker'.

Remember folks - never return to a lit firework, especially if you got them from Homebase on 'buy one get one free offer'.

173 Days To Go

Date & Time : 03/11/09 20:30
Distance : 9 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 139.5 miles
Route : Brackendale, Ber Street, Earlham Road, Bluebell Road, Newmarket Road, Ring Road, Home

I ended up going a bit further than I expected, had originally intended to do about 6 miles and ended up with 9, mainly because I forgot to map the run in advance which is a bit of a schoolboy error. But saying that I was pleased to get another longish run under my belt.

Not quite so terrified of the prospect of the marathon now that I have got a few long runs in, in a short space of time - I've done 26 miles in 4 days this week without any real side effects, apart from gradually turning into a running geek. My friend Nigel keeps telling me "There is only one thing more boring than running, and that's listening to people talk about running". I think he is probably right, and there is perhaps one thing more boring than talking about running and that is blogging about running! However this is all part of my training methodology, so tough, I will persevere and I know that Mrs Nigel reads it and enjoys it - Karen don't forget to update Nigel on my progress!.

p.s. enjoy the "Highway to Hell" video over there on the right.

174 Days To Go

Date & Time : 02/11/09 21:30
Distance : 4 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 130.5 miles
Route : Brackendale, Ber Street, Chapplefield, Queens Road, Home

Just a short one tonight, tried to push on a bit to work on my pace and it felt great. Averaged just over 9 minute miles, not bad considering there is several climbs on this route. I like the fact that 4 miles feels like a short run now.

The only problem running at this time of night is that you don't get tired and end up staying up watching The Apprentice USA until 1am. Donald Trump has got nothing on Sir Alan, and as for the US version of Nick and Margaret - not even in the same league.

I entered the Norwich Half Marathon tonight so all my training will now be focusing towards the 29/11. Really looking forward to it, just hope I don't pick up any niggles between now and then.

176 Days To Go

Date & Time : 30/10/09 14:45
Distance : 13 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 126.5 miles
Route : Crown Point Hill, Whittlingham Hall, Big Broad x 3

13 miles, yes 13 that's half a marathon you know. And it didn't feel too bad, was fairly slow, but that was the intention. Ran out of daylight which was a bit of a problem down the back straight of the broad. Fortunately I didn't run into any 'dogging' activity, probably because it was a bit early for that. Then felt a bit queasy after downing two bottles of Lucozade Sport. But apart from that it was all good.

It's a huge psychological barrier to get through and I still have just under 6 months to go, although I know it's going to get a lot harder as the weather starts to deteriorate.

And Norwich won 3-1 away at Stockport which was nice, taking us up to 5th in the league. I'll have to start thinking about getting on the band wagon again soon. Looking forward to a day off tomorrow watching my nephew play West Ham for the Norwich acadamy U12s and then out to Big Kev's for tea.

177 Days To Go

Date & Time : 30/10/09 06:15
Distance : 4.5 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 113.5 miles
Route : Crown Point Hill, Whittlingham Hall, Big Broad, Home

What a beautiful autumn morning. Really lovely run. Can't wait until tomorrow afternoon when I am going for a big one. This is what a beautiful autumn morning looks like round our way.

Off for a Thai meal with the current Mrs W tonight, haven't had either for ages ;)

179 Days To Go

Date & Time : 28/10/09 06:30
Distance : 4.5 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 109 miles
Route : Crown Point Hill, Whittlingham Hall, Big Broad, Home

The first before work run I had done for a while and I enjoyed it despite having wooden legs for the first half mile up the hill. The two ladies walking their dog must have thought there was something wrong with me with all my running gear and gadgets as I lumbered past them. In football there is a term 'win ugly' which is winning a game after playing badly - I think I have invented 'run ugly'.

Anyway going again tomorrow morning, then planning a long one on Saturday afternoon, hopefully 13 miles! Will also give my newly acquired VLM running jacket a road test - thanks Michael.

Will also start promoting my fundraising page at the weekend, so get those credit cards out and revved up please.

181 Days To Go

Date & Time : 26/10/09 19:15
Distance : 6 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 104.5 miles
Route : Inner Ring Road x 1

That's the hundred up - yaaaayyyy! Felt crap at work all day but decided to go for a run anyway, which is the best thing I could have done. It cleared my head completely and I felt ten times better afterwards. I felt strong for the full 6 miles, so will try for at least 10 tonight.

Watched The Damned United last night which features Michael Sheen as Brian Clough and his ill fated 44 days in charge of Leeds United in 1974. I thought it was really good, even though it didn't get great reviews - a must for any Cloughie fan. He also played David Frost in Frost/Nixon which is an excellent film.

183 Days To Go

Date & Time : 24/10/09 08:00
Distance : 6.5 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 98.5 miles
Route : Crown Point Hill, Whittlingham Hall, Big Broad, Martineau Lane, White Horse Lane, Home

This was a good one despite having a head cold / man flu whatever you want to call it. Got out early, a little drizzle in the air, no wind, perfect conditions. Might go again tonight (Sunday) just to get through 100 mile barrier.

On Friday Lorraine and I went to the school assembly as both Issy and Ellie had been awarded star pupil certificates for the half term, it made us both very proud to listen to what was said about them - we must be doing something right.

Yesterday afternoon I was a VIP at Carrow Road courtesy of Aviva and a couple of tickets that Guzzy and I won in an auction at Big Kev's charity golf day back in September. It was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, even though the football wasn't great we got the right result beating Swindon 1-0 to take us up to 5 in the table - and Ipswich failed to win again :)

187 Days To Go

Date & Time : 19/10/09 20:15
Distance : 6 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 92 miles
Route : Brackondale, Rose Lane, Riverside Road, Ketts Hill (ouchy), Plumstead Road, Harvey Lane, Home

This marathon training business can be tough not just physically but mentally as well. I experienced both on this run.

Having played football (badly, but that's another blog) on Sunday my legs felt heavy before I started, and after only 50 yards I felt a twinge at the top of my right leg and thought "shall I turn back and not bother tonight, after all I have enough excuses, it's late, I'm injured, my legs ache, I've had a big tea, there is always tomorrow". I was very close to stopping .... but I didn't.

I kept going and eventually completed a slow and painful 6 miles but mentally I had been strong and my will power kept me going which felt great. Well done me.

190 Days To Go

Date & Time : 17/10/09 11:15
Distance : 6 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 86 miles
Route : Grove Walk, Eaton Park and back

I dropped Issy and Ellie off for their weekly dance lesson and then headed out towards Eaton Park. I decided to push on a bit today in terms of pace and it went reasonably well, managing just over 9 min miles for all but the last one. A couple of laps around Eaton Park was good.

Last night was the FOTS (Friends of Trowse School) Quiz and Chips night, which incidently was my 4th night out in a row this week, and I am starting to feel the effects. Our team 'The Desperate Trowse Wives' finished 3rd out of 11 teams which is a very respectable outcome - should have been 2nd but we blew the final round, probably due to the beer and wine starting to take effect and no likes the winners in these sort of things.

My 5th and last night out in row is a dinner party at the Blazer's tonight - I think it's Indian themed so expect one of Big Kev's special currys will be on the menu.

Need to get a few good runs in next week - I am hoping to do a 13 miler next weekend, but we'll see how the week progresses before making that decision.

193 Days To Go

Date & Time : 14/10/09 06:45
Distance : 4 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 80 miles
Route : 1 Lap of Hyde Park

Having spent 2 nights in London celebrating the launch of virginmoneygiving.com I knew it was going to be difficult to fit any running in, not least due to the fact that alcohol and food would be consumed in abundance.

So I forced myself out of bed at 6am on Wed morning having only had 5 hours sleep and headed across the road to Hyde Park. The run itself turned out to be quite nice, the park was literally teeming with runners.


This is what the The Serpentine looks like at 7:20am on a damp grey morning in October. By the end of the day I had witnessed Sir Richard Branson dancing the 'Running Man' in a lion suit, and had partied with the great and the good at the Kensignton Roof Gardens, http://bit.ly/2uh57a.
It was a good day.

197 Days To Go

Date & Time : 10/10/09 08:30
Distance : 6.5 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 76 miles
Route : Crown Point Hill, Whittlingham Hall, Big Broad, Martineau Lane, White Horse Lane, Home

Well I did it, 26.5 miles in a week and no aches or pains to show for it, which is a massive confidence booster - just need to gradually piece it all together now.

Next week is going to be difficult for training due to work commitments in London and various events celebrating the launch of Virgin Money Giving, which has pretty much consumed my life for the last 15 months or so.

Looking forward to playing football tomorrow for NHFC, although an away trip to Kings Lynn is not the most glamourous fixture on the calendar which must surely be Cromer Crabs away in April next year!

199 Days To Go

Date & Time : 08/10/09 06:15
Distance : 4.5 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 69.5 miles
Route : Crown Point Hill, Whittlingham Hall, Big Broad, Home

Lovely run this morning, a beautiful crisp fresh morning, not a cloud in the sky, started under stars and finished in the early morning sunshine. Lovely run.

The broad looked stunning as the sun started to come up. I had to stop and take a picture.


Went an open evening tonight at Framlingham Earl High School to have a look at the school Issy will be attending next year, liked what I saw and Issy seemed to really like it, saying that she can't wait to go. Where did the last 10 years go?

201 Days To Go

Date & Time : 06/10/09 19:30
Distance : 7.5 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 65 miles
Route : Brackendale, Carrow Rd, Inner Ring Rd, Grapes Hill (ouch), Unthank Rd, Outer Ring Rd, Home

Another good run, nothing to brag about in terms of time, but pleased that I'm getting some decent distances under my belt within a short period of time - going to try and do 26 miles this week, but that could be tricky with football on Sunday afternoon, will need to get 5 miles in Thu morning before work and again on Saturday. It's good to have a plan.

Norwich won again tonight, away at Gillingham in the Johnstones Paint Trophy - only 4 more wins and its a day out at Wembley for us.

My little girl, Imogen, wasn't well last week - turned out that she had German Measles and it really knocked her out. However, its lovely to see her almost back to normal tonight, toddling about, saying 'hello' a lot (that's her only word really) and emptying all the cupboards. Made me smile.

203 Days To Go

Date & Time : 04/10/09 09:15
Distance : 9 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 57.5 miles
Route : Crown Point Hill, Whittlingham Hall, Big Broad, Home x 2

So pleased with my run today, it's the furthest I've been since doing a half marathon 10 years ago, and I felt pretty good at the end of it, although getting the odd twinge of cramp this afternoon. It was a beautiful morning round by the lake and not too busy either.

Discovering the joys of audiobooks on my iPhone recently has really helped and I find them much better to listen to than music and it really helps me take my mind of the running itself. Just finished Touching The Void (Joe Simpson) and Shawshank Redemption (Stephen King) and now half way through The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown) - I must get something more educational next - maybe Bill Brysons, A Short History of Nearly Everything or something WWII related.

Great game a Carrow Road yesterday, Norwich beating Bristol Rovers 5-2, that's 5 goals in both league games that I have been to this season.

206 Days To Go

Date & Time : 01/10/09 06:15
Distance : 4.5 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 48.5 miles
Route : Whittlingham Lane, Big Broad, Home

I'm in. Got my place in the 2010 VLM through the back door lucky buggers ballot, missed out on the main ballot but got one of the 1,000 places in the Bequest Draw, not bad considering that must be a 1 in 100 chance.

This mornings run was not pleasant, found it a real drag to get out of bed and then felt like I was running with wooden legs for the whole 4.5 miles. Had a good day at work though and having found out that I have a place I am more motivated than ever so will run again tomorrow morning to rid me of the bad run demons.

Also planning at least an 8 mile at the weekend - will have to be earlish Sunday morning due to family stuff and the fact that I am going for a few beers and a curry tomorrow night - I suppose that will have to stop soon.

208 Days To Go

Date & Time : 29/09/09 20:00
Distance : 6 miles
Total Training Distance (since beginning Sept 09) : 43 miles
Route : Brackendale, Unthank Rd, Ring Road, Home

I should find out any day now if I have a ballot place for the 2010 Virgin London Marathon or whether I take up the fallback option of one of the Virgin Money employee places - either way I'm pretty sure that I'm in.

Did 6 slow miles tonight while listening to Norwich v Leyton Orient, it was nil nil when I finished but amazingly by the time I had completed my stretches we had won 4-0, could be a real turning point in the season. Looking forward to going to FCR on Saturday now.

Got round the 6 miles without too much trouble, considering I played football on Sunday, need to get a breathable hi-vis running jacket though. Started to get a slight stinging feeling in one toe, which is a bit odd, but no blister.