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.