Run down

Just to let you know, I've not run since that 19 mile effort last Monday. I was feeling progressive worse during the week so much that on Thursday, I forced myself out of bed, showered and looked absolutely pasty that my boss told me I could go at lunchtime if I wanted to. I declined. Friday, I couldn't get out of bed after 8 hours sleep, called in sick. I had a bit of flu, but after resting all day and Saturday, I did manage to go out. I will train tomorrow though. One last week of training but I won't be running 20 miles at a time, though I am still considering the work-to-home project.

Catchup wrap (24/3/2008)

What I've not updated this for a few days. Anyways Easter holidays has almost passed. I did plan to run the full trip sometime over the Easter period but things have not quite worked out to plan. I did run 7.5 miles slowly in very windy conditions on Good Friday but felt tired, stopped at 1hr 12 mins. Been out and about over the weekend and managed to get in a run today, once again tried to see how far I can last out. I went at reasonable speed then started to go a bit quicker. I reached the same stage as Friday nearly 5 minutes quicker. In fact when I got to Surrey Quays (half-marathon trip) I was there bang on 2 hours. But then my legs started to die badly at 15 miles and really had nothing to give at about 2hr 50mins. So I can't seem to break 18 miles at this stage. I did walk about a couple of miles though so made to 20, I guess. But with 20 days left until the marathon. I have got big problems.

Daily Wrap (18/3/2008)

Weather not great yesterday so no training then. Weather not much better today. However, forced myself out to see the folks at Dartford Roadrunners. This time it was sprint training where I did a reasonably quick 400m, followed by a rest and then a 200m sprint and then a jog/rest for another 200m. I did 6 circuits but I was blowing hard after 4 or 5. Not too bad. I was passing a number of people on the 400m stretch and I figure reverting back 10km and 10 mile races may well be the way forward. We also did about a mile jogging there and back. So about 5 miles altogether but an intense 5 miles. I've gone back to my usual diet of fruit in the morning and protein/carbs during the day. I had a sausage/egg/bacon breakfast, chicken and chips for dinner. Lovely.

Daily Wrap (16/3/2008)

Quiet day, really, woke up sore. Weather was awful. Only had a few bits and pieces today.

Circle Line Challenge

The rules were changed at the last minute because I worked out it would have taken 8.5Km to run from Aldgate to Notting Hill Gate direct. So it was changed so that I would have to pass through every station on the circle line from the two points. Plus I had no map to guide me. The latter point perhaps proving the key to this challenge. As I got lost about three times, getting to Farringdon, King's Cross and Bayswater. As a consequence, I ended traveling further than I should, possibly 9 miles in the end. I finished up running for 1hr 25. My housemate completed one loop of the circle line in 55 minutes and finished his course in 1:22:30.
We later went to Nando's in the O2 stadium. Also had caesar salad, sushi and wonton soup.

Catchup Wrap (12/3/2008 - 15/3/2008)

Not a lot to report really. Been trying to eat more times during the day. I think I am fed up with pasta. I eat pasta salads so slowly. Generally, I have been eating cottage pies, chicken, soups, fruit and veg. Not had time to exercise. Work getting in the way slightly and also been trying to get more sponsors. I've gotten some support some family and friends. So I do feel a bit better about myself.

Today will the be Circle Line Challenge. Not sure if I mentioned the background to this. But many many years ago (possibly 1993), I challenged Chris the transport know-it-all that I could beat him getting around London without going through Zone 1 by bus. He did it in 6 hours and I did it in 4.5 hours. So today is effectively is rematch. I realised that Aldgate to Notting Hill is in fact 7.5 miles and not 8.5 miles, which does mean I think do I have an advantage. However, I've decided to negate that advantage by not taking a map. Hmm in fact, I may have misread it totally, it's 8.5km. Hmm just thought of a new rule for myself, I must pass through every station on the way to Notting Hill.

Daily Wrap (11/3/2008)

I finally got round to training with Dartford Roadrunners. It is a little bit of a mission getting there from Dartford station, particularly I had only 15 minutes to get there. So a light jog there. Anyways met some friendly people there. One guy I was talking to whilst warming up was new there. Anyways tonight was a time trial. I ran with someone for a lap. I went nice and easy and stretched on the second lap around Dartford town centre. I ended up finishing 4th. Much to my musement and luck, apparently there was some medals for finishing in the first three. John, the guy I warmed up with came first!
Mind you it was a short trip. I did 3 miles in about 23 minutes. I did some more running afterwards. I did about 5-6 miles in the end.

Still trying to eat like a pig. It's hard work honestly. I had a sausage in a roll, cottage pie, two sausage rolls, doritos, pasta salad, egg/macaroni/chicken/green beans.

Daily Wrap (10/3/2008)

I've been eating like mad today. I had weetabix minis for breakfast with some fruit (strawberries, blackberries, bananas). Then I had some sushi and baked potato with chili with a cup of tea. I had a twirl bar. I had more strawberries. I had a lucozade. I finished my sushi and then I had a milkshake. I only ate a chicken breast and some macaroni.

Weekend Wrap (9/3/2008)

I didn't too much on Saturday. In fact I was tired and didn't eat much. Sunday wasn't that much better though I did eventually have run and ran for a couple of hours (13.5 miles) but got tired and soaked again after a walk of a further couple of miles.

Daily Wrap (7/3/2008)

Not been feeling well. I've mostly felt tired and today I felt like death and grouchy. Particularly as I got a nice soaking after a quick downpour in the morning. Possibly I may need to rethink my eat anything strategy. My throat is dry. My feet are sore. I am still concerned about raising funds for charity.

Summary:
Exercising/Running: -
Food: Cottage Pie, Fruit, Beef in black bean sauce with rice, Chicken and baked potatoes

Daily Wrap (6/3/2008)

Summary
Exercising/Running: -
Food: Weetabix mini, cottage pie, lasgne/chips, scrambled eggs, veg/rice, porridge

Daily Wrap (5/3/2008)

Nothing to really report here. Resting my feet atm.
Summary
Exercising: -
Running: -
Food: weetabix minis, milk, cottage pie, crisps, fruit, Subway, cookie, chicken and sweet potato.

Daily Wrap (4/3/2008)

Still have a slight niggle on the right foot once more and besides went out tonight but managed to jog back from work and back from going out.

Summary
Exercising: -
Running: 50 minutes jogging (in total)
Food: Cottage Pie, Won ton soup, Fruit, Chicken'n'chips

Daily Wrap (3/3/2008)

Taking it easy today. Not in the best of moods, as I can't find my keys atm. I reckon I was so tired the other day when I got in from the last run that I placed it anywhere, which could be anywhere in the house.

Summary
Exercising: 100 sit-ups
Running: -
Food: Weetabix Minis, English Breakfast, Noodles, KFC, Milk

Daily Wrap (2/3/2008)

Happy mother's day to one and all. Hope you are good to your mother. I'm taking mine for some Vietnamese in Greenwich. I've already been there once today as "Benjy-vs-Wind Part II" went ahead. Another windy morning, today. Perhaps slightly calmer than yesterday. And today's tactic was just roll with the wind really and not fight it. Forget the time too. It didn't help I still felt a bit tired.

Interestingly, the exact same thing happened today that happened last Saturday. I had to stop as I felt pinching in my shoe at about the 7:30 mark (<1 mile). This is a really quick adjustment and I was ok. I needed to retie my laces though at about 13 miles. Once again I felt good at about 6 miles but my legs gradually got heavier and heavier. A couple of other runners passed me by at about 8 miles. One thing I really don't like is people passing me by. It's not their fault of course but I tend to lose my rhythm (and concentration) slightly either trying to keep up or thinking I am doing good, am I?
I got to Greenwich and decided to run round what would have been the Cutty Sark for a little extra mileage. My legs were gradually get heavier and heavier and I possibly felt the wall as felt I like stopping from about 14 to 15 miles onwards. But to use a paradox, I was really slowing down fast. I kept telling myself, "don't give up" and managed to get to the same point (excluding the cutty sark excursion) as last Saturday but I was running at the speed I use walk at, absolutely all at sea. So it was about 17.5 miles in almost 3 hours. Not bad as I wasn't feeling at all fresh. Not good as I wanted to push on to 20 miles at least.

Summary
Exercising: -
Running: 3 hours (17.5 miles)
Food: err... 2 mars refuel shakes, 2 lucozades... man that's crap so far... (tbc)

Daily Wrap (1/3/2008)

Well it's been very windy and believe me running in the blustery conditions is quite tough. I felt really tired as well and got fed up after 25 minutes running when my shoelaces came undone coming up a hill.

Summary
Exercising:
Running: 25 minutes (3 miles), 30 minutes walking.
Food: Egg, Harvester, Pasta.