Clapham Chasers

Haven't done a blog update in a while, so it is time for me to update you on what's going on.

The main thing that's happened is that I have joined the Clapham Chasers. The Chasers are a friendly running club based (surprisingly!) in Clapham ... well actually we meet at the Nuffield Gym in Battersea but its all the same kind of area.

So to date, I have been to the Chasers Monday Night Social Run three times. Here are some high level comments from each of those runs:

Run 1 - 10 October - Two Commons Route

I joined the Chasers as they meet on a monday night close to my work. I wasn't sure how long it would take, but I arrived very early - as it was only a 5 - 10 minute drive.

The first monday, there were about 20 of us in the novices group. It felt very inclusive and it really didn't matter how fast you were going - as the group would stop regularly to allow the slower members to catch up.

Run 2 - 24 October - Two Commons Route
A much smaller group this time. Only four of us. We all stuck close together and so the number and quantum of rest stops was not as many.


Run 3 - 31 October - Two Bridges Route
A much bigger group again - 15 of us. I was the only bloke, but I wasn't complaining. I thoroughly enjoyed this route with some awesome London sights.

The monday night runs the chasers put on, really mix up running on your own. They also seem to organise lots of social events - though haven't made any yet.

I think this kind of thing is going to have to become the norm

An evening session on the treadmill yesterday:

 

Session: 30 Training Date: Tue 04 October 2011 Approx Time of training: 6:45 PM Days to London: 201 Distance Covered (km): 7.5 Total Distance in training - running (km): 171.1 Total Distance in training - cycling (km): n/a Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss): 00:45:00 Exercise Time (hours): 0.75 Av Speed (km / h): 10.00 Incline (%): 1.00% Location: Southbank Club URL: n/a Class Details: n/a Weight (kg): 82.8 Cost per gym Visit £34.62

 

London Marathon place secured (have I gone mad?)

Even though I was not lucky in the marathon ballot, I am very fortunate to be running for an awesome local charity, Time and Talents.

I am not getting any younger and this is probably my one shot at doing the marathon. I also figure that I have just completed a half-marathon and this is a good base to kick-on to the full marathon.

So maybe in my old age, I am losing my mind. We are 202 days from the Marathon and I am sure I am underestimating the challenge that awaits me. To start with I am sure we have a cold winter to get through.

Today, I have attempted my first piece of training since the half-marathon - a spinning session:

Session: 29

Training Date: Mon 03 October 2011

Approx Time of training: 6:45 PM

Days to London: 202

Distance Covered (km): n/a

Total Distance in training - running (km): 163.5775

Total Distance in training - cycling (km): n/a

Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss): 00:45:00

Exercise Time (hours): 0.75

Av Speed (km / h): n/a

Incline (%): n/a

Location: Southbank Club

URL: n/a

Class Details: Spin Cycling, Mari

Weight (kg): 84.1

Cost per gym Visit £38

Rejected!

Just received the rejected magazine from the London Marathon, so no place via the Ballot.

One week after Run to the Beat, and I am still a little sore. So the question is, do I go for a charity place or scrap this whole idea?