Training Calendar

So, I have been giving this some thought and broadly the way I would like the year to pan out is as follows:

Summer - do a 10k

Autumn - half marathon

Winter - step up to marathon distance

Spring 2012 - London Marathon

However, a couple of the runs I know only have charity places, which I am not too keen on (e.g. the Great North Run, Bristol half). The only charity run I want to do is the big one (and that is only if I don't get a ballot place).

So - let's take a look at what is out there which still has availability:

10km races of interest

5 June - Vic Park - London

http://www.runningdiary.co.uk/go/view.cgi/7872

£18

3 July - 4 Seasons Challenge

http://www.rainforestfoundationuk.org/4SC

1 Race is £20. 4 races (i.e. one a season) is £60

10 July - British 10k - London

http://www.thebritish10klondon.co.uk/

Cost about £35

5 June / 3 July - Clapham Common £15

http://www.innovationsports.co.uk/running/clapham-common-series-2011

5 June / 3 July - Regents Park £12

http://www.regentsparkraces.org/index.htm

11 June - Battersea Park £10

http://uk.srichinmoyraces.org/races/london

Also a 4k on 23 May

10 Miles - on 10 September

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/events/viewevent.asp?sp=&v=1&EN=61317&ms=

Half Marathons

13 November - Grand Union Marathon £20

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/events/viewevent.asp?sp=&v=1&EN=59683&ms=

25 September - Run to the beat £44

http://www.runtothebeat.co.uk/

Keep posted ...

Okay, that's enough analysis for now. Stay tuned to see what I sign up for.

Nerja, Spain

Decided to jet off to spain as it was a nice long four day weekend. Had an excellent relaxing time. During the just about managed a short run on the beach:

Session: 2
Training Date: 30-Apr-11
Approx Time of training: 7:45 PM
Days to GNR: 358
Distance Covered (km): 2.02
Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss): 00:13:01
Exercise Time (hours): 0.22
Av Speed (km / h): 9.31
Incline (%): n/a
Location: Nerja, Spain
URL: http://runkeeper.com/user/akshay/activity/33749065

The problem with this run was that it was fairly hot. The other problem is that as I was on holiday, I had a couple of drinks at lunch time. While I seemed okay when starting I really struggled. Oh well ... let's blame the heat.

Official ballot entered

So yesterday I entered the official ballot. Unfortunately they don’t tell you till October if you have a place or not. Only 120,000 people can enter the ballot but apparently the chances of you getting a place a less than 10%.

 

No training since Saturday. Official stats for Saturday are as follows:

 

Session:	1
Training Date:	23-Apr-11
Approx Time of training:	7:00 AM
Days to GNR:	365
Distance Covered (km):	4.69
Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss):	00:33:01
Exercise Time (hours):	0.55
Av Speed (km / h):	8.52
Incline (%):	n/a
Location:	Rotherhithe Peninsula
URL:	http://runkeeper.com/user/akshay/activity/32762284

 

Exactly - One year to go

It is time to revive my running Blog ...

In exactly one year 9.45 am on Sunday 22 April 2011 I want to be starting the London Marathon. Clearly I don't have a place yet, nor do I know how I will get one - but where there is a will there is way.

Broadly as part of the build up, I want to do 10km in June / July. A half in the autumn and then build up for the big one.

So I haven't really done any exercise since Christmas and now I need to start upping my game.

This morning, I therefore went for a quite early morning run (especially for a bank holiday). Details are here : http://rnkpr.com/aji7jg

I intend to use this blog to keep you posted of how I am doing and also as a journal of my year to get there.

Made it!

16 training sessions in 60 days, and I did it:

2 hours 2 minutes and 28 seconds.

I have put some photos at the bottom of this post. For offiicial race stats see:

http://www.greatrun.org/Results/Default.aspx
My race number is 44978

I also ran with my GPS on my phone. For the "unofficial stats" see:
http://sportstracker.nokia.com/nts/workoutdetail/index.do?id=1605787

Thanks to all those that sponsored me for this great cause!

Did it!

2 hours, 2 minutes and 28 seconds.

Thanks to all those who sponsored me. Full debrief and photos to follow.

Weather

The weather on Sunday, looks okay:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/10/?area=Newcastle

and just incase one doesn't trust the BBC:

http://uk.weather.com/weather/10day-Newcastle-upon-Tyne-UKXX1695

One piece of advice silver gave me as i her the night bus home, is keep hydrated.

Lunchtimes

Ran for 30 mins at speed 11 over lunch. Pleased with that. Also cycled into college which is good. However, there is big rain now, so not looking forward to cycling back.

 

Recent stats:

 

Session:	16
Training Date:	14-Sep-09
Approx Time of training:	7:00 PM
Days to GNR:	6
Distance Covered (km):	7.5
Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss):	00:45:00
Exercise Time (hours):	0.75
Av Speed (km / h):	10.00
Incline (%):	1.0%
Location:	Moorgate

 

Session:	17
Training Date:	15-Sep-09
Approx Time of training:	1:00 PM
Days to GNR:	5
Distance Covered (km):	5.5
Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss):	00:30:00
Exercise Time (hours):	0.50
Av Speed (km / h):	11.00
Incline (%):	1.0%
Location:	Moorgate

 

Disappointment again

Went to the gym with a view of doing 2 hours on the treadmill. 45 minutes in, my hand presses the big red button. I know I could have gone further but I am worried about my mental stability.

 

Hmmmm …. What to do???

Back on the bike!

Made it to the gym yesterday, finally. Spin class, stats as follows:

 

Session:	15
Training Date:	10-Sep-09
Approx Time of training:	6:00 PM
Days to GNR:	10
Distance Covered (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:	Moorgate
Class:	Spin Class
Instructor:	Hana

 

Very busy weekend and just over one week to go. Will aim to do a decent sized run on Monday, and then just do some holding exercise next week.

Actually make that 7

Following my last post, I now haven't done any exercise in 7 days. Induction week at Cass and lots of other excuses. Tomorrow is a must!

As Delia would say:
Come'on!! Let's be havin' you!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_8JLkwzpd0

5 days of non-exercise about to begin.

Spin Class last night. Actually quite sore today, but glad I went given the three continuous days I now have of going out. My next few days look like this:

Today: My work leaving do
Tomorrow: Silver Stag Do - Day 1
Saturday: Silver Stag Do - Day 2
Sunday: Recovery
Monday: First Day at Cass

I will try and do something on Sunday, even if it is slow. I think we will just have to wait and see.The official stats from yesterday are:

Session:	14
Training Date:	02-Sep-09
Approx Time of training:	18:45
Days to GNR:	18
Distance Covered (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:	Covent Garden FF
Instructor:	Double-up man

Scales

Just got on the scales. Apparently stil 76kg. Thought i would start to see a bit of weight loss :-(
-------------------------
Sent from Nokia N96

My nipples are hurting today

Following yesterdays 18.9km, I feel a lot more confident about being able to make the distance of the half marathon:

 

Session:	13
Training Date:	31-Aug-09
Approx Time of training:	8:00 AM
Days to GNR:	20
Distance Covered (km):	18.9
Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss):	02:07:54
Exercise Time (hours):	2.13
Av Speed (km / h):	8.87
Incline (%):	n/a
Location:	Run with Shikha
Link:	http://sportstracker.nokia.com/nts/workoutdetail/index.do?id=1508930

 

Yesterday was slow but for me it has always been more about the distance rather than the time. I do feel like I can notch-up the pace a bit though so will attempt to do some long slightly faster runs between now and the big day.

 

The main problem with yesterday's run is that my nipples are in a lot of pain today. I think I am going to need buy a pot of Vaseline for future runs.

 

Will give my legs a bit of a break today, and try and do a spin class (probably at the place where it is one person per cubicle). It is a short week this week because of the bank holiday and will be over indulging in too many drinks towards the back end (Silver's stag-do and my work leaving do).