The second week - Xmas Parties Galore

Only 8 miles done in training this week (versus a budgeted 19)!

Too many Christmas Parties that is for sure!

It is currently raining cats & dogs - is that an excuse not to get out there. No I am going to! I have a lot of miles in the diary this week - so we are going to have to. The only thing that I am wondering is whether I am going to have redo my plan in the new year and do a new 16 week plan!

A bad first week

Monday started good with the longer Commons Route with the Clapham Chasers. It was a bitterly cold night and consequently it felt like we were running much faster than we probably were.

The rest of the week was a bit of a right off! Wednesday I got a bit of a flu / cold which put a dampener on things. The weekend was full of too much Christmas celebration.

So in conclusion - a bad first week to training. I will try hard to make my target this week. I had a bit of a bad back yesterday, and providing that stays away - I hope I can!

In finance terms, we now have a budget

As an accountant, I think in finance terms. So I have built a budget to help me with my training. This time in 20 weeks the marathon would have just kicked off. So consequently I have built a 20 week London Marathon Training Schedule. I really do hope having some goals will help me stay focused (as I really need to get a bit more focused!).

I need a training plan

This post is going to be a bit rambly (as I research and type as we go along) ...

No idea what's been happening to me during the last couple of weeks - I haven't done anything. Work got pretty manic again - but that's no excuse. Furthermore I haven't got anything in the schedule. The last thing I did was the Poppy Half and now am in some serious need of motivation. Not only that I am starting eating some real junk again. I was doing so well - but now it has all gone to crock!

So what to do. Buck your ideas up Kumar.

Question: How many weeks till the Marathon?

Answer: No idea ... let me calculate it on excel. Second thoughts ... my blog has a countdown. I'll just flick screens and see what it says: Okay 141 days 16 hours. Lets round that up to 142 days.

142 / 7 = 20.28 weeks. Okay, assume we start on Monday as I have another heavy weekend - what we need is a 20 week plan. During this time, I need to go from an overweight accountant to somebody who can stagger 26.2 miles.

No Kumar - this is the wrong attitude again. Let's aim to do at least something over the weekend even if it's not on the plan.

Right onto the main subject of doing this post - and that's to find a training plan. So the main requirements are:

• As you can see from the picture, I did find a training plan but that looks way too hardcore. To start with it's called advance which I am certainly not.
• I do want to mix my training up, and do some cycling or spinning at least once a week
• If I do need to do longer runs every week, then I would rather do them on a Satruday. This means not going out on Fridays - but at least you can then enjoy Saturday
• I want to keep doing the Clapham Chasers Social Run on Monday

Okay ... those are the requirements now onto the World Wide Web to see what we can find:

1. Guardian Website

Found an article on training for the London Marathon: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/oct/05/how-to-train-for-marathon

I do like point 5 on that list which is don't do weekly long runs! Okay, I won't! However what about point 2, have a goal. My goal was get to the finish line but apparently that's not good enough.

So what should my goal be? Let's see. I currently do half marathon in 2:10. But I have done one in 2:02 - but that was a few years ago when I was much fitter. Come April I will be three years older then I was then.

So what's a realistic goal. I would love to do 4 hours - but realistically I think I am long way of that at the moment, and considering it is my first marathon, I guess let's take my current half marathon pace of 2:10 and multiply it by 2.

Okay ... so that's it - my goal time is 4:20. But I still don't have a plan.

2. Sports Fitness Advisor

Okay some more googling and come across this site:

http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/marathon-training.html

According to this I am definitely a beginner as I don't satisfy any of the following criteria:

"If you haven't run a marathon before, or you're not currently running 20 miles plus per week, this is the place to start ..."

Okay - let's see what this plan is:

 Oh no! This is a 26 week plan. I guess I could miss a few weeks out and start on week 7 (or is it week 6 - we can work that out later).But this plan goes against the Guardian article - as in there is one long run every week!

3. FIRST Three Day a week Marathon Schedule

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/general/the-first-three-day-a-week-marathon-schedule/2493.html 

The main ethos seems to be around: "Train Less, Run Faster". I like it already!

The other good thing is that it seems to begin 16 weeks before the Marathon, so I am not behind the curve.

4, About.com

http://running.about.com/od/marathonprograms/a/marathonbeg.htm

• A beginners programme for 20 weeks.
• Allows for cross training - i.e. spinning a couple of times per week

5. Runners World

I think the target of 4:30 may now be a bit optimistic:

A 4:30 marathon is approximately 10:00 per mile. To break 4:30, you should eventually be capable of a sub-2:00 half-marathon (9:00 per mile) and sub-53:00 10K (8:30 per mile). Right now, you should be used to running around 20 miles each week and do around four runs a week.

Sub 2 hours half marathon! Hmm!

It is a 16 week schedule:
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/racing/rws-vlm-garmin-ready-marathon-schedule-sub-430/2490.html

6. The Fitness Motivator
http://www.the-fitness-motivator.com/first-marathon.html

A 20 week schedule with Cross Training

7. Belfast City Marathon Schedule
http://www.belfastcitymarathon.com/opencontent/default.asp?itemid=81&section=GET+TRAINING

Another 20 week schedule

8. Hal Higdon
http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/MaraNovice1.html
http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/novice2.htm

18 Week Schedule with some cross

Confused
Lots of information out there but nothing obvious which ticked all my criteria. I will make my own schedule based on a few of the above knowing what I have got coming up. I'll do this over the next 30 mins or so and then post it on a separate tab above. Lets see if I can keep it up!

The Poppy Half Marathon

I did the Poppy Half Marathon in 2:10:40. This included going for a wee, and also rummaging through my bag trying to find a bottle of water.

This was a fun half marathon, which involved four loops of the beach front in Bexhill-on-Sea. This half marathon has a good contribution going to the Royal British Legion - a thoroughly worthwhile cause helping the families of fallen soldiers.

I didn't sleep too well, so one lap in I nearly gave up. I asked Manasi whether I could but she convinced me to carry on. It really helped knowing that each time round on course I knew my darling wife would be there to cheer me on!

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?

Some photos from RTTB

"Run Akkers Run" does "Run to the beat"

So yesterday, I did a half marathon - the Nike Run to the Beat. Considering my training of eating and drinking on cruises and Greece, I was very pleased with my time of 2h 12 mins:

My race split is as follows:

Mile 3 - 27 mins 41 secs

Mile 6 - 31 mins 18 secs

Mile 9 - 32 mins 18 secs

Mile 12 - 31 mins 17 secs

Judging by this I may have gone off a bit too fast at the beginning. Especially considering the 1st mile included going for a wee a good 90 seconds.

I had to walk for about 2 -3 mins on a steep part of a hill, but that doesn't seem to have hurt me too much.

Feeling a bit sore - but pleased I did the distance. Well done to Shikha too, who pretty much did exactly the same time as me.

So nothing in the diary now at all. I will give myself a couple of days recovery before deciding what to do next.

Official stats are:

Session: 28

Training Date: Sun 25 September 2011

Approx Time of training: 9:45 AM

Days to London: 210

Distance Covered (km): 21.0975

Total Distance in training - running (km): 140.7875

Total Distance in training - cycling (km): 22.79

Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss): 02:12:25

Exercise Time (hours): 2.21

Av Speed (km / h): 9.56

Incline (%): n/a

Location: Run to the beat

URL: http://runtothebeat.nikerunning.com/race/10774

http://runkeeper.com/user/akshay/activity/53660299

Class Details: n/a

Weight (kg): 84.1

Cost per gym Visit £41

I'll upload photos when I get them.

I've just noticed that I never uploaded session 27, a run home from work:

Training Date: Wed 21 September 2011

Approx Time of training: 6:46 PM

Days to London: 214

Distance Covered (km): 10.74

Total Distance in training - running (km): 119.69

Total Distance in training - cycling (km): 22.79

Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss): 01:17:54

Exercise Time (hours): 1.30

Av Speed (km / h): 8.27

Incline (%): n/a

Location: Home from work

URL: http://t.co/0JFCeJuF

Class Details: n/a

Weight (kg): 85.6

Cost per gym Visit £41

Pins & Needles in my left calf

Ran home from work.

Plus points: No bus this time

Bad points: Very very slow

I did have pins and needles in my left calf for about half the distance, which didn't help though. Hope it won't come back.

Session:	26
Training Date:	Thu 15 September 2011
Approx Time of training:	6:46 PM
Days to London:	220
Distance Covered (km):	10.74
Total Distance in training - running (km):	108.95
Total Distance in training - cycling (km):	22.79
Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss):	01:17:54
Exercise Time (hours):	1.30
Av Speed (km / h):	8.27
Incline (%):	n/a
Location:	Home from work
URL:	http://t.co/0JFCeJuF
Class Details:	n/a
Weight (kg):	85.6
Cost per gym Visit	£41

Longer on the return journey ...

... because I got a bit lost!

Session: 25

Training Date: Wed 14 September 2011

Approx Time of training: 7:48 PM

Days to London: 221

Distance Covered (km): 12.17

Total Distance in training - running (km): 98.21

Total Distance in training - cycling (km): 22.79

Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss): 00:52:00

Exercise Time (hours): 0.87

Av Speed (km / h): 14.04

Incline (%): n/a

Location: Cycling

URL: http://t.co/miu30Sb

Class Details: n/a

Weight (kg): 85.6

Cost per gym Visit £41

Back on the bike ... (literally)

Got back on the bike today and cycled to work. Actually enjoyed it. Sun was shining it was fresh and no really scary incidents to report. Took a while to get through Vauxhall Cross but will try to avoid in the future:

 

Session:	24
Training Date:	Wed 14 September 2011
Approx Time of training:	7:07 AM
Days to London:	221
Distance Covered (km):	n/a
Total Distance in training (km):	98.21
Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss):	00:44:39
Exercise Time (hours):	24.74
Av Speed (km / h):	n/a
Incline (%):	n/a
Location:	10.62km cycle to work
URL:	http://t.co/miu30Sb
Class Details:	n/a
Weight (kg):	85.5
Cost per gym Visit	£41

 

So where have I been .... Holiday that's where!

Good points:

• Been on two - three holidays
• Eaten loads
• Thoroughly enjoyed myself

Bad points:

• New PB. Not in anything good but the heaviest I have been since the "Guinness" term at uni
• Hardly any running
• All of August off

Two weeks & two days we are meant to be doing a half marathon. Not much chance of that as things stand. Look at yesterday's stats for the first time running in over a month:

Session: 23

Training Date: 08-Sep-11

Approx Time of training: 7:33 PM

Days to London: 227

Distance Covered (km): 8.25

Total Distance in training (km): 98.21

Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss): 00:58:32

Exercise Time (hours): 0.98

Av Speed (km / h): 8.46

Incline (%): n/a

Location: Home from work

URL: http://runkeeper.com/user/akshay/activity/51363330

Class Details: n/a

Weight (kg): 85.8

Cost per gym Visit £41

As you can see I have had to introduce a new category to track my weight as this is getting bad. Yesterday was so bad that I had to get a bus from where I gave up! I am not looking forward to this damn half marathon. I am really slow at the moment and massively unfit. Help!

So what happened in August on the running from ... nothing - that's what!

In July after the British 10k, I went on a cruise. I managed one day where I did laps of the top deck, and one day where I tried to but was too hungover. As I was running on the top deck and the boat was moving runkeeper thinks these runs were my fastest ever but if I really could run at those speed I would be giving old Linford a run for his money. Stats:

Session: 20

Training Date: 17-Jul-11

Approx Time of training: 4:15 PM

Days to London: 280

Distance Covered (km): 4.5

Total Distance in training (km): 80.26

Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss): 00:25:49

Exercise Time (hours): 0.43

Av Speed (km / h): 10.46

Incline (%): n/a

Location: Vision of the seas

URL: http://runkeeper.com/user/akshay/activity/44983828

Class Details: n/a

Cost per gym Visit £41

Session: 21

Training Date: 21-Jul-11

Approx Time of training: 8:11 AM

Days to London: 276

Distance Covered (km): 2.2

Total Distance in training (km): 82.46

Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss): 00:14:10

Exercise Time (hours): 0.24

Av Speed (km / h): 9.32

Incline (%): n/a

Location: Vision of the seas

URL: http://runkeeper.com/user/akshay/activity/44983836

Class Details: n/a

Weight (kg): 0

Cost per gym Visit £41

The only other thing that happened is I tried running with my old buddy Shikha. She too is doing the half marathon though she has been training loads and is looking super fit and healthy whereas I look like a fat man. We ran for a bit but then bowel trouble kicked in (for her not me) and we had to get home (quick!). Stats:

Session: 22

Training Date: 31-Jul-11

Approx Time of training: 9:32 AM

Days to London: 266

Distance Covered (km): 7.5

Total Distance in training (km): 89.96

Exercise Time (hh:mm:ss): 01:01:10

Exercise Time (hours): 1.02

Av Speed (km / h): 7.36

Incline (%): n/a

Location: Leicester

URL: http://gb.mapometer.com/running/route_1497425.html

Class Details: n/a

Weight (kg): 0

Cost per gym Visit £41

Hopefully will do at least one piece of exercise this weekend!