6 mile run - done!

My alarm was set for 0700 this morning but when I turned over at 0658 I thought...nah, and reset it for 0730!! Haha

So I was up at 0730 to run my cold bath, wash and get my spandex on!! With my nipples taped and my knee straps on, I was out the door at at 0800. I did a time check at 2 miles and I had done them in about 17 and a half minutes so I was on course for a good time. The 4 mile check read about 36 and a half minutes which was a bit slower for that break so I tried to step it up for the last 2 miles and ended up finishing the 6 miles in 55 minutes 31 seconds...2 minutes 13 seconds quicker than last week...very pleased indeed :)

I enjoyed today's run because I pushed myself and felt that I worked all the way out and all the way back. So I got back in, caught my breath, did my stretches and some sit-ups before getting in my cold bath for 5 minutes and just thought to myself ,"done"

So now I can enjoy the rest of my Sunday, starting with a trip down town and an appointment with a scone before putting the Crimbo tree up with Tracey later, but for now training week 8 has started well :)

Spandexman!!

My Spandex pants and top arrived yesterday so I was out running in them today and I managed my 3 miles in...wait for it...26 minutes 47 seconds!!! An average of 8 minutes 55 seconds per mile so I am very pleased with that after last week's dismal performance!! In all honesty, I think I only went quicker today because it felt like I was out running in Tracey's tights!!!

When I get to £400 sponsorship (only £35 to go) I'll post a picture of me wearing my spandex gear on here!!! haha

I'm having chicken and pasta tonight in preparation for tomorrow's 6 miler so there's no "bad diet" excuses. After tomorrow, I have 3 more 3 milers before my long run increases to 7 miles next Sunday so I'm making progress slowly but surely...and more importantly safely!!

So if you want to see me in my spandex...hit that "sponsor me" button and get the total up to £400 :) Again if you're on facebook, go to www.runneradams.blogspot.com

Slow is the new fast!!

So the alarm goes at 0555 this morning and I don't even make it out of bed before I start thinking I don't wanna do it today!! 7 minutes later, I bite the bullet and drag myself out of my pit and in to the bathroom for a wash, shave and brush of the teeth.

No toast this morning...couldn't be bothered to eat!! :s

I was disappointed with the time today, finished in 28 minutes and 41 seconds which is about a minute 20 slower than Tuesday. Maybe fishfingers, chips and two pints of coke is not the best meal to have the night before running...ah well!! At least my 100% attendance record is still intact :)

I have another 3 miles to do on Saturday and will be aiming for my quickest time to date to make up for today, before another 6 miles on Sunday - oh good!!

I will be going to the North Surrey MS Society drop in centre on Monday to meet Allan (Chairman) and a few of the people that go there so I'm looking forward to that.

Once again can I ask people to scroll down to my entry on 20th November and print off copies of the poster I have uploaded and put them up in your work place, local community centres, churches and shops etc to help generate some more sponsorship...these early morning run sessions are torture so I'd like to make them as worthwhile as possible - Your help would be greatly appreciated :)

Cold as ice

I've never been so cold in my entire life!! I was out the door at 0620 this morning and felt like the only person who was awake!! It was pitch black, freezing cold and I was out running in shorts...I seriously need my head seeing to!!

3 miles today and it was done in 27 minutes 25 seconds...not bad considering I seriously thought about turning around and going back home in the first 60 seconds!!

I got back and jumped in the cold bath (which felt quite warm today!!) for the usual 5 minutes and then had a nice hot shower before going downstairs for breakfast...the best part of the morning :) So by this point I am lovely and warm and could just curl up on the sofa and watch daytime tv all day but no...I had to get back out in the cold, jump on the scooter and get myself to work and I've been cold ever since!!

I received the cheque from my company director today so that has been officially added to the fund which now stands at £365 so once again a massive thank you to all that have contributed so far. For those that haven't, the "sponsor me" button hasn't moved...it's still there on the right and for those of you reading on facebook, the website is www.justgiving.com/runneradams

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

This is what I woke up to this morning...a snow scene! Nice if you can look out at it from the warmth of your house...not nice if you've got to go running in it!!

So training week seven started with another 6 miler today which I managed to do in 57 minutes 44 seconds, about a minute and a half faster than last week so happy with that!

I left at about 0845 this morning and it was freezing and started to rain a little once I got going. Then on the way back the wind picked up and it was bitterly cold...maybe that's why I made it round quicker than last week!! I think I can now be classed as a hardcore runner!! lol A little snow kept all the running community in doors this morning...but not me!! lol

Well, as you regular followers will know, Sunday means tea and scone so I'm off for the usual ritual before settling down later to hopefully watch Spurs beat Blackburn!

Fast food junkie

Not working today so I had a little lay in...until 0800!! Up and out for today's 4 miler which I managed in 35 minutes and 39 seconds which is 8 minutes 54 seconds per mile...about on a par with my fastest time so far. Not bad considering I've been a bit of a fast food junkie this week!! Because we've been out and a bout this week, just for convenience I had a Burger King on Tuesday, KFC Thursday and another KFC on Friday...good, but not good if you know what I mean!! lol Still, I'll be back on track with my food when I return to work next week...unfortunately!! :)

Not looking forward to tomorrow's 6 miler, but I just have to keep reminding myself that I did it last weekend and it didn't kill me so there's no excuses. At least I don't have to do a long walk after this week's 6 miler!!

Next week is slightly easier as I only have to do 3 miles on Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday so that is some consolation to get tomorrow's run done and dusted. For now, I have some jelly and ice-cream to look forward to at a 1 year old birthday party!!

I hope you have all been printing off the poster from Thursday's blog entry and putting them up in local shops etc to help generate some awareness of my fund raising...if not, there's no time like the present!!

Tell your friends, tell all your friends...I'm fatman!!

I set the alarm for 0620 this morning and I don't even remember it going off! I don't know if I just set the time and forgot to switch it on or what but either way, I was up at 0700 and out the door at 0730 for today's 3 miler.

27 minutes and 17 seconds later and my run was done. A bit slower than the last 3 miler but at least I now know that garlic bread and pizza the night before is not the best running preparation food! Still, the miles are under my belt...along with the pizza!!

I've attached a poster with details of MS and my website addresses and I would really appreciate it if you could print it off some copies and put them up in your workplace, shops, churches etc in your local area to help with the fund raising. The more people that are aware of what's happening, the more we can raise...so get posting :)

Stuck in traffic!!

As I am off work this week I didn't run as early as I usually would today, up and out at 0730, and it cost me time!! There was more traffic than at 0630 so I had to stop and wait to cross the road a couple of times which meant that I finished my 4 miles in 35 minutes and 54 seconds...a bit slower than last time. Ah well, I know for next time!!

I had that light, fine rain during this morning's run which started off annoying but turned out to be refreshing in the end actually! No aches and pains today...the same can't be said for Sunday's aftermath!! After my run on Sunday, I went walking with Tracey and her work colleagues for a couple of hours and by the end of it my knees were killing me!! I don't know if that was from all the running and walking or just that I had my knee straps too tight during my run!! Still, I had the energy to make it down town for my tea and scone which is the main thing :)

I spoke to the chairman of the North Surrey branch of the MS Society yesterday and I have to have my article done by 9th December to make it in the next newsletter, so I'll be working on that in the next week or so.

Next on the agenda is 3 miles on Thursday but in the mean time, feel free to add to the fund by hitting that "sponsor me" button or visiting www.justgiving.com/runneradams

Hit for Six

Well today was my first 6 miler and boy do I ache!! lol I was up at 0730 this morning for my usual routine, plus the additional taping of the nipples as it was a longer run, and out the door at around 0800.

I got it done in 59 minutes 14 seconds which is by no means Olympic time but its under 10 minutes a mile for a distance I've never run before, and I didn't stop at all, so I've got to be happy with that. Now usually I would be telling you that I'm off for a cuppa and a scone down town as it's Sunday...but my dear Wife has talked me into doing a two or so hour walk with her first!! Scandalous!! lol

So far, there have been 21 scheduled training runs with a total of 74 miles and I have managed them all...hands up who thought I'd have missed a couple by now?? :) Next week's schedule is the same as the last with 4 miles Tuesday and Saturday, 3 miles Thursday followed by my 2nd 6 miler next Sunday, but for now my running (if not my walking!) is done for the day!

For those of you who read this on facebook, I know the "sponsor me" button doesn't show, so you can instead visit www.justgiving.com/runneradams to make a donation :)

In good Company

The alarm was set for 0655 today and I was up and out after a 10 minute snooze!! I did a little bit of filming this morning for my video diary when I was getting ready, so I'll be editing and putting them together soon. I have some ideas re the filming that we're are going to try and get done when we're off work next week which should be a laugh.

So, out for my 4 miles today and guess what...I averaged less than 9 minutes a mile!! Woohooo!! I completed the 4 miles in 35 minutes 33 seconds - an average of 8 minutes 53 seconds per mile :) Happy with that! I got back to the house hot, sweaty and heart pumping from the run and thinking Tracey was still in bed...then she walked out of the living room and frightened the ssssshhhhhhoes off me!! That did nothing to help my recovery time let me tell you!!

I had an email from the Chairman of the North Surrey branch of the MS Society, inviting me to do an article for their newsletter "The Link" which is great. We're just in the process of arranging it all so watch this space for more info.

I have some great news on the sponsorship front too...as well as the personal sponsors taking the fund total up to £265, I have also had two companies agree to sponsorship which will bring the total so far up to a tasty £495!!!! So a massive thank you to them from me :) I am still working to get more companies involved and would encourage anyone who is interested in a corporate sponsorship and/or knows someone who may be interested to please get in touch. In the meantime, if you want to do your bit then hit that "sponsor me" button to the right...please :)

Tonight Matthew, I'm going to be...

Again, I had a rough night's sleep last night but it was made slightly easier by Spurs' performance against "the mighty 'pool" as my bro-in-law would say...to which I would respond "Can we play you every week?" :)

Up and out by 0630 this morning for a 3 mile run in my new running trainers, which are a hell of a lot more comfy with the insoles in than the last pair! So as I set off on my run, I come out of the house, turn left, then right, then right again on to the main road just as a coach goes past and pumps out a huge plume of smoke!! I felt like I was in an episode of Stars In Their Eyes!! "Tonight Matthew, I'm going to be...choking to death on coach fumes"!!!!! Not nice lol

I managed the run in 27 minutes and 27 seconds this morning...again slightly faster than my last 3 miler. I think my 3 mile route is slightly more hilly than the longer run which is why my average mile is a bit slower...I struggle up hill obviously!! Next on the agenda is a flat 4 miler on Saturday before I step up a level and take it to 6 miles for the first time on Sunday.

The fund is now up to £265 but I know there is still more to come...so if today is the day that you want to do a good thing, hit that "sponsor me" button on the right and make a donation. You won't just be helping me, you'll be helping over 85,000 people with MS...how's THAT for a good deed for the day!!!

Bionic Man

Up at 0605 today for my first mid-week 4 miler. It felt like the middle of the night when I left the house...it was pitch black! Completed in 36 minutes 18 seconds so I'm getting closer to that sub 9 minute mile.

When I was in my early teens (yes, I can remember that far back!) I had quite bad knee pains, or growing pains as the Dr called them. I've been getting similar pains since I started my training and as I am too old for "growing pains" I think the medical term for it is Patella Tendonitis (or better known to me as mashed joints! lol) so Tracey got me some "knee straps" yesterday. It's a strap that goes just below the knee cap for extra support...and what a difference it's made!! I finished the run with no knee pains today for probably the first time since I started, which is brilliant. I look a bit of a pillock though, starting to feel like the bionic man! What with my special insoles and now straps supporting my knees...all I'm missing is a mobility scooter and 13.1 miles will be a breeze!!

I've got to get myself some new running trainers too as my feet are feeling squashed now that I have the special insoles in. As usual, it was home to do my stretches and jump in my freezing bath for 5 minutes. The idea behind the cold bath is that the cold engulfs the legs, restricting the blood flow and reducing swelling. This, in turn, reduces pain...and I'm all for that!!

Next on the agenda is 3 miles on Thursday and I'm actually looking forward it...at the moment!!

Make mine a large!

Today was tough...mentally tough. I woke up at 0800 and I thought to myself "I don't want to do this run today" For the first time since I started training, I honestly did not want to run. But I did - and that's the most important thing. After a 5 minute sulk feeling sorry for myself, I dragged myself out of my pit and got my backside in to gear.

Today was a 5 miler and I completed it in 48 minutes 17 seconds. I thought that was slower than last week but I've just checked my blog entry for last week and I was quicker today...by almost half a minute!! That just goes to show that so much of this is in the mind...knowing I went faster than last week has completely changed my mindset! I was sitting here thinking "although I've done it in a slower time - at least I've done it" but now I'm thinking "That was well worth getting out of bed for - I'm improving with each run"

I was given some advice yesterday by a seasoned runner...I was told that running my long runs will be much easier if I have a hangover!! lol Feeling good when you start a run means you're only going to feel rough when you've finished, however, if you feel rough when you start the run then you'll only feel a lot better when you finish it!! So based on that theory...I'll be down the pub on Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday...all in the name of marathon preparation!! lol

This week is going to be my toughest so far, with 4 mile runs on Tuesday and Saturday, a 3 mile run on Thursday and ending with a 6 miler for the first time next Sunday. This is going to get hard...but then no-one said it would be easy!!

That "sponsor me" button hasn't been hit since my last post so if you want to break that duck, you know what to do :)

For now, my work today is done...there is a fruit scone and a cup of tea with my name on it in town so I'll catch up with you again on Tuesday :)

(Half) Marathon - The Movie!

This morning wasn't good to me...it rained!

Up at 0715 today for a 2 mile run before tomorrow's 5 miler. When I left the house it was windy and raining so in a way I was glad it was a short run. Completed in 17 minutes 16 seconds which is a bit slower than last time, but given the conditions I'll take that.

I had about 7 minutes sleep in total last night...my head was spinning with ideas. I've decided to do a mini movie/video diary about this little adventure and I was thinking about the different things I can put in it. I've had suggestions ranging from a Rocky style training montage to a Chariots of Fire Slo mo clip! I don't want to give too much away but I'm hoping the finished production will be good. I've already done my opening scene!! lol

So put a date in your diary...(Half) Marathon - The Movie is due for release in March 2009, certificate to be confirmed! :)

50 not out

I hit the big 5 0 in training miles today with a 3 mile run. I haven't been sleeping well these last couple of nights so when the alarm went at 0600 the last thing I wanted to do was run! I stole another 15 minutes before getting up and getting ready.

The usual routine of running my cold bath whilst I'm having a shave, before going to get my slice of toast. Again it was dark but not as cold as I expected today. I completed the 3 miles in 27 minutes and 44 seconds which was quicker than my previous 3 mile best - I feel I'm getting somewhere and the training is paying off...although Tracey did warn me not to over do it trying to get a new land speed record :)

I'm loving the fact that I am having no aches or pains during the day after a run now...apart from when I do a longer Sunday run, but then I always have my tea and scone down town on a Sunday...purely for medicinal purposes obviously!!

We've crept up to £245 now so thank you to the latest sponsors. The next goal is to push on past the £300 mark so if you want to be the one that gets the total closer to that figure, as usual the "sponsor me" button is just to the right :)

Linford!

Today's run was a shorter 2 mile effort which was appreciated! Again, although it was dark and cold it stayed dry for me which was good.

As today's run was shorter, I decided to really go for a record breaking time (Record breaking in the fat boy sense!) and I managed it in 17 minutes 3 seconds...no wonder I couldn't breath!! That, for me, was like a Linford Christie sprint!! lol

Once again, I stretched out the muscles and jumped in the cold bath for my 5 minute refresher. The blisters have got a bit better and there are no new aches or pains today. Next on the agenda is 3 miles on Thursday so I'll be pushing to beat my previous 3 mile best of 28 minutes 7 seconds.

The fund is up to £210 so far so a massive thanks to everyone who has donated...but I know we can do better :) As usual, the button to do your bit to increase that total is on the right there...

Jogger's nipple!

Struggled out of bed again today and wasn't looking forward to the run. The blister on the inside of my left foot was sore again so I took the insoles out of my trainers for the 2nd weekend run in a row. The weather held out for me this morning and stayed dry which was good.

So 5 miles was the mission today and it was mission accomplished in 48 minutes and 46 seconds which I am well chuffed with. Although I don't always look forward to the run, I always feel a sense of achievement when I get the run finished which is part of what gets me through it.

The bath felt extra cold this morning for some reason...still, I think it's doing me good so I'll keep going with it! I think I almost got jogger's nipple this morning! lol It's like a stingy, itchy feeling...not nice! I'll be getting some plasters on for the next long run I think...don't fancy that again!! lol

The rest of this week will consist of a 2 mile run on Tuesday, 3 mile run on Thursday, 2 mile run on Saturday and then another 5 miler on Sunday. It's been 3 weeks since I started my training and I only have 133 days before the actual run...not that I'm counting!!!

Faster than a speeding fat bloke!

I got my top of the range, casio classic from Argos for £7.99 to get a more accurate timing for my 3 mile run and it inspired me to my quickest finish to date - 28 minutes and 7 seconds. I may just make the Olympic 2012 team yet!!

It hurt today though as I was conscious of being timed, I pushed myself. I didn't really get to grips with my breathing again, but then it does say on the training guide that the shorter runs should be used to take yourself out of your comfort zone and I certainly did that! Still, I am please to have broken the 30 minute mark for the first time. So far, it's run number 12 and my 40th training mile completed. Tomorrow is my 2nd 5 miler so there'll be plenty of mind games going on to get me through it no doubt. I'll just have to keep reminding myself that I did it last week so there's no reason why I can't do it again!

My business cards arrived on Thursday, the ones I talked about earlier in the blog, so I am armed with my blog and sponsorship address all the time now which will hopefully get more people involved and sponsoring. Which leads me nicely on to the sponsor me button to the right!! If you haven't done so already, there's no time like the present! Hit that button and do a good thing today.