The Movie

Enjoy...

Bring it on!

I've just completed my 2nd 4 miler this week and the knee held up ok. I got in from the run, had my shower and packed my knee with ice for half an hour...I guess that means I'm ready for the big one on Sunday!!

Admittedly, it was tough going tonight because I really have fallen back in my fitness level during my break in training with the knee injury...but as I said on Sunday, this battle will be won in the mind as well as the legs.

Next stop - SILVERSTONE!

Back on track

One week to go...and I'm running again!

After not running for the last six weeks due to damaging ligaments in my knee, I was up and out at 0915 this morning and had a gentle 4 mile run to blow away the cobwebs. It was difficult as I have obviously lost some of the fitness I had built up, but it was so good just to be out running again...and so far, without a reaction in my knee.

I applied ice to me knee for half an hour as soon as I got back in before hitting the shower...no cold bath today. Next on the agenda is another 4 miles on Wednesday night before the big one on Sunday!! It is very daunting to think I have to do over 13 miles on Sunday having only managed a 10 mile run once during my training before the injury halted my progress. The battle to complete it is going to have to be done 95% in the mind and 5% in the legs!

The magic number

I have spent the last week and a half resting, taking my "Osteo Bi-flex" and icing my knee to ensure I can do the run on th 15th...only two weeks away now, and dare I say it, the knee feels like it's on the mend...even if not fully ready just yet.

I got my number for the run in the post today...keep an eye out for runner 8646...that'll be fat old me, limping round the 13.1 mile course!!!

The plan is to keep resting and icing until the weekend before I try a little run out, of about 3 or 4 miles, to see how it feels. Then, all being well, I'll do another run of 3 or 4 miles on Wednesday before the big day!!

Collateral Damage

I saw the Doc this morning and she confirmed that I have damaged the collateral ligaments in my knee...and that I am not to do ANY exercise! Nightmare! I have been training since October and only have three and a half weeks until the run.

The Doc told me to follow the R.I.C.E. principle...Rest Ice Compression & Elevation. At first I was absolutely gutted when she told me to rest but then I pulled myself together, went straight to Boots to pick up some "Osteo Bi-flex" which contains Glucosamine - a key structural component which can help build joint tissue such as ligaments. I took myself off home and packed my knee with frozen peas!

I AM going to complete this run...even if I can't do anymore training beforehand! I'll keep you updated on my recovery progress.

Frustration Frustration Frustration!

I attempted what was meant to be a 3 mile, tentative, jog last night...and it lasted 200 yards again. My knee is still playing up so I'll be going to see the Docs next Wednesday to get it looked at properly, as rest alone hasn't helped!

I'm really starting to get worried now...I've only got 4 and a half weeks until the run.

I'll fill you in again once I have spoken to the Doc next week...wish me luck!

Brentford Raffle

The Brentford raffle draw took place yesterday and I am delighted to announce that the winner was Gary Spencer of Greenford, Middlesex.

Enjoy the game Gary and thank you to everyone who bought a ticket, helping raise money for the MS Society.

All the best laid plans...

The plan last weekend was to start running again on Tuesday... and then Monday night, the blizzard hit!! I'm gutted...no really I am!!

I want to get running again so I am ready for the 15th March...I don't want to be "kind of" ready, I want to be READY. I want to have the actual run done in less than 2 hours 10 minutes and the only way I'm going to manage that is by training...so join me in praying for some half decent weather to give me half a chance of doing it!

Although I must say, this kind of weather would have been great for my training video...Rocky had a training scene in the snow!! However, it was far to cold for me so I gave it a miss!

Keep an eye out on the blog, I'm hoping to be running again over the weekend...with the distance yet to be confirmed, depending on how the knee feels.

Now I'm getting annoyed!!

As you can probably guess from the title of this post I didn't run today...and I'm starting to get annoyed!! I never thought I would say this but I actually miss running!!

My knee still isn't 100% and with only 6 or 7 weeks until the half marathon, if I try a run and make it worse I'll leave myself no recovery time. So for now I'm afraid the only running I'll be doing is a bath. We'll see how the knee is on Thursday and decide then if I'll do the schedule 5 miles.

False start

I got in from work this evening and decided that I should give the run a go tonight rather than tomorrow morning, that way I can see how the knee feels before Sundays run. That was the plan anyway!!

I got in from work, got changed in to my spandex, put on my knee support, put on my knee straps went out the door to start my 4 mile run...and completed all of about 200 yards!! I felt a tweak in my knee at the same place I have had the pain since Sunday so I put a halt to the run there and then. I haven't done any more damage to the knee but it didn't make sense to keep running so I stopped. Sunday's run is out of the question now so I'm going to keep resting it until Tuesday, when I'll attempt a 4 miler again. I am determined to do this run which is why I don't want to aggravate this any further.

So watch this space and see how I get on on Tuesday.

Smart progress

As you know I was due to do 4 miles on Tuesday and 5 miles today but after Sunday's 10 miles I had quite a sharp pain through my right knee and have been wearing a knee support all week, so I thought it wise to rest up rather than run. The last thing I want is to over do the training when I'm not fit and then be unable to run the actual half marathon!

The knee support is off today so I am aiming to run 4 miles on Saturday, with the knee support on, and see how it feels before hopefully running the 2nd 10 miler on Sunday.

It feels like I haven't been able to really get stuck in to the training for one reason or another since the turn of the year but as I said, I want to make smart progress rather than mess the whole thing up by running when things aren't quite right.

I have booked the 16th and 17th of March off work in order to recover from the run and also to put together and edit my video of the whole experience to post on here! The fund raise is now up to £645...not forgetting the additional £130 that I have been promised when I complete the run...so things are looking good on that front, so far!!

Double figures

I didn't get a chance to do a run yesterday so I was up at 0700 this morning for my only run of the weekend...the 10 miler!!

As I mentioned before, I have never run 10 miles before so today was a the biggest challenge of the training so far. My aim was to complete the run within 1 hour and 40 minutes, an average of 10 minutes a mile, and I did. 1 hour 34 minutes and 59 seconds after starting, I had finished. Unlike last week, I didn't feel at any time that I wanted to stop or couldn't go on. It was a good steady run that I actually enjoyed today.

Nines miles in to the run and there was a group of young lads across the road from me, who I guess had been out all night. One of them noticed me and said to his mates "I'm gonna run with running man" and proceeded to cross the road and run alongside me to the amusement of his mates!! He only lasted about 15 yards though...apparently I was too slow for him!! For a split second, it felt like the scene from the Rocky movie where people join Rocky on his run!!!! lol

Next week sees me scheduled for 4 miles on Tuesday and Saturday, 5 miles on Thursday followed by another 10 miles on Sunday. With only 8 weeks to go to the half marathon, the countdown is on!!

A right old knees up.

I did the 5 miler last night after work and completed it in 46mins 29secs. I had the usual cold bath, which felt extra cold, followed by a nice warm shower before settling down to dinner...at 21:00!! My knee is feeling a bit sore this morning but I don't think it's anything to worry about.

I have a 4 miler tomorrow before Tracey and I head over to Brentford to try and sell some raffle tickets before their game at Griffin park. Watch this space and I'll let you know how we get on in Sunday's blog.

Could do better!

I did my run last night but didn't get a chance to do my blog so hence I'm doing it today. It was 3 miles on the agenda last night and I did it in 26 minute 21 seconds...not quite my best time but not far off of it.

I felt I pushed myself for the whole run and at no point just settled for being "comfortable" in my run so I'm pleased with how it went, although a little disappointed that I didn't do a 3 mile personal best!!

I still had my cold bath afterwards, even though it was a relatively short run, as it can't do any harm...even if it isn't doing a massive amount recovery assistance. It has worked so far so I guess there's no need to break a winning habit.

We are up to £492 raised so far...who's going to take it past the £500 point?? 5 miles on Thursday night is next on the schedule so watch this space...

A new 9 mile record

With 12 hours rest since my last run, I was up at 0800 this morning, washed, dressed and out the door at 0830 for 9 miler number 2...and it hurts worse than last week!!

I managed to do the 4 and half miles out 1 minute faster than last week without feeling like I was really pushing myself. So on the turn, I decided to try and do "shuttle" runs, where I run at a steady pace and add in short "sprints" between two points. I managed this for 2 miles until I felt like I couldn't run anymore...I was close to taking a break at 6 and a half miles. But I didn't. I kept telling myself that I managed 9 miles last week without stopping, so there's no reason to stop now. I struggled between 6 and a half and 8 and a half miles, feeling like my legs were going to give up on me but I kept going at what felt like was a slow pace.

Then I hit the "home straight" with half a mile to go. I dug in and tried to open up my stride. I finished the run breathing deeply and legs aching...but when I checked the watch I had knocked 41 seconds off last weeks time...well pleased!!

I got in and Tracey got me a pint and a half of ribena...I was gasping for a drink!! lol I had my cold bath, hot shower and now I'm ready to enjoy my Sunday.

Next week sees me take on 3 miles on Tuesday, 5 miles on Thursday, 4 miles on Saturday before I take on 10 miler...yes a 10 MILER...on Sunday. But for now I'm going, going, scone!!

Better late than never

Again I thought I'd do my run this evening in the cold instead of getting up early especially to go running in the cold! Only thing is, I got delayed at work until gone five o'clock (I should have finished at four) so I didn't get home until 5:30ish.

So I was running late (pardon the pun!) and getting flustered because I couldn't find my clean spandex bottoms! lol I ended up wearing my spandex top with my tracksuit bottoms instead, but because I wasn't doing my usual routine I forgot to wear my watch so no time for today's run but I kept a steady pace so it should be on a par with my usual times. I also realised, about half a mile into the run, that I hadn't put my knee straps on either so I hope I don't suffer for that tomorrow!

Tomorrow sees my do another 9 miler, my second, and aiming to beat my previous time of 1hr 27mins and 59secs before I settle down to watch Spurs play Wigan...and hopefully win!

I grew an extra toe!

You'll notice that there was no entry on Tuesday...that's because I was struggling to walk!! Sunday's 9 miler, especially after not running for two weeks previous, really did hurt so I gave myself a little extra recovery time.

So I was due to do a 4 mile run today but I'll tell you something for nothing, there wasn't anything that was going to get me out of bed at 0545 this morning! It is just too cold!! So I did my run after work instead...still bloomin cold but at least I was already awake!!

I got home from work about 1930 and got changed into my normal get up of spandex and knee straps but also added gloves and a hat to the equation for good measure this time. My chest tightened a little this evening from the cold air (So don't worry Mum!) but other than that it wasn't too bad. The 4 miles was done in 35 minute 42 seconds so sub 9 minute miles = a happy Rob. I spent most of the run thinking about what to write in my blog tonight and then when I got home and started my stretching it just hit me...literally!!! I had a blister that could have passed for a 6th toe!!

At least the run is done for today and the next one is due on Saturday so we'll catch up then!

9 Miles - Done

My legs are killing me!! I was up at 0830 this morning and brushed my teeth before jumping in to my spandex for today's nine miler. The house was nice and warm and I just knew it was going to be freezing as soon as I stepped outside!

So out I went and started the run and kept a nice steady pace. I managed the first 4 and a half miles in 42 and a half minutes which was a decent pace considering I haven't been able to run over the last two weeks. At the halfway point, I turned straight round and started the journey home. The run was completed in 1 hour 27 minutes and 59 seconds which I am delighted with for my first ever attempt at 9 miles...I can't actually believe I ran for nearly an hour and a half...unthinkable!!

I've had my cold bath and hot shower but I still think I'm going to be suffering for the rest of today and the best part of tomorrow!! Ah well, it will ease the pain on the day of the big one so it's worth it!!

Next week will consist of a 3 miler on Tuesday, 4 milers on Thursday and Saturday before another 9 miler on Sunday but for now, it's time for the first scone of 2009!!!

Fatman Returns

After having "Manflu - Strain A" over the festive period, and being unable to run, I was back today with a 4 miler...and oh how I felt the missed sessions!!!

The alarm went at 0820 this morning, but then I had a bit of a snooze...until 1000!!

I've had this bug that's been going round for the last two weeks and have just really got over it, even though I do still have a bit of a cough, but I'm over the worst. Unfortunately it meant I missed 6 sessions, including the two 8 milers. But I completed today's run in 35 minutes and 36 seconds which isn't the quickest but then I couldn't believe the difference it made having not run in the last two weeks...and I have a 9 miler to try and get through tomorrow!

Only 10 weeks to go now until I take on the 13.1 mile challenge so the rest of these training sessions are vital to ensure I get through it safely and in a respectable time. So 2009 has begun and so has the final countdown...