I'm must be crazy...

So having not really run since the marathon (except a wee one to try and keep up with people on bikes...which amazingly I managed to get there before them though they did go to tescos to buy food) I have began to feel incredibly lazy and thus decided to join Jess in her Birmingham half marathon attempt.

I'm hoping this will be a tad easier since I was quite content for the first half of the marathon and therefore chop a bit off my PB...not that I actually know what my PB is but I guess I can find out. I've definitely come to the conclusion that the half marathon is my distance (well maybe that the full marathon is too long, well see in October if I still feel the same way!).

Anyway training begins next week and I've give random updates of how life/training is progressing as and when interesting things happen when I'm out there hitting the streets!

It's over! and we did it!

It's over and we did it! With no blood (I think), lots of sweat, and just a few tears! I finally made it across the finish line in 5 hours and 48 minutes...a tad longer than I would have hoped for but done and never to be repeated! The first half went well with me completing it in around 2 hours and a half hours but by that stage I was dead so I walked from about 13 miles to 18 miles. I did try running at one point but I was running at the same pace I was walking and so I gave up! Along this stretch I walked with a very nice man called Keith from London and we chatted for a bit. He went on though every time he saw he saw me after that point he said well done and keep going...I may never know who you are but you kept me going!

At the turning point (for those of you who don't know you run out along the beach and then back) I decided I would run a mile and walk a mile...which worked pretty successfully till I reached the wind at by the power station which was like hitting a brick wall. The gusts were so hard that it was actually forcing me backwards...no good after 23 miles already done. I did resolve to walk the next few miles but was determined to make it home sub 6 hours and decided I could run the last mile well mile and a bit. By this stage precious few were still running...25 miles and a massive headwind...but from somewhere I gathered my strength and ran the last wee bit and even managed to sprint to the finish...no idea where that last burst of energy came from I guess from knowing who was benefiting from me putting myself through the torture...the kids! At the end I meet a very nice guy from Southampton who had done it as a bet to some friends who didn't believe that he could do it...I think pride was at stake cause he defiantly felt the same way I did! . Lastly they ran out of full marathon T-shirt by the time I crawled across the finish...I was offered a half one but I was a tad put out by this having just run a full marathon...if I done half I would have been happy with a half but I ran 26.2 (well according to the GPS 26.35 that extra 0.15 makes a huge difference!) miles. Rant over!

I would just like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has supported me over the last few months and who have donated their well earned pennies to a great charity. If anyone would still like to here's the link http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Rachel_Morrison_CHV

I would also like to say a massive well done to Sam and Joe who also completed the marathon but I'll let them write about their adventures!

Dedicated to my Grandpa John Morrison RIP 15 May 2011...I hope I made you proud.

6 Days To Go...

As you may have guessed from the title, there are 6 days to go until we run the Edinburgh Marathon. Surprisingly, I'm actually feeling okay about it. Last weekend Sam and I embarked on an 18 mile run around Erdington and Sutton Coldfield, and we actually did it with only one stop (I needed the loo...), and without feeling too bad at the end of it. It looks like the training may have actually paid off! Don't let me mislead you, our legs were in agony, but generally we felt good afterwards, if a little spacey. So roll on next weekend and let's get this over with!

In terms of fundraising, all events have now happened and they have been very successful. Last month we had the gig in Birmingham which was a huge success. Everyone seemed to have a great time, despite it being a Monday night, and we raised over £180, which was much more than we were expecting. So I'll say a big thank you to Tiny Cinema, Couthe, Johnny Kowalski and the Sexy Weirdos, and As Well Continue To Run for playing, acts came from far and wide for no money to help, and it was very much appreciated.

Yesterday was our pre-marathon garden party. About an hour before it kicked off I realised that the marquees we had were missing vital elements, it was raining and we couldn't get the barbecue going. Needless to say I was stressing somewhat, but my housemates came to the rescue (as they always do), and we got new marquees, got the barbecue going and the weather cleared up. So Sam and I would like to say a public thanks to Gemma Stubbs, Stephen Reddan, and Michael Reilly for their enormous amount of help yesterday. Also a big thanks to everyone who came along, it was great to see some faces I hadn't spoke to in ages, and everyone seemed up for a good time. Food and drink were plentiful (the latter a little too plentiful), and once again we raised way more money than I thought we would. I'll post some pictures after I find my camera in the rubble...

This week is all about resting and eating, two of my favourite activities, so the next time I post will probably be after the event, so wish us luck!

Darn it ... I can't breathe!

Hello! Sorry for the lack of post of late. It reflects the shameful amount of training I've been doing over the past week...

After the gig at the Island bar (to which I doth my hat to all involved) I had been quite good - fitting in a few long runs and trips to the swimming baths. However, this tailed off somewhat at the start of the week with a fair few shifts at various workplaces getting in the way (the perils of having four zero hour contracts).

With three weeks to go before the big day, I'm getting rather nervous!
Whilst I type this post, I'm meant to be completing a 12 mile run.
It started off well, my legs feeling fine and energy levels up ... then ... half an hour in ... I realised I couldn't actually breathe!

Not a good sign. I stopped.

Once the wheezing and tight chest had dissipated, I tried again.

Sadly to no avail.

As there is a history of asthma in my family I'll be heading to the doctors next week to check it out.

Fingers crossed I'll be able to up my game next week (eeek)

There was an old lady who swallowed a fly...

I don't why she swallowed a fly-perhaps she'll die...well I hope not or its only old ladies who die from swallowing flies as I shallowed quite a few on my run yesterday! After a small coughing fit and a touch of lucozade later I think the extra protein probably did me some good (as an aside lucozade is currently 4 bottles for £2 in tescos...this was rather exciting to me especially at the rate I am going through the stuff). I managed a very respectable 13 miles yesterday and could have gone further if I didn't have wee visit to the police station in the middle.

Training sort of took a dip with being on holiday and then coming down with an awful cold which knocked me for six but all seems better now :) fingers crossed! After my mum suggesting that I should probably pull out me telling her that that was quiting and I was at least going to try to run the marathon I hit training on the head once I came back to the sunny South! Good Friday saw me run around 15miles (well about 10 miles running and 5 walking...it was hot!) and a couple of stops on benches! I also had to visit a corner shop to get more water as I was so dehydrated!

Easter Sunday saw me go for and early short run of 9 miles...when did 9 miles become a short run I will never know! It was however a lovely run along the banks of the Thames and Cherwell where I saw some interesting sights including a man swimming in the river (a tad gross I think) some very cut ducklings and baby geese (I don't know the term!) and was wished happy Easter and good luck by a homeless man. The run ended with me chatting to a plant scientist researcher, originally from Glasgow, which was really nice just to break up the boredom! He also mentioned there may be some money in biodiversity if anyone is interested!

This post is dedicated to Becca for telling me "your rubbish and you never update this"!

Fifty Thousand Beats

Just a quick post to let you know about a charity gig we have planned for Monday April 18th at the Tiki Bar in Birmingham.

The evening promises to be full of fun and frolics, and so far the acts confirmed are As Well Continue To Run and Couthe (drummer permitting). There are also some very exciting acts in the pipeline which we will update you about as soon as we know ourselves. We will also be having a raffle with some genuinely good prizes!

So please, if you're available on Monday April 18th come on down and support us! Entry is £3, we'll provide the entertainment.

More details available via FaceBook here.

And don't forget you can sponsor Sam and sponsor Joe at any time you like!

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Now playing: Big Star - Don't Lie To Me
via FoxyTunes

Failing at nephalism, temperance, abstinence, abstemiousness and restraint.

Training has been pretty good this week. I made the most of the last days of Birmingham's Be Active scheme, where it's free to go for a swim or to the gym (the scheme still exists but with greater time restrictions now it's April); partaking in a couple of fast, hilly on the spot runs. I also went on a few cross country runs around both Sutton Park and Erdington's Industrial Estates. The latter saw Joe and I running on empty; I felt so sugar low at the end of 9 miles that my stagger home (well, back to 530) resembled that of a drunken persons gait!

Which is slightly ironic as I have been spending the remainder of my training teetotal. Well ... OK ... I say teetotal ... yesterday saw me at a friends 25th birthday meal. I stuck to soft drinks (apple juice and water) up until midnight, then I caved! I couldn't resist a White Russian and blimey - was it tasty. Someone kindly pointed out that it was practically a protein shake laced with alcohol and thus not too shameful ... I think I'll agree!

Memories...

For many years now it has been an ambition of mine, actually a dream of mine, to have a workout so intense that I develop the sweat patches around my neck line and back just like in the movies. I know what you're going to say, but I feel like I can aim that high. Well, yesterday I achieved this goal. I was up and out early and clocked over an hour on the treadmill, covering a cool 11 kilometres. I disembarked the running machine and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and there it was. "It must just be the pattern on my shirt" I thought, secretly excited. Once the room had stopped spinning I approached my reflection with trepidation, adrenaline pumping through my veins. I touched my chest and confirmed that I was indeed achieving my dreams. I was Rocky, the only thing missing was a montage.

As is often the case with achieving your dreams, the reality of the situation was not as spectacular as I had assumed it would be. I took over 600 pictures of the t-shirt, and have since had it framed, but I will never recapture that feeling of elation. If anyone would like to see it it now hangs above my bed, in a frame, with a simple message inscribed beneath it: Eye of the Tiger.

Great News Everyone!

Pain gone in my foot? Check. Two months until the marathon? Check. No more pesky job to get in the way of training? Check.

Today was my first attempt at any sort of running in about two weeks due to the torn ligament in my foot. For the first time in ages I had the real urge to get out there and get running, but decided my safest bet was to go to the gym, just in case anything snapped... Thankfully, nothing snapped. I only managed a 5km run which was a bit disappointing, but I was beginning to feel a twinge in my ankle and didn't want to be out of action again for another two weeks. Encouragingly I wasn't out of breath and my heart wasn't beating out of my chest, so I think my cardiovascular fitness is still okay, I just need to ensure I don't injure myself again before the big day. I need to be going on longer runs as well, seeing as Sam is very impressively managing 2 hour runs at the minute!

On a non running note, yesterday was my birthday, and so I assumed I'd be feeling very rough today. However, a combination of incredible food from Chez Jules (courtesy of Sam), and some intense poker meant my stomach was well lined and I wanted to keep my wits about me. That meant that today I woke up without a hangover, hurrah! Oh, and I won at poker since you ask...

Also, for those of you in Birmingham, it appears the council are extending the offer of free gym membership and free swimming for the foreseeable future. See, I promised there was good news!

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Now playing: Neil Young - On the Way Home
via FoxyTunes

Two months to go ...

Hello! Sorry for the lack of posts. Training has been going well ... last week I hit the gym on numerous occasions running 10k in just over an hour; altering my pace, from 'easy' to 'tempo' in a bid to improve the stamina. Oddly I've been finding indoor, on the spot running a little easier than the outside jogs. Perhaps it's the added pressure of people 'tutting' if you stop and walk? Who knows ...

A highlight so far this week, has to be a mammoth (if I must say myself) jog on Monday! I made it to the 2hr mark, running anywhere I could around Sutton - mainly the park, including the torturous hill up to the Jamboree stone. The park is quite an interesting place at dusk it seems ... lots of rich kids terrorizing the place on their mini motorbikes, along with slightly lost dog walkers ... After the run, I headed back for a stretch and a shower. Followed by a feast of a tea courtesy of Joe - he cooked up an amazing veg chilli with a side of tortillas, garlic bread and rice! (lots of carbs to replenish the stores). Sadly no pictures this time!

To those of you who have donated so far, thank you! We are hoping to have a few fund-raising events in the lead up (I can't believe how fast it is approaching). Culminating in a massive BBQ - so watch this space!

Today I reckon I'll be going for a long swim. Might even try my hand at some aqua running!

Beware The Perils of Self Medication

To continue where Sam left off, I have indeed torn a ligament in my ankle. I'm not entirely sure how to be honest, but I imagine to 9 mile run last Sunday didn't help, which is a shame because it felt great at the time! Needless to say I am in a fair amount of pain and won't be running on it for at least two weeks, so I need to focus on exercises to improve my stamina but don't strain my ankle. I'm thinking swimming might be my best bet here.

I was told by the nurse that it would get worse before it got better, which is never a great thing to hear, but luckily I'm on quite a lot of drugs. I'm taking something for the pain as well. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.



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Now playing: Screaming Trees - Shadow Of The Season
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A few steps behind ...

Hello! The past week has been a bit up and down with training ... On Sunday Joe and I managed 9 miles in less than 90 minutes! We stumbled back to club 530 to tuck into this amazing mound of food, yum!


Before setting off to see Killing Fields of Ontario play at the Yard Bird - They were really, really good (22-20s reminiscent?) and despite an aching calf I found myself tapping along!

The week turned a little sour as Joe's foot started to hurt a fair bit on Monday. I continued to hit the gym (me - rubbing it in?); a few days past and Joe's foot showed no signs of recovery. On Thursday we found ourselves in A&E! I'll leave it to Joe to recount the rest, but needless to say, he's having a break from training for the next week ...

So being Sunday aka 'the long run day" I had geared myself up for a 10/11 miler. Setting off in the company of my ipod and a bottle of lucozade (the sweetest drink ever made - blimey!), I was in good spirits. Soon however, I was faced with excruciating stitch and disturbingly 'clicky knees'. Not good. Whats a girl to do without a running partner to sing "eye of the tiger" when the pain hits in or play 20 questions to alleviate monotony? Well, WALK.

After a measly 30 minutes, having failed miserably, I gave up and walked.

I need to up my game somewhat ...

To Hell With Good Intentions

It's Friday! And I'm not running...

This week has been much better than lasts week's cold afflicted muscle pulling mess, with a swim on Monday, some intense army strength exercises on Tuesday and a satisfying 40 minute run on Wednesday. Thursday was a day off due to some serious muscle pain, and I think I'll give myself today off as well as we have the usual massive Sunday run planned.

In terms of fundraising, this Wednesday is our Flash Mob at the Birmingham Library! At the moment there's not too many people showing an interest, so please, if you're in town on Wednesday just pop along for two minutes! And if you can't make it, please give us money!!! Every penny counts. We are also trying to organise a charity gig upstairs at the Island Bar at some point in the next month or so. I will post any details on here as I find them out myself, but if you'd like to play please let me know and I can guarantee you'll be on the bill! We're looking for bands, comedians, magicians, anyone entertaining really. Also if you are creative or foody, some cool stuff to sell or raffle off would be much appreciated.

Can you tell we're desperate for cash?!

Achoo! Then Run Some

"Jeffrey Restuccio using the Stance, Beginning Position. Note the front knee is bent in the direction of the hoe".
(Taken from http://www.ritecode.com/aerobicgardening/)

Hello! Sorry for the sparse posting of late. Last week was a bit empty of training as I came down with a MASSIVE (for some reason that word reminds me of the 90s) cold. It has, however picked up again the past couple of days as sneezing fits have diminished.

On Monday I headed to the gym and ran on the spot for 45 mins - including 15 mins of sprints and recovery runs, or Fartlekking as they like to call it. It felt suprisingly good considering I hadn't done anything for a week...

Today, I did a bit of ahem "Cross training", though perhaps not in the conventional sense. It comprised of a couple of hours of gardening & many hours of shaking a chocalho for Bloco Louco. Okay, for the benefit of those whom are dubious that a bit of digging actually constitutes training, surely the fact there is a National Gardening Excercise day is enough? It's the way forward according to Jeffrey Restuccio amongst others. Sadly I was unaware of his 'Stance' and 'Lunge and Weed' exercises at the time, but maybe I'll give it a go should the opportunity arise ....

One Weetabix is Not Enough ...

So, Joe and I headed out for the 75 minute run today. We jogged around New Hall Valley (Or 'The Brook') and then hit Sutton Park. It was at this point that we democratically agreed to cut the run short by 15 minutes. It seems a bowl of weetabix is not enough fuel for an afternoon run. My legs felt fine, I was breathing quite easily ... but there was no power left (Oddly this makes me think of those old battery adds with the pink rabbits).

Overall, training has been going well this week. I went for two additional runs, a swim and a ten mile walk; not to mention an hour of walking before today's run ...

A a result my legs are feeling rather achy this evening and in reference to Joe's last post - I'm not sure I'll be needing to tenderise them with a meat cleaver anytime soon! My muscles are sulking from all the movement and making their complaints heard through the medium of 'Stabbing Pain', rather than numbness... each to their own I suppose.

Anyway, as the marathon draws closer I'm trying to think of interesting ways to reach our fundraising targets. Suggestions are welcome! There is talk of Flash Mobs, Murder Mystery Parties, Band Nights and our very own Olympics. Keep your eyes peeled!

Good Griffins It's Getting Close

To echo the sentiments of the title, crikey it's getting close to Marathon Day. Well, in the grand scheme of things it's not, we still have over three months to go, but in terms of mental preparation the pressure's on. I have been quite good this week, I've done two runs and if all goes to plan I'll be off for a swim this evening. I'm finding it increasingly hard to stay motivated though. I think my problem is that I get quite bored after about half an hour of running, so I'll open up the floor to suggestions for ways to add an element of excitement or interest to my running. I already take my iPod along, and have started to experiment with new routes, but any other suggestions would be very welcomed.

The plan on Sunday is for Sam and I to run for 75 minutes without stopping. This is quite daunting as I completed a half marathon in 105 minutes, so we'll only be half an hour away from 13.1 miles in theory. And by the end of the half marathon I wanted to cut off my legs and tenderise them to try and get the feeling back. Watch this space...

Oh, and don't forget to check out the Fundraising Flash Mob we've set up here.

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Now playing: Iron & Wine - Half Moon
via FoxyTunes

Run, Laugh, Stumble, Walk

Hello, sorry for the lack of posts of late. Training is coming on slowly but steadily...
Though difficult to squish into the day I'm finding the 'post-work-run' quite satisfying. A serotonin hit is more than welcomed after a day in the call centre (yep, I am that annoying person trying to get you to take part in government research).

Joe and I went for a particularly good 30 minute jog yesterday around the streets of Erdington, even including a bit of Fartlekking! Sadly I'm not quite as fast as the bearded one at sprinting ... but maybe one day ...

A slight tangent but the work 'Fartlekk' does bring back disturbing memories of Saturdays run. Last week Joe and I decided to run from his abode to Sutton Park and then some. Having not drank very many liquids that morning, Joe (in all kindness) handed me a glass of orange juice to down before heading out ... I'm not sure if it was the acid, the volume of liquid, or a bizarre form of IBS, but I was soon feeling like Paula Radcliffe (for all the wrong reasons).

Needless to say, whilst fighting the need to pee, I passed a 'substantial amount of wind'. Bouts of laughter ensued, so much so I was forced to walk a while as it's impossible to run whilst laughing. The moral of the story? No juice for breakfast on marathon day ...

Productive Days Off

I'm just over a month into my training now, and I'd like to say it's going well. However, my last run on Monday was not a success. It was only a short three mile affair, but I had to walk far too much of it and felt quite sick when I returned home. I blame my job. I've been forced to bite the bullet and get a temp job whilst I'm still looking for what I like to term "real work". The job is horrible, with the only saving grace being that Sam also works there, although we do have to sit on opposite sides of the office for no good reason. Anyway, I blame the job for my lack of fitness because it is hard to pull a run in after work, primarily because of a lack of food in the afternoon to fuel the run. I've been experimenting with afternoon snacks and bigger lunches, but nothing seem,s to do the trick. I'll keep on running, don't you worry!

And now for the real reason for this update: I have finally set up a Just Giving page, which you can access here. So please if you're reading this head over and give what you can, and don't forget there's three of us running so we don't mind if you want to split your donation three ways!

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Now playing: Cut Copy - Hanging Onto Every Heartbeat
via FoxyTunes

Hitting the Tiles & Then the Pavement

I didn't manage to fit in quite as much running as hoped last week, my excuse being a new office job! After a failed attempt to run back from Joe's (It seems Sam + empty stomach + midday run = seeing spots and feeble limbs) I was more than determined to go for a long one around Sutton Park. This I did! For a total of 40mins, which generally was a pleasant experience until my right headphone blew ... darn it! I must have brought/ bought a lazy set of headphones not accustomed to the outdoor world.

Anyway, as Rach has already mentioned - On Saturday I headed to Cambridge to catch up with Uni friends and toast Lizzie's birthday. After a cultured day meandering around Cambridge, ethanol intake began ... and continued! I blame B and W (you know who you are!) for their bad influence that saw me stumbling happily into bed long past 5am.

Stubborn as ever I did however join Rach on an 11 o clock run, which was surprisingly refreshing! Much fun was had running around Trinity college; particularly pretending to be a student and running through the 'tourists do not pass this point signs'; though I did respect the law that you're not to traipse along the grass unless you are a fellow or in the company of a fellow. There is also the possibility that I was still a little bit drunk whilst running, as after I was back and showered I more than bore the brunt of a nights poisoning!

Feeling less intoxicated today, I managed an hour long run around Sutton, think I've earned a rest day tomorrow.

Training has begun!

I finally put on the running shoes and began training last week. I started with an early Sunday morning run along the banks of the Thames. All was rather good bar slipping on some black ice 5 minutes into the run...thinking why did I agree to this and then going well i guess i just have to keep going! The other excitement was chatting to some homeless guys who asked how it was going then wished my luck. You wouldn't get that everywhere!

I've also decided that if I run home from work it avoids the "I'm home and warm and hungry and don't want to go out again" plus I can get a decent run without taking up to much extra time. So two day last week after work I went a long way home and got a good couple of miles in.

The last run of the week was avec Sam in Cambridge. The girls were all down for Lizzie's Birthday and so Sam and I thought we would take the opportunity to get a wee run in. After a rather late night and a tad more to drink that we probably should have we headed up into the streets of Cambridge, fingers crossed we wouldn't get lost. From Liz's brief tour the day before we didn't know much but we had fun running through some colleges and round various patches of green. All things considered, I think we did remarkably well running for 30mins and it was good to run with someone else.

9.3 Divided By 10

After unexpectedly finishing work early today (that's right...work!), I headed to the gym and continued my training. This week I aim to up my mileage, so I did 7km on the treadmill which felt great, at my normal pace of 10km per hour. I hope this switching between metric and imperial isn't harassing your brain too much.

I'm growing quite fond of the gym after years of openly bashing such establishments, but there are a few things I dislike about these sweaty places. Firstly, I am at a loss as to why they insist on pumping out mediocre and repetitive dance music at full volume in all areas of the gym. I know it probably helps to keep your pace, but I'd rather run to a metronome than that pile of shit. Secondly (and lastly for today), I really dislike people who drive to the gym and then walk on the treadmill for 20 minutes. Just pop round to the shops once in a while, it's a similar workout and you get some of that fresh air everyone's always raving about. The only excuse for this is when it's torrential rain, but still, at least break a sweat with a light jog guys. Jeez.

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Now playing: Tapes 'n Tapes - Badaboom
via FoxyTunes

Blue Sky Running

I'm not sure how it got to be Sunday evening already, but ah well. Since Thursday I have done a bit of 'on the spot running' at Wyndley Leisure Centre, which has prompted me to buy a working set of headphones to drown out the club house hits that they seem to endlessly pump out (pretentious?).

I've also been loving this sunny weather and partaken in two outdoor runs. The first around New Hall Valley, which was very pretty but did entail running up two rather steep hills (and down again - hurrah!). The second was in fact today. Joe and I had planned a run around Sutton Park ... but ... after a late shift at the Glee Club that saw me climbing into bed at 3am and a bit of gaming that kept Joe up til 4am as I'm told (no red wine this time, just tea and ridiculously tasty shortbread) ... we decided to go for a more achievable 3 miler around Pype Hayes park.

So ... that brings my weeks running to a total of 14 miles or 22.5km!

Unsurprisingly however, after four successive days of running I am now in a 'world of pain' and creeping around the house like an 80 year old. I reckon tomorrow will be a few stretches - might even go for some Pilates like all the new age kids do,  followed by a welcomed rest day on Tuesday!


   

Going Back On My Word

It's been a jam packed training week this week, with three visits to the gym in total.  Each time I managed to do a 5km run followed by 2km on the rowing machine.  Surprisingly I'm not aching too much, which either means I'm fitter than I thought I was, or I'm in for a world of pain in the next couple of days.  This week has also seen me rethinking my healthy living strategy.  Basically I was going to give up drinking for January, but then realised this would be of no benefit, so I've decided my alcohol abstinence will kick in nearer the time.  So to celebrate this fact Sam and I polished off two bottles of wine last night.  Thankfully this was spread out over the course of the evening so no hangover today.  I've always been someone who disagrees with giving up anything you enjoy, so my new motto is everything in moderation.  Tomorrow we'll be embarking on a lengthy run around Sutton Park I believe, so that will be a proper test of current fitness levels.

They've changed the layout of Blogger so I can't seem to add what I'm currently listening to onto the end of this post.  As I know most of you will be holding your breath until you find out, I'll do a manual one.

Currently listening to: The Dreamer - The Tallest Man On Earth

Shoe Christening

After Christmas I eagerly headed to the shops to pick up a pair of new running shoes. Twenty minutes of wall gazing later and I was the proud owner of a pair of shiny new trainers! For those interested I will be completing my 50 000 steps in a pair of Nike Lunar Swifts. Not sure I'll be running on the moon anytime soon, but hopefully they'll make me swift! On Lottie's advice I picked up a size 5 (and not my normal 4) to permit foot swelling on marathon day and in her words ... prevent my nails from falling off! Nice! (Remind me to pick up a pack of plasters next time I head to the shops ...)

Anyway, yesterday after deciding walking round the house in my lunar swifts didn't actually constitute exercise, I  headed to the gym to christen said shoes and start training proper! Joe introduced me to the wonders of Erdington Leisure Centre complete with running room. I managed 6k on 'Hill' setting 6 in 45 minutes, before stumbling home for a stretch and a shower.

Run, Fatboy, Run Screenshot

To continue the marathon theme we then watched Run, Fatboy, Run - the 2007 film featuring Simon Pegg as misguided marathon hopeful Dennis. Oddly, I looked a lot like Dennis in this screen shot today (see above), following a 4 mile walk home I did a few stretches with my lovely pink (hmmm) dumbbells in preparation for another gym sesh tomorrow, 

Day One...

After putting it off for the first few days of January, my training officially began today. I started the day with a three mile walk back to mine from Sam's house, an adequate warm up I'm sure you'll agree. It is then a one mile walk to my local gym, so by the time I arrived I wasn't really in the mood for a huge run. I pulled myself together though, and did 5km on the treadmill (at a speed of 10km an hour if you're interested, no incline). I was alone in the running room for most of my session, although was briefly joined by an elderly woman running in jeans. It was obviously her first time there, and I imagine the chafing experienced will mean her next trip out of the house will be to buy some joggers.

I got off the treadmill after completing my 5km and floated into the main room, a little light headed. I really must remember to bring water along in future. I did a quick 5 minutes on the rowing machine then decided to leave. 40 press ups at home later I partook in my second shower of the day and then had an enormous lunch. It does feel good to exercise, I think I'd forgotten just how good.

NB. This isn't intended as a bragging entry (as you can see from my relatively short session), but more of a record for my own benefit to keep tabs on my training.

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Now playing: Tom Waits - 16 Shells From A Thirty-Ought-Six
via FoxyTunes