soory four my speling

It seamz I spend two mutch tyme hear

Sorry Kate ;-)

Catch up missive

It was quiet on the tube this morning. Is it because it's the last week of the school holidays? Dunno but I like the space. The downside of this extra space is that I stood out like a sore thumb when I was laughing my ass of whilst reading my book. There is something about toilet humour (farting for example) as a vehicle for disarming authority. I like the simlpicity of the argument - 'Who the hell are you to stomp on me when we both fart sometimes. Look - we are equal on so many levels!'

So, the marathon training is getting more serious - not 100% full-on just yet - and I'm happy to say all is going well so far. Over the last 5 days I have run 10 miles, walked 3 and cycled 14. I'll get 25 minutes on the treadmill (yawn) tonight and get a long run in on Saturday (8-10 miles) before a two week break...

The first two weeks in Sept will find me in Asia - Singapore and Malaysia. I'm spending time with my bestest friends and celebrating Marie's birthday!

I'll be back in two weeks - or so....assuming I don't stay there!

****ing junk mail

I can handle spam in my inbox as the software filters out 99% of the garbage. I cannot deal with the waste associated with unsolicited junk coming through my letter box.

I have a sign on the letter box saying 'No free newspapers or junk'....clear enough?

No. Evidently not so if you are a leaflet poster for bogus so called clothing collection charities. Sorry - it may seem...well...uncharitable but no junk means no junk. I do not see value in creating waste....even for a 'good cause' (so called). I choose to not be subject to someone else's lame ass marketing garbage.

PLEASE STOP JUNK MAILING ME!

Twats.

Thanks for the support!

Today was the big day. After a stalled run up to the British 10K due to injury, today was the day to go for it with all I had.

The forecast was not inspiring but I wasn't going to let anything so trivial as a hurricane get in my way - Pah!

Finding the start was a trivial process accompanied by a small shower. After waiting for a wee while to get going, accompanied by a stronger shower, I finally hit the roads with 25,000 other runners.

There was no sign of injury for the whole run! Just not enough fitness really, and some more showers.

The atmosphere was really great! The crowd lining the route was noisy but not as noisy as a few thousand runners in a road tunnel. I heartily approval of juvenile behaviour in the course of having fun. ;-)

So, for various reasons (walkers getting in the way, fitness...lack of, rain, wind, 24,999 other runners on a tight-ish track etc.) today was never going to be a fast run. the winner was over 30 mins where a fast 10k for blokes might be considered to be below 30 mins. Now that's olympic standard bear in mind. I was aiming for 55 mins at best....sub hour at least.....just finishing at worst!

So, According to my Garmin I finished the first 5k in just over 27 mins....hmm, going out a little too fast I think! The second 5k took me up to 58:45....crossing the line took me up to 1 hour on the nose!

So, morally, I feel that was a sub 1 hour race but it's the time you cross the line with that counts though so technically this was 60mins. I'm happy with that though all things considered. See what you think: The run.


British 10k feedback:

• Runners need to be penned according to time


• Chipped time required


• Sort the start out!


• Sort the finish out!


• More goody bag booty required


• This is a race with huge potential...if it was better organised...

Please support me

In July this year I'll be taking part in a very large running race. Large as in lots of people - not marathon large in distance but more on that in a moment. What The London 10k lacks in terms of killer distance it more than makes up for in terms of participatory scale. Tens of thousands of runners will be taking part and I for one will be doing so in order to raise funds for Diabetes UK. Take a look at the left hand part of this page for the links or if you are too lazy:

• Donate here


• Get more information here


• Make this your homepage
  

Now, as a type II diabetic, I take running quite seriously. I use it to look after myself whilst having fun. I monitor my blood sugar levels before and after running. I listen to what my body is telling me when I run. I still have fun though and supporting races is huge fun too. Come along and shout at me to make me run faster. It does help honest!

My eventual plan is to run the London Marathon in '09. I have set the wheels in motion but taking one step at a time (pardon the pun) I am going to race the 10k first. I'll keep my failthful readers posted on progress.

Just another day?

Its early/mid-April, Sunday, another day, another 35,000 tired pairs of feet - and that's just the runners of today's 100th Flora London Marathon (spectators get it tough too y'know).

It could be argued easily that today's race was one of the toughest in recent memory. Starting out as pleasant spring morning typical for mid-April, by just after lunch time (during my second pint), the heavens opened for the first time (of many times during the day) drenching the runners with sleety hail and blasting them with a brisk chilly wind.

Harsh

This was tough going...wet running gear tries to dry quickly at the expense of the runners body heat. T'was a cold afternoon sporting vests and shorts.

Those who had even the slightest risk of the dreaded chafing were guaranteed painful red patches by wet running/rubbing kit. St Johns Ambulance representatives responded with admirable speed and forethought by offering handfuls of Vaseline to passing runners who managed (whilst on the hoof) to discretely secrete the relief giving ooze in whatever nook or crannie that was subject to frictional discomfort.

Heroes

Two of my closest chums (Slick and Smooth to those in the know) showed real guts today getting through one heck of a run. I doff my cap, raise my glass, stand back in admiration and applaud with gusto as they take a bow for showing the backbone that was required at today's race - grit: dey haz it...plenty.

Get real

I'm glad in a very selfish way that today was tough. I was under no illusion that a 26.2 miler is an easy run. I know having done 13.1 how hard long distance running is and what preparation is required. A race such as today is a healthy reminder as to what level of commitment is required to see through such a gruelling challenge.

Hat's off to you girls. I hope to have even half the guts you showed today this time next year...yup, you can enjoy the beer in '09 whilst I slog it round....assuming I get the entry of course!

And here are the photos

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