Matt - 10 October 2006
For me, this is the hardest bit. Very long runs which you dread doing and which leave you feeling absolutely cream-crackered for a couple of days afterwards. Did a 16 mile race in Kingston-upon-Thames with Lynne on Sunday morning without much sleep - it was our fund-raising party the night before. Went ok but it has taken me ages to recover. I ran into work this morning and felt like my legs had been dipped in concrete and then some treacle. I hope I am feeling better by next Sunday morning - Rod and I have (stupidly) entered a 20 mile race over the South Downs which is notoriously tough. It seemed like a good idea at the time but now it seems like utter madness. Anyway, less than four weeks to go now - then I can actually have a lie-in on a Sunday morning. Bring it on NY.
Adam - 11 September 2006
Well, I'll keep this brief (like my training runs) as I am wasting valuable time that could be spent doing calf stretches.
Last week I ran home, not from the pub, but from work. I live in Barnet, some ten miles away from Islington - all up hill. Admittedly, it isn't the most scenic of routes, but it is a good test of stamina. I purposely left my travel card and wallet at work, to stop me getting on a bus or hopping on the tube. I know what a devious little cheat I can be. It transpired that I faced death twice on my way home.
The first brush was at the hands of a gang of evil looking "hoodies" on the Holloway Road. They were taunting me. I can't think why. I think my tight fitting sports vest which shows off my beer gut an appalling hockey socks look pretty good. After their volley of abuse: "fat boy", "Steve Sham" and "Weedy Gonzalez", I flipped them the bird and then ran for my life. My turn of speed was that of a gazelle and they soon gave up their chase. Maybe the training is paying off?
The second time I played chess with the grim reaper was running up Highgate Hill. Santa Maria, it's steep. It made me cry. I was overtaken by a pensioner carrying a very heavy load of shopping.
But once I came over the summit I realised I had jogged into the right borough and was now into East Finchley (at this stage I definitely would have got on the tube given the option). Onto Finchley Central, through Whetstone and into Barnet, which never looked so beautiful, some 1 hour and 45 minutes later. Absolutely knackered. I didn't speak for the rest of the night and nearly passed out in my bath a bit later on. The next day I felt like someone had taken my muscles and replaced them with old goats.
I am not sure where I will find another 16 miles. It's in me somewhere, but with 6 weeks to go I just hope I find it quickly.
Luke - 21 August 2006
Well the clock is ticking down seemingly faster everyday and I don't feel I'm making the kind of progress I'd envisaged at the time I signed up. By now I expected to be in the best shape of my life, drinking less, feeling healthy, set for a top 10 finish and possibly the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award. The reality is that I've learned how to run on a hangover; I reward myself after a lengthy run with food I'd normally consider far too unhealthy to eat; I started smoking again after a 3 year abstinence; I've realised that a top ten place is possibly a little optimistic, and instead I've put all my Xmas savings on David Walliams to win BBC Sports Personality Award. On the plus side I have now run over 10 miles and if I could keep that pace for the whole marathon I'd get round in a fairly reasonable time for a first attempt. However I hear that it's the other 16 miles which are going to be the problem. So, starting tomorrow it's time to step up a level, the fags must and will stop, it's time to get serious..... is that the Rocky soundtrack I hear in the background.
Matt - 9 August 2006
For some reason, probably because there are only 13 weeks to go and that doesn't seem very long at all, I entered the Harlow 10 last Sunday. Does what it says on the tin - race of 10 miles around a "gently undulating" course in Harlow, Essex. Big mistake. My alarm didn't go off, I woke up late, missed breakfast, ran to the tube station, ran through Liverpool Street station, just missed the train I was supposed to get and which would have got me there early, so had to run from Harlow Town station (it didn't look far on the map but it was about 2 miles, most of which I ran in a fleece - don't ask) and arrived at the start 30 seconds before the gun sweating profusely and generally not in great shape at all. I gulped down a bottle of Lucozade (too quickly) to try and revive myself but that just made me feel sick for the first 5 miles. Given my frantic build-up to the race, in between bouts of nausea, I decided to take it relatively easy for the first half of the race and then speed up. Good in theory. In fact, I just got even slower. It was hot and the course was not "gently undulating" at all and I really couldn't believe how bad I felt. I did discover that, in very steep hills, it can be quicker to walk than to try and keep running. I now know this because several people walked past me looking quite astonished at how slowly I was moving, given the effort I was putting in. I kept going because I had no idea where I was and If I had stopped the marshals would probably still be out there looking for me. To cap it all, I was overtaken about 800 yards from the end by a man who was, I swear, at least twice my age - nearly as embarrassing as when I was overtaken by eight blokes carrying a replica Viking sailboat in the London Marathon, but not quite. Anyway, I kept going and I finished and lay down on some grass for what must have been a very long time. And, by the way, I really enjoyed the two mile walk back to the station. My wife said I should have stayed in bed. I can't argue with that. Bloody alarm clock.
Lynne - Friday 28 July
All in a dither - due to the horrid humid heat haven't done any running since last Sunday. Two problems - my schedule says I should do a long run on 10 miles this weekend but I want to go sailing! Nothing for it then but to set the alarm clock for 6am and get out there and get panting. By 7am I am warmed up (that didn't take long) and all ready to go around Regent's Park. 4 laps of the park - 3 mins running 2 mins walking - 140 minutes. That last lap really did hurt, my legs were screaming. I am hoping some fresher air will make this easier! Still now I can go sailing with a clear conscience.
Rod - 24 July 2006
Training for the marathon is laying bare all sorts of interesting experiences. I cannot say that there is any method to what I am doing, 3 mile runs into work, 6 miles lunch time runs with team mates, an overly optimistic attempt at 12 miles which ended just shy of 10 and a consolatory bus ride back from Homerton High Street via Dalston market.
What I can say is that I have: - sounded reveille so early that the lark has turned over to get some more shut eye, performed grotesquely ineffective and unorthodox stretches within insult throwing distance of hoodies in Victoria Park, sailed, like a super-tanker that has such momentum its turning point is the horizon, through a sea of clubbers waiting for minicabs in Smithfield in the early sun, their eyes like saucers and hearts in their mouths from the night's and morning's excesses, climbed walls in the City when I have got lost, seemingly dropped a couple of neck sizes yet retained my "fighting" weight of a pound off 14 stone, acquired a drawer full of sports socks, teased tinnitus by reliving the ear bleeding techno of a misspent youth on my i-pod and, significantly, mastered (set backs permitting) running without my lungs hanging out of my mouth - a calm and secure feeling courses through my body after about 15 to 20 minutes on the streets as I drift into a blissfully unaware state and, of course, there's plenty of uninterrupted time to consider those life changing thoughts - did I leave the iron on and when is my pre-run snack of a mug of Nescafe and brace of bananas going to pave its merry way through me like road?
With 15 weeks to go to the main event, I am totally converted to the benefits to both mind and body of exercise and I seriously cannot wait to get out there for my next adventure.
Ryan - 11 July 2006
Well, my training has not exactly been going 'to plan'. I have just returned from a holiday in Barbados but with all the good intentions in the world it was just not the place for curbing excessive eating / drinking habits or doing the longest run of my life! I am telling myself that my decision to put any training on hold during the holiday was perfectly sane and rational.
Anyway, there are some positives to take forward. Firstly, I have at this stage mastered the 2 to 5 mile run on my own. I can now run an hour before the boredom and the pain really sets in. I am fortunately to live around the docklands which is ideal for training and I have loaded my MP3 player with music to keep me going. As yet, I haven't resorted to anything like the music from 'Rocky' to spur me on but I am willing to try anything.
The boredom aspect is hopefully going to be overcome by running with other people. A 'lunchtime running club' was set up by my fellow team members during my holiday and I am going to experience this pain / pleasure for the first time today. Hopefully, seeing others in agony will help drive me on that extra mile (well that's the plan).
Another obstacle that I have yet to overcome is planning training routes better. This was highlighted on Sunday when I tried to follow a new route along the docks by the City Airport. When I realised I couldn't go any further I ended up on a ferry to Woolwich which was certainly not the intention. I realise how daft this sounds and I don't really have a defence for my actions other than exhaustion and some hopelessly bad signs around the Docklands area!
Finally, I have received advice on what I should be eating and drinking in the build up to the big day. Now this is the biggest challenge of all! I have seen nothing from me in the past to suggest that I refrain from indulging in the excesses that I enjoy but I realise that something has to give.
So, in summary, the early report reads "could do better" and "must try harder" but it's a marathon not a sprint after all.......
Adam - 3 July 2006
Last Sunday I woke up on my sofa dressed in a 1970's three piece suit, sweating Liebfraumilch out of every pore and fending off a raging hangover. I had been out. Somewhere. I started having flashbacks of an Icelandic funk band. Interesting. I began to plan my lazy day. I would not move from this spot, only to crawl into my bedroom and eat fried food. Bacon. I love bacon.
But then it struck me. I was running the marathon. Time was running out. My lazy Sundays, until November, were a thing of the past. The preceding week had seen me venture out on two training runs. However, I had been advised that it was the Sunday run that really makes the difference. With this in mind, I prioritised my day. I finished watching John Craven's country file and then had a shower. At least I didn't smell of cigarettes. I had given up four weeks ago. And, as I fell in the shower I wondered two things; Firstly, was giving up smoking enough of an achievement for this month, did I really need to go for a run? Secondly, and more importantly, whose pants did I have on?
Baffled and confused on both counts I ate a banana, laced up my running shoes, slipped into my Garfield t-shirt and with Kelly Clarkson blasting on my I-pod I took to the streets of Barnet.
20 minutes later I was throwing up into a bush.
And as I lay there, with my eyes streaming and my stomach cramped and knotted, watching a pigeon feeding on my last meal, I felt strangely satisfied. Proud of myself. I had taken it on. Fair enough, I had been taught a lesson, I had been found out, but I had made it to this point. I have actually braved the hangover, got changed into my running garb and managed to leave the house. Admittedly, I then collapsed on the side of the road. Faint, feeble, shattered, and only 20 metres from my front door. But I've still got 4 months. After all, it's a marathon, not a sprint. Maybe by August I'll have made it to the end of my road.
Luke - 20 June 2006
As I did no training last week I promised myself my first Sunday morning run - the same Sunday morning run I've been promising myself since I signed up to this bloody thing!
Then, as always, I ended up partying too hard on Saturday night and did nothing but lay on the sofa all day Sunday hugging myself and watching football.
Yesterday I felt utterly disgusted with my lack of will power and motivation so when I got home I put my all-in-one sprinter's outfit on and ran 6 miles in 57 minutes - not lightning speed I know but after a heavy weekend it hurt like hell. I was dripping with sweat by the time I'd even done my stretching, and today I can barely lift my legs to get up and down the stairs...
HOWEVER... I actually do feel much better, it's re-ignited my motivation and I have a spring in my step despite my unbelievably stiff legs!
I actually don't remember the pain of yesterday, just the good I feel today..... must be the only reason some people run so many of these bloody things!
Matt - 5 June 2006
I went to a wedding in Shropshire at the weekend, so I took my kit and went for a run on the Saturday morning. Not knowing the area, I got a bit lost and ended up running quite a bit further that I had intended, but it was a nice morning and a really good run in the countryside (which made a change from the streets of London). However, as a result of having a very good time at the wedding itself, the planned long run on Sunday didn't materialise. And neither did the run to work today. Oh dear.
Lynne - 1 June 2006
Saturday 27 May my first milestone. My first run ever measured in miles rather than minutes. Twice around Regent's Park - five and a half miles in 1 hour and 5 minutes. Didn't run all the way of course, still running 3 minutes and walking 2 minutes but this is a massive improvement on my first training sessions where I could only manage to run for 1 minute. There is a downside though - I set myself a target time of 6 hours - now I am beginning to wonder if I can manage a little less than this!