Half way to a Half Marathon

A good week's training. Even with too much alcohol on Saturday, good progress has been made.

Another Thurdsay reminder of what Hell will invovle reminded me not to miss my weekeknd long run. After 6 missions up the slope I was dying. And I was being asked to attend the club long run on Sunday. The previous effort had been 11 miles! I said I would do my best to turn up, but had bad visions and thoughts of taking my travel card.

Sunday arrived. Unfortunately that followed Saturday and too much imbibing. I woke up 2 hours too late for the club run, and was no use to man nor beast. However with a few hours rehydration I set off for a 6.5 mile run - about 3 miles up on previous 2008 best efforts. I made it!! Two loops out past Wimbledon dog track and back - 6.72 miles in total. Superb. More than half way to my 13.1. mile target. For the first time this year I feel inspired. PB in March? Possibly.

Then intervals on Tuesday. As promised we were asked to run 4x1600m with 400m rest between each mile. Absolute murder polis! I thought my lungs were going to pack in! Still I made it. Another small step in the right direction.

In conclusion: So far so good. The prime directive of finishing the Reading Half Marathon seems likely. A bit more training and I'll be ready. Oh, and my fat post-christmas belly is begining to shrink as well. Sweeeeeet :-)

London Half Marathon

I've just heard there is going to be a London Half Marathon this year. The date I was given was October 5. The location is thought to be in and around the O2 in North Greenwich.

This is totally unconfirmed. It's the first news I have heard about it, and I can't find any mention of it on the 'net. However it was being discussed by fellow runners at tonight's hill training session, and the sources are far from unreliable. Some were against the idea because it would be a mass participation event, but I reckon it would be a cool idea, especially London has no half marathon race of its own. And if the atmosphere is anything like the London Marathon it will be lots of fun.

Update:
The race is called Run to the Beat - http://www.runtothebeat.co.uk. Runners will run to music that "will be scientifically selected to match the physiological and psychological demands of the half-marathon event". Music always helps me run further and faster, so this should be a good race. PB?? Count me in!

Light at the end of the Tunnel

Another week of effort. Another week of desparate exertion! But now I feel like I'm making some progress.

Depite no hill training over the last week or any long run I'm beginning to feel fitter. Instead of a bout of hills, (work got in the way) I ran a little circle around the Thames from Parliament to Waterloo Bridge. Usually I go as far as Blackfriar's Bridge, but not while I am fat and unfit.

Then, hiking in Dorset at the weekend, I missed my long run. Not good. But I'm telling myself the 35 miles of walking will help. Not sure about the beer though.

And earlier tonight, back to the track. 7 times 800m with 200m intervals. Toughest yet this year. However, I didn't feel as close to death as in previous weeks, so I assume I am beginning to make some progress. We were informed that next week is miles. As you will expect, we are all looking forward to the challenge. :-\

Training and Raining

Things are improving, slowly. With another week gone before I kill myself running the Reading Half Marathon I am beginning to feel a bit more ready for the 13.1 miles. But I reckon I may need to invest in a waterproof running jacket first.

Hill training, weekend long run and intervals at the track all went as hoped. I survived the hills, doubled my endurance on Sunday (up to a massive 3.6 miles) and endured the track (finished last again, but slightly less obviously. Really.). I just wish it had been dry. Going past all those non-runners with looks of disdain suggesting "You nutter! Go home and stay dry you fool!" wasn't the best, especially as they were all right. To the London Marathon shop I think, ASAP!

My next week is going to be a bit all over the place. I'm goingto miss hill training through work and will be out of town, hiking, when I normally do my long run. That sure ain't going to help. Regardless, I'm going to have to make up the training somehow, which should be 'fun'.

First Track Session 2008 - Torture

It'd been two over months since I had been to the track. After a minor injury in the Athens Marathon in November and the distraction of Christmas (ok, beer) about nine weeks had passed since I last took to a running track.

I was about to pay for my recent laziness. After arriving at the track and greeting a few people, our coach, Stan, mentioned my recent tardiness. Justifiably, he suggested I attend more often. Then I found out why.

We were to run 6 x 800 M with 200 M in between. For some reason I found this to be less than easy, and more difficult than usual. Coming home second-from-last of about 40 I wasn't overly pleased with myself. Though I am sure a few people finished early. Honest. Anyway, I'm 'up to' 3 miles now, so I'm mildly hopeful for my half marathon in March.

2008 - a new year of running

Another year, another 12 month of training for 10Ks, half marathons and marathons. Or as most people describe it, madness.

I have just set out on a renewed (suspended for Christmas cheer) training for my long distance races. Having plunged in and signed myself up for the Reading Half Marathon in March, there is no time to sit about. My two training runs, so far, were shocking! A desperate bout of hill training on Thursday and a gasping 1.5 mile effort yesterday around the local park are testament to the work needing to be done. It's not going to be easy. The alcohol and laziness of the holiday season has done me no good and 8 weeks of painful effort await.

Will I manage 13 miles om March 2? Let's hope so :\