15 Miles then to the Pub

What a scramble! I had to meet my brother at noon to watch the football. Glasgow Rangers against Glasgow Celtic (a match of huge significance where we are from) was being shown in one of the local bars. But first I had to run 15 miles. No problem. Right?

Wrong. I was up at 8am as planned, everything going well so far. Then I remembered all that wine I'd drank the night before. Duh!! I felt like crap. Time to rehydrate. So, by about 9.30, and after a LOT of water, I was ready to go. 20 mims warm up then off to Chelsea and back. Would I make it??

Yes. 14.7 miles later I made it back to my house, stretched, showered and got myself ready. I arrived at the bar just in time to meet my brother. We watched Rangers win against their Glasgow rivals Celtic while enjoying a few beers a free pies (all good marathon food). One of us supports Celtic, the other Rangers. Who was happier? That, I am not saying, but surviving that day makes me feel more ready for my next marathon.

Easter Training in Sunny Glasgow

I've just got back to London from spending Easter weekend in sunny Glasgow. Seeing my Mum and catching up with friends is always nice. But the idea of going for a long run there this eary in the year is not always a pleasant one. It can be seriously cold!

And it was. I'm not too sure how far I ran (10-15 miles), but I felt it all the way. And so did others runners I saw out training, all both of them. Yep, that right, I saw two other runners in the two hour spell I was out. In London I lose count after about 30 minutes.

Anyway, moaning about it never helps so I did the milage. Out to the city centre. Then along the side of the River Clyde on to Ibrox Park, home to Glasgow Rangers Football (soccer) team, and back past Hampden Park (the Scottish national soccer stadium). A good run, but I felt the winter all the way. Twice it even started snowing!! My fingers were going numb. (Note to self, buy some running gloves fool!!) Finally though, I made it home; back to a warm house and steaming hot shower. Bliss.

9 weeks until my next visit to Scotland - the Edinburgh Marathon. Time to step up a gear.

Edinburgh Marathon - all signed up

I've gone and done it! I've signed up for the Edinburgh Marathon. This will be my eighth 26 miles and fourth time round Edinburgh. If its as well organised as before and I give it my all it should be another great tour of the Scottish capital, hopefully with a nice new PB :)

I'm from Glasgow, rival city to Edinburgh. So, by 'law' I am wary of the place. However, as far as organising this kind of event is concerned they have done a damn good job every year I've been there. Every aspect of organisation was flawless (although it did rain for a couple of hours last year) and the people come out in their thousands to support the runners. I can't wait to take part. My anticpation is growing by the minute.

Reading Half, conquered. Next stop Edinburgh Marathon?

I did it! I completed the Reading Half Marathon. And with a respectable time as well.:-)

How chuffed am I? 2 months ago I woldn't have believed it possible. Back in early January I was unfit, fat, and getting fatter. The idea of running to the end of the road was getting embarrassingly scarey. But with eight weeks of training, if with a few hiccups along the way, I managed to turn it around. The long runs, track sessions and muderous hill training has done the business and taken me past another finish line. My time: 1 hour 40 mins - my second best time out of four half marathons. Not bad :-)

At this moment I only have London Half Marathon arranged, but that's in October. Between then and now I'll need to sign up for something else. London 10K? Edinburgh Marathon,? Elmbridge 10K? Father's Day 10K? Or maybe all of them??

Reading Half Marathon here I come

Training has finished. There is nothing more to do now. The race beckons. Ready or not, I'll be running this Sunday in the Reading Half Marathon.

But I am ready. Less beer and better training have been paying dividends. Track sessions have become easier, and long runs have been longer. Hill sessions remain as murderous as ever, but that has always been the case, so no major worries there. All said, 13.1 miles is well within my grasp.

One last hurdle beckons. A big beer Friday! 'Last Friday of the month' beers and a leaving do that could be quite monumental spells impending doom for both my liver and race efforts. Its going to be tough. But if I keep fairly sobre and make it through the evening without pickling my liver (and have to spend Saturday in bed recovering) I should be OK for Sunday. I am meeting friends after the race and don't want to report a bad time, so hopefully that should help keep me in line. Time will tell.

Now I need to sort out a race or two for summer. Edinburgh Marathon and a 10K in London?

Ready for Reading Half Marathon

At last, a week of training to be proud of. I've made enough progress to feel confident of finishing my impending half marathon, and I actually feel fit for once.

3 more training sessions. Thursday hills was 'murder' as ever. However on Sunday, after dragging myself out of bed, into a freezing cold morning (cars were all covered in frost!!) and up to the track to meet the Sunday crew from the running club, we got ready for our weekly long run. Off we went. And less than 2 hours later I had ran what felt like 12 miles. And a wee check-up online suggests the route was actualy 13.4 miles. Yeh!!! I am there! I am ready! Result. And to complete the past week's efforts, this previous evening's intervals was so much less difficult than previously, and not finishing last was quite a bonus.

Reason for improvement:- less beer. Here endeth the lesson.

Now to apply for the Edinburgh Marathon??

11 Mile Run and Signed up for London Half Marathon

Nnnng!!! I am so unfit. Another hill session and another track session. Both completed, but not worth shouting about:( As for my long run, now that was a different matter. I totally smashed my 10 mile endurance target. An 8 mile trip to Brockwell Park and back then another 3 miles around the local park. 11 miles! Result.

Oh yeh, and I'm giong to need to keep up the training. I checked my email on Sunday morning and found I had signed up for the London Half Marathon in October. ****! I seriously need to drink less alcohol.