So long, and thanks for all the fish ...

It seems fitting that I sign off this blog with a line from the great Douglas Adams. It was he, and his Last Chance to See book, who inspired me to become interested in Save the Rhino, and their great work continues. Stephen Fry recently retraced Douglas's steps with Mark Carwardine, and gave a great talk fundraising for Save the Rhino which I was privileged to attend.

So, next half marathon was scheduled for November 8th - the Grand Union Canal half marathon near Watford. What's been happening?

From Milton Keynes, I tried to keep up the running once a week. I just about managed it, struggling to hit any kind of distance, with most of my runs 2 to 3 miles. My longest run was 5 miles in Cheltenham, and I did manage one lovely running cliche - a 2 mile run along the beach at daybreak on Sanibel Island on holiday, quite gorgeous! It's true though that a lot of my runs were cut short - whether through struggling with heat or the usual mental demons that cause me to take shortcuts home.

But with five weeks to go to the half marathon, I really needed to step up the training. And so ... it was at this point that I took three weeks off completely. A persistent cold followed by cramming for an exam meant that I completely abandoned training, and as a result have abandoned next week's half marathon.

I do remain positive! Tash, my first commenter on this blog many months ago, and now my friend and running partner, checked out this blog to remind me that exactly one year ago this week, I ran my very first mile. I came a long way to that point but have moved on a long way since. Though I may have dropped off recently, I musn't forget how much I have achieved!

But that's not the end of it. I have started again. And I am scheduled to run in next year's Edinburgh marathon - keep following my progress and find out future details of the orangutan charities that I will run for this time. Last week I ran three times - the busiest week since Milton Keynes, and I am back up to 50 minutes' running again. I am positive, I'm back, and I'm aiming for a sub five hour run.

And for more proof that I really did the run this year - see below!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/savetherhino/sets/72157621905210383/show/

The proof - and what next?

Well here's the proof from last Sunday - the Garmin readout of my 13.14 mile run round Milton Keynes

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/9812864

And here is proof of my finishing time:

http://www.racetimingsystems.com/franchised/results.aspx?raceid=838&emanagerid=33

I'm still amazingly proud that I can run half marathons now - twelve months ago this blog started and I could barely run a minute. But I'm wary of a few things

- I'm slow. Really slow. If you sort the finishers in reverse order, I come on the first page. I beat only 8% of runners home, and only 4.6% of all men
- I finish with energy left in the tank. I've finished two half marathons and a full marathon now, and in each case I could have done more, having finished without pushing myself to its limit.
- Combine those two facts - look at the splits I ran - I can go faster.

I think if I'm to continue, my goal has to be to run faster - do I have a 2 hour half marathon in me? Or can I at least try and train for one and get a respectable 2:05 or 2:10?

As I finished, delighted with my 2:29, the prizegiving was happening for all the different age categories. Now I didn't go to win any prizes, but the leading woman was not there as she'd long since gone home for a shower and a cup of tea. And the over 60s womens category was won in 2:11, fully 18 minutes faster than me. By the only over 60 woman in the whole field!

I haven't decided my running future yet but I've spent 8 days now not running and eating lots of cake. It surprises me to announce it, but I want to run on, run regular and run faster.

Well, run on a bit anyway!

NSPCC Milton Keynes Half Marathon

So, the time has arrived and the preparations continue to be disastrous. To cut a long story short I've completely lost my application pack, so travelled to the venue early in the hope of being able to enter on the day.

Thankfully as I arrived and told the organisers my story they completely believed me and handed me a new pack free of charge. With this change of luck I made a donation anyway to the NSPCC since I was expecting to have to re-enter. The sky tried to rain, succeeded in dropping a few spots of drizzle, but this was to be all we got.

Quick stop off at the ambulance for some nipple plasters much to their amusement, and the run started. My race number was 1492, the number of Columbus, but I ran the race more like Columbo! (that's not actually true but I just wanted to make that joke)

I started near the back at the 2hr 30 marker, but soon got overtaken by just about everyone in the first half mile. Determined not to set off I convinced myself that everyone else was going too fast, but the truth is I never saw most of them again. But I was happy with my early pace, and by mile 2 latched on running alongside a girl who seemed to be running at my pace. She was a Paula Ratcliffe lookalike so looked the part, but obviously she was running with the slowcoaches at the back so that's where the similarity ends ...

Two miles later I decided to speak - not sure if I was freaking her out by running next to her but not speaking, and from that point on we kept each other company for most of the rest of the race. I'd established that the first 3 miles or so have always been difficult especially recently, but all seemed fine as I ran through the first 8-9 miles. Mile 9 was slow, as my companion (I never found her name) began to struggle, and though I continued comfortably, I still never overtook anyone, apart from two injured runners and two blokes stopping for a piddle.

At about 10.5 miles I felt a second wind - having slowed down a bit I knew I could complete but saw that I needed to speed up a bit to match my Silverstone 2hrs 30 time. So I showed my companion a clean pair of heels and left her for dust (and many other cliches). My speed got better again and in all honesty I had no trouble accelerating slightly to the finish. I probably overtook 50-100 people in the last 2 miles, which felt really rather good.

And I finished, in 2 hrs 29 minutes. My fastest mile was mile 13, to my delight, and I genuinely feel I had a lot more left to give. Perhaps my company was slowing me down somewhat but I was very grateful and she really made the race smooth and fast. Whoever you are, I wish you well, congratulations and good luck in the New Forest marathon in September!

I don't think my blog posts today have done justice to the amazing difference mentally and physically (but mostly mentally) between last Sunday (my long run only lasting 5 miles) and today. Whether it's running with others, or in events, that brings it out in me I don't know.

Today I was prepared to give up running for good if it all went badly. But it didn't, and so I won't. I'd even go so far as to say I might start liking it again now! If only I knew how my mind worked and could harness it to like running more most of the time! No matter, the rest of today has been about spoiling myself - and a jumbo frappuccino, a roast dinner and a glass of wine later, I'm rather pleased with today.

It's all gone quiet ...

As the title said, my blog has gone a bit quiet. So what happened?

In training terms, not a lot has happened. A combination of a wedding weekend, a mild virus and a lack of organisation meant I week went by without running. My Milton Keynes deadline was looming but the miles are decreasing, not increasing.

Fast forward to July 19th, just a couple of short runs since my last blog and the need to get in one final long run before the half marathon. In the interest of "tapering" I didn't want to get to 12-13 miles, but woefully short on practice of longer runs I did need to at least hit 10 miles.

Setting off in the pouring rain I planned my possible routes but didn't run out into the country, deciding instead to run short laps in Bicester. This was probably doomed to failure as I really struggled to two, three miles and beyond. I just didn't have the motivation. The only way I could convince myself I would even reach five miles was to tell myself that was as far as I was going.

And in the final week? Just two short treadmill runs to avoid the rain and tick off the bare minimum of training.

A lot of people asked if I was still running, or those in the know asked about Milton Keynes coming up this weekend. My now very over-used line is that I am running Milton Keynes on Sunday 26th (now today) but haven't done enough training. No expectations, no promises. It feels like I'm only happy to run it with a ready made excuse. And I've not done anything close to 13 miles for a long time now ...

Slow and steady

Still struggling - yesterday's run was all about making sure I had at least one chance to run this week, and making sure I didn't either fail or hate it. Wish these weren't my struggles so close to a half marathon but I have to be realistic.

I also need to think how my training (or lack of it) has gone. I can't really expect to go faster than previous half marathons, as I haven't put in the miles for that. I'm sure I have the potential, but can't beat myself up going for it when I'm not ready. I find it hard enough to think of myself as a runner, but I can never expect myself to be a good one! Completing a marathon is good enough anyway, isn't it?

So, the sole aim for yesterday was to run, not to go too fast, and not to watch the Garmin the whole time round, as it would only make me think too much about pace. Again I went out at 9pm and I knew it would be hard enough dealing with running after a meal and late in the day.

With that in mind, mission accomplished. Four miles down, time not important, pace slow and steady. On a nice evening I found a whole twisty maze of Bicester's cycle paths I didn't know about, and returned home 4.02 miles later. With a wedding to go to there's no more running till Sunday, and by then I will have banned alcohol and cakes!

I feel good ...

... da-da-da-da-da ... and I knew that I would da-da-da-da-da.

Well, that's what I told myself my blog title would be as I set off for my long run. I was visualising my triumph! I'm sure that's what great sportsmen do. And if nothing else it became *that song* - the song that creeps into my head and stays there the whole time.

But really, I don't feal that good. And I feared that I wouldn't ... da-da-da-da-da, doesn't really scan so well. The facts and figures first - I covered (note the absence of the word "ran") exactly ten miles in a few seconds under two hours.

But the first hour especially, in the sun, was hot. And it does seem that I struggle in the heat. It's a lot cooler than the last few days, probably about the same as London Marathon temperature (and I managed 16 or so miles consecutively there) and there's no reason to think that Milton Keynes in 3 weeks time won't be any different, if not warmer.

As I took on water at 6 miles I found myself slowing to a walk, and basically walked for half a mile there, as well as three quarters of a mile later on. And had I been mentally up for it, I could have made up for my walking aberrations by running the two miles home from 10 miles to 12 miles to make up for it, but didn't.

The problem is still mental - as Sall_y said in my last comment, I have to want to run. Today felt like a trudge, not a run. I've run these routes before now, and I don't have the incentive of a big marathon at the end of this training. And though I enjoy the run up to a point ... when I stop and walk for a bit, I enjoy that just as much if not more! Once that's happened once, my brain pretty much gives up on running the whole thing.

I can't be too despondent - how many others of my friends and contemporaries covered 12 miles before lunch, and ran the majority of them. I'm unrecognisable in shape, size and lifestyle to this time last year. Today was supposed to be the run that fixed the bad week last week, and it wasn't to be.

On a lighter note ... I was resplendent in orange today with black arms and black shorts. As I ran through Bucknell I noticed I had a ladybird on my shoulder. I'm wondering if it was a large case of mistaken identity!

Down but not out

I've discussed a lot whether I actually enjoy running or not yet. I've greatly enjoyed the two events I've run in, but struggle for enjoyment running, until the feeling of achievement kicks in.

One thing that I have realised though is the opposite kicks in - I can get down when I'm not running. Especially as I should be training and targeting for a half marathon in just three weeks now. Not running makes me feel like I'm failing.

So with that in mind, and just one short run behind me this week, I set off yesterday planning to run 5 miles or so.

Bit of a disaster though, after a mile or so with still a bit of stitch or heartburn, I changed my mind, walked, and ran a shortcut home. No point in killing myself when it didn't seem right, bur of course, mentally, I'm now even more disappointed than before I started.

So what went wrong? I've thought of lots of excuses ...

- 1. I don't run well late in the day. Probably true, after a long work day I just want to relax, and starting a run after 9pm I start to worry aobut whether I'll relax or sleep OK. Valididty: 7/10

- 2. I don't run well after an evening meal. I think this is true - it was almost two hours after my evening meal, and still felt sluggish. Validity: 8/10

- 3. I haven't been eating properly. Yes, true - not enough carb loading and too many cakes and ice creams this week. Validity: 7/10

- 4. Too hot. Hmm, well it was warm but it was 9pm so not exactly the midday sun. Validity: 3/10

- 5. I tried my usual route in reverse. Maybe I don't run anti-clockwise? Validity: 0/10. Now I'm just being silly.

I will though try not to get too disappointed by this, and will stick to my plan of a long 11/12 mile run on Sunday morning (tommorrow). That one is more important not to mess up. But I am still on track. Down, perhaps today even more down, but not out!

One week on

So one week on from my optimistic long 10+ mile run - have I kept up the progress?

It's been two steps forward three steps back ... nothing is simple in my training! I don't mind too much as I think I have decent excuses.

The weekend was spent away from home, so running was out. I did take my running kit with the intention of finding a run on Sunday morning. But my weekend away was a stag weekend. I'm only human, I might have just learnt to run, but one thing I can't do is run with a hangover.

So my first run was on Monday. I think most of my readers and followers are in the UK so you will understand this - right now we have a heatwave. On Monday the evening was warm so I left my run till gone 9pm. I ran 2.8 miles, to the Jubilee Lake, once round, and back home, trying to run to 10 minute mile pace. Or, to be more technical and accurate, 10 and a bit minute mile pace.

Sure enough, I was pleased to complete my run in 29 minutes. At about 10 and a bit mile pace. The odd thing was that according to my Garmin, my heart rate was lower than usual. The day was hot, I was a little stressed, and puffing somewhat, so would have expected the opposite!

Next stage of the plan was to run tonight (Wednesday). It was 32 degrees today, and I just can't face the run. Other people in my position might cross-train, perhaps a bike ride or a swim instead? But I don't do running or swimming. 12 months ago I didn't do running! One thing at a time ...

So I'm feeling a little bad at my lack of running recently. Tomorrow I will try and get out after 9pm again whatever if it's still hot, which it will be. I just hope the heatwave has passed by the end of the year and the MK half marathon.

Ten miles in company

Yesterday I completed 10.6 miles, by far the longest since the London Marathon. Once again I'm starting to feel that I might be able to do this run next month after all.

The advantages of a midweek running parter are many - meeting and running with Tash was of course a pleasure. But the mental challenges are very different. With two of you running, you are ...

- far more likely to consider a shortcut home
- obliged to have a plan before you set out
- guaranteed of company to make the run go faster and be less boring
- possibly more ambitious

All these things worked very well! I don't think I would have considered stepping up to in excess of ten miles on my own, but step up we did, and the run went well. A sunny late evening meant the heat was difficult, particularly at first, there was no escape running the long straight Bucknall road, contributing to the usual difficult first mile, and almost two hours later the usual tired last mile appeared on schedule, but I think we both had fuel in the tank at the end of the run, enough for a "sprint finish". Steady 12 minute mile pace is not impressively fast but pace wasn't the aim.

I still can't believe how far I've come in still comfortably less than a year. I wonder how many other people got home from work, walked the dogs then went for a 10.6 mile run. Probably just me, and that feels good!

Short and sweet

My last update shows I have got the running bug back and am determined to stay on course for the half marathon next month.

But that was a few days ago - today is another day, the end of a lazy weekend. I did run, but I feel it was more to tick a box, so that in my mind I have satisfied the condition of running three times this week.

I also didn't really have a plan. I set off with the idea of deviating from the ring road to run the circuit of a lake - I knew where it was but in 5 years of living in Bicester had never seen it, only run past an access footpath every time I go round the ring road.

Felt very sluggish today, but I stuck to as much of a brief that I could think of while running along. Do minimum three miles, try to run at "pace", i.e. a little over ten minute mile pace which would represent a significant improvement on my half marathon time.

So, it's done - 3.15 miles in just over 32 minutes. I should really have run further.

So long, and thanks for all the fish!

Well, I haven't posted since May. The MK half marathon is still on, but the running had started to fizzle out, as had the blogging. My plan had been to retire this blog.

The journey, documented in the blog, from zero to marathon had been amazing for me, and I could see the attraction in the blog. But is it quite so interesting to follow the journey of someone who has now run a full marathon, fighting the motivation to complete a far less illustrious half marathon?

Perhaps not, but I enjoy writing, and as long as just one of you is still reading (and just one of you has asked why I've stopped blogging), that's good enough for me. The challenges and goals have moved slightly, but the running is continuing. And doing this blog makes me continue!

I struggled to about a run a week - treadmill or outside. But this week the tide has turned, and Neil the runner is back, ready to tackle his half marathon. On Sunday, 6.3 miles through the villages felt good. Yesterday, 5.2 miles, including 4 at faster pace, showed me that I may be able to work on improving my time, and today 7 miles exactly at steady 12 minute pace showed me I still have the distance potential. The change in my morale, not just in running terms but in outlook generally as a result has been worth every step, as now I can see the next goal is achievable once more.

Also today, for the second time, I have had the pleasure of running with my new running partner Tash! The life cycle of this blog has gone full circle - my first follower and commenter as I struggled in Bicester to get past my first mile or two last winter has now become my co-runner as we train together towards her first ever half marathon next November! After today's run I'm convinced we're making great progress towards our respective half marathon goals.

So I will continue to blog! I'll try not to squeeze six runs into each update so there will be a bit more detail in future ... and, for you diehards who find that stuff interesting and continue to read, thank you!

And finally the blog entry title ... well allow me the luxury of keeping the title I was going to use in "retiring" the blog. My allegiance to Save the Rhino is inspired in part by the late Douglas Adams (author of said book with the same title) who devoted his conservation passions and energy to Save the Rhino.

Though my fundraising for them has now ended, if it has inspired you, do continue to follow http://www.savetherhino.org and watch the TV series "Last Chance to See" this autumn. Inspired by Douglas Adams' book and journey with Mark Carwardine, and with Douglas Adams' place taken by Stephen Fry.

Horrible

Well, that was horrible.

Five weeks ago, euphoria. Cheered on live by a crowd of thousands, a surprising opportunity late in life to fulfil an ambition. And now? Just an overweight curly-haired bloke doing the same thing, somehow the novelty had worn off. Sweat dripping within the first minute under the intense heat and personal pressure, just a short performance and then relief at being home on the sofa with the cat.

But enough about Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent yesterday, how was my run? Well, it was horrible ... oh you get the picture. The London Marathon seems a long time ago now. I've blogged pretty much every run, and have only missed one since my last blog entry, which means I've just run once (May 20th) until this morning.

The facts and figures are that I ran for half an hour this morning in seering heat (making excuses already I know, but it was much hotter than Marathon day). In fact for the first time I wore my Garmin heart monitor/GPS watch thingy, so it told me I ran exactly 2.9 miles in 29 and a bit minutes. So my pace was good but I have no idea how on earth I used to run miles and miles ... though I could probably have gone a little further.

It feels I'm doing *just* enough to tell people that I haven't stopped completely, but not enough to keep up any standard for long. But as we move into June I'll pick up the training again. I have to. I've got a lot of biscuits, bhajis and Bournville to run off!

From London to the City of Dreams

Well my last post this time last week was celebrating 20 minutes on the treadmill, but that remained all I have done since London. 16 days seems like such a long time, and the question posed last week - "what next?" still remains.

I was wondering at the time whether to enter the Blenheim 7K race last Sunday. As it happens, a cold put paid to that (described variously as everything from sniffles, through swine 'flu, to fullblown man-'flu ... note order of increasing seriousness). So my newfound online running friends Simon, Tash and Cristin, who were all there and had a great day, I'm sure our paths will cross another time.

Today I planned a 3.5 mile run, but was realistic enough to know it may not happen. My marathon running habits have stopped already. Yes, today I went for pasta salad at lunch, bought myself an extra 5pm sandwich, and prepared to leave work on the dot ready for my run. But when I was a marathon runner I wouldn't have had the extra 2 shortbread biscuits, slice of cake and five strong black coffees.

The run was hard work - I feel I need to learn how to run again, but reminded myself that the first mile was always the hardest. My last run on the street was down Pall Mall in front of thousands of people alongside Spongebob Squarepants. Today was Bicester ring road in front of four cows and a dead badger. In the end I decided there was no need to do the full 3.5 miles I intended, this run is just to blow away the cobwebs. So I ran for 10 minutes, turned round and ran back. Irritatingly it took 11 minutes to run back, but I'll put that down to the wind ...

Apart from getting back into running I don't have an aim now. So that's about to change - I've put in for a half marathon at the end of July in the self-styled City of Dreams. Er, Milton Keynes.

So what now?

One week and two days later, and the post-marathon glow though still with me will eventually fizzle out. The question is, what next? First of all has been the enjoyable process of indulging in all the things I put to one side during marathon training. Coffee, check. Chocolate, check. Wine, beer, check, check. Takeaways - Indian, Chinese, Burger King, all check. Pizza, che... oh hang on, I snuck a couple of those in pre-marathon so they don't count.

But that can't continue indefinitely. I started this training unfit, unable to run, and 15 stone something. I am now relatively fit, able to run in excess of 20 miles, and 12 stone something. I looked at all my marathon photos and couldn't find any of my other chins, something I am simply not used to.

I have, like most, but not all, runners I know, applied for next year's ballot. The 20% chance of getting through for next year, without the pressure of fundraising a fixed amount in difficult times, is too good an opportunity to turn down for someone who had such a good experience. And if I don't run next year, well what instead? I never had a planned time to get round, and I have no regrets at my slow time. But I do have a nagging doubt that I can get fitter still and run a little faster.

I've been made aware of a 7K run around Blenheim Palace on Sunday. Should I run that race so soon after London? Is it amazing that as someone who still can't get used to the idea of all this running I've done that I'm even considering this?

I don't have to decide on this run for a few days, and the likelihood is that I won't, given it is so soon after London. But to even consider it means I ahve to start running again.

Which is exactly what I have just done. 20+ minutes, on the treadmill, nice and easy, no ill effects at all. I could have decided never again ... but I loved it, and I'm still going!

London Marathon photos and thank yous

So it's a few days after the marathon, how am I feeling? Physically absolutely fine. It doesn't seem fair, as friends are still only now starting to walk without hobbles or still nursing aches. Mentally ... still on a high. The reactions, the plaudits, the congratulations, I have loved it, and still do! The whole day was unforgettable. If there's a post-marathon blues, you'll have to wait till a later post as I haven't got there yet.

So instead, some photos from the day ...

Before the start, suncream glistening

At 19 miles

Just 800 yards to go ...

Tired and proud

So many people I would like to thank for getting me to the start line and beyond, to the finish line and to my ultimate achievement. Apologies in advance to anyone I've forgotten ...

First of all my family - hoping my wife Lorna wasn't too much of a running widow over the last several months, thank you for your support and for coming down on the day too! And my parents who also came to support me (at Silverstone too), and my aunt and uncle Brian and Margaret for putting up me up for the weekend and coping with a 5:30am start. And not family, but was really chuffed to see my great friends Phil and Louise travel all the way from home to London just for a few glimpses, that meant a lot too.

Then there are those who offered mutual support, encouragement and friendship as we all entered into this marathon together. e-Marathoners Phil, Ulen, Sam, Dan, James, Becca, Si, Julia, and many others. Particular mention to Phil who maintained all of this support despite dropping out himself through injury - good luck in 2010 Phil, rooting for you already!

The Save the Rhino team offered great support up to and on the day, no other runners got free bagels, Tusker beer and a massage as their reward for completion! Thanks to Laurence and the team, and the runners I knew best and supported me most in the lead up to the event: Stephanie, Jane and Emma.

Thanks to my co-runner Becki who could have got a mention in either of the above paragraphs but deserves one to herself. For her company for 13 miles of Silverstone and 13 miles of London, at my pace that's 5 hours of putting up with me and making long runs much easier - your journey has been as immense as mine in different ways, you are a good friend now, thank you!

Thanks to an offer of help that goes way way above and beyond ... to Sally who took pity on my ineptitude and became a personal trainer par excellence, knowing exactly what was needed each day to get me into shape, always so good-humoured and always there for speedy help at the end of an e-mail or tweet, she made me realise how unfocused my training was and turned me round in no time!

And thank you to my credit-crunch-busting sponsors (some who have already been mentioned) who took me to £50 a mile and beyond, I couldn't believe how many there were till counting them just now. Here goes ... Roo, Alan, Gillian, Lisa, Ann, James, Ray, Julie, Jennifer, Marie, David, Steve, Alicia, Chris, Janice, Martin, Rosy, Garj, Caroline, Joanna, David, Mike, Beatrice, Lynn, Pete, Nicola, Arpi, Sara, Sarah, Michelle, Pauline, Steve, Phil, Sue, Paul, Trev, Janet, Fi, Becki, Julia, Louise, David, Mario, Margaret, Brian, Sarah, Emma, Caroline, Janet, Leigh, Anne, Mary, Simon, David, Arjay, Kathryn, Matt, Pat, Graham, Andrew, Katie, Tash, Simon, Ben, Paul, Sally, Win, Jean, Beris, Mike, David, Sue, Steve, PH, Stuart, Cat, Annelise, Siobhan, Tanya, Gillian (again), Judy, Lynn (again), Phil, Jane, Rich, Zoe, Oli, Phil, Caroline, Anne, Louise, Lara, Mary, Hugh, Jean, Rachel, Babs, Jane, Cecile, Shirley, Jeff, Rob. Add to this the profits of a Coventry pub quiz and a Leamington Grand National sweepstakes!

And many more beyond this list have offered encouragement and good luck in messages of support. If this was the Oscars they'd be fading me out by now, so it's time to sign off and tuck into a Tusker beer courtesy of Save the Rhino!

The London Marathon

Yesterday, I completed the London Marathon. I'm just going to leave that sentence hanging there for a moment as it's something I never thought I'd say.

The day started with a 5:30 alarm call after just a couple of hours sleep - over-excitement (or nerves) saw to that, but I managed to haul myself onto a train from my uncle's base in Surrey and make it to the start area in good time. The first thing that was clear was that one of the weather forecasts was right and all the others were wrong - the one that said it would start sunny and stay sunny all day! Thankfully one of my fello rhino runners had sunscreen, and I loaded myself up with my carb gels in the belt, and had everything I needed to get started, despite being described by a fellow runner as looking like a suicide bomber ...

Lining up at the start was quite an experience - I was right at the back with many of the more comic outfits - the fourteen foot nurse, the rhinos in full kit and the Spana donkeys to name a few. The most elaborate and difficult costumes drew standing ovations from the crowds as they funnelled in to the back. And once we were of ... well, nothing. Several minutes of slow walking to the front - the familiar sight they show on TV every year of the crowd funnelling to the park gates with openings in the brick wall, this year was no different, except it had me in it.

I crossed the start line at 10:08 so made the mental note to take 23 minutes off split times each time I saw a clock, and cursing myself for not crossing with more of a round number to calculate! Running again with fellow rhino runner Becki who kept me company at Silverstone, I was pleased that the first mile or two was unlike my usual long runs, inasmuch as I didn't have the usual discomfort or worrying about pace/stitch, I seemed to settle in just fine. I knew I was slow but obviously didn't care at this point.

Right from the start, crowds cheer you on, and there wasn't a single "Come on, Neil" for the full 26 miles that didn't sound genuine, or make me smile, even if later on it would seem like a grimace! Or more general shouts of "Save the Rhino" were just as well appreciated. Kids lined up on the kerbs, holding out hands for a high-five (or more accurately a low-five) - the highlight was a very cute little black kid who let out an "Ehhh" just after I tapped his palm that sounded more like the Fonz than a little London 6 year old!

Always there were landmarks to look out for, with apologies in advance for geographical inaccuracies ... Obviously first of all was every mile-marker and 5-km marker, but more specific ones inclueded the joining with the green/blue starts at 3 miles (a little anti-climax since most runners had passed - the blue start takes much less time than 23 minutes to funnel out to the start as I found out today rewatching the coverage).

Cutty Sark was at six miles, where still high on the buzz of the occasion I made a complete idiot of myself. Seeing Matt Baker, former Blue Peter presenter and now part of BBC Sport, at roadside with a microphone scanning for potential interviewees, I shouted something along the lines of "Ooh, famous person who used to be on Blue Peter" at him as I went past. His fixed smile was a picture, and if there were security marshalls there I would probably have been carted off! Any other time I would never have said that, or would have been horribly embarrassed, but somehow this time it didn't really matter.

Further landmarks included meeting other people - Becki's father was expected somewhere between 7 and 8 miles to hand out jellybeans, check. My family were cheering at the first time in Bermondsey, either between 10 and 11 or 11 and 12 miles (was only my memory which meant I couldn't remember, not my family's indecision), and so that gave me a focus for those two miles. Crowds throughout were amazing, something which I will probably repeat, but they particularly picked up round here, and true enough I saw my parents, aunt and wife in the crowd, finding time to run to the side of the road and plant a big kiss on my rather embarrassed wife and disappointed mother (sorry, only time for one!)

Other constants were the other runners, particularly those easy to spot. Throughout, a batman runner continually overtook me, with great cheers from the crowds. He would then fall back as he continually ran faster than me but then walked. But every time you were near a popular costume the crowds would be that much louder. At ten miles, a case of deja-vu as the six-man sausage dog from Hearing Dogs split between Becki and myself and overtook us. Why deja-vu? They did exactly that at Silverstone and can be seen in my photos on the finish line!

Soon after this was the biggest cheer of the day, up at the twelve mile marker, the crowds were cheering manically. Peter and Katie, aka Jordan and the bloke from I'm a Celebrity, judging by the crowd's banners, definitely the most popular competitors of the day, were running. I resisted the temptation to do a Matt Baker, and subtly ran on past them. It felt odd being a bit smug at overtaking Jordan and Peter but it was definitely one to remember.

Twelve and a bit miles and the landmark of Tower Bridge. At this point Becki mentioned to me that at thirteen miles she would have to walk for a bit. We'd agreed that if one of us had to walk then the other would carry on, as we don't want to hold each other up, so as we continued past Tower Bridge and the halfway stage, Becki and I parted. My spirits were high but aspirations realistic, I knew there was always a chance I would be walking sooner or later and she would catch up. Despite my enjoyment of the race and the highs from the occasion, there was no escaping the fact that the day was hot.

I think from about 14 to 16 miles the race got difficult. As the route winded away from the crowds through some of the smaller back streets, it was difficult to pick your way through the crowd of runners. Quite a few people were walking by now. I thought I was relatively strong, but was having to do quite a bit of weaving from left to right to get past walkers, cursing them inwardly as I did so. But I was becoming more drained myself, and as I emerged from the tunnel between 15 and 16 miles and reached the 16 mile marker, I started to walk, becoming one of the workers that I was previously cursing.

I tried not to beat myself up about it. My first goal was to run the whole way, but I always knew 26 miles was a long way that might need me to walk some of it - let's face it, I'm an unfit 36 year old doing my first exercise. While the roads and running were difficult I told myself I'd be in with a better chance of running the latter stages if I walked here. A lot of the runners were at this point. I've blogged before about how difficult I find it to start running again once I start to walk, so I did try a stint of running soon afterwards, but only for half a mile or so.

At 19 miles I saw my family again, and also our best friends who had made the journey up to London to watch. On seeing them I broke into a run (it seems I might have got away with it!) and was spurred on for another short stint. I did feel quite low at this point - I had no aches, strains or injuries, just the feeling that 26.2 miles was a bit beyond me. The flippant part of me was wondering how I'd write up my blog, should I change it to "Walking for Rhinos"? At one point I was overtaken by a man with an ironing board on his back. He then stopped ahead of me at a particularly eager gallery, put said ironing board on the floor, set it up and proceded to to some ironing ... Extreme Ironing I believe!

But the crowds by this point had changed. Through 17-18 miles or so they were small, and didn't offer so much encouragement apart from sympathy to those of us walking. But at 20 miles and beyond, they were so vocal, however difficult we were finding it. I'd determined to run the last 5 milesand as I passed the 21 mile mark, a quick calculation told me that if I could do 12 minute miles for the last 5 miles, I could still land a time better than 5:40, which would not be too bad at all for a first marathon of a non-exerciser on a very hot day.

Now as I started to run again I felt like an absolute superhero. The crowds spotted me as the runner among a sea of walkers, and I heard my name shouted again and again. They loved me! Or in my mind, they did. I was going to finish strong, and was feeling better about myself, and the day. Yes, I walked one more time as we approached the final underpass (between miles 23 and 24 I think). I chatted to a Superman who was worried he'd hit some Kryptonite (a pre-preapared gag I'm sure) but was desperate to finish well. Other guys too chatted as we walked and all gave each other great encouragement. One woman as we emerged from the tunnel told me off for being distracted by belly dancers on the pavement by the Thames (which I was), but when I tried to encourage her to run with me for the final couple of miles she didn't have the strength. I hope she finished OK. I had also been a bit disenhartened by a dismemberd Spongebob and concerned-looking Squidward at the entrance to the underpass, but hoped they were just answering a call of nature and nothing more.

The last couple of miles were lovely, just as you imagine while watching. As I ran, I picked my way through the stragglers who were walking (yes, I was a fraud because I'd already done my walking), and took the cheers of the crowd. The crowds were huge here, and I fully admit few were cheering at me, but at the emerging Spongebob Squarepants and friend from the tunnel, but I didn't mind that, as I was able to steal a bit of their crowd love to lift me for the last couple of miles. I passed my Superman friend again who really had ground to a halt, so close to the end. I tried to encourage him and I hope he finished, but I had my own battle to win now. Big Ben, Birdcage Walk, Horseguards parade, all safely negotiated, and I crossed the line with the clock saying 6:02 (which was of course readjusted down 23 minutes to 5:39).

I found myself thinking that I hoped my family had made it to the last mile to cheer me on, as the crowds here were phenomenal. I looked occasionally but had head down in an effort to make it to the end. It turned out they were there after all at the 800yard mark, but I didn't see them. But I'd been delighted to see them twice during the day.

I wish I'd run more and not walked, but my first goal was to run the whole thing, and if I couldn't do that, my secondary goal was to finish, enjoy the day, and complete with walking if I had to. My secondray goal was therefore achieved. Maybe my first goal will be achieved next year? That remains to be seen! I felt down, like I'd failed somewhat while I was walking at 16 miles, but my spirits were so much higher on finishing and I do still really feel proud of what I'd done. So much so that several hours of today, Monday morning, had been spent replying to good luck and congratulatory messages. I do feel like I really have done something quite amazing this weekend.

Goodbye Bicester, Hello London

Last night I ran my last run before the marathon. Half an hour steady - I don't even remember it, other than the fact I don't have any routes that take exactly half an hour, so I just ran 15 minutes round the ring road, turned round and ran back again. To my mild delight, it took exactly 15 minutes to run back as well, perhaps I'm finally getting the knack of pacing myself ...

Of course all my thoughts were consumed with London on Sunday. I've even banished Shania Twain from being the annoying song that pops into my head when running, this time it was the BBC's London Marathon theme tune resounding in my mind as I trundled the Bicester streets for the last time.

I might run again after the marathon, I might not - I have no idea what is going to happen in my life from Monday onwards. I still don't enjoy these runs, but I am enjoying the encouragement, the cameraderie, and the fact that so many people are following my efforts with genuine enthusiasm and respect for what I've done. I am weighed down with tips and advice from fellow runners, all of it very much appreciated. I am exactly the type of person who needs them - everything is brand new to me.

I do feel like a fish out of water - even going to a sports shop in Leamington Spa yesterday to pick up 8 more carb gels, I just don't feel like I belong in a sports shop, and look lost once I open the door. The assistant apologised that they were running low, that so many people were running the Stratford half marathon this weekend. I tried to feel smug when I replied "Actually, I'm running London" but I don't know if that feeling is there yet.

This afternoon I'm getting on the train to London to go to the Expo event, chiefly to pick up my number and chip for my shoe. There will be thousands of runners and dozens of running-related stalls. I'm really hoping to feel part of it, rather than out of place - and hoping that this is when it will hit home what I'm going to do.

In my mind I'm still the fat kid who finished 96th out of 96 in compulsory cross-country at school 24 years ago. On Sunday we'll say goodbye to that kid for good.*


It's been eight and half months in training. Eight and a half months ago I had a training plan that involved running for two minutes on and two minutes off. I couldn't run for two minutes, so I started at one. Those one minute sessions on the treadmill killed me more than a lazy seven mile run twice round the block does now. So even if Sunday ends in disappointment my journey has been incredible, though I say so myself.



108 blog posts, which have been at roughly one post per run, suggest that I have done over a hundred training runs, not to mention one half-marathon for this. The temptation to add up my total number of runs, miles and minutes is there, but maybe another time. Easier just to think I now have just 26.2 miles, 5 and a bit hours, and one run to go. Somebody is looking down on me, as I have had nothing more than a bit of mild tendonitis and sore nipples to show for it - no blisters, strains, twists, aches, tears or injuries at all. Perhaps it's the fact that I have looked after my body for 36 years by not subjecting it to any exercise? Up to me now to take advantage of that luck, get myself to the start line, and then tell you all about my triumph on Monday!

To all of you that have been reading - thank you!
Neil

*(OK, he'll be replaced by a stocky middle-aged guy finishing 40000th out of 40000 and a bit, but let's not spoil my moment and worry about that!)

Five days to go - thoughts on the journey so far

Let's start with today's run first. Threshold running - my last one, and I'm glad not to have to do that again. When I say that, I am implying I have no intention of running after the London Marathon ... well, that may or may not be true, but the simple fact is that most of my training, indeed my recent life, has been mapped up to April 26th 2009 and not beyond!

A warm-up run, followed by five two minute stints with one minute rests was my mission, and it was just about completed. The stints were all over the place as I'm a rubbish judge of time and it was too dark to see my watch (this run took place from 9pm - 9:30pm) but I was at least able to approximate my mission, and the threshold run was done.

As with many fellow runners, my mind is now on Sunday pretty much all of the time. I started the week quite down and apprehensive - the marathon seems so daunting, and I find it hard to see myself as a "runner". But there is a good community of support among all of us runners who twitter, blog and otherwise interact online, all with different backgrounds, stories and challenges - the majority are genuinely optimistic and excited and it's starting to rub off on me. Or at least I think it is ...

For a start, there is a certain tune for inspiration - http://tinyurl.com/dj2rt3

And the idea, from those who know, that it will be the most amazing day - the crowds really will lift us, the atmosphere really will be incredible, and the accomplishment really will be the best thing we've ever done.

And finally, a huge thank you - a fantastic 24 hours or so of fundraising has seen me smash through my £1000 target for Save the Rhino. It's a huge weight off my mind and a real incentive to focus solely on the big day now. Though the fundraising must continue, and I urge anyone still yet to sponsor me who would like to to go to my justgiving page at http://www.justgiving.com/neilrichards1

My most recent and generous sponsors have followed this blog from the start, encouraged me since the days I could barely run, and described me as an inspiration. That backing has really given me the final belief I need to complete the course on Sunday before. I've never been described as an inspiration before, and if I have been, it's more likely to have been of an academic nature. If I've ever been an inspiration in a competitive way, it's likely to have involved no more physical exertion than shuffling pieces around a chessboard. To be an inspiration for a physical feat - well, that's a first for me and something I'm proud of. I suspect, and hope, that I fall into the category of "If I can do it, anyone can do it". And, I can.

One more week

A one hour run today at relaxed steady pace. The more I taper the more sluggish I feel and the more I think too much about next week's marathon.

Today was a hot sunny day so I set off at five o'clock - even at 5pm it felt hot and a bit uncomfortable - to be honest for two or three miles I really didn't enjoy this run. I was never going to pull up and walk, but I really still don't feel like a runner, more like an ordinary guy who is unnaturally trying to run.

But the last couple of miles were in the shade and they were fine. Just as I was expecting to struggle on and blog how much I didn't enjoy it, it all felt a little easier. It turns out that I covered about 5.3 miles and I actually completed it in about 57 minutes. At a smidgen quicker than eleven minute mile pace I've gone a little faster than I could have done, so am quite happy with that.

I have to remember that the first mile or two is always tricky - though next week at the marathon I doubt I will even notice. In the meantime I am stashing up on vitamin C and hay fever medication and hoping to get through the week in one piece ...

Eight days to go

Training continues - long runs are shorter but intermediate sessions continue. Thursday (which I forgot to blog about ...) was scheduled to be one hour, but a long day and heavy rain meant I postponed my run to late night on the treadmill on a small incline.

Everything still feels fine, even though I can't imagine where the twenty-six miles is going to come from. I ran for what seems like the longest 40 minutes of my life, and called it a day there - the paranoia and difficult motivation (and lateness in the day) meant that was more than enough.

And on to today - threshold runs of 5 minutes repeated 4 times, successfully negotiated. These days there's less to talk about in the runs themselves and more about my thoughts on the marathon itself. But I'll keep it short and simple - I'm terrified and just want to get on with it now!

Back to the hills

... or, more accurately, the Launton railway bridge. The tapering may be in full swing but the hills, threshold and pace training continues. Today, twelve repetitions of the same hill I ran up and down ten times on Friday. Twenty-two repetetions of the same hill within just a few days, exciting stuff!

Not the most dramatic of runs to post about - my only battle was with the now constant stream of pasta, having planned to run when I got home I polished off some pasta at work at 5pm, and then on changing my plans back home, it was pasta for tea at 6:30. So I battled stitch, and apathy, as I ran on into the dark up and down the same stupid hill ...

But mission accomplished. Motivation is a little difficult as the marathon looms so close, and my only focus is on getting first to the start line in one piece and then over the finish line a few hours later. As I finished my sixth repetition, I really did wonder what the point of another six was, in the grand scheme of things. But training schedules are devised for a reason and I owe it to myself to put myself through mental challenges as well as physical ones, so I continued to go through all twelve scintillating repetitions.

I am lucky to have made it so far unscathed, as the most supportive of friends in the online community are facing their own injuries and challenges, some insurmountable, whereas I, the complete novice, am so far heading for that start line to schedule. Just eleven days now ...

Grumpy

Today was a further two hour run in the morning - testing my stamina somewhat after a long run yesterday late afternoon. At the weekend I realised I only had one pair of proper running shorts - not a problem through the winter as I had often run in a tracksuit, but it seemed worth buying some proper professional ones. So I had my brand new lightweight shorts with blue flash to match my blue Save the Rhino shirt I'll way on the day ... and kitted myself with my bat-utility belt to hold my energy gels.

Luckily I seemed to be over my back problems - I'd had a bit of an upset stomach overnight but nothing worth calling the Doc about, and I'd had the foresight to take my hayfever medication to stop me feeling too sneezy, so off I went.

I was feeling sleepy from waking up at 7:30 in preparation, and within a few steps realised it wasn't yet shorts weather. Added to that my new shorts were riding right up and seemed a lot shorter than I would like - I was a bit too bashful for all that. Also there were no pockets, no good for carrying handkerchief, gels or anything else. The first of my gels went flying out of my belt on to the floor within seconds.

Not a great start, and I turned round and ran back home again, being delayed by a well-meaning chatty neighbour. I ditched the new shorts, ditched the belt, opted instead for a tracksuit where I could easily transport my gels. It does leave the question of what to do on the day though ...

Feeling a bit fed up and dopey about my false start, I set off again. My plan was to run for an hour, turn round and run back again. I needed to run at easier than marathon pace, but my marathon pace is so slow it's hard to do that! At least I wanted to hit even pace for the first half and second half.

Worst of all, a shocker of a tune stuck in my head - the last thing I heard was the theme tune to "Homes under the Hammer" as I set off. I only know a couple of seconds worth of the "tune" but it went round and round in my head for a good 3-4 miles. I tried to think positive thoughts, banish it from my mind, but it was overtaken by an old foe. Shania Twain was back, with *that* song, back in my head. And she stayed there. I didn't have the will to fight her back ...

After an hour, I hit a recognisable junction, turned round and came home. The sun came out for the second half, and it was difficult, but I had to remind myself I had run seven miles last night and was out again now the next morning. 62 minutes home which is pretty even pace, especially as a good 30 seconds or so were spent waiting to cross the Buckingham Road.

Despite my initial grumpy mood, ultimately I'm happy that this latest (and last) long run is now done. It turns out I ran 10.3 miles today, which is at or a little slower than marathon pace, as planned. It still seems like the 26.2 miles I have to do two weeks from now will dwarf all my efforts up to now in comparison ...

Back on the road

One thing I didn't mention in my Friday blog entry was what happened next ... while cleaning the bath later that morning I hurt my back! Not agony, but enough pain that I couldn't physically stand up straight. This happened to me once before, a year or two ago, and took a week or so (if not more) before everything was back OK again.

This weekend's plan, originally for Saturday and Sunday, was to run two consecutive 2 hour runs. Straight away this was postponed to Sunday and Monday, but all depended on my back.

Saturday it was still giving me a little bit of trouble, but come Sunday (Easter Sunday) all seemed just about OK. I stocked up on painkillers morning and afternoon just in case, and after checking in with my trainer, decided on a 75 minute run today instead, hoping my back would hold and not relapse into pain.

I decided on two of the 3.5 mile laps round the ring road and Launton road, planning to total 7 miles. As it happens, there were no repercussions on my back at all, and the run passed without incident. I tried to keep to even pace, but ended up doing the laps in 38 and 40 minutes respectively, so doing the full run in approximate 11 minute mile pace. The only thing I had to fight was apathy, as I really felt like stopping after the first lap, but there was no physical reason for me to do that.

But the second lap felt easier than the first and this hurdle was successfully negotiated. As we start the taper, I notice a lot of fellow London runners are getting to the similar stage, nursing niggles and really now just waiting for the main day. And indeed, just two weeks from now, it will all be over. Gulp!

Hills and etiquette

Today started off a nice day after a brisk shower, so, like worms and snails, I and most of the joggers in Bicester were all tempted out once the rain stopped. I've never yet figured out the etiquette of how or whether to greet follow runners. I seem to have come up with a theory:

Women running with men - if I greet them with a cheerful "good morning", there will always be a cheerful response from the woman and a blank from the man. I don't know why, but this is always true. Try it!

Men running on their own - the man will always either greet you in an exaggerated fashion, a loud "good morning" emphasising that they are not at all out of breath. Or they will look so far down their nose at me as they go past at a comparative sprint, that it's not worth their effort to even talk to me.

Women on their own - a tricky one. In short, I always do the wrong thing. If I greet them, I will always be ignored, the women are there to run, not to chat or attract attention. My greetings then just look like a sweaty lecherous attempt to chat them up. If I ignore women runners, they will always say hello to me, and I feel bad for my unapproachability ...

Women in groups - they always ignore me too, safety in numbers I guess when they have company already!

Enough etiquette observations, my run this morning was fine - a ten minute warm-up followed by ten reps of the hill, hard running up and easy jogging down. Mission once again accomplished, though I was particularly sweaty when I finished so obviously worked hard.

100th post

Well, at pretty much one blog post per training run, that's a lot of training!

Actually as I write on Thursday, this blog is to cover yesterday's run. And tonight's run ... well I'm going to do that tomorrow morning. As will be evident from my write-up, and the fact I'm postponing tonight's run too, I'm very busy and mentally exhausted this week; the joys of working, studying, commuting and training all at once. A shame post number 100 can't be a bit more triumphant, but I'll save the triumph for two and a bit weeks time ...

Anyway yesterday's mission was to run 30 minutes, then do 5 threshhold runs (4 minutes on, 2 mintes rest), with a 15 minute run home. I got my assigned run in, but I did cut a few corners. My initial run was about 24 minutes, my threshhold runs were about 3.5 minutes, and there were four of them, and then my jog home was a 2 minute walk!

Tapering I might be, but there's a lot of running to get through this long weekend ...

The Tapir

The tapir* is a large mammal with five separate subspecies, including Brazilian and Malayan. They have a long fleshy proboscis, not unlike an elephant in that regard, with four toes on the front feet and three on the hind feet.

Like rhinoceroses, they are therefore odd-toed ungulates: browsing and grazing mammals. Fossil records suggest that tapirs and rhinoceroses share a common ancestor, and they are therefore the closest modern relations to the rhinoceros, both being from the family Ceratomorpha.

And so it is with delight that, three weeks to marathon day, it is officially time for the tapir:

*Not to be confused with the "taper" which is the time, three weeks before marathon day, where training and distances start to east, tailing off for the big day. With that in mind, I ran 15 minutes today, at very easy pace. Luckily, no aches, pains, sorenesses, except the nipples(!), or grievances at all following Sunday's run. Bring it on!

(thanks to the Tapir Specialist Group http://www.tapirs.org/ for photos)

Longest run

Today was the day of the longest pre-marathon training run. My mission, run for 3 and a half hours. To cut a long story short, that's what I did, the actual distance run was bang on 17.5 miles. After so much time running this morning, time reflecting as the miles passed, you'd think I'd have lots to say. Plenty happened that I thought I would put on the blog entry tonight, but now it seems a distant memory.

One thing I do know is I went newly kitted with various accessories thanks to a Saturday afternoon jaunt to the running shop. I had a giant 1 litre water bottle, eight sachets of energy gels, some kind of bat utility belt to hold aforementioned gels, and some brand new poncey running socks, all new.

The energy gels are supposed to give me a boost of energy (obviously) and be taken every 25 minutes or so. Long running is all about mental challenges too and turning negatives into positives. So as I ran round the ring road my first sachet fell onto the ground behind me. The positive - I was 25 minutes into my run, perfect timing even if I did have to stop abruptly in my tracks! Struggled a little with the gels, fairly vile things but just about palatable, and though I did keep taking them all the way through I don't know if more ended up on my hands and face as all did seem very sticky by the end.

I won't bore you with every mile and every village - the summary would just be that I tried to run steady even pace and really felt that I was struggling a litte. Today was hard work from the start. I feel so slow, and though I don't try to, I feel I can't speed up. So it just starts slow, and goes slower. My pace and final marathon time isn't really important to me, except that if I run for 5hrs 30 instead of 5hrs, the thought of running an extra half an hour fills me with dread! Today I ran 3.5 hours and couldn't have managed another step, it would be nice to think I at least ran 70% of the way but 17.5 out of 26.2 miles suggests otherwise.

I'll miss out the bit about the religious parade with 25 religious nutters, a crucifix and a morris dancer. I'll miss out being nearly run off the road by a tractor, and I'll miss out the bit about being convinced I'd seen a dead horse. None of them fascinating stories, but the only three incidents of note.

Back to the positives - the longest run I have ever done by some distance, successfully negotiated. Body nursed back in one piece, no aches and pains apart from the inevitable stiffness, unless you count an incredibly sore and bloodied left nipple. I guess we all suffer for our art! Another positive is that I am over 80% of my fundraising total which is the best incentive there is. A big thank you to those who are reading who have also contributed. If you haven't, and are thinking about it, wanting to motivate me to go the full distance, allow me a weary plug ... http://www.justgiving.com/neilrichards1

Last training before Sunday's long run

Excuse the expression but I think I've just done a Fartlek. Today's mission was to warm up jog for 10 minutes, then run at pace (approx 80% maximum heart rate, i.e. hard but not flat out) for 4 minutes, then recover for 2 - repeating for 4 repetitions.

This was hard work - apologies to anyone who saw me pegging up and down the cycle path on the Bicester ring road wondering what on earth was going well. But, thinking about it, it was the fastest I have run in possibly 20 years or more, at least for a sustained period of as little as four minutes.

But I more or less stuck to my brief. I think the stretch I had marked out for this was actually about three and a half minutes, so I tried to compensate by resting for just one and half. But it got tough - after the third leg I allowed myself the full two minutes rest, and the fourth rep took closer to four minutes as I didn't maintain the pace of the first three.

But mission more or less accomplished - when I have done my long run on Sunday I will have done five sessions this week, my busiest week ever. I'm working for this, and so far feeling good. The fundraising is going well but still has a bit to go (http://www.justgiving.com/neilrichards1) but every donation makes me feel good too.

Three and a half hours on Sunday ... !

What really happened ...

OK so people have noticed that my last post was on April 1st before 12 noon. Make up your own minds! But read between the lines and see my optimism is back - I'm enjoying running and training at the moment, if that's the right word, and I think that running in the light at 6pm is helping that feeling.

So my brief today was to do some hill running, so I chose the incline up to the railway bridge going into Launton, just a minute or two from my home.

My brief was:
- Find a hill that takes about 1 min to ascend.
- Warm up by jogging to it for ten mins.
- On each rep of the hill run at a strong pace (not sprinting) turn straight round and jog slowly to the bottom then run straight back up.
- Do 6 reps

And here's what I actually did ...
- Found a hill that takes about 1 min to ascend.
- Warmed up by jogging to it for ten mins (five minutes along the cycle track and back)
- On each rep of the hill ran at a strong pace (not sprinting) turned straight round and jogged slowly to the bottom then ran straight back up.
- Did 6 reps or possibly 7 as I lost count at one point

It feels great that I am in good enough shape to do this kind of thing - it seemed daunting, even the ten minute warm up was tricky but it did seem to loosen up the legs which were aching still at the start.

And then as I faced the hill I thought there was no way I could run hard up six times without stopping. But I kind of forget, I'm a runner now. I can do 15 miles or almost 3 hours, the hill should have no fear in an exercise that's only going to take 20 minutes or so. And indeed it didn't. I can't deny I'm looking forward to a night off running tomorrow, but all is going well this week. Especially considering I ran a cheeky marathon this morning ;-)

April 1st - first full marathon

Feeling pretty confident about my training recently so I decided to take a day off and go for as long a run as possible. Running round the villages is one thing but I wanted to get more empathy with the distance I'm going to have to run on the day. Checking my local route maps I realised I could get to the outskirts of Banbury in half marathon distance, so the germ of a thought hit me, could I do a practice marathon for the big day?

I was up at the crack of dawn and before I had a chance to talk myself out of it I was breakfasted and kitted up, complete with water and energy gels. My route would take me the full length of the B4100 through Aynho to Adderbury, and back, crossing the country boundary twice. I made my mind up that if it was too much at the halfway stage I would continue through Adderbury to Banbury proper, curtailing the run at about 16 miles, and take the train back to Bicester.

I actually began the run at 6am, so as to complete in the morning, and avoid the rush hour traffic around the A43 junction at the busiest time. It seems I made the right choice as those first 5 miles or so were run in almost complete silence. No trouble from my aching legs, I felt good about my choice. Briefly into Northamptonshire, I had crossed my first ever county boundary while running, though at some unmarked point the road becomes Oxfordshire again.

I have to say the whole run up to Adderbury felt really good - no annoying songs in my head either which is always a bonus! I reached my turnaround point at pretty much bang on two hours, a lot faster than Silverstone, and decided at that point that I would have enough left in the tank to turn round and come home for the full marathon distance. I was well into my stash of energy gels at this point but they seemed to be doing the trick and I still had plenty left (and more to the point, no ill effects!)

I thought coming home would be a killer, but in reality it was more downhill than up (the outward leg had clearly been slightly uphill but I hadn't really noticed it). I slowed down somewhat, which was inevitable, but wanted to avoid the much bigger slowdown I had suffered on Sunday. The best thing about this was that when I really started to get tired at about mile 24, I knew I was just running home, to a triumphant blog and a bath that could last afternoon. Final time was an amazing (for me) 4 hrs 35 minutes, pretty much bang on ten minute mile pace.

I made it home, checked my route, and in fact I have done 26.8 milles this morning, my first full marathon. I'm buzzing now - April 1st, can you believe it? ;-)

Daylight running

Today's mission was to run 45 minutes at marathon pace. In my case that's about 4 miles, or to be more scientifically accurate, 4 and a bit. And after rushing back from work, I had the opportunity to run at just after 6pm in the spring evening daylight, so much nicer than the cold winter evenings or the treadmill in the conservatory.

I'm still feeling a bit heavy-legged from Sunday, so set off struggling a little bit. But to me honest that probably kept my pace honest - usually I run about 10 minute miles over smallish distances but I need to admit that I am closer to 11 or 11.5 minute miles over the course of a long run. And after a mile or so I felt no worse, and it's actually nice at this stage of training to know that a run in excess of four miles on the streets holds no fears. Sure enough I completed my route without incident.

Of course there was the usual problem of an irritating song in my head - as I set off determined to banish Shania Twain, I chuckled to myself how an old Dulux advert from the eighties got stuck in my head all the way round on a previous run. 1.84 seconds later, the same Dulux advert from the eighties got stuck in my head. All the way round. But enough about that.

The run was a success - about 4.15 miles in 46 minutes, which should be good pace over 26 miles. Sounds easy when you put it like that ...

Recovery Run

I'm on a proper training schedule now - I've had a fantastic offer of help from now to the big day from a personal trainer and after last Sunday's debacle I'd be mad not to take it. Having already messed it up slightly by running on Sunday instead of Saturday I owe it to her and myself to follow the rest of the schedule.

So, that is why I ran today. It seems mad - the day after a long run. My legs are still aching, albeit slightly, mainly just when I get up from my chair or walk downstairs. But the idea of a recovery run, I'm told, is to loosen the legs and help disperse waste products from the muscles. Well I knew I needed the former, if not the latter.

Twenty minute easy run - for minutes one to five I was cursing, feeling barely able to run and no different to mile fifteen yesterday. But before I knew it, it actually started to feel better. And as often happens on these things, minutes nineteen and twenty were the best two (though I was perfectly happy to stop!).

Legs loosened, check. Waste products dispersed from muscles, well presumably ... check.

He's back!

Today my mission was to run for three hours - expecting to cover anything from 15 to 17 miles but endurance was most important. Also just as important was to banish the memory of my dismal run last Sunday.

I set out and all seemed fine - as always I seemed to struggle with a bit of stitch in the first mile or two. I don't really know why this is, whether it's because my breakfast hadn't settled properly or whether it's because I'm still trying to find the pace I'm not sure. But I did manage to run through it this time.

I run iPodless when I do my long runs through the Oxfordshire villages, since it just doesn't seem right when it's such a nice day in natural surroundings. And more importantly I need to watch the traffic, since there are no pavements for me to run on. The downside of this ... within seconds of leaving the house a song implants itself in my head and stays there, with me running monotonously in time with it. And I have no control of which song it is. 4000 songs on my iPod, none of them are Shania Twain (for good, obvious reasons), but it was she who came and lodged herself there the whole time.

The other thing I like to do is revisit past failures. I visualise gravestones on the side of the road marking the spot where a previous run has failed and descended into walking, and aim to run comfortably past them the next time. There are now a few all over Bicester and surrounding villages, and the latest, the scene of my walking before Stratton Audley last Sunday, was comfortably passed.

At 5 miles or so is a crossroads. The signs say Bicester (left), Stoke Lyne (ahead) and Fringford (right), but they may as well say "Shortcut home", "Long run", and "Even longer run" respectively. I turned right, and feel good about myself that I did. The extra loop I added through Fringford and Hethe turned out to be very hilly, and I felt good that I negotiated them OK, but maybe paid for that later ...

After that loop the distance continuing on with my planned route or retracing my steps was about the same, and at this point I spontaneously decided to retrace my steps, so as to avoid the busy road and ring road. Two hours in, I was back at Stratton Audley, and checked the time on the church steeple. I anticipated I might get home at about 2:40, and need to run an extra mile or two along the ring road to hit three hours.

In the end, I made it home, after 2hrs 55minutes or so, and clocked the run as about 15.3 miles. But the last hour, in particular the last half hour, was painful. I had almost nothing left in the tank, and was trying to motivate myself so hard not to walk, especially as my running pace now was so slow. I did it, but only because my home was at the end, I really think I was starting to struggle at that point. Certainly no extra bits at the end.

Overall I'm delighted to have overcome the difficulties of last week. Once again I have run further, and for longer, than I ever have before. I feel really close to my limit now - my trainer has been great for help, advice and motivation and is going to need to be a genius to up my game for next week and up to marathon day. But hey, after last week, I'm back! And I'm happier, even if I now want to throttle Shania Twain!

One month to go

Today I decided to do a gentle run - 40 minutes or so at easy pace on a treadmill. This week has been a tricky one for me, following the weekend's disappointment, as I have still been suffering a little with headaches and hay fever. Original intention was to run yesterday but I put that off.

However yesterday I got some great advice - a personal trainer I have got to know has given me detailed advice to get me from my current state to a marathon runner in four weeks, and I will be doing everything I can to stick to it. I'm incredibly grateful for this help!

First thing of all, I've broken two rules of advice already today on day one. First of all was to rest today ... however I'm not sure that took account of my inactivity this week so I preferred to get back running. Really I just want to feel like a runner again! I think to do my long run at the weekend without one more additional run would have been mentally very difficult. So essentially I've swapped yesterday for today in my plan.

Second was to stay off the treadmill! I completely agree that this isn't simulating marathon running enough. But today was late and this was an "extra" run ... but there will now be a metaphorical blanket thrown over the treadmill.

I have diet advice too but I won't bore you with that ... but a final change is to try the long runs on Saturdays, which means that tomorrow I will be trying a three hour run! Will be aimining for elapsed time rather than distance but I estimate this would be 16 miles or so. We'll see - wish me better luck than last weekend!

Week 35

Just counted back - this is the start of week 35 of my training!

It's true, I'm still beating myself up about my wasted long run last Sunday. I do a lot of telling people not to worry when they have bad days and bad runs, as through meeting people through Save the Rhino, through Facebook, Twitter, this blog and at Silverstone, I am gradually meeting more and more people in similar situations to me. But as with all things, it's much easier to dish out advice than to take it.

This blog entry is for yesterday's run. Not enough time for anything very long, I did thirty minutes on the treadmill running on the full incline. As usual, in the conservatory and uphill, though short, it is some workout.

Another problem, looking back on recent runs, is sometimes I run without a target. Look at last week - a week of interval training where I just picked a few songs to run to and ran when I was ready to stop, a run on the streets where I allowed myself to decide en route whether to do 3.5 or 7 miles, or anything in between, and then in my long run I was just too aware of all the options for cutting back to Bicester and making my 16 mile run pretty much any shorter distance I wanted.

Though these options will always be there, I need to stop giving myself these options to bail out except in an emergency. I need to push myself harder and be mentally stronger to get the marathon distance completed in one month's time.

Also yesterday I visited the Save the Rhino headquarters in London for the third time. The harsh reality of two separate situations hit me - the pitifully low numbers of all five separate rhino species, and the lofistics and reality of Marathon day next month. I am genuinely terrified - and for the first real time in this blog need to grovel for sponsorship help to get me towards my target (http://www.justgiving.com/neilrichards1), as my fundraising seems to be on a similar lull to my running ...

After the Lord Mayor's show

Well the last post will never do ... it has been a bad day but I shouldn't just sulk and hide behind it. I know a few runners now who I have either met or talk to online, and on days they have like this, I would be the first to write it off as a bad day or a blip, and nothing to get too wound up about. It's so hard to follow your own advice though ...

I've entitled this "After the Lord Mayor's show" as I was always worried that in focusing so much of my efforts on Silverstone, this day, running further, with no marshals, no crowds, and no company, would be hard work and a possible anti-climax. And so it turned out.

So what happened? I had a route planned out for a little over 15 miles (my usual 14 mile route with an extra detour through Fringford and Hethe part way. But within minutes of starting this morning I didn't feel great. It was a gorgeous morning, and at 9:30am it was not too hot.

I felt it was getting difficult to breathe and also my legs felt very heavy. I am suffering a little bit at the moment, and I'm not sure whehter it's hay fever from the newly mown verges in the country, or just some mild sniffles, but was really being affected as I ran. Unfortunately as I approached about 3 miles I found to my annoyance that I'd slowed down and started to walk.

So much of this is mental - my brain was furious when it looked down and saw my feet walking so early. And then as soon as I had walked my mind was not in it, the run was officially a failure and there was nothing more for me to gain. At Stratton Audley I sat down outside a pub for 30 seconds or so where I decided what to do, blew my nose properly and swigged on my energy drink. My mind told me to take the Bicester shortcut back home, and having decided to do that I ran straight past the Bicester shortcut. The part of my brain that determines my running just wouldn't allow it, however it didn't last and the next opportunity I cut back towards Bicester.

By this point, I was walking a lot - though I could start running again I didn't see the point, having failed in my mission. I hated myself for thinking like that, but brain, legs and common sense were not working in perfect harmony.

In the end, by the time I got home I had covered just over 8 miles. It's possible I walked as much as half of it though, though I am not entirely sure.

An online personal trainer friend has offered to give me a little free advice. One of her questions was what did I eat this Friday and Saturday? Well, Saturday night I think I was quite good, and cooked and ate a lot of pasta. However ... earlier Saturday my lunch was KFC and Friday night my dinner was a huge Indian takeaway with a couple of glasses of wine. I haven't got my advice yet but I think I may have stumbled on my biggest problem this weekend - there is more to the preparation than just eating pasta the night before. Next week I am determined to hit 15 miles plus, and there will be no KFC or takeaway Indian next week for sure ...

Shocker ...

Well today was supposed to be 15-16 miles. It wasn't. I ran some miles, I walked some miles, I came home early. I've had a shocker and I'm glad it wasn't last week - just now have to spend the next five weeks hoping I won't have a day like this on the day ...

Hay Fever, Heat and Pavements

Well I've got my excuses over already and placed them in full view in the title for all to see. I'm sure it would have been a snappier and more alliterative blog title if I could have found a synonym for Pavements that begins with H but never mind ...

My second midweek run has ended up being on Saturday morning, and this time it occurred to me that recently my long runs have been on roads and my shorter ones on the treadmill, so I have not been on the pavements of Bicester for a while. I set off on my standard 3.5 mile loop, with the intention of running anything from 3.5 to 7 miles, depending on if I wanted to stop, add some fiddly bits or do a second full loop.

As it happens, this was a tough run. The lovely spring weather meant there was not a cloud in the sky, and the council had mown all the grass verges. I felt quite sniffly all round and it looks like hay fever will be something I may have to contend with. Hopefully less so in London next month, but the immediate concern is Oxfordshire now. In addition to this, the hot weather meant it genuinely was hard work.

And in the end, I put in a small extra bit round the estate, checked my distance when I got back, and it seems I've done about 4.2 miles in 42 minutes. Good even pace and easy maths! But it pales into insignificance compared to the distances I have to do now. Already have a 16.5 mile route planned for tomorrow, it's just madness considering those distances let alone running them, but I have worked out a 2 mile shortcut if it's all too much ...

Latest run and Silverstone photos

Well the first run after Silverstone and it's back to the treadmill and interval training. To be honest, most of my thinking right now is looking back to the half marathon and five and half weeks forward to London. As with previous interval training days I went through an album with the intention of fast running every third track.

Sure enough, after nine tracks of an album I had 33 minutes under my belt so we can assume I ran 3 and half miles or so. Three of the nine tracks were run faster as planned, though as usual in the conservatory the effect was more like a sauna.

The main thing is, touch wood, that I have been very lucky so far. Potentially this would have been the time to tentatively test aches and pains from Silverstone excesses, having run the furthest stretch in one go than I have ever done before. But honestly I have no such aches, pains or blisters ... as I write all is fine!

So here are some pictures from Silverstone instead!

Smug sense of achievement at the finish:

Becki - my running partner for the day

Relief at the end - love the Hearing Dogs sausage dog trundling behind!

Silverstone

Yesterday was the Silverstone Half Marathon. For all those who want the facts, not the waffle, and can't be bothered to read down, I completed it, in 2 hours, 30 minutes and some seconds, the number of which escapes me at the moment.

Well there were a lot of nerves, not entirely sure why as physically it ought to have been something I could do OK given my performance on the last two Sundays, but on the day I would be proving myself in public, and in the company of other runners for the charity. Just not something I've ever done before! Tasks like attaching the race number to my running vest with four safety pins, and attaching the race chip to my running shoes, were nigh on impossible when you combined my usual uncoordination with my shaking hands, and I was still attending to all these things when my parents arrived, who were coming to give support and take me to the track.

A well timed call from fellow rhino runner Emma alerted me to the fact that queues were already forming on the A43 and that if I hadn't left, to leave now. So, we did, with perhaps a little more panic. Still, we made it to the circuit in good time and fortuitously bumped into the Save the Rhino team (you'd have thought the three huge lifelike but dismembered costumes in the car park would have given it away …).

I began the race in the company of Becki, running in her home made imrpovised rhino costume. Her website is here: http://beckisavestherhinos.wordpress.com - her fundraising efforts are herculean compared to mine, so anyone who is thinking of sponsoring me still, please do (you know where to go, it's http://www.justgiving.com/neilrichards1), but please check her efforts out too and see if you can squeeze a little more at http://www.justgiving.com/beckisavestherhinos. And to cut a long story short, I ran the whole race in her company too. This helped so much - they always say (whoever "they" are) to run with company and to be comfortable enough to hold a conversation, again, something I'd never done.

It was actually a gorgeous day - have heard reports of some runners getting a little sunburnt. Certainly there was sun in the first mile or two, and then at intervals throughout, but when the sun went behind a cloud it was fine and a little breezy. It's not the most scenic of runs, with little in the way of milestones, apart from mile markers, but the race went quickly enough. Becki planned a walk at 7 miles, then 8, and I had no intention of talking her out of it but did say that I at least wanted to *try* and run the whole thing. In the end, I think we were both struggling by 11 miles but the realisation of the 12 mile marker round the corner gave us both a second wind knowing that there was no point walking by that stage, only a mile to go! So I think, despite both mentioning we had no problem whatsoever with stopping and walking if we had to, we both inadvertently made sure that each other ran the whole 13.1 miles.

And I think it was all bluff from Becki anyway as with a stunning sprint finish I was left a few seconds behind but I don't care and was delighted to finish after running the whole way. The time was about 11.5 minute mile pace, and in truth I think I'm a little faster. But I don't care about the time, and who's to say that if I had run at 10 or 10.5 minute mile pace that I wouldn't have had to stop and walk at some point? If I can run the London Marathon in or around 5 hours I'll be delighted.

Big thank you to my parents for coming down to watch and offer support - I'll sort out some pictures from the event to go up soon.

Last run before Silverstone

Still not really sure what to do on the non-long runs. Two problems really, one is the motivation of a run that's not going to push me further than I've done before, and one is the lack of time on weekdays. Another week, I'd have the second of my three runs on a Saturday, but with Silverstone to run on Sunday I don't want to run the day before, so it's time to squeeze in a run on Friday.

Anyhow, not much to write, I cranked the treadmill up to its highest incline (he says, like there's a mountainous setting, I'm sure it's only a degree or two) and ran for just under half an hour at my usual pace. It's quite a workout as I work up quite some sweat on the treadmill indoors, but thirteen miles it isn't.

Details of Silverstone are here: http://www.adidashalfmarathon.com/ and hopefully blogs and photos to come. I'm actually quite terrified ...

More Interval Training

Another attempt at interval training today. Once again the motivation for the non-Sunday runs is difficult. The days have passed where every run was a potential personal best, now that only happens on Sundays, so today I wanted to try and get some faster bursts in.

My plan was to choose an album on my iPod, then run for its length. Each third song I would up the speed on the treadmill to a faster pace. It seemed to work well this time - as always my mind is more focussed on Silverstone on Sunday and then the small matter of London. TMBG's album got me through with sprints on songs 3,6,9 and 12.

But it was mission accomplished - 36 minutes or so, probably at an average of 9 and a bit minute miles. Next stop, who knows, but the one after that is the half marathon. Touch wood, I'm lurgy free, everything is still pain free and in good working order

Personal best

Get me - I'm being all marathon runner now! Carb loading last night (always used to be known as eating pasta and making enough for seconds, now has a posh name) and this morning I prepared for my latest long Sunday run. The plan was to retrace my steps from last Sunday and ultimately see if I could run the full 14 mile distance.

If I can't run the full distance I did have other targets:
a) Run further in one go than last time (previously 11 miles - 13 would be nice!)
b) Run more overall than last time (previously 12.5 miles - 13 would be nice!)
c) Beat the overall time (previously about 2:25 - 2:30)

The weather forecast was for sunshine at 9am, heavy sleet at noon, and sunshine again at 3pm. So I set off just after 9am. Once again the first half mile or so is a killer - I got a bit of stitch right away, then again at a couple of miles. I'm just glad now I can run through this if it comes early, and once again the middle phase goes a lot more smoothly.

Running on the roads, I only hit a busy road when I cover 2 miles of the B4100, about 7 miles in. Until then I only passed three oncoming cars in the first seven miles. Big thank you to the cars heading from Bicester to the A43 - almost all give me a very wide birth and are rewarded with a tired friendly acknowledgement. Only 2 or 3 cars didn't follow this rule, and got a strategic two finger salute along the drinks bottle for their efforts!

So how did I do against my targets? I ran on to Bucknell and past the point where I stopped to walk last week. On to the ring road, I ran further but did stop just before the Banbury Road roundabout. So I ran a little under 12.5 miles off the bat. Target (a) hit but unfortunately not the full marathon distance or 14 mile distance of the route.

I struggled a little to start again after walking, but did run a little less than a mile again in a couple of stints when I restarted. So I think I ran about 13 miles in total, walking one male. Target (b) hit. The time was about the same as last time - I'm not sure why, but I'm not really that bothered about times apart from as a guide. I think my walking was quite slow as I seemed to have a little less left in my tank when I stopped, but am still on target for sub 5 hours if I can keep this up.

Best of all, I beat the weather. As I crawled upstairs and ran a hot bath I heard very stormy winds lashing rain and sleet against the windows. Half of me wouldn't have minded running in the rain as I haven't done that yet - would not want to try it for the first time at Silverstone in one week's time ...

Onwards and upwards

A day off work today meant I felt I should definitely run this afternoon. I'm never sure what to do in the two runs a week that aren't the long Sunday run now - it feels like I should be doing something different to a slow short to medium run, so after interval training earlier in the week. So although it was a nice sunny but chilly afternoon, probably perfect for running, I opted for a run on the treadmill, setting the incline up to the highest level.

In the winter, treadmill running was in the garage, and so cold, but right now the treadmill is in the conservatory. I soon realised that running in 18°C in an enclosed space with the sun shining would be a bigger challenge than the incline, well an additional challenge anyway. The windows and doors stay closed out of respect to the neighbours (not that they ever show us any), as the treadmill can get loud ...

Probably looks like I'm making excuses already. I've found now that my mental challenges of treadmill versus outdoor running have almost completely reversed! Now, if I'm outside, I know that stopping won't get me home any quicker! Whereas inside, on the treadmill, I can start without a particular target in mind, just stop when I feel like it and walk back into the kitchen.

Anyhow, despite preloading this post with excuses, I did run an uphill 25 minutes in the hottest conditions I've run in so far, and I'm moderately happy with that. I thought I'd run anything from about 30 to 50, and I probably could have kept going, but I have at least had a decent workout. I certainly sweated more than I did running 12+ miles on Sunday, bizarrely enough!

I think the problem is that 2.5 miles sounds so pathetic in relation to the 13 or so I will run on Sunday, the 13.1 that I will definitely have to run in 9 days, and the 26.2 I need to get up to for the end of next month! I shouldn't feel like this really, but I feel that I stopped too soon and have slightly wasted one of my three slots for the week ... and in hindsight regret running outdoors on what would have been a lovely afternoon. Oh well, onwards and upwards!