Another week flies by and yet more miles ticked off the training plan, well I haven't actually done a plan yet but it all counts.
Tuesday evening I went for the 5.5 miler around Knaphill and back to a mixed pace of sprints and jogs. The idea is to break up my pace and hopefully make it a bit faster ultimately...who knows. No aches or pains this day so quite happy.
Thursday evening and I hit the Knaphill circuit again and yet this time the old knees hurt all the way, so frustrating. My mind was occupied throughout the run though, as just as I was about to leave Nigel called me with an invitation to go out with him on Saturday this week for a bit of cross country training.
I think this is why my knees hurt on Thursday, they were trying to tell me something.
Well now here's the thing, because on Saturday I usually go to breakfast with two good friends and fill my belly with lots of fine food. A lot of conscious wresting went on and I lost, so it was up to Newlands Corner on Saturday with the only consolation that at least this week I could have a lay in on Sunday.
8.30 a.m Saturday morning I meet Nigel at the car park Newlands Corner. I say meet him because he declined a lift saying he would run up there from home, as a sort of warm up, he lives in Guildford. You may remember Nigel from my London marathon training...........he hasn't changed, still off his box, no concept of pain. Well let me tell you it was 1.5 degrees celsius when I left home but by the time I got to the meeting place it was -1 yes MINUS 1. The sky was clear on arrival and the sun was just rising, Nigel said it looked fantastic, I said it was ~@"!%$ cold. In the distance 1 significantly innocent looking cloud loomed as we set off with me trying to locate satellites, [The android app still playing up and I desperately wanted proof of this one], they had obviously thought better and hid themselves away.
I must say after the first mile I was beginning to enjoy the softness underfoot opposed to my normal road routes but that enjoyment wasn't to last. I recognised the terrain from a past nightmare, St.Marthas hill loomed ahead of us and I thought, no I said, a lot of bad things. Totally oblivious to my own description of the shape of things, Nigel wittered on about how great it was to be out enjoying the country and how nice it was, I substituted nice for my own 4 letter word. After an eternity we rounded a corner at Chantry wood where I was informed we weren't that far from Guildford town now...Oh how nice I thought and how I wished I was sitting in a cafe drinking a coffee like normal people. It was at this point I noticed wet stuff falling on me through a gap in the trees, Oh bugger it had started to snow and we were miles from my car. It all went grey and horrible from here as that innocent distant cloud had got all his mates to come and see me, and they started to drop big flakes of snow on us. As we went back along the muddy trails I recognised a piece of road and was lifted by the thought of nearly being back, only to find one bit of road looks like the next in the middle of nowhwere and were miles from the end, my heart sank and I uttered more descriptive words.
Finally Nigel decided to end my nightmare and we emerged into the open and I could see the end..........it was at the top of a big long hill that stretched across an open field, an icy track cutting though the stubble, ''look there's your car, its not far''. I pointed out to Nigel that on a good day I could stand on a hill in Guildford and see the Wembley arch, but I wouldn't want to run there.
That hill was a killer, I couldnt get a grip neither on the surface or reallity by now, I wanted to go home.
Well I made it eventually and my reward for such an effort was the best bacon roll and cup of tea that I have ever tasted.
The Jogtracker had not tracked me but I welcome anyone along to witness the route in the New Year.
Nigel again declined a lift saying he would jog back home, it would be quicker!
Sarah you do have a lot to endure with that bloke, I take my hat off to you, well if I had one I would. Nigel you are lacking in a vocabulary that I have hopefully helped you out with, I can't thank you enough mate I did enjoy it you're a top bloke.
I cant help thinking he had a point that a swear box would have easily raised my target amount on that run.
And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems
If I only could
Be running up that hill
With no problems...
Kate bush - Running up that hill.
[From her 1985 album Hounds of Love]
I had a nice lay in on Sunday morning this week.
Alan.xxx
http://www.facebook.com/
See my sponsorship page at
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/alannelless
Sunday 18 December 2011
Sunday 11 December 2011
Progress - 11th December 2011
Well it certainly doesn't get any easier!
Keep forgetting to do the knee exercises which isn't good as they make all sorts of funny noises - oh dear.
Tuesday evening I sorted out the phone app and set off for the first of the mid week sessions. All went okay as you can see by clicking the following link.
Clever stuff this and more accurate than I'd hoped as it shows how slow I've got.
Thursday evening did the same again, with strange weather going on. Very cold out there and although I could only see stars and clear sky, I got rained on, which was nice.
Sunday morning arrives yet again and have to get up fairly early because once the frost clears apparently the rain is going to come down, what a choice. I managed to judge it just right as it goes and had fairly warm and dry run. Wish the knees didn't give so much grief, they hurt less the further I go so that's good I think. Again I took the tracker along and you can see the outcome below.
http://www.jogtracker.com/HistoryDetails.aspx?SyncID=32e3182c-7fd5-47fe-8e78-67ce5e73603d&UserName=alannellessOnward and upwards, I might try some speed up training in the week.
The Beatles - Help
Alan.xxx
http://www.facebook.com/
See my sponsorship page at
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/alannelless
Sunday 4 December 2011
Progress - 4th December 2011
Well where did that week go to?
Tuesday night saw the return of midweek training and what a struggle that is. The thought of coming home all warm and dry, slipping into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt to venture out into the dark cold wet evening isn't very enticing but you have to do it, 19 weeks isn't long really not to prepare for 26 miles, not if you don't want to look a complete doughnut on the day.That was it then, out into the dark, but at this stage, only 2.5 miles - with a steep hill mind.
Thursday night saw the same run but this time I was accompanied by loads of rain, which was nice! I had thought of staying dry and using the old faithful cross-trainer but that's cheating, if a jobs worth doing - you may aswell get soaking wet and cold doing it.
I looked back at last years progress for this stage and I had been going further but realise this was due to the Great South run in October and trying to keep that mileage up. I now realise that probably was too much and when I get round to filling out my plan for this year, I want to make it more of a progression up rather than sustain a level.
So here we are on Sunday and I tried out a new gadget app for my android, it is supposed to track my route and tell me how far I've been and how many calories I've burnt - it didn't. Not enough scatterlites could see me apparently, not surprising, at silly O'clock on a Sunday morning I reckon even they have more sense than to be up. I can tell you though that I did my old route out through Brookwood into Pirbright village and back for 8.5 miles of rain free, fun on the run.
Funny thing though, 'cause later when I popped into B.K to recharge my belly and I played around with the settings, it manged to track me home from there. [It didn't know what I had eaten though.]
Saw my friend Jill today, who is doing the London Marathon again next year. She is suffering from torn muscle and despair that she cannot run at all at the moment - why do we do it, it surely is a form of madness. Hope it gets better sooner than expected and you have a rest in the meantime Jill.
Happy birthday to my Grandaughter, Grace Megan Rosemary, who on Saturday will be 4 years old. xxxx
Why Why Why
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - 'Delilah'
Alan.xxx
http://www.facebook.com/
See my sponsorship page at
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/alannelless
Tuesday night saw the return of midweek training and what a struggle that is. The thought of coming home all warm and dry, slipping into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt to venture out into the dark cold wet evening isn't very enticing but you have to do it, 19 weeks isn't long really not to prepare for 26 miles, not if you don't want to look a complete doughnut on the day.That was it then, out into the dark, but at this stage, only 2.5 miles - with a steep hill mind.
Thursday night saw the same run but this time I was accompanied by loads of rain, which was nice! I had thought of staying dry and using the old faithful cross-trainer but that's cheating, if a jobs worth doing - you may aswell get soaking wet and cold doing it.
I looked back at last years progress for this stage and I had been going further but realise this was due to the Great South run in October and trying to keep that mileage up. I now realise that probably was too much and when I get round to filling out my plan for this year, I want to make it more of a progression up rather than sustain a level.
So here we are on Sunday and I tried out a new gadget app for my android, it is supposed to track my route and tell me how far I've been and how many calories I've burnt - it didn't. Not enough scatterlites could see me apparently, not surprising, at silly O'clock on a Sunday morning I reckon even they have more sense than to be up. I can tell you though that I did my old route out through Brookwood into Pirbright village and back for 8.5 miles of rain free, fun on the run.
Funny thing though, 'cause later when I popped into B.K to recharge my belly and I played around with the settings, it manged to track me home from there. [It didn't know what I had eaten though.]
Saw my friend Jill today, who is doing the London Marathon again next year. She is suffering from torn muscle and despair that she cannot run at all at the moment - why do we do it, it surely is a form of madness. Hope it gets better sooner than expected and you have a rest in the meantime Jill.
Happy birthday to my Grandaughter, Grace Megan Rosemary, who on Saturday will be 4 years old. xxxx
Why Why Why
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - 'Delilah'
Alan.xxx
http://www.facebook.com/
See my sponsorship page at
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/alannelless
Sunday 27 November 2011
Progress - 27th November 2011
Well here we are again, 139 days to go and I will be able to bathe my feet in the sea after 26 miles of pain and glory.
The last week has been a lot about getting my mind back into the groove and I have to work out a training plan thats going to keep the knees out of trouble.
I got the official sign up out of the way on Monday, courtesy of the wonderful Maribel at St.Georges, now its down to me to encourage all you wonderful people to part with a little money. Please go to my virgin money giving page and have a look, this week, the first week has been an amazing start and I thank Paul and Kay very much for their generous contribution.
Paul has been a mate for over 35 years and I remember back when the first London marathon took place we both vowed to one day run it, well I've done it Paul, I think you might be leaving it a bit late. No worries though I'll run them if you keep supporting me and I hope to see you and Kay at the finish.
I haven't, as yet, been out mid week training, rather trying to build the old knees up with squats but this coming week will dawn the start of Tuesday and Thursday evening runs........what joy!!
Today Sunday saw the familiar cobweb clearing 5 mile run that I have been putting in recently. Nothing spectacular but I can tell you now the toll of the chocate biccies is showing. I checked my weight on my brothers scales yesterday but his seem to be broken aswell so I'm not sure where I am exactly but when I look down I know theres room for improvement.
I'm off now to watch my McLaren team do their best at Brazil for the final race of the season. Good luck to Lewis and Jenson this afternoon and maybe another rocket red sign outside the H.Q here in Woking. I could certainly do some of Lewis' speed.
2 adult swans and their 5 younsters on the Canal this morning bought Marc Bolan and his T-Rex to mind as I run the last mile to 'Ride a white swan'
Take care all, please talk to me...
Alan.xxx
See my sponsorship page at
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/alannelless
The last week has been a lot about getting my mind back into the groove and I have to work out a training plan thats going to keep the knees out of trouble.
I got the official sign up out of the way on Monday, courtesy of the wonderful Maribel at St.Georges, now its down to me to encourage all you wonderful people to part with a little money. Please go to my virgin money giving page and have a look, this week, the first week has been an amazing start and I thank Paul and Kay very much for their generous contribution.
Paul has been a mate for over 35 years and I remember back when the first London marathon took place we both vowed to one day run it, well I've done it Paul, I think you might be leaving it a bit late. No worries though I'll run them if you keep supporting me and I hope to see you and Kay at the finish.
I haven't, as yet, been out mid week training, rather trying to build the old knees up with squats but this coming week will dawn the start of Tuesday and Thursday evening runs........what joy!!
Today Sunday saw the familiar cobweb clearing 5 mile run that I have been putting in recently. Nothing spectacular but I can tell you now the toll of the chocate biccies is showing. I checked my weight on my brothers scales yesterday but his seem to be broken aswell so I'm not sure where I am exactly but when I look down I know theres room for improvement.
I'm off now to watch my McLaren team do their best at Brazil for the final race of the season. Good luck to Lewis and Jenson this afternoon and maybe another rocket red sign outside the H.Q here in Woking. I could certainly do some of Lewis' speed.
2 adult swans and their 5 younsters on the Canal this morning bought Marc Bolan and his T-Rex to mind as I run the last mile to 'Ride a white swan'
Take care all, please talk to me...
Alan.xxx
See my sponsorship page at
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/alannelless
Sunday 20 November 2011
DEJA VU - Progress 20th November 2011
Its all coming back to me now!
I know, I know, I know.
Way back in April I promised I wouldn't put those trainers on again, those trainers that took me out on cold wet dark days and inflicted so much pain onto me.
Well you see I found myself a bit lost really and to be honest I haven't been totally running free because I did go to Newcastle and do the Great North run in September, which I loved, both the place and the event.I even met Mo Farah there and gave him some tips for the Olympics next year, he was well chuffed.
In October I had my rejection for next years VLM and then Brighton was full so I looked at a Gold bond place in the Brighton marathon for St. Georges.There was a bit of a hiccup with this which, if you know me,you will know why and understand what a difficult time we thought was ahead.That didn't happen and we are all so thankful and at that point you realise what you've got and how lucky you are.
However all around me St.Georges is still featuring very much.My sister in law Gill may well have to re-visit and my work mate Steve 'Smithy' Smith, only 2 weeks ago found himself walking through the doors to visit his father who suffered a heart attack and underwent major surgery.
So I asked a big favour of Maribel, could she find a place still ....................on Friday afternoon a message came back.........YES. Thank you Maribel.
So now I can run for them to raise a bit of money to show how much we appreciate what they do.
Day 1 -Week 1
Sunday 20th November 2011, my sons 18th birthday, Happy birthday Stuart.
The alarm goes off at 8.00 a.m and a weary figure climbs out of bed, pulls on a pair of shorts and T Shirt, looks at the trainers menacingly sitting on the shelf and decides to brave the pains that he knows await him as he ties the laces into place and heads out into the misty morning. As he heads along the road it all starts coming back to him BUT I know why I am doing it and I know for who I am doing it. So it hurts and its not very enjoyable really but then neither is having somebody you care for suffering with their life on a thread.
A steady 5 miler this morning, a cut down route to give my knees a bit of warning and now, being a 'veteran', I know what to do and what to expect. My mind was full of thoughts from the London marathon as I ran along, inspired by the back of a dirty white van on which someone had etched 'to infinity and beyound', how appropriate.
If you see me plodding along the road, knackered, red faced, moaning that my bloody knees hurt, I am doing it because I can, for those who would love to be able to and in memory of those who sadly cannot but who have all been helped by George's.
Is that Bozz Scaggs I can hear in the distance.....doing the Lido shuffle..ahhhh.
Alan. xxx
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)