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

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

See my sponsorship page at     

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/alannelless