Progress - 4th March 2012

With a little help from my friends.

Cor blimey missus, did I really volunteer for this? Raving bonkers pal.

Its been a tough old week, a familiar tale of late, but I have finally realised I really am getting too old for all this. I have seen my times get further away from what they were a few years back and it does demoralise you. Self pity I suppose, because then you look at St. Georges work or hear a reference from someones first hand experience within the wards and you know its all worth it. I know I've said before that supporting a hospital in Tooting seems odd at first but I bet you all know someone who's been there. The specialist care given within the wards of this fine establishment deserves our support and whilst we can, we should and beware not to take it for granted.

I had a hard time of it on Tuesday evening, completing my normal routine run with the hill reps but at a slower pace and pains all over. [Its time for the knackers yard I reckon]

Time for a rest, or break at least and so on Thursday, after deciding to do nothing, I actually did an hours workout on the cross trainer. I feel I have to do something but am very tired, anyway it made a change and gave my knees a rest.

I had even resolved to not go out on Sunday, instead stay in bed and rest however an offer from Dixie. [The best portable appliance tester in the South http://www.surreyelectricalsafey.co.uk/ ]

Dixie has given up smoking and resolved a healthier lifestyle and as part of it he wanted to get out for some exercise around Virginia Water Lake.

A mutual goal and wanting to see him suffer like myself, [Joking mate] I agreed to meet him at 8.30 on a very wet, cold and rainy Sunday morning. I have a sneaking suspicion he had hoped I wouldn't go but no! an opportunity to have company couldn't be shunned just because of little bit of rain.

Deciding on 3 laps this week, a recovery from last week, we set off, Darren on his bike and me running beside - like a scene from Rocky. [Like, but more dusty than Rocky]

We were there though heading round the lake in the rain like a couple of escaped residents from an old peoples home[Sorry Dixie]. Its funny, but whoever I run with always asks how I feel after a about a mile, I obviously don't look good, my reply is always the same ''@~#!!<> terrible, what do you think''. They generally don't ask anymore.

I made the first lap quite well actually and with my enthusiastic company kept a briskish pace. Darrens hands had gone blue with the cold, frozen to his handlebars and the wind was whistling up his shorts but he went on. I personally would have said stuff this, friend or not and gone home but he stayed and we bonded, 2 silly sods who should have known better, on a mission.

The rain never let up but at least it wasn't snow like when Nigel dragged me around Newlands Corner in December. Not lucky with the weather when I have company. 

My race top displaying my name and Giving to Georges logo gaining quite a few remarks as we went along. We stumbled into the final lap and then seemed to find our pace, not too many people in the way this week, and with just over a mile to go Dixie has a moment. Off the bike he jumps and starts to run with me, I was well impressed and so should he be. We rounded the final corner past the waterfall and headed up the hill both running to the finish point of the tea wagon and we did it.

http://www.jogtracker.com/HistoryDetails.aspx?SyncID=164cc067-9f55-4457-9ecf-a4416e375ed7&UserName=alannelless 

A well deserved cuppa rosy lea and a photo opportunity of my mate and me.

I wouldn't have done it today without his help and despite the weather I think he enjoyed it too[fool].

See the photos from the link below or the one over on the right.

 https://picasaweb.google.com/112467635373245805567/StGeorgeSBrightonMarathon2012Blog?authkey=Gv1sRgCK6Z28HWi77g5gE

Who's coming next week then??

Any comments gratefully received, its easy to do, get interactive with me. 

Back to 1974 this week for 

ARGENT and ''HOLD YOUR HEAD UP''

 And if it's bad
Don't let it get you down, you can take it
And if it hurts
Don't let them see you cry, you can take it

Hold your head up, hold your head up
Hold your head up, hold your head high

And if they stare
Just let them burn their eyes on you moving
And if they shout
Don't let them change a thing what you're doing

Hold your head up, hold your head up
Hold your head up, hold your head high

        Alan.xxx

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Progress - 26th February 2012

This week I hit the wall.

Not only did I hit a wall this week, I bounced backwards a couple of years, unfortunately not in age though.

Absolutely amazing run on Tuesday evening, 7.2 miles complete with hill reps. The knees never hurt once and I felt really strong as I pushed round, maybe too hard as I did the hill reps. I felt on top of the world afterwards and after a 15 miler on Sunday it was a good sign.

Along came Thursday with a very different body attached to it. Even as I left the house it didn't feel right, my knees twinging and spiking sharp pains shooting under my knee caps. My legs weren't mine either, they belonged to a clapped out mark 1 Escort not like the Mclaren MP4-12c that were there 2 nights before. Absolutely nothing there, run, walk, run and so on. I kept thinking the best thing to do is rest, give it a break but then I thought about the time left and how I needed to get on with it and push myself, be disciplined. It felt like running in treacle, such a struggle. Even got a comment from Craig saying he could do that distance in the time it took me, I had cut short for 5.2 miles but it took me 1:04:50 terrible. [I don't think he could do it actually as his recent holiday snaps show quite a significant midriff bulge going on - but I got his point.]

Totally demoralised I contemplated the weekend long run, should I rest or go for it or as the Clash said ''should I stay or should I go.''

Well after a consultation with Dixie and an idea of location, I decided to go for broke but do it on softer terrain. So off I went on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning over to Virginia Water Lake, by the way it was still frosty when I went out.

Armed with a pocket full of energy gels and a fist clenching a bottle of sports drink I set the jogtracker into life and decided on anti clockwise and away I went. If you follow the lakes edge round it's supposed to be 4.5 miles round or 6 if you take in Saville Gardens but that involved a long hill so sod that.

I circumnavigated the first time and took on a gel and a slurp, not too busy at 9.00 a.m so fairly good lap. Second lap I noticed already a busier pathway and the build up of loose dogs and even looser owners. 

The views were certainly better than I had been used to, in more ways than one, however the mentality of some of the people left a lot to be desired. Not just once did I witness the near garroting of a minnie cyclist as he/she pedalled into the path of a remote dog on a 20 foot lead. I am not I fan of dog walkers at the best of times, they seem oblivious to all around, as was the cause of my hamstring injury a few ago that still bites into me.

Well I made 3 laps and talked myself into going for a fourth, against my wishes but I wouldn't listen. Thinking this would bring me to a good 18 miles I struggled, [oh boy did I struggle], around and as I came to the point of ending I took my tracker out and glimpsed a pathetic 16 miles on the display so I had the further torment of having to go on further to notch up the tally.

Down to the Totem pole and back was all I could muster and by the way people were now looking at me I knew was looking as knackered as I felt.

http://www.jogtracker.com/HistoryDetails.aspx?SyncID=52043790-4372-4c58-95b2-8a3618834569&UserName=alannelless

17.5 miles was the final score and I was totally spent.

Consolation came in the shape of a cheese burger and cup of rosy lea with a sit on a log taking in the lovely view made better by the fact I was now stationary.

Comments are very welcome guys, then I know I'm still in the world of the living and its not just a bad dream.

This week I'm back in 1976 for an old favourite from 

Mr Boz Scaggs and 'What Can I Say''

Can´t you see the people just stop and stare
Don't it make you wonder why
I just happened to be standing there
Can't you see it in my eyes

(What can I say)
Oh to make you know baby
(What can I do)
Oooh to show you that I care
(What can I say)
Oooh I´m all down on my knees
Please please please
What can I say
Oooh what can I do...

        Alan.xxx

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Progress - 19th February 2012

WHAT A WEEK!!

My Lovely daughter Emma is 22 on Tuesday 21st.

Happy birthday Em. xxx

A real mixed bag of emotion this week and an observation that when the going gets tough there are still people that care and help each other.

I want to mention Nigel ''the nutter'' first because he has helped me plan my running and just been there when I needed help and is an inspiration, (although he nearly killed me twice), he has just learnt he needs an op on his knee. A very frustrating time for him, its a bit like taking Lewis Hamiltons' car away from him. I hope the op is soon and you can thrash me into the ground again mate. Take note, running is bad for your health, especially yours knees.

Well I have run my little socks off this week. [Can I stop now, it hurts]

Tuesday evening I did my 7.2 mile course which involves several ups and downs of St.Johns hill and I have to say I was completely cream crackered at the end. This was witnessed by Arthur as I entered the village towards the end, there's always someone watching you! He observed me having a walk break and commented ''anyone can walk round'', so compassionate.

Thursday evening and I completed an 8.4 mile trek round Knaphill and back with every part of my legs from the waist down objecting to the effort. As I struggled along, I kept thinking at this moment in time my mate Craig is laying in the Antigua sunshine having a birthday sherbet or two, I bet he didn't think of me.

Another Sunday comes along and that means only one thing, a long run.

15.5 miles today woohoo,  oohh it hurts.

http://www.jogtracker.com/HistoryDetails.aspx?SyncID=7e0cd524-138d-410e-9210-fd97e526151b&UserName=alannelless 

I wasn't sure how today would go, worried about the knees still twinging, so I took it bit by bit and only pushed on further when I reached each marker. I saw Kelvin, an old workmate, today as I made my way along the Brookwood canal and having not seen him for a couple of years, we both stopped for a quick catch up. He's in the London this year which is a week after me at Brighton and we are both doing the Reading half on April 1st, so another chance of a chat there.

I tagged the last 2.5 miles onto the end of my usual half marathon course by heading round Goldsworth lake and sports pitches, a good chance to show off my new race T-shirt, which I shall try to upload a piccy of.

Not the fastest of times this week but managing to keep it all at the 6 miles an hour mark or thereabouts, which considering how I've felt this week isn't at all bad. It really is the serious point of training now, as the 13 miler course becomes just the first part of the long run, just to be got out of the way a.s.a.p to stretch the distance in the second segment. This is when the old knees will definitely take a bashing and another pair of trainers is inevitable if further damage is to be avoided. This made easier by way of a most generous gift from Alison and Gerhard - bloody nice people, I'm well embarased.

Thank goodness all that cold weather is out of the way and I'm not getting frost bitten anymore.

I would like to say a huge thankyou to all those who have made a donation at my charity page, over £200 pounds now, thankyou.

Hope you're all well and I'm looking forward to seeing each of you alongside me one week.

Song for the week

From 1975 it's The Sweet and  ''Fox on the run'' 

Fox on the run
You screamed and everybody comes a-running
Take a run and hide yourself away
Fox on the run

        Alan.xxx

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Progress - 12th February 2012

This week I hit the first 13 miles since Newcastle!!

Back on the road again after last Sundays cross trainer and boy do you notice just one missed run.
Tuesday night I went out onto the then clear roads and took in 7.2 miles, with some hill reps thrown in and it was hard after not being out on Sunday.
Thursday night back out there again and a good run actually. I did my normal loop round Knaphill and added Hook heath onto the end to give me 8.4 miles at a good pace. Luckily I went out at about 4.00 because later that evening the weather men got it right for once, the snow returned, blimey did it ever.


After witnessing a minus 7 degrees on Saturday morning I was worried about what might be waiting for me on Sunday morning but it wasn't too bad. I dressed to impress today in my new T-Shirt, fresh back from the printers. Giving to Georges logos on both arms, front and back. Brighton marathon date on the back and my name on front and back giving no-one an excuse to not see why I'm out there.
It was a bit daunting going out my half marathon route today for the first time in a year, when you know where your going it makes it all the harder to start off. However once I was up the road a bit I was alright and even got a shout out from a bunch of cyclists going the other way at Jacobs Well.[The shirt obviously works]
I managed to get round the route in not too bad a time as you can see at the link.

http://www.jogtracker.com/HistoryDetails.aspx?SyncID=d4bf1b2c-2aa0-4628-9e24-c8aa67366e05&UserName=alannelless 

I obviously took it quite steady today as the knees are still a worry but they held up, just the odd niggle but that dissapears thankfully.


It only just dawned on me this week that the marathon starts at 9.00 with the first train arriving at 8.30, bit of a planning cock up from the Brighton boys there I think. As the Hotels have done their usual trick of quadrupling the prices for the weekend I may take a place under the pier. Message to all Hoteliers in Brighton, lot of people doing this for charity - Greed is a bad thing.
[3 nights in a travellodege for £370 is not acceptable, not in Brighton]

My mate Craig reaches the grand old age of 50 on Thursday 16th February, have a good one mate. [Take it easy though old fella] 


Song of the week is for my old groover, craig.

''Get it On'' - by the great T-REX. Number 1 from July 1971.

[Before some people were born apparently, isnt that right Yvette?]

Well you're dirty and sweet 

Clad in black don't look back and I love you 

You're dirty and sweet, oh yeah  

Well you're slim and you're weak  

You've got the teeth of the hydra upon you 

Get it on, bang a gong, get it on 

Get it on, bang a gong, get it on

Alan.xxx

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Progress - 5th February 2012

Dedication, that's the key and to be a little bit un-hinged in the tool box department I think.
Who in their right mind comes home after a day sitting next to a friendly fan heater and changes into a pair of shorts and T-shirt opens the door and goes running up the road in this bloody weather?? Got to keep focused.

Blimey O'Reilly on Tuesday I braved the arctic cold to do an impressive 7.25 miles which included several hill reps, just for fun.
On Thursday I wanted the distance more than performance so took a steady route round Knaphill looping round to make up 7.5 miles. For one reason or another my knees just hurt the whole first 4 miles to the point where I was forced to walk 100 yards and start again. Who would believe that the pain would then disappear and the next 3.5 miles were the best for ages! 


Well we are all aware of what sight greeted us on Sunday morning - snow covered ground and no way I am risking the streets in that. [See I'm not totally mad, on slightly deranged]. Decision made there and then to use the old cross trainer out in the back room so on go the trainers anyway.
8.30 a.m Sunday morning and the house is suddenly filled with a very exited voice, my Granddaughter Grace is staying and has just got up to realise ''Its a snowy day Grandad'' 
So for the duration of my cross trainer expedition I had my lovely little girl running in and out of the snowy back garden to keep me company, a very pleasant change to the norm.
Only snag was after I had finished and I can't tell you how many times I was asked ''how much longer are you going run Granddad'', I then was obliged to assist in the assembly of a quite respectible snowman. Cor, it does'nt get any easier when your older to endure that biting cold in your fingers as you roll a ball of snow round, gloves are for pansies. A lovely hot cup of tea for me and a hot chocolate for Grace and we retired inside to view our ice man, complete with carrot nose and coal lump eyes. Sometimes life is good.


8 weeks to the Reading half marathon and 10 untill the big day at Brighton itself. Lots of positive thoughts and more road milage, probably another pair of trainers and I will be there. Don't be fooled into thinking you all couldn't do this aswell, be brave, be slightly un-hinged and be a marathon runner, there is nothing quite like it.

Check out my pictures in the gallery on the right side, you can see my latest running partner, he's a cool dude.


This weeks music is a no brainer

'Ms Grace' by The tymes, January 1975

Ms Grace, when you walk by
You’re the twinkle in my eye
There’s no need to wonder why
I’ve fallen for you.

  

Alan.xxx

 

 

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Progress - 29th January 2012

Well I'm glad that week is over!
I've felt terrible this last week, no energy, sick feeling and fuzzy head, just like the days when I used to drink!

We have been very lucky with the weather so far, however they say February is going to make up for it by bringing on the cold and snow, I can't wait....I hate the cold weather, should've been a bear and hibernate for the Winter.

Despite feeling horrible I still went out for a run on Tuesday and Thursday, managing a respectable 5.5 miles on each.


Looking forward to getting my T-shirts back from the printers so I can show them off on my Sunday runs, at least then people will know why I am out in the cold at that time of the day.


Another week flys by and Sundays long run this week was a steady 12 mile trip out to Pirbright and back round Goldsworth lake a couple of times.

http://www.jogtracker.com/HistoryDetails.aspx?SyncID=f5f7b55f-9420-4678-b693-8e65518039c0&UserName=alannelless

Slowly and steadily taken, I can report that the knees held up fine with no twinges. I would be so grateful if I can get through this without a repeat of the problems of last year.[So too would the man at the acupuncture centre]
Its a funny thing when your running along and hear the tell tale sound of another runner coming up behind you, the heart sinks a bit as they pass you at an enviable pace. Consolation only coming from the hope they are only out for a short Sunday jog whereas I'm in it for the long haul.This hope confirmed momentarily this morning as the steps from behind turned into a slim blonde young lady who, as she came along side, said ''looks like you're out for a long run, doing a marathon soon?'' Yes to both I replied obviously looking totally knackered and only too glad to explain the reason for my state of physique. As she bid me good luck with the venture I tried to put a spring in my step to keep up but vanity always gets the better of you and so I slipped behind her fading figure, back into the solitude of long distance running.

Glad that January is out of the way, bring on the Spring my favourite time of year.

Number 1 from 1975 - JANUARY by PILOT

''January, don't be cold, don't be angry to me
You make me sad come and see
Oh January''

  

Alan.xxx

 

 

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Progress - 22nd January 2012

What a week, Physically and mentally exhausted, bring on the next challenge!
The new trainers are doing their job and protecting the knees which is such a relief, I get the odd pain but I can get round it, which is confidence building.

Went out Tuesday evening and did my 5.5 miler and added some hill reps into the end which went well.
Same again on Thursday although the week was catching up on me a bit.

Saturday morning I was up most of the night with a rolling stomach, feeling very sick [but wasn't] and just ran out of energy come the morning so spent the day wiped out completely on the settee. Things like this happening when you are training are a complete nightmare because you know you should rest yet you know you need to keep up training and missing just one long run can have consequences, mentally if not physical.

Sunday morning woke up feeling not too bad and so, probably stupidly, went out for a good long run. Almost ran completely past Harry and Prue without noticing them along the canal at Brookwood. I am terrible at not seeing people, especially if they are not in their box, you know, where you expect to see them. Wasn't a bad run really 10.25 miles at a very casual pace and despite the extra sweat from not feeling 100% I got round.

Today marked 57 miles in the new shoes - could have run to Brighton??!!

Have to say a big HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY to Smithy for yesterday [It was Steve's dad who was in Georges a while back - pleased to say he is now back at work!!] and                                                                                           HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY to Holly for the coming Tuesday 24th.


This weeks head tune from 1972, Elvis Presley 'Always on my mind'

'If I made you feel second best
I'm so sorry I was blind
But you were always on my mind
You were always on my mind'

Almost forgot, its the age you know, Georges have launched their own blog page for the 9 runners of the Brighton fundraising Team - check it out.

 http://stgeorgesbm2012.blogspot.com/

Alan.xxx
 

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