2nd Half Marathon and New Personal Best

Sunday was my second of three Half Marathons. This time it was Berkhamstead, just north of Watford. A tough race with lots of hills but beautiful scenery. It rained throughout the race soaking all the runners, a new and unpleasant experience for me. I was late getting to the start line, no suprise there then, and so had to start right at the front with the professional runners. They went of like a rocket at the start which was a humbling experience. Bex said I looked like a rabbit in headlights. I was overtaken by everyone for the first few miles, at one point I felt like I was going backwards, but eventually settled down with the right group for me. The last few miles were agony but I shaved 23 seconds of my personal best and reckon I could do more if the conditions were better. I need to get under 1hr 50mins at the Reading Half Marathon to be well on track for a 4hr Marathon.

First Half Marathon Race

Completed my first Half Marathon (13.1 miles) today in 1hr 53mins which is under the 2 hours I was aiming for. Tough race with lots of runners (2000) my finish place was 1211 so not too shabby for a beginner.

It's given me confidence that I might be able to run under 4 hours on the big day but the thought of running twice as far as today is very scary.

I'm over the £1,000 mark for MENCAP which is excellent. Again thank you to all those who have sponsered me. If you haven't it's not too late :O)

First Competative Race

Ran my first proper race today. The Fred Hughes 10 mile at St Albans. Up at sparrow fart with 800 other runners on a very cold morning. The start was chaos with everyone jostling for position but after 3 miles it settled down into a proper race.

There was lots of support throughout the race, especially from the Police and Marshals. It was very well organised.

I ran faster than training although the ground was firmer than the canal towpath and finished in a very respectable 1hr 23 mins. If I can keep that up I'll finish under 4hrs for the big event.

Sore legs and nipples again but delighted with the time. More hard training required to speed up even more.

Less than 100 days to go

I'm back. For some reason I couldn't get into Blogger until now. Something to do with them upgrading their logins. Sounds like an excuse if you ask me.

Anyway, there is less than 100 days to train for the Marathon and todays half marathon (13.1 miles) training session took me over the 100 miles run in training mark. I've got my first race next Sunday, a 10 miler in St Albans, and it's all very exciting. I received my race number to pin on my vest through the post, no 445, and now it all seems really real. My best time to date for 10 miles is 1:36 which is ok for a 4 hour Marathon (if I can keep it up - no pun intended) but I would like to go faster so will aim for 1:30 on the day.

Todays lesson for 1st time Marathon runners - don't have a big party on Friday night, drink shed loads of booze and then run 13 miles on the Sunday :O)

Today's other lesson for Marathon runners - put Vaseline on your nipples, even if you hate it, because guess what. If you run 13 miles they bleed. Found that out today, nice, and in a white running top :O(

I've just about reached the £1,000 mark for Mencap so need to raise another £600. If you'd like to sponsor me please vist http://www.justgiving.com/scottboo and don't be shy. It all goes to a very worthy cause and Mencap will be able claim the tax you have paid on the amount.

If you've already sponsored me please feel free to sponsor me some more !!

Right Savlon on nipples time - oh yeah.....

Starting to get serious

10 miles yesterday and it hurts. I ran along the Grand Union Canal with Bex following on her bike. It was a beautiful morning. I ran past match fisherman, narrow boats with wood fires burning, swans gliding in to land, children feeding the ducks and mountain bikers covered in mud.

It's amazing how far you can run in an hour and a half. I am definately getting fitter. This run felt more comfortable than any before and it was also the further distance.

I've got just over a month until the first half Marathon and I have to be able to complete it in under 2 hours if I'm going to reach the 4 hour target for the London Marathon.

Keep sponsoring me and don't forget to tell everyone you know. The support helps enourmously and keeps me focussed on why I'm doing this. :O)

Training, training, training.......

A most excellent day today. Met some of the Global Media account managers and closed Debenhams and Prudential Group. Woo Hoo !

Well after a break of 2 days training has resumed in earnest ! 3 miles tonight followed by 2hrs in the gym. Achieved a PB over 5k (28:40). Will record these in the stats section to track fitness and speed improvements. Everyone in the gym thinks I'm mad - noone else runs for an hour :O)

Fundraising is going well. £600 so far with more coming.....

The Start of Marathon Training

This week was the start of 21 weeks of Marathon training. I've run 30 miles and I've just realised the scale of the task ahead. I have to run that in one go. The weight training is fine but it will take me some time to get used to the constant running. It's not the most entertaining form of training that's for sure.

One thing they don't tell you about is sore nipples. Wow do they sting. Vaseline before every run has sorted them out !!!

Bex has been really supportive and cycles along the canal while I'm running, providing a running commentary on speed, distance and time as well as being a mobile drinks dispenser. I'm going to rest tomorrow after a long 8 mile run today and crack on again on Monday.

If you haven't sponsored me yet "Don't be shy"

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