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Ok, so although the training is going well, I have to admit it is starting to get hard. The last two weeks have seen me complete a long run on Saturday followed by a game of football on Sunday. Im not sure of its the introduction of football or the fact that im 7 weeks in to a tough training plan but the following week im feeling like a I need another rest day. When I have been going out running I've found that little things are starting to hurt and I ache a little more the following day.

This week I have been severly hampered from my football match on Sunday, I strained my groin (not obvious during the game, only after did I notice) and that has left me unable to train for three days, which puts me behind on my plan especially as I took an extra days rest last week also. Not good really but I think up to this point I have built up a good level of fitness so as long as I dont miss too many more training days I should be ok. Im hoping to get out tonight and have my next rest on Monday.

I've been looking at half marathon events to take part in before the marathon, but with my other weekend commitments this is proving to difficult to find one that is local enough. Does it matter if you dont get a practise in before VLM?

On the fund raising front, I have had no new sponsors since my last post. I have canvassed more and had lot of people express interest in sponsoring but havent actually done so yet. I wonder if this is going to be a continuing theme...I hope not as I dont want to have to pay the pledge myself!

In other news im keeping off the grog where possible, I havent drank for a couple of weeks since my blow out after my last post. Not drinking does effect the social life there are events im not going to because I know I wont enjoy without having a drink and a late night. Perhaps thats a little sad on my part but I cant go out all night ont he cokes when friends are slurring and talking loudly  and generally acting up! Stilll its only four months out of a whole life time of partying which in put in perspective is nothing.The plus side is the that im losing pound sof my body and not my bank account!

Tags: Marathon, Drinking, charity,

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Now in my 5th week of training, I clocked up a very decent 17.3 miles last Saturday running from Wickford to Billericay to Basildon and then home to Wickford. I completed in 2:04 minutes which is a time Im over the moon with. Again, if I can keep that pace up on the day for the duration i'll have be grinning more than a Cheshire cat..!! Since Saturday though I have to say I have struggled, Monday was horrible - 40 minutes fartlek training. I actually couldn't stand it. Tuesday was intervals of 15 minute paces, the threshold pace interval was agony and seemed to go on and on and being in the rain - not good! Wednesday was 45 minute steady run which was better but by last night I was cooked and couldn't get out. Ankles were hurting, shins were hurting and I could barely keep my eyes open. So, rest day completed im feeling as fresh as a daisy for the weekends effort. Ill be hoping to complete 21 miles on Saturday and Sunday will be my first football match since Christmas. Normally after football on a Sunday i need two days to recover so will be interesting to see how I get on having done a long run and football.

This week I've also started Fund Raising for my charity. Its a tough one because its never nice asking people for money, and these days so many people are competing for sponsorship money you can understand why some people don't like being pestered. But I think im just going to have to develop a thick skin and pester!! I think as the weeks go by I may have to start getting more creative with my fund raising attempts. So far, sponsors haven't been as fourth coming as I'd hoped but then the event is still some way off. I have had around 9 people sponsor me and raised just over £200 so I have had some generous donations....so thank you all of you that have sponsored so far. It is a good cause!

Other news, my new car has been in the garage this week with a £500 repair bill waiting for me. Nice. West Ham made three deadline day signings, no world class names but as long as they do the job ill be happy. Lets hope for three points against Burnley tomorrow! Hoping to catch up with friends on Saturday as i've been a bit of training hermit this week. Ill have a couple of drinks but wont go mad. I hope!

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Its been a while since my last post so think this is going to be a bit of a long one....

So im just under three weeks in to the training and have notched up around 70 miles in total on mt feet. The most impressive of theses was the 12.2 miles i completed on Sunday morning in a time of 1:31. That was averaging at 7:30 minute miles. If I can keep that pace throughout the marathon ill be more than pleased! In terms of how I felt, well, i felt good throughout. It was a glorious day, no wind, the sun was out and the roads clear. I ran up to the local reservoir around it and back. the scenery as great and im sure all of them components ensured made it all the more enjoyable. My cardio was good and I was never gasping for breath and the muscles felt good as well. I think I could have carried on for another several miles no problem.

On another note, im pleased the snow has gone. It was trying but i managed to complete all the training on my plan through the bad weather conditions through a combination of running in the City of London and on the grass at home where the snow wasn't ice. I think now i've experienced all the different types of training conditions too and still managed to get myself out there which is reassuring. On Saturday its was windy and raining and I really didn't fancy it as I heard the pitter patter on my Windows as I stirred..!!

I've been pleased that i've fitted the training around my shift pattern at work and at how well it works. That said, this week im on the late shifts which has meant and early rise and run before work. I have to be honest, its not been the easiest but the benefit is that it does wake you up and you do know its done for the day. The bad side is that im home late from work, and by the time of cooked and cleaned i've found my self snoozing on the sofa by 10! hats of the to all the people that have families and going for this marathon! Not sure how id do it.

In terms of diet, I've really started to think about the meals im eating and how they will benefit my training. And so far I can say that its really helped. I get my carbs in during the day ready for evening training and then carbs at night ready for morning training. I've also invested in Lucozade recovery and fuel powders to help the long runs now. Hopefully I'll notice the difference using them too. Haven't lost much weight yet, but wasn't really expecting too. At the last weigh in i'd dropped about 3 pound. But my weight fluctuates around the 11 5 mark normally so not sure thats conclusive or not!

I've also invested in a Swiss ball for core training, someone more experienced than me recommended it for core training. Not really given a it a bash yet, mainly because haven't had the time but also cause ill think ill feel a bit of a berk on it! Needs must I guess and time to get over the vanity....

So really so far so good...

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The Christmas period and all its indulgences has now passed and im pleased to say my training schedule has started in earnest!! I was out bright and early on the 2nd and 3rd of Jan 4 completing a 45 minute and 30 minute run respectively followed by 30 mins of fartlek training last night. And to my delight it wasn't as difficult as I'd thought and im hoping that was down to the base training I completed early on before the Arctic conditions prevented me getting out. My aim over the next month or so is to just concentrate on time on my feet rather than distance, whilst I consider myself fairly fit and active im not used to training every day I want to condition my body to this regularity before I start up the ante. However, the impending snow and ice are threatening again and that will kill my training. I really hope the snow stays away because with only 15 weeks to the Marathon it is now seems quite a small window to prepare and any week, day in fact missed will set me back.

Another issue that threatens my training is the booze. I took a vow to not drink until after the Marathon. This vow seemed totally plausible when i made it in October however only 4 days in to the training social events are appearing on my radar and my will power is going to be tested! Whilst I can take or leave alchol its never fun being the sober one when your friends are slurring and speaking loudly. Whats funny when your on the same level really isn't in the dry eyes of a sober judge! This issue however is totally in my control....its that demon in the back of my head telling me that you can still go out and get on it and train the next morning that I have to conquer!

Craig

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Well this week has been productive. On Wednesday, I was invited to a a carol service in Victoria laid on by United Response, the charity Im running for. It was a smashing event - a lot better than I thought it would be. There were some excellent readings and stories from the people that UR help. It was enlightening and embedded further in my mind the great work they do! I got to meet the UR fund raising team who were very nice, helpful and supportive! I have every confidence ill get all the help I need from them leading up to the raise. I hope the night was a successful fund raising event for UR - there some member of high society in attendance so im sure it was!

Training wise I managed to get out 3 times, once in the evening, afternoon and an early 6am!! I have to say it wasn't as bad as I thought getting up at 6. It was the morning after the carol service, (which was a late night) Granted, pushing the toe out of the covers wasn't appealing but having been inspired the night before I was up and ready I kind of just cracked on. The streets were empty, dark and above all very cold! This week has seen some very low temperatures but it was a good taste of things to come when we really hit the midwinter months. And I used my running tights for the first time! Very Flattering as im sure you can imagine. Good job it was so early!

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Well I did it. I went down the shop, had my gait checked and avter several reccomendations I plumped for the neutral Nike Air Pegasus 26+. Whilst there I bought myself, some compression shorts, a running jacket and a few tops. Thrown were a 3 pairs of snuggly fitting running socks. Bouyed with my new purchases I couldnt wait to get started so I dragged myself out of bed early Saturday morning (after resisting the urge of a beverage Friday night) and completed the first run of my Marathon training. It was a standard route around my housing estate in Wickford. Its about 5km, i didnt time myself I just wanted to get out and try these new pumps..!! To my surprise I didnt find it too hard as I hadnt been out running for a couple of months and I have to say I couldn't be more happier with the Pegasus, they fit like a dream, are as soft as a a slab of brie and look cool. The ball has started rolling...

Im even more excited about this Nike+ gizmo. Theres a hole in the sole of the trainer for a sensor which monitors how fast, how far and how much enrgy im buring etc and feeds it back to the ipod. Genius! Now how much are them iPhones....

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'when I start training' is becoming a like my very own cathphrase at the minute. I have been telling my self, theres no point in starting training until after Christmas Party season. Whats the point, when im just going to be boozing and indulging in fine for a bloated waistline food? I dont want to burn out do I and get carried away in the excitment now and become bored in the new year? Then theres injury - i dont wanna injure myself now by over doing it too early. Who am I kidding? Whilst theres an element of truth to my protests I need to start that base training now,not only will help stave off this developing tyre round my midriff, doing so will develop a good level of fitness that enables me to really knuckledown an crack on with the 'proper training' in January. I plan to start jogging again two to three times a week just standard jogs 2-3 miles from now up to after Christmas, this coupled with my football should be enough to achieve the 'base' im after. So whats stopping me? Firstly, Equipment. I need some good running shoes, i need a breathable water proof jacket, I needs some good socks and I cant possibly start without some hi viz gear..!! Hear them protests again. Yes. Loudly. Well im not going to the negative devil side of my concious get the better of me. Im heading straight down to the London City Runner tomorrow to get kitted out and start the ball rolling NOW!

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