Hey, it was great and I'm not just saying it.  I really loved it, even going to Derby but next time I might get a train...

I would recommend doing Kilomathon because it's just that bit more testing (at least for me) than a half.  I really enjoyed the experience especially as it was Nottingham and all the stuff around that...

However, I am suffering.  I am walking today and I tried some mini-fartlek tonight but it was still painful and I have backed off any proper running.  I'm eating co-codamol which is good but bad - I'm turning into Nurse Jackie and using the rub.  Someone at work today told me he'd just qualified in massage and I was keen but he didn't have his table.

So a few days without a proper run.  This leaves me frustrated and I keep having moments where I doubt if I can do April 25th.  I am however, still determined to try my best.  Trying to be fit for Sports Relief but I can at least console myself that I have tickets for United/LFC after...

Alzheimer's want to talk about my Dad, maybe doing an article- I'm thinking about it but it is a bit painful of late, I really miss him.  Fundraising is going a bit better and I want to do as much as I can...

Keep on you and talk to you soon...

Tags: Knee

Post Views: 57

I've had a real flashback kind of week.  I saw someone on Wednesday who I last saw 20 years ago - we used to hang at Sixth Form, causing havoc.  We did stay in touch via the email and he moved to Oz.  He hadn't changed although he was a bit fatter.  I think he was a bit shocked by the way I look, I imagine he thought we'd both grow old disgracefully but it was really good to see him - I hope we keep in touch...

So back to Nottingham, luckily I could reside at my Mum's for the duration of my stay and was treated like a king.  I did spend an hour or so driving around the city centre, Bridgford and Hyson Green looking for Gels - couldn't score them bro until I found a Tesco.  I had to drop all my principles and I am sorry.  I purchased them but I felt dirty. I had the best night's sleep ever and the hot water bottle for my knee really helped - thanks Mum...

A big bowl of Gluten Free porridge, a couple of coffees and some Lucozade Sport followed by a little bit of vomit - I was okay, it was excitement - it was just liquid and off to face the day.  Got a lift in with my Brother-in-Law in the van (say it like a Cockney) and arrived, not too early, not too late.  We passed the QMC where I lost my Dad – that made me feel very sad.  It had that big race feeling but there were only about 5000 people there.  It was slick and well organised (more later)...

I saw Donna - it made my day.  People run for many reasons and she does it from the heart.  I admire her drive and determination. - totally top....

After freezing for 30 minutes (that is my gripe about organisation) with a couple of loo visits - I made a mate from Scotland and I love it how he called me Pal (great bloke) in every sentence - we got started.  I felt really good - up for it and refreshed.  Quick first 5km but them my right knee started to grate and became very painful.  Thought about stopping - you still got a medal but decide to pop some pills and just see how far I could go.  5 miles around, 42 minutes, 10km in around 52 minutes, ten miles around 1:20-25, 13 miles around 2 hours.  Finished around 2:27 with a sprint and a laugh with a guy from Fetch - I saw that hideous red and yellow top, felt disgusted (joking) and challenged him to a sprint.  We had a dead heat but he did try to barge me (in good humour of course).  We kissed after the finish - we didn't but had a laugh...

Really good day, loads of low fives, new friends and fun.  Back to Nottingham on a bus, I got off at the Broadmarsh and walked (hobbled) through town back to my Mum's.  Nottingham has changed - the Broadmarsh Centre makes Stretford Mall look like Selfridges - but I get the impression that everyone is trying their best to do the best they can.  I really loved being back in Nottingham - it felt nostalgic and I loved seeing the places I grew up in, the places that made me...

Well done to Donna, Tina and Amy - I kiss you all...

Well done to anyone who took the easier option at Silverstone (only joking - hang on, I'm not) - I hope it's all going well?

Me?  I am having trouble walking but I'm really happy.  I'd also like to say thank you to Mick for his donation.  All the donations mean the world to me (yes that was sincere not X-factorish) but Mick's is special because of what he's done with his running and because of the great man he is.  I love you Mick - in a man way of course (how Chuck Norris maybe loves Clint).  Thank you...

The only downside was it ending in Derby (it's like the Liverpool & Manchester thing) - I got out as soon as.  But it was a special thing today for me.  Vin always used to moan when I did a race, “Why pay when you could run for free?” But there was always a look of pride when I put the medal in his hand.  One for my Mum on Mother’s day and 4Vin...

Tags: 4Vin

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It's on Sunday between Nottingham and Derby.  Not straight down the A52 which would have been nice and gentle but round the houses, up the hills and slopes.  I'm ready for it in mind but in body I'm f*£%ed.  I've spent weeks ensuring I will be there using my strengths as a negotiator to ensure My Love is happy with me missing Mother's Day.  I will see my Mother which will be good though.  Then again, I might be back for tea...

Ran with Ron, Shelley and Glynn yesterday over a "5km" course.  Shelley never stops talking, she just talks and talks so you feel you have to talk back and then you miss your breathing, then you feel shattered!  I talked at the beginning but also tried to dictate the pace although Shelley, being a supreme athlete, did it really. I convinced myself that I was doing it and just grunted when spoken to. Ron and Glynn stayed at the rear which might have been the best thing.  We got to about 3km and Shelley went one way through the park and I went the other way down the road.  The guys followed me and I allowed them to catch up.  I then decided that I needed to be more selfish with things so I upped the pace just to try to push myself and try a bit harder...

I battled on, hitting around 24:30 according to Ron who came in a while after me and Glynn who was about a minute behind - I didn't have the Garmin.  We also ran a little longer 5km course(!) which turns out to be 5.5km...

I was happy but have paid for it - guess the injury??

Missed the run today so resting until Sunday.  Haven't a clue how I will do - I predict I will run 2:45 but I'm not thinking about the slopes up and down.  It's a training run with a medal hopefully at the end and my only objective is to complete and have two legs and my bits in place at the end.

See you Sunday - PM me and I'll PM my number to you...

Tags: Kilomathon

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It's not often that my training plan includes going to a 50th Wedding Anniversary the night before, having several pints; doing lots of dancing withmy big boots on - I like the Siege of Ennis; and singing along with the solos (although that's not a solo is it?).  Well I did last night which may or may not match the 7P approach to racing/running.  It does however rankwith the GMR a coupe of years ago where I spent the night with several thousand women watching Take That having a few drinks and then running a fair race - which worked then.

I think that I will be attending Kilomathon next week in Nottingham and the plan was to run around 20km again this weekend. However, I've not trained at all this week due to the problems with my hips and knees so decided to race 10km today after some pushing from a couple of women from work - thanks Sarah and Shelley.

The race is in Partington which is one of those places that gets a bad press but just needs a bit of investment and bit of belief in itself and from others.  It was a small race field but bigger than the 300 at HL10km.  Well organised, we registered on the day - this was rearranged from the freak snow day in Feb which blew away HL10km - and it had really good facilities in the Leisure Centre.  It was cold and I managed to lose a glove - lots of tights about.  I was promised a flat course by Sarah but it did have some "slopes".

Ran the first 2km with Sarah and her friend Lynsey - we jogged along chatting which may have irritated the other people but we were happy to be in the countryside.  I saw my friend Ian from work ahead in a dayglo hat like mine so jogged on from Sarah and Lynsey to have a chat but he didn't want to talk and I didn't want to go back so I ran my own race from then on.  Didn't let anyone pass me from then on although a couple did at the 5km drinks station, I picked them off and moved up the field after starting at the back.  I felt great, ran well within my capabilities and had a lovely morning. 

A strange thing occured at 8km though. I felt something in my mouth and whilst running spat into my hand.  To my surprise three quarters of one of my crowns had just broken off.  No blood, no pain, just this feeling that there was a big hole in my tooth. I ran on in disbelief with the bit of crown that came off in my hand, eventually popping it in my back pocket.  At 9.5km a little guy passed me so I took him out on the finishing straight as well as a couple of other guys.

So a good morning and a tooth to sort.  Happy with 49:30 although the name on the timing computer's ticket is someone else's at the moment.  But it was me really...

Tags: Tooth, Trafford 10km

Post Views: 88

Ran on Sunday 22km in 2 hours.  Tried to go further but I've got problems with my right knee again.  Didn't run with Shelley and Ron today, resting up instead.

Ron had some good news last week - his lad didn't have to have the operation last week.  The surgeon felt it didn't need to be done so everyone was really relieved and happy.  Thanks for thinking of them.

Fundraising has taken off a bit this weekend so I'm really pleased and it is pusingh me on.

Check this out...

That's it really - good luck... 

Tags: Sunday

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Was going to ease up and take Tina's advice today but went out for 5 miles around the OT-Gorse Hill-Stretford triangle.  First lap - 21:19 + lap 2 - 20:40.  Funny that, lap one felt faster - I thought I was wearing the Skylons rather than the Pegs!

Slower than earlier this week - different route which includes the B&Q slope (stopped calling it a hill) twice.

No news from Ron about his boy but fingers crossed - thank you to my friends for their best wishes.

Trying to keep running but splitting things up a bit this week until the weekend when I plan to run longer.

Tags: 5, Ron

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Nothing much today apart from a lunchtime 5km run with Ron.  My thoughts are with Ron tomorrow because his little one is in hospital for an op tomorrow.  He's worried, I'm worried for him, we both feel like s--t and I'm just really unhappy.  Yes, I know.  I'm usually very positive even when things aren't going to well but I am.  And nothing is better for it than a quick run around the circuit we know and love... 

No Shelley today although we did discuss her form.  Both of us felt under the weather, Ron ran 25:08, I came in sub-25 due to a sprint at the end.  We enjoyed it and it helped make things seem better...

Seriously thinking about leaving work and becoming a house husband - I can abandon IT and the internet so I can run a bit more although I feel for Ron at the moment and wish his little one the best of luck tomorrow and a safe op....

Gissa Job.... 

Tags: Ron

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Still ill as Steven Patrick Morrissey said but went out looking for the snow that had been forecast but found none.  I wrapped up with a nice thick hoodie under my Windrunner, my tights, hat, Pegs and my ski/boarding gloves...

It was cool, a bit bracing, maybe a bit sharp but it wasn't too bad.  Was looking for five miles tonight just to keep things ticking over until the weekend and ran the Edge Lane, Chorlton, Old Trafford loop back to Stretford - running past United as Rooney scored...

Completed in 40:45 for the five miles.  Happy but hungry and feeling a little like it is decision time about a few things such as if I want to go on running in pain or if I want to step out and get things sorted?  I want to carry on but I'm back to where I was this time last year ableit running longer and faster...

Begining to think I only run because I like the taste of Lucozade Sport...

Pee'd off that my Justgiving site is giving people problems and Justgiving are not being helpful - not even Simon Doyle getting me blog of the hour would cheer me up.  At least High Legh is back on and there could be places spare for you if they think you can take it... 

But that's life, off for some Genius bread...

Tags: United, Chorlton, Run, Justgiving, Wank!

Post Views: 87

If you have read my blog over the years you will know that I usually do an alternative Sports Personality of the year.  If you don't read my blog, where you been buster?  You will find the following very biased, almost cliquish if you like:

• Overseas SPOTY(Joint): Shazza - still doing it in the heat of Jordan - gave us the best AP5km ever!  Much missed, never forgotten, much loved. 
• Overseas SPOTY(Joint): Pam of P&C - our favourite Canadian even with Pammy, Avil and Alanis in the list.  Even better than Neil Young and Leonard Cohen.  Ran Celine close but she's running and fighting Alzheimer's for us.  Guts, determination and just brilliant. We love her!
• Overseas SPOTY(Joint): Tina - okay technically not overseas but our favourite Scot and someone who always has a good comment to keep you going.  She gives so much to us all.
• Best running - Marathon (Joint):  Ladies first, Laura beat Paula. She looked more stylish than her and didn't do that thing in the road.  She's a credit to her Mum and an inspiration to us all...
• Best running - Marathon (Joint): Mick - how short was the training for the FLM?  He did it, contributed to the Katie/Peter split and smiled all the way through it - what a guy and another inspiration to us all - plus he knows I like it when he blogs dirty and he's an author ya know...
• Best running - AP5km - Mr AndyB.  Not only does this guy get me there, he gets me round.  He is running like a giant recently and he is always there to run someone in.  Giant!
• Best person to get you to run HL10km/Santa dash with a heart of gold:  Wendy - what can I say?  If you have a race and you need people to do it, then get Wendy on board, she'll boost the numbers and she'll do it in such a way that will make you unable to say no!  She's a beautiful person who has a good heart and cares...
• Comeback Kings (joint): Russell is recovering like a rocket - he'll win the VLM and anything else he does.  MartinH - our Captain, a hero to us all and a one hell of a guy - He's back and he's even better...
• Gone but not Forgotten - TFO & TISM:  We love and miss you guys...
• Best memories across the year and Screen Test Film-maker of the year: Chris.  This guy makes my day, and yours, very special everytime we meet up.  His enthusiasm is massive, his support is always appreciated and he makes a cracking film (although banned in German).  Thanks Chris for you jokes, smiles and the words.  The AP5km we did together will always be one of my best memories - just like last Sunday.  I will never forget how you got me to 5km at the GMR on an emotional day for me and my family.  I was injured but you got me through...

Thanks to you all for making 2009 a top year.  If I've missed you out, don't be offended, my mind is going a bit.  Let's make 2010 the best ever...

Me? Ten miles today.  I was Santa yesterday and I know 2010 is going to be a big one!

Tags: Sports Personality of the Year

Post Views: 195