138 days to go...

After not a very good nights sleep I seemed to bounce out of bed this morning, wafted down my muesli and pint of water and then stretched my legs whilst walking Murfey (my dog) around Homefield park.  To say it was "fridging freezing" would be a slight understatement, even for a man who doesn't feel the cold.  The weathermen are forcasting snow tonight/tomorrow and plummeting temperatures (est -20 degrees in some areas!!).  What is that all about?  Well winter, I suppose...

The sponsorship is crawling along.  I got 2 donations from my mass e-mail campaign (I e-mailed 2500+ people on Friday)... I mean, what do I have to do?!!

Today's run - well I thought I'd up my run to the gym a bit and went a bit further than expected.  Got a bit of jip in my right knee again and the back still isn't feeling right so I think another trip to they physio is in order.

The weather:  Fridging freezing, cold, dry and calm
The route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4177818
Distance: 3.2285 miles
Time: not recorded

140 days to go...

So it was pizza and chips last night, probably not the best nutritional preparation for today's longer run but look, you don't mess with a hungry, hormonal pregnant woman!!  Never mind, psychologically speaking it may have been a good move as it encouraged me to run a bit faster to try and burn it off...  And faster it was - definitely a lot quicker than last week yet I was surprised that I'd only managed to shave 4 mins off last weeks time.  I think I got last weeks time wrong... at least that's what I'm telling myself...

The battle has already begun with my mind.  I haven't begun wandering what the hell I am doing (but you just know that battle isn't far off!) but after running what seems to be forever you realise that you've still only run 4 miles and you think "shit, I've gotta run six and a half times this".

The weather:  -3 degrees, cold, dry and calm

The route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4167216

Distance: 4.7355 miles

Time: 46 mins

143 days to go...

Felt better today - the aches I had on Monday have all gone and the run down to the gym and home again was pain free (on Monday I had a niggling bit of the old jip behind my right knee).  Still feels like I'm running slowly though... but then again when I spoke to Mr Marathon man Philip Gamble earlier today he said that the time for last weekends long run was perfectly respectful for my first run, which made me feel a bit better.  As crazy as it sounds, I'm actually looking forward to next weekends longer run... but probably only just to see if a week's full training & running results in an improvement.

The sponsorship has totally stalled.  I'm not sure why.  Don't people understand how far 26.2 miles is?  I mapped it earlier in the week and it's like running from my house in Worthing to past Chichester (if you're running along the A27) - I must be mad!!  Christmas doesn't help *tut* but I'll hit my target of £1500 by April no matter what.  It probably just needs a bit more of a direct approach so watch out!!

On a side note Gem, Reece and I went to Worthing hospital for our 12 week scan this morning - all is well and looks good.  As my training progresses so will the bump - exciting times!!

Weather:  Dark and very cold but calm

Route:  http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4169627

Distance:  1.8079miles

Time:  not recorded

145 days to go...

The alarm sounded at 5.20am and I jumped out the bed with all the enthusiasm of a teenager after a heavy night out.  Ok, who ran over my legs in the night?  I felt just a tad battered - must be my body getting used to the hard pavement.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday's are my training days down the gym so I have decided to spend he next few weeks just running to the gym, working out and then running home.  Not a long way but after a while I plan to extend the run.  Well that's the plan...

Weather:  Dark and cold but calm
Route:  http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4169627
Distance:  1.8079miles
Time:  not recorded

So tomorrow is my morning off.  Guess I'll enjoy the anesthetic qualities of a nice glass of red!!

146 days to go

The day I found out that I had got a place in the Virgin London Marathon I'd actually done my back in down the gym (those damn 45's!!) so have been (im)patiently waiting to start my training.  Everyone has given me their much needed advice - "get a pair of running shoes", "get two pairs of running shoes", "don't over-train", "get a GPS watch", "don't get a GPS watch" etc...

I woke up today with a bit of a headache (probably the red wine last night) and after walking the dog round the park realised that my back still ached.  Damn it, maybe I'll leave it a few more days... then again maybe I'm just putting off the inevitable.  I got home, donned my running gear and went to leave.  "How long are you going to be and what route are you taking" Gem said, "No, idea" I replied "I probably won't get very far"...

The weather:  Cool, dry and calm

The route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4167216

Distance: 4.7355 miles

Time: 50 mins

Ok, so I'm not breaking any records for time or distance here (est marathon time of 5hrs 30mins at that speed) but look, it's my first run and I didn't even think that I'd make it to the end of the road when I left the house!!

Lots to do - running, resting, eating etc... but I'm feeling good - the journey has begun!