Today begins the 200 day countdown to the Virgin London Marathon.
Nervous?
Excited?
Non-plussed?
If you're running, I hope you're in a better state of preparedness than me - distraction, injury and general stupidity mean I'm not as far along in my training as I'd like to be.
Thankfully, I've acknowledged this earlier than in previous years and have plans in place to get up to scratch. Hopefully these will be clever enough to prevent me coming down with any more injuries!
My immediate goal is building endurance. Thankfully I've been cycling lots over the summer, so my overall fitness is better than it has been for my last two attempts.
That doesn't translate exactly into performance on the road, but it means the heart and lungs are working well so as the distance builds it'll be less demanding (relatively!).
So, the 200 day landmark is my kick up the arse to get out and run and get this marathon monkey off my back!
Post waiting depression
I don't know what I did to the postman, but I think it must have really pissed him off.
Not only am I still waiting for my London Marathon News, but other mags I usually get on a Friday still haven't turned up. I'm used to them turning up on Saturday, but it's now Monday and there's still nothing...
Maybe it's because I've started remodelling my front garden?
I've tried to make sure he's always got a clear, clean path to the door. Maybe he was just fond of the old dead hedge I'm replacing?
I suppose some people might think the concrete path had a certain charm, but I hated it and want something less institutional looking.
Whatever it is I've done, I hope he tells me soon so I can put it right - I'm waiting on a cheque from selling the car which will be paying for new trainers etc.
So, if you're reading this Mr Postman: I'm sorry.
Whatever it is that's upset you, I'll work on.
I can change, just tell me what you want me to do and I'll do it!
We've gone through so much together already, lets not throw it away...
Not only am I still waiting for my London Marathon News, but other mags I usually get on a Friday still haven't turned up. I'm used to them turning up on Saturday, but it's now Monday and there's still nothing...
Maybe it's because I've started remodelling my front garden?
I've tried to make sure he's always got a clear, clean path to the door. Maybe he was just fond of the old dead hedge I'm replacing?
I suppose some people might think the concrete path had a certain charm, but I hated it and want something less institutional looking.
Whatever it is I've done, I hope he tells me soon so I can put it right - I'm waiting on a cheque from selling the car which will be paying for new trainers etc.
So, if you're reading this Mr Postman: I'm sorry.
Whatever it is that's upset you, I'll work on.
I can change, just tell me what you want me to do and I'll do it!
We've gone through so much together already, lets not throw it away...
Getting motivated for training
Being a pain in the arse kind of bloke, no-one ever knows what to get me for my birthday.
Thankfully this usually results in lots of book vouchers and my 30th this year was no exception!
In a rare example of me trying to be helpful, I decided to make a list of books I fancied so people wouldn't complain at me. Predictably, I didn't get any of them, so, armed with vouchers I hit the bookshops.
Top of the list, and the first one I've read, was Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know
, the autobiography of Ranulph Fiennes.
I've always admired the little I've known about him - polar explorer, seven marathons in seven days on seven continents, amputating own mummified fingers in the shed - but reading more about him, and the challenges he's faced, put my own issues into perspective.
The almost humble, matter-of-fact way he writes is quite alarming at times, especially describing deaths of others attempting similar challenges. But this shows his focus and determination which helped him achieve so much.
He even has tips for endurance running - jogging for two and a half hours every other day, no more than three days apart.
Five of his seven marathons in seven days were quicker than my injured attempt in 2008.
This, from a man more than twice my age.
So, eager to make use of this fresh inspiration, I'm working away at a serious plan to get the running going properly.
Any thoughts of other adventures are being suppressed as recent form suggests I would doubtless lose several limbs at the very least.
Thankfully this usually results in lots of book vouchers and my 30th this year was no exception!
In a rare example of me trying to be helpful, I decided to make a list of books I fancied so people wouldn't complain at me. Predictably, I didn't get any of them, so, armed with vouchers I hit the bookshops.
Top of the list, and the first one I've read, was Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know
, the autobiography of Ranulph Fiennes.I've always admired the little I've known about him - polar explorer, seven marathons in seven days on seven continents, amputating own mummified fingers in the shed - but reading more about him, and the challenges he's faced, put my own issues into perspective.
The almost humble, matter-of-fact way he writes is quite alarming at times, especially describing deaths of others attempting similar challenges. But this shows his focus and determination which helped him achieve so much.
He even has tips for endurance running - jogging for two and a half hours every other day, no more than three days apart.
Five of his seven marathons in seven days were quicker than my injured attempt in 2008.
This, from a man more than twice my age.
So, eager to make use of this fresh inspiration, I'm working away at a serious plan to get the running going properly.
Any thoughts of other adventures are being suppressed as recent form suggests I would doubtless lose several limbs at the very least.
It's that time of the year again...
As well as signalling then end of summer, and apparently legitimises Christmas cards appearing in the shops, October sees tens of thousands of people eagerly awaiting their postman.
Not just for the birthday cards from months before that got lost during industrial action, but for the much anticipated copy of the London Marathon Magazine that breaks the news of success or failure in the entry ballot.
For most, it will be the latter, but solace can be found by applying for one of the thousands of charity places that are available each year.
For the 'lucky few' it means you're in. You will be running 26.2 miles through London on a Sunday morning in late April next year.
That might seem a long time (29 weeks this Sunday!) but rest assured, come February and March, you'll wish you'd had longer.
My advice - stop procrastinating (pot, kettle?) and get out and run.
If you're a regular runner, you probably have a good idea what it takes. If not, you need to get out there and see what you can do already so you can realistically assess what you need to do.
You'll also need to invest in some good trainers. Seriously.
As someone who'se buggered up each knee for the last two years, I can's stress this enough.
Go to a proper running shop where they look at how you run so can recommend models that give you the right support (or not) in the right places. It's worth it.
As well as starting now, you need to make sure you build up slowly.
Three physios who helped me with my knee said that training schedules you find online and in the mags assume a higher level of fitness than most first-time London marathoners have.
Constantly increasing the mileage meant when I started to taper shortly before the race this year, my knee had had it.
Believe me when I say you don't want to end up pulling out days before a race you've ran hundreds of miles in training for.
Finally, enjoy it. There are loads of places online to find people in the same boat as you. Search Twitter, Facebook and blogs for friendly support along the way - it will make the long road ahead much easier and enjoyable!
Not just for the birthday cards from months before that got lost during industrial action, but for the much anticipated copy of the London Marathon Magazine that breaks the news of success or failure in the entry ballot.
For most, it will be the latter, but solace can be found by applying for one of the thousands of charity places that are available each year.
For the 'lucky few' it means you're in. You will be running 26.2 miles through London on a Sunday morning in late April next year.
That might seem a long time (29 weeks this Sunday!) but rest assured, come February and March, you'll wish you'd had longer.
My advice - stop procrastinating (pot, kettle?) and get out and run.
If you're a regular runner, you probably have a good idea what it takes. If not, you need to get out there and see what you can do already so you can realistically assess what you need to do.
You'll also need to invest in some good trainers. Seriously.
As someone who'se buggered up each knee for the last two years, I can's stress this enough.
Go to a proper running shop where they look at how you run so can recommend models that give you the right support (or not) in the right places. It's worth it.
As well as starting now, you need to make sure you build up slowly.
Three physios who helped me with my knee said that training schedules you find online and in the mags assume a higher level of fitness than most first-time London marathoners have.
Constantly increasing the mileage meant when I started to taper shortly before the race this year, my knee had had it.
Believe me when I say you don't want to end up pulling out days before a race you've ran hundreds of miles in training for.
Finally, enjoy it. There are loads of places online to find people in the same boat as you. Search Twitter, Facebook and blogs for friendly support along the way - it will make the long road ahead much easier and enjoyable!
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