Hello

I hope you're here to donate! Let me try to convince you.

I am running the Reading half marathon which takes place on the 21st March this year. This will be the first time I attempt to run this event and I am very much looking forward to it. Being from Reading I saw this event from a very young age and I never really thought I'd ever be fit enough to take part. However, I have come to love running and I see it as a great way to raise some money for a worthy cause.

I am running for the British Red Cross. I'm sure you are aware of the terrible natural disaster that has recently occured in Haiti. The British Red Cross not only helps Countries prepare for such disasters but is also there when they happen, in the immediate aftermath and in the later years of recovery. In addition to this vitally important work they are also active in Countries torn apart by man-made tradgedies such as war. Not to mention the care they provide to us here, in the U.K.

Please donate just a small amount to help them continue to do the wonderful things that they do.

Training and News

* I am currently running 2 HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) seesions a week as well as 1 or 2 weight training sessions. Once a week I also do 1 long run
* I have been given free entry to the Newham London 10k run on 7th March because I am awesome. I see this as a great warm up event.
*On the morning of Saturday 13th February my weekly "long" run was really long taking in a large chunk of East London. I think I came close to the 13 mile distance of the half marathon. The run lasted 1 and a half hours. What's more, I could have kept going for a while. I ended it after trying to race a car.
*On Saturday 27th Feb I ran a little bit further than I did 2 weeks ago. It felt like it was alot further. I'm totally wiped out! Good news is I did it in roughly the same time I ran before. My shins hurt.
*One week to go to the Newham 10k. My warm up event. I got my number and timer chip in the post earlier in the week. I hope I get a good time.
*Made a donation to the British Red Cross Chilean Earthquake appeal today. I hope you will too.
*Today (7/3/10) I took part in the inaugural Newham 10K run. It's been a hard week as I've been unwell and had developed a sore knee and shoulder... somehow. However, I was up early today to begin preperations and I felt good when I started. I felt good throughout however it was hard to pace myself with all the people around causing bottlenecks at certain points. It was nice to get up close to the Olympic Stadium. I discovered that I have a weak point on my right leg, and it wasn't the knee as I was expecting. My right calf is very sore. I fear it may be strained. Will need to rest it for a few days and tape it up on the day of the half marathon. I planned to do a sprint finsh and with 200m left I really let rip. Overtaking people left and right weaving in and out. The crowd responded. It was a great feeling. I think I came in between 50-55 minutes which I was disappointed with as I was hoping for 45. Official timings to follow as I had a timing chip on my shoe.
*I has a medal :-)
*My official time in the 10k was 52 minutes and 32 seconds. I'm hoping to maintain a faster pace than this for the duration of the half marathon. I'm an optimist.
*Wednesday 10/03/10 - My legs hurt :-(
*Friday 12/03/10 - My legs still hurt. This is more than stiffness. A little self diagnosis has me concerned. A weekend with my feet up beckons. Hopefully 3 days without moving will allow me to fit in 2 or 3 training sessions before I head back to Reading. Triumph in adversity is my mantra.
*Back home in Reading. It's Saturday morning. Today's plan is essentially sit around, watch movies, read, and hope Reading win at Middlesbrough. Feeling OK. Slight aches in my legs but I think that may mainly be anxiety. A small trip down memory lane is happening. 2 years ago, almost to the day I was a huge blubbery 22 stone wreck so very nervous about running 3 miles for Sport Relief. I didn't think I could do it. I did it. It took me the best part of 50 minutes but I did it. 2 weeks ago I did double the distance in almost the same time. This is the first time I am actually appreciating the acheivement. I know what I've done, how could I not, but now I'm suddenly aware of just how massive a change I have gone through. I used to think I was weak, worthless and irrelevant. I have changed my body and now I must set about changing my mind.

*Done. I'm still awaiting official timing but I crossed the line shortly after 2 hours and 9 minutes. A long while after my target. Naievity I suppose. I was feeling good for the first 8 miles or so. Shortly after the 8 mile mark I started suffering. I did not take water with me as there were 4 water stations. Instead I took an energy drink. This was a mistake as the energy drink, I think, is designed to make you drink more water! For the last 3 miles I was out on my feet. Completely out of it. I closed my eyes for seconds at a time and felt quite sleepy. Still I trudged on. I have the upmost respect for people who run a complete marathon! Eddie Izzard is a god! The final 3 miles I just kept repeating in my head and sometimes out loud "If you're going through hell; keep going". I saw the 2 hour pace setter go past me. I tried to overtake him but I was wiped. I had planned to sprint across the line, I tried. My legs were so rubbery! The next week I take off. I will return next year and I will try to break 2 hours!

*Official split times are in:
5K: 27:46
10K: 55:25
15K: 01:25:11
20K: 01:58:57