Run: 09/09/2011
 I've mentioned before that I have entered the Cardiff Half Marathon. It takes place on 16th October 2011 and I really do need to step up the distances to get there! Tonight was a bit of a (psychological) breakthrough for me... I'd been struggling over recent weeks with motivation etc and recently Albert (the guy who got me in on my first half) started to run once a week with me to give me a bit of kick. It's so much easier with someone with you. Chatting away, if nothing else, makes the time and distance go so much quick. Having him alongside, I've been able to gte back into what we call 10:1's: 10 minutes to run a mile and then walk a minute. A half marathon is 13 miles and, by the end of this month, I really want to be at 10 miles. Well tonight I got half way - 6 miles. See here. Nothing great there as I will often do a 8 mile run but this time it was the distance I did in the time. 6 miles in 60 minutes is good for me and that's what I did tonight.If I can keep going at that pace should do the half in 2.5 hours which, for a chunky munky like me is pretty good!! Between now and the end of the month is the biggie. Got to get to 10. Once you get to 10 (they say) then a half is a breeze. All a long way from how things ended up at my 1st and last half!! 1 Comment Shot: 18/05/2010
 Never, ever in my life have I experineced a day like I did last Sunday! As I have banged on about doing a half marathon for ages now it feels.... 2 weeks ago I had done the full course with the guy that has been training me. It was tough, flippin' tough, BUT we did it in about 2:37. Not bad for an old porker!! So when it came to the weekend of the proper half marathon I was reasonably confident to be able to do it in 2:30. Fool! Unfortunatkley, the day before the race (Saturday last) I woke with bad stomach cramps and dihorrea. Not been ill for months so this was a bit of a blow. I planned to bulk up with pasta etc the day before but could only manage a sanwich at the end of the day. Woke on the Sunday and felt Ok (ish) and just got on with it. After all I had managed to raise nearly £800 for World Vision. The start to the day was great (see the happy pics below!) and we managed to get to about 9 miles in a reasonable time and then, for some unexplained reason, I just hit a wall. I had nothinng left. I mean when I say nothing I really mean nothing. By about 10 miles I had no idea what was going on and the rest is history as they say. Talking to people there (and Sarah and the kids) I was dragged into the final mile and dragged (by mates) to the finish line. I was totally out for the count with no memory of the last 15 mins at all. First thing I recall was hitting the floor aftre the finish line and starting slowly to come round - with 4 ambulance people hovering over me!! Eventually I was 'told' to get in the ambulance and after all sorts of gadgets and gizmo's on me (oxygen etc) was allowed home: to rapturous applause from onlookers. How embaressed was I!! BUT...I did it and that, for my first half marathon is enough for today. Nearly £800 rasied will do me and, when you consider that 18 months ago I had never run and last half marathin I did 4 miles and nearly died I think I'll stay a tad chuffed!!      Runfun? 27/04/2010
On the 16th May 2010 I am doing my 1st half marathon in Hereford - I know I have banged on about this for long enough but now it's about to happen!! I can't quite believe I've gone from a sagging, flabby 19 stoner to a (slightly less flabby) 16stoner looking to run for 13 miles! Cool eh!? If you fancy sponsoring me then click the link below to go to my JustGiving page. I am going to be suppoorting World Vision who many of you will know but if you don't, check them out here or click the WV image below. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity. So please dig deep and donate now. I'll let you know how I get on after the 16th May! Cheers for supporting me x Pride: 05/04/2010
 I blogged the other day about the journey I had been on with running? Well last night was one of the biggest accomplishments of my life (physically) so far. I DID A HALF MARATHON!! I actually ran 13 miles. Unreal! Last night I have never felt like I did then. Calves and feet screaming at me!! But this morning not feeling so bad. So proud of myself (not a usual feeling for me and exercise!!) Roll on the middle of May when I do the proper half marathon with hundreds of others..... | About the blogger:
Dave started blogging when, as a family, we went to live in India for 3.5 months in '08. You'll find out all about that story by going to our old blog here.
Dave overdid it a bit on the old blog in India with posts going up most days, so since returning to the UK, he has taken a bit of a break but feels now it's time to blog again! (July '09). Blogging is a weird thing and a bit voyeristic at times (!) so why do it? Surely life blogging in the UK will never be as exciting for people as it was in India? Well, the main reason for beginning to blog again is that we are pretty naff at the normal kind of communication! We have a number of good friends that do not live in the UK too and this is just one way we feel we can touch base with them. Feedback is that they are happy (ish) with that too! The final good reason for starting again is that the one person who has hassled me back to blogging is my older brother in China who runs a great blog about his bizzare life in China which you can view here. I guess if I am honest it's him I have in my mind when I blog so, for his sake (as I know he will read it!), if for no one elses...here goes.... Dave ;-) Categories:All ArchivesJanuary 2012 Life mantra:
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [woman] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [her]. Will he [she] gain anything by it? Will it restore him [her] to a control over his [her] own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to swaraj [freedom] for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away." One of the last notes left behind by Gandhi in 1948, expressing his deepest social thought. |
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