I've realised how hard a marathon really is!

I ran 16 miles yesterday and it was really really hard. Reality came and smacked me in the face! I've been running up to 14 miles and feeling O.K I even ran the Dentdale 14 mile race and that felt good the weekend before. But yesterday I really hit a bad patch. I thought running more that 10 miles make your body feel weird. But when I passed 14miles  it really felt hard. The crazy thing was running was easier than walking but when your knackered and want to walk but it feels harder really mucks about with your head!

I know that I did not get enough sleep on Friday in fact I had a 16 hour day on Friday. The run started out O.K although my 'head' felt flat but my body was O.K. 12 miles in and I was on a new route and got lost and then stopped to work out the route. From here on in it felt that it started to fall apart.
I got round the route I'd like to apologise to anybody who heard me swearing at myself for the last mile or so it was the only way to get home. I must have looked like a demented madman sweating looking like death and calling myself every name under the sun if I did not run home!
My legs at the end felt pretty bad BUT I have an ice bath for 3 mins and they are as good as new now. I cannot say how amazed I am at this miracle cure for sort tired legs. that evening I took my daughter to a 3rd gig of a mates band and felt petty good.  Check this out

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-241-285--12810-0,00.html

Steve's a drummer and they were really really good! in fact they were so good they have been asked to support some proper bands at a local venue.
My wife did here 18mile training run today and is at least 10-15 mins ahead of me! I'm really proud how fast she is, she also fount it as hard as me but is defiantly running better than I am.
I've got a 7 and 9 miler this week with a drop down to 14 mile to finish next week.

14.5 Miles and a woozy 3 miler!

Ran 14.5 miles on Saturday and it felt great. The weather here in the north west of England has been amazing. Very cold but the sun is out which makes it much much easier to run. I've run up to a ridge and then back along it to my home town.

Now Sunday is my rest day so chilled out with the kids and then stayed up late to see Saving Private Ryan. What a film but that meant yesterday Monday I was a little tired as the film finished at 12.30 in the morning. I'd planed to do a 7 mile run but a mile in I felt dizzy and had to stop. In the end I limped in a very very easy 3 mile run feeling weird and light headed. I had a shower and fell straight asleep at 10:30pm.

You must get your sleep!! I'm also not sure if I drank enough water so that is another area I'm thinking about. Keep ya posted I have another 7 scheduled see how I feel!

14 miles done

Ran a cool 14 miles on Saturday! then walked up a local mountain in the afternoon Legs feel great!!

Used my ipod all the way round and here are some highlights
Spiritwalker - the Cult
She's got me dancing - Tommy Sparks ( cool tming running up the big hill!
Bonkers - Dizzy Rascal
Fire - Kasabian

The weather was stunning clear blue skies and warm (well it's relative! Snowed on Sunday). Really Really enjoyed the run. Just wish I could run in the day time every day.

Sking in Whistler

Check this out have a look around the slopes!


View Larger Map

The windermere marathon route

A funny week for me work and weather stopped half my training I went well on Saturday but only did 8.5 Miles when I wanted to do 10. I just ran out of time rather than fitness. Found this map of the marathon I'm training for there are a few big hills!

Second week and running cool

I did 9 Miles on Saturday and my legs felt knackered but my head was in a great place, so I'm happy with the training. I got a late call on Saturday to see if I wanted to go to a lecture by a guy who had cycled round the world. It was a free ticket so thought cool. My wife gave ma a pass and I was off. It was just simply amazing. The first speaker was David Allan who has been involved with mountain Rescue great book available on Amazon! he had some great stories and it's realy cool to listen to someone who is passionate about there life and profession
http://www.amazon.co.uk/You-Want-Join-Mountain-Rescue/dp/1904524478

Then there was Alastair Humphreys if you ever get the chance to see his lectures you MUST go. He is a true adventure. He managed to get all the way around the world on a bike took him 4 years there abouts and his talk is funny truthful and very very entertaining. check out
http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/landing/
I was truly inspired one of the highlights for me was in the quesions and anserws they guys were asked if there were any adventure left in the world. Alaster's answer was if you had not done it, It was and adventure for you. Genius! not to mention a walk around the M25 just crashing in a tent along the way! 

And if you ever get the chance see both these guys!! What a great weekend!!

I'm IN!! the Brathay Marathon!!

Just got this email

CONGRATULATIONS - YOUR ENTRY HAS BEEN ACCEPTED FOR:
EVENT DETAILS:
Brathay Windermere Marathon
16/5/2010
10:30am
Brathay Hall
Ambleside

Event website:
http://www.brathay.org.uk

Event details on Runner's World site:
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/events/viewEvent.asp?en=50053


That's it now training all the way and the sun is shining!