Curse of Number 1 - Thurs 29th Oct

After a couple of days in Spain (dont ever go to Benidorm!) and then two 1 hour cycling sessions on a cycling machine, I ventured back into the swimming pool this morning. However it was not just me at 5.58am this morning waiting outside the gym but Vicki TOO!

1 mile (30 minutes of swimming) later we were getting out of the pool thinking we had done good - however I am unsure if Vicki woke up at all during the swim due to the very early start for her!

No Stevenage half marathon for me this weekend. After injuring my ankle I gave my race number (number 1) to my running mate Andy and guess what he has done......injured his ankle! It seems like there is a curse to the number 1!

One final line about my sponsorship so far, it is awesome, nearly two thousand pounds in no time at all. Thank you all very very very much indeed if you have sponsored me already.

Adios

Bad News – Thurs 22nd October 2009

I spoke to a physio today and he has said my sprained ankle is actually quite bad. Which is bad news indeed.

However looking at what things have happened to us in the last few months, it is not the end of the world. I will try and turn it into a positive now and say its good news as Ill have to miss the Stevenage half marathon, it will give me 3 weeks rest (yes 3 weeks) and I wont have to worry about bringing my running trainers to Spain this weekend – which is very good news indeed as my lovely brother only gave me and Vicki 15kg between us to bring on our Ryanair flight!

Trying to be positive is not really working – I am gutted!

Mon 19th AND Tues 20th Oct 2009

Went to the gym before work (I am always sad enough to be waiting outside when the gym opens) and went swimming, very boring and all I wanted to do was run with a half marathon race in less than 2 weeks.

Unsure whether to do the race or not??

First day of no running - Sun 18th Oct 2009

My running mate (Andy Patterson) did a stonkingly brilliant marathon, with perfect splits (pace per mile) and he must be the happiest man alive after taking 16 minutes of his PB and doing 2.56 for the Abingdon marathon. Whatever Andy ate for breakfast his girlfriend (Lucy) obviously had too. She took a similar time off her PB too and managed to break 4 hours!

Brilliant achievement for you both, well done. Doubt Ill beat your time (Andy!) in London or in fact Lucy if my now very bruised ankle doesnt recover.

Finally made it to the Crem, in the day light and car! Far better than running in the dark and rain

Marathon dreams over? Sat 17th Oct

I run out of my road and after 32 seconds (exactly) my running watch, was STOPPED! I had tried to go around the corner and whilst turning the corner on the grass, my ankle gave way on me. Had I sprained my ankle, twisted my ankle. I don’t know it hurt lots. Therefore I had to hobble and hop, the way home that took me 32 seconds on the way there seemed to take for ever.

The rest of Saturday involved Resting, Ice (well peas), Compressing, Elevating and drinking (technical term RICED). Followed by a great wedding reception for my sales support at work (Tanya).

Thank you for whoever paid for the free bar ALL night!

First Day of training - Fri 16th October 2009

Today was my "first day" of training for the London Marathon. I feel a bit of a con saying its my first day of training as I have sort of been training for the 2010 race ever since I messed up (I was going to swear then but I am unsure whether I should swear in my 2nd line!) the 2009 Marathon (going too fast on a too hotter day).

However I set my alarm for 5am (busy at work) and left the house at 5.10 (mad I know) and started running. All is going well then I start thinking about, as I am running for Mo, perhaps my first run should be to see his grave at the Crematorium.....in the pitch dark and it was 6 miles away and raining!

I thought I was stupid then I thought if Mo was at the Crem on his own, then I should be man enough to go myself! After 3 miles I had my "1st stop". After getting to nearly 6 miles it was getting darker, the rain was getting harder and the wind started blowing. I started to think I was very stupid and what was I thinking about going to a Crematorium before 6am in the pitch dark. I turned the final half a mile and realised I was going down the darkest country road I have ever seen. So what do I do? Man or mouse? You have guessed it, mouse! I turned around and went in the other direction. Sorry mate I never made it there to see you. And I just kept going for another 6 miles, with "1 further stop"

Quick shower and off to work........to find out I have passed an industry exam (J05). Result, perhaps I am a real man rather than a mouse!