''The beginning of a tough journey'' Marathon 2007 tag:travellerspoint.com,2007-01-22:/blog/?domain=runningben 2007-04-17T15:09:10Z RunningBen img/travel-blog-feed.png the long slog tag:travellerspoint.com,2007-04-17:/blog/?domain=runningben&thisblog_entryid=19&entryid=55674 2007-04-17T15:09:10Z 2007-04-17T15:09:10Z Well its been a long road, or more precisely, many long roads. Trainning has gone well, clocked up a few 20 mile-ers and a few intense erobic seshions in the holborn gym. Here is me in a real state after completing one of the 20 miles routes...it was rainning hard by the end, but that was the least of my worries...im legs felt as heavy as lead. A few niggling pains, a bit of a sore knee, quick holiday ... Well its been a long road, or more precisely, many long roads.
Trainning has gone well, clocked up a few 20 mile-ers and a few intense erobic seshions in the holborn gym.
Here is me in a real state after completing one of the 20 miles routes...it was rainning hard by the end, but that was the least of my worries...im legs felt as heavy as lead.

IMG_3863.jpg

A few niggling pains, a bit of a sore knee, quick holiday in japan ... this was 'my rest' period - known in the business as a tapper. trust me, this is important to do.

Came home last week to glorious sunshine, so what else can the bristol boy do but dust off his 'runners' and complete a few circits.
Running was good....feeling confident for the big day come sunday.

IMG_3869.jpg

From now til then its Carbs Carbs Carbs ..................!

Contact me via email if you want to pop down and support me, else just get out that plastic and give some dough to the children in darfur..please.

(benjamin_marwood@hotmail.com)
(http://justgiving.com/runningbenjamin)

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]]> ''So just what is it like?'' tag:travellerspoint.com,2007-02-19:/blog/?domain=runningben&thisblog_entryid=18&entryid=45701 2007-02-19T18:06:07Z 2007-02-19T18:06:07Z So what is it all about? running 26 miles, raising money [incase we all forgot http://www.justgiving.com/runningbenjamin] I dont think anyone has really sat down and written about the whole of it, the rough, the smooth, what they expected and what shocked them. well, this is what im attempting to do. The positive: [+] ... So what is it all about?
running 26 miles, raising money [incase we all forgot http://www.justgiving.com/runningbenjamin]

I dont think anyone has really sat down and written about the whole of it, the rough, the smooth, what they expected and what shocked them. well, this is what im attempting to do.

The positive: [+] The Negative: [-]

+ Ive begun getting fitter, and healthier

- I guess my body had realised the extra workouts and so my appetite has naturally changed and my meals now are huge ! which in turn makes me want to train more and run it off to stay lean ... the cycle continues

+ I have actually really enjoyed running around the parks at the weekends and it has help me figure out a lot of stuff in my head. Nothing like running for 4 hours with absolutely no distractions to get you thinking!

- It has become very apparent that i can no longer hold my drink ! something to do with the circulation of the blood and exercise, but i guess those university years of practice have been sacrificed !

+ i really think by seeing my progress first hand, its given me confidence that a great many things are infact possible with hard work and focus. Too often doubts are proved right because basically we listen to them and think that we cant= thus creating our own destiny. if anything, i know 20 miles aint my limit, cause i was still standing !!

- I have been a little disappointed by the lack of money i have raised and although i am putting so much effort into my trainning. if i dont raise any money out of it - then really ....what is it all for?

please help what im trying to do: [please dont put it off, do it now]
www.justgiving.com/runningbenjamin

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]]> 'The Big One' 12 FEB tag:travellerspoint.com,2007-02-19:/blog/?domain=runningben&thisblog_entryid=17&entryid=45693 2007-02-19T17:29:03Z 2007-02-19T17:29:03Z So this was to be the ultimate jog around the park: the route: my gaff -> edgware rd -> marble arch -> lap of hyde park -> lap of green park -> lap of st james park -> lap of hyde park -> lap of green park -> lap of st james park -> lap of hyde park -> lap of green park -> lap of st james park -> and then home. Distance: just under 20 miles Time: took me ... So this was to be the ultimate jog around the park:

the route:
my gaff -> edgware rd -> marble arch -> lap of hyde park -> lap of green park -> lap of st james park -> lap of hyde park -> lap of green park -> lap of st james park -> lap of hyde park -> lap of green park -> lap of st james park -> and then home.

Distance: just under 20 miles
Time: took me 3hr 40 mins

So what was it like? well, to be honest. It was like nothing ive ever experienced - i've never run that distance before - and so i was entering territory which i was unfamiliar with. Adrenaline got me through most of it, i was excited and apprehensive at the same time. with such distances , i think its imperative to stay hydrated, so i had a rucksack full of lucozade - but on the last laps i really felt exhausted.

I have never experienced such aching in my legs, my calfs seemed to be on fire [at one point i just had to check!] , but more interesting was that i literally was rapidly losing energy by the end, i could feel myself shutting down. my pace became slower, i was making decisions clumsily and was quite sluggish in pace. I think my blood sugar was low and sheer exhaustion was kicking in.
benHowells_003.jpg
The bizarrest thing, is that the burning sensation which was quite painful in my legs ....continued ! long after i stopped and rested at home, that upset/confused me a little, it was as if i had pushed myself just a little too hard.

the only nagging question i have is where will i get the other 6 miles from?

Needless to say the next two days were slow moving and stairs....? i had to forget about them, my legs just weren't bending !
benHowells_014.jpg

PHEW !

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]]> Another 99'er again ben ? tag:travellerspoint.com,2007-02-08:/blog/?domain=runningben&thisblog_entryid=16&entryid=43471 2007-02-08T15:38:28Z 2007-02-08T15:38:28Z To get back into health and back on the waggon , [or running along side it - sounds better i think] got myself down t'gym and clocked up just shy of 100 minutes on cross trainner.....phew ! last ten mins were nothing from gruelling . still...great to be back in me trainners ... To get back into health and back on the waggon , [or running along side it - sounds better i think] got myself down t'gym and clocked up just shy of 100 minutes on cross trainner.....phew ! last ten mins were nothing from gruelling .

still...great to be back in me trainners

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]]> im quite.... 'ACHOO' [sick] tag:travellerspoint.com,2007-02-08:/blog/?domain=runningben&thisblog_entryid=15&entryid=43469 2007-02-08T15:35:39Z 2007-02-08T15:35:23Z The most frustrating thing, when you want to go running, keeping up the trainning, increasing the resistance and building on the stamina and all i can do is sneeze and rest. Iguess natures way of saying '.....take a break' but it sucks ! :( ... The most frustrating thing, when you want to go running, keeping up the trainning, increasing the resistance and building on the stamina and all i can do is sneeze and rest. Iguess natures way of saying '.....take a break' but it sucks ! :(

im quite.... 'ACHOO' [sick] remains copyright of the author RunningBen, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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]]> ''Legendary'' tag:travellerspoint.com,2007-02-08:/blog/?domain=runningben&thisblog_entryid=14&entryid=43467 2007-02-08T15:38:43Z 2007-02-08T15:27:37Z enjoy - [loving that scarf lou !] ... feb07_017b.jpg

enjoy - [loving that scarf lou !]

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]]> Something quite profound tag:travellerspoint.com,2007-01-31:/blog/?domain=runningben&thisblog_entryid=12&entryid=41806 2007-02-08T15:31:59Z 2007-01-31T12:05:20Z In reflection, this site seems to be accustom to funny pictures of me with several cliche landmarks of london with my running hat on...which it is. But it is important to remind everyone [and myself] of the real purpose for this trainning and 26 mile run. Fairly confident that i wont be able to express quite what im trying to say, im going to cite from a wisier man. This, [in no way] should make you feel anything ... In reflection, this site seems to be accustom to funny pictures of me with several cliche landmarks of london with my running hat on...which it is. But it is important to remind everyone [and myself] of the real purpose for this trainning and 26 mile run. Fairly confident that i wont be able to express quite what im trying to say, im going to cite from a wisier man.

This, [in no way] should make you feel anything but positive. Here's the address if you aint sponsored me yet.

www.justgiving.com/runningbenjamin [thank you]

"Those others are watching for you now. They are looking to you for guidance, for help, for courage, for strength, for understanding and for assurance at this hour. Most of all - they are looking to you for love".
[Dalai Lama]

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]]> An hour top up tag:travellerspoint.com,2007-01-31:/blog/?domain=runningben&thisblog_entryid=10&entryid=41799 2007-02-08T15:31:42Z 2007-01-31T11:41:09Z To contrast with my long weekend runs, it important ive been told to mix my trainning with smaller, quicker runs mid week. Really seemed to struggle with todays run in the gym, im not sure why - perhaps i was just tired after a full days teaching and my legs still felt tired from sundays 'epic' run. Came home a little deflated, hmmm - didnt think it would make me feel so low. ... To contrast with my long weekend runs, it important ive been told to mix my trainning with smaller, quicker runs mid week.
Really seemed to struggle with todays run in the gym, im not sure why - perhaps i was just tired after a full days teaching and my legs still felt tired from sundays 'epic' run.
Came home a little deflated, hmmm - didnt think it would make me feel so low.

IMG_3782.jpg

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]]> The second and most gruelling of runs ! tag:travellerspoint.com,2007-01-29:/blog/?domain=runningben&thisblog_entryid=9&entryid=41408 2007-02-08T15:31:23Z 2007-01-29T13:01:48Z So my second bash at the 16 mile run and it was tough, really tough. Im not sure why it was so much harder then the first, perhaps it was the adrenaline and excitment of the former that made it easier, or maybe the naievity of it being easier the second time around,........it was anything but. Another first, apart from experiencing really 'heavy legs' for the last hour [ a 3 hour run in total ] and wicked ... So my second bash at the 16 mile run and it was tough, really tough. Im not sure why it was so much harder then the first, perhaps it was the adrenaline and excitment of the former that made it easier, or maybe the naievity of it being easier the second time around,........it was anything but.

Another first, apart from experiencing really 'heavy legs' for the last hour [ a 3 hour run in total ] and wicked blisters, but i actually experienced a fair amount of negative feelings whilst running.

All of a sudden i was battling not only with the distance and the physical aspect of this route but more seriously, was the doubt which I was now experiencing. I am beginning to understand that not only will this be physically demanding but that i now have a whole new battle , and this one is going on in my head. Doubts about whether id 'make it all the way home', I could hear myself thinking 'just give up and walk a little', and 'jees my legs are heavy'. If this wasnt enough - stopping and starting again at Edgeware traffic lights were tourture !

But alas,
Before this entry becomes a little too negative, i did actually finished it without resting and shaved off 15 mins from last weeks time ! [i made it home and soaked in a hot bath for a long long time.]

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]]> The aftermath of the first real proper run... tag:travellerspoint.com,2007-01-25:/blog/?domain=runningben&thisblog_entryid=8&entryid=40746 2007-02-08T15:31:04Z 2007-01-25T13:39:12Z Ow my legs hurt ! i may not have found my limit but boy do my legs feel stiff 2 days after.... ... Ow my legs hurt ! i may not have found my limit but boy do my legs feel stiff 2 days after....

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]]> Aint doing this for free ! tag:travellerspoint.com,2007-01-25:/blog/?domain=runningben&thisblog_entryid=7&entryid=40744 2007-02-08T15:30:36Z 2007-01-25T13:37:43Z "Dont give me your lolly !... Give it to: http://www.justgiving.com/runningbenjamin " ... "Dont give me your lolly !... Give it to: http://www.justgiving.com/runningbenjamin "

lolly.jpg

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]]> First real proper run tag:travellerspoint.com,2007-01-22:/blog/?domain=runningben&thisblog_entryid=5&entryid=40207 2007-02-08T15:30:18Z 2007-01-22T15:25:58Z So my first of many ''big weekend runs'' Route: From Kilburn->Edgeware Road->Marble Arch-> 2 laps of Hyde Park-> 2 laps of Green Park-> then home. Distance: 16 miles Took me just shy of 3 hours, but wasnt alone...in true benjamin style i was prepared with a rucksack full of bottles of lucozade to keep me company. Comments: Was pretty tough.but havent found my trainning limit yet. .. ... So my first of many ''big weekend runs''

Route: From Kilburn->Edgeware Road->Marble Arch-> 2 laps of Hyde Park-> 2 laps of Green Park-> then home.
Distance: 16 miles

Took me just shy of 3 hours, but wasnt alone...in true benjamin style i was prepared with a rucksack full of bottles of lucozade to keep me company.

Comments: Was pretty tough.but havent found my trainning limit yet.
runningwheel.jpg..

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]]> the old '99 er' tag:travellerspoint.com,2007-01-22:/blog/?domain=runningben&thisblog_entryid=3&entryid=40205 2007-02-08T15:29:38Z 2007-01-22T15:25:33Z This was the 'windy day' of january, and so thinking it not wise to jog in the parks i chose to run at my local gym. 99 mins was the target and yep it wasnt pretty ! [covered 15 kms though and hit the 1000 calorie marker] ... This was the 'windy day' of january, and so thinking it not wise to jog in the parks i chose to run at my local gym.

99 mins was the target and yep it wasnt pretty ! [covered 15 kms though and hit the 1000 calorie marker]

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]]> Christmas treat ! tag:travellerspoint.com,2007-01-22:/blog/?domain=runningben&thisblog_entryid=2&entryid=40204 2007-02-09T10:39:24Z 2007-01-22T15:25:09Z Very Begrudgingly I rose on christmas day, adorned my trainners and old hoodie and went to tackle the legendary 'movie hill run' in windy portishead [Bristol]. Trainning over christmas was very tough, and very windy - but now motivations for running was not just attempting to run off the 'one too many' mince pies. [is there such a thing??] I was trainning for a race... quite an important race ... well 'the' race - THE LONDON ... background.jpgVery Begrudgingly I rose on christmas day, adorned my trainners and old hoodie and went to tackle the legendary 'movie hill run' in windy portishead [Bristol].

Trainning over christmas was very tough, and very windy - but now motivations for running was not just attempting to run off the 'one too many' mince pies. [is there such a thing??] I was trainning for a race... quite an important race ... well 'the' race - THE LONDON MARATHON 2007

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]]> The beggining tag:travellerspoint.com,2007-01-22:/blog/?domain=runningben&thisblog_entryid=1&entryid=40200 2007-02-08T15:28:46Z 2007-01-22T15:21:40Z Welcome to my little website / blogs of my journey from gruelling trainning to running the big race itself. Finding this was the hard part, now all you have to do is pop back every now and then, see how im doing, laugh at a few pictures and of course ....help me raise a little money in the process www.justgiving.com/runningbenjamin [check it out, more info and pictures here] Thank you for visiting me. Running Ben .... [and ... Welcome to my little website / blogs of my journey from gruelling trainning to running the big race itself.

Finding this was the hard part, now all you have to do is pop back every now and then, see how im doing, laugh at a few pictures and of course ....help me raise a little money in the process

www.justgiving.com/runningbenjamin
[check it out, more info and pictures here]

Thank you for visiting me.

Running Ben .... [and Big Ben]

bens.jpg

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