Uncategorised

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

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.

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 !

PHEW !

enjoy - [loving that scarf lou !]

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

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 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.

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)