Marcus' Marathon Blog

Waiting Game

2004-11-29T05:58:00.000-04:00

Have been out a few times since my last blog and I am now getting into a structure. The only thing I am waiting for at the moment is confirmation from the Flora London marathon. I'm 99% sure I'm in, but I'm gonna wait until I get confirmation before telling everyone. So that's the state of play at the moment.

Apart from the fact I bought a Heart Rate Monitor of eBay. I bought an unused Polar S120 which I am still trying to get to grips with. Looks great and at half the price you buy them for in the shops. You've gotta love eBay.

Will let you know how I get on with it after I go on my first HRM assisted run tonight.

New Trainers

2004-11-23T03:53:00.000-04:00

Well I did it.......I splashed out for a new pair of running shoes, the Brooks Beast. What a difference they make to what I currently have. There must be 2" of cushioning in them. Went out to buy them on Saturday from a running shop in Bolton, called Tobutt Sports and was helped expertly by somebody who has ran a marathon or 95 to be exact. I know I couldn't believe it either. I spoke to him for ages about what level of fitness I was starting from, what I had done before and about my training for the marathon.

He had one bit of advice for me and that was to do a 20 mile run before the marathon as I told him my training allowed for a 18 mile run two weeks before the marathon. He said that in his opionion that 8 miles is a lot to do without having done it before.

Also bought some Fox River socks that have the seams on the outside, so no blisters.

Should have nothing to stop me know.................apart from wanting a HRM, just been checking eBay for bargains, and a whole host of other stuff.

It really makes a change going to a specialist running shop and I would definately recommend Tobutt Sports. Even got a tenner off the price of the running shoes, everyones a winner.

I'll be back to give you the low down on the Brooks Beast and to update you on how my training is getting on over the next few days.

Wish me luck.

I told you so

2004-11-18T17:15:00.000-04:00

Last night I went running for the first time in a week, and it went ok. Was out for about 30mins and managed to run most of it, I'm not sure how long the run was, but I'm going to go out in the car over the weekend to do some distance mapping. I think I'm going to do a 2,3,4 & 5 mile course just so I can set myself some clear targets.

I was using some of the motivational techiques found in the book The Non-runner's Marathon Trainer David A. Whitsett and found that they helped a little so I will continue to read further and use them. The book is turning out to be quite an interesting read. I am reading it now and I am then going to then start from the front of the book so that I start my training at Christmas. Want to get up to the magical 30 min of constant running first.

As well as starting running I have started to sort my awful diet out. So it's out with the takeaways and chocolate and in with the fruit. I've been on countless diets before, but I think the key for myself anyway is to exercise.

I've also inquired about the Brooks Beast at my local running shop and I'll be going along to investigate this weekend. Will let you know what I think.

There is also a forum on www.runningworld.co.uk for bloggers looking to swap tips for the 2005 FLM so I'll probably link up to them as soon as I find out how to do it.

Anyway I'm out pounding the wet streets tonight and I'll be back soon.

Lazy so and so

2004-11-17T13:00:00.000-04:00

Well since my last blog I've not been out running which I'm pretty unhappy about, but I have managed to catch up on my sleep which I am happy about.

I will be out tonight, rain or shine, but most probably rain. I have bought a book which I will talk about in more detail over the next few blogs as I have just started reading it. The book is called The Non-runner's Marathon Trainer David A. Whitsett and so far it's been a pretty good read. I think it tries to gear you up mentally to the point where you have a very strong self belief in finishing the marathon, I read the reviews on it and it looks like it's going to be good for me. It does come across a bit American, and I don't mean that in a derogatory way as I lived in America for 4 years, but you'll know what I mean if you have ever read it. I am going to use it as my training bible and will try to impart some of my thinking as well as I am going through it.

Anyway I've got to get to the stage where I am running non-stop for 30 mins by 26th December. That should stop me putting on anymore weight over the Christmas period.

Another thing I'm going to be getting in the coming weeks are a proper pair of running shoes. I do have some proper Saucony runners and I had the shop video my running style but that was back last year and since then I have put on more weight. So I am thinking and will probably get some Brooks Beast http://www.brooksrunning.co.uk/shoesBeastAriel.html These are made for the heavier runner, which I definately fall in to the category of. Will let you know how I get on with that.

Anyway I'll be back soon.

Weekend in Notts

2004-11-14T09:32:00.000-04:00

Not ran at all since my first blog, I've been to a friends house in Nottingham to meet up with a few people I've not seen for a while. Went out last night and enjoyed a night out without drink......I didn't think that was possible, especially when everybody was drinking around me. Good fun though and good to catch up with old friends.

I was actually speaking with a guy last night who ran the London Marathon earlier on this year. He tried to run in a time of 3hrs 15mins but managed it in 4hrs and the one tip he gave me was to take water on at every water station, if there is any left by the time I get there.

So I suppose that my training will start tomorrow. It always seems to be tomorrow with me, but this time I am determined to get my arse into gear and get it done.

As I'm doing this blog I'll let you know how many miles I'm covering together with what I'm listening to on my iPod..........thank God for iPods, by the way. I'm also going to talk about books that I read and clothes that I buy and my experiences in everything I do to get me to the finish line in April 2005.

I'm gonna try and get a run in this evening when I get home from Notts and I'll be back soon.

First Ever Blog

2004-11-12T06:15:00.000-04:00

Well I never thought this would happen, but I am now a blogger. To be fair I've known people who blog and always thought I'd give it a go at some point, which leads me to here.

The reason I have started it now is that I've just found out that I have been entered to run in the Flora London Marathon. How do you know?? I hear you cry.

Well three months ago I thought I'd fill in the application form in an effort to get me off the couch and into a semi reasonable shape. Well would you believe it I haven't lifted a finger since...............until now.

I was checking my bank statement this week and noticed that my cheque had been cashed for the entry fee. Not writing many cheques these days, so I instantly knew what it was for when I saw it.

A sudden panic hit me, because over the last three years I've managed to put a good couple of stone on and now weigh in around the 16st mark. I've always been in pretty good shape as I have always played football, but I decided a few years ago to hang up my boots when at the age of thirty I hadn't had a call from Alex or Sven asking if I wanted a game.

So there you go I'm overweight, smoked all my adult life and most of my teens and drank significantly more than I should have. That was until 16 weeks ago when I decided to give up smoking and by doing so I had to give up drinking as they go hand in hand with me. Why do that you ask?? Well I was starting to get palpatations whenever I went out on a night out, so one day I thought enough was enough and that I would try to give up.

That side of it is going well and I haven't had a ciggie or drink for 147 days now, which if you know me is some kind of record. Anyway I digress, back to the blog and the marathon.

Now obviously I am in no shape to do a marathon as it stands, so I thought I would kill two birds with one stone and get into blogging and keep a diary of my attempt to run the 25th London Marathon next April.

This will be a wart's and all diary of my trials and tribulations and if anyone wants to give me advice then please feel free to do so.

Help.