Handicap

As well as Janathon, my second new years resolution for 2011 is to get my work / life in balance. Being a bit of a workaholic I've got 2 things giving me that extra bit of motivation this year.

1. my Robbie is stuck at home all day (when he's not sneakily popping out on crutchathon training) with a broken leg, so I want to be getting home to spend a decent evening with him

2. running club is on Tuesdays and Thursdays and I've been missing this as I never get home in time, so must leave work on time to get in the runs

1st Tuesday of each month means Handicap.

Race: DPR January Handicap
Location: Dulwich
Distance: 2.1 miles
Time: not entirely sure so will update tomorrow once I find out times from Ian (our Handicapper!)

Already got a few more runs planned for the rest of the month, and looking forward to them:

• Ladies X country (Surrey League) in Ham - 15 January
• Bank of England X country - 22 January (cake!)
• Dartford 10 - 23 January

See you tomorrow!

Cross trainer

As part of Rob's recovery he has purchased a cross trainer.  I had good intentions to give this a test train today, especially since I was too tired to go running (as were jet lagged Chris and Penny).  However, I was also too tired even to drag it out of it's home in the corner of the dining room.

Activity...
The reason for being so tired is that there was more lifting today.  Lifting of antique bookcases:

• into the boot of the car
• out of the boot of the car
• across the driveway
• into the house
• twice (we got a bargain deal on them!)

So that wiped me out, as well as achy legs I am guessing I will also have achy arms in the morning...

If you fancy some more reading you have to check out these Janathon blogs:

• Gillian
• Astrid
• Katie
• and of course Robbie!

 Penny - where are you?!

Stretch and... lift

It didn't even take a day before I started to feel my sore muscles! After 5 weeks of rest I completely forgot to stretch after my new years day 10K, so feeling very stiff indeed.

Activity
Didn't quite make it out for a run, but as some of you may know we recently moved house and I spent most of the afternoon lifting boxes up and down the stairs, clearing the lounge to make room for my sisters and their partners who are coming round for dinner shortly.

Anyway, must dash as I need to pretend I've been slaving away in the kitchen...

Janathon

New year, new me... we'll see! 2010 was the year of NOT blogging, well I'm giving it another go...

After a lovely evening with Cheryl, Eric and the DPR gang seeing in 2011 to munch munch, rrrrr and sssss* I managed to get up and my act together for the first run of the year (and the first since the Beckenham Trail 10K with Robbie at the end of November)!

Race: Brooks Serpentine New Year's Day 10K
Location: Hyde Park, London
Distance: 10K
Time: 59.01

Not bad after a good 5 weeks of resting! It was a cold, fresh, grey morning with the sun shimmering through at times. I drove George and I through the quiet streets of London, no doubt most still asleep and soon to be nursing their hangovers, and parked up in Hyde Park. Met Gillian and Alan and a few other DPR crew and had a catch up on the whereabouts of Rob (find out more).

Before we knew it the race had begun. As I always do, took it easy and thoroughly enjoyed it! The first few km were a little crowded along the paths which soon lightened up as everyone found their pace. Saw Di and Susan Smith cheering on the sidelines which always gives a boost!

After collecting my finishers medal and new year mug I met up with the rest of the DPR crew. Gillian treated us to her delicious ginger chocolate brownies while Alan served up champagne (in proper glasses too!) which we all enjoyed - thank you!

New year's day run done and dusted - what next?! I present to you 'Janathon' courtesy of Gillian. Astrid and I will be trying this out too in prep for the Dartford 10 at the end of the month - oh yes!

So... let's see how I get on tomorrow!

*as well as snap snap, oo oo oo oo, d n d n and more...

I should be blonde

Woke up this morning and was disorientated for a few seconds, I had slept like a log and didn't know what day or where I was. Haven't experienced that for a while! Walking and running over 28 miles around Kent at the weekend certainly took it's toll!

Felt strangely relaxed though and clear headed... if you've been following my Twitter feed you'll know that I had an eventful morning getting into work. Luckily I had no meetings until the afternoon and it was a fresh morning pleasant enough to walk from London Bridge to Tower Gateway to catch the DLR to Canary Wharf.

Blonde moment 1...

Met Espen for lunch today. I gave him two options of which were either 241 or bogof offers. Being the gentleman he let me choose. So carbs it was and to Pizza Express we went.

While we were waiting I took out the voucher to show Espen. "I think you were supposed to print the voucher." On closer inspection it was the darn form I had to fill in before the voucher was presented - duh...

Blonde moment 2...

Mary gave me a good pummelling this evening. So much so she knocked sense right out of me. After turning over I was rubbing my dry itchy eyes and realised everything was a bit blurry... "Oh bugger, I think my contact lens has folded to the back of my eye again..."

Mary paused mid-petrissage and looked at me bewildered. "Haven't you got your glasses with you?" I followed Mary's gaze across the table and there they were neatly folded (albeit a little blurred) just as I'd left them...

Night night.

Lamb skewers

Run with the club this evening, I was feeling pretty tired after work so had a powernap when I got home, they are the way to go!

Woke: 07:11 PM
Snooze: nil
Up: 07:20 PM
Fuel: a big portion of shepherds pie and sweetcorn followed at a creme caramel type dessert with summer fruits at lunchtime
Out: 07:35 PM
Weather: very mild! Amazing it was snowing and icy just 2 weeks ago
Will have to start wearing my summer running kit soon!
Thoughts:

• got my membership!
  
• oh my gosh, I really need not have donned my fleece, headwarmer or gloves - it's not even been 30 seconds and I'm sweating like there's no tomnorrow!

Mornings!: er nil - I went running with the club in the evening time, did manage to say 'hello' to a couple walking their dog though!
Distance: 6 miles
Route: Gipsy Hill
Back: 09:05 PM
Refuel: Ginger Ale, orange juice and my favourite kebab - seriously good - I never used to eat or like lamb before Hisars!

Kuzu shish at Hisars - my favourite kebab restaurant!

Alcoholic beverage treats: again, didn't really fancy any, had a mint tea to help with digestion
Alcoholic beverages not consumed: a glass of red
What next: a teeny bit of me had let the though of a morning run tomorrow but I'm going to give it a miss and just do yoga in the evening, so next running is going to be on Thursday with the club - I think we're doing hill training...
Notes: Ade called just before I left the house, I'm staying at his on Saturday so we can drive down to Brighton together to do the Sussex Beacon Half Marathon. He's going to cook pasta so we can carbo load the evening before and we'll probably chill out watching DVD's or something- can't wait!

Spring

Woke: 4:38 AM and went back to sleep...
Snooze: nil, full of beans this morning! I could hear the birds singing outside which is a first - must be springtime!
Up: 06:08 AM
Fuel: water
Out: 06:27 AM, I was pottering - should I make my bed now or when I get back?
Weather: mild, probably would've managed without my gloves. Sky was a dark light blue purple-y shade of pink...
Thoughts:

• Wonder if the pavement on Croxted Road will sparkle today... it did!
• Gee, I could feel and smell the car fumes during the last leg. Dulwich Common was busy this morning - thought it'd be quiet with it being half term, then again it should't have had any bearing since it was a little before the school run
• I once read that Maggie Thatcher lives in a gated estate in Dulwich, I wonder if it's Hambledon Place?
  
• Yes! I knew why I'd brought my iPhone with me this morning...
  
  
  To take advantage call Dulwich Riding School

Mornings!: Was feeling a bit shy today... I had 2 opportunities:

• the silverfox getting into his Merc on Croxted Road
• the senior runner in a bright florescent yellow mac crossing Dulwich Common at College Road

Distance: 3 miles
Route: Court Lane, Turney Lane, Croxted Road, Dulwich Common... I'll map it later
Back: 07:02 AM
Refuel: daddy portion of porridge and decaf earl grey
Alcoholic beverage treats: didn't fancy anything, green tea for me
Alcoholic beverages not consumed: saki - went for Japanese with Geoff this evening
What next: 6 miles with the club on Tuesday evening
Notes:

• Had to tell Sarah that I wasn't running with her this lunchtime, was feeling pretty stiff and a little tight from Saturday so probably not a good idea to do speedwork
• The salesman who sold me my car sponsored me today, am touched. I love my Mazda and if you want one just like mine, get in touch with Phil Hodgson at Peoples in Bootle - he's the man!

Race crazy

I had a really nice lie in this morning, just what I needed after a restless week. Pottered about doing chores and then decided to be very organised and enter a load of races in an attempt to keep me motivated and on track after a pitiful fortnight of basically slacking off, not necessarily all my fault of course, blame the snow...

Anyway, if you're at a loose end why not come and support me, here's what I've now got in the diary for all my Sundays in March...

1st - Cloud Nine Hill Race
8th - Banbury 15
15th - well, I'll be in Austria visiting Silke with Jen, so somewhere around Gotzis or maybe Bregenz (interesting fact: Quantum of Solace was filmed here!)

Pic from my 2006 visit... Seebuhne (Lake Stage), Bregenz

22nd - A20 Pathway 17.3
29th - Cranleigh 21

I really wanted to enter the Haweswater Half Marathon but it was fully booked :( Definitely on the cards for next year, scenery looks absolutely amazing!

What next: back on track and starting with a nice 3 mile Monday morning run

Wouldn't it be great if you could store fitness...

As you know I've been pretty slack over the past fortnight and I really need to build up my mileage... Luckily this is what the club is for, and after a struggle with the snooze button I made it to the meeting point and connected with 2 chaps who were up for doing 11 miles. Ian and Steve took me under their wings, they'd already done 5 miles before the running club had even started...

I always look forward to seeing familiar faces (as well as the new), and especially Lacruta who is a positive soul with a heart of gold. She's looked after me from the very first run I did with the club. This morning, she's particularly concerned since I'm not able to keep up with her as I have the previous times... and I know I'm not feeling particularly 'speedy' today - hmmm.

Woke: 08:04 AM
Snooze: 2
Up: 08:19 AM
Fuel: mummy sized portion of porridge and Lucozade Sports (orange flavour)
Out: 08:55 AM
Weather: cold with a breeze
Thoughts:

• Feeling so stiff today
• Gee I can't seem to build up a decent pace, that's what I get for not doing the mileage this week... and last...
• I'm sure this must be quicker than 10 minute miles though?!
  
• should I listen to Lacruta and not do the mileage?!
• I really wanna do 11 miles!
• maybe I should take Lacruta's advice and just listen to my body...
• well, my head is saying "you need to do the mileage Susan"... my body is saying "you can do it, you just need to take your time"
• sod it - I feel fine and comfortable doing 11 miles, I just can't keep up with the group in front!
• So glad Ian and Steve break off for the last 4 miles... now I can just focus on doing the miles instead of getting distracted and worrying about keeping up with the group in front
  
• How lucky am I that they're running 10 minute miles... perfect pace
  
• Ian is pretty focused... whereas Steve and I had a good old natter
• I hope I get my beginners pack in the post soon, I can't wait to log on to the forum they keep talking about. That's how Ian and Steve arranged to meet up earlier to do 5 miles before the club session started... oh and get my Cram Tag...
• Yes! 11 miles in my legs - get in! And... s-t-r-e-t-c-h.
• Shit, why do I get the feeling I'm going to be feeling stiff for the rest of the day...
  

Mornings!: just the one, he'd stopped on Rosendale Road to tell us to hurry up and catch the group up front!
Back: 11:20 AM
Refuel: Sausage and egg baguette washed down with Lucozade Sports (orange flavour) and a nice cup of tea
Alcoholic beverage treats: nil
Alcoholic beverages not consumed: a glass of white wine with delicious homemade haddock chowder...

Homemade Haddock Chowder - mmm!

Distance: 11 miles
Route: Brockwell Park, West Dulwich and Dulwich Park
Notes: Must enter some races to keep me motivated
What next: Monday morning 3 miles

Early night

What can I say? I need a kick up the arse, I've only done a fraction of the mileage I should be doing this week according to Chris's plan. I think I just need a good night's sleep - have been waking at 05:48 AM most mornings... yes a bit random I know!

I'm missing a run with the club tonight, although there's a physio who was coming to talk to us about stuff...

My body and mind are telling me to rest, had a big lunch so not really hungry, so a cereal drink and then it's bed for me (before 09:00 PM)! Big breakfast in the morning though...

I promise to start in earnest on Saturday morning on a long run with the club. Sussex Beacon Half Marathon in Brighton the following weekend to look forward to!

p.s. there are 4 drafts I need to finish off from the past couple of weeks, so sorry my blog is a bit all over the place! I need to get into the habit of writing it all up at the end of the day...

Gatecrasher

I couldn't wait to get out of bed and head out of London for the day. Before I knew it I was ordering a soy chai tea latte (wet!) and almond croissant from Starbucks at Waterloo, before meeting Katia, Jeannette and the rest of the gang.

Gillian had good intentions for a walk in Kent this weekend but it never happened, so I basically completely gatecrashed Katia's birthday walk, having only met her at the running club yesterday! If it means a walk in the countryside I have no shame.

The walkers gather in Wanborough...

How tasty!
Breathtaking (and now my iPhone background!)

Get told...

Just can't get enough of it!

Shortly after we headed back up the hill, it just wouldn't be as much fun without getting lost really

Lunchtime at the Cyder House Inn in the quaint Surrey village of Shackleford

Henrik gives Jeannette a piggy back

Alcoholic beverages treats: half a cider with lunch
Alcoholic beverages not drunk: half a bitter shandy before the start of the walk at The Good Intent, and then half a Guinness at the end

I'm not particularly wordy today... let the pictures speak for themselves. If you want to know more please comment.

What next: Tuesday handicap run with the club

Daft not stupid...

I got up, showered and got dressed. I saw that Stacy had text me and then the next thing she's on the phone to Kim. Apparently none of the buses were running. I did think it was a bit quiet when I woke this morning. I finally opened the door and what a sight! Snow snow snow! No chance of getting to the office then.

Well, that goes my run out the window and potentially most of the week...

Norman Court

No joy working remotely either. I spent an hour trying to get onto Citrix and on the phone to tech support, not sure they knew what was going on here in England...

We had the News on pretty much most of the morning, it's quite mad really that London basically came to a stand still. The whole commune was 'working from home' and Vicky offered to to make a hearty soup for lunch. 1pm and Kim, Neill, Paul, Seamus and Nigel headed to the Sheard's. Delicious!

Dulwich Park, Rosebery Gate

The only thing left was to make a snowman...

Nigel and Paul start rolling the body...

Team work - Tim, Paul and Nigel get down to it while Seamus and Vix look on

On goes the head...

Humungous

...and then I made spaghetti bolognaise for dinner...

What next: Tuesday with the club... or not...

Getting into it...

It's as addictive as running... seriously... sign up and tweet me, you know you want to!

Falling in love with London again...

Woke: 07:48 AM
Snooze: nil, I woke up before the alarm went off!
Up: 08:07 AM
Fuel: mummy portion of porridge
Out: 08:50 AM

My first long run with the running club today, was quite excited! As I closed my front door and crossed the roadworks onto Court Lane, I wondered how many people would turn up... Quite a few so it would seem, after some debating and discussion on how long and where, we broke off into 2 groups with Dianne leading the 7 milers and Gillian leading the 11 milers which included Lacruta, Lorraine, Penny and I!

Running by: 09:05 AM
Weather: cold and windy to start, the sun came out to welcome us along the South Bank... ahhh - although the North still beckons it doesn't stop me from falling in love with London again
Thoughts / Notes:

• What a jolly soul Lacruta is!
• I'd never run to Camberwell by myself...
• Ah, how we look out after each other... Gillian pointing out 'dog poo'
  
• According to Penny and Lorraine's GPS gadets we'd only been running 4 miles when we got to Lambeth North! I always had this thought that central London was miles and miles away since it takes so long on the bus and well, seems kinda long when I drive in the car too...
  
• How long have I lived in London?! I can't believe I've never run along the South Bank before?!
• What nice toilets County Hall has...
• Big Ben!
  
• Hope Penny gets her hip sorted, she had to get the bus back from Victoria
• I should've brought my camera - the sights we saw! London Eye, South Bank, Big Ben, Chelsea Bridge, QVC...
  
• Anyway still feeling a little bit self conscious about flinging my iPhone around whilst running with a group I'm not overly familiar with (yet) and I guess it'd be asking for trouble really... not sure I like the iPhone camera function that much either since I have to take my gloves off to use it which is a bit of a faff... maybe when I know the running peeps a bit better I'll start flashing my iPhone and be able to take some blurry photo's for you...
  
• Next week I'll feel less shy about joining Lacruta singing her heart out as we crossed Vauxhall Bridge... 'I'm singing in the rain!'... no your not it's very sunny!
  
• I did however feel comfortable enough with the group towards the end of the run and alerted the ladies to the 'shit!' on the pavement too.

Mornings!: this isn't too appropriate now that I've got my running club buddies to chat too (well... they chat to me, I just breathe heavily...)
Back: walked through the door at 11:45 AM - hahaha, and all before midday - the whole day still ahead of me!
Refuel: during the run I had 500ml Lucozade Sport (orange flavour), when I got back I treated myself to some nice warm rolls with yummy cheese (that stinks out the flat), and some tasty chorizo, cup of earl grey to wash it all down ahhh!
Route:

Distance: 12.48 miles and feeling good... ok a teeny weeny bit stiff...
What next: 3 miles on Monday morning weather permitting, apparently it's supposed to be snowing!

Had an afternoon nap (yes I did!) and pottered about for the whole afternoon. Got ready and called for Paul who wasn't even up yet! Seamus and I headed to Adventure Bar for a few pre-dinner drinks which included 241 cocktails - yummy! Rob turned up limping - it seems he's puled his medial collateral ligament, well that's our Sunday runs out the window for a good few weeks - hope he gets it sorted, he's only been active for a few weeks after 9 months of rest. The rest of the gang started pouring into the bar and taking advantage for the 241 cocktails too - how happy I am :-)

So 09:00 PM arrives and I hurry everyone to down their cocktails. While some of us headed to the off licence (it's BYO) and cash points (it's cash only) I headed straight to the Thai Corner Cafe, one of my favourite restaurants. It's a popular little place that gets very busy and you have to book, even during the week. They have 2 sittings, one at 07:00 PM and and the other at 09:00 PM... we got there and had to amuse ourselves in the cold while the 07:00PM sitting got told off.

Andy and Mary think they're at my 5th birthday party

Alcoholic beverage treats: 1 x mojito, 2 x champagne (naughty Andy) - hey I turn 25 (again) on Wednesday so I'm allowed!
Alcoholic beverages not consumed: 2nd mojito, a 3rd glass of champagne and potentially a couple of glasses of red... I know my limits and like Jose I'm a cheap date ;-)

Free Poo Today

Woke: 05:18 AM
Snooze: nil - I'm getting good at avoiding this!
Up: 06:14 AM
Thoughts / Notes:

• not 1 but 2 foxes ran in front of my path crossing Court Lane this morning!
  
• it's the first time since I started running that I've seen a paperman (defnitely not a paperboy since he was bald) delivering papers
  
• my ears are cold because my hat is too small or maybe my head has just got bigger...
  
• ooh, it seems the streets are lined with silver this morning, another first - the pavement on Croxted Road was all sparkly!
  
• as I ran past Dulwich College I could hear high heels walking behind me, it was odd since she should have past me by now. After a little while longer, I looked up and realised it was actually a man's footsteps echoing from the other side of the road!
  
• I'm sure I saw a rabbit hop into the hedgerow of Dulwich Common
  
• Another photo opportunity... 'FREE POO TODAY' was being advertised at the Dulwich Riding School

Back: 06:50 AM
Refuel: 500ml Lucozade Sport
What next: long run with the running club on Saturday

I've started Twittering... hmmm... lets see how I long I can keep it up for...

Rob couldn't sleep...

... that was his excuse for standing me up for our Sunday morning run

Woke: 08:57 AM
Up: 09:20 AM
Fuel: daddy bowl of porridge
Out: 10:00 AM

Well, it was clear to me after about 7 miles that I really do need to join a running club... I was lucky that when I was training for Stockholm back in 2007 I had the lovely Clas to keep me company and I very much looked forward to and enjoyed our Saturday morning gossips and lunch at his afterwards!

So since my marathon running buddy is still recovering from his hip operations (yeah - that's what 26.2 miles can do to you - yikes!) I've downloaded and completed an application form to join the Dulwich Park Running Club which is literally 3 minutes run away... will do that on Tuesday.

Oak lined avenue Cox's Walk. Did you know it supports nuthatch and green woodpecker birds

Footbridge... does this look like central London to you?!

Almost home... actually only just started...

Back: 11:01 AM
Refuel: 500ml Lucozade Sport, warm rolls, cheese and Spanish meats... delightful
What next: 1st run with the Dulwich Park Running Club on Tuesday evening!

Coldfeet

So as you may have guessed I've been eating like a pig recently, usually I leave leftovers (for Paul) but these days I've been going for seconds! Anyway just in case you think I'm going off on a tangent here one must remember that marathon training isn't all about the running... it's also about the fuelling. So although I haven't been particularly active this week I have been concentrating on the fuelling so to speak...

Got taken out for a work lunch today and we went to Sophie's Steakhouse for some red meat. Me and the boys enjoyed a really thick milkshake to start and then had a huge ribeye steak and chips with bearnaise sauce - mmm! I must admit, it was the first time in a while that I'd actually felt 'stuffed'! I did wonder how on earth I was going to manage curry with the girls later that night...

Claire C arrived and I met her at the Adventure Bar for a round of happy hour cocktails, however we both opted for a classy glass of vino instead. Claire C and her new hubby Matt are also doing the London Marathon too and are training together. We shared training routines and stories and she had me in stitches recalling her most recent run where she tripped face first in a pool of mud whilst running around Stonehenge... oh ok, you had to be there, Claire is the funniest storyteller ever!

Lucy arrived just before 08:00 PM, which was the time of our booking, so I ran across the road to let the restaurant know we were going to be a little late. However, the waitress looked at me scornfully and said 'NO', then the manager came over and explained that they had further bookings and if we didn't turn up on time we'd lose our table. So I headed back to share the news.

Lucy had just ordered mojito's and got 241 having just made the happy hour deadline. She happily said not to worry she could down them both which she promptly did! We then headed to East Dulwich's finest curry house Tandoori Nights (their website might be crap but the food is in a different league altogether).

Claire D arrived soon after we were seated right next to the exit with a great view of Lordship Lane. We and we all got stuck into the menu's. Actually I lie, we didn't do that until the waiter had visited our table at least 4 times! We were so caught up in catching up and having a giggle.

I noticed my neighbour and tried to get Claire C's attention. She eventually noticed him with a high pitched noise when he spoke to thank and said goodbye to the staff as he left prompting Lucy and Claire D to turn and then we all gawped at him through the window. You just can't mistake James Nesbitt's distinct Northern Irish accent. We all watched him drive off with his curry takeout in his sturdy German car into the Dulwich sunset.

Alcoholic beverage treats: large glass of red (which I didn't finish!)
Alcoholic beverages not consumed: bitter shandy with lunch, 2 x mojito's (it was happy hour!), Cobra beer with dinner
What next: 8 miles with Rob on Sunday

p.s. it turned out Lucy was drinking virgin mojito's since she was driving home...

Massage ahhh...argh!

OK, I'm slacking this week I admit it - I just couldn't get myself out of bed this morning. I thought writing this blog would provide some sort of peer pressure to guilt trip me into making sure I get up and out by 6:30 AM... but hey ho, I'm just enjoying it!

Finished work early and made my way home to get changed before heading over to Mary's for a Sports Massage...

I trained with Mary a number of years ago and what fun we had! I thought my social life would go down the pan with evening courses on [Tuesdays and] Friday evenings but instead I gained a whole new set of [massage] friends. Mary now has her own business massaging celebs and the likes of us mere mortals. She's amazing and I highly recommend you check her out, for more information Total Body Balance is the place to go.

Anyway... back to the treatment... this was no time for relaxation oh no, straight into my left calf muscle...ouch ouch ouch I could hear the couch roll scrunching around my face as I pulled numerous faces, and this went on for pretty much most of the session.

I'd thought about joining the running club this evening but Mary advised that it was probably wise to just chill out for the rest of the evening. So I went supermarket shopping, booked a restaurant for next weekend and did a lot of chores...

What next: er... I'd like to say a run tomorrow morning but in reality it'll be a long run on Sunday with Rob

10 minute miles? No way Jose!

Woke: 5:43 AM but since I was running at lunchtime I went back to sleep for another hour - yay!

I walked past Dean this morning and he'd just got round to reading my email asking for sponsors. He'd done the London and New York marathons and we had a good old natter about them. I am loving that everyone [who's done marathons before] is willing to share their experiences and tips - keep them coming!

So, we ended the chit chat with an action point: use my Sweatshop voucher from my [Les Witton Dartford 10] goody bag to purchase some funky running gear to hold my running fuel... any excuse to go shopping!

Out: 2:30 PM sharp Sarah was at my desk. We headed to Level 5 to get changed before starting a short and fast run, a very fast run... we were only out for about 20 minutes and I must admit I was thinking:

• OMG - should I tell her I need to slow down?!
• Ooh... I think I've stitch coming on...
• darn builders...
• I'm running around Canary Wharf!
  
• are we nearly there yet?!

I've been doing 10 minute miles for as long as I can remember and apparently I was running much quicker than that - wahey! Sarah really whipped my arse into gear, it's about time I got out of my comfort zone...

Refuel: banana, hot chocolate
What next: yoga on Wednesday
Notes: Am pretty impressed with the showers at work!

Cup-a-roast-dinner

Last night after we'd all wolfed down Niell's amazing roast beef dinner (no food left on my plate [lucky Paul had already had dinner number 1 earlier, with Seamus, of faggots] - in fact I even went in for seconds!), conversation moved onto my marathon training.

Rob was surprisingly keen for me to continue running with him at the weekend, even though I told him I could barely make it home after trying to keep up with him the weekend before. He had a valid point that he could help contribute towards my 'speed work' training which I have to start doing, like 2 weeks ago! And so it is, that I'm running with Rob on Sunday morning 10.30 AM sharp!

Vicky asked about sponsoring me again so I must get round to putting that email together and sending it to everyone in my personal address book. Claire sent hers round over the weekend and I love it, she's so entertaining it makes you want to sponsor her regardless of whether she runs the marathon or not!

I always thought that people would find it a burden coming along and waiting in the crowds on Marathon day, which has in recent years been either boiling hot or wet and windy. So, I hadn't really thought too much about asking whether people would like to come along and support me, and watch me run like a chicken (according to my lovely siblings I walk like one) and sweat like a beetroot.

However, I'm pleasantly surprised that a few people are suggesting it. I should formulate a plan... Adam at work suggested that they not only support me but bring along goodies too! Which means I won't have to carry them around myself! Rob suggested, since it was on a Sunday, that he'd bring along a treat of liquidised Sunday Roast for me to enjoy and I could pour it over myself to cool down - hmmm...

This afternoon Sarah checked whether I was going running with her at lunchtime and I cowardly admitted that I was actually a bit scared now, since in a meeting earlier, John had informed me that she had come 4th in a company race and had won a holiday off the back of it! I didn't want to hold her back. You think running fast is tough, try running at a slow pace, it's frustrating!

Anyway, she was really nice about it and didn't mind running at my pace once a week. Which means a lie in for me tomorrow - yay! I must remember to pack my running kit tonight...