Wednesday 23rd September

4 days to go.

A few days to go and the nerves are just starting to kick in.

Last weekend (12th September) I managed a 30+ Km run. I managed to run the first 25 Km and then a small amount of walking for the rest. The only real issue I had was blisters. Every time I run over 15 Km I always seam to get them. I have tried nearly everything so the final thing is new trainers and socks.

I bought another pair of New Balance trainers this time the 723's. They are well cushioned so this should same on my knee pain. I also invested in some New Balance socks (I was already using the Nike running sock). I did a 15 Km Run last Sunday with these and did not have any issues so my fingers will be crossed, my wife will have my old trainers and spare socks just in case I need them.

The other thing I invested in this last week was a fuel belt with 4 water bottles. The only thing I don't like is the size of the pocket for storing things, it is very small. I did manage to lose one of the bottles on my run also, so I am down to just three now. I think I will add an additional strap to ensure that it dose not happen again.

Thursday 10th September

17 Days to go

Nerves are kicking in a little now. With just over 2 weeks left til the big day I am questioning my sanity. Have I trained enough????....nope, do I wish I could change the event to a half marathon?....No Chance. Having done two half marathons I know I need this challenge, I feel confident that I will complete the course but the real question will be, what state will I be in at the finish?

Training has been good and bad. The bad is that I have not managed enough base runs for the last week, mainly because of work and general tiredness (new baby have a lot to answer for). The good was on Saturday Morning I was up a little early so I decided to take a quick run before my shower. I ran my first ever run and knocked almost 2/3 of the time off. The training is paying off

Also I went to the "Sope" for a 3Km run on Sunday. This dose not sound to good but I did not take my car, I ran there and back also. This added up to 18 – 19 Km . On my return trip I ended up running into an organized run (26Km) so I ran with the other runners for around 500 meter through one of the parks. I also saw a very rear site, the main avenue through Mexico city was completely empty so I got to run straight down the center which was realy nice.

This weekend will be my longest run, I am aiming for 30 – 32 Km.

September 1st 2009

26 Days to go

A bad weeks training, but I managed a few runs. My training took a back seat mainly because of the arrival of our new baby and a serious lack of sleep (last night I only managed 2½ hours). I will keep up the runs this week though.

I had planned to enter another race this coming weekend, a 26 Km run. I have decided against this because I am feeling my ankles a little tight so I am going to run at my usual place 'El Sope', this way if I feel like I need to stop I can without having to walk to the finish. With less than 4 weeks left until the big day I will be very mindful of any potential injuries.

1st Emocion Deportiva ½ Marathon

August 24th

33 Days to go

I have not blogged for a couple of weeks now mainly because my wife had our baby last week. Both are at home doing well.

Yesterday I ran the 1st Emocion Deportiva ½ marathon. This was another well organized event by Emocion Deportive. A great crowd of people running. The only thing that I would fault is the final water stations around the 20Km mark were missing, but this was only very minor as we were so close to the finish. At one stage between 12 – 14 Km's there was even someone handing out beer. I was tempted but decided not to. The route was great i got to see some great places along the way that i normaly would not have had the chance to see.



My personal run was hampered by a few things. I was so careful what I ate even declined the Taco's the rest of the family to avoid any sickness. The problem was I woke up at 5am with stomach ache. I was debating whether to run or not then I remembered what I had read or heard in one of my many magazines or DVD's 'you are already a winner by arriving at the start line'. So that was is it I took some medication and promised myself if I felt ill at any point I would drop out, but I was going to give it a go.

I arrived near the start point by 6 am, I had decided to take my care even though I could have gotten there by Metro, this was mainly just incase I pulled out. I started to get my final things organized only to find my Gatorade powder missing, then my start position bracelet had been left behind. Well at least it was now and not the full marathon in a months time. At this point I decided that there was no point taking my fuel belt, so I just took my power gels and car key.


The actual run went well, though I only had one gel because of my illness and limited my Gatorade intake as both aggravated my stomach. It was nice to see my wife and sister-in-law cheering me on at around the 17½Km mark as I was not expecting to see her because she had only been out of hospital for 4 days. Just before the 20Km mark I was slowing down to take a breather before a final 1km push to the finish when a Mexican Guy came up along side me and said ' don’t slow down its only 1 km to go' he then zoomed past me. I thought ok I will keep him in my sites so I picked up the pace and had a final 200 meter sprint to the finish. I did not catch the Mexican guy, he finished about 10 seconds before me (though I did check his chip time and overall I beat him be 5 seconds…..sorry). the other thing I noticed was the last 3 Km people that had already finished had come back down the track to encourage and run in with the people who were still on the course………….GREAT SPORTSMANSHIP I feel proud to live here amongst people with such great character.

When I arrived home I was greeted by the family who then made a nice ham and pancake breakfast before I crawled into bed to try and get over my illness.

Training

August 3rd 2009

56 days to go.

Ok now I am starting to feel nervous I have just under 8 weeks left, I need to get yet more training runs in. I plan on doing a 20 – 25 Km run this weekend (I plan on running for 2½ hours). Next week I will try and increase this to 25-30 Km (so long). Then I have a half marathon on the 23rd August which I am looking forward to, I hope to complete it in under 2.15 which will give me a 21 minute improvement.

I only got a couple of runs in last week, the best one was early hours of the morning at the 'Sope' which is a park with various runs including a 2km run that is distance marked and also has a clock at the start/finish. I guess I was there at around 5.45am when it was dark and I ran until it was daylight. It was so nice.

training

July 27, 2009

Only 63 days till the big event and only 27 till my next half marathon.

I am so happy after last weeks training. I managed some base runs that were between 5 and 8 Km and on Saturday I had a 16 Km long run. I used 500 meters to warm up and 500 meters to cool down (light jogging), but ran the rest of the 15Km non stop. No breaks just a constant pace except for a final 200 meter sprint before my cool down. I took all my drinks while running because I am trying to control take them whilst running. This is mainly just down to my breathing.

The good thing is barring painful knees for a couple of hours after, I am pain free. I even went out with my wife, one of my son's and the dog for a nice walk on Sunday to a local lake.

I started reading a book called Chi running by Danny Dreyer. This has helped me a lot even though I am only a few chapters into the book. Just to prove a point, my previously longest run without stopping and walking was 9.5 Km which I completed on the 18th July 2009 which was just before I started reading the book. Now that is up to 15Km the following week. Also having said that I felt really good at the end of the run.

As for my overweight issue. I weighed in on Saturday at 106 Kg, to date I have lost 9Kg. I am hoping my increase in run distances will help me lose more weight (another 21Kg). It is hard to diet with the running because of amount of energy I am burning (around 2000 calories burnt on Saturdays run). I just have to make sure they are good food and not sweets or cakes.

Also I got to see two motivational films this week one by Dean Karnazes, have a look at his website http://www.ultramarathonman.com/flash/ very very very inspiring person. The second was called Running the Sahara, this was also very inspiring showing what humans are capable of, here is a link about this
http://www.runningthesahara.com/about.html

Lets see how well I can improve this week

Back to normal training at last

July 21st 2009

A fairly good week last week. Training went well, I even managed to start running again and ran 9.5Km on Saturday morning (I only had an hour due o other commitments). My ankle feels fine, no pain though I still know to be careful for the next week. I decided not to do the planed 10 mile run last Sunday purely so as not to effect my ankle again.

I have decided to do my running away from the Gym from next week. I only really use the tread mill and I need to more to more road running now anyway.

I am also getting allot of support from Ford of Mexico. I have the charity now which is 'Ser Humano' http://www.serhumano.org.mx/english.html a very worth while charity offering support to children with HIV and also adopting them. Ford is also going to put an article about the fund raising in the internal Ford magazine which will get more people aware of what I am trying to do.

This also gives me some more motivation to do well in the training and event,…..you can never have to much motivation. I have now had a few sponsorships to my English charities which also helps.

Monday July 13th 2009

A happy week ahead, I will be able to start running this week in my training from Thursday and I might run a 10 mile (16Km) run at the weekend if I feel I am up to it.

Last week, though restrictive was a good week of cross training. It kept me in the swing of training and I am sure kept me losing weight (though the last few weeks have been slow). My target of losing another 21Kg over the next 11 weeks (god is that all) seams like a high target to set but even if I lose just 1Kg in that time I am sure it will help a lot.

I managed to find a new map of the course with altitudes' shown the good thing is that for the first 27 km it is pretty much up hill, having said that it is only a total increase of around 70 meters. The last 15 Km brings you back down the 70 meters. I am sure I will grateful for that on the day.

Monday July 6th 2009

not such good news this week. All my training runs have been affected be my niggling right ankle injury, and I have had to cut short allot of my runs.

On Saturday I saw a doctor and though he said there was some swelling around my tendons. The upshot is that he advised me to take two weeks off training. I am kind of stubborn so my initial reaction was to ignore this advice. I did have a long think about it and i will take these two weeks just to focus of my cardio and weight. Hopefully I will lose around 6.7 Kg these next couple of week which will leave me at the 100kg weight mark.

The thing I keep thinking about is will this affect me entering the marathon?????? At this point I don't think so. I am a firm believer that there is always things I can do. Posative, Posative, Posative.

June 29th 2009

A quiet week due to last weekends run. Monday i had painful knees and right ankel (which i twisted badly last year), so i decided to have an easy week training. I managed to get to the gym twice with a 4 km run on Tuesday and then on Wednesday i managed a 5 km run, a 10 minute hard workout on the cross trainer and finaly a 1 km fast run. I also had a nice early moring run at the 'sope' which was around 6-7 Km. It was nice and cool morning so finished my run with a lap of the lake.

This week i am going to focus on running my target training distances with some addition speed or hill work as my ankle and knees are now fine. This is also the last week of my English course so i can get some extra training in on Saturday mornings.

The other thing i am going to do is work on my diet some more. Last weeksaw me slip and i found myself eating the things i should not be. Even though i am now down to 106.7 Kg in weight i think this could be much better. Ideally i will be around the 90Kg for my next half marathon on the 23rd August 2009. I am hoping to improve on my last run by at least 22mins which will give me a time of under 2:15.

June 22nd 2009

Yesterday i ran in a half marathon, 'Dia del Padre' the fathers day run. though it was exhausting towards the end (10Km+) it was a great run.

Orginisation was perfect, lots of water stops and volentiers to make sure everyone got thier water, marachi i guess maybe 7 bands on the route. The runners where all polite and encouraging.



I managed to finish in 2 hours 36 mins 39 seconds. I had planned on going for 2 hours 30 minutes so i think it is a good start.

I collected to my medel met my wife (who had got up early with me to come and support me, even though she is heavely pregnant) and started to walk back up the course to my car when we could here loud clapping and cheering. We ran to the the edge of the course to see the final finisher, i am guessing 75-80 year old man heading down the last few hundred meters to the finish with his walking stick in his hand....... Wonderful feeling seeing all that support.

Well done all

12th June 2009


Finaly got the date for the marathon confirmed, 27th September2009.

That gives me an extra months training which i am sure i will be so greatful for. The old date will be a half marathon so that will be a good training run.

Next weekend is a half marathon also, at this point i am unsure wether to do it or not, i will go for a good run in the morning and if i feel like i will be able i will go for it. I have spoken to someone who has ran it a few times and basicly it goes down hill for the first half. That sound so good until you realise that you basicaly run back the way you have just gone......all up hill. i have heard it is a good event with a good crowd of people, bands and lots of hydration points.

I thought i would give and up date on my projected timings:

April 27th /June 12th

1500m 15:49 /09:52
the mile 17:02 / 10:38
3Km 32:58 / 20:37
2Miles 35:18 / 22:12
5Km 56:40 / 35:25
8Km 1:33:15 / 58:00
5 miles 1:33:49 / 58:20
10Km 1:58:08 / 1:13:21
ten miles 3:15:37 / 2:00:48
a half marathon 4:20:26 / 2:40:36
a marathon 9:03:00 / 5:33:27

A slight improvement and i have lost 7Kg in weight.

Wednesday June 10th

( days to go..... who knows!)

There is a dispute going on between two orginizers as to who is holding the 2009 Mexico City Marathon 2009. Both have different dates, one is 23rd August, the other is 27th September.

I am insribed on the first but a little unsure what to do at this point, maybe i will just inscribe in both just to be sure.

Training has been good, i had a 8Km run last night, and beat 5Km PR and 8Km PR. I guess i must be doing someting right. Hopefully i will get to run tonight and tomorrow and working improving more, though i am currently on a course so i have to work round that.

Day 43

(83 days to go)

I managed a 12.5KM run this last week (well run/walk). I had to take me long run in the middel of the week due to other comitments. Also a friend told me about a good place to run, de Largo/sope in chapultepec in Mexico City. It has a 1Km flat..ish track or a 2 Km track with some hills.

I decided to go for a run there with my wifes cousin, Mario. This was going to be a good test as he is a Para in the Mexican millatary. We started the run on the 2Km course and after about 1Km i was feeling realy tired, i pritty much put this down too the hill and my lack of training on them. On completion of completting my first two Km i looked at the clock tim (which in this park is position above the start of both tracks) and realised i was running to Mario's pace and just covered the first 2 Km 3mins faster than i had ever done before. We ran a total of 5 Km which is what we planned and i got my PR reduced by 55 seconds (but this uncluded the hill runs). i felt a bit guilty with my wifes Cousin as he was conatantly running ahead then circling back to pick me up. The good thing was he gave me the option to cut the run short to only 4Km, i decilined this saying ' i might be slow but i will get there in the end'.

i will continue running this a least on Sunday mornings for the next 5 - 6 weeks. Then i will try and get there 3 times a week leading upto the marathon.

My weight is going down too, i have lost over 6Kg. Another 14 Kg to go.

Day 31

(95 Days to go)

Well i had a good and bad weeks training last week. the bad was i did not get enough running in, the good however is i managed a constant run for just under 3Km (no sign of walking creeping in). The other thing was my breathing seams to have settled in this run also. So even though this was short run i feel i accumplished something.

I have also decided to set four targets for the Marathon which are as follows:

target 1 Finish the 26.2 miles (42.2Km)
target 2 Finish under the 6 hour mark
target 3 Finish under the 5 hour mark
target 4 Finish under the 4 hour mark

Hopefully target 3 & 4 will make me keep to the training a little bit more.

day 19
(106 days to go)

Finally the gym re-opened yesterday after closing due to the Swine Flu. This ment I could now get back on track with training.

I managed a good 5Km run (well mostly i walked about 400 meter's) and some general core training. The good thing was i checked my weight and i have lost 3.7 Kg, which is a good start. I still need to loose amother 16.3, but ideally i will loose another 26.3Kg.

My wife is keeping on track with me diet and ensuring that i have only fresh food. i have managed to get a few books of the sort of diet i need and she is realy keen to make sure everything is correct.

It looks like i will have a hard run on Sunday, i have agreed to go running with my wife's cousin. This sounds ok but he is a Paratrooper in the milatary. I think i will be put to the test as it is a stepup in distance to 8Km.

Day 11
(114 Days to go)

Well i had some good days training on Tuesday and Wednesday. Though i was quiet tired on Wednesday I managed a good warm up followed by an easy 4Km run, but because of the Swine flu the Gym is closed and I have been advised not to run in park.

I am hoping this is not for too long, though it is exspected to last until the 6th May at least. I think the tread mill will be getting me though until then.

Fingers crossed that i don't loose too much training time.

Day 8

I was so disapointed today as my run last Monday for what i thought was 3.5Km turned out to be alot shorter than i had thought.

My tip from now on is to drive the course of my runs to get a more accurate distance covered.

I wont let this set back get the better of me i will use my first training session at the gym (where i was only allowed to walk) as a start point.

So here is my projected timings.

1500m 15:49
the mile 17:02
3000m(3k) 32:58
3200m(about 2 miles) 35:18
5000m(5k) 56:40
8000m(8k) 1:33:15
5 miles 1:33:49
10,000m(10k) 1:58:08
ten miles 3:15:37
a half marathon 4:20:26
a marathon 9:03:00


Alot of hard work ahead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day 7

Only 118 days til the big day, i am hoping that the Mexico City Marathon web site is up soon so i can breather easier knowing i have registered.

Well i did not get so many runs in this week only realy Monday and i had a few niggling injuries so rested a couple of days. Then i had to miss Thursday as i had to rest for 24 hours before a physical with a Gym i joined to help with training. I was quite empressed with most of my physical tests, the only ones that came into the 'needs work' area was real connected to the losing weight area........tell me something i didn't know!!!!

I was set a training program with alot of cardo work to burn some fat, and with my diet i am hoping to drop that weight quickly.

I also managed to get some great trainers for running in Deortes Marti in Col. Santa Ursula they were New Balance 1062's http://www.ransacker.co.uk/1001-running/3665-new-balance-m1062-mens-running-shoe-2008.htm, the best thing was that they had been reduced from $1600 (mexican peso's) to just $640 (mexican peso's). I will try them for a couple of weeks and if everything goes well i will go back and see if they have another pair.

I am hoping to have a good week next week with training at the Gym 6 days and a rest day next Sunday, though i may change that for a light run...... all going well.

Day 3

Only 123 days to go. I went for a medical today, though my lack of medical history here in Mexico proved to be a prolem so i am having to wait....again. I will have to take it easy until i finally get the ok from the Doctor.

As for the training, i was glad yesterday was a rest day because my leg muscles were painful after my first training session. I sort of exspected this. today this has improved and i will hopefully go and pick up a tredmill that my sister-in-law has been kind enough to led to me. I will do another 3.5 Km run on this today.

I have also recieved some help from a friend in the UK Chris Brisley. He love running so much take a quick look at his web site http://www.justgiving.com/2009challenge . He is running several marathons and aslo is running in a 65 mile (104.6 Km ) run in a few weeks. All of this is for charity.

My wife is keen to get my diet on the right track. I need to loose around 20-30Kg of weight and she is working on giving a good diet with lots of fruit, veg chicken and fish. She also takes great pleasure in reminding me that the marathon is taking place right when our baby is due, and that i may have to take a detour to the hosital on the run.

Day 1 of training.

I started my training today with a light Jog/Walk of 3.5 Km. I took it real easy today as i am still waiting for my medical which i also ahve today. God i felt so rusty running around the streets of Mexico City a 4.30am. the good thing is i manage a good but training day though i felt my left knee and right ankle (which i twisted badly last year) very very tight.

It is a good thing i have my wife for motivation, though i am sure she dose not realise this. She is pregnent and is working so hard trying to do everything she can to keep the baby healthy, it makes the thought of running 42Km (26.2 miles) an easier task.

My first ever blog. I thought i would blog my attemp to train for the my first Marathon which is the Mexico City Marthon 2009. this is the 27 marathon for Mexico City which is around 2,240 meters (7,349 ft) above sea level.