The Long Silence Broken!

Been here in Sydney for 2 months now, and frankly the running is going shockingly bad - hence the long silence on this blog. I intended to run the Sydney Marathon in September, but that's not going to happen now.

Basically I've struggled with shin splints, so I'm committing myself to doing my exercises every day and do a few little runs as the weeks go by to see how they're going. I must admit I'm a bit gutted about the whole thing. I bought insoles for my trainers too, but I still got pains when I ran. Perhaps I need to get ones made for me?
Anyway, I'm still a runner, although it is so frustrating to be living on Manly Beach and not be able to enjoy it properly!

The fruits of last year's London Marathon

Richard & Linda with van

It took a long time, but finally the van that we raised money for running the London Marathon last year has been officially launched! It is great to think that by doing something we love we were able to raise £8000 for this van. It will be used by The Sharing Project to pick up and deliver furniture for people in need in our community.

Only one more day of work to go!

Nice to be out running again

Did a nice 5 miles this morning - although my right knee got a bit sore after about 3 miles. I think this was the effect of the half marathon on Sunday.

Only a week on Thursday till I finish work! Off to New York on the 12th April - wonder what running there will be like? Quite fancy running in Central Park (during the day!) and across the Brooklyn bridge. We'll see how much time we have!

I need to try and get back to full strength after all the stupid niggles. I'll probably not set any targets for while. I think I way do the City to Surf in Sydney and the Sydney Marathon.

1 Day after HM - I did it!

For better or worse I did the Reading Half Marathon yesterday. With my bad training and injury I should be happy with my 1:40:30 time with no permanent damage done to my legs. I'm just a bit gutted that I didn't know my actual time until I pressed the stop button on the line - I'm sure I could have run 30 seconds faster at the end! You see I had the settings on my watch to splits and pace (I have GSP speed/distance thingy).

Anyway, here's my race report: it was pretty easy till 10 miles, then it got hard and then it was over! I need to get better at race reports ;)
At 10 miles my right calf began to ge quite sore and seize up, as well as the tendon on the bottom of foot - so I suppose i'm lucky I could keep going so steadily. The good thing was that it didn't effect the shin splints I've been having over the last couple of months - and that was the thing that has screwed up my running recently.

My splits were 7:58, 7:47, 7:37, 7:26, 7:22, 6:50, 7:37, 7:33, 7:26, 7:26, 7:58, 7:54, 9:32 (last 1.1 miles)

I am encouraged though, and as soon as my legs feel less sore I'll be back on the road again!

3 Days Till HM

Still no running going on. It's a pretty nice evening so may try to do a couple of miles tonight to keep my legs moving. Hope its not snowing on Sunday!
On a happier note, only 3 more weeks of work to go, then its HOLIDAY TIME! We arrive in Sydney in 2 months, and THATS when I'm going to get the running sorted out!

5 Days Till HM - Run it together?

Still resting my wee legs. A few friends have suggested that since I won't be breaking any records, that I should run with Linda (my wife). So do I do that and get a pretty slow time (she has not been training enough), or do I just go for it and maybe hurt myself? My pride tells me that if I'm going to do it I might as well get as good a time a possible. But then again I could spur on Linda to a better time.
We'll see....

6 Days Till HM - Tapering!

Well, things couldn't get worse really. Tried to do some miles on Saturday, but gave up when the pain in the shins came and the energy faded. I am still going to run on Sunday but may not run at all this week - crazy I know! So, what are the predictions for my time?? Who thinks I can get sub 1:40? or should I aim to go quicker?
Anyway, I'll keep you posted.