I love bank holidays that last 11 days!

Ok, so it's been over a week but  I don't want you guys getting bored with me now do I?

Easter was great, and guess what. That 5 miler I was contemplating........well I did it and twice more since, including today. I surprised myself and it is officially the furthest I can ever remember running. I am evening keeping my eye out for a 10k race to see how I fair under a little pressure.

Today, before my 3rd (yes 3rd) 5 miler I watched the James Cracknell trilogy of documentarys, and let me tell you inspiration is not the word. This guy never gives up and when I was aching a little a few miles in today I just thought about what that guy put himself through and that quickly snapped me back in to focus.

on my 2nd 5 miler on Good Friday morning I felt really good, not in a physical way but in an all round happy way. At first I thought it was just that I was excited for the plans ahead (catching up with friends, bbq etc) but I had the same feeling again today. I actually think I am starting to enjoy this running lark. When I'm running whether it be a couple of miles before work or 5 miles (soon to be 6ish) I feel like I'm meant to be there. It's difficult to explain and a little deep, but today (prob because of the JC Trilogy) all I could think about was pushing my body to the limit and thinking about other potential challenges.

As far as the Three Peaks part of this challenge goes. The running I am putting in now I am hoping will bring me to a decent level of fitness come September . I am hoping to get out on some hills at least once or twice before then or worst case to get down the gym on the stepper. Update though: My dad and his partner have kindly volunteered to be my support team (Drivers) and my Work have kindly donated a mini bus and the fuel to get us all around.

The money raising has taken a back seat for now, I don't want to hound people to the point I become a pest so I think I will wait until nearer the time.

Also a final point. It's bloody impossible to find accommodation any where in the vicinity of the Great north run. It seems the seasoned vet's book up all the b and b's a year, YES A YEAR in advance.

Peace Out!

http://www.justgiving.com/Fat-Lads-September-From-Hell

Mmmmm

Well, It's been another week passed and I can feel myself running out of stuff to talk about.

I am contemplating attempting a 5 miler tomorrow so hopefully I actually do it. I now have some music that I run to called pod runner. it is basically dance music but set at a certain bpm, I find this helps me keep a steady pace and focus on the music rather than the fact I'm hanging out of my arse!

I have now worn my new headphones a few times and I can officially say they are great. once they are on I forget they are there and the sound quality is excellent. All I need now is an arm strap to carry my phone/gps tracker and I'll be sorted.

I'm off to get some new running trainers tomorrow. There are so many to choose from and some of the prices are ridiculous. I remember back in the day in Basic Training doing my BFT in a spanking pair of silver shadows
12 quid off t'interweb, compared to
95 quid from sports direct

I think somewhere in the middle should be ok although 12 quid is a bargain lol.

The fund-raising has slowed down now, I don't want to pester people because they just become annoyed with you so I think I will wait till a little nearer the time to start laying it on thick.

Any how, that's me for now BTW just warched Amir Khan fight and it was never a stoppage.

Peace, Out.

http://www.justgiving.com/Fat-Lads-September-From-Hell

Sleepless Nights!

Apologies for the delay on another post.

It seems that my children have suddenly become possessed by the devil. They have decided they don't like sleep any more or their "princess bed's". Here is what I tried : -

1. I have spent a total of 3 hrs 30 mins constantly picking them up and putting them back in bed, suffice to say                     that didn't work.

2. Leave them to scream until they "tire themselves out". I hate this saying as it does not apply to Orla, she is a MACHINE (much like the bad guy from Terminator 2 - T-1000) alas this didn't work either

3. Talk to them at their level like an adult. This resulted in a massive tantrum with them constantly screaming  "mummy's bed" or "daddy lay down".

I finally settled on choice 4. Read them a story (or 3) and sit with them until they fall asleep this went far to easy and as I type I am praying that they sleep through.

Anyway back to the running. GUESS WHAT......... My senneheiser's have arrived

I went for a run wearing them yesterday morning and all was well until my phone/music player packed up. Now you may think "not a major thing, get over it" but this was the opposite I instantly forgot how to run and breath at exactly the same time and looked like I was having some kind of fit at the side of the road while whacking my phone trying to bring it back to life eventually I had to reset it which meant my gps tracker lost track and ballsed (used it again therefore it must be a word) up my timings and everything. I did however, manage to do all this without stopping, and at the end of the run (2.6 miles) I did feel like I had something left in the tank which surely means the training is paying off.

Well tomorrow I will attempt to burst through the 3 mile mark. Fingers crossed.

Just to point out I am currently listening to some 90's dance in aid of Pete Tong's 20 year tenure @ Radio 1. Man, there was some awesome music back then "call me raider, call me wrong, call me insane, call me Mr vain"

Peace Out   http://www.justgiving.com/Fat-Lads-September-From-Hell

2 Day's off. "Definitley"

So, because I ran on an off day I have totally ballsed (is that even a word) my plan up. So now I have to run on all my off days and have it off on my running days. (Now that would be an interesting run).

I decided to rest Thursday and Friday as I realised the people who set the plan up know more about running than me. So I pencilled in Saturday for an Increased time and distance run and then had a couple of bottles of cider (I blame the kids) and went to bed too late, thus waking at 7:15am and not the 6:00am I had planned. I put the run off until after the most exciting part of my weekend..........MORRISONS!

Yes, Morrisons. Now don't get me wrong I don't mind food shopping as It goes, and taking twin girls who want to eat everything in sight is challenging to say the least. But what really riles me is old people. Why do they go shopping on a Saturday. They have all week to go shopping while I am at work, but no "Let's nip down morries and piss off everyone because we can" It's just plain mental. I actively try and avoid this task but these people seem to enjoy it and don't even get me startd with old people on mobility scooters............!

So, shopping done I went for the run. I changed the route slightly so as to increase the distance (and avoid running up a bleedin hill) and I did feel much better in myself. I ran none stop for 2 miles, only stopping to walk up gornies (believe me paula radcliffe would have to walk up gornies). This for me is great news as the training must be working and any improvement just spurs me on to keep improving and beating my times. I also think incorporating some breathing exercises as helped focus me more, although I do apologise to any one who I may have run past for looking like a fat bloke having contractions.

I did rush to sports direct 20 mins before closing today because they had an offer on walking boots (re: 3 peaks) only to find they only had a 9 and 1/2 me being a 10/11 I tried them on anyway because £8 is a bargain and thought whats a few blisters if a can save £30, but then I admitted defeat. I did buy a jazzy water bottle though


Just imagine how fast I will be with this, combined with some new earphones!


http://www.justgiving.com/Fat-Lads-September-From-Hell