Competition update: Mrs. B has cleaned her shoes

I know it is not a very pleasant thread, but I must report that Mrs. B brought a long handled brush today and cleaned her hitherto dirty running shoes. Brush handle length about a metre if it had been me. All is back to normal and the porch to our house is now clear of a pair of Nike shoes. I have just ran a reasonably quick 11km (57 mins, Ave HR 146 - actually wondering if it was really 11 km after all) and now about to embark upon making a curry.

Am travelling on business for the next two days so no more updates until I return - unless I take a pic of the curry I make tonight and post it. Sad.

CB not yet finished her homework. But I must now say that she has now moved onto reading books that have "Chapters" so this is a great step forward and she is doing very well.

It's behind you!

No run today after having every intention of going out. I just did not get my act together. So, extra long run tomorrow. I did my long run yesterday so no damage done.

Panto was, well, panto was as expected. Far too long (3 hours), far to much expected of the audience (if you are over 5 years old there are only so many times that you can shout "oh no it's not!) and far to late getting home as I am hungary. However, full marks to the guy who dressed up as a women (Dame Dangle if you must know) and was very good. Do his mates know that once a year he does this? Also, at these pantos am I the only one who has this burning desire to cheer the Bad guy rather than boo and hiss?

KB has just spent some time updating her website - see links right *KT's web*, it's worth going to. And if you do I urge you to click on her new Google Adsense link. I will be charging a commission for this advertising on her behalf so it all helps.

CB is doing her homework.

Cold

Two hours after coming home from an 18km run today (1:48, av HR 138 - perfect) I am still cold. Thankfully we ran into the headwind going out and so coming back was more pleasant but, running up the seafront at Katwijk (north sea) was so cold. It makes you wonder actually what possess you to do it. It must have been minus 5-6 with the wind chill factor.

Just been on the Runners World FLM forum. There is a group of people who, not having got a place in the race are setting up a supporters group to cheer people on. What a fantastic idea. They are so confident it seems in seeing everyone who has asked to be supported that they have actually asked what people want when they see them. Requests range from cheers and Jelly Babies, to a large G&T and one guy is even asking for a kick up backside. These supporters deserve all the support they can get (if that makes sense).

Anyway, tomorrow afternoon we are off to the pantomine (oh no you're not, oh yes we are, etc..etc..). If I have to go through the "it's behind you" routine then I think that will be it. Still, the children like it and that's the main thing..... and it's only once a year (oh no it's not........oh yes it is!!!!)

Oh, by the way, Mrs B not happy at the moment. Ran through dog poo yesterday. Shoes are still outside before she can come to terms with cleaning them. Can't blame her because if they were mine they'd be in the bin now.

Friday night in

6km tonight and felt really good. For one of the first runs for ages, I felt that it is starting to come together. Although 32:15 mins, ave HR 146 is hardly record breaking it is getting there as we say. I do not wish to tempt fate so we shall see how I feel after Sunday. It should be a pacey 10km tomorrow then a long run of 17km Sunday which is the end of a climb down week.

Someone asked me today if I wanted to join them in the ballot for the New York Marathon in Nov 2006. That's exactly how I find myself in the position I am in today!! Entering a ballot, not thinking I would get in and, hey presto, I'm back up and down the canal every night. No way. Not again. Not so soon. Not never, but not now.

Anyway, having a quiet night in tonight. Mrs B is working at the moment (actually probably on a secret long run), KB is at a youth club and CB is at a party at a swimming pool. I am now beginning to feel old. I can remember my father taking me to youth club, and I can remember thinking how old he was then. Anyway, all is well as KB tells me I am not really old (well, not compared to other Dads of friends she has) so I gave her 2 Euros to buy a drink at youth club for being so nice to me. I can see this being an expensive few years ahead of me, especially when she wants to buy real drinks. So, old and broke - what a thought. Still I'll hopefully be fit, old and broke which doesn't quite seem so bad.

Running and Arctic Monkeys

After the interest in my curry making skills (and I tell you they do taste fantastic but I have not yet branched out into takeways) I have now decided to blog my thoughts on why I run. After a 10km last night it began to make a bit more sense. Apart from the aspect of health, running gives me perfect thinking time and I feel as if I have kind of cleared my mind out when I get home. It is not always the case of course, but somehow when you are running things seem to be in more perspective. It is for this reason, the ability to try and think straight and maybe let my mind wander, that I could never dream of running with music in my ears. Aside from the fact that it surely must get uncomfortable once you start to work up a sweat, the idea of noise in my ear while I am running just doesn't do it for me. Running is a little bit of an escape - however cold and wet, you feel better for having done it. And that makes sense to me.

Oh, by the way, check out the new CD from Arctic Monkeys. A real case of successful internet marketing when many of the other artists in the world are moaning about the threat of the internet this band have embraced it. Nice one.

Back to the serious issue of running

Having indulged myself on the last two posts, I return to the issue of training for the FLM. For some reason I do not seem to be getting any quicker. "Slowly does it" - I know - but surely not this slowly. Went out tonight but my body was very confused. For the last 6 months at least, Monday has been a rest day. Not tonight. Out we go, sub zero temp (minus 4 at a guess) for 6km and my body did not know quite what had hit it. " Hey Bedders, what' s with the running tonight? Monday is stay-in-and-make-a-curry night!" OK. I am out of sync because I ran my long run on Friday night and have a meeting in Madrid on Wednesday pm (I arrive at 19.30) which as most people will tell you, starts at around 21.00 and finishes heaven only knows when. So, no time for a quick up and back Madrid high street (or if you are me, around the Madrid airport long stay carpark), no, it's Rioja all the way.........well one is allowed one night off I suppose. And I love the Spanish welcome I get. Infact that I why I do this running thing. Not to break records, not to win anything, just to ensure that I reach an early middle age, I can eat, drink and be reasonably merry.

Competition update - Mrs B is being cautiously careful about declaring her running plan at the moment. Either it is going so well that she is becoming over confident - or, not so well. Hmm, we shall see. I am tempted to dress up as a carrot (or another suitably areodynamic vegetable) at FLM so I can keep on her shoulder and glide past her during the last mile. The master of disguise......

By the way, anyone want my curry receipe just ask - it is truely wicked.

Lunchtime treat

In order to encourage KB in her quest to be the next TV chef, we were treated today to a lunch made by her own fair hands. Worthy of a pic if only to show that sometimes I can take pics that aren't blurred.

First attempt at a canter

Important moment of the weekend was CB attempting her first canter at her horse riding lesson. Once again the photo does not do it justice. Next stop Horse of the Year Show.

Ran a stress free 10 km today as opposed to pace run as I am still a little worried about my calf- actually enjoyed it (52.23 min, ave HR 146) and as the weather was reasonable went past numerous other runners. Maybe it's me, but I find that runners you pass in Holland are a lot less friendly than those in other countries. Normally you struggle to get a "hi" or the such like but even by the normal poor standards the other runners today were frankly a miserable bunch. I vote USA a the friendliest runners you run past - if of course they are not all plugged into their MP3 players.

Now, that's better, although very thirsty at the end

Just finished a 22km run tonight (time 2:07, ave HR 140) and while I was tired at the end, had no reaction from the calf. Am delighted. I did actually run without carrying water or refreshment and ran two loops of 8.5km and an extra 5km. At the end of loop one I stopped and opened a bottle of Aqua, drank half of it and hid the bottle up a small tree to collect on my way back round. When I came round again for the second lap, 45 minutes later, it was pitch black of course (no lights up by the canal that I run alongside) so couldn't find the right tree or the bottle!! Prat! Make note - must leave drinking water in lit area next time or carry it with me. Did eventually find it up Tree # 3 I looked in but if anyone had seen me then they would have thought I was mad. Rest day tomorrow - can't wait.

A massive thanks to everyone who has added comments on the blog - it makes such a difference - and to all those who tell me that they have come on here to checkl out what I am up to. Keep popping back!

A short explanation

My last post needs some explanation. I don't normally find an aiport, seek out the long stay car park and go for a run. However, on this occaision I was staying at an airport hotel whose running machine broke while I was on it. In fact at about 1.5km the thing just stopped dead - and I flew forward. Quite comical I imagine if you were watching. So after asking the hotel where I could run they shrugged their shoulders and sent me to the longstay carpark. As I say, it had all the credentials - flat, quiet, well lit and a stones throw from the hotel lobby.

Came home last night after a 3:30hr flight and went out and ran 9km. After another crack of dawn physio appointment this morning, reckon I am ready to take on a long run at the weekend after my setback. Hopefully I am now back on track.

Athens airport long stay carpark

Late post but just thought I'd report that I continuously ran around the long stay carpark at Athens airport tonight and reckon that it was around 1.5km per lap. I did 4. Also I wore shorts and t shirt as it was a glorious 10 degrees! What we do to get the kilometers in.....and no pain in the leg.

50% of the sponsorship target hit

Early physio appointment tomorrow followed by a two day business trip overseas. Hoping to get the all clear to run tomorrow, rest up for one more night then back into it Wednesday. Mrs. B cranked up a long run today in the cold - and is also doing very well at staying off the vino. Unlike me, who having felt sorry for themselves for the last week has enjoyed the odd tipple. Oh, why not?

Great news is that we are 50% of the way towards our goal of sponsor money. www.justgiving.com/ianmaggie is a great idea and such an easy way to set up a sponsorship. Easy for everyone that is apart from Mrs B and I who still have to do the running bit.

Tech Update - CB has in the last 24 hours got the hang of MSN messenger and is emailing eveyone she knows (and some people she doesn't know) so be warned. And I have taken my rightful position back in the house of IT helpdesk manager.........

Slowly but surely

While my running partner was out this morning enjoying a frosty 21km, I made it a frightfully slow 4km which considering how bad I flelt on Wednesday night, seemed like a minor miracle. I am not sure exactly what has happend to my calf but it seems now 95% better. I am even thinking of going out again tomorrow so that I can get the km back up. I also know the theory that says don't push it so soon, but if any other runners are reading this blog then they know exactly what it feels like to have a training program and not being able to run it. Fingers crossed that this afternoon I don't get a reaction.

Injury update and hotel booked for London

Saturday morning and my calf seems to have responded positively to the fact that I drank an extra glass of wine last night. Much improved and looking like I will be running again by Thursday next week. The first run after an injury is always a little worrying as you are just waiting for something to go wrong. If I do hit the road again next Thursday I will only have missed 48km of training out of a final total of around 900. Maybe I can pick this up and I am sure that if I stay injury free for the rest of the program my time at FLM will not suffer that much. After my Chicago experience then I keep telling myself that I will consider it a good run if I can keep myself upright to collect a goodie bag which I failed to do in October. But whatever goal I set myself, in the back of my mind is the fact that come what may, I am determined to break 4 hours. So all I have to do is shave off a miserly 21 seconds from my Chicago time I will have done it. Doesn't seem too bad does it? But I will say this FLM 2006 is for me to be enjoyed and I am already determined not to put myself under pressure.

Have just booked up hotel accomodation in London for the night before FLM for myself and Mrs. B. Staying at Holiday Inn, Mayfair which is approx 1km walk from the finish. I recommend it as a reasonable priced hotel and very close to the Mall. Also bang in the centre of town.

Trying to stay positive

..................but it is not easy. Funny that I find it easier to be positive after a few glasses of vino tinto. I think that the best way to get through the next few days is to treat it as a holiday from training - few glasses of wine, the odd chocolate bar, relaxing by the pool, watching Celebrity Big Brother - you know the score. Hey Bedders, just enjoy yourself! I am aiming to be fit to run again in 10 days time so I keep telling myself that if my leg improves 10% each day that should do it. It's amazing what you can persuade yourself to think.

Now here comes the dodgy pic taken by Mrs B. This pic should be called "calf in ice pack". Hmm not sure David Bailey has got much to worry about but all the same I have to say that it is, I am sure you agree, a fantsatic calf "pic". Albeit knackered. And while it will not win "sexy calf of the year" then at least you get another view of our rug that Patches the dog was sitting on a few weeks ago! Why is it that all blog pics have ridiculous backgrounds?!!

First day of not running

While this is supposed to be a blog about running and training for the London Marathon, I am afraid that for the next week it will be the ramblings of a very unhappy injured runner. And, believe me, runners who should be training but can't are not happy people. I just hope that over the next 10 days or so, the weather is truely miserable, raining, cold, snowy etc, so then I will not feel quite as bad.

However, it does give me time to get my blog up to date and generally more fun. Expect new features, links and other things.

The hope of course is that I have been running pretty much seriously for 6 weeks (after taking a break of 8 weeks from running the Chicago Marathon) so I do have at least a decent base from which to pick up from. But I wonder how long it takes to loose that base? Hopefully I won't find out. The other thing is that having asked people to sponsor me there is this nagging worry in my mind that I have a responsibility to run FLM. Before at Berlin or Chicago it didn't matter so much if I did not run as it was only for me, but this time, it's different and that puts a different pressure on you.

I just hope this injury is one that goes after a week or so. I have two more physio sessions booked and am not running (in fact I am having trouble walking without a limp) until I feel fine. That will still leave me time for at least another 12 weeks of preparation for FLM.

Physio update

I am going to take a tactical break from training - or in other words, I cannot run for around a week. I have been told by KB that I have to put this up on the blog "otherwise people do not know what is happening". Cheers!

How do injuries like this occur? One minute you're flying, next minute back down to earth with a bang. Also as you get older the longer these injuries take to heal - so what a few years ago would be a mild inconvenience is now a full blown problem. So, week four into the Hal Higdon 18 week program will be a rest week. I can't even pretend to be anything else but extremely frustrated.

...followed by a bad evening's training.

Tempting fate eh? So this evening I go for a 10km run and blow my right calf. I am so p****d. I knew that my right calf wasn't totally right, but you tend to run through the odd pain. I massaged my leg before I went out tonight, and within 5 km I knew I was in trouble. The unfortunate point was that I was 5km into a 10km run - so I had to get home again. Thankfully, I had the foresight this afternoon to book up a physio appointment for tomorrow morning at 07:00 (I must have the hardest working physio on the planet). So I'll see what he says. But I reckon that having iced it tonight I am looking at at least a week of rest. Damm. It was all going so well. Short blog as I am not happy.

A good weekend's training

It's always good to report a successful series of training runs (because there are a fair share of bad ones!). Friday night was rest (and I rested very well with a couple of glasses of decent red wine) and Saturday and today were successful training days. Good weather, 8km at pace on Saturday (av HR 154) and today, 13km at, av HR 135. In summary around 2000 calories burned off so that makes it sound even more of a success!. Have actually lost 0.7kg from last week, so, although, still over weight, going in the right direction. Planning on going out this afternoon to an art gallery in The Hague, and having to do a great deal of bribing to get Bedders Juniors interested.

To pizza or not to pizza? - that is the question

Firstly a big apology to everyone who receieved my rather impersonal email today about helping me and Mrs. B raise money for Cystic Fibrosis. I apologise because I never like sending emails that are not personally addressed. I hope you will all understand. But a great big thank you to those people who have already pledged money. I really mean it when I say every single Euro, pound or dollar (indeed every currency) makes a massive difference. And it kind of makes training runs like tonight worth it.

Got back from work and went straight out on a 6km run (for those who are interested, it took 31 mins, my HR average was 136 and I burned just over 230 calories) and during the run I was thinking that we are already over 10% of the way to our target which is fantastic. Now here comes a dilemma. I burn 230 calories by running for 30 mins and I get back, feeling very hungry to find Bedders Juniors have left two small slices of pizza from their dinner in the kitchen. So the question is, do I eat a slice knowing that my net gain on the run is nil or am I feeling virtuous, ignore the pizza, throw it away and go straight to the tap water? The answer is of course obvious - I am a highly tuned athlete, need I say more......................Oh, and just in case you don't believe me about going for a run this evening, here is a photo of me taken when I got back (before I ate the pizza!).

Wind, rain and the start to training week 3

After recovering from Sunday's 18km, I went back out yesterday for 6km to be followed tonight by a somewhat quicker 8km. The heart rate monitor is a great distraction but very difficult to read when it is raining and pitch black at night. Handy therefore that you can rely on the irritating beeping noise that lets you know when you are over the zone.

Made the fatal mistake of weighing myself last night and could not believe that I had put on nearly 2kg since late November. So, between now and April I have to loose around 5kg - that will get me to about 1kg lower than my Chicago weight. I was hoping for a little lower but unless I starve myself between now and then I cannot see how I can lose more than 5kg in the time left. And even that seems tough.

The fund raising is about to start and over the next few weeks I will be contacting everyone I know to see if they can help me and Mrs. B raise money for Cystic Fibrosis Trust (CF). Every Euro will help.

CB builds a snowman

Couldn't miss the chance to show CB and her snowman that she made all on her own. Nice one Loobie!! Just a shame that I don't take photos that well...

Mileage up as snow melts

Happy New Year! After a quiet New Years Eve last night, was ready to run at 10.00 this morning.

A successful couple of days. 9 km at pace yesterday (using my new toy the HRM, I ran at between 150-155) and a further 18 km today at easy pace (141 max HR). So training plan on target.

A bit of a sad day in the Bedders household as Patches the dog that we were dogsitting, goes back to it's rightful owners after they returned from holiday today. KB is quite attached and while CB was never really comfortable in the dog's company, Mrs B clearly liked having the dog around. As for me I surprised myself a bit - I am not a dog lover and never really will be, this one was certainly a nice breed (something like a Dutch hooienhondtje) and good company in front of the fire.

Rest day tomorrow - pic of patches-the-dog left.