Everything back to normal

A long run on a Sunday of 31km (3:09:18, av HR 137), CB smelling nice again, KB's friend gone back to UK after staying over and Mrs. B getting ready for her long run tomorrow - as I say everything back to normal.

We ran today into the teeth of a howling gale (well, it felt like it) for 15km then turned around with the wind behind us. It makes such a difference getting a gentle push from behind for the last hour and a half. But we ran so far away from where we live it felt as if we were foreigners. I don't even drive that far for a day out, but think nothing of running it.

Travelling on business for the next two days and taking a good day's rest tomorrow. Roll on next Sunday's 32 km. No problem........apart from the aching achillies, stiff knee, stressed thighs, a leaky water bottle and the fact that I have run out of jelly babies.

A gentle reminder.....

For those following this blog thanks for the comments both on and offline. It makes a difference. Can I just mentioned two things. Firstly I ran another 8km last night but for some reason my HR monitor did not work so amazingly I had a heart rate of nil for the entire run. And I feel surprisingly good for it.

And the second thing is that if you are reading this and intend to help us raise money for CF Trust which is our chosen charity for the London Marathon, please use this link and go there now!!!! You don't think Mrs B and I are doing all this training in the wind, rain, cold etc for fun do you? click here and any amount you can donate is really appreciated.

Many thanks and have a great weekend.

A successful if somewhat smelly week

Apart from the wind and cold, and the fact that as the week draws to an end, CB smells more and more like the horses that she is riding every day, it's been quite a successful training week. 8km yesterday at pace (av HR 147) and just finished a 12km run (av HR 137, 1:10:12). Have to say that I thought this weather was supposed to become more mild but it isn't and looks set for a windy weekend. Nevermind.

See picture above of a horse taking CB for a walk.

Weighed myself and came in at 78 kgs which for me is fab. Until of course I told Mrs. B who engaging in her own style of pre Flora London Marathon physcological warfare, made me feel a whole lot better by telling me that of course I was lighter I had just finished a run. "drink some water and you will soon be back up in weight. I can loose 2kg on a long run". I half expected her to finish off with a "so there!!". Still I don't believe her because if that were true after about 30 long runs on the basis of loosing 2kg per run, she would practically disappear.

Can you tell me the way?

Why is it that car drivers see runners as a cheap and alternative source of directions when they are lost? I must have been stopped at least three times in the last week by drivers wanting to know where x was, or how could they get to x. I had to say in my best Dutch that as I was around 10km from where I lived (obviously showing off!) I had no idea. Actually that has been true - but more importantly it's windy, cold and threatening to rain so the last thing you want to do is engage in a conversation with someone who is nicely warm and cosy in their car trying to decifer where they want to go. Sorry, next time stop a walker who is wrapped up against the elements and typically can't wait to start a conversation - leave runners alone as they are running for a reason. That is, they want to get home as quickly as possible!

Ran 13 km tonight as I felt good (1:16:03, ave HR 147). If the training goes like this for the rest of the 8 weeks then I will be delighted.

KB got her first set of contact lenses today and is well made up.

CB had her second day at Pony Camp and is equally made up (and a little smelly if the truth be known). Still nothing that a good hosing down in the shower doesn't cure.

Jelly babies

A succesful weekend of running with 9km on Saturday and 20km today. However, I still feel as if there is a considerable way to go before I feel really fit - actually I felt decidedly tired today and am looking forward to a day off tomorrow. Last time I was in UK I bought myself a bag of Jelly Babies and took a few in my pocket for my run today. What a treat - whilst I didn't have time to decide what colour to eat and to chew off their head first, as you did when you were younger, I had forgotten how good they tasted. You should have seen CB's face when she saw me pocketing a few before I went out. "why are you taking sweets with you on your run Dad?". As I told her, even adults sometimes need to eat sweets.......I didn't really want to get into the long-run-blood-sugar-level debate with a 7 year old.

Spring is on the way and the weather is feeling a lot less cold which makes the long runs more pleasurable. In fact it was so nice today that we launched our boat after it had been up on our decking all winter and took it for a spin up to the lake and back again. I call it a boat and I suppose that is what it is but it is only a 3m dingy affair with a small outboard motor - still it gets us up and down the river without getting wet. Bedders Juniors are pressing me to buy a new boat for 2006 so we shall see.

Anyone want to play shops?

Friday night, straight off the plane and ran 11km (59:22, HR 147) so very pleased and no longer feeling guilty. See, it doesn't last long! Bit of a dilemma today as I am supposed to crank out 6km then a 19km tomorrow and not sure if I feel good enough to turn them around as the weather is so nice. We shall see.

CB wants to play shops - anyone want to join us?

Feeling guilty

I really must get a grip of myself. I know that this marathon training can become a little over bearing and all consuming, but I am sitting here in a hotel in Budapest, having not bought my running gear and getting angry that I have missed a chance to run. Even though I have promised myself a run tomorrow night when I get back to Holland, the fact that I have an evening without running just doesn't feel right. I have not missed a training session for a few weeks now and even though by running tomorrow I will complete this weeks kms I still feel as if I have missed a chance to run.

A planned 6km tomorrow, 11 km on Saturday and a sharp 23km on Sunday and I will looking forward to a rest day. Mad isn't it. When the rest day comes the temptation to run is even greater.

I was reading yesterday on a runnersworld forum click here of a lady that has not yet started training for Flora London marathon yet and wondered if it was too late. Not too late if she intends to walk I suppose but a bit risky I would say if she intends to run.