Wednesday 28th November (Week 9)

Good evening world. 

This morning was a bad morning. I went to bed late last night after an evening at the Amex eating pie and watching kickball, setting my alarm for 6 this morning...

I decided that it's about time I started running in the light as that is when I will actually be DOING the mission. I came up with the idea of running before work; not sure why I went for today, but so so...

Turns out it's STILL not light at half 6! Anyway, getting up was horrendous (but helped by good ol' Radio 6). I managed another 5(ish) miles this morning but it was freezing and it made it hard to breathe; it also didn't help that I barely had dinner last night OR breakfast before I went, so my sugar levels were low and the "passing-out" feeling was looming over me. DON'T WORRY GUYS, I DIDN'T 

Route for Wednesday Week 9: 4.89 miles, 45 minutes.

Estimated Marathon Completion Time: Probably somewhere around 6 hours

On another note, I'd like to mention yet another item of clothing that does not suit running of my standard. If any of you own a Prostar baselayer, do NOT wear it running. I felt like a right tw** as it rides up your belly rolls abs and ends up quite tight around belly button height, thus reducing the ability to breathe. On top of the cold weather, this is not something that you want... 

I took this picture of myself (ahem) wearing said garment:

And a photo without it for Alex Durrant:

Week's 8 and 9

HELLO! 

I'd like to apologise profusely for the lack of 'action' on the blog. It's been partly due to the laziness of myself and the other part due to my extremely busy schedule. This weekend I had a very important meeting with a Christmas market in Nottingham and last week I was just plain old lackadaisical...

The weekend was fun though; sorted all Christmas presents bar one.., ate lots of tasty food, got a little tiddly after half a bottle of wine, half watched a film, ate lots of sweets, had 3 poo's, went to the cinema, almost bought another onesie, ate horrible risotto then good cheesecake, and drove around 400 miles. 

I also got to see this lovely site, and then again in about 30 freeze frame slowmo photo's on my phone...

I was also shown round an exhibition at Nottingham contemporary which was pretty cool. It was full of lots of sequinned flags and paintings from Haiti about voodoo and the history of Haiti. This was one of the coolest pieces:

And there was a sculpture that represented a man giving birth. SCARY SHIT.

But anyway, I know why you guys followed the link, you all want to know how I'm doing right?!

Well..

I ran once last week, on Wednesday - a big one. It hurt quite a lot actually; fortunately no pant problems then though. Here is my route:

Route for Wednesday Week 8: 8.07 miles, 75 minutes.

Estimated Marathon Completion Time: Maybe under 6 hours

So yeah, not bad eh. 

And then moving on to this week, I have been out tonight after 5 days of no exercise. I seem to have been smoking in my sleep or someone has been shrinking my lungs whilst I'm not looking... I CAN'T BREATHE AGAIN. Fuck. Maybe I just need to go out more often. But anyway, I managed 4 and a half so not all bad. But I MUST get myself out there more often this week (please stop raining and being cold). Here is my route anyway:

Route for Monday Week 9: 4.48 miles, 40 minutes.

Estimated Marathon Completion Time: Probably somewhere around 6 hours

Oh and I forgot to mention, my pants were yet again the wrong choice (apparently). I'm not going to photograph these ones though I'm afraid as they are currently sweaty and disgusting...(unless I get any special requests). My "inner-thighs" feel like they've been scraped by sandpaper over and over. Think I need to buy more Vaseline. 

Well for now, that's all folks...

Actually, I have one more special feature for you guys this week as I found these lovely photo's:

Isn't she just beautiful?!

PEACE OUT CHUMS xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Wednesday 13th November (Week 7)

Hello friends. I am great, thanks for asking. The running is getting easier by the day. Taking a day off today to rest my legs for football tomorrow, but managed 6 and a half miles yesterday. Here is my route:

Route for Tuesday Week 7: 6.56 miles, 60 minutes.

Estimated Marathon Completion Time: Maybe under 6 hours

I've decided that I would like some more support with my running, so I am going to be asking for advice for a new blog "feature", which will start in a couple of weeks time.. I would also appreciate people honking me/shouting at me when I'm running - supportive and constructive criticism only please.

Au revoir for now mes amis.

Monday 12th November (Week 7)

So I'm now 7 weeks in. Crazy! Struggled with another week without running but so so...

Another trip to Nottingham though which was FUNNN; I saw Father Christmas, his reindeer and a lady ironing steak and ate my weight's worth of wagamama's, pizza express and roast dinners. I did take my running gear with me but didn't manage a run - mainly due to the shitty feeling in my belly.

But I digress...

Here is a hilarious shot of a reindeer and a photo of Father Christmas and his "helpers":

We also went to a Performance Art evening which was interesting to say the least. There was a cheap bar, a room where you had to throw shots of white lightning at cardboard triangles, a lady with a standing outside with a cone on her head, people drawing, a band who faced backwards but had masks on the back of their heads, a man playing a banjolele singing about werewolves, a lady forcing herself to drink salty milk so she threw up everywhere whilst staring at the audience and forcing them to eat gingerbread, and my favourite: a lady dancing and ironing steak. Her she is in all her glory:

Back to the running...

Today I thought I'd struggle but not too bad. Back to the usual 5 or so miles. Need to keep on top of it this week! The trainers are doing wonders for my feet it seems.

Route for Monday Week 7: 4.78 miles, 45 minutes.

Estimated Marathon Completion Time: Maybe under 6 hours

Sunday 4th November (Week 5)

Evening all. Running this afternoon was tough as expected. The copious amounts of fast food that has passed my lips in the last 2 weeks has undoubtedly had an effect to the rate at which I am running. This run did however give me a chance to test out the new gear!

Yesterday I decided that it was about time to buy some ACTUAL running shoes...

And here they are, say hello to my Brooks Ghost 5 Trainers (they even sound cool)

They were a bit pricey though and wangled a deal with my running partner in order to accept them as an early Christmas present. Tidy.

Next item of the new gear, a new baselayer. With the evenings getting darker (well daylight being non-existent), I have purchased a fluorescent one. Nike n all.

Yeah. I do look good in it.

And a fluorescent hat...

And finally, an armstrap for my phone. This has now become an essential item as I cannot hear my breathing and can listen to some music to take my mind off of the running:

I got very excited about wearing all my new bits and a little hesitant about actually going running. I did eventually manage to force myself outside in the cold and it resulted in a shattering 4 mile run. Not bad I suppose considering my lack of effort over the last two weeks. 

Felt a bit like this though:

Need to up ma game from now on. This week will hopefully bring a couple more runs, maybe I'll try a different route, in a different place...

And here's my route for those that care!

Route for Sunday Week 5: 4.14 miles, 35 minutes.

Estimated Marathon Completion Time: Maybe under 6 hours!

On another note, I am currently selling a couple of bits on eBay. If anybody would like to purchase/bid on any of the items below, I (and Larry) would be eternally grateful!

Thanking you in advance...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pauls-Boutique-Cream-Maisy-Bag-/251175834567?pt=UK_Women_s_Handbags&hash=item3a7b3f13c7

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Further-Mathematics-for-the-Physical-Sciences-/251178946696?pt=Non_Fiction&hash=item3a7b6e9088

Week's 4 and 5

Sorry for the lack of update folks; been a busy couple of weeks. Unfortunately the running has not been going as well as I'd have like it to, but hey-ho...

The last couple of weeks have been fun though; a trip to London, gig in Nottingham, cake baking, an evening at the Amex and a hell of a lot of fast food. I definitely feel the need to get back into the exercise regime.

Oh and a tattoo!

I have discovered that I have a talent for baking. CHECK THESE OUT

Then we took a road trip to Nottingham. Caroline had never had a Burger King before so bought 2...

And then we saw Clock Opera in the evening; they were so SO GOOD

And to finish it off Lokamotiv Simmonds managed their first clean sheet of the season with a stunning 0-0 draw with Ramsey, so we went for celebratory drinks to discuss next week and cage-fighting chickens.

With regards to the running (and purpose of this blog), I am going out this afternoon for a run, I will update you AVID readers when I am back...