The last few days have been pretty hard
As the training miles slowly decrease I am beginning to feel a little bit tired. Yesterday’s run was one of the hardest we have done and I really struggled to keep up. The previous day’s 12 miles was, comparably, easy, so I chalked yesterday’s run up to fatigue and a late night. Today’s cross-training was something to be endured rather than enjoyed and I seem to be needing a good night’s sleep before the run on Wednesday.
However, on a positive note I am now lighter than I have been since I was 16 and am close to the weight we predicted for the race all those months ago. My diet has improved so much recently that I am really feeling the positive benefit and this has impacted on my running. I still enjoy the odd beer and crave a cheeseburger now and again but I am definitely feeling better.
In a way it almost seems sad that the training is coming to an end as this has been such a massive part of my life for the last year. It seems hard to think that in a month this will all be done and dusted and I can get back to lifting weights.
Aside from being a year older and hopefully wiser I have learnt a lot about myself running and working so closely with Trevor. It has been a remarkable year and I am now itching to get out on the ice and really prove myself over this gruelling yet compelling distance.
Sunday, March 4th, 2012, Philip and Trevor will be running across the frozen ice surface of the world’s largest, oldest and deepest lake, Lake Baikal in Siberia. It's generally considered one of the 10 toughest marathons in the world. Philip and Trevor are running in support of Iain Rennie Hospice at Home, a charity offering specialist and supportive care and advice for patients with cancer and other life threatening illnesses in their homes.
Monday, 30 January 2012
Monday, 23 January 2012
Philip's Update
Today was another 8 miles in the bank.
I have come to realise that it is not the long, 17 and 20 mile, runs that hurt but the getting up at the crack of dawn a few days later and running another 8. Trust me, as much as I love my running and the preparation 5am on a Monday morning is a time best spent in bed, not limbering up whilst my porridge cooks.
However, the run itself, was mostly pleasant and I was soon back in the car, listening to some Lucinda Williams and feeling at one with the world. Ideally, I need 13 miles or so to really relax but eight miles is a good start.
It is hard to believe that we are only 5 week away from Siberia. Almost a year of my life has gone by and now, most of the hard work, has been done. Of course, I still need to work every day on my fitness and diet but mentally I am prepared to run the race. The last two twenty mile runs have given me that little bit of confidence which was lacking. Trevor has been outstanding, kicking me when I needed it, offering words of encouragement when I needed them and generally being incredibly supportive and motivating. Without his encouragement none of this would have been possible.
I have come to realise that it is not the long, 17 and 20 mile, runs that hurt but the getting up at the crack of dawn a few days later and running another 8. Trust me, as much as I love my running and the preparation 5am on a Monday morning is a time best spent in bed, not limbering up whilst my porridge cooks.
However, the run itself, was mostly pleasant and I was soon back in the car, listening to some Lucinda Williams and feeling at one with the world. Ideally, I need 13 miles or so to really relax but eight miles is a good start.
It is hard to believe that we are only 5 week away from Siberia. Almost a year of my life has gone by and now, most of the hard work, has been done. Of course, I still need to work every day on my fitness and diet but mentally I am prepared to run the race. The last two twenty mile runs have given me that little bit of confidence which was lacking. Trevor has been outstanding, kicking me when I needed it, offering words of encouragement when I needed them and generally being incredibly supportive and motivating. Without his encouragement none of this would have been possible.
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Another 20 miles
20 miles in the bag Boom!
Early start today, needed to get out and get the run in before class, so up at 5, smallbreakfast of porridge then off to meet Philip at 5.50.
The garmin watch did not want to load this morning, obviously the watch thought it was too early to work as well. We were met with windy but mild weather, can not believe how lucky we have been, although some cold weather running or snow would have been useful for where we are going.
Several laps of Bicester had been planned, these were tweaked so that as much as possible was with the wind, but cannt have it that way always otherwise we would have ended up in Buckingham.
In the end we were just short of 20 miles, the watch said 19.7 miles, close enough, 3hrs 20 mins, average pace 10.09, perfect pace for long training runs.
It's a nice feeling knowing that another 20 mile run is done..
Philip did amazingly well again, constantly impressing me with his dedication, although I think secretly we both wish the race was only a couple of weeks away now.
Only 5 weeks to go......
Trevor
Early start today, needed to get out and get the run in before class, so up at 5, smallbreakfast of porridge then off to meet Philip at 5.50.
The garmin watch did not want to load this morning, obviously the watch thought it was too early to work as well. We were met with windy but mild weather, can not believe how lucky we have been, although some cold weather running or snow would have been useful for where we are going.
Several laps of Bicester had been planned, these were tweaked so that as much as possible was with the wind, but cannt have it that way always otherwise we would have ended up in Buckingham.
In the end we were just short of 20 miles, the watch said 19.7 miles, close enough, 3hrs 20 mins, average pace 10.09, perfect pace for long training runs.
It's a nice feeling knowing that another 20 mile run is done..
Philip did amazingly well again, constantly impressing me with his dedication, although I think secretly we both wish the race was only a couple of weeks away now.
Only 5 weeks to go......
Trevor
Thursday, 19 January 2012
update
Here we are 2/3 of the week done, feeling tired this week, a gentle cross training session on Monday, 3 miles on Tuesday, 7.25 miles on Wednesday, 1hr of Kettlebell training today, I think I need more sleep. (note to self "stop moaning").
Tomorrow a little run first thing, then a massage, I think my legs need it.
Then to Saturdays gentle run, a mere 20 miles, starting at the nice early time of 6 am.
The only good thing that I can think of is that it will be done in time for me to teach Kettlebell class ( now that could be interesting )
2 more weeks of long run training left then we can taper.... Baikal Ice Marathon is coming round very quick..
Will let you know how we get on, on Saturday
Trevor
Tomorrow a little run first thing, then a massage, I think my legs need it.
Then to Saturdays gentle run, a mere 20 miles, starting at the nice early time of 6 am.
The only good thing that I can think of is that it will be done in time for me to teach Kettlebell class ( now that could be interesting )
2 more weeks of long run training left then we can taper.... Baikal Ice Marathon is coming round very quick..
Will let you know how we get on, on Saturday
Trevor
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Tuesday's Run
Just been out for a three mile run.
I remember when I used to love three miles. It was enough to tire me out and leave me with a huge feeling of accomplishment. Now, rather sadly, it just annoys me. It is too short to really relax and enjoy it but too long to do real speed work over. It is almost a nothing run…though, as I can hear steam coming out of Trevor’s ears from the other side of town as I write this, it is good to iron out the kinks and get the body ready for some longer runs.
On Sunday we ran a half marathon. It was a beautiful, wintery day and perfect for running. I felt tired after having travelled back from aboard the previous night, but it was still wonderful to be out. As ever, mainly as I am not a runner, it took a few miles to relax and get into the run but I was soon lost in my own little world oblivious to the miles passing. This, although spiritually rewarding and terribly therapeutic, did lead to my annoy Trevor to the point when he shouted at me as I almost tripped him up several times or ran him in front of cars.
Later, back at home, in a long hot bath and feeling somewhat smug, because I had knocked four and a bit minutes off my PB for The Half…I thought that without Trevor and his input life would have been very different. He might not appreciate the continual references to my dentist when we run past the surgery, my singing, my inability to run in a straight line or my unwillingness to listen but I appreciate him all the more for this.
I don’t think either of us will miss the 6am starts and long wintery runs when we are all done and dusted with the marathon but I shall certainly miss that feeling of being out and about, running about the countryside with such a good friend come April.
I remember when I used to love three miles. It was enough to tire me out and leave me with a huge feeling of accomplishment. Now, rather sadly, it just annoys me. It is too short to really relax and enjoy it but too long to do real speed work over. It is almost a nothing run…though, as I can hear steam coming out of Trevor’s ears from the other side of town as I write this, it is good to iron out the kinks and get the body ready for some longer runs.
On Sunday we ran a half marathon. It was a beautiful, wintery day and perfect for running. I felt tired after having travelled back from aboard the previous night, but it was still wonderful to be out. As ever, mainly as I am not a runner, it took a few miles to relax and get into the run but I was soon lost in my own little world oblivious to the miles passing. This, although spiritually rewarding and terribly therapeutic, did lead to my annoy Trevor to the point when he shouted at me as I almost tripped him up several times or ran him in front of cars.
Later, back at home, in a long hot bath and feeling somewhat smug, because I had knocked four and a bit minutes off my PB for The Half…I thought that without Trevor and his input life would have been very different. He might not appreciate the continual references to my dentist when we run past the surgery, my singing, my inability to run in a straight line or my unwillingness to listen but I appreciate him all the more for this.
I don’t think either of us will miss the 6am starts and long wintery runs when we are all done and dusted with the marathon but I shall certainly miss that feeling of being out and about, running about the countryside with such a good friend come April.
Monday, 16 January 2012
Trevor's Update
Another week of training has passed, getting back to normal now after the Christmas break. It takes time!
This week we have achieved the following:-
Monday 5 miles
Tuesday 5 miles
Wednesday 5 miles
Thursday 1 hr of Kettlebell training
Friday 8 miles
Saturday Rest Day
Sunday 13.2 miles
This was an amazing run considering we are in training for Baikal Ice Marathonin 7 weeks time, we stuck to our strategy of running 9 minutes and walking 1 minute, doing this works and we managed to knock 4 minutes of Philip's half marathon personal best.
This is an amazing achievement for Philip and it shows how well his training is going.
I would also like to thank Multipower for their support in providing supplements to both Philip and I so that our bodies are fuelled and we recover properly as well.
This is a great help to both of us.
Looking forward to next weeks training schedule which starts Monday morning at 6am with an hour of gentle cross training.
Trevor
This week we have achieved the following:-
Monday 5 miles
Tuesday 5 miles
Wednesday 5 miles
Thursday 1 hr of Kettlebell training
Friday 8 miles
Saturday Rest Day
Sunday 13.2 miles
This was an amazing run considering we are in training for Baikal Ice Marathonin 7 weeks time, we stuck to our strategy of running 9 minutes and walking 1 minute, doing this works and we managed to knock 4 minutes of Philip's half marathon personal best.
This is an amazing achievement for Philip and it shows how well his training is going.
I would also like to thank Multipower for their support in providing supplements to both Philip and I so that our bodies are fuelled and we recover properly as well.
This is a great help to both of us.
Looking forward to next weeks training schedule which starts Monday morning at 6am with an hour of gentle cross training.
Trevor
Saturday, 7 January 2012
How to Train for a Marathon – a Beginners guide.
How to Train for a Marathon – a Beginners guide.
Ok, so it’s new year and you decide you want to loose a few pounds ,get fit and train for a marathon. The New Year hangover has gone, you have a new pair of running shoes and are all set to go….all you need is some advice from someone who has been there before…
1. Forget it. Find something less demanding to do, like dodging the traffic on the M40, sword swallowing or building models of American Presidents from matchsticks. Almost anything you can possibly thing of is easier than marathron training.
2. Begin to ignore all of your friends. When the training kicks in you won’t have time for anything aside from running, eating, washing sweaty gym kit and planning the next run so you might as well start now.
3. Learn the talk. Start every conversation with the miles you ran that day, the time you did it and, if possible, how heroic you looked in your lycra. Look disdainfully at non-runners and turn every conversation around to personal bests, carb-loading and the taste of gels.
4. Throw away every cookery book you own. You will be permanently hungry and meal times will be a struggle to throw enough calories down your throat to power the next day’s run. You will eat on quinoa, pasta and chicken breasts.
5. Throw away almost all your clothes in the wardrobe as almost nothing will soon fit you and also because 80% of the time you will be in running gear anyway. Under no circumstances should you purchase clothes half way through the training or the local charity shop will soon become your best friend.
6. Give up work. It’s hard to hold down a full time job when you are running 40 miles a week, plus weights, plus cross-training plus kettle bell workouts. If you don’t give up work become practised in telling anyone that keeping healthy makes you a much more effective worker even though you only come in the office because you stashed a pack of gels in your bottom draw.
7. Choose a training partner you passionately hate. After countless hours out running, early mornings, cold, wet afternoons no matter who you train with will become the devil incarnate so best cut this step out and start to hate your training partner from day one.
If you follow these simple rules I can more or less guarantee that you will soon be out there, running 20 miles, feeling like the world was created for your own, personal enjoyment and feeling fitter, healthier and happier than you ever though possible.
Ok, so it’s new year and you decide you want to loose a few pounds ,get fit and train for a marathon. The New Year hangover has gone, you have a new pair of running shoes and are all set to go….all you need is some advice from someone who has been there before…
1. Forget it. Find something less demanding to do, like dodging the traffic on the M40, sword swallowing or building models of American Presidents from matchsticks. Almost anything you can possibly thing of is easier than marathron training.
2. Begin to ignore all of your friends. When the training kicks in you won’t have time for anything aside from running, eating, washing sweaty gym kit and planning the next run so you might as well start now.
3. Learn the talk. Start every conversation with the miles you ran that day, the time you did it and, if possible, how heroic you looked in your lycra. Look disdainfully at non-runners and turn every conversation around to personal bests, carb-loading and the taste of gels.
4. Throw away every cookery book you own. You will be permanently hungry and meal times will be a struggle to throw enough calories down your throat to power the next day’s run. You will eat on quinoa, pasta and chicken breasts.
5. Throw away almost all your clothes in the wardrobe as almost nothing will soon fit you and also because 80% of the time you will be in running gear anyway. Under no circumstances should you purchase clothes half way through the training or the local charity shop will soon become your best friend.
6. Give up work. It’s hard to hold down a full time job when you are running 40 miles a week, plus weights, plus cross-training plus kettle bell workouts. If you don’t give up work become practised in telling anyone that keeping healthy makes you a much more effective worker even though you only come in the office because you stashed a pack of gels in your bottom draw.
7. Choose a training partner you passionately hate. After countless hours out running, early mornings, cold, wet afternoons no matter who you train with will become the devil incarnate so best cut this step out and start to hate your training partner from day one.
If you follow these simple rules I can more or less guarantee that you will soon be out there, running 20 miles, feeling like the world was created for your own, personal enjoyment and feeling fitter, healthier and happier than you ever though possible.
Trevor's Update
Philip's longest run - ever...
20 miles done, hats of to Philip as it was probably his best run to date.
We were greeted with good weather, no wind and to start with blue sky, are we sure it's January! I keep telling Philip we will get bad weather to train in but at the moment it will when we get to Siberia..
Then it will be a shock.
Back to today's run, we continued with our training plan of run 9 minutes then walk 1 minute and this seems to be working. We ran a 7 mile lap around Bicester ( I had thought we might do 3 laps, but changed my mind) so after a quick stop at The Fitness Company to pick up some water and more gels then we set off out past Wye Vale Garden centre,
down past the stables and out to the Merton Road, here we took a left into Ambrosden, cut across to Blackthorn, across the main road and into Launton, then back into Bicester to finish off.
That's it 20 miles done. As I said earlier Philip' s longest run.
Now we move on to tomorrows workout which is a gentle 1 hr of cross training and then it starts again on Monday.
Speak soon Trevor
20 miles done, hats of to Philip as it was probably his best run to date.
We were greeted with good weather, no wind and to start with blue sky, are we sure it's January! I keep telling Philip we will get bad weather to train in but at the moment it will when we get to Siberia..
Then it will be a shock.
Back to today's run, we continued with our training plan of run 9 minutes then walk 1 minute and this seems to be working. We ran a 7 mile lap around Bicester ( I had thought we might do 3 laps, but changed my mind) so after a quick stop at The Fitness Company to pick up some water and more gels then we set off out past Wye Vale Garden centre,
down past the stables and out to the Merton Road, here we took a left into Ambrosden, cut across to Blackthorn, across the main road and into Launton, then back into Bicester to finish off.
That's it 20 miles done. As I said earlier Philip' s longest run.
Now we move on to tomorrows workout which is a gentle 1 hr of cross training and then it starts again on Monday.
Speak soon Trevor
Trevor's Update
Welcome to my world!!!
I'm getting to the point where holidays are a waste of time, I always come back from holiday with a cold or get a cold whilst away. WHAT'S THE POINT.
Does mother nature not know that I have a very difficult marathon coming up.....
It is now 8 weeks to go, which is scary, which also in 5 weeks time the majority of the training will be done and tapering will have set in..
Where has the time gone?
Christmas was meant to have been cold weather training, with running in the Yak Trax grips to get practice, bloody global warming, there was a bit on snow and ice when we arrived and on the last day, not what was needed.
Which means that it will be certainly entering the unknown when when we travel to Lake Baikal.
I have been forced to take a couple of days off this week, due to my cold, but have managed an 8 mile run yesterday, 4 miles today and have got 20 miles tomorrow which will be Philip's furthest distance.
This marathon is coming round very quick, although an amazing challenge at the moment, it feels like a big black cloud on the horizon...(or should that be a big white cloud)
On a positive note Philip is doing amazingly well, sticking to his training program, so if it's effort and dedication then we will be fine.
Trevor
I'm getting to the point where holidays are a waste of time, I always come back from holiday with a cold or get a cold whilst away. WHAT'S THE POINT.
Does mother nature not know that I have a very difficult marathon coming up.....
It is now 8 weeks to go, which is scary, which also in 5 weeks time the majority of the training will be done and tapering will have set in..
Where has the time gone?
Christmas was meant to have been cold weather training, with running in the Yak Trax grips to get practice, bloody global warming, there was a bit on snow and ice when we arrived and on the last day, not what was needed.
Which means that it will be certainly entering the unknown when when we travel to Lake Baikal.
I have been forced to take a couple of days off this week, due to my cold, but have managed an 8 mile run yesterday, 4 miles today and have got 20 miles tomorrow which will be Philip's furthest distance.
This marathon is coming round very quick, although an amazing challenge at the moment, it feels like a big black cloud on the horizon...(or should that be a big white cloud)
On a positive note Philip is doing amazingly well, sticking to his training program, so if it's effort and dedication then we will be fine.
Trevor
Sunday, 1 January 2012
Happy New Year
Despite the festive season training continues.
With Trevor away I have been down in Kent trying to keep motivated.
I have followed the schedule laid down for me and am beginning to feel somewhat confident, not least as I put a solid 18 miles under my belt this weekend. Today’s eight miles was simply divine – rain like stair rods, a biting wind and floods. It was fantastic to test myself against the elements and put in a decent time for the distance.
However, training has been bittersweet. Almost every run has taken my past places that remind me of my dad and whilst everyone was raising a glass of cheer I felt a palatable sadness. Today as I ran past the church where we held his funeral I simply couldn’t not resist shouting some good natured abuse of the ‘I am bloody cold, soaking wet, tired and miserable…are you up there laughing at me?’ type.
I have run pas the pub we used to drink, the police station where he used to work and countless other places that have a significance. Each run has been harder than the last as the memories pile up. Sometimes even pulling
on my shoes was difficult enough.
However, today, as I ran down through the village and out into the country, on rolling hills , I had to allow myself a wry grin. I remembered that just over a year ago I had run to the bottom of the village and then limped back home exhausted. Today I sped through there singing rude songs and really didn’t feel even slightly tired for another hour. This to me is a real achievement.
I am now very much looking forward to closing this adventure. I want to grit my teeth, finish the training and run the race. Next Christmas I plan to be staggering back from the pub, drunk as a lord, not running through flooded streets with a fistful of Gu and a head full of sadness.
With Trevor away I have been down in Kent trying to keep motivated.
I have followed the schedule laid down for me and am beginning to feel somewhat confident, not least as I put a solid 18 miles under my belt this weekend. Today’s eight miles was simply divine – rain like stair rods, a biting wind and floods. It was fantastic to test myself against the elements and put in a decent time for the distance.
However, training has been bittersweet. Almost every run has taken my past places that remind me of my dad and whilst everyone was raising a glass of cheer I felt a palatable sadness. Today as I ran past the church where we held his funeral I simply couldn’t not resist shouting some good natured abuse of the ‘I am bloody cold, soaking wet, tired and miserable…are you up there laughing at me?’ type.
I have run pas the pub we used to drink, the police station where he used to work and countless other places that have a significance. Each run has been harder than the last as the memories pile up. Sometimes even pulling
on my shoes was difficult enough.
However, today, as I ran down through the village and out into the country, on rolling hills , I had to allow myself a wry grin. I remembered that just over a year ago I had run to the bottom of the village and then limped back home exhausted. Today I sped through there singing rude songs and really didn’t feel even slightly tired for another hour. This to me is a real achievement.
I am now very much looking forward to closing this adventure. I want to grit my teeth, finish the training and run the race. Next Christmas I plan to be staggering back from the pub, drunk as a lord, not running through flooded streets with a fistful of Gu and a head full of sadness.
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