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.
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.
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
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.
Thursday, 22 December 2011
My first 17 miles
Yesterday we ran 17 miles.
It is almost impossible to believe this as I year ago I completed my first 10km run and then had to spend three days on the sofa recovering. Of course I felt a little sore yesterday and a little hungry but overall I was fine.
Running 17 miles is as much about the mind as the body and an important mind-set is critical. Yesterday I was tired, had a headache from work related stress and was in a bad mood but my mind was focused on the run and getting the job done. I ditched my watch, loaded up with gels and told myself: this is your time, make the most of it.
At ten miles I was feeling relatively fresh and content. I had really zoned out and was not thinking of anything special. I let my feet move in their natural rhythm, let me breathing calm down to something sensible and just enjoyed the run. At fifteen miles I was a little hungry but when we completed the magical seventeen miles it seemed that the run was over all too soon and that I still had some miles in the legs (which surprised me as Trevor had beasted me the day before with circuit training).
I am realistic to know that there are many more runs to do and challenges ahead but as we go into this week’s rest day I am feeling slightly more confident.
It is almost impossible to believe this as I year ago I completed my first 10km run and then had to spend three days on the sofa recovering. Of course I felt a little sore yesterday and a little hungry but overall I was fine.
Running 17 miles is as much about the mind as the body and an important mind-set is critical. Yesterday I was tired, had a headache from work related stress and was in a bad mood but my mind was focused on the run and getting the job done. I ditched my watch, loaded up with gels and told myself: this is your time, make the most of it.
At ten miles I was feeling relatively fresh and content. I had really zoned out and was not thinking of anything special. I let my feet move in their natural rhythm, let me breathing calm down to something sensible and just enjoyed the run. At fifteen miles I was a little hungry but when we completed the magical seventeen miles it seemed that the run was over all too soon and that I still had some miles in the legs (which surprised me as Trevor had beasted me the day before with circuit training).
I am realistic to know that there are many more runs to do and challenges ahead but as we go into this week’s rest day I am feeling slightly more confident.
21st December 2011
A lot has happened since my last blog. It's an interesting time of year with everyone trying to get ready for Christmas, party's everywhere and training sessions being missed, it's all part of the Christmas routine........
For Philip & I no such luxuries training has to be the priority and therefore will not be missed. So with that in mind, since my last entry on the 14th, we have completed a 15 mile run (Philip's best by far, mindset was right and everything went to plan). This was followed by an
hours worth of cross training the next day, then a rest day with a short run on sunday.
Then this week so far we have run 8 miles on Monday, 1.5 hrs of circuit training Tuesday and about to go out on a 17 mile run ( Philip's furthest distance, without driving)
I will report back on how it goes..
I have already done 4 miles today with another client.
Then a relaxing cross training session tomorrow and then I'm away for Christmas and New Year, family duties, but no rest. Trainers and Kettlebells will be put in the car, hopefully to get some cold weather training ( especially as I'm in Slovakia)Philip has his own detailed daily routine to follow so no excuses for the intensity to drop off.
When I get back in January it is all very imminent, 8 weeks to go......
I still question "how did I get roped into this challenge"
Till next time
Trevor
For Philip & I no such luxuries training has to be the priority and therefore will not be missed. So with that in mind, since my last entry on the 14th, we have completed a 15 mile run (Philip's best by far, mindset was right and everything went to plan). This was followed by an
hours worth of cross training the next day, then a rest day with a short run on sunday.
Then this week so far we have run 8 miles on Monday, 1.5 hrs of circuit training Tuesday and about to go out on a 17 mile run ( Philip's furthest distance, without driving)
I will report back on how it goes..
I have already done 4 miles today with another client.
Then a relaxing cross training session tomorrow and then I'm away for Christmas and New Year, family duties, but no rest. Trainers and Kettlebells will be put in the car, hopefully to get some cold weather training ( especially as I'm in Slovakia)Philip has his own detailed daily routine to follow so no excuses for the intensity to drop off.
When I get back in January it is all very imminent, 8 weeks to go......
I still question "how did I get roped into this challenge"
Till next time
Trevor
Thursday, 15 December 2011
Philip's Update
Training is now becoming very serious.
My life now consists of nothing more than training and trying to spend time with my family.
Since I returned from the US, last week, I have run
2 x 7 miles
1 x 4 miles
1 x 14 miles
And am about to leave for my first 15 mile run in a few hours.
Trevor still has worries about my fitness, mainly as after 13 miles I seem to struggle and is really pushing me. I have worries about the mental toughness needed to grind out the miles and this is leading me to hit the books on mental toughness, preparation and such things.
I am sure that I will be ok as each run is stronger and I feel fitter. The mind is slowly being dragged by the body now which is really the reverse of what we need. However, I feel that come next week when I have 17 miles under my belt I will be there mentally and ready to rock. Today, to see if it helps, I am going to listen to music all the way around.
My desk at home now resembles a war-room. There are notes on gels and when to use them, bits of paper with companies I need to contact for sponsorship scribbled on, a chart of the weather in Siberia and any number of inspirational quotes.
The next 12 weeks are going to change my life and by the time we get on the plane to Russia I will be fitter, stronger and more determined than I have ever been. I just hope that this is enough.
My life now consists of nothing more than training and trying to spend time with my family.
Since I returned from the US, last week, I have run
2 x 7 miles
1 x 4 miles
1 x 14 miles
And am about to leave for my first 15 mile run in a few hours.
Trevor still has worries about my fitness, mainly as after 13 miles I seem to struggle and is really pushing me. I have worries about the mental toughness needed to grind out the miles and this is leading me to hit the books on mental toughness, preparation and such things.
I am sure that I will be ok as each run is stronger and I feel fitter. The mind is slowly being dragged by the body now which is really the reverse of what we need. However, I feel that come next week when I have 17 miles under my belt I will be there mentally and ready to rock. Today, to see if it helps, I am going to listen to music all the way around.
My desk at home now resembles a war-room. There are notes on gels and when to use them, bits of paper with companies I need to contact for sponsorship scribbled on, a chart of the weather in Siberia and any number of inspirational quotes.
The next 12 weeks are going to change my life and by the time we get on the plane to Russia I will be fitter, stronger and more determined than I have ever been. I just hope that this is enough.
14th December 2011
14th December 2011
Sorry it's been a couple of weeks since my last entry, but life has been busy.
Philip is back from the USA now and training has stepped up in intensity. I have written a 7 day week training program for him right up to the Marathon ( which really is not that far away)
On his return Philip had to hit the ground running, which meant a 1 hr circuit training session, then rest day followed by 7 mile run then 14 miles the next day. He is coping well at the moment, but longer and harder days await..
The weather has been kind in training so far but colder and wetter weather is on its way..
Will keep you up to date on training
In training
Trevor
Sorry it's been a couple of weeks since my last entry, but life has been busy.
Philip is back from the USA now and training has stepped up in intensity. I have written a 7 day week training program for him right up to the Marathon ( which really is not that far away)
On his return Philip had to hit the ground running, which meant a 1 hr circuit training session, then rest day followed by 7 mile run then 14 miles the next day. He is coping well at the moment, but longer and harder days await..
The weather has been kind in training so far but colder and wetter weather is on its way..
Will keep you up to date on training
In training
Trevor
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