*****10 Seconds from the Finish Line*****

Brighton Marathon 2011

My First Marathon

Two days after completing my first Marathon, my legs are a bit stiff, I have a slightly swollen ankle and I am burnt because if was 20 degrees, I have a blister so big it has developed its own sense of humor but none of that matters because I have proved to myself anything is possible, we are only limited by our imagination. 

One week to go

Can't say I am happy, went out today for a run, did 3 miles, couldn't be bothered, is that normal, do runners max out on training then week or so before a race they just can be bothered to train or it is just me.

On your marks, get set, RUN!

Running is one of the easiest ways to stay in shape regardless of where you are. You only need a pair of running shoes, comfortable clothing and you’re good to go.

However, the time, the route and the weather can get in the way, and being out of your comfort zone can be a motivation killer.  This is why we thought of a few tips to improve your running routine as well as some advice for when you are travelling.

Getting started

a)    Be consistent. There’s no point in making excuses, grumbling and complaining about the rain, the sun, the wind, your shoe, you get the picture (there’s even an entire book full of excuses). No matter where you are, there will be a way to workout. You just need to want it badly enough and not tire yourself out on the first day.

b)   Start small.  Having a reasonable goal is essential. Calculate how much you can run in the time you have and keep that in mind, do not push yourself too hard. The first step is to start running, don’t get intimidated by how long or how far you ‘should run’. Any amount of running that fits in your schedule is what matters. Maybe it’s only a quick 25 minute run during your lunch hour, it still counts.

c)    Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Having the right footwear to run is essential and ensures that you do not injure yourself in any way. Go to a specialist-running store and buy something that they recommend, this way you can’t go wrong. Your clothes should let you move freely and not weigh you down. There’s nothing worse than the feeling that you’re suffocating inside your hoodie, deciding it’s too warm, and then tying it around your waist and having to rearrange it every few metres.

d)   Hydrate yourself. Make sure you drink enough water or even a sports drink if that’s what you prefer. It’s recommended to start drinking water an hour before you start to run as well as after, and have only tiny sips during your workout.

When you travel

a)    You can easily plan your schedule and routes by checking any of these websites- Map My Runor Run the Planet. It will only take a few moments, and you’ll feel more comfortable knowing you won’t get lost.

b)   Ask your Hotel staff if they know running routes, or have a hotel gym. Chances are, someone has already asked the same question and they will be able to give you recommendations of which routes to take and which ones to avoid.

c)    Run on a treadmill if you can’t do outdoors running- we don’t want you red nosed and bleary eyed on some street in Moscow in December. Although this is not as exciting as going out and exploring the area, it can still be entertaining and even productive if you watch the news while you run.

d)   Run in the morning, because if you’re in a new city, it clears up the rest of your day to not only do your work, but also to enjoy your stay.

We hope that you feel more inspired towards taking up running. Our tips provide a cursory view into how you can run, but there are lots of blogs with more tips, ideas and inspiration. One of our favourite ones is Sore Limbs, written by a former smoker turned hard core runner providing details of his training, reviews of running shoes, and marathon insights.

From Down Time by Thistle - http://blog.thistle.com/ 

Silverstone Marathon 2011

My second Silverstone and to anyone who wants to have a go at a half marathon then this is the one. It only cost £15.00 to enter, it is as flat as can be, very easy to get to and loads of free parking, because of the time of year you are pretty much guaranteed cold weather which in my opinion is good.


I long for the opportunity to run this with someone, anyone want to join me in 2012


I completed this year in 1h.48mins

Feet...

Without feet the world would be a better place, here is why

All the parts of our body’s play a vital role in our everyday lives but feet do not, let’s explore this. How would life be without feet? Ok, no feet just stumps at the end of our legs, let’s call them hooves. If we had hooves our legs would look and work very differently to how they do now, knees would be inverted and our leg muscles would be like that of say a horse, because of this we would be able to run further and faster, this is obvious, have you ever seen a cheetah with feet, therefore if we can run faster and further transport would only be needed for say longer journeys and picking up shopping, other than that we would run everywhere, it would be natural would it not!. Our bodies would have developed the ability to cope with running, our clothes would all be different. If we run we do not use cars, they would exist but we would not need as many therefore not polluting the planet as much this in turn would mean no ozone problems.

On average one pair of shoes lasts 14 months and we have 2 pairs per 14 months, we live an average of 74 years that’s 126 pairs of shoes (men only here) at say £55.00 per pair means we save £6930.00

If our legs are like that of a horse then we do not need trousers, did you know 1 in 1.6million people kill themselves whilst putting on their trousers.

In short, we would be able to run marathons all the time, we would be fitter and therefore live longer our planet would be safe and better off and all this just because of our feet.

Evolution has got us to where we are today but if God was our inventor I reckon he got the feet wrong - what do you think

Why Do I Run?

Because I have to believe even if they don’t

Because knowing I gave everything means everything

Because I had to try, again

Because it’s more than just a line on the road

And we are more than just finishers

Because when I do

There is always the chance

To be extraordinary

Because I can


Why do you Run?

Ella: The stillborn baby brought back to life after being frozen

A stillborn baby was brought back to life after ‘bleeding to death’ in the womb and then escaped brain damage when doctors froze her body for three days.

Ella Claxton was delivered after the placenta had ruptured and become detached. Her mother Rachel’s cervix, was only 3cm dilated instead of the normal 10cm.

Doctors worked for 25 minutes to revive her before they detected a heartbeat. But they feared her brain would be damaged because she was starved of oxygen during the birth.

Ella was taken to another hospital for cutting-edge treatment in which her body temperature was lowered to below the level at which hypothermia occurs, to ease the swelling on her brain.

Her mother, who is now campaigning for the technology to be more widely available on the NHS, said: ‘She’s our little miracle and every day she gives us new hope.’

Ella was born nine months ago at Peterborough District Hospital. Yesterday, Ms Claxton said: ‘The midwife was crying, my partner Jason was crying and no one could tell me what was going on.

‘I begged them to tell me what was happening but I already knew she was dead because it had been so long and I still hadn’t heard her cry.

‘Then, after what seemed like an eternity, I heard someone say, “She’s with us”. I couldn’t believe it.’

However, doctors told the couple Ella would need to go to Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge to receive the ‘freezing’ treatment.

There, she was wrapped in a cooling blanket to bring her temperature down from a normal 37C to 33.5C.

Her father, Jason Anderson, 33, said: ‘I laid my hand on her head and she was ice-cold to the touch.’

After three days, her temperature was returned to normal; she was allowed home eight days later. Ella still needs physiotherapy but her brain function is normal.

Ms Claxton said: ‘So far, she’s gone from strength to strength.’

To all those who get in my way

To those wonderful mums in rows of three locked in conversation oblivious of me. To those friendly smokers out on a stroll who manage to leave their plumes of smoke for me to choke. To the groups of dog walkers chatting on corners whilst dogs run amuck in the muck. To the teenagers on bikes and little ones on trikes. The day dreamers and dream makers, strollers, joggers and runners. To everyone who is out, without you my running would be bland, dull and definitely non eventful.

So I bid you adieu today and look forward to seeing you tomorrow. 

Breathing through the Nose

Apparently there is a benefit to this, so I read, I mean who writes this stuff, the only benefit to me would be to pass out and therefore not have to run any further. Apparently breathing via the nose and then out through the mouth enables you to take in more oxygen, better flow. This will only work for me if my nose was transplanted on to my chest with a direct feed to the lungs.

If god wanted us to breathe through our nose he would have made it the size of our mouths.

I did 14 miles again yesterday by the way…not fun to say the least, however I did have Sunday Lunch waiting for me when I got home, you know what they say, a runner should never lose weight.

Without Glasses

As it was raining again, I had a choice, run with glasses which is like looking through a bobble effect bathroom window or without, remember when you were a child and you would squint at the lights so they would look funny, there you go, without glasses.

Saturday morning, most are not even up and its poring, I go out running - how dedicated.

Did 14 miles, not bad, couldn't have done another inch though. Ended up with a bleeding toe and can you believe it, my left nipple, bleeding. Couldn't feel it during running but then again I couldn't feel much apart from by legs but boy it hurts now, just how and more so why do people get their nipples pierced, how much pain must that be, mine has only been over rubbed. This confirms my theory even more so, why do men have nipples, what is the point.

I have however discovered, not wearing glasses has a plus as I cannot see the faces of passing runners I have no idea what they are thinking, let them laugh for I cannot see, nice one.

So 14 miles in 2 hours, before I am ready I need to be able to run for 3 hours, not funny. Anyway off to the pub, remember a runner should never lose weight...

Silverstone Marathon 2010

Great track, it's as flat as a snakes belly. I remember this day well, it was very windy. You can tell by my bouffant hair style. I look more blown by the wind than gone with the wind.
I did no training for this race, ha. What a mistake, the pic is quite small so you don't get a clear idea of how knackered I was. I think I was at about 5 miles, not even half way.
It took me 2 hours 9 to complete. Naturally I am running it again this year so will be looking to use this as a benchmark which will be my first opportunity.
I will keep you posted.

Sparks - 'One Charity'

Pie, Chips and Mushy Peas

What's your motivation...


You see according to my fancy dan watch with GPS!! if I run 8 miles I burn 1183 calories, now I know what you are thinking, however I think my watch using GPS has measured my waist and as it is bigger than average I burn more, in theory anyway, so "Pie, Chips and Mushy Peas" mmm, is only 892 calories, therefore as I have read many times a runner should never lose weight, meaning I can eat the above after an 8 mile run and still be 291 calories in credit, enough for a bun - my motivation, what's yours. Not sure about cholesterol though.


You are what you eat, so true

Why Do You Run?

Dear Running Supporters

Two years ago you very kindly supported me in want was to be my first half Marathon, well I am back and now running a full Marathon and I plan to finish it on the same day.

This time round I am running for Sparks, please take a second to read below –

During my first running endeavour I met a chap via Justgiving who was running the Great North Run. His son died at only 3 weeks old, the unexplained cot death. He tells his story of how he regrets not getting chance to spend more time with him, not getting the chance to have a bit of one to one time, things which help that bond between father and son, not even getting the chance to see him smile. This sparked his running which gave him strength, he felt during running he was spending time with his son, the time he did not get when he was alive.

Sparks funds research into new treatments and cures for ALL conditions that affect babies and young children. Every day 70 babies are born in the UK with a condition that will affect them and their families for life. Please help us to change this, and give every child the start in life they deserve – a healthy one.

Thanks for reading; I will let you know how I am getting on.

Everydayhero.co.uk/ealingjeff – for donations

http://ealingjeff.blogspot.com/ - my blog

Gloves - what a great invention

I finally went out and got a pair at the weekend and my hands are ever so grateful, they no longer hurt, go red or blue, weather forecast for this week, it's getting warmer, ah well.


Sunday gone I ran eight miles again - very happy, today Tuesday 1st Feb went out at lunch time and did a quick five, look at me. No others today.

We work out too much

A friend of mine runs marathons. He always talks about this "runner's high." But he has to go 26 miles for it. That's why I smoke and drink. I get the same feeling from a flight of stairs.

Running in the rain

That has got to be the worst time to run, especially if you wear glasses, everything is as if you are looking through a bathroom window. No one else was out running, no motivation to be seen at all.

I only ran three & half miles, however my view is if I can get myself out to run in the rain then I must be on the right track, hey-ho

Can you believe it...

Saturday 22nd I ran eight miles and yes I felt great, not sure about the legs though.

Went out at lunch time, a tad cold at about 6 degrees however after 10 mins in perfect weather for me, can't really do running in the heat.

Kind of got my mind in to thinking about what I would write after running, of course sitting here now one day on, I cannot remember what I wanted to write, ironic.

Runners will understand the need to get the mind sorted and in my opinion the rule of three is what is needed for a good run.

Rule 1 - good pace and constant, not too quick to start.

Rule 2 - motivational music, each to their own, mine is 90's club music (still trying to live that time I guess) 

Rule 3 - something to think about, anything as long as it is long and complicated

Legs are going, body is all working in time, the music is motivational but also in the background, like the telly or radio in the car and your mind is somewhere else, all this is to distract from the fact you are doing something that is not natural and therefore hurts, well me anyway.

My problem will be what to think about for 5 hours when I do my Marathon, especially when the last 13 miles will be a problem, I have only run half Marathons to date hence the unknown second part. Why was I so excited when I got my place to run, who knows.

Why eight miles, well, got an email on Thursday from Sparks and in it their pro instructor runner chap casually mentions we should be at the eight mile stage by now, you can't imagine my horror, I thought four miles was good, anyway he didn't say we had to run this far every time, ha, 4 miles for me next week it is.

Oh did I say last week I would run each lunchtime from work, well I ran once, just couldn't find the time!!


The interesting thing is I was out running as other runners came and went, did I become one of those other runners...we will see.

One man's hobby was running

One man's hobby was running, he spent all his weekends in the park, paying no attention to the  weather. One Sunday, early in the morning, he went to the park as usual. It was still dark, cold and raining, so he decided to return back to his house. He came in, went to his bedroom, undressed and laid near his wife. "What terrible weather today honey," he said to her. "Yes," she replied "but my idiot husband still went running!"

Will I ever run a Marathon

“In 12 weeks I am registered to run a full Marathon” – the problem with running is the advanced training, then again is that not all sport, guess I am just not a sportsman.

I started with great intentions, registered my 16 week training program back in November, then during December I got Man, Bird, Swine, Cow and Dog flu or in other words a cold however I did end up with a chest thing and therefore could not breathe. 

This quite simply put an end to my running for a month.

One does not need an excuse not to run, with an excuse, well what can I say.

So I went out running yesterday (Sunday 17^th) for the first time in well over a month. The weather was perfect, dry and mild, perfect conditions some would say.

10 mins in and my feet ache, I guess this is down to the stomach they have to carry.

20 Mins in and my right knee is playing up as usual, we are just not designed to running.

30 Mins in and my breathing should be ok by now, was it hell, I was as red faced as the farmer on the ale.

40 Mins, time for a cig, a sit down on the park bench, try to look controlled.

Looking at my training program, (you know the one that went out of the window last November) I should be at the 10 mile stage – no chance, guess I have a lot to do.

I have to say though I prefer running in the winter for a number of reasons –

1. No one runs so no one is looking

2. Its dark so no one can see

3. Winter clothing so not one can tell (size of stomach)

This week I plan to run Tuesday through to Friday…ha, I will keep you posted

Now that I am so far behind will I ever catch up, will I ever run a Marathon?...

The world's deepest bin - Thefuntheory.com - Rolighetsteorin.se

That has got to hurt