Friday 31 December

London, River Thames, Pegler, 11.04 km/ 6.85 miles, 14.1 kph, 46 mins 53 secs

Met Pegler in Fulham, went straight out and hit the road along the River Thames. Went at a comfortable and easy pace mostly, opening it slightly in the middle and end. New shoes felt a little sore on the bottom of foot for a bit, but in the run breathing was very comfortable, it was just the muscles that hurt at times. Feeling a lot better, just need to keep up the routine and the training. Slowing down alcohol has really helped.

Last day of the year tonight, everything starts tomorrow. Let 2011 training begin. The real countdown begins and I cannot wait until the marathon.

Thursday 30 December

39 mins 20 secs, 6.16 miles, Average Pace- 6.23 mph. Poonsy Run

Dropped Jay back to station to head back home. 2 days off running. Legs felt pretty heavy at times during run, though attacked first hill well. Didn't eat anything prior to run apart from a few percy pig sweets and had some fruit for breakfast. Indian take away last night hasn't digested well. Felt very heavy when going to sleep and woke up with it still feel non digested. Must eat pasta, get in the routine of eating at the correct time and eating the right things. Must also increase water in take, even if it means having Evian water as I don't seem to like the other stuff.

Pegler and I really in gear now for the run. He is pumped up and training harder.

Monday 27 December

Outdoors. Chalfont St Peter and GX. 30 mins+, Coldish, Ice Melting

GPS watch charging. After going out with Pegler on long but slowish run yesterday, needed to see how the legs felt. Hit the Heights hills first of all, felt strong. Went along Winkers road to Bainbridges fine. When I hit the hill in the village legs started to ache, certainly on the last bit. Pushed up GX to train station then came down hill back to Lower Road. Had a quick finish. Legs felt a little heavy, but to be expected from yesterday.

Skins socks good, and ran on empty having not eaten. Going to buy a laptop for my watch later today.

Sunday 26 December

Chalfont St Peter, 54 minutes, 7 miles, Pegler, Icy Snow

Returned back from boxing day, went round to Peglers and straight away put the running kit on. The outside was snowy ice, so the pace was considerably slower than usual. We ran steady, Pegs fell over once. Headed up Hill Rise to GX, Camp Road, Park, then back through GX to Chalfont and up Chalfont Heights. Felt very strong going up Chalfont Heights at the end which was refreshing. Had a couple of ales at the Hound, and one beer later but not drinking is making a massive difference to the way I am feeling and performing. It's now about increasing the endurance.

Sat 25th December

Cambridge, 25 mins, Outside frosty and cold, Christmas Day

The dream I have completed. Early morning run on Christmas Day. Waking up at Jenna's and Tom's whacked, thought I had to hit the road before the christmas dinners and breakfasts start. Hit the road in running leggings and top, and went decent pace, feeling fresh after 4 hr journey yesterday. Read running magazine, hardly touched any alcohol, really pumped for London Mara. Consistency is now the key.

Wed 22nd December

Virgin Gym, 30 minutes, 1% incline. Evening after work. 15 kph.

Finished work and was debating whether or not I go for a run or not. Due to being lazy earlier on in the week decided that I had to keep the legs in motion, especially with the Christmas break.
Gym was relatively empty but had the Leeds Carnigie Rugby players behind me. Decided to hit the treadmill hard, and got on it ramping it up to 15kph early on. Felt good, with loads of energy in my legs. The guys behind me, including Yan took the mic saying I was showing off. So decided to ramp it up even further at the end up to 16kph. It was tough between 10-20 mins but feeling like I have pace, now need to get endurance. Christmas approaching quickly, I can't wait!!!!

Sat 18 Dec

30 minutes treadmill, 15 kph

After a boozey Christmas party on the Thursday, eating rubbish on the Friday with tiredness and a slighthangover, Saturday was to get the legs back in motion, especially with the girls coming round for a Christmas party on the Saturday.
Weather freezing outside, KC and I smashed out a quick 30 minutes on the treadmill. I ran solid and fast at 15kph and with 1% incline. I'm considerably quicker than I was this time last year for sure.
Booze really does make a difference to how you feel. Sunday didn't really eat due to not feeling good. Ate carrot cake instead. Starting to wonder why I would ever want to drink? What are the benefits? Makes you feel horrific, puts on weight, costs money and not a clear head.

Mon 13 Dec

Outdoors 58 minute run

Had the day off work for a holiday. Headed down to the gym and got straight outside into the fresh air. Headed up Kirkstall road and took a detour down onto the canal near Horsforth, then headed a big hill and back to gym.
Road running was tough, with the muscles hurting before. Shopped and got my vitamins later. Multi vitamin, cod liver oil and a joints supplement that tastes rather sour

Sun 12 Dec

40 minutes treadmill, 15 minutes cycling, sauna after

Hit Virgin Gym with KC. Got into the swing of things with a 40 minute run on treadmill, doing various inclines and changes of speed.
Was more of a Fartlek type training session. Time seemed to go really quickly

Sat 11 Dec

Chester fields near Mickle Trafford. 25/ 30 minutes

Woke up early at Jay's and headed straight to the Grandparents for Christmas Lunch. Before lunch got the kit on with Power Balance band and headed out. Amazing to be in the fresh air, no cars around and run. Band seemed to work, was feeling fresh and quick. Opened at the end feeling very strong. Need to start working up to 60 minutes plus

Fri 10 Dec

Run to Headingley, Morrisons and down Kirkstall Road to Work Car Park

After the Leeds Christmas party the night before, had to collect the car. Got the head shaven, after what can be only described as an Afro. Took it steady to begin with, opened up on Kirkstall road. Felt ok. A little slippy in parts due to snow.

Wed 8 Dec

Treadmill, 30 mins, 8km, 16.5kph

Couldn't wake up in the morning as I couldn't be bothered to run. Really disappointed with myself and realised only 4 months till the marathon. After work, didn't let the mind go and go on the treadmill. Really put the pace in and felt good. Ran on my toes more

Sun 5 Dec

Treadmill, 1.5% gradient, 40 mins, 9.20 km

Spent the night in Manchester, arrived back into Leeds tired. Packed the gym bag straight away, got onto the treadmill for 40 minutes with KC. After 20 minutes wanted to get off, but pushed through. Marathon training needs to step up

Saturday 4 Dec

After a bit of a boozey Friday, had to collect my car from the city centre. Went for a short 15 minute run in the snow down to the city. KC ran with me. Relaxed, nothing that got the heart rate up, but loosened the muscles after a week off

Wednesday 1 December

Gym Treadmill. 1% gradient. 36 minutes, 8k. Ran between 13 kph and 17 kph.

First run back from Las Vegas Part Two, felt ok. Could feel the body was trying to get rid of recent events, but felt comfortable.

The official start of Marathon training for London and New York next year. I'm excited at the prospect of feeling the body trim up, and having the spring in my step

Sunday 21 November

Leeds Abbey Dash 10k race.

After Las Vegas Trip 1, I joined the front of the pack for the 10k. The field was fast, with many club atheletes competing. Recent holidays to New York and Las Vegas took it's toll, and I was hurting after 4k.
Finished the course in 37 minutes 57 seconds.
With minimal training in this time, and some achilles problems, this race time wasn't to bad. However when training, eating correctly and sleeping correctly this time will come down to sub 35 easily.

Sunday 31 October

1 hr 29 secs, 8.71 miles.

Headingley to Horsforth roundabout and back. Strong pace down Kirkstall road. Legs got heavy around 7.75

Saturday 30 October

45 mins on treadmill. Gradient 2. Just over 10k

Couple of training runs before New York. Nothing too big. Did a 20 minute run mid week up to Weetwood roundabout and back.
This was proper first run post New York, completing it on gym treadmill. Pace 14 then had to ease to 13 and 13.2

Sunday 10 October

London Royal Half Parks Marathon
39th position in 1hr 21 mins 37 secs (PB)

Felt good at the start. Hard middle section. Pushed through the pain barrier at mile 6 which was the hardest for me on course. Strong finish, storming past the target man in front.

Tuesday 28 Sept

Incline 2 on treadmill, 3 minute walk, 1 minute 15 sec full pace x6. 24 minutes training, then sit ups

Alarm at 5.35am, got out of bed 5.50am. Felt more alive and ready for training this morning. Wasn't as cold coming out of bed. Went to bed at 11pm which is a bit to late. Must go to bed by 10pm to keep alert.
Was good on the sprints, but was aching at level 18 and above.

Monday 27 Sept

4.37 miles/ 7.03 km/ 30 minutes treadmill

Waking up at 5.50am, it is now dark and cold outside the bed, but well worth pushing through the initial wake up faze. Got onto the treadmill, 1 degree incline and ran constantly at 14 kph. Stretched legs on roller. Sore achilles walking to work

Sunday 26 Sept

1 hr 14 mins 16 secs/ 10.81 miles

The start of Project 2011 has kicked off after no alcohol consumption on Saturday. The evening of Friday 24th was rather booze related, Saturday was detox even when out clubbing, and Sunday is the start of becoming a better qualified elite runner. The fun begins, with 2 weeks until the half parks Marathon in London.