Day 3 / 4

My approach to my training regime has been consistent with most things I do. Construction of flat pack furniture, for example:
1) Begin assembly
2) Scratch head
3) Read instructions
4) Attempt adaptation
5) Dismantle
6) Re-assemble . . . according to instructions
7) Puzzle over surplus components

The training plan (plan?) has been thus:
1) Day 1 - go running
2) Day 2 - go hobbling
3) Day 3 - Research tips for beginners
4) Day 3 - Ignore advice and go running/hobbling again
5) Day 4 - Take advice and take a day off!

So, I'm not going out running this evening. I did go yesterday evening however and (contrary to above) did take some advice, but not much.

Some of the beginner's tips, for the benefit of any other wannabes out there are summarised as follows:

1) Do your warm-up by brisk walking
2) Do take it easy Either do a run/walk programme or run at a pace at which you can chat with a friend without being out of breath.
3) Do run by time, not distance Measure your run by time spent running, not by miles covered. That is, try to run for 30 minutes rather than for three miles.

You can find all this on http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/article.asp?UAN=815

So, I did the brisk walk bit to begin with and then ran. GOD, that hurt! But, gradually, it felt better. I took a couple of walking breaks and then I made a huge mistake. When I reached the end of the first stretch, the end of the promenade, I sat down on one of the convenient seats for a short rest. When I stood up again, OUCH! New lesson - slow down to walking pace but don't stop.

I ditched the ski jacket this time but as it was a bit cold, opted for the alternative of two fleeces. Not good. I was steaming well before the end. Luke suggested that I should wear trackies rather than jeans, something I had already considered and, I know I have a pair somewhere but can't find them. So, jeans it had to be. Can't quite contemplate shorts in the current arctic conditions.

The return leg required a walking spell about half way and then I started running again. The startling thing was that it started to seem easier. Yes, my legs were killing me, but I found that I was not running out of breath so easily and it seemed easier to keep going. And, I was really enjoying it.

Had to take off one of the fleeces though. And the the hat, and the gloves. I'm going to have to sort out the right clothing.

Back home and the legs, arrghhh!. As soon as you rest, they seize up. But, after a quick meal, I went out to play table tennis for a couple of hours, not continuously I should add, and the legs didn't seem so bad.

This morning I felt like a cripple for the first half hour but it has eased through the day and I'm feeling pretty good now (8pm).

Tomorrow (Saturday), I'm going to get the bike out. God, I'm beginning to sound like some kind of fitness freak, and those who know me will appreciate how weird this is beginning to sound.

There will now be three of us running in London. Well, probably quite a few more, but I mean Luke, Greg and me. So, don't forget, you can donate at www.justgiving.com/michaelseall and www.justgiving.com/lukeseall and www.justgiving.com/gregrosssampson

Training when it's raining

. . . . and blowing a gale. Well, I couldn't wimp out on the second day, could I? Especially as Teresa said, ". . . you're not going to let a spot of rain stop you, are you?"
I ventured out at 5.45pm and drove to my allotted running strip, the Preston beach wall promenade at Overcombe. Stepping out of the car, I was immediately assailed by gale force winds and lashing rain. The top part of my new running shoes is made of a sort of nylon mesh, intended to keep your feet cool. The wind was blowing through this mesh and across my feet in a weird kind of way. I decided to retain the ski jacket, woolly hat and added gloves to the athletic ensemble. I had (foolishly?) discarded the second pair of socks before leaving home though.
Still, I thought, there won't be many others around this evening.
Now, for anyone who may be interested, there are several good reasons for not training when it's raining (and blowing a gale). First, you get seriously wet. Second, it's not so bad when the wind is behind you, because you get blown along, but when you are running into it, the effect is quite dramatic. And, third, the benches are all wet so you can't sit down for a rest without getting your bottom wet.
I set off into the head wind. I didn't realise that it made such a difference but before long, I was gasping for breath. I slowed to a walk just before reaching the edge of delirium. I also noticed that my legs were complaining from not being given a proper recuperation period from the previous 25 minutes of abuse, just 24 hours earlier.
Two brief walking spells later and I reached the end of the promenade, 0.7 miles. So far, I had seen not a soul. I turned around and started the run back. The same two guys that I saw on the first night were effortlessly loping towards me, dressed in shorts and running tops, chattering away to each other, oblivious to the monsoon conditions.
The change was dramatic with the wind behind me. I almost had to stop myself from being blown along too fast. Just one brief walking spell on this stretch. I've worked out roughly where the halfway mark is now, and so I pushed myself to get there before giving in to the rapidly approaching blackout. I could see the lights of Overcombe corner and pounded onwards, rain dripping from, well, just about everywhere. 20 minutes in total. That is probably pretty rubbish for about 1.4 miles. Still, every journey begins with the first step.
I had to walk up the gradient to the car this time, legs feeling pretty shaky. I stripped off the saturated ski jacket, hat and gloves in pouring rain and scrambled back into the car to set off for home, warmth, comfort and food.
Mark warned me about the pain. After the first run, I thought, "it's not that bad." This morning, every muscle screamed from the thighs downward. I am hobbling around like some old man. OK, I am an old man, but there's a juvenile trying to get out!

Will I run?

It happened over the Christmas holidays. My son Luke asked me if I would be up for the 10k BUPA run in London next May (2009). Of course, I said 'Yes! No problem!'

It all started when Teresa and I went to London to cheer on our Brother in law, John, who was running in the London Marathon (all 26 miles (?) of it). I was telling Luke about it and saying that it was a great day. Luke said, 'We should do that.' And, I, naturally, said, 'Yes, of course (gulp!).'

Now, just to get this straight, the furthest and fastest that I have ever run, was probably to catch a bus, when I was about 15. I am now 59 and by the time this event happens on 25th May 2009, I will be 60. I have not participated in any exercise for months, although I do swim a little in the summer.

So, if I am to do this, I must start some sort of training regime pretty soon. I am told by my daughter, Eve, whose partner, Greg runs most days and has also stated his intention of taking part, that I will need proper running shoes. Now, the first and last pair of trainers that I bought were from Lidl. They cost me about £8, and I assumed that they would be just fine.

I am waiting for Luke to sign up for the run before I do because I don't want to find that I am the only one doing it. If and when I do sign up, I will collect sponsorship for the Weldmar Hospice in Dorchester, Dorset. My Mum spent her last days there and all of our family were grateful for their kindness and sensitivity. You will see some advertisements on the site and all (any!) proceeds will also be donated to them. Every penny is needed.

So, next installment. Will I or won't I?