British winter time is here

Well the clocks went back, which probably means instead of training in shorts and vest, I will now have to dig out my running tights and thermal T-shirts. Will have to up the motivation stakes to keep on top of my training.

Well look how bonkers the weather was today!!!!



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I purchased a new pair of shoes to try this week. I thought I would try an ultra shoe. I went for the big boy of running shoe, the hoka one Mafate 3. When I say say big, I mean big.




They wouldn't look out of place on Elvis. The Hoka range are all neutral shoes, so I have to wait to get an orthotic insert before going on a long run. However I thought I would try them on a short run ( 3 miles). They certainly put a spring in your step. It feels like you have sponges on your feet.
I will review all the shoes I have bought, in the New year. Which ain't far away.
Food of the week - a hot chilli con carne to keep me warm!!!!








Diary of a long distance runner

Mon 21st Oct 2013- 3 miles steady on the road
Tues 22nd Oct 2013- 4.25 on the road, steady afternoon run
Weds 23rd Oct 2013- 4 miles early morning at a steady pace
Weds 23rd Oct 2013- 3 miles on the road, steady in the afternoon
Thurs 24th Oct 2013- 3 miles early morning at a steady pace
Thurs 24th Oct 2013- 3 miles afternoon run down the seafront
Fri 25th Oct 2013- 7 road run in the evening, race pace
Sun 27th Oct 2013- 11 miles, wet, windy morning, steady run with Paula.




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Back on it

After last weeks, disappointing mileage, I got back onto it. It's hard in the mornings, when it's dark and wet. I want to do the ultra races knowing that I've done the training and that I'm not just relying on my " not going to give in" attitude. Some days I would rather stay under the nice warm duvet, instead of tramping damp cold Tarmac.

On the fundraising side, Paula and me joined up with the Lowestoft Mencap group and went bag packing in the local Asda store. On a not as busy as normal Saturday we packed bags from 10am till 3 pm and got a fantastic £444.76. Thank you all involved.








Diary of a long distance runner

Monday 14th October 2013 - 3 miles steady run. On the road
Tuesday 15th October 2013- 5 miles on the road including links hill, fast pace
Wednesday 16th October 2013- 4 miles on the road, steady pace
Thursday 17th October 2013- 3 miles early morning run
Thursday 17th October 2013- 5 miles afternoon steady run
Friday 18th October 2013- 4 miles steady seafront run, cool early morning
Friday 18th October 2013 - 3 miles railway path run, steady in the afternoon
Sunday 20th October 2013- 8 miles slow road run with Paula, warm dry morning.

Meal of my week

Spicy chicken tortilla tower- which contained spicy chicken, guacamole, salsa, sour cream, cheddar cheese, spring onion and coriander. Lovely, if I do say so myself.




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Tired tired tired

What a difference a week makes. Last weekend glorious sunshine, running well. This weekend, torrential rain and one upset runner, having not run for 5 days.
Rest is so so important, I must drill in my head that I can't keep going regardless.
I was running well at the start of the week, weather was good and then I had trouble sleeping for two nights, was feeling tired, weather turned a bit and mornings are darker, my mojo wasn't there. Maybe just maybe, the rest has done me good, although I don't feel rested.
Never mind- onwards and upwards or forwards as the case may be.
Lovely autumnal morning in lowestoft

It's mornings like the above, which make running worth while.
This is my meal today, getting some energy back.
Quorn sausages, tomato pasta bake and stir fried Mediterranean vegetables.
What an unlikely combination, I hear you say!!! For those of you that know me, will know its not so much the taste, but the calorie intake ,I crave.








Yum yum yum!!!!!!!!!
Diary of a long distance runner ......:-(
7th October 2013 - 4.5 miles , good pace run , lovely morning, great sunrise on Lowestoft seafront
8th October 2013 - early morning , 5 mile, road run, race pace, country lanes, cool, dry morning
8th October 2013 - late afternoon 3 mile, race pace, felt good.



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Organise, organise , organise

Long distance running definitely needs you to be organised. Balancing work, kids and relationships can be tricky. As all of the above are important to me, and need time with them, I'm tuning in my multiple tasking and pre planning skills.
I'm following a 100mile race plan by Matt Mahoney, but have changed his miles recommendations to kilometres. On his plan, I do 2 runs per day with a long run at the weekend. 2-3 gym sessions.
I have now have my entry to London to Brighton in May 2014 and am still considering the Grim Reaper 100 miler in August 2014.
Somebody asked this week, why would I even consider doing those kind of distances.
Since my helicopter crash in 1993, I have thought that life is too short and that I want to do as much as I'm am mentally and physically able to do. If I can raise cash for charities that are close to my heart along the way, we'll that would be a great bonus.
Saw this quote this weekend and have to totally agree




The more I get into this running world that I have entered, the more things I see and want to attempt. God willing, I will conquer a vast amount before having to hang up my trainers.
I can't believe its autumn. We are having some great sunny weather.
Here's a quick video of a run I did the other morning.
Lovely sunny view
And some pics of today at Cambridge



RAF Regt veterans contingent



Me and mi girl
Diary of a long distance runner
30th September 2013 - 4 miles road run at race pace
1st October 2013 - 3 miles x country, fast pace in morning
3 miles on the road, fast pace in afternoon
2nd October 2013 - 3 miles x country , slow pace in morning
5.6 miles steady, evening run with Paula which included the Lowestoft scores
3rd October 2013 - steady morning road run, 3 miles, very sunny.
4th October 2013- steady morning road run, 3 miles, cool but dry
Steady late afternoon run, 3 miles, got absolutely wet through
6th October 2013- Cambridge Town and Gown 10k. Race pace. 45:47, very warm, good course, bit of x country, quite flat.
It has become apparent that I have been craving an energy uplift through an increase in my caffeine intake. So Goal for this week is yto cut back to 2 cups per day and a minimum of 2 litres of water, not including fluid taken on during exercise.
OMG I have had an anonymous donation of £100. Thank you, whoever you are.
This blogs Donation roll of honour
Tricia Hazelton - friend of Paula's
Claire Whittonbury - one of my Walberswick ladies
Two anonymous donators
Thank you Thank you Thank you




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