12 months to go..........

It's been a while since I blogged anything. I have been busy busy and I'm not as motivated to write as I am to run. Marathon des sable 2014 started today , Apr 6th.

I can't believe how much training for this, has changed my life, the way I eat, the way I think about things, the organisation needed. And I'm doing Yoga. For those that know me, are probably picking your jaws off the floor, at this point. Anyway more about that in the next few weeks.

I just wanted to put a quick blog up, just to get me back into it.

I'm aiming to draft through the week and then post Sunday eve.

So watch out from next week.

Time to re- think

Today is Sunday 8th December 2013. I managed a 30 minute run this morning. Thank The Lord, because the lack of exercise has been killing me.

This is how my 8 days of pain relieve went.........

Thursday 28th - Sunday 1st......





Drove to twickenham on the Saturday, things not too bad. Then Sunday it went downhill fast. I ended up in the NHS walk in centre in Gt Yarmouth, not able to catch my breath because of my back spasms. Came out of there with........







Oh my god, the Tramodol opened up a whole new world, a very strange and weird new world. It took away the pain but that's because I didn't feel I was myself. The end of a good night on the beer would be close to how my head was spinning. On Monday it was spinning so much I could keep anything in my stomach, so had a visit to my Gp. This time a came out with........










This combination worked the best. The last step this week was.........




Had my back pushed, pulled and clunked..... Feels good though..... More work to do....


The lack of training has given me time to reflect and have a re think about how I go about things.

Number 1 ........ Need to spend more time on my flexibility. I know I have said it before, but this week really has been a reality check.

Number 2 ........ To help achieve number 1... I'm changing my run goals from distance to time.

Let's see how that pans out..

Good News on the fundraising front......






This blogs donation roll of honour

Paul Andrews.... An old Regt mate from my early days in the RAF

Astrid King..... One of my Walberswick ladies, a donation made from along way away in USA

Thank you thank you thank you.


Diary of a long distance runner

Sorry no entries to make.... Normal service will soon be resumed

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh, set back

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I've had a set back, back being the operative word. Last Thursday morning, I went out for my usual early morning run with the feeling that getting up for these runs was getting a good habit and routine instead of a chore. It was a bit of a chilly morning, so started slow to get myself warmed up. Then it happened. At 3.5 miles into the run, my mid back went into spasm. I had to slowly walk home,I was finding it hard to breathe and it felt like id been kicked by a horse. It's now Sunday and it's still not right. I do have this problem occasionally but hasn't been this bad for a good number of years.

In September 1993, I was on multi national exercise in Denmark with the Royal Air Force. During this exercise I was asked to go in a Belgian allouette helicopter




This aircraft is mainly used for scouting and information gathering. Returning back to the landing site, we came over a treeline. As we came over the trees a United States helicopter was in front. The Belgium pilot banked left to avoid collision with the aircraft to our front. This manoeuvre ended with the rotor blades hitting the grass. Turning the above into........










For me it resulted in a compressed fracture on one of the vertebrae in the middle of my spine along with a few other injuries. I spent along time in hospital and on a rehabilitation program. So to be able to do what I do today is testament to the military rehab staff at Wroughton military hospital in Wiltshire ( not sure if the facility is still there) and Headley Court in Surrey.
However things do come back to haunt me.. I need to realise this and take care of myself abit more....... Note to self....... Note to self......

Diary of a long distance runner.

Sunday 24th November 2013- 10 mile steady early morning run, nice cool and dry
Monday 25th November 2013- 5 miles steady run around two bridge circuit
Tuesday 26th November 2013 - 4 miles early morning run at a steady pace
Tuesday 26th November 2013 - 5 miles fast late afternoon around 2 bridge circuit
Wednesday 27th November 2013- 9 miles steady pace, early morning.
Thursday 28th November 2013 3.5 miles ouch there goes my back

This blogs donation Roll of honour

Michael Holyoak
Claire Whittonbury
3 anonymous donators

Thank you thank you thank you





Click here .......Ultra marathon store

We will remember

Not blogged for a few weeks, have been busy with bits and pieces. The running is still going steady.
I am injury freeeeeeeeee too!!!

Sunday 10th September, I went to London for a march past the cenotaph with my brothers Veteran RAF Regiment gunners, to remember those that have paid the ultimate price in the service of their country and to think of those overseas doing the job. Per Ardua















Great news on the fundraising front is that I'm now over £3000.


Thank you to all that have donated or helped with any fundraising.


Normal blogging will resume next week

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.




Thanks for reading

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.




Click here if you want to try this recipe





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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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