My Blog

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Not exactly sure what I'll be posting about, but will be centred around preparation for the marathon - fund raising ideas, run routes, things that annoy me when I am running, etc. Will look to update and maintain every other day (or until I lose interest).

My reason for starting a blog is to keep you kind people who have (or will) sponsor me (http://www.justgiving.com/Pete-Tizard-London2012) informed of my progress in preparing for the marathon. Additionally, once my running career is over I imagine I will look back fondly on the drivel posted.

Lastly, I appreciate any support you can provide. It would be great if you could donate but also any tips you could give for fund raising or preparing for the run would be much appreciated. If you want to join me on a jog, let me know - cheers!

Sunday 27 November 2011

A Sham of a Running Week

I feel a bit of a fraud this week as I have done little running.  Why?  Couldn't be bothered, I've got plenty of time before the Marathon...

To expand further on my opening comment, it can be difficult to motivate yourself to go for a long run as it can be boring, you've probably noticed runners aren't the most charismatic of people.  I get around this usually by doing new routes, alternating my song lists and running different pace/distances.
The problem I had this week was I only did my first run on Friday, Saturday morning I ran a similar distance (no sightings of Pippa) and when I got up on Sunday for a long run I found I couldn't be arsed and went for a fry up instead (http://www.harryms.co.uk/ - 7/10).  The lesson here is not to run everyday as it does not allow your body time to recover and it kills your motivation. 

To counter the lack of running I have done some prep work for the marathon.  I bought a lumie Bodyclock (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002TEXEAI), this wakes you up by a brightening light as "is a natural cue for your body to reduce the production of sleep hormones (e.g. melatonin) and gradually increase the levels of those that help you get up and go (e.g. cortisol)."  Its good and is a much better alternative to my old alarm clock where the alarm felt like you were being punched in the face.
In December I will start concentrating on my core and have ordered an exercise mat (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003UUGMLI) to use when doing evening exercises.
Nutrition is something I am still neglecting and will do so until the New Year.  However, I have made one concession and will begin eating healthier snacks (e.g. raisins, almonds, etc.) and cutting back on the tracker bars.
Finally, I have booked myself onto a half marathon (http://adidashalfmarathon.co.uk/) in early March which will give me an indication of whether I need to panic or not for the marathon in April.

This weekend was not as busy as the last (http://pete-tizard.blogspot.com/2011/11/form-is-temporary-class-is-permanent.html) and was peppered with a few mundane activities.  One example of this was I got my haircut.  To my delight the barber mentioned that he had a dodgy knee and we exchanged war stories (turns out he had it a bit worse, he had to have a cartilage reconstruction versus my key hole surgery).
Which leads me nicely onto the knee, the knee has been playing up a bit this week.  The knee has been fine on the runs but have pain when walking on the knee - will keep you updated.
Unfortunately on Sunday I had to go south of the river to meet a old friend (and colleague, flirty @ 9:30).  This was an enjoyable afternoon which was enhanced by the fact that I was able to track down a Wispa Gold after visiting every supermarket in Clapham.

Thank you for your continued support and would appreciate any contribution you can make to my charity page (http://www.justgiving.com/Pete-Tizard-London2012/ - I will start haranguing you generous and kind people in the new year).  Good night and have a great week!

Sunday 20 November 2011

Form is temporary, class is permanent

Back to my usual posting slot, my apologies for my last post (http://pete-tizard.blogspot.com/2011/11/late-but-not-forgotten.html) it was a tad boring.  I wrote that post in front of the telly and its difficult to concentrate when watching such high quality programming as Come Dine with Me.  Going forward I will write this drivel in my room so there is no distractions.

Ran 4 times this week, with 3 in the morning to work and 1 long one today.  The morning runs to work were difficult, haven't been sleeping great and it makes the run twice as difficult.
The run this morning has been the best yet (ran for 2 hours solid), not in terms of pace (hampered by eating my own body weight in food the day before) but the enjoyment of the run as a few notable things happened. Ran past an old guy in tweed and a flat cap kicking around all of the falling leaves, it was a bizarre but sweet sight.  This was then followed by a man with a loud speaker shouting at me when I ran down the Mall, turns out they were trying to film something.
Finally, I am pretty sure at one point I was running alongside Pippa Middleton in Hyde Park.  I was running next to her but couldn't get behind to confirm.  Will keep you updated of any more Pippa sightings.

Quick update on the knee, its been pretty solid this week.  However, getting shin pains in my right leg in the first 15 minutes or so of running.  I think I over compensate on my right leg to make up for the knee, will aim to have a gait analysis (not the garden variety) done to understand this better.

It was a busy weekend where I took in the delights of Southampton and then Sunday spent running (see above) and shopping.
It seems all my friends are getting married (congrats Rob and Natalia) and so I was down in Southampton to have my measurement taken for my usher morning suit.  We discussed our duties for the day and I reserved the job of putting cones out in the car park. I also provided some advise, not having cucumbers anywhere near the wedding menu and the first dance being to poker face.  Went out to Bangalore Express in the evening (http://bangaloreexpress.co.uk/ outside Waterloo very near the Old Vic), it was good but the curry was ridiculously hot.
Today I went shopping round Regent street and then up to Covent Garden, I really hate shopping unless its on Amazon.  It was satisfying to see the men stuck in H&M waiting for their girlfriend/wife were equally as miserable.
You'll be happy to here it was a success, got my trainers (http://www.scarpa.co.uk/Products/Product.asp?ProductId=145) and tux, that's me done for the year!

Got to hang up my clothes now so lets call it a night.  Thank you for the continued support and please enjoy the upcoming week.

153 days - 13 hours - 17 mins - 03 secs

Tuesday 15 November 2011

Late but not forgotten

My apologies for keeping you waiting on the latest post, fear not the time has come.

First up lets get the running out of the way which will then be followed by my exciting weekend.  Ran 3 times last week, the only one of note was on Sunday where I ran 12 miles in 1h36ish.  The route took in the delights of Surrey as I was home for the weekend, it started from my house running to Walton bridge then along the Thames to Hampton Court from there I headed home through West Moseley.  I will be looking to load my routes onto this blog for your amusement, a more interesting blog (arguably) is this one - http://figurerunning.com/blog/ where a runner is making pictures out of their routes.
I was happy with the pace especially as my watch was not behaving and couldn't set myself a pace (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0046BWRUK - do not buy!).  The knee was not best pleased and it twinged when walking on after, however I ran on it this morning and is now feeling... OK.

As I mentioned early, I was in Surrey at the weekend visiting the family.  Didn't get up too much, did a bit of work, bit of Spanish (Espanol!) and finished my book.  Hmm, that's it.

On the charity side please help support my friends who are raising money for these worthy causes http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=JakeGray and http://www.justgiving.com/Alex-Merry.

Until the next post (I will try harder next time), enjoy the week and thank you for your support!

158 days - 10 hours - 30 min - 20 secs

Sunday 6 November 2011

The Difficult Second Post...

Writing these posts reminds me a lot of doing homework (tired - can't be arsed - it's Sunday night), however now I don't have the luxury of copying someone come Monday morning.  This is my second attempt at writing this difficult follow-up post, I tried mid-week but found I had nothing to say.  

My legs have felt strong this week, however, the knee is aching a bit - it is my burden to carry.  Typically I am running to work 3 mornings a week (each journey is about 5 miles, St Johns to Liverpool Street) and plan to start running home as well in a few weeks - I don't envisage running more than 4 days a week. 
Friday night I met a friend for a quick drink (great Spanish bar behind Tottenham Court Road - "Sevilla Mia") with the plan to get up early on Saturday for a longish run.  A couple of bars and Pizza Hut later and it turned out I couldn't be bothered to run on Saturday morning and had a lie in instead.  
Today I behaved and got up early for a run, I ran to and around Hyde Park, past Houses of Parliament towards St Paul and ended up at Liverpool Street.  I ran just under 11 miles in an hour and a half, pretty happy about this considering its early in the training process.

Read a good article on BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/15499892.stm) which commented on how people use running for therapy.  I agree with the article in that you do not think about much when running.  Typically my thoughts are on not getting hit by cars or cyclists (colour blind to traffic lights) or getting annoyed with my watch (No Satellite...).  
What I enjoy about running is after the initial 10 minutes of tiredness/coldness/pain it is pretty easy and I am fortunate to be running around a beautiful city with so many interesting buildings and routes to distract me.  Although rare, when you are in the zone towards the end of a long run you do get a natural high from it.

Lets end it there, until my next post and as always I appreciate any comments and support given - http://www.justgiving.com/Pete-Tizard-London2012 - please enjoy the week!

167 days - 13 hours - 14 min - 02 secs