Marathon - DONE

So, I started this blog months and months ago to give me motivation to do this marathon. I knew if I said 'I'll do it', I probably wouldn't. Hence the reason for doing it for charity, updating blog etc. I said I wanted to reach a target weight and a target waist size. I haven't reached them yet BUT I am fitter and stronger than I was when I started the blog. So, although I haven't achieved THESE goals, I HAVE achieved the main one.

Can I complete a marathon with 30 weeks training? Yes I can and I did.

Now the important thing here is for me to say it wasn't easy, there were times in my training and on the day (at the start line), that I didn't think it was possible. It would have been a ridiculous task had it not been for the support I've had from my friends, family, workmates and random people in the street. My motivation was Garry and Lee - http://www.breakingstrain.co.uk/ but that changed seeing Big Pete and Stevie S putting in the training (and Jeff), I also saw guys I'd known for years, who I had never trained with, volunteering to train with me and new friends I met through boxing, work etc putting in time to help me train. The net result is that everyone got more motivated.

The guys I was doing the marathon with, along with me, have a background in physical activity/competition  to a high level but we had let ourselves get fat, tired and boring (me, Stevie S and Pete that is). Apologies guys but its true. Life, love and family gets in the way and in all honesty, I have never seen these guys happier. I know it was hard for them to find the time to train. Jamie pitched in late to say he was doing it too. Now, what I had was 5 people I admire the most committed to the cause.

To be honest, I cant remember my 5 hrs 49 mins out there. I can't remember the pain. I can't remember the dehydration, the scenery, the banter, the weather, the ambulances or anything. It's like a vague dream. I feel it happened but thats it. I do remember Garry and Lee running the last 200m with me with big cheesy grins and seeing Pete, Stevie, Jamie and L at the end and then Vick, Mia, Laura, and Cat but thats it.

What I'm trying to say is that this was an achievement for me but I used everyone and everything I could for motivation but the bottom line is - IF I CAN DO IT, ANYONE CAN. I don't just mean completing a marathon, I mean ANYTHING. Set your own goals. I'm still overweight and not nearly as fit as I could be, but I'm a helluva lot better off now than I was 30 weeks ago. I'm happier, healthier and have a new found respect for myself and the people around me.

Thank you everyone.

'It only seems impossible until its done'  - Nelson Mandela via Garry Mackay

Peroni

Another long, boring run yesterday. This is getting tiresome now. 6 weeks to go and I'm torn between wanting it to go quickly to get it over with and wishing I had loads more weeks to prepare.

Met Jeff Jefferson at the far end of esplanade in the Ferry. Basically we followed the Tay to the airport and back. Even though the scenery is nice, it was pretty demoralising. I'm sure it was that I hadn't prepared properly that made it so difficult:

• I wasn't hydrated enough before the start
• I had left my hydration backpack in Big Chris' car, so had to run carrying 2 bottles of water
• I didn't get up early enough to prepare a proper breakfast
• I didn't put enough chafe-ease on sensitive areas

These facts contributed to the run being very long, very slow and VERY painful - a bit like my chat sometimes.

I did the run 15 mins quicker than my last 15 miler, so that was a positive and my foot held up well. Jefferson knocked an unbelievable 1 hour off his time though and finished in 3hrs! Amazing.

Managed to crawl up the stairs to my flat and took about 20mins to get me gear off as every muscle and joint in my body was stiff/ painful/ throbbing. Unfortunately, when stepping into my bath, I struggled to get my foot over and my toe crashed off the side of the bath and started off a chain of events that led to me getting cramp in the whole of my other leg and me taking a header off the wall and falling into the bath.

After a quick lie down, headed out for a couple of pints with Boab The Hat and Don Keirleone. 9 pints of Peroni and 3 rum and gingerbeers later (and no food), finally made it home. Pretty impressive off of 20 quid!  Alcohol seemed to take the edge off the pain but really struggled to walk/ drive/ sit/ speak today. My eyeballs were even sore. Had to take a half day off at work. Feel ok now after a pizza, bottle of coke, nap and some cookies. Back on the healthy eating from tomorrow.

Sponsorship still coming in, so thanks to everyone who has sponsored me so far too.

http://www.justgiving.com/Steven-Smith8

Ups and Downs

Tuesday night after work........me Dovile and Chris from work head up to mine to start a hill session. Finally got my running trainers back from GMac's so was looking forward to a hard workout with 'old faithful' trainees.

After Sunday 15 miler and a workout with Craig on Monday, I was feeling confidant and strong. After 10 mins out though, I realised that my legs were probably needing a rest after a hard 4 days of training. Headed down to Magdalene Green then back up onto Perth Rd. Chris and Dovile were building up a lead on the flat but I was catching them on the hills. Did 4 STEEP, HARD hills and we reckon that each had more than a 35 degree incline and West Park Rd nearer 45 at the top. Actually did ok on the hills and was loving the challenge. Turning into a bit of a masochist now whilst training.

Felt my left foot at the bridge get sore about half way through. It felt like I had tied my laces too tightly. Finished the run and foot got worse. Checked on line and it looks like my trainers have had their day and are not giving my feet the support they need. They'll have to be put down. Also, my feet have got used to my other trainers.

Pain got worse Wednesday and by Thursday morning the pain and swelling was so bad, I thought I may have broken something. I went to the docs (resisted A&E after my last visit when the Doc there gave me a bollocking for 'wasting his time with The Gout') and she said I have' inflamed tendons and strained ligaments'. At least nothing broken. Diagnosis - 2 weeks rest. I'll give it 'till Monday and see how it feels. Also need to get new proper running trainees.

Pain still pretty bad but I'll rest up and I'm sure I'll be fine and although, it'll be cutting it fine, I'll be ready for the marathon.

Sponsorship coming in thick and fast too, so thanks to everyone who has donated.

http://www.justgiving.com/Steven-Smith8

Pain

So, I took my car to a night out on Friday. Fair enough, I left about half 8 but this was momentous. Now I know that might not seem that strange but I think I have done that about 3 times in my life. The reason for the abstance was that I've been getting a bit freaked out that the marathon is only 8 weeks away. This coupled with the sponsorship money starting to come in (thank you to everyone who has donated), gave me - The Fear. I knew I was attempting my first really long run on the Sunday and I knew that I would miss my Saturday session with my trainer Craig and I wouldn't be ready for the Sunday run if I went and had a few beers Friday.

Got up half 7 Sunday morning, breakfasted, then headed through to deepest, darkest Fife - Oakley. The journey took about an hour and 20 and I again had to stop 3 times to answer the call of nature. I have struggled with hydration in the past but I feel I'm getting to grips now but having the bladder the size of a pea, means I pee all the time! Technically this shows that I'm hydrated well but when I do the marathon, I don't want to be stopping every few miles. Not sure of the answer.

Met Big Pete, quick banter with gorgeous baby Mia then we took the best dog ever - Nala out with us on our run. We decided on a 15 mile flat route on a cycle path to Alloa and back. I felt pretty confidant at the start and up to about mile 8, I was thinking things were going well. 8 to 11 was a hard, HARD slog though. Actually, apologies to Pete for my shite banter, or lack of, in those 3 miles. I was nearly down and out and would have definitely have stopped if I'd been on my own. Kept hydrating and taking some energy gels but from mile 11 the soles of my feet started to throb. Definitely, my off road trainers were having an adverse effect. 11 to 12 was horrendous. All my toes, ball of my feet, soles and heels were screaming at me every time I took a step (with my short legs, I take A LOT of steps too). Got to mile 13 (my furthest distance EVER) and we walked for half a mile. Pete gave me some Ibuprofen and paracetamol and by 13.5 miles, my feet were ok. We jogged the last mile and a half and did it - completed 15 miles!!!!!!

It did take us ages though (I think Pete's wife Vicky was genuinely worried) but the most important thing was - we did it! AND came home injury free. After a shower and food, I felt quite proud, surprisingly. Proud of both of us. Still a long, long way to go but I feel a bit more confidant than I did last week and The Fear is subsiding.

All the highs, lows, pain, boredom, joy and doubts you get on a long run are all gone after its done and dusted and in the bag. Celebrated back home with a couple of vodkas and (diet) 7up. Legs fine, back fine, feet a bit delicate but all in all, holding up well.

17 miles this Sunday though.......................

http://www.justgiving.com/Steven-Smith8

Diggin' deep

Friday 5.00pm, long, hot week at work finishes. Thank God. ANOTHER stunning, hot day in Dundee, bbq to look forward to over the weekend. Really want to enjoy the bbq and have a few beers, so arranged a run for Friday after work AND Saturday morning. In my mind, if I put in loads of effort, I can relax and have a mini blow out after. It will also tie-in nicely with my rest day.

Met Big Chris and Brother B at mine and headed down to Magdalene Green, up onto Perth Rd and went up and down a few roads between Blackness Rd and Perth Rd. For the people that don't know Dundee, these are  very steep, 250-400 metre climbs. Did a few of them then tackled a long, steadily increasesing climb for about a mile, then up Balgay Hill. Got to a full hour mark of not stopping, then had to walk to top of the hill. Chuffed to bits. I would never have been able to do all these hills even a few weeks ago. My personal trainer (Craig Guest - book him, he's excellent) definitely helping my fitness, even after only 4 (admittedly) killer sessions. I found myself digging deep and pushing through. Definitely his words 'just keep moving' ringing in my ears, spurred me on.

Did an hour and 20 and it was HARD. Especially in the heat and when cars full of girls are laughing, shouting and pointing at you but all in all probably my best run yet.

Please feel free to sponsor me on the link below. Anything donated will be very much appreciated.

http://www.justgiving.com/steven-smith8/?fb_ref=fundraising-page-top&fb_source=profile_oneline

10 weeks today

Been tickling the training lately due to back problems, nights out etc but these are all just excuses. The same as not losing weight and blaming it on beer and curries, it's ME who's drinking the beer and eating the crap, so enough excuses Steve, get your finger out!!!!

Panicked a bit this last week when I realised the marathon is not far away at all. Looked into getting a personal trainer to help out and ended up going with a local guy Craig Guest. Had my first two sessions with him this week and we established that:

• I've put on more weight (up to bang on 15stone)
• I have 'short hamstrings' or in real terms - I am ridiculously UNflexible. Which in turn is not helping my bad back.
• I did a fitness test and actually did ok, so core fitness not too bad.
• Found I DO still have the ability to push myself so hard that I throw up (last time I did that was Brechin pre-season 92/93).

Craig made me up a diet plan and that couple with my sessions with him three times a week and runs, should do the trick for the weight loss.

So, did my first run for a while today. Met Kev and Jeff for a 10 miler at 10am. Started off Monifieth, headed along esplanade into Broughty Ferry. Got up half 7 and had some scrambled egg on toast and LOADS of fluids. This in turn meant that I was desperate for a pee by the start. I stopped after a couple of mins, to duck behind a tree and when I finished Kev and Jeff were pretty far ahead. I couldn't catch them up, so ended up doing the whole run on my own. Usually, I hate that but today it was fine. Had my new Camelbak and some energy gels and a hat, so I was properly hydrated and felt ok all the way through although it was a ridiculous 24 Degrees! 

Finished 10 miles in 1hr 53m. Still very slow but 7 minutes quicker than the last time, so pretty chuffed. Well, I was chuffed until I noticed that Jeff had finished, nipped home and showered and changed and came back to see me at the end!

Anyway, half 6 now and normally I would be lying in the foetal  position and crawling about the floor, all stiff but not today, feel fine.

New diet starts tomorrow. Maybe have time to sneak in a couple of beers and one last pizza before then.............

Blast from the past

Met Brother B after work. Trying a new approach - my running partner picks the route and distance and I find out when we meet what we're doing. First time trying it tonight. Slightly cheating, as I know BB likes to get home sharpish on a Friday for a beer or two with the mrs, so I figured an hour max.

Beautiful, warm and sunny evening for a run. Ran right along the banks of the Tay, past the airport in no time. Definitely blethering takes the mind off the pain. Had a wee 2 minute walk to the hill then ran up the hill past Botanic Gardens and back onto Perth Road. Heading down past the Harris. Had to have another wee walk. Legs and lungs felt ok and I hate to say it but it was definitely my head that let me down. Not sure whats going on. Anyway BB reckoned if we headed right down Perth Rd into town, there will be loads of people about so I wouldn't stop. Had to agree.

Got down as far as Agacan and saw I guy I used to play football with and was a year above me at school. Now, I would normally have given him a shout and wave and ran on but I hadn't seen him since I was 18 (19 years ago!!!!) and he lives in the States. Stopped and had a good banter with him for a bit until I got the feeling BB was getting jumpy for his beer. Took off down into town, then finished back at work. 5.5-6 miles ish.

Going to try a long run tomorrow. Depending on this run, I'll decide if I'll do the Dundee half marathon next Sunday.

I'll let you know what happens.