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.

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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.

Still here!

I'm back.

Had a good few weeks off the blog due to boredom, manfluenza, laziness and general procrastination. Had a few runs in the meantime but nothing major and not any great distance. I had a 8 miler 3 weeks ago and it was a disaster. Had to keep stopping and walking. Felt empty and lacking energy.

Went out for a short 3.5 miler tonight and am now seriously worried. Meant to have the Dundee half marathon a week on Sunday and it looks like that is a complete no go at the moment. Totally lost all co-ordination, stamina and my strongest feature - mental strength. Overall feeling was 'can't be arsed'.

Also, I'm a pretty competitive guy (understatement) and everyone who I had encouraged to start training is now LOADS fitter than me. Annoying. Quite, mild-mannered and all round nice guy Brother Bartholomew's 'mate, your in a worse state than when you started' comment last night at the boxing should have been my first hint that all was not good but this 'run' tonight confirmed it.

So, long and short of it - I need to get my finger out my arse - PRONTO.

Any ideas, hints, abuse and suggestions appreciated.