‘Run like an Egyptian’

Firstly, I would like to apologise for my lack of blogging BUT I want to assure you this does not mean I was not training.  As you may guess by the title of this blog, I have been away to Egypt. The hotel I was staying in had a gym though, so I made use of this to carry on my training even whilst on holiday.  It was different running on the treadmill as opposed to outside on the road but I felt this was the safest option while away.  This was not because the area was dodgy or I was worried about the people, it was purely because of a slight lack in health and safety on the pavements.  They were doing some work on the street and every now and then there was a big hole in the road/pavement – no warning…so I thought it best to stick to the treadmill.

We arrived on Friday, which was a rest day so Saturday I was in the gym after a big breakfast of Fruit, Yogurt, bread, chicken sausages (obviously no pork in Egypt) and many pancakes.  I’ll be honest, I did get rather addicted to the pancakes – one day I had 6 plus a waffle which was actually just a giant pancake.  I thought I was going to get to the point when I couldn’t eat any more but apparently I never reached it.  Each morning I had at least 3 with maple syrup (or ‘mable syrup’ as the label said), chocolate sauce and strawberry sauce. I have to say they’re better than a protein shake! And definitely gave me the energy in the gym. Sorry, got distracted there…back to Saturday, I did 45 minutes on the treadmill and had a bit of a swim – the pool was not heated though and was ‘fresh’ to say the least! Even in 24 degrees.  Sunday I managed an hour on the treadmill and started making some friends at the gym.

Monday was a rest day and I went on a desert adventure.  I did do some climbing in the red sea mountains though so it wasn’t completely relaxing.  See picture below – we climbed quite high and in flip flops! (This was zoomed in).

Our jeeps from up the mountain...well hill

Tuesday, I went to the gym the same time as Sunday and saw some of my new friends.  The treadmills were busy so I went on the cross trainer for 30 minutes then a fast 15 minutes on the treadmill and some weights.  I got a bit freaked out because I noticed after my weight training that my arms looked like Madonna’s and this is not good. LOL.  By Thursday, I knew most the people in the gym and was getting advice about working out.  I even got invited to run in the Hurghada marathon, apparently through the Egyptian tourist board I could get my flights paid for or something – I think they thought I was an actual athlete…they should have seen the stack of pancakes – that would be telling!

I ran for 50 minutes on Thursday but I think someone was telling porkies in the gym as one guy thought I’d been on there for 2 hours and when I got off the lady next to me said ‘Bravo’ which I thought was rather funny.  The guy at reception commented ‘only an hour today’ tut tut. I think I got a bit of a reputation!  It’s been some time since I used a gym and I have to say I was impressed with all the equipment. You could plug in your ipod and listen through the treadmill, which would also charge it! Magic.

Back to reality on Saturday and running in the cold, dreary weather of the Sussex countryside.  I did a very hilly run and managed to run all the way up Park Lane back to my parents, which is literally a mile of steep uphill. Shattering.  Then after getting in at 7.30 this morning, having 4 hours of sleep and driving back to Cambridge via Welwyn Garden City I managed an hour run round Cambridge.  That’s dedication for you.

There we go, all up to speed I think.  By the way, less than 70 days until the run now – need to ramp up the training and promotion, make sure I get plenty of Sponsorship…I feel from now on it’s going to be a massive part of my life, take up more and more time but if I want to complete the marathon and run it I will have to be tenacious.

Signing off for now.  I need sleep. CJ xxx

A real buzz

I don’t usually write two days in a row but I thought I would as I actually feel really good about my run today.  I managed an hour solid – only stopping to run on the spot while waiting for a number of traffic lights.  I basically did a lap of Cambridge, about 6 miles in an hour, which isn’t too bad.  I notice that I always start off really slow but I do gain speed as I get further round and more comfortable, a bit like a ball down a hill. I guess if I can run 6 miles in an hour, technically I could do 26.2 in 4.4 hours! But to be honest I’m not convinced I could keep the pace up.  Still we’ll see.

My legs did feel a bit swollen when I came in and I think my socks may have been a bit tight as my foot went a bit dead and felt a bit funny but I was mentally strong, which is the important part. Had some damn good dinner too, even if I do say so myself. A CJ speciality where I basically make it up as I go but I pulled this one off – Chorizo, pepper, olives, onion, little bit of mushroom, chopped tomatoes and some pasta…yum yum.

Anyway enough for now. Till next time xxx

My bad

Oh dear, today I succumbed to my lazy inner voice and didn’t do my run as I should have.  I did manage one yesterday, I was even up early to get it in before going down to London but as it was Saturday I did struggle somewhat.  I don’t know if it’s become bigger than me now, I know part of it is positive mental attitude but ultimately if my legs don’t want to work what can I do? I do take quite a while to wake up properly in the morning, I don’t know how people go running first thing – they must be built differently. I honestly think I will have to get up at 4am to be ready to run at 9 on the day!

As I mentioned, I was due to do a run today, 55 minutes to an hour.  But I was so tired and jaded after a late night and sleeping on the floor I just didn’t think I would be physically able.  So I figured if I was going to be naughty I might as well really go for it, so I went down the Chinese got myself a nice little meal and popped into the shop to get some chocolate. Sorted. So bit of a pig really and will have to make up for it tomorrow.

Anyway enough for now, as I’m watching Slumdog Millionaire and have some chocolate to eat. Laters xxxx

Muy cansada

Today is going to be short because I am, as I write in Spanish, ‘very tired’.  It’s been a long week, I went down to the runner’s reception on Tuesday at St Peter and St James Hospice – the charity I am running the marathon in aid of.  It was good to meet some of the other runners and exchange tips but driving down to Sussex and back in a night really took it out of me.  It also meant that I couldn’t do my running Tues so I did it yesterday instead.  It was quite late by the time I got out so I only went round the block and having eaten before I felt rather bloated.  When I got in I looked like I had a food/running baby but thankfully back to normal today.
In fact, I did my 40 minutes quite comfortably today – it’s going to be interesting fitting everything in this weekend. An early start on Saturday, methinks, to get a run in before  I go down to London.  Only a week till holiday – I wonder how I will fare in the warm Egyptian sun…

Anyway enough for now, I must put the recycling out.  Laters CJ xx

Got my mojo back!

By mojo, I actually mean hat but I’ve decided this is the key to my running success as until today I haven’t had it but today I got it back and managed my 50 minutes solid and felt pretty good about it. I did have to do a toilet stop though but I think I can allow myself one of them, don’t want to go all Paula Radcliffe now. I ran down in Brighton and it was actually a lovely day and it felt good running by the sea.  I had been feeling a bit down about my running, particularly because on Thursday I struggled a bit and yesterday was rubbish (although I’m blaming the wet and windy weather) but with the salty air, the nice flat surface and even a hill to finish I was home and dry…Well at my sisters and sweaty but close enough.  The actual marathon should be good and if it’s a nice sunny day in Brighton, it will be one to remember.

I may shuffle my training times around a little this week as I’m supposed to be going to the runner’s reception on Tuesday which is usually a running night, so will have to see how it all pans out. Could be interesting but now I have my hat back, it’s all going to change.  Possibly.

Right well just a short one tonight as it’s getting late already and have a busy week ahead of me.
Laters all, CJ xx

Slow and steady wins the race?

Wednesday today and this is a new rest day.  In fact my main running days are now Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The Ts and Ss of the week. Each run is now longer or slightly different so therefore I get more rest days, which in some ways I like and other ways I’m not so sure.  Managed my 45 minutes solid on Sunday in the slush, I was proud I managed it but it was at quite a slow pace so not convinced, even in Aesop’s ‘Hare and Tortoise ‘ fable, I would be the winner! Unless everyone else falls asleep? Could be a plan…But anyway I’m not in it to win it, so to speak, just there to finish and raise lots of money!

Tuesday the run plan was an easy 10 minute jog, followed by some stretching and then run for 10 minutes out (I ran towards the airport) and then run back to the starting point faster. I did this, but I was a bit sneaky.  The way I ran was slightly uphill therefore when I ran back it was downhill so I was naturally faster and I had the wind on my side.  I felt a bit funny afterwards though so had to walk for a bit. It has started to get cold again and more snow but I hope this won’t affect my running tomorrow or at the weekend. I might try and get a run done in Brighton on Sunday – might be nice to do a bit of training where the marathon will actually happen, as I haven’t managed this yet!

Anyway enough blabbering.  Adios amigos. CJ xx

There’s no business like snow business

In fact when the snow comes there is no business. Everything grinds to a halt. I’ve been doing my best to carry on as usual, apart from being a tiny bit late to work a couple of days that’s not been a problem.  Running, however, is very difficult in the snow – I went on Tuesday and was due to go again Thursday but there was a fresh laying and in the dark and extreme cold I wasn’t sure it was a good idea to go running.  I also had an invite out but that, honestly, didn’t have a bearing on the non running.  The night out was good, dressed as Supergirl.  Did have some issues with staying on my two feet though, stacking it 3 times across the evening and now having a very sore and bruised elbow and bum. Not great for keeping up the training but the legs are OK at least.

I braved it today and managed to get a reasonable run in. There was a bitterly cold wind but when that died down and the sun shone it was quite warm.  Unfortunately that didn’t happen very often and I came in with frozen hands and face even though I was wearing gloves.  I think I left my hat down at my parents, which is a pain because it really makes a difference. I would be going down there today for Mother’s birthday, so I could pick it up but due to the snow I shall not be making the journey.

Hoping to be able to do another run tomorrow – 45 minutes solid I’m due to do but really depends what the weather’s up to!

Hasta Luego,

CJ xxx

Frozen snot!?

I went for a run tonight but oh my  gosh, it was seriously cold. I’m pretty sure it was -50 but I guess it might have been more like -1, still cold enough for me! I swear the snot was freezing as it was running out of my nose, like when you see people on arctic expeditions. I ran around 4.5 miles in stages of 10 minutes a time, my aim being to get faster each time.  I think I managed this but couldn’t really feel my legs, bum, face or hands by the end, which definitely made it difficult to run. Then when I got in I discovered the boiler isn’t working properly so tried to have a shower to warm up – the water did eventually get warm so I stayed under for a while but when I got out my bum was still frozen…I assume it’s still there though, because I’m definitely sitting on something!

Sunday I managed a run too – again very cold.  I went on my favourite weekend run down Riverside, or as it’s now known – Riverside Mother F****r.  Now I don’t want to endorse this song but it does make me laugh because it’s basically sounds like a squeaky door mixed with some expletives http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V775PPuBc7Y&feature=related (apologies in advance for the language but it is pretty funny).

I’m hoping the weather doesn’t get too bad over the next few days so I can carry on running.  I’m going to try and get down to the marathon runners’ reception at St Peter and St James Hospice tomorrow but it depends a bit on the weather and when I get off work.  Ohh I forgot to mention about my new accessories. For Christmas I got an arm band for my iPod, which is proving really useful.  Also Simon, who works for my dad, is running the Brighton marathon entered a competition and won a hi-vis gilet thing, which consequently was too small for him – so now it’s mine!  Check out the photo below, one word – binman, hot binman obviously…haha

Check it out!!

Anyway off now, laters CJ xxx

It’s been a while…

Well don’t be disappointed, just because I haven’t been blogging doesn’t mean I haven’t been doing my training.  Well doing my best in the conditions anyway.  I’ve been down at my parents for the Christmas period and been doing what I can to do some running down there.  I was hoping to do a run down in Brighton one day but didn’t get that far unfortunately.

Christmas eve I went out for a run around the rural area of Lindfield but it was still quite icy out and therefore still dangerous to run in some areas so had to walk some of the way.  Christmas day was a rest day anyway then boxing day I met up with my running buddy and we ran to Cuckfield and back but I suffered with some serious cramp (I duly named this ‘Port legs’, basically drinking too much Port the night before and suffering from dehydration).  Sunday I ended up going for a walk so didn’t do a run.

Then onto Monday – managed a reasonable but short run into Lindfield and half way back but then went for a long walk later on in the day so felt that I still got my ‘time on feet’ sorted. Tuesday and I was back with the running buddy on our Cuckfield run.  Was pleased this time, as without the ‘Port Legs’ I managed to do the run quite comfortably – running there, having a stretch and then running back at a faster pace.  Since then it’s gone downhill a little. I wasn’t feeling very well on New Years Eve when I was meant to do a run so missed that one and today I’m meant to have a run but I still don’t feel quite right and having not eaten much over the past few days I don’t know how I would fair.  Going to try and keep warm and get some food inside of me and do my best to do a good run tomorrow.

So there we are, I’ve tried to stay dedicated but the weather has been an obstacle and now feeling a bit ill isn’t helping.  But I’m going to do my best as now it starts to get serious.  I got a few other accessories for Christmas as well, such as an iPod running armband and a headlight, which means I can always turn my hand to some mining if the running doesn’t go too well.

Anyway enough for now, new year new start as they say so hopefully I’ll feel OK to get back to the running tomorrow.  Wishing everyone the best for 2010 and hope the new decade brings happiness, love and prosperity.

All the best, CJ xxx

Fricking Freezing!!

I haven’t been very good at blogging this last week but I shall make up for it today.  As I’m sure most of the country is aware it is really fricking freezing outside.  We have had a lot of snow and temperatures of -4, unfortunately this has had a bit of an adverse effect on my training.  I’ve been doing my best but did miss Thursday’s walk and Saturday’s running. Just about managed a run yesterday but the paths were pretty dodgy, so I came up with a cunning plan today, a plan ‘As cunning as a fox who’s just been appointed professor of cunning at Oxford University’ to quote Blackadder.  My cunning plan was this – basically do my 20 minute run indoors. This pretty much involved running on the spot, round the living room and up and down the stairs.  You may laugh but I managed to rack up 2.5 miles worth of it according to my pedometer and I could keep an eye on the jacket potato at the same time! Perfect.

I had a pretty crazy weekend, out Friday, Saturday and Sunday – probably not the best for my training but it’s Christmas so what you gonna do? Obviously I’m still trying my best to be dedicated and stick to the schedule where possible.  I can easily run for 30 minutes solid now, which is probably a bit ahead of what the schedule says so I’m happy with that. It’s going to be interesting over the Christmas period as to how it all pans out but at least I’ll have plenty of time to go running and plenty of fuel in my belly to work off!

One major positive as well is that today is the shortest day – meaning the days will get longer and start getting darker later! Wahoo.

Right well need some sleep so laters
CJ xxx