26 days to 26 miles!

Today was a special day for two reasons!
1) It was my first run during 'British' Summer time. Now the clocks have gone forwards it looks like I will be doing the rest of my training in day light. Unfortunately, although it was still light this evening, it was also wet cold and miserable!
2) There are now only 26 days to go until the big day - nerves are beginning to set in!

We are now up to £760 which is amazing - thank you to everyone who has helped support the Elephant Nature Foundation thus far!

Welcome Home.

I got back from my holiday in Morocco late last night, apologies for not being able to update my blog whilst I was away however, I did manage to get some training in!
Inspired by the warm weather I managed to get runs in around the city, along the beach and, most enjoyable of all, up in the Atlas Mountains (pictured). That run in particular was a real delight as it took me through a number of beautiful mountain villages just as the sun was setting. Just about everyone I passed wished me "Bon Soir", "Bon Chance" or "Bon Courage!" whilst a number of children and 2 stray dogs jogged along next to me for parts of the run. My Favourite moment (apart from the amazing scenery) was when one charming young chap compared me to Hicham El Guerrouj - the Moroccan middle distance legend who won 2 Olympic and 7 World Championship Gold medals and still holds 3 World Records!! Probably a tad generous!

You will hopefully be pleased to hear that despite a late night and the usual post holiday depression, I still managed to get out for a run this evening - partly because the race is only 1 month away and partly to thank all the wonderful people that have sponsored me whilst I have been away!

Moroccan Training Camp

I have had a pretty busy week with lots of running and a fair bit of football to keep the engine ticking over! Readers of the blog will be delighted to hear that the new trainers are getting a little more comfortable and I haven't experienced any more accidents!
I ran 16.2 miles after work on Friday and despite being tired after a busy day it went ok and was more or less at the right speed for me to reach my target time. Another 10 miles on top will certainly be really hard but I feel that it will be achievable, especially with all the support I have had from everybody!
My girlfriend (coach/ nutritionist/ psychologist/ shoulder to cry on!) and I are going to Morocco for a 10 day holiday tomorrow, which we are both really looking forward to but, don't worry I will be taking my running shoes! The two main reasons we chose Morocco, are to visit the Atlas Mountains (altitude training) and the warm weather on the coast (resistance training on the beach). I am going to do at least 4-5 runs and am sure that the ones in the mountains will provide a really interesting challenge!

I really hope that when I get back I will be even fitter than before and more importantly the number on the JustGiving page will have kept going up!
If you would lke to show your support for the Elephant Nature Foundation, please click 'HERE'.

What are the chances?

Now that I am starting to run for longer distances I thought I would treat myself to a new pair of trainers. After trying on half a dozen pairs I settled on the most comfortable ones that of course, also happened to be the most expensive!
I was looking forward to trying them out so went for my planned 9.5 mile run but probably should have spent a little more time wearing them in.
After a few miles I could feel a blister appearing so had to slow right down which was a bit disappointing.
However, when I got home I discovered that the blister wasn't the worst thing that had happened during the run!
I have been out training about 25 times in preparation for the Marathon so far and couldn't believe that my first run in my brand new, shiny white trainers was also the first time that I managed to run through some dog's mess!

I believe this is called "sod's law"!

Two for the price of one.

This weekend I took part in two races in two days - one deliberately and one by accident!

On Saturday my girlfriend Steph and I joined two other friends for a 5k race organised by www.parkrun.com (see picture). I managed to run a half decent time and although it is only 1/8th of the distance I will have to cover at the end of April it was good to have a practice go at running with other people instead of just being out on my own.
Today I took on a 15.6 mile course which took my weekly total to a 'record' 52.6 miles. A couple of miles in, I found myself running along with a number of other runners, except these guys were 'proper runners!' One can spot a proper runner by their attire - a skimpy vest, tiny shorts and flash looking trainers! I guessed that they were in some manner of race by the speed they were going and was proven correct when I passed a fully staffed drinks station that clearly wasn't there just for me! None the less, I was offered a drink and sincere encouragement on my way past which I took as a massive compliment - despite the normal shorts and elephant t-shirt, they obviously thought that I was involved in the race!
I later found out that it was the Cambridge University Running Club's annual marathon/ half marathon - glad I didn't follow them all the way round!

I have now run a total of 221.4 miles with 7 weeks remaining!

BRILLIANT!!!

Brilliant News!
As you will be able to see from the picture - we are now up to a fantastic £500 raised for The Elephant Nature Foundation which is half way towards my target of £1000 - Many thanks to everyone who has contributed, especially Jane who's contribution took us up to the magic number! Click 'here' to have a look at the Sponsorship page!

This of course puts extra pressure on me now but don't worry, this is the best possible kind of motivation and I promise I will work extra hard over the weekend to say THANK YOU!

Looking the part?

You join me mid way through a big week for two reasons!
1) I have got my busiest training week thus far; I am planning to clock up about 50 miles (and two wins on the court) in total!
Monday - 4 miles + badminton
Tuesday - 9.5 miles
Wednesday - 12.5 miles
Thursday - squash game
Friday - 8 miles
Saturday - 5km RACE! - Check out www.parkrun.com if you fancy a go!
Sunday - 15 miles
And 2) as you will see from the photo, I have had some awesome T-shirts made up to wear whilst I am training and ultimately running in London! The idea is that from now on everyone I run past (or who runs past me) will know exactly who I am putting the effort in for! FYI the pic was taken after a run so excuse the scruffy hair!
Don't forget to keep an eye out for the shirts (and me!) on the tele!

Finally I would like to say a massive Thank You to everyone who has sponsored me in the last week - we have sprinted up to a total of £453 which is nearly half way to our target of £1000!