Definitely Daunted Donal

"Fear can sometimes be a useful emotion. For instance, let's say you're an astronaught on the moon and you fear that your partner has been turned into Dracula. The next time he goes out for the moon pieces, wham!, you just slam the door behind him and blast off. He might call you on the radio and say he's not Dracula, but you just say, "Think again, bat man."

Jack Handey

During the past few weeks, the daunting challenge of the marathon has motivated me to get out there and keep my activity rates high. The more often I run, the easier each run becomes– start missing a few sessions, and your fitness disappears, along with your ability to comfortably complete a distance. Part of my training involves a long weekend run, which cuts seriously into the time when I’d like to be at home with my wife and son, and when they would like me home so that they can have some support from me. I have to weigh this against how important it is to keep the training going, and to keep my distances up. I couldn’t do any of this without my wife, and I hope she knows how grateful I am.


I’ve also had a reminder of the value of the organisation who I’m raising money for. I read this article about the efforts of SJA to save a runner who collapsed during the Nottingham Half Marathon. This was a seemingly fit and healthy young guy, who was resuscitated and saved by the mobile SJA volunteers who were helping at the event. I’m more aware than ever of the need to be in good shape.  A recent conversation with a supplier at work  has led me to believe that my target time of 3:30 or below is pretty ambitious – I think it’s achievable but I can’t afford to take the training lightly..


So, it’s all a bit tough – luckily I have a plan. A three-pronged megaplan with gnashing great teeth.

• Make a plan: My aim until December is 4 runs per week, including a distance of 15/16 miles twice a month by December. 
• Keep the activities up: My colleagues are running out of ‘red-faced chump’ jokes to use on me when I come back to the office from my lunchtime run. That’s got to be a good sign.
• Get some uber-kit: I finally took the plunge and purchased a pair of Ron Hill running trackers. For anyone not familiar with them, these are the running equivalent of skinny jeans, which make you look part court jester, part 70s-batman-villain gone wrong. These little beauties are going to stop my thighs from being lacerated to pieces; they’re also shamelessly garish, and all runners love shamelessly garish kit.

In the midst of all this uncertainty, my legs are carrying me round some fantastic runs. October has sent some superb weather for me to run through, lighting up the fields and valleys with crisp autumnal sunshine. I recently ran the Marlow half marathon route with a friend (Ben) who is running the race on 7th November (good luck, Ben!). I think it might be my favourite route so far; a country road winds through lush green fields, leaf-laden woodland and long, snaking valleys. There's a real sense of scale, with commanding views on the downhill sections. It also features a signature ‘hill of death’ at mile 8- 300 ft of continual climb. We got a real morale boost from passing 6 lumbering cyclists, who were inching their way up the hill. 


So, enough worry, I'd better get back to my training. Just a reminder to please visit my justgiving page and sponsor me  – the SJA is a very good cause and they need your generous donations! I promise to write a more interesting post if you do. 


Thanks for reading.