Yoga

I did some yoga tonight, i did about 30mins of 'beginner'. I thought it would be good just for stretching but it really used up a lot of energy too. I'm definitely going to work it into my routine, I think it'll be really beneficial for my overall performance.
Check out youtube for loads of great yoga vids.

Exercise

No running today, but I have had plenty of exercise; helping my Dad to cut down a massive tree in the garden.
It's reminded me that alternative exercises are a must. When I started this project I was swimming and running on alternate days. So I guess I might try and bring in some variations again, swimming is great but I was thinking about trying yoga... although that's really just stretching, I think, I'll have to investigate.

Other realistic possibilities include cycling (machine or actual), weightlifting, hiking, or maybe a class once or twice a week, something like kickboxing. This is all speculation of course, I should probably be more concerned with raising the £300 entry fee before I worry about anything else.

Off topic

So I'm volunteering this Christmas at a homeless shelter in London, I wanted to share my fundraising page as much as possible so here's a link with some info about the excellent charity, Crisis, where you can make a donation if you like :)

www.virginmoneygiving.com/larryfisher

Down-time

I know I started writing yesterday with energy and positivity, but I've been struck down with a terrible cold. I'm achy and shivering etc etc...

I caught it off my niece and it reminded me of the Louis C.K. joke, how his daughter is a bucket of germs and she coughed directly into his mouth because she thought you shared a secret by whispering directly into peoples mouths. Very funny. Well, yes, until it happens to you. I could feel the germs crawling down my throat and spreading through my lungs. They currently have control of at least 87% of my body. 

I promise this is not an excuse. I feel the urge to run but it would be a mistake, I'd probably have a stroke after about 30 seconds.

I couldn't find a suitable image about the germs so here's another brilliant snippet from the top comedian:

Running.

I think blogging again for the first time in ages must've given me a real boost. I was up pretty early today so I did some stretches and went out.
It's icy cold and frosty today & I immediately regretted my decision. However, even when I know I'm the only soul around on a dark wintery morning there's always a voice in the back of my head telling me how embarrassing it would be to turn around and go straight back home. So I carried on and did my 3 miles.

I think the sharp, frosty air makes it harder to breathe somehow, I have to really pull and stretch my lungs with every breath, take my time and regulate my breathing pattern. It's like trying to blow-up a leather football beyond its capacity.

So I'm not running particularly fast or far at the moment and to be honest I probably won't increase much until sometime in the new year.

I'm concerned about the entry to the marathon today; I initially thought it was £150 but it turns out it's £300! As you can imagine, being Christmas, I just don't have that sort of small change lying around... I'll have to do some emergency fundraising.

Here's a picture of my favourite author Haruki Murakami running from Athens to Marathon, inspirational stuff!

It's been a while...

I've had some down-time. I was on holiday for a few weeks, during which I drank, ate and smoked far too much so I well-and-truly broke my excellent habit/routine, I'm pretty frustrated as I was doing so well. I had such good intentions on my return, but the cold weather has really killed my enthusiasm and my will power.

I've been doing 3mile circuits but they've gotten less and less regular over the last few weeks. I've been doing alternative exercise, but I have no excuse other than the cold weather.
I am determined to stick with it and to buy my place in the NYC Marathon 2012 just as soon as the international places are available.
Psychologically I'm totally committed and enthusiastic and the thought of raising a huge stack of cash for charity is a real driving force.

Anyway, apologies for my hiatus, I am back on the blog, I just have to find the inspiration again...

Running.

3.6 miles - 40 minutes

I did a thorough stretching session first and it made everything a lot easier. My paces were longer and my speed was up.

Weight - 82kg (180.7lbs)

Running.

3.6 miles I didn't keep time, roughly 45 minutes?

No problems.
My weight is up but I've been doing a lot of upper body exercise so I half expected some fluctuations.

Weigh in - 83.5kg (184lbs)

Running.

8.71 miles - 1hr 37m
I set off on a 3 mile run; it was raining and I've done a lot this week so I just thought 'meh'. 
However, I just kept going and before long I'd run to a point where it was quicker to keep going forward than to turn back. I was very fatigued about halfway and this really upset me, as I feel my body should be responding better by now. Although maybe it's because I only stretched for a short run.
I've just remembered, in the first half of the run there was a pretty steady uphill for a long section of the road. I've not had to deal with anything like that in my training so far, maybe that's what zapped my energy...


My legs feel ok, considering the last few runs have left them feeling sore. Today, they're just a little tired.

Weigh-in 82.5kg (181.8lbs)

Running.

Today:
5 miles - 53 minutes
I felt quite fatigued today, it was a real struggle to get my speed and energy up. I had to push myself towards the end to make up time. My calf muscle still hurts but it eases off into the run so I guess it just needs movement and stretching regularly.
I'm doing my 5 miles a day and I can really see a difference now in my physique, I think this may be the best shape I've ever been in my life. My weight seems to have levelled off too...
Weigh-in 82.5kg (181.8lbs)

Yesterday:
5 miles - 50 minutes.
Weigh-in 82.5kg (181.8lbs)