One Month and Counting

I really can't believe it - there is now just one month to go until the marathon. In fact, as I'm writing this at 7 pm, I'm hoping that one month from now I will be sitting down somewhere warm and dry with a pint of Hoegaarden in front of me, having completed the challenge I set myself a year ago (effectively, since that's when the ballot entries opened). I will be basking in the glory of my achievement and flashing my medal at all whom I meet. In truth, I shall probably be in agony and slightly delirious. I will have started hallucinating around the 20-mile mark and, hopefully, will have not given in to the huge temptation to stop and sit down when I hit "The Wall" - the point when your muscles realise they have no glycogen left to burn and you are forced to survive the last few miles fuelled by fat stores and adrenalin. In my last post, I mentioned wanting to get on with it - now I really do want to just get on with it. I probably need these last few weeks of training if I'm to do my best, but equally I have surpassed the minimum training distance that all the books and plans say you must have achieved in order to get round a marathon, so bring it on!

By the way, the picture's of our cat, Ozzy, telling us exactly what he thinks of this running malarkey!

One of my friends, on reading about our Kilomathon exploits, complained to me that it was us two who prevented him from leaving his house that Sunday. I responded that it clearly was just James and me who had caused this inconvenience as we had run past his house, put on an invisibility cloak and run back again and then repeated this process several thousand times with the sole purpose of annoying him. I'm not sure where exactly he lives, but I think it's more at the Derby end than the Nottingham end of the run and the likelihood of me being able to perform such a feat having run 15-odd miles is pretty small. And my invisibility cloak hasn't arrived from Amazon yet.

Another friend asked me the other day why I'd chosen to run one of the longest marathons. After a 15 minute discussion on the history of the marathon distance (more on that later) it was clear that she still did not quite get it that in order for it to be called a marathon, it had to be a distance of 26 miles 385 yards. Anything less than this was *not* a marathon and anything more than this was also *not* a marathon, but could be classed as an *ultra* marathon. The thought did cross my mind that, in terms of time, at least, London is one of the longest marathons - because they still allow people to record a time up to 9 hours after the start (and in special circumstances, several weeks later!), whereas other marathons have a cut-off after 5 or 6 hours, it is possible to make the London marathon last longer and still count as a finisher. Talk about getting value for money...!

I said above that I would provide more on the history of the marathon distance. I'm not going to go into all the ins and outs of it (primarily because I can't be bothered, but also because there isn't really any concrete information on the distance of the original marathon) but when the marathon was introduced to the modern era Olympic Games in 1896 it was run over a course of about 40km or 25 miles. When the Games were staged in London in 1908, a series of problems (protests that in the last few miles the runners would have to negotiate tram lines and cobblestones) and royal requests meant that the distance was lengthened to 26 miles 586 yards, which comprised 26 miles from the King's private terrace at Windsor Castle to the new White City Stadium, plus a 586 yard lap of the stadium track to finish under the Royal Box in view of Queen Alexandra. In the end, it was discovered that the planned use of the royal entrance to the stadium wouldn't work as there was in fact no access to the track (!) so it was decided to use a different entrance and have the runners go the "wrong" (clockwise) way round the track to finish under the royal box. This reduced the planned distance to 26 miles 385 yards, a completely arbitrary measurement which was eventually adopted by the International Amateur Athletic Federation in 1921 as the official marathon distance. Two of the most important course-lengthening elements were included at the whim of Queen Alexandra - the start on the King's private terrace (so the royal children could look on) and the finish under the Royal Box (so that the Queen herself could see) - and it is for this reason that I, along with thousands of others, will be shouting "God save the Queen" as I go through the 25-mile mark; this has become traditional, as without the meddling of Queen Alexandra, we would all be finishing at that point!

A final thought for this post (before I tell you to sponsor us again) - yet another friend has said that she has enjoyed reading this blog while we've been training for the marathon, so I have to take on another challenge when I've done it so that I can keep blogging. I've thought about swimming the Channel (though I imagine (hope) I'm allergic to goosefat or wetsuits or something) and I've thought about doing an Ironman triathlon (but I can't ride a bike, at least not very well, so that could be tricky)- if you have any ideas of what I could do next, let me know - answers on a postcard...

Oh, er, and PLEASE SPONSOR US!! We're up to £1909.33 now - not far to go to that magical £2,000 mark!

Kilomathon!

We're back! We've had a couple of weeks away from ye olde blog due to quite a few other things going on (mostly me going to Chicago and then both of us going to Manchester immediately thereafter). While I was in Chicago, I did manage to get a run in around the Millennium Park, taking in Anish Kapoor's "Cloud Gate" sculpture (the Bean) and the Crown Fountain. It was a bit nippy, but at least the snow had been pushed off the paths.

Since we last wrote, we've had a few upheavals in our training regime caused by illness and injury and by James having a new job in Swindon, meaning it is no longer possible for him to get up an hour earlier to run in the morning (he would then technically be getting up before he went to bed). So, I've started running to work and he is now running in the evenings. We're still doing (or attempting to do) our long runs together at the weekends.

This last weekend, we went up to Derby to see my folks because it was my Mum's birthday and Mother's Day (and the dog's birthday!) and to take part in the world's first Kilomathon. What, I hear you cry, is a Kilomathon? It is, apparently, the "perfect race distance" - 26.2km, the same number of kilometres as there are miles in a marathon, which equates to about 16.3 miles. I beg to differ about the perfect race distance thing because I fail to see how anything longer than about a mile could be considered perfect. Well, anyway, perfect or not, the course was 26.2km long and went from Nottingham University to Alvaston Park in Derby. That's right, from Nottingham to Derby. From one city to another city. I ran that far. If you're in any way interested, you can see the route by following this link - if you do take a sneaky-peeky, you will notice that the net elevation of the race was uphill, making it even harder, obviously.

The weather was pretty good and the support from the local people on the course was fantastic - I would like to extend particular thanks to (a) the good people of Sawley, who made sure I didn't go the wrong way at a bit that wasn't signposted or marshalled and (b) the good people of Borrowash, who had come out in force to cheer on the runners and really made a difference to my mood. Although I was pretty near the back of the pack for most of the race, I was well in front of the feared sweeper bus, the purpose of which was to pick up anyone too knackered or injured to keep to a pace faster than 15 minutes per mile. I was also able to pick off many of the said knackered and injured people in the closing stages and finish with a veritable horde behind me in 3:48:48.


James was, as usual, a lot quicker than me, but the difference was diminished by his knee injury from the previous day when Emma the greyhound tripped him over while they were racing each other round the 5-a-side pitch (interesting training technique, racing a greyhound). His finishing time was 3:06:10 (or 3:06:09 if you believe his Garmin rather than the official time). We both really enjoyed the race and would certainly consider doing it again - in spite of the net uphill elevation, the course was actually remarkably flat for most of the way and took in a fair amount of pretty countryside and quaint villages. The organisation was generally pretty good, too, and there were armies of helpers from the Air Cadets and Rainbows hospice charity who worked together really well.


Our next racing challenge is now the London Marathon itself. Part of me just wants to get on with it now. There are less than 6 weeks to go and I'm already looking forward to the post-race sports massage at the Directors' Institute on Pall Mall!

Our fundraising has come on a bit in the last week or so. We are now at £1829.33 - our next big target is the £2k mark; could you be the one to get us there? You can sponsor us by clicking here. Thank you for all your support and good wishes!!

Our Visit to the Hearing Dogs Training Centre

Yesterday we went on a bit of an adventure. We went on the train to Saunderton in Buckinghamshire to visit the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People training centre. It was an organised get together for all the people running the London Marathon for Hearing Dogs. After a quick but delicious lunch in the local pub (where we were temporarily adopted by the pub dog, Rufus, a giant golden labrador), we walked the quarter of a mile to the Hearing Dogs centre in the pouring rain. A warming cup of tea later, we were ushered into the "Puppy Hall" to watch demonstration dog, Teal, and his handler, Tom, show us how Hearing Dogs help their recipients every day. When a household noise occurs, such as an alarm clock, the cooker timer or the phone, Teal places two paws on Tom's leg and then leads him to the sound. Teal had a "senior moment" (he is 12!) when he led Tom to the cooker timer, but it was the phone making the noise. He got it right the second time! When the noise is an emergency sound, such as a smoke alarm, Teal still places his paws on Tom's leg, but instead of leading him to the sound, he drops to the floor, so as not to lead Tom to the danger.


While some assistance dogs, like Guide Dogs (for blind people) need to be big and sturdy, many different types of dog are suitable to be Hearing Dogs - Teal is a Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever cross (try saying that after one Tizer too many) and one of the most popular and receptive breeds used is the cockerpoo. Yes, I know you're wondering what a cockerpoo is now. It's a cross between a cocker spaniel and a poodle, which conveniently inherits the poodle's non-moulting properties, making it suitable for some people with pet hair allergies.

After the demonstration, we had a surprise visit, which turned out to be the highlight of the day. We were all told to remain in our seats while several volunteers came in with armfuls of puppies. There were about ten in total, seven cocker spaniels and 3 labradors, all the cutest things ever and incredibly lively. We had a good quarter of an hour cuddle time, followed by a site tour led by Hearing Dog Molly and her recipient, Jenny Smith. Before we went on the tour, Jenny thanked the runners for running to raise money for Hearing Dogs. Having Molly has clearly changed her life for the better and James and I both felt a lump in our throats when we realised how much difference to someone's life we could be making.


The tour took in the various buildings of the former stud farm, including training houses, where the dogs learn to deal with the sights and sounds of the home, and the kennels, where we met our first cockerpoo, who was called William and was, of course, adorable. It was there that I really appreciated the huge range of dogs that can be trained to become Hearing Dogs - as well as little William, there was a ginormous black German shepherd called Blue, who was very, very hairy and had orange eyes which gave him the look of a hungry wolf. Turns out he was a big softie though!

After another cup of tea, we were given a talk on nutrition for marathon runners by Jenny Tschiesche, a nutrition therapist who actually has real qualifications and isn't afraid to include proper science in her materials. It was refreshing to hear someone not just telling us what we should and shouldn't eat while training, but also telling us why. You can find Jenny's practice at www.eatlivedo.com.

During the day we also had the pleasure of meeting Hannah Phillips, Hearing Dogs' events coordinator. Hannah has the unenviable task of finding and then organising all the Hearing Dogs marathon runners, as well as coordinating the people who support Hearing Dogs in myriad other challenge events, from cycling to firewalking.

The Hearing Dogs' training centre is a fantastic facility. It has everything they could possibly need, but without any frills or frippery that would be unbefitting of the organisation's charitable status. The thing they really need cash for is the maintenance and staffing of the facility to enable more Hearing Dogs to be trained and paired with deaf recipients. We've been stuck on £1,475 for a little while now - could you be the person to take us over the £1,500 barrier? Sponsor us at www.justgiving.com/bbjamarathon. Please! Pretty please!!!

Sussex Beacon Half Marathon

On Sunday, we braved the wind and the hail and the rain and the cold and ran the Sussex Beacon Half Marathon in Brighton. I can honestly say I have never been so wet and cold in my entire life. For anyone who was out and about in Hove on Saturday and saw a bedraggled woman clad in black running gear stomping down the seafront by the lagoon singing the song from the tabacalera scene in Carlos Saura's Carmen at the top of her voice, yes, you guessed it, that was me. I have to admit it wasn't the most tuneful rendition, but I was pretty much on my own at that point and the hail was getting to me at around 7 miles in. My great aim for the day was to get around in one piece (which I managed) but it would be dishonest to say I hadn't hoped to do it in under three hours - which I didn't manage; I made it over the line in 3:01:50. At least I have something to aim for next time. "Next time?" you say. Yes, next time. I actually found the half marathon distance easier than the 10k, so now I have high hopes that the marathon will be easier still. I feel I may be disappointed there. James fared slightly better than me and finished ahead of his target in 2:08:59 (though about 20 seconds of that was waiting in the queue to get over the finish line!)

I hate the first 2 miles

Went out and covered 5.2 miles today, as usual the first 2 miles were hellish. Thankfully after a January of not being able to run properly, I get into my stride now after the first couple of rather horrible miles. Shin splints, random pains, excessive effort to keep going forward; but after the 2 mile mark it all seems to click. Hopefully on Sunday it will all be fine after those most hated 2 miles.

As I was saying I went out and covered 5.2 miles today. The first 4, at hoped for half marathon pace, involved running: round the back of the prison; up the hill to Tuffnel park tube station; then up the hill again, to the pub where we turn down towards the heath; into the heath; up parliament hill, back down to the duck ponds; round the duck ponds and back to Tuffnel park, all in 40 min dead on. I was very impressed I had managed to average 10 min/mile pace the whole way; in the drizzle that would be more appropriate in Manchester. The 10 min/mile pace was important today as that is the pace at which I hope to complete the Brighton half on Sunday. If I can do this then that means 11 min/mile pace should be achievable for the marathon.

I then did a few stretches to revive my legs. When I looked down at my legs there was a haze rising from them due to the humidity in the air and the damp clothing; it was a most strange sight. After the stretches and the marvelling at water vapour I headed back home at 11 min/mile pace for the last 1.2 miles.

I have often said that I hate running in the rain, but today running along the top of parliament hill in the rain in a mostly empty park was a great feeling. Probably linked to oxygen deprivation and beta-endorphins, but whatever the reason it felt nice for a few seconds, then the reality of the pain and the rain crept back in round the edges.

Marathon update with inane rambalings about tea and oranges

We are now 73/2 days, depending how you count(correctly or not), away from marathon day. At this point on marathon day I expect to be hating the world and wishing I had never got a place. If I am on target for 10 or 11 min miles at this point on marathon day then I should be ....(let me work this out)....about 4 hours 15 or ~ 24 miles in and about to go down towards the finish. The thought of all this still fills me with a kind of fear nay dread, yet the excitement won't go away.

On Sunday we ran 16 miles, which reminds me I have to grab my tea and an orange, in separate containers; I am not that wyrd. But they could be great together....? Back in a bit. While carrying those back to the laptop I navigate my way round the hoover and countless other things I had foolishly left in the middle of the floor. Anyway back to what I was saying.... On Sunday we covered 16 miles, both of us in new trainers, me because the merchandising at Meet The Experts worked on me and BB because her last pair died, a most terrible death. Mine gave me a blister and BB's were great.

In other news we are a couple of weeks away from running our first proper half-marathon, the Sussex Beacon Half-Marathon. And a bit more away from running the Kilomathon which should be fun/painful. Nom, Nom, Nom orange washed down with tea is really tasty. If exceptionally sweet, I got some tasty oranges form the Cypriot shop in Haringey.

16 miles last week, then 6 next week; before the half marathon, then back up towards the 16, 8, 16.3 (kilomathon), then 18, 10, 20, 12, 8, !!!!26.2!!!!

I will try to keep things updated here.....

Also our new bed arrived and it is great :)

Benito's Hat

Does everyone remember how I said last week that long runs were a joy? Well they're not. Yesterday we traipsed (that's the only word that can really describe it) around London for hours on end in order to clock up our 14 mile quota. We went from base camp in Holloway to Angel, along the Regent's Canal all the way to Limehouse, through Wapping, across Tower Bridge, along the South Bank all the way to Westminster Bridge, through Parliament Square to Whitehall, then through Trafalgar Square and up Charing Cross Road and Tottenham Court Road to finish at Benito's Hat on Goodge Street.

Benito's Hat is great. They sell burritos and tacos and not a lot else, but you can have all the fillings in the world inside them. And, best of all, they make your burrito or tacos right in front of you, so you don't need to wait for ages (which is really important when you've just run (traipsed) 14 miles).

During the run, I managed to sustain my first real injury of the training campaign. I can almost hear you thinking "knee? ankle? hamstring?" No, don't be silly. I managed to injure my left arm. That's right - I injured my arm while running. You are now thinking "how could she possibly injure her arm while running?" Well, I did it while trying my hardest not to fall into the canal. We were on a cobbled humpbacked bridge that takes the towpath over the entrance to a canal basin. I caught my toe on a cobble and did that uncontrollable-staggering-forwards-while-trying-not-to-fall-over-and-trying-not-to-look-too-stupid thing, paying special attention to changing my course sufficiently to avoid going head first into the canal. This resulted in my careering into the back of James who, luckily, had realised I was about to fall over and had braced himself for the collision. Not so my arm, which got itself twisted up. It felt OK for the rest of the run and it wasn't until bedtime that I realised I'd done something quite nasty to it. Getting dressed this morning was quite tricky.

On the bright side, my horrible deal signed late on Saturday night, so this week I should be able to get back into the swing of the mid-week running, all in preparation for next week's 16-miler.