Andy's Marathon Bid 2007

I DID IT!!!!!!

2007-04-23T13:42:00.000Z

WOW

16 weeks later and 2 stone lighter...I crossed the finish line of the 2007 Flora London Marathon...

Apart from Molly being born this was the most amazing events of my life, it was awesome...

The support from my family, my friends, work colleagues, the charities and everyone at Quins has been amazing and really helped to get me through the training and the course, special mention has to go out to Gemma and the two very special girls Emma & Molly who words of encouragment really did help me to get to the end of this challenge.

I started this 16 weeks ago, struggling to run a mile & half and yet here we are running with 35,000 other people and getting to the end of this fantastic event.

The support on the course was unbelievable with people shouting out your name and offering the words of encouragement, and yes..the large group of people in the Docklands singing "macho man" to me really did help, Lou seeing and hearing you in The Embankment was perfect really putting the running back into my legs.

The course was spectacular, passing so many of London great attractions, getting to Tower Bridge was a good feeling, the heat of the day was a major problem but I took it steady and kept drinking, I found running around the Docklands really really hard, but kept pushing and then coming out of the Docklands at mile 20 and the run home along the Embankment was intense.

Seeing Emma, in the Grandstands (thanks Steve) was brillant really help me push home to the line.

Today I am at home, with 2 very large blisters on the balls of my feet, but feeling very proud of myself, and really wanting to do next year...so watch this space.

Andy

Week 11 Day 3

2007-03-15T15:35:00.000Z

A couple of well earned rest days, giving my niggles a chance to heal and my hydration and glycogen stores a chance to sort themselves out....see almost sound like a runner.

Well back to the road tonight, with a much needed speed session to get me out of my comfort zone...

Tonight should be fun, and will let you know how it all goes tomorrow.

Andy

Week 11 Day 1

2007-03-12T16:14:00.000Z

The day after the Fleet Half Marathon -

Wow that was really really hard work, 13 miles of a very hilly route in some hot weather.

My time was 2 hours and 23 minutes and oh 17 seconds - and my knees felt everyone one of those seconds and miles. I was a little disappointed with my time as was really hoping to be around in about 2 hours 15mins but the route was rather hilly lol.

It was really good I had never run either that distance or for that amount of time, Its really hard trying to get a comprehension of that sort of distance when you are on the ground, but there was a good crowd and it surprised me how much that seems to carry you through.

But I did it and the best bit was the end (funny that!!!) made my grand entrance with lads from the Army which was cool....waiting for the offical time and photographs to be added to the website.

So today (Monday) my knees hurt and walking up and down the stairs is a source of much amusement but I've got my medal and for taking a few hours of my day it was really really good fun...and I will be doing it again next year too and I'll be a lot lighter and hopefully a little quicker...

Right six weeks to go till the big one, so today is a rest day and then 5 weeks of steady training to increase my distance and stamina...

Having been told off to I will be keeping my blogg more upto date too...

Andy

On the stand....

2007-03-12T15:55:00.000Z

On Saturday at the Stoop....

First of all, to all the people that stopped by to put money in the bucket and also to offer great words of encouragement....THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH.

I really enjoyed meeting and talking to you all and heard some great marathon stories, and to the young lady with the shin splints...hang in there, take it steady and I'm sure with your visits to the house of pain you'll get right back on track and be ready to go for it on April 22nd.

As for the match, I think someone forgot to tell the team to come out for the second half!!!

But my first every half marathon tomorrow - which will be a few 1st for me, the 1st time in a race, the 1st time running in a big group, 1st time doing 13 miles and the 1st time running for over 2 hours....

I am both excited and also very nervous about the event but I shall give it a good go, it is after all only a weekend long training run.

Andy

A niggle followed by a cold....

2007-03-05T20:51:00.000Z

When does it stop...this feeling pants thing....

Well after a couple of sessions in the house of pain, and a major bout of man flu (sorry girls...you wont understand) I am now fighting fit and back on the long hard training road...

After a couple of short runs and not really any tenderness in either the knee or hip I am really really pleased..

So yesterday, that day that was blowing a hooley and sheet raining there I was like a true professional out in all my finest running gear, planned to cover 11 miles but managed 10 and felt really good....a real psychological win as have a half marathon on Sunday in Fleet.

A rest day (Monday) but feeling really good, have a meeting with the guys from The Shooting Star Childrens Hospice tomorrow to charge the motivation batteries once again....

So a number of steady training session this week and am looking to get out with the guys from Sandhurst joggers and run in a group situation...both really nervous and looking forward to that too.

So please check back tomorrow and I'll let you know how I'm getting on..

Andy

No Pain No Gain!!!!

2007-02-21T16:42:00.000Z

Hi everyone

I was going to title this as "Andy Beckensale house of pain!!" and for you that know this will clearly tell you that I have been to NEC Harlequins Sports injury clinic...

Let me start by telling you all that if you have any niggles, pains, injuries or are recovery from an operation and want some fantastic advice and guidance, in a very modern enviroment then these are the guys to call....they are brillant and really know there stuff too.

Now that's the sales job over, god it hurt...after my initial consulation it would appear that my knee niggle is caused by having flabby butt cheeks - the offical name is I have some tendonitus in my Iliotibial Band - caused by a weakness in my glutes...see flabby butt cheeks.

After being told by Andy in the understatement of the year - "your not going to enjoy this bit" he pushed his thumb into my muscle and it felt that he stopped as it reached his elbow...which was followed by me saying by jove my good man you seem to have hit the spot or anglo saxon words to that effect.

So after an hour of being stretched, pulled and twisted it was finally over with arragements to meet again on Friday....cant wait!!

No run today, as wanted to rest my muscle totally but will be training tomorrow.

Andy

Week 9 Day 1

2007-02-21T16:14:00.000Z

Hi everyone

Rest day today so no running wahoooooo!!!!!

Let me say a massive thanks to all the people who have shown there support in terms of both sponsorship and also words or encouragement - it couldnt have come at a better time in terms of my mental battle - so thank you all VERY much.

But in addtion let me tell you about a few fund raising things that are happening -

Its offical, I am now on the comeallwithin (www.comeallwithin.co.uk) the Quins supporters website, and also on the NEC Harlequins (www.quins.co.uk) offical site, this is getting really real now!!!!

Due to some some excellent support work by my wife Emma, the fantastic CA onsite Montessori Children’s Centre where our daughter, Molly, has been since she was four and a half months old. The events committee in the centre are going to run a fundraising project for the Shooting Star Children’s Hospice.

This will involve things like putting up posters within the centre, emails to the parents, and also using it to teach the children about caring for others and charity work as a whole – which I think is fantastic.

In addition to this, CA have said that we can have a table outside the restaurant one lunchtime to raise awareness and take donations.

I have also been out badgering people for money, and have a real claim to fame and that is I have been able to raise a £100.00 sponsorship from the people in the accounts department at my work, not an easy task - so thank you all so much.

I will also be on the Quinssa stand at the Saracens home game (10th March) so if you dont want to see me in lycra get your money out!!!!!

More to follow soon-

Andy

Week 8 - Overview

2007-02-21T15:48:00.000Z

Hi everyone

Sorry for not updating my blogg over the last week, but all I seem to be doing is working, running and sleeping - the work bit has taken over a little bit this week, but still been running.

The niggle in my left knee is still there and causing me a little concern and so have made an appointment to visit the NEC Harlequins sports injury clinic - on Tuesday 20th booked in with Andy, much to the enjoyment of Anne McCarthy @ Quins who must know something I don't!

My training is half way through, but I have reached a real plateau in terms of both the mental and physical side - its really tough going at the moment!!!

However I am going to be seeking the advice from a coach and also looking to recharge my motivation batteries with a visit to both the Shooting Star Fund raising office and a visit to the Hospice next weekend.

Sunday morning was my long run - well what can I say?! I decided to go training over the military ground at Aldershot, an area I thought I was familiar with, but I cleary need some map reading training too as got totally lost!!! Is it just a bloke thing that instead of just turning back at the half way point and going back the way you've just come, you decide to just follow your nose (a.k.a the unknown path!!!) - but hey thats an extra 35 minutes worth of running!

So no ice bath this week - too much of a coward!!!!

More to follow

Week 8 Day 1

2007-02-13T14:11:00.001Z

A rest day get in there!!!!!

Week 7 -

2007-02-13T13:53:00.000Z

Hi everyone

Week 7 am I glad that week is over - picked up a niggle in my left knee, which has resulted in me easing right off the mileage and for some really STUPID reason actually wanting to have an ice bath.....now that was one of the most stupid things I have ever done!!!!!

Ended the week with a much reduced 7 miles over tarmac, having found this really good Army test track in Aldershot too run on - if I do a figure of 8 then it is excatly 1 mile......which is perfect.

Also had a session with a personal training working on my core stability and stretches mmmmm what is that all about, natural spine position I ask you!!!!

Anyway start of Week 8 with a rest day...perfect

Andy

Week 7 Day 3

2007-02-08T10:26:00.000Z

Hi everyone

The day before the snow came....so you can bet that my love affair with the nice warm cosy gym was rekindled for my 3 mile run!

Yes I did wear my snazzy new trainers and no they did not instantly convert me into a racing snake, and no they did not make my time the fastest to date, but....lordy lordy they look good!!

So another 3 miles tonight, coupled with a session with one of the fitness team looking at strength training and core stability work...cant wait lol.

Andy

Week 7 Day 2

2007-02-08T10:25:00.000Z

Hi everyone

Daddy duties and sore knee stops play today......

Week 7 day 1

2007-02-06T12:22:00.000Z

Hi everyone

What can I say - rest day!!!

But let me tell you, on Sunday I did an Adidas foot scan and for those people who don't know what that means (including me!!) you have to run across a rubber mat which is attached to some special electronic equipment, and when your heel hits the mat it records your strike and then as your foot goes through its motion it records your weight distribution - which sounds fantastic doesn't it!!!!

But it only works if you can get your stride pattern right and your foot hits the mat, after the 3 attempts I had (it isn't that easy trust me!!!!) I found out that only 3% of the world are neutral runners, which means that your foot & body follow a straight line with equal weight distribution - most people are either over or under pronators which means that your weight distribution is either inside or outside.

Watching the computer produce a Tomorrow's World image of your foot in action is really clever and having now (hopefully) been sold the right type of running shoes, I'm sure that my times will improve, my aches will stop and my mind will stop wandering.......

So if you need anymore advice from Andy's Marathon Shop then please let me know.

Can't wait to try my snazzy new shoes tonight on my 3 miler.....

Andy

Week 6 Days 1 - 7

2007-02-05T22:19:00.000Z

Hi everyone

sorry for not updating this blogg, what with training, work and daddy duties I ran out of time - boom boom!!!!

So many things have happened this week including, fastest mile - speed work - interval training - 12 mile long distance run and of course a fantastic Marathon Seminar on Sunday.

I had no idea of the planning, the commitment and the sheer size of the Flora London Marathon - but let me tell you, having sat through a number of seminars about the event, training, what to wear, hydration and food I now have a clearer vision of what a huge event it is.......roll on April 22nd

Andy

Week 5 Day 7

2007-01-30T09:34:00.000Z

Hi everyone

OMG!!!!!!

What can I say, that was harder than I thought it was going to be, the 3 hills in the course really made my legs work hard - and clearly hills are missing from my weekly workouts (which I will need to change) forgot how useful the hills can be.

However I got around, in just over the hour but was last in - not happy with my performance, happy I got around but not happy with where I was or how I was feeling.

But the good thing is that this is only my week 5 and still have 12 weeks to go.

However the very loving relationship between the treadmill and me is over, I know it will break my heart to leave the comfort, warmth and the support of the springy treadmill behind - but I'm a big boy and need to start road running and putting some power in my legs, but will be in the gym for my resistance and core stability work so all is not lost lol!!!!!.

I am also trying to juggle my weightloss with eating right, have lost around 9lbs todate, but need to shed at least another stone before April 22nd, as I'm feeling like I'm carrying a house on my back - well more like a small bungalow.

But my motivation is still high, have some banging tunes on my Ipod and a journey of a 1000 miles began with just one step...........

Andy

Week 5 Day 4

2007-01-30T09:27:00.000Z

Hi everyone

3 miles seems to be the standard fast run now - blimey listern to me sounding like a racing snake -

Completed the run today in around 27mins sure I have a cold coming, or is that just an excuse, not sure he says tongue in cheek.

Well its nearly the weekend and the date for the race meeting at Richmond Park, which is 7 miles long, the right distance for my weekend long run, am both excited and also nervous, at this will be my 1st "outdoor" run and I am not sure how diffrent it will be compared to treadmill work.

So rest day tomorrow (Sat) in preperation for the run and I'll let you know how it all goes.

Bye for now

Andy

Week 6 day 4

2007-01-26T12:06:00.000Z

Hi everyone

No training last night, but got to meet the guys and my fellow marathon runners from The Shooting Star Childrens Hospice Team.

What a really nice group of people, very helpful and very freindly - and most seem to be as nervous at the prospect of running 26.2 miles as I am, but I am sure the team spirit and fantastic support will see us all through to the very end.

It was great being able to chat to everone and listern to the reasons why they have decided to put their best foot forward, and also to compare training notes and tips.

We have arranged to meet on Sunday morning (8am) at Richmond Park, hopefully, for the 1st of many group training runs - both excited and also very nervous as dont want to look like a plank lol.

3 miles tonight and then the usual long run and hour X-training at the weekend.

Andy

Week 6 day 3

2007-01-25T14:18:00.000Z

Hi everyone

What a cold and miserable night last night - so had to retire to a very warm gym lol...

Completed my run in 27.06 and according to Lance Armstrong I did my fastest mile todate...

For the people that dont know Emma, my long suffering but bl**dy lovely wife, bought me for Christmas (or was it given to her by Santa never can remember that one!!) a Nike Ipod device, which is a gizmo that plugs into my Ipod, and using the sensor you put in to your running shoe, can measure your time, distance and speed - and whenever you reach a new PB either Lance Armstrong or Paula Radcliffe like to let me know....its a great little gadget and it plays music tooooo.

Anyway forced restday today as have a really really really important meeting to go to The Shooting Star Childrens Hospice tonight - to meet the staff and also to meet some of the other mad people that, like me, are going to be taking part in the Flora London Marathon....still sounds funny hearing, so I tend to say it quickly.

So I will let you all know how tonight goes - tomorrow.

Andy

Week 6 Day 1 & 2

2007-01-24T09:04:00.000Z

Hi Everyone

Monday was a rest day and after the 10 miler - was much needed, which coupled with the fact that it was my birthday and the big "40" was a blessing.

Tuesday a 3 miler 32.15, good steady pace on the treadmill, at a 1% incline, as it was bl**dy cold outside.

Snowing this morning so trust me there will be another run tonight in the warm........

Andy

Week 5 Days 6 & 7

2007-01-22T13:30:00.000Z

Hi Everyone

This post covers 2 days worth of training as I'm still in shock...that I did it...

10 Miles, the furthest I have EVER run and let me assure you it was really really hard work, and if you didnt get that "I SAID IT WAS REALLY REALLY HARD WORK.."

People have asked me did I enjoy it, and at the time the answer would have to be no, but today the answer is surprisingly a yes even with my stiff knees and aching shoulders.

The time was a little slower than I was hoping for, 1:50 and was looking to be in around 1:40/1:45 but that last 2 miles were a real killer...however it was a good steady 4:30 marathon pace and thats after 5 weeks of training, still have 13 weeks to go.

A much needed rest today as with every Monday - well come on it is my 40th Birthday today tooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

Andy

Week 5 Day 5

2007-01-22T13:20:00.000Z

Hi Everyone

Much needed rest day yesterday, but 3 miles today and that went really well still hitting just under the 30 min mark, which considering my effort just before Christmas it a bloody good thing.

Still can't stop thinking about the weekend run, a little jog in the park of around 10 miles - the last time I did anything near 10 miles I was in the car.......

But onwards and up - still really enjoying the training have arranged to meet up with the guys from The Shooting Star Childrens Hospice on Thurday (25th) and to be honest I can't wait, it will be excellent to see how the sponsorship raised will help them, so please please when you can give as much as you can to the charities that I am running every penny will help, trust me!!!!!

Week 5 Day 4

2007-01-22T13:18:00.000Z

Hi Everyone

Tired legs stop play today.......so swapped rest days.... normal play should resume tomorrow.

Week 5 Day 3

2007-01-18T12:46:00.000Z

Hi everyone

5 miles last night and oh my god was THAT hard work, took just under the hour 59.10.

I think it was such hard work because I didn't eat very much and my head was thinking about problems at work...so like every highly trained athlete I can feel the need for some "head & mind" coaching coming on.

Woke up this morning to being jumped on by Molly (aged 22 months) and that is always a good way to start the day, can feel the need for an early night......

3 miles tonight which looking at the current weather will definitely be in the gym so will update you all with that tomorrow.

Just to let you know I have (hopefully) added a couple of widgets to this blogg which link through to the sponsorship pages, remember I know things are always tight after Christmas, but we do have until 22nd April - so dont think I'm gonna let you off giving me your money.

http://www.justgiving.com/rss/getfundraisingPage2.asp?EventGivingGroupId=533792" width="195px" height="322px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">

http://www.justgiving.com/rss/getfundraisingPage2.asp?EventGivingGroupId=533783" width="195px" height="322px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">

Andy

Week 5 Day 2

2007-01-17T13:33:00.000Z

Hi everyone

Feeling really good today and starting to look forward to my training sessions, yeah right I can hear you shout - but no its true.

Tonight was a 3 mile speed run (hay listern to me starting to sound like a runner) Its really funny but 3 miles is starting to feel like a good distance, which considering how I felt on my very 1st run, is a really good thing...

5 miles tomorrow and then 3 miles on Thursday.....with the big 10 miler at the weekend........

Week 5 Day 1

2007-01-16T10:52:00.000Z

Hi everyone

I really like the day 1's cos its a much needed rest day.........

Tonght (Tues) a 3 mile run, which is going to be a fartlek session, to try and start to increase my leg speed. A ratio of 1 to 2 so increased speed for 1 min followed by at least 2 mins slow pace and so on for the full 3 miles or until I fall over.

Will be driving past the gathering of racing snakes (aka Sandhurst Joggers) tonight and in a couple of weeks once my base line stamina is high enough I will be joining them....so bring on the lycra and reflective tops, the streets of Sandhurst will never be the same again.

Until tomorrow

Andy

Week 4 Day 7

2007-01-15T13:25:00.000Z

Hi everyone

Today was a hard day...well in terms of getting my butt off the sofa and to the gym it was.....

Cross training for an hour and let me tell you leaving it as late in the day as I did doesn't make the task any easier.....I kept closing my eyes but every time I opened them there is was.....

So as tired as I was, off I trotted cycling and 36.84km and an hour later I was done and feeling good, so off home to Daddy duties and reading Dilly Duckling at bed time makes everything worth while.

I have to say that I am amazed at the support that is being offered to me from training advice from a 38 time marathon runner to the offer of a training partner for those very long weekend runs.....all of which I would like to thank you all for and you can bet a million pounds I will be taking you all up on, so thank you all so very much.

Today's task is a much needed rest day followed by a 3mile road run tomorrow.

Andy

Week 4 Day 6

2007-01-14T13:53:00.000Z

Hi everyone

The 1st real test - 9 miles

Yes its true for the very 1st time I ran (would like to say non-stop but cant!!!) the greatest distance I have EVER run in my life - but I did it.

It took 1.29.10 to complete the distance, running for an hour (just over 6 miles) without stopping then had 3 walking moments as I took liquid on board...that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it!!!!

Found it very enjoyable, but hard work my knees are a little sore today, but am still highly motivated, escpecially having had my welcome pack from "The Shooting Star Children's Hospice" yesterday which just cemented my belief that this along with Future Hope are 100% the right organsation for me to be trying to rasie much needed sponsership for - below are the links please please give any money you can even if its a £1.00 it will ALL help and spur me on.

http://www.justgiving.com/AndyShootingStar

http://www.justgiving.com/AndyFutureHope

Today's target is 1 hour cross training - so onwards and up.

Andy

Here we go!!

2007-01-12T11:13:00.000Z

Hi everyone

Wow this marathon stuff moves along at an incredible rate - we are already at Week 4 in my training programme and I am able to knock off 4 miles without too much pain - which considering where I was on my 1st run is, for me, a major achievement.

But here we are in week 4 running 4 miles - with the long runs still being completed at the weekends with the next one being 9miles.

I have booked my place at the Fleet half Marathon which falls in week 10, which is spot on perfect for the big event.

Now the best news is that I have been given this fantastic opportunity by members of the Harlequins Supporerts Association (Quinssa), and so my very deepest thanks to you all for both having your support and for the faith you are putting in me -
So to Emma and the other commitee members a huge thanks...

As you know I did begin my training a few weeks ago, for 3 reasons -

1 I had made the decision to do the Marathon and knew I needed to train....

2 Having applied for a place via Quinssa I wanted to get some miles under my decreasing belt size, should I be lucky enough to be awarded the place........

3 Its really good fun...........

I am now able to tell you of my chosen charities -

http://www.justgiving.com/AndyShootingStar

http://www.justgiving.com/AndyFutureHope

Both are fantastic causes and very dear to my heart and will appeal to both rugby and non-rugby people alike, so please dig deep and give whatever you can to help me raise some much needed funds.

I will update this blogg daily so please mark it and return, and you'll get to hear the diary of a wanna be racing snake -

Andy

I haven't forgotton this blogg

2007-01-06T20:51:00.000Z

A full update is to follow, there have been some very interesting developments not only with my marathon training, but also in my personal life - have finally managed to cut loss some very emotionally and financially draining deadwood which after 4 years, now leaves me realising the importance of those people in my life and also the meaning of true friendship.

So to the deadwood - be gone foul stench!!!!!!

A full update to follow -

Andy

Day 6 Week 1

2006-12-18T09:25:00.000Z

Hi everyone

Now that was really really hard work....6 miles or 8.045km - that took just under the hour 57.39 to run.

Was a very interesting situation, didnt want to blat off and run flat out but wanted to try and pace myself to see if my legs could do it......

But funny enough it wasnt my legs that needed the work it was my mind....I think for the very 1st time in my life I found somewhere either in my head, my heart or soul that pushed and pulled me to the end....

I have often wondered what is it that makes people strive to reach their goals, watching the recent British Army attempt on Everest via the West Ridge and hearing from the Team Doctor that as these guys pushed on their bodies were dying from the inside.... I found myself thinking what MAKES these guys push onwards to get to the end and during my run on Saturday I think I had an insight to that powerful part of your mind that makes you push through when things get hard.....

I think the fear of failing in the eyes of the people who are important to you is a massive motivational tool.

This task is not going to be easy, but having had my own insight on Saturday I KNOW that I am going to make it.....when I get to that start line on April 22nd I WILL get to finish...

The fear of failing far outweights the need to succeed...

So now onto week 2...

Andy

Day 5 Week 1

2006-12-18T09:19:00.000Z

Hi everyone

Today was the 1st day of cross training, that strange thing that makes you feel because your not running your cant be training for a marathon.....

Well let me tell after an hour and some 38kms later.....I did feel like I had trained.

Tomorrow is the big test a big 6 miler - which for someone who hasn't too much running is a BIG test...in a strange way I am really looking forward to it.....

So until then.....

Andy

Day 4 Week 1

2006-12-15T12:38:00.000Z

Hi everyone

Whats the term used in Cricket "rain stops play".....

Well mine is "Daddy duties called" so a forced rest day was had...not that my legs minded.

But have to confess that I felt really guilty of no training, but an hours cycle tonight and then a long 6 mile run tomorrow will, I'm sure, put pay to any of those feelings.

So onwards and up, am really starting to enjoy this.

Andy

Day 3 Week 1

2006-12-14T09:44:00.000Z

WOW and for those that did not see that WOW.......

Never mind Forrest Gump having new legs - I think I need some!!!!

The old lifestyle of mine is not going to make this quest easy....well not in the early days that for sure.

Made a executive decision yesterday to run at the gym on a treadmill set on .5% incline to simulate road running, 3 mile run yesterday was the plan....which should have been 4.827km but for some strange reason I had the distance of 5.2km in my mind - if there was ever a reason not to listern to the voices in my head this would have been it...I felt every one of those extra 373 meters but the task was completed in 37.44mins.

Today it is fair to say that someone must have visited me during the night, poured concrete into my shoes and stuck red hot needles in my legs - but hay lets face it it only the 2nd run and I am positive that as everything improves time will get faster, I'll get lighter and the finish will get closer.

Speak to you all tomorrow

Andy

Day 2 Week 1

2006-12-13T13:05:00.000Z

Good morning everyone

Well after my blistering start on Monday (my rest day) it was out in the rain yesterday for a 3 mile road run....sorry I mean plod.

I have to say that I really enjoyed myself, head down Ipod on and one foot in front of another - this would be so easy if my heart and lungs knew what they were meant to be doing and not trying to re-enact the chest bursting scene from alien!!!

But a journey of a 1000 miles begings with just one step - and I have made that 1st step and the 2nd and the 3rd........

Another 3 miles tonight.....with sore and stiff legs cool.....no pain no gain!

Andy

The 1st day of the 1st week

2006-12-13T12:21:00.000Z

Hi everyone

Thank you for taking the time to track my blogg down and for having a read - as you will see this is my daily diary for my own 2007 London Marthon attempt.

I have decided that as I am going to be 40 in January and due to some other things happening in my life at this time, I felt it was time to do something that I could be proud of both now and in the future too, hay you never know this could lead to a fitter and slimmer Andy along the way.

I am still trying to find the right charity to run for, as I think this will be a crucial part to keep my motivation right up there.

I have got myself an 18 week training programme which is a 5 day on 2 day off structure, building long runs at the weekend - sounds great on paper doesnt it!!!

You wil glad to know that day 1 week 1 was a rest day - hay I really DO like this programme after all.

More tomorrow

Andy