MARATHON CHALLENGE - PART 5 ALL THE GEAR AND ONLY A VAGUE IDEA

I got over my half marathon with a good couple of days rest, then I was off to exercise some different muscles, mix things up a bit. I did some gardening, and this is actually where the fundraising and running cross over. Some proper hardcore gardening for my sister and brother in law in return for an extra generous donation to my fundraising efforts. However, I was not going to get away lightly from my running duties, my brother in law, James, is a veteran marathon runner from 2013 and had plenty of advice and persevered in cajoling me out the door and on another run. He knows how 'not an athlete' I am, and I am suspicious he also knows the well guarded secret that I will struggle to get round the course, particularly in a rhino, particularly with my apathy towards proper preparation.

Proper preparation? I have discovered it's more than just practicing the ancient art of bipedal movement. It means nutrition, hydration and other vaguely technical words that ultimately come down to giving your body the best chance it can, to keep up with the mind. So this comes down to the running gear, what modern man has invented to assist specifically those with some primeval desie to experience the pain of running for miles, once running down prey I suppose, now a medal.

James talked me through THE WALL and how to try an avoid hitting it for as long as possible. The key, apparently, is that your body can only assimilate a limited number of calories at a time, after which it runs out unless you consume more. If you fail to give your body more calories to burn, then your brain says run and your legs kind of sag and stutter, unable to complete the intended movement. One of the best ways to imbibe extra calories on the run is energy gels, so James has kindly donated a box for me to try out. Now I have got some of the gear, but where to put these glucose gel sachets while running. Here's the ingenius part, a tiny tiny belt, a bit like a workman's belt for tools, but much less practical on a building site. This is able to just about hold enough gels and possibly a cereal bar, to get me round the 26 or so miles, even while rhinoed up. I hope.

I will try these out in due course, and I'll let you know how it goes: if I'm sick; if it gives me the boost to smash through the invisible wall; or even if it has no discernible effect.

Until then.

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MARATHON CHALLENGE - PART 4 HALF MARATHON = DONE

Accidental! I did an accidental half marathon! Surely a good sign. This 13 ish miles was just my normal 4.5 mile route but three times. I've had a break from running for a few days and started off planning to ease back in with the normal route round the village, (a simple right at every turn, which comes out as about 4.5 miles). As I approached the end of the first lap, I decided to continue and go for a second. no biggy, legs were aching but not collapsing under me. I ploughed on through, waving to the workman cutting the hedge for a second time. Tramping the now well worn path along the side of the lane.

I have done two circuits before, and it was while nearing the end of round 2 that I decided I could go the whole hog, make it a third, make it a half bloody marathon, why not. So it was after mile 10, soon after proclaiming outloud that I was going to go for it, that my body started giving up. The memory of the single piece of marmite toast that was fuelling my run came to mind and I regretted this meagre breakfast. But I had to finish now, I had no idea how long I had been out and suddenly I just really wanted to know the time, with no watch, I think this is partly what got me round in the two hours. I was determined to know how I was doing.

Finish line in sight, down the track, the house was approaching, or rather I was approaching it. I stopped, staggered and just about kept upright as I wound down to a walk. What I havent yet mentioned is that the dog was by my side the whole way. She didn't bat an eyelid, in fact after 13.5 miles she was bounding about like nothing had happened, at least she did alright, for an accidental half.

If you are marginally impressed by my effort so far, feel free to donate to my challenge here

MARATHON CHALLENGE - PART 3 FIRE AND BRIMSTONE

Well that was particularly traumatic. I'm in Cornwall, land of dramatic cliff drops, emerald waters, sandy beaches and open skies. However, today was far from picturesque, the weather was shocking, like really really terrible. Thunderclouds, heavy air, whipping wind, the lot. All of it thrown at me for my morning run, when I say run... I mean there were times I was clinging to the fence for fear of being blown off the cliff, elemental was the word I was told and this certainly seems to sum it up. But, once I got into it I warmed up a bit, the too close for comfort cliff edge adding an element of je ne sais quoi.

Then the hail came. Just as I was trying to NOT regret the decision to run a marathon. Huge hailstones pummelling down, I ran/stumbled to a bit of tufty grass (yep there was not a lot of cover) and crouched trying to protect my stinging ears with my hands. In this vulnerable state I discovered the power of profanities, which did quite a lot to relieve the situation. This was my turning back point, I have no idea how far I had gone, but ran like mad back, sometimes crouching like a bright blue commando to lower my centre of gravity, which I genuinely thought would stop me blowing off the cliff face.

I made it back, rejoice and hooray, I am alive, and feel slightly more alive than ever. Despite the fire and brimstone chucked at me from sea and air. Although, I might not do it again, not until the sun is well and truly out.

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MARATHON CHALLENGE - PART 2 (ACTUALLY RUNNING)

So I did it, yep I went on a run, I could avoid it no more. The New Year has been hailed in, resolutions made. The first one was pretty painful, not gonna lie, it sucked. It was cold, icy and I really find stretching tedious. However it happened. I went 5 miles (approx) and this successful endeavour encouraged me to continue, so I left it a couple of days (don't want to be too keen) and did it again. So now I feel like I'm building stamina or something similarly technical.  Which lead me to thinking I'd try to run 10. Yep 10 whole miles.

Well I can safely say I am in pain, not that ole 5 mile pain, more aching, more permanent, more creaking knees. I didn't time myself, don't need that kind of pressure just yet thank you, just pushed on through, could have been more like a quick walk for all I know. But.. crucially, I'm feeling encouraged. I might be able to do it. I really could be in with a chance of completing the London Marathon.

If you want to sponsor my challenge, just click here for my Virgin Money Giving page