Feel the burn!

6.2 miles in 47:14
Route: DfES - Home 4a

Took a while to hit my rhythm on this run. The first couple of miles were quite difficult - mainly because I had to weave between the swarms of commuters and negotiate rush hour traffic. It wasn't until I reached the dark, dark Regents Park ringroad that I felt I could run with any ease.

I adjusted my mid-week run of last week to a slightly longer course, to make it a genuine 6-miler. From my start point at the corner of St James Park, I ran down Birdcage Walk (the first time I have run what is, effectively, the last half mile of the marathon) across the front of Buck House, around two sides of the Green Park triangle and then into Mayfair following the same route I worked out last week.

Am struggling to find a place to warm up at the moment (there are no Ministerial offices in my new job). Realistically, it's too cold to stretch outside. I tried the changing rooms at DfES but they are small and smell like feet. Next stop is the stairwell I think - should be just about enough room there and, judging by the regular lift-jams in Sanctuary Buildings, noone ever uses them.

Had a discussion in my new team today about whether eating soup for lunch (as I did today - 'EAT' clam chowder - yum!) was more of less healthy for you than sandwiches. We didn't bother to find an anwer to this (I will research it more fully in future weeks), but, I did find this very interesting table. These are the calories burned per 10 minutes of running, at speeds from 12 minute miles down to 5min 30 miles (who the hell runs those besides Paula Radcliffe?!?).

SO - I am around 205 pounds (embaressingly, that means I'm off the table, but let's play along) and today I ran at 7.5 minute mile pace.

Let's use the figures for a 200 pound person, and split the difference between the 7 and 8 minute mile columns and say that I burnt around 200 calories evert 10 minutes. That means, in 47 minutes, I burnt almost 1000 calories! That's not bad at all for an after work run!

Sadly, as soon as I got in I ate two haddock fishcakes, a slice of cold pie, some baguette with pate (god, it was fantastic), a bit of pasta salad, a green salad dressed in olive oil and a Yeo Valley strawberry and vanilla yoghurt. Bit of a binge really. And that's not including the Lucozade sport that I downed.

Oh well. I suppose that the only part of a sportsman's body I'm ever going to achieve is bad knees.

Mud

8.3 miles in 1:05:18 (PB)
Route: Hampstead Heath circuit 1

I wish the title of this entry was a tribute to 70's glam rockers Mud. In fact, I'm referring to today's conditions - going 'off road' in November is all very well if you have spikes or some kind of JCB catapiller tracks attached to your feet, but if it's just you, the Asics and the elements, you're asking for trouble. I'm amazed, in fact, that I didn't 'do a Peter Simon' (fans of saturday morning TV around my age will understand) more than once, given the conditions. Like an English batsman facing Shane Warne, I was all over the place.

Still, unlike my countrymen at the Gabba, I stayed on my feet and successfully navigated a tricky circuit around Hampstead Heath - also now to be known at the Himalayas, thanks to the ass-kicking hill that you have to run up from Gospel Oak to Kenwood House. I didn't know it was possible to have a pulse rate of 400....

It was another stunning autumn afternoon. I just about got around in the light. The fading autumn light after the storms this morning gave everything a soft, hazy feel. But the rain this morning had churned up the route so that, at times, it felt like I was running along a small stream rather than a footpath. Apologies to all the loaded Hampstead-ites I must have sprayed as I whizzed past. Please don't set your black labradors on me!!

Pleased with the time - a PB. About a minute and a half quicker than last time. I was pretty beat by the end though - didn't help that I had eaten only an hour or two before the run. Never do that by the way. You feel like you are either going to throw up or develop a stitch every other step.

Must be disciplined about building on this. Missed a mid-week run this week with no proper excuse. Very bad. The distance ups to 9 miles next weekend, so I may have a run around Finsbury Park for a change. 6 miles on Tuesday I think.

New day, new route

5.9 miles in 44:13
Route: DfES - Home 4

Yet another new route. Two reasons i) I felt it was time to up the distance of at least one of my mid-week runs and ii) because I am so bored of running the same old route home that I thought I would go crazy if I had to weave my way through all those Christmas shoppers again.

This new route took me from DfES, across St James's park, across Green Park and into Mayfair, through Berkley square, across Oxford St and, eventually, onto Baker Street, around the edge of Regents Park to Camden and then the usual route up the hill through Camden Sq to home. It was very dark in places - I nearly ran into people a few times, who were coming the other way. A whole group of people with bibs were running the opposite way around the outside of Regents Park. They didn't seem to realise that pavements are two-way affairs and I was forced into the road a couple of times to avoid a head-on collision. Unbelievable.

Fitness-wise it felt very good. Did the whole thing comfortably without stopping. The conditions were excellent - cool but not too cold. Pleased with my time too - never done this particular route before, but the time works out at 8mph average, or 7.5 minute miles. That's quick for me.

Have discovered that the citizenship adviser in my new team is an experienced runner, a graduate of the London Marathon and accomplished triathlete. I intend to soak up his wisdom in the coming months - he even offered to go out running with me (I've a feeling I would be greatly outclassed).

Am eating too much junk food at the moment. I really have no control of my diet. Need to cut out the really bad foods. It would be naive to think that I can do the marathon without eating better. Need to read up on nutrition. Off to eat a healthy baked potato with beans and no butter.

Well, maybe just a little bit.

Dedication

7.2 miles in 55:54
Route: The Three Parks

Dedication, dedication, dedication, that's what you need. If you wanna be the best, if you wanna beat the rest, ooooo, dedication's what you need!

Well said Cheryl Baker - proof that there is life after Bucks Fizz. More importantly, 'dedication' is what you need to get out of bed at 8am on a Saturday morning to join the Serpentine Club for their regular Saturday morning run around the central London parks.

A healthy selection of mad people on the tube this morning, including a guy who read aloud to me from his novel as we were going down in the lifts at Caledonian Road tube (he didn't say what the novel was - it would have been polite to ask I suppose) and a lady on the tube who was loudly telling a polite but reluctant stranger why she couldn't find a husband (it seemed pretty evident to me).

Safely arrived at Speaker's corner, I decided to tackle the longer of the two routes on offer each week - the Three Parks, which takes you a full lap around Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens, Green Park and St James Park. We were lead by a gentleman named Charles who I can only describe as the David Dickenson of running - his catchphrase being "take great care!" every time we approached a road crossing. What a guy!

To be honest, I cruised this run. The pace was around my average - 8 minute miles - but we didn't stop and we didn't slow down for any slopes (not that there are many around Hyde Park). Running through the subway tunnels was a unique experience. Lots of 'hilarious' people outside Buckingham Palace cheering us on - twats - they'll be sorry when they have heart attacks, or can't find a date because they look like Fern Britton or Danny Baker.

Chatted to some cool people on the way around. One chap was over from France - a triathlete with a personal best 10k time of 30 minutes. Hear that Noakesy? 30 minutes!! That's a good 20 minutes quicker than I could manage!

Loads of potential for running more with the Serpentine Club - I'm a fully paid up member now, so I intend to use it. When I get my running kit, I'll post a photo! In the meantime, here are two pictures of this morning's run (hastily taken with my cam phone). As you can see, it was a breathtakingly beautiful morning... these are the moments when running the marathon seems like the best thing I've ever chosen to do.

Rush hour

4.5 miles in 35:53
Route: DfES - Home 1

Not a brilliant run. Stuck in traffic for most of it, literally. I wonder if the streets up until xmas are going to be like this every night? People everywhere and none of them prepared to move an inch - despite the fact I make every effort to run around. London is such a rubbish place for running sometimes. Noone seems to take any notice at all of where they are going. People walk in one direction while they are looking in another. I'm suprised I haven't taken more people out.

First time out in the new running shoes - a pair of Asics GT-2110, cost £54 from a running shop in Paddington (with 10% running club discount). I wasn't that impressed with them to be honest - the grip is rubbish (although that will improve with time) and my feet were very hot. I suppose it's going to take time to run them in (50-100 miles apparently) so I should reserve judgement until then. Will probably buy a more expensive pair for the marathon (circa £100) in next month or two and alternate their useage.

Didn't feel very fit tonight - not really sure why. Perhaps it was the chocolate croissant at lunchtime (damn you Pret A Manger for making them so delicious!) or the unseasonably warm weather - although I really shouldn't complain about that. Good mental strength though, and the time is bad mainly because of the traffic. I must have lost 30 seconds slipping on leaves as well!

The xmas lights are up in town. Regents Street appears to be sponsored by a cartoon again (frankly, I'd rather have no lights at all). I didn't notice the lights on Oxford Street (please let's hope they are better than last years spotlights) but the Carnaby Street lights are a cut above as usual. I wonder who pays for them?

Hampstead Heath

8.3 miles in 1:06:57
Route: Hampstead Heath circuit 1

Ah, Sunday on Hampstead Heath - the trees, the air, the residents of Hampstead and Highgate pushing little Oliva and Dominic around in their 'off-road' pushchairs!

Today's run was a bit of an experiment - I've never run on Hampstead Heath before. I had always considered it to be a bit far away for my needs, but, given that I'll soon be pushing the distance up well beyond 10/15 miles, I thought I should check it out. I had a quick look on the Serpentine Running Club website (such a good resource - check out the link to the right) for a suggested route and figured out the best way to link it back to my flat. I've only been to Hampstead Heath a few times, but I figured I would be able to make it around, if not exactly on the Serpentine Route then somewhere near it.

Sure enough, it was a really fantastic run. The only real drawback is that it's a bit hilly! The run from Gospel Oak up to Kenwood House especially is a bit of a killer! I did a fair amount of 'route finding' too and had to double back once or twice. I completely messed up the section at the far end of the heath and ended up on top of Parliament Hill - an amazing view for those who have never been there. I kind of made up a route home, back through Gospel Oak and Kentish Town, which worked quite well. All in all, an excellent day's run. I only stopped twice - very briefly - and more because I wasn't sure where I was than because I really needed to. A couple of times, I felt my legs take over and carry me along. Magic!

Plenty of potential for extending this route too - either by going further around the Heath (I only covered about half of it today) or by linking in Primrose Hill and Regents Park, for those extra long runs I'll be doing after Christmas! Can't wait...

Also tried running with a bottle of energy drink today. I think it was helpful to have, but the rate of flow from the bottle to your mouth is so ridiculously slow that drinking on the run is quite difficult (having your arm up in the air for the amount of time it takes to get a proper drink is really quite annoying). I'll try it again next weekend.

Today's run takes my distance for the week up to 20.8 miles - not even marathon distance! Still, it's pretty good for this stage in my training and I'll be pleased if I can keep it up. New job starts tomorrow. I wonder what they'll make of me warming up in the corner of the open plan...

Obituary: Nike Air Zooms

These Nike Air Zoom trainers were the first pair of running shoes I ever owned. I bought them from Niketown at Oxford Circus in London at the beginning of April 2005. Since then, they have taken me safely through over 500 miles of training.

I knew as soon as I put them on that they were the shoes for me. The one thing that I wanted (as a new and slightly 'reluctant' runner) was a pair of shoes that were lightweight - lifting my legs to run was going to be hard enough without a bulky pair of trainers on the end of them - but the Nikes were as light as a feather. Putting them on gave me a spring in my step and I actually felt like I wanted to run!

These trainers have taken me all over London, through Hyde Park, Green Park, St James Park and Regents Park, across Highbury Fields and around Finsbury and Clissold Park, more times between DfES and my flat than I can remember and on just about every street in W9 and N7. They know the tracks of Windsor Great Park and the sea front in Lowestoft. Their finest hour (or 2hrs 4mins) was taking me around the Windsor Half Marathon - my first significant distance run and the preface to this marathon attempt.

They have never let me down. They have seen me at my best and my worst. They have been faithful friends and I will miss them.

Week off? What week off?!

7.3 miles in 57:30
Route: Windsor circuit 3
40 minutes of squash - Andrew 3 - 1 Jonathan

A new course around the Great Park - reworked to avoid having to retrace steps and exercise a greater part of the park. It is a fine course and I can see myself running it often. Andrew came along on his bike again. I'm going to buy him a megaphone and stopwatch for Christmas.

Fairly pleased with the time, although I really did feel that I went around the course well above marathon pace. I need to train myself to run a bit slower on the longer runs, but at the moment it's probably good to push myself a little. I couldn't keep up this pace for 26.2 anyway.

Knee felt ok (and still does this evening). Am seriously considering whether I need to see a physio - it's been pretty bad over the last few days. Will see how it goes over the next week or so and make a decision then.

Another squash defeat. Am getting used to it. Clearly playing squash after a 7 mile run removes my competitive edge somewhat. I did play some seriously hot shots today though, and each game was close. I think I can take him.

Day off tomorrow. Might run something short on Friday. Am going to look at trainers again. Probably do another 7/8 miles at the weekend.

Unlucky For Some

It's a sad fact that we live in a world that isn't attuned to the needs of tall people.

I am forever crouching to see in mirrors which are fixed at chest height, reaching down for taps, doorhandles and cash machines, watching out for dangerous doorframes and low-flying lampshades and squeezing myself into trains, planes and automobiles ill-equipped for anyone 'above average height'.

But I accept that I have no right to complain about this. I am 6ft5, and can't expect everything to be placed at a height to suit me (people would be forced to travel around with footstools under their arms). However. I do feel I have a right to complain about one aspect of being tall that I have never fully accpeted - finding shoes to fit size 13 feet.

Today's example is no exception. I wandered into Oxford Street early this afternoon with the intention of buying a new pair of running shoes - my old ones have reached their 500 mile life expectancy and I've been wondering if that's part of the reason I've been having problems with my knees. I went into Niketown (every stylish runner's first choice) and found a beautiful pair of Airmax 360 trainers, fully cushioned. A familiar conversation ensued:

JD: Hi, I'd like to try on these trainers.
Clerk: Certainly sir, what size.
JD: 13 please.
Clerk: (drawing breath through his teeth as though I had just asked him something seriously unreasonable) Let me look on the computer (and, after a brief pause) No. We don't have them. They're limited edition.
JD: (thinking 'limited to who - people with average sized feed?') Ok. What about this other style.
Clerk: No, nothing there either.
JD: And these (pointing to a less desirable style)
Clerk: Er.... no, none of those either.
JD: Ok, what about the plain black ones (pointing to the crappest design on the shelf)
Clerk: No, none in a size 13.
JD: I hate you people.

I tried talking to Niketown Customer Services (curiously hidden on the 3rd floor, accessible only by elevator) but they were baffled. "We had some in August" said the lady behind the desk helpfully.

So, in a world where I can buy a Ferrari on ebay via my mobile phone, add a TV to my grocery basket and fly to European capital cities for less money than a cab home from the centre of the one I live in, the flagship London store of the one of the biggest multinational companies in the world couldn't find me a pair of trainers in my size! Unbelievable.

I have taken this as a sign that I should go to a specialist running shop and intend to start researching options immediately. In the meantime, a quick web-search has revealed that I am not alone. Other famous '13-ers' include Abraham Lincoln, Elle MacPherson and, ironically, Mr Nike himself - Michael Jordan!

I don't suppose he ever had to shop at Niketown though...

A significant step (and a foolish bet)

5.2 miles in 40:36 (PB)
Route: Highbury and Islington Circuit 1

Suprised to find that this was a personal best time - didn't feel like I pushed that hard and, after a week of fine food and boozing, I didn't think I'd be in very good shape (and wasn't!) I effectively gave myself last week off to enjoy my last week as PS/Hope. I was out just about every night and on Friday found myself in not one, but two drinking contests (nuff respect Richard Porter and Brian McBride - sorry about thrashing you at straw-pedo). But today marks the start of a new week and, I hope, the start of a new phase in my training. I have the week off and intend to run at least three times this week - plus a return game of squash against Andrew.

The weather today is beautiful - sunny and cool with a soft, autumn light that makes you want to go for long walks in the park. Today's route, however, was an urban one (with the exception of Highbury fields) so I had to be content with the leafy Islington neighbourhoods.

Fitness-wise, I didn't feel too great today. Understandable after a week of partying I suppose. That horrible statistic comes to mind - "A study by scientists in Sweden found that after only six days of rest, up to 10% of aerobic capacity had been lost." Bloody Swedes. Haven't they got anything better to do than depress us all? No wonder there's such a high suicide rate there.

In better news, significant progress has been made on the sponsorship front! The amazing people of Private Office and Lifelong Learning and Skills Directorate at the Department for Education and Skills have got me up to a whopping £817!! Amazing. People have been so generous - a massive thank you to everyone who has sponsored me. It makes me even more determined to get out there and prove that I can do this. And Shelter is such a brilliant cause - what more motivation do I need?! (if you haven't sponsored me yet - what are you waiting for!)

One point of concern. I have made a foolish bet with Susan Pember and Stephen Marston that I can beat my personal best time by 10 minutes. I don't have a PB marathon time so I multiplied last year's Windsor Half by two, making my 'unofficial' PB 4 hours 8 minutes. Therefore, I have to get around in 3 hours 58 minutes to win the bet (and claim their significant contributions)!!

Susan, Stephen: you're on!