Keep on Running...

The 11th of March.


This is an important date. This is the date that I and two of my coworkers run the Bath Half Marathon on behalf of the Penny Brohn Foundation. So this is going to be an online diary of how my training is going. I'll share anything that I found helpful during my path from amateur jogger to half marathon pro. Wish me luck.

Tuesday 3rd January

Today was the first day of the training regime and also the first time I've actually been running since the beginning of December. I only did a short run as I wanted to take it easy whilst I break in my new shoes. So, having waited for the brief and rare bit of sunlight that punctuated the torrential downpour today, I set off. First ten minutes were very hard and I could feel myself being very slow and sluggish after such a gluttonous few weeks but nevertheless I persevered and went a bit farther than planned. Doing about half an hour and 2.5 miles it wasn't my best run. I also came home with new shoes that were caked in mud, great start.

Distance: 2.5 miles
Time: 26 mins
Days to go: 68

Saturday 7th January


I went a bit mad today and did a run which it ended up at the gym, followed by a small weights session. How many people turn up to the gym covered in sweat and wearing a hi-vis? Not many judging by the weird looks I received. Luckily for me it was relatively mild and sunny today, which I think always makes going for a run that little bit easier.

I also tried out my new running app on my phone, MapMyRun. I was a bit dubious as to how useful it would be at first but it was really good, it uses GPS to track you as you run and tells you your precise distance and time. It also works out your average speed which is really helpful. I'd say it definitely makes life easier as it saves your workout and you can track your progress accurately. Useful when you have to run a half marathon soon.

Distance: 3.37miles
Time: 32 mins, 45 secs.
Days to go: 64

Monday 16th January

Distance: 4.47 miles
Time: 44mins, 38secs
Days to go: 55

Wednesday 18th January

Only a short distance today but I was doing Fartleks, which is intermittent bursts of speed. I'm really trying to work on my speed because if I really want to do this in under an hour I'm going to have to work on that.

Distance: 2.56 miles
Time: 27 mins, 0.8 secs
Days to go: 53

Friday 20th January


Got a phonecall from Penny Brohn today, apparently my fundraising pack, vest, shoelaces and energy gels are in the post. Better start committing to the training. Details of JustGiving page to come. 


Monday 23rd January


Today was the first long run I've done since the 10k I participated in, in June and I feel it went really well. A full 6 miles and it felt amazing! In terms of breathing, I feel like I could have run for longer however the muscles in my legs were just begging me to stop. Either way I'm really chuffed at how this run turned out and I'm pumped for the next one.


Distance: 6.27 miles
Time: 1 hour, 3 mins.
Days to go: 48

Wednesday 25th January

So that was incredibly tough. I went out fully pumped from my previous run but it was just awful. Thinking about it, it probably wasn't a good idea to have attempted a run having only eaten a single piece of toast about 6 hours prior. Ran about a mile before having to walk. It was a killer, so disheartening. But lesson learned ALWAYS EAT BEFORE YOU RUN.

Distance: 3.41 miles
Time: 36 mins
Days to go: 46

Monday 30th January

AMAZING RUN. 8 miles, boom. Never thought I would do that. About 5 miles in was fully tired but somehow ploughed through the pain, which I'm so happy I achieved. Despite buzzing from the fact that I ran that far, it dawned on my that I'd still have to do another 5 miles. Shit. So I'm beginning to reassess my aims for this half marathon. As I'm quite slow my main goal is just to actually finish the thing, forget the time!

Distance: 8.13 miles
Time: 1 hour 21 mins.
Days to go: 41

Also any donations no matter how small would be greatly appreciated at this time;
www.justgiving.com/thegeorgeatbackwell