#Juneathon Day 30 - thank you Cathy and plumbing problems

Once again, thank you Cathy for organising Juneathon.

My plan was to do a run on the last day of Juneathon but a plumbing emergency put an end to that plan, the internal stopcock in our house was leaking and water was seeping through the wall!  That's, sort of, all in hand now. 

However, there was no specific need for me to run as I am just tapering and as I typically ere on the side of doing too much during my taper period, having a reason not to run was probably not a bad thing. I really do need to fully recover from my long runs to be ready for Race to the Stones in a week and a half.  

On the other hand, I had considered running in the heat partly to help my body prepare for a 'possible' hot ultra. I'm hoping it won't be too hot but there is no way of knowing.  I will probably attempt a run on the 'hottest' day instead.

But thank you again Cathy for Juneathon :-)

#Juneathon Day 29 - engineering talks and a 'sleep'

The night before (although I didn't mention it in my previous post after our Cambridge outing) I was updating a career's presentation on engineering for a local grammar school.  Not just any grammar school but the school all three of my sons have been to (my youngest is still there in sixth form). First thing I set off for the school.

Unfortunately I was unable to get into the classroom to setup despite arriving earlier.  This was a little worrying as my PowerPoint presentation included some embedded videos which sometimes present a problem to classroom AV systems. I anticipated correctly! Fortunately I had a plan B and everything was up and running but I lost about 15 minutes.

The sixth former's were very good and it was an interactive session.  Needless to say I didn't manage to finish my presentation but that wasn't a problem.

An hour later and I was prepared for my second presentation and confident I'd get through it this time. Again, another even larger bunch of interactive and engaged sixth former's meant I didn't finish my presentation again! Previous years I have managed to finish it but on reflection the discussion and questions in these last two sessions were quite encouraging.

Returned home and I was so tired! The long running sessions, early mornings and going out the day before had taken their toll. I decided that I would do what my body was telling me so I ... slept! So one Juneathon 'sleep' and my wife had a Zumba session.

#Juneathon Day 28 - Cambridge with family

A great day with my wife's cousins from South Africa and Canada in Cambridge.  We even went on a punting tour on the river Cam in the rain. No running but, of course, I did some walking.  I'm really starting to taper more seriously now so I hadn't planned to run today anyway - sorry Juneathon!

#Juneathon Day 27 - 24 miles, tapering, gay marriage and career's talk presentation prep

A 24 mile run but it was hot ... and I almost tripped but didn't and a lady gave a gasp! So 10 miles on Thursday, 10 miles on Friday and 24 miles today and my legs and knees are fine. Now it really is serious tapering for two weeks before the Race to the Stones ultra, gulp! And I'm a little worried about the terrain too.  And we have a heatwave on the way, I hope it's not too hot! 

Great news about gay marriage in the US.  I can't figure out why anybody would want to stop two people committing to spend their lives together. Why would anybody believe that heterosexual love is somehow different to the love between two people of the same sex? 

Also spent some time updating my engineering career's presentation which I'm giving on Monday.

#Juneathon Day 26 - a humid 10 miles and 2 weeks to the ultra

Did another 10 miles in the evening - it was pretty humid too. Despite the humidity it felt better than the day befor., I've another long run this weekend, just not as long as before but still long and it will be hot too. 2 weeks until the 100k ultra, I'm actually feeling good about it now, I just hope my body concurs on the day!

So all Juneathon commitments met including my wife with another Zumba session.

#Juneathon Day 24 - soreness, stretching and reviewing a book

Soreness in my leg made it difficult to do much exercise but did some minimal stretching.

In other news I've received a pre-release copy of 'The Dark Forest' by Cixin Liu for review ... watch this space :-)

#Juneathon Day 25 - explosions, postbox smashing, 10 miles and a 'ThreeBook Problem' I have

Still had some soreness but decided to go for a run anyway.  Legs felt very tired, I think I need an extended rest! So difficult to get going but felt better after about 6 miles, a bit like an old rusty engine. Ran 10 miles altogether and my wife did Zumba.

In other news we had some excitement when some gas cylinders exploded at a local Scout campsite. Fortunately nobody was hurt, silly neighbour had a fire burning close to the campsite's gas bottle store.

All this excitement! It was only on early Sunday morning that thieves smashed the postbox across the road with a sledge hammer, and no I didn't hear a thing. All these happenings has put our sleepy village in the news.

The book I received to review (see my last post) presents me with a bit of a problem, more of a 'Three Book Problem' rather than a 'Three Body Problem' (the name of the trilogy.  I'm presently reading a book for the book club, which interrupted a Murakami book I was reading (in the background I've been reading 'War and Peace' but find this very easy to return to although I forget the names, it's a bit like a soap really).  Well, now I have to read 'The Dark Forest' for a book review prior to it's launch.  I've suggested to the other book club members that maybe we read 'The Three-Body Problem' (the first in the trilogy which I've read) so that I get some time to read the 'The Dark Forest'. Notice how I cunningly discounted 'War and Peace' to enable me to use the 'Three Book Problem' title ;-) 'I will probably be lynched for suggesting 'War and Peace' is a soap!

#Juneathon Day 23 - busy, interrupted but followed by intervals

A busy day at work where I only managed to start doing what I set out to do in the morning after 4pm, so many distractions and interruptions. Oh well.

I went with my youngest son to the gym and did half an hour of intervals and running up inclines, tiring. My wife did another session of Zumba.

#Juneathon Day 22 - almost then repeat

So almost went for a run and then almost went to the gym but instead did my ITBS rehab strength routine and then a good stretch. My ankles are still a little stiff and my left ankle is still sore, much like yesterday but I can feel it's getting better.  Hopefully it will feel okay tomorrow. I'm also really tired at the moment, sigh! My wife did Zumba again.

#Juneathon Day 21 - Father's Day, ankles stiff so ...

On Father's Day I knew I was going to struggle to fit exercise in.  My middle son was visiting from Birmingham and went back at 5pm.  My youngest son came back from work at about 6.30pm and my eldest son was driving home from York and would be home 8.30ish, so I decided to try go on a run in the time in between.

However, my ankles were not feeling quite right.  They have been a bit stiff and near my left heel it felt a bit tender and swollen.  I did this either on the inclined treadmill running session or the 33 mile trail run on Thursday, not sure which?  Anyway, I didn't think it was worth risking any further injury as I'm now tapering for the 100km ultra in just under 3 weeks.

I ended up doing my ITBS rehab strengthening routine and some core work followed by a good stretching session. My wife was doing a Zumba routine at the same time. So that was my Juneathon.

#Juneathon Day 20 - Bristol Uni and a good day (not for Juneathon though)

Went to Bristol University today with youngest son. It's our first visit to Bristol Uni and I was impressed. Lots of walking there with tired legs! After getting back picked up my middle son from the station, he has come down from Birmingham for Father's Day :-) Managed a little stretching later but that was it really. A good day though. 

#Juneathon Day 19 - when 20 miles became 2

I set off for a 20 mile run and did 2 miles! I just didn't feel well enough so I decided to cancel the run. I normally say if I'm not feeling quite right or am still feeling particularly tired after 10 minutes or so then I'll stop. So that was my Juneathon day. My wife did a Zumba session too.

Sophie's running the 69 mile run The Wall on Saturday (today actually, as I'm late writing this blog). Good luck and keep going Sophie 😊

#Juneathon Day 18 - lots of rowers, a hot and humid day and my longest run ever

I'm at the peak of my training for the Race to the Stones ultra so I thought I'd best get my longest run completed as this weekend is pretty full.  I set off along the Thames path towards Henley with legs that really felt very heavy after yesterday's gym session (see yesterday's post). I really didn't think I would get that far especially in the heat and humidity but decided to carried on anyway.

Loads of rowers practicing at Henley in preparation for the Henley Royal Regatta, consequently I was continually dodging rowing coaches on their bikes keeping up with their crews.  You also have to keep a look out for boats suddenly emerging across your path as they are maneuvered onto the river.  I felt a little self conscious, this middle aged man trudging along amidst all the athletes, some with national insignia on their clothing, not that self conscious though :-)

Ran past Shiplake (and Shiplake college) and was about a mile away from Sonning I think.  I turned around and started running back.  I could tell that I was going to run out of water and so was looking for somewhere to fill up my water bottles.  Eventually spotted a guy I know who was taking launching his rowing boat onto the river.  He suggested I fill up at Hurley lock and described where there was a tap.  

I found the tap! It was so good to have fresh cold water on such a hot day.  Completely refreshed I finished off my run, just over 33 miles which is my longest run ever!  I'm really not sure how I'm going to run another 30 miles though!!! Panic!

So that was my Juneathon day.

#Juneathon Day 17 - the incline, The Wall ultra-marathon and Sophie's blog

I decided to do a session at the gym today. My eldest son's (Trevor) girlfriend (Sophie) suggested gradually increasing the inclination on the treadmill up to 15%. I think she said to level it each time but instead I ran for a period and then recovered walking. I then gradually increased the inclination in 1% steps always running at each inclination.  By the time I was at 15% I was getting really tired! It was pretty humid and warm in the gym so I was sweating quite a bit.  A personal trainer kept glancing over at me, he was either concerned or surprised (or both) at this middle aged man (probably concerned).

After my gradually increasing inclination session I dropped the inclination to zero.  I then did a short run at 10 mph which felt so much easier when the treadmill was level, after which I warmed down. Finished off with another good stretching session.

My wife did another Zumba workout so we were properly Juneathoned.

You really need to visit Sophie's blog at sophiedidwhat.blogspot.co.uk which is a mix of beauty product reviews and fitness events. She's running 'The Wall' (Hadrian's Wall) on Saturday which is an ultra-marathon of 69 miles - I think she might be the youngest competitor!

#Juneathon Day 16 - very tired ...

Very tired today and altogether a very busy day. Considered going for a run but ITBS playing up and physically tired so did a good stretching routine instead. Not very Juneathon I know but felt right considering how I'm feeling.

#Juneathon Day 15 - the Ankerwycke Yew, signing of the Magna Carta and then the pub

Went with a walking group around Wraysbury this evening and visited the Ankerwycke Yew on the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta. The ancient yew is believed to have watched over the signing of the Magna Carta. It is also believed that Henry VIII met Anne Boleyn there. The yew is thought to be 1500 to 2500 years old. Met some of the ECO-villagers there too.

The area has always had special significance and across the Thames are the meadows of Runnymede, "Runnymede, said to be called the meadow of the Runes, or magical charms, the field of mystery, and the field of council" (Gordon Gyll, History of Wraysbury, 1861).  What I had not realised is that the Thames has changed course several times since the signing of the Magna Carta and you can see a previous route on the walk that we did.

Of course the Queen had earlier been unveiling the statue of herself at Runnymede (i.e. across the river) but the real action is said to have happened on this side of the river.  Some historians dispute the significance but regardless of this, it is what it represents to us today.  Last night was a calm, still, beautiful summer's evening and hardly any people were around this ancient yew (despite all the celebrations earlier) and if we choose to mark the signing of the Magna Carta as a step towards democracy in the world then let's hope that the future yields more of the calmness that was about yesterday evening.

That was my Juneathon exercise for the day, not that bad really as it acted as a recovery walk after my long run on Saturday. We did end up in the pub afterwards and that was really good for recovery!

#Juneathon Day 14 - last minute strength and stretch session

Had a meeting today (I know it's a Sunday), came back and had a BBQ. Afterwards I relaxed and then did my IBTS rehab strength session followed by a stretching session just before midnight. Still not got rid of the ITBS, sigh! My wife went to a Zumba class. That's all folks!

#Juneathon Day 13 - regattas, a royal barge and a trail run of 30 miles with a new pack

Today (13th) I did a long run from home to just past Henley along the Thames Path. 15 miles out and 15 miles back. Started and ended with a steep hill. Almost all the route was trail and a bit slippery which is definitely quite a bit slower going than prepared path or road. The ultra I'm doing in July will be  trail so this was more representative.

On the way I went through Marlow Regatta so lots of dodging teams carrying boats, people dressed up for th enclosure, kids running around - but it was fun and interesting. Went past the royal barge, Gloriana, which was taking part in local Magna Carta celebrations.

As you can see it was not sunny weather but good for running I guess, it's not my photo by the way. Eventually arrived in Henley where preparations are under way for the Henley Royal Regatta which is the weekend before the Race to the Stones ultra. We are attending it for the first time so that should be fun.

For the first time I ran with the Salomon S-Lab 12 litre pack.  It was very comfortable and allowed me to carry 2.5 litres of water which used up over 30 miles.

Arrived home and then helped my eldest son to unpack a very full Espace with all the stuff from his university room.  Finished and then 10 minutes later we had friends over for dinner, so it was altogether a very busy day.

Juneathon commitment upheld, another 30 miler and my wife did another Zumba class :-)

#Juneathon Day 12 - a humid 10 miles and ultra concerns

Last minute 10 mile run this evening with Fleet. It was humid so had to stop a few times for Fleet to have a drink. After getting home we had a quick takeaway, really tired so off to bed. 

In other news, a family with two children has offered to look after Fleet when we are away in the summer. He and they will have loads of fun :-)

Approaching the peak of my training for the ultra, need to do a long run on Saturday. I'm not sure if I've done enough? Using a new pack on my long run too.

#Juneathon Day 11 - trying to start a book and #Zumba again

We've a new member in our book club and I'm pretty sure that we will soon be five in total :-) The problem is that I'm really into another book and now have a second book to read this month.  I keep telling myself that I will start the new book once I've finished the chapter I'm reading ... then the next chapter, and the next etc etc. What do I do?

I decided not to run today and joined my wife doing Zumba in the privacy of our lounge. It's actually quite hard work! And difficult! And I'm really not very good at it! But so what :-) That was my Juneathon today (and my wife's).

#Juneathon Day 10 - a bit sad and very busy

Would have been my Dad's birthday on the 10th :-(

A very busy day in London, no lunch, was home by 10ish, had food then ... did IBTS rehab routine and good session of stretching to finish just before midnight. Whew!

#Juneathon Day 9 - lead legs, a 1 year old and a new book club

Ran just over three miles this morning with Fleet. My legs felt like lead! Not aching but very heavy legs. Fleet did his business in the middle of the trail path so had to run back with a packet in my hands, oh well.

Met up with my wife's family in Romsey. Three generations present with the youngest member turning 1 :-) Always enjoy meeting up with family and wish I was organised enough to arrange more meetings. Took an hour and a half to get there and a little longer to get back.

Really tired when I got home. Struggled to read some QA documents and then a had a short nap (must be getting old). At the pub by 8pm for our first local Men's book club (not that women are excluded particularly). A couple of pints and a chat about books, life and everything.  Set our first book too 'A Colder War' by Charles Cumming, in case anybody would like to join us reading it.

So all Juneathon commitments met by me and my wife, a run for me, Zumba for her :-) 

#Juneathon Day 8 - rehab routine, ultra food worries, ultra worries generally ...

After yesterday's long run I thought it would be a good idea to do my ITBS rehab routine. That seemed to to go okay. Finished off with a good stretching session.

I almost always get post run munchies the couple of days after a long run, not a problem to sort out though :-) Not as big a problem as running nutrition.  

This ultra is presenting me with a real challenge as to what to eat? I can run a marathon with gels and water and that's fine but 30 miles of gels starts to become too much to stomach.  The gels really start to become too sweet.  So I figured I'd try Cliff bars. The problem I've found with them is that they are a bit too dry when you've been running for a while, tasty at the start, but when you've run a few miles they're like eating compacted muesli. I tried using them again yesterday. Half way through my run I munched on my Cliff bar and it sort of sucked all the water out of my mouth and was really difficult to swallow.  Now I know I was hot but I'm pretty good at staying hydrated, I just couldn't finish it, it stuck in my throat. I know some runners swear by them but they don't seem to work for me.

So what to do?  Today I ordered a new running backpack (I've found my trusty Camelbak too be a bit small) and the sales guy is an ultra runner (I think) and he says that he just uses ordinary flapjacks as they are more moist.  I shall have to try that.  Any other ideas would be really appreciated.

My Hokas have proved to be very successful, phew! On Saturday I felt my toes were a bit tight so on Sunday I tried using the thinner inner soles that were supplied with the shoes, perfect, relief!

I've also ordered some merino wool briefs but I won't go into details. Needles to say that I had a pair when I first started running and they were brilliant.  I've put off buyng a pair because of the price but now with the ultra coming up I think I need to take a little bit more care ... 

I also need a running hat, a light possibly white one. I used to have one but I lent it to my wife and have been fine up to now but I think I need one for the ultra.

This ultra is such a long way, sigh, 100km, I hope I can manage it, gulp! I'm hoping to do a 20mile+30mile back-to-back this weekend but I'm not sure how I'm going to fit around my other commitments, I'll have to see what I can do. After this weekend I start tapering.

My wife did another Zumba session so we're all on track for Juneathon.

#Juneathon Day 7 - my longest run 32.5 miles

After yesterday's 14 mile run, 32.5 miles today. I'm tired. It was hot. We're now having a BBQ. I'm tired. Fiona went to a Zumba class. I'm still tired.

#Juneathon Day 6 - glasses, lawn and 14 miles

Busy day today. Chose some glasses, two pairs. Mowed the lawn, it was long so I had to do it twice. Did a run of 14 miles, I have a longer run tomorrow if my ITBS doesn't play up. My wife did Zumba again so she's doing well too.

#Juneathon Day 5 - Gina Grant favorited my tweet and nice people at Apple

Just managed to get in my exercise after a busy day on a client's site.  We had to do a presentation to the whole company which I had had no time to prepare for and success, nobody nodded off! Some people even said they enjoyed it - probably just humoring me. Then spent a day of quality procedures and meetings there, nice group of people :-)

Dropped off my iPhone for a battery replacement and then they replaced the whole phone.  Then because they were busy and it was getting late they didn't charge me anything.  Thank you nice people at the Apple store, I was impressed by your service and will be buying from you again despite your size and wealth.

Eventually drove home and squeezed an ITBS rehab exercise routine in before midnight using the hardest Thera-band, black 'special heavy' band, as instructed by my physio ... it was tough!  Then did a good stretch routine after midnight. I've just noticed that the bands go up to silver and gold!!

The twitter link to my post on my first Zumba session was favourited by Gina Grant. Yes I know it was probably somebody pretending to be her and she probably didn't follow the link to my blog and she hasn't noted that I'm a middle-aged, not very cool, British male, but let me dream ...

Gina Grant

... I think I'm going to do more Zumba :-)

I'm also now been followed by a Japanese Zumba instructor and dancer, good on him or the business for following me.

So Juneathon totals are the same as yesterday plus a ITBS rehab routine (ouch) and stretch (ouch, ouch).  My wife has done Zumba every day so far.

#Juneathon Day 4 - Cross training ... ummm doing Zumba!

Well I had to have a go with my wife, in the privacy of our home, with the curtains drawn of course ... I had a go at Zumba ;-)

Now I'm a middle aged man, proper middle aged (i.e. over 50). If you are in your 40s don't call yourself middle aged, it hasn't really happened yet. But when you hit 50, that's when you realise that you've probably expended half your life. Anyway, I was saying, I'm middle aged and a man, and I've discovered (mainly from my sons) that no matter what I do I will never look cool (can I even say that word 'cool') plus I'm a dad which negates any residual 'coolness' that might be sticking. So no matter what I do, I'm never going to look cool doing Zumba!


Funny, well I can do that without trying too hard. So my wife was very encouraging but also had a good laugh. It was actually quite a good workout and probably helped my ITBS.  It did require a great deal of concentration though, far more than I would concentrate running.  The young ladies on the video were very encouraging too, they weren't laughing (fortunately).

Gina Grant and Tanya Beardsley, my Zumba teachers - I'm encouraged to watch their every move ;-)

Will I do it again? Well, one good thing about getting older is that you don't care as much about what people think so I will do it again. You know what? If I learn a few steps and feel confident enough I might even go to a class ;-)  How to embarrass your children :-)

In other news, for the first time in my life I've joined a political party!

Janathon totals are the same as yesterday plus Zumba (not for Fleet though).

#Juneathon Day 3 - bug splatter and a new connection

I managed to go for a run a little earlier this evening and it was warm and sunny too. It was so good running across the fields with Fleet, it felt more like summer :-) It was really hard to start though, I felt really tired and my legs felt heavy but after half a mile I warmed up and it was okay.

I did, however, experience a bit of bug splatter - poor bugs drowning in my sweat, my family were not very impressed.

This was the longest run I've done in my new Hokas and they seem fine so hopefully they will help in my long run this weekend - if I'm really lucky I might even do a back-to-back run, fingers crossed.

I did have to throw one of my Thorlos socks away as the heel had worn a bit too much, it's hard to say goodbye to running socks :-(

Accepted a Facebook friend request today from the runner I crossed the finish line of the London Marathon with hand-in-hand.  He's just completed the Comrades and I think grew up in Kwazulu Natal like I did, very pleased we've made the connection :-) 

8 Juneathon running miles today making it a total of 13 Juneathon miles so far.  My wife has now done three nights of Zumba too.  Fleet is at 13 miles as well.

#Juneathon Day 2 - rehab for me and dog poo posters

Did my ITBS rehab routine this evening which are a set of strength exercises that end up being more tiring that you would expect. Quite a few of the exercises are done using a Theraband (a big elastic band).  All this followed by a whole load of stretching.  It's a bit of a boring routine to be honest and must be even more dull to read about it.

Kind of sums up my day really, earlier I was writing procedures for a quality manual (yawn). The most interesting part of my day was giggling at the 'dog poo' poster competition that the kids around our green are designing that we plan to use as permanent signs to dissuade dog owners who don't clear up their dog's poo.  I want to design a poster like that :-)

Juneathon total for me is 5 miles but now hopefully improving in rehab and also a bit more stretchy

Wife has done another Zumba session.

Fleet (my dog) is annoyed with me because he's had his deworming/ anti parasite treatment.

#Juneathon Day 1 - the story so far ...

What a way to start Juneathon! I'm physically really tired but to explain I'll rewind a little ...

For those who don't know (I'm using the plural here so I'm being optimistic that more than one person will read this) I ran the London Marathon this year.  It was a little last minute as Asthma UK contacted me the Wednesday evening before the last charity entries had to be entered on the Friday to ask me if I'd consider running for them as they'd lost some runners (must have been a particularly long and difficult training run). 

It just so happened that I had been training for the Great Welsh Marathon so I felt I'd be okay training wise but I still had to do some fund raising. However, I had had an asthma attack at Christmas (my first and hopefully last) and it really brought home what a lot of what more severe asthmatics had to deal with all the time - so I agree. Well London Marathon all went well, I didn't get sub 4 hours but I did know 8 minutes of my PB and came in at 4 hours 2.5 minutes :-)

This must of induced a slight loss of sanity as I then decided to enter myself for an ultra! I looked around and decided to enter the Race to the Stones event, a 100km run across the Ridgeway ending at Avebury Stones - 1km for each year that my wife and I have been around I said, sigh! Now I have to do the training but, BUT I seemed to have acquired ITBS since the London Marathon, sigh (again).  So my long runs become a little bit painful, ouch (after about 16 miles). But the ultra is only on the 11th July, gasp (panic).  So I've developed a random pin ball approach to my training where I try to do my longest run, skip the back-to-back run (too much pain) and then do a lot of tiring stuff to compensate, wait for the ITBS pain to subside, go to my physio for encouragement (and different pain) and then run another even longer run hoping to do a back-to-back and then not doing it.  

So I did a long run on Friday night of 24 miles, did a pain induced skip of the back-to-back run on Saturday, compensated by tiring myself out dancing at a wedding on Saturday night (great wedding it was), tired out on Sunday and then it was Juneathon!

It was Juneathon AND I have some new Hoka super padded trail shoes that I believe (a lot of faith here) will help me with my ITBS.  So I took my brand new Hokas and my almost 9 year old collie (see below for a picture of him) out IN THE RAIN last night and (with aching legs) went for a run across the fields, in the wind for a whole 5 miles, it was dark too, and thus completed the beginning of the Juneathon slog - thanks Cathy. Here we go again, a month of relentless exercise and the promise of an ultra soon after :-s

I must add that my good wife is also endeavoring to do Juneathon but without the blogging (I have to do it instead), so for the record she did Zumba last night.

I have no time to edit this so it's getting posted with no checks, sorry!

My Juneathon total is 5 miles 

Juneathon again! More running with this chap ...

He's 9 years old this year so he skips the very long runs ;-)

Blowing off the dust on my blog with a review ...

Had a great time at a wedding over the weekend and also met up with Robert Sharp so I thought I'd blow the dust off my blog with a a review of his novella. Oh yes, and its been nominated for the Shirley Jackson Award in the novella category so all the more reason to read it :-)

I found this fast moving Egyptology sci-fi fantasy mix a great read. The story has two threads, one set in ancient Egypt and the other set in present day. The author flips between these two threads at an ever increasing pace as the action intensifies and the mystery is unveiled. This is so refreshing, the reader is not left frustratingly on a cliff hanger to only wade through yet another chapter by which time the pace has diminished somewhat.

Naturally, I’m not going to unveil the mystery or reveal the thrill of the action but this novella was compulsive reading and I’d definitely recommend it. I normally prefer longer reads but this novella has changed my mind. I’ve now got to wait for Robert Sharp’s next book! I wonder if this one will be made into a film?

#Janathon Day 31 - thank you Cathy

Squeezed in a run before heading off to Birmingham to see our middle son and his girlfriend.

It rained and it was cold rain too! Fleet got very wet and muddy and we only ran 3.4 miles.  But this is my last run of Janathon so a big thank you to Cathy/Jogblog once again for organising Janathon which is now 5 years old :-)

In Birmingham we are staying in the Hilton and we went and watched 'Kingsman' which was good fun. Ended off with dinner at Strada.  So good to spend time with our son and his girlfriend :-)

So my final Janathon running total is 134.79 miles and I'm still in one piece!

#Janathon Day 30 - a run then off to Billy Elliot

A short post today.

Went for a 7.16 mile run and then straight off to see Billy Elliot, well after showering etc. Enjoyed the show very much and got home about midnight  after stopping off for a kebab :-) So another busy day.

Janathon running total is 131.39 miles.

#Janathon Day 29 - pear shaped, blowing up, off kilter sort of day but okay at the end

Pear shaped but okay at the end, is how my day went.

So one of the boards of electronics, a prototype, stopped working - probably a silicon chip has blown up.  Ordinarily this wouldn't be a problem but we had a demonstration today, and it was all going well, really frustrating, stressful, time consuming, and it was all going so well (I know I said that but I've repeated it for effect) ... grrrrrr!

This knocked my day off kilter completely.  I was not sure how I was going to fit any exercise in.

I did. My wife and I had a very quick dinner, then straight off to the gym for a half hour work out, then straight home, showered, then off to rehersal.  I squeezed it all in, this deserves a smiley face :-)

So I did a mile at about tempo pace. Stopped, as eating too soon to running had had its effect (you can guess I'm sure). Then a session of sprints. Not many miles but good miles as far as training is concerned.

Also eldest son was here last night :-) and seeing middle son and his girlfriend this weekend :-) and leaving youngest son alone :-s and going to see Billy Elliot tonight :-)

New Janathon running total is 124.23 miles.

#Janathon Day 28 - abs and Guinness as a tonic

Having realised that I was missing out my core in my present exercise regime, I decided that I should attack my abs. And atack them I did! And they were sore still from last time! And it was really hard!

But now it is morning, after a hard abs session (for me anyway), after a trip to the pub (well pubs, but only two) and after about a mile/ish of walking, it's morning.  How do my abs complain?  Well they don't seem to be at all? Which is strange, or is the pain to be delayed? Maybe it's the Guinness that helps? I think I can now recommend Guinness as a tonic for any abs session.

Janathon running total hasn't budged.

#Janathon Day 27 - a dry, dark run and stumbling lines

Life can be so busy sometimes, sigh!

I had intended to go for a run during the day but ... I didn't.  So I did an evening run with Fleet.  As we were running on pavements Fleet came home mud free for a change. Not so long a run, just over 5 miles.  I was feeling a bit low and the run definitely perked me up, well a bit anyway.

Had a short rehearsal this evening.  I do know my lines but I stumbled a few times, my performance was a bit lack lustre too. Oh well.

Janathon running total is now 122.16 miles.

#Janathon Day 26 - a confused Fleet and some core exercises (at last)

Fleet had a run last night with my eldest son and his girlfriend who are doing 'Tough Guy' at Wolverhampton this Sunday.  He was a little confused as instead of me throwing something in the streams for him to fetch, they went straight through them and he followed.  Anyway, he had lots of fun.

I decided to not to too long a run and went to the gym with my wife and youngest son.  I did a 1 mile treadmill warm up and then had another good stretching session.  Proceeded to do a couple of upper body exercises in the weights section and ended off with some core exercises - not my favourite and so exercises I've not done for a while!

 My Janathon running total is now 117.09 miles.

#Janathon Day 25 - flying, tax return and gym

So I got to fly today :-)

Sunday morning and the weather was fine (at last)! Headed off to Membury Airfield. Firstly I was installed in a C42 ...

All ready for takeoff

... we then taxied to the start of the runway ...

Here we go ...

... and then off we flew off!

... and we're off!

I thoroughly enjoyed it and yes I would love to learn to fly. I had a go at the controls and (typically) asked loads of questions. The throttle is between your legs, I didn't know that, and the joystick is very sensitive.  Brilliant fun and a fantastic view.  No, I didn't take any photos in the air, I just wanted to enjoy and soak up the moment. Thanks to my brother and sister for this very special treat.

Right, getting back down to earth. Later I did some work on my tax return which is not far off from been completed.  I also did some preparation for a STEM careers event I'm going to at Langley Grammar School.

Later my youngest son and I headed off to the gym, my wife decided not to join us as she was still a bit achy from her first Body Attack class the day before (I'm proud of her, I think she was the oldest there by quite a few years).  I did a 1.2 mile warm up on the treadmill before a really good stretching session (the one I didn't have but should have had yesterday after my long run).  I then went down to the weights section and did a fair amount of my upper body workout.

Janathon running total is now 116.08 miles.

#Janathon Day 24 - a long run and Fleet's longest run

A long run with Fleet.  This is Fleet's longest run and he seems fine other than a bit tired.

Our run was 13.3 miles, it was sunny and we had quite a cold head wind on the way home.

Tomorrow, weather permitting, I'm doing my flying lesson.

My Janathon running total is now 114.88 miles.

#Janathon Day 23 - gym session and I creep over 100 miles

Gym session today.

A planned long run the next day meant that I kept my treadmill to a 1 mile warm up.  Did a bit of stretching afterwards and then headed off to the weights section.  Almost completed my upper body workout.

Janathon running total is now 100.88 miles, I've got to 100 miles at last!  In my first Janathon I did that in the first week, granted that I was broken after that!

#Janathon Day 22 - almost 100, cold, learning lines and business abroad

Busy, busy, busy ...

and oops, I haven't posted this blog post ...

Rehearsal last night and I have some more lines to learn.  Rehearsal was fun but it would have helped if I knew my lines already.

Went for a 7.1 mile run with Fleet in the dark not long before the rehearsal. It was getting quite cold so I'm wondering if I should have worn more than my long sleeved running top and shorts?

Before that I was busy, busy, busy.  We are starting to receive enquiries about our video compression core from all over the world and we haven't properly advertised it yet! This is very exciting but does bring concerns as to how we do business with companies from different countries outside the EU/USA?

So my Janathon running total is now 99.88 miles!  Not quite a 100!!  I will go to the gym tonight as I've a long run planned for tomorrow.

#Janathon Day 21 - gradients, STEM, engineering is for girls and a short, quality gym session

My intention was a good session at the gym but just before we went out I had call for help from a neighbour's daughter with gradients.  So I helped her with her maths and quite enjoyed it really, I think I would have enjoyed being a teacher.

She was very quick to catch on and I'm sure she will do well in maths in the future, I do hope she sticks with STEM subjects. I'm quite passionate about women doing STEM subjects and really hope to see more women in engineering in the future, it's one of the reasons I've taken up the role of STEM ambassador. My year 12 engineering presentation has quite a few clips of women in engineering roles, engineering is a brilliant career choice for women.

But back to my gym session ... yes it was shorter. I thought it was a quality session where I ran 2.18 miles on the treadmill made up of a tempo session of over a mile and then some sprints at speeds between 12 mph and 12.3 mph. I finished off with a good stretching session.

My Janathon running total is now 92.78 miles.

#Janathon Day 20 - no running, some walking and I almost remembered my lines

I really felt pretty wiped out yesterday and worked solid for most of the day. I almost went for a run but I'm too tired, my legs ache too much etc excuses etc etc. But I did go for a walk totaling about 1.5 miles.

This morning I'm feeling good and although I didn't get that much sleep, I'm looking forward to wither a run or trip to the gym. I think the break from running has done me some good but I'm not sure if it's physiology or psychology? Maybe I'll find out when I try to run today.

Last night we went through the whole of Act 1 of the 'Merry Wives of Windsor' and I almost remembered all my lines, by that I mean that I stumbled in one or two places but I was still off-book.  As I had had such a busy day and still had much more work to do, I did briefly wonder if I should go to the rehearsal and instead get some more work done but, fortunately,

The production is a local one and you can read more about it and previous productions (only every two years) at The People's Shakespeare. The director is a professional actor and playwright, Richard James, who I'm sure you might well recognise.  He seems to have endless patience and puts a huge amount of time into this production and completely voluntarily. For my part I've really seen how difficult (and tiring even) it is to act but also how much fun it can be.  So a big thank you to Richard.

So no increase in my Janathon running mileage but feeling refreshed and happy that I almost remembered all my lines :-)

#Janathon Day 19 - running with achy legs, I blame the kettlebell

Either my long run on Saturday but more likely the kettlebell step ups from Sunday had left me with aching legs. However, it was a beautiful sunny day and so I decided to go for a run with Fleet.  7.14 miles later (and a quick swim for Fleet) and my legs still felt tired but not so achy.

Janathon running total is now 90.06 miles.

#Janathon Day 18 - a new thriller with a mummy, a pharaoh and a scientist ... and a gym session with a kettlebell

After my long run yesterday I thought a gym session would be good.

I did about a 10 minute warm up on the treadmill and ran 1.17 miles. Then I spent a good amount of time stretching as I hadn't had time to after my long run yesterday.  I always find it quite relaxing and the only frustrating thing is that I can't find a hard foam roller at the gym to massage my IT band, I think it's gone missing.

Next I headed to the weights section and did a session picking up where I left off in my routine on Friday.  Then I decided to do an exercise I keep putting off ...

My gym instructor included an exercise where I lift a kettlebell with one arm fully extended above my head.  I then keep that arm extended and do 12 step ups on a knee height platform At present I use an 8kg weight.  I then repeat this exercise with my other arm and do three sets.

I find this really tiring particularly when I use my left arm.  Anyway, I've been putting off this exercise since I've returned to the gym but decided I'd give it a go today. I'm pleased to say that it went quite well. I still get tired and my left arm does start to drop near the end of each set, but not as bad as it was the last time I did the exercise.

So the image below is not me after my workout, it's far more exciting than that.  This is the front cover of a new thriller by Robert Sharp. The story spans ancient Egypt and the present day with historical and science fiction washing together - a brilliant scientist, his ruthless companions, Pharaoh Mentuhotep IV and a mummy!

The Good Shabti

What's more you can lay your hands on a limited edition, numbered and signed copy of Robert's book, and at the same time support a new author.

Here's a link to the publisher The Good Shabti, You can also go to the Unwrapping Party.

I can't make the party as I have a rehearsal Richard, don't I Richard?  I am so committed to my craft, I'm not sure I'm very good at it though, good thing it's not my day job!

Oh yes, my Janathon running total is now 82.92 miles.

#Janathon Day 17 - long run and 'dog-tired' dog

Took Fleet out with me for a long run followed by a swim for him. Our run was 10.66 miles long and Fleet was very tired afterwards, I'm tired but I don't think I'm quite as tired as he is. I think in dog years he is older than me, but only just.

Last night he lay down in our lounge and if we called his name he did a half tail wag and kind of looked at us (without lifting his head too much) with eyes that said 'Must I really get up?' He is truly 'dog-tired'.

Janathon running total is now 81.75 miles.

#Janathon Day 16 - flat gym session, hope it gets better

Yet another busy and eventful day!

By the evening I was feeling pretty flat ... and it's a Friday! I didn't feel like it but I pushed myself out to the gym in the evening with my wife.  And did I feel better afterwards? Well, no not really A little later I perked up but I think I'm just a bit tired.

As you would expect form the above, my gym session was fairly low key. Also my plan was to do a long run the next day.  I did just over a mile on the treadmill as a warm up, decided to do a bit of stretching (that often makes feel better) and then headed off to do some weights.  Have found I've had to increase almost all the weights I'm using which I guess shows progress.  But as I said I headed home feeling pretty flat. I hope my long run goes okay.

In other news we have our rugby touring Australian student staying with us from Saturday for a few days. I've managed to get my inhaler use down to one puff morning and night which is very good news :-)

Janathon running total has crawled up to 71.09 miles.

#Janathon Day 15 - pack, run, deliver, meetings, STEM!

I was so tired yesterday evening!

Yesterday I packed a whole load of equipment up. Went for a 3 mile run with Fleet. Dropped off the equipment. Drove to a meeting. Drove to another meeting. Had a another meeting. Then went to a STEM ambassador event ... and then drove home!

This is what happens when you squeeze all your meetings into one day.

Janathon running total is 69.97 miles.

#Janathon Day 14 - sprints, cadence and I've got to go

Very short post for yesterday.

Last night I went to the gym.  50 minutes of tempo, recovery and about 7 or 8 sprints, the fastest at 12.2 mph - how do these elite runners run so fast ... and faster! First half worked at running at cadence of 180 spm for about 15 minutes. Total mileage was about 5 miles but I forgot to turn my Garmin on until half way through.

Janathon running total now 66.51 miles.

#Janathon Day 13 - muddy 7 miles, a coarse rehearsal and an apology for any offence in advance

Waited for a break in the rain and then took Fleet out for a 7 mile run.  It was cold though and I think I should have dressed up a little warmer. Fleet got really muddy and so went for a swim.

Rehearsal tonight, which was fun. I walked to the rehearsal venue which was about a mile away, and back again. My watch says that I've done 17,763 steps today.

'Merry Wives of Windsor' is a little bit coarse in places so I hope nobody will be offended, in particular my Mum or my in-laws :-s Can I just say that I'm sorry for any offence now :-) On the other hand I'm not bothered about embarrassing my sons ;-)

My Janathon running total is now 61.51 miles.

#Janathon Day 12 - it's all about the figures

It was wet, then it was dark and then I decided to go to the gym instead. 

So we went on a family trip to the gym where I concentrated on a higher intensity workout. Just over three miles at a tempo pace and just under a mile of sprints. My average heart rate over the whole session was 81% HRmax with a peak of 177bpm.  

Tempo session was at a cadence of between 177spm and 180spm.  Sprints went up to just over 200spm with a maximum of 220spm. I really want to be shifting my average cadence higher.

Once I've figured out how to dynamically use vertical oscillation and ground contact time I might try using these in this type of session but last night was about heat rate more than anything.

I ran a total distance last night of 4.13 miles.  Janathon running total is now 54.51 miles.

Rehearsal tonight so I shall have to fit a run in around lunch.

#Janathon Day 11 - gym, run, sprint, lift and then my lines for tomorrow's rehearsal

After spending some time sorting through clothes, I was glad to escape to the gym.

Gym session was a warm up of about 10 minutes on the treadmill and then a series of sprints ending with a total mileage of 2.4 miles.  I always use the safety clip when I do sprints at the gym, I don't think I've seen anybody else using the clip - not that I really watch anybody else on the treadmill! I'm normally in my own world.

I did almost all of my upper body workout and have increased some of the weights. All my exercises are 3 sets of 12.

That's it really.

Oh yes, my Shakespeare lines for tomorrow are:

"O base Hungarian wight, wilt thou the spigot wield?"

"'Convey', the wise it call. 'Steal'? Foh! A fico for the phrase!"

"Why then, let kibes ensue."

"Young ravens must have food."

"I ken the wight, he is of substance good."

"Two yards, and more."

"He hath studied her will, and translated her will - out of honesty into English." 
(note: the first 'will' could be 'well' which I think makes it easier to understand?)

"As many devils entertain; and 'To her boy,' say I."

"Then did the sun on dunghill shine."

"Shall I Sir Pandarus of Troy become, 
And by my side wear steel? Then Lucifer take all!"

"Let vultures gripe thy guts! For gourd and fullam holds,
And high and low beguiles the rich and poor.
Tester I'll have in pouch when thou shalt lack,
Base Phrygian Turk!"

"Wilt thou revenge?"

"With wit or steel?"

"And I to Ford shall eke unfold
How Falstaff, varlet vile,
His dove will prove, his gold will hold,
And his soft couch defile."

"Thou are the Mars of malcontents. I second thee - troop on."

It helps me to write them out.

My Janathon running total now stands at 50.38 miles.

#Janathon Day 10 - long run getting longer, Shakespeare lines, 6 hours of driving and no flying

This will have to be a short blog entry.

Slowly extending my long and ran 9.22 miles midday yesterday with Fleet.  I listened to my Shakespeare lines the whole time - impressed Richard? However, I still can't remember them :-(

Came home and helped eldest son pack the car to go back to university. Traveled to Swansea and back (3 hours each way) and got to bed at 1am!

Flying experience cancelled today as it's a bit gusty.

Janathon running total is now 47.98 miles.

#Janathon Day 9 - Warning: more stats and high level running geekiness

I didn't have much time for exercise today just a quick trip to the gym for just under an hour.  My treadmill session is often starts off as a warm up session but ends up being a speed or interval session.

Tonight I just increased my pace and cadence slightly over about 12 minutes or so.  I started recording my session a little way in. My mileage was 1.39 miles making my Janathon running total is 38.76 miles.

Start of high level running geek section >>
My watch says my VO2 max has increased to 48. It is also giving me race predictions of 3:27:31 for a marathon and 1:39:48 for a half marathon!!  It's either way out or I'm doing something very wrong as my PB for a half marathon is 1:47:49 and for marathon is 4:10:57.  I didn't think I fuelled that well for the marathon but the half felt like I was running reasonably. 

What surprises me is that my VO2 max estimation is increasing, when I first started using the watch I was at a VO2 max of 42 and now it's 48.  However, I am recovering after flu and a chest infection so I wouldn't be surprised if this will improve as my fitness was pretty good before I fell sick. I even lowered my maximum heart rate to 180bpm as I have recorded higher than this but I thought if I lowered it the estimates might appear more accurate.  I don't think resting heart rate is used, I'm at about 47bpm and drop down to about 42bpm after training (i.e. before a marathon). So the estimate is either very wrong or I'm doing something wrong or ... I don't know.  Any thoughts?
Still fun and quite motivating though.
<< End of of high level running geek section

In other news my eldest son goes back to university tomorrow :-(

#Janathon Day 8 - photos of my run (and dog) and it's working so I'm very happy

I actually went for a run during the day today, a beautiful winter's day.

So near the end of my run I took a few photos ...

Fleet went for a swim - it helps to get all the mud off him!

And then he had a good shake, he understands the word 'shake' too.

I love this run and how the landscape varies through the seasons.

The left side of this walkway floods from the Thames. Half way down this path is 1 mile from my home.

Fleet encouraging me to get a move on, he's had a swim but look at all that grass on him!

Same shot without the grass but still an impatient dog.

So I guess I don't have to write as much as I've added photos?

I do have to say that my design is now working, I can not express how happy and relieved I am :-)

Went to rehearsals tonight, this acting lark is really hard going and I don't have many lines!

So I ran 7.08 miles today and, as I said, this was in the daytime - a far more enjoyable experience.  This makes my Janathon running total 37.37 miles.

#Janathon Day 7 - found but hidden strangely, my tyres, a flying lesson, Buteyko and an 'eish' reference

I found it.

I found it in a really odd place?

I found my Garmin heart rate monitor in between the pocket lining and outer shell of my youngest son's jacket - it's a mystery how it got there?

Good day at work today as we made some progress debugging one of the designs we're working on - happiness and relief.

This turning out to be a costly few weeks on cars, all of the tyres on both of our cars have been replaced and the rear disc pads on my car will be replaced on Friday - eish!

Gym night tonight. I did a warm up on the treadmill 1.39 miles in 11:33 minutes. Then I did my upper body weights session. The whole session took about and hour.

Rehearsal tomorrow night so I need to fit a run in during lunch tomorrow, I'm not very good at stopping in time for lunch and have ended up running in the dark.  I hope I remember my lines for the rehearsal!! I'll be 'combat challenging' a 'latten bilbo'.

Also hoping for good weather on Sunday as I've booked flying lesson that my brother and sister gave me for my birthday, it's been canceled three times so far, twice for bad weather and once because I had a chest infection (I actually had an asthma attack).

Talking of asthma I've ordered a book on Buteyko breathing:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Close-Your-Mouth-Buteyko-Breathing/dp/0954599616/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420677254&sr=8-1&keywords=close+your+mouth
Does anybody have any experience of this technique?  Does anybody know how to pronounce 'Buteyko'?

Hopefully it helps my asthma.  I was considering taking singing lessons to see if that helps my breathing and for fun of course.

Enough rambling, my Janathon running total is now 30.29 miles.

('eish' is a South Africanism - I leave it to the reader to work out what it means)

#Janathon Day 6 - a repeat, impossible Shakespeare lines, have you taken it? and a psst!

I can't find my heart rate monitor for my Garmin, I had it for last night's run and now it's gone.  I've looked everywhere and blamed everybody and still can't find it. Do you know where it is? And yes I've looked in first place I looked multiple times. Grrrr.

My run was pretty much the same as last night, Fleet was a flashing Christmas decoration, he went for a swim and I ran 7.14 miles. I walked 18,661 steps today too.

We had our first rehearsal tonight for 'The Merry Wives of Windsor', I'm playing the part of Pistol.  I find learning lines so difficult, I don't even have that many! For this scene my lines are:

'How now, Mephostophilus!'

'He hears with ears.'

'Ha, thou mountain-foreigner! Sir John and Master mine, 
I combat challenge of this latten bilbo. 
Word of denial in thy labras here! 
Word of denial: froth and scum, thou liest!'

... and that's it for now.  The words don't exactly roll of the tongue.  It's all good fun but I find it really hard, I'm too much of an engineer I think.

My Janathon running total is now 28.9 miles.
I still can't find my heart rate monitor and am still grrrring.

Psst, I'm also doing Jantastic but don't tell Cathy.

I've joined John's team, a fellow Janathoner, his team is Jantastic team is fit4365.

#Janathon Day 5 - people watching my progress live is a little unnerving

First day work complete, well not quite. Now the tricky job of fitting in exercise around my work.

Went out with Fleet in the late afternoon so carried my headtorch and turned Fleet into a flashing LED Christmas decoration, poor dog, but at least he's visible. I ran 7.09 miles using the Garmin LiveTrack.  This is actually quite unnerving as my whole family plus girlfriends can watch my progress, heart rate, speed, cadence, etc. etc. 

Anyway my Janathon running mileage increases to 21.76 miles. Fleet also had a swim in the dark :-)

Sadly I'm still doing some work too...

And tomorrow evening I have a rehearsal and I need to learn my lines!
And I need to fit another run in!
Oh well.

#Janathon Day 4 - roast dinner and wine followed by gym :-s + geek heaven

My middle son went back up to Birmingham today where he's working in a chocolate factory for his year in industry at uni, it's hard saying goodbye. Next weekend my eldest son goes back to uni too, sigh :-(

So my exercise today started off with another 3 to 4 miles of walking with Fleet and his nephew. Exercise was interrupted with a roast dinner and wine :-)  Then my wife and I dropped off my son at the station and off to the gym.  

I wasn't sure how much running to do so I figured I'd warm up for about 10 minutes on the treadmill. I ended up doing a warm up of about 12 minutes and then three sprints with a recovery in between each sprint. Only ran 2.28 miles but felt the training benefit was good. My watch tells me I hit a maximum cadence record of 197 spm, that will be since Christmas when I got it.  Another boring statistic is that my estimated VO2 max is now 45, I've no idea how accurate this is? 

I'm staggered by all the statistics my watch pumps out - vertical oscillation, ground contact time, stride length. It tells me to move when I'm at my desk, how long I should wait before running for effective recovery.  It counts my steps and sets challenges! It even buzzes and displays messages from my iPhone. I think it's in control of my life ... is this geek heaven :-)

Otherwise I still have a dry tickly cough but feel okay otherwise, hope it clears up soon and ...

... back to work tomorrow!

Janathon total 14.67 miles 

#Janathon Day 3 - related dogs, 8 miles with moon photo and clenching

Today started with about a 4 mile walk where we took our dog, Fleet and his nephew, Bertie (our neighbour's dog) outside in the intermittent rain and mud (the mud was not intermittent).

Uncle Fleet and his nephew Bertie

In the late afternoon I ran 8 miles, my legs were very tired and heavy, and in the second half of my run all that Christmas food was interfering with my already fairly slow pace! Lots of stopping, concentrating and clenching going on but fortunately no mishaps.  It certainly didn't fit with my super cool, dynamic, speedy, running playlist - sigh!  

I stopped, concentrated ... and took a photo of the moon behind a tree.

Janathon mileage is now 12.39 miles.
I am running out of un-aching limbs or incidental muscles to exercise so I'm a little worried about where I will limb rotate to tomorrow.  I suspect every part of me will be aching by early next week :-(

#Janathon Day 2 - creeeeping Janathon mileage and planned limb rotation

My Janathon exercise was a gym session tonight, weights section was a bit of a mess possibly the group of teenage boys earlier but who knows?

So a quickish 1 mile warm up on the treadmill and then an upper body workout, the first after my chest infection so, like the running, I've gone back quite a bit. On the way out I bumped into my eldest son and he told me that he's signed up for the Fleet Half Marathon :-) , his first half marathon :-) and his girlfriend signed up last night too :-) 

 

My Janathon mileage is creeping up, quite different to my first Janathon (see my blog history for the tale) - I'm not sure how many miles I will run by the end of the month? This time, my main aim is to still be in one piece by the end of Janathon. I am hoping to run four times a week other than short warm up sessions.  

Total Janathon mileage 4.38 miles

Anticipating aching upper body tomorrow so I will need to rotate limb exercises accordingly.

 

#Janathon Day 1 - Super geekiness, aching legs and grumbling

On my first blog post for a little while and the first day of Janathon my super geeky Garmin watch told me that my recovery was 'fair' this morning, rubbish, I hadn't recovered at all! It was telling me that I should wait 72 hours after my seven mile run yesterday, that's not going to happen. Of course it hadn't factored in ingested alcohol last night and minimal sleep, it was a hard 3.38 miles during which time I grumbled about Janathon and Cathy (sorry Cathy). 

Anyway Janathon has started, I won't be running tomorrow as I think I need to go to gym as my legs ache.  I figured that I need to rotate the aching around my body during Janathon.

I can bore you with statistics from my watch but it tells me that my VO2 max has gone up from yesterday, how is that possible.  I was really in quite a bad shape this morning, I crawled, ached and puffed those 3.38 miles, I am confused?

Fleet (my dog) also did 3.38 miles, he didn't grumble and appeared not to be aching or puffing much.

In other news I have entered the Fleet Half Marathon today and I'm running the Great Welsh Marathon in April - I am way behind in my training so roll on Janathon, sigh!

Janathon total: 3.38miles