Almost there...

The big day feels really close now - like a Job Interview looming! We went and got our numbers and timing chip from the organisers last night. I'll be 38032 for the eagle eyed out there. Feeling a bit worn down and trying to shake off a cold in time for Sunday. Is this the effects of slowing the pace and the taper down I wonder?

Doing what I can to focus on the big picture as per yesterdays entry of remaining positive and imagining myself going round the whole course, unscathed and enjoying it, as you are told you should do! To those who have sponsored me, thanks so much, it is inspiring and a great stimulant for the effort put in. Here's hoping sub 4 hours 30. Wish me luck!

Can I actually do this?

It's been a long hard slog. I've put the hours in, avoided serious injury and now whilst realising there's nothing more physically that can be done before the race, its all down to the mental battle of what it will be like on the day of Marathon. I scooted to work along the Albert Embankment today which will be at the end part of the race. The organisers are already putting out the crowd barriers and my heart skipped a beat thinking how soon it will come around that Els and I will be pushing each other on at that point to make it through to the finish. I have actually thought over the last few days 'can I actually make it?', the full 26.2 miles. 22 was doable, but a slog. There's another 4 miles after that - an average morning run to complete! I've thought of Derek Redmond valiantly making it round the 400 metres at the 1992 Olympics with his dad after he pulled up just after the start and wondered what would happen if one of us gets an injury? A bit dramatic I know, but then I've never tested my body this much before. How's it going to react? Will my left knee hold up?

I read an article in Tuesday's Guardian by a writer who ran last years Marathon in which he describes how he felt at the finish and the dark moments he experienced during the race. He ran on his own, which I don't think I could do. With a running partner you can spur each other on, pick the other up or simply have someone who you know is the same as you and a barometer of how you're both feeling. The article has a number of useful tips about how to cope mentally when the dark clouds descend.

Remembering previous experiences is key (whether or not you choose to listen to the advice of what the other is telling you), and we both have a few of those stored up in our mental lockers, both positive and negative.

You can't help but compare yourself to others and I remember a friend running a few years ago who was a fantastic natural runner for whom Marathon was a life goal. He'd admit he didn't train quite as fully as possible and still put in a good time, but even he had to walk mile 24 because he'd given so much earlier in the race. Barring any injury I'm determined not to walk as long as the body holds up. But I think the body isn't the problem. It'll be staying focused in the mind I'm sure. With that in mind, and for your own interest dear reader, the ways I'll be staying positive are:

• Remembering how I got through 22 miles when I thought the knee was properly going
• My happy place where I will think back to will be running the length of St Juan beach at Christmas in Spain
• I'll be looking forward to a massage in the MIND event after the Marathon and a Pint in the evening.
• And my thing to look forward post marathon will be seeing Elbow on Tuesday at Brixton Academy. That is of course if my legs have forgiven me in time to stand for 2 hours!
  

Just champion

Half watched the Liverpool Arsenal game last night. Arsenal shone with their usual intricate passing, Liverpool were their usual functional selves for most of the game.

Having almost snatched victory at the death, Arsenal I felt were a little unlucky to get the penalty against them, but the Liverpool substitute Babel gave the Arsenal defence a torrid time after his introduction. Though it pains me to say it as a United fan, his breakaway at the finish half the length of Anfield to fight off Fabregas and finish with aplomb was a joy to watch.

I hope United can complete the job against Roma tonight (they lead 2-0 from the first leg). Along with other United fans we wonder if Ferdinand will play and how the defence will do overall without Vidic, who has been a rock all season. Will be nice to see Gary Neville return if he is fully fit and chosen by Fergie.

If United do go through, it seems a mouthwatering semi-final with Barcelona is on the cards, a game that even fairweather fans would be interested in watching given the amount of footballing talent that would be on view. But let's see first that both United and Barca do the job in their respective games. Come on United and Visca al Barca!

Tale of the Taper

So that's it. I've run the last run of my training. I've been winding down the distances covered in runs over the last 2 and a bit weeks to let my body recover from the pounding I've been giving it over the previous 4 months, otherwise known in the trade as 'the Taper'. It seems to contradict common sense that having put yourself through this gruelling schedule you have a period of 3 weeks away from long runs leading up to a marathon, but the evidence points to this being the best way to prepare you by letting your body recover.

Most first timers (myself included) get concerned that they'll lose their fitness but the research shows that reducing your training volume by two thirds still allows you to maintain your cardiovascular fitness for around eight weeks. Fundamentally, it allows damage in the muscle fibres to be repaired and let your body replenish its glycogen levels - something crucial in the latter stages of a marathon. 3 weeks tapering is seen as optimum between your final long run and the race itself.

In our last long run, we made 22 miles distance. Having increased the long runs incrementally over the preceding weeks, 26 miles is the next distance due - which handily enough is the Marathon distance. There is a slew of contradictory evidence on training tips but the information around Tapering is pretty consistent. Having done so much running, the hardest thing I'm finding is that I’m champing at the bit to go out and do a run. This morning I had to tone it down to a very slow pace for half an hour. I resisted the urge to speed up based on the minor risk of doing myself some damage. Having received a relaxing massage on my legs and joints last night it was nice to go slow but I've definitely got the energy in my tank for Sunday! I guess I just need to make sure I put in the right fuel. That's for another blog entry...

So exercise from now is really low impact and I've been instructed by my masseur to take it easy, stretch as much as possible and have a hot bath every night. I'm already beginning to feel relaxed, and now look forward to spending more time with my rubber duck over the next few days!

First Marathon post

For those in the know, I am an entrant in this years’ Flora London Marathon.

I've spent the last 4 months in training, cutting back on booze, late nights, and the more unhealthy parts of my lifestyle in general! And now, a sleeker more streamlined version of me is lining up for Sunday's race. Quite how I ended up signing up for it in the first place I can't quite remember, though I was definitely sober. Honest!

All of my friends have been encouraging me, including Tim and Monica over at Smarterfitter.com

Monica has changed career and is fulfilling her ambition to be a freelance writer. Her first commission for the Telegraph featuring yours truly is shown here. Link to full article.

My partner and I drew up a strict schedule and fundraising plan around Christmas last year, which, if you want to give this a go, I strongly advise you do.

At first the distances were within my comfort zone and I looked forward to my runs with relish. Then I got to the point where every long run was further than I'd ever run before and it began to get harder. But, as the training has been incremental it hasn't been so bad! I'll post the complete calendar after Sunday so anyone trying it for the first time can a) see what's involved, and b) if they're not completely scared off, can crib it for their own ends!

It has been incredibly rewarding and the feeling generated by each longer run has been extremely satisfying. The articles point about Runners High is not lost. It is a craving you want to go back for, despite any aches or pains the following day.

I definitely advise you get yourself a training partner at the beginning so that you spur each other on. Of course it helps if they are the same level of fitness and enthusiasm as you! Luckily I've had such a person by my side in Els, who I'll be proudly lining up alongside with at Greenwich.

I've jotted down a few notes from the time we've been working at this venture. I'll endeavour to post up some useful pointers after the blisters; sores and chaffing have subsided over the next few weeks!

FREE Training Journal e-book for Martial Arts

Rodney King and I have just released a new resource for functional martial artists. The Official CMD Training Journal is a FREE eBook that has been created to help athletes develop greater focus in their training and to develop "deep learning" by systematically tracking some key mental, emotional and physical elements of their performance.

Not only is space provided to fill in and to track all this important information, but the journal also includes the ‘how to’ material to help you realize your ultimate training goals.

There are brief, quick-reference sections that cover:

• Goal Setting

• Recovery/Overtraining

• Taking Care of Your Body: Sleep, Nutrition, Energy

• Sharpening your Mental Game: Motivation, Focus, and Commitment

• Learning from your Training

The book is referred to as a “mixed martial arts” training journal, but that term is used very broadly here. It can be used for MMA training, but it is also very general and flexible, so that you could use it for virtually any kind of martial arts training. The “training journal” itself is just a record form that you can copy and use to track your progress and to monitor your individual patterns for success.

In an effort to give back to the martial art community that has given both authors so much, they are now offering the Training Journal absolutely free.

All you need to do to get your FREE copy is register (also free) on the Crazy Monkey Defense site.

We hope you enjoy it and that it will keep you focused, excited and motivated to train.

The First Post

To the blogosphere.

A lot more to post up over the next few weeks - Syria, Jordan, The London Marathon, Music, United, Writing, and all gaps in between.... You'll have to bear with me whilst i get my bearings.
Liking blogger already.