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.....or more importantly lack of it.

Since London I have struggled to get running and have yet to complete a planned run. Just can't get motivated. Have the Acorns Half in Malvern in two weeks, so really am getting quite worried.

Have been doing the run/walk type thing, but know i can do the planned runs standing on my head, just can't seem to want to. Have had a little stiffness in the calf/achilles area, but have been hiding behind it a bit.

Help needed please!!!

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Well I have switched to VLM in eager preparation for next year and hoefully my bloggy friends will continue to look at my insane ramblings.

Have decided to take a couple of weeks rest prior to running again, to give this ageing body (and the bloody right calf) a good rest. Have a Half Marathon on 7th June and will more then likely do Birmingham in October, Bath in March and back to the big smoke in April.

Not sure how to start back training but will stick with 3-4 runs a week. Have 23 6 year-old girls at mine for a party tomorrow, so that will be great joy!! Might need to have a few sherberts........well I'm not running am I..

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Well thought I'd better try to put down in words the emotions of Sunday 26th April 2009.

Up at 6.30, for porridge breakfast (superb hotel made for a super weekend) then on the tube to  Charing Cross and onto Maze Hill, like a tin of sardines!

Met up with a few blog pals, Simone (guru x), Shazz, Tony, Helen et al, before finally meeting up again (went for a drink with him on friday) with my pace bitch, Baywatch.

We took our position at the rear of the field, with only about 20-30 people behind us. It did allow us to get on telly (twice) though and we went through the start line at 10:10. For the next 14 miles, including  a wee in a hedge, things went really well. We had a great steady pace and were looking at about a 4:50 finish.........

At 14 I started to feel a little dehydrated so a Vittel top up and I was back up running. At 15 the right calf tightened and I dropped my pace while I say Baywatch disappear, with my blessing as he had been awesome. Just after 16 miles, it went, just like in December. The pain was terrible and I still had 10 to go!!!

So I limped/hopped/walked/hobbled for the last 10. Shazzer caught me up and helped me, as did some guy called Mike, who was great for the last 2 miles. I eventually slumped over the line in 5:33:15 and needed a bit of help whilst I got my bearings, and more importantly my medal!

Thanks to all the crowds for their support, it got me home. To Debs and the girls for their belief. For Andy and Di for coming to support me. For my blogging pals for their continued support this winter, and a special thank you to my bitch, cheers Simon.

So what now, well.........

I'm running the Acorns Triple in June (half) and yes I've entered the ballot for next year! Well I need to go sub 5 don't I.

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Well I feel like a 5 year old going on holiday. Have already started packing my stuff, Debs thinks I'm having an affair with a bird called Baywatch and I'm boucing around like Tigger.

Only 5 sleeps and one more run (2 miler!) to go. Out at 5am this morning and did another PB for 3.25 miles in 29:45 (I know too quick!!). Feeling strong.

Meeting my other half (Mr Baywatch) between 8.30 and 8.45 at the Lucozade tent, red start and would love to meet many more of you.

ATB Gazz

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.........until the biggest challenge of my life. Scary thoughts most of the time now, but also feelings of being on the brink of an achievement. I still have doubts of being able to do it,  but I'm hoping thats a natural feeling and is only nerves.

Went out yesterday for a final longish run of 8 miles (back in September this would have killed me but now it's described as a small 8!). Completed in 1:17:09, alot quicker than next Sunday's ideal pace, which is worrying as I found it relatively easy. Pretty much know I couldn't maintain 9.35 min/mile past over 26.2!

Will go out again tomorrow for a 3.25, then Thursday again, for another. Then rest and pasta from Thursday onwards.

Have a great week, Gazz.

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Re-scheduled day off today, so went for haircut and dropped girls with mum whilst I did a few errands and of course go for a run.

Was mindful on how much time I had, so went off at a slightly quicker pace............first mile done in 7:40!! At this stage I thought hang on Gazz slow down, no need for it. But as I carried on, i just wondered how much I could do, and anyway a bit of speed work never hurts does it.

So then 4.5 MILES DONE IN 39:35!!!!!! That for me was unbelievable. Yes I was blowing a bit at the end, but not horrendously. Feeling superb now and thinking about what pace I should try and achieve on 26th!

Will go out one more this week for a shorter run, followed by an 8 on Sunday, and another short one next Wednesday.

ATB Gazz

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Well after my dark mood from Friday, was pondering whether to do planned 9 yesterday or go for an 11?? In the end I adjusted my favoured 9.5 and turned it into a 10. And what a 10 it was, completed in sub 10 min/mile in 1:39:20, and felt awesome. Really pleased and a little more confident for 26th now. Many thanks to my fellow bloggers for their messages of support.

What a day yesterday was. On completing my run, Debs got me gardening!!!! I hate gardening, but got away with kust tidying up the front of the house. In the afternoon, went with friends to Bossa Nova in Worcester to see Ray Lewis from the Drifters perform. Excellent evening with plenty of carbs on board(!!!)

More gardening today (obviously have kicked a cat somewhere)  and have then got intimate with Mrs Pinot Grigio.

Will get some small runs in this week, before a final, can't believe I'm saying that, 8 on Sunday.

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I officially hate tapering!! I cannot get myself into it. Woke up this morning planning to do a 7 miler, but not really wanting to. Set off like a steam train and got to 4 miles in 37 minutes (quick for me). Suddenly felt stiffness in my right shoulder, so I used it as an excuse to stop and walk home, as didn't want to get a serious injury. Pathetic I know.

So having sat here and read some posts of people still do 18 miles, 14 miles and 12 I need to take stock.

POSITIVES - I have done a 20 mile run. Last Thursday (only a week ago) I did 12 and felt awesome. Did a PB on Tuesday for 4.5 miles. I didn't have breakfast this morning. I really went off too quick.

NEGATIVES - Its a bad run. 26.2 miles is along way and am I ready?

So all in all, I know I am panicking, but I have posted before that 90% is mental and only 10% physical, so when you have a bad run so close my mind works overtime.

Have planned a 9 for Sunday, so fingers crossed.

Gazz

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