Malcolm's running diary by malcolms

This time next week I will be back home in Geordieland probably tucking into pasta in preparation for a jog a week tomorrow down to South Shields so that I can join the long queue to get the Metro back to Newcastle. Along with 40,000 others….

I think I was more ready for this run in the middle of August but over the past week I have managed to give myself a sporting chance of finishing in one piece.

A week ago I managed an 8 miler, the theme being slow and steady, the reality being slow. Still, I thought, good to get the slow ones out of the system.

Monday was a another run, shorter and brisker. 5 miles, head down, focussed breathing, arms pumping, 44 min 27. Tired but satisfying and I sensed while doing it that I can go faster. Trouble is I need to go longer rather than faster!

Wednesday was another run. I had hoped to run with Kate my usual Wednesday running partner. We have holidays over the summer and never actually managed to be here at the same time so I was disappointed when she emailed back to say that she couldn’t  make Wednesday but she did agree to join me this morning, but not at my usual Saturday run time (6:30) but at a more leisurely 7:30. So  Wednesday was on my own and another 7.2 miles was clocked off. Retrospectively I think I should either have long longer and slower or shorter and faster as what I did was neither a long slow run nor a tempo run not interval training, just a run.

This morning then met up with Kate, and we set off for a 10 miler. She had done a 10 miler the previous Monday and is looking good for the New Forest Half two weeks tomorrow. We kept the pace at a steady 9:45 min mile – fast for her, ok for me, but after 8.5 miles my legs were tiring and the last stretch was a struggle.  Still that’s 700 miles for the year.

May end up doing a run tomorrow with son who needs to log some mileage for the GSR at the end of October.

Either way, I think I have two more runs before next Sunday’s outing.

I am doing the run with two old school mates as we though what better way to celebrate the half century than doing our “local” half marathon. John has done the GNR twice before – in 1980s and thirty years of playing football have played havoc with his knees – we have an open book on how long he lasts as his longest run to date is 6 miles. Nick has never done the half before though has been training. Like me though he and his family had a late holiday and from all accounts has a slight weight issue after the holiday. Nick has also contacted our old school and has organised for us to have a nostalgic trip down memory lane next Saturday morning before we head to the quayside to cheer on team GB!!

Last chance to sponsor me if you wish  - like me the British Heart Foundation is 50 years old and Andover – where I live and work is one of their Heart Towns, and I am the lead in the town for Health and Wellbeing.

Check out www.andovervision.co.uk, sponsor me at www.virginmoneygiving.com/malcolmstone