Treadmill Challenge @ Helston Sainsbury's 27th Jan 2012

Well I have had a verbal confirmation that I can use Sainsbury's of Helston to carry out my next charity fundraising event.  I intend to do another marathon on a treadmill just inside their store.  


The actual date 27th Jan 2012 is the RNLI SOS fundraising day so that will tie in quite nicely.


As for training it's going very well.  I'm up to 10 miles on long distance now and my 6 mile pace is now down to 6:45 min/mile.  I'm quite pleased with the times.


My wife and I have booked our London accommodation for the marathon.  We have booked a Travel Lodge for 3 nights.  We are about 0.2 miles from Tower Bridge.  We are going up Friday and coming home Sunday.


Greggy and Donna are coming with us which is great news.  Greg is a veteran of the race and the pair of them know London inside out.  This will be nice company for my wife who has never been.  Greggy unfortunately did not get in this year.

It's getting colder...

Well this week has been bloody miserable training wise.  The weather has been awful!  The rain has been horizontal and the wind has been cold.  However I have trained through even though football training was called off on Tues night!


Monday - 6 mile run around the coast at a reasonable pace.


Tues - 100 Rep challenge in my garage


Wed - 8 Mile run including Lidl hill in an Hour...


Thurs - Day off (Painting Lilia's room)


On Wednesday my new head torch turned up to give me some much needed light for these dodgy Cornish roads..  http://www.petzl.com/en/node/16804


It is very good good, although I was hampered by a massive down poor.  The strobe light on it is very good also.

Training Going Well

Well I'm starting get serious now....  I'm having to run at night now after the kids have gone to bed as it's the only time I have until I get back to work.


I managed 8 miles on Monday in an hour which included Lidl's bypass hill.


Tuesday was football training which Gus the second team assistant manager took.  I struggled due to Monday nights run.


Tonight I ran 6 miles in 42 mins around Falmouth coast.  It was another late run.  Got back just after 9 P.M.


Not sure what to do tomorrow as Dawson my lad is playing football.  I will probably do some weights in the garage gym.

Mr Ecclestone Receives His Prize

Last night was Mawnan AFC 75th Anniversary.  I used this evening to present Mr Robert Ecclestone with his £50 prize from the Lucky Lifeboat Station game.

Lucky Lifeboat Draw

Today on 771 Squadron the Commanding Officer, LT CDR Canning kindly drew the winning lifeboat station during our engineering shareholders.  The lucky station was Criccieth and the winning individual was Mr Robert Eccleston of Mawnan Smith FC much to the disgust of the 771 Engineers whom believed the draw to be fixed!

The winning individual receives the prize of £50!

771 Co drawing the winning station

A big thanks to the CO and everyone who purchased a station to aid me with my fundraising.   The total amount raised from the sweepstake game was £180.  Many thanks for your support!

New Trainers & The Training Continues

Well my Old Asics have finally bit the dust and I have been to JJB and bought some more Asics.  The NB ones I ordered from Sports Direct did not fit unfortunately...  So here is a link to what I went for - http://www.jjbsports.com/asics-gel-virage-5-structure-mens-running-shoes/running-shoes/shop/fcp-product/20913

So after my Wales visit I had a day off on Friday then back to work on Saturday to start my week of nights but not before 120 minutes of football for my team Mawnan Smith.  We played Titans in the Percy Stevens Cup.  They are two leagues below us but you would have never knew it from their performance.  So after 90 mins at 1-1 it was extra time followed by pens.  We eventually won 3-1 on pens with Titans missing their first two.  A good work out all in all.

Sunday at work I hit the gym and had a weight training session.  I did the 100 reps but replaced the flat bench with an incline + dumbells.

Monday was a 6 mile road run which took longer than I thought but I had not long finished a chicken Korma. I ran that in 46 mins.

Tues was football training and I took the lads for a good hour and gave them a 100 rep variation which included burpees and Bastards.  Greg first team manager then hit us with some ball work.

Tonight I decided to add another mile and half tonight.  I did 7.5 miles in 56 minutes which wasn't to bad.  There is a long way to go and a lot of miles to come....

Starting To Build The Miles

Well I haven't blogged for a while due to lack of training...  So I'm back on the road again now.  I have just finished a course in St Athan, Wales and managed 3 training sessions.  Included in those 3 sessions was a 7 Mile run on the treadmill in 50 mins.  I wanted to hit 8 miles in an hour but my dodgey calf started to tighten up so I stopped.  Felt good the next day so I will try to build that mileage up now and strengthen that calf.

I also ordered some new trainers today as my Asics have given up the ghost and have probably been contributing to some of my injuries.

I have ordered these http://www.sportsdirect.com/new-balance-mr828og-running-shoes-mens-219010

They will keep me going until I buy my marathon trainers around Christmas time.  I quite fancy these to do the marathon in.  http://www.sportsdirect.com/asics-gel-kinetic-3-mens-running-shoes-211142

The fundrasing is ticking along quite steady.  I only have 14 more lifeboat stations to sell then I'm going to get my boss to make the draw for the £50 prize.  £675 raised so far!!  Please donate and help me.....

Training Resumes

Well I managed to get through another 90 mins of football.  Mawnan played Falmouth Albion at home.  We won the the game 3-1 but again we struggled to get going.

So this week I have resumed the training schedule.  I have cycled to work twice this week which totals 50 miles so I have had a good week for CV.

I also managed to do the Spartan 300 challenge which was hideous.

To finish the weights this week I did another 100 rep challenge.  So all in all it has not been a bad week.

I have also started another fundraiser.  It's called the lucky lifeboat game.  Basically friends choose a lifeboat station around the British Isle for a £1 with a chance of winning £50.  There are about 235 stations to choose from so it's not a bad way to raise money.

Tomorrow sees Mawnan come up against Gwinear Church Town in a league match.  Let's get another 3 points!

3-2-1 I'm Back In The Room

Well having iced my calf muscle all week I managed to get through 90 minutes of football today.  Had a late fitness test and came through with flying colours.  I'm pleased I did play as I had quite a good game and saw loads of the ball.  Linked up well with Damian Stevens.  Unfortunately the result let us down, we drew 2-2.  We went 1-0 then 1-1 then took the lead gain.  We were just a bit slow at the back and didn't take enough chances at the other end....

We were away to Mousehole which is a long way to go to come away with a point!

I'm still pleased though touch wood.  No reoccurrence of the calf strain!  So after Sunday day of rest I'm resuming the training!

Still Injured (Just!)

Well I was on a course In St Athan, Wales last week and I intended to train all week.  Monday was ok I took a friend of mine Dan Peacock through the 100 reps circuit and I think he enjoyed the routine.  Tuesday was a disaster again.  I went for a run and 15mins into the run my calf went again.  So as per normal I ran on hoping to run it off.  Managed to get back to the base but next morning I was limping again...  So no CV for another week.

I'm hoping I will be fit for Saturday's opening game against Mousehole!

I carried on training on Wednesday but doing some shoulder weights.

I have not done anything until today which was the 100 rep exercise again.  I really need to get over this injury and get some more mileage into my legs.

Well I'm off now to get the ice pack and tlc my calf (Moo).

Disaster as injury strikes

Well I suppose it was inevitable playing football!  I ran out for a pre season friendly warm up, kicked a ball and pulled something in my left thigh.  Greg the football manager said run it off, so of course I tried.  I started the match on the left hand side of midfield against Wendron FC.  After about 10 mins my right calf went dead and after 30 mins I had to come off.

So I really haven't done any CV training for a while.  I did some weights at work whilst on nights.  100 rep challenge and the bear.  Then we went on a family camping trip to Padstow and I never trained at all.  I'm ready to hit the ground running during a weeks course in St Athen nr Cardiff.

I'm missing another pre season friendly next week at Perranwell.  My pre season football has not gone very well to say the least.

Well let's hope next weeks training goes well!

Back In The Training Groove!

Well I started training again the Sunday after my 2nd marathon.  I did the 15 min exercise called the Bear.  This hammered my quads which was probably a bad idea since I had a pre season football match the next day.

Monday night Mawnan Smith played Mullion's Combination Team.  We lost 2-1 but should have won the game which was very encouraging for the first team manager Greg Renfree.  I scored the only goal for our side and played a full 90 mins.

Tuesday was a rest day as I was walking like John Wayne.  The football certainly tested a few unused muscles..

Wednesday I did the 100 rep challenge but again I replaced the bench press with press ups.

Thursday was another rest day due to not being able to walk properly.

Friday I started my night shift so I drove to work with my racing bike on the back of my motor.

Saturday was a double training session.  I cycled 12.5 miles to home after work.  Slept and then cycled back into work again.

My plan tonight is to hit the chest and tri's with my work collegue Gaz Hood.

The Day After Round 2

Well I have to admit the marathon on families day was a breeze compared to airday.  I managed to drink plenty of electrolytes and gels this time.  I was also taking salt tablets every hour I was running.


I didn't get cramp twinges until 23 miles in.  It was my hamstrings this time.  It felt like someone was sticking needles into them. 


I set off at 9 min mile pace although the treadmill was km only.  Dave Nicoll the RNLI fundraiser did a great job converting for me.  I completed this marathon in 4 hours and 1 min and my only concern this time was  but my lips and fingers were tingly when I stopped.  Not sure what this condition was but I had to sit down and keep warm until it passed.


Today I'm feeling good, apart from a little fatigued.  My legs feel good today too.  


I think the lessons from the last marathon have well and truly been learned.


We raised  £220.85 on families day which is £20 more than the target I set!


So I feel a break from fundraising is probably wise for a moment and allow my old body chance to heal!

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea

PLEASE SPONSOR ME

The Night Before 771 Families Day

Well I have packed my sports kit all ready for round 2 of the marathon challenge.  We have a families day tomorrow for the joint Seaking force.  The squadron is expecting about 250 people so it should be a good day.  Lets hope the weather holds out.

I have managed to loan a decent treadmill this time.  I just need to get it from A to B and back again.

Had a nice curried brown rice dish at dinner to continue loading the carbs.  Me and the missus had tray baked cod, new potatoes and veg from our allotment for tea.  Something light to go to bed on.

I haven't trained since Sunday as I wanted to give my legs the best opportunity to rest prior to this event.

I'm 100% better prepared this time and hoping not to suffer from the severe cramps I had last time.

Well I'm going to get an early night.

If you are coming down to 771 squadron tomorrow then please pop in and donate to the RNLI and have a good chuckle at me suffering.

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea

PLEASE SPONSOR ME

Brown Rice Diet *Nice*

Well have just been reading my monthly copy of Mens Health and one article suggest you should eat 5g of brown rice for every 1kg of your body weight 4 days prior to a marathon in order to win a medal.  In that case I need to start eating 425g everyday before Thursday's 2nd treadmill marathon challenge.  I'll just go and boil the pan!

Well I had my first run yesterday post Wednesday's marathon.  I did the Culdrose triangle which is approx 5.2 miles.  I have ran it in 32.11 mins this year but I had a slow jog round and finished in 40:51 mins.  I have to admit my left calf is still sore but at least I'm not limping anymore.

I'm still waiting for my Nuun electrolyte tablets to turn up which I ordered last week.

I have spoken to our gym and I'm hoping they loan me a decent treadmill for my next challenge.

Well my brown rice is ready!  Catch you later.

Lots of lessons learned from airday

The total raised from airday was £439.79 which I'm very pleased with.  It's a great start towards the £2300 I have pledged to the RNLI.

It's only been 3 days since I ran a marathon on a treadmill and I'm still sore.  I learnt some very valuable lessons that day.

The gels I was using only contained carbohydrate so when I thought I was replenishing my electrolytes I was in fact only fueling my body.

I never replenished the salt that I sweated out.

I did not build up my carbs prior to the event.

7 minute mile pace is not wise when you have only had a week to prepare.

So with a bit of research I have purchased the following:

1.  Salt tablets
2.  Electolyte tablets
3.  Carbohydrate gels with added caffine

The next event which is on Thursday 28th which is another marathon on a treadmill I will be better prepared.

I intend to eat plenty of pasta about 4 days prior to the event.

I'm going to start about 9 minute mile pace and see where we go from there.  I want to finish this marathon in one go this time!

Yesterday I trained my upper body using the 100 rep method!  This is mentioned in a previous post.

Just because my legs aren't working doesn't mean I can't punish my top half!

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea

PLEASE SPONSOR ME

What a great day!

Promotional Fundraising Shot

Well even though Airday was a wash out the Treadmill Challenge was a huge success.  I would like to thank everyone that donated and supported me through the ordeal, yes it was an ordeal hahaha.  A big thanks to the RNLI guys for making this happen and keeping an eye on me all day.  A massive thanks to Adam West my own personal physiotherapist who gave my legs the best rub down they have ever had when I was having my serious cramp stage.


Well considering I have had a week to train and prepare it didn't go to bad.


I started off with 7 min mile and by mile 13 I had to drop the pace.  When I reached mile 21 it all went pear shaped.  I had a serious bout of cramps which ended up with me lying on the treadmill getting some serious physio action.


After about 30 mins I recovered and ran the last five miles to finish in 4 hours & 20 mins.


I'm waiting for the fundraising guru Dave Nicoll to let me know the total raised.


I'm going to post some pictures now before, after and dying.


Question is do I run another marathon next week at our squadrons families day.....

After thoughts...

Finally Finishing

The Night Before Culdrose Airday

Well last minute preps did not go well this afternoon.  Took my trailer down to the gym to borrow one of their decent treadmills and they are huge.  Having only had a week to plan for this fundraiser I have not had time to book a forklift and flatbed.  So it's lucky the squadron has one I can use.  It's a bit worn and well used and the belt slips a bit but hey it adds to the challenge.


Thanks to Thommo and Macca my manpower who help me lift and shift the treadmill to the RNLI stand.  


Met Dave Nicoll for the first time today.  He's a nice chap.  He is the Falmouth RNLI fundraiser.  


I plan to meet him and his team at 7 A.M. tomorrow to help them set up the stands and gazebo's.  


I'm just setting up my playlist for my Ipod as it's going to be a long day :-)  Quite a bit of U2, Baesment Jaxx & Black Eyed Peas.  Oh and how could I forget the Rocky soundtrack hehehe!


Stopped off at Asda and picked up some banana's and jelly beans to keep me going....


Well I'm going to ask my wife for a rub down (I know what the answer will be).


I hope to see you all at Airday tomorrow!  Please come and show your support for me and the RNLI.  We will either be inside C2 hangar or outside next to the static displays.  The venue won't be sorted until tomorrow, it's a power supply issue.


See you tomorrow!

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea

PLEASE SPONSOR ME

Almost Ready For Culdrose Airday Marathon Challenge

Well I'm supposed to be on leave at the moment but I had to go into work today for a dentist check up.  After my appointment I popped into the squadron to find out where the RNLI stand was going.  I spoke to my Divisional Officer who is part of the 771 team setting up the Search & Rescue display and he reminded me I needed a risk assessment for my treadmill run.  I completely missed this, oops thanks Health & Safety 1974....


My Divisional Officer kindly filed the correct form for me so everything is above board.


He also spoke to the Airday organiser who told him I have to do my marathon run outside which is a pain in the ass with the weather forecast!  Electrical treadmill outside.  Will probably have to do that risk assessment again :-(


Luckily for me Dave Nicoll (Falmouth Lifeboats Fundraiser) has a gazebo that I can shelter under if this dodgy weather persists.


So I decided no training for the next two days to prepare myself for the challenge!

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea

PLEASE SPONSOR ME 

Good Training Weekend

Well I managed 2 sessions over the weekend.  One weights related and another coastal run.  Yesterday I did the 100 reps exercise again but I replaced the 15kg bench press with 100 press ups.  I have to admit I find the press ups harder than the bench.  I think any exercise involving your own body weight is the best way to exercise.  I'm such a lump @ 6ft 4" and 84kg.


Today I did another coastal run but added another 10 mins onto my time which included the hideous bypass A39 Hill at the Lidl roundabout.  That was hard work.  The route is about 8 miles which took me 1 hour 2 mins. Not a bad time considering the Cornish hills.  I will probably have one more training session on the road before the Culdrose Airday fundraising event.


I also trained wearing my new socks.  At £9 a pair they are very good.  I sweat like a pig and my feet were quite dry.  I will have to buy a few more pairs later on.


Well that's enough blogging today!

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea

PLEASE SPONSOR ME  

Double Session, Now I'm Knackered

Well I dropped my daughter at pre-school yesterday and went for another coastal run which included Pendenis Point.  It was hard work as the temp must have been in the 20's.  Got round in about 50 mins which is quite good.


Thursday was also the first football training session of the new season.  I play for Mawnan Smith who play in the newly merged Trelawney League.  It's going to be a very competative league this year and I personally believe that no-one will run away with it.  Back to training, we had a very good turn out.  At least 35 people for the two teams.


The first team manager Greg Renfree did a very good job on setting out the stations for our workouts.  I took the warm up followed by a mini circuit which included press ups, squats and a very good abs session involving  a piece of 4 x 2 a.k.a. The Plank.


We did quite a bit of shuttle running and a lot of passing exercises.  All in all it was a good hard training session.


I'm absolutely shattered now though.  I have not trained today.


Spoke to Dave Nicoll (Falmouth RNLI Fundraiser) about Airday.  It seems everything is falling into place.


I ordered some proper running socks as well - Nike Elite Run Stab 2.0 Cushion Quarter Socks.  I'm hoping these don't give me blisters or I'm in for a painful day on Wed.


My SIS Isotonic gels arrived yesterday.  You are supposed to take one of these every 20 - 30 mins.  Never had these before but then I have never really replenished my body during a run.  Well I have never ran as far as 13 miles before.  Wednesday will be a learning curve even on a treadmill.
 

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea

PLEASE SPONSOR ME 

Exam All Done!

Well I managed to get my exam squared away today and now I'm back on holiday.  


I trained yesterday by doing The Bear which is a quick 15 mins workout because that's all the time I had left after sorting out a few Airday issues.


Here is the link to The Bear.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfmuCo4paZI


It's hideous if you do 7 sets of seven.


Becka at the London RNLI fundraising office has hopefully sent out my fundraising pack today so I can begin to design some posters etc.


I haven't trained today as I've been really busy so I'll have to count this as a rest day.


I have got a double session tomorrow because football training starts...  I'm going for a coastal run after I drop the little girl at pre school.  Legs will be tired on Friday morning.


Well I'm signing off!

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea

PLEASE SPONSOR ME 

Busy Day Today

Well it's been a hectic day today.  I have been on a course about explosive regulations today which was nice..  It hasn't given me much time to sort anything out.


I managed to borrow a treadmill for my Airday Marathon Challenge.  Thanks to Bill Bailey and the gym staff at RNAS Culdrose gym.  


I spoke to the Falmouth RNLI fundraiser Dave Nicoll about the challenge on Airday and he is well onboard.  


I also spoke to Ned Nuzum The Lizard Lifeboat Operations manager and thanked him for his support.


So I think I'm all set for the Marathon treadmill challenge.  26.2 miles on a treadmill for the RNLI.  I'm hoping to set up next to the RNLI education stand. So all those going to Culdrose International Airday please come and show your support.


I have managed a coastal run tonight.  I clocked up 43.08 mins which is probably 6.5 miles.  I must measure the distance in my car next time we take a trip around the coast.


Well I better get my head in the books as I have an exam on Wed.

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea

PLEASE SPONSOR ME  

RNLI Flyer

Here is a copy of the RNLI Flyer for information about my charity.

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea


PLEASE SPONSOR ME 

Day of Rest

I decided to take the day off  training today.  The reason might have something to do with the fact we went to a wedding reception at St Michaels hotel in Falmouth.  I did however do 100 reps in my make shift gym in the garage before we went out.


It's a very good upper body work out.


100 Reps 


Basically you have 3 stations 


Station 1 - Bench Press 15kg


Station 2 - Pull Up Bar


Station 3 - EZ Bar 7.5kg


The object of the exercise is to reduce the figure 100 to 0 and you only count your bench press.


So starting with bench you do 10 reps and move to the pull up bar where you carry out 3 wide/narrow pull ups then you finish with 10 arm curls using the EZ bar.


You deduct 10 from your 100 and you carry on until you reach 0. 


Well tomorrow is going to be a busy day as I have to try to arrange the loan of a treadmill from the gym for my fundraising event at Culdrose International Airday.  I'm aiming to set up the treadmill next to the RNLI stand and run a marathon and hopefully raise some money. 


Just opened a bottle of home made orange wine!  Surely this is not the correct way to train Hehehe.

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea

PLEASE SPONSOR ME 

Entry to 2012 London Marathon

Found out some exciting news yesterday!  I have been accepted into the RNLI team to run the London Marathon next year.  I have decided to keep a blog which will also aid as a training schedule.


I would also like to post information on the charity that I have chosen.