Busted!

Tonight i totally mashed my bike wheels. Whilst cycling home on my normal route, i hit a pot hole which was BIG! It nearly took me off the bike, forcing my back wheel into a deep groove -- I heard a crack and then noticed that half of my spokes had busted leaving the wheel completely shandied! Oh and my front wheel bearings are also completely screwed, rendering the bike KNACKERED!

So, new wheels are needed and a complete bike service / strip down. I wonder if i can ask BORIS for some of my road tax back to pay for the repairs? The road fund license definitely isn't being spent on the roads!

State of mind. Neutral.

The Glow!

Didn't manage to do my BIG run on Friday due to work commitments. I did however manage to get out for a run with my second youngest son. He is 9 and we regularly run together. He kept pace all the way (we ran 3.29 miles) and still had enough energy to out-sprint me at the end.

Whilst running i made an observation... as we get older we start to loose that spark, that inner brightness, that eagerness, that glow. My son is a ball of light and the more i watched him, the more i noticed his spritely energy, it was incredidle -- so, along with my journey of peak fitness this year i intend to breathe easier, ask more questions, laugh at myself more often and generally take the word in my stide rather than run against it, which is all i seem to do these days.

Eddie Izzard: Marathon Man

Anyone who has run long distance will understand that a big percentage of the run is a mind game. Its during this time that the real test begins, some call it the wall, in my experience its that heart stopping pain where your mind starts to ask you why your doing it, to give up and go home - it argues with itself, almost in self preservation. Something deep within the soul keeps pushing until the jobs done.

Ive always been pretty proud of running marathons in the past, but recently the media turned my eye to Eddie Izzard and his 43 consecutive marathons, suddenly my attempts feel feeble almost LAME.

The director of the Olympic Medical Institute, Professor Greg Whyte said it is an almost impossible feat, an almost life threatening ordeal. I will link to Eddies story here but just wanted to say that the power of the mind, body and soul are limitless and if there is the will, there truly is the WAY! A truly remarkable achievement.

This is biblical!

No pain, no gain...

Been a few days where i haven't updated the blog. Last week i continued my 25 mile cycle rides to and from work. But have had big problems with my left foot which seemed to swell over last weekend - after my BIG Friday run. Got a feeling it's just bruised - but it kills to run on at the mo.

Didn't manage to do a second BIG Friday run due to the foot prob - but i did do a short run of 3.29 miles in 29.01 mins. Was another cold morning and a slowish start.

The weather seems to be turning now and glimmers of spring burn through the grey foggy days of winter. Feeling refreshed by this and look forward to the ride in this morning.

Plan on another BIG run on Friday so will keep the blog updated pre and post.

brb.

DoMoreFridays...

So i actually managed to complete my first run to work yesterday. It was a cold fresh and bright start, -2º when I left home at 07:39:35. Crystal Palace was tough, its a pretty steep incline and goes on for over a mile -- the reward being a fast paced drop into Dulwich Village.

Really started to feel the pain after about 6 miles (halfway) as I haven't completed a long one for about 2 years. Short sharp runs at the weekend prep you for some of it but not the continual pounding you receive on your legs and especially your knees.

Managed to get to work in 01.44.16 with an average speed of about 6.6 mph (not happy with that!)...

Hamstrings seem to be a big problem for me at the moment. After the run yesterday the pain in my left leg was unbearable - even to sit. Need to have this fixed - I think cycling has shortened them and its now causing me too many probs.

Anyway, i then cycled home which is a slightly longer route, nearly 13 miles which actually felt really good. I didn't expect to have any more energy left but i think the load that i endured on my legs that morning shocked them enough to perform again on the way home.

Im in BIG pain this morning, legs feel like lead, back muscles ache (from back pack) and Hamstring feels like its gonna burst - but it also makes me feel alive. One day i wont be able to do this anymore so im gonna enjoy the pain just as much as the run :)

I'm pretty pleased with my self, i felt totally switched on when i got to work even though it was hard work - and would love to see others give it a go on a Friday. Maybe not even the run, but something more enduring than they normally do - why not walk to work?

#DoMoreFriday

Its easy to want the perfect body but not so easy achieving it - its a constant mind battle and one that always beats us into submission, but this time i'm having the last word!

Will stretch out the pain later and get ready for Monday's cycle in. Sit ups and Press ups tonight.

State of mind: Couldn't be clearer!

Workout Details (run in):

MapMyRide.com - Regular Run: iMapMyRide: 5 Mar 2010 09:23 on 03/05/2010

Commitment...

Been a few days... I still haven't managed to do my BIG run this week, work has got in the way. But the plan now is to hitch a lift to work Friday morning then run home in the evening. Im determined to do it this week even though i feel knackered and it's only Tuesday.

Completed another 25 mile bike ride to and from work so at least i'm doing something.

I ate a huge steak at a business lunch today which i NEVER normally do. Wasn't much else on the menu so didn't really have a choice. It was nice, but too much of it and for some reason i just felt guilty as soon as it arrived. Not really my bag.

Current state of mind: Chilled and charged from todays meetings.