So 2011 began much in the same way every other New Year has started during my adult life.
The whole month of December in 2010 was filled with eating and drinking with friends, family and work colleagues followed by a NYE boozeathon before heading over to see my dear friend Lord Thorne on the 1st January (it's tradition) for more drinks, food and merriment... As ever, fantastic!
Though this year, perhaps because I knew of the training regime to come, I went all out on the eating and drinking. This was swiftly backed up by stepping onto the Wii Fit I had bought my girlfriend for Christmas yesterday and having it tell me my Wii Fit age is 43 and I'm 1st 8lb overweight.
No time like now to start my training for the upcoming London Marathon then? The first outdoor exercise activity I'd taken part in since a 5-a-side game back in 2004! 8k might not seem a lot to more established runners but I had a fair idea it was going cause my body some discomfort. I'd been sensible enough to go to
Runners Need in Camden and get myself kitted out with the basic gear so at least I looked the part...
I decided to see whether I could run to work and back, that would be the 8k, so I warmed up and off I went... About 1k in I started to regret not warming up for longer as my calves started to pull me back, but enthusiasm kept me going until I reached the office. Once there I thought I could go no further due to the cramp in my legs. My calf muscles (yes, I must have them and believe me I'm as surprised as you!) were like lead bricks. A good stretch was in order which seemed to do the trick so I started to walk [I may call this 'warming down' from now on...] back toward home, though after 10mins/1k I found my rhythm and started running again.
Now I felt much better during this second wind but once I was just under 1k from home I started 'warming down' again. My lungs were about to come out of my mouth and my legs were really like dead weights by this point. Though it seemed to help, as did the shower on my return home. I did feel alright at first but I've been stiffening up all afternoon but hopefully a good nights rest and I'll go running again tomorrow evening.
The biggest learning curve today...I have a
long way to go to be ready for April 17th and that when I say 8k I really mean 6k interspersed with two 1k walks!
Now that the training has begun I'll keep you informed of the success and inevitable struggles on the lead up to the big day so feel free to share this with anyone who'd be interested!
If you would like to donate please do so here;
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/BenTurner
I'm running in support of the MS Society and all donations are gratefully received!
