Challenges...

Today I read about a bike race across America which is completed in 1 WEEK. It's called the Race Across America (RAAM).

Every time I read about challenges like this, like the majority of people I suspect, I long to do it and never do. There is always an excuse: the Marathon des Sables is too expensive and the waiting list too long, the race through the Sahara is the prospect of death, the RAAM how do you cope and enjoy it without sleep?

But let's stoke the fascination and continue to be excited because one day the excuses might stop.

If you are fascinated too and want to know more - you can follow the team here.

Fitness

Whilst I ramble on about nothing, living up the this blog's title, I know many of you are concerned about my fitness. People are meeting in village halls up and down the country to ask: yes, but what about the runs round the park? How are the new trainers? People are no doubt thinking of writing in their thousands to demand an update.

Well, the new trainers are fine, the I regret to inform you that the body is less fine. I am the same weight as last year, but less fit. I am niggly when I run, so I don't enjoy it as much. Whereas this time last year I was bouncing round the park and setting records in June (16:30) and August (16:25) today I loped round in a miserable 18:53.

It's time to redouble efforts. Cut excuses. To fight the advancing years.

Today I saw an old man of about 65 shuffling round the park, slowly but not inexpertly. A few years ago I may have seen only his ludicrous tight shorts and a vest. Today I saw a role model.

Sometimes...

it takes time to build a relationship.

I hadn't been getting on that well with my new trainers. We didn't argue, but sometimes it's just not been like my old pair of trainers, and they've caused me pain.

But today, after a rest day yesterday I set a new World, Commonwealth and Olympic record with 16:25 for once round Victoria Park. This beat my old record by 10 seconds.

Sometimes you just have to work at things and they come good.

Running Posture

I've been taking proper, structured running coaching - almost as though I'm Paula Radcliffe! Next I'll be doing big poos in the middle of Victoria Park!

But whereas Paula just has that rubbish husband, I have TWO coaches. One deals with running technique, goal setting, stretching, strength and conditioning. The other deals with posture.

It has been fascinating. And incredibly tiring. In fact this week I am totally wiped out. The posture stuff was remarkable - it seems I slouch forward like a monkey grabbing bananas through a cage. Unsurprising to a desk worker, but it translates into my running slightly, which places greater strain on the achilles, which is a bit of an achilles heel.

But I am beeinning to feel a bit different when running. I have a mental checklist which I run through to check my technique. I reach the 'zone' quicker. I feel pleased with myself, smug even. The local hoodies see me and pay respec' to a true stylist.

But I'm not really doing this for me. Well - I am - but this is all going to help other people Bloom...

40:19.

As Aguilera once (nearly) said: My mind was saying 'let's go', but my legs were saying no.

Next time.

My new romance

Played cricket yesterday and today I can hardly move. Still, I must get going because in about an hour my new trainers are picking me up! I'm very excited. I think they're taking me on a 10km run, but I don't know for sure.

I must admit I do really like them. Yes, they are a bit shiny and flash but I think they like me too. Other runners are so jealous when they see me out with them, but what can I do?

I know I must try not to get carried away, but when I'm with them, everything seems to go so fast. I really want to try and do a sub 40 minute 10km, but should I do try this so early? I mean I hardly know them! I know I should really wait a while...but they just say to me 'why wait?' Oh, sweet temptation.

News from my date to follow.

Running Lessons

All I do at the moment is run and work. My record round the park now stands at 16:42. There seems to be a lot of overlap with running and exams or big projects:

1. You have to start each run well. This establishes momentum for the whole enterprise. You feel like you can do it and that the time being spent has purpose. And the purpose is to succeed.

2. Once that has been established and stabilised, you are in the race. This is it. Now try to relax. Checking times at landmarks sustains motivation.

Eventually you will ask 'can't I just stop now?' especially if you are behind the clock. But realise these demons are part of the test. So the answer is no.

3. Finally it really begins to hurt. But this is because you are in sight of your goal. Now throw everything at it. Turn the music up. Keep trying even if it feels slow. It may not be. Think about how lucky you are to be able to run. Think about the integrity of trying hard. Keep running. Surge at the end.

Success is about every stolen inch.

Marathon of the sands

I have been talking wildly about doing this thing.

It's probably a bit stupid, or it may just be talk, but I have until 5th March to make up my mind because that's when you have to pay a very large desposit.

So anyway, to do that I would have to do lots of marathons. I'm doing London this year, but I really, really want to go to the US this year and do one there. But where?

I want to run a fast (for me) time of around 3:15 so preferably a flat course, not too hot (yes I realise the Sahara is likely to be hot…), and want to see a new, fantastic city and to stay for a few days (at least) afterwards for my American fix and to eat some jujy fruits.

Any ideas?