bibo_boy

Thursday 8th November 2007 Continued

well even though I've had the "trotts" (sorry), I still forced myself out for the Thursday 5 mile race.....

Felt so weak but I have to go out because I'm so worried that I will loose everything I've worked towards if I stop training....

I've got a bit of a cold too at the moment and I'm dreading should it kick into full blown Man Flu!!!!!

Anyway, I actually managed ok on the run.... did a couple of things I'd never done before... I overtook someone and got passed by anthor runner but then overtook him back.... lol I know it's something small, but pleased me

Anyway, times.... I managed 40'26 mins... not bad considering high winds and I had to wait at a crossing for traffic.....

If your reading this and haven't sponsored me yet, please go to:

Justgiving - Ian Brazier's Fundraising Page

BRI4N

Too much info there Ian.

Glad you're back, been missing my daily exercise (reading how many miles you've done etc )

bibo_boy

Cheers mate....

bibo_boy

Friday 9th November 2007

Still felt a little poo today (sorry poor joke ), but decided to go for an easy run, around the holiday park nr work (3.6 miles)....

Started ok, but the high winds were making running a real effort and I felt like for every step I took forward, I was pushed 2 back......

I plodded on though and noticed that my right hand calf was beginning to hurt.... I initially thought it was just a little tight from pushing it yesterday and I thought I be able to run it off, but it got worse as I went on....

In the end I was having to totally change my running style to try and stop it from hurting but this only puts more stress on other areas.

In the end I limped home in a right state.....

It's Rememberance Sunday this weekend and I'm doing a parade with the Army, so I was going to do a long run tomorrow.... it now looks like it that could be a problem......

Justgiving - Ian Brazier's Fundraising Page

bibo_boy

Monday 12th November 2007

Sorry for going AWOL for the last few days.... needed to get away from everything as it was all starting to get on top of me

The leg was in bits on Friday and I had wound myself up so much I decided to forget about running for a couple of days and chill.

Well I've had the leg strapped all weekend and I this is the first time I've not run 2 days "running" for ages....

Well I've removed the strapping today and it feels a little sore and tight, but hoepully it will be ok?

I have my first 10k race this Sunday and don't want to miss it so I will be doing a slow 4-5 miles this lunch time and see how it feels....

BTW, look at my total on Just Giving when you get the chance!!!!!!

Thanks to you all (and a visit to a few friends and relatives) I'm nearly at the £1K mark

Soon I would have passed my target and will be setting new ones

Please keep giving....

Justgiving - Ian Brazier's Fundraising Page

bibo_boy

Monday 12th November continued

Well what can I say...................................

It's all good... wore a support and went out at lunch time to do a couple of miles and see how it went?

Well after a couple of miles I decided to do the Crown Run (6.5 miles)... Didn't time myself as i didn't want to push too much....

I could feel a pulsing in the calf but no real pain... go to the end and no big issue.

Will have to make sure i take it easy this week so I'm ok for the race....

Cheers again for the support

Justgiving - Ian Brazier's Fundraising Page

bibo_boy

Wednesday 14th November 2007

Sorry missed yesterday.... Just a little busy

Anyway, did a 5 mile run yesterday and the calf did hurt a little. So today it's rest day. I'm going to take it easy today and see what it's like tomorrow....

Talking of running... I'm still being troubled in the tummy dept.... so this may help speeding up the pace?

What ever happens I'm racing Sunday.

Justgiving - Ian Brazier's Fundraising Page

bibo_boy

Thursday 15th November 2007

Well it's Thursday and guess what..... Race Day

I was going to do the 5 mile race route today but not time myself as i didn't want to push it before the race at the weekend.

Well that plan went straight out the window when I hit start on the stopwatch...... I thought "what the hell" and started to push.

I started quick and but thought I'd blow up well before the end and coast in slower than before... I was skipping along (not actually skipping!!) attracting the usual encouragement from the young locals of laindon.... Is there nothing better to do around here?

Anyway after negotiating the housing estates, I got to the woods and the the turning I call Narnia... lol, that's because it's a crossroads of paths in the middle of some woods with a lone lampost on the junction... By this time I was doing fine and thought i'd post a reasonable time? Well that was until some "foul" play......

Yes, it was going well untill I turned the corner at full speed not seeing due to the carpet of leaves on the floor, that hid the large pile of horse "droppings"......

Well I then skidded along for a couple of metres before hitting the deck hard.... Well I'm sure someone said this kind of thing was lucky!!!!

Anyway, I brushed myself off and now smell like the Horse of the year show, shot off (partially to make up time, but mainly in case I was seen). I was soon up to speed and even had the run of the various road crossings with traffic.

I got to within a mile of the finish and i still hadn't been passed.... This I was guessing meant I must have been fast? Then a couple of minutes later as i turned into the gates of work, I got passed by half the pack!!!!

I tried as much as i could to stay with them, but it was mens against boys and they pulled away. I got to the finish and I had given it everything I had.... I'd noticed that if my body or mind started to slow, I could speed up if I moved my arms quicker..... try it it actually works.... your legs will start to move at the same pace....

I crossed the finish line and looked at the watch.... 39'46..... a new PB!!!!!!

I'd also managed to break the 40 minute barrier, so Im really pleased.....

The best thing though was (touch wood), no pain!)

Justgiving - Ian Brazier's Fundraising Page

Just over £250 need for first target

bibo_boy

Friday 16th November 2007

Today's blog is brought to you by the phrases "ouch" and Oh my god!"......

YEP.... I've been to the physio.....

I was due to have some work done on my back from the car accident i had a few weeks back, but he took one look at my legs and spent and hour working on them even though i'd only paid for half!!!!!

I only asked him for some stretches and he was so shocked by the state of them.... he did them for free!!!!

My motion control shoes may not be supportive enough so, I can seen this weekend costing a fortune!!!!!

Anyway, the damage (apart from the agony I'm in now!) is shin splints and calf damage!

Well I'm off running......

bibo_boy

Saturday 17th November 2007
Well had a rest day yesterday as I was still in pain from physio and work was busy.

After work I did go to the running shop and was analysed to see what may be the problem with my legs....

This is process is more technical than getting your scooby mapped!!!!!!

I spent a couple of hours trying on different trainers, running on the treadmill, being video'd and everything about my running style was studied.

It was decided that the support in my current trainers was worn and over £120 later I was kitted out in some new rubber !!!!!!! (this included £23 for 2 pairs of socks including discount!)

So back to today.

I decided as I wanted to wear the new footwear for the Chelmsford 10K race tomorrow, I'd take them out for a little run.

Well 5 miles later and no pain

Ready for tomorrow....

Justgiving - Ian Brazier's Fundraising Page

bibo_boy

Sunday 18th November 2007

Chelmsford 10k

Well start time was 2pm.... It was freezing but at least the rain was holding off

I was lucky as my in-laws live 30 seconds from the start line, so I had a last minute drink and headed to the start line with the family to see me off....

I was doing 8 minute miles when running the Thursday 5 miler at work so I was looking at something around 50 minutes for 6 miles......

I decided to opt for shorts but wore gloves as my hands were freezing the day before..... Just as we were about to start, I had the horrible feeling.... I needed the loo!!!! Well there was nothing I could do, we were off....

All I could think of was the ever increasing size of my bladder and how I would have to stop for a Paula Radcliffe!!!!

Anyway, I managed to put the pain to one side and tried to tag onto someone with the pace I wanted to set a decent time...

I got passed by a couple of people and tried to hang onto them (not actually doing that!), in the end I started to overtake people and I noticed at around 3 miles that I was being followed by a girl..... (never a bad thing ) She kept trying to pass me but everytime she got close I gave it a little bit more...

I think she finally must of given up trying as when I got to 6 miles to couldn't hear her...? when I finished she came in a few minutes later....

Anyway.... 48'34, I was really impressed..... Only 20 more miles and that's the marathon in the bag!!!!!

Justgiving - Ian Brazier's Fundraising Page

BRI4N

Well done Ian, not a bad time.

Tiny

ONLY !!

PMSL !! Mate i read this blog everyday without fail

You make this running lark sound so easy

Respect to you mate

Much as i can do to run up the bleedin stairs

bibo_boy

cheers guy's, I was starting to think I was talking to myself.....

I was talking to someone today and likened this race to "walking to the shops" when compared to the marathon. lol

bibo_boy

Monday 19th November 2007

Planned to do a 3 mile untimed easy recovery run.....

I asked if I could tag along with a group of guy's that run at the same time as me everyday and compete in the Thursday 5....

They were doing the 3.5 mile Holiday park run we set off at a easy steady pace.... Also in the pack was Les... He's the chap that id slightly faster than me, that I run with sometimes if I want to beast myself......

Well he had planned to go a different route so I thought I'd stick with him for a while, then as he went off I'd tag onto the others....

After about a mile he was just about to go off on the other route when he decides to join us...... Great so now the planned easy run turns into a power session of who can take the lead for as long as possible....

We swap positions all the way back until i decide to try and make a break for it with about .5 of a mile left.... I overtake him and try and give it 110% to open a gap....

This lasts for around 10 seconds and he catches me and does what I'd planned.... next thing i know there's a gap and i decide to throw the towel in..... It's actually the first time I've ever given up.....

I finish around 20 seconds behind him, but about 3 minutes ahead of the group I did want to run with....

Oh well...... So much for a rest!

Justgiving - Ian Brazier's Fundraising Page

bibo_boy

Tuesday 20th November 2007

Afternoon.... well firstly I'll let you know about my attempt to get my new trainers exchanged as I thought they were slightly too large....

Well the shop I got them from didn't want to know about changing them, so I've had to replace them with yet another new pair.....

That's around £180 in the last 2 days on trainers..... Also they are only good for between 250-500 depending on weight of runner etc.... That's not a lot when I'm going to be doing around 45 miles pers week!!!!!!

Anyway, it's pouring and blowing a gail outside, but I decided to run anyway!!!! HARDCORE! There were only a couple of us nutters in the changing room and I was starting to wonder if this was such a goood idea?

Well I decided on 5 miles and started at a slowish pace as i did really have a recover run yesterday.... I was enjoying taking it easy and feeling what to new rubber on my feet were doing.... The going to pretty grim with driving rain and being soaked from head to toes..... and passing over the grass and mud proved tricky at times....

Anyway, I was only passed by one chap and I did try and keep with him but he was twice as fast as me and i didn't want to race yet again....

I just trogged around the course and ended up taking loads longer than normal... I wasn't worried as the conditions were poor and i was taking it easy anyway.....

Justgiving - Ian Brazier's Fundraising Page

bibo_boy

Wednesday 21st November 2007

Well didn't have long to run today as I had a meeting, but decided to cancel that and go for a 7 miler!!!!!!

Well that was the plan.

Yesterday's weather was terrible, so I took no chances and wore running leggings, thick socks, a long sleeved shirt with a shirt on top.....

What was it like outside.....? Lovely Anyway 2 miles into the run and I start feeling rough? I decide to turn for home and head back.....

Whilst jogging back I notice that I'm starting to really slow down and I'm actually seriously over heating..... sweat is pouring off and I just manage to get back to the changing rooms before collapsing in a mess!!!!

I take off all my kit and all of it is wringing wet!!!!! Big mistake...

Anyway, lesson learned and I'm now going to pack for all weather!!!!!

Please make this effort worth it.....

Justgiving - Ian Brazier's Fundraising Page

bibo_boy

Thursday 22nd November 2007

Well it was race day today....

I was slightly nervous as I'd had a bad week really and thought this could be the day when I get a bad time.....

Anyway, as I started I noticed that two of the faster runners were behind me before I even got going... They must have left out of sequence because as I've said before, the start is staggered....

Well I didn't want to get overtaken straight away, so I pushed right from the start. I'd chose a better set of running gear so had no chance of getting too hot! I could hear them behind me but I was sure they must have been taking another route as they would have had to have been waiting to start still normally?

At the point where the other route goes in another direction, I noticed one had gone, but the other guy had decided to do the race....

I could hear him breathing down my neck and as we go into the woods I expected him to pass... Well it took about 10 minutes, but he finally went past me and started to pull away...

I decided to try and at least keep the gap the same and keep with him. We caught a couple of other early starters up and passed them... and I tried to close the gap but it wasn't happening.

As we approached the finish, I did catch a little, but I thought I hadn't given it 200%, so didn't deserve to pass him. I still thought I had a little left?

Anyway checked the watch..... 38'58 mins!!!! yet another PB!!!! 35 here we come lol

Justgiving - Ian Brazier's Fundraising Page

bibo_boy

Sunday 25th November 2007

Well after Friday and Saturday spent as rest days.... it was back into it today...

This morning I ran in a 5 mile cross country race across various commons in Little Baddow.

I've never seen so many ups and downs on one course. One minute I'd be sprinting downhill so fast that my feet couldn't move fast enough, the next you'd turn the corner and face a steep muddy mountain!!!!!

I started off too fast, but I soon settled.... the problem with the terrain was that you could never get into a steady pace as you had to keep adjusting the efforts for the course.

I had no idea of the route and there were no mile markers, so I had no idea how far I had to go... at one point near the finish I hit another massive hill and loads of people were walking it, but I can't ever walk as I've been taught it's a sign of weakness (the army!).... half way up I started to gag as I couldn't take enough air in.....

Anyway, finished and the time was 44 minutes. Not bad for a serious off-road course.

Justgiving - Ian Brazier's Fundraising Page

bibo_boy

Thursday 29th November 2007

Firstly, sorry for the sort break.... I've been mega busy at work so I've only managed a couple of runs this week..

Monday I took as a rest day as I was still aching from the Sunday Cross country.... Those guy's are NUTTERS!

Tuesday, I did a 6 mile run at work.... I took the start easy, but gave it a little more on the hills. Main issue was the chaffing from the "short" shorts!!!! Yes! more bleeding!!!!

Tuesday night was PT at TA... I took the troops out for a run as a warm up then timed them 1.5 miles.... straight after that it was press ups and sit ups.... This forms the basic Army fitness test.

Yesterday, I was in a meeting all day, so took another rest day.... I have to start accepting that this will happen... but today I plan to do the Thursday 5 miler race.

bibo_boy

Thursday 29th November 2007

Well I have to admit, I'm not feeling 100% today.... Tummy issues again etc... I'm sure you don't want all the details!!!!! but I had a run where from the start I knew that I wasn't going to break any records....

First issue was that the staggered starting system was binned as the organiser was off. This meant I had runners with me at the start and I'd got used to running whilst being "chased"..... lol

Also i decided to wear a packamac as i thought it was a little chilly.... well it wasn't that bad and it was like running in a greenhouse!!!!! Nice!

Anyway, I was going ok at the start but got passed and just lost faith ..... I did try and drop a gear towards the end but it was too late..... looked at the time.... 39'39 not a PB but still a decent 5 mile time and I'm never going to get a PB every week.

What I do need to do is not to slip though and try and push 100% next time.

Now for the big news!!!!!!

Even though i have a palce in the London marathon next year, this was though a charity.....

I also entered the ballot for a normal place and...... I got in!!!!!!!!

So I will still be running for HEART UK AND still trying to raise as much as possible, but they will also be able to offer the place to someone else.... This means more money raised!!!!!

Justgiving - Ian Brazier's Fundraising Page

bibo_boy

Monday 3rd December 2007

Well I can't believe it's nearly Christmas!!!!! Where has this year gone?

Anyway, a really busy weekend...

Both days were spent with the Army hence I couldn't make posers.....

Saturday a group of us met up in Epping forest. The Sqn is planning to take part in the Nijmegen Marches in Holland. This a 200 mile march in full Army kit carrying 15 Kilos!!!!! We donned packs and spent the day walking round the woods....

The Sunday was more of the same, but this time we were dumped next a canal and told to walk X-distance.....

It's been a while since i done any serious walking in boots so the feet were a little battered! Must have them in shape soon!

Back to today!

Decided to do a Crown Run (6.5 miles), but this time I thought I'd to it in reverse for the first time.

The first part is the same is normal and i entered the woods in the same type of time I normally make... but then i turned up hill.... this is the part of the course where going the other way you can sprint down hill and have to mind you don't fall, so you can imagine how steep this is!!!!!! It was like running up a mountain....

Any way, after about 4 of these "slopes" I got to the top.... The time was 28 mins, which is faster than normal, but it's shorter!

The otherside of the hill is longer but most down hill.... I sprint down passing the guy's from work running the other way.... One of them throws his hand up for a "high 5" and I oblige.... strange but seemed like the right thing to do at the time! lol Halfway down the hill in the thick forest, I suddenly don't recognise the path.....? I've taken a wrong turn and now seem in the middle of nowhere!!!!! 5 minutes of running in circles and I find the rightway!!!!

I sprint for home and post a time of 54'33..... a few minutes slower than PB, but not bad considering the steepness and the detour!!!!!

Justgiving - Ian Brazier's Fundraising Page

bibo_boy

Tuesday 5th December 2007

Hello everybody ......

Today rest day!

Sorry for the delay, been busy looking for a replacement ride... and now I'm more confused than ever!!!!!!

Anyway did the traditional Crown run again yesterday but the correct way round! Have to admit after the weekend and the extended Crown yesterday the legs were feeling really heavy!!!!!

Started slow and tried to build it up but felt like to was limited to what i could achieve? I got the the top in 31 mins then got back in in 54'32.....

This is not the best time and I started to think why I wasn't improving? Well there's a few reasons... firstly the season has changed... high winds and cold temps are not ideal.... also the main issue I think is footing..... 70% of my routes are off road and I spend a large amount of time trying not to fall!!!!! At times it resembles somthing off the jap Endurance program (just waiting for someone to fire some ***** at me!).

Another thing I've noticed too is that most of the runs i'm doing lately are solo..... I run fastest when being pushed and I'm just running in the comfort zone... Anyone fancy joining me?

Justgiving - Ian Brazier's Fundraising Page

BRI4N

I'll come along and give you a push along Ian.














As long as the scoob fits down the tracks you use.


Keep up the good work mate.

BRI4N

Looks like you might have a bit of competition next year Ian....

Just saw a report on this guy on London news....
101 year old marathon runner

bibo_boy

Monday 10th December 2007
Ha ha cheers Brian for the continued support! That 101 year old is an ex-rsm!!!!!! That means he'll probably finish before me AND then give me 100 press-ups for not trying hard enough!!!!! What a guy!

Anyway.... Sorry for the lack of input last week... it's been mad!

Wednesday and Thursday were rest days and i did a 5 miler on the Friday.

The weekend was TA... Saturday running around doing section attacks in full kit and Sunday Orienteering. I also got up for guard duty Sunday at 5am then did a 6 miler after that before breakfast.

Hope to run today and will put more effort into the blog this week!

Justgiving - Ian Brazier's Fundraising Page

bibo_boy

Monday 10th December 2007

Well did the 6.5 Crown run at lunch time today..

Started off steady and built up to a decent speed. The conditions were pretty poor as it was cold and the winds were really strong...

On the way out, as I was running through the housing estate, the wind wasn't too bad... as I got to the hill the mud was meaning I was running on ice! One of these days I'm going to hit the deck.

Anyway, I got to the top in around 29 minutes and was feeling the strain! I was on auto pilot and my legs were like lead!

I started to think that I was going to post another dissapointing time..... I gave it everything I had but I was sure it wasn't enough as the wind was trying its best to hold me back....

When I finished I looked at my watch.... 53'19..... only a few seconds slower than my PB and in terrible conditions! Is was really pleased.

Just need to start getting some long runs under my belt..... half marathon run planned for Saturday.

Justgiving - Ian Brazier's Fundraising Page

bibo_boy

Tuesday 11th December 2007

Rest day as I was in training all day...... boring lo

bibo_boy

Wednesday 12th December 2007

Off sick with tummy bug......

Still did a quick 4 miles to keep ticking over..... about 30 mins.....

bibo_boy

Thursday 13th December 2007

Well it was bloody cold.....

As it turned out I was the only one to do the Thursday 5 miler.

When I was halfway round, it started to get warm!!!!

Anyway no one pushing me but I kept trying to push myself.

I wanted to get under 40 mins as it was icy... 39'43 I was happy.....