Half Marathon Preparation

I have about a month to go before my third Windsor Half Marathon. The first time was about 8 years ago and I finished in about 2 hours 10 minutes, second time around was last year when I'd broken a rib a couple of months before hand. I hardly trained but had previously ran the London Marathon in the April and felt pretty good once my rib had healed. The week before, I figured that I'd run 8 miles and if I ran that OK then I would still take part. I managed the 8 miles which was tough so decided to take part. I managed 2 hours and 5 minutes beating my previous time on this very hilly course by 5 minutes. This year, I'm in reasonable shape and have done a couple of 10k's and some regular running up to about 5 miles distance. I'm planning to step up each weekend with some shorter distances during the week. This weekend, my long run will be 6 miles, the following weekend 7 miles, then 8 miles and the week before I'm planning on a 10 mile run. In between, I'll be running perhaps 3,4 or 5 miles perhaps twice per week. If I can, I'd really love to break the 2 hour mark but the course is tough and it would be a major result if I did. I guess the main objective is to beat last years time, that will make me happy enough!!

Running In Fuerteventura

It's been a while since my last post, primarily because I've been on my holidays in the Canaries. I took my running shoes and managed only 3 runs during the two weeks as my back was playing up again. So what was it like running in near 40 degree heat just off the coast of Africa?! It was seriously hot and very windy. I found a great run from Caleta de Fuste, heading north up the coast and back past some really fantastic scenery and of course the chipmonks who live in the rocks. Each run was about 5km, so not ball busting stuff but it kept me relatively in trim with the forth coming Windsor Half Marathon in September. Anyway, here's a couple of pictures of the run taken whilst running!! It was a long old run this one, great scenery but seriously tough battling against the wind!!It doesnt look it in this picture but this was one serious hill at the half way point and had my heart monitor going through the roof!!!