We had a bit of a discussion at work this morning because we were told last night that we all had a meeting today with the MD of our company.  We all thought this was a bit worrying considering our company recently bought another company that does that same things we all do!

My colleague who works with me was telling me to be “positive” and that it might not be that bad.  This goes against my (so-called) cynical view which is to expect the worst and hope for the best.  Personally, I believe this is also the realistic way to view a lot of situations or potential out-comes.

Scenario 1:  I think that if I go into a meeting expecting to be made redundant (but hoping otherwise), then if we get the bad news… I’m not surprised.  If we get good news (anything other than redundancy) then I’m on a high instead.

Scenario 2:  If you go into the meeting being positive that everthing will be fine and you find out you’re being made redundant then you’re on a big downer.  If you get good news (anything other than redundancy) then you’re just… the same.

All-in-all, I think my scenario (1) is the best way sometimes and it was what I did today.

We were all told officially in a meeting this morning that the company is “restructuring” and we are all facing potential redundancy.  Overall, 9 positions of about 30 will go but there could be more (or less).

So, not a good day at work…

As for running, I can’t post my splits from this morning because Garmin Connect is down for maintenance or something.  So, you’ll have to take my word for it that I did 400m repeats with 400m recovery in between.  I did four of those with 1600m warm-up.

Tomorrow I’m off to the gym to do some exciting cross-training…

My legs were very tired at the end of this one and my knees felt very puffy.  I’ve been on the paracetemol and ibuprofen since the run…

One thing I need to look into is the hydration during the run.  How much should I be drinking?  How do I carry the fluids I need with me?  What do people do during a marathon?  Do they carry a water bottle with them?  Do they take water or an isotonic drink whilst running?  Which is better?

So many questions… any ideas from other runners would be greatly appreciated!

So far so good with the running; and I mean that sincerely.  Especially since I’ve been sick with a cold off and on since around Christmas time.  In fact, I’m only now just getting over my most recent one which was especially nasty.

Last Sunday I did a long run of over 16km so the build up of distance is going okay.  However!  The pain.  I keep getting pain in my right foot across the top and I end up having to have the laces on that shoe/foot quite loose or it drives me nuts.  Also, I’ve recently bought some off the shelf ortho inserts for my running shoes because the Kayanos do not offer enough arch support and my right foot (again) was hurting on my long runs from the constant pounding. 

I think I see a new pair of running shoes in my future.  I may have to go back to some old favourites like the Adidas Supernova Sequence or even waaaay back and get a pair of Nike structure triax.  They were very cushioned when I last had a pair with loads of arch support. 

So I don’t bore you with all of my runs, here is my long run from Sunday and an overview of my runs since end of Jan:-

Overall summary:-

Now, I suppose you’re wondering why I’m not posting that much?  Well, I’m just busy lately.  But I’ve been running and that’s what really matters.  As for this site, I’ll be making more of an effort to keep it updated over the next few days and updating my spreadsheets with runs and working out the total distance I’ve covered on my run across Canada.

Here is a summary of the runs I’ve done recently from Garmin Connect:-

Today (31/01/2010)

28 January 2010

27 January 2010

24 January 2010

21 January 2010

I’ll keep running and I’ll let you know how things are going. 

I was wrestling around and playing with my wife earlier today and I think I’ve thrown my back out a bit.  Same side (right) where I always get the sciatica.  I’ve been stretching it all evening and it’s feeling okay-ish.  I’ll just keep up the stretching and ibuprofen and it will be fine.

As far as the Fredericton Marathon (09 May 2010) is concerned… I’ve registered!  $60.00.  I have no idea what that equates to in good ole British pounds but I know it’s pretty cheap compared to some marathons over here!

I’ve started running again this week after about 4 weeks off due to laziness and illness.  It’s a little hard going but much easier than I thought it would be!

I started by doing 5.43km on Sunday at an average pace of 06:25 min/km.  Nice and slow so I didn’t insure myself!  On Monday my legs were quite stiff and I didn’t go running but had that as a rest day.

Yesterday (Tuesday) I increased the distance and the speed just a bit:-

Today was another day off to rest my (still) sore/stiff legs and then I’ll be off to the gym again tomorrow morning to visit my friend the treadmill!  Once I get things built up again my long runs will be on Sundays again and I’ll be off on the roads to see where I end up!

It’s all good!  Bring on the Fredericton Marathon!

http://www.frederictonmarathon.ca/

I’d firstly like to apologise to both my readers for not posting anything in some time.  I’d also like to apologise to myself for not having the motivation to just get off my backside and get out there running.

For the past few weeks I’ve done nothing but sit on my butt!  Yes, I was ill for a couple weeks out of that and I also had a bout of food poisoning, but there is a major laziness element at play too.

I’ve found it hard to get motivated when it comes to running and I think that the motivation will start to return.  In fact, it started to return last night when I was looking online at future runs/events.

My wife, my son and I are travelling to Canada this year (we have a house-sitter – all you would be robbers) in May for a couple of weeks to visit family.  Whilst we are there an event will be on that we took part in in 2007 – The Fredericton Marathon. 

The Fredericton Marathon is the name of the event, however there is a 5k, 10k, half-marathon and a full marathon to take part in.  We did the 10k a couple of years ago and it’s a small event but all flat because it’s in a river valley.

I was/am intending to do the Brighton Marathon on 18 April, however because of the lack of training going on at the moment I don’t think this will be realistic (do you?).  So, I’m thinking that if I get off my backside today and start running again that I can be ready to plod through my first marathon on 9th May instead!  In Canada!  My home country!

I was originally motivated to do the Brighton Marathon but it’s waned somewhat… not sure why.  The thought of doing the Fredericton Marathon has filled me with a new sense of motivation and also I think it’s fate that I’m supposed to run it!  It’s 17 weeks away which means I’ll have more time to train and get around the course too!

As for all of you and this blog… I will start boring you with my ramblings again.  Whether or not you read them is up to you!

Bring on the training!!

At the moment, I’m consious of the fact that I am not following a runners diet.  In fact, I seem to be doing the opposite of everything you need to do to eat properly.  I’m taking in more calories then I’m actually burning… not good!

I know I’ll be okay after the holidays, but that is a long way off.  I think I need to sort myself out now for the few weeks up to xmas and then again after xmas.

That means that I go back to attempting to eat more sensibly.  I don’t necessarily stop eating loads, my thing is that I eat too much crap.  I’ve had a thing for sweets a lot lately and that’ll have to be cut way way down and some alternatives found I think.

I suppose I’m making it sound harder for me then it actually is or will be.  I know I can do it if I just put my mind to it.  It’s mind over lots of matter… no problem!

I wonder if there are many other “larger” runners out there like me?  I mean, a lot of the blogs I read (you can find them under the best running blogs in the menu above) are by runners who are all much fitter than I am.  Many have that runners body… you know the one I mean.

It’s a shame the Fat Runner (see the best running blogs) doesn’t post very much because I actually look forward to reading things that I can relate to.  Although, I don’t consider myself fat.  That’s important to point out because I think that word is quite negative and on top of that, I seriously don’t feel fat.  I feel the best I’ve felt my whole life… I just want to feel even better!

I’m really looking forward to pushing the training after xmas and increasing the mileage a bit at a time.  I’m curious as to how I will function on a long run that lasts more that two hours!  Jeez, can I actually do that?  Hell yeah…

If you check out my current running log here:-

http://thevirtualrunner.org/blog/about-me/run-across-canada/

You’ll see that I have definitely still be running and maintaining a steady and non-exciting training regime.  That’s the thing, it’s non-exciting at the moment.  I mean, I know I’ve got a half marathon and full marathon next year but in my mind the real training won’t start until after xmas.  Is that wrong?

Santa Dash

There is only another two weeks and I will be off to the Look Out in Bracknell, Berkshire with some work colleagues.  We’ll all be dressed as a very pathetic looking Santa and walking/running to raise money for the Thames Hospicecare.

My Fundraising

I haven’t really focused on it yet, but my total fundraising at the moment is a whopping zero.  That’s right, nought.  So, feel free to donate.  I mean, even £2 is nice!  £2 is nothing?  I’m done begging now…

Traumatising Movie

I watched The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas the other day with my wife.  Very, very, very good movie.  I give it 10 out of 10.  Would I watch it again?  Never.  I simply found it way too traumatising.  If you haven’t seen it then I won’t ruin it for you….

Visiting Family

We had family visit from Belgium for a week.  It was really nice seeing them and we had a great time.  We even took them to Legoland with us for my son’s birthday! 

Growing Up

Not me, my son.  He’s three!  I can’t believe it.  We took him to Legoland for the whole day and stayed for the fireworks display in the evening.  He loved all of it.  He’s such a good boy and he was so tired by the end of it he was falling asleep on my lap during the fireworks.  Happy Birthday little boy!

Swine Flu

I’ve seen a lot of people in Canada posting things about the swine flu and everyone seems to be doing a bit of mild panicking and scare-mongering when it comes to the flu and the jabs.  Frankly I think everyone should just calm down.

As for me, I’ve been invited to have the swine flu jab because I’m considered “high risk”.  I have asthma.  So, I’m off this coming weekend to get jabbed… I’m not looking forward to it at all.

I’m very annoyed that my wife or son won’t be having it but there isn’t much I or anyone else can do about that.

This week

Some usual running going on, however I’ll probably be making an appearence back at running club with my mate Tony on wednesday.  It should be interesting, as long as it doesn’t pour down with rain!  Drizzle I can handle…

Top Gear

I’m off to watch the rest of it…

For the hour or so before the event there was music which was all halloween themed as well as refreshments.  Your entry fee gets you your race number, chip timing, free skeleton t-shirt, headlamp and a mug at the finish line.

It was really good fun and everyone had a great time.  There was a lot of chatter amongst the runners during the whole event and you don’t normally get that in the daylight races!

You can find more photos by clicking here.

I had my time at about 27 min and 13 secs according to my Garmin.

Well done to my wife for coming out and supporting me again.  She’s a fantastic woman!

And my little boy was there too… way past his bed time!

Again, my shins were bothering me for the first couple of miles but not as badly as before.  I’m the sort that just kind of runs through it with the occasional stop to stretch everything out.

I didn’t do as many miles as last week but 13km (8.07 miles) is pretty good!  My pace was a bit too fast at times and I need to keep an eye on that.