The Virtual Runner Running Blog

I’ve tracked my virtual run to date (23 Aug 2009) using Google earth and since 29 Mar 2009 my route has taken me past Ottawa, Ontario and past North Bay and Sudbury.  I’m still on Route 17 and I’m now running along the shores of Lake Superior and the virtual views are lovely.

My distance covered so far on my meandering virtual run across Canada is 2352 kilometres (1462 miles) and I’m happy to say that my motivation and drive is returning.

I’m now running in parts of my home country that I’ve never been to in real life.  The first 27 years of my life were spent in Canada and the farthest west I have ever been is Oshawa and that’s because that is where I was born.  The farthest west I have been and can remember is Ottawa.

I will see the rest of my own country in time and I’ll see it as a tourist and I’ll bring my son and wife from the UK.  I don’t know when or how but those are things to plan for the future.

I do get asked by a lot of people over here in the UK if I plan on moving back to Canada and the truth is, no I don’t.  I’m happy here in the UK and I’ve got a lovely wife, son and daughter.  I’ve built a life for myself in the UK and I enjoy it here.

As for my motivation returning, it might be linked to changing my trainers to my next new pair and because I registered for a marathon.  I was losing my motivation and it was partly linked to sore feet and achilles after runs.  The other day I decided to move on to my next pair of trainers that have been sitting in the bottom of the closet waiting for me.  I had bought two pairs of Adidas Supernova Sequence trainers (for the price of one) and I think I’ve only got about 400 miles out of them.  That’s not too bad considering I’m a heavy runner at around 15.5 stone (217 lbs).  I still can’t believe I was more than 18 stone (252 lbs) at my heaviest.  And I’m sure I was even heavier than that because at my fattest I never weighed myself… the shock would’ve been too much!

I feel much better now with my new trainers and my marathon goal.  I’ve even slowed down on my easy and long runs in order to facilitate the longer distances I’ll be doing.  All of the training plans I’ve seen for marathon distance have the average pace (for me anyway) much slower than what I have been running.  I suppose it makes sense as I will need to slow down in order to cover the whole 26.2 miles without breaking down.

As for non-running related matters, my wife is still as lovely as always and supportive of everything I do.  My son is still the cutest and the most clever little boy in the world.  My daughter and her husband are doing great.  My best friend Rob is back in contact again (kind of) and travelling around Canada on his own little adventure.  My laser eye surgery is next week (02 Sept 2009) and I’m getting excited.  We’ve got a nice little weekend holiday coming up and when we return I’m getting lasered!

That’s it for now.  I’m still running and I’m feeling it again.  I think that many people go through ups and downs in their training and not just for running either.  I’m just glad I’m feeling it again.

adidas, canada run progress, marathon training, my son, my wife, new trainers, robby kilborn, running log updated

I paid £115 for the Asics Kayano running shoes that I returned to the Sweatshop on Monday.  Reason?  Two for one Adidas running shoes.  I couldn’t pass that up, especially as my current Adidas Supernova Sequence trainers have done so well.

So, armed with my £115 store credit I headed off to the Sweatshop on Monday and after another gait analysis and about 35 minutes I walked out with this stuff:-

Not bad for £115 I think!

I’ve been taking it easy for two days and there has been zero running going on.  I’ll report more tomorrow or something about what’s been happening etc.

adidas, equipment

Me and my son hopped on the train this morning and went in to Reading town centre to return the Asics.  No problem, however they had to give me store credit because they were purchased on my fiance’s card.  No big deal.  Money is money.

Phase two (running the half marathon in my existing Adidas) takes place tomorrow morning at 10:05 am.  I also have to remember that the clocks go forward at midnight tonight which means one hour of sleep lost.

I’ve check the weather for tomorrow:-

It’s going to be a bit chilly when the race starts at 4 degrees Celcius.  I’m thinking short sleeved running shirt may not be a good idea.  I recently got a new long-sleeve shirt (although a bit too big) and I think I’ll wear that tomorrow.  Either way, I’m going to be completely drenched by the time I’m done because of the excessive sweating that will take place.

Now I’m going to do something very important.  I’m going to play cars with my son…

adidas, asics kayano, new trainers, reading half marathon

Perhaps it is a sign?  I’m not supposed to own Asics trainers.  Maybe they aren’t good for me or something?

Having already decided to run the Reading Half Marathon on Sunday in my Adidas Supernova Sequence trainers, I then received a great email today.

The Sweatshop (organisers of the half marathon) sent me (and all the other runners) an email saying there was 72 hours until the half.  But, it also included the following deal:-

2 for 1 Adidas running shoes if bought from 29th March – 05th April!

It said:-  Exclusively at the Sweatshop/adidas retail marquee at the race site or any branch of Sweatshop or SheRunsHeRuns nationwide from Sunday 29th March until Sunday 5th April.
Simply print this email and bring it with you or bring your race number. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Shoes must be identical in size and model.

How great is that? 

I’m now going to return the Asics Kayano that I’ve bought and I’m going to get Adidas (2 pairs) again.  Like I said, is it a sign?  Perhaps I should’ve just stuck with the Adidas anyway when they’ve been good?

As well as the 2 for 1 deal, there was also this (I quote):-

The adidas V.I.P club is hosting a hospitality suite for all it’s athletes, that’s anyone who runs in adidas shoes. All runners in the adidas V.I.P club will receive the following for FREE: A hot pasta meal, adidas goody bag and their Reading Half Marathon ‘medal’ photograph. It’s a great place to recover and relax in the warm after the race.

All you have to do is run in a pair of adidas shoes and pick up your exclusive wrist band from the adidas retail area or at the end of the finish system.

I’m liking all this.

Saturday I’m off to the Sweatshop to return the Asics.  Sunday I’m running in my Adidas.  Monday (or Tuesday) I’m off to Sweatshop again to buy 2 pairs (!) of Adidas running shoes.

For those of you who are interested in finding out more about the Reading Half Marathon, you can either visit the site by clicking here or the image above.

You can also view a pdf version of the race info pack by clicking here.

adidas, asics kayano, reading half marathon