Garmin Forerunner 405 (and other things)

Last Updated on Wednesday, 7 October 2009 09:37 Written by The Virtual Runner Wednesday, 7 October 2009 09:37

My wife and daughter are amazing.  They got together and bought me a Garmin Forerunner 405 for my birthday (which isn’t until Nov) and let me have it now!

The 405 is some pretty cool kit and I’m looking forward to giving it a go this weekend on my long run.  I was going to use it this evening for my interval training at the track but it was raining so hard that I didn’t go.  My friend and I decided that we were fairweather-runners and decided to stay in and chill-out instead.

Tomorrow morning and Friday morning I’ll be on the treadmill.  This is mainly because I go at 6am and it’s dark outside at that time so that means I would rather not run the roads around here.  Wed night running club sessions and Sunday long runs are out and about.  Remaining training sessions are at the gym.

I’ve updated my running log (up to 02 October 2009) and I’ve covered a total distance so far of 2529.83km on my virtual run across Canada.  I’ll map out where I am in Canada later on this week and I’ll update the location map as well.

On another note, I’ve been reading my list of blogs lately and I noticed that The Fat Runner has decided to run a half-marathon and is looking for sponsorship in exchange for a listing on his website as advertising space.  Obviously the advertising space won’t make a massive difference to your site (if you’ve got one) but I think it is a worthwile cause to raise money for and I’m also happy to encourage a fellow runner to achieve their goals.  I’m happy that he’s attempting a half marathon and I wish him all the best with his training.  Let’s just hope he keeps blogging and doesn’t be like me with huge gaps in posts!  (sorry)

If you’re interested in sponsoring The Fat Runner or finding out more then you can visit him here:-

http://thefatrunner.blogspot.com/2009/09/half-marathon-madness.html

When it comes to my own ambitions, you probably saw my previous post which was my rejection magazine from the Virgin London Marathon.  I should say my “first” rejection magazine because I’ll probably get others in my lifetime!  Anyway, it doesn’t matter because I have already registered for the Brighton Marathon and I’ve also booked my hotel so I’m all ready.  Just got to do that whole training thing….

It’s getting late now (10:30pm) and I’m sleepy.  I get up a 5:20am every weekday morning and it seems to come quicker every day!  Tomorrow I’m going to do some hill-work and mix it up with a bit of sprinting/intervals as well.

London Marathon

Last Updated on Sunday, 26 April 2009 08:22 Written by The Virtual Runner Sunday, 26 April 2009 08:20

The Flora London Marathon was today and I watched the start whilst running on the treadmill at the gym.  It’s definitely days like this where I love the fact that I can combine a couple of great passtimes (tv watching and running).

It was fantastic watching the thousands of people in the crowds, the celebrities being interviewed (Katie Price, Peter Andre, Nell McAndrew, Gordon Ramsay to name a few) as well as all the other runners.  Everyone was running for different charities and reasons and the atmosphere of the event was amazing.

Nell McAndrew was the fasted celebrity with a time of 03:10:20  while Katie Price and her husband Peter Andre finished in 07:11:00.

The winner for the elite men was Samuel Wanjiru (Kenya) in 02:05:10, the winner of the elite women was Irina Mikitenko (Germany) in 02:22:11 and the winner of the wheelchair race was Kurt Fearnley (Australia) in 01:28:57.

I ran 16.00km (9.94 miles) at a 05:38 min/km (09:05 min/mile) pace while watching the marathon and the time just flew by.  I was so engrossed in the event and coverage.

I’ve also decided (like many that watch the event) that I am going to enter the ballot for the 2010 London Marathon.  Why not?  If I get in, great!  It will be something to train for and a great day and achievement at one of the worldest biggest and best events.  If I don’t get in, no big deal.  There are other years or other marathons.  About 150,000 people enter the ballot and about 36,000 people get to run.  You do the maths.

The rest of my day was spent chilling out with my family, barbecuing and putting together a gazebo/tent thingy in the garden.

As soon as I’ve completed this rambling session I’m going to update my running log/spreadsheet with my recent runs and I’m also going to work out where I am on my virtual run across Canada so I can update my location map.

Previous two runs this week:

24 April 2009 – 10.82km (6.72 miles) at a 05:32 min/km (08:55 min/mile) pace.

23 April 2009 – 10.79km (6.70 miles) at a 05:32 min/km (08:55 min/mile) pace.

Not much variety in my runs since the half marathon and I’m fully aware of that fact.  I’m just holding steady at the moment with our wedding day coming up and the honeymoon week away as well.  I’ll concentrate more on quality training when I get back… I promise.