Mortimer 10k

Last Updated on Sunday, 27 September 2009 05:50 Written by The Virtual Runner Sunday, 27 September 2009 05:50

Sorry I haven’t blogged in a while.  I may have lost both my readers now!

I’ve still been running; however, there was a couple of weeks after the laser eye surgery where I didn’t really do anything except get fatter and allow my eyes to heal.  I started running as soon as I possibly could so I could keep the weight maintained.

What’s been happening:

Mortimer 10k – I thought that I’d do the Mortimer 10k today because it is pretty local and also because I haven’t done many 10k runs this summer (even though I intended to).  My wife was kind enough to push me along and make sure I did it as well.

It is a great race and put on by my running club (Reading Roadrunners).  They put on a bit of a Fair and there are things for the kids and stalls selling things as well.  It’s a great day really.

The race only costs £7.00 (on the day) and is a pretty gruelling 10k.  There are some short steep hills and from about 6km to 9km it is all uphill!  What a crazy and painful race.  There was some walking going on today by me!  I pushed myself on the hills as best as I could but there was no way I could run them all.

I think my race time was okay considering the hills, however I didn’t really time myself and there was no chip timing at the event.  They’ll post the approximate finish times (someone at the end notes your number and the time on the clock) and I’ll know exactly what I did then.  All I know at this stage is that it was under 1 hour and I’m happy with that.

Weights – I’ve decided to start doing some weights again and increase the amount of exercise I do in a week.  Previously, I was running on Tue, Wed OR Thu, Fri & Sun (long run) which was about 4 times a week (sometimes 5 because I’d do Wed AND Thu).

Now I do something everyday except for Saturdays.  I don’t run everyday of course but I’ve started incorporating other exercise on my non-running days. 

Eyes – I’m getting more and more used to having my new glasses-free eyes.  I know I’m getting used to it because I forget that I’m not wearing glasses!  In fact, it was nice to go running today at the Mortimer 10k and not be wearing any glasses.

I’m looking forward to going back to running club over the coming autumn and winter months and not having to run blindly because of steamed up or wet glasses! In fact, me and my mate Tony tried to go to running club this last Wed but the track was not opened.  The running club was running around the park instead.  Tony and I opted to do our own thing instead and did about 5 miles easy around the park.  The sign that was up at the venue said that the track would be open on 05 October 2009 so we’ll be able to go back to track sessions after that.

NFL UK – I found out that the Patriots are playing the Buccaneers at Wembley stadium on 25 October 2009 so me and my mate Tony are going!  It’s going to be great and I’m really looking forward to it.  I’ve never been to an NFL game before and it’s cool to be able to go to a regular season game without having to travel all the way to america!

Running & marathons – I’m still running but with a bit more focus on what I’m doing.  I’m conscious of the fact that my long runs need to be at a bit slower pace in order to cover 26.2 miles next April!  I’ll work out proper paces etc in a few more weeks when I really concentrate properly on training for the marathon.  Plus, I’m also hoping to purchase a Garmin Forerunner 405 in order to aid me in my training!

My Son – He is growing up way too fast and will be three next month!  He’s so cute and funny and a lovely little boy (when he’s not naughty).

I’ll try not to neglect my blog so much going forward.  I’m happy to report that I’ve been reading a lot of other running blogs though!  All of the running blogs listed in my “Best Running Blogs”.

Take care everyone!

L-Day

Last Updated on Wednesday, 2 September 2009 09:46 Written by The Virtual Runner Wednesday, 2 September 2009 09:46

I was going to do one long post but I thought I would break them up with their own individual titles.  Why?  Because I can.  I’ll probably write another about our weekend away down to Lyme Regis.

Today is the day I head into Reading for my eye laser surgery at Optimax.  My 1st appointment is at 3pm and they’ll take the measurements etc I’m assuming.  They said they’ll give me my actual treatment time then and it could be anytime from 3pm until around 6pm which means me and my wife may need to wander around town for a bit while we wait.  I don’t mind.

I’m getting quite nervous and excited now.  I mean, I’ve had glasses since I was about 13 years old and I don’t actually remember life without them.  Having glasses was horrible when I was younger and I was very self conscious about them.  Glasses were not the best thing to have when I was younger either because other kids made fun of people with glasses.  There was definitely a lot of negativity towards glasses and I think that this sticks with someone.  I mean, how can glassess be just as good as not wearing any? 

I remember my mum getting me a pair of clip-on sunglasses when I was younger so I would feel like a fit in better.  I also remember getting prescription sunglasses once.  They are just not the same.

I’m even more conscious of the fact that I’m wearing glasses now because of the impending surgery (usually you just forget they are on your face).  I notice the scratches on the lenses or how they hurt the sides of my head sometimes.  I notice how I have to clean them all the time or take them off for a bath or shower.

As far as running is concerned, I’m looking forward to them not being there and sliding down my sweaty face.  I’m also looking forward to being able to run in the rain or drizzle without having my sight restricted.  I also keep thinking about going to running club during the winter and how my glasses always fogged up whilst I ran (I give off loads of heat!).

I’m very thankful that my wife has been so supportive during all of this because it feels like a very big thing I’m doing.  I thought it would be easy-peasy (simple) but I am finding it a bit more stressful than I thought.

Overall I’m very excited and can hardly wait for it to be done!  My wife and I will head into Reading early this afternoon and “Zap, Zap, Zap” it will be done.

I’ll have to ask how it affects my running and when I can run again.  I’ll be sure to update you all (whether you’re interested or not) on the results and what it is like.  I’m sure it will be amazing.