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Tips for the London Marathon
2009-04-23 17:29:27
A Facebook friend sent me a message this morning 'any advice for a first time London marathon runner?' So I whacked off a few thoughts. 'You should do that as a blog,' she replied back. 'Fab tips.'
I love it when other people give me ideas for the blog, especially when I've already done the work. So here goes.
The first thing is to be happy you're doing it. Squillions of people will be with you, and supersquillions more would like to be. Many can't do it because they couldn't get a place. Others, me included, can't do it because they've had injuries and are worried they wouldn't get round.
It's all my own fault. I had this mad idea to run fifty miles on my fiftieth birthday, almost two years ago. I figured, on the distance runner's logic, that if you can run a yard, you can run another; if you can run a mile, you can run another, and once you've done 26.2, it's less than the same again before you've done fifty.
Fat chance. I was barely into the training programme when, in no particular order, I had problems with a calf, two knees, an ankle, a foot, a hip, a back, a left big toe, a right small toe and a shoulder (though I think I did the shoulder when I switched to the bike.)
Add in the fact my asthma has got worse in the last year or so and you'll know why I will not be there on Sunday. I now wonder whether I will ever do another long run again, partly because I love the bike too much now.
Anyway, that is all by way of preamble to any advice I might pass on, but it underlines how happy people should be to be there at all.
Right, tips.
I'm assuming you've done the training. If you have, you'll be fine. If you haven't, expect even more pain than the ones who have.
With just a couple of days to go, all you should be thinking about now is the state your mind and body are going to be in on Sunday morning. With running, as with anything else in life, if you wake up feeling good, the chances are you'll do better.
So between now and then - as much rest as possible, as much sleep as possible, as much pasta as possible, as much water as possible. I think I did my last run on the Thursday, fairly short. Some people like to have a loosening run on Friday and/or Saturday too, but I'm not sure it'll do that much good. Have a massage instead.
Don't do anything too exciting on Saturday (another good reason for me not doing it this year as Burnley are at Southampton and it could be an important game for all sorts of reasons). Maybe go to the cinema. 2003, I went to see Maid in Manhattan with my daughter Grace. Looking at Jennifer Lopez. Perfect day-before preparation, I found. Then more pasta, more water, more peeing, and get to bed, after any rituals you might have. I always like to lay out my gear, and pin on numbers, the night before. I also plan my energy gel intake then, then lay out top, shorts, socks and shoes. I obsess about how much gear I'll need to keep warm in the build up, and how I'll get it back at the end, but I make Saturday night my obsessiveness cut-off point. Decide all logistics then.
Once you've woken up on Sunday morning with that 'feeling ok' feeling, go for a pee and if it comes out as clear as it has ever been, that is another good sign. But keep drinking. And keep peeing. All the way to the start line. Well, you know what I mean.
Have a warmish bath, and stretch in the bath (I got that one off Paula Ratcliffe). Try to catch a bit of the build up on the telly. You'll have a sudden real sense of being part of something great and important, and that will help kick you into a good expectation gear.
Breakfast - depends on the indvidual, but you are going to be using a lot of calories. I went for loads of bananas and scrambled eggs. Lots or orange juice and water. More peeing.
Give yourself plenty of time to get to the start. Enjoy the nerves, your own and everyone else's. Stretch lots. Drink more water. Pee if you can.
Don't set off too fast. Easier said than done. The adrenaline, the noise, the adrenaline of everyone else around you, it all combines to make you charge off because it feels so good. But you pay a price later on. Get into a rhythm that you know from your training runs, maybe just a bit inside it, and stick to it.
Take on water, lucozade, energy drinks, whenever they're offered. You'll sweat most of it out. If you have to pee, pee. Sorry to go on about peeing, but it is really important. Marathons are one place where I feel really sorry for women.
If you're struggling at any point, latch on to someone who looks like they're going at just inside the pace you think you should be doing. Follow them step by step. Get into their rhythm. If they're too fast, find someone else. Once you're settled into that rhythm, pick it back up and move out on your own.
If you find your mind saying to itself 'oh shit, 20 miles to go,' tell your mind to be quiet. Instead, say to yourself 'if I get to that tree down there, I will be a bit nearer the end ... once I have turned that corner, I will be even nearer ... I am behind lots of people, but I am ahead of lots of people too ... once I get to where that woman with the orange hair is now, I will be fifty yards nearer the end.'
Count steps to pass time. Do sums with your mile times. Let the crowd carry you - they will. Enjoy the music along the route.
Be emotional if you feel emotional. It is emotional. Every event I do, I spend part of the time thinking about the deaths of my best friend John and his daughter Ellie, in whose memory I work for Leukaemia Research. If you're doing it in memory of someone, talk to them at the tough bits. You'll find they help you through.
One other thing I found helpful - imagine the people who like you on one shoulder pushing you on, and the ones who don't (most of mine were journalists) on the other shoulder trying to hold you back. The good ones spur you on.
Once you're past the Tower, just let the crowd carry you. They will. You've only got a few miles to go now, and though they'll hurt, you're feeling the end is in sight. Once you're in Parliament Square, you're even beginning to think you'll miss this when it ends.
But when it does end, be prepared for one of the great emotional highs of your life. Enjoy it. Wear the medal with pride. Drink lots of water. Eat lots of food. Pee. And prepare to walk downstairs sideways in the morning.
Finally, make a donation to Leukaemia Research if any or all of these tips help get you through. lrf.org.uk
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Lots of joking around in Jersey, though nothing as hysterical as Dave's Europe positionPublish date: 2009-10-03 10:31:22
On The Sun, Obama in Copenhagen and Alistair McGowan on the looPublish date: 2009-10-01 10:59:49
Sun switches ain't wot they used to bePublish date: 2009-09-30 10:17:14
Darling and Mandelson show what I mean by authenticityPublish date: 2009-09-28 16:28:18
Serious Politics 1 Low Journalism 0Publish date: 2009-09-27 11:55:54
Media's love for Cameron should be turned into a weaknessPublish date: 2009-09-26 10:30:03
Time for ministers to stand up and fightPublish date: 2009-09-25 09:40:26
Today's media double standards watchPublish date: 2009-09-24 09:29:45
Breaking News - GB wins award, Lib Dems face all waysPublish date: 2009-09-23 09:43:49
Why authenticity is the key to comms, and why Merkel will winPublish date: 2009-09-22 08:29:13
Why I love NHS walk-in centresPublish date: 2009-09-21 12:13:03
Here goes with the smoked SalmondPublish date: 2009-09-20 10:40:21
Breaking News - Cameron's vacuousness an impersonator's nightmarePublish date: 2009-09-19 11:06:09
Cameron has an army of spin doctors - aka journalistsPublish date: 2009-09-18 10:07:06
On Scottish independence, Cameron's short-termism, and Jimmy Carter being rightPublish date: 2009-09-17 09:56:56
Is Cameron Alex Salmond's Trojan Horse?Publish date: 2009-09-15 10:13:42
On the TUC, Roy of the Rovers and Anna WintourPublish date: 2009-09-14 11:04:46
Memo to Apple boss Steve JobsPublish date: 2009-09-13 17:36:31
A day in the life of a (crap) City traderPublish date: 2009-09-11 17:52:25
Defend record with pride, attack Tories with gustoPublish date: 2009-09-10 11:06:36
Cameron's Conservatism beyond parodyPublish date: 2009-09-09 10:38:00
On transforned cities, and tales of Princess Di and Laura BushPublish date: 2009-09-08 09:45:54
Labour should put minister up against Griffin on Question TimePublish date: 2009-09-06 12:39:56
School speech the latest source of right-wing frothing at ObamaPublish date: 2009-09-05 08:23:02
More horse's mouth, less Beeb blah pleasePublish date: 2009-09-04 22:49:20
Real respect for sport can be Olympic legacyPublish date: 2009-09-04 09:27:34
First ladies watch out for Japanese bombshellPublish date: 2009-09-03 10:47:19
TV debate - good idea in theory, but ...Publish date: 2009-09-02 15:37:43
'No worries' - the new response to thanksPublish date: 2009-09-01 12:25:19
Tremors of Japanese political earthquake will be felt far and widePublish date: 2009-08-30 15:50:54
Pressure on Ed Miliband can help get a climate change dealPublish date: 2009-08-28 13:39:08
Why Tories and media cannot stomach GCSE success storyPublish date: 2009-08-27 16:03:34
Exposing the absurdity of Chris GraylingPublish date: 2009-08-26 13:20:19
Joy and beauty and a night of magicPublish date: 2009-08-20 10:55:11
Twitter NHS backlash good for ObamaPublish date: 2009-08-14 15:44:49
A lifetime's ambition fulfilledPublish date: 2009-08-08 16:59:02
Breaking the blog-a-day spell as warm up to holidayPublish date: 2009-07-20 17:44:49
No hiding place from Twitter, me on the bike, JP in DCPublish date: 2009-07-17 18:17:09
At last - something Obama cannot do wellPublish date: 2009-07-16 10:05:47
Will MPs take the lead in the debate on euthanasia?Publish date: 2009-07-15 12:30:01
Berlin brothel leads the way to a greener worldPublish date: 2009-07-14 10:57:25
A time for GB to explain the whole picturePublish date: 2009-07-13 12:37:54
All hail Monty, Jimmy and Collie!Publish date: 2009-07-12 20:06:36
First triathlon of the summer for me, education award for FionaPublish date: 2009-07-12 09:43:06
Of Burnley's friendly and Obama's wandering eyePublish date: 2009-07-11 12:38:52
Two great early morning momentsPublish date: 2009-07-10 10:27:07
Cameron had better be sure he's rightPublish date: 2009-07-09 11:06:22
Guardian scoop has big questions for press, cops and CameronPublish date: 2009-07-08 20:40:54
Divisive legend: Lance ArmstrongPublish date: 2009-07-07 10:38:23
First hug a hoodie, now grab a gayPublish date: 2009-07-06 12:57:09
Mail on Scumday's wonderful account of Lansley's kipperdomPublish date: 2009-07-05 13:14:51
Ecclestone undermines his own success with alarming views on HitlerPublish date: 2009-07-04 14:04:04
When the conmen move more quickly than the councilPublish date: 2009-07-03 10:19:52
Andrew Lansley done up like a kipperPublish date: 2009-07-02 10:10:52
A day spent interviewing footballers, then being interviewed by a transvestite comedianPublish date: 2009-07-01 14:47:40
When the power of black eyes fadesPublish date: 2009-06-30 09:24:59
Farewell to Henry HodgePublish date: 2009-06-29 20:41:12
Honouring the power of sport to do goodPublish date: 2009-06-29 14:49:42
Andy Murray is a winner. Is that why some Brits don't like him?Publish date: 2009-06-28 09:19:20
New Parliament will look very different. The younger the betterPublish date: 2009-06-27 17:34:26
Two nice surprises, sad end to dayPublish date: 2009-06-26 09:16:33
Apology from the Spectator on Iraq boosts Henry Hodge fundPublish date: 2009-06-25 19:57:26
Thanks to Mr Harper on mental health, rebuttal of Mr Hague on IraqPublish date: 2009-06-24 23:47:54
Glad to find Eric Cantona in a quiet cinema ...Publish date: 2009-06-24 00:46:23
By Dave's friends shall we know him?Publish date: 2009-06-23 11:30:20
The Speaker has to balance tradition and change - but defend ParliamentPublish date: 2009-06-22 11:58:44
Less a blog than an apology for not having done onePublish date: 2009-06-21 20:07:43
The day Lions skipper Paul O'Connell took my trousers downPublish date: 2009-06-20 11:48:28
On the Iraq inquiry, Independent article wrongPublish date: 2009-06-19 20:28:24
Thank you to three readers, now please get involvedPublish date: 2009-06-19 09:13:35
A tribute to a lovely manPublish date: 2009-06-18 17:19:40
Bad times in Belfast, great day for Burnley, odd statement from Ed BallsPublish date: 2009-06-18 10:04:47
A plea for five-figure cyber-donationsPublish date: 2009-06-17 07:40:42
On two inquiriesPublish date: 2009-06-16 08:57:39
From India to Iran to Labour witPublish date: 2009-06-15 10:13:17
Memories of Princess DianaPublish date: 2009-06-14 09:54:55
A House Divided?Publish date: 2009-06-13 02:53:47
A humbling NHS experience, a media row and a good GB speechPublish date: 2009-06-12 10:48:46
Psychiatrists heading for relegation in 'disease prestige' league tablePublish date: 2009-06-11 10:25:35
The shrinks awaitPublish date: 2009-06-10 09:44:16
As Obama fights for healthcare, let's celebrate the record herePublish date: 2009-06-09 12:52:55
Anger at BNP seats must be turned into activismPublish date: 2009-06-08 14:11:10
Can today be as frenzied as Friday?Publish date: 2009-06-07 10:31:04
Take heart from a win in LambethPublish date: 2009-06-06 18:46:40
JP is right there was no proper campaign but Tories still weakPublish date: 2009-06-05 13:47:20
Do we care more about the NHS or moats?Publish date: 2009-06-04 00:21:23
Guardian of social justice or attention-seeker?Publish date: 2009-06-03 10:19:33
Who says Britain can't deliver the best?Publish date: 2009-06-02 08:08:38
Mainstream has a duty to vote against BNPPublish date: 2009-06-01 11:03:29
Let Diversity inspire a vote against the hate-filled BNPPublish date: 2009-05-31 12:24:20
White House whack at UK media well-timed but sure to be ignoredPublish date: 2009-05-30 13:41:00
Elvis has a plan to make MPs King againPublish date: 2009-05-29 12:09:44
At least there's a campaign on in ItalyPublish date: 2009-05-28 09:04:32
A blow to gay rights and a boost for Cameron's short-termismPublish date: 2009-05-27 11:27:41
It's my blog and I'll be a big kid if I want toPublish date: 2009-05-26 23:25:58
Highs feel better after so many lowsPublish date: 2009-05-26 10:13:12
Only one present countsPublish date: 2009-05-25 11:05:46
Contrast Cheney and BushPublish date: 2009-05-24 12:11:45
Sex (or at least the female form) obsessed BritainPublish date: 2009-05-23 20:49:57
Sport at both ends of the financial spectrumPublish date: 2009-05-23 09:57:23
Stronger together - whether Scotland or expensesPublish date: 2009-05-22 10:22:36
Back to Number 10, familiar faces, familiar argumentsPublish date: 2009-05-21 10:14:34
Speaking up for ParliamentPublish date: 2009-05-20 11:44:17
Peace in the Middle East - yes he canPublish date: 2009-05-19 09:37:35
Breaking news - one frenzy at a timePublish date: 2009-05-18 10:34:30
Getting a good look at Vince CablePublish date: 2009-05-17 09:36:55
How do you solve a problem like Silvio?Publish date: 2009-05-16 09:32:21
It was the internet wot won itPublish date: 2009-05-15 10:04:57
There now follows ... a good whack at CameronPublish date: 2009-05-14 17:21:28
They got their kit off - so you get your cash outPublish date: 2009-05-14 07:41:11
Expenses row must not obscure Tory intentions on minimum wagePublish date: 2009-05-13 16:12:08
We love you Burnley, we do ... what a nightPublish date: 2009-05-13 02:37:17
A tweet cannot express the wonders of TGVPublish date: 2009-05-12 08:48:31
It's Mind week - Get it off your Chest with me and Stephen FryPublish date: 2009-05-11 06:29:15
Hate the Mail, love ObamaPublish date: 2009-05-10 10:04:00
Burnley 1 Reading 0 - a biased reportPublish date: 2009-05-09 21:26:32
MPs expenses - time for party leaders to meet againPublish date: 2009-05-09 09:50:19
Should happiness replace prosperity as national goal?Publish date: 2009-05-08 08:43:23
Musings from a sleepless nightPublish date: 2009-05-07 07:33:49
Darren Fletcher - an injustice that has to be rightedPublish date: 2009-05-06 09:52:29
Maggie's legacy not as great as she thinksPublish date: 2009-05-05 08:33:02
Here's hoping Cardiff is metaphor for CameronPublish date: 2009-05-04 09:38:30
More Mr Benn and Co pleasePublish date: 2009-05-03 10:03:00
Going Fourth with JPPublish date: 2009-05-02 18:25:41
Journalism - print first, think laterPublish date: 2009-05-02 09:10:01
In praise of two poetsPublish date: 2009-05-01 10:26:36
JP hits the road againPublish date: 2009-04-29 18:52:11
My night with Eddie IzzardPublish date: 2009-04-29 10:53:25
Explaining the 50p top tax ratePublish date: 2009-04-28 09:22:53
George Best and Martin McGuinnessPublish date: 2009-04-27 09:02:35
Cameron confused over indepdendence and impartialityPublish date: 2009-04-26 12:20:56
Guide ro Marathon running part 2Publish date: 2009-04-25 11:01:34
Good signals on coal and the OlympicsPublish date: 2009-04-24 10:45:28
Missed the Budget, saw why it matteredPublish date: 2009-04-22 23:09:31
Football good, politics bad. AllegedlyPublish date: 2009-04-22 00:00:24
The Great Wall gets greaterPublish date: 2009-04-21 09:55:22
Two sides to police storyPublish date: 2009-04-20 11:39:54
Budgets, Balls, billionaires and Susan BoylePublish date: 2009-04-19 12:31:45
Do muscles have memories?Publish date: 2009-04-18 09:44:44
Bring back standing at footballPublish date: 2009-04-17 14:50:22
When Facebook friends fall outPublish date: 2009-04-16 12:29:16
Guardian sightings and the email and bath plug agendaPublish date: 2009-04-15 11:32:16
The spin is all in the prismPublish date: 2009-04-14 09:22:41
A setback, not a crisisPublish date: 2009-04-13 12:55:19
The real lessons from Damian McBridePublish date: 2009-04-12 10:49:47
Will English always be the dominant language?Publish date: 2009-04-11 10:02:02
On the pipes and what makes a ScotPublish date: 2009-04-10 11:06:20
John Prescott lazy? NO WAYPublish date: 2009-04-09 09:11:31
David Frost is seventyPublish date: 2009-04-08 08:48:38
The Speaker, BBC2, tonight and tomorrow 8pmPublish date: 2009-04-07 14:25:31
Obama, colds and being woken by Korean missilesPublish date: 2009-04-06 11:59:24
When a call matters more than protocolPublish date: 2009-04-05 11:33:42
Green Cities Champions LeaguePublish date: 2009-04-04 10:19:53
Could Cameron have delivered the G20 deal?Publish date: 2009-04-03 10:11:59
Of Benn and BonoPublish date: 2009-04-02 08:21:16
Memo to Sarko - allez vite a LondresPublish date: 2009-04-01 08:46:17
Happy April Fool's DayPublish date: 2009-04-01 01:44:05
Eurostar, Le Monde and a thought for the G20 sherpasPublish date: 2009-03-31 09:17:22
Why Kevin Rudd made an impactPublish date: 2009-03-30 10:24:41
Pre-G20 hype matters less than post-G20 processPublish date: 2009-03-29 13:17:28
The Damned UnitedPublish date: 2009-03-28 10:37:04
A hobby horse, a plug and a bit of sportPublish date: 2009-03-27 10:22:23
Cloughie - he had a lot to be big-headed aboutPublish date: 2009-03-26 09:38:36
A sad sight of the old fearing the youngPublish date: 2009-03-25 17:03:07
Post-modern, post-structural, or bullshit?Publish date: 2009-03-25 08:18:02
Learning the right lessons from ObamaPublish date: 2009-03-24 08:53:15
Lazy Dave needs to keep an eye on lazy KenPublish date: 2009-03-23 11:16:14
Farewell favourite restaurant, hello hometownPublish date: 2009-03-22 08:18:09
Dave, Danny and have the Tories really changed?Publish date: 2009-03-21 08:55:13
Life beyond Dover ...Publish date: 2009-03-20 10:11:21
My friends in The New Statesman - Fergie, Fiona, Tony, Sarah, Kevin, 'Dacre,' and a great GB idea for the G20Publish date: 2009-03-18 10:38:22
Iraq, Iran, GB, Obama and diplomatic chessPublish date: 2009-03-17 10:07:13
The Age of StupidPublish date: 2009-03-16 08:27:13
Is all change good?Publish date: 2009-03-15 10:00:06
The pressure of being a post-modern sex godPublish date: 2009-03-14 10:00:55
Cameron still hasn't sealed the deal with businessPublish date: 2009-03-13 09:21:49
Stand up for social workersPublish date: 2009-03-12 08:31:17
Surely Malcolm Tucker could have told Armando Ianucci ... You can't spin a spinnerPublish date: 2009-03-11 10:58:25
Start of a new approach from Labour?Publish date: 2009-03-10 09:54:12
A peace process still strongPublish date: 2009-03-09 08:21:05
Day of destiny for the real footballer of the yearPublish date: 2009-03-08 09:21:06
Private advice to Peggy Mitchell - the leaked note in fullPublish date: 2009-03-07 08:17:21
Boris, the Tories and the tummy-tickling poodle pressPublish date: 2009-03-06 09:49:37
A day in the life of the self-obsessed TV reporterPublish date: 2009-03-05 07:55:47
GB - good speech, well deliveredPublish date: 2009-03-04 19:31:05
Notes on the environment, a role in EastEndersPublish date: 2009-03-04 10:58:56
She may be my 'wife' but it is time to rebut!Publish date: 2009-03-03 10:52:59
Some speeches matter more than othersPublish date: 2009-03-02 12:04:45
Mental health and the Carling Cup FinalPublish date: 2009-03-01 09:08:17
Inside the chocolate factoryPublish date: 2009-02-28 10:23:59
GB on the G20, JP on Jeremy KylePublish date: 2009-02-27 09:14:36
Charity and the credit crunch, please give generously!Publish date: 2009-02-26 08:55:12
Why oh why are the Tories not home and dry?Publish date: 2009-02-24 09:44:59
Me, Dermot and ten top songsPublish date: 2009-02-23 10:02:19
Names round-upPublish date: 2009-02-22 08:43:39
What's in a name?Publish date: 2009-02-21 09:58:14
Editing the New StatesmanPublish date: 2009-02-20 11:42:36
Salute Peter M’s proper use of the F wordPublish date: 2009-02-19 09:58:58
Labour's communications challenge for the NHSPublish date: 2009-02-18 10:34:39
In praise of KeighleyPublish date: 2009-02-17 14:33:57
A night at the EmiratesPublish date: 2009-02-17 00:06:51
When marriage is testedPublish date: 2009-02-16 13:36:35
Spare me the myths and the whiningPublish date: 2009-02-15 13:29:50
Dave Cameron - is that all there is?Publish date: 2009-02-14 11:11:55
Boris Johnson: F is for ...Publish date: 2009-02-13 07:55:10
The Cameron vacuumPublish date: 2009-02-12 14:48:33
Lincoln, Obama, Blair and the 24 hour media culturePublish date: 2009-02-11 10:28:47
Eighteen interviews later ...Publish date: 2009-02-10 19:24:45
Time to talk about Time to Change on NewsnightPublish date: 2009-02-09 22:47:49
So that’s what they mean by online community?Publish date: 2009-02-08 12:12:51
First blogPublish date: 2009-02-05 15:23:57
Trevor Malcolm, Portsmouth Hampshire
2009-04-25 02:11:10___________________________________________________________
Listen up, young lad. On 2nd February 2029, the Alastair Campbell blog celebrates its 25th birthday. And you'll have long since joined the ranks of those old codgers whose advancing years prohibit them running any further marathons. Ever
Reading your "Tips for the London Marathon" you posted on 23rd April, no need for you to describe quite so graphically how your limbs feel that first day after the race. "Prepare to walk downstairs sideways" on the morning after, you said
Quite so, but in old age, that's how you'll feel struggling down the stairs sideways every damn morning, silly
For example, instead of marathon reminiscences, you yourself will shuffle towards the bowl of soggy cornflakes your daughter Grace has selflessly prepared for the ageing gums of her Daddy to munch at breakfast
Worse, you'll mourn your marathon running heydays. What's more, as any devout atheist will regret, my son, there's much Biblical Wisdom about the spirit still willing, but the flesh is weak
Weak flesh, says God, eh? More like pooped out and completely knackered flesh here in Portsmouth, I'd say
Still, blessed be, AC. Because your blog of practical advice for younger runners, simply inspirational
For that, thanks Coach. (Donation to Leukaemia Research already done, as you suggested, great idea
Trevor Malcolm
___________________________________________________________
Eve
2009-04-24 10:48:39Having not run since the 80’s (I walked quickly a couple of times in the 90’s but realised it wasn’t for me) I was amazed to discover your tips made me want to, one day, run the London marathon!
Although it also made me want to pee.
CPW
2009-04-24 00:22:33"the most important tip of all ... vaseline! Private parts, all rubbing bits, between toes, shoulders, ankles, nipples, whack it on all over."
Throw in a gimp mask and amphetine soaked orange and you've got yourself after hours at the Tory party conference.
David_Fagan
2009-04-23 23:56:18oops...should have read 70 miles per week!!!
AC
2009-04-23 18:46:25Another Facebook friend has reminded me of the most important tip of all ... vaseline! Private parts, all rubbing bits, between toes, shoulders, ankles, nipples, whack it on all over.
Em
2009-04-23 18:03:39Water, pasta, check out hot Latina women (allow me a gender substitute), rest, bath, bananas, water, water closet.
Got it! Thanks.
Then you talk about things that confuse me. Tee hee. Ok, I run for thirty minutes three times a week -- and that's it. There is obviously a gland or hormone of sorts that compels me to keep at it, that rush that raises my endorphins and serotonin, but it's not something I enjoy just thinking about it doing. Not at all.
I find that I like to play. I don't watch football but I meet up with friends several times a week and we play soccer for a couple of hours. In the Winter, we play hockey or I put my girl skates on and rehearse the same easy, long velocity jumps I did when I was ten.
Nothing against those who go to the gym, or run or cycle, but it's interesting to me how adults take out the element of play out of sports. To a non-marathon runner, marathons look like self-imposed torture. As a Catholic, I can only guess a Protestant invented the discipline.
I believe more people would get into shape if they remember how much fun it is to just go out and play with friends.
That being said, good luck to all the runners on Sunday.
Greg Waller
2009-04-23 17:50:43I saw your review of the Murakami book on running in the Guardian, which I really enjoyed.There is definitely such a thing as the runner's mind. I also remember your series for the Times about training for the marathon, which I cut out and kept. As a result I got turned onto podiatry and proper running insoles. I was one of the unlucky ones not to get a place, but I am doing the next Edinburgh. Enjoying the blog, political and non politics alike
terry evans
2009-04-23 17:48:34I've never ran a marathon or come close, but will watch on Sunday crying in awe at those that do. I just got emotional reading your blog and enjoyed the insight that you gave. Good luck everybody that is running on Sunday, be sure there is a soft sod in Cardiff cheering you on!
David Fagan
2009-04-23 17:46:43Good blog Alastair. Also injured here after I decided that 7 miles per week was a reasonable ramp for someone who had spent the last 20 years running just 7 :-). still I did manage Paris before my mara career ended.
As for tips...if your mind say's "oh shit...20 miles to go" I would suggest you give up...feeling tired after 6 miles is not a good sign!!
Also agree with the elation comments....I felt very emotional at the end of Paris. Good luck to all who take part.
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