The timer is counting down every second now and there’s only 4 months and 14 days to go until we run the final Flora London Marathon. We decided that we should give you a taster of what goes into the preparation and training for an event like this.

 

As part of this blog we’ll give you information on the miles we run, when we run, the route, the weather and basically our thoughts and feelings.

 

And remember, if you wish to sponsor us at any time, you can do so by visiting our justgiving page here: http://www.justgiving.com/eastauk (well I had to get it in somewhere didn’t I).

Edited by Bald-A-Rooney - 12/December/2008 at 10:07am

Good for you Dave, u rok

Dave Utley

 

Debs/Sharan, thanks for your comments, much appreciated!

 

Since I started running, back in October, I’ve undoubtedly improved. However, it hasn’t all been plain sailing. To start off my training I bought a new pair of cheap running shoes, let’s face it even cheap pairs aren’t that cheap. Anyway as the first weeks of my training went by, my old friend shin splints paid me a visit, shortly followed by his pal Achilles heel! This hadn’t happened to me in a long while and was becoming increasingly frustrating.

 

A trusted friend of mine told me that I should get a gait analysis check done as this would tell me why I was having trouble. A gait analysis is where your legs are filmed by video camera whist running on a tread mill. From this, many running/stride traits can be discovered. As it turns out I ‘Overpronate’, meaning that my heel collapses too soon when it hits the ground, resulting in my legs not getting as much support as they should do, further resulting in the onset of shin splints, Achilles heel, etc.  With modern techniques this can be corrected by either custom made insoles or running shoes made to give support where required. So after spending a lunch hour on the treadmill, I ended coming out the shop lighter ….. quite a few £’s lighter!!! I ended up having to purchase yet another pair of trainers! The morale of the story is …. Cheap running shoes cost more in the end!

 

Since donning my purpose built costly running shoes, my ailments have improved dramatically, as have my running times. Today’s run was cold and damp and rainy, but I managed to get around in a fairly respectable time. Half marathon day tomorrow and the forecast is bad, what a surprise!!!

 

Run stats

 

Date: 12-Dec-08

Route: Perimeter of Cambridge Airport

Distance: 5 miles

Time: 13:00

Duration: 35.13 minutes

Weather: Cloudy/Raining – 5 degrees

Thoughts: Ran at a comfortable pace, didn’t push it and came close to a PB (34.59).

 

Have a good weekend all!

Wow Dave that's amazing!  Good on you for getting out there and running in the absolute crap that the British call weather.  And congratulations for keeping it up this long and all the improvement, I guess having a goal to work towards really helps.

Keep up the great work, and don't wear out those special shoes too quickly!  (or just buy a new pair a week or two before the race)

-Oddment

 Well done Dave, keep us posted