Hi There

I can't quite believe that it's just over 2 weeks to go to Marathon day! It certainly doesn't feel like 6 months has passed since the three of us started on this journey and there have certainly been a couple of hills to climb along the way.

Training over the last couple of weeks has been going well. Started back on grass initially, with the physio's advice to build up on a softer surface, and after running circles round Pitreavie Playing Fields (not the most inspiring) have tried running back on the tarmac....and its going great!
Although I wont be able to reach the mileage that I had initially planned I'm putting that out of my mind and concentrating fully on running the Dunfermline Half Marathon this Sunday and the Edinburgh Marathon 2 weeks later.

Here We Go!!

All the best, Sheena

Hey Folks,

Another week goes by and another step closer to the big day!

Managed a 20 mile run today, and much like my last big run, this was the hardest challenge of my entire life. Got there in the end though . I even had to stop the last mile at my wee local shop to ask them to fill up my water bottle .

Today has been the warmest day of training for me so far, there was even a blast of sunshine for half an hour or so, which brought on new challenges. Not a breath of wind and the sun beating down on your back changes mental performance no end. Something I will personally need to bear in mind for the big day.

Anyway, another plate of pasta awaits me and a nice long session in front of the TV to watch some snooker.

We leave the line and cross the line together

Take care,

John

Hey Folks,

Four weeks today for the big day!

Time has absolutely flown in and I can't really believe we are nearly there.

Managed an 18 mile run today and like my 16 miler, the biggest challenge ever! But, each push forward brings on a new limit both mentally and physically and another step closer to the finish line.

Three more big runs left of our Garmin training plan, then we taper off until the big day and I for one simply cannot wait.

We leave the line together and cross the line together

Take care,

John

Hi There

Thanks again for everyones generous donations!

Well after another visit to the physio last week I have finally been able to try back on the treadmill. The exercises the physio had given me to do seemed to have done the trick and have helped to strengthen my leg in the right places and sort out my alignment and after a tentative jog on Friday my knee feels GREAT!

As soon as I started I could see that the front of my right foot was drifing out to the right and I had to concentrate a lot harder on how I was placing my foot. So it actually feels like the lower half of my leg is twisted inwards even though in reality I'm running straight!

Tried another couple of miles today just to make sure and am over the moon to say that alls good!

Can't wait to get fully back into training, building up the miles and catching up with the other guys

Cheerio, Sheena

Hey Folks,

Forgot to mention a quick update on where we are with cash at the moment.....

Our JustGiving sponsor page - http://www.justgiving.com/firsttimemarathon - has managed to creep up to £425.00 and an overall estimate of face to face fund raising at work brings our total so far (including JustGiving funds) to approximately £1,400!

Fantastic!

Thank you all so much and I can only echo Alan's comments below about CHAS and why we are doing this...

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you...you get the picture

Take care,

John

Hey Folks,

Well, I managed to get myself out for a 16 mile run today and it was the hardest physical challenge I have ever done! Killer buzz though

The first 10 miles were very comfortable, nothing really going on other than auto pilot admiring the view. Then, after about 13 miles the challenge of keeping going really set in. Jelly babies at the ready, many positive thoughts about CHAS and why we are doing this and a few miles later I was home.

Mike Tyson and 10 rounds springs to mind at the moment though! Early night to allow my body to repair itself and I'll await the after effects tomorrow.

Killer buzz and I can't wait until the big day

Take care,

John

Greetings from sunny Singapore!

Yeah I know, it's a dirty job, but someone's gotta do it!

Time is ticking by really fast now and race day looms large. I lost a couple of weeks training due to (man)flu and a chest infection. I've been out here for a week so far and will be back in Scotland on Wednesday.

I've managed a couple of runs this week and am just back from a jog around the Botanical Gardens. It was HOT, HOT, HOT! The humidity is the biggest factor and trying to get oxygen in is a big challenge. I'm sure when I get home and swap 30 degrees for 12 or so it will be much easier!

Many thanks for all the donations. It makes a huge difference and really focuses us all on the end goal....crossing the finish line on May 25th and raising a lot of money for CHAS. On the flight down here I watched a few episodes of The Long Way Down, a bike ride from John O'Groats to Cape Town with Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman. On the first leg they stopped at Robin House by Loch Lomond, CHAS's newest hospice. Seeing the amazing work that they do and the real difference that is made for the kids and their families was truely humbling and a massive incentive to keep piling on the miles so we can help, even in a small way, to allow them to continue offering their service and indeed, expand.

Cheers for now,
Alan

Hi There

After having tried to get back running over the last couple of weeks my knee has still been causing issues. Having tried rest, ice, anti-inflam gels, stretches, tubey grips......an appointment with the physio was called for.

The results from this are that I havent damaged any of the joints or muscles but that it seems likely that the pain in the knee is due to bio-mechanics - in other words my right leg is out of alignment and turns out further to the right than it should do!

The muscles have been able to cope with this up to now but with increase in distance they are starting to object big time!

So I have to train myself to walk with a straight leg (not as easy as it sounds!)and have a list of exercises for stretching and strengthening the ankle and leg in the right places.

I can feel the clock ticking and the 25th May fast approaching but its great to finally know what the cause is and after another physio assessment next week I plan to be back up and running and catching up with the other guys

Sheena

Hey Folks,

So far the fundraising is going fantastic!

Our online fundraising page - JustGiving - has so far raised £395, whilst the sponsor sheets have taken the grand total to over £1,000 already!

Thank you all so very much

John

Well not wanting the older members of the team to feel bad I have not been out running for the last week after I hurt my knee last wednesday. After hobbling up and down the stairs for a day it felt as if it was back to normal but after attempting the sunday run I could feel things werent quite right and had to stop.

Having read through a couple of articles and websites for advice theres a whole raft of possible causes - high/low arches, bow legs, knock knees, not enough strength or stretching in the leg and knee muscles....

So at the moment I'm taking the advice and working on strengthening and stretching the knee/leg muscles. A number of people have also recommended supplements, particularly glucosamine which is thought to be great for keeping the knees in good working order, so giving those a go too!

Heres hoping will be back up and running this weekend

Sheena