Week Six - Seventy Days

Ten weeks to go, kids!

Week six marks the start of the second chunk of training. The miles are going to go up fairly steeply from here on in - in seven weeks time I am slated to run 22 miles on Sunday run day.  

Let's go.

A few weeks ago (Week Three, blog fans) I mentioned that now I finally had a bit of confidence in my knee not blowing up, I was able to start thinking about a charity to run for. Whilst there are a number of intrinsic reasons why I want to run a marathon, it’s also a hell of an opportunity to raise money for something. Most people’s reaction to running 26 miles is on a similar level of repulse to finding a spider in your cornflakes, so it’s an easy sell to get people to spare with a few hard earned pounds to boost the totaliser.

(As an aside, I might make one of those massive thermometer-sign-thingys and stick it on the front of the house and/or the big pillar next to my desk at work).

But what charity? That is the question.

It’s so important to find something that means something, that you can draw the last ounces of motivation from when it gets really tough.

Over the last few weeks I have spoken to a number of people about charities that mean something to them. One such person suggested Cancer Research. Now, of course, such a charity is always an option such is the devastating effect cancer has on people every day all over the world - but it isn't a charity I have ran for before. So immediately, it was a real potential.

Then, that very night I watched episode 11 of the third season of The West Wing. Now for anyone who knows me remotely well, I will tell you that The West Wing is the finest television ever made and is my go-to watch at all times. 

This particular episode revolves around President Bartlet’s State of the Union speech – an annual event where the president reports on the condition of the nation and outlines the agenda and priorities for the year ahead and beyond. 

'Over the past half-century, we’ve split the atom, we’ve spliced the gene, and we’ve roamed Tranquility Base. We’ve reached for the stars, and never have we been closer to having them in our grasp.'

'New science, new technology is making the difference between life and death, and so we need a national commitment equal to this unparalleled moment of possibility.’

'And so, I announce to you tonight, that I will bring the full resources of the federal government and the full reach of my office to this fundamental goal: we will cure cancer by the end of this decade,'

That episode is from 2003. Obviously it was a fictional television drama and obviously cancer wasn't cured by 2010. But President Obama announced a similar initiative in January last year, a $1bn 'moonshot' to cure cancer, and assuming good ol' Donald J. Trump doesn't siphon it off to build his big wall, then why can't cancer be cured one day? 

Let's be honest, running a marathon isn't a challenge. It's what fit and healthy (albeit somewhat mental) people do as a hobby, or for a sense of personal achievement. Facing up and fighting against cancer is the challenge - they are the truly amazing people. 

So let's run a marathon and raise as much money as possible to help cure cancer as soon as possible then. Yeh? Great.

Run #15 - Tuesday 7th February

Tuesday run went up to five miles this week as things begin to ramp up a little even on the recovery run. A jaunty 8.12 min/mile pace and more actual daylight at 5pm. Good stuff.

Run #16 - Friday 10th February

Friday Morning Run Club is taking over the world, one person at a time. Steve was back for week two, whilst marathon runner Kev joined the party too. It was cold and it was snowing, but now that run club is an actual thing you've really gotta embrace it and drag your sorry state out of bed at 5.30am. 

Now, Kev is quick. I knew this. So made sure to have a conversation before, running for an hour, probably around 8's I said.

'Yeh, sure mate, happy to go at your pace.'

May I present Exhibit A.

Kev is a liar.

7.18! I haven't ran that fast since last JUNE! 

But it was good, and further confirmed the theory that running is better with others. As always, Friday Morning Run Club welcomes new members and I will continue the peer pressure campaign to those already beginning to wobble...

Oh, and 100 miles up for the year. Bazinga.

Run #17 - Sunday 12th February

Well, surprise surprise it was a) cold and b) raining again this morning - the weather has been pretty shit this week. But alas, no problem. Ten miles in the bag at 8.07's. It's still too quick but I think once the longer 12, 14 and 16 mile Sunday run days kick in that pace will drop back to 8.30's. Felt good though.

In terms of an aches and pains update, my knee is really good right now, whilst my 'overactive glutes'/hip misery continues despite stretching more than Stretch Armstrong. Oh, and I've got a beaut of a blood blister on my foot (soz) thanks to a worn out pair of socks. They will be disposed of, don't you worry.

I'll set up a Just Giving page in the next few weeks, but thank you for the ongoing support. See you at Week Seven Run Club.