This is possibly something to do with the fact that the hard work is done and the next three weeks is about comprehensively sorting out my niggly injuries and [...]]]> I had a strange ambivalence towards running this morning.  It wasn’t a case that I didn’t want to: more a case of not being bothered about it.

This is possibly something to do with the fact that the hard work is done and the next three weeks is about comprehensively sorting out my niggly injuries and recuperating ahead of the big day.

I stretched comprehensively before I started and then again at the 5-mile mark and ran a total of 8 miles in 1.13 and 22 seconds.  It was really no bother, to the extent that I even counted up for a change rather than down.  I kept changing the pace slightly each quarter-mile, but kept within the envelope of 6 to 7.2mph.  And I stretched out again afterwards.

Of course, my ambivalence may also be something to do with the amount of running I’ve done lately.  Further my post on January 31st (in which I highlighted that I had managed to fit in 12 runs, 14 hours of running time and cover 88.1 miles in January), I have had two further bumper months.

In February I had 15 runs, lasting 18 hours 48 minutes and covering 131.9 miles.

In March I have now completed 17 runs, lasting 5 minutes short of a whole day and have covered 157.25 miles.

That means I could reach Birmingham or Yeovil on foot in twenty-four hours of running… if I were allowed to stick to the motorways, of course!  Or put another way, I covered almost exactly the distance of six complete marathons.

I have much (much) less planned in the next few weeks up to the marathon, but I already have the subsequent challenge lined up in the summer and this time it’s about running fast, rather than long, so please watch this space!

One last thing… Happy Birthday Debbie!

I set the machine to 6mph and completed 3.25 miles in 32.17, my ankle only twinging lightly in the first half-mile.

Afterwards I marvelled at how relaxed my legs were, although not so [...]]]> In contrast to March 15th, the day after the last time I ran 22.95 miles, I decided to take it really easy earlier today.

I set the machine to 6mph and completed 3.25 miles in 32.17, my ankle only twinging lightly in the first half-mile.

Afterwards I marvelled at how relaxed my legs were, although not so now, alas, having been sat back at my desk for an hour!

That is, until I spoke to Cliff this afternoon.

Despite running a 50-mile (FIFTY MILE!) race on Saturday in Paris with Pete and Daren, the lune was still seriously contemplating going to Circuit Training tonight!

In the [...]]]> I had resigned myself to not running today, on account of a painful ankle, knackered legs and a touch of hayfever.

That is, until I spoke to Cliff this afternoon.

Despite running a 50-mile (FIFTY MILE!) race on Saturday in Paris with Pete and Daren, the lune was still seriously contemplating going to Circuit Training tonight!

In the course of trying to persuade him to be more circumspect, he persuaded me of the merits of jogging in order to be able to stretch my legs out properly.  So that is what I did earlier this evening.

3 miles took me 29.52 and whilst my ankle is still about as painful as before, my legs are a whole lot less stiff.

I started at 7mph and increased the speed by 0.2mph for each quarter mile until I reached 9mph.

Then I reduced the speed by the same amount until I reached 8mph, where I stuck it out until the end.

My heart rate was only in [...]]]> Earlier this morning I climbed aboard the magic carpet to do my weekly Friday-five-miler.

I started at 7mph and increased the speed by 0.2mph for each quarter mile until I reached 9mph.

Then I reduced the speed by the same amount until I reached 8mph, where I stuck it out until the end.

My heart rate was only in the low 170’s even running at 9mph, but then it didn’t drop down again as the speed decreased, which suggested that I had had a tough workout.  Even as I was running I knew that I could have run faster, but this still turned out to be a personal best.

Distance: 5 miles

Time: 37.23

Average speed 8.02mph, narrowly beating my time on the 3rd February

This morning I did not feel like it.

However, I still jumped on the machine and set to with the specified task of running 10 miles.  After a brief warm-up, I varied the speed every quarter-mile within [...]]]> The downside of having a training program is having to stick to it, whether or not you feel like it.

This morning I did not feel like it.

However, I still jumped on the machine and set to with the specified task of running 10 miles.  After a brief warm-up, I varied the speed every quarter-mile within the range 7 to 8.5mph, but more towards the bottom end if the truth be known.

I had no radio on so only my thoughts for company and I forgot to ask Kim to open the door so after 30 minutes I jumped off to open it and got straight back on again.

With 2.5 miles to go I set the speed to a constant 7.6mph, but with a mile to go I realised I was going too slow to come in underneath 80 minutes, so I increased to 8mph.

So ten miles in 79.44, average 7.5mph.

What was instantly surprising was that, beyond a slight initial stiffness in the legs, I felt no other after-effects and happily increased the speed, varying from 6mph initially to between 7 and 8.5mph.  In fact, [...]]]> As per the last few Mondays, I did a short run this morning to take the edge off yesterday’s long one.

What was instantly surprising was that, beyond a slight initial stiffness in the legs, I felt no other after-effects and happily increased the speed, varying from 6mph initially to between 7 and 8.5mph.  In fact, I whizzed along very comfortably, the only negative sensation being one of hunger that developed after about 2 miles.

For the sake of balanced reporting, I should mention that yesterday afternoon and evening I had a series of temporary headaches and backache and was very pleased to finally turn my lights out at bedtime!

I am also glad to report that Spring took another step forward and that the door was open from the off this morning… although  we do have the benefit of a secluded South facing aspect!

So 3.25 miles in 26.40 which equates to an average of 7.3mph.

There was no drama and the only frisson came [...]]]> I’ve not much to say for myself this morning.  The thought of running outside briefly crossed my mind before I climbed aboard the machine… would that the Bok was here to force me out!  I varied the speed much like Wednesday and finished five miles in 39.24, average 7.6mph.

There was no drama and the only frisson came from hearing the leader of the FSA, on Radio 4, mention that they had built up a buffer that would now allow them to be proactive rather than reactive.  I’m not certain how a government department should be able  to build up a financial buffer and isn’t it strange how everyone is suddenly thinking about how to do their job better (properly) ahead of probable budget cuts?

I had a really interesting meeting in London late morning, spent the afternoon reading HBR and networking in the Alumni lounge at London Business School and then participated as a Judge (a pseudo potential early-stage investor) in a Trade Show [...]]]> Yesterday was always going to be a bit of a rush, hence my delay in posting.

I had a really interesting meeting in London late morning, spent the afternoon reading HBR and networking in the Alumni lounge at London Business School and then participated as a Judge (a pseudo potential early-stage investor) in a Trade Show by LBS MBA students in the Discovering Entrepreneurial Opportunities core course.

This is well worth mentioning further.

390 students, working in 65 teams, had identified opportunities which typically focused around resolving a real customer or stakeholder pain.  They then distinguished between mere ideas and more valuable opportunities, confirming their hypotheses by observation or primary customer research.  Finally they contextualised the opportunities to ensure that they represented distinctive, fresh ways of creating value  in the face of incumbents, and thought through the value chain for delivering the solution.

The Trade Show last night was one of the last parts of the course, where they opened up their ideas to peer review and pitched their ideas to a range of Alumni judges including me.  I have to say that the standard was extremely high indeed, phenomenal really, especially bearing in mind that this is a core MBA course rather than an elective.  It was a real privilege to see their work and full marks should go to the students and the tutors involved!

Of course, in advance of this fascinating day, I had to sneak in a ten mile run, so it was a bit of an early start.

Once again, for time reasons, it was a magic carpet run, but at least that enables me to make a direct comparison with the last two ‘10 on the 10th’ runs.

January 10th: 10 miles in 82 minutes, heart rate sub 175, slight post-run staggering, upstairs bathroom in progress.

February 10th: 10 miles in 79.35, heart rate sub 170, scant post-run staggering, bathroom complete.

March 10th: 10 miles in 78.47, heart rate in the low 160’s, no time to stagger afterwards as I had bolt down some breakfast, run through the shower and get to the station!

For more interest (beyond Radio 4) I varied the speed of each quarter mile, warming up at 6 and 6.5mph then cycling thr0ugh 7, 7.5, 8 and 8.5mph until the end.

This certainly made the task more bearable and I definitely feel as if I’m progressing… which is useful bearing in mind that there are only 5 training weekends left before the marathon!

As a result I didn’t get a chance to do my normal Monday morning short run, so instead I took a late lunchtime [...]]]> This morning Bill Faust and I had volunteered to be part of a Career Speed-Dating event for year 9 students at local Oathall School, which turned out to be a really fun event.

As a result I didn’t get a chance to do my normal Monday morning short run, so instead I took a late lunchtime and ran then instead… I’ve just jumped out of the shower!

I started at 7mph, but after a mile increased it a little, and then a little more until I was running quite happily at 7.6mph.

3 miles whizzed by with little effort in 24.47, an average of 7.27mph.