Jan-Feb Running 2009

I've been keeping myself active over the winter period and have managed to maintain my fitness a lot higher than I was expecting.

I just completed the fastest 4.1 mile run I have EVER done, finishing with a time of 00:27:55.70 (6:49/mile). I was shocked to see the time on my watch after my quads were feeling a little sore still after all the squats we did at push & lift class on Monday.

I have really set myself a high level to maintain for the rest of the season, hitting a 1hr 30min half marathon seems quite doable considering I've only done a few runs this year.

Back to the Road

After having a break from running over the winter months it's time to get started with my training so I can reach my goal of completing the Robin Hood Full Marathon in 3hrs 30min.

I managed to fit in a small 3-4 mile run while at home over Christmas but conditions were far from ideal. Apart from a short 4 mile run a couple of weeks ago with the running club at the local Sweatshop I have only really been doing running as part of the exercises at the circuit class I attend each week.

I have just completed a 7 mile run along a route that I did last year and finished with a time of 54min 10 seconds (~7:40 / mile) which I was really pleaed with considering I have done very little running training since the Leicester Half Marathon last october.

I considered taking on my half marathon distance but thought better of it this morning as I thought it would do me more harm than good, maybe I'll attempt it in a week or two. It's a real shame that the weather hasn't improved much as I don't enjoy running in cold or wet conditions.

I'm hoping to keep really active this year and think that my goal of a marathon time of 3hrs 30 is not too over ambitious, alongside this I also want to nail a 1hr 30min half marathon before this event as last year I was so close.

Pimp My Ride

I came across these awesome underlights for your bike to improve visibility at night in one mf my online feeds. I think it looks rediculous myself and no doubt the kids in the street will swipe them within a second if they see them.

A much better alternative for being seen from the side while cycling are the Pedalites I mentioned before.

3xAmazing = Coaster

I managed to donate blood 3 times this year. I received a letter from the blood service saying that I can pick up a coaster on my next donation.

Leicester Half Marathon

Two weeks after completing the Great North Run I have just completed the Leicester Half Marathon with a chip time of 1hr 33min 27sec. Since the race in Newcastle I haven't been out for any runs, I have kept active though by cycling to and from work everyday. I even managed to go circuit training last Thursday and this Monday and also put in 20 lengths on Tuesday morning at the swimming pool.

The weather today was perfect running conditions, the race itself was a nice course but the later stages involved quite a lot of turns and bends with a 2 mile long incline to the finish.

Something I was really proud of was being able to sprint finish past the older gentleman who I had passed me several times throughout the race. My competitive nature got the better of me.

Results are viewable now: http://www.leicestermarathon.org.uk/GunChipResult-Half.htm

aka The Flash

As part of the kick off meeting and to add a little light heartedness to the meeting we were asked to choose which superhero we would be and why.

I ummed and arrred about this for a couple of hours and it was a toss up between Beast from the X-Men and The Flash.

A week after the meeting one of my colleagues found this little gem of a website so we went through and answered the questions truthfully.

I was honest with my answers and it turns out I am The Flash!

You are The Flash

The Flash 80% Green Lantern 75% Iron Man 75% Superman 70% Spider-Man 70% Hulk 65% Supergirl 45% Wonder Woman 45% Robin 45% Batman 40% Catwoman 30%

Fast, athletic and flirtatious.

Click here to take the "Which Superhero am I?" quiz...

The ways things should be

I just popped into Game during my lunch hour and decided I'd take a look at Gears of War, it was included in an offer when you bought two games so I also picked up a copy of The Simpsons for the xbox 360 aswell.

I was really pleased when I paid that they have started using paper based bags at the till. It's really encouraging to see shops finally dropping the use of plastic bags. Other shops could learn a few things from retailers that are actually reacting to the global shift towards sensible packaging and recycling.

This reminds me of a company that I recently came accross from one of the blogs I read that manufacturs and sells improved lighting solutions for cyclists. They have a page that details their environmental policy, something most businesses should strive to achieve.