My Forum

As Poacher has already mentioned above.......Comrades Marathon (1921) in South Africa. I came across this race quite accidentally at a London Marathon Expo about 8 years ago and it's always been a dream to run it.........I'll be finally living this dream in 2 weeks time. It's strange going from running a marathon with mind focused on time and a PB, to running an Ultra, where just finishing in the time limit is the goal.

Apologies Safer, but it looks like I won't be able to make it now tonight.........I made the small mistake of forgetting I had an antenatal class tonight after work with Mrs. Ady.

So not only do I not get to go tonight now, I'm also in my wife's bad books as she thinks I'm thinking more about Comrades at the moment than our first child. I declined to respond to this remark......probably for the best!

So apologies for the late notice. I hope you all have a good evening!

Safer....thanks for arranging drinks tomorrow night. I should be there for 8, although if I miss my connection (as travelling from work), I might be a few minutes later. See some of you tomorrow.

I actually use to run so I could eat and drink a bit more of the foods and drink I really shouldn't be over-indulging in! It helped keep my weight steady (although more than what it should be!) and I was able to run half decent times.

It was only after attempting to cut out all the rubbish I was eating and drinking earlier in the year that I started to see big improvements in my running. With the improvements in diet came continued weight loss and I managed to lose close on to a 14lbs in my 16 week marathon training schedule. I wasn't really running more, just eating a lot better. Now I've seen what improvements there has been in my running times, I don't think I could ever go back to running so I can eat more!

Although I have now reached my initial weight loss target, I'm keen to push it a little further and lose a bit more of the puppy fat!

This thread is really moving at a pace now.......been away for a couple of days and a wealth of information posted. It really helps reading all of this for a first timer. Some very interesting statisitcs, thanks very much Bike It.

It was interesting to use these calculations to see that I should be on for a time just over 9hrs. Even so, I think I'll stick with my current goal of sub 10 hours with it being my first time.

I hope those doing Halstead/ Orpington today had a good last long run. I should have done my last long run today but had to cut it short after 4 miles. I'd gone to Twickenham yesterday to see the London Sevens tournament. As I was planning my long run today, I was very impressed that I'd managed to show some discipline and stick to only having 3 pints all days long, hydrating well inbetween, while everyone around me got slowly intoxicated.

On the way out of the ground, while texting my wife of my impending return home, I mistakenly walked into the middle of a drunken rugby match taking place in the street between a group of guys dressed as gorillas and another group of guys dressed as giant bananas (it was safari themed fancy dress!). 

Unfortunately I walked right passed a gorilla just as a 6ft giant of a banana went to tackle him. Showing the nimbleness of a mouse he side-stepped the tackle, meaning I took the full brunt of the banana tackle side on. I never saw it coming until it was too late and was sent flying, landing heaving on my tail bone. I sat there pretty dazed for a minute as my light was blocked by the drunk bananas and gorillas.

I was in some pain then, but tried to laugh it off. I woke this morning and it was much worse. I tried to run but cut it short as it was hurting a fair bit, so it looks like I'll have to try and fit one more long run in next weekend and just have a 2 week taper. Definitely a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time! Hopefully the pain will go with a bit more rest.

Piers, I've downloaded the email that Hans C is referring to....I can send it to you if you PM me your email address. I find it extremely useful indeed and will take a copy of this with me to SA. I hope the knee pain clears up.

Is anyone else planning on doing the bus ride on Saturday morning, or are most people doing it on Friday?