A Marathon Hopeful...

Long Intervals...

2008-12-04T16:04:00.002Z

Made it for a session of long intervals - 4 efforts of 1 mile each, with a rest in between each.

A bit disappointed. Pressed wrong button on stopwatch so didn't get a timing for first run, but the others were about 5:58 - 6:10. Last week I managed 5:40 - 5:52 throughout the session.

Was windy for the last part - a head wind. And also I suspect the old favourite - dehydration. But no excuses - that wasn't fast enough. Shame, after Monday's performance.

Shock Absorbing Insoles - The Secret Weapon?

2008-12-03T16:02:00.003Z

I'm still enjoying (???) and benefitting from the shock abosrbing insoles that I bought from PhysioRoom.com a little while back. The shoes still feel as though they have plenty of life left in them and my recovery time after long runs is minimal. Definitely well worth the investment.

If I ever get around to buying a second set of running shoes (as opposed to replacing the current ones) a new pair of the insoles is definitely a must! Well worth the price - give them a go!

Getting the log back on track

2008-12-01T15:57:00.002Z

Training isn't going too badly, documenting it is!

Did the same run as about 3 weeks ago today. Or near enough. Added an extra corner to it, which increased the distance slightly. But it was a freezing day! Turned off the rough ground a little earlier to avoid the swamp like bit and the wind was so strong in my face, that I heade in land to avoid running along the beach. Gentler route, but I expect slightly further distance as I had to work over to rejoin the coast road later.

End result, well apart from drinking a lot less fluid, was 4½ minutes faster, at 2:20:30. Pleased with that - the whole run definitely felt a lot easier.

Plan for next week is to combine this route, missing the sanddunes, with another route, to build up the time. That way I should also build up to the required 21 miles...

'Gentle' Intervals

2008-11-13T14:47:00.002Z

Couldn't get inspired for an interval session today - constant heavy drizzle that left me soaked probably brought on that mood. Felt I'd have been fine going off to do another long run!

Ran to the local aquatics shop to see if she had a fish in that we want. Fast out and then 30 : 30 intervals on the way back, jogging most of the rests as it was too cold and damp to walk all but a few.

Got around and did the session. Absolutely soaked at the end!

The after effects...

2008-11-11T11:36:00.001Z

Legs recovered surprisingly quickly yesterday. Still a bit tired a couple of hours later, but by 5:00, felt fine. Not sure I could have ran, but I'd forgotten completely about it by then.

Only problem is a slight occasional pain in my right instep. Feels like I've pulled something slightly on the rough ground. Never mind, wasn't intending to run today!

A Marathon Long Run

2008-11-10T13:19:00.001Z

Did the longest run I've done for ages today. Quite an interesting route and took far more of it off road than I intended to.

I headed down to the Coast Road and knew that there was a track at the side of it for a fair way, so followed the track rather than the path. Wound around all over the place. Eventually got to the beach, so ran along that for half a mile, until the tide meant I had to return to the road for another mile or so, before hitting yet another off road track.

Was absolutely finished off by the end of it - incapable of running! The amount of uneven surface was just too much for me, or at least I hope that's why I suffered as I did! If not, then why was I struggling before even half way?

I saw on a mapping tool that someone else has plotted almost exactly the course I took. I probably joined his route half a mile or more further into my run and where we split routes at the end it was near enough even, maybe a touch further for me. But his route measured straight along the Coast Road and totalled over 17 miles. Hopefully, by not following the straight route and zig zagging all along the route and my slightly longer start, I've done 18 - 19 miles. Hard to know exactly.

Either way, was out for 2 hours 25 exactly. That would be a touch over 8 mins / mile for 18 miles or 7:38 / mile for 19 miles. Slower than what I need for race day, but then I did have a few miles of sand dunes to contend with, followed by beach and dirt tracks.

Anyway, it's a starting point. If I try that route again in a month or so I'll be able to compare times.

Charging through intervals.

2008-11-05T23:03:00.000Z

Woke up feeling tired, but a few hours later when I got out for a run I felt really strong and powerful. Did my standard 10km training circuit, but doing 30 : 30 intervals. Managed the route in about 41 minutes, which is incredible for intervals!

The new insoles might be helping - either physically or mentally. It might be a placebo effect, but putting them in my current Asics has given them a new breath of life and they feel far more springy. Well recommended! Will certainly use them again.

Back from holiday...

2008-11-03T15:35:00.001Z

Back from holiday and if my guess is right, there's "just" 24 weeks and 6 days until the FLM. So, time to start training!

Of course, wasn't that simple. Had to time a long run with being back in time for a dentist appointment. Just wandered on the run, hitting about 8.5 miles in 57 / 58 minutes and was out exactly 2 hours. Should be easily 16 miles, possibly 17. Can't know exactly as the course I took used some interesting footpaths through dunes that I'd never discovered before.

Good fun, now got to continue the training and quicken the pace...

6 months and 3 days....

2008-10-23T23:52:00.000+01:00

It looks like I have got the club place for next year's FLM, so hopefully I will be there anyway. 2 years' of rejects under my belt, so at worst I can then have a couple of years off then run it again!

That's far into the future, starting to plan the present now. Because of a week's holiday next week, training properly will start the first week of November. I ordered a pair of shock absorbing soles this afternoon from PhysioRoom.com. They may arrive in time to take them away for the holiday, may not. Anyway, will mention in the future how they feel!

Apart from that, and an easy week this week (well, I did race on Sunday and did do a moderately long run on Tuesday), I suppose it's time to think about the schedule. I'm expecting that if I don't rely heavily on large amounts of mileage, which doesn't tend to work for me, I'll cover around 1,000 miles running, 400 miles cycling and around 40 miles swimming. And that's not yet covered all of the weekly training sessions - still one to decide upon.

So, here goes. This time in 6 months and 3 days I'll be driving home. Hopefully, with a huge sub 3 hour smile on my face. If not, then only 3 more entries to rack up the 5 rejects!

Training Must Be Better...

2008-10-21T19:25:00.002+01:00

Was reading yesterday that 180 foot strikes per minute is the 'ideal' rate for my sort of pace. I counted 158 in a minute when I was out running today.

So, not only have I got to get into a decent routine of regular training runs, but I must also learn to run properly! Did try running at around the 180 per minute rate and it did feel good, got me out of breath. And that's something that doesn't happen often. I seem to run out of energy long before the breath runs out.

Theory is that 180 foot falls per minute is very economical, and my wife did comment at the weekend that I never look like I'm working hard as I'm taking less strides than those around me. I thought, at first, this was good. Now I'm thinking I've just got the pace wrong!

She also mentioned that my time hasn't improved in 5 years, well it did, but then dropped off. In part that's because I'm training and racing less. But I think I need to be more determined to crack that time.

Entered the Helsby race again for next year, planning what else to do to keep me inspired and training hard.

10k Race

2008-10-19T19:23:00.001+01:00

Did a local 10k race. Tought it was going to eb easy - nice and flat. How wrong!

The race consisted of 1 mini lap then 2 full laps. Half way around the full lap the course veered off through mud, a field and finally over a sand dune. Nice, but I'd been pacing myself expecting pancake flat roads all of the way and to hit that (twice) came as a bit of a surprise.

Just missed out on the 40 minute mark - 40:04. Shame. I just don't think I've done enough running this year, either that or the age is suddenly showing...

Great North Run

2008-10-07T12:27:00.002+01:00

Personnally, a bit disappointed in my time - just over 1 hour 29. Had been training for 1:25. Shame is that I made the mistake on the start line!

Every previous year I have started on the right hand side of the motorway - behind the elites. This year, as I was walking up to that pen, I noticed that the one on the left had less than half the number of the right hand pen, so I was able to get within a few feet of the front, just behind the 'celebs'.

Big mistake! Crossed the line walking and continued to walk for 30 seconds, followed by a 1 minute gentle jog, then a while of skipping around hordes of faces I would never know in a million years, but are classed as 'celebs' for one reason or another. Once I got some space I was able to push to try to gain back some of the lost time.

Got to the end of the first (fast) mile, around a minute behind target. Could either go for broke and try to run equivalent to 1:24 the whole way, or ease off for sub 1:30. Decided on the go for broke, knowing that if it failed, I should still have enough left to ease down, with an even more comfortable time window.

Around mile 8 I could see that there was too much left to do. With the weather going warmer I could have done with drinking quite a bit, but I didn't. So eased off the rest of the way. Remember looking at my watch when I hit the sea road and had 8 and a half minutes to break the 90 minute mark. Thought I was well within that, forgetting, of course, that I hadn't reached the 12 mile point and there was the little matter of the .1 mile as well at the end. Still, made it.

Must get the hydration sorted. Seems that it's scuppering a few runs recently and I am noticing the difference in long training runs. I'll have to start taking drinks on the bike and drinking at race pace during training. Else, I was wondering if I would be better off once every 4 or 5 miles taking a 30 second walk to drink plenty of water?

If you ever ask yourself which side it is best to start the Great North Run on - don't pick behind the 'celebs' if you are in an early pen and likely to want to run past all but Nell McAndrew (who finished ahead on the road, but slightly behind in time). Her and a few others certainly deserve to run from the front - in fact she should probably qualify for the elite women's start? But the majority just cause a blockade and I did witness one or two shouting at fast runners for trying to get past them. Not the spirit of a race, really.

Rejected, again

2008-10-03T14:23:00.003+01:00

What a day! First the postman brought the rejection letter for the London Marathon and then I heard that the other guy I knew had entered from the club had been accepted. As far as I know, he's the only club member to have applied that's not so far had the club place.

Found out at least 2 other club members have also applied - but both have had the place before. Same boat as me (priority goes to people who have been rejected and not had the club place, then to those who have been rejected). Found out first one and then both of the others have been accepted.

So that's 3 out of 4 accepted. Now I have the long wait until I discover if anyone else in the club has also been rejected. If not, the club rules state the place is mine! Asking around and the other usual suspects to enter a marathon haven't applied this year. Fingers crossed tightly.

Out after a week

2008-06-04T21:30:00.000+01:00

Not made it out for a run for a week, but got back on the road today. No idea how far I went or how long I was out for - I was running 4 errands that needed me to visit different locations. Instead of driving, I decided it was easier to run!

I must have been out well over an hour, including stops as I talked to the various people I visited. But it was good fun.

Back on the road...

2008-05-28T15:29:00.003+01:00

For the first time since the Great Manchester Run, I got back out for a run. Last week I was recovering from whatever hit me just before the race and sulking because of the time, this week I didn't want to run on the Bank Holiday (too busy) - so I suspect that's continuing the sulk!

I wasn't going to run today, either, but I needed to pop out to the bank and the aquatics shop for a new pump. My wife is out for the day in the car so I was going to cycle, but it's wet and I couldn't face the bike ride! Eventually realised that a run was the best option.

Pleasant, although a bit slippery and at one point I caught the corner of the top piece of a concrete fence post in my left shoulder. A couple of hours later and it's still quite painful and cut. Why do people need to have concrete bits sticking out on top of those posts? It's not the first time I've managed to clip one as I'm running, and because it's a corner of the post they are very painful!

Also found out that 3 races that I wanted to do - Freckleton Half (too late - it's full), Crosby 10 and Penny Lane 10km are all on the same day - the day that my wife needs the car!

Should be able to get the train to Crosby, so looks like I'll be doing that. Shame about the other 2. After that it will be the Formby 10k - if I ever fill out the entry form.

A change of sport...

2008-05-22T22:21:00.002+01:00

A break from the running this week, after the disappointment of the weekend's race. So instead I've gone back to the golf, which I haven't played since October! Was playing with a friend who's designed a new golf putter. He's designed a positive roll putter! Basically, it's supposed to give the ball a good bit of top spin when you strike it. Kindly he's given me my own putter to try out and feedback on.

I've managed quite a few holes with it and was finding that I was getting the right length more often. Just a shame my play was still very ropey! Took me a few holes to get back into the swing of things, but it does feel a decent putter. It's amazing how much different you feel using a 'proper' putter - worth more than the rest of the bag put together!

Great Manchester Run 2008

2008-05-18T20:00:00.003+01:00

Well it was the day of the run today, and what a disappointment! Not in the organisation - just my performance. I started with a sore throat on Friday and it affected my drinking pattern this morning, which meant I was still drinking Lucozade. And I think that's what caused me to start with a stitch when I was doing well, about 3.5km out. It spread and got worse and didn't leave me until past 9km!

Seemed better organised this year than some previous years, either that or I was just happier as I got a start position near to the fron as I was there when the pens opened. The 'orange A' numbers were a watse of time. There was no mrshalling of the area, which filled up with all orange numbers within seconds. There was a guy in front on me with an A and I saw him finishing after around 75 minutes, and three girls who were escorted up from the elite area, also with Orange A numbers, all finished after him.

I did also notice, whilst watching finishers, one lady approaching the finish line with an orange number with a black cross on it - like they were doing last year after you collected your goody bags! I couldn't see any sign of a chip on her ankles and a couple also ran past without numbers and neither of them appeared to have chips. Maybe they were tucked under socks, or maybe they were just cheeky and joining in when they hadn't entered...

Weather was kind, just a pity I set a personal worst! Oh well, until 17th May next year and the Great Manchester Run 2009!

Running feeling good - hopefully not too early!

2008-05-13T21:52:00.000+01:00

Didn't run yesterday due to a family funeral, so went out today instead. It was going to be a long run, but with the summer still being here I only needed the excuse that it's the Great Manchester Run at the weekend and I opted instead for my standard 7 mile route - not even a drifting around aimlessly.

I did also think that a fixed route would be a good idea so that I could judge the pace I'm running at ready for the weekend. Drifting runs are excellent, but you don't know how well you are running. But When I noted my start time I got it wrong, else I ran a 3 minute mile! I don't think so somehow.

Guessing what tiem I actually started at, I probably did a good run. Felt really strong at the end and was running powerfully, with good long strides - felt as though I was flying. But then again, I was running with a slight tail wind, which had been in my face on the way out!

Where did summer come from?

2008-05-07T14:07:00.002+01:00

Where did this warm weather come from - not what was required on the day of a 2-hour run! Started off on the same route as last week's run, but tried to keep the pace slower. Completed forst 5 miles in same time, then along the beach I eased off a lot. Needed plenty of walking breaks and drinks to keep going.

Really nice to be out in the sun, but not when you are trying to complete a long run. Shouldn't complain - I should adjust to it very quickly, just not as quickly as going from cold to furnace weather!

Bank Holiday, No Long Run

2008-05-05T22:21:00.000+01:00

Well, you can't go off doing a 2 hour long run on a Bank Holiday when your family are at home and you are expecting a visitor.

So it became a pleasant 45 minute run - probably around 6.5 miles at a guess - although it was hard for the first few minutes (dehydrated) it soon levelled off and I quite enjoyed a good pace, running around nowhere in particular.

The long runs get longer

2008-04-29T19:40:00.001+01:00

Went out for a long run yesterday. Supposed to be 1:45 so I headed off to the beach and ran along the beach for 45 minutes. When I got to the point I was supposed to leave at and run home I realised I was 5 minutes too early - so I thought I'd run to the next exit.

Not a good idea. That little detour meant I was much further from home and the run lasted nearly 2 hours. At least the weather was dry and pleasant!

The training is getting back on track

2008-04-25T16:59:00.001+01:00

Well I seem to have got back into training well this week. Managed the usual long and 2 short runs, with an extra run thrown in for good measure - and that was an hour at a good pace.

Really finding the drifting aimlessly around rough tracks much easier to do mentally and my speed is lifting as a bonus. Definitely the way forward, although I do seem to have opted out of the speedwork.

Now I just need some cross training and plenty of time to build up. I've got the latter (at least a year for London or Edinburgh). How will it end?

A lovely day for a run

2008-04-22T15:24:00.001+01:00

I didn't realise it was so hot when I went out for a run. Fitted in an extra run - after waiting in all morning for a customer who obviously forgot to call me (again...).

Just did a wandering drift for 40 minutes. Quite a fast pace, but no idea how far as I made it up every time I got to another turn!

Good fun. Brings the fun back into running when you don't keep doing the same old routes, just because they are the ones that are measured...

A lovelly day, for a rest.

2008-04-21T17:59:00.002+01:00

After running on Saturday instead of today, it was almost disappointing to not get time to get out into the sun for at least a gentle mooch about...

I see that the FLM entries are back open again - but this time haven't filled up straight away. I was wondering if they are going to accept more people than usual as opening the ballot 4 months earlier and advertising it during the TV coverage of the event will probably mean more people entering and more accepted entires falling by the wayside.

The fact that 80,000 applied in the first 34 hours (last year about 90,000 applied over the whole ballot) shows that either the magazine was harder to find than I thought, or that there's a lot of apathy when it comes to applying. If the applications are put on a plate in front of people then there's a rush. If you need to find a magazine then there's less of a rush. Doesn't bode well for some of those people actually getting out and training!

An extra run

2008-04-19T19:14:00.002+01:00

Not going to be able to manage the long run on Monday, so managed an 'extra' run today instead. About 95 minutes - with all but the lst 20 minutes off road. Real killer - along rough tracks and then the beach then sand dunes.

Eaten everything in sight since I got home - but then I did miss out on lunch!

Going dowhill again...

2008-04-18T15:57:00.002+01:00

Well, my new routine is out of the window! Less than a week. Yesterday we were going to visit some friends early evening, so didn't have time for a run in the day time and home to late for the weights. At least they offered to put us up for the Edinburgh Marathon if I do that next year.

Then today, instead of 4 by 4s, I ran to the fish shop to see what she's got in and plan the weekend's purchases.

At least I got a good distance in, even if there was a 10 / 15 minute rest in the middle. And as I ran across the field I should have done the intervals in, the wind was howling and my hands froze - that would not have been any fun at all!

120,000 people for 25,000 places!

2008-04-17T11:11:00.003+01:00

I was reading some charity blurb that had been sent to me after my FLM application and I noticed that they asked runners to apply through the ballot and gave some 'interesting' information:

The entry system will only remain open until 120,000 applications have been received which is bound to generate even more competition for the 25,000 places to be allocated through the ballot in September.

So the 120,000 of us that will apply for the ballot are competing for 25,000 places in the FLM - slightly better than the 1 in 5 chance that I thought we had - but not much!

And the FLM ballot will be drawn in September, but we find out in October - which is to be expected as they have to do a print run of the magazine. For the FLM just gone, the cheques started clearing on 30th October and the rejection magazines arrived 26 November.

So that means that credit cards could be charged mid September - I'll be checking my credit card statement online daily!

Back to intervals.....

2008-04-16T12:20:00.002+01:00

Got back into the 4 by 4 intervals today - not done them properly since the summer. Only 1 or 2 since and they are a real teller on the fitness.

Went around the field clockwise for a change and stuck right to the outside, for the first couple of laps. The first lap took almost 4 minutes - in the summer it was down to 3:25 per lap. I've added abit of time on by running right around the edge, but it shows the difference in fitness!

Good thing was that with these sessions it only took a few weeks to get the fitness up well, so I'll stick at them instead of just plodding the streets! Not long now until the Great Manchester - want to be fit for that...

FLM Entries Closed!

2008-04-15T14:32:00.002+01:00

According to the London Marathon website:

"Due to an overwhelming response Phase 1 of the Flora London Marathon 2009 online entry ballot has now closed. The limit of 80,000 applicants was reached at 10pm on Monday 14 April.

"Phase 2 (the remaining 35,000 places in the online ballot and 5,000 paper ballot entries for runners who are unable to enter online) will open on Monday 21 April at 9am."

That's an amazing level of entries, given for the weekend's race "92,000 people originally applied to run in this year’s race, and approximately 45,791 applications were accepted."

I suspect that a lot of people have been inspired to enter by seeing it on the TV and being able to enter immediately. Maybe a lot just couldn't get hold of Marathon News each year - but it was easy to make it onto their mailing list.

I'll be intrigued to see how many make it to the start line next year.

London Marathon 2009

2008-04-14T09:24:00.002+01:00

After looking through a few charity sites last night, I found 2 possible dates for the London Marathon.

One said 1st April - not only early but also a Wednesday! The other sites agreed on 26th April - so it looks like that's the date. A week after the school Easter holidays.

My wife is hoping to book a skiing trip for Easter - well I suppose that would be during the taper! Not that I'm realistically likely to get in.

From the FLM website (incidentally, 2009 is the last Flora London Marathon, after that it will be a new title sponsor) 45,791 applications were accepted (from 92,000 entries received) with 35,000 plus registered at the expo.

Does that mean 10,000 deferals through to 2009? Even if only half can defer, that's still 1 in 9 places gone through as deferals. And then there's all of the 5 plus year rejections. There must be a few thousand of them. And then with all of the charity places, good for age, club places and 2nd chance bequeathers (1,000), I'm surprised that there are any ballot places left at all!

Something Stupid??

2008-04-13T17:59:00.001+01:00

Well I've done a stupid thing - I've started the whole cycle off again - I've entered the ballot for next year's Flora London Marathon. No idea what day it's on yet - if it's over Easter and my wife really wants to go skiing still, then I'll be hoping for (another) rejection magazine.

I noticed that the forward date for the credit card charge ends 7th October - so around then I'll be watching for £28 to be debited from the account.

Feeling quite inspired - at the moment. But it's a year away; it's sunny and I'll probably be rejected in the ballot!

A run with a purpose

2008-04-10T14:41:00.002+01:00

It's funny how you can suddenly feel more inspired to go out and run a slightly longer course - my latest additions to my fishtank have developed whitespot - so I wanted to speak to the person who's shop they came from and get the medications required.

On went the running clothes and out of the door went I! Inspired or what - pity the cause is an ill fish.

It wasn't so bad...

2008-04-09T23:54:00.000+01:00

Well I finally got back out for a run today. Kept the pace easy and steady - did about 7 miles in around 49 minutes. Not bad for running on the road as I don't stop the watch when I'm waiting to cross over - I see it as an advantage as it's time to catch my breath a little!

PhysioRoom, who I've mentioned before, have got a few offers on ahead of this weekend's London Marathon - might be worth a look.

A Bit Of A Layoff...

2008-04-08T12:47:00.003+01:00

My running of late has been a bit like this blog - forgotten about!

It's the London Marathon on Sunday, and applications open for next year at midday (thanks to the organisers for the reminder card!!!). So this blog has very quickly gone through a full cycle - from the first post (only last October) when I was days away from entering the London marathon; to finding out that cheques were clearing (for the last time) - but not mine; to getting the reject letter.

Well on Sunday it starts again - when I can once more enter the marathon. Maybe next year...

Running is So Cruel

2008-03-06T23:07:00.000Z

Yesterday's training session went well - I was thundering along the pavement even at the end of the run. My striding felt perfect, the running was easy and the speed felt good.

But there was a slight twinge in my thigh and in today's run it was back. The running felt hard and difficult, there was no power in my legs and I fought every step.

Well, not quite, but that's how it seems looking back on it.

Another Freebie!

2008-03-03T17:23:00.002Z

And another offer this month from PhysioRoom.com Ltd. This time, buy any Vulkan or Sorbothane item during March and get a FREE Vulkan Drinks Bottle worth £2.99.

This applies to:
• Vulkan
• Sorbothane

Running Freebies

2008-03-03T17:13:00.003Z

If you are thinking of buying products from the 1000 Mile range, then have a look at PhysioRoom.com Ltd who are including a High Visibility Snap Band worth £4.99 absolutely FREE with orders of these products this month.

This includes many ranges:

• Mueller
• Compeed
• Thuasne
• 1000 Mile
• Cho-Pat
• Nathan
• Noene

It's Ground To A Halt!

2008-02-28T21:40:00.000Z

After almost a week of not running, got back out today and did one of my favourite interval sessions. But it was hard work!

The running seemed very slow and hard work and the intervals were much slower than my usual pace. I don't think it's the week off - maybe that's lost a few seconds. It must me just a general degradation in fitness for some reason. I suppose in the preceeding 3 weeks, I have had almost 2 weeks off, with just 3 runs in between the first week and the one just gone!

Serves me right! Need to get out running more often and maybe some cycling, if the better weather ever arrives!

No Excuses!

2008-02-25T22:11:00.000Z

It's very easy to make excuses as to why not to run - or exercise! I 'forgot' to do my weights this evening and it was too late when I remembered. I could have eaten my snack after doing the weights, but why???

Many people are the same. A friend has given up running (and possibly exercise) as his office has moved. This reduces the available lunchtime by a few minutes so it's 'not worth' going out? He could easily go out in the evening, once his baby is in bed. That's how my own reinvention of running started out.

I think that it's too easy with exercise to find excuses to stay in and not suffer the pain, the cold, the indignity! But once you venture out and get the run done, the feeling after it makes it well worth while!

Great North Run Charity Places

2008-02-22T12:36:00.002Z

It's just been brought to my attention that the NDCS still have some charity places remaining for the Great North Run.

I've tried to help these guys over the last couple of years by publicising their places and plenty of people have signed up through my efforts! Their minimum sponsorship is only £350, which is far better than some other events! And in applying for a charity place through the NDCS you are supporting the work they do with deaf children.

Especially for those who have never ran the race before, a charity place is a good starting point. They provide you with a running vest and training hints and tips up until race day. Plus, after the race you can visit their hospitality tent for a quick snack and a welcome back. And it's far easier to meet friends and family in the charity village after the run than in other places.

At least take a look at their website!

Compression Socks?

2008-02-22T12:17:00.003Z

What is it with these long compression socks that people like Paula wear? I saw several people in the Helsby Half Marathon sporting these lovelly socks, but they aren't something I've ever considered.

Maybe I like my comfort too much, but a compression sock when I'm out doing a half marathon doesn't sound appealing. Let me know if you have tried them, but at the moment I'm just not convinced!

The idea behind them is that they squeeze the leg and help force blood back up to the heart. Does this work? I thought that your heart actually pumped blood less hard when running as it relied on the compression of the muscles to return the blood - this is supposed to be what causes fainting in the funnels at the end of the race.

So why do we needs compressions socks? Do they work - let me know your thoughts.

New Shoes

2008-02-21T19:43:00.000Z

It's surprising when you buy new shoes how you can feel the spring in them. It's even more surprising how quickly this spring goes from the shoes.

A few weeks and those nice clean, shiny, spring shoes are filthy, falling apart and that spring you really enjoyed when you tried them on in the shop has gone flat.

Or is it just my running style? Do I destroy shoes that quickly? I did try a make with airpockets - several pairs over the course of a few years, and in every pair the left air pocket burst! The record was the second run, when I caught a pin on the path. But run on wet grass in shoes with a burst air pocket and everyone can here the air going in and out - quite a few comments in that race!

It's cold

2008-02-20T21:27:00.000Z

It's cold, but it's dry, and I'm managing to get out running in shorts - even in this weather! Plenty of funny looks as people drive past in their nicely air conditioned cars - checking the display for the outside temparature and seeing below zero!

I do find that I don't feel the cold out running - as long as the top half is protected! There were plenty of people out running today and I was not the only idiot in shorts, hat and gloves!

New Shoes...

2008-02-19T18:02:00.002Z

I bought myself a pair of new shoes a couple of weeks ago - just before I went on holiday. Took them with me, wondering whether I should save them and take an old pair as the cottage we were in was a mile along a farm track.

I needn't have worried! At this time of year there's not the time to get out in the evenings in places where street lighting is unheard of, and I'm not a morning person, so there's no way I was getting up at 6:00 on my holidays for a run!

So they returned, in pristine condition with the labels attached.

Walk A Marathon???

2008-02-18T21:06:00.000Z

It was in the paper today that if you walk the equivalent of a marathon per week, you can easily drop a couple of stone and keep the weight off.

This is easily the sort of mileage that I used to walk before I took up running, and explains why people even then said 'I was lucky' and that I could always eat anything in site without putting on weight.

It's not a hard target to achieve. It's less than 4 miles a day - at a steady pace this can easily be achieved in an hour. If you have a 10 minute walk each day to the bus or train, and the same to the office, then you are already a good way there. Just add in a lunchtime walk to complete the distance.

When Will Spring Be Here?

2008-01-31T16:58:00.000Z

I'm really looking forward to the arrival of Spring and better running weather. Along with the pressures of work, it's any excuse in this weather to not go out running!

Mind you, with a gale and hail at the same time, is it really a safe day to go out for a run?

I never thought of myself as a summer runner - but I seem to be turning into one. Then it will be too hot to run!

Helsby Half Marathon - It's Done & Dusted!

2008-01-20T20:13:00.000Z

Well, that's another Helsby half out of the way. 4 times in the last 5 years I've complete there and as always it's a nice medal to stand on the shelf.

The weather was kind to us. Rained until just before the start. Cleared up, slight drizzle towards the end and then a heavy shower when I was back in the club house, but other people out on the course seemed to miss that (there's a bit of a walk back to the club house from the finish).

Car parking was well organised. They put on a shuttle bus service from the local motorway services. The hills didn't seem as bad as last year - probably because knowing I had missed training through illness and still wasn't 100% I slowed down straight from the start. Finished in just under 1:34, according to my watch. Loads longer than my PB and last year's time, but I was aiming for 1:35 so that's good.

The school fields was muddy at the end, even with boards down to walk across. Fell sorry for the caretaker tomorrow...

Good race, well worth doing and no doubt I'll be back next year. Now to decide what's next...

Great Manchester Run

2008-01-17T00:19:00.000Z

I accidentally found out today that the Great Manchester Run is accepting entries. Given that this has filled up quickly in previous years this was rather fortuitous. Being a member of the Great Run Club, I did think that I would be given priority entry and told a couple of days before the race opened, like in past years. Maybe this year that priviledge is no longer included, or maybe the mailing list was created before this year's entries were included.

I also noticed at the same time that the Great North Run will be accepting 52,000 entrants this year! That's going to be one busy run that day. I'm sure my first Great North Run only had 36,000 entries, or there abouts.

Well, that's 3 future races entered now. I suppose training had better step up!

Final London Marathon Chance

2008-01-16T01:13:00.000Z

My wife showed me a competition in this week's TV Times. The prize was something like one of 5 places to run with the TV Times team in the London Marathon. Only 2 questions - (1) why do you deserve a place and (2) how much can you raise & how (looks like 3 questions...).

It would appear that it's a competition for Gold Bond places. Doesn't say whether it's out of the hat, most deserving answers or the 5 people promising to raise the most.

It is the team I've ran for in the last 3 Great North Runs and you do get good support. Not sure who I will run for next time - fancy something other than a bright yellow t-shirt.

It's Hard To Be Inspired...

2008-01-10T09:26:00.000Z

I'm finding it very hard to get inspired for running, which isn't good when I'm supposed to be ready for next week's Helsby Half Marathon. Nothing about the race - just the weather and illness bringing be down.

I think this is going to be my slowest Helsby race yet - I'm wondering if I won't even break the 90 minute mark! The same thing happened last year, but after the Helsby race. One of the reasons I started this blog was to help me to maintain focus, but that seems to have drifted off anyway. Or maybe I'm turning into a summer runner!

Quiet Start To 2008

2008-01-05T09:56:00.000Z

With the Helsby Half Marathon only 2 weeks away, I really must get down to serious training this week and make sure my eating and more importantly my drinking is correct. That was brought home to me this week.

Because of the end of the school holidays my running has been thrown around a bit and I ended up not running Wednesday, but Thursday then Friday.

Thursday's run was really good - strong and fast. In the evening I felt a little dehydrated and was still dehydrated by Friday lunch when I went out for my run (one of those days when for 2 hours I'm saying 'going in 5 minutes'...). And that run was really hard work!

Over Christmas a few runs have suffered the same way. I really must concentrate on getting that water down me to help my running!

It's Even Closer....

2007-12-27T23:47:00.000Z

Yesterday I posted that Helsby is 4 and a half weeks away - why when I know it's only 3 and a half weeks to go, I don't know. Maybe trying to convince myself there's more training time than there is. Allowing for a 'taper' at the end (there won't be much time for that) I've only got a few weeks training left to get in shape.

Probably the least prepared I've been for Helsby to date.

Helsby Countdown...

2007-12-26T16:00:00.000Z

Just 4 and a half weeks to Helsby - and I need to get in shape for it and decide whether 2008 is the year to attempt a marathon or not. If so, which one? Obviously, not London - I didn't get in and don't stand a chance or raising the sponsirship required for a gold bond place.

Edinburgh does look like a good favourite - gives me a few extra weeks of training to get into shape, but does involve a hotel stay for 2 nights and it's a week after another race I've planned in. Maybe 2009 sounds more likely...

But before then I've got to concentrate on Helsby. Get back to full race fitness and give it a go. There's loads of hills - but it's fun. Usually a good start to the year for my racing!

Great North Run Accommodation Sorted

2007-12-20T10:38:00.000Z

Well it's sorted after a lot of sweat, tears and hanging onto phone lines and trawling through websites. We're back off to the caravan site we used last time! (see link here.).

Not exactly 5* accommodation, but beggars can't be choosers - especially finding accommodation for the Great North Run. It's cheap (£91 per van), they were clean and we could get showered and dry after the race before we drove home. I'll just use some of the cash I've saved to by a heater as caravans aren't the warmest of accommodations.

Great North Run accommodation sorted - now just the training to go. Should get easier from here!

Great North Run Accommodation - How Difficult?

2007-12-19T10:02:00.000Z

How difficult can it be to find accommodation for the Great North Run? Book a hotel, turn up. Surely it's easy?

It's pre Christmas. Almost 10 months to go before the race and the job isn't easy. Hotels charging £130 - £150 per room per night and we need 2 rooms, one for 2 nights and the other for 3 nights. Plus one needs to be a family room - and they can be even more expensive!

It's not fun and it will be what eventually stops me running the Great North Run. Running it is easy. Finding somewhere to stay that's not going to cost over £600 is far harder!

Still Looking For Great North Run Accommodation

2007-12-18T10:44:00.000Z

Finding Great North Run Accommodation is proving even more difficult that last year! Every year it seems to get more difficult and more expensive. And every year I wonder when we'll give up entering the race because the accommodation is becoming a joke.

We started looking for caravans like last year (see links to recommendations on this page). Worked a treat then, but this year the caravan parks haven't released their availability yet. The nearest accommodation we could find in a caravan was almost 40 miles from Newcastle.

So we started to look at a short break in a cottage (again, some links on this post). There does seem to be plenty available and for a good price. It's strange that it works out so much cheaper whilst giving the benefit of somewhere to get showered and changed after the Great North Run. Why we didn't think of it years ago I'll never know! Probably because we discovered it for last year through sheer desperation!

Accommodation For The Great North Run Isn't Easy!

2007-12-17T09:52:00.000Z

I don't know what people will do who enter through the ballot and then need Accommodation for the Great North Run. If our experience this, and previous years, is anything to go by then by February there's going to be nothing left!

Our problem is compounded by taking 2 spectators and our daughter. Needing 2 rooms makes it a bit harder, but most places can sort that out. But is seems that none of the hotel websites can cope with booking a family room. The usual website (see yesterday's posts for a link - I don't want to plaster this with links to other people's sites) was great when there was just the 2 of us and it does display prices for 'larger rooms', but there doesn't seem a way of booking them. Maybe they are working on it...

I don't want to go direct to the hotels, that's far too expensive. Using a third party website for accommodation is much cheaper and has saved me loads of cash in Great North Runs in the previous years. But it looks like the only way to book a room for 3 is to go direct. And needing a couple of nights, that makes it very expensive.

I think it's cottages & caravan parks for me today. Hope I find something cheap!

Great North Run Accommodation

2007-12-16T11:12:00.001Z

Finding accommodation for the Great North Run is getting harder by the year! The first year we used Nirvana because we booked late and were put in a nice B&B in Morpeth. It was convenient for the bus transfer, but it took ages to get back there after the race. The following year we saw the prices had gone up, so we did our own thing.

So we then used Active Hotels a few times. These were great - one year we tried to book directly with the hotel and they asked for far more then Active Hotels asked for. Best of all, you don't pay a penny when you book - just when you checkout. And the hotels we've booked through them can be cancelled until the day before arrival. So if you are thinking of running the Great North Run, save yourself the hassle of finding accommodation for the race in February when the results of the ballot are announced and book with Active Hotels now. Check the T&C of the hotel and if you don't get a ballot place then you can cancel the booking without charge. But looking for Great North Run accommodation once the ballot opens is always hard work. Once the results are announced...

The problem with Active Hotels is that we haven't found how to book a triple room. It meant having to go direct to the hotel - and loosing those great discounts. So the last couple of years, since our daughter & other relatives have been coming with us, we've started to look elsewhere. So last year we started using at Hoseasons and Cottages4You.

Now these last 2 might seem a bit daft, but to be honest, we are finding them an excellent alternative. Last year the caravan site was a hive of activity on the morning of the Great North Run - obviously we weren't the only runners to have thought of that idea. And the fact that the nearer sites were booked up early shows that's true.

The thing is with a cottage / caravan etc is that you can do a short break. It's not hard to find one that costs less for a short break than a hotel does for a night (we paid less than £100 for our 3 night stay in a caravan last year - most Great North Run hotels seem to charge £130+ per night). You then arrive Friday after work, have a leisurely day Saturday and after the race you can go back, get showered and changed and either head home or spend another night there. We really enjoyed that. Just a pity the place we stayed in is fully booked up.

So we're left in the hunt for Great North Run Accommodation. Only December and everywhere is filling up already. What will it be like when the ballot opens???

Great North Run

2007-12-15T10:37:00.000Z

Well we are both entered for next year's Greatn North Run, with guaranteed entries for the following 2 years as well. Not cheap, but it allows us to get accommodation (especially for the following years) early, before all of the cheaper rooms are taken. Also get some sort of technical t-shirt - still to be seen!

This Running Isn't Meant To Be...

2007-12-14T11:49:00.000Z

Would you believe that hte guy here to fix the boiler locked himself out of his van for 2 hours this morning??? Now I'm behind on work and it looks like today's run is out of the window. And I'd hoped to start daily running this week. Failed miserably there!

Next week. Must start next week (before Christmas).

Helsby - 42 days and counting

2007-12-09T20:55:00.000Z

Just 42 days until the Helsby half - 4 weeks of training, less taper time. I really must get back into the training but listening to the gale outside it just isn't appealing. Work load is getting in the way of my being keen to get out - I've just looked at the list of emails in ready for tomorrow. And I've not done a long run for ages - and it wasn't long enough.

I'll have to decide in the next week or two (definitely by Christmas) whether I am marathoning next year and then build up a decent race schedule one way or the other. Not heard yet from the Great North Run people yet, so don't know what the situation is with entries there and whether they are repeating the Great Run club. So might not even be running there next year.

Not easy to get inspired... Roll on the warmer weather, some 10k races and inspiration.

Helsby - I'll Be There

2007-12-04T09:41:00.000Z

Was getting quite worried about my Helsby half marathon entry. My name hadn't appeared on the list of entrants and the closing date had passed. But overnight by fears have been put to rest and I'm there. Last year I was one of the earliest entries, this year I'm just about the last to enter!

Suppose that means that now I have to get the shoes on and actually start some decent training. Must only be 7, maybe 8, weeks away...

It's Official

2007-11-26T10:34:00.001Z

It's official - as you will see from the picture I'm not in the marathon.

Interesting to see though that the entry system is going totally online next year and opens in April. Will it still close in October or will the closing date also be brought forward a few months? It must make the work involved a lot easier for the organisers, but it will spoil our fun of watching for cheques being cashed!

An entry form for Edinburgh was also included. Tempting, just not sure on the whether for the race. Plus there is a favourite race that is probably the week before. Not sure whether that would be too much.

Could it be Blackpool

2007-11-23T10:21:00.000Z

Just found out that another person in the running club hasn't got into London - that's 2 "no" and 1 "yes" so far out of 4. It's likely the 4th guy, never having ran London before, will also get a "no" but be given the club place. Especially as he's a good friend of the guy who's in.

The other "no" is talking about running the Blackpool Marathon, so it looks like the pressure will be on to enter that one. Will wait and see what happens regards club place etc first!

Third Time Lucky...

2007-11-21T13:55:00.000Z

For the first time ever, someone I know who applied to the London Marathon has been accepted. 2 rejections then an acceptance. Lucky him!!!

Good news is that there are only a limited number of us in the running club interested in the London Marathon, so if the guy who has never ran it before also gets a place (fat chnce!!!) there's a good chance for the rest of us of getting the club place. If he doesn't get his own place then as he's never had the club place it's offered to him first.

Helsby Half

2007-11-20T10:16:00.000Z

Well the entry form for the Helsby Half has finally left the desk - almost 3 weeks of it just sitting there in a pile! I would estimate from looking through the entry list that 1200 of the 2000 places have gone in those (less than) 3 weeks. Fills up pretty sharpish for a local event!

Well the race is 8 weeks on Sunday - means that I really must get back into those long runs and also decide what other spring races I'm going to do!

Don't People Annoy You???

2007-11-18T12:34:00.000Z

At a party I was cornered by another guest who started talking to me about my running. Without being asked to comment she started telling me that I was doing far too much running, that I would need a pace maker because of it in 15 / 20 years and that my diet was totally wrong. Anything I said back was greeted with the fact that she worked in a hospital cardiac department.

Not only did this upset and worry my wife - it was totally wrong and unnecessary. First, I refuse to take health advice off a 'lady' over a foot shorter than me and weighing probably a couple of stones more than me (being generous).

But what made her advice even more dangerous - remembering that she was claiming to be an expert from the cardiac department - was that at no point did she ask how much running I did or what my diet consisted of, yet she criticised both. How can anyone tell another person that their diet & exercise regime is wrong just by looking at them and seeing a tall, slim build? I'm not under weight - a BMI of slightly over 20.

3 runs of about 45 minutes each per week and a well balanced (and plentiful!!!) diet. How can her 'expert' advice be to reduce exercise when the government are advising the country to do more.

People can annoy me - especially experts who look at me and tell me what I should be doing!

Training Frustration

2007-11-14T16:10:00.000Z

Been doing my usual 10km route the last few weeks as part of my weekly schedule. But I've been running hard and not breaking 45 minutes. Back in the summer I was breaking 40 minutes.

Really getting frustrated with this - why is the training run so much slower than it should be? Was talking this through after the run and then suddenly I realised what the problem was.

As part of my preparation for the Great North Run I wanted to increase my weekly mileage so changed my daily route and slightly lengthened it... It's not 10km - it's 7 miles.

So it's 45 minutes for 7 miles, not 10km. Feeling a lot better about the running now! (just got to extend it by a further 19 miles...)

A New Leaf!

2007-11-13T22:09:00.000Z

Trying my best to get back into this training lark - but without a race to focus on it's hard.

Started with the first interval session since before the Great North run - almost 2 months. Surprisingly my speed hadn't dropped off that much. Not got around to the weights yet!

Decided that if I do a marathon next year then I'm going to need to get used to drinking on the run again. So took a bottle on the interval session and sipped it between efforts - which resulted in stiches every time. Hopefully I can sort that out else there will be no point entering a marathon at all as I won't be fit to finish.

The Running Has Stopped???

2007-11-08T09:40:00.000Z

Not a good week for running. Monday work took it's toll and no time to get out. Managed a short run Tuesday, but didn't really feel good and the running felt overly hard. Yesterday again a rush of work prevented me getting out at all and looks like a meeting at the bank at lunch time will stop me getting out today.

Sometimes, these weeks are just sent to try us! Trying really hard to get back into training, probably need a race to focus on. Nothing arranged yet - still not sent the Helsby form off.

New York Marathon

2007-11-04T21:38:00.000Z

A peaceful afternoon today watching the New York Marathon. Well done to Paula for winning again after such a long lay-off, but I have to say that I didn't find this marathon course very inspiring. I didn't watch the race and think I'd like to run there.

But started looking around at other Spring marathons. Blackpool & Shakespeare are both on the same day. Blackpool I can drive to the morning of the race, but the reviews describe it as quite boring in places. It's a 2 lap race. Plus a cup of water every 3 miles doesn't seem much.

Shakespeare would need a hotel the night before and is "undulating".

Plenty of time to decide, I suppose. And if one fills then the decision is made!

Looks Like It's Certain...

2007-10-31T16:08:00.000Z

Still no cheque cashed and no reports of others having their cheques cashed today, so I'm waiting for the inevitable thud of the 'Sorry' magazine in a few weeks and the next marathon news in August.

Got the results from Helsby today (9 months after the race!!) and started to fill in the entry form for that. Need to plan a target for the new year - and maybe a different marathon..

Cheques being cashed

2007-10-30T16:49:00.001Z

Looking through Runners World and it's alive with people happy that their cheques have been cashed. Everyone wants to know which banks cash and when, so I'll record it this year to look back on next year (and later years, until my 5 times reject comes up...).

Tuesday 30th October, banks known to have cashed cheques include:
Nationwide
HSBC
NatWest
Royal Bank Of Scotland
Lloyds TSB
Halifax
First Direct
Bank of Scotland
Smile
Barclays
Cooperative
Intelligent Finance

I won't confuse things by adding those banks that people are asking if anyone has had anything cashed through - apart from to say mine's in that list.

Still a slight glimmer of hope!

Cheques Clearing

2007-10-30T09:49:00.000Z

The first reports of happy people with cheques cashed are starting to filter through, but nothing from my bank.

Some banks are a bit slower - hopefully mine is one of them???

Almost That Time...

2007-10-29T09:43:00.000Z

No big rush of people saying their cheques have been cashed - just one early morning and they bequeathed. The banks must really hate the FLM organisers when thousands of cheques are cashed all together!

Mine, of course, remains uncleared.

Watch this space...

Almost Time To Find Out

2007-10-28T22:50:00.000Z

The Runners World forum is alive with people checking their bank accounts and not seeing cheques cashed and checking they aren't the only one. General opinion is that mid week the lucky ones should have their cheques cashed.

Entry closed 9 days ago - a week last Friday.

Who knows? Should know in a few days either way.

I Dream Of Getting In...

2007-10-22T21:05:00.000+01:00

Closing day for applications has passed, hopefully the entry made it through the postal strikes.

I expect that if / when I receive the 'You're not in again' magazine I could look for another marathon to run, but is it the same? The first marathon I ran wasn't London and with very little support in the second half, just a few very encouraging marshalls, it was hard work.

Hopefully by this time next week my bank account balance will have dropped by £28 and I will have ticked off the entry cheque as being cashed. No doubt that it will just be destroyed.

Hopefully this time if there are any freebies such as a Lucozade gel in the rejection magazine, it won't have been squashed in the post and ruined all of that day's mail!

Almost Time To Start Wondering

2007-10-18T09:31:00.000+01:00

Hopefully the extended postal strikes in London haven't affected too many ballot applications as tomorrow is the last day for entries.

It's supposed to be a few weeks before we find out whether or not we're in (and you only need to read a forum and see the number of 5 times rejects getting in to know that rejection seems the norm) but in about a week or so the cheques for the successful entries will be cashed. I suppose it's time for the organisers to reject anyone whose cheque bounces. But if the end of next week or the following Monday your cheque clears, then your in.

And when it doesn't, start looking for another marathon!

Is It Still In The Post???

2007-10-08T16:11:00.000+01:00

It's very worrying ot wonder whether the application arrived at FLM or not?

By posting it late Tuesday, (can't remember whether it goes first or second class???) it could have arrived early Wednesday, before the start of the postal strike. If not, it could be sitting in a huge pile of mail backlog somewhere.

I expect it would be even worse if you had 4 rejections in the previous 4 years, knowing that if this is a rejection you are guaranteed entry next year. But if the Royal Mail lose or destroy the letter before it gets there...

People keep asking me what is the chance of getting in. Some optimistiaclly estimate 1 in 2 or 3. I expect nearer to 1 in 10 (100,000 apply, 30,000+ run including charities, club places, GFA, 5 rejects, deferrals, etc). If there's 10,000 places in the ballot, then I think that's a lot!

Not much chance then.

It's In The Post...

2007-10-02T09:40:00.000+01:00

Well that's it done - the application & form are finally in the post and should hopefully shortly find their way to the London Marathon organisers. Fingers crossed for a successful entry (not that I know anyone who has ever been accepted through the ballot).

Noticed the letter codes on the back as I was posting the envelope - BAB. (1 reject, 0 accepts, estimated 3:00 - 3:15). Couldn't help but think that maybe next year the could read CAC (2 rejects, 0 accepts and a bit slower!). Says everything.

One Small Step...

2007-10-01T21:22:00.000+01:00

The first step, hopefully of many.

The entry form has been carefully completed. Every detail neatly written and checked and checked again.

Last time I tried to enter I optimisitically predicted sub 3:00. It should have been possible, but it wasn't to be.

To try to give myself a more enjoyable run I've estimated 3:10. Slow enough if I want to take it easy, but hopefully quick enough to be able to make under 3 hours if I feel up to it.

But first I've got the ballot and more than likely the 'sorry you aren't in' letter. There's no way I could raise the £1000+ required sponsorship for a gold bond place and there's a few of us probably interested in the club place.

I expect this blog will be ending in December, with the letter. But if you don't try, you never get in!

Here Goes...

2007-10-01T12:12:00.001+01:00

Yesterday was the Great North Run and I completed that in under 1 hour 26. That gives me a predicted time of 2:59 for a full marathon distance - and the London Marathon course is a lot flatter than around Newcastle.

I've not attemped a marathon for over 2 years now - maybe I'm tempted to fill in that application form that's sitting behind me and see if I can get a place in London.

It's probably very unlikely to get in through the ballot - I don't know anyone who has got in through the ballot - but I know plenty of people who have been rejected (including myself). Maybe that's why I'm happy to apply - I'm convinced I'll get the 'sorry' magazine.

But if I do get in then there will be a lot of training and long races over the winter. And I think the best way to motivate myself is a regular blog.

So here goes. Not many posts for now, need to see what happens in the ballot.