Run 13

Today was good!

I ran a half marathon today. Not official, but an official buddy runner half marathon. 21k! On my schedule I had down to run 10k today. But I decided earlier on in the week, a few days ago, that I need to start running further so I said I would run 15k today and 20k tomorrow. But then while I was running I was thinking, well if I run 15k it is only another 6k to make it a half marathon. So I kept going.

So that is pretty cool. I started the run in the afternoon at 3ish, which was needed as last night I went out with friends and drunk a few beers and gin. Luckily not a crazy amount though, but I did not get into bed until 4.30am. So its good to know you can still run after a night out. Just have to keep it a bit mellow of course.

Anyway today went well. I started off casually and just kept going. I was happy to keep a steady enough pace throughout the run and came out with a good time. Which actually brings me onto some other news. Next Saturday I am actually running a real half marathon. Booked in for it yesterday and so that will be fun. So it is good to know I can actually run a half marathon and next week should be fun with more people involved.

Today I went up to Sognsvann and ran around the lake twice, it is just over 3k around the lake. Then I ran back down into town and finished up in Frogner park. Which was a nice place to finish and also was a nice walk home to cool the old body down slowly. Also a good stretch was had at the end as well. So it was a nice way to spend the afternoon out, going for a run. Though I can feel the body slowly fading away at the moment and it is going to sleep well tonight.

Stats:

start: 2.52pm

distance: 21.01 km

time: 1:40'01"

Av Speed: 12.60 kph

So as you can see I kept up a nice pace. 12kph is my goal pace for the marathon. So if I can keep up this speed here I would be very happy. But I don't feel I could have continued at that speed today for another 21k. The marathon is going to be an interesting challenge.

Maybe tomorrow I will run another half marathon. Then that will give me the full marathon for the weekend. haha we will see.

Cheers

Mark

Run 12

12 runs down now. Todays run was a 6k faster run. I was hoping to start running above the 14kph mark. But I could not quite do that. I did not run with the weights today as I had some blisters on my heels from them. So will let them 'heel' until monday when I run another 5k run.

Todays run was feeling good at the start until I hit the up hill parts. It slowed me down a bit. But I do have to say that the weights make a bit of a difference. I felt lighter on my feet today and I guess it showed in my time. Though I still felt a little disappointed I think when I saw my time was not showing 14kph. Oh well a lot more room for improvement. Also maybe the body is feeling a little tired these days.

I also need to start getting some longer distances under my belt now. The 10k runs are not nearly enough. I need to start getting into the 15ks and 20ks. Which I have not run any yet. So this weekend is going to be the time for them. Well I did run the runs last weekend which were near 15ks.

Anyway stats for today:

start: 7.18am

distance: 6.06 km

time: 26'11"

Av Speed: 13.88 kph

Well into the day now for me. I really want to have a sleep in one day, hopefully tomorrow. But it is also great getting up early and getting the runs out of the way. I feel hungry now. Going to eat. Cya

Cheers

Mark

Run 11

Those weights will be the death of me. Today I ran the 10k run to Sognsvann but had the ankle weights on. Damn it was a tough slow run. Mainly the hill was killing me. And then just when I thought I had started to get the better of the blisters, the ankle weights start creating good blisters on my heels. I should have known that would happen. But oh well that is not a big problem, cause it just means I either don't use the ankle weights or use bandaids and vaseline. Which seems to be the life saver of the day.

Good old Vaseline. Is a nice lubricant which helps body parts rub together nicely. Stopping unwanted blisters and chafing. It has been great for under the arms. No more chafing at the moment. Though I have not really done any long runs. But they are coming up! Also today was a big success as I did not need to apply bandaids to the blisters on my right foot and could just rub a bit of Vaseline on them. So good stuff.

Anyway I will cut this short. I ramble a lot. The run was good but very slow and hard going. Mainly up the hill to the lake. You can see on buddyrunner the huge difference in speeds if you compare the same run from a few days ago. Where I did not have weights on.

Stats for today:

start: 7.09am

distance: 10.03 km

time: 54'26"

Av Speed: 11.04 kph

Well tomorrow I have a nice 5k. Then this weekend I plan to do a 10k and then 15k, but I might actually look at trying to do a 15k and 20k. Which will be nice to up the ks a bit and get some longer runs under my belt. We will see. Until then...

Cheers

Mark

Run 10

Yay Run number 10 is done. Not so many more to go now! Well almost another 50 to go. Hmmmm..... That will be interesting. Todays run was my normal 6k circuit that I have done at least twice last week. But of course this time I had the 2kg weights on my ankles. Man it makes it tougher. I felt a little drained today which was weird. But I think the body will pick up and get back into it all.

Tomorrows run is a 10k again and I am wondering weather or not to wear the ankle weights. I think I will wear them and try the Sognsvann run which is up a big hill. So that will be very slow. But good training I think.

Anyway today I shot some great photos of myself while running using my cellphone. This is all thanks to Richard Sidey who made the recommendation to do this. Now I have to warn you these are not glamour shots. Those you will find on my other blog, OslobyModelling.blogspot. But that is another project ;)

Here are the photos:

Speed Lighting!

When will it end.

Quasimodo here.

All done! Time for a stretch.

The run today was a little tiring but I am finding I can run 6km reasonably comfortably. Of course it is still an effort and the weights make a huge difference. But I could run that distance everyday happily. I really need to start looking at some longer runs which of course will be happening in the weekends as I have more time then.

Here are the stats:

start: 7.10am

distance: 6.03 km

time: 32'21"

Av Speed: 11.17 kph

Again you can check out http://www.buddyrunner.com/markdath for all the stats and stuff. Anyway better get ready for work and to all my fans, Have a great day and remember what the wise man says "An angry man.... Is a hungry man".

Cheers

Mark

Run 09

Today was a good run. The reason was last night I purchased some ankle weights to add some fun to the runs. Well not really fun but make it different and give some resistance to the running. I run 6.5k today with 2kg weights strapped to both my ankles. And lets say this... you know they are there. I was actually supposed to have a bit of a rest run today but that went out of the window when I was running with the weights. I was just going to run slow but in the end, ended up running at a decent enough speed with 2kg weights strapped to my legs.

Each time now in the morning it is getting harder and harder to get out of bed. My alarm goes off at 7 and I shut the thing off and lay there for a few seconds. The interesting thing is, for me and probably many other people, is that it is all in your head. So many thoughts run through my head while I lie there going 'get up, get up'. First I always ask 'why?', this is stupid I should give myself rest days like everyone is saying (So really it is everyone elses fault). More thoughts are, I don't need to run now I could do it later, this is a waste of time, marathons are stupid (that goes through your head a bit, and it is only my 9th day of training). Anyway so many negative thoughts go through my head and I have not even gotten up yet. Also when you are lying in bed you feel like shit, well you feel good and but you feel it is going to be shit to get up. So this does not help either. But I am slowly teaching myself that if I just make one move, ie stand up than it is all good. The hard part is over. Then just wash cold water on my face skull a glass of water and I am good.

The trick is going to be getting rid of the negative thoughts like 'why?', and what a waste of time, I can do it later. Believe it or not I actually enjoy the running in the morning. It is a lot quieter, not as many people around. Usually the weather is a bit cooler, it is calmer. The morning is the best time to run in my opinion.

I was thinking the other day the only reason now, why I have to run everyday is that is what the plan says. I made the schedule up for up until the marathon, and if I now skip a day, take a rest day, that could ruin my training. If I do it once, then in my mind I will think it is alright to do it again. I am bad like that, I have not got a lot of self control. So I need to stick to this schedule. Some people have said I should have rest days. Maybe I should have but it is to late now. The schedule is set in stone!

Sorry for the rambling this morning, it is kind of fun writing these blog things. But I also get carried away, and I am not good at editing as well. What I write just flows out and I do not reread it or edit it. One day I will. For now it is a disjointed document on my training and thoughts about this. Sorry it is disjointed as well, I keep thinking of stuff and need to write it down, and I have this great theory at one point and then start writing and never get to that point. Thats how it feels anyway.

Anyway like I said earlier the run was good with the new weights. It was very heavy but I think this will payoff in the long run when I take them off and run. I am hoping I feel like I am on the moon or something.

Today I did the Frogner park run again like I did a few days ago. It was funny running through Majorstua with weights strapped to my legs. Here is a photo of this and my sweaty leg! Pretty awesome.

The weights did slow me down a bit but I was also only running a 5 k run, which turned into 6.5ish so that was really good. I was actually feeling really good today on the run. I had brought some vaseline for the underarms, to stop chafing and that seemed to work. Also wore some different type of socks, that I usually use for snowboarding. My feet seemed pretty happy. Even though the blisters on my right foot are now in healing stage they were not causing to much irritation. So it was a good run. But I think because of the weights I was getting pretty tired to the end of the run.

Anyway I have really blabbed on today here are the stats:

start: 7.13am

distance: 6.52 km

time: 34'06"

Av Speed: 11.47 kph

So yeah not a bad run with weights on my ankles. Soon I will be on the moon without them!

Cheers

Mark

Run 08

Still Going! Damn this morning was hard to start. I was able to wake up fine as I was waiting for the alarm to go off. But then the run started off extremely slow and I was feeling it. My body was kind of feeling tired, but also the blisters on my right foot were hurting a bit. It is really weird how my right foot is the only foot that has blisters now. My left foot started off with one blister on the in step. But now it is gone and the right foot is the only one, and they are not good. But oh well I will keep on trucking. Oh yeah also my under arms now are starting to get chafed a fair bit and start to hurt half way through the run. So I really need to go get some lubricant of some sort this afternoon. Hopefully I remember.

Pretty stoked though as I have run some longer runs over the last 3 days. Last night I was thinking damn it is nice to have a 5k run in the morning. Then I checked my schedule and it was a 10k today. So I was a little nervous. But stoked I was able to get through it and also keep a decent enough time. I was very slow at the start looking at over 5 minute kilometers. But then I was able to pick it back up on the down hill from Sognsvann. And actually started to feel a lot better on the way down. As the up hill was tough and I was struggling a bit. Can't wait for the marathon. gulp!

Anyway onto the stats for the day:

start: 7.17am (another late start as I was applying band aids to feet and needed to go toilet before ;) )

distance: 10.09 km

time: 49'05"

Av Speed: 12.34 kph

So there you have it again. You can also still check out my stats on the buddyrunner site. www.buddyrunner.com/markdath. This has the breakdown of all the runs I have done over the last week and also some before that. Well I have now ran a total of 70km + which is great. Over 8 days is not a bad effort. I am looking forward to some relaxing 5km runs over the next 2 days. Also hoping to get to interval training tomorrow night but have some stuff on as well. But we will see.

Cheers

Mark

Run 06 & 07

Great camping trip had by all up in Nordmarka. We, being Al, Aaron, Tine and Mal, went camping friday and Saturday night at a a lake just outside of Oslo called Oyungen. It was such a nice spot. We camped up, ate nice food which was cooked over a great fire. We run and swum and went for walks. Great weekend had by all, well at least me.

You will be happy to hear also that I was able to complete my two runs, one for Saturday and one for Sunday. Although the distances were not calculated as the my cell phone gets terrible coverage and therefore I had none. SO could not use the GPS, also the battery was dieing fast. So I had to just rely on good old time.

The Saturday run was fun because Al, Aaron and Tine came as well and we were running on very dodgy tracks through the forest so it made it more fun and adventurous. Although rolled ankles looked on the cards we were lucky and everyone survived intact. We went for a solid 1 hour run and I roughly calculated that maybe we did between 8 and 10km. It was hard to work out. But I was happy with an hour and was feeling good after it.

Then today I had to go for a run on my own. I had the 15km run set down on my chart and again could not track how long I was running so went by feel and time. I run for 75mins so was happy. I probably ran about 13 to 15km probably. And again it was a very rough track through the forests around the lake. So was happy to come out with no rolled ankles even though it was close at times.

Anyway that was the weekend runs all summed up briefly. Oh though I did forget to mention the blisters on my foot, yes foot, are popped. Only my right foot is getting blisters so it is very annoying. My little toe is one big blister which is gone now from being popped and ripped off. Need to keep them clean so no infection happens. Then on the inside of my foot is a good blister which ripped off today on the run. So need to be weary of infection but am sure things will be fine if looked after properly. So my next goal is to get to a shop and get some lubricant of some kind or find out about it. Because chafing under the arms is also going to be a problem on the longer runs.

Thats all for now.

Cheers

Mark

Run 05

Damn today was tough. I did not get to bed until 1ish and that really showed when I was trying to get up. I was almost not going to run. All I was thinking was, I have done an extra 4km this week so far why not have a proper day off and besides the blisters on your feet would probably thank you for it. This is the conversation I was having with myself as I lay in bed after my alarm had gone off.

But luckily I came through. I am not sure what made me get out of bed and slip into my running shoes. It was a combination of 'stop being soft and go for a run', also the fact that I said I would run everyday and complete the runs I said I would everyday. Then there was the fact that if I was able to run 6k today I would then be at a total of 40km for the week so far. Which was I think one of the main reasons I was able to push through.

Well it worked and I went for a run. The buddy runner, slash google phone was playing up at the start and the GPS was not working. So I had to stop after about 4 minutes and fix that. Lucky I did and I then had to restart the run. But that was fine. I ran at a casual pace today. So it was a nice cruisy run. But again maybe a little faster then I should for a rest run. But hey I always want to try and keep pushing for the 5min km. This is of course my goal time for the marathon if I want to run it in 3hrs 30.

Today I ran to Frogner park which is an alright run. There is just a real annoying bit where you have to run through a major area to get to the park, But once you are through that it is a nice run in the park. The park is looking nice this time of the year with all the trees in full greenery and the fountains all flowing.

Anyway stats:

start: 7.20am (See a late start, and also buddy runner played up)

distance: 6.30 km

time: 31'57"

Av Speed: 11.81 kph

So as you see a nice casual run, but I was feeling it. Definitly need sleep to have a good run. Going camping tonight for a few days so will probably be missing a few posts, but will catch up when I get back.

Cheers

Mark

Run 04

Well today felt like a struggle. I have to be honest and I did not sleep to well and got to bed later then I have been and it kind of showed a bit. Well mainly at the start, ie trying to get out of bed. I was still able to do it and was still out on the run at the normal start time of 7.07 so that was alright. But let me tell you I was struggling. I had one beer last night in town and damn! wake up in the morning and your mouth is dry and plemgy (can't spell Flemgy) all from one beer.

But yeah I got up and did a 12k run today. Which actually is surprising about how bad I felt when I started. But hey I guess you can push yourself, and I am going to have to do that over the next 10 weeks. Well less now and I have only got 585km to run till the start of the marathon. Cool!

I did my normal 10k run up to Sognsvann again. I actually kind of enjoy the up hill that is all the first 5k. Cause then when you are at the top you have a free ride home and it is easy. Well kind of. I guess you just have to think of these things positively and not think hills are bad. Cause that makes them bad. I was listening to some lady on youtube yesterday who ran a marathon and she just kept saying she loves hills and it helped her to get over them. I am going to take that approach. The good thing is I think the Oslo marathon does not have a lot of hills.

The extra 2k today really took its toll on the body. My feet are really starting to feel it with good blisters on the insides of both feet and then the right foot, little toe, has a massive one as well. So need to look into those. Also chafing came into play a little today. The extra 2k shows. My nipples are raw and under my arms are a bit rubbed as well so need to look into something to stop that, as 12k is not going to be the shortest run I do.

Anyway stats:

start: 7.07am

distance: 12.02 km

time: 56'12"

Av Speed: 12.82 kph

So pretty happy with those times. I think this is a bit more accurate time compared to the first 10k. But am happy none the less. The google android phone is doing a great job keeping distances and times. It is definitly not 100% correct but good none the less.

Cheers

Mark

Run 03

Well I am still going. Today was a little bit harder getting out of bed. Well it was and it wasn't. Its funny cause I was not really asleep but then when my alarm goes off, at 7, I cannot be bothered to get up. But I knew I had to with this running schedule.

So today was a very overcast damp day. It was not raining but it had been, so it was actually quite nice conditions to run in. The legs were actually feeling not to bad today. My thighs had felt a bit tight and sore throughout the day yesterday. But when I got up they were not feeling to bad, so that was great.

I went for a 6k run today, so another short one, but a nice built up to what is to come. Also I ran it a lot faster today then I did yesterday as you will see in the stats.

Here are the stats:

start: 7.09am

distance: 6.04 km

time: 26'36"

Av Speed: 13.60 kph

So there we have it. I want to try and get my 10k runs up to hopefully 14kph an hour and maybe try and push these 5k, 6k runs up to maybe 15kph. But hey I could be dreaming there. Will just have to keep running.

Cheers

Mark

Run 02

Ok so now I am onto day two of the training and just completed my second run. It was a nice gentle 5km jog today. I could definitly feel the legs a bit this morning. Mainly when I was walking down the stairs of the apartment building. But once I was running it was pretty good. Worst thing is the blisters forming on the insides of my feet. They are looking like they could be a problem. Might need to tape them up next time I go.

Today my flat mate Al came along for the run also. It was nice to cruise and chat a bit. Good for keeping the pace down when you have to talk with someone else.

No real events along the way. Sort of got a little lost on the run but it ended up alright and actually we ran 6km which is a bit more then was supposed. But hey it doesn't matter the more the merry I say. I won't be saying that soon I reckon.

Anyway here are the stats:

start: 7.11am

distance: 6.02 km

time: 33'12"

Av Speed: 10.88 kph

So as you see a lot slower run, but hey these slow runs are my rest day. So happy just to clock up a few k's. Again all stats can be found on the buddy runner site.

Cheers

Mark

Run 01

So I just completed my first run on the way to the Oslo Marathon. Not to bad. It was a bit rough getting up at 7 in the morning, but I am hoping to get used to that. I got up, had my gear already from being so organised last night and therefore just threw it on and was out the door after a glass of water. Bammmm!!!

Then I just started up the buddy runner program on my 'google' phone, not actually a google phone, it uses google android as its OS and is an HTC phone, buddy runner is a program that times and can track speeds and uses GPS, pretty cool, not 100% accurate. I ran up to Sognsvann, which is a lake on the outskirts of Oslo and back form my apartment at Marienlyst. It was a good run. It is all up hill on the way to the lake and is 5km there and hence 5km back. So there was my first run done of 10km.

Stats:

start: 7.06am

distance: 10.02 km

time: 45'45"

Av Speed: 13.12 kph

You can keep track of my stats through http://www.buddyrunner.com/markdath which is where all the information from my phone goes after each run.

I am feeling pretty good so far, well being the first run it is good to get a solid one under the belt. Body is not to bad, feet are going to take a bit to get used to it. There are definitly some blisters forming on the insides of my feet but nothing to serious. Other then that happy so far. Hell 10k down only 605km of training to go.

Cheers

Mark

10 weeks Oslo Marathon

Ok so here it is. I have finally got my arse around to starting to train for the Oslo marathon which I impulsively signed up for a few months ago (thanks to Matthew Wilson). So I have been putting off training now for well a little while. But can wait no longer. The Oslo marathon is in exactly 10 weeks from today. Actually I think in about 15minutes time I will be at the starting line, well in 10 weeks.

So I decided like everyone who has these great ideas is to create a blog and document my training on the way to my first ever full marathon. Like all people as well I have high expectations and goals which when you write in a blog makes them a lot easy to complete as then the world is watching. Then of course nobody is going to read this drivel as you write far to much which is a good plan as then people don't keep track of your progress, which of course with in a week or two you have let die out anyway.

But alas, I like everyone else will keep this blog going for the full ten weeks of training and some. Yeah right. Ok, I will try to keep the blog going and document my runs and how I am feeling, how my body is coping and general running stuff. Like how fast I was going... Lightning will be used a lot here I reckon.

So yeah I thought I would write down some goals and go from there. Here they are... actually this will be the first writing down of them. Main goal is to run the Oslo Marathon. Simple really. Well that is really all my goals. That was simple. I guess I could say that I am keen to run the marathon in 3hrs 30mins. But I hate writing definite things like that cause then I would have to do it. haha nah thats a bad way to be. I am going to go for the 3hrs 30 mins mark. So that is going to be a big challenge.

Boom!! dropped the time goal. That felt good. A bit serious though. Damn makes things a bit more important to finish now. gulp! So where I stand now with running.... I joined a running club in Oslo about 2 months agoish. Ryes running club. So I have been running a couple of times a week. Doing interval training on Tuesday night with them and trying to go out on my own at least once a week as well. But then over the past 2 weeks I have done nothing. Well I did go to Greece and had a blast, chilling on the beach and swimming and drinking every night. Great way to start training!

So now I have to really start training and I have laid out a comprehensive 10 week plan. Which involves me running 615km leading up to the 42km marathon on the 26th September 2010. So 10 weeks of running hell. Now people may say I am crazy, and they are correct. Well they probably won't as well, most likely saying... "pft, is that all". And I will just say "yes, yes it is.... But its heaps for me". So there we have it. I have planned to run every day but some days are just a real light easy jog, and I am talking light, like a crawl almost. So they are the rest days. But then there are some monster runs as well. Like 10km. Whoaaaaa...... Nah jokes, I am planning to run a 30km run one day. That day will be interesting. But hey life is tough.

Man I am good at writing a lot of crap. I should really move on and shut up. This is just the intro though. I will write a lot now and then after this there will be not a lot of writing. Just figures and times.

Ok so the rest of this blog will be documenting my running and training, thoughts and emoti..... maybe emotions. That is a little deep for just a bloody run. But from the immense training and physcological pressures from running such huge distances might bring a man to crack. We will see....

So here above is my plan. Just a week by week breakdown of the distances I am going to run. Basically alternates between 10km and 5km runs. With some bigger runs scheduled on Sundays. If people have any ideas on what I should maybe change or adjust give me a yell. I am open to ideas.

Cheers

Mark