Update

An awful lot has been going on since the last update.

Lets get the boring running stuff out of the way first.

I'm almost (stress 'almost') flying again.  I'm still a good 4-5 lbs off race weight but I'm getting quicker and quicker and the stamina which I've been long striving for is coming back.

Now, I've got something to admit here.  Following the recommendation of Alison and our friends Stacey, Jan, Sammi and Marion, I went to see a lady called Helen who is a Hollistic Therapist, Reflexologist, Accupunturist and Reiki Healer.  The idea was that I went along to see her for a general body MOT to see what could be done for me.  £40 a session so didnt have a lot to lose financially but it may just give me some answers as to why I was feeling lacking in energy.

Helen is a lovely lady.  I turned up for my appointment and she invited me in and I laid on her couch.  She has this chart and a pendulum which spins/moves/rotates based on your varying energy levels.  Basically, she performs a 'measurement' and then treats you accordingly.

Once she'd done her readings, she gave me her prognosis.  Highly stressed (yes, correct - I was having issues selling my flat and work was going mental all at the same time), I wanted everything done yesterday (correct) and my body was knackered (yes, pretty much could agree with all of that!).

So she recommended I took liquid iron as well as magnesium and vitamin c supplements.  This would help my energy levels and improve my sleep.

After only a couple of weeks taking the supplements, my energy levels have gone through the roof and its showing in my running stats.  My sleep quality has improved massively.  I wake up feeling alive and not wanting to go straight back to bed again.  I feel like I sleep a whole lot deeper than I ever have before.  As a result, I've got the spark back that I've felt like I've been so desperately missing for the last 6 months or so.  Long may this continue!

I'm going back to see Helen in about 4-5 weeks time but I've been told to stay on the magnesium and vitamin c but to drop out the liquid iron once the bottle is finished.  I've been very skeptical of alternative therapies but this really seems to be working.

Its well as having a physical effect, its also having a mental effect on me.  I've felt far more emotional than usual.  This is an effect of my levels realigning.  Helen said I had no negative energies so that was really good and she was pleased with my progress.

The proof is in the pudding as they say and my stats are reflecting the improvement.

This week, I seem to be firing on all cylinders.

First up, I ran my fastest 5k of the year and fastest in almost 18 months.  I rarely run the 5k distance and its normally a means to an end where I dont have enough time to get in a longer run before having to go out with Alison or something like that.

25:11 at 8:03 min/mile pace. Considerable improvement compared to the odd 5k I've run on this route in recent months. The weight is settling down but the body chemistry seems to be improving.

Wednesday Night meant a run with Plumstead Runners.  A nice 7 mile loop out and back to Bexley and Sidcup with some torrential rain thrown in for good measure.

Our route from Danson to Bexley takes us up Parkhill Road.  When I first started running with the Plums just under 3 years ago, this hill used to absolutely kill me.

I remember it well from my cycling days as it used to be my main route out to the Kent lanes.  Its not particularly steep but its a horrible little steep/drag combo.  It certainly takes some effort to run up it.

Here's the elevation profile so you can judge for yourself...

As you can see, the segment include the hill and then the drop down the other side to the war memorial at the junction of Hurst Road.

Here's my segment times...

A new PB by 8 seconds.  Considerable improvement.  The fact that I backed off the pace from the top to recover and didnt run hard down the other side tells me I could have run it faster.  However, coming to Plums straight from work without eating properly all day is energy sapping and the main aim of the Plum runs is to get around in relative comfort so its good to hold something back.

Because of the weather, it was a reasonably small turn out in comparison to previous weeks but a good turn out given the circumstances and every one of them Plums deserves huge credit for getting out there in the elements and putting themselves through it.  I actually prefer running in conditions like that, as long as I can avoid my shoes going through deep puddles!

Here's the complete data for the run...

A thoroughly enjoyable run with brilliant company. Cant ask for any more than that.

So that's all the running/fitness stuff done.  There's been a whole lot more been going on.

In brief, my flat has finally sold.  Debts cleared.  A lovely lump sum now sits in the bank.  A very nice position to be in and I'm a lucky man.

I blogged last time that I was heading off to Spain for a week.  We had a great time and I can honestly say that was my favourite holiday ever.  It was the first time I was able to take Izzy away for a sunshine holiday and she loved every minute of it.

You can check out the pictures here.

I treated myself to a Go Pro before we went and we had a real laugh playing with the camera in and out of the water on holiday...

Truly stunning footage at 1080P and 60fps. Proper geekage. Now all I need to do it pick up some different mounts and I can start to use it when I'm out running. Should be some interesting footage.

Anyhow, Izzy has been talking about setting up her own 'Driscoll TV' You Tube channel for some time and while we were off together, we started 'practicing' for what sort of films would work.

Izzy will kill me for making this public but hey, its about time she made her online debut.  Let us know what you think.

All filmed on the iPad. The idea was devised in about 2 mins before she hit the record button and quickly edited and rendered on the iMovie app afterwards. Hey, not bad for a first attempt.  We quickly filmed a few other clips but they've not been put together yet.  Unfortunately, it looks like I'm going to get a starring role but hey, if it makes Izzy happy then I'll make a fool of myself gladly.

Wedding plans are coming on nicely.  Honeymoon is now booked.  Almost 3 weeks on the American West Coast.  Conveniently booked for May so I wont have to defer my VLM place when I get it.  (See what I did there?  Positive thoughts.  I've manifested my place for next year.  Its going to happen.  It really is!)

Talking Weddings, Alison has been her usual brilliant self recently.  Despite having an awful lot to deal with at work, she's always there for me...and Izzy as well.  Alison came to support Izzy at her major Gymnastics competition of the year, the South Eastern Regional Championships, at the Guildford Spectrum last weekend at Izzy's insistence, despite the fact she could have well done with a lay in.  8am registration on a Sunday morning is bordering on the insane.  I'm used to it what with the various races/rides I've done which have meant being up at 4am for preparation and breakfast etc.

Anyhow, Alison has taken to life with a 'step-daughter' like a duck to water.  They both get on brilliantly and I really couldnt ask for more than that.  Alison loves her like she would love one of her own.

As it happens, the Guildford Spectrum was also the venue for the first ever 'Alison-meets-ex-wife...ex-wife-meets-Alison' event.  [EDIT: my thoughts are not for public reading].  All done and dusted now. 

On the bright side, Izzy done brilliantly to finish 5th in her category, her first competition since qualifying for the intermediate level standard.  We are all very proud of her.  Amazing considering she was having a major meltdown about not being able to remember her routine properly 24 hours beforehand.

So there we go.  The running is going better than I could have hoped 4 weeks ago and life is steaming forward.

This weekend is Alison's parents 50th wedding anniversary party which we're all looking forward to. The marquee is already up in our garden and we'll be partying until the early hours again.  No running on Sunday this week, thats for sure.  Will just have to go out on Saturday instead ;)

An eventful week for my daughter Izzy

I've blogged many times in the past about my daughter Izzy and how proud of her I am.  However, this week in particular, she's exceeded anything I ever managed to do as such a tender age.

First up, on Sunday, was the British Gymnastics, SE Regional Floor and Vault Finals at the Guildford Spectrum in Surrey.  Thankfully not as early a start as last year so managed to get there for a nice and respectable 10am.  Found myself in the arena and spotted my ex-wife Clare and her Mum Anne waving at me from up in the stand, so went to sit up with them.

On admission, you get a competition sheet which tells you who is in each group.  Izzy was starting on the Yellow vault.  To put this competition in perspective, there were four separate vaults and four floor areas, just to the judges could see as many Gymnasts as possible.

Izzy started on the Yellow Vault

It wasnt long before all the Gymnasts came out to music and then went through a group warm up before getting 10 minutes individual warm up on their respective apparatus.

It appeared that Izzy's warm up vaults were ok and was landing really well but unfortunately, her 2 judged vaults were a little off, with the smallest of skips on landing but because of that she was marked down to 6.400 and 6.400.

After patiently awaiting the rotation, Izzy hit the floor.

Izzy scored 7.450, the highest score of any Gymnast in her group by some margin.  However, given the result of the vault, we estimated that she was in about 5th or 6th place overall but we got the pleasant shock of her name being announced in 3rd place at the presentation, so she got the bronze medal.

Izzy on the podium in 3rd place

Blimey, a right little star on our hands.

As you can see, she was rather pleased with her bronze medal.
Two days later, Izzy was doing the other thing she loves.  Singing.  This time in her choir, the Semiquavers.  She sang solo on 'The Angel Gabiel'...



Just wow.  I know all parents get super gushy when they speak about their offspring so bare with me but Izzy is pushing her boundaries so much more than I did at that age.  I found it difficult to say "Yes Miss" for the morning register at school let alone getting up in front of a packed church singing solo like that.
Anyway, as you can tell by the applause at the end, it went down a treat.  So not only do we have a little Gymnast on our hands, we've also got a potential X Factor winner to contend with too lol.
At the end of the Christmas concert, the choir masters awarded Izzy the 'Ron Baker Trophy', in recognition of her hard work, her attitude and her willingness to help others.  So nice to see her not taking after her Dad lol.

Izzy with the 'Ron Baker Trophy'

So Izzy has had one hell of a week this week.  You couldnt wipe that smile off her face if you tried.  One thing is for sure though.  At this rate, she'll need a bigger medal hanging rack than her Dad's.

Like father (not) like daughter...

Another week gone by with more ups and downs than a Nun doing press-ups in a cucumber field.

The week started ok.  I ran 10k on Monday and Wednesday (with the Plums, which I'll come on to later).  I then ran a shorter but lumpy 5.5m on Saturday, followed by an easy 5 on Sunday which for the best part was off road over Oxleas Woods.

As it stands, I'm not enjoying my running at the moment.  I have to be honest with myself and say I'm not enjoying much at the moment.  I feel depressed and one of the telltale signs I look for is losing interest in things that I previously loved.  Ok, my fitness levels have deserted me since the marathon and a little weight has gone on but I'm just hating every minute that I'm running at the moment.

Both Chandra and Rich have said I should try something different.  Get back in the Gym, get back out on the bike, do some walking, swimming, anything else that counts as exercise, like getting back out in the garden and doing some more digging.  Anything counts.

It feels very difficult to believe I ran a marathon just over 2 months ago now.  Running 10k is a struggle for me at present.

I made a conscious effort to dig in last week and do four additional upper body and core work outs on top of my four runs for the week.  Only 40 minutes-worth apeace but at 400 sit ups/crunches a time, more than worthwhile.

Depression is not a word I have a fond affection for.  In the days before I took my training seriously, I suffered greatly from depression.  It has never been fully diagnosed by a doctor but I can tell you that I've suffered with depression for years.  Most readers will know my brother is Bipolar and my Dad suffers from depression too.  It runs in the family, unfortunately.

Last week, the depression took hold again.  Not majorly but it feels like it had caught up with me.  I'd had an incredible run of 2 years without an attack of any kind.  It just so happens I was feeling down, I'd had an issue with the Plums on Wednesday night, I'd had a god damn awful first date on Thursday night and on top of my drastic drop in fitness, it all came to a head and I found myself questioning myself late on Thursday evening.

Sadly, Friday morning, I felt like I was 6ft under.  Its was a huge shame as I was supposed to be on a second date on Friday evening with a very nice young lady who I'd met the week before but I just didnt feel well enough to go.  I text my date and explained and she took the news very well that I was blowing her out with minimum notice.  I told her the truth rather than give some feeble excuse.  I was having a real bad time and my self-confidence was at an all-time low.

I'd like to say a big thanks to my brother at this point because I ended up going out with Steve on that Friday evening and he attemtped successfully to put a smile back on my face and talking things through with him made a massive difference.  Dont get me wrong, the black cloud hasnt just upped and disappeared, it has been given a huge dose of salt and had been put into perspective, so I'm back looking at the world in the right way.  Hopefully, as I put more time into my training and my fitness gets better, the cloud should lift.

Sunday was fun.  Up at the crack of dawn to go to Maidstone to see Izzy compete in the Kent Gymnastics Floor and Vault Competition.  Welling, to Gravesend to pick up Izzy and the ex-wife, then on to Maidstone.  We arrived around 8:15am.  I spent most of the morning yawning my head off having stayed up to watch England v Honduras the night before.

However, it was well worth the early start.

Izzy had to perform a floor routine followed by performing two vaults...

 

  

As you can see from the two videos grabbed on my iPhone, Izzy done great. It takes a lot to get up and do that in front of a crowd of a good 500 people, let alone the other 100 or so competing Gymnasts.

But we didnt quite know how well she done... 

Excuse the poor iPhone photography but thats Izzy on the podium in Bronze medal position.  Third.  Oh god, I was choked.  Eyes welling up.  Sunglasses went back on.  I cant even describe how proud I felt.

After finishing 6th and a bucket full of tears last time round, can you tell how Izzy was from this photo?

I was sooo pleased for her.  She works bloody hard at her Gymnastics and she's reaping the benefits.  After her disappointment last time around, it was fantastic to see her with that big smile on her face again.

She taught me a very valuable lesson though.  Sport must be performed with a smile on your face.  You need to be enjoying what you're doing.  If you're not enjoying it, there's very little point in continuing.

There is another positive to take from this weekend.  A pretty major one.  My chance of a second date isnt quite over just yet. 

The Easter Holidays and more recovery...

After the 45 mile ride with Rich, I have to say I felt pretty exhausted in the following 48-72 hours.  If the Marathon hadnt finished me off, the bike ride pretty much did.

Thankfully, I had Izzy with me from Wednesday through to Saturday, so my first chance of any sort of work out was going to be Saturday evening.

After dropping Izzy home, it was a case of running a "gentle" 10k, although the HR on my Garmin suggested otherwise.

Av HR of 160bpm, Max HR of 170bpm was a lot for recent runs. I put it down to tiredness and recovery from the Marathon.

Then I hit the road again on Monday evening, within 10 minutes of being in the front door from work...

Again, Av HR of 159bpm and Max HR of 171bpm was an awful lot for me on a run averaging 9:17 min/mile pace.

Into the Gym and on the treadmill, my HR was still much higher than usual.
Tuesday off. Back to the Gym on Wednesday for my first training session with Chandra for a good three or four months. My HR was still higher than it really should have been on the short two mile run to the Gym.
Same again on the 2.5km treadmill warm up, averaging 161bpm.

My lungs have felt wheezey, I havent felt 100% by a long way. Did I have a virus? I have to say that when Chandra was working with me, getting me to use the VIPR I felt like I was in pieces, something which is very rare for me these days. Was my asthma playing up again? It was something to check, thats for sure.

Another day and a half of recovery with Izzy again gave me a rest so I took her over Danson Park on Friday morning and I have to say I felt much better.

With Izzy riding her bike alongside me while I ran three gentle loops of the lake, my HR looked pretty much back to normal for a run of 9:30 min/mile pace. Panic over. Perhaps it just took me a lot longer to get over the marathon than I thought it would.

Sunday Race Day (The Sport Relief Mile at Danson Park)

I picked Izzy up from her School Disco on Friday at 8:45pm.  On our way back from Higham to Bexleyheath on the A2, she asked me if my knees were feeling better?  No, was the answer.  Friday was the sorest day I'd had for a while and explained I was off to see the Physio on Monday.

Other than the walk to and from work and the little bit of walking we had to do on Saturday, I had two days to recover for Izzy's big day.  The Sport Relief Mile.  I signed her up a few months ago as something for us to do together and as it was my belated birthday weekend, it would top if off brilliantly.

Saturday we went to the O2 to see the X Factor Live.  Not a bad concert, Izzy loved it, I was fairly meh to it but it was up with the last one we went to a couple of years ago.  Afterwards, we jumped on the bus back to Bexleyheath and we went for a chinese.  Lovely.  That was the carb loading taken care of ;)

Sunday morning came.  We was up pretty early, both of us had some breakfast and we changed into our kit.  Izzy just so wanted to get her Sport Relief T Shirt on but I told her she'd be better off wrapping up and keeping her jumper and coat on until the last minute to keep warm as it was a particularly cold March morning.

So off we went to Danson Park.  Just in time for the 9am marshall/staff briefing from Race Director Mary.  We told Mary that we'd help out after we'd done our run and she very nicely gave Izzy the job of handing out the medals to the finishers.

I cant begin to tell you how cold it was on Sunday morning.  Both Izzy and I were shivering big time, despite numerous layers.  We stripped off just before the race...

I think our faces were frozen in that pic.

Anyhow, we decided on a quick warm up.  Izzy was desperate to get running by that point, so we went off on a gentle jog around the start line area.  Only a couple of minutes, just to get the blood pumping and to generally warm up.

We all got called to the start line, the official photographer wanted to take some pics with the Mayor of Bexley at the start line then eventually, we were off.

Izzy ran brilliantly. Not sure what went on with the route but we ended up running 1.6 miles. Ha. Bring it on.  I ran at her pace, so every time she slowed, I did and we went down to just walking pace for a few seconds here and there but I really couldnt have been prouder of her.

I dont think I've ever seen her with redder cheeks.

We made it round in 17:54.  Pretty much 11:00 min/mile pace.  None of that matters, just getting over the finish line was an achievement.  To be honest, I dont think she would have made it to the finish had she been on her own as it took some gentle encouragement of "come on, there's only 200 meters to go!", when it was more like 4 times that but she wasnt to know.

So after she picked up her medal, we switched to staffing duties...

The Plums hosted the Sport Relief Mile at Danson Park, with some help from Bexley Athletics Club

I'm really proud of Izzy.  Got only did she complete the mile, she also got her 200m swimming badge last week.  Yeah, 200m.  Thats like 8 consecutive lengths of the pool without stopping.  Yes, without stopping.  Holy sh*t.  I'm only just capable of that now.  Absolutely brilliant.  Tell you what, chuck in her number one sport of Gymnastics, we've really got a cracking little Sportswoman on our hands here.  The world literally could be her Oyster.

Of course, the fact I ran leads on to the obvious question.  How are the knees?  Erm, if I'm honest, not too bad.  They're nowhere near 100% but I made it round the 1.6 mile course.  99% of it was on grass.  Whether I'm capable of running 26.2 miles on tarmac, cobbles and concrete in less than 2 weeks, thats another kettle of fish entirely.

A huge thanks to everyone at Plumstead Runners for hosting a great event.  Izzy and I loved it.  I think Izzy enjoyed handing out the medals more than she did the run itself but hey, what 8 year old in their right mind would enjoy running?

Saturday Training (my first ever run with Izzy & a late 15 mile road run)

Saturday was one of them days which will live long in the memory.

A few months ago, I signed Izzy up for the Sport Relief Mile, which is being hosted by the Plums at Danson Park in 3 weeks time (23rd March).  Izzy has mentioned a few times in the last month or so that as Daddy is doing a run and is having to train for it, shouldnt she be doing some training too?

Despite her Monday evening Swimming lesson and Gymnastics sessions twice a week, she still felt she needed to do some running too.

So last week, I suggested that we go for a gentle run this weekend so test her legs out.  Izzy's Mum conveniently packed her tracksuit and trainers into her case so we were all set.
 

The plan was to run a loop into the park at the end of the old dears road and then back round, comes up just short of half a mile.

Izzy learnt some valuable lessons in the first 300m or so. Dont ever go off too hard otherwise you'll end up with a stitch, especially when you havent done much running. I tried to tell her not to go off too quick but to be fair, most 8 year olds wouldnt know what pace to run. So as we got to the park, the look on anguish on her face said stitch. Thats easily dealt with. I told her to put her hands on her head and breathe slowly in as deeply as she could and then blow it all out slowly while I gave her a quick rub to make her feel better. Problem solved. 

We carried on, up a little slope in the park just to get back to the road, which for a child looks more than just a little slope, it more like a giant hill. She got up it no problem and with a gentle job back we'd done half a mile. I thought that was her lot and told her she'd done half and that was more than enough but she insisted on running it again, as she wanted to know what it would feel like on the day.

So we done it again. At the top of the hill, we decided to take a detour down the hill as it would give her legs a rest but then she insisted on jogging back up the hill to the old dears afterwards, rather than just walking it. When we got back, I told her she'd done 1.17 miles and you should have seen the look on her face. She was ecstatic and couldnt believe she'd done it. If I'm honest, I couldnt believe it either. 4 years or so ago, I couldnt have done what she'd just done. Felt so proud of her.

Sadly, as with most weekends, I had to take Izzy home at 6pm and with next weekend being a rare weekend of not having her at all, it hits me pretty hard. I was so down in the dumps on Saturday evening afterwards. I dropped the car back to my parents and I got the bus back to Welling. 8:30pm on a Saturday evening, no daughter, no social life to speak of, what is a single man supposed to do with himself? 

The idea of going for a run popped into my head. Why not? Ok, its not the tried and tested run at the same time as the marathon but I can still get some valuable miles in. Ah sod it, evening problem solved. Within 30 mins, I was ready to go. I'd already bought my Jelly Babies in advance when I went shopping with Izzy on Friday evening, so I was all prepared. Well, so I thought...

I hadnt planned a route, I hadnt decided on a distance, the only thing I knew I was going to run around about my marathon pace. So off I went.

I'd been happily sipping away on my bottle of High 5 4:1 when I got to Sidcup High Street around about mile 4 and I thought I'd have my first Jelly Baby. Unzipped the front zip on the bottle belt and doh! Had totally forgot to pack the sweets. Oh sh*t. I had no money on me to buy anything, didnt have my Oyster card on me to get me out of trouble if I needed it so it was decision time, either loop back now and limit the run to 8 miles or plod on. I'm a stubborn old sod so I plodded on. I felt good, I had no distractions other than a few floaty thoughts about missing Izzy in my head so it was a welcome distraction.

As it turns out, it was a great decision.  With only the High 5 4:1 fueling me, I knew I'd be ok but sometimes its just the head telling you that you need something more.

15 miles at 9:17 min/mile pace in 2:20 with a quick comfort stop in the bushes at Hall Place.   No Jelly Babies.  No gels.  Just some 4:1 which I'd only had about 400 ml whilst I'd been sipping some water from my other bottle.  What with the gentle 1.17 miles I'd done with Izzy earlier in the day, I'd done 16.17 miles for the day.

It was strange coming in the front door just after 11:30pm.  I must admit I got a few strange looks as I passed through Bexley Village from those who were out partying.  To be honest, I'd totally lost track of time.  I had been away in my own thoughts for the majority of the run and my head came back in a much better place than it was before I went out.

One negative though.  I'd developed a blister on my second toe on my left foot, the one next to my big toe.  Right on the tip.  I had hope it would go away but sadly not.  It was sore by the time I jumped in the bath but that was when I noticed the state it was in.  It was a blister, in a blister, in another blister and it literally surrounded my toe nail, which I've almost lost anyway.

So I made the decision to do some self-surgery.  Anywhere else on the foot I would have applied a Compeed blister plaster but where it was on the end of the toe, that would have been impossible.

Out came a needle and gently popped the side and instantly felt the pressure release.  However, as the blister had been there for over a week, the skin was stretched beyond the point it would repair it self, so out came the scissors and after a few snips, the loose skin was gone.  It was sore but nothing too bad.  I just hope it begins to heal up properly now otherwise the next few runs could be a bit uncomfortable.

The Semi Quavers rock Trafalgar Square

Wow, just how good were the Semi Quavers, eh?

Izzy's choir were selected to sing at Trafalgar Square today. As Izzy was staying with me that weekend, I took her on the train to London and we met her Mum and Grandparents to watch the choir sing their hearts out for an hour.

Unfortunately, as the choir started their third song, a couple of Santa's waltzed into Trafalgar Square, equiped with a full PA system and started pumping out Michael Jackson about 150 yards away but it was so loud it seriously drowned out the Semi Quavers.

Without a second of hesitation I was almost running over to them and I accosted the pair of them straight away, telling them to cut the volume, show the little ones some bloody respect and to shove their PA system right up their ...

With some protest, I delayed them enough before the wardens turned up and moved them on.  Job done.

The choir sang beautifully all afternoon and I must admit I got a little choked up while I was watching them from the top of the steps outside the National Gallery.

Fabulous afternoon.

(In the video, Izzy's on the far right, with black hooded jacket, woolie hat and boots).

 

Izzy at Trafalgar Square

The Semi Quavers in front of the Christmas Tree

Thursday & Friday Training (early 10k run, 4 mile run warm up before the Gym, 10k run)

I've been fairly lazy on the updating of the blog this week, so apologies.  I just havent had enough hours in the days.

Tuesday was a no go because I went to watch Izzy's choir, the SemiQuavers, perform their christmas concert and it was bloody brilliant.

Wednesday was a Xmas do at lunchtime and by the time I got home all I wanted to do was put my feet up.

So, in true JB fashion, I went at it hard on Thursday & Friday.

Alarm went at 5.30am.  Out the door by 5.50am for a ploddy 10k.

It was ridiculously foggy and very slippy underfoot on the pavements but made it around ok. Got back in for 6.45am, just as my alarm usually goes off. Straight in the shower and then off to work. 

Then within 10 mins of being home from work, it was off for another 4 miles before hitting the Gym for my first workout in almost 2 weeks. 

Just the usual TRX circuit in the Gym then took the bus home to watch the Spurs.

Then as I've got Izzy this weekend, I went out and ran 10k on Friday lunchtime... 

It felt like a huge struggle today. Its normally just over 7 miles straight back to the office but I'd had enough by 2.5 miles, so I decided to call it a day on 10k. Straight into Sainsburys to pick up a Sandwich and a drink and took the slow miander back through the Royal London Hospital.

The observant amongst you will have noticed that the Friday lunchtime 10k was recorded on my new shiny Garmin Forerunner 620.  I'll write up something about it when I get a chance but I'm impressed by it already.

So looking forward to Izzy o'clock tonight.

If anyone is not doing anything on Sunday, Izzy's choir will be singing under the Christmas Tree at Trafalgar Square at 2pm on Sunday for an hour.  Come and see the SemiQuavers rock London.

Good luck Izzy...

Just a quick post to wish Izzy and the rest of the DLJ Rising Stars Floor and Vault Squad the very best of luck for their regional competition in Guildford, Surrey tomorrow morning.

Izzy in the middle with the rest of the DLR Rising Stars

Sadly, I wont be there watching tomorrow but I'll be thinking of her.  Good luck Princess x

Saturday Training (Hill Reps - Watling St x 4)

Still feeling buoyed from Friday's Gym session, Saturday was here.  Most importantly, the main attraction for me was Izzy o'clock having not seen her for a day short of two weeks.   Had two other things to get done before my Princess arrived: get the hair chopped and get a run of some kind in.

The plan was to head to my parents, drop into Harry's Barbers on the way, then go for a quick run before lunch and before Izzy arrived.

The visit to Harry's was brief.  3 on top, 2 round the back and sides please chief.  Job done.  

Back to the parents.  A quick change into the running kit and then back out on the road.  The plan was to run a local loop, 4 times up Watling St.  Its not a significant steep hill but its a drag.

Here's the profile from Strava...

As you can see, its not a particularly big hill but its got a kick up in the middle and by the top, the legs are really feeling it...

Here's the Garmin report...

It was a good run and I was really feeling the hill on the third and fourth reps. The pace wasnt particularly quick but it was around my half marathon pace (and just a little quicker than the 9 min/mile pace I'll be looking to match for a sub 4:00 marathon).

I dump the Garmin data on to Strava when cycling but its ideal for when running specific segments on the road as you get to see the individual times for each repetition.

As you can see, the rep times were pretty consistent so am well pleased with my efforts.  The HR looks higher on the first two reps and then drops but I dont really see that as an issue as I was still working in the same HR zone for the duration.

Again, more progress.  Its great to see I'm still finding gains in performance.

Roll on the arrival of Princess Izzy.  Looking forward to spending some time with her and once she's tucked up in bed tonight, its all about Froch v Groves.  Hopefully Groves will teach the arrogant Froch a lesson in the ring.

Being a single dad

There's one thing that really grates me about being a single dad.  Not seeing Izzy on a daily basis.

I cant even begin to explain the feeling of not seeing your child(ren), only someone in the same position would truly knows what it feels like.

First of all, I have to say I'm extremely fortunate that I've got a good relationship with my ex-wife Clare, who said from the outset that she still wanted me to be a big part of Izzy's life (depsite her not wanting to be part of mine lol...don't blame her to be honest but thats another story altogether!).  It goes without saying I'm one of the lucky dads.  There are a lot less fortunate men out there who don't get to see their kids through the actions of their vindictive ex-partners.  However, for the sake of balance, it has to be said there are a lot of dads out there that dont seem to give a sh*t about their kids (see Jeremy Kyle on a daily basis for examples!)

've got quite a few girl friends that have split from their partners or husbands and they only have to give up their kids for the odd weekend or odd over-nighter.  The thought of giving their kids up for two weeks at a time is horrific to them.

Thats the reality I face.  Clare and I have come to an arrangement where for the time being, I get to have Izzy one night a week (on average) over a four-week rotation.  I've outlined it on the "Izzy Schedule" page so I wont repeat it here but once in every four weeks, I'm faced with the daunting prospect of not seeing Izzy for almost 2 weeks.

On this occasion, I gave Izzy back to Clare on Sunday 10th November but I now wont see madam until the afternoon of Saturday 23rd November, 13 days.

Ever tried being away from your kids for 13 days?  I dont recommend it.  The 13 days will always feel like the longest 13 days of your life.

When I first split up with Clare, Izzy was only 2 and a bit.  She's coming up 8 now and she's used to the situation now.  I guess we all are.  The emotions are no longer raw.  They're locked away deep in the memory banks, hopefully never to be revisited.

For the first couple of years, I used to fight back the tears on every drive back down the A2 to Bexley after dropping Izzy home.  Now its all done on auto-pilot.  The worst thing for me is when Izzy insists on running next to the car on the pavement and races me to the tree.  Her face is lit with glee as she's trying to race me then her face suddenly drops when I wave from the car window when she realises I'm going.  That breaks my heart every time.  She stands and waves for a couple of seconds but the look I see in the rear view mirror on her face, the sadness, will live with me until the day I die.

It drives me on.  I may have let Izzy's Mum down in various ways (oh yes, its not all down to me, lets get that straight, a relationship is a two-way thing and it was never going to work unfortunately) but I'll be damned if anything is ever going to come between Izzy and I.

Fatherhood comes before everything for me.

Anyhow, only 10 days now until I see madam again.  Thank god for Face Time.  Think Daddy needs it more than madam does.

[Oh for the love of god, I cant wait for my neighbours to move.  The dividing floor in my flat must be so thin as whenever their 11 month-old baby son cries, it feels like I'm sleeping in the same bloody room.  Some sleep really would be nice sometime!]

Weekend update...Izzy...the knee...and the cricket...

I had a cracking 24 hours and a bit with Izzy this weekend.  Chilled out in front of the tv last night and we hit Crook Log at 7.30 on Sunday morning for some swimming.

26 lengths of the 20m teaching pool = 520m in the bank.  For a 7 year old, thats a cracking effort.  It was a bit of an effort for me to keep up with her if the truth be known.

The good news is that the knee reacted well afterwards and during the day, so I cut the 7 day of complete rest by a day and headed out on the road after Top Gear this evening for a relaxed pace 5k.

 

Nothing miraculous, just down to the Plums club house, turned left and looped back on myself, just about spot on the 3.1 miles back home. I didnt feel the knee throughout the run and I havent felt it in the hour since being back. I ensured I stretched properly, rolled both quads and IT bands on the foam roller and I guess it helped that I walked down to the corner shop to grab a can of Diet Coke to sip while I soaked in the bath.

So far so good but tomorrow morning will be the ultimate test to see how it reacts to not moving and possible stiffening over night.

Oh and not forgetting the weekend was topped off by the brilliant climax to the Test Match. Will post up my thoughts shortly.