Like it says, this is the last post before Sunday.
We're planning to leave home by 11am on Saturday and take it easy going up the A9 with a stop at Bruar because Maggie hasn't been there.
The Leonard Cheshire folks want to take a picture of all those running for the charity at 4.30pm tomorrow afternoon so we'll be there for that.
My name's now on my vest, front and back, so that's all sorted. Earlier today I saw the phsyio who did some ultrasound on my knee and declared that I'd have no problems at all. Positive positive positive thoughts!
Tea was a humungous plate of spaghetti and meatballs which I couldn't finish. Very fine though.
And last but not least, my fund-raising total now stands at £960!!! Stunning. It's got to get over £1,000 now, surely?
So, the next post on here will be after the race and I hope it's a good one.
I have the expression "life's a journey, not a destination" going through my mind right now.
No doubt at all that this is going to be one of my hardest but most fascinating journeys.
Friday, September 29
Thursday, September 28
Cars and girls...
You thought I was going to mention LNM first, didn't you? Nothing could be further from my mind.
And the band played believe it if you like.
My thoughts today have never been far from Sunday's little adventure, especially given that my fund-raising total is now just short of £900.
Late this afternoon I went for a massage at Woodland Herbs, which was just the job. I had some aches after doing some bum stretching exercises earlier in the week and my legs were a bit tight.
I'm now a lot looser after a bit of kneading here and pressing there.
Talk about a hypochondriac though. I have a slight niggling pain in my lower left stomach which I've separately diagnosed as a) a hernia and b) appendicitis.
In truth, it's likely to be the result of carb overload which has made my stomach feel like bloated. Fiona and Sophie say I'm not very pleasant to be near but I'll stop right there.
I did the interview with Katie Still yesterday for John Beattie's Saturday morning programme. I really enjoyed doing it - it allowed me to marshall my thoughts very effectively and at times I actually sounded (to myself anyway) reasonably articulate.
Final day at work tomorrow then 100% thoughts on Sunday. Positive positive positive all the way.
We went to the launch of the new BMW 3 Series Coupe at Harry Fairbairn's new service centre in Giffnock this evening. There were lots of glam and pouty model types there and I met Robin Galloway for the first time in about 12 years.
He and I used to work at Northsound Radio in Aberdeen and shared many an early morning, him presenting the breakfast programme, me reading the news. Ah, the old days!
And the band played believe it if you like.
My thoughts today have never been far from Sunday's little adventure, especially given that my fund-raising total is now just short of £900.
Late this afternoon I went for a massage at Woodland Herbs, which was just the job. I had some aches after doing some bum stretching exercises earlier in the week and my legs were a bit tight.
I'm now a lot looser after a bit of kneading here and pressing there.
Talk about a hypochondriac though. I have a slight niggling pain in my lower left stomach which I've separately diagnosed as a) a hernia and b) appendicitis.
In truth, it's likely to be the result of carb overload which has made my stomach feel like bloated. Fiona and Sophie say I'm not very pleasant to be near but I'll stop right there.
I did the interview with Katie Still yesterday for John Beattie's Saturday morning programme. I really enjoyed doing it - it allowed me to marshall my thoughts very effectively and at times I actually sounded (to myself anyway) reasonably articulate.
Final day at work tomorrow then 100% thoughts on Sunday. Positive positive positive all the way.
We went to the launch of the new BMW 3 Series Coupe at Harry Fairbairn's new service centre in Giffnock this evening. There were lots of glam and pouty model types there and I met Robin Galloway for the first time in about 12 years.
He and I used to work at Northsound Radio in Aberdeen and shared many an early morning, him presenting the breakfast programme, me reading the news. Ah, the old days!
Wednesday, September 27
Lucky mascot
LNM minus four and counting.
I ventured out round Strathclyde Loch last night on a very easy run and really enjoyed it. It was good too to receive lots of "good lucks" from club members.
I don't know whether or not it's because of a general lack of running but my legs felt a bit shaky. It could of course be adrenalin!
I published my penultimate training diary on the BBC News website on Monday.
The emails I received in response were great, especially the one about the sausage roll thief at the Wishaw Marathon in 1984. A superb story.
John Beattie's Saturday morning programme on BBC Radio Scotland is going to do something about the marathon and I'm taking part in it.
We'll be recording my contribution this morning so that'll be another good memento of the whole experience.
Fiona and Sophie have been asked to help steward the 5K fun run on Sunday in return for which they receive t-shirts and goody-bags. They're very much looking forward to that.
And last but not least, I'm now the top fund-raiser running for Leonard Cheshire in the marathon, which is great. I continue to be amazed at people's generosity.
I ventured out round Strathclyde Loch last night on a very easy run and really enjoyed it. It was good too to receive lots of "good lucks" from club members.
I don't know whether or not it's because of a general lack of running but my legs felt a bit shaky. It could of course be adrenalin!
I published my penultimate training diary on the BBC News website on Monday.
The emails I received in response were great, especially the one about the sausage roll thief at the Wishaw Marathon in 1984. A superb story.
John Beattie's Saturday morning programme on BBC Radio Scotland is going to do something about the marathon and I'm taking part in it.
We'll be recording my contribution this morning so that'll be another good memento of the whole experience.
Fiona and Sophie have been asked to help steward the 5K fun run on Sunday in return for which they receive t-shirts and goody-bags. They're very much looking forward to that.
And last but not least, I'm now the top fund-raiser running for Leonard Cheshire in the marathon, which is great. I continue to be amazed at people's generosity.
Sunday, September 24
Saturday, September 23
I ran...
The sun was shining, the sky was blue and my resolve ran out.
I went out for an easy run at about 9.30am and it was great. My knee felt stiff and there were a couple of twinges but nothing major.
I deliberately didn't take the Garmin because I didn't even want to think about how far I was going - my only thought was not to go over six miles.
Given that I know my routes off by heart, I ended up doing round about five miles.
I have to admit that there's some aching from below my kneecap this evening but I must say that at this stage, I don't give a monkey's about how much it aches AFTER the event. My biggest concern is how it feels DURING the race.
Positive positive positive thoughts all the way though.
The three of us went swimming this afternoon and I really felt like I was wrapping myself up in cotton wool. I had this dreadful worry that I was going to slip on the side of the pool and do myself a real injury.
Bloody hell, that doesn't even bear thinking about.
Now, for some reason, my nerves are all on edge. Is this it for the next week and a day?
It's so so weird to think that Sunday October 1 is little more than seven days away.
I went out for an easy run at about 9.30am and it was great. My knee felt stiff and there were a couple of twinges but nothing major.
I deliberately didn't take the Garmin because I didn't even want to think about how far I was going - my only thought was not to go over six miles.
Given that I know my routes off by heart, I ended up doing round about five miles.
I have to admit that there's some aching from below my kneecap this evening but I must say that at this stage, I don't give a monkey's about how much it aches AFTER the event. My biggest concern is how it feels DURING the race.
Positive positive positive thoughts all the way though.
The three of us went swimming this afternoon and I really felt like I was wrapping myself up in cotton wool. I had this dreadful worry that I was going to slip on the side of the pool and do myself a real injury.
Bloody hell, that doesn't even bear thinking about.
Now, for some reason, my nerves are all on edge. Is this it for the next week and a day?
It's so so weird to think that Sunday October 1 is little more than seven days away.
Friday, September 22
Pacific Quay
I went to our new home on the other side of the Clyde this afternoon and was knocked out by the building.
Lots more to do inside but it's an amazing place, even now.
The views from the various levels are stunning - I wish we were moving there tomorrow.
On the job front, I got news this morning that I'd been unsuccessful (no surprise there) but I was told my performance was nothing like as bad as I thought.
Running - one day less to go now. Both legs were a bit stiff after the kneading they got yesterday.
I'm really itching to run and may well give it a go this weekend.
Lots more to do inside but it's an amazing place, even now.
The views from the various levels are stunning - I wish we were moving there tomorrow.
On the job front, I got news this morning that I'd been unsuccessful (no surprise there) but I was told my performance was nothing like as bad as I thought.
Running - one day less to go now. Both legs were a bit stiff after the kneading they got yesterday.
I'm really itching to run and may well give it a go this weekend.
You!
Hmmm, I was wondering why there had been a sudden spike in the number of people reading my blog.
The answer is that Steven McKenzie, our Inverness-based online journalist, included a link to it in his story about Terry Cowan wearing a kilt for the marathon.
I had seen the story before it was published but I'd forgotten subsequently that there was a link to the blog.
For anyone reading this who's running the marathon for charity, I hope you didn't feel excluded by the story because although it focused on Leonard Cheshire I was keen that it reflected something of the other charities who'll benefit from the event.
As far as my preparations go, I've managed to resist the temptation to run. I had another session with Iona at Woodland Herbs yesterday and she reckons the cause may lie somewhere in my right hip.
Anyway, the knee has continued to ease which is good. At the same time my nerves are starting to jangle as the days go by.
Not long to go now!
The answer is that Steven McKenzie, our Inverness-based online journalist, included a link to it in his story about Terry Cowan wearing a kilt for the marathon.
I had seen the story before it was published but I'd forgotten subsequently that there was a link to the blog.
For anyone reading this who's running the marathon for charity, I hope you didn't feel excluded by the story because although it focused on Leonard Cheshire I was keen that it reflected something of the other charities who'll benefit from the event.
As far as my preparations go, I've managed to resist the temptation to run. I had another session with Iona at Woodland Herbs yesterday and she reckons the cause may lie somewhere in my right hip.
Anyway, the knee has continued to ease which is good. At the same time my nerves are starting to jangle as the days go by.
Not long to go now!
Wednesday, September 20
Onwards and upwards (or not)
The hours of 2pm to 4.45pm on Tuesday September 19 were not my finest.
Suffice to say that that was the time of my assessment and job interview and put simply I did not give the best impression of myself.
With a little bit of time having elapsed between then and now, I can see several possible reasons.
At least now the pressure's off and I can focus on my current job where much is to be done.
I had to resist the very strong temptation to go for a hard run last night to try to clear my head. Instead I went to the gym.
People say running is boring??? Bloody hell, I couldn't stick the gym for a long period of time.
My knee still feels a bit stiff but the icing is helping and there's no pain from it.
Long may that continue. Eleven days to go and counting.
Suffice to say that that was the time of my assessment and job interview and put simply I did not give the best impression of myself.
With a little bit of time having elapsed between then and now, I can see several possible reasons.
At least now the pressure's off and I can focus on my current job where much is to be done.
I had to resist the very strong temptation to go for a hard run last night to try to clear my head. Instead I went to the gym.
People say running is boring??? Bloody hell, I couldn't stick the gym for a long period of time.
My knee still feels a bit stiff but the icing is helping and there's no pain from it.
Long may that continue. Eleven days to go and counting.
Monday, September 18
Squinty bridge
Thankfully I'm a lot easier of mind this evening.
I saw a physio, Alistair Macfie, at the National Sports Medicine Centre at Hampden late this afternoon.
After a fair bit of manipulating both knees, hips, ankles and feet, he came to the conclusion that there was nothing fundamentally wrong with my right knee.
Bottom line, it may well give me jip during the marathon but he saw no reason not to do it. Yee-ha!
He told me my knee "wasn't about to explode" which is always reassuring to hear.
The soft tissue inflammation isn't a cause, it's a symptom and he reckons I should have another video gait analysis done to see if the problem is coming from something in my running cycle.
I don't intend to try running until the middle of next week so between now and then it'll be more cross-training on the bike and stepper in an attempt to keep up my aerobic fitness. Not tonight though.
Tomorrow is the job interview and role play assessment and I'm really keen to get this over and done with.
In the meantime and unconnected, I like my pictures of the new Squinty Bridge over the Clyde in Glasgow which officially opened today.
The shot above was totally natural. One of the workmen had left a can of Irn Bru on a pedestrian crossing box at one end of the bridge and I thought it made a good picture.
I used some of the pics on our story about the opening here and in the accompanying picture gallery which is linked from the top right of the story.
Until tomorrow...
I saw a physio, Alistair Macfie, at the National Sports Medicine Centre at Hampden late this afternoon.
After a fair bit of manipulating both knees, hips, ankles and feet, he came to the conclusion that there was nothing fundamentally wrong with my right knee.
Bottom line, it may well give me jip during the marathon but he saw no reason not to do it. Yee-ha!
He told me my knee "wasn't about to explode" which is always reassuring to hear.
The soft tissue inflammation isn't a cause, it's a symptom and he reckons I should have another video gait analysis done to see if the problem is coming from something in my running cycle.
I don't intend to try running until the middle of next week so between now and then it'll be more cross-training on the bike and stepper in an attempt to keep up my aerobic fitness. Not tonight though.
Tomorrow is the job interview and role play assessment and I'm really keen to get this over and done with.
In the meantime and unconnected, I like my pictures of the new Squinty Bridge over the Clyde in Glasgow which officially opened today.
The shot above was totally natural. One of the workmen had left a can of Irn Bru on a pedestrian crossing box at one end of the bridge and I thought it made a good picture.
I used some of the pics on our story about the opening here and in the accompanying picture gallery which is linked from the top right of the story.
Until tomorrow...
Sunday, September 17
Ups and downs...
Today has ended on a rather higher note than yesterday did.
I just couldn't shrug off the feeling of despondency and a dread that I wasn't going to be able to make the starting line on October 1.
This morning I rang and asked for an appointment asap with Iona Robertson at Woodland Herbs. I also bought a knee strap with a pressure pad on the inside which sits just below the kneecap.
There's no way I'm running until I've spoken to someone. It's not that it's so sore that I couldn't run... it's because I'm shit scared of losing even more confidence.
This afternoon I went to the gym and did some stretches followed by 20 minutes of reasonably hard intervals on the bike then a similar pattern on the stepper. No impact and no pain.
I also spoke to Kenny this afternoon, who said a similar thing happened to him before his first marathon but he hadn't done the miles that I've done. He was determined to do it and he did.
That's lifted me considerably and I'm now in a much more positive frame of mind.
It may be that I don't run between now and the 1st but if that's the advice, I'll go with it.
I just couldn't shrug off the feeling of despondency and a dread that I wasn't going to be able to make the starting line on October 1.
This morning I rang and asked for an appointment asap with Iona Robertson at Woodland Herbs. I also bought a knee strap with a pressure pad on the inside which sits just below the kneecap.
There's no way I'm running until I've spoken to someone. It's not that it's so sore that I couldn't run... it's because I'm shit scared of losing even more confidence.
This afternoon I went to the gym and did some stretches followed by 20 minutes of reasonably hard intervals on the bike then a similar pattern on the stepper. No impact and no pain.
I also spoke to Kenny this afternoon, who said a similar thing happened to him before his first marathon but he hadn't done the miles that I've done. He was determined to do it and he did.
That's lifted me considerably and I'm now in a much more positive frame of mind.
It may be that I don't run between now and the 1st but if that's the advice, I'll go with it.
Saturday, September 16
Leonard Cheshire
It's taken me a bit of time to figure out how to write this entry. Today, we went to visit the residents of Leonard Cheshire supported houses in the east end of Glasgow.
It was a humbling experience, being welcomed into their homes and their lives. Ian, with whom we're pictured, George, Pamela, Betty and Margaret are all real characters.
I have the utmost admiration for their carers who live with them 24/7 and who I'd guess have come to be like family.
By all accounts, the people who live round the three houses supported by Leonard Cheshire are very supportive of the residents. They're also known in the immediate area and are welcomed at one of the pubs nearby, where they're made a bit of a fuss of. Hearing that restores my faith in human nature.
I took my Leonard Cheshire vest today and asked Ian, George and Pamela to sign it, which I thought would give me another incentive as well as the memories of our visit, to do well. They've written their names in red ink along the bottom of the front of the vest where I'll be able to see them.
I was also very touched by the gesture of two people, John and Myra, who'd come to visit. They gave me £10 in cash as a donation towards my fund-raising effort.
Now for the not so good news. Before today, I hadn't run since Monday night because of the pain in my right knee.
I went out this evening and did just over 5.5 miles. At 4.5 miles the pain was right round my knee.
I'm very very down about it and now intend to see a phsyio as soon as possible next week. A bit of self-diagnosis points towards it being Chondromalacia of the patella or Runner's Knee, a pretty common injury which often occurs in runners going for distances around 20 miles.
Everything I've read points to this but the only common remedy is icing the affected knee, which I've been doing daily. The other treatments range from total rest to arthroscopy to find out if the cartilage on the back of the kneecap has been irritated.
I'm trying really hard not to panic but the fact is that the marathon is two weeks tomorrow.
Surely I can't have come this far only to fail at this stage?
Enough for now.
It was a humbling experience, being welcomed into their homes and their lives. Ian, with whom we're pictured, George, Pamela, Betty and Margaret are all real characters.
I have the utmost admiration for their carers who live with them 24/7 and who I'd guess have come to be like family.
By all accounts, the people who live round the three houses supported by Leonard Cheshire are very supportive of the residents. They're also known in the immediate area and are welcomed at one of the pubs nearby, where they're made a bit of a fuss of. Hearing that restores my faith in human nature.
I took my Leonard Cheshire vest today and asked Ian, George and Pamela to sign it, which I thought would give me another incentive as well as the memories of our visit, to do well. They've written their names in red ink along the bottom of the front of the vest where I'll be able to see them.
I was also very touched by the gesture of two people, John and Myra, who'd come to visit. They gave me £10 in cash as a donation towards my fund-raising effort.
Now for the not so good news. Before today, I hadn't run since Monday night because of the pain in my right knee.
I went out this evening and did just over 5.5 miles. At 4.5 miles the pain was right round my knee.
I'm very very down about it and now intend to see a phsyio as soon as possible next week. A bit of self-diagnosis points towards it being Chondromalacia of the patella or Runner's Knee, a pretty common injury which often occurs in runners going for distances around 20 miles.
Everything I've read points to this but the only common remedy is icing the affected knee, which I've been doing daily. The other treatments range from total rest to arthroscopy to find out if the cartilage on the back of the kneecap has been irritated.
I'm trying really hard not to panic but the fact is that the marathon is two weeks tomorrow.
Surely I can't have come this far only to fail at this stage?
Enough for now.
Thursday, September 14
Taper Madness
Still no running. I read today in a book by Hal Higdon, who's run more than 100 marathons, about a condition called "Taper Madness".
Apparently it occurs when people who've trained for a long time for a marathon begin to ease back before the race and find themselves with loads of time on their hands.
One of the symptoms is increasingly erratic posts on internet marathon message boards.
I guess it's a bit like cabin fever.
I think I'm starting to suffer a bit from it even though my lack of running is due to a healthy dose of commonsense because of my niggly knee and partly a fear of doing something daft this close to October 1.
Anyway, the knee feels a bit easier so I may have a wee run out with Sophie tomorrow morning to see how it feels.
So you're probably wondering why the beach picture is on the blog?
No reason other than I like it and it's calming. and it reminds me of our holiday on Anna Maria Island in July.
That's plenty reason I reckon.
Apparently it occurs when people who've trained for a long time for a marathon begin to ease back before the race and find themselves with loads of time on their hands.
One of the symptoms is increasingly erratic posts on internet marathon message boards.
I guess it's a bit like cabin fever.
I think I'm starting to suffer a bit from it even though my lack of running is due to a healthy dose of commonsense because of my niggly knee and partly a fear of doing something daft this close to October 1.
Anyway, the knee feels a bit easier so I may have a wee run out with Sophie tomorrow morning to see how it feels.
So you're probably wondering why the beach picture is on the blog?
No reason other than I like it and it's calming. and it reminds me of our holiday on Anna Maria Island in July.
That's plenty reason I reckon.
Tuesday, September 12
flickr toys
I've been playing around with the stuff on flagrantdisregard.com. Knock-out.
Maybe it'll take my mind off my unhappy right knee. It's griping away after 5.75 miles last night round Chatelherault and ironically, having done 22 on Saturday, I felt really strong - apart from the offending joint.
I'm going to lay off running until Thursday at least and see how it feels then.
It's been iced twice to the point of having frostbite so hopefully that'll help.
Aberdeen on the train tomorrow so that'll provide some job thinking time.
Maybe it'll take my mind off my unhappy right knee. It's griping away after 5.75 miles last night round Chatelherault and ironically, having done 22 on Saturday, I felt really strong - apart from the offending joint.
I'm going to lay off running until Thursday at least and see how it feels then.
It's been iced twice to the point of having frostbite so hopefully that'll help.
Aberdeen on the train tomorrow so that'll provide some job thinking time.
Mugdock Reservoir
We had a walk round Mugdock Reservoir on Sunday which was really nice.
I liked this picture because of the different textures and the way the metal creates lines across the water.
Art? Fit's that a' aboot?
I liked this picture because of the different textures and the way the metal creates lines across the water.
Art? Fit's that a' aboot?
Monday, September 11
Rush - Marathon
I've been meaning to single out this Rush song for a while. Needless to say, it's called "Marathon"...
It's not how fast you can go
The force goes into the flow
If you pick up the beat
You can forget about the heat
More than just survival
More than just a flash
More than just a dotted line
More than just a dash
It's a test of ultimate will
The heartbreak climb uphill
Got to pick up the pace
If you want to stay in the race
More than just blind ambition
More than just simple greed
More than just a finish line
Must feed this burning need
In the long run...
[Chorus:]
From first to last
The peak is never passed
Something always fires the light that gets in your eyes
One moment's high, and glory rolls on by
Like a streak of lightning
That flashes and fades in the summer sky
Your meters may overload
You can rest at the side of the road
You can miss a stride
But nobody gets a free ride
More than high performance
More than just a spark
More than just the bottom line
Or a lucky shot in the dark
In the long run...
[Chorus]
You can do a lot in a lifetime
If you don't burn out too fast
You can make the most of the distance
First you need endurance
First you've got to last...
[Chorus]
It's not how fast you can go
The force goes into the flow
If you pick up the beat
You can forget about the heat
More than just survival
More than just a flash
More than just a dotted line
More than just a dash
It's a test of ultimate will
The heartbreak climb uphill
Got to pick up the pace
If you want to stay in the race
More than just blind ambition
More than just simple greed
More than just a finish line
Must feed this burning need
In the long run...
[Chorus:]
From first to last
The peak is never passed
Something always fires the light that gets in your eyes
One moment's high, and glory rolls on by
Like a streak of lightning
That flashes and fades in the summer sky
Your meters may overload
You can rest at the side of the road
You can miss a stride
But nobody gets a free ride
More than high performance
More than just a spark
More than just the bottom line
Or a lucky shot in the dark
In the long run...
[Chorus]
You can do a lot in a lifetime
If you don't burn out too fast
You can make the most of the distance
First you need endurance
First you've got to last...
[Chorus]
Sunday, September 10
The big one (so far)
Wow - 22 miles. So that's what it feels like.I wouldn't pretend it was comfortable in the last couple of miles but the discomfort has been over-ridden by a sense of achievement, even if I didn't feel like that while I was still running.
My right knee played up again but the pain came and went and was never really enough to cause major problems. I had to dig my thumbs into the tops of my thighs a couple of times in the last mile to massage the muscles there as they became more tired.
It was straight into a cold bath when I got home, seeing as how neither of the chief hoser downers was around.
This morning my legs feel a bit stiff but it's a kind of pleasant, "achievement" type of stiff. I'm now officially in taper time which is a pleasant thought. It doesn't mean no running at all, far from it. And it doesn't mean no more long runs until THREE WEEKS TODAY (18 next Sunday).
It just means a lessening of the intensity of training and lots of cotton wool to wrap myself in to avoid a daft injury at this stage.Last night we went to a Turkish night at Next Generation in Glasgow with Kenny, Lynne, Matt, Julie, wee Sam, which was fun.
Today we're heading up to Milngavie to meet other club members who've done part of the West Highland Way this morning.
On an unrelated note, I had a very minor "scare" earlier this week. The cyst thing that's been on my scalp for longer than I can remember bled a bit but I didn't notice it.
Fiona saw it and ordered me to the doctor. I saw the nurse on Friday and she immediately got a doctor to look at it.
She very cheerfully said: "Well it's not skin cancer." Right, well I'm bloody glad about that then.
In the next breath she said: "We don't take chances with these things nowadays so we'll arrange for you to have it removed at the Western within four weeks."
Ah, right then. It was only later that Fiona pointed out that I couldn't really run a marathon with a stitch in my head, covered by a bandage.
Here's hoping the date is either well before the first or a little bit after.
Thursday, September 7
Trembly legs
I went for a sports massage late this afternoon, which was a new experience.
It was at Woodland Herbs in Glasgow and my appointment was with Iona Robertson, who it turns out is also doing Loch Ness.
My view is that someone in her position is going to know what she's talking about so I was all ears. Generally speaking, all is well. Some quad tightness but it appears my icing and stretching has been paying off.
Well worth the £30 an hour cost.
She advised not doing anything too strenuous running wise this evening and I took her at her word because my legs felt quite heavy and a touch trembly (is that how you spell that word?). I hadn't intended to anything other than a gentle lap of the loch so that was it. I didn't even wear a watch which was liberating to say the least!
I got a new Garmin in the post yesterday - still no bloody postage refund despite promises from the retailer. None for the previous three I've returned either at £5 a time. I'm not doing it again.
It was at Woodland Herbs in Glasgow and my appointment was with Iona Robertson, who it turns out is also doing Loch Ness.
My view is that someone in her position is going to know what she's talking about so I was all ears. Generally speaking, all is well. Some quad tightness but it appears my icing and stretching has been paying off.
Well worth the £30 an hour cost.
She advised not doing anything too strenuous running wise this evening and I took her at her word because my legs felt quite heavy and a touch trembly (is that how you spell that word?). I hadn't intended to anything other than a gentle lap of the loch so that was it. I didn't even wear a watch which was liberating to say the least!
I got a new Garmin in the post yesterday - still no bloody postage refund despite promises from the retailer. None for the previous three I've returned either at £5 a time. I'm not doing it again.
Tuesday, September 5
Long day
It was a 4.20am rise to get to the airport. No hassles, despite the continuing higher level of security.
Thankfully no delays either so I was at White City by 8.30am for a meeting about the demise of Ceefax as an analogue service and its replacement by BBCi, the digital text service.
Had a bit of a chat with Pete at lunchtime, always good, then headed back to Heathrow for the 4.25pm to Glasgow. Again, no problems other than a bit of a delay in taking off but I was sound asleep.
Lovely weather above the clouds, sadly not so nice on the ground so my seven-mile run (twice round Strathclyde Loch) was a very wet affair. Quite pleasant though, nice to stretch the legs again.
I had an irritating niggle in my right knee which first surfaced I think during my 17-mile run. I hope it doesn't develop into something worse.
Thankfully no delays either so I was at White City by 8.30am for a meeting about the demise of Ceefax as an analogue service and its replacement by BBCi, the digital text service.
Had a bit of a chat with Pete at lunchtime, always good, then headed back to Heathrow for the 4.25pm to Glasgow. Again, no problems other than a bit of a delay in taking off but I was sound asleep.
Lovely weather above the clouds, sadly not so nice on the ground so my seven-mile run (twice round Strathclyde Loch) was a very wet affair. Quite pleasant though, nice to stretch the legs again.
I had an irritating niggle in my right knee which first surfaced I think during my 17-mile run. I hope it doesn't develop into something worse.
Monday, September 4
Monday
I'm leading a split blog life. The latest instalment of the sanitised one on the BBC News website is here and of course, you're reading the unofficial one here.
Anyhow, early to bed because it's the first flight to London tomorrow.
BA allowing I'll be back by 6.30pm in time for a sprightly six miles.
Btw, my official time for yesterday is 1.41.55. Where did that second go?
That put me in 1,337th position out of 7,568 finishers.
Sophie did the 3K in 19.58, a great time!
Anyhow, early to bed because it's the first flight to London tomorrow.
BA allowing I'll be back by 6.30pm in time for a sprightly six miles.
Btw, my official time for yesterday is 1.41.55. Where did that second go?
That put me in 1,337th position out of 7,568 finishers.
Sophie did the 3K in 19.58, a great time!
Sunday, September 3
Great Scottish Run
So, my fifth half-marathon comes and goes but this has to count as the least comfortable and the most frustrating one.Least comfortable because I felt sick from the start, probably because of the bug I had earlier in the week and felt like I never really shook it off properly.
The arrogant part of me thought I might be able to sneak a PB so I aimed for a sub 1.40 time and wrote those splits inside my race number.
I was going fine until about eight miles then the legs seemed to go from under me.
With four weeks to go until the Loch Ness Marathon, I really hope it was nothing more than just the marathon miles I've been doing catching up with me.
I felt like a donkey wearing a stookie in the last few miles!
The day started badly with me leaving my running shoes in the house but remembering as we got to the end of the road. Then I left my bag of Lucozade and other usual race-related comfort food in the back of Jill's car.
Thirdly, my GPS watch finally gave up the ghost with about 10 minutes to go before the start and finally I forgot to put Vaseline on my nips resulting in two very large red bloodstains on my Mwell vest and lots of painful chafing.
The frustrating part was being so close to my Mull PB of 1.41.51. Hey, what am I complaining about? My time in the Glasgow half last year was 2.05. You do the sums!
Then it was Sophie's turn. She did the Junior Great Scottish Run in about 20 minutes which was totally fantastic. Top dad and daughter picture attached.
So, all sights are now on Loch Ness on October 1.
Stlll one big run to do next Sunday (22 miles) then taper after that.
Scared, nervous but full of anticipation.
Friday, September 1
What's in a name?
I've been absolutely knocked out by people's generosity when responding to my page on the Just Giving website.
I got all the stuff through the post today from the Leonard Cheshire people, including a vest to run in and letters to iron on to spell out my name.
You can see the letters they've given me to iron on. I began to wonder tonight what other words I could spell out using the same letters.
I can think of several but they'd only be inviting trouble so I won't say what they are.
Fiona thinks I should have "Go Sparkie go" on the back. I have a choice of what I want to put on the vest so if anyone would like to express a preference, I'd be delighted to hear it.
They also sent a DVD showing the charity's work, which gave me a huge amount of motivation. We're planning to visit one of its properties in Glasgow before the marathon. I want to be able to hold the memories in my head while I'm running so that I never forget how relatively fortunate I am to be able to run the course.
Last night's saunter was an easy four miles round Strathclyde Loch while other MAC members did the September time trial.
Looking forward to Sunday but my legs are still quite heavy. John the physio, who I saw this afternoon for a wee stretch, reckons that's a good sign because it shows I've been pushing myself.
I got all the stuff through the post today from the Leonard Cheshire people, including a vest to run in and letters to iron on to spell out my name.
You can see the letters they've given me to iron on. I began to wonder tonight what other words I could spell out using the same letters.
I can think of several but they'd only be inviting trouble so I won't say what they are.
Fiona thinks I should have "Go Sparkie go" on the back. I have a choice of what I want to put on the vest so if anyone would like to express a preference, I'd be delighted to hear it.
They also sent a DVD showing the charity's work, which gave me a huge amount of motivation. We're planning to visit one of its properties in Glasgow before the marathon. I want to be able to hold the memories in my head while I'm running so that I never forget how relatively fortunate I am to be able to run the course.
Last night's saunter was an easy four miles round Strathclyde Loch while other MAC members did the September time trial.
Looking forward to Sunday but my legs are still quite heavy. John the physio, who I saw this afternoon for a wee stretch, reckons that's a good sign because it shows I've been pushing myself.
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Weebl and Bob - total quality!