Blog Archives
Second workout
Just been reading about second workouts. Turns out my lunch time walks constitute a second workout and I didn't even know it!
I wonder if my walk to and from the station count as third and fourth workouts! 
Contingency Planning
Just spotted this in the April edition of Runner's World magazine. Some great contingency advice for the feeling off or just off days!
Now I don't feel so bad 
Do I need a 10K training plan?
Training for my 10K – this photo is simulated with an actor!
After chatting with him (and he’s very fit) I can see his rationale so I have started to think about re-addressing how I am going to get myself up to 10K…
I know most of my runs log me at 5 – 6K but this includes my 5 minute warm up and cool down. Now I know this does not equal very much of the run but it does play it’s part…
I know I will be able to run 10K and I know by November the 25th I will be in a good position to run as I would have at least another two months running experience under my belt.
On the train home I was thinking about looking up some training plans again for doing a 10K. I am still not 100% clear I need one. Maybe all I need is something to guide me?
How do I know what time I will finish in given my current pace? How much training should I be completing to get me to 10K?
I am not going for any records I simply want to finish the run comfortably and give myself enough chance to do so (whilst not working out like Mo Farah in the meantime!)
- What would you do?
- Have you tried any good 10K plans?
- Am I worrying too much?
I’d like to confirm though that I do feel great and I am not worried that I can do it. I know I can – I just want to make sure I am prepared properly for the starting gates at Greenwich Park on the 25th November.
This is my current pace/distance/time records:
Help!
Inspirational? Me?
Coach Doug Bowers left the following quite on my About Me page:
You seem like quite a talented guy and one who is putting his talents to work.
Well done.
Hopefully more people will follow your lead.
Now this is a very nice comment and one unsolicited from someone I have never met. I instantly thanked Doug for his comment but it got me thinking…
Have I inspired people? Do I have the power to inspire people? Does what I say make a difference?
I'm not a celebrity. I'm not a theologist, a doctor, a physicists, a historian or a journalist… What can I say that can really make a difference?
Working in marketing this really shouldn't need much consideration especially as we live in an age where communication, social networks and the power of the individual are key.
I have personal evidence of this today as I couldn't contact a department store I wanted to to make a complaint. I decided to make a public complaint on their Facebook page – they came back to me today with an email address so I could explain why I was so annoyed with their service (resolution still pending).
I have been online for years, I have blogged for as long as I can remember (and way before it was fashionable). I used to produce a weekly podcast which had a decent following and got me to the iTunes top 10 of personal podcasts so I really shouldn't be surprised by Doug’s comment – and yet I still am.
I have been going on about my running continuously and this is something I didn't think I would ever do (the running or the commentary) and yet this too is making a difference.
I blog about my runs as I think it's great to keep a journal of my achievements and to record my thoughts and fears as I embark on my new hobby. It's great to hear that others take some learnings and comfort from my words. All I am doing is recording how I feel. Something others have done before me and will do afterwards.
I was humbled that someone sponsored me yesterday because they were inspired by the amount of updates I have made to Facebook (from the blog) which record my effort and achievements. As I had logged such records they felt it warranted reward and have sponsored me as a result (thanks Mike).
I never thought I would get into running that much or so quickly and to be honest the trigger to start is pretty much lost on me now. I know I started simply to prove I could run and to get a bit more active but it appears to have opened up a whole new part of me.
I didn't enjoy sports at school. I used to like Tennis, Badminton, Gymnastics, Swimming and some Athletics but didn't really excel at any of them. I did make Athletics captain one year and took part in the 100m and 4x100m relay (which we won) but I never thought much of it.
Looking back I probably had more interest in the changing rooms during games than I did actually doing any games! LOL 
So I find myself at 38 years old, embarking on a new adventure and enjoying it. I started running for me and I decided after some thought to move this forward to see how I could push myself. I signed up for my first 10K with the encouragement of a good friend and now I am the proud recipient of £1,000 worth of sponsorship for Alzheimer's Society. A charity that means so much to me given how my grand mother suffered at the hands of her dementia. This is a pain and a burden I will always carry with me. I know my money won't cure the disease but if it helps in some way to alleviate the pain and suffering of others from this awful disease then I have played my part.
I love to research things and this ends up making me obsessed sometimes but I'd rather know all the facts than head of blindly. This is why I quickly got myself tested for proper running shoes, this is why I invested in some proper running clothes and it's probably why I was so hard on myself when I didn't think I was doing as good or as much as I could. I've learnt from the research and my four months experience on the road and I have moved on. Running friends, bloggers and professionals have been very helpful along this journey and I am thankful for that.
What I didn't expect was to become some form of inspiration or expert to people who are where I was not so long ago. And yet I am. It's humbling. It's moving and it's nice to think others (some who I don't know or know only virtually), would reach out and ask my advice.
Several people have taken my advice and chosen a similar route to mine into the world of running, others have taken my advice and decided to take their own path but most of all they have done what I did. Got off their backsides, done some research (including asking me), summoned up the energy and got out on the road and run. Unbeknown to me I have spawned a new group of runners and my adventure has moved on from my streets in Colchester and Plymouth onto Ruislip, Oxford, Haywards Heath, Cambridgeshire and beyond.
All I can say is thanks to everyone who has helped and supported me on my journey. Thanks to those who have taken the time to document, write and journalise their experiences for me. Without you I would not be in the position to do the same thing so I want to say thank you to you.
As for my followers and Doug: thank you for believing in me, for trusting me, for supporting me and joining me on this great adventure.
I am always happy to help!
Don’t forget I am running my first 10K in aid of Alzheimer’s Society on the 25th November. I am running the MoRunning 10K at Greenwich Park.
Please support my efforts by sponsoring me.
Thanks!
Bonjour!
I wrote this brief hints and tips mail for a friend of mine regarding things to do in Paris. It turned out not to be so brief and I could have written much more. Anyway it received great feedback from him (and the people I sent it to) so I thought I’d share it with you.
I cannot guarantee my information is 100% accurate but for a starting guide I think it could help the Parisian newbie.
Paris hints and tips
General
On arrival don’t buy a travel card for the metro – buy a carnet, which is a collection of 10 single journey tickets (each can be used once)
Carnet tickets are cheaper and you may find you spend more time walking around Paris rather than being underground
For an interesting view of Paris pop over to the Tour Montparnasse, which is in the Montparnasse, district. You cannot miss it as it’s the only high-rise – from the observation deck (or the heli pad if you’re feeling brave) you get fantastic views of Paris looking toward the city and higher than the Eiffel Tower http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour_Montparnasse
A little clichéd but to get a great idea of the geography jump on the Batobus (http://www.batobus.com/) which takes you on a tour around the river
If you see one church it has to be Notre Dame!
If you want to see a great church with great views, wonderful restaurants and get a real Parisian vibe then visit the Sacré-Cœur http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilique_du_Sacré-Cœur,_Paris
If you go to the Lourve go early as you can spend weeks in here – it’s a mile long. Remember to check where the Mona Lisa is on the map and if you’re early proceed quickly – you’ll be amazed how small she is!
For an alternative museum experience check out the Musee d’Orsay http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/home.html
It’s a converted railway station; a fantastic building housing famous French modern art including Monet, Manet, Toulouse Lautrec as well as rooms lifted from the most exquisite Art Nouveau homes
If people watching check out the Le Marais – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Marais Traditionally Jewish/Gay it’s a great place to watch the chic Parisian go about their business and there are lots of small boutiques selling gorgeous things as well as wonderful café’s and restaurants (which are of high quality and medium price range)
Parks/Gardens
Tuileries Gardens make for a relaxing afternoon in Paris and are a hop and a skip away from the Lourve – they also have one of the original city big wheels
Jardin du Luxemborg is another great park and it’s very ornate – it’s great for chilling out as you can relax in the free deck chairs around the large central fountain (it’s really close to Montparnasse)
For an alternative park experience visit the Parc Andre Citroen which sits on the site of the old Citroen factory – completely contemporary and angular – it’s well situated for the Montparnasse and the Bois du Boulogne
Bois du Boulogne is a huge park akin to Central Park in NYC and just like NYC it has the original statue of liberty – be warned the park is massive and include it’s own racecourse!
Restaurants
Le Café du Commerce is one of our favourite restaurants in Paris and it’s a fantastic place to eat as well as soak up the real Paris. It’s an art nouveau building and if lucky on hot days, the roof opens up – bring a guide-book though as it’s off the beaten track and menu’s are usually only in French
http://www.lecafeducommerce.com/
Our favourite restaurant in le Maris is the Equinox – it looks like a wine cellar inside (street level) but the menu is French Canadian, which makes for some interesting contrasts
http://www.qype.co.uk/place/174190-Equinox-Paris
Hotels
Hotel des Gobelins – Last year we stayed in the Latin Quarter and is close to the Parthenon and the Eiffel Tower. – I have not mentioned these above because although I enjoyed them I want you to discover some bits yourself ;0) Nice hotel – some shabby rooms some nice ones (typical Paris)
http://www.hotel-des-gobelins.com/
Hotel Costes – the ultimate in contemporary chic – defined the contemporary hotel
Hotel Costes is achingly cool – As well as being a wonderfully hip hotel it also boasts its own fragrance line and various commissioned French House albums that French DJ Stéphane Pompougnac has created – simply to play in the hotel lobby!
Guys as I write this I can come up with hundreds of things to do – honestly Paris has so much to offer. I highly recommend you explore (best on foot) to get the best feel of the city.
When it’s windy the wind is cold coming down the Sienne. When it’s hot it’s baking!
We like to spend an hour or so watching the world go by – you really can do this in Paris – a personal favourite of mine is to wander around the florists and pet stores neat the Lourve – it’s an experience!
Useful links (and some my reviews online)
http://www.qype.co.uk/place/62785-Musee-du-Louvre-Paris
http://www.qype.co.uk/place/72740-Musee-dOrsay-Paris
http://www.qype.co.uk/place/35475-Jardin-des-Tuileries-Paris
http://www.qype.co.uk/place/56080-Tour-Montparnasse-Paris
http://www.qype.co.uk/place/86743-Le-palais-du-Luxembourg-Senat-Paris
http://www.qype.co.uk/place/108933-Parc-Andre-Citro-n-Paris
http://www.qype.co.uk/place/174190-Equinox-Paris
http://www.qype.co.uk/place/157919-Le-Cafe-du-Commerce-Paris
