Why I'm Running For Whizz-Kidz

Last Saturday I took part in a 15 mile training run around Hyde park organised by Whizz-Kidz. Afterwards there was a talk about fundraising and a speech by one of the beneficiries of what the charity does - buy motorised wheelchairs for children.
A young woman called Arunima told us about her life when she was 14 years old. Trapped in a manual wheelchair she couldn't even go out to the shops or post a letter let alone play with her friends. She had no privacy and felt cut off from the world. Hearing about Whizz-Kidz and getting given a motorised chair changed her life completely. It gave her independence and hope and suddenly her horizons were unlimited. She went on to excel at school and go to Cambridge University and is now working for a law firm.
Arunima's speech was such an eye opener to what a huge affect a charity - especially a charity like Whizz-Kidz who do something so straightforward and tangible - can have on the lives of individuals.
At the end of the day we were shown this film:

Blood On The Tracks

Went running down at Parliament Fields running track today. I like going there. I can pretend I'm an athlete, running round and round in circles drinking my weight in Lucozade. It's where I've been doing my interval training, which is a vital component of my training - basically you push yourself as fast as you can, then when you do your normal pace it seems easier. Well, in theory.
It's a funny place to be in the wind and rain. Very exposed and a little bit bleak but I really like that. There's no dogs to trip over or people to slalom around or puddles to leap, just relentless track.
Alot of novices and beginners don't bother with the running track. Like I used to they possibly imagine that they are populated by elite athletes. nothing could be farther from the truth. It's usually a couple of old fellas shuffling around the outside lane. I saw someone shot putting once - that's it. and it's dirt cheap. like £1.30 cheap. or free most of the time cos no one can be arsed to take your money. Find info on your nearest track here.

Running Playlist No.1

Here's LET'S GO RUNNING - the first in a series of running playlists on Spotify for the London Marathon. This one's a bit of an alt-rock special for runners of the indie persuassion. Music really helps keep me going - unless the ipod accidentally skips to Nick Cave, which'll make me put my head in my hands and cry in a gutter somewhere - and has given me some magical moments. When it all syncs together and you're feeling good it's ace… although I don't want to sound like Alanis Morrisette who in the most pretentious interview of all time says: "There's a vulnerability when I'm running. I feel like such fertile soil when I'm working out, so what I'm listening to almost takes on this whole other level of importance."
Bleeeeeurgh…
If you want a Spotify invite let me know as I have a few left.

Aches And Pains Update

Left leg's happy, right leg's a bit grumpy.

16 Miles In The Rain and Snow

Well, I did it. I ran 16 miles, which is further than anyone called Johnny Dee has ever run. Probably. Highlight of this delightful jaunt through the parks of North London was a sighting of a green parrot on Hampstead Heath. Urban legend is that the London parrots are the descendants of some birds that used to belong to Jimi Hendrix that were set free after his death. About five minutes after spotting one, up near the ponds All Along The Watchtower came on my ipod.

Return of the Blog

Well this is quite a long gap between entries! I guess I'm not much of a blogger. I did carry on running though after my Half Marathon in 2008. In fact, now, somewhat unbelievably I find myself training for the 2010 Virgin London Marathon. It is a very scary prospect indeed but i am slowly getting used to the fact that I am actually doing it. I've always found the London Marathon the most awe inspiring sporting event there is so to actually take part is wonderful.
To motivate me I'm using the marathon as an opportunity to raise some funds for Whizz-Kidz. They're a charity that helps disabled children lead more active lives thanks to some remarkable specialised wheelchairs.
The main reason for re-starting this blog is to let people who've sponsored me know how I'm getting along and possibly to get some sponsorship from people I don't know - hey, you never know!
I'm already six weeks into my training plan and things are going really well. Started off slowly (that's me in the picture above) thanks to a pulled calf for being over-keen and then the snow halted me for a bit, but it's been going great last few weeks. I shan't bore you with the intricacies of my training - although I may go back on that promise to satisfy my own boring nerdyness - but basically I do three runs a week under ten miles (one slow, one intervals and one fast) and then a long run at the weekend building up slowly to the big 26.2 on 24th April. Eeeek! Tomorrow's long run will be 16 miles, which will be the furthest I've ever run.
I'll shut up now then.