Why I'm running for MS

So far, a lot of my posts on this blog have been about me and my progress towards running a half-marathon, but I'm not only doing it for myself so I feel a little reminder is needed as to why I am actually doing this to myself.

Ten months ago I met the most amazing person. She was beautiful, intelligent, funny, passionate about her beliefs and I couldn't help but fall for her. And in doing so I was introduced to multiple sclerosis.

I had heard of MS but never really understood what it meant. But I soon learned that my lack of understanding was because the symptoms of multiple sclerosis are different from one person to the next. The one thing that is common is that the symptoms will progressively get worse, there is, unfortunately, no cure... yet.

One symptom that is quite common with MS sufferers is fatigue, not to be confused with tiredness. Fatigue can come on quite quickly and the best I can describe it, for I do not suffer with it so can only try, is to be completely drained of energy.

In September, my partner (yes, she agreed to go on a date with me 10 months ago!) and I had planned to do a charity walk for MS Society, but unfortunately we had to cancel at the very last minute. We felt guilty, so, to make up for it, I suggested - maybe without thinking - that I run a half-marathon instead. And now I punnish myself for my outburst as I train two to three times a week.

If you'd like to sponsor me you can do so at my JustGiving page. All funds raised are for MS Society, a charity that offers support for those affected by MS and helps fund research into treatments and a future cure for multiple sclerosis.

To find out more about multiple sclerosis and MS Society visit the MS Society website.

Thank you.

My first blister! (And reaching 10k!)

Wow, what a run. I've no idea where the energy came from, but I've managed to run even further: I've passed 10k! Not bad considering my first run was four weeks ago:

Distance: 10.4km
Time: 70min
Avg. Speed: 8.9km/h
Avg. Pace: 6.7min/km

OK, so my pace has dropped slightly, but at that distance that's to be expected. And there was the incident with the dog walker who insisted on allowing her dog to walk on the opposite side of the path so the lead got in my way... Grrr.

I also got my first blister! On my little toe. A word of advice: don't run in socks which have stitching that ends badly over the toes; it hurts!

Don't run before you can walk (and run)

This week has been a complete struggle! After last week's excellent performance I found my runs this week very demanding, so much so I don't really feel I have gained much. I have also felt the need to incorporate some walking into my runs.

Bugger. I thought I was doing so well too...

Well, here are my stats:

Run 1, Thursday:
Distance: 3.4km
Time: 22min
Avg. Speed: 9.3km/h
Avg. Pace: 6.5min/km

Run 2, Sunday:
Distance: 4.5km
Time: 27min
Avg. Speed: 10km/h
Avg. Pace: 6min/km

OK, hold on... I just need to double check my calculations... Oh! OK, so my second run wasn't too bad after all! Considering I had to walk for a minute half way through that's actually a pretty good pace! Go me!

One thing that has bothered me this week has been feeling ill during my runs: on thursday I had half a pint of milk an hour before my run, and on Sunday I had spag bol 2 hours before my run. I'm thinking more time/smaller meals are needed? Although I mist admit my 7.5k run from last week was fueled by a Chicken Royale, a Big King, small fries and a regular coke 5 hours earlier (don't judge me!!).

Breaking 5k!

So, today I went for my third run. I wasn't expecting much as my legs still ached slightly from Monday, so set out with the intention of keeping a low and steady pace and to see how long I could keep going. My results:

Distance: 7.26km
Time: 50min
Avg. Speed: 8.7km/h
Avg. Pace: 6.9min/km

For the first ten minutes or so I found it quite difficult: my legs felt quite stiff and started to ache quite early. But, after pushing on, the stiffness gradually vanished and I actually found the experience very comfortable. So much so, that when I reached the 4.5km mark of my last run without walking, I decided to push on and see if I could reach the 5km mark...

I actually run the full 7.26km!! Eek!

I deliberately kept my pace low, and it definitely paid off! I think I will stick to this route for my future runs and concentrate on increasing my pace; at this point if I aim to run much further I think that will be considered over-doing it. It is, after all, only my third run!

I know for a fact my legs are going to hate me in the morning!

Run Two - Running in the rain!

Well, my training "plan" is a little behind schedule: I was poorly towards the end of last week and didn't think it wise to use what little energy I had on a run. The weather, as normal for this time of year, is crap, but I was raring to go after work so went for a run in the drizzle... and the results surprised me:

Distance: 4.5km

Time: 28m

Avg. Speed: 9.6km/h

Avg. Pace: 6.2min/km

I even managed to run the first 20 minutes non-stop without walking! In fact, the only reason I had to slow down was because I decided to wear two T-Shirts; the heat was way too much!

Of course, I may well have over-done it with it only being my second run. Two days after my first run I found climbing my stairs difficult as my legs ached so much, but that may have been because I was stuck in bed for two days and they weren't getting any exercise. Tomorrow, and especially Wednesday, will tell me if my legs hate me or not.

At this rate I think my plan of running a 5k will have to be brought forward quite a bit. I'm feeling pretty confident and happy :-)

My first run

I did it! I actually got off my arse and went for a run! Well, more of a run with lots of walking thrown in for good measure! I feel great (now that my heart has recovered and I can breathe normally again - my legs aren't quite working yet, but they can sleep now).

Distance: 2.6km
Time: 18m
Avg. Speed: 8.6km/h
Avg. Pace: 6.9min/km

Overall, not bad for my first run. I never made half an hour as I planned to, but this was more a trial run to see how I got on. So, how did I get on?

I set off at a reasonable pace and managed to keep it up for 2 minutes before I had to slow to a brisk walk for 1 minute, from then on it was alternating between 1½ - 2 minutes running and 1 minute walking.

So, what's next? I think at least a day's rest! I know my legs are going to ache in the morning and I don't want to over do it! I think I'm going to try be a bit more strict with my timings and see if I can go for a little bit longer.

BTW, I bought a watch to help me with my timings, you can't beat this timeless classic:

Setting targets - Couch to 5km?

I think I'm going to have to set myself some realistic targets if I'm ever going to reach a fitness level which will allow me to run a half-marathon. I know what will happen if I don't: I'll aim too high, get frustrated and eventually give up.

After numerous Google searches, a programme that is constantly popping up is the Couch to 5km programme; even the NHS and BUPA have their own variation of this so it must be good. The only issue I am having with all of these programmes is that they seem to be aimed at either over 50s or over weight people... I'm neither of these!

I'm actually a healthy weight, eat reasonably well, don't smoke, cut down drastically on alcohol in the past year so am reasonably healthy... I am however, quite sedentary: I work at a desk and I've never been to a gym.

So, I think I will follow the advice given in the programmes, but modifiy it each week depending on how easy/hard I find it. I will keep a weekly update of my progress.

One change I will be making though, is not to aim at running for 5km, but to be able to run continuously for 30 minutes, and THEN aim to run 5km within the 30 minutes.

Oh, and I'm setting myself 8 weeks to do this in!

BTW, you may be thinking: "Stop thinking about it and just do it" (Nike, you can send me free clothes now! ;-) ), well I would, but it's peeing down with rain! And that's peeing as in drinking 8 pints of lager before letting loose peeing!

And so, it begins...

OMG! What have I committed myself to? A half marathon?! At the time I thought "pfft, half marathon? How hard can it be?" I then looked at a map...

Oh crap...

Well, I've said I'm going to do it, and so I will! And here's why:

Last week I was supposed to do a 10km walk with my girlfriend to raise money for MS Society, an amazing charity that provides support for people with Multiple Sclerosis and raises money for research. Unfortunately, due to personal circumstances, we were unable to take part in the walk. Now, 10km might not sound like much, but believe me, for some people with MS it's the eqivelent of running a full marathon!

We felt guilty for not taking part, and I had raised quite a bit of sponsorship through donations on my Just Giving page. So, being the decent, chivalrous, adventure seeking individual that I am (said with extreme sarcasm!), I had an idea and blurted it out without thinking (I do this a lot, just ask my girlfriend :-/): I'll run a half marathon instead!

How fit am I? I ran for the bus last week and collapsed with exhaustion... I have a long way to go!

Oh, and the half marathon is next April, so that gives me about 6 months training... over winter... in the rain and slush and gale force winds... This is going to be fun!

Time to buy a pair of shorts and running shoes...