I had a rather busy week last week, getting back to normality with lectures starting again so apologies for not keeping up to date. I started it off with a 10 mile run to Beaumaris and back which went really well. I put Street Horrrsing and Tarot Sport on and let the droning electronics and steady beats propel me along in an almost trance like state. I really love running on Anglesey, especially in the late afternoon sunshine, the scenery just becomes so beautiful and across the bay I watched one of the mountains smoke as some of the shrubland was on fire. I did the 10 miles in an hour and twenty three minutes which I was really pleased with as it was my quickest pace yet for my longest run. My legs were very sore the next day though so I put the running on hold for some other cardio in the gym, doing long sessions on the ergo and bike and then a quick swim to warm down. Later in the week I opted to run to my practical in Menai rather than take the offered lift.
I finally bought some new shoes this week. I did a gait analysis at the gym shop where they video you on a treadmill to establish how your foot falls and whether your ankle over or under pronates, or if you have a neutral tread. Mine was fairly neutral so I tried on a few cushioned trainers that were recommended by the assistant. I opted for the Nike Pegasus with a special insole to absorb even more impact and help my knees. I also bough the Nike+ sensor for my iPod which is great, gives me current information on the run and logs it all on their site when I get back and plug it in. It even comes with a Power Song function to spur you on when you need it most but I've not tried it out yet. I broke the shoes in with a short 4 mile run and they definitely helped, taking the pressure off my knees and giving me quite a bouncy stride. I listened to a mixture of Rage Against The Machine songs.
I did 5 and a half miles this afternoon on a new route that takes me towards the mountains and then back into Bangor along the seafront, all soundtracked by the epic riffs of Maybeshewill. It was a perfectly clear sky so the mountains had an orange tinge to them in the bright sunlight. The air was bitingly cold though. At the bottom of one of the hills was a ford across a small river and I was worried I was going to have to get my new shoes wet until I turned the corner and saw a footbridge. My Nike+ told me I averaged exactly the same pace as Monday so at least I'm being consistent.
It's my 21st tomorrow so having the day off but back to training on Friday and then as of next week I'll be starting to step it up as time is ticking away.

I got a bit lost in the woods at Treborth Botanical Gardens today so did slightly less than intended, just short of 5 miles. My pace was good though despite the miserable weather and had a Bloc Party mix on my iPod to keep me steady. Planning a 10 mile for Sunday and hoping the rain holds off as I've managed to avoid it so far. Back in the gym next week to do some cross training cardio, will probably alternate long bike rides, rows and swims and a few weights so my upper body doesn't disappear. Dreading the long ergo sessions but if I can get back to my peak rowing fitness it'll help with the running a lot.

Had an eventful run yesterday! Planned a 6 mile route to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch and back and the run there was fine, stuck to the main road. Decided to get off the tarmac on the way back for my knees' sake and do a little cross country down by the Menai Straits. Started off well, with some very scenic woods and a clear path but things started to go a bit wrong when I emerged from the trees. I went to cross a little stream on a board bridge but it was slippy and my legs completely went from underneath me. Thankfully just landed on my bum and was fine so got up and continued, just with a little more care for where I put my feet. Soon the path started to become less clear and I ended up losing a shoe in the mud. I managed to get it back on and picked across a field to try and run on the rocks by the shore. Unfortunately the seaweed (Fucus spiralis) proved even slippier so I had no choice but to brave the mud. Eventually, after sinking ankle deep and having to climb over a couple of fences and walls I spotted the path on a route I've used before back to Menai Bridge. To get there however I had to wade across another mud bank. Thankfully the tide was out and the narrow bit of water was only up to my ankles but it still made for a mess when I eventually got home and got my shoes off. Managed to emerge still smiling thanks to this song:

Learnt today that sunglasses are going to be a pretty vital investment alongside new running shoes. It was great that the sun was shining, especially as it was a frosty morning, but it meant that I couldn't see anything running into it. Still managed bang on an hour for 7 miles, including a couple of stretch stops so I was happy with that. Ran along the Beaumaris road and back. The bad thing about living at the top of a hill is that no matter what my route, the last section is always going to be uphill! Slowed right down at the end so will have to practice ascents, luckily London is a lot flatter than Bangor. Nothing like a film soundtrack to make a run epic, and the Tron Reconfigured album didn't disappoint, especially on such a scenic day.

Having a day off today so that as of tomorrow I'm doing a run Monday, Wednesday, Friday and a long one on Sundays. Did just over 5 miles yesterday, further into Menai and then explored along past Treborth. Managed to get into a good stride and had wrapped up a bit better than the first run, the January chill of North Wales didn't seem so bad. It's always encouraging seeing a few other runners out. My new diet is going well: muesli, weetabix, milk and yoghurt for breakfast; ham, cheese and vegetable sandwiches with soup for lunch followed by fruit and then a big dinner of pasta and chicken in various forms. Keeping myself hydrated with plenty of water too. I was quite achey in the evening despite warming down after the run so did some stretches before bed and not feeling too tense for it today.
This mixtape was what I was listening to yesterday, this song in particular really gave me a boost up a long gradual hill quite late on:

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

So 26.2 miles isn't quite a thousand, but I'll still be racking up a few hundred in the 14 weeks until the big day. I'll be keeping track of runs, other training, music, nutrition and motivational stuff on here for people to see how I'm getting on.
So after finding out today that I'd been confirmed by Working Families as their slot (more on their work soon) I set about organising how the next few months are going to get me to the goal. I've got an excel sheet set up that I put my milage and pace into and it gives me handy graphs to show progress compared to my goals.
My first run was 6 miles around Bangor. I headed over the Menai Bridge and back again after some stretches, then followed the road straight along to the pier. The excitement of finally knowing for sure that I had a spot on April 22nd helped me along, as did the late afternoon colours in the sky over the strait. I had the Nero album on which I always find is good for workouts as it has plenty of build ups and drops to keep you motivated. After some more stretches at the end of the pier I headed back into Bangor. The last hill got to me but other than that I was pleased with how it felt to be out again. Took me about 50 minutes, so I've got a benchmark as that's the distance I'll be doing a few times a week with my increasingly longer runs at the weekend.
Stocked up on food at Morrisons, plenty of carbs, protein and some jelly which I've read is good for runners. Also got some nutritional supplements for joints to help prevent injury.