Darlingtonrunner's Blog

August Training

darlingtonrunner — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:17:17 +0000

At last. 3 times this month I’ve ran the half marathon distance. That takes the fear out of completing the Great North Run running all the way and beating 2 hours. I’m received my race pack. I’m starting in Zone B so I should avoid the slow runners at the start. I’ll have to be careful not to go with the flow and start off too quickly. Roll on Sept 19th.

Mon 2nd – lunchtime run with Steve. 5.11 km in 24:26
Wed 4th – 5pm run with Colin and Steve. 21.1 km in 1:57:15 (half marathon distance)
Fri 6th – lunchtime run alone. 5.11 km in 23:34
Sun 8th – 11 km @ 10.6 km/hr treadmill
Mon 9th – lunchtime run alone. 5.12 km in 23:05
We 11th – 5pm run with Steve. 21.1 km in 1:50:41 (half marathon distance)
Sa 14th – 14 km @ 10.6 km/hr treadmill
Su 15th – 6 km @ 10.6 km/hr treadmill
We 18th – 5pm run with Colin and Steve. 21.1 km in 1:57:58 (half marathon distance)
Th 19th – 8 km @ 11.0 km/hr treadmill
Fr 20th – lunchtime run alone. 5.13 km no time as stopped to give directions to a driver.
Fr 27th – lunchtime run with Steve. Part of Darlington 10K route. 8.63 km in 41:40
Su 29th – 8 km @ 10.6 km/hr treadmill
Mo 30th – 8 km @ 10.6 km/hr treadmill (147.33 km)

2009	2010	month	2009	2010
km	km		total	total

168.30	47	January	168.30	47.00
129.65	135	February	297.95	182.00
78.81	145.04	March	376.76	327.04
105.20	142.5	April	481.96	469.54
141.81	72.21	May	623.77	541.75
79.57	73.32	Jun	703.34	615.07
6	156.26	Jul	709.34	771.33
12	147.33	Aug	721.34	918.66
14		Sep	735.34
18		Oct	753.34
136.04		Nov	889.38
156.54		Dec	1045.92

July Training

darlingtonrunner — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 21:18:37 +0000

Until the run on 28th, I wasn’t convinced I could run the 21.1 km Great North Run in September, but on that 18 km run I was still running strong at the end.
There are up to 5 more Wednesday evening runs to train, weather permitting as I’m away on a course one week.

Fri 2nd – lunchtime run with Steve and Sheridan. 5 km in 26:39
Mon 5th – lunchtime run with Steve and Sheridan. 5.08 km in 26:15
Wed 7th – 5pm run and walk with Colin and Steve. 11.75 km (21.83 km)
Fri 9th – lunchtime run including the 4.4 km Darlington 10K loop with Steve, Martin and Sheridan. 8.66 km in 50:07
Su 11th – 15.95 km @ 10.6 km/hr treadmill
Mo 12th – lunchtime run with Steve, Sheridan and Martin. 5.12 km in 26:49
We 14th – 5pm run and walk with Colin and Steve. 14.62 km in 79:18
Mo 19th – 6 km @ 10.6 km/hr treadmill
We 21st – 5pm run with Colin and Steve. Baulked in hot sun at 13 km. Wondered if because drank too much water.
I had added a detour that added 3km to the 14.6km route. Steve ran ahead of us and managed to get lost. Colin completed the 17.6 km.
Th 22nd – 11 km @ 10.6 km/hr treadmill
Fr 23rd – lunchtime run with Steve part of Darlington 10K route. 8.65 km in 44:06
Su 25th – 13 km @ 10.6 km/hr treadmill
Mo 26th – Had a few brandies last night so decided on a short run. Steve ran the 8.65 km route. I ran 5.14 km in 24:44
We 28st – 5pm run with Colin and Steve. 18.01 km in 1:36:59
Fr 30th – lunchtime run alone. 4.28 km in 19:32
Sa 31st – 11 km @ 10.6 km/hr treadmill (156.26 km)

2009	2010	month	2009	2010
km	km		total	total

168.30	47	January	168.30	47.00
129.65	135	February	297.95	182.00
78.81	145.04	March	376.76	327.04
105.20	142.5	April	481.96	469.54
141.81	72.21	May	623.77	541.75
79.57	73.32	Jun	703.34	615.07
6	156.26	Jul	709.34	771.33
12		Aug	721.34
14		Sep	735.34
18		Oct	753.34
136.04		Nov	889.38
156.54		Dec	1045.92

June Training

darlingtonrunner — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:31:00 +0000

I feel like my running has been getting worse over the last 2 months. With the hot days I’ve been unable to maintain any stamina.
Even with a 9 day rest, my performance still didn’t improve.

Wed 2nd – 5pm run and walk with Colin. Colin suffered from a stitch that reached his chest. 14.71 km
Fri 4th – lunchtime run alone. 5 km in 23:28
Mon 7th – lunchtime run with Sheridan. 5 km in 27:08
Wed 9th – 5 km @ 12.0 km/hr treadmill
Mo 14th – lunchtime run with Steve. 7 km in 34:21
We 16nd – 5pm run and walk with Colin and Steve. 24C temperature was too much for me. 11.78 km
Fr 18th – lunchtime run with Steve. 7.08 km in 33:12
Sa 19th – 5 km @ 12.0 km/hr treadmill
Mo 21st – lunchtime run with Steve. 5 km in 24:36
We 30th – 5pm run with Colin and Steve. 24C temperature was too much for me. 7.75 km (73.32 km)

2009	2010	month	2009	2010
km	km		total	total

168.30	47	January	168.30	47.00
129.65	135	February	297.95	182.00
78.81	145.04	March	376.76	327.04
105.20	142.5	April	481.96	469.54
141.81	72.21	May	623.77	541.75
79.57	73.32	Jun	703.34	615.07
6		Jul	709.34
12		Aug	721.34
14		Sep	735.34
18		Oct	753.34
136.04		Nov	889.38
156.54		Dec	1045.92

2009 total – 1045.92 km (650.0 miles)

May Training

darlingtonrunner — Mon, 31 May 2010 20:12:37 +0000

I didn’t get as much training in this month though my stamina improved, and the works training sessions are about to increase to 15 km runs.
Today I bought a new blood pressure monitor for the family. Mine registered as 122/78 with a pulse of 63. I’m happy with that.
Wed 5th – 5pm mostly offroad run with Steve, Martin and Sheridan. 12.11 km in 70:03
Fri 7th – lunchtime run with Steve. 5 km in 22:01
Mo 10th – lunchtime run with Steve. 7 km in 33:27
Sa 15th – 5 km @ 12.0 km/hr treadmill
We 19th – 5pm mostly offroad run with Steve, Richard and Sheridan. 12.10 km in 65:39
Fr 21st – lunchtime run with Steve and Sheridan. 7 km in 36:05
Sa 22nd – 5 km treadmill (2 km @ 14.0 km/hr then 3 km @ 12.0 km/hr)
Su 23rd – 4 km treadmill (2 km @ 14.0 km/hr then 2 km @ 12.0 km/hr)
Mo 24th – lunchtime run with Steve and Sheridan. 5 km in 26:46
Th 27th – 5 km treadmill (2.3 km @ 14.0 km/hr then 2.7 km @ 12.0 km/hr)
Fr 28th – lunchtime run with Steve. 5 km in 22:57 (72.21 km)

2009	2010	month	2009	2010
km	km		total	total

168.30	47	January	168.30	47.00
129.65	135	February	297.95	182.00
78.81	145.04	March	376.76	327.04
105.20	142.5	April	481.96	469.54
141.81	72.21	May	623.77	541.75
79.57		Jun	703.34
6		Jul	709.34
12		Aug	721.34
14		Sep	735.34
18		Oct	753.34
136.04		Nov	889.38
156.54		Dec	1045.92

2009 total – 1045.92 km (650.0 miles)

Maria and Sofia arrive in UK

darlingtonrunner — Sat, 15 May 2010 22:33:49 +0000

My wife Maria and stepdaughter Sofia have flown on Etihad flights to Heathrow on spouse and dependant’s visas.

Maria and Sofia arrive at Terminal 4

Leaving Terminal 4

At Heathrow Central hotel

In our hotel room

Sofia eat-all-you-can breakfast

eating all they can at breakfast

in Hounslow ready to leave for Darlington

time to leave for Darlington

Hounslow West underground station

Piccadilly line

Kings Cross station waiting for platform number for 12:30 Newcastle train

train to Darlington

China Red eat-all-you-can in Darlington

April Training

darlingtonrunner — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:11:58 +0000

I am continuing to gain speed but feel I lack stamina so did a 14 km treadmill run at a slower speed to try and sort that.

The decision on Maria and 4 dependants’ visas were available on Friday 23rd but had to wait until Monday 26th to find out the result.
Maria and her daughter Sofia were successful, but her other son and daughter aged 20 and 18 were refused visas on age grounds.
Her 75 year old mother was refused by the ECO N Williams of the British Embassy in Manila on the basis of paragraph 317 (i) (f) of the immigration rules even though this applies to son, daughter, sister, brother, uncle or aunt. She should be judged against 317 (i) (a) and I have appealed this decision. I can’t believe the level of incompetency shown by this ECO in mis-applying their guidance. I wonder what steps the British Embassy will take to improve the level of competency of their Entry Clearance Officers. Perhaps he should be demoted to a job more suiting to his capability.

Fri 2nd – 5 km @ 13.6 km/hr treadmill
Sun 4th – 8.5 km @ 12.0 km/hr treadmill
Mon 5th – 6.5 km @ 12.0 km/hr treadmill
Wed 7th – 5pm run with Steve and Colin. 10 km in 50:05
Thu 8th – 9 km @ 12.0 km/hr treadmill
Fri 9th – lunchtime run with Steve and Sheridan. 5 km in 27:03
Mo 12th – lunchtime run with Steve and Sheridan. 5 km in 26:23
We 14th – lunchtime run with Steve and Sheridan. 10 km in 55:32
Fr 16th – lunchtime run with Steve and Sheridan. 5 km in 27:22
Fr 16th – 5 km @ 13.7 km/hr treadmill
Sa 17th – 5 km treadmill (1 km @ 14.0 km/hr then 4 km @ 12.0 km/hr)
Su 18th – 9 km @ 12.0 km/hr treadmill
Mo 19th – lunchtime run with Steve and Martin. 5 km in 27:44
We 21st – 5pm run with Steve and Colin. 10 km in 49:13
Fr 22nd – lunchtime run with Steve, Martin and Sheridan. 5 km in 26:09
Sa 23rd – 5.5 km treadmill (2 km @ 14.0 km/hr then 3.5 km @ 12.0 km/hr)
Su 24th – 14 km @ 11.0 km/hr treadmill
Mo 25th – lunchtime run with Steve, Martin and Sheridan. 5 km in 26:13
We 27th – 5pm run with Steve, Sheridan and Colin. 10 km in 54:36
Fr 30th – lunchtime run with Steve and Sheridan. 5 km in 26:37 (142.5 km)

2009	2010	month	2009	2010
km	km		total	total

168.30	47	January	168.30	47.00
129.65	135	February	297.95	182.00
78.81	145.04	March	376.76	327.04
105.20	142.5	April	481.96	469.54
141.81		May	623.77
79.57		Jun	703.34
6		Jul	709.34
12		Aug	721.34
14		Sep	735.34
18		Oct	753.34
136.04		Nov	889.38
156.54		Dec	1045.92

2009 total – 1045.92 km (650.0 miles)

March training

darlingtonrunner — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:52:04 +0000

Kirsty, the ex-army Security guard at my work ran the Middlesbrough Albert parkrun 5K in 22:26 on a Saturday. As it was just Steve and I running the following Monday, we set that time as a target. After going full throttle, we only beat it by 12 seconds. My best time for this 5K route at work before was 22:19 last May, I’m back to my best speed. I hope I can increase it further, though my target of getting down to a 20 minute 5K this year is looking remote just now.
We have started 5pm Wednesday runs at work where we intend to build up to 15 km runs with a couple of longer ones.
I’ve managed to get my 5K constant speed on the treadmill from 12.5 km/hr (24:00 mins) in January, 13.0 km/hr (23:05 mins) in February then 13.5 km/hr (22:13 mins) in March.
I now have 5 visa applications in progress at a cost of £3300 for my wife and dependents.

Mon 1st – lunchtime run with Steve, Sheridan and Martin. 9.22 km in 48:02
Mon 1st – 8 km @ 11.5 km/hr treadmill
Tue 2nd – 5 km @ 11.5 km/hr treadmill
Wed 3rd – lunchtime run with Steve, Sheridan and Martin. 7.05 km in 39:08
Fri 5th – lunchtime run with Steve, partially offroad route. 7.69 km in 37:51
Sat 6th – 7.5 km @ 12.0 km/hr treadmill
Sun 7th – 6.5 km @ 12.0 km/hr treadmill
Mon 8th – lunchtime run with Steve. 5.01 km in 22:14
Tue 9th – 5 km @ 11.5 km/hr treadmill
We 10th – 5pm run with Steve and Sheridan. 5 km in 25:54
Fr 12th – lunchtime run with Steve and Sheridan. 5 km in 26:14
Sa 13th – 5 km @ 13.1 km/hr treadmill
Su 14th – 5 km @ 12.0 km/hr treadmill
Mo 15th – lunchtime run with Steve and Martin. 5 km in 27:36
We 17th – 5pm run with Steve, Richard, Martin and Sara. 7.03 km in 41:06
Fr 19th – lunchtime run with Steve. 5 km in 23:58
Su 21st – 5 km @ 13.2 km/hr treadmill
Mo 22nd – lunchtime run with Steve and Sheridan. 5 km in 27:12
Mo 22nd – 7 km @ 12.0 km/hr treadmill
We 24th – 5pm run with Steve, Richard, Martin and Colin. 7.04 km in 35:47
Sa 27th – 5 km @ 13.4 km/hr treadmill
Su 28th – 5 km @ 13.5 km/hr treadmill
Mo 29th – lunchtime run with Steve and Martin. 5 km in 27:31
We 31st – 5pm run with Steve and Colin. 8 km in 40:52 (145.04 km)

2009	2010	month	2009	2010
km	km		total	total

168.30	47	January	168.30	47.00
129.65	135	February	297.95	182.00
78.81	145.04	March	376.76	327.04
105.20		April	481.96
141.81		May	623.77
79.57		Jun	703.34
6		Jul	709.34
12		Aug	721.34
14		Sep	735.34
18		Oct	753.34
136.04		Nov	889.38
156.54		Dec	1045.92

2009 total – 1045.92 km (650.0 miles)

February Training

darlingtonrunner — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 12:10:25 +0000

I had a shinsplint on my left calf for much of the month. I’ve tried some shinsplint strengthening exercises of walking on heel of foot with foot pointed upward at maximum angle for 20-30 steps.
The second half of February, I had to compromise between resting and trying to run further than last February. I achieved that and also my fastest constant 5 km treadmill speed of 13 km/hr so far.

Tue 2nd – 7 km @ 11.0 km/hr treadmill
Tue 2nd – 5 km with Steve and Sheridan at work lunchtime in 27:04
Wed 3rd – 7 km @ 11.0 km/hr treadmill
Wed 3rd – 5 km with Steve, Sheridan and Martin at work lunchtime in 27:36
Sat 6th – 7.5 km @ 11.0 km/hr treadmill
Sun 7th – 8.5 km @ 11.0 km/hr treadmill
Mon 8th – 5 km with Steve and Sheridan at work lunchtime in 26:36
Mon 8th – 5 km @ 12.0 km/hr treadmill
Tue 9th – 5 km @ 11.0 km/hr treadmill
Fr 12th – 5 km with Steve, Sheridan and Martin at work lunchtime in 26:50
Sa 13th – 5.5 km @ 12.1 km/hr treadmill with shinsplints
Mo 15th – 5 km with Steve, Sheridan and Martin at work lunchtime
We 17th – 11 km @ 11.0 km/hr treadmill
Th 18th – 6.5 km @ 11.0 km/hr treadmill
Fr 19th – 5 km @ 12.6 km/hr treadmill, shinsplints sore at finish
Sa 20th – 5 km @ 12.8 km/hr treadmill
Sa 20th – 8 km @ 11.0 km/hr treadmill
Su 21st – 5 km treadmill (first 4.3 km @ 13.0 km/hr), shinsplints sore at finish
We 24th – 5 km @ 13.0 km/hr treadmill
Fr 26th – 9 km @ 11.0 km/hr treadmill
Sa 27th – 10 km @ 11.0 km/hr treadmill

2009	2010	month	2009	2010
km	km		total	total

168.30	47	January	168.30	47.00
129.65	135	February	297.95	182.00
78.81		March	376.76
105.20		April	481.96
141.81		May	623.77
79.57		Jun	703.34
6		Jul	709.34
12		Aug	721.34
14		Sep	735.34
18		Oct	753.34
136.04		Nov	889.38
156.54		Dec	1045.92

January Training

darlingtonrunner — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 17:27:59 +0000

I didn’t run whilst in Philippines and Hong Kong and gained 7 lb in weight so I guess I will have slowed and will have to build up again.

Fri 1st – 5 km @ 12.5 km/hr treadmill
Fri 1st – 11 km @ 11.0 km/hr treadmill
Sat 2nd – 11 km @ 11.0 km/hr treadmill
Sat 2nd – 5 km @ 11.0 km/hr treadmill
Sun 3rd – 8 km @ 11.0 km/hr treadmill
Su 31st – 7 km @ 10.5 km/hr treadmill

2009	2010	month	2009	2010
km	km		total	total

168.30	47	January	168.30	47.00
129.65		February	297.95
78.81		March	376.76
105.20		April	481.96
141.81		May	623.77
79.57		Jun	703.34
6		Jul	709.34
12		Aug	721.34
14		Sep	735.34
18		Oct	753.34
136.04		Nov	889.38
156.54		Dec	1045.92

2009 total – 1045.92 km (650.0 miles)

Married in Marikina

darlingtonrunner — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 19:28:06 +0000

I haven’t ran for most of January as I flew to Manila and also took a 3 night holiday in Hong Kong.

Maria, Liza and Marie at Hong Kong International Airport

A21 bus stop at HKIA

Symphony of lights in Hong Kong

Nathan Road, Hong Kong

Maria on the long set of travellators and escalators

Soho shopping area of Hong Kong

Hong Kong view from Victoria Peak

Imperial Hotel in Hong Kong

Star Ferry

What happened?

Avenue of Stars

Maria, myself, Liza, Yang and Marie in filipino bar Hong Kong

Liza's surprise 50th birthday party in Alabang

I potted one!

Maria and Sofia eating at Greenhills mall

Preparing for marriage

one of the witnesses gets emotional

getting married together with witnesses Liza, Marie and Linda

new family Sofia, myself, Maria, Precilla, Chicco and Rica

In front of Toyota

another pic of family

met up with Sofia's friend at S mall Marikina

I flew Asiana airlines via Incheon airport, South Korea. After 2 days of little sleep I got out at Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminal 1 and was approached by a taxi tout on the way to meeting Maria and her daughters Sofia and Rica awaiting in the arrivals extension. When I got home I no longer had my watch. The following 2 days I emptied my suitcase and handcarry several times but still no watch. I wondered if the tout or an accomplice had removed the Swatch Olympic watch from my arm. I bought a new watch that has stopwatch start/stop timer. Of course later I realised I hadn’t checked the empty secret compartment of the my new handcarry Eurohike bag. There was my Swatch. I had put in it there before departing the plane for some unknown reason that only someone who lacked 2 days sleep may understand. Anyway I had intended to buy a digital watch with stopwatch when the battery of the Swatch ran out, so I’ve just done this early.

Maria and I were considering marrying in Hong Kong and I paying for 2 of Maria’s lifetime friends to come along as witnesses. We decided to marry in Marikina, Metro Manila instead as we decided that the Philippine Consulate/Embassy in Hong Kong could end up being a time blocker in getting an NSO copy of marriage certificate in order to apply for visas at the British Embassy. As Rica has already turned 18, a 6 month delay is critical. I decided to go to Hong Kong for 3 nights with Maria but to also take Marie and Liza and pay for their flights and accommodation. It was difficult to get a hotel in Hong Kong in the week before Chinese New Year with 2 days notice and those hotels left had increased their normal price but I booked Imperial Hotel on Nathan Road through Agoda, an asian travel website, and all went as planned.
When we arrived back, the suitcase I used that I bought for Maria one week before had a broken lock. Liza and Marie’s suitcase had more extensive damage as did a multitude of passengers from that flight so the Cebu Pacific desk was busy. They took all the suitcases away for repair and my suitcase now has a new lock on it.

Maria and I married on Monday 25th January. This was the same day as Liza’s 50th birthday. We had to keep a secret that Liza’s daughters had arranged a 50th birthday party for her on Saturday 23rd at a country club hotel complex in Alabang, including relatives from USA.
Sofia had been asking to go to Greenhills so I decided on Sunday 24th. About 3 hours after we left a bomb was discovered in one of the gents toilets in Greenhills mall. Perhaps we had a narrow escape.

My return to Darlington had an 8 hour 10 min stopoff at Incheon airport and a long underground then train ride from Heathrow to Darlington. I left NAIA at 00:30 Philippines time arriving at my house 11pm UK time.