Winter

Winter

So it’s December now and Christmas is coming up fast. Pretty much broke after all the Christmas presents and it’s the beginning of the month so it’s all good.. It also snowed today for the first time this year so it’s feeling very much like Christmas!

On the other hand, the running front is going decent. I’ve been running all the way along the sea wall in Barling which is about 4 miles, which is steady progress. I start my training plan on Boxing Day which being honest I’m not looking forward too as I think following a schedule involves a dietary plan, which isn’t ideal straight after Christmas! Can’t really remember the last time I actually ate a proper salad or even an apple so I’m sure that’s going to be a blast!!

Despite this on Tuesday morning I ran 6 miles around my area and it took about an hour. I felt like I was running for hours and when I saw how far I had gone I was happy as it’s a record, but it’s like not even a quarter of a marathon! I have 20 weeks to get my shit together and get fit, as not physically feeling any progress at the moment. But it’s also hard to fit the running in, with extra shifts at work and like 3 assignments due in Friday, ( plus a social life) it’s hard to find an hour to actually dedicate time to running and go out.

I’ve also started getting pretty bored of running around the same area around Wakering and Barling, so if anyone has any suggestions of any other nice places to run, even in Southend I’d be grateful because my roads are getting pretty boring.

All in all I hope everyone has a brilliant Christmas and New Year and make it one too remember! My link to the fundraising page is on the left hand side, along with a link to the Willow website! Have a good Christmas!

3 Weeks Later

So it's been three weeks since the last post. Since then, I've gone on 7 or 8 runs on Tuesday mornings and some Fridays. The training is going well and just taking it easy for now, preparing for the 17 week training plan I'll start on the Boxing day which I'm really excited for....

Last week I ran my furthest yet; 4.06 miles, yep basically 1/7th of a marathon and I felt like I was running for a decade. I don't particularly enjoy running and don't look forward to it, so not 100% sure why I'm doing this yet. It takes serious effort to get out of bed in the morning and go out when its freezing cold and wind. But the 4 miles went well, and it took the best part of 40 minutes. It felt good to get a personal best and a good bit of motivation to carry on training. It is important to be at 10K by Christmas, and I feel like I can achieve that if I keep training like I do!

Another thing I've been doing is trying out different paces, to see what suits me best. Last Tuesday I ran 3 miles at 9:38 pace which is much faster than usual. It was a struggle to keep it and I feel as if its a bit too fast so I'll stick to the usual. All in all, the training is making steady progress and I'll probably keep it up somehow! Not sure how, but I'll work that part out.

Lastly, the link for my fundraising page is to the left, it would mean a lot if you could donate to help me reach my goal. It goes towards the Willow Foundation Special Days for the seriously ill, and would mean the world even if you could spare £1! Thank you for reading!

Place confirmed!!!

So, this is my first post. I'm Jack, I've just turned 18 and my charity place in the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon, running for Willow, has just been confirmed. Shit. 178 days until I have to run 26.2 miles. I can currently run 0.2 miles. Training is going really well, I don't even own a pair of proper trainers yet and am averaging 3 kebabs, 2 pizza's and a chinese a week but I've started running round the field all on my own with my phone strapped to my arm looking like a pro so it's all good!

But don't let this put you off from sponsoring me.... I have run some 10k's before for Willow and I have every intention of completing the Marathon and raising a minimum of £2k for for them. £4k and I'll run in fancy dress! I've started this blog so people can follow my progress from non-runner to elite marathon runner and to keep myself going.

Willow is a brilliant charity who provide Special Days for seriously ill 16-40 year olds. I have been volunteering for Willow since I was 13, after they helped a family friend when she most needed it, and the charity have always made me feel like a part of the family. I have worked at the London Marathon for Willow for the past 4 years, meeting the runners at the finishing line and walking them back to the hotel and listening to their stories of what was behind their decision to run for Willow. I now want to put my feet in their footsteps and make a difference to someone. Every family goes through hard times and you never know when it might be you who needs help so I hope I can help a family smile again.

Week 1:
Shortest training run - 2.1 miles. Windy day! Got emotional because my data run out mid run thanks to me streaming Spotify by accident.
Longest training run - 3.5 miles around Southend, even windier day. Got scared thanks to the fully dead pigeon under my foot.

To sponsor me, please click on the link on the left hand side or click here -> http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/jackwatson31. You can also subscribe to posts if you want to share my pain! Thank you :)