T-50 - The Lard Strikes Back

15.1 Miles (282.8 Total) - 2011 - 160.6 miles
148 Minutes (44 Hours 13 Minutes)

DONATE: www.justgiving.com/jamie-ross
FOLLOW LARDY BOY ON TWITTER: @Rooster1972.  Please follow me on Twitter for additional Lardy Boy updates


Afternoon all


I am not sure what is wrong with my ankle exactly.  One day I can hardly put any weight on the damn thing and then days like today I can pop out to churn out a 15 miler.  Very odd.  All bar 1 mile was under my 10 minute mile target.  As much as this will not get me a 4 hour marathon, I find this pace to be very natural to a slow coach like me.  I kept deliberately at this pace as the long runs should be run slowly, although I didn't mind and was quite happy at plodding pace.


To be honest up til the last mile or so I felt like I could run all day.  The last couple of miles always hurt regardless of how long you have been running for; it is all in the head.  Therefore overall I am delighted with today's run but very pissed off that another week has gone by only able to do 2 runs.


I am off to a physio early next week to get a better understanding on how to manage the injury. Over the next 4 weeks I need to run at least 4 times a week doing all kinds of runs including at least 2 of 20 miles ahead of the big day.  There is no way the injury is going to stop me running the marathon (this morning proves that) but clearly I need to manage it carefully so as not to put all the good work at risk.


The good news post run is a slightly sore ankle but the rest of me feels tip top.  A bit of a surprise and I may even manage a small recovery run tomorrow morning if the ankle hasn't swollen up.


Congratulations to Neil Hester who 'wins' a dinner for 6/8 (can't remember which) to be cooked by LB himself at some point.  Schneeks, get in touch and we can sort out diaries old son.


The prize for me after this morning's run is an afternoon of not a lot followed by watching the slug-fest that will be England versus France drinking Stella.  Happy days.


Have a great weekend
LB
XXX

T-53 - Thousand Lard Stare

5.5 Miles (267.7 Total) - 2011 - 145.5 miles
52 Minutes (41 Hours 45 Minutes)

DONATE: www.justgiving.com/jamie-ross
FOLLOW LARDY BOY ON TWITTER: @Rooster1972.  Please follow me on Twitter for additional Lardy Boy updates


No more than a bit of a fitness test this morning.  It has been yet another frustrating week after my best run yet last Wednesday.  All went well but to be honest it will be tomorrow that I know if the right ankle is sorted.  After my run last Wednesday it blew up like a balloon so fingers crossed.


If I get no reaction then I will sort out a long run on Friday to leave the weekend free to drink beer, shout at French rugby players, Brummy footballers and anyone else who happens to annoy me.


For those that missed my blog yesterday I have realigned my 2011 goals and am now planning on running 1,000 miles in 2011 so there is a new stat at the top.  This is a bit of a nuts target to be honest but there are a few reasons for the target:

• The more running / training I do ahead of the marathon leaves less to do after April 17th
• I have lost a lot of weight and would like to lose more!  A lot more to be honest, I am off a fairly high base!
• It gets me out of the house!
• Running makes me feel good if a little boring, simple 

Anyway that is all for now, hopefully the ankle will be ok and then I will attempt a truly stupid distance on Friday morning....


Til then 
LB
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T-55 - A Whole New Lard

0 Miles (262.2 Total) - 2011 - 140 miles
0 Minutes (40 Hours 53 Minutes)

DONATE: www.justgiving.com/jamie-ross
FOLLOW LARDY BOY ON TWITTER: @Rooster1972.  Please follow me on Twitter for additional Lardy Boy updates


Afternoon all


I should be able to get out tomorrow for a run.  I would like to today but not going to be possible with work etc plus ankle is still a little swollen.  Yet another injury has slowed me down but I am very upbeat and looking forward to the final 8 weeks of training before the big day.


New Targets
Last time I did the marathon in 2006 it was 2008 before I went out for a proper run again.  A lack of targets or focus for me is then a straight forward excuse for me to stop doing what I was doing, thus larding up again.  Not this time however.  After the LM I will continue to run, blog and generally harass you all for cash for the whole of 2011.  Having looked back at my blog from New Year I have run approx 140 in 2011.  The plan is to run 1,000 by the end of the year.  I will keep the Just Giving site open until the end of the year in the hope that I might get to £5k.  I still have my realistic expectations set for £3k by the LM though so please do donate on the link above if you can.


If I don't get injured again I should have reached in excess of 400 miles by the end of the LM, meaning I have 7 months to knock off the remaining 600 miles.  In short, a doddle!


This week is also see the deadline for the Lardy Dinner.  So far our highest bidder is for £150 for a dinner for 6 cooked by yours truly at an agreed date somewhere in the future.  If you want to bid more now is the time to do it!


Till tomorrow
LB
XXX

T-57 - Lardy Ankle

0 Miles (262.2 Total)
0 Minutes (40 Hours 53 Minutes)

DONATE: www.justgiving.com/jamie-ross
FOLLOW LARDY BOY ON TWITTER: @Rooster1972.  Please follow me on Twitter for additional Lardy Boy updates


Morning all


After my great run on Wednesday my right ankle was a little painful. My previous injury was to my left so I was not too concerned.  On Thursday morning however it had blown up like a balloon and very painful.  Ice, ibuprofen and rest were required.


Today it is still a little sore so I will have to skip the long run this morning and hope that by Monday I am fit enough to get out there again.  Later today Mrs LB and I are heading up north to visit the Apples.  Alex, Sarah, Baby Enid and the even more recent addition Baby Emily.  


I am still feeling pretty good about things despite the recent set back.  Hopefully this time next weekend I will have reached the 300 mile mark!


Till then have a great weekend


LB
XXX

T-60 - The Best Lard Yet

11.4 Miles (262.2 Total)
105 Minutes (40 Hours 53 Minutes)

DONATE: www.justgiving.com/jamie-ross
FOLLOW LARDY BOY ON TWITTER: @Rooster1972.  Please follow me on Twitter for additional Lardy Boy updates


Many reasons to be cheerful this afternoon.  I wasn't even too keen on going for a run today to be honest.  I was woken up at 3am by a couple of very loud very pissed blokes shouting at each other outside my house.  They were shouting so loud that I even got up and had a nosy (no jokes old mates) out the window to make sure that they weren't about to have a rumble.  I was very surprised to see them walking arm in arm each doing their best to keep the other upright.  Typically for me this resulted in an inability to go back to sleep and meant I was in my kitchen working at 4am....  Not the best of starts.


There were a few reasons that prompted me to get out there this afternoon:

1. I had a fully loaded fry up at Disney Towers with an old Disney colleague, Mr Liam Gallagher for a catch up!
2. Having got home I couldn't resist going out because the weather was perfect.
3. I had begun to suffer some 'workers block' which was leading to procrastination (one of my specialist subjects sometimes)
4. Ms Kerry Fox donated £20 to the cause.  This in itself would not be a cause for a 11+ mile run but you see it took me over the £2k mark.  I couldn't let that pass without a run
5. I am unlikely to be running tomorrow.  The Arse are attempting to play Barcelona this evening.  It will likely result in a significant amount of swearing, stressing and beer drinking.  Not ideal prep for a run!

What did surprise me however was just what a great run it was.  My best yet.  Not the longest run I have done so far but to have got well into double figures at 9min 16sec (4hr 3min marathon pace) per mile was a big confidence boost.

My slowest mile was 9mins 32sec (into the wind on the river) and my fastest was 8mins 55sec.  This for me is seriously good, I am made up.  Even my last full mile was below 9 minutes when I was feeling very shagged and as always nearly getting killed crossing Chiswick High Road.

Anyway another milestone with 40hrs running passed, so please donate on the link at the top of the blog and help me get to £3k.

Cheers

LBX

T-62 - 250 Up

5.2 Miles (250.8 Total)
47 Minutes (39 Hours 09 Minutes)

DONATE: www.justgiving.com/jamie-ross
FOLLOW LARDY BOY ON TWITTER: @Rooster1972.  Please follow me on Twitter for additional Lardy Boy updates


Afternoon all


I did a lunchtime tempo run today with the target of 9 mins per mile.  The first 3 miles were a little slow but picked things up nicely after leaving the river to bag a couple of 8min 50sec miles at the end.  So I missed the target by only 6 seconds.....!


The river section (1.3 miles of it) was into the wind AGAIN!  So I am quite pleased to be honest. I get more satisfaction out of these runs than I do for the trudged long miles that go on for ages. It was also the first run I have done that actually felt like spring, what a gorgeous day in London town.  


The big news of the day is that I am through the 250 Mile barrier which is great but there is a very long way to go, so please help me along the way by donating.  Just click the link above and you could be the one to break the £2K barrier for me.


Tomorrow, I am hoping that I will be awake in time to go to my first Bootcamp session for a few months.  Visit this site and book you free session with Rose.....!  http://www.chiswickbootcamp.com/


See you at 6.30 Rose my dear!


Till then have a great Monday!
LB
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T-63 - 9 Weeks to Go

9.2 Miles (245.6Total)
87 Minutes (38 Hours 22 Minutes)

DONATE: www.justgiving.com/jamie-ross
FOLLOW LARDY BOY ON TWITTER: @Rooster1972.  Please follow me on Twitter for additional Lardy Boy updates


Well 9 weeks from today I will be larding myself around east and central London in a vain attempt to look like a runner.


I was tempted to give myself the weekend off after my very slow but long run on Friday.  My previous weeks of various injuries and illness at various stages of the past 3 months got the better of me.  As a result I set out on a bit of a recovery run down to the river at Kew then on to Hammersmith back to Barnes and home. 


The river really took the piss this morning.  I ran on the south bank, north bank and around various corners but basically ran into a wind the whole bloody way.  How does that happen?  Apart from this though I quite enjoyed the run.  On this route there are a number of shorter run options but I turned them down and cracked on to do the 9 mile route.


Lots of fast runners were going the other way this morning, and various lardies and oldies going my way.  As a result a solid 5-0 overtake ratio helped offset Friday's 7-3 reverse.  Overall the aggregate score is 22-19.


The fundraising total stands at a tantalizing £1,995, someone do the decent thing and break the £2k barrier please!


I am planning another run tomorrow if the ankle is ok so I will likely break the 250 mile barrier then.


Have a great Sunday


LB
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T-65 - The Long Lard Friday

15.0 Miles (236.4Total)
151 Minutes (36 Hours 55 Minutes)

DONATE: www.justgiving.com/jamie-ross
FOLLOW LARDY BOY ON TWITTER: @Rooster1972.  Please follow me on Twitter for additional Lardy Boy updates


Well I think I might be in some pain in the morning.  It was a with a sense of frustration, general egginess and anger that I set off for an impromptu run that initially at least was supposed to be a 7-8 miler.  As I got going I realised that I was protecting the ankle to some extent.  As a result the pace was very low but I was feeling pretty strong so decided instead to press on.


The ankle injury has royally pissed me off.  One day it is absolutely fine and on other days is very debilitating. Today was a good day so I decided to make hay while the sun was (not) shining. With a plodding 10 minute mile pace being all I seemed capable of the first 10 miles kind of passed me by, the final 5 miles however were a different story.  I think that if I had attempted his run a couple of weeks ago it would have been a breeze, today those last miles were absolutely horrific.  In short I imploded.  The lack of recent miles caught up with me but I was determined to make the most of the opportunity.  I plodded on (no walking) and for that I am very pleased.


The main benefits of the run being banked today include:

• No getting out of bed at 6am tomorrow to do the long run
• Friday drinking.  Not normally something I have recently not been able to partake in
• A guilt-free post run Cadburys Cream Egg, bloody delicious
• A curry this evening.  According to my i-Phone app I burned 2,400 calories today so bring on the Bhunas!

I also had my first post-run ice bath.  The swearing was extra-ordinary, I stopped short of c-bombs but the rest of repertoire were shouted (screamed) and I only managed to stay in there for 2 minutes.  Hopefully long enough for some benefit tomorrow morning.

As for the ankle I felt nothing at all.  I am not getting my hopes up on that though.  After Wednesday's run it was quite painful yesterday.  I will go and see someone next week.  It can't be that bad though if I managed an entirely adrenalin free 15 mile run.  We will see.

Have a great weekend.  Definitely a rest tomorrow and maybe a run of some description on Sunday.

Till then

LB

XXX 

T-67 - Lard Back

7.3 Miles (221.4Total)
68 Minutes (34 Hours 24 Minutes)

DONATE: www.justgiving.com/jamie-ross
FOLLOW LARDY BOY ON TWITTER: @Rooster1972.  Please follow me on Twitter for additional Lardy Boy updates


Morning all


After yesterday's successful fitness test it was back to the grindstone for Lardy Boy.  I decided to carry on where I finished off last week, by doing exactly the same run as last Tuesday. I was a bit 1 paced and a couple of minutes slower than last time but I wasn't really going for it to be honest.  I am icing the ankle as I type, although I felt no pain whilst running so hopefully this will be a precaution only.


I let my mind wander a bit this morning mainly because I was just enjoying the run rather than pushing myself too much.  I also spent most of my run thinking about work etc so not much to report from the run itself...  However what I did think about in no particular order and no editing was......

• Will Arsene Wenger ever spend more than £5M on a player over the age of 20.  No
• Do I buy the Telegraph only for the Sport and Crossword? Yes
• Am I becoming more Liberal in my old age?  Yes
• Would I vote Tory in a General Election tomorrow? For the first time ever no
• Who WOULD I vote for then? I have no bloody idea
• Do I definitely not believe in God?  After about 2 miles of deep thought (well deep for me anyway) I concluded on no
• Is it possible to have an ice bath without getting certain important things very cold

Riveting stuff hey!

It did get me thinking about a suggestion made by my old mate, Mat 'Tank 1' McCarthy, pictured below crossing the finishing line with a very less lardy Lardy Boy in 1989... (Check out the Freddy Flintstone boxers...

For my longer runs at the weekend I would appreciate a subject to get me thinking, I could then report back with my well thought out answers / conclusions....  Suggestions ahead of Saturday's long run would be appreciated.


A quick fundraising update. I am approaching £2k which is great but I am desperate to reach at least £3k.  Any other fundraising suggestions would be much appreciated.  To clarify on the Lardy Meal, the current bid is £150 for 6 people.  The 'prize' is a meal cooked by yours truly at a house of your choice.  You have til the end of the month to beat this bid.


Plan is for another run tomorrow, rest day Friday and a 13 mile run on Saturday.


Til then
LB
XXX

T-68 - Fitness Lard

1.5 Miles (214.1Total)
12 Minutes (33 Hours 16 Minutes)

DONATE: www.justgiving.com/jamie-ross
FOLLOW LARDY BOY ON TWITTER: @Rooster1972.  Please follow me on Twitter for additional Lardy Boy updates


Rather disappointingly I missed out some obvious puns by not doing a T-69 blog.  The reason?  I was woken up by Miss AJ at 2.30 then couldn't get back to sleep.  As a result I was up at 4am then worked pretty much all day through to 5.30pm and then cooked dinner etc.  I therefore didn't go out for the fitness test as planned.  I was still feeling odd twinges in my ankle, and if I have learned any lessons about training, it is listen to your body.


This morning though there were no aches and pains so I hopped out of bed for a trot around Chiswick to test the ankle.  First impressions are pretty good to be honest.  I felt it a couple of times but I am pretty sure that was more in my head than anything else.


Hopefully there will be no reaction to the run today or more importantly tomorrow morning.  If there is no reaction then it will be back to training, probably with a 5-6 miler to kick things off!


In other news I am delighted to say that I now have a bid of £150 for dinner for 6 (a big thanks to Mr Neil 'Schneekers' Hester, which is slightly better than the £8.95 bid that was received previously.  In fairness to the bidder I am going to keep the auction open for a little while but not too long as it is a great bid.  Therefore if you want to beat this then you have until Monday 28th Feb to do so.


Very excited about the running as the last week has been very frustrating.


Till then
LB
XXX

T-70 - Injury Update

0.0 Miles (212.6Total)
0 Minutes (33 Hours 04 Minutes)

DONATE: www.justgiving.com/jamie-ross
FOLLOW LARDY BOY ON TWITTER: @Rooster1972.  Please follow me on Twitter for additional Lardy Boy updates


Just a quick update.


10 weeks today I will be running the London Marathon, which is a little scary although I am feeling confident that all will be all right on the day.


I am also feeling a little better about the ankle.  Today it feels better which is the first time I have felt that for 4 days.  I am pretty convinced that it is just bruising of some sort rather than anything more sinister.  More ice, arnica and rest today and maybe I might go out for a jog tomorrow.  Assuming I get through that I will get running on Tuesday!


I have missed the running which is:


a. a bit sad


b. encouraging for what lays ahead.


Depending on the jog I will blog tomorrow the mileage plans for the next week or so.


I would also like to write a little about this, however I cannot trust myself.  I would be dropping f and c bombs all over the place.


Till tomorrow
LB
XXX

T-72 - Pissed Off Lard

0.0 Miles (212.6Total)
0 Minutes (33 Hours 04 Minutes)

DONATE: www.justgiving.com/jamie-ross
FOLLOW LARDY BOY ON TWITTER: @Rooster1972.  Please follow me on Twitter for additional Lardy Boy updates


A very grumpy good morning to you all


I started this week so full of beans.  13.5 mile long run followed up by a 8+mile run on Monday and 7+ mile run on Tuesday.  On my rest day, Wednesday, I started to feel some pain in my left ankle.  A long time ago I did some damage to it being a twat on a football pitch.  When I did the marathon in 2006 it was the only injury that recurred.  I think it may be something to do with compensating for a dodgy left knee (ironically I have never had any pain running there!)


Having decided to have an additional rest day on Thursday, followed by a run today and a 15 mile run tomorrow, I hoped for the best.


If anything today it is worse with a lot of pain particularly walking up the stairs.  At this stage I am not sure how bad it is but will have to rest this weekend.  If it is no better by Monday I will have to go to a physio.


I am a bit gutted, the last 3 weeks of training have been fantastic.  As ridiculous as it might sound I was actually beginning to enjoy the challenge of the longer runs getting longer and the shorter runs getting faster.  This has set me back a bit.  No matter I can concentrate on 'refuelling' this weekend and start afresh on Monday!


I am within touching distance of £2k so thanks again for your donations, it makes a huge difference.


In other news this week my no-so-little boy turned 6!!!  Happy Birthday Sammy.


Have a great weekend, more running and blogs next week (fingers and ankles crossed!)


LB
XXX

T-75 - Pushing the Lard

7.3 Miles (212.6Total)
66 Minutes (33 Hours 04 Minutes)

DONATE: www.justgiving.com/jamie-ross
FOLLOW LARDY BOY ON TWITTER: @Rooster1972.  Please follow me on Twitter for additional Lardy Boy updates


February got off to a rip-roaring start this morning, although it was a bit cold and grey.  A pretty pacey run only 24 hours after the previous tempo run.  The first mile or so was pretty nasty but once I got going it was great fun!  Now done 16 miles in 2 days with at least another 24 planned this week, I might even venture to Richmond Park at some point for my first proper hills.  It is the only thing missing from the training so far and based on the last time I did the marathon it is something that needs to be done or else!


I have decided not to run the Watford Half Marathon for reasons I won't bore you with but let's just say I would rather do the long run on Saturday.  I therefore need to find another race to do along with the Kingston 16 miler in late March.  Preferably a 1/2 marathon in Feb and a 10k in early April.  Any ideas?


After such a good run and a good few weeks I want to turn my attention to fund raising.  So far I have had no bids on the dinner cooked by Lardy Boy apart from the £8.90 from my Scottish, vegetarian brother-in-law.  This is not acceptable.  As much as I like the porridge-gobbler, I don't want a candle lit meal with him so please, the offer is still there just come in with a sensible bid and I will cook for you and your mates or whatever!


On the Just Giving front I am delighted that the number keeps ticking up and now stands at £1,885.  Again a massive thanks to those who have donated.  I would love to get to £5k but to do that I think I need other ways to raise cash so please let me know if you have any bright (clean) ideas.


Cheers for now
LB
XXX