Wednesday Weigh-In - 7 January

My first Wednesday Weigh-In of the year yielded the following result. Apparently since Friday, when I was 16 st 3lbs, I've managed to drop 10lbs.

I'll save analysis for tomorrow (Now added to the blog). I'm not in the mood for fanfare. Instead my thoughts today are with the family, friends and colleagues of Chris Boxall, whose funeral I will be attending this afternoon.

RIP Boxy. Say hello to Pearcy for me.

Would rather be wearing my scarf to a match than a funeral today #RIPBoxy pic.twitter.com/usyknuGycF
— Graham Kaye-Taylor (@bigfatrebel) January 7, 2015

What motivates a man to diet

Three days into the diet, and I've forgotten just how tiring it can be when your body has an endless supply of fuel cut off. I've moved beyond the stomach burn sensation and instead found myself lethargic. It has been tempting to reach for some sugary badness, but I've resisted so far. I'm writing this at 2.30 and dinner time seems a long way off.

As things stand, I don't have a specific target to work towards in 2015. I'm not booked in for any long runs, though I'm quite tempted by the idea of the North London Half. A course that runs right through Wembley Stadium certainly appeals, but it comes around a little too soon for me to get into any sort of shape. Having done the Royal Parks Half back in October without a great deal of training, I'm reluctant to make the same mistake again.

I guess my main motivation remains as it was when this blog started out a couple of years ago. I wanted to be fit and healthy for the sake of my boys, and that hasn't really changed. I'm not going to be much use to them if I continue with the gorging I've done in recent months. There are too many reminders in my life right now which demonstrate the fragility of our existence, and it would be a waste of my time on Earth if I continue to eat myself to an early grave.

Later this week, I plan to attend the funeral of a guy who I've been going to football matches with for over a decade, He passed before Christmas at the tender age of 34. I wrote this tribute which was published in the Slough Town programme for the match against Burnham that was due to be played yesterday but was called off due to a waterlogged pitch. I've been to more than my fair share of funerals over the years, but rarely have I had to go one for one of my peers. It certainly puts things into perspective and makes me realise how lucky I am to be alive and have a family of my own.

This month marks the 25th anniversary of my father's death. As someone who lost their dad as a child, I owe it to my boys to ensure they have a daddy who is fit, healthy and around for the long term. And so gaining control of my eating, cutting down on drinking and returning to fitness is my immediate priority. As such, there will be plenty more photos like this appearing in the coming months to chart my progress.

I was too big for my running vests and shirts - I won't be forever

I'm a believer

Yesterday marked the first phase of my diet. Stop eating junk, restricting myself to a regular three meals per day. Today I got phase 2 under way, namely dragging my sorry self kicking and screaming into exercise. Since completing the Royal Parks Half Marathon back in October, I've only been out for a run once. The overeating I described yesterday has inevitably impacted on my fitness levels and it was fair to say I was not expecting much from myself.

During the second half of 2013, I was a regular at the Black Park parkrun. Last year, it fell from my weekend routine and I think that contributed to my malaise. With that in mind I treated myself to an annual parking permit yesterday so that I've no excuses not to get myself out of the house on a Saturday morning.

When I was woken this morning, there was quite a downpour going on outside. With both boys sleeping uncharacteristically beyond 7.30, I could have been forgiven for keeping snug in my bed. However, I knew that going for a run this morning was important, perhaps more so for my psychology than my physicality. Rain or no rain, I was doing this.

First #parkrun for some time beckons. Not going to wimp out despite the heavy downpour
— Graham Kaye-Taylor (@bigfatrebel) January 3, 2015

After driving through the puddles of South Bucks and parking up, I did have to question my sanity at being there.

Definitely one of those mornings where I ask myself why? #parkrun pic.twitter.com/GcdOjCMju6
— Graham Kaye-Taylor (@bigfatrebel) January 3, 2015

Fortunately I had an old friend to point out the obvious.

@bigfatrebel black park looks er um #wet
— Stephen Hale (@Wisey999) January 3, 2015

Meanwhile others were more supportive

@bigfatrebel because you'll feel great afterwards!
— Laura White (@sugarfloat) January 3, 2015

@bigfatrebel these are the mornings that make the difference :)
— Steve Gaffney (@sdgaffney) January 3, 2015

I couldn't agree more with the last point. It did make a difference. The sense of achievement from making it round the course is palpable. My body and mind felt lifted, and though a couple of hours later I'm feeling somewhat weary, doing this today has set me on a good course for the coming weeks.

I'm hot, sweaty, smelly pretty darn unpleasant but for the first time in months I feel alive #parkrun
— Graham Kaye-Taylor (@bigfatrebel) January 3, 2015

My time was not important today. I barely dipped inside 30 minutes and was my second slowest finish over the distance. But I didn't care. Today was about waking my body from it's slumber and surviving. The time will improve as my waistline contracts and my fitness levels recover. I'm not convinced I'll be getting back to sub-24 minutes 5Ks any time soon, but that isn't my motivation right now. You have to learn to crawl before you run after all.

What I have now is a mental baseline. I know that I can do this. I know that on a wet and miserable January morning I can go for a run. Come Wednesday and the first proper weigh-in of the year, I will know that I can get my weight back under control. Self-belief is incredibly important to achieve successful weightloss. I know it is only 3rd January, but I'm a believer once again.

Elvis has left the building

Over the festive period, I found myself watching a documentary on Elvis Presley. Towards the end of his life, he piled on the lbs through overeating, becoming a bloated caricature of the man he once was. I don't need to wear Blue Suede Shoes, or check into Heartbreak Hotel to tell me that in the past couple of months I have overdone things. Unlike the King of Rock 'n' Roll, I will be taken corrective measures to stop my decline, starting today.

The diet is back. I opted for porridge this morning. It has clearly been a while since I've had some as I forgot to empty my Oats So Simple sachet into the bowel before I measured my milk, which led to some confusion. I then managed to spill porridge on my jeans twice. Not a great start to the day but at least the food side of things was in order.

This morning I've not eaten anything else. The burn has been there. It has been a long time since I've felt it and am quite surprised at how quickly my body has told me to fuel up. This probably explains why.

As recently as October I was comfortably under 15st. The scales this morning gave me this reading

Even factoring in Christmas, that is an irresponsible weight gain. I've added approximately a stone and a half in two months. And it shows. I've had to dig larger jeans and t-shirts out of my wardrobe. My belt is barely going round my waist. I'm looking and feeling chunkier. And I hate it. I knew I was getting bigger too, but was in a bit of a tailspin and unable to do anything about it. If I'm not in the correct frame of mind, I am my own worst enemy and have been locked into self-destruct mode. I don't know why a change of calendar year makes a difference but it does for me. A chance to wipe the slate clean and regain control.

I'm having soup for my lunch, but will pass on having any bread or rolls with it. Then a long afternoon beckons waiting to eat this evening. Perhaps doing this on a non-work day was not such a good idea. Time will tell.

A New Year. A New Start. A New URL?

Happy New Year one and all. May I wish you and your family all the very best for 2015 and hope it will be a year that brings both happiness and health.

2015 is kicking off for me in the same vein that every New Year's Day has in the last 7. Feeling slightly hungover and awake far earlier than I would like to be courtesy of a child. That late night session of Prosecco and Jelly Tots SEEMED like a good idea at the time, but sat here on a cold Thursday morning when I smell and taste of both, have two boys vying for their's daddy attention, and a cat suffering from isolation issues, I'm coming to the realisation that heading to bed a bottle earlier and without quite so much junk in my system was probably the wiser choice.

I've not been making too many good decisions of late. Whereas 2013 was my self-proclaimed Year of the Diet, where in a year of family adversity I thrived under pressure, losing 4 stone along the way, 2014 was a year where despite running 2 half marathons, I finished the year reaching for larger clothes. The last three months of the year in particular saw me hit the self-destruct button and undoing a lot my previous good work. It is easy I suppose to sit here on January 1st to make proclamations about reversing my slide, but I do have history on my side in terms of starting a new year with fresh motivation and willpower to make a positive change to my waistline.

Before I get on with the dieting business, I'll enjoy today. Well at least as much as you can enjoy feeling rough and with a Slough Town match this afternoon. But once the date rolls to 2nd January it will be all systems go. I'll jump on the scales tomorrow morning to shame myself but also give me an indication of just what I need to do in the coming months.

My weekly weigh-in day will recommence on Wednesdays, and I'll endeavour to pen more articles for this blog than just the obligatory toes on scales announcements. Follow my progress throughout the year and feel free to leave your comments along the way. If you're also looking shed a few lbs, let's do this together.

Finally a note for your Browsers. YearOfTheDiet.com will go offline in the next few days. Instead you will want to bookmark YearOfTheDiet.co.uk - a slightly cheaper option from my hosting company and one that I hope will be just as easy for my readers to remember.

Out with the old. In with the new. Less of the junk. Time to dispense with the excess weight I've recently acquired.

We both enjoyed Christmas. He didn't expand. I did

Wednesday Weigh-In 6 August

Ok, so I'm writing this on a Thursday morning and therefore strictly speaking it is not a Wednesday Weigh-In, but the weight measurement was taken yesterday so same difference.

I've not yet reached the point where I want to suppress my appetite. Almost immediately after publishing last week's entry, I went in search of food and I've lacked the level of discipline I need to shift the extra lbs I'm currently carrying. The scales were pretty kind when all said and done, but if you take 2 five mile runs out of my weekly activity there would almost certainly have been a gain to report. As it is, there has been no movement.

No Score Draw

My foray back into the running world has been going well. After the first couple of runs I had tight thighs and quite a few aches and pains. The last two efforts have not resulted in anything other than sweat and satisfaction. It is becoming easier to run, maintain a decent pace and go for longer. On Friday and Tuesday night I managed just over 5 miles. I'd be lying if I said it was 5 unbroken miles as I did need to slow to walking pace periodically to catch my breath, but things are definitely going in the right direction. If I can manage 5 miles after barely a week back into training, I'm pretty positive that I'll be race ready for my next half marathon in October.

This week marks 6 years of wedded bliss. I'd like to pay tribute to my wife for putting up with me, my mood swings, my desire to get out of bed on a Saturday morning to abandon her and the boys to go running in a park, for supporting me over the years in my weight loss efforts and for loving me regardless of whether I was the 24 stone man who she moved in with or the 14 stone man who runs 13.1 miles for the fun of it. It takes a special sort of person to tolerate me, and I'm so grateful that I came to my senses all those years ago.

The Award Winning GKT

On Friday I attended my industry awards event, called the National Undergraduate Employability Awards. I was a finalist in the category for Outstanding Contribution to Work Experience, and having missed out in the previous two years it was a question of third time lucky. I picked up my award from Sahar Hashemi, co founder of Coffee Republic, and was also presented with a personalised bib for my little boy which reads 'When I Grow Up I Want To Do A Placement'. Having experienced more than a few setbacks in my career in recent years, it feels fantastic to receive some recognition.

#NUEAwards Outstanding Contribution to Work Experience goes to ...Graham Kaye- Taylor at Brunel Highly Commended to Tim Ward at Salford Uni
— ASET (@ASETOnline) March 7, 2014

Now, given that this is a dieting and weightloss blog, I'll skip further talk about the work side of Friday. I've got another blog for that should anybody be so inclined. Instead I want to talk about the suit. Back in January, I bought myself a new suit specifically with the Awards in mind. Having slimmed down last year I knew that my existing ones would be a little on the large side and so I invested during the sales.

I opted for a skinny fit mid grey suit, and I'd be lying if I said I was totally confident about wearing it. Having spent so many years plumping for an additional X on the label of my clothes to provide more give, the concept of figure hugging attire is a little alien to me. I've come to accept I can get away with slim fit shirts, but this was taking things to another level.

I'm still haunted by an experience of my suit trousers splitting down the bum on my way to present at a conference years ago. I had that in my mind for most of my journey into London, causing me to stand on the train and tube when seats were available. There were feelings of dread as I approached the venue in case something similar happened again. The trousers were predictably tight given their design, and I was highly conscious that one wrong movement could result in embarrassment. My calf muscles in particular felt restricted, having grown in recent months through running.

I needn't have worried in the end. The suit held firm and without wishing to sound hugely egotistical, I looked fantastic. Through the afternoon I had people showering me in compliments, many of whom would not have been aware about this blog but have met me at previous awards or in the line of work and could see the difference. The picture below shows the moment where I'm collecting my award. By way of comparison, the picture underneath is from the 2012 awards

Winner 2014 - complete with bib

Highly Commended 2012 - T-Shirt & Champers

Just for good measure to illustrate how far I've come, here is a picture taken at a wedding reception back in 2004.

Wearing my sumo fat suit

I'm not sure I'll ever fully believe that I'm slim. However, taking the occasional stroll down memory lane by looking at photos in my early to mid 20s serve up a very graphic representation of what I'm not. I'm no longer the guy who struggles to find clothes that fit, who breaks toilet seats or splits their trousers. Winning an award feels good. Winning an award whilst looking great feels even better.

Wednesday Weigh-In - 5 March

Another quiet week for the blog, though this time due to circumstance rather than grand design. The little man was poorly at the end of last week and the earlier part of the weekend meaning I spent a lot of time with him and not a lot with the laptop. Rightly so.

Having had a big loss last week, spending time with an unwell munchkin did not bode particularly well for the waistline. The day and a half I took off work to care for him gave me a green light to feast and I didn't really hold back. Fortunately I gave myself some additional wriggle room last Wednesday night by running for just under 10 miles, my longest training session yet, which helped clear the way for medicinal toast and crisps. With a couple of shorter runs thrown in on Sunday morning and Tuesday night, and more controlled eating since the weekend, I struck a reasonable balance.

The net result of the last 7 days is a 1lb loss taking me down to 13st 12lbs.

I'll sound like a broken record, but this again is the lightest I've been. I see the irony in that being the case as my chair at work starting to disintegrate under my weight this week. It used to support me when I was 10 stone heavier, but the fabric started to pull apart on Monday and I could feel myself sinking into it. When I was a bigger man I used to break things with regularity, particularly toilet seats and wooden furniture (I was the nemesis of Ikea futons). It brought a wry smile to think that in my current size, my chair should start to give up the ghost.

I've got my industry awards to look forward to on Friday. To leave with the award for my category would be nice, though I'm already salivating at the thought of the Bento Box buffet and a couple of celebratory/commiseration drinks. Follow #NUEAwards on Friday from 2pm if you want to see how I get on.

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Wednesday Weigh-In 26 February

The wobbles are over. To be honest they were over when I wrote last week's weigh in article as I'd already dispensed with the gremlins and recovered what all dieters need, namely control. I've been somewhat quiet on the blogging front over the last 7 days, at least with regards to dieting. Usually when I go for periods without writing it is because I'm in an unhappy place and don't want to face the music. This week it has been more a question of quietly going about my business, with a steely determination to claw back some of the gains of the past three weeks.

As it has turned out, I've wiped the slate clean. And then a bit more. I've gone sub 14 stone for the first time since I don't know when. Probably 20 years or more. Maybe even a little further back.

Yikes!

While I have been very focused on the job at hand and disciplined with food since the last weigh-in, I've not exactly been living off rabbit food. Last Thursday I bought my son a McDonald's for a lunchtime treat and had one myself. Twice I've enjoyed Truly Irresistible Sticky Toffee Pudding with plenty of custard, thanks to Co-operative and their deliciously tempting half price deal. I've kept away from bread during workdays but indulged in cheese on toast on both Saturday and Sunday. There was even a little bit of grazing on Sunday, but I've become quite comfortable with the idea of having one day a week where I'm picking at things to eat, so long as the remaining 6 I'm not.

This week's loss then has been achieved through control. I've laughed in the face of the biscuits and chocolates being offered to me at work by colleagues. I've kept away from snacks all week, with the exception of Sunday. McDonald's was eaten in sensible proportion, having a medium size wrap of the day meal. Years ago I'd have plumped for a super size meal with at least 1 additional item from the saver menu on top. The toffee pudding was a bit of a vice I admit, but then one night it was factored in as a reward for a 5k run in the morning, and replaced booze which I've quietly taken off the menu.

With all of my focus on my weight, I have dropped the ball somewhat on the exercise front. Beyond my parkrun on Saturday morning, the only time I've pulled on the running gear was last Wednesday night when I didn't go particularly far. Interrupted nights courtesy of the little man combined with a bit less energy from ditching the junk has meant I've not really been up for exercise. I'm acutely aware that the half marathon is less than 4 weeks away now so will have to put in some lengthy training runs between now and then, which means I'll need to fuel up. It was worth sacrificing a few miles in the last 7 days to help restore my sanity. Let's hope it sticks around for a while longer.

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On the comeback trail

After yesterday's fairly downbeat entry, I'm pleased to report I'm closer to my usual self today. I didn't get a brilliant sleep last night, with the little man making himself known at 4am, but I managed to chalk off a few solid hours before hand and that made a world of difference. I won't say that I was completely chipper throughout the day, but nonetheless a very different personality to the moody beast that filled my shoes on Monday.

The cameo run last night helped restore some resemblance of sanity. It was a defiant slap in the face to the doom clouds I'd allowed myself to be swallowed up by in recent days. The turnaround will have come too late to see any benefit on the scales tomorrow (expecting another gain) but whereas I've been eating without a care for the consequences, the last 36 hours has seen restraint.

I've not run tonight. I could have done in some desperate attempt to get back to even on last week's weigh-in but to be honest that seemed futile and a waste of a training run. Instead I plan to go for what will be my longest circuit to date tomorrow evening, subject to the weather.

Fundraising has been going well, with the total inching towards £300. I struck on the idea to sell Cadbury's Creme Eggs after seeing they were on offer at Tesco (12 for £2, bargain). I bought two boxes for the office and invited my colleagues to have them at 50p a pop with all proceeds going to the run. The idea caught on and I subsequently sent three boxes to my friends at RateMyPlacement - whether I go home with the award at their bash next month or not, they are an incredibly good bunch, and I'm grateful for their support.

I don't fear the scales tomorrow. What will be will be. When they show me as heavier than last week, it will be fully merited. However, I now feel in a better place, ready to embrace the tried and tested diet rituals, train hard for the half marathon and get on with every day business that has seemed such a struggle of late.

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Wednesday Weigh-In - 12 February

Last week I was positively laissez-faire about gaining 1 pound. This week I'm incredibly relieved that I replicated the feat rather than multiplied the damage. It appears that my idea of maintaining a healthy weight consists of stuffing my face like a lunatic for several days and then putting myself through 48 hours of detox ahead of a weigh-in. Not exactly a healthy way of doing things and certainly not a methodology I'm keen to repeat in future.

My Achilles Heel over the past week has been biscuits at work. Buy a pack with the intention to have an occasional treat, and before you know it the packet is empty. Repeat the next day. And the next. Over the weekend I didn't do myself any favours either, drinking more on Saturday night than I really needed to, and for no reason. Sunday I went to my mother's house and predictably ate to excess (Love your mother loathe her cooking) and while I did follow this up with an 8 mile run later that evening, it didn't take a genius to work out that I would be up against it for the weigh-in this morning.

So another pound gained. Alarm bells are not ringing yet as I've been fully aware of what I've been doing. I also know what needs to be done to reverse the trend. Cut out the extras and remain disciplined. Sounds so easy and yet the temptation is always there.

No great surprise

If I needed motivation to get back to it, the fact that I have just over three weeks until I attend an industry awards event should help restore food sanity. While I've always maintained this dieting lark is about being healthy, I'm allowed one day a year when vanity takes hold! I'm up for an award titled 'Outstanding Contribution to Work Experience' and having been a finalist in the same category the last two years without taking home the gong, I'd like to think that it will be a case of third time lucky. I've bought a new suit to reflect my smaller physique, and know I'll be in front of photographers and camera crews. You don't get many opportunities to feel like a rock star working in Higher Education, so when the chance comes along you want to make the most of it.

Two years ago I was 'Highly Commended', receiving a bottle of champers from Olympian Steve Backley which was nice. Last year I had much more important things on my mind than winning, as the Awards fell just a few days after my son was born and was still in special care following his surgery. This year, well we'll just have to see. Win or not, I want to look my best, just for one day.

Highly Commended - Close but no cigar!

So hopefully I've got my recent gorging out of the system now. A few weeks of being relatively good will mean I can head to the NUE Awards on 7 March looking good, feeling great and hopefully will have something to celebrate by the end of it.

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Wednesday Weigh-In - 5 February

The headline news this week is I've had my first gain of 2014. However, in the immortal words of Corporal Jones, 'Don't Panic'. The scales put me 1 pound heavier this week compared to last Wednesday, but I've no reason for concern. It may sound a bit defensive but what is a pound anyway? I'm using scales which round up or down to the nearest pound. It is a marginal gain at worst.

Up, but not down

I'll admit I've not been particularly diet focused, but then as I said last week I'm now in maintenance mode and so a little movement up or down from 14 stone is not unrealistic. There were a couple of cans on Saturday night ending dryathlon. There were fewer runs than the previous week. Yesterday was my wife's birthday and so I enjoyed a large slab of chocolate cake, rather than go for a 4 mile run the night before a weigh-in like the previous Tuesday. I'm certainly not blaming the gain on a nice treat!

On a more positive note, I feel slimmer. A belt that I bought back in October because my existing ones were too big is now in danger of being replaced having moved onto the last hole at the tight end. I'm also going to have to think about getting my wedding ring resized as my fingers are smaller than they used to be and it has been noticeably looser of late.

I'm feeling good on the running front. I've mapped out some longer routes for me to try out as I push my training forwards in the next few weeks. Yesterday I received a bunch of donations on my sponsorship page and I've recruited some colleagues to bake some wonderfully sugary badness for a Macmillan style coffee morning next month, with proceeds going towards the run. I'm looking forward to a bit of indulgence when that comes around.

Over the next 7 days it would be good to see that 1 on the picture above drop back to a 0. I'm giving blood later today so if I was so inclined could check the scales tonight for reassuring comfort. But I'm very happy with where I'm at right now. I'm not blase enough to say the weight can take care of itself, but so long as I don't do anything silly, my exercise will keep things in check.

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The Kindness of Strangers

Since entering the bloggersphere some time ago, I've been pleasantly surprised by the level of support that exists. For all the talk of social media trolls, and lets be honest the abuse thrown at the likes of Stan Collymore goes beyond the pale, I've found the world of blogging and Twitter to be full of people who want me to do well.

In recent weeks, I've hooked up with a #WobblesWednesday collective of bloggers who are trying to do something about their weight. I love the encouragement that everybody gives to one another, leaving comments on blogs and interacting through twitter. The number of positive messages I receive for my weigh-in articles provide added incentive to do well. Until now I've very much dieted alone; now it feels like I've got a mini-community rooting for my success.

Away from the dieting, I've received kind words in support of my running exploits. Since exchanging tweets relating to parkrun, we've continued to interact, culminating in mutual sponsorship for our forthcoming runs. The fact that somebody I've never met wanted to help with my fundraising efforts is quite incredible. I wish them all the very best as they prepare to tackle the London marathon in April.

While I'm on the subject of sponsorship, I've been touched by the response to date. People who I've not seen for a very long time have shown immense kindness. My great aunt and uncle on my father's side who I have not spoken to for years got wind of my half marathon plans in a Christmas card from my mother, and put a cheque in the post. I've received donations from people connected to my time short time in Swansea some 12 years ago. A guy I knew from school added to the sponsorship pot, saying he found my blog inspiring, and he was trying out my spinach and chorizo salad for lunch. All relative strangers, all incredibly generous.

My blog has even found an unlikely source of support. Author and former Conservative Party MP Louise Mensch took an interest after I responded to some of the posts on her JoyHacks website which explores personal happiness and well being. A few tweets from Louise's account made a noticeable increase in traffic to my blog. I don't necessarily agree with or endorse her often outspoken political views, but we share a lot of common ground on fitness and health. Besides, anybody with close connections to Metallica is alright in my books.

Do read @bigfatrebel blog, http://t.co/TnRpCpxJd3 he left a comment on our latest http://t.co/kVe5amHcKT - showing difference therapy made
— Joyhacks (@joyhacks) January 15, 2014

Of course it not just strangers and people from my past whose support has helped my dieting and fitness kick in recent times. My loved ones, friends and colleagues have all played their part too, not least my wife who has taken charge of the boys on Saturday mornings since July, while I've been improving my performance over the 5k distance. I can't thank everybody individually, but would like to offer a collective Cheers.

Just under 7 weeks to go until I run 13 miles. With the kindness of strangers, as well as the support and love of my nearest and dearest, I've nothing to fear.

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I am Karl Pilkington

Tonight I learned a valuable lesson to take forwards with my half marathon training. Essentially I know nothing about running and I am an idiot.

Yes I am

Why do I think this? Well, to date I've been making things up as I go along. A bit of running here, a bit of running there. I've not followed any particular plan or schedule, and have just been getting by on my own instincts. When I wasn't feeling 100 per cent a couple of weeks back, I listened to my body and held off on the training front. So far so good.

On Sunday I ran 10 kilometres. I've never run further, and so by default that was my long run for the week. If you look through simple training plans, such as this one following a long run should come a rest day and then an easy/recovery run. Yesterday I rested. Today I should have been a recovery run. Only I knew better and had greater ambitions. I wanted to raise the bar a bit higher and get up to the 8 mile mark tonight.

I felt pretty fresh and had no ill effects from Sunday's exertions. But it soon became apparent that my body wasn't up to anything challenging this evening. Unfortunately having set out for a long run, this epiphany occurred only after I had run 4 and a half kilometres away from the house. Clearly a ploddy run around the block would have served me better tonight, rather than find myself a long way from home. The journey back was a patchy mix of walking and running. My apps tells me in total I ran just over 7.5km which is still a good workout, but well below what I was aiming for.

So today I've learned that I don't know best. I'm going to formalise my training schedule and listen to the advice of people who know a lot more about this running lark than I do. I've still got 7 and a half weeks to get this right, and I will.

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