Sunday 29 November 2009

The Pillow Talk...


Since coming up with the idea to Run 10k everyday for 2010 both our minds hadn't been far from the challenge. This morning, Sunday 29th November 2009, Penny & I lay in bed listening to the girls play in their bedrooms whilst we talked about the problems I would likely be facing over the challenge.


Sickness – has anyone remained healthy for 365 days? So what was going to happen when I was sick? My answer was simply find a way of getting round to do 10k a day and Penny added, that it could make me worse. The point is we need to find away around the problem, the goal is making it happen how we do it despite the problems is what makes the challenge and makes the journey.

Injuries – exercise every now and again is difference to 10k everyday for 365 days. I'd need to ensure my trainers where good, replaced often to reduce the pounding on my knees; I'd also be facing shin-splints if the footwear wasn't good. There's the possibility I could get cramp or break a leg, however I've only ever broken little bones & have a good stretching and cool down routine; it rare for me to get cramp, but it could still happen.

Mentally – planning & doing a 10k run in most cases is mentally tearing, doing one everyday even on holiday will be draining. What am I going to do to keep my mind focused? [a] We agreed music was a good option but I'd need to change the tracks reasonably regularly – thankfully Penny is a music whiz and she agreed to look after this and update the MP3; although we'd need to get another and rotate them. [b] With that said there are going to be other times during the year when I'm not going to want to do this; choose what's easy, lose focus and doubt myself. At these times the support behind me, people following or interested are going to help in two ways – [1] for those that believe in me and want me to do the challenge & [2] those that are looking for me to fail who want to say “Told you he couldn't do it.” Therefore if we can built up a support following, they'll be a great help for me in the hardest of times sure to be ahead.

Readiness – in many cases people build up to marathons & 10k runs, I'd be going at it from an average fitness – although I've been doing 4 & 6k runs once or twice a week since May 2009 when I was last made redundant. I think I'm going to start the first 8 weeks with 6k in morning & 4k at night, or the other way round, maybe 5 +5k or 8+2k. The point is getting the routine of running everyday first, then focus on achieving the 10k single runs everyday.

We believe we brought out all the potential problems to the challenge, which allows us to prepare and plan to get round them – if you can think of any others, I'd like know.
Personally, I'm thinking that peoples support and following the challenge is going to be the hardest – it'll need constant work because I know at the hardest of times in this challenge, its this the support that's going help me get through.

Have a good day and be well, Tim

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Friday 27 November 2009

The Big Idea...


"I'm going to Run 10K everyday for 2010" I said to my wife whilst we sat on the sofa earlier tonight.
It didn't get the reaction I thought it might, Penny slowly said "Right" then turned her head to look at me. "Why do you want to do that?" she added.

I'd been toying with the idea of doing something personally different, challenging and worth while for some time. Earlier this year one of my friends had invited me to join him cycling from Lands End to John o Groats, I was interested but circumstances weren't going to make it practical; then I heard Eddie Izzard was running 43 marathons in 50 days. Both challenges caught my interest and I followed them but it wasn't what I was looking for. Last week I saw the advert for Robson Green swimming adverture series on ITV and when putting a "grown-up chocloate button" (Cabrury's Caramel Nibbles) in my mouth tonight I thought - I need to lose weight & do something! and the idea of running popped into my head. A second later the defining idea - why not do 10K every day!

I discussed the idea further with Penny and explained I'd need her help. Those of you that know me will be able to guess her response because you'll also know, I love my pillows! and I don't like being cold. This challenge would require me having to get up earlier to squeeze the distance in, being in England early mornings are seldom fresh but damp & ... cold.

So after the laughing and cheeky comments, we started talking about making it happen.

The first run will be 1st January 2010, with a series of blogs on the experience and my journey. We're going to take photos every three weeks of me so the stresses & changes can be logged, as well as making blogs leading up to the start date to generate interest and support for sponsorship.

So, that's it for tonight - more detail will be posted over the coming days.
I hope you take the time to click to follow this challenge, as well as support it by encouraging others to follow or sharing the idea.

Cheers everyone, I'm going to visit my pillows. Tim
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