Hi all. I've been a bit busy lately (not running for a change but going to gigs and drinking beer
) but I have read your posts with interest. Eddie, Ra Ra, AJ and Dadorious keep up the good work guys!
A few of you are keen on improving your physique which requires motivation and commitment, two key factors in achieving anything in life. Anyone who is dedicated enough can usually reach their personal goals firstly through mental preparation and then the physical application. The rewards of such persistence in the objective you choose are intently satisfying and give the individual improved confidence and a sense of well being.
I have long wanted to be of a different appearance but I don't let that consume me, I am who I am and am also glad for the fact that I am fit enough to do the things I wish to. Long distance running is just something I tried once, a Nocturnal 10K in London in 2003, and from that I entered other races. At first the races were harder than I expected but as time went on and I familiarized with different strategies and ultimately bought a GPS watch and my running improved. As I am not a member of a running club I rely solely on my own motivation and desire to get out there and do it!
I still think outdoor running is a lot harder than running on a treadmill...
Definitely mate,
The treadmill is a wee bit easier you need to take into account the surface when running outdoors to cover that distance would have been far more difficult outdoors.
Damn right! Every run you do outside is tougher than an air conditioned gym for a whole lot of reasons. There are 2 key elements to consider, the surface / terrain you run on and the ever changing weather! I have run in most conditions from 30 degree heat to bitter cold and on terrains from tarmac and gravel to thick mud and deep puddles!
I've run on the lovely flat of a coastal promenade in Folkestone to the lunacy of Box Hill in Surrey!
Every single run throws it's challenges at you, some easy, others a lot harder! I tried the treadmill a few times but soon lost interest as nothing around me was changing, nothing interesting, no scenery, no motivation, boring. The constant sound of my feet on the treadmill was annoying and in the end I just thought "This ain't for me!' I'd sooner not run than do an hour on a treadmill, that's my sentiments on that!
Running is the best exercise for you. Get some proper running trainers to cushion yourself when running otherwise in the long term you may regret it. You'll be surprised how much easier running trainers make it for you, and your body is working easier as it doesn't take big impacts to the ground with each stride. Look after your joints!
A point well made. Of all the running shoes out there my running shoe of choice is ASICS, I wear the GT2120 which cost £100 at the time I bought them. They're like wearing slippers and feel like they've been sprayed onto my feet, they're that snug a fit and with good cushioning and support all round. I aim to buy a pair of trail shoes this year for all those crazy off-roader's. It's a personal choice when buying a running shoe but I would seriously recommend going to a specialist runner's shop for the best advice. Don't get sucked into the latest fashion or colours, it's about practicality, the right shoe for you and the running you do! Gage the price and shop around, you can get some great deals on the Net, specialist running shops tend to be dear but that's their prerogative.
And so onto the next run in my calender, my 3rd of the month and 4th of the year is...LIVERPOOL HALF MARATHONSefton Park
9:30am, Sunday 2nd March 2008
MILE MARKER SONG TITLE ENTRIES DEMONSTRATE SOME GREAT CREATIVE THINKING!
The 14 winners of the Beatles song title competition have now been selected. There was a great response to the call for mile marker suggestions and the winning selections are as follows...
Start / Finish
area Come Together Peter Cain, Aigburth, Liverpool
Mile 1 I'll Be On My Way Barrie Hillyer, Frodsham.
Mile 2 The Long And Winding Road, Ben Pycroft, London
Mile 3 Don't Pass me By Andy Gifford, Llanferres
Mile 4 All Together Now Lynne Hatton, Great Sankey
Mile 5 I Feel Fine Pam McGorry, Mossley Hill Hospital
Mile 6 Why Don't We Do It In The Road Jeremy Brown, Hope University
Mile 7 With A Little Help From My Friends, Terry Williams, Skelmersdale
Mile 8 It Won't Be Long Andy Sharps, Connah's Quay
Mile 9 I Should have Known Better John Leatherbarrow, Huyton Liverpool
Mile 10 Ask Me Why Tony Hodge, Salisbury
Mile 11 I'm So Tired Phillip Byrne, Dublin
Mile 12 Don't Let Me Down Andrew Coles, Knaresborough
Mile 13 The End! Michael Eakin, Altrincham
A big thank you to everyone who took part and made suggestions and congratulations to the winners!
Good luck to everyone taking part in the Half Marathon and look out for mile markers - try not singing the tunes as you pass by!
For Interest Only!!! Listen...Do You Want to Know a Secret
My suggestion is for the 8 mile mark, which I think is the nearest to 28 Ullett Road, the former home of John Brodie, former Liverpool City Engineer. The house has a blue plaque. Among other achievements John Brodie invented the goal net. This invention and its first use are described in Played in Liverpool by Ray Physick, published in 2007.
I came across the house and plaque while running the 2007 Liverpool Half Marathon, somewhere around the eight or nine mile mark, - number 28 Ullett Road to be precise. As I got to this large house on the edge of a park I noticed the blue plaque on the wall and just couldn’t run by without stopping to read it. This was the home of John Brodie, former City Engineer of Liverpool. It was though, his invention of the goal net which has been so important to the growth of civilisation. I stood there stunned with reverence and appreciation, thinking of the swish of the ball and the balletic ripple of the net, and all the joy and pleasure that this has brought to so many.
Reporter: Ken Beevers
Should be fun, if the weather is good! I'd just like to add in 2008 Liverpool, the Capital of Culture, has not planned to hold a Marathon, Unbelievable isn't it?!
Your support in signing the online petition through the link below may be the difference, you never know... Please sign it, thanks.
http://www.gopetition.com/online/10252.htmlMy response was:
Liverpool is the 2008 Capital of Culture. I am a long distance runner from Liverpool.
A city of Liverpool's stature should stage a marathon to commemorate this prestigious event, it's that simple. The eyes of the world are watching Liverpool...