6 months ish To Go

First day of 'pre marathon training' training. Also first run after the Paras 10 due to a slight foot injury - toe nail falling off - doesnt feel nice at all.

All good on the run just a few cob webs to shake off.

New justgiving page set up - www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara2010

9 Months ish To Go

A big thanks to everyone who sponsored me a whopping £2110.59 raised.

I will be looking to rob you all of your money again next year as I am in again all in aid of the NDCS.

I loved the feeling of being sick with nothing in there to be sick with, in front of Buck Palace that I just couldnt wait to do it again.

The End

A massive thank you to everyone who has sponsored and supported me. Whilst I may be well on the way to raising over £2000 for a charity that means a hell of a lot to us this whole experience has been a most amazing thing and something I will never forget. To look back at some of the first posts on here and how much it took to get myself in such a position to be able to finish the marathon I have amazed myself.

The legs still ache and i dont yet see a point in the future when they wont, but they better had soon or else I wont be ready for next year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Day After

Simply the hardest thing I have ever done, the feeling when I crossed the line wasnt one of elation just pure pain, but that soon turned to a pure high in what I had just done (some point after the vomit came up). I am still on a high 24 hours later. Whilst it was the worst pain in the world, to know that I have done it and nobody can take that off me is an amazing feeling.

I can hardly remember most of the race it just went so quick. I do remember seeing my better half twice around the course, and I certainly remember the surreal sight of about a thousand folk doing the YMCA at 13 miles.

The pain really started to hit at about 24 miles and by 25 it was murder, the last mile did take me about 11 mins with a little walk in the middle I am afraid to say but I knew I could do that and stiil beat the 4 hours so I had too, 3hrs 58mins 04secs to be exact. I think it then took me about 30 mins just to get my bag back due to stoppong every 10 yards, followed by a bit of a mazy delirious walk through the finish area followed by a walk to the NDCS reception were some very very brave young lady kindly gave me a massage. Pure relief.

Whilst it isnt everybodies cup of tea I would honestly recommend it to all, the feeling during is awful, at least the last few miles, but once you come arround afterwards it is just immense.

1st Song on Tannoy - Deeply Dippy ???????

No of Runners Seen - 35,000

Feet Check - Very Sore - but no blisters

wii Fit BMI - 24.95 - It takes a 26 mile run in the heat to finally get me down to IDEAL - Overweight when I started and Ideal when I finished. At least 8lbs lighter.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara - £1700 collected cas so far with another £300 ish still to come. Thankyou all so very much.

The Day

Nerves

Excitement

Enjoyment

Pain

More Pain like never before

Sick

Pain

Elation

Elation

Stiffness

Tiredness - Bloody knackerdness

1 Day to Go

Oh well too late to do anything about it now I guess I will just have to go and run the bloody thing tomorrow then.

Nerves are getting a bit more fraught now, I may have said it once or twice this week but I am really looking forward to it and very excited. Them Kenyans & Ethiopians better watch out, I'd like to see them run 12 miles after a skin full in Edinburgh the night before (Thanks Dids for reminding me) thats how good I am.

2 mile stretch of the legs done today - the most gingerly and pathetic 2 miles I have ever done. It took me so long due to watching everywhere I was putting my feet for risk of falling over.

1st song on Ipod - -----------------------

No of Runners Seen - 1

Feet Check - Raring to go

wii Fit BMI - 25.65 - we'll see what its like monday when I get back and i have wrung out every ounce of fluid out of my body tomorrow.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara - thankyou so much for all the donations I am ammazed at how much has been given and how much people have individually pledged - again thank you all so much.

2 Days to Go

All set, bags are packed, gear is all sorted, just got the nerves to contend with.

How you can be excited about running 26.2miles I dont know but I am.

Going to do a 2 mile run in the morning to stretch the legs then thats it.

Feeling rested and ready.

3 Days to Go

A nice day of rest. Getting really excited now just 3 more sleeps.

Doing boring stuff now like sorting gear out and bags. Helping the better half plan where she is going to spot me from.

My number is 47694, so you can all look out for the big skin head in purple & white.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

4 Days to Go

Thats it the training is over, the last 4 miles done this morning. I am as fit as I'm going to get. The 2 miles on saturday are not going to be classed as training more just as a stretch of the legs.

I feel good and ready and just cant wait, everything has been done and in a sad sort of way just want it to be here and be stood on the start line raring to go. Quite excited now.

Total run in training - 547miles - 20 marathons, 1 half marathon and 10 more for good measure

Total time spent training - 81hrs 09mins - oh my god - 3 days 9 hrs 9 mins solid

Most played song - Jesus Jones - What would you know? - 6 times

Total Calories Burned - 95108 - 339 Mars bars - or 2 pieces of Jo's brothers fudge

Total Hills Climbed - 51458 feet - 1 Mount Everest, 1 Kilamanjaro and the best part of Ben Nevis

how sad am I that I have a watch that tells me all this, (Swav has one as well) and today..........

1st Song on Ipod - ---------------------

No of Runners Seen - None

Feet Check - Fine & Dandy

Wii Fit BMI - 25.83 - Havent quite reached my goal of being IDEAL so will be running as a fat overweight bloke.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

5 Days to Go

The excitement is reaching breaking point here, the new socks have been bought ready for sunday. Lovely and white. Unfortunately the matching headband couldnt be found.

I think I am more excited about tomorrow being my last early morning training run, a massive 4 miles at an easy pace. I will be taking it easy and making sure I dont do anything stupid.

5 miles done today which went ok and about 3/4hr spent this evening in the jacuzzi and sauna easing the aching muscles. No Miss Bikinis this week just some granny in a saggy swimming costume - really nice.

1st Song on Ipod - ------------------------

No of runners seen - None - A village of lardarses

Feet check - Bob on

wii Fit BMI - 25.65 - the ideal mark of 25.00 seems a million miles away - I will have to run at "overweight"

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

6 Days to Go

No run today, the legs have been rested before I tackle my last couple of runs this week.

5 miles tomorrow and the 4 on wednesday and that is it.

7 Days to Go

This time next week it will all be over and my next challenge of putting the 2 stone I have lost back on will begin in earnest. I hope my better half packs all my easter eggs for the Sunday night.

A good 12 miles run today, felt very good during and after it, I suppose if I am not ready now I am not ever going to be. Really excited about next week and am so looking forward to it.

There will be no smart comments about running around Ponty Racecourse today and seeing some "horses" even though the races weren't actually on. At least these "horses" were out training rather than being sat in their stables grazing, though it did look like many of them had done a fair bit of grazing in the past.

1st Song on Ipod - ---------------------

No of Runners Seen - About 30

Feet Check - Great - Cant believe I have had only 1 blister during the whole of this

wii Fit BMI - 25.35 - technically still overweight ???????????? My goal was to be ideal by race day, dont think that is now going to happen, at least not before anyway probably will be by the time I finish though.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

8 Days to Go

This time next week I will be in the big smoke, and will be really crapping my pants.

A nice and easy 5 miles this morning, the most uneventful run ever which I am more than happy with at this point.

My last run of any substance is planned for tomorrow, 12miles, which is going to be around Ponty Racecourse.

1st song on Ipod - it has flatlined and is in Ipod heaven

No of runners seen - None

Feet Check - Ok

wii Fit BMI - 25.75 - pure healthy athlete

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

9 Days to Go

Oh well we are down to single figures, when the hell did we get this close.

5 miles done today, felt ok, a good stretch of the legs.

After over a 100 days of training and over 500 miles of running I finally got a face full of dirt. A bit of a high speed collision between foot and rock and the rock won. A few cuts & scrapes and a bit of blood but no lasting damage.

1st Song on Ipod - -----------------

No of Runners Seen - None

Feet Check - Stubbed toe

wii Fit BMI - 25.87

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara
www.ndcschallenges.org.uk

10 Days to Go

No run today, just a big lie in until 5.30am. Believe me that does feel like a big lie in.
5 miles to do tomorrow and a swim lesson for Evan so a nice sit in the sauna and jacuzzi planned for then.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara
www.ndcschallenges.org.uk

11 Days to Go

A nice easy 5 miles this morning, it feels good to say an easy 5 miles. I guess now is just about keeping the legs stretched and not over doing it or doing anything stupid. I am definately ready for the marathon. Its been a long journey and I am about ready to have a bit of a rest. It does feel like I am constantly tired or recovering from runs so it will be good to stay in bed that little longer.

No run tomorrow it is now of Friday but is only a fast 3 mile with 1 mile warm up / cool down. So this again should be fairly straightforward

1st Song on Ipod - Was something good but cant now remember

No of runners seen - None

Feet Check - A bit tired

wii Fit BMI - 26.03 - steadied out finally

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

12 Days to Go

Probably the last proper tough session today, 'Hills' x 12 - basically sprinting up an hill for 2 mins and then jogging back down for 3 mins, and doing it 12 times. Gets pretty tough towards the end. Was also worried that the gypsys had moved in to the top of the hill and might not have taken too kindly to some numpty running up to the caravans at 5.00am. Felt very good afterwards considering the long run the other day. We have also just booked the train tickets for next week and it is making it seem so close now.

1st Song on Ipod - Dont know

No of runners seen - None

Feet Check - Fine

Got what a dull day I wish the gypsys had chased me away might have livened things up a bit.

wii Fit BMI - 26.14 - 6 lbs in weight put back on since Sunday evening. Doesnt look like I will reach my goal of having an IDEAL BMI before the race. I imagine with all the fluid being lost I will have one the day after though.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

13 Days to Go

My 100th post, I am so boring.

No run today just a big roast dinner at the in-laws. The 5lbs lost yesterday have almost all been put back on through spuds, yorkshire pud and turkey, and some more turkey, and yet more turkey.

Even though I have 13 days to go I only have 8 training sessions to go, get in.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara - get your hands in your pockets

14 Days to Go

2 weeks today and it will all be over, I cant wait. I will be sat in my hotel room eating all the easter eggs I havent even been allowed to look at. The pain of having all that chocolate in the house and not even allowed a drop.

Did a 'slow' 18 miles this morning, was over at the folks for a nice Sunday dinner so decided to go the opposite way round to the couple of runs I have done there recently. After 14 weeks of training I think I am allowed to blow my own trumpet just the once. For all those who know the Wigan area you will probably be aware of Bank Brow near Roby Mill, a pretty steep hill at the best of times, well a hell of a steep hill after 16 miles. I did get mistaken for someone else, I think it was the red underpants on the outside and the big S on my shirt that threw a few folk. Unlike the mild mannered reporter I didnt leap it in a single bound but merely ran all the way up it without stopping once and preceded then to run the final 2 miles under 9 min mile pace. Super fit as opposed to Superman, then again!!!!!!!!!!!

I also completed my 500th mile of my training today, I have nearly done as many miles this year so far as I did in the whole of last year. 500 ??????????????? I honestly didnt believe I would run that many, not quite sure what I thought I would do but not that many.

Today was my last long run, next weeks sunday run is a 'steady' 12 miles, which is about my half marathon ish sort of pace.

A bit nervous about the run, info has come through the post and one statistic was that St Johns Ambulance treated 5000 runners last year. I think as long as I am steady and keep to the pace I know I can run at, I will be fine. I keep telling myself I have got runs of over 20 miles under my belt on a lot more challenging routes than London will be. Probably just dont need the atmosphere to get me too pumped up too early so that I dont go off like a bullet.

Today was a tough run, with the sun starting to shine pretty hard with about 3 miles to go, completed it well under my scheduled time by about 4 mins though and I think the fact that I have lost 5lbs in weight (including a mums sunday dinner) from last night to tonight also proves it was a tough one. A lot of hills along the route. A great song which means a hell of a lot to me, Wires by Athlete, if you hear it you will understand why, especially those that know us and what we went through with Evan, came on right at the end and if ever there was something that picks you up and drags you that last bit it is that song and no matter how crap I felt I get a hell of an energy boost from hearing it. I guess sometimes fate of the random ipod shuffle works spot on.

A word of advice for the guys of Wigan, get you bare chests out as much as you can, due to miscalculating my run by about 1/2 mile and having to walk it, after 18 miles I had done enough and was happy to walk, I had sweated that much I had to get my vest off to prevent getting cold, so I walked the 1/2 mile bare chested and the amount of looks I got was unbelievable. I am of the opinion that these folk, majority women of course, just couldnt believe the amazing physique they were seeing before them. It had nothing to do with the hairy, sweaty, stinky guy weaving his weary legs home at 11.00am on Easter Sunday morn looking a bloody mess.

Supposed to do 4 miles tomorrow, do you know what I cant be arsed. Will be getting up early with my boys and will be spending all day with them without a pair of running shorts anywhere in sight.

1st Song on Ipod - No idea and will never know

No of Runners Seen - 6 - including 1 woman who unfortunately forgot to spray some anti perspirant under her chest and came bounding down the road towards me with two rather fetching sweat patches 'up front' - nice.

Feet check - Could do with a massage, dont think the wife loves me that much. No blisters but I dont think a career in foot modeling is imminent.

wii fit BMI - 25.35 - still technically classed as overweight, the 'ill' comment from my sister obviously means she disagrees with the wii fit. 3lbs to loose to become 'normal' or whatever they term it.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara - a bit more sponsorship over the last few days, some from some really unexpected sources so thank you very much it has given my total a nice little boost. Just waiting on some of the more expected sources to get their names down. My sisters havent even coughed the cash up yet. I have no doubt they will be doing very shortly.

15 Days to Go

No run today, the better half let me have a lie in and I made the most of it. A lounge around the pool as well and a play in the garden so have had a relaxing day before my last big run tomorrow of 18miles. Two weeks today will be in London paping my pants - oh my god.

16 Days to Go

10 'Fast' miles done today, I felt good, legs felt good. Completed the run just outside of the times I was supposed to.

Couldnt decide where to run so I just went down every public footpath I came across. All was going well, some good runs, different places, until I got lost in an industrial park. I looked so good running amoungst all the wagons in my little vest plus running back the way I had just come due to dead ends.

Time is ticking, I am getting a little nervous every time I think about the marathon, I believe I am ready for it. I should be I've done enough bloody miles.

1st Song on Ipod - Zzzzzzzzzzz

No of Runners Seen - 2

Feet Check - Ok

wii Fit BMI - 26.09 - Happy with that.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

17 Days to Go

4 miles easy run this morning, legs felt well and body feels ok overall. Got a fast 10 miles to do tomorrow so should be a good test of how I have recovered after last weeks exertions. Got my last big run of 18 miles this weekend, then again its only 2 weeks to go so its not like I am going to have a host of weekends off.

So looking forward to it now and cant wait - ok there is a small issue of running 26.2 miles but I think the whole thing is going to be amazing.

1st Song on Ipod - ?????????????????? Its knackered and the small one is too much hassle to sort out

No of Runners Seen - 1

Feet Check - Ok

wii Fit BMI - 26.21

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

18 Days to Go

No run today due to meeting, it has also given my leg a bit more time to recover and it feels a lot better. A 6 mile run now due for tomorrow so we shall be easing our way around it.

2 quick questions, should speedos be banned on anyone over 20 stone because the bloke in them at the gym last night looked great, well I think he had speedos on because I couldnt quite see them. Also why do some women decide to wear skimpy bikinis to a gym in the middle of Leeds, not exactly the sunny mediterranean is it. Though it was funny watching Mr Speedo giving Miss Bikini the eye and a couple of winning one liners.

19 Days to Go

5 mile run this morning made up of 1/2 mile sprints with 100m rests, it was a pretty tough run. The backs of my legs are giving me some grief so I have been and sat in the jacuzzi etc etc for about an hour. The effects of sunday are still lingering about, but I am not running tomorrow due to a meeting in Stoke so hopefully a days rest will ease the legs.

The final results are in for Sunday and I finished 145 out of 994 so really pleased with that.

1st Song on Ipod - Using the wifes little ipod shuffle from now so wont be as random as before. Actually I cant find what was the first song so i guess it ends here.

No of Runners Seen - None

Feet check - good

wii fit BMI - 26.04 - not bad will hopefully be under 26 soon - permanently

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

20 Days to Go

No run today. Recovering from yesterday, still really pleased with the run and cant quite believe how well it went.

Results arent out yet but here are some photos.

21 Days to Go

Absolutely belting run today, totally made up with how it went. Finished in 1hr 39mins 04secs. (7min 32sec / mile on average) which is exactly what I wanted to do. Smashed my best by almost 7mins. I felt really good and had lots of energy all the way round. Did my fastest mile between miles 12 & 13 which is unheard of for me its usually the slowest, and the 2nd half was only about 30secs slower than the first half of the race which again is unbelievable, as I am usually far too knackered to keep the pace up.

A big well done to Ste Unsworth who ran today, lets just keep it to that he finished, though my dad was worried he might miss the Everton v Wigan kickoff (at 3.00pm) if Ste hadnt hurried up. (We started at 9.00am) He acted as a very good pace maker for the first 3 miles but the slightly red face did tell a few truths and I left him alone at that point, its probably the fact that 15 bottles of Corona 2 days earlier isnt good preparation, I drank 5 diet cokes at the same wedding and 2 pints of shandy.

The official results arent out yet so dont know my final position yet.

I am knackered now so I will post some photos tomorrow and also mention how I yet again beat the small chap (dwarf) who I have now beat over the last few races. He did however stretch his legs a bit and beat Ste.

1st Song on Ipod - Race etiquette no Ipod

Feet Check - Suprisingly Good

No of Runners Seen - 2000 ish I think

wii Fit BMI - 26.11

www.justgiving/davidmcnamara

22 Days to Go

An 'easy' 5 miles this morning in preparation for the race tomorrow. I'm quite looking forward to it, probably because it is the first race I ever did so it will be good to see how I have progressed, and also because I have some support so we will see just how fit Ste Unsworth really is.

Feeling good and ready, a tiny bit tired though probably due to a late night last night and a bloody early morning today. Did manage to spend 1/2hr in the jacuzzi/sauna & steam room whilst my big lad was an absolute angel at his swimming lesson, so my muscles have had an extra relaxing time as well.

1st Song on Ipod - It managed to play part of Kula Shaker, will now need to start using the wifes little ipod shuffle so my choice of a good few thousand songs is now going to be reduced to a couple of hundred.

No of Runners Seen - 3

Feet Check - ok

wii Fit BMI - 26.14

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

23 Days to Go

No run scheduled for today so guess what no run done today. Legs feel a load better so I will definately go out tomorrow for a 5 mile run to just stretch my legs before the half marathon on sunday.

Feel free to come over to Blackpool to watch us run, you can even go on the Pleasure Beach if you want.

24 Days to Go

No run today, legs are starting to feel a bit more normal. Will probably do a shortish run tomorrow followed by a jacuzzi etc on Saturday so should feel ok for sundays half marathon in lovely Blackpool.

25 Days to Go

An 'easy' 7 miles done this morning. The legs are feeling pretty tired though and I am weighing up whether to not go out tomorrow and have an extra day off instead. I have got the half marathon on sunday and I would like to feel fresh for that. I am not sure what I will gain from doing an extra 6 miles in the morning except from keeping the legs tired.

Total miles run to date - 441 miles to date

Most played songs to date - A mind blowing 3 times each for a list as long as my arm.

The Ballad Of John And Yoko 1969 The Beatles
That Girl And The Slow Train An Emotional Fish
Little Green Bag 1970 George Baker
Brother Can You Spare A Dime 1999 George Michael
Long Road 1992 Gun
Been Phaidin Hothouse Flowers
What Would You Know? 1989 Jesus Jones
Final Hour 1998 Lauryn Hill
Pipe Dreams 2001 Travis
Salomé 1992 U2

1st Song on Ipod - The Verve - Sonnett

No of Runners Seen - None

Feet Check - Still sore

Wii Fit BMI - 26.34

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

26 Days To Go

Did 6.5 miles today, i had to drop a mile due to time. It was probably a good idea as well as the legs were still hurting like hell. A good nights kip and all should be ok for tomorrow's 7 'easy' miles.

I think the ipod is pretty well and truly knackered after its little altercation with a car, it did start ok but it became a little intermitent through out and then stopped completely by the end of my run. I will give it another go tomorrow.

A big thank you too everyone at work who raised a massive £300.00 over the last week or so but mainly today through donations, a raffle, cake sale (a very nice cake sale) and a wii bowling competition.

1st Song on ipod - The White Stripes - My Doorbell - This may be an even duller line of my blog from now on.

No of Runners Seen - None

Feet Check - May have my first blister of the training. Will be getting the wife to get the needle out to pop it if so.

Wii fit BMI - 26.48 - Cake sale at work simple as.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

27 Days to Go

No run today not that I could have done one even if I had had one planned. The knees have been a bit sore and the muscles a bit stiff.

Some more sponsorship so thank you all very much.

A 7.5 mile run planned for tomorrow, we will see how we fare.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

28 Days to Go

4 weeks to go this is getting serious now. Was supposed to do 22 miles today but failed miserably and only did 21! Felt ok and did the run within the scheduled time, but it was bloody tough though. Took on the same route as a few weeks ago when I hit the wall. Wasnt going to be beat by it and wasnt. Feel very very pleased with today, once you iron the hills out of todays run then I feel fairly confident about London and that I should be able to complete it.

I dont think I have ever used as many obsceneties in a run as I did today. Oh look there's a guy running, we're a few miles from anywhere so he must have been going quite a while, should us old folk just sit back from the junction and let him pass because he is obviously in his zone. Yes we will, oh look he is now just 5 feet from us, we are sure he is thinking we are nice old folk and going to let him pass, then again we are old and our minds dont work like normal folk lets just pull out in front of him. Oh look he has hit the car. Now he has thrown his Ipod at the car, and that is now the 10th four letter word he has used in the last 3 seconds.

It would have taken them all of 5 seconds to let me pass but they are so bloody ignorant, stupid, old, i'm not saying runners rule the roads but it would have been no bother for them to let me pass, i wouldnt have had to dive out of the way like something stupid and I wouldnt have broke my ipod. And as for the 4x4 driver who some how couldnt see a 6ft 2 in bloke running up the road and decided to put his wing mirror 1 inch from my arm, he is just very lucky that he had passed me as i swung my fist at the back of his car.

I met my first true nut case today, 13 miles down and a guy on a mountain bike decided to pedal up aside and proceed to talk garbage to me for the next 1.5miles and tell me how we were doing so much good for the planet by running and cycling, unlike these nasty car drivers, didnt have the heart to tell him I had driven 70 miles this morning to do the run.

I think I have finally recovered, maybe not fully but I feel a hell of a lot better than I did this afternoon, well at least I feel like I am back on planet earth.

1st Song on Ipod - Jamie Cullum - I could have danced all night - obviously I will need to throw the Ipod a bit harder next time it might erase some of this crap.

No of Runners seen - 2 - In 21 miles 2 runners how poor is that.

Feet Check - Really sore and aching

Wii fit BMI - 25.64 - the Wii fit said I have lost 7lbs since yesterday - I can actually quite believe it.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

29 Days To Go

Oh we're in the 20's, this thing is getting damn close now. The mind is asking if I am ready and will I be ready for 4 weeks time, also how much damage has the copius amounts of alcohol last weekend done, just glad I wasnt the stag as I am sure it will take him 44 weeks to get the old jagermeister out of his system.

I have a 22 mile run planned for tomorrow and I guess that will tell me exactly how ready I am. This is the peak and the taper, running lingo - god help me, starts after tomorrow. All the info has come through from the charity as well for stuff that is happening on the day, a nice massage after the race will be the order of the day I think.

Did 5 miles today and I think I finally have had the full gambit of weather. Hailstones horizontally into your face at high speed, thats the hailstones not me at high speed, hurt and hurt like hell. A good stretch of the legs even if I was in more pain than ever before. The numbness in my face finally wore off about an hour or so later. Good job I didnt shave before hand.

1st Song on Ipod - Simple Minds - Jerusalem ???????????????

No of runners seen - None

Feet Check - Heavy

Wii Fit BMI - 26.54 - I think this is the first time it has stayed the same as the last test. Tomorrows 22 miles will undoubtedly put paid to getting a hat trick of equal measurements.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

30 Days to Go

No run today, a nice rest before a biggy this weekend. We are heading to Wigan on Sunday morning so I am going to try the same route that I hit the wall on a few weeks ago. It wont beat me.

Over 25% of my target in for sponsorship so pleased with that. Just got to rally up the relatives and a few friends who still need to get their hands in their pockets but I am sure everybody will.

Can not believe it is getting so close.

Got my number and stuff for Blackpool Half next week. I remember thinking that that race was so far away and now thats upon us. I will finally be joined by someone next week and wont have to turn up at a race like Billy No Mates. So we can all give Ste Unsworth a big cheer and also see if he will stay off the beer on friday night in preparation. Anybody who wants to come and see us we will be running along the promenade from about 9.00am, you wont be alone in supporting us there are always a number of young ladies making the WALK OF SHAME in last nights dresses around that time of a sunday morning. Always brings a smile and a few laughs. Either that or they are a bit over dressed for a day out at the Pleasure Beach.

31 Days To Go

A month to go oh my god. Ended up actually going for a run today. It was only 5 miles all be it with a fast 3 miles included. It means I can now rest tomorrow, beltin. I felt good as well, run was well within the times & pace I was meant to do. So feel really good and prepared for a 22 mile run on sunday.

A good run on the sponsorship over the last couple of days, so thankyou very much, but it doesnt mean you can stop now, to repeat I know who you all are and I will know if you have sponsored me or not.

It looks like I will have to cancel my second quiz night to be held next week in Wigan, lets just say a 'misunderstanding' between myself and the venue people. A bit annoyed but I am sure everyone who was going to come along will still be putting their hands in their pockets.

Final bits of info starting to come through with regards to the big day, it certainly isnt anything like any other race I have been too, a bit different from a couple of hundred running in Cleckheaton.

1st Song on Ipod - Moby - The Sky is Broken

No of Runners Seen - None but did actually see the SUN for the first time whilst running

Feet Check - ok

Wii fit BMI - 26.54 - going up slightly but not too many concerns

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

32 Days To Go

First proper run since the stag do and an 'easy' 9 miles done. It was ok, in well under the time I needed to do and have felt good all day. Was also good just to get back running and proper training.

I have also made the local press, thanks to the Morley Observer who have run a nice little story and an even 'nicer' picture, when the web site is up to date I will stick on a link.

No sooner do I get back into running then I am off tomorrow, the good lady wife has now gone back to work full time and I need to sort my little angels out for school so for the last 4 weeks I will be running on a friday morning which will properly break up my training.

My race number has finally come through so when you are all sat in front of the tv on the morn of the 26th April just keep your eye out for No. 47694.

1st Song on Ipod - James - Crash

No of Runners Seen - Super fat zero

Feet Check - Sore

Wii Fit BMI - 26.45

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara
www.ndcschallenges.org.uk

33 Days To Go

No run today, after the weekend away it was my fatherly duty to get up with my little angel this morning so didnt have time. Will be back to the grind tomorrow with a 9 mile run. Hopefully there wont be any long lasting effects from the weekend.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara for all your sponsorship needs.

34 Days To Go

No run today just a big Rabbie Special breakfast and a 4 hour drive from Edinburgh. Was a bit rough, and probably as far removed from a marathon runner than I have ever been in the last 12 weeks.

35 Days To Go

You will all be pleased to know that I got out of my pit, on the stag do, and went for a run. 12 miles done around Edinburgh. Felt ok, well as ok as you would expect after the odd little drink on Saturday night. A very good place to go for a run, Arthurs Seat was very busy and tough, and the whole place was as windy as anything which whilst running up Easter Road was ridiculous. Felt ok afterwards, the handful of beers soon eased any aches & pains.

36 Days To Go

Yet again no running, this slob routine is great. Another good walk ruined by the little white ball. Congratulations to Tucker who won the golf this weekend, enjoy it because Richy will ensure you never win again.

37 Days To Go

No running today just 12 miles walked around a 4 mile golf course. The running has taken a hit today due to the copius amounts of ale that have passed thru my lips. Don't think I will be running on saturday either. Can't comment on the events of friday night as you all know what goes on on tour stays on tour. But the stag was a mess.

1st Song on ipod - no ipod with me but Beyonce has just been on the tv

No of Runners Seen - 2 between hotel and pub

Feet check - ok

Wii fit BMI - slaughtered due to all the ale

ps hello Tom

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

38 Days To Go

A quick 4 miles this morning. Felt ok in preparation for a golfing weekend away in Edinburgh.

I will try if I can to post over the weekend but the likelyhood is I'll be too drunk to type.

The attached link shows a couple of the expert golfers who grace the courses of Scotland with their presence this weekend.

www.jollyboysgolfweekend.co.uk

Best place to look is the Order Of Merit.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

39 Days To Go

Not much happening really, did a easy 6 miles this morning & felt good. Feel like I have totally recovered after Sundays race. Supposed to do a steady 11 miles tomorrow but dont think I will have time to do the full 11. Planned the route for a run in Edinburgh this weekend if I manage to get out. Going to run around Holyrood Park a few times.

1st Song on Ipod - Pulp - 97 lovers

No of Runners Seen - None

Feet Check - Ok

Wii Fit BMI - 26.09

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

40 Days To Go

Guys who cares about going global we went local tonight, the photographer from the Morley Observer came and took some photos of me looking rather splendid in my race gear. I am sure he thought it would be funny to get me stood in the middle of the street in a running pose. A big thankyou though to the paper for offering their support, I will stick a link up or let you know when the paper is out. I will gladly nip to the shop and buy 20 copies. Will be a collecters issue in a few years, being a great athlete and all.

A suprisingly good run this morning after Sunday, only had time to do 6 rather than 8 but the legs held up and I felt quite full off energy. Recovery has been quite quick as well. Another 6 to do tomorrow followed by a 'steady' 11 thursday which is around my personal best pace for a half marathon.

1st Song on Ipod - U2 - Heartland

No of Runners Seen - None

Feet Check -Ok

WiiFit BMI - 26.48 - Starting to up my depleted stores from the other day.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

41 Days To Go

No run today just a good rest after yesterday. 8 miles planned for tomorrow.

Finished 191 out of 258 in yesterdays race, couldnt have got any higher I didnt have it in me.

Still made up with the time I did yesterday.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara
www.ndcschallenges.org.uk

42 Days To Go

That is the hardest thing I have ever done. 20 miles with sun and hills and Nell McAndrew (I think). Spent my sunday morning with a super model - what about you lot. Completed the course in 2hrs 53mins which I am really pleased with. Overall I am so happy with todays run. Only the 2nd time I have run this far and with the hills I am just so made up with it. Some guy said if you could complete todays run then the marathon will be no problem, after it I think he may have been right, at least there will be no hills.

I think I drained every bit of energy and fluid out of my body today. Even the downhill sections were tough. I did make one tiny mistake though and drank a milk based energy drink after finishing, lets just say it didnt stay there for very long, neither did the water that I drank afterwards. That is the first time I have thrown up either during or after a run. I was also shaking for a short period, but feel ok now. I certainly know I have put some effort in today.

I may have said it once already today but I am so pleased with todays run, knackered but chuffed to bits. I have also kind of told my wife today that this will be my one and only marathon and that anything longer in future than a half marathon well they can keep it.

I am unable to provide a photo of me in my race gear and customary t-shirt, 1 - because I was that wrecked I had to get changed asap and 2 - because we got a bloody pen, yes a pen, for our efforts and no snazzy designed t-shirt. See below.

The little bloke I beat a few weeks ago in the Dewsbury 10k, well I did him again.

Supposed to do a 4 mile run in the morning - guess what I aint.

1st Song on Ipod - Not race etiqutte

No of runners seen - about 350 - dont think I was in the top half though

Feet Check - Cramp all evening

Wii Fit BMI - 25.78 - thats because I have no fluid in my body - watch it fly up this week.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

43 Days To Go

I got my schedule wrong and I was only meant to do a 3 mile run today not 5 so it was a very easy stretch of the legs. I did however do something different and went out this evening rather than this morning, not used to so many people being out and about and having to look when I cross the road. Rested the muscles in the jacuzzi and sauna today but not for as long as I would have liked as my big lad decided he was not too keen on swimming today and decided he couldnt be bothered so I had to take him home early.

Big race of 20 miles - tomorrow so hopefully a good nights sleep will be had.

1st Song On Ipod - Franz Ferdinand - Auf Achse

No of Runners Seen - None - 2 girls though who got a torrent of abuse after they thought it was funny to jump out at me at some roadworks - I just couldnt be arsed with them.

Feet Check - Hunky dorry

Wii Fit BMI - 26.09 - Lowest ever

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara
www.ndcschallenges.org.uk

44 Days To Go

No run today and it is exactly what my legs needed. Just read an article in a running magazine, yes I have really become that sad, and I am now properly jeed up for sundays 20 mile race. I am raring to go and am looking forward to it. I think it will be tough and a proper challenge but I am ready for it.

Usual comment but if anyone is bored enough on Sunday morning at 10.00am please feel more than welcome to come along and cheer you favourite athlete along. It is towards cleckheaton just of J26 of the M62.

Thanks for the sponsorship it is really meaning something to see it rising and for those who havent it is not long now you know you dont want to miss out on such a great opportunity of giving me cash.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara
www.ndcschallenges.org.uk

45 Days To Go

A lot better run today, body felt better, motivation was better and was pleased with it all round. I managed to keep within the required pace and throughout the day I have also felt a lot better. With a 20mile race on Sunday I am going to need as much rest as possible and I am soooooooo looking forward to having a day off tomorrow. Just checked the race results for Sundays race for last year and to achieve my usual aim of being in the top half I would need to knock about 30 secs per mile of my training run time. I always run faster in races than training but to go so much faster is going to be a tough one but we will give it a go.

1st Song on Ipod - U2 - Love Rescue Me

No of Runners Seen - Nowt

Feet Check - Sound

Wii Fit BMI - 26.65

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

46 Days To Go

Crap, rubbish, hated it, very annoyed. Just a handful of things that went through my head whilst I did 9 miles this morning. After only half a mile I knew it was going to be rubbish. Just didnt have the motivation, I was tired when I got up and no matter how much I tried to push myself I just couldnt respond. I stuck it out though and did the full 9 miles, but I really couldnt be arsed. My mins/miles was awful, i did the same distance last week over 13 mins quicker. I will just put it down as another day, tick it off the schedule and forget about it.
5 miles tomorrow, 1 slow, 3 'brisk', 1 slow - so we will give it a go and see if I can get a bit more motivated.

Big race on sunday, 20 miles around Cleckheaton, so if you want to turn up an watch you can, probably have a chat with my dad who is coming to watch. I will be up for this I am sure. 10:00am kick off.

1st Song on Ipod - Paul Weller - The Changing Man - After this song the Ipod obviously knew how I was feeling as all other songs were crap.

No of Runners Seen - 1

Feet Check - Good

Wii Fit BMI - 26.67

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

47 Days To Go

A good run today, 4 x 1.5mile fast runs, plus warm ups etc, was there or there abouts on all sections so felt good afterwards. Legs felt a bit stiff to start with but were ok when done. The miles are starting to come thick and fast now, 8 in total today, 9 tomorrow, 6 thurs, 5 Sat and another 20 on sunday and there is even more for next week.

I look forward to waking up and my body not aching one bit, it just seems like there isnt enough time to recover and I am just topping up all the time.

1st Song on Ipod - The Verve - One Day

No of Runners Seen - none

Feet Check - Just ache

Wii Fit BMI - 26.57

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

48 Days To Go

No run today thankfully as my legs are heavy and stiff after yesterday, instead just 6 hours sat in the hospital taking care of our little angel. All went well except he looked and acted like a drunk with jelly legs as the sedation wore off. We know we shouldnt have laughed but it was funny.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

49 Days To Go

Today is the toughest run I have ever done, but I feel great. 20 miles done under 3 hours, which is what the schedule wanted, and that was with the last 7 feeling like it was constantly into a head wind. Its the farthest I have ever run. Both my knees ache now along with most other muscles in my body and my legs are so stiff. I think I have drank about 10 litres of fluid as well since I finished. I cant believe I have actually done the 20 miles, I am so pleased, it was just bloody tough.

I have 2 weeks of 20 miles before a 22 mile run then it slopes down before the marathon itself. 1 is the race next week, and 1 supposedly in Edinburgh, my wife wants to see the download from my GPS watch to prove I didnt just get leathered all weekend and did actually go for a run.

I am supposed to do 4 miles recovery run tomorrow but we are taking Evan for a CT Scan in the morning, he suffers from a condition called Hydrocephalus brought on by a brain hemorrhage at birth and whilst he is fit and healthy they like to do a base scan. A bit nervous about it, even though you would think we should be use to it by now. Its not really the way I'd like to get out of runs but at least I wont have to drag my aching body around tomorrow.

No of miles in the week - 47 - Forty bloody Seven !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

1st Song on Ipod - Paul Young - Oh Girl

No of Runners Seen - 6

Feet Check - Sore & Tired

Wii Fit BMI - 26.23 - Back heading south

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

50 Days To Go

Easy stretch of the legs today, it was a comfortable 5 miles at a very comfortable pace. Though I do need to turn that comfortable pace into a 20mile run tomorrow. Everything felt ok and in a sad way I am looking forward to the challenge of tryning to run 20 miles.

Went and rested the muscles at the gym today in the jacuzzi and sauna, it does feel good just to sit there and relax. I do however feel that the gym needs to implement a dress policy, because some of these outfits should not be worn outside the comfort of your own wardrobe. Not being nasty but half of these woman must have those fairground mirrors in their houses because they look bad, i am suprised some of the kiddies arent scared half to death by some of these sights. Last week two stunners were parading around the jacuzzi etc, I however had both sons therefore couldnt go and casually sit there, this week with only one son, having a lesson with the instructer, I get the above sights, the muscles I had relaxed were now tightened with fear, at what I was being forced to look at. Skimpy 2 piece bikinis dont look good on 20 stone women, not that you can actually see the bikini. aagh.

1st Song on Ipod - Bjork - The Anchor Song

No of Runners Seen - 1

Feet Check - Waiting for a pounding tomorrow

Wii Fit BMI - 26.45 - Back in the right direction

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara
www.ndcschallenges.org.uk

51 Days To Go

No run today was a well needed and if I say so myself a well earned day off. Though I may have just ruined it with a rather nice Chicken Chow Mein. Will need to make sure I burn that off over the weekend.

5 miles plus a sit in the jacuzzi tomorrow.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara
www.ndcschallenges.org.uk

52 Days to Go

Today was probably the best training run I have done. I felt good for all 9 miles, did it in the faster pace I was required to do, 8:03min/miles which is around my half marathon racing pace, I dont think I have sustained that sort of pace during an early morning run before, especially not for that sort of distance. I am sure the drinks I am taking are working as the muscles arent feeling as tired for as long as they have done.

I have just read that this great athlete has scared off one competitor for the marathon. I am disappointed Paula Radcliffe has felt the need to drop out with my presence being there, but never mind it will save her any embarrasment.

Day of rest and a bit of a lie in tomorrow, I am looking very much forward to this, a bit of rest then 5 on sat and 20 on sun.

I forgot to check the weather out of the window this morning before getting dressed to run, and by the time I got outside I couldnt be bothered going back in to put a long sleeve top on and it was bitter, all the cars frozen and stupid me in shorts and a short sleeve top, and I wonder why there is only me out running at this time of day.

A new poll for you all, see left, the stag do is 2 weeks away so i will see what is the popular opinion.

1st Song on Ipod - Gun - Vicious Heart

No of Runners Seen - 1 - dressed appropriately

Feet Check - Tired

Wii Fit BMI -26.74 - Minor blips all week - Sunday will reduce it, always does.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

53 Days To Go

A good 8 miles done today. I felt remarkably well during and after the run, whether that was my new super drinks I will have to see. Got 9 miles at a faster pace planned for tomorrow so we will see how I feel during that. My legs havent been as tired as usual as well so maybe it is working. I guess it cant do me any harm.

I have a 20 mile race a week on sunday and have just read on a forum that it is a tough hilly race, god i am soooo looking forward to that.

Today was again just about getting some more miles under my belt.

I am now becoming quite freakish about my running. I replied to someone today that I had run just 8 this morning. JUST 8, 8 miles is a long bloody way or it use to be. Aagh.

1st song on Ipod - Bellagio - The Trick ??????????????????

No of Runners Seen - Just the 1 - they are slowly but surely coming out the woodwork

Feet Check - I feel quite injury and pain free

Wii Fit BMI - 26.85 - Its all going wrong

54 Days To Go

Guys we have gone global, my next door neighbour doesnt know I am running but our cousins in the US of A do. (Check the map out) Oh and somebody in Scotland, Hi Stevie Mc.

A good run today, a slow mile, then 15 x 200m sprints with 100m rests in between and another mile to finish. It was tough and my legs are feeling it but I feel buoyed up by it, plus it was a hell of a lot more interesting than basic mile after mile. Took my new energy drink out with me as well, not sure what difference it made but I will persevere. As for the new recovery drink I also bought, that will have to be downed in one as it was rank. I am such a pro now with all the supplement drinks.

Got a stag do in 3 weeks to Edinburgh and have a 20 mile run planned for the sunday, i would just like to thank in advance all my mates who are going to join me for a bit of a stretch of the legs on that day. You will all be rewarded with a nice cold pint of beer for every 5 miles you do.

1st Song on Ipod - Deacon Blue - I will see you tomorrow

No of Runners Seen - None, was in the zone today so wouldnt have noticed anyway.

Feet Check - Ok, but they were sore this morning

Wii Fit BMI - 26.57 - minor blip

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

55 Days To Go

No run today, a recovery after yesterday. Not sure what next week will be like then as my schedule has me down to run on the monday as well.

Did a bit of research and have decided to go and buy some proper energy and recovery drinks, the woman in the shop reckoned with the amount of running I am doing I should be using it. So we will give it a go and see if it helps.

Legs ache by the way.

56 Days To Go

Halfway there, I cant believe that.

Today was tough, was supposed to be a 20 mile run but i hit a wall at just over 16. Not making excuses but the energy just went out of my legs and that was it, dont know if it has anything to do with the dicky stomach yesterday. I couldnt run any more, tried but nowt there. A bit gutted really but the route was also a fairly tough one with a lot of hills both up and down. I ended up going over to the folks and running there, so for the locals who may understand, the route was as follows:

Orrell
Roby Mill
Appley Bridge
Dangerous Corner
Parbold
Newburgh
Ashurst Beacon - This was a tough stretch
Hall Green
Chequer Lane
Billinge - This is were it ended.

On the other hand I am happy that I completed 16 miles, if I had set out to do 16 on this route I would have been happy to have done it, I guess it is just that this is the first time I havent completed the full mileage.

20 miles to do each of the next 3 sundays so I will get the chance to redeem myself.

1st Song on Ipod - Coldplay - Shiver - Crap - Simple as that.

No of Runners Seen - Loads - 1st 20 yards from start, then a group of about 7 who took off like a bat out of hell in front of me, then the worst of all one Steven Unsworth showing me how it should be done whilst I was battling thru the wall i'd just hit. I will see him at Blackpool.

Feet Check - Tired

Wii Fit BMI - 26.11 - Oh 27 is a distant memory now.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara
www.ndcschallenges.org.uk

57 Days To Go

A nothing day really in terms of training, supposed to do 5 but only had time for 4, swimming lessons take precedent. Fine run, did it in the time I was required to do, probably more of a leg stretcher ahead of the mighty 20 tomorrow.


Half looking forward to it, have planned my route, reverse of last weeks 18 with a nice flat leg on top so we will see how I do. Though half concerned due to having a dodgy stomach this evening and havent ventured too fat from the toilet, so dont want to get caught out 10 miles from home.

Total Miles Run - 259 (Feb 131)

Most Played Song To date - 6 with 3 plays, cant be bothered to list them.

1st Song on Ipod - Manic Street Preachers - Tsunami

No of Runners Seen - Bjg Fat ZERO

Feet Check - Good

Wii Fit BMI - 26.48.

Knackered and ready for some kip.

58 Days To Go

No running today, a nice day of rest.

5 tomorrow 20 sunday so today was needed.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara
www.ndcschallenges.org.uk

59 Days To Go

5 miles done today, with a tough fast 3 miles in the middle. Achieved my goal in terms of times over the 3 miles. So pleased with that. My legs definately are looking forward to a day off tomorrow, the 11 yesterday really took the energy out of them and today just drained them more. In a strange way I am looking forward to the 20 at the weekend to see how prepared I am. Except for the legs feeling a bit tired overall I feel very good and am really pleased with how well I have progressed in terms of being able to stick to the training and complete the miles.

1st Song on Ipod - Ultravox - Vienna - Nice!

No of Runners Seen - 1 old woman ??????????????

Feet Check - Ache

Wii Fit BMI - 26.54

60 Days To Go

I cant believe I have been and run 11miles on a wednesday morning before going to work. I am stupid, I have completely lost my marbles. I have decided that when this is defo over I am going to go and smoke 500 cigs and shed loads of burgers washed down with gallons of beer as I will have earned it. It was a tough old run today, went on a new route I have never done before and the run up from Wakefield in the car looks fairly flat, well it aint. It was about 2 miles up a constant slope, I was absolutely knackered, especially when I had a ridiculously steep hill right at the very end. I did it though so I am very pleased about that. My legs are feeling a bit tired but they will be ok after a days rest on friday. Before I hit the 20 on sunday.


Just a little evidence to show that even though still overweight I am getting healthier. I have lost exactly a stone in weight from the night before my first day of training. I cant remember the last time I weighed this little, ok 14st 9lbs, I think I was about 12 years old, honestly cant remember the last time I was under 15 stone. Just prior to running my first half marathon I was over 17 stone. I will be releasing a DVD in time for next Xmas, the DAVE DIET, eat what you want but just run stupid amounts of miles. Any pre-orders, No, are you sure.

More sponsorship so thank you all very much. For those who havent yet got their hands in their pockets your two month warning is here, obviously you have all misplaced your credit cards so if you start looking now there is still plenty of time to give us your cash.

1st Song on Ipod - Cast - On the Run - Not sure!

No. of Runners Seen - 1 at about 5.30am, idiot, then nobody

Feet Check - Remarkably ok

Wii Fit BMI - 26.37

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara
www.ndcschallenges.org.uk/

61 Days To Go

I think there was a bit of a mix up in what I was supposed to do according to the schedule today. I ended up sticking with what my watch said and did just under 6 miles with 3 fast miles. Did try running backwards in the recovery runs between fast miles. Yes I did look an absolute tool but it actually took a lot more effort so i decided to stop. My legs got a bit stiff today, which I imagine is as a result of sundays run but I think the 11 planned for tomorrow will get rid of those aches.

1st Song on Ipod - Beck - Soul Suckin Jerk

No of Runners Seen - Funnily enough None

Feet Check - Tired

Wii Fit BMI - 26.65

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

62 Days To Go

No run today, in the end not because of Evans scan but his dodgy stomach, and when you have a little boy who cant be sick there is only one way out for the badness and boy did it come out last night.

Schedule says 14 x Hills tomorrow which is going to be fairly knackering. I have read somewhere about the benefits of running backwards so I am going to give it a go on the downhill recovery runs ??????????????????

63 Days To Go

18 miles done today, it was a tough run but I completed it in under 2hrs 50mins which is what I wanted. A bit slower than the schedule said but more than happy with it especially after the best part of a full bottle of rather nice wine last night. Still managed to get up and be out by 6.30am though and it was a beltin time to run. It was however bloody windy so even the downhill sections took some work. My legs feel good considering, a hell of a lot better than they did after 15miles a couple of weeks ago. Feeling a lot more motivated after today and feel that come April 26th I will be able to finish the marathon.

I am supposed to do 4 miles in the morning as a recovery run but it will have to be binned. We are meant to be taking Evan for a CT scan, he has a tube fitted into the cavity between his skull and brain, his own "brain drain", which if it becomes blocked or fractured etc can prove fatal in a matter of hours, so they need to do regular scans to keep a baseline figure when he is healthy in case he ever needs to go in because of it. Touch wood he has only been in once because of it, some people go in once a year. So my training will have to take a back seat for the day.

Total No. of Miles This Week - 43 - oh my god I cant believe I have actually done this amount.

1st Song on Ipod - Del Amitri - Long Way Down

No of Runners Seen - 2 both near the end when I was cream crackered.

Feet Check - Sore - Runners Nipple is worse though

Wii Fit BMI - 26.48 - I think i drained every ounce of fluid out of my body this morning

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara
http://www.ndcschallenges.org.uk/

64 Days To Go

No run today, should have done 5 but after feeling crap yesterday and with 18 planned for tomorrow I have bailed out. One day isnt going to ruin me is it. I feel a touch guilty but oh well the marathon police arent going to come and sort me out are they.

65 Days To Go

Today was a crap day, I felt plain crap whilst running this morning, my legs felt heavy and i just couldnt kick on and up my pace as I should have. Did the 7 miles in the end but was just glad it was over when I finished. I think I need to change my route as I am running a very similar route most days and its now become as boring as hell. I am supposed to do 5 tomorrow and 18 on sunday, I think after today I am going to have to give the 5 a miss and rest up for the 18 instead.

Some more sponsorship over the last few days so thankyou all very much.

1st Song on Ipod - Down to Earth - Curiosity Killed The Cat - a right throwback.

No of runners seen - 1 woman !!!!!! didnt even have the motivation to speed up to impress, not that she deserved it any way - oh nasty!

Feet Check - Fine

Wii Fit BMI - 27.02

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara
www.ndcschallenges.org.uk

66 Days To Go

Had to change my schedule at the last minute so no run today, but doing the 7 miles tomorrow instead. Did however manage to negotiate myself around a nice big piece of birthday cake at work.

67 Days To Go

Today was a good but hard run, 10miles before work, I honestly cant believe I am getting up and running 10 bloody miles before work. I have said before it is about getting the miles under my belt and it certainly was just that today. Going some right routes around Tingley & Morley, I have lived around here for about 8 years and I am going down streets I never knew existed, it is a good excuse to be nosy and have a look around at some houses. When this is over I am going to tippex out the no. 5 on the alarm clock. Was tired at work today though, Alec decided to be sick before bed last night but was too tired to drink any more, the wife had to get up a couple of times as he wasnt happy then at 4.20am he decided he was now ready to drink. When you're getting up that early an extra 30mins is paradise. A steady 7 miles tomorrow which is a bit quicker pace than I did Sundays race in, its a lot tougher to go that fast that early in the morning. Added up that if I do everything I am supposed to do this week I will have run 48 miles in the week. Let alone running the 10 this morning, 48 in a week is crazy.

1st Song On Ipod - The Wonder Stuff - Change Every Lightbulb - remember dancing at Wigan Pier to this on a wednesday night.

No of Runners Seen - Saw 2 people that is all. One a woman who jumped out of her skin when I ran past. I did give a little cough to let her know, it might have been after when I shouted boo at her that did it.

Feet Check (Knee Check) Feel good.

Wii Fit BMI - 26.85

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

68 Days To Go

God my legs hurt this morning, the affects of sunday's race really hit today, so much so that I had to walk backwards down stairs with Evan this morning as my muscles became so stiff. I followed an earlier statement somebody made about the best thing you can do is go for another run, so I did 8 miles this morning. It wasnt an ordinary 8 though, my schedule simply said Hills x 12 which meant run a mile then run up an hill for 2 mins then jog back down for 3 mins then repeat it 12 times. and run a mile home, I was knackered and certainly knew I had done some exercise.

Found the profesional photos from during Sundays race and my action shot doesnt exactly show me in the best light as the super athlete I believe I am. My wifes only comment was to ask what the hell i was doing with my arms, and I could have had somebodies eye out with those things, ok they might swing out a bit, but it was after 9 1/2 miles and at the top of an hill so I wasnt in top condition at that point.

I have arranged 2 charity pub quizzes to help raise more money, one on the 15th March at East Ardsley Cricket Club, Wakefield and the other on the 4th April at St Theresas Church Hall Upholland, Wigan. If you are about either of those nights please come along and provide some support, nothing too great just some beer and some questions. You can buy your own crisps as well as no buffet, more money for the charity that way.

Passed the £100 mark for sponsorship so thankyou all very much.

1st Song on Ipod - Simply Red - The Right Thing - There is some crap on my Ipod

No of Runners Seen - Didnt see another person at all

Feet Check (Knee Check) - Sore first thing

Wii Fit BMI - 26.96 - Done it, constantly under 27 now. The fat is falling off.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara
www.ndcschallenges.org.uk

69 Days To Go

No run today due to the race yesterday and to be honest I couldnt have run 13ft let alone 13 miles this morning. Muscles ache ever so slightly. Some more sponsorship over the last few days so thank you everybody, and anybody who hasnt sponsored me get your bloody credit card out and bloody do it now, or at least some point in the next 69 days.

Official Results in and finished 189 out of 436 so happy with that.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

70 Days To Go

Liversedge half marathon run and completed today. Absolutely great, a personal best, albeit by only 27 secs, 1hr 46mins 11secs. I am really pleased with the time, it has to go down as the toughest route I have ever run, I have never seen so many hills in such a small area so to get this sort of time for me is tremendous. I now cant wait to run the Blackpool half marathon which is nice and flat.


No small folk to beat and get revenge on in this race, but I will be back next year to challenge the 75 year old who overtook me with about a mile to go and thoroughly kicked my arse.

I have to say though that 5ft 5in, 8st women in tight licra shorts provide no protection whatsoever from the elements when you are slipstreaming behind them, well anything that might help you run faster is allowed.

I believe I was in a select band of about 3 who decided to brave the cold and wear a vest, I did sit in the car until about 2 mins before the start as it was that bloody cold.





My knee started to give me a bit of jip after about 5 miles and it is pretty sore now but I managed to run through it and get my lovely prize.

Official results arent out yet so I cant give you my overall position.

No training run tomorrow, not that I think the muscles would allow me too, but the rest of the week is certainly a tough schedule with 10miles on wednesday.

Due to 'injury' only managed 23miles this week.

1st Song on Ipod - No songs on a race day.

No of Runners Seen - Just the 555.

Feet check - (Knee Check) - Stiff.

Wii Fit BMI - 26.91 - back the right side of 27.

71 Days To Go

No running today, a bit of R&R instead ahead of the big race tomorrow. First half marathon since April last year. Just had my pasta to give me some carbs for tomorrow, beats the curry I had the night before the last one. Looking forward to it and hoping to get under 1hr 50mins.

72 Days To Go

6 miles done today and all is feeling ok. I guess I was just a big wuss and didnt want to go for a run this week.

Not running tomorrow because I am an old romantic, and I love my legs too much to tire them out before the half marathon on sunday, which, sad as it is I am quite looking forward too, and I am going to risk running in a vest as well.

Taking the big lad swimming tomorrow so it will be another chance to lounge in the jacuzzi and rest my muscles.

1st Song on Ipod - Danny Wilson - Never Gonna Be the Same - ???????????????

No of Runners Seen - zero - wimps

Feet Check - Great

Wii Fit BMI - 27.22 - piece of chocy fudge cake at work forced down my neck !!!!!!!!!!!

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

73 Days To Go

Finally went out and survived the run. Went for a very easy 4 miles this morning and everything felt good so will go again tomorrow for a bit of a longer run then will rest saturday and see if I am going to be up for my first half marathon on sunday.

Sad as it may sound but was getting a bit of a grouch through not being able to get out and run, the whole training bug has really bitten me and I just want to train and train but now need to be careful not to overtrain.

Read a few articles on this weeks race and by all accounts it is one hilly old race which had some snipers on its route last time out. Sounds bloody great.

1st Song on Ipod - Gene - Love Wont Work

Feet Check - Have forgot what running is

No of Runners seen - None, even when I looked in the mirror

Wii Fit BMI - 27.19 - Not bad after my little break

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara
www.ndcschallenges.org.uk

74 Days To Go

We aren't talking about it right. There is only 1 marathon I am thinking about completing at the minute.

I am going to give the knee another try in the morning, it is feeling a lot better.

75 Days To Go

Another bloody wasted day, managed all of 0.1miles today until the knee hurt and I couldn't risk it anymore. Going to give it a bit more rest and probably try it again in a couple of days. The non medical opinion may be some cartilage damage, but not been able to find much yet on the internet health service. I will see whether i need to get a professional to look at it.

Will not be measuring my BMI because I will be getting fat through no exercise and it will affect my self esteem and then I will start to wallow in self pity and then i will eat more and then get even fatter and then feel even more sorry for myself and before you know it i will be in some viscous cricle of food and fat and i wont even be able to run 0.1miles on a good day.

I may though do some sit ups etc instead and work on the couple of tyres that are still hanging around the old stomach, and instead of just having super muscley legs I will have a nice six pack to go with them.

1st Song on Ipod - Didnt even get a chance to switch it on

No of Runners Seen - One bloke walking who looked at me pathetically trudging back up the hill

Feet Check - No chance of a bloody blister today

Wii Fit BMI - **.**

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara
www.ndcschallenges.org.uk

76 Days To Go

No running today, wimped out with a sore knee.

77 Days To Go

Did 15 miles today, the longest I have ever run. Managed to keep going without stopping and under the time set out in the schedule. Kind of enjoyed it but felt really pleased to have done it. I even braved it with the tights in broad daylight, it was just so stupidly cold. It took about 1 hour for my lips to change back from blue.

Once I stopped running the OAP who walked out in front of me suddenly left me for dead, I was that knackered I couldnt keep up with him. I am feeling it now though, my knee which hurt yesterday and was fine this morning has been absolutely killing me since I finished.
I was also too wrecked to eat the beltin sunday dinner that the in-laws had made which is unheard of.

I am supposed to run 4 miles in the morning but I think I am going to have to bail out, my knee is going to have to be rested plus the snow is falling again so I imagine it probably isnt the best conditions to just grit my teeth and get on with it.

41 miles run this week

1st Song on Ipod - U2 - When Love Comes To Town

No of Runners Seen -5, thankfully all in the first 5 miles so I still looked like I could run at that point.

Feet Check - sore

Wii Fit BMI - 26.82 - if 15 miles cant get a bit off then nothing can

78 Days To Go

I think all the training has finally caught up with me today as I feel like crap. My muscles ache like hell and after an 'Easy' 5 miles this afternoon I could hardly bend my knee. Did get a chance to sit in the sauna, steam room and jacuzzi this morning and thought I felt good after that but it just went down hill from there. 5 mile run was ok, had to consciously slow down to keep within the pace, so up until the last 200ft there was no bother. Not quite sure what the neighbours thought, first they saw me going out in the cold in a pair of shorts, a few funny looks throughout actually, then they saw me hobbling up the street with a handful of snow held against my knee. Supposed to be running 15 miles tomorrow, the in-laws are cooking Sunday dinner so I am running to their house which is coincidentally 15 miles away. Lovely Yorkshire puds, may warrant a bit of extra effort over the last mile or so.

1st Song on Ipod - Katie Melua - Thank You, Stars - motivational singing at its best.

No of Runners Seen - None due to the fact I had my shorts on and was showing of my physique.

Feet Check - I wish they would hurt to try and move some of the pain off the knee. Really thought my feet would be wrecked during this.

Wii Fit BMI - 26.91 - Finally I have broken the 27 barrier, Sunday dinner will help me smash it the other way tomorrow.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara
www.ndcschallenges.org.uk

79 Days To Go

Cold, I may have made comment about how previous runs have been cold but nothing compares to this morning it was absolutely freezing. Had a good slow run today of 5 miles, stretching the legs out as is tomorrows. My left knee has been sore today as well so will get some frozen peas on it to calm it down.

The miles are starting to come thich and fast now with a 15 mile run this Sunday, building up to a 20 mile run by the end of the month. I have never run further than 13 so we will have to see how it goes.

1st Song on Ipod - Simple Minds - Rivers of Ice - Jim Kerr is the wifes favourite

No of Runners Seen - Didn't see anybody not even a dog walker

Feet Check - Cold

Wii Fit BMI - 27.39 starting to go the right way again

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara
www.ndcschallenges.org.uk

80 Days To Go

God was I knackered this morning, Evan thought it would be nice to speak to his dad at 3.30am, he is back in his own bed tonight, snores as loud as a bloody train as well. I still managed to get out and have a run. It was bitter cold and I had to stay on the roads though as the paths were madness, it got a bit hairy around the M62 roundabout with a few big trucks.

Did a 'steady' 5 miles and coped with it well, I felt good afterwards. It was at a pace normally a lot quicker than I train at so was pleased with it all. Going to do an additional run tomorrow due to not getting the full run in the other day, unless it snows like crazy again tonight.

1st Song on Ipod - Morrissey - First of the Gang to Die - Big throwback to my youth

No of Runners Seen - Not a Soul

Feet Check - Great

Wii Fit BMI - 27.52 - Machines broke again, doesnt recognise getting fitterm stupid thing BMI anyway.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara
www.ndcschallenges.org.uk

81 Days To Go

No run today but also no rest, little fella was up at 4.30am as he hasn't been 100%, I was so looking forward to at least a bit of a lie in.

5 miles to run tomorrow will have to be extra careful of the ice, hopefully it will snow like crazy tonight and it will cover it all up and be a bit safer.

Big lad is currently asleep in our bed as he isnt very well, he would like to be sick but an operation he had as a baby means he cant be sick so he retches quite severly and it hurts him like hell so it could be a sleepless night, so I have a feeling I will be knackered in the morning and 5 miles will be the last thing I feel like doing.

Oh well I need to do it so I will have to do it.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara
www.ndcschallenges.org.uk

82 Days To Go

Another play time in the snow this morning . Was supposed to do 8 miles but the little fella wasnt well and was up at 4.30am with him so didnt have time to do the full run but then I was glad as the snow totally took it out of me. Checked some websites out to see what the pro's had to say about running in the snow and I have to agree that muscles I didnt even know I had were aching today. It was a bit crazy really. At a meeting tomorrow so a day off from running, so even though no lie in at least a bit of rest which after Sundays race will be well accepted. Still a bit bouyed up after my time on Sunday and now looking forward to my 1st half marathon a week on Sunday in Liversedge, W.Yorks (Just in case you all again wanted to come and watch).

We have just spotted Evan lip reading for the first time. He had no hearing aids in after having a bath and whilst talking to him he was looking at my lips all the time and we suddenly realised what he was doing, and he answered us correctly so he knew exactly what I was saying. To say we were very proud and impressed was an understatment. We will have to do the old school teacher trick of holding things up in front of our mouths now so he cant see us effin an' jeffin.

1st Song on Ipod - Texas - Black Eyed Boy - Sharleen Spitari - oooh!!

No of Runners Seen - They hibernate monday to saturday around here.

Feet Check - Fine & Sodden after this morning - melting snow is bloody wet in case you didnt know.

Wii Fit BMI - 27.42 - I am heading straight for the obese line instead of the Mr Average line - I am going to end up rolling around London not running.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara
http://www.ndcschallenges.org.uk/

83 Days To Go

Felt suprisingly good this morning and had a good run of 7 miles. I have had no side effects from yesterdays race or from running so soon afterwards. I am ovisously stupid, as the photo shows the local training conditions this morning were slightly different from anything I had ever experienced before. It turned out not to be too bad, was nice and soft underfoot, it was just a bit tough when I turned back into the blizzard. I am supposed to do 8 miles tomorrow but if it snows anymore I think it might be just a bit too much to go out, but we shall see.

In line with the vote result here is a picture of a grown man in tights, unfortunately the one in the American Tan tights didnt come out right.

1st Song On Ipod - Damien Rice - Delicate

No of Runners Seen - Are you having a laugh only one muppet around here

Feet Check - Still good.

Wii Fit BMI - 27.25

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

http://www.ndcschallenges.org.uk/

84 Days To Go

Totally made up and absolutely gutted at the same time. Quickest 10km run I have done by over 3 mins, felt really good and still had some left in the tank when I had finished. My official time was 45:24mins. (For the old ones amongst you thats 7:14mins/mile - never run that far that fast) Made up with the time and how I felt but totally gutted that I ran 10km and over 45mins and missed my own goal by 24 seconds. What is more gutting is that my watch measured long in terms of distance and up until the last 100m's when I could see the official clock and the actual time, my watch said I was under 45mins and all was going well so I didnt kick in earlier as I thought I had it in the bag. It was also the first time that I was quicker over the 2nd half of a race than the first, usually I am that knackered I crawl over the finish line.

Finished 378 out of 930.

Did achieve one goal and that was to beat the 4ft fella who did me last year in Wakefield. Neck and neck until last 200m when I opened up my long legs and his 18inchers couldnt match me up the hill. Nothing wrong with a bit of healthy competition but in yer face. (Only joking before I upset anybody, but still in yer face)

Was bloody cold, the snow flakes as I walked back to the car afterwards confirmed that but I cant believe some woman decided to run in just a vest (Shorts as well) there was many hats, gloves and scarves.

A couple of shots to prove I did it, I chose to keep the beard due to the cold as I couldnt face going out freshly shaven. Excuse the look on my face I had just finished.

1st Song on Ipod - Not race etiqutte to wear an Ipod.

No of Runners Seen - 930 in Dewsbury and 2 near my house.

Feet Check - Really good, all things considered.

Wii Fit BMI - Just letting my very nice dinner and 1/2 bottle of Pinot Grigio (First alcohol this year) go down. Earned it. 27.42

Just been and put the bin out and there is 10ft of snow on the deck - am supposed to do 7 miles tomorrow because of needing to miss a day later in the week. Stupid or committed not sure which!!!

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara
www.ndcschallenges.org.uk/

85 Days To Go

Nice and easy jog today, 5 miles, and with my first race tomorrow I found the flatest possible route. Feel ok, my left knee is giving me a bit of grief but I will live. A good nights rest will sort it for tomorrow. Cant decide whether to brave it and wear a vest tomorrow or my winter warmers, will see what it is like when I get there.

Stupid bloody dog walkers need to keep control of their hounds or else one will get a good kick. Do they really think I want some mutt biting my ankles or jumping all over me when I run past them. They also expect me to stop and run back to them when the dog follows me, next time I will keep going and lead the bloody dog a mile away.

I need to remember my highway code or else I am going to get run over. I have got so used to running a 5.00am when there are no cars that I just run straight across now, and its normally a bit busier at 3.00pm. A couple of close shaves today.

My schedule has me running a personal best for tomorrows 10km, we will have to wait and see. I will be going for it though.

Total Miles run in January - 125m's

Most Played Song in January - embarassed to do this - George Bloody Micheal - Brother Can You Spare a Dime ????????? & Lauryn Hill - Final Hour - both 3 times. I would just like to say that you dont really notice what is actually being played once you get running.

1st Song On Ipod - The Passions - I'm in Love with a German Film Star - cant even blame the wife for this one - xmas present from a sister - 80's cd

No of Runners Seen - 4 - 2 'proper' runners - 1 'i am too good to talk to you' runner

Feet Check - spot on, just the dodgy knee giving me the grief

Wii Fit BMI - 27.25 - 27 is proving an elusive barrier to break.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara
www.ndcschallenges.org.uk