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

86 Days To Go

DAY OF REST & I LOVED IT

Some more sponsorship so thank you very much.

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

87 Days To Go

A good run this morning, well except for the warm down section which happened to be up the steepest hill in the world. 5 miles done in total within the times set. My muscles felt ok and the legs will be fine for my race on Sunday.

I am so looking forward to having a day off running tomorrow, I will soooo enjoy staying in bed that extra 1hr.

It was so unbelievably dark this morning that I couldnt even see the footpath I was on, thankfully this time I didnt nearly run into someone, I was just waiting to go flying.

Evan shocked us by signing YES for the first time, so we kept asking him to do it again and again, thankfully he hasnt learnt to tell us no yet or else we will be in trouble.

1st Song on Ipod - Gomez - Hangover

No of runners seen - I couldnt even see myself let alone anyone else

Feet Check - Rubbing one spot, should be ok with a days rest

Wii Fit BMI - 27.27

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

88 Days To Go

My faith in what I am doing was restored a bit today after the pain of the last few days, a run of 8 miles this morning that went well in terms of fitness. My legs felt ok throughout, they feel a touch heavy tonight but nothing that bothers me too much, I imagine they will be well recovered by the time I race on Sunday. In the end today was just about getting the miles under my belt and building up my stamina so it served its purpose. I have a 5 mile run for tomorrow, 1 mile warm up/cool down with a 'brisk' 3 miles. It should be a good run, a bit better than just going out and plodding along for 8 miles.

Dewsbury 10km Sunday Morn. 9.00am - Loads of free space to come and watch

1st Song on Ipod - Gun - Back to Where We Started

No of Runners - A bit of rain had obviously scared our guy from yesterday off so none today

Wii Fit BMI - 27.19

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

89 Days To Go

Today was an absolute killer my legs hadn't recovered enough from Sunday I think. The run was split into 6 x 1/2 mile very fast followed by 200m recoveries. I managed the first couple, just missed the times on the 2nd lot and failed miserably on the last two. I guess it will motivate me a bit more but there isnt exactly a lot more I can do as I think I run enough as it is, eventually/hopefully i will reach these targets over the next few weeks.
My legs dont feel as bad now as they did this morning so tomorrow should be an ok run, 8 miles slow, so we will just take it easy.

Dewsbury 10k on Sunday at 9.00am so get yourselves along.

The voting has finished and for some stupid reason you voted to see a grown man wearing nice lycra tights. Once I have the picture I will get it posted very soon, just letting the leg muscles get that bit bigger.

1st Song on Ipod - Pink Floyd - Poles Apart - I should have known after this crap it was going to be a crap run

No of Runners Seen - Nearly tripped over the kerb - 1 yes 1, finally after 3 weeks there was someone else out there today. Oh and a fox.

Feet Check - Blister free

Wii Fit BMI - 27.59 - minor blip will be back the right way tomorrow

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

90 Days To Go

Ouch Ouch Ouch that is all I can say. The 13 miles yesterday plus the 4 this morning finally hit me this afternoon. My muscles ache ever so slighlty, I am going to install a Stannah Stairlift to help me upstairs. Oh well the 6 miles planned for tomorrow will shake that stiffness off, yeah right. Still glad I managed to achieve the distance though yesterday. Still feel good and still very motivated. Looking forward to my 1st race of the year on Sunday, a 10km race in Dewsbury. Should be a good test and also a chance to see how I compare to previous runs, I always aim to finish in the top half so we will see. So if you are in the area come along and cheer the big tall bald bloke.

Blackpool half marathon 5th April if you are interested.

1st Song on Ipod - Hothouse Flowers - Wish You Everything - Not exactly the most motivating of songs to start off with

No of Runners Seen - Usual Story

Feet Check - Great even after yesterday

Wii Fit BMI - 27.13 - Ok the attached picture might show it more as a gentle slope but at least its heading downwards

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

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

91 Days To Go

Well I certainly know I am training for a marathon after todays so called 'Slow' 13 miles. Did it and within the time I wanted too but as the day wore on my legs have got heavier and heavier. Heaven knows how they will feel in the morning before/after an 'Easy' 4 miles. Very pleased that at this stage I managed to keep going and complete such a distance after only 3 weeks of proper training. If I can do the marathon at that pace I will come in under 4 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We'll see about that. 36 miles run this week by the way.

I have decided to start carrying a sign with me which states how many miles I have done as I met another runner today after I had done over 10 miles and no sooner did we turn the corner together then he put the spurt on to obviously try and look good. He'd probably only done a bloody mile or two.

In response to your comment Ste unless you can see around corners you wont even see my rear. Get training you have the New York Marathon to run next year!!

1st Song on Ipod - Beck - Loser - At least the shuffle on the ipod has stopped it with the Xmas tunes, did have Big Band time after about 5 miles for 10 mins though?

No of Runners Seen - 7 (Seven) and 7 (Seven) who didnt say a single word, we're a miserable lot. Horse riders though are very friendly, and n o comment about the tight jodpurs.

Feet Check - Ok, wore the new trainers again today and they feel so much better than the old ones.

Wii Fit BMI - 27.16 - Still overweight but the graph looks like a black ski run its falling that quick. Actually Ste you wont see my rear because I wont have one I am losing so much fat.

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

92 Days To Go

'Easy' 5 miles on the schedule today, it was ok until I decided the only way back home was up Wakefield Mountain if I didnt want to do an extra few miles. So the first 4 1/2 miles were fine it was an absolute killer the last 1/2 though. Ran this afternoon which was good to actually run in the daylight for a change. Also didnt eat too much beforehand so didnt feel sick like last week. Today was meant to be about stretching the legs due to having a 13 mile run planned for tomorrow, I have never run this far in training and only have done when doing actual half marathon races, so not sure how I feel about going so far yet. We will see when I get up in the morning, I am aiming to get up fairly early and get it done and out the way.

Finally got a chance to sit in the jacuzzi today at the gym, and it was niiiice. Only problem was then having to get back in the pool for Evans swimming lesson and the water felt freezing. It was worth it as he kicked his legs and swam with his float for the first time ever on his own. Swimming is quite a challenge, or at least trying to get him to do anything in the pool is, we dont have waterproof hearing aids so to try and keep his attention or to try and communicate with him is difficult. Due to having to hold on to him a lot of the time it is nigh on impossible to sign to him but he has progressed from clinging on to me to now quite happy being on his own so we are absolutely chuffed to bits.

1st Song On Ipod - Gene - Fill Her Up

No of Runners Seen - None, due to there being no room on the roads because of the 1001 dogs and walkers that exist in my village. There was just dogs everywhere today when I went out.

Feet Check - Good after being soaked in the jacuzzi.

Wii Fit BMI - 27.39 - back down to my lowest after yesterdays rest stop.

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

93 Days To Go

No running just rest

No running just rest

No running just rest

5 miles tomorrow

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

94 Days To Go

Another good run this morning, it was a fairly quick pace for the stage of my training I am at so I certainly felt it afterwards for a short while. It was only 4 miles but the quickest pace over the longest distance so far. I think the schedule is working for me, I feel good and my body isnt too tired really. I have felt worse when training before for half marathons and havent followed anything. I think then I just tried to do as many miles as quick as I could and hoped that I would be fit enough.

I was knackered this morning though aswell which I dont think set me up for my run to well. The little lad wimpered just enough to wake me but not enough to wake himself or his mum at 1:07am & 2:07am and then 10mins before my alarm went off, when you are just enjoying those last few minutes.

It was bouncing down this morning also, I dont mind running in the rain as it keeps you cool but I wish it would start 2 mins after I had started running. There is nothing worse than doing some stretches, and waiting for my watch to home in on the satellites, whilst getting soaked. I would say I often wonder what my neighbours must think as I just prance about the drive for 5 mins, but those that do see me see me as I finish and I am sure they must look at me with a mixture of sympathy and lunacy. Except for the guy across the road who always has to hold his dog back from chewing my leg off.

1st Song on Ipod - Lloyd Cole & The Commotions - My Bag

No of Runners Seen - I think I ran on autopilot this morning as I have no idea, a full marathon could have passed me for all I know.

Feet Check - Slimmer

Wii Fit BMI - I can literally see the burned off fat on the floor around me its falling off so quick - 27.39

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

95 Days To Go

A very good run today, a good 7 miles and it is feeling like I am progressing. It was still tough and even though I did 2 miles more on Sunday at the same pace today was a lot tougher, probably due to the time and that I was straight up out of bed and away running.

My body overall is feeling fine, I have never run this much before, and when I trained for my first ever half marathon I felt a hell of a lot worse. Sad as it is I am getting eager to get out and run and getting a bit of a buzz from knowing I am getting closer to what should be an amazing day and that I am getting fitter all the time. Looking forward to some of the training races so I can see how I am progressing compared to previous races.

Starting to sort other things out to help raise some additional money, some t-shirts, stickers etc etc will be on their way shortly. I will let you all know what I am planning to do so you can again give me that additional money.

Nothing really interesting happens at 5.10am on the local streets, I run down some dark lanes and some isolated streets and have yet to see anything really interesting. Everybody has read a story 'Body found by walker/hunters/etc etc' I half expect to look over a hedge into one of the fields I pass and just see something there, but as yet nothing, not even a drunk staggering about.

1st Song on Ipod - Simple Minds - See the Lights

No of Runners Seen - None, but in difference to my above comment, 1 number right freak - I know I have said I will always stick to my schedule, well this time the 6ft 2in, 15st (ish) skinhead in lycra sped up a little, he was probably just a quiet guy on his way to work but he put the heeby geebys up me and I wasnt sticking around to say hello. That look he just had that look.

Wii Fit BMI - 27.44 - Yes you are correct the lowest it has ever been, slimmer of the year forget it, most improved male specimen of the year. Though the pieces of home made fudge Jo keeps bringing to work may put pay to that, very moreish and very nice.

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

96 Days To Go

Toady was the toughest run I have done so far, as said yesterday it was 1 mile fast runs mixed with 1/4 mile slow jogs, by the 3rd mile which was a long uphill stretch, my legs were starting to properly feel it. I felt good when I had finished though as it was probably the first time I had really known I had done a hard training run. A straight 7 miles to do tomorrow but at a bit of a quicker pace so we will see how I feel after that.

Even though the daily BMI doesnt seem to be showing it the fat must be disappearing. I pulled out a pair of 5 year old Levi 501's that havent fitted for ages and they look great, well I can actually move in them and they aren't skin tight. Slimmer of the Year award on its way to me.

1st Song on Ipod - INXS - Deliver Me

No of Runners Seen - I dont even bother looking out for any runners now

Feet Check - Feet being smothered in vaseline every morning - dont need any blisters

Wii Fit BMI - 27.73 heading in the right direction - yeah right

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

97 Days To Go

Day of rest today, and I feel well rested. 7 miles tomorrow, in fast 1 mile sections with some slow bits in between.
Just checked the schedule and today was my last Monday of rest as it picks up from here and I now do 6 days of running.
Some of the mile times have also picked up slightly so need to go just that bit quicker.

No 1st Song, No Runners, Feet, No BMI

98 Days To Go

A really good run today, 9 miles and it felt good. My knee was absolutely fine throughout, aches a bit now but not too bad. Starting to enjoy (!!) the longer runs, feel like I am making some progress. Is it me or are other people ignorant, I must have said morning to at least 50 people whilst running and about 10 replied, ok I hadnt shaved for a few days but I had all my running gear on so didnt look to wierd. Had to speed up though after gesticulating in the direction of 2 guys who wouldnt move and made me run down the bank when I realised the woman walking about 10 paces behind must have been the wife of one of them with the way she looked at me.
I have decided to move to either Holland or Norfolk as everywhere I could think of for todays run had big hills somewhere in it and it would be nice to have a flat run for once. As it was Sunday (see last sunday) the wind blew like crazy and when I thought I could have a breather running downhill the wind picked up and it took all my effort to get downhill.

1st Song on Ipod - U2 - Heartland -2nd appearance for U2 on the 1st song list. (The wife does have very U2 song ever though)

No of Runners Seen - 3 fair weather sunday am runners - all looked as miserable as sin and mumbled back after they recieved my cheery 'mornin'

Feet Check - No bother - normally suffer from a couple of blisters but bob on at the minute

Wii Fit BMI - 27.70 - slowly but surely

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

99 Days To Go

A small milestone reached with less than 100 days to go. We will see how I feel when it goes from double to single figures.

Was absolutely starving today, after last weekend I didnt want to eat this time before going running, except I was allowed a bit of a lie in by the lovely wife, then I went swimming with the lad, no jacuzzi as I went on my own, then nipped out shopping and basically had 3 jaffa cakes for a combined breakfast & lunch. In the end I got out about 4.30pm. Could have ate a scabby donkey by then but made up for it since though.

Had a good run, 4 'easy' miles, it seams to take it out of you more sometimes when you have to stick to a pace that is slower than your normal pace. A 9 mile run tomorrow so thats why the slow run today. My knee is still giving me a bit of grief but not nearly as much as earlier, will just have to keep an eye on it.

First ever comment since I started running 3 years ago from anybody today, when she told me to Get Your Knees Up, I didnt know whether to stop and explain that my Runnersworld downloaded schedule on my Garmin GPS running watch didnt require me today to run any faster and thanks for the encouragement but I would be sticking to the schedule, or to tell the fat cow that at least I could see my knees and unlike her and her equally fat mate they werent hidden by 12 inches of skin, fat and cellulite. In the end I waved. Unless she was being complementary because I had my shorts on, probably not.

First Song on Ipod - Iggy Pop - Lust for Lift

No. of Runners Seen - Waiting until all the fairweather Sunday morning runners are out tomorrow

Feet Check - Fine & dandy

Wii Fit BMI - 27.73 - machine must be broke because it aint going down

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

100 Days To Go

This cut and paste thing is great.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

1st Song on Ipod - Who cares.

No of Runners Seen - In my bedroom erm None

Feet Check - Warm

Wii Fit BMI - Who cares.

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

p.s. my left knee is properly giving me some grief, swimming with the lad tomorrow so will have a sit in the old jacuzzi and sauna to see if that helps plus 4 miles in the morning, easy 4 though

101 Days To Go

Felt good after the run today, I don't know if that was because it was only 4 miles in total or because the 2 mile faster middle bit allowed me to open my legs up. My legs haven't felt as stiff today as I expected them to after this weeks runs but I am still looking forward to no running tomorrow and staying in bed longer, I may do some muscle workouts on the Wii though, still conscious of the extra baggage being carried.
The longer runs are starting to appear on the schedule which will make me feel like I am making some progress. The shorter recovery runs are obviously needed but I just feel like I should be doing more on those days - 1/2 an hour or so and its all over, that's it for the day. As said a couple of days ago regarding the days off I am sure I will cherish the shorter recovery runs after doing 20 miles the day before.

1st Song on Ipod - Supergrass - Hollow little reign

No of Runners Seen - I am getting desparate myself now - am I the only one out there.

Feet Check - Good - left knee was very stiff before I started

Wii Fit BMI - 27.65

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

102 Days To Go

Pretty uneventful run today, was icy when I opened the garage door and I could feel it every time I took a breath in. I would like to tell you just how cold it was but the thermometer I bought 1 week ago for £3.00 is now knackered. It was reading -10 degrees until I realised the glass bit had fallen down. Not the best £3.00 ever spent.
6 miles done this morning and it felt ok, nice and steady. The pace is a slower than I have normally run, but I am sure the people who put the schedule together know what they are on about, I do have to slow down on certain legs to keep within the set targets. I have said to myself I will try and follow it as closely as is possible.
4 miles to do tomorrow, 2 of which are at a fairly quick pace so it should be a good test. Then its Friday and a lie in.
We are looking at possibly doing a couple of 'pub quizzes', Leeds & Wigan, prior to the marathon as a way of fleecing people out of even more money. I will keep you all informed and you will come along and give me all your money.
I have got some info through from the NDCS relating to what the money I hopefully(!) raise will be used on, I will let you all know over the next few weeks some of these.

1st Song on Ipod - Hothouse Flowers - Same Song - A time will come when just good songs appear

No of Runners Seen - I am going to put an advert up in the chippy for runners who I will pay so at least I can say I saw somebody

Feet Check - Grand - Left knee is feeling a bit sore and has been doing for a couple of days ?????
Wii Fit BMI - Not done it yet, letting my dinner settle - done 27.61

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

103 Days To Go

Today was a tough run, the hardest of the lot so far. The last fast 1.5mile section took a bit of work but I felt really good afterwards. I only missed my last target by about 15 seconds. My legs have felt a bit stiff through the day but not too bad and the 6 miles tomorrow will sort them out. The better half asked me last night what I was planning to do once I had run the marathon, whether I would continue training after putting all this effort in, carry on doing marathons instead of the half's I've been doing so far or just stop. I would like to think I would be able to carry on and maybe even look at doing other marathons. I wouldn't mind seeing her complete at least a half with me. Maybe that will be my next challenge. There is also getting Ste Unsworth to do the New York marathon next year with me, maybe that will be my next challenge instead.

One for the ladies now the best looking lad in Yorkshire wearing the NDCS running vest which will be worn on the big day. Apologies for the slight colour clash with the pyjamas.

1st Song on Ipod - Beck - Nitemare Hippy Girl

No of Runners Seen - Well it ain't Sunday morning so none

Feet Check - Covered them in Vaseline to stop them rubbing and it worked

Wii Fit BMI - 27.87

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

104 Days To Go

Today was another day without running. A day of recovery after a long run yesterday, I felt ok first thing this morning but could feel a bit of tiredness in my legs as the day wore on, I imagine as the runs increase in length over the coming weeks I will look forward to not having to run today. Decided to try out the Wii Fit muscle stuff after my little angel decided I still deserved to get up at 5.00am, ok so I may need to do a bit more on those particular exercises but there is no point carrying a big beer barrel round your waist 26.2 miles as well.

Got told off by my lovely other half for wearing my new running shoes to run in yesterday and then getting them muddy, maybe they are just for show to be brought out on the big day, well too late now.

Just decided to double check what run is planned for tomorrow, a slow jog to start followed by fast and slow sections, when I added it up it was another 8 miles, on a tuesday morning. I have to take Evan for some new hearing aids at 8 o'clock so thankfull I dont need to get up at something stupid like 4.30am to fit it in. Half an hour later at 5.00am isnt stupid at all though.

1st Song on Ipod - Nothing its on charge

No of Runners Seen - After the 4 yesterday it'll be a while before I see any more.

Feet Check - Ok - the next few days will test them. 8, 6, then 4miles

Wii Fit BMI - 27.95 - stayed roughly the same thats alright

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

105 Days To Go

1week down 15 to go. Rain, snow, ice & sun I dont mind but wind I bloody hate it. Every hill I ran up today the wind blew down it. Due to running at 9.00am the shorts got their first appearance today. (See no. of runners - good choice not to wear the tights). I feel quite good after the first week, 30 miles completed heaven knows how many more to go, the 8 mile run I did today was suprisingly comfortable, the best I have felt over that sort distance in a long time. I have that feeling that the 1st week was the warmup before the main event, I am not underestimating the task I have taken on and I am sure there will be entries in here where I absolutely hate the decision to do this run but at the minute all looks and feels ok.

1st song on Ipod - Gun - Viscous Heart (One of the wifes)

No of Runners Seen - 4 (FOUR) - 2 young blonde females seen first - Obviously I had to put a bit more effort in then unfortunately I was running up hill at the time - I nearly collapsed when I got around the corner.

Feet Check - Tired

Wii Fit BMI - 27.93 - Muscle again

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

106 Days To Go

At last a chance to run in daylight unfortunately it was that cold I only had 1 choice and that was to wear the tights. A first for me they don't normally get worn out of the hours of darkness. I decided to run along the tracks rather than the roads in case one of the neighbours saw me. Heading for the completion of my first week and it feels good, still motivated, body hasn't gone into too much shock with the first weeks work, I do however have a 8 mile run planned for tomorrow so we will see how I feel after that.

I have finalised my training races for before the big day, Dewsbury 10km, Liversedge 1/2 marathon, Spen 20m and the Blackpool 1/2 marathon. I cant believe I am using races of this length as training races, what a crazy situation, a few years ago I wouldn't have been able to comprehend being able to run 1km let alone 10km.

1st Song on IPOD - Tori Amos - Professional Widow - Greatest Hits of 1997

No. of Runners Seen - I'll let you guess - Did see 3 whilst in the car earlier

Feet Check - Spot on

Wii Fit BMI - 27.84

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

107 Days To Go

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

1st Song on Ipod - Who cares.

No of Runners Seen - In my bedroom erm None

Feet Check - Warm

Wii Fit BMI - Who cares.

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

108 Days To Go

How knackered was I this morning, going to bed too late to get up at 5.00am. My legs were aching a fair bit but the run soon got rid of that. My schedule said I only needed to do 3 miles, great, it then said do it over a minute a mile faster than yesterday, ok! I did achieve it by the way but the hill at the end took some doing.

I got my first sponsorship today, so thank you very much, hopefully the first of many.

I get to have a day off from running tomorrow, I am so looking forward to staying in bed that bit longer, I do feel a bit guilty in thinking that I am missing an opportunity to train but then I do have a 4 mile and 8 mile run planned for the weekend and your body also needs time to rest and recover.

For those of you who want to see what an elite athlete in the making looks like, here you go, you might get to see the tights another day.

1st Song on Ipod - U2 - The Unforgetable Fire (At last something half decent)

No. of runners seen - Big Fat Zero


Feet Check - Ok - As they have a day off tomorrow I might get the other half to give them a massage?????????????


Wii Fit BMI - 28.10 - Going the wrong way but I believe muscle is heavier than fat.


www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

109 Days To Go

It was positively scorching today at a mighty 2 degrees. Changed my route today to see if civilisation was living on the other side of the village but I saw even less people than the day before.

My legs are starting to feel the effects of the last few days, the muscles are feeling a bit stiff this evening but I think another good run tomorrow will shake that off. Looking forward to friday and a day off, and I will need it by then.

This mornings run was a bit tough, the boy cried a few times and woke us up in the night so I dont think I got enough sleep to recover which made the run that bit harder.

Got my special NDCS running vest through to wear on the big day, rather nice. I will put a picture up of it at some point then you can all keep you eye out for me. 1 out of 40,000 no problem.

1st Song On Ipod - Vaughan Monroe - Let It Snow ?????????????????????????

No. of Runners Seen - erm! Zero

Feet Check - Shoes rubbing one spot - will deal with that before the blister appears

Wii Fit BMI - 27.81

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

110 Days To Go

It was mighty cold at 5.10am, the thermometer bought due to my car lying to me read -2 degrees and I think it was 2 miles before I had actually warmed up. Another 5 miles done & I would like to say I'm getting into this training lark but are you ever really going to enjoy marathon training.

I saw a brief insight into how much dedication all round this training is going to need this morning. Alec decided he was hungry at 3.35am and if it wasnt for my better half getting up and dealing with everything I would have struggled to have got out the house today.

We'll get up again same time tomorrow for more ice punishment and I will be thinking of everybody tucked up in bed with all that turkey still hanging on your waists.

First Song On Ipod - Evelyn "Champagne" King - Shame - The Best Disco Album in The World (That's as good as the tunes got this morning)

No. of Runners Seen - Zero (3 dog walkers though)

Feet Check - Ok

Wii Fit BMI - 27.56

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

111 Days To Go

First day out of the way. The car temp at 5.15am said it was Zero degrees, the ice and snow on the ground made me think it was lying to make me feel better. 5 miles certainly got rid of the xmas cobwebs, I did think the 6ft broozer I ran past in the pitch black was going to get rid of me though until he saw the rather fetching tights I was wearing.

First Song on Ipod - Simple Minds - Dont You Forget About Me

No. of Other Runners Seen - Zero - unsurprisingly

Feet Check - Ok

Wii Fit BMI - 27.70

www.justgiving.com/davidmcnamara

112 Days To Go

In a moment of madness I decided to run the London Marathon in support of the National Deaf Childrens Society (NDCS) as my eldest son, Evan, is deaf. In the past we have supported the Peter Congdon Neonatal Unit at Leeds General Infirmary as they cared for Evan for the first 6 months of his life and without whom he would not be with us today, however, we have decided to look forward and not back and with communication being one of his major hurdles in life we felt this was a worthwhile cause to support.

I dont know what I will be posting here but I will try and post something everyday to show how my training is going, maybe even the odd picture aswell, please feel free to post any comments.

According to the Wii Fit I am at this moment in time OVERWEIGHT with a BMI of 28.12, i will keep you informed of any changes - hopefully these will all be in the right direction!!

Tomorrow is the first 'Official' day of training according to my running schedule. I have just been outside and it is absolutely bitter cold so I am not looking forward to getting up at 5.00am to do the first 5 miles.