Meet the Jelly babies

A good week of new training and a good long run to finish. The 'Meet the Experts' seminar was a perfect way to start the weekend a lead into our biggest run to date. With Liz & Martin Yelling as guest speakers and valuable information about the big day in April, the day was very reassuring. Jess and I came out thinking that we are right on track for our marathon and we're looking forward to the Watford Half-Marathon next weekend - except for the hills... So after the week of tempo running, interval running and a motivational session with Virgin London Marathon professionals we tackled 11.5 miles today (half way between the 10 miles we did last week and the 13.1 miles we will do next week). It was a much better run than our previous long run, as we were better prepared for a little refuelling during the run. My pockets were filled with tissues (for the inevitable runny nose because of the cold) and two packets of jelly babies. Yum! They worked to give us a bit of extra time in the legs. Yum! The jelly babies not the legs. So, 76 days to go and it's feeling closer than ever. But we are more confident in our ability than ever. Bring it on!! B

Intervals at Russell Square

A return to the original running venue, Russell Square tonight, but this time it was different. It was interval training time. The harsh reality of our task was made abundantly clear as we confidently strode onto the Square and proceeded to to a nice 10min run as a lead into the intervals. After this 10min run we began with a 3min burst of hard running - running as hard as you can. This mean that Jess and I had to run separately for 3min due to a difference in the length of our legs. The first run was a wake up call, and flashbacks to our first running sessions and the breathlessness came flooding into the mind. A 3min jog to recover proved a step too far and after the next period of 3min we decided to walk to recover (like the good ol' days). The next 2 intervals of 3min hard runs were like hell, but we survived and did a lazy 10min run to calm the heart rate and make our way home for a welcome stretch. Upon arriving home we had a letter waiting for us with our numbers for the Watford half marathon and a booklet with details of the run... few too many hills me thinks! Anyway, we're looking forward to it and with the 'Meet the Experts' conference this weekend, it's to infinity and beyond!! Thanks to everyone who has sponsored us thus far, to those who haven't, hop to it :) B

Training plan

For those of you interested, here is what the future has in store for the two of us (roughly). The days may vary but the longer runs should remain the same. Help keep us on track and motivated. Virgin Money giving website, then search for: Ben Sandison and Jessica Asz B http://www.lucozade.com/sport/running/training-plans/schedules/Default.aspx?race=marathon&type=Intermediate&data=AAEAAAD%2f%2f%2f%2f%2fAQAAAAAAAAAMAgAAAEhBcHBfQ29kZS5kbDFfbnBzcSwgVmVyc2lvbj0wLjAuMC4wLCBDdWx0dXJlPW5ldXRyYWwsIFB1YmxpY0tleVRva2VuPW51bGwFAQAAABRUcmFpbmluZ1BsYW5Gb3JtRGF0YQQAAAALX2V4cGVyaWVuY2UJX3JhY2VEYXRlB193ZWlnaHQMX25vRml4ZWREYXRlAQAAAA0FAQIAAAAGAwAAAAxJbnRlcm1lZGlhdGUAQHWHqcrNCAI4MwAL

Cirque du Soleil

The Royal Albert Hall and the Cirque du Soleil, Thursday night and a chilly evening was a welcome respite from the running this week as one kind fellow offered Jess and I free tickets to the event via the Oxfam Marathon mailing list. What a great night! It does however mean that I need to run on a Friday night which is never particularly great, oh well! For those who follow casually, and haven't sponsored yet, get to it as time is fast running out, as we are all too aware. B

Half Marathon and the biggest week

After stepping off the plane from Aus, it was good to get back into the running routine and put in some miles while the weather has been a bit milder here in London. Managed to get in 4 runs this week, which is more than what I would normally do but it helped to get back into the rhythm again. Therefore I managed to log 23 miles this week, helped by a 9.44 mile run today (9/1/11) along the river to Canary Wharf and back. I'm feeling it in my legs now, but I have a 2 day rest before running with Jess again, hopefully, on Wednesday night. In other news, we have entered into our first half-marathon!! The Asics Watford Half-Marathon which is run on 6th Feb. That's not far away and we'll be working hard to be ready for it, but I'm confident after reading the reviews online that it'll be a great day. At our current pace we should finish in just over 2 hours... Dear me!! Dont forget to go onto http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/giving/ to donate and show your support :) B

Donate your Support

Just a quick one to remind our thousands of supporters of the website for online donations for both Jess and I. So here they are... Jess Asz - http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JessAsz Ben Sandison - http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/BenSandison Alternatively just google 'Virgin Money Giving' and search for our names and it will guide you to the page to donate. Every little bit helps with the motivation and we appreciate your support. B xx

Going it alone

Back in the UK after a stint in Adelaide. Great to see family and friends and have a run around places in the ol' home town. The heat was something different to contend with and both Jess and I struggled to come to terms with the difference in temperature. We are more used to running in near freezing conditions where the air is thinner. Therefore our running consisted of shorter stints and evening runs along the beach so that we didn't completely perish in the midday sun. Anyway, it was good to run in a different environment. Jess continues to run in Adelaide for another week while I shiver in London and try to manage my own running alone. It has become apparent in the last few weeks that we both rely on each other quite a bit (perhaps more than we realised) for pace, entertainment and support. It's hard running alone and I'm increasingly greatful for the fact that I'm not doing this challenge alone for the whole thing. This support, we both provide as allowed us to finish the year with impressive stats that neither of us thought we would achieve at the beginning of 2010 - considering we had never run in anger before June. So here are the cold hard facts of a 6 month running period that ended 2010 with the both of us feeling and looking fitter than ever. Total runs for 2010: 62 Total distance for 2010: 453.1km Total time running in 2010: 42:57:50 Average pace for 2010: 5:47 min/km (9.19 miles/min) I'm impressed... B