Pre-training runs and mini-update

Am running 4 times a week at the moment as I'm trying to get in shape ready to start training in January.  This is combined with cross-trainer and weights 6 nights a week and a pretty Spartan low fat diet and more challengingly, a serious reduction in rum and cider!

Going well so far, not been further than 4 miles yet but am feeling healthier and building up stamina pretty well.

My favourite route at the moment heads right alongside the river in Bristol passing SS Great Britain and then heading back through Southville.

4m Sept route

Need to get some proper running shoes and some other stuff so off to Easy Runner in Bristol and will get them to analyse my running 'style' this week.

A couple of random thoughts re Prague next May.

1. I'm going to get the Czech M.E. Association involved somehow to raise awareness as I now will with all of the countries I run in.

2. Prague Marathon has a notoriously large number of cobbled streets so I'll need to find somewhere in Bristol to train and incorporate this.

3. Now set up my Justgiving page (on right hand menu), won't be asking anyone for any money for a little while though!

More soon....

#2 Prague Marathon - May 3rd - 2015!

I feel a bit ill, have just bought my entry and flights for the Prague Marathon next May!

Training will start in January but for now am still continuing to lose some weight in preparation by doing weights, cross-trainer and hurtling about South Bristol.

The course looks very picturesque and its the 7th fastest route in the world.  It does have a lot of cobbles so will need to find somewhere to train locally with similar terrain (near to Bristol, any tips welcome).  Also really well equipped with refreshment stops, massages, nice expo and pasta party the day before etc.

Prague Marathon Review - Runners World

Will be heading out on the Friday and endeavouring not to drink any of the local brew before race day 9am on the Sunday.

Always wanted to go to Prague, never quite imagined it would be to run a marathon though!

The Good News!

The good news is that I've already done London!!  UK -tick!

OK it was a while ago (2001) when I was young, handsome and a running machine bounding around the lanes of North Cornwall but it does count!

Don't believe me?  Here's the proof!  London Apr 2001

The (basic) idea!

To successfully complete a marathon in every country within the EU before I die!

Currently that's 28 Marathons, most likely 1 or 2 per year for the foreseeable.  Kind of hoping there's not too many more nations joining the union anytime soon, I will be watching with interest!

The countries in question;

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Rep, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK

Why?

Few reasons really:

• I really like running
• I like getting medals
• I'm slightly masochistic
• I want to be remembered for being more than just the guy who used to drink a lot of cider
• I'm the most stubborn person I know and once I've decided to do this I won't be backing out

What's involved:

Really 'only' 3 months of training once a year which will most likely consist of 3-4 nights a week of about an hour's running then a big run on the weekend (10-20 miles)

Am not looking to beat times or break records, I've got a partially torn right cruciate so I need to be careful as my lovely NHS physio did advise no more long distance running.  I do however want to look back in my (hopefully) old age and see how I conquered Europe like the Roman Empire.

Charity:

Yep of course.  For now I'm selecting Invest In ME (www.investinme.org) which is a cause close to my heart and one I've helped out before (www.92in92.blogspot.co.uk), will set up the JustGiving page nearer the time of the next race.

When I say 'for now' this is because if I'm going to be running for the next 25 years then I would imagine my choice might change depending upon what happens to me over this time.  Also I would hope and expect that ME will be a curable illness by the time I am done with this challenge.