Post 17: Everybody's on the Run - September 2012

Hi,

Welcome to the latest edition to my New York Marathon training blog. For those that are knew to this, or for the ones that have forgotten what it's all about (I wouldn't blame you I have been doing this for a while now), I am running the New York Marathon in memory of my sister and in aid of the charity we've founded in her memory. Jo was set to run the NY Marathon the year she died, she had booked her place and was well in to her training plan. So her unfit, overweight, never done any running before (and never will again!) little brother has decided to do it for her.

Yesterday (Sunday 30th September) I completed my longest run to date - 12 miles. I was happy with this and am overall relatively pleased with my progress. About 2 weeks ago I had quite a bad scare. I've had bad problems with my back before where the muscles have gone into spasm and I thought it had happened again. Annoyingly I wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary, it just seems to go. Thankfully, a few days rest and some help got me back on track and I'm back to full fitness. Well that of course depends on what your definition of 'full' fitness is. So let me rephrase that, I'm back to where I was before I got injured. Having the back problem only highlighted again the worry of getting injured. So I was relieved to get over that quite quickly and back to the training. It was also a relief to find it hadn't set me back too much either.

Now that I'm doing longer runs it has made pay more attention to when and how I take on water etc... during running. As I mentioned last time, dehydration was and issue but I seem to dealing with that by drinking lots before I go out running and wearing what can only be described as a Bat-Belt. This enables me to carry a water bottle as well as energy gels. I feel this is going to a really important part of the run itself so is a relief to think on the day should be easier to keep taking water on board as there will be water stations on the route.

The other thing I've been thinking about is how (if at all) I'm going to record my experience of doing this. I always had it in mind to keep a video diary and post it on YouTube when I get back. I'd love to take photos and video footage when I'm actually doing the race, but need to way up if it'll be too much if a distraction or not. If I do a video diary, I have already thought of the song that will be the soundtrack to it. I did have a few in mind and couldn't decide, but having been to see Noel Gallagher recently, there is only one winner.

Before I go, can I just give a gentle reminder about sponsoring me...

There are 3 ways you can sponsor me:

1) A good old fashion cash donation when you see me next.

2) By visiting my Just Giving Page www.justgiving.com/RBNY12

3) By texting RBNY12 and the amount you'd like to donate to 70070 e.g.'RBNY12 £5'

Thanks for listening,

Rich

Post 16: Reckoning of a Fat Lad - August 2012

Hi, and welcome to ‘Reckoning of a Fat Lad’, very much the sequel to ‘Confessions of a Fat Lad’, which was the title of my 12th blog entry in April. If you would like to read that, or any other of my previous entries, they’re all available under blog archive in the bottom right hand corner of this page.

On Saturday (25^th August) it was the 4^th anniversary of Jo’s accident. As I wrote in the 4^th entry of this blog ‘Come on Dickie, put your back in to it!’ a year ago, I always leave The JB Trust alone for a few days and just think about Jo. However, this year I’ve found myself thinking about how far the Trust has come and what we’ve achieved in Jo’s name. It’s been such a wonderful thing to have done and I so very grateful for everyone’s help in make it all possible. The Olympics have been amazing and I know Jo would have loved the past few weeks. There has been a lot said about the legacy of the Olympics and how it will inspire a generation. It made me think of Jo and her legacy. With the grant schemes we run every year and our oversees projects it means that Jo’s legacy will inspire and support people in sport, and that is very special.

It’s been a really productive and encouraging month on the running front, well let’s face it, it needed to be! Thanks to my friend Toby, I met a guy called Dan who will be doing the NYC Marathon for the 3^rd year in a row this year. It’s been great to speak to him about specific things about the marathon but also running in general. He’s been really good in answering all the questions I have and has been a really help. We’ve agreed to meet up before and after the race, which will be really cool.

Two friends of mine, Bruce and Kiwi (who ran the London Marathon  for the Trust) have also been good to talk to. It was Kiwi’s birthday recently and we got chatting about the psychological battles you face when you’re running. It was really usual. I’ve got so much respect for Kiwi and her desire when it comes to running, so to hear her say she has the say mental battles that I have (and will) face makes me feel more confident.

I have a 5km route round by my house which I run during the week. It’s good as I’m starting to build up check points on where I should be at a certain time, which helps when I’m trying to pace myself. My usual time for this 5km was about 46mins (not exactly fast I know!) but a couple of weeks ago I decided to really push myself and try and break 45mins. I ended up doing it in 41mins, which got me really buzzing. Next goal is to go under 40mins.

Yesterday I did my longest run to date, 10 miles in 2 hours 15 minutes. On one hand I was happy I managed so far and so long, but on the other hand I was hoping to go for nearer 3 hours. That said, I didn’t take any drinks or energy gels with me and really hit a wall at the 2 hour mark. Which I think was more dehydration than anything else. Good though, as I have a place to build from and hopefully will continue to see improvements.

All in all things are going well, lots still to do and I’m working harder than ever. Before I go, can I just give a gentle reminder about sponsoring me...

There are 3 ways to you can sponsor me:

1) A good old fashion cash donation when you see me next.

2) By visiting my Just Giving Page www.justgiving.com/RBNY12

3) By texting RBNY12 and the amount you'd like to donate to 70070 e.g.'RBNY12 £5'

Must Run!

Rich

Post 15: RBNY12 - July 2012

Hello!

Wow, I'm writing this blog on the morning after the night before. That night being the Opening Ceremony for the London Olympics. It was amazing! I mean, The Queen and James Bond! Amazing! Watching it also made me think a lot about Jo and how much she'd have loved it and what the next two weeks has in store. We will also have an emotional connection to the Olympic Games, Jo had been to Beijing and was travelling back when she had her accident.

Right on with the update and RBNY12, yes that's RBNY12, It stands for Richard Brown New York 12 (as in 2012). More about why that is relevant later. I can safely and (quite) proudly say the past month has been by far the most successful, enjoyable and productive month. That said it did need to be as time is against me now, but never the less it been good. The diet really gave me that kick start, I've lost about a stone and a half which has really help with the running. I've also got some big (well big for me) runs in. I'd say biggest achievement this month has been the mental improvement. When I run I am now able to push through the pain and the dreaded 'walls' a lot more easily.

It is currently 14 weeks until the marathon, which is a really scary thought, but having had such a good month there is reason of optimism. I've got my official NYC Marathon training top come through, which is really cool.

On to RBNY12. For those of you that know me you'll know I don't often promote The JB Trust in terms of asking for money. However, this blog is going to be an exception to that. As I said in my original entry of this blog, the reason for me doing the NYC Marathon is to run it for Jo. Jo was in training for the NYC marathon at the time of her death and would have run it that November (2008). I'm also doing it to raise awareness and money for The JB Trust so we can keep on supporting young athletes and sports projects in Jo's name. If you think what I am doing is worth sponsoring I'd be most grateful if you'd consider sponsoring me. Jo was always adamant that if you ever did anything where you asked people for sponsorship that you had to 'earn your money'. Hopefully you'll think what I am doing fits in to that ethos.

There are 3 ways to you can sponsor me:

1) A good old fashion cash donation when you see me next.

2) By visiting my Just Giving Page www.justgiving.com/RBNY12

3) By texting RBNY12 and the amount you'd like to donate to 70070 e.g.'RBNY12 £5'

I'd also ask that if you could forward this blog, the page about what I'm doing on The JB Trust website (www.TheJoannaBrownTrust.org/RBNY12) to friends and work colleagues as it will help raise the profile of the charity. As I said, it's about raising awareness as well as money. For those of you on Facebook and Twitter you may have noticed that I use #RBNY12. Again it's just a subtle way of promoting what I am going, so please feel free to use it.

As always, thanks for listening and don't forget...

RBNY12

Cheers,

Rich

Post 14: RUNNING SUCKS – June 2012

Before I start, the first thing to say about this month’s entry is that it  was nearly called something else. It was originally going to be called TCB (more about that later) but following the purchasing of a very appropriate t-shirt, some of you may have seen it on Facebook, there was only really one title I could use this time.

Anyway, hello and thanks (as always) for taking the time out of your day to read the times and tribulations of my build up to the New York Marathon in November. If you’re new to this or would like to read the previous entries there are links at the bottom right hand corner of this page. As usual it’s been a busy month that doesn’t exactly involve lots of training or progress, however, there is hope for optimism – more on that later. I’ve started my new job, which I’m really enjoying, and feel in much better place now in terms of work / Trust / training / life balance. 

Earlier this month mum and I took dad on this rock ‘n’ roll pilgrimage to Memphis where we visited Elvis’ Graceland and Sun Studios (where Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash recorded all their stuff). It was an amazing trip. We had to change planes in Toronto so made the most of it by having three days there. That’s where I managed to get out and do some running. Running through a big city with skyscrapers seemed like good practice for NYC – actually while we were on a tour guide we learnt that Toronto is often used as New York in the filming of US dramas and films as it’s cheaper to film there. Running along the harbour front was amazing and certainly was a nice distraction. I’m hoping and guessing that running through downtown Manhattan will prove the same...

The other, what I’m hoping will be significant news, is that I’m currently 6 days in to the Dukan diet. A few of my mates have done it so I thought I’d give it a go. So far it’s been good. I think one of the problems about this whole marathon training so far is it has always been so far in the future. Now it is only a few months anyway and although I’ve probably left myself too much to do, it has helped getting my mind focused. In fact, honestly, I have left myself too much to do, but I’m really going to give my heart and soul in to this and do my best to make Brownie proud. I only wish I’d have started this earlier, but then again, would / could I have? Is the fact it’s only four months away the pressure I needed?

Another fairly big development on the training front is my training buddy, Hoops, has moved house. Therefore no longer round the corner to drag me out running or to the gym. So from now on I’m on my own...

I want to leave the final word of this month’s entry to the King himself, Elvis. As I mentioned at the start, this was originally going be entitled ‘TCB’ which is what Elvis called his band. It stands for Taking Care of Business and I feel that is appropriate at the moment.

It’s time to take care of business....

Post 13: Shoot The Runner – May 2012

Hello and welcome to the 13th entry of my blog...

I've decided against calling it a 'training diary' as I seem to write just as much (maybe even more) about what is happen away from the running. That said, I do find all the 'other things' do have a big effect on how and when I train.

The biggest event of the past month, well my of whole life probably, was that on Friday 25th May I got to carry the Olympic Flame. I got to carry it through Malvern Link, just round the corner from my mum and dad's house. Having meant the other torch bearers that carried the torch that day I feel very lucky to have be able to carry it through my home town, especially so close to where I grew up. The day itself was amazing, I never wanted it to end. Having all my friends and family come put and support me was very special and it was a great way to celebrate what The Joanna Brown Trust has achieved. Since the day I have been in to a number of primary schools talking about being a torch bearer and The Joanna Brown Trust. It's great to see some many people excited about it. I've lost count of the amount of photographs I've had taken with the torch, it has been like being famous and having photo shoots every day. It is such an honour to have a torch and give people a chance to hold it and have their photo taken with it. To see the photos and video footage from the day you can go to www.TheJoannaBrownTrust.org/torch_bearer.

It's been quite a month, as well as carrying the Olympic Flame Katie and I found out we are expecting our first child. We found out on the Wednesday before I carried the torch so I'm sure you can imagine that was quite a few days. I'm off on holiday with my mum and dad in a week. We are taking my dad on his Rock 'n' Roll pilgrimage to Gracelands & Sun Studios. As part of the trip we are spending three days in Toronto before flying down to Memphis. So, the 'International Runner' may return! The trainers are definitely going with with me. If anything I've found it a great way to get out and see the area. I'll be doing a mini version of the blog on Twitter whilst I'm out there, so if you'd like to to follow me you can at @TheJBTrust. If you are not on Twitter you can read my latest tweets on The Joanna Brown Trust website. There is a box on the left hand side of the homepage.

Training wise (see what I mean about rambling on about the 'other things'!) I've tried to get myself back into a routine of doing as much gym work as I do running. I'm still worried about getting an injury, especially to my back, so am trying to increase the weights and core stability work I'm doing. As previously confessed, I'm not exactly built for running so it seems any work I do takes longer to have an effect. It actually seems to be helping the golf more than the running at the moment!

Whenever I training I always like to listen to music. Music is a big thing to me and I like creating playlists to listen to. For those that care (probably not many) a band I like listening to whilst I'm training at the moment is.... well I have actually already told you in this blog. Answers on a postcard....

Cheers

Rich

Post 12: Confessions of a Fat Lad – April 2012

Hello, and welcome to the 12^th entry in my New York Marathon training blog. THE 12^th! More on that later...

Thanks, as always, for taking the time to read my updates. If you don’t already know, I’m running the New York Marathon in November in memory of my sister and in aid of The Joanna Brown Trust, a charity we’ve founded in her memory. Having the support of everyone means a lot and as the date draws ever nearer I’m sure I’ll need that support more ever.

The fact I write these blogs every month and this is my 12^th means I’ve been doing this for a year now. A YEAR! It is actually really scary how fast it has gone. The most worrying thing is when I start this journey I hoped to be a lot further on in terms of my training and fitness than I currently am. I have been training but probably not as much as I could have done, if I am being honest. I am feeling better then I go running, I think I’ve found a rhythm and technique and so therefore feel I’m not too far away from making some real progress. If anything it’s all psychological.

Three friends of mine ran the London Marathon a few weeks ago in aid of The Joanna Brown Trust. Katie and I went down to support them and it was such a brilliant day. Bruce, Kiwi & Helen all did so fantastically well. Whilst there I wasn’t sure how it was going to make me feel about New York. It’s the first marathon I’ve ever been to. Having been there and seen the runners and supporters, especially in the finish area, was really inspiring. In previous blogs I’ve said about the difference between ‘I will do’ and ‘I can do’ the NYC Marathon. Now, having seen all those people and experienced the event as a whole I WANT to do it.

It seems strange to say that as I always thought the personal reasons why I’m doing this would be more than enough to get me through. I do think that will be the case in the end but I also have this extra motivation of ‘what an amazing thing to do in your life’. Until now I hadn’t ever really thought about in that way and I’m sure it will help me get through the difficult times ahead.

Overall, if I look back at the last year I’m nowhere near where I’d have hoped to be. I just need to keep faith, it may well be blind faith, but it is still faith...

Thanks for listening

Rich

Post 11: The American Dream - March 2012

Hello and welcome to the latest entry of my blog.

For those that are new to this (or for those that need reminding!) the purpose of this blog is to track my journey as I get ready to do the New York Marathon. It’s all in memory of my sister and the charity we’ve founded in her memory, The Joanna Brown Trust.  

The biggest news to announce is that it was confirmed earlier this month that I will be a torch bearer for London 2012. My wife Katie nominated me on the back of what we’ve achieved with The Joanna Brown Trust. I’ll be carrying it on Friday 25^th May and the most special element of it all is I’ll be doing it through my home town of Malvern. It is going to be an incredibly special day and we’ll certainly be using it as a way of celebrating everything we’ve been able to achieve in Jo’s memory. It was whilst Jo was travelling back from the last Olympics in Beijing that she had her accident, so to be a Torch Bearer for this Olympics is incredibly special.

As for the training this month it started off really well. I was making really good progress and felt good about it all. However, a combination of things has meant I haven’t been out as much as I’d have like over the past week or so. Once again it has highlight how I’ll need to prioritise my training over the coming months. It also shows that I still haven’t fully changed my lifestyle. I can train well for a week or two but then am likely to have a relapse and not do as much. This is something I need to stop doing and have a more consistent routine. Overall I am still happy with my progress (but like I seem to always say) I need to keep going and do more.

The other thing that has happened this month is the running dreams have started. I’ve had a few dreams where I’ve been running, either in a 10km or a half marathon. I accept it probably is not that interesting but does this mean running is starting to become a bigger part of my life? Running doesn’t hold that same fear that it used to so maybe I am getting used to it....

Finally, just want to say good luck to Bruce, Kiwi and Helen. All friends of mine that are running the London Marathon in aid of The JB Trust. I’ll be there to support them on the day and will be my first experience of a big city marathon.

New York gets closer every day and will soon be more than just a dream.

Laters!