I am training to run the Bournmouth Half Marathon on 8th October. A lot of my training runs are on gravel tracks through woodland. As we move from summer to autumn the colours are muted, but quite stunning.
I have just five weeks remaining until race day. My first three weeks have gone well, although I lost three days to sickness – nothing serious, but just enough to prevent me training. I have lost 1/2 stone, which I am pleased about and my long runs are up to 8 miles. It isn’t pretty and it isn’t fast. Slow and steady wins the day.
Most of my runs are early morning before the heat of the day. Over the course of a week I train on 5 days and rest on 2. As well as just running, I’ve incorporated one day for weight training and one day for hill repeats – probably my favourite activity.
There are probably 3 weeks of hard training, followed by 2 weeks of tapering. I am quite excited as race day gets closer. I am resisting the temptation to dress up in a superhero costume, but I may mark the occasion with some red or blue hair dye.
I’ve cast my eye over the course. If the weather is clear there will be stunning views over Bournemouth Bay
My hill repeats are helping me prepare for the four hills on the course from sea level to the top of the cliffs. I’ve discovered that quite a few friends and family are also running, so it is building up to be quite a festive event.
The prime motivator for my running is thanksgiving. To give thanks to my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, for my wife’s recovery from cancer. So I am running for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Stephen's Wildlife 