Vision4Children Challenge

2 Steps Forward Then 2 Steps Back

2011-03-09T14:47:00.000Z

After finally making up all the ground I had lost over December die to snow and ice, I managed to pick up a chest infection and was under doctors orders to rest and take things easy. So for 2 weeks I did no running whatsoever and went from 20 miles ahead of target to 24 behind.

I'm going to do this lot of catching up a wee bit more slowly than I did with the last lot.

On the positive side, I've now past the halfway mark. There is a little chink of light at the end of a very very long tunnel

Keep Warm, Be Seen and Carry On!!

2011-02-09T20:10:00.000Z

I've done it!! Yippee

2011-02-09T20:04:00.000Z

I've finally done it. I am now ahead of target. Yesterday was the last day of week 23 and the first time since week 2 that I've actually been in credit.

At the start of the year I was 46 miles behind, but with January and start of February having decent weather and with a bit of effort, I've managed to make up the deficit.

I've averaged 36 miles a week for the last month and a bit. And last week I actually managed to break through the 40 miles in a week barrier (Which included back to back half marathon runs).

I'm now looking to push on and get to the end of week 26 (1st March) and be at least 26 miles ahead.

It's now less than 10 weeks to the London Marathon (Other marathons are available) and i've also signed up for my first Ultra Marathon on 21st May where I will be completing the complete length of the Sandstone Trail from Whitchurch to Frodsham (33 miles)

Happy New Year

2011-01-13T11:16:00.000Z

Welcome to 2011

2010 finished on a bit of a sour note. Unfortunately at the Liverbird Double Marathon, I slipped on a step and jarred my back and had to retire after 21 miles. I'm sure I could have finished the last 5 and a bit miles but I didn't want to to myself any lasting damage, all made even worse by the fact that I was on for a fantastic new (Outdoor) PB of around 4 hours 40 minutes.

I am planning to hit the running hard and have a plan to claw back the miles I've lost because of the snow and ice over the next couple of weeks. All being well I will be back on target and possibly even ahead by the 1st of February. I've found that doing double sessions on a Saturday and Sunday means I can really get the miles in and get back on track.

After a run tonight, I'll have less than 900 miles to go and a light is beginning to appear at the end of the very long tunnel.

Has it Been That Long?

2010-12-29T16:10:00.000Z

I didn't realise it had been so long since my last blog (Over a month). In that time I've added another 101.83 miles to the total taking it to over 400 miles run now.

The weather over the last 2 or 3 weeks has not been conducive to running at all with snowfall and lots of ice, which has unfortunately meant that instead of being on target. I am now 44 miles behind (luckily with 34 weeks left to go, so a mile extra a week will see me through and at least now there is a thaw on and I have my double marathon to come on Friday (31st Dec) and Saturday (1st Jan) which should catch me up quite nicely.

I promise i'll be less slack at keeping you updated in the future.

A Treadmill Marathon and a new PB

2010-11-21T19:48:00.001Z

An unusual marathon this week. It was done on a treadmill, so a huge thanks to Max, Jo and Rob at Pure Gym Manchester.

It wasn't nearly as tough as i imagined it was going to be. The time absolutely flew past, which is no surprise considering i absolutely smashed my previous PB by over 20mins.

My new PB is 4 hours 29 minutes and 40 seconds.

The main reason I think for this new record is that there in no wind resistance and the "course" was flat for the entire 26.22 miles. I had my own energy drink in bottles rather than grabbing a cup from a local scout group. Just lots of little things that added up to a great run.

Even now my legs do not feel nearly as sore as they have done after other marathons. I can see this becoming a bit of a "thing" and i might approach other gyms with a view to running with them as well

Wild and Windy and a Double Marathon

2010-11-15T09:37:00.001Z

It's been a while since I last updated my blog (apologies for that).

Unfortunately I missed a couple of runs on the 6th and 7th due to illness and that set me back even further against target and by the end of this running week I'll be 16 miles behind where I need to be.

Luckily the lovely people at Pure Gym in Manchester are letting me run a full marathon one on of their treadmills on Saturday 20th November and that combined with a few miles on Wednesday and a few the following Tuesday should really bring the miles back and I'll only be 8 or 9 miles behind.

Wet Weather and Birthdays

2010-11-03T09:11:00.000Z

Another week has come and gone and I've slipped further behind target. I'm now 12.5 miles behind which is a bit of a shame considering I was slowly crawling back the shortfalls created after the Nottingham and Leicester Marathons.

There was no way I was running in that weather last night, not only was the rain falling in biblical proportions but it was being blown in sideways.

I'll hopefully be able to add a mile or so to each run planned in for this week and I'll have made 5 of the 6 up that I missed last night.

I've sent my application off for the Liverbird Marathon Double (2 back to back marathons on Hogmanay and New Years Day). I'm looking forward to it in a strange way.

On a very happy note, It was my birthday on Monday and the lovely Mrs Miller managed to get me booked in to have a testing session at Edge Hill University to measure my VO2 Max and my Lactate Threshold. I'm far too excited and looking forward to being made to run to exhaustion.

Week 8

2010-10-27T12:55:00.000+01:00

Another disrupted week of running. Hamish turned 2 on Monday and my folks were down for the weekend for his party, so that meant no running on Saturday (Running was replaced with Hamishs party then 5 hours in the pub with my dad and brother playing darts) or Sunday (Hangover!!).

That meant I had to cover 12 miles on Monday which I split into an 8 mile run at lunhtime and then a 4 mile run in the evening.

Tuesday night brought warm but windy conditions, so there was no need for my compression t-shirt and long sleeved top. Those 6 miles were hell and my legs were no for working at all.

I should be at 209.76 miles and I'm currently sitting at 200.44 miles (I came down with a cold after the Nottingham Marathon which set me 12 miles back and post-marathon weeks are always shorter. At the end of week 3 I was just under 16.5 miles down, so I'm slowly catching up)

End of Week 7

2010-10-20T10:21:00.001+01:00

A bit of a disjointed week this week.

I ended up running for on 6 days rather than my usual 5, all due to a fantastic nightout on Saturday and then a birthday party on Sunday. This meant I missed my SUnday long run. So I ended up running on a Friday and a Monday too (Which is never heard of).

I'm catching up on my planned miles and I'm just 3 miles behind where I should be. I'll hopefully have caught up on this end of this week although
I do have my folks coming down this weekend for Hamishs birthday, so I might not get my full quota in, but I'll do my best

Leicester Marathon

2010-10-11T10:24:00.000+01:00

Yesterday saw the completion of the Leicester Marathon in a time of 4:52:58 (45 seconds slower than last year).

The day started off really well, cool and cloudy with a light breeze. Perfect for running and that reflected in my times. By the time I got to mile 14 I was still averaging 10:01 per mile (compared to 10:22 at the same point in Nottingham).

Unfortunately the wind dropped and the sun came out and my times dropped off quite quickly. By the time I got to mile 24 I had dropped behind target and my chance of getting a new PB had gone.

I had forgotten how hilly the Leicester marathon actually is. It is completely flat for the first 7-ish miles and then some short sharp hills kick in especially around the gorgeous villages of Barkby, Thrussington and Ratcliffe on the Wreake.

I loved the last mile and a bit from Abbey Park to Victoria Park especially running through the sparkly new Highcross Shopping Centre towards the gorgeous (but up hill) New Walk and the final 385 yards to the finish line.

The Rules

2010-10-06T11:40:00.002+01:00

I've just realised that I'm 5 weeks in and I've not posted the "official" rules for this challenge (So here goes)

1) I have to complete all 1363.44 miles by 23:59 on Tuesday 20th August 2011
2) The miles run will be logged by my Garmin Forerunner 305
3) Only full miles will count (Except part miles run as part of recognised race distances e.g. 5k (3.1 miles), 10k (6.21 miles), Half Marathons (13.1 miles) and Marathons - 26.22 miles

4 Marathons Done

2010-10-02T21:53:00.002+01:00

A very nice day today indeed. It started well with Royal Mail delivering 2 pairs of X-Sock Run Performance socks (I wore a pair tonight and they are just the comfiest socks ever, I might start wearing them to work as well) and then a trip into Manchester to see Martin at Up & Running to collect my Saucony Progrid Jazz 13 trainers (I'm taking Martins sound advice and wearing them around the house first of all. I might trade in my slippers and wear these instead).

See the Up & Running Website here: http://www.upandrunning.co.uk/shops/manchester.php

See the X-Socks Website: http://www.x-socks.com/

The day was completed with a 2 mile run that took me over the 4 marathon mark.

Get in!!!!!!!!

I am constantly amazed at the generosity that has been shown to me by strangers as well as family and friends. That's what is keeping me going now that the nights are drawing in.

28 Days Later..........

2010-09-27T20:49:00.000+01:00

Just a 6 mile run to complete on Tuesday night (28th September) and I'll have completed the first 4 weeks of the challenge and should see me at just over 91 miles of running done in 14 hours.

I had a nice surprise waiting for me when I got home from work tonight, so a big thanks to Lanacane for sending me some anti-chaffing gel. It is great stuff and makes running much less painful in places that chaff.

I can only hope that some of the other companies I have written to will be as generous as Lanacane (especially Rolex......!!!!)

Nottingham Marathon Pics

2010-09-23T21:48:00.000+01:00

Hamish wishes me good luck

Guinness is Good For You

Hamish admires my medal

New Shoes, Shiny Shoes

2010-09-23T14:44:00.000+01:00

I'm sat in the office looking at the pouring rain as lightening streaks across the sky and thunder is rattling the windows and I've got everything crossed that it clears up before my run tonight.

I managed to get 4 miles in last night in a time of 33:11, which is not quick by my usual standards but I am still feeling a bit wheezy.

I was at Up & Running yesterday lunchtime and got fitted up for a pair of Saucony Jazz. They are so comfortable and incredibly light, I can't wait to pick them up and take them out for a trial run.

A big thanks to Up and Running and to Saucony for their fantastic generosity

It Had To Happen Eventually

2010-09-20T09:12:00.000+01:00

It had to happen didn't it?

I've come down with a bit of a cough and cold, so no running for me at the moment.

I really should have expected it, I always feel a bit run down after a full marathon. I did plan to do less than 26 miles this week, just to give my body some time to recover, but I've only managed 6 so far and I'm got 6 more planned tomorrow. Even if i miss tomorrow, I shouldn't be too far behind and there is plenty of time to make up the miles I've missed.

Warrington Guardian

2010-09-17T08:17:00.000+01:00

I've finally made it!! I'm a star of local press.

http://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/whereilive/nt/penketh/8395803.Dad_takes_on_year_long_run/

A huge thanks to Hannah at the Warrington Guardian for an excellent story and also to the photographer (Sorry I've forgotten your name) for taking a cracking picture of Hamish & I.

Hopefully this will get a few more pennies in the coffers of Vision4Children.

I've been really surprised at how well my legs feel after the Marathon at the weekend. I'd planned to take it easy this week, but because I've felt so great, I've done some extra miles.

My current mileage stands at 60.22

Nottingham Marathon

2010-09-13T08:43:00.000+01:00

Yahoo, Yippee etc etc

I finished the Robin Hood Nottingham Marathon yesterday in a new personal best of 4:50.10 knocking just over 2 minutes off my previous best time (Set last year in Leicester).

The Nottingham Marahton is so good. Really well organised, great crowds and a brilliant course that really shows off the best of the city. Especially around the Nottingham Uni boating lake and up towards Wollaton Park. The course then heads back to Victoria Embankment and on to the 2nd half of the marathon out past Meadow Lane and further on to Holmepierpoint Hall and the National Watersport centre before following the River Trent towards the County Ground and under Trent End stand and along the river for another mile before crossing the river at the Wilford Bridge and back towards the finish and the grandstand finish.

Just brilliant!!!!!!!

A big thank you to all the organisers, marshalls and support for helping boost me along all 26.22 miles and an especially big thanks to my long suffering wife for putting up with my running habit and my whinging about how sore my legs are and for being there at the end with a Guinness. (Who needs energy drinks!!)

All ready for Sunday

2010-09-09T14:54:00.000+01:00

Everything is set and ready for Sunday and the Robin Hood Marathon. I can't believe quite how excited I am for this. I'm feeling really giddy.

I had a great chat with Martin at Up & Running (http://www.upandrunning.co.uk/shops/manchester.php) in the Triange Shopping Centre at lunchtime and they are willing to loan me use of a treadmill to use, so I can run a marathon on a treadmill within the centre which is just fantastic.

I am just staggered at the generosity that they are showing.

End of Week 1

2010-09-08T08:47:00.000+01:00

1 week done. Only 51 more to go. That's 26 miles run and I'm bang on target for getting all 1363.38 miles done on time.

I've got 1 more run before the Nottingham Marathon on Sunday (Lets hope I get a more restful night than last year) and I feel in as good a shape as I've been for a long time and I'm feeling pretty confident that I can beat last years time of 4:52:31

Warrington Guardian

2010-09-05T11:12:00.000+01:00

A very nice photographer came round yesterday afternoon to take a few snaps of me to go into (hopefully) this weeks Warrington Guardian (Hamish really wasn't for smiling, but he'll be looking as cute as always).

Just a 3 mile run yesterday, I was only planned into doing 2, but extra miles are always good. Not sure I'll be able to do the full 10 miles that are scheduled after a late night and a few beers at Glastonferry last night.

I'll maybe leave any running until Hamish is in bed and do 8 miles. I'm already ahead of where I need to be, so there is no stress.

This time next week i'll be an hour and about 6 miles into the Nottingham Marathon. My number arrived yesterday and I'm all excited about it.

Day 2 of The Big Challenge

2010-09-03T08:59:00.000+01:00

My new trainers arrived yesterday (2nd September) and they are so comfy, I couldn't wait to get out and give them a test run.

The original plan was to run 4 miles and stick to the very well though out (cough, splutter) plan that I had devised, but it was such a lovely evening, warm setting sun with just a few patchy clouds that I thought that my new Mizuno Wave Ultima 2's deserved a decent run and decided to go for 6 miles.

Every extra mile that I do now, Is a mile that I don't have to do when the weather is less kind.

To my surprise, I was actually quicker last night than I was the night before. My legs felt pretty heavy by the time I got to around 2.5 miles and the hill between Bold Heath Garden Centre and Rivendell Garden Centre, but from 3 to 3.5 is a gentle downhill, so I managed to make up any time I lost on the climb.

1st Day Done

2010-09-01T21:25:00.000+01:00

It's official. I've started on the challenge and run my first 6 miles (Only 1357.38 miles and 363 days left).

The sun was out and the weather was warm (maybe a wee bit too warm) but it was a lovely night to be out running.

My first 6 miles was run in 52mins 54secs - Not the fastest I've ever run, but I'm happy enought with my start. I'm sure I'll get quicker (I better had).

Roll on tomorrow night and a 4 miler

Last Day!

2010-08-31T14:59:00.000+01:00

It's the last day of August which can only mean that there is only 1 sleep left until I start my challenge.

Am I nervous? Funnily enough I'm not. This is going to be one of the toughest things I have ever done, but I am really looking forward to it. Just to put things into some sort of perspective. Since November 2008, I have logged just over 1000 miles worth of running. To complete this challenge I have to add another 1/3 to that total and in 10 less months.

2 Weeks To Go

2010-08-18T10:06:00.003+01:00

Only 2 weeks to go until I start my challenge and the nerves are kicking in now. I don't think I actually realised what a huge effort this is going to be. I've pretty much got to run an hour a night, 5 nights a week for 52 weeks (Come rain, hail, sleet and snow and anything else the Cheshire weather can throw at me). Eek!!

I've got a couple of raffle prizes in now, so a big thank you to John at The Titchy Coffee Co - Coffee With A Conscience and to Alana & Matthew Kelk for the huge Jaguar (Roar!!)..........

Also a big thank you to everyone that has sponsored me through my justgiving page (http://www.justgiving.com/kevin-miller) or filled in my sponsor form.

You can follow Titchy Coffee on Twitter (@titchycoffee)

3 Weeks To Go

2010-08-11T15:18:00.003+01:00

On the 1st of September I will start on my next challenge. This time I'll be running 1363.38 miles (The same distance as 52 marathons) in 52 weeks which is the more than running from Manchester to Zurich and back.

Hamish (The handsome wee fella in the picture) is our gorgeous and very sweet little boy, who was diagnosed with a cataract last year and after months of occlusion (patching) therapy underwent surgery to have the cataract removed and an Intraocular Lens put in in its place.

Everything has gone really well and we have only a few years of patching to go!!!

We just wanted to say a really big thank you to everyone that has supported us through the whole process from the diagnosis of the cataract, the occlusion therapy, the eye tests, the surgery and for being there to answer any questions we had.

If you would like to make a donation then you can visting my justgiving page at www.justgiving.com/kevin-miller