I feel the need to write this blog in the hope that I can move on, I am now officially worried that I still feel this way, the feeling of negativity scare's the life out of me, I am concerned that I am starting to make the wrong choices I am now thinking I am being lazy which is wrong, there is no right or wrong way to train its about what's right for me not how often I do train and the most important thing is that I enjoy the training/running.
It is now 5 weeks since the London Marathon and the one thing I don't need to do is run 4 days a week putting in 30-40 miles a week, when I was doing this I struggled with finding the time and doing the mileage and enjoying doing it, I was wishing the marathon date to arrive quickly. Now 5 weeks later I feel like I'm cheating myself because I'm not training as hard or as long. Is it possible/right to find the training hard and tough and question yourself why, then when its over miss that amount of training and intensity to the point that you struggle to find the get up and go.
I sit here today (23/05/12) on a late shift for work its a lovely day and it would be a no brainier to go out for a run, yet I made the decision not to. I made the decision to stop writing this blog because for the next 2 days I went out and ran http://runkeeper.com/user/DarinMcCloud/activity/90571514 and I felt stupid about writing this blog when I just went out and ran for 2 days! The going out and doing the training is fine yes its hard but I am posting better times so working harder to improve my running fitness etc, I have also just started boot camp who knows the old saying "I am never doing" "boot camp training they are crazy people" (insert your own bit) well I have made the plunge and started I have different muscle groups now aching which is good as it shows improvement.
This week I had boot camp on Monday night then 2 days off work and another boot camp on Saturday (shift work getting in the way again), training 3 days in a row is too much for me I learnt that lesson from the marathon training, so why did I feel so guilty again over the weekend and yesterday for not training. Is it because I'm not training 4 days a week? Is it because I'm not running 30-40 miles in a week? Is it because I'm so scared that if I'm not training I am failing myself or worse still you guys that follow me? Is this the first step to not being bothered and saying I did my bit I surpassed what even I thought I could achieve that's it I'm done? Do I not say that rest days are just as important as training days?
This is clearly affecting me in a slightly negative way(negativity is bad, again really scared about depression). I know that what I am doing is right running, boot camp, rest. I also love that I am helping Tracey Cox achieve her goal of the race for life 5k by doing better than just walking it. The positive vibes you give me Tracey help me to push on in my training session's where before I might walk a bit, now I push on that little bit more, Its no good me saying one thing and doing another I'm a firm believer in leading from the front always remember Tracey I am getting just as much out of this as you are putting into it.
I feel this blog maybe a little disjointed but having started it a week ago I felt it important not to change what I had already wrote last week. Is this all just post Marathon Blues, it was an amazing day, an amazing year that's for sure or is it something else that I am battling against? What I do know is that I need to trust my instincts, my training is very public and on show for everyone to see deliberately so and with no regrets and I need to learn to switch off on a training rest day and enjoy myself without spending the day thinking I SHOULD BE RUNNING, I am letting no one down least of all myself.
Just to add other variable in to the mix the decent weather has now arrived, having trained all through the winter maybe I think I should be out everyday in the good weather just because!!! whatever the reason or the answer's I felt it important to write this blog for my own sanity but also for others who read this to understand that we are on a new life journey we continue to learn and evolve but we are in a far better place to question our thoughts and feelings without fear of going back to our default actions (whatever they me be to you)
This is my journey to lose weight the natural way after all the negative publicity.Thank god there are good people out there to help people like me.
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
Sunday, 20 May 2012
Marwell 10K New Race Distance
This is what I call the 10k season I have 3 booked in, more if work commitments allow.
Today started off well until Hazel said what time do I need to be at the finish I looked at my wrist and did not see my Garmin watch we were 10 minutes away from Marwell so going home was not an option, after the initial frustration and a couple of swear words thrown in for good measure.
A decision has to be made a good one or the bad one, a good decision it is (thank you slimpod) I am going to run my first ever 10k without my Garmin nor my normal watch with it's stop watch, all of a sudden I felt naked, how will I now how fast I am running, how will I know if I walk how long for, How How How. Not going to know anything unless I run the 10k in 34 minutes and have the pace car with the big clock on top!!
Surprisingly I never get negative or upset about this just the opportunity to learn new things on my running journey to test myself and whatever happens, happens if it's not good then so what, that normally happens and I will have opportunity's in the future to redress the balance. If it goes well then hell not only am I improving as a person but also as a runner and the world's my oyster. Plus I have a secret weapon that only Sandra (Founder Thinking Slimmer) know's about, that's why I have so much pride in running this race today. More later the race first.
My aim was to run/jog the whole race without walking, whilst unrealistic not having this goal would mean I would let myself down if I struggled, Unrealistic? this race has 7k of hills the up bits are hard the down bits fun, so running on my own with no one pushing me would be almost impossible to do, but having set this goal I knew I would have to dig in on the hills and push myself further than ever before to keep going so that when I was really finding it tough and I was hurting the walking would be needed for recovery and would be shorter as I would be closer to the top.
This worked a treat and I found a runner who encouraged me to keep going as it would help her as well, I am so grateful to you for getting me over most of those hills and I hope you had a good time as well, although I fell behind her we wished each other well. I pushed on wondering not how well I was doing but how slow am I going how stupid will I look at the end, I really had no clue to my time how fast I was running just that it was hard. Hard in a good way because I was pushing myself or hard in a bad way because this was one of those bad running days that come along sometimes.
Clearly having lots of thoughts in my mind during the run made the race go quickly (if that makes sense) and all of a sudden I'm entering the zoo and the wonderful down hill finish having not run many races (this is number 5) I loved the finished very runner friendly unlike the uphill start! Running on my own I hear my number and name called from the announcer suddenly I feel 10 feet tall and race the last 200 yards down hill to the finish I spot Hazel with her camera phone (photo to follow I was that fast!!!!) and then through to the finish line. I have no idea how I have done the finish clock was not working, what I was aware of that I was near the back.
The next thing I know I get a tap on the shoulder its Hazel she tells me she things I have finish in about 1:10:00 I find this hard to believe but she explains when I crossed the start line and the rough time I passed the finish line whilst not disbelieving her I just thought no way have I ran that fast. We have a 20 minute wait until they announce that the results are available to see. I have finished in 796 position I forgot to check the last position but I reckon about 850-875 my clock time is 1:11:09 and the all important chip time was 1:10:04 My base time for 10k was 1:16:00 so this is BLOODY AMAZING. The only downside was no medal (shinny or otherwise) just a badge. Personal choice for me would be a medal, But I did a great time that will stay with me forever in my heart. Far more important to me.
I did worry about being so bold about this statement because if I have an average run in the future it might show up in the race report? But without my Garmin and having no idea of how I was doing this run has blown my mind away. Anyway back to my secret weapon of the day and why I had so much pride in starting this race today.
Pre race can you tell it was cold!!!!
Back of the Shirt I love this Shirt.
Just another front View.
This is straight after finish looking good and relaxed.
This is fast Darin rather than bad photographer Hazel.
This puts Marwell 10k 2012 up there as another amazing run. One running vest can make you run faster if you have pride in the message.
Today started off well until Hazel said what time do I need to be at the finish I looked at my wrist and did not see my Garmin watch we were 10 minutes away from Marwell so going home was not an option, after the initial frustration and a couple of swear words thrown in for good measure.
A decision has to be made a good one or the bad one, a good decision it is (thank you slimpod) I am going to run my first ever 10k without my Garmin nor my normal watch with it's stop watch, all of a sudden I felt naked, how will I now how fast I am running, how will I know if I walk how long for, How How How. Not going to know anything unless I run the 10k in 34 minutes and have the pace car with the big clock on top!!
Surprisingly I never get negative or upset about this just the opportunity to learn new things on my running journey to test myself and whatever happens, happens if it's not good then so what, that normally happens and I will have opportunity's in the future to redress the balance. If it goes well then hell not only am I improving as a person but also as a runner and the world's my oyster. Plus I have a secret weapon that only Sandra (Founder Thinking Slimmer) know's about, that's why I have so much pride in running this race today. More later the race first.
My aim was to run/jog the whole race without walking, whilst unrealistic not having this goal would mean I would let myself down if I struggled, Unrealistic? this race has 7k of hills the up bits are hard the down bits fun, so running on my own with no one pushing me would be almost impossible to do, but having set this goal I knew I would have to dig in on the hills and push myself further than ever before to keep going so that when I was really finding it tough and I was hurting the walking would be needed for recovery and would be shorter as I would be closer to the top.
This worked a treat and I found a runner who encouraged me to keep going as it would help her as well, I am so grateful to you for getting me over most of those hills and I hope you had a good time as well, although I fell behind her we wished each other well. I pushed on wondering not how well I was doing but how slow am I going how stupid will I look at the end, I really had no clue to my time how fast I was running just that it was hard. Hard in a good way because I was pushing myself or hard in a bad way because this was one of those bad running days that come along sometimes.
Clearly having lots of thoughts in my mind during the run made the race go quickly (if that makes sense) and all of a sudden I'm entering the zoo and the wonderful down hill finish having not run many races (this is number 5) I loved the finished very runner friendly unlike the uphill start! Running on my own I hear my number and name called from the announcer suddenly I feel 10 feet tall and race the last 200 yards down hill to the finish I spot Hazel with her camera phone (photo to follow I was that fast!!!!) and then through to the finish line. I have no idea how I have done the finish clock was not working, what I was aware of that I was near the back.
The next thing I know I get a tap on the shoulder its Hazel she tells me she things I have finish in about 1:10:00 I find this hard to believe but she explains when I crossed the start line and the rough time I passed the finish line whilst not disbelieving her I just thought no way have I ran that fast. We have a 20 minute wait until they announce that the results are available to see. I have finished in 796 position I forgot to check the last position but I reckon about 850-875 my clock time is 1:11:09 and the all important chip time was 1:10:04 My base time for 10k was 1:16:00 so this is BLOODY AMAZING. The only downside was no medal (shinny or otherwise) just a badge. Personal choice for me would be a medal, But I did a great time that will stay with me forever in my heart. Far more important to me.
I did worry about being so bold about this statement because if I have an average run in the future it might show up in the race report? But without my Garmin and having no idea of how I was doing this run has blown my mind away. Anyway back to my secret weapon of the day and why I had so much pride in starting this race today.
This puts Marwell 10k 2012 up there as another amazing run. One running vest can make you run faster if you have pride in the message.
Monday, 14 May 2012
Happy One Year Running Anniversary
Did I think when I first met Sandra Roycroft-Davis huffing and puffing red faced trying to keep up with her as we made are way to catch the tube, Sandra talking away (as she does in a good way) The only thing I remember Sandra saying was "we will get you doing exercise" my heart sank and I thought no way I just want to lose weight. The seed was planted and I had no idea that it was.
Another great person Lorraine Albon my Diabetic Doctor who when I had started Thinking Slimmer and started losing weight said You could enter the Great South Run, again no way I don't run look at me. Another seed planted (I'm sure I'm also a gardener now as well!)
On this day last year having entered the Great South Run a few days earlier I started training and it needed a purpose as Lorraine also said you only have to run one minute and walk one minute and I will run it with you. I start my training with my partner Hazel we decided to park the car at Eastney and power walk to Clarence Pier and back this was roughly a 5 mile distance as I was doing a 10 mile race this would open my eyes to want I need to do. http://runkeeper.com/user/DarinMcCloud/activity/35496796 Without Hazel helping me at the start I would not be where I am today because I hate walking and I am a naturally slow walker, if I had done this first session on my own I would have been a hell of a lot slower and properly not completed the 5 miles.
Hands up who thought the GSR would be my one and only race and that I would not run after. (Both hands in the air from me) let alone stand here in front of you all one year on having not only kept on running but also completed the Brighton Half Marathon and the Virgin London Marathon. And also have three 10k race's booked in to run as well as this years GSR where the pressure will be on to run better than last year this year I am also running the Gosport Half Marathon three weeks after the GSR just because I can, last year I could not walk the next day Got to have Goals. .For the first time ever I can use the word pressure and it not scare me or make me go back into depression. I am so looking forward to running with experience and freedom The GSR is my race for life I don't ever see a year when I will not run/complete in this race.
It would be remiss of me me not to mention the one really bad day Mothers Day 2012 and the Worthing 20 mile road race. http://runkeeper.com/user/DarinMcCloud/activity/76184279 and the blog to match this day http://darinm-httpwwwthinkingslimmercom.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/success-or-failure-fine-line.html I learnt so much from this day not only about running and training but more importantly about myself as a human being and I am a much better person for this day. Remember that you can only learn things from making mistakes or things not going according to plan.
I am now going to put some numbers in front of you that have amazed me, every number is very special and precious to me. 109 The number of times I went for a run. 630 Miles that I have ran, jogged or walked. 105,000+ The number of calories I have used. 89 The number of miles run in the month of March for the Marathon. 94 The number of miles run in April including the Marathon. 5.78 Miles the average of each run.
And now three times that mean so much as well, I will have these times etched in my heart for ever 2:09:10 the time of my first ever race The Great South Run. 2:36:00 the re-adjusted official time for The Brighton Half Marathon. 6:27:41 The time for the London Marathon.
I can not believe that I have achieved so much in such a short space of time. If you are reading this and saying I CANNOT do that you are not asking yourself the right positive question's and are looking at reason's not to something, in many case's like you have for many years and I included myself in that, see the first paragraph of this post as prove. You don't need to run a marathon or swim the English channel you don't need to be fast there is no shame in being at the back of the field. The best runners are the great people at the back pushing themselves to achieve there dream there goal. The Victory is making the the start line.
My runner of 2011 is Caroline Storey who entered the GSR because of me and completed in a small fraction over 3 hours we did some training runs together and I am so proud to call her a friend and an athlete Caroline showed me that if you set your mind to something you can achieve that goal, on many occasions when I needed some inspiration some focus I remember Caroline who ran a 10 mile race because of me.
Having completed the training for the marathon running 4 times a week which as I have documented was extremely hard to fit in, I now find myself free to train and enjoy my running again but I feel guilty because I'm not running as much as before I am putting Hazel first a bit, I owe her that much after what we have been through and if the weather is a bit iffy I look out out and think why get cold or wet. Is this being lazy my head is struggling and saying yes my heart says no you will run when you need to when you want to and do what needs to be done in the run up to races. It is all about balance about being happy and content, today I should go out for a run as I have a day off but I have this blog to write (it takes forever to type, I need a secretary lol) I have some bills to sort out and I have a leg massage booked in for tea time, that's most of the day sorted doing these things out, so why feel guilty about not running. I know I shouldn't but just a little bit I do, I will work through it as is the Thinking Slimmer way plus the support network will set me straight. I love learning about myself and I love helping others on their journeys either or Slimpod and Fitpod, together we are strong and we will change our lives for the better.
Another great person Lorraine Albon my Diabetic Doctor who when I had started Thinking Slimmer and started losing weight said You could enter the Great South Run, again no way I don't run look at me. Another seed planted (I'm sure I'm also a gardener now as well!)
On this day last year having entered the Great South Run a few days earlier I started training and it needed a purpose as Lorraine also said you only have to run one minute and walk one minute and I will run it with you. I start my training with my partner Hazel we decided to park the car at Eastney and power walk to Clarence Pier and back this was roughly a 5 mile distance as I was doing a 10 mile race this would open my eyes to want I need to do. http://runkeeper.com/user/DarinMcCloud/activity/35496796 Without Hazel helping me at the start I would not be where I am today because I hate walking and I am a naturally slow walker, if I had done this first session on my own I would have been a hell of a lot slower and properly not completed the 5 miles.
Hands up who thought the GSR would be my one and only race and that I would not run after. (Both hands in the air from me) let alone stand here in front of you all one year on having not only kept on running but also completed the Brighton Half Marathon and the Virgin London Marathon. And also have three 10k race's booked in to run as well as this years GSR where the pressure will be on to run better than last year this year I am also running the Gosport Half Marathon three weeks after the GSR just because I can, last year I could not walk the next day Got to have Goals. .For the first time ever I can use the word pressure and it not scare me or make me go back into depression. I am so looking forward to running with experience and freedom The GSR is my race for life I don't ever see a year when I will not run/complete in this race.
It would be remiss of me me not to mention the one really bad day Mothers Day 2012 and the Worthing 20 mile road race. http://runkeeper.com/user/DarinMcCloud/activity/76184279 and the blog to match this day http://darinm-httpwwwthinkingslimmercom.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/success-or-failure-fine-line.html I learnt so much from this day not only about running and training but more importantly about myself as a human being and I am a much better person for this day. Remember that you can only learn things from making mistakes or things not going according to plan.
I am now going to put some numbers in front of you that have amazed me, every number is very special and precious to me. 109 The number of times I went for a run. 630 Miles that I have ran, jogged or walked. 105,000+ The number of calories I have used. 89 The number of miles run in the month of March for the Marathon. 94 The number of miles run in April including the Marathon. 5.78 Miles the average of each run.
And now three times that mean so much as well, I will have these times etched in my heart for ever 2:09:10 the time of my first ever race The Great South Run. 2:36:00 the re-adjusted official time for The Brighton Half Marathon. 6:27:41 The time for the London Marathon.
I can not believe that I have achieved so much in such a short space of time. If you are reading this and saying I CANNOT do that you are not asking yourself the right positive question's and are looking at reason's not to something, in many case's like you have for many years and I included myself in that, see the first paragraph of this post as prove. You don't need to run a marathon or swim the English channel you don't need to be fast there is no shame in being at the back of the field. The best runners are the great people at the back pushing themselves to achieve there dream there goal. The Victory is making the the start line.
My runner of 2011 is Caroline Storey who entered the GSR because of me and completed in a small fraction over 3 hours we did some training runs together and I am so proud to call her a friend and an athlete Caroline showed me that if you set your mind to something you can achieve that goal, on many occasions when I needed some inspiration some focus I remember Caroline who ran a 10 mile race because of me.
Having completed the training for the marathon running 4 times a week which as I have documented was extremely hard to fit in, I now find myself free to train and enjoy my running again but I feel guilty because I'm not running as much as before I am putting Hazel first a bit, I owe her that much after what we have been through and if the weather is a bit iffy I look out out and think why get cold or wet. Is this being lazy my head is struggling and saying yes my heart says no you will run when you need to when you want to and do what needs to be done in the run up to races. It is all about balance about being happy and content, today I should go out for a run as I have a day off but I have this blog to write (it takes forever to type, I need a secretary lol) I have some bills to sort out and I have a leg massage booked in for tea time, that's most of the day sorted doing these things out, so why feel guilty about not running. I know I shouldn't but just a little bit I do, I will work through it as is the Thinking Slimmer way plus the support network will set me straight. I love learning about myself and I love helping others on their journeys either or Slimpod and Fitpod, together we are strong and we will change our lives for the better.
Friday, 4 May 2012
Long Term Goal's
When we set long term goals sometimes they can be a bit general and or a little vague, that does not make them any less important or achievable just that you may not know when you have reached it until something happens.
I had made a very public statement to myself to the press and on television that one of the reason's why I needed to change was to enjoy my grandson's all five of them, to change there perception of me as fat granddad and to do things with them like let them jump all over me for more than 30 seconds before I would would be out of breath red faced and very sweaty, play football etc. If fact I wanted them to be proud of me rather than embarrassed of me. The one thing with kids is that what they say may hurt you but most of the time it's true.
Yesterday was Oakley's 11th Birthday How that boy has managed 11 years is beyond us all but we still love him, lovable rogue until its your turn to have him. He's not quite that bad but you get my drift. He wanted to come and stay with Hazel and me so I checked my rota (shift work again gets in the way) With the local elections he had a couple of inset days which tied in with my rest days but were on his Birthday I felt guilty about this and spoke with Oakley and told him he should spend it at home he wanted to stay with me so I told him to ask his mum my daughter who before Oakley had finished asking had as always said yes yes yes take him you can have him now if you want. Bless her.
So I pick up Oakley and we have a chat about what we want to do, Oakley has mentioned coming out on a run before but as I was gearing up for the marathon the time was not right and Oakley a little disappointed. So having checked the weather for today it was dry I asked Oakley if he wanted to come out on a run? He said yes so that was sorted.
We get up have breakfast get sorted and out we go. Fat Granddad making a dream come true that 14 months ago was impossible to imagine. Fit Granddad going out running with one of my boys for a 4 mile run it does not get any better than that. I pushed a little at the start and Oakley being just a kid took the mickey out of his granddad laughed at me run rings round me, me I had a little grin on the inside I know what 4 miles looks like (he he) and I know he will not be running around like a loon. After 2 and bit miles the mischief has been run out of him, we do a bit of walking and have a chat Oakley now understands just how well I have done with my running and is impressed that I can run these 4 miles not forgetting a marathon a few weeks ago.
I explained that when he play's football if his knee ache's a little he would carry on because he want's to play football and with running it's exactly the same I encourage him to run to the end of the parked cars in front and after a little thought bless him off we go I push him on to the bus stop a little further along the road and then we walk again, I do this a couple of times and before you know it were back at home and Oakley is happy with the run I download my Garmin watch and show Oakley what we have done the one mile splits the bits we ran the bits we walked, I think he was impressed. As for me I must be (am) the proudest Grandparent alive to change my life in such a way that this goal was achieved without fuss or fanfare or time limit, for it to happen only 14 months in from setting the goal to get so much more than just a run out of it for me, and I'm sure for Oakley as well, that every year the day after Oakley's Birthday I achieved something so personnel so amazing that a 4 mile run with no certificate no shinny medal no crowds means more to me than any race I have or ever will do, can ever bring.
This is the link to today's run for once nothing on there matters other than the two family members running together hopefully for the first time. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/174558411
I know I have thanked www.thinkingslimmer.com and Lorraine Albon (Dr) many times before but without your trust,belief and support in me I would not have changed my life nor started running. I think I will achieve many more of my goals in the future but I doubt many (if any) will be as good as today's.
"Thinking Slimmer Loving Life" I do and I am much much more than I did yesterday.
I had made a very public statement to myself to the press and on television that one of the reason's why I needed to change was to enjoy my grandson's all five of them, to change there perception of me as fat granddad and to do things with them like let them jump all over me for more than 30 seconds before I would would be out of breath red faced and very sweaty, play football etc. If fact I wanted them to be proud of me rather than embarrassed of me. The one thing with kids is that what they say may hurt you but most of the time it's true.
Yesterday was Oakley's 11th Birthday How that boy has managed 11 years is beyond us all but we still love him, lovable rogue until its your turn to have him. He's not quite that bad but you get my drift. He wanted to come and stay with Hazel and me so I checked my rota (shift work again gets in the way) With the local elections he had a couple of inset days which tied in with my rest days but were on his Birthday I felt guilty about this and spoke with Oakley and told him he should spend it at home he wanted to stay with me so I told him to ask his mum my daughter who before Oakley had finished asking had as always said yes yes yes take him you can have him now if you want. Bless her.
So I pick up Oakley and we have a chat about what we want to do, Oakley has mentioned coming out on a run before but as I was gearing up for the marathon the time was not right and Oakley a little disappointed. So having checked the weather for today it was dry I asked Oakley if he wanted to come out on a run? He said yes so that was sorted.
We get up have breakfast get sorted and out we go. Fat Granddad making a dream come true that 14 months ago was impossible to imagine. Fit Granddad going out running with one of my boys for a 4 mile run it does not get any better than that. I pushed a little at the start and Oakley being just a kid took the mickey out of his granddad laughed at me run rings round me, me I had a little grin on the inside I know what 4 miles looks like (he he) and I know he will not be running around like a loon. After 2 and bit miles the mischief has been run out of him, we do a bit of walking and have a chat Oakley now understands just how well I have done with my running and is impressed that I can run these 4 miles not forgetting a marathon a few weeks ago.
I explained that when he play's football if his knee ache's a little he would carry on because he want's to play football and with running it's exactly the same I encourage him to run to the end of the parked cars in front and after a little thought bless him off we go I push him on to the bus stop a little further along the road and then we walk again, I do this a couple of times and before you know it were back at home and Oakley is happy with the run I download my Garmin watch and show Oakley what we have done the one mile splits the bits we ran the bits we walked, I think he was impressed. As for me I must be (am) the proudest Grandparent alive to change my life in such a way that this goal was achieved without fuss or fanfare or time limit, for it to happen only 14 months in from setting the goal to get so much more than just a run out of it for me, and I'm sure for Oakley as well, that every year the day after Oakley's Birthday I achieved something so personnel so amazing that a 4 mile run with no certificate no shinny medal no crowds means more to me than any race I have or ever will do, can ever bring.
This is the link to today's run for once nothing on there matters other than the two family members running together hopefully for the first time. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/174558411
I know I have thanked www.thinkingslimmer.com and Lorraine Albon (Dr) many times before but without your trust,belief and support in me I would not have changed my life nor started running. I think I will achieve many more of my goals in the future but I doubt many (if any) will be as good as today's.
"Thinking Slimmer Loving Life" I do and I am much much more than I did yesterday.
Monday, 30 April 2012
London Marathon One Week On The Last Marathon Blog
I feel this blog is important to write for my records to look back on in the future, without doing it my journey would be incomplete.
The strangest week of my life ever, how so many emotions and feelings can be crammed in to one week is beyond me yet it happened. Elation for reaching my goal, Relief for not letting anybody down least of all me I will be honest I had bad thought about failing but never told anyone, Pride that Team Thinking Slimmer was such a success. Pride for myself that the biggest thing that I could do in my lifetime I nailed it, that people quite rightly had doubts and concerns for me including myself. I have a history of failure of not handling pressure very well and I had that breakdown in training that really tested my resolve, to come out of that a man with my head held high knowing I had slayed my demons, the sad part is it took 47 years of my life to achieve it, I am never going back there again, that part of my life ended when I crossed that Finish Line in 6:27:41 a Hero not only to myself but to my family.
My legs felt normal by Thursday after two leg massages to ease my calf's I was able to do my job when I went back to work on Tuesday walking around with achy legs but walking normally which again was with relief and pride and showed that the training worked. I was on a natural high till Wednesday then my body decided it needed to shut down and rest this did not happened until Thursday afternoon I came home from work left the computer off laid down on the settee and slept for nearly 4 hours woke up had dinner and a bath and went to bed and slept all night, I really don't remember sleeping like that in the past without staying up to silly o'clock because i was not tired after a nap. It was great to give my body that time to recharge and I felt the benefit Friday morning as I awoke fresher and relaxed than in ages, the other thing I noticed was the need to road I needed that recovery run.
I had spoken to Lorraine Albon and arranged to meet up for what I thought was my recovery run. there was 3 of us running, it was a 10k loop. I was very scared of this run due to my calf's going in the marathon totally irrational and silly but we think these things anyway, and it would only be a recovery run right!!! We start of slow and steady then after 2 or so miles our 3rd member tells us to go on she will meet us back at the car and she manages to get 4 miles in a very sterling effort well done. Lorraine has now forgotten the word recovery and we push on, Lorraine is amazing at getting me to dig that little bit deeper and challenge myself we are now going for a base time for 10k on a hilly but not too bad course this I do in 1:16:37
I realize that I have not only completed my first post marathon run but I have achieved a target for my next goals which are three 10k races and Lorraine has unwittingly put me ahead of schedule without me realizing that it was happening. I may jest Lorraine but I'm so grateful that you push me, yesterday was so much more fulfilling than if I have just ran around on my 4 miler on my own not pushing and challenging myself this was a indeed a recovery run with a purpose and I loved it. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/173024280
The strangest week of my life ever, how so many emotions and feelings can be crammed in to one week is beyond me yet it happened. Elation for reaching my goal, Relief for not letting anybody down least of all me I will be honest I had bad thought about failing but never told anyone, Pride that Team Thinking Slimmer was such a success. Pride for myself that the biggest thing that I could do in my lifetime I nailed it, that people quite rightly had doubts and concerns for me including myself. I have a history of failure of not handling pressure very well and I had that breakdown in training that really tested my resolve, to come out of that a man with my head held high knowing I had slayed my demons, the sad part is it took 47 years of my life to achieve it, I am never going back there again, that part of my life ended when I crossed that Finish Line in 6:27:41 a Hero not only to myself but to my family.
My legs felt normal by Thursday after two leg massages to ease my calf's I was able to do my job when I went back to work on Tuesday walking around with achy legs but walking normally which again was with relief and pride and showed that the training worked. I was on a natural high till Wednesday then my body decided it needed to shut down and rest this did not happened until Thursday afternoon I came home from work left the computer off laid down on the settee and slept for nearly 4 hours woke up had dinner and a bath and went to bed and slept all night, I really don't remember sleeping like that in the past without staying up to silly o'clock because i was not tired after a nap. It was great to give my body that time to recharge and I felt the benefit Friday morning as I awoke fresher and relaxed than in ages, the other thing I noticed was the need to road I needed that recovery run.
I had spoken to Lorraine Albon and arranged to meet up for what I thought was my recovery run. there was 3 of us running, it was a 10k loop. I was very scared of this run due to my calf's going in the marathon totally irrational and silly but we think these things anyway, and it would only be a recovery run right!!! We start of slow and steady then after 2 or so miles our 3rd member tells us to go on she will meet us back at the car and she manages to get 4 miles in a very sterling effort well done. Lorraine has now forgotten the word recovery and we push on, Lorraine is amazing at getting me to dig that little bit deeper and challenge myself we are now going for a base time for 10k on a hilly but not too bad course this I do in 1:16:37
I realize that I have not only completed my first post marathon run but I have achieved a target for my next goals which are three 10k races and Lorraine has unwittingly put me ahead of schedule without me realizing that it was happening. I may jest Lorraine but I'm so grateful that you push me, yesterday was so much more fulfilling than if I have just ran around on my 4 miler on my own not pushing and challenging myself this was a indeed a recovery run with a purpose and I loved it. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/173024280
Tuesday, 24 April 2012
Virgin London Marathon The Race
The most amazing day of my life.
The day started at 05:30 with a bang on the hotel door to wake me up, kettle on for breakfast cup of porridge and a banana and a cup of tea. Opened the curtains to a glorious morning blue skies and the sun out, after the recent weather this was a welcome bonus, nothing worse than getting wet and cold waiting to start a race, once the race is on it does not matter as proved latter in the day.
Left hotel at 06:20 for 5 minute walk to Victoria tube station with my big red virgin marathon race day bag, you would have thought I was going for a week with what I put in that bag. Had to wait 10 minutes for the tube to open waited with other marathon runners the buzz and excitement was making the day very real. I got the tube and made my way to Lime House Station on the DLR as I stepped off the train I met Dawn Walton in the flesh for the very first time it was like I had known her for years and not a first meeting it was all very natural. We had about 10 minutes then Becca Jones arrived Team Thinking Slimmer all together for the very first time.
We arrive at Greenwich Park walked up the steep hill that got the blood pumping this massive park awaited a massive television screen thousands of runners milling around the line of trucks all ready to take our bags to the finish this was the point I had trained hard for, all those cold hard training runs the good days the really bad days all come down to this point the build up is just as important as the race for me its part of the overall race day experience. We decided its time to put our bags on the truck and think about getting to our start area pen 9 at the back.
We made our way to pen 9 got in a decent place so not right at the back, the buzz was amazing everyone so friendly had a chat with a couple of runners. 09:45 and the start for us, 22 minutes later we cross the start line and off we go to say I was elated would be a massive understatement after a few minutes we see the first of the crowd and as far as the eye could see many thousand marathon runners in front of us. I had been given loads of advice about the crowds and I really thought it was over hyped, how wrong I was from the start to the finish it never ended the cheering the crowd calling our names. We run pretty much on one side and the kids were standing there still shouting and holding their hands out. If they could still be doing that to us near the back of the field the least I could do was high five them back I did this for the for pretty much the whole way. They deserved every high five and my hope is these kids will be inspired by 37,000 runners running past them to take up an active lifestyle and change the image of the computer culture of today.
The first 6 miles were just so much fun I was having to slow down, them pesky kids with there hands out just made me go a little faster!!!! I loved it. we had reached the point were Dawn was starting to fall behind a little we had made our plans and pacts beforehand so that there would be no guilt no worries no bad thoughts, we double checked with Dawn that it was the right time and off we went. Dawn you are the bravest person I know taking on the best part of 20 miles on your own I know you were geared up and all your training was running alone even so very very brave.
Becca and I push on it seemed we were running a little faster we certainly felt the pace a little nothing silly just a little puffed out,looking at the Garmin we clearly did not have a that much of a spurt. We are feeling really great the crowds are still amazing we reach mile 11 and much to Becca's shock she really does need the loo something she has never had to do in a run before I take advantage silly not to.
The next 4 miles are great we have a steady pace no point catching up for lost time that will haunt us at the end think 26.2 miles not miles 12 and 13. We get to mile 16 Becca need's to walk she is just starting to feel her calf's getting tight, I am relieved and tell Becca that I am struggling with mine and that walking and running will now be good because that is what I always did in training and I always got to rthe end of my training run. I think Becca was relived when I told her this we could still do this. Then to my shear horror the worst thing ever starts to happen my left calf gets worse not better, Becca mentions the St Johns crews what a brilliant idea a quick leg massage might help that's mile 17 ruined we start again with instructions walk long strides heal to toe see how it goes,we do this I try and jog slowly I struggle for another mile Becca spots another St John's Station I give Becca the option of carrying on I know that I cannot run/jog any more, straight away she says no we agreed we would start and finish together and that's what we are going to do.
We stop and I get treatment on my calf I have never screamed moaned or tensed up so much in my life. My Marathon running was over it was power walking all the way now. I have a little cry of frustration because of my calf and because Becca's chance is also gone. So you all know I would have done exactly the same thing and got Becca to the end if the roles were reversed. I felt sorry for myself and Becca for about half a mile then I snap out of it. Plan B look after injury and get to the finish in one piece, think how far you have come in 15 months lets get real finishing the greatest marathon in the world is the goal always has been never was a time mentioned therefore we/I have not failed.
I struggle to keep up with Becca's power walk pace we have a chat I tell Becca that I am a naturally slow walker and that she must keep the pace up my calf does not hurt whist walking so we are good to push on and make the finish line and history. The weather takes a turn for the worse around 23 miles we pass a drinks station and get plastic poncho's to keep us a little dry the wind has whipped up bottles and rubbish swirling around lucky we go through a tunnel and we put the poncho's on this was not an easy task thank you again Becca The crowds are still out in the rain shouting our names and encouraging us on, I never heard one bad comment from the crowd only encouragement to not give up and keep going, they know their stuff .
We reach the 385 yards to go sign we agree to walk to the bend then jog in like the conquering heroes we are we just start running and on the corner on our right hand side is Sandra and Chris from Thinking Slimmer they weren't supposed to be there meeting point J was the plan the sheer joy of seeing them is amazing for Becca and myself hugs and kisses all round and off we go to cross the finish together in 6:27:41 Darin McCloud Marathon Runner. This will take some time to sink in but I will get used to it. We collect our medals and goodie bag we go through and get our baggage and go into horse guards parade we head to our meeting point Becca see's Mr J and gets the hug she deserves I get a hug from Mr J too. We then see the remarkable Dawn sitting down she had made it and not only that finished before us, for me I'm so glad that Dawn had finish before us Team Thinking Slimmer all within 6 mins 30 seconds.
This is the link to my Garmin for the Marathon http://connect.garmin.com/activity/171361887
This is the link to Becca's blog http://fromsnickerstomarathon.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/virgin-london-marathon-2012.html?spref=fb
This is the link to Dawns blog http://www.themoiderer.com/blog/2012/04/virgin-london-marathon-2012done.html
Whilst this was a day of personal triumph of never giving up of having a race strategy and adapting to events as they happened, It was with extreme sadness that one of us did not make it home. My deepest respect goes to Claire Squires and my thoughts are with her Family I am amazed by how much people from all over the world have paid tribute by giving to her Charity this must be such a massive comfort to her family. If you read my blog and have not sponsored anyone for this years Marathon please please give to Claire's just giving page this is the link http://www.justgiving.com/Claire-Squires2
RIP CLAIRE SQUIRES
The day started at 05:30 with a bang on the hotel door to wake me up, kettle on for breakfast cup of porridge and a banana and a cup of tea. Opened the curtains to a glorious morning blue skies and the sun out, after the recent weather this was a welcome bonus, nothing worse than getting wet and cold waiting to start a race, once the race is on it does not matter as proved latter in the day.
Left hotel at 06:20 for 5 minute walk to Victoria tube station with my big red virgin marathon race day bag, you would have thought I was going for a week with what I put in that bag. Had to wait 10 minutes for the tube to open waited with other marathon runners the buzz and excitement was making the day very real. I got the tube and made my way to Lime House Station on the DLR as I stepped off the train I met Dawn Walton in the flesh for the very first time it was like I had known her for years and not a first meeting it was all very natural. We had about 10 minutes then Becca Jones arrived Team Thinking Slimmer all together for the very first time.
We arrive at Greenwich Park walked up the steep hill that got the blood pumping this massive park awaited a massive television screen thousands of runners milling around the line of trucks all ready to take our bags to the finish this was the point I had trained hard for, all those cold hard training runs the good days the really bad days all come down to this point the build up is just as important as the race for me its part of the overall race day experience. We decided its time to put our bags on the truck and think about getting to our start area pen 9 at the back.
We made our way to pen 9 got in a decent place so not right at the back, the buzz was amazing everyone so friendly had a chat with a couple of runners. 09:45 and the start for us, 22 minutes later we cross the start line and off we go to say I was elated would be a massive understatement after a few minutes we see the first of the crowd and as far as the eye could see many thousand marathon runners in front of us. I had been given loads of advice about the crowds and I really thought it was over hyped, how wrong I was from the start to the finish it never ended the cheering the crowd calling our names. We run pretty much on one side and the kids were standing there still shouting and holding their hands out. If they could still be doing that to us near the back of the field the least I could do was high five them back I did this for the for pretty much the whole way. They deserved every high five and my hope is these kids will be inspired by 37,000 runners running past them to take up an active lifestyle and change the image of the computer culture of today.
The first 6 miles were just so much fun I was having to slow down, them pesky kids with there hands out just made me go a little faster!!!! I loved it. we had reached the point were Dawn was starting to fall behind a little we had made our plans and pacts beforehand so that there would be no guilt no worries no bad thoughts, we double checked with Dawn that it was the right time and off we went. Dawn you are the bravest person I know taking on the best part of 20 miles on your own I know you were geared up and all your training was running alone even so very very brave.
Becca and I push on it seemed we were running a little faster we certainly felt the pace a little nothing silly just a little puffed out,looking at the Garmin we clearly did not have a that much of a spurt. We are feeling really great the crowds are still amazing we reach mile 11 and much to Becca's shock she really does need the loo something she has never had to do in a run before I take advantage silly not to.
The next 4 miles are great we have a steady pace no point catching up for lost time that will haunt us at the end think 26.2 miles not miles 12 and 13. We get to mile 16 Becca need's to walk she is just starting to feel her calf's getting tight, I am relieved and tell Becca that I am struggling with mine and that walking and running will now be good because that is what I always did in training and I always got to rthe end of my training run. I think Becca was relived when I told her this we could still do this. Then to my shear horror the worst thing ever starts to happen my left calf gets worse not better, Becca mentions the St Johns crews what a brilliant idea a quick leg massage might help that's mile 17 ruined we start again with instructions walk long strides heal to toe see how it goes,we do this I try and jog slowly I struggle for another mile Becca spots another St John's Station I give Becca the option of carrying on I know that I cannot run/jog any more, straight away she says no we agreed we would start and finish together and that's what we are going to do.
We stop and I get treatment on my calf I have never screamed moaned or tensed up so much in my life. My Marathon running was over it was power walking all the way now. I have a little cry of frustration because of my calf and because Becca's chance is also gone. So you all know I would have done exactly the same thing and got Becca to the end if the roles were reversed. I felt sorry for myself and Becca for about half a mile then I snap out of it. Plan B look after injury and get to the finish in one piece, think how far you have come in 15 months lets get real finishing the greatest marathon in the world is the goal always has been never was a time mentioned therefore we/I have not failed.
I struggle to keep up with Becca's power walk pace we have a chat I tell Becca that I am a naturally slow walker and that she must keep the pace up my calf does not hurt whist walking so we are good to push on and make the finish line and history. The weather takes a turn for the worse around 23 miles we pass a drinks station and get plastic poncho's to keep us a little dry the wind has whipped up bottles and rubbish swirling around lucky we go through a tunnel and we put the poncho's on this was not an easy task thank you again Becca The crowds are still out in the rain shouting our names and encouraging us on, I never heard one bad comment from the crowd only encouragement to not give up and keep going, they know their stuff .
We reach the 385 yards to go sign we agree to walk to the bend then jog in like the conquering heroes we are we just start running and on the corner on our right hand side is Sandra and Chris from Thinking Slimmer they weren't supposed to be there meeting point J was the plan the sheer joy of seeing them is amazing for Becca and myself hugs and kisses all round and off we go to cross the finish together in 6:27:41 Darin McCloud Marathon Runner. This will take some time to sink in but I will get used to it. We collect our medals and goodie bag we go through and get our baggage and go into horse guards parade we head to our meeting point Becca see's Mr J and gets the hug she deserves I get a hug from Mr J too. We then see the remarkable Dawn sitting down she had made it and not only that finished before us, for me I'm so glad that Dawn had finish before us Team Thinking Slimmer all within 6 mins 30 seconds.
This is the link to my Garmin for the Marathon http://connect.garmin.com/activity/171361887
This is the link to Becca's blog http://fromsnickerstomarathon.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/virgin-london-marathon-2012.html?spref=fb
This is the link to Dawns blog http://www.themoiderer.com/blog/2012/04/virgin-london-marathon-2012done.html
Whilst this was a day of personal triumph of never giving up of having a race strategy and adapting to events as they happened, It was with extreme sadness that one of us did not make it home. My deepest respect goes to Claire Squires and my thoughts are with her Family I am amazed by how much people from all over the world have paid tribute by giving to her Charity this must be such a massive comfort to her family. If you read my blog and have not sponsored anyone for this years Marathon please please give to Claire's just giving page this is the link http://www.justgiving.com/Claire-Squires2
RIP CLAIRE SQUIRES
Saturday, 21 April 2012
The London Marathon
This is my last blog before the London Marathon, all my training is completed to a level that will not only get me to the start line but also see me over the finish line. All that hard work in the cold freezing weather when staying in doors was a better option has finally paid off and boy am I getting the benefits of it now.
How Dawn Walton who lives in Scotland and has had way worse weather has managed is beyond my comprehension, Dawn you are the true star of training and the fact that you went out and trained in nasty weather then meant that this southern softy had to step up and get out there and do my bit. Thank you so much for all your help support and advice in my dark days when I need it the most. This will seem weird to people who don't know us but I can not wait to meet you in person at last, it will be like meeting an old friend who have not seen each other for a while rather than a first meeting. Work and marathon training has got in the way of meeting up before now. I am so proud to be one of your official running partners in what will most likely be your one and only running race.
Becca Jones who lives in London again it is beyond my comprehension how you train with all that traffic and with all those people/tourist about and the other star of training because we have run together before GSR and Brighton Half we have a good understanding of each other and complement each other we each bring different thinks to the table and I feel that we are two half's of one whole that allows us to complete our races. Becca will be in charge for the first half of the race making sure we slow down keep the pace steady let everyone around us run off slow and steady at the start gets you across the line at the end, then the second half of the race pace will not be a problem then, I step up and take control, motivate, push on make sure we break when we need it and start again. This worked a dream in Brighton and will again. I am so proud to be one of your official Marathon running partners in what will almost certainly be your first of two or many more marathons in the future. This is the link to Becca's last marathon blog. http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ffromsnickerstomarathon.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F04%2Fmy-marathon-mile-dedications.html%3Fspref%3Dfb&h=qAQFTGV5jAQEfFxp5TrwnGORtxZ3Ru91mDiMdC86jWO7oMA&enc=AZMd-yzjcdvqAoDp6yF_UpCGiH-8N3DIafL5v0R2pcqCseDq8Xd77e9cUSFkxSoRsmC4lM-Tx9C89nYXVSt48k0W
Darin McCloud who lives in Portsmouth had the best of the weather I did not lose one day's training to the snow and I am still to do a full training session in the rain and I have the ideal training ground a 2.6 mile seafront that in the winter is pretty much just runners doing what they do best running up and down I also used a route from home that has only a little traffic on for me to worry about, I am not a star of training I am the luckiest bugger of training and I will take that any day of the week!!! This will also be my one and only marathon but I will keep running at half marathon distance and below and that way make sure that I never fall out of love with running ever again.
That ladies and gentleman is TEAM THINKING SLIMMER. Three very brave extraordinary remarkable people who will on Sunday 22nd April 2012 at 09:45 make history not only for themselves but will inspire many more people to change there lifestyle and get control of there lives for the first time, as the saying goes if we can do it anybody can do it. I wrote this paragraph not to be vain but to remind me in the future of just what I was able to achieve after a lifetime of underachievement and giving up at the first or second hurdle, and that with "PATIENCE" anything is possible.
TEAM THINKING SLIMMER the support network these people are equally as important as us runners, we would not be able to function without them each and everyone of you are stars.
Sandra Roycroft-Davis and Trevor Silvester without whom we would not be here today you both know the impact you have had on me and Becca and Dawn. I owe you everything for believing in me when I did not believe in myself, the bottom of that barrel was a lonely cold empty place, thank you for finding me and changing my life for the better.
To all the staff at Thinking Slimmer behind the scenes doing all the work I thank you all from the bottom of my heart you work for a truly great company enjoy your work you make a difference in other peoples lives that is priceless.
Lorraine Albon (Dr) I don't know what else to say that I have not already said your support has been immense. I look forward to paying you back later in the year when I can be your training partner as you prepare for your marathon. (did I real just say that and be able to back it up) You created the running monster and I'm thankful for that.
My Mum and Dad two remarkable parents that have had to put up with disappointments as my life choices were pretty crap, stupid or just plain wrong, always there to pick up the pieces dust me off and wait for the next big thing for me to mess up, for never giving up on me when I had clearly given up on myself. It is with pride that whilst the marathon is a personal journey for me, I dedicated this once in a lifetime marathon run all 26.2 miles to you both. I love you both so much. You will now both get a decent rest home later when needed cheap but decent!!!
Hazel Meldrum my partner god knows how that's still the case the last 4 months have been tough and she has taken the brunt of it, My journey has been public through my choice and Hazel has taken more than her fair share of flak for this I am eternally sorry and will make sure this does not happen again, from my point of view I think it has made us stronger and better able to communicate with each other (still work in progress) I thank you for help and support and look forward to spending more time with you.
Lastly to all the slimpodders each and every one of you are stars, as you embark on your own personal journeys the road is long and bumpy but worth while sticking with. Remember the golden rules you have had a lifetime of struggling this is a lifestyle change not a diet it will take the rest of your lives to complete your journey this is no hardship although it may seem like it now, you will get control of your lives back and enjoy the new found freedom, enjoy the new learning experiences I know I have and will continue to do so for many years to come. My buzz word that you all know PATIENCE this won't work overnight nothing works overnight there is NO quick fix weight loss never has been never will be. Listen to your pods write down your positives they are there even if you don't see them, and set your goals short and long term. I am proud of each and everyone of you and you all inspire me to keep to going on my journey.
I look forward to blogging after the Marathon and telling you about how I ran with 2 remarkable amazing women and achieved something quite amazing.
This is just a afterthought my weight this morning is 15st 5lbs or 97kg I am very pleased to only be 5lb heavier than my lowest recorded weight. This just shows that if you do proper long term training and refuel your body in the right way you can eat more than you normally would without any long term weight gain I am sure that most of that 5lb is muscle gain because I am seeing friends I have not seen for a while who say wow you are still losing weight, again I don't see it because of training and eating, my clothes are the big test and they fit nicely so all is good.
I need to mention a good friend, Female (obviously)!!! who wished me luck for the Grand National I think this is the best good luck message ever and when I need a boost around Aintree near London this will bring a smile to my face and help me along. Thank You (I won't name you)
I still need to reach my sponsorship target if you can spare a few pounds that would be great. http://www.justgiving.com/Darin-McCloud1
How Dawn Walton who lives in Scotland and has had way worse weather has managed is beyond my comprehension, Dawn you are the true star of training and the fact that you went out and trained in nasty weather then meant that this southern softy had to step up and get out there and do my bit. Thank you so much for all your help support and advice in my dark days when I need it the most. This will seem weird to people who don't know us but I can not wait to meet you in person at last, it will be like meeting an old friend who have not seen each other for a while rather than a first meeting. Work and marathon training has got in the way of meeting up before now. I am so proud to be one of your official running partners in what will most likely be your one and only running race.
Becca Jones who lives in London again it is beyond my comprehension how you train with all that traffic and with all those people/tourist about and the other star of training because we have run together before GSR and Brighton Half we have a good understanding of each other and complement each other we each bring different thinks to the table and I feel that we are two half's of one whole that allows us to complete our races. Becca will be in charge for the first half of the race making sure we slow down keep the pace steady let everyone around us run off slow and steady at the start gets you across the line at the end, then the second half of the race pace will not be a problem then, I step up and take control, motivate, push on make sure we break when we need it and start again. This worked a dream in Brighton and will again. I am so proud to be one of your official Marathon running partners in what will almost certainly be your first of two or many more marathons in the future. This is the link to Becca's last marathon blog. http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ffromsnickerstomarathon.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F04%2Fmy-marathon-mile-dedications.html%3Fspref%3Dfb&h=qAQFTGV5jAQEfFxp5TrwnGORtxZ3Ru91mDiMdC86jWO7oMA&enc=AZMd-yzjcdvqAoDp6yF_UpCGiH-8N3DIafL5v0R2pcqCseDq8Xd77e9cUSFkxSoRsmC4lM-Tx9C89nYXVSt48k0W
Darin McCloud who lives in Portsmouth had the best of the weather I did not lose one day's training to the snow and I am still to do a full training session in the rain and I have the ideal training ground a 2.6 mile seafront that in the winter is pretty much just runners doing what they do best running up and down I also used a route from home that has only a little traffic on for me to worry about, I am not a star of training I am the luckiest bugger of training and I will take that any day of the week!!! This will also be my one and only marathon but I will keep running at half marathon distance and below and that way make sure that I never fall out of love with running ever again.
That ladies and gentleman is TEAM THINKING SLIMMER. Three very brave extraordinary remarkable people who will on Sunday 22nd April 2012 at 09:45 make history not only for themselves but will inspire many more people to change there lifestyle and get control of there lives for the first time, as the saying goes if we can do it anybody can do it. I wrote this paragraph not to be vain but to remind me in the future of just what I was able to achieve after a lifetime of underachievement and giving up at the first or second hurdle, and that with "PATIENCE" anything is possible.
TEAM THINKING SLIMMER the support network these people are equally as important as us runners, we would not be able to function without them each and everyone of you are stars.
Sandra Roycroft-Davis and Trevor Silvester without whom we would not be here today you both know the impact you have had on me and Becca and Dawn. I owe you everything for believing in me when I did not believe in myself, the bottom of that barrel was a lonely cold empty place, thank you for finding me and changing my life for the better.
To all the staff at Thinking Slimmer behind the scenes doing all the work I thank you all from the bottom of my heart you work for a truly great company enjoy your work you make a difference in other peoples lives that is priceless.
Lorraine Albon (Dr) I don't know what else to say that I have not already said your support has been immense. I look forward to paying you back later in the year when I can be your training partner as you prepare for your marathon. (did I real just say that and be able to back it up) You created the running monster and I'm thankful for that.
My Mum and Dad two remarkable parents that have had to put up with disappointments as my life choices were pretty crap, stupid or just plain wrong, always there to pick up the pieces dust me off and wait for the next big thing for me to mess up, for never giving up on me when I had clearly given up on myself. It is with pride that whilst the marathon is a personal journey for me, I dedicated this once in a lifetime marathon run all 26.2 miles to you both. I love you both so much. You will now both get a decent rest home later when needed cheap but decent!!!
Hazel Meldrum my partner god knows how that's still the case the last 4 months have been tough and she has taken the brunt of it, My journey has been public through my choice and Hazel has taken more than her fair share of flak for this I am eternally sorry and will make sure this does not happen again, from my point of view I think it has made us stronger and better able to communicate with each other (still work in progress) I thank you for help and support and look forward to spending more time with you.
Lastly to all the slimpodders each and every one of you are stars, as you embark on your own personal journeys the road is long and bumpy but worth while sticking with. Remember the golden rules you have had a lifetime of struggling this is a lifestyle change not a diet it will take the rest of your lives to complete your journey this is no hardship although it may seem like it now, you will get control of your lives back and enjoy the new found freedom, enjoy the new learning experiences I know I have and will continue to do so for many years to come. My buzz word that you all know PATIENCE this won't work overnight nothing works overnight there is NO quick fix weight loss never has been never will be. Listen to your pods write down your positives they are there even if you don't see them, and set your goals short and long term. I am proud of each and everyone of you and you all inspire me to keep to going on my journey.
I look forward to blogging after the Marathon and telling you about how I ran with 2 remarkable amazing women and achieved something quite amazing.
This is just a afterthought my weight this morning is 15st 5lbs or 97kg I am very pleased to only be 5lb heavier than my lowest recorded weight. This just shows that if you do proper long term training and refuel your body in the right way you can eat more than you normally would without any long term weight gain I am sure that most of that 5lb is muscle gain because I am seeing friends I have not seen for a while who say wow you are still losing weight, again I don't see it because of training and eating, my clothes are the big test and they fit nicely so all is good.
I need to mention a good friend, Female (obviously)!!! who wished me luck for the Grand National I think this is the best good luck message ever and when I need a boost around Aintree near London this will bring a smile to my face and help me along. Thank You (I won't name you)
I still need to reach my sponsorship target if you can spare a few pounds that would be great. http://www.justgiving.com/Darin-McCloud1
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