Em, I mean Weekly Roundup; getting a bit preoccupied with Toy Story 3 there I think!  So Week 3 has been a low point in training so far because I didn't go my usual Friday run because I felt sick in the morning and just didn't get round to it later in the day.  Laziness had set in and there was no shifting it. 

Today's might look a bit slower than normal and have an extra dip because Saturday's are back to being my Weekend run with Lisa.  Lisa just gave up smoking last October after about 7 years or thereabouts, so she is finding that she gets out of breath easier but we're trying to combat that with weekly improvements.  Also with her job she can't have as much time as me to get out for a run.  Anyway with 10 weeks to go we should be able to manage our target time and hopefully improve upon that a fair bit.  Check out today's stats: Week 3 Run 3

This instalment is just a quick one because I've written about the majority of this week's runs already, but the next roundup should be a bit more meaty!  Until then just remember the inspirational words of Buzz Lightyear, you know the ones!

Stay free,
Joe.

Today's post will be the last run by run update because this has to be a bit tiring to read for you guys.  Instead we'll have a weekly roundup with some breakdown blurb and sponsorship and event updates.  For now here's Week 3 Run 2.

The big step this time was holding off the walk for a bit longer than normal, by an extra 70m I'd guess.  Other than that there's not much to report: no PB, slightly slower pace than Monday (5'19"/km compared with 5'17"/km) and apparently a shorter run with only 1.97km recorded this time.  But it's not all doom and gloom, I did find it more enjoyable overall and feel like I'm definitely improving so I might be extending the distance soon.

Lisa and Sean are finally home, but apparently used their holiday simply for relaxation!  Imagine that, not an early morning run in sight!  Lisa will be picking up where she left off this Saturday though with our regular weekend run.  Also, in bigger news, the route has just been announced!  Go and check it out now!

Stay free,
Joe.

Could be because I've had to give up my long lie for a run.  But then I'm probably just being cranky because I'm tired.  Another day another graph as they say.  Who say that?  Probably mathematicians or statisticians or the like.  So here's your dose of orange-yellow graphiness: Week 3 Run 1

Nothing to complain about this time and even a new PB to report of 8'06" for the mile.  Quickest pace so far at 5'17"/km and as a result my fastest 2km yet at 10'32" so a definite improvement on display.  I'm still using the same playlist because it seems to be a fair motivator but any suggestions would be appreciated!

On the organisation side, I'm working on a few t-shirt designs but I'll have to find somewhere that prints onto a wicking fabric because I've only seen printing on cotton so far so I'd be grateful for any help you can offer here too!

Stay free,
Joe.

I'm not so sure I was Bruce.  Hit the treadmill today instead of getting up early for my usual route and the stats can be found here.  And may I say, hot days are hard work!  I think my nose done more running than me today anyway thanks to my hayfever.

Anyway, let's get down to the nuts and bolts.  The first thing I was shocked to see was the dip.  I didn't stop or walk once and yet there it is right in the middle of the graph like a big grin, laughing at me.  I just can't explain it.  The treadmill was set at 4.5mph for a bit then I upped it to 5mph for the majority of the run so I don't know how I managed to slow down.  Maybe I did it subconsciously while I was increasing the setting.

Much slower pace, slower even than the time I forgot to hit "End" and was recording my movements in the house.  I guess that's the thing with the treadmill, I can't judge my pace by the number on the screen, I like to judge by my surroundings.  And no PB this time obviously.  I suppose it's still a workout even if it didn't achieve much.

On the charity end of things, I have a few ideas that could make fundraising more interesting but you'll hear about those when the time is right.  For now why not just sponsor us?

Stay free,
Joe.

Another morning of recovery underway here after another shattering run.  Still only 2km but when I get in it feels like 20.  I'm ready for those improved performances now, if my body's listening.  Results as always over in The Log.

The most striking thing this time is that I appear to have entered my own double-dip recession!  I honestly don't know where that first major dip before the big one came from because I definitely wasn't walking.  I guess I must have been jogging (or "yogging" I believe it's a soft J) a lot slower than usual.  I managed to hold off my wee walk for about 50m longer than on the previous run so there's a bit of improvement there.

Also, despite all the huffing and puffing when I got in, I was told that I had a new PB for the mile again, this time of 8'26" shaving 15 seconds off my previous.  So although I sound pessimistic, my glass really only has a few sips out of it.

In the meantime I've been doing a wee bit of work on the site and we now have a new home here at www.JP3.org.uk as you've probably noticed.  We also have permission to use our Charities' names/logos/info and they've all offered to supply us with t-shirts for the race!  Unfortunately we've turned down their very generous offers in favour of designing our own TeamJP3 tees, designs that may be available here in the near future.

I'm off to buy my EuroMillions for the week so let me leave you with the ancient proverb "May your charity increase as much as your wealth," i.e. sponsor us!

Stay free,
Joe.

Well I think the initial novelty of the Nike+iPod is wearing off and it's getting quite hard to pull myself out of bed just to get knackered.  Nonetheless, I did it again today and the results are up on The Log.

In the words of the D-Generation X theme: Break it down.  Compared with Monday's run, this one looks a fair bit bumpier perhaps suggesting I wasn't as consistant in my pace or maybe it's just that the previous run was affected by the long dip at the end when I forgot to hit "End Workout" on the iPod and so simplified the graph a bit.  I can't know for sure but based on the fact that the Week One runs are as bumpy as this latest one I'd say the reason is the latter.

I had a wee surprise when I finished today: some lady came through my headphones to tell me I'd achieved a new Personal Best for the mile of 8'41".  Nice one!  (I'm sure I can beat this easily but not without keeling over at 1.1 miles.)  Also my average pace was 5'32"/km which is pretty consistant with my performances so far.  You may have noticed on the most recent graphs that playlists have started to appear.  They didn't before because I was just running with Shuffle but I'm trying to get some tunes that really push you when you think you can't go much further, and I'd love any suggestions you have so check out the playlists so far at The Tunes then suggest some via The Wire.

I'm trying to make the most of the experience so far, hence the blog and shiny graphics, because it won't be long until I have to start studying again for the August diet of exams that I missed in January.  I don't know how much time I'll have during this because I'll be pretty much re-teaching myself material for four or five classes in the space of a month, but I'll try and get some updates on and even if I don't, I'll make sure I'm still running.

So until next time, get trawling through those playlists of yours and send some belters my way!

Stay free,
Joe.

Some more pavement pounding led to a disappointing end this morning.  Don't get me wrong, the run was good, unfortunately I forgot to hit "End Workout" on time and an extra two minutes were added while I was just walking/standing/sitting in the house.  Check it out: Week 2: Run 1

So the analysis bit.  I managed to keep a very even pace for most of the time, and there's only a small dip where I walked for about 50m or so.  My average pace is a lot slower because I forgot to finish on the iPod but based on the first circle on the graph, i was running at 5'10"/km which is faster than my last two runs in comparison.

You may have noticed that I only ran twice last week.  That's because I started on Wednesday rather than Monday, and I skipped Saturday's run in favour of a long lie.  But don't worry, I plan on doing about 4 runs per week and I've set a goal on Nike+ to encourage me to stick to that.

Only a week of rest left for Lisa and Sean and then it's back to the graft.  Wonder when I'll get a holiday...

Stay free,
Joe.

Training day 2 and the results are up on The Log.  I've managed an increase in pace going from 5'48" to 5'29" per km but even this slight difference in speed hit me when I got in.  Also, the distance is noted as 1.98km compared with a previous 2.08km but I did run the same route and can only attribute the difference to when I hit start/end workout on the iPod.

Well I managed to go longer without stopping but did eventually walk for what looks to be a bit longer than the other day.  I suppose to hope for a marked improvement in performance each time you go out is a bit naive so I'm not really bothered about that or how I felt afterwards.  Hopefully with time I'll be able to find a comfortable pace that isn't going to kill me when I untie my laces.

I sincerely hope Lisa and Sean are sticking to their training because I really want someone else to feel as shattered each morning! 

Stay free,
Joe.

PS - Why not take some inspiration from the World Cup and donate £1 for each goal your team scores in the tournament?

Good morning guys and gals! 

Today marked the start of official training and you can find the results along with all future runs laid out in graph form on The Log.  Just a short run of 2km this morning that I think will be the usual for a couple of weeks until I get my distance legs back.  I can only hope that Lisa and Sean will be getting up in 3 or 4 hours and heading out onto a beautiful beach to pound the sand.  Am I being naive?

As a first run I think it was encouraging.  Based on the average speed, which includes a shameful walk, I should be looking at about the hour mark for the 10k.  Our initial goal was 1hr 15min which was allowing some wiggle room so perhaps I'll surprise myself after these 3 months of training.

Anyway head on over to The Log and have a swatch at the lovely graph produced by Nike+ and then if you'd like to encourage me a bit head over to CharityGiving and shed some of your own pounds!

Stay free,
Joe.

With less than 3 months until the starting pistol, tomorrow marks the official beginning of my training programme.  With Lisa and Sean off on a much needed tour of rest, I'll be on my own for two weeks and can't let myself fall into a couch/chocolate relapse. 

So in an effort to avoid a messy cocoa related disaster, I'll be strapping on the Nike+iPod and hitting the streets.  If anyone has any tips on motivation or whatever don't hesitate to send them my way because so far I've been doing an Annie when it comes to starting training: it's only a day away.

This time it's going to be different.  In twelve hours I'll be turning off my alarm and lacing up my trainers... hopefully.  So wish me luck guys and I'll let you know how it goes!  In the meantime your support would be greatly appreciated over on our CharityGiving page!

Stay free,
Joe.