London Triathlon 2014

Off message but following massive Christmas greediness and self indulgence, as a punishment, I have entered the Olympic distance London Triathlon which takes place on Sunday 2 August 2014.

I now have 6  months to get into shape for the 1.6k open water swim, followed by 40k cycle and 10k run.

I have joined the local borough leisure centre service "Newham Active" and for the first time in decades, I have been swimming and in the gym.

For £36 per month you get unlimited access to the 3 Newham swimming baths and gyms. I still have Wanstead flats to go running and can use Ken Bikes into work and back.

I do however need to buy a bike (problem if you live a flat) and a wetsuit.

I have also in the boot of my car and on my hall landing, 12 boxes of West Ham ward Labour leaflets to help distribute. Join the Labour Party and you can get fit for free delivering lots of leaflets!

I will be seeking sponsorship on behalf of the charity "Alone in London".  Who are a youth homelessness charity that has been supporting young people since 1972. It provides a range of services to young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and last year engaged with over 2000 people including those in Newham.

I supported them when I ran (very slowly and very painfully) the London Marathon in 2012.

If you want to sponsor me you can at this Just Giving web page online or by mobile phone text.  I will also have a traditional hard copy sponsor form. 

So far fellow Newham Labour Councillor Terry Paul  is also taking part in the Triathlon but we are busy trying to "persuade" various other folk to also take the plunge.

I will post every now and then on my progress.

London Marathon 2012: Never, Ever Again!

This is a picture of me this morning in Greenwich Park just before the London Marathon 2012. The calm before the storm. I did the London marathon in 2002 and swore afterwards never to do it ever again. But last year I thought "it wasn't that bad? surely its time to do another one". So I stupidly applied for a place via my employer with the Homeless Charity helping young people called "Alone in London".

The London Marathon is a great event. I would encourage everyone to take part (once) but 26.2 miles is a long, long way. Today it went okay for the first 13 miles then my legs went on industrial action and a "go slow". They refused to do what I wanted them to do. The only way I could get any speed up was by waving my arms like a cross country skier. Which didn't get
me that far.

I ran the London marathon in 2002 in 4 hours 24 minutes and the same thing happened then at the 20 mile mark. So I knew what to expect. I kept "running" (aka slow shuffle) and eventually finished 5 hours 37 minutes. Which was really slow but such is life as this is the last time I will ever run a marathon again ever! If in 2022 I say "hmmm...surely it wasn't that bad"... everyone has permission to shoot me or enrol me in the Young Conservatives ...since it was, it was :)

I simply didn't train enough long distance and I think I should have done more road running rather than footpaths.

On the plus side the weather was warm and sunny nearly all the way. The crowds of Londoner's lining the route were fantastic and they were really supportive. At Surrey Quays there was a UNISON support station where I got a free Fruit pastille from Cadet Swing. In the Isle of Dogs I met one of my fellow School Governors and her family.

Sometimes people were a little harsh on those who at the time were walking  rather than "running" but I think it was meant well.  Mind you I would have been faster if I ran/walked instead of shuffled.

It was I admit a bit embarrassing to be "speared" and then overtaken by runners dressed in Rhino costumes!  Also at the end I was running alongside someone dressed in a heavy (and must have been hot) Womble Costume. I thought that I must beat him to the finish. But he kept increasing his speed. However, he was distracted by a group of excited young female spectators and stopped to say hello to them giving me the chance to steam (slowly) past and cross the finishing line. Result!

You can still donate to "Alone in London" by clicking below or you can send me an email with a pledge. I will keep this open for the next couple of weeks.

London Marathon 2012: Tomorrow

Now less than 24 hours to go. I've prepared my running gear. My number is 34030 and I'm wearing a bright (fluorescent!) yellow "Alone in London" running vest on top of blue tee shirt and black tights. The weather forecast is sunshine but some light showers in the afternoon so I'll probably wear a green cap (with UNISON logo).  I will also wear a Workers Memorial Day purple ribbon.

A number of people have said they will be looking out for me but I will be listening to music (to dull the pain) via  headphones. So apologies if I do not hear you.  I will be looking out and rest assured that I will not be dashing past anyone!

The mass start is 9.45am, I'm in the Red Wave (of course). In 2002 I took 4 hrs 24 minutes which I would like to beat but based on my training runs I will be lucky to do it under 5 hours. 

Picture is from feature in this week's Newham Recorder.

There are 5 of us in our team running for the Homeless Youth Charity "Alone in London". All the money raised will be funding a special project designed to help kids who have left home or been thrown out build new relationships with their parents.  This is a brilliant cause. So far I have raised £1,595 from 104 individual sponsors. Many thanks to all my sponsors. Our team hashtag for the day is #circlemarathon2012

You can donate to "Alone in London" by clicking below or you can send me an email with a pledge. I'm off now to stock up on pasta and pizza!

London Marathon 2012 Wk 25: Wiltshire Ridge Run

Now less than 2 weeks to go. There is not a lot I can really do to make the big day that better. But I thought that the long run this week should be as tough as possible since from now on I should be reducing the training programme.

Run of the week was on Easter Sunday. I was staying in the historic village of Berwick St John in the Ebble Valley, Wiltshire. I ran (slowly) up to the hilltop path called the Herepath or the Salisbury way. This is an ancient ridgeway highway with glorious ridge views. I ran for over an hour and didn't see anyone, not a soul, except grouse and startled deer. Brilliant. I was entertained along the route by alternating between my Walkman and the simple joy of spring bird song.

I ran back along undulating country lanes past thatched manor houses and Saxon Church's. There and back took 2 hours 40 minutes. I later went out to the opposite ridge for a ramble which took about 3 hours but also had spectacular views. Finished the day off with a roast dinner in the thatched Crown Inn in Alvediston. A good day. I was completely shattered at the end of it. Hopefully it will make the Marathon itself on 22nd April a little easier (doubt it - it is just going to be pretty bloody 'orrible).  

I am running the 2012 London Marathon for a charity set up to prevent young people becoming homeless and helping them if they do. Check out "Alone in London". Click here to sponsor me on the Justgiving website or click below.

London Marathon 2012 Wk 24: Olympic Park Run

The clock is ticking. Far, far too fast for my liking. Now there is less than 3 weeks to go before the London Marathon 2012.  On Saturday I took part in the National Lottery Olympic Park Run.

I had thought when I entered that it would be "a walk in the park". After all.."it's only 5 miles", surely nothing to a serial 2 hr cross country runner such as moi? I've also been training for 24 weeks - don't you know!

Yeah. The run was b***dy awful. While the Olympic Park route and Stadium finish was wonderful the race was hard and exhausting.  It was good practise for me since when you run solo you forget what it is like to run with others who may get in your way or you in theirs.

There is also a competitive urge when you are amongst a pack of people which make you want to race rather than run or jog (my usual preference).

It took me 47 minutes (dead) to finish and at the end I felt utterly knackered. To keep to my training programme I had jogged from Forest Gate to Stratford to join the run and once I got out of the stadium I jogged (slowly) back home. The next morning I felt completely drained and very sore.

Of course the memory of running to the finish (see picture above) along the Olympic stadium race track while listening to the broadcast music from "Chariots of Fire" and spectator cheers was an unforgettable experience.

On Sunday April 22 2012 I will have to run 5 times plus this distance!

O-M-G.

I am running the London Marathon for a charity set up to prevent young people becoming homeless and helping them if they do. Check out "Alone in London". Click here to sponsor me on the Justgiving website or click below.

London Marathon 2012 WK 20: Running past Brighton Homeless

This post is a little late but the training run of Week 20 was along Brighton Sea front last Sunday morning before the UNISON Community conference.  It was only a 30 minute run towards Hove and back but you cannot beat running alongside the sea side when it is cold, damp and windy. Especially if you are trying to get rid of a sore head from the night before.

But what was not at all good was the number of homeless men I ran past sleeping rough in Promenade shelters and shop doorways. Some of them looked very, very young. I've slept outdoors in winter when I was younger but that was usually wearing waterproof clothing in proper tents with warm sleeping bags and gas cookers. The relatively large number (I think 5) of homeless men (didn't see any women) sleeping rough along the beach looked tired, cold, wet, dishevelled and frankly miserable.

I was conscious that I was at a housing related conference, staying in a nice hotel, looking foreword to a hot shower, clean clothes and cooked breakfast after my completely self indulgent run.

While I hope the political motion at the conference about greater income equality may do some good in the long term in the meanwhile I am glad that I will be running the London Marathon for a charity set up to prevent young people becoming homeless and helping them if they do. Check out "Alone in London". Click here to sponsor me on the Justgiving website.

London Marathon 2012 Wk 19: Ken's Fare Deal

The training for this year's London Marathon is still going relatively well except for ongoing sensitivity in my left knee. I'm trying to do more stretches and sessions on the "wobble board". So far so good. It

hasn't stopped me running but must keep an eye on it.

This week's "best run" was on Saturday when I did a 2 hour session delivering Labour "Ken's Fare Deal" tabloid leaflets (see right) starting off from Forest Gate, picking up leaflets on route then delivering around my ward in West Ham.

I am ashamed to say that in a moment of weakness I took the lift up the 21 storey tower block, David Lee Point and then ran down. However, I did run up its sister block, Brasset Point then back home via West Ham Park. The views of East London from the top of both tower blocks is spectacular. Delivering leaflets is stop start and probably nearer a jogging pace than a "run" but there is some useful "uphill" workout from going up stairs in blocks of flats.

I am running the London marathon on 22 April 2012 while sort of using the official advanced training programme and will be raising funds for a valuable homeless charity for Young People called "Alone in London". Click here to sponsor me on the Justgiving website.

London Marathon 2012 Wk 14: Olympic Park Circuit

Run of the week was a "circuit" (of sorts)  around the London Olympics

2012 Park in Stratford.

I ran from Forest Gate to the Greenway at West Ham. The Greenway was blocked off at the High Street. I tried to rejoin via Blaker Road but this was fenced off. So I went along the canal to Marshgate Lane and eventually came back on the Greenway, stopping off at the view tube to take pictures of the Olympic stadium and the Orbit (see right).

The Orbit at the moment does remind me of the monster aliens from HG Wells "War of the Worlds". But I have little doubt it will eventually become a poplar icon.

Past the Second World War pill box and anti-tank defences then Old Ford Canal Lock.  Do you remember Chris Evans and "The Big Breakfast"? It was filmed here at the Lock Keepers cottage. I use to cycle into work along the towpath and wave at Chris and his guests filming in the garden (they never waved back).  I ran along the towpath (the area has totally changed - there are now Art Galleries, cafes and residential blocks) until the Eastway.  Then there was a long bit of road and pavement towards Spitalfields Market.

I wasted time trying to find a way to cross the A12 at the Asda Retail Park (there isn't one). There were groups of people at the retail park being taken on a guided view point tours around the Olympic site. Eventually made it back to Forest Gate past Leyton Underground and West Ham Cemetery. I was supposed to be running for 90 minutes but it took me 2 hours. It was a good run but a bit of a slog from Leyton onwards. I will post other pictures from the run on FaceBook.

I am running the London marathon in April 2012 sort of using the official advanced training programme and will be raising funds for Homeless Youth charity "Alone in London". Click here to sponsor me.

London Marathon Training Wk 11: Epping Forest

I've started getting back into the training programme after crimbo and New Year.  My achilles seems better but still no interval sprints.  I'm using energy sport drinks for distances that take longer than 30 minutes and I think that they do help a little.

The run of the week was in Epping Forest.  It started at the car park opposite the Butlers Retreat cafe (currently being refurbished) in Rangers Road, across Chingford plains and around Connaught Waters (see picture).  Then an anti-clock wise circular route through the forest following various random paths that happen to take my fancy. Coming out of Bury wood into Chingford plains again and ending back at Butlers retreat.  It took around 75 minutes and was a enjoyable but muddy run through some gorgeous scenery.

Next to Butlers retreat there is the 16th Century Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge. I once (for a very short time) had a telesales job in the stables next door.  It was a complete and utter con job.  If you ever get an unsolicitored letter or postcard in the post telling you to ring a number since you have won a prize - don't.

I am running the London marathon in April using the official advanced training programme and will be raising funds for Homeless Youth charity "Alone in London". Click here to sponsor me.

More photo's from run on Facebook here.

London Marathon Training 2012 Wk 9: Leyton Flats and Eagle Pond.

Training went “okay” (except there were two  sprint interval training sessions!) and there was the extra benefit of being able to run off all the Xmas Party hangovers.

Except I’m a little worried about my Achilles tendon in my left foot which is giving me a bit of gip. I’ve had a problem with this for the last couple of years which I had hoped was sorted.
I’ve got a stretching programme from a Physio and have just ordered a “wobble board”. Fingers crossed.

Long run of the week was for 75 minutes on Christmas Eve. After surviving the madness of the last minute food shop at Waitrose. I started off across Wanstead flats, then thru Bush Wood and into Leyton Flats. Past the Sir Alfred Hitchcock Hotel (he was born in Leytonstone - good bar but hit and miss food) and around Hollow Pond. Back past Eagle Pond and Snaresbrook Crown Court (Picture of Court and pond via BB ).

Back past Eagle Inn (18th Coaching Inn and apparently a watering hole of Winston Churchill when he was MP for Wanstead. Now a pretty naff Toby Carvery). Then thru Wanstead and then St Marys Church and the shelter that was used by a guard in the 1830’s to protect fresh graves in the churchyard from body snatchers. Then via the cricket ground and thru the empty golf course into Wanstead Park then Wanstead Flats then home (to collapse).

I am running the London marathon next year using the official advanced training programme and will be raising funds for Homeless Youth charity "Alone in London". Click here to sponsor me.

Update: I've posted some more pics from run on Facebook here

London Marathon 2012 training Wk 3: The Grotto, useless watch and useless dog owners

I’ve felt this week wasn’t as tough as last. Probably because there was only one run involving “maximum effort” reps. I bought a Timex “Ironman 30 lap” watch from Sweatshop for £50 to help me time the reps and recovery walks. It came with the most useless set of instructions I have ever come across. Despite being told by the assistant that this watch could programme reps I have no idea how to do it. So I’m taking it back.

“Run of the week” was on Sunday. The weather was marvellous for the time of year. I started off walking at Angel Pond in Wanstead flats, past the site of the old bandstand where Mosley and his fascist thugs use to try and hold open air meetings in the late 1930’s. Then started warm up jogging past the amateur footballers until I reached the pub “The Golden Fleece”. One of the better pubs in Newham. After stretches I started the 35 minute run towards the City of London Cemetery which is one of the largest in Europe. I ran in between the Cemetery and the Railway line. Turned left, past the allotments and along the Roding Way for a little while then into Wanstead Park. Then I got chased by a dog which nipped my left ankle. It didn’t break the skin and was more of a shock than painful. After many years of jogging I don’t think I have ever actually been nipped or bitten before even thought there has been a few close calls. Anyway I don’t blame the dog, rather the completely useless owners who just stood there with their mouths open like goldfish and didn’t even have the grace to apologise.

I carried on along the Ornamental Water and went past the Grotto (see painting) built 1761 and the site of a Roman-British temple. Up the Long Walk to Warren Road then down and past the ponds (where a German V1 landed in 1944 killing a solider and his girlfriend) into the flats again. The 35 minutes finished a few minutes from Angle pond and I jogged the rest of the way home. 

I am running the London marathon next year using the official advanced training programme and will be raising funds for Homeless Youth charity "Alone in London".

John's London Marathon 2012 blog

It will be 10 years since my first (and only) marathon. I have now obviously forgotten the agony and pain.  Certainly the promise - never, ever to even think of running one again!

I am aiming to take part in the London Marathon 2012. This time I will also be raising funds for “Alone in London”. (AIL)

This is an important youth homelessness charity that has been supporting young people since 1972. It provides a badly needed range of services to vulnerable young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Last year they had contact with over 2000 such youngsters.  I suspect that with the continuing housing crisis and changes in benefits this demand will grow and grow. 

I am asking for donations from this JustGiving page which is here.  Donating through JustGiving is quite simple and safe. Make sure you that you use Gift Aid for AIL to get the tax relief. 

I am sure that some will sponsor me since they will like the idea of me suffering for 26 miles!

In 2002 I finished (very slowly and hobbling for the last 6 miles) at 4 hours 24 minutes.  Despite the extra decade I am aiming for under 4 hours this time!  The biggest problem I think will be the risk of injury while training.  I was supposed to run the marathon in 2001 but injured my knee. This time I will be following a 24 week training programme (from next Monday).  In the future months I will no doubt post on training from time to time.

p.s for the avoidance of any doubt I will not be raising money for the Tower Hamlets Mayor fund this time, no matter how worthy these charities will no doubt be :)

Newham 10k London Run 2010

Somewhat off message but I have just signed up on-line to the 2010 Newham 10k Run which is taking place on Sunday 7 March. This morning I had a glorious run locally in the sunshine and mud and this has inspired me to take part. There are only 3000 places and you can join up for £20 here. Below is part of the blurb.

Make history. Be part of the first run in the Olympic Park and soak up the delights of Stratford Park, West Ham Park, The Greenway and Stratford town centre whilst you’re at it

10km run starting and finishing next to Stratford Park on Sunday 7 March at 10:00

For runners of all abilities age 15 & over

Closing date midnight Sunday 14 February 2010

l'll be asking for sponsorship on behalf of:-

Alone in London

Alone in London provides a wide range of help and support services to meet the needs of vulnerable young people in London who are 16 -25 and are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Alone In London works to resolve advice and assessment services, helps with immediate housing crisis, re-establishes positive family contact where appropriate and assist young people who want to return home.

Alone in London teaches independent living skills, motivating and assisting with education, training and employment opportunities as well as supporting the transition to independence. It also works with young people leaving prison and supports them to resettle into the community, as well as providing Family Mediation services, an advocacy project and volunteering service.

For more information about the services provided by Alone In London, contact the Alone In London Young People Service Co-ordinator:

Tel: 020 7278 4224

Email: alone@als.org.uk

Just click on the Justgiving link here to donate on-line.