Donation page is:
http://www.justgiving.com/ashleyhwright

Completed the Kielder marathon and lived to tell the tale!

Finished in  5hrs 46mins, time is an irrelevance really but it is my PB! The course was very hilly, the weather was fine, it didn’t rain. Exhilorating feeling to have done this but it wasn’t possible without the support of my family, especially Helen. Thanks!

This was without doubt the most physically demanding thing I have ever done.

The day started at 5am in order for me to start “fuelling up” before the run. I scrapped the ice from the car windscreen and we set off at 6.20am. Made good time on the drive and arrived at Falstone, the transfer point, two hours later.The Kielder marathon is billed as “Britain’s most beautiful marathon”, however at this time of the morning it couldn’t be seen due to the mist. The mist began to rise at about 9.2oam and it truly is a beautiful setting.

On arrival at Kielder saw Steve Cram putting out a few signs and chatting to runners. Seems like an approachable and genuine guy always available for a chat and photograph taking. I watched him warming up, his jogging looked effortless, amazing to see close hand. He seemed to glide across the ground as his feet kissed the floor.

The start was delayed by 30 mins due to transportation issues, but the runners I was stood with didn’t mind. A good sense of camaraderie amongst the 4.5 hour plus starting area. Interesting to see the age range of people , the vast majority I would say were late 40′s +, the faster times tended to included younger ages but not by many years.

The run started and we ran a loop which took us around to the start/finish area, this was about 1 mile and contained a steep incline. This didn’t bode well and was a major feature of the run for a novice like me. Loads and loads of hills to climb or descend, which after 20+ miles takes its toll. It did on a few runners later on I saw a few people retire and a couple of stretchers used. However, not to detract from the event it was amazing. As I reached about 11 miles I could hear across the water that the finish was happening. For me the end goal was always to finish and I managed it through sheer determination.

Once I had crossed the Kielder dam and reached the 18 mile point the pains and aches began. Every minor hill was difficult to run up and I now began to walk more and more. The places where I jogged were on the flat or downhill. The last 3 miles were really difficult due to the pain in my, thighs, knees and ankles. I was groaning at every minor excertion. The course was well signed and each mile was displayed and then 1/4 mile divisions of a, b, c and the next mile. So you knew how far to the next 1/4 mile. That was essentially how I got to the end. To see a C when you expected a B was a huge uplift for me. I was exhausted and struggling to keep track of the numbers and letters. At 23 miles I knew I would finish barring a fall or strain of some sort.

Great feeling to finish as you can see from the video clip. Thanks to all those who have sponsored me and supported me through this midlife crisis event

It was my first ever marathon, not the flatest one to choose but a wonderful experience. Thanks to all those on the course who offered words of encouragement and to those runners I briefly talked to on the way around.

Kielder – It was truly a beautiful experience!

 

Week 19 RACE WEEK!! - 11th October to 17th October

OK, folks this is it – Race week. No turning back now. Light runs all week, main aim is not to get injured.

Weight: 13St 5lb
Stomach circumference (around belly button) – 38″

Friday

Target: 5 miles
Actual: 5.05 miles@ 10’20″/mile, 711 Calories. Took it easy this evening, felt very good, lots in reserve. All aches and pains have disappeared, which is great news. Two sleeps to go!

Tuesday

Target: 3 miles
Actual: 3.33 miles@ 9’37″/mile 469 calories. An enjoyable run, getting a lot colder and tricky running off road in the dark. Felt good no problems or niggles at all. Again, very happy with a time <10′/mile.

Monday

Target: 2.5miles
Actual: DNR , social events meant I was not able to run.

Week 18 – 4th October to 10th October

Less than two weeks to go!! – Hello folks, this time has arrived very quickly, hopefully not too fast from a training perspective. I feel that mentally I can complete the 26.2 miles but the physical side is another matter. We shall see on the day.

For the growing minority of people who view this site you’ll notice I’ve reorganised the postings so that you are able to see the ever important weight and stomach measurements. A bit like my stomach once was (ahem!) it was disappearing off of the right hand side of the page. I’ll also post the most recent run of the week at the top of the page.

Enjoy….and please post a comment or two.

Weight: 13St 5lb
Stomach circumference (around belly button) – 38″

Saturday:

Target: 12 miles
Actual: 10.11miles@ 11’11″/mile, 1422 Calories. Felt OK, knee was fine, tired at the end.

Wednesday:

Target: None
Actual: 6.12 miles @10’30″/mile 862 Calories. A steady run, left knee felt a bit suspect at the start but was OK once I got a mile in to the run. Walked a few times, hence the pace.

Tuesday:

Target: 6miles
Actual: DNR

Monday:

Target: 2.5 miles
Actual: 3.35 miles@9’37″/mile, 472 Calories. What a result…..beat my 10′/mile target for the first time on a training run!! Whoopee! Felt good for first two miles, faded a little on last mile.

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Week 17 – 27th September to 3rd October

Gadget issue – The Nike+ gadget has started playing up but is still recording runs but not allowing me to upload them. I plan to run more miles than those timtabled this week, my target for this Saturday is  >15miles. Wish me luck, lurkers!

Weight: 13St5lb.
Stomach circumference (around belly button) – 38″

Monday:

Target: 4 miles
Actual: 3.2 miles @ 10’03″/mile451 cals. Felt very good, no problems almost broke the 10′/mile barrier.

Tuesday:

Target 6 miles
Actual: 5.39miles @ 10’33″/mile 760 Cals. Ran out of steam at the end, left knee getting a bit cronky, ouch!

Wednesday:

5-a-side – Another great game like last week’s. Nothing to beat a fast paced game, very different to a run.

Friday:

Target 7 miles

Actual: 4.85 miles @10’25/mile. 682 Calories. A wet night, quite mild, felt good for the first two miles, then slowed down a great deal…lost my energy a bit quickly.

Saturday:

Target 10 miles

Initially aimed for 15 miles today, but struggled from about 9 miles. Left knee felt a bit painful as was my right calf which is near my previous achilles tear. Also, should have taken food with me on the run, ran out of energy. For those reasons decided to call it a day at about 12miles. Beautiful sunny day by the way.

Actual: 11.93miles @ 12’10″/mile. 1678 Calories. Desperate to soak my aching legs…….laters.

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Week 16 – 20th September to 26th September

Update from last week – I got a stitch from running for the first time in my 15+ weeks of running. I know, unbelieveable….haven’t had stitch from running since about 1981!!!

Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun	Weight (Start of week)	Stomach Circ. (around belly button)
5 milesRan 5.05miles @ 10’20″/mile770 Calories	8 milesDNR	5 a-sideGreat game, best for many a month. Competitive and several players played very well.	Rest	6 milesWii fit 40mins	12 milesRan 13.15 miles – nike+ gadget is playing up so can’t load data. Time ~ 2hr 25mins 1440 cals	Rest	13st 5lb	38 inches

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Week 15 – 13th September to 19th September

Goes withount needing to be written BUT I need to get the miles in this week!

Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun	Weight (Start of week)	Stomach Circ. (around belly button)
5 milesRan 3.25miles@10’07″/mile458 cals	10 milesRan 5.81miles@10’47″/mile818 Cals	5 a-side	Rest	6 milesDNR! Watched us draw 0 o @ Keepmoat Stadium	20 miles -Excuse, ran this morning but had a cold. so ran a lower mileage.10.23 miles @ 11’26″/mile 1440 Calories	Rest	13st 7lb	38 inches

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Week 14 – 6th September to 12th September

Away due to work for most of this week, will try to get at least one run in during this time.

Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun	Weight (Start of week)	Stomach Circ. (around belly button)
5 milesDNR	9 milesDNR	5 a-sideNo footy	RestRan 3.14 miles @ 10’44″/mile442 cals	6 milesDNR	18 milesRan and walked 7.1 miles @11’16″ 999 CaloriesVery difficult run.	Rest	13st 5lb	38 inches

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Week 13 – 30th August to 5th September

I’ll do the weigh in tonight – Tuesday 31st Aug. Weighed in at 13st 7, considering the social activities in the last few weeks this is a pleasant surprise.

Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun	Weight (Start of week)	Stomach Circ. (around belly button)
4 milesActual 2.3miles, felt very sluggish, ran with my eldest daughter. She has got good stamina!	9 miles5.15miles @ 10’23″/mile 726 cals Tough run but ran my fastest mile yet	5 a-side	Rest	6 milesdnr	18 milesran 9.51miles@11’21″/mile 1339 cals Shattered! Very hot conditions	Rest	13st 7lb	38.5 inches

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Week 12 - 23rd August to 29th August

Return to almost usual work/run routine this week. Need to complete some mileage this coming Saturday as you can see in recent weeks I’ve missed a few runs.Stats for weight and tummy have also increased, stands to reason, I guess?

ALSO – I’ll post a few more pics and videos…..keep reading and please comment (bottom of the page).

Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun	Weight (Start of week)	Stomach Circ. (around belly button)
4 milesRan 4.12 miles @10’12″/mile580 CalsGood run, struggled at the start.	8 milesTight right calf so didn’t run as far.3.31miles @ 10’02″/mile466 cals	5 a-side	Rest	6 milesRan about 8 miles – stats to follow. Ran to Lileshall National Sports centre – beautiful surroundings!	12 milesDNR – Walked 4 miles	Rest	13st 9lb	39 inches

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Week 11 – 16th August to 22nd August

I need to buckle down and put in some long distances this week!

Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun	Weight (Start of week)	Stomach Circ. (around belly button)
4 milesRan 5.08 miles@ 10’30″/mile pace.	8 milesDNR – watched Toy Story 3 instead.	5 a-side – No footy so knocked out a few miles.7.4 miles@ 11’10″/mile1041 cals	Rest	5 milesDid Not Run (DNR)	16 milesWalked in The Lake District ~ 12 miles	Rest	13st 7 lb	38 inches

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Week 10 – 9th August to 15th August

Yet more excuses, but very little running done this week.

Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun	Weight (Start of week)	Stomach Circ. (around belly button)
3 milesDNR	7 milesDNR	5 a-side	Rest4.8 miles@ 10’32″/mile	5 milesDNR	15 milesDNR	Rest	13st 7 lb	38 inches

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Darlington 10k Fun Run – Sunday 8th August

I took part in my first ever 10k run in Darlington, yesterday (08.08.10). I thoroughly enjoyed it, great event, the Darlington public encouraged all of the runners all the way around, it was brilliant!

My target was to beat an average of 10′/mile and I did it in 9’45″, well chuffed! Also hampered with a mild hangover before the run, which wasn’t ideal. I think the race conditions spurred me on as well as my own family cheering me home. I’d definetly like to do it again next year.

A few pics of the event and me in action!

Week 9 – 2nd August to 8th August

Running the Darlington 10k this week, so schedule a bit different than usual. First proper race, hoping to hit around 10′/mile.

Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun	Weight (Start of week)	Stomach Circ. (around belly button)
3 milesActual 2.38miles @ 9’56″/mile 335 cals	7 miles	5 a-side	Rest	5 miles	miles	Darlington 10k	13st  7lb	38 inches – unbelievable, but true!

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Week 8 – 26th July to 1st August

NEWS FLASH! Gasp, shock, horror I shall be running the Darlington 10K run on Sunday 8th August. My number is 669, so I’ll be some way back in the field. 10k is approx 6.2 miles, so any time below 62 minutes would be amazing for me.

Monday – Broke the 10′/mile rate, see table below.

Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun	Weight (Start of week)	Stomach Circ. (around belly button)
3 milesActual: 3.19 miles@ 9’50″/mile464cals	6 miles2 runs.1 x 2.57 miles @ 10’24″/mile 363 cals1 x 3.51 miles@ 10’46″/mile 494 cals	5 a-sideAgain, extremely hot, must have sweated 2 pints, easily	RestNeed a rest, calves feel tight	5 milesDNT	13 milesBiked 3 milesRan 8.66 miles @ 11’20″/mile1218 calsTime 1 hr 38mins 11 secs	Rest	13st 7 lb	39 inches

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Week 7 – 19th July to 25th July

A poor week last week in terms of training, so need to stick at it this week. Especially the ‘big run’ on Saturday – 12 miles! Surely not! Stomach measurement has dropped 2″ since training began.

Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun	Weight (Start of week)	Stomach Circ. (around belly button)
3 milesDNR	6 milesDNR, Wii Fit for 40 mins	5 a-sideGood game, took a few hits for the team.	RestRested	6 miles2 runs, suffering a bit from hayfever – get the excuses in early.1 x 2.81 miles @ 10’11″/mile 409 cals1 x 2.72 miles @ 10’26″/mile 396 cals	12 milesDNRCouldn’t manage this due to domestic arrangements. Need to catch up in the next few weeks!	Rest	13st 7 lb	39 inches – Yay!

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Week 6 – 12th July to 18th July

This is going to be a difficult week to fit in around domestic activities, so I will doubt it will follow the plan as detailed below.  Lower mileage than last week, so I’m going to try and increase the speed of the runs and do some additional body/flexibility work. Get me! , sounding like I pretend I know what I’m doing .

Raised £340 so far, I can’t believe it! I was amazed I initially made it to £100. Here is a reminder of the donation page address. Thanks to all!

http://www.justgiving.com/ashleyhwright

Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun	Weight (Start of week)	Stomach Circ. (around belly button)
3 milesDNR – 30 mins on Wii Fit	5 milesDNT	5 a-sideGood game, felt good, legs ok	RestRested…not ran at all so far this week!	5 milesActual: 4.35 miles @ 10’30″/mile632 cals	7 miles2 runs6.39 miles @10’59″/mile929 cals0.75 mile@ 9’07″/mile110 cals	Rest	13st  7lb	40 inches – will it ever decrease?

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Week 5 – 5th July to 11th July

Week 4 (scroll down) has passed and a major milestone for me on the running front. My longest run during this training schedule last Saturday and a slightly longer one to come this Saturday. It has to be said I slept very well on Saturday night! . Weekly weigh in was on Monday evening as usual, down to my lowest weight.

I am aiming to start to hit below 10′/mile on the shorter runs.

The Nike + Sports band is working fine and is accurate to within 0.03mile, that’s accurate enough for me. I’ll start posting actual times and distances according to the gadget.

Jog on….

Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun	Weight (Start of week)	Stomach Circ. (around belly button)
3 milesActual: 3.32 miles10’16″/mileTough run, didn’t stop once	5 milesRan 2 runs.1 x 2.94 miles @ 10’37″/mile1 x 2.81 miles @ 10’51″/mileTotal 5.75miles	5 a-sideRed hot again but felt good – is the training helping?	Rest	5 milesDNT	10 milesActual:Ran 9.69 miles11’45″/mileTime: 1hr 53′ 54″Calories: 1408	Rest	13st 7 lb	40 inches – no movement

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Week 4 – 28th June to 4th July

Ok, week 4 and I can now concentrate on the training now that we got knocked out of the World Cup. So no excuses for too much beer pre-run. As you’ll see in the schedule below for this week,  Saturday is the longest run I will have done so far, wish me luck.

Btw, got the Nike + gadget working, so more accurate data, starting on Friday.

Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun	Weight (Start of week)	Stomach Circ. (around belly button)
3 milesActual 3.25 miles in 33 mins	4 milesActual 4.1 miles in 46 mins – Yikes! slowing down…	5 a-sideBaking hot, riduclous….what about air conditioning?	Rest	5 miles4.3 miles in 47mins, hot temp but felt good	9 miles8.6 miles in 1hr 45 mins. Enough said!	Rest	13st 10lb	40 inches – Yowza!

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Week 3 – 21st June to 27th June

Feeling good, leg wise. However, high pollen content is playing havoc with my nose and throat. No footy this week due to England game, a nation expects……….at least a decent performance!!

First Ever Video Log (VLog)

Gadget – Nike Sports Band

Bought this last week, in order to track my miles and progress…..however, it isn’t working properly, so its going back to the supplier. More accurate data, once I have a fully functioning gizmo.

Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun	Weight (Start of week)	Stomach Circ. (around belly button)
3 milesActual: 3.2 miles in 34 mins	4 milesDNT	4 milesActual: 4 miles in 48 mins (very hot)	RestDNT	5 milesDNT	5 milesActual 6 miles in 70 mins	Rest	13st 11 lb	40.5 inches – Going the right direction

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Week 2 – This is tough work during a World Cup!

Stomach cramps on Monday night/Tuesday so light training on Tuesday.

14th June – 20th June

Bought my training shoes on Saturday. The first run was on Monday, they are very comfy, indeed……and were also expensive. In fact the most expensive pair of fotwear I have EVER bought.

Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun	Weight (Start of week)	Stomach Circ. (around belly button)
2.5milesActual: 3.2 miles in 32 mins	3milesDNT – Wii for 30 mins	5-a-sideDone, very hot!	Rest4.3 miles46 mins	5 milesDNTWatching England and drinking a few beverages	6 milesActual: 5.9 miles in 52 mins	Rest	13 st 13lb	40.5 inches – still rather portly.

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Day 1 of Week 1 – The Training Begins

Hello all.

Training starts this evening. I’ve got roughly 19 weeks until the race starts (Sunday 17th October).

Below is my schedule for this week. I’ll update this as often as I can, displaying the weekly routine.

Week 1

7th June – 13th June

Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun	Weight (Start of week)	Stomach Circ. (around belly button)
2.5milesTime:24 mins	3milesDid Not Train (DNT)	5-a-sideDone	Rest	5 milesTime: 52mins	6 milesDNT	RestDone	14 st	41 inches – ouch!

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Going through a mid life crisis? – I may well be!

After much thought I have decided to run the Kielder Marathon on Sunday 17th October. This will be my first ever marathon run and the first time this event has been organised. The main instigator of this marathon is Steve Cram. http://www.visitkielder.com/site/kielder-marathon

Whilst deciding to do this I thought I should raise some money for charity and I’ve chosen the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Charitable Foundation as they have cared for many of my close family over the years, including me with the odd accident.

My donation page can be found here: http://www.justgiving.com/AshleyhWright

My training starts (officially) on 7th June. For those of you interested I’ll update this page with my training details, times, accidents and scrapes.

Thanks for reading.

Jog on,

Ashley