Yesterday afternoon I had lunch with Emma O’Boyle who works for Tripadvisor. After asking me about my running challenge, she said: ‘Surely, you must feel healthier for it?’
The surprising thing is, I don’t – or at least I don’t think I do. On the one hand, I’m obviously fitter, I don’t think I could have done a marathon and three halves before I started this but do I feel healthier? Probably not…
I mean, I spend half the time limping around rubbing my legs and when sitting in one place for too long, my hamstrings just seize up. Not too bad when sitting at a desk, bloody awful if you’re on a four hour drive and don’t have time to stop.
Another question I’m often asked is about weight. How much weight have I lost? Well, it depends on what time of day and whether I’ve been to the loo or not but I would guess about, oh, a kilo, maybe two.
Before starting to run, I spent a year or so being a bit of a food fascist. Crisps, chocolate and the like were out, six small meals a day were in. While I still watch what I eat, I’m more relaxed about it now and if I fancy a bit of chocolate, well I have some. Of course, it means my weight just remains stable.
What I do allow myself to feel though is a little smug every so often. When I started, I thought it would be hard to keep up and I think some of my friends and family thought I would last even less… so I do feel a certain amount of pride that I’ve managed to keep it up thus far.
On a separate issue, one of the things I have discovered that I am really enjoying, after the Maximuscle Viper Active I used to keep energy levels up on Sunday, is the other product they sent me: Recovermax.
A blend of carbs, protein and nutrients it’s for post training sessions and the flavour they sent me, orange, is pretty tasty too. It reminds me a little of the mixed orange drink Tang that was big in the States in the 70s and 80s.
Click here for a link to Garmin Connect for a route map and full details of the day’s run
Miles today: 3
Target: 705
Miles to date: 933.97
Please donate to my chosen charities by clicking here
2 comments
david says:
May 12, 2010 at 21:46 (UTC 1)
James you are undoubtedly much fitter than you were before the challenge began but the daily element makes it difficult for you to see this.
When you have a few days rest and you allow your muscles to recover and those aches to subside you actually get a real bounce and that beautiful spring in your step.
You are on one wild non-stop running ‘treadmill’ and its only when you get the chance to give your chocolate pleasured body a well deserved rest that you will get to feel this
Unless that you never stop that is…….
Scarlett Portal says:
September 1, 2010 at 19:33 (UTC 1)
Observed your blog post via bing the other day and absolutely enjoy it. Keep up this fantastic work.