New Year's Day will Start with a 10K

What can I say apart from a huge thank you to all my donors. You guys are amazing. I set the challenge to make me run 10K on New Year's day of getting me to my goal of £1650 and you smashed it. I can't believe that with just under 4 months to go I have already raised £1715 and it continue to climb towards my new goal of £2000 which I would so like to get to. I have some fun events planned like a lemonade stand which hopefully will get me to that new goal because I have already asked my donors for so much I need to raise more myself!!!! Thank y'all once again for being so amazing.

Ready for my Christmas Day training run

Thanks to my fantastic donors I now have to run 10K this Sunday, Christmas Day. I have to admit, I am looking forward to it, despite the weather forecast....

So, just after the presents I will lace up my shoes and take an enjoyable, if not wet, run around the neighborhood. Still, the fundraising is still in full swing as there is still £90 I would love to complete my fundraising before Christmas. If you would like to donate, please do so at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AndyTate.

Pushing to the finish line

I can't believe that since I started running in June, I have recovered from a stress fracture and a sprained foot, nasty chest cold, got 2 3rd places in my group 5Ks, got 3rd place for my group in my 10K and have ran a half marathon. My longest run so far is 15 miles. I aim to get to at least 20 before the marathon in April.

As for the fundraising, £1528 raised towards £1650. That's right, only £122 to go. I'll take it in any way, online donations or cash.

If it happens this year I will lace up my shoes and run 10K on New Year's Day. If you want to help make that happen..... http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AndyTate

Remembering why I run at this special time of year

Mum and Dad, I run for you. 

Mum, keep fighting. 

Dad, I miss you every day. You made me the man I am today. 

I run with the support of my family. I run with the memory of my Dad, the pain of my Mum's Alzheimer's.  My parents taught me to treat everyone as an equal no matter their sex, race, disability, they are all equal. I run for an integrated and inclusive society for everyone. 

That's 13.1 in the bag, now on to 26.2

Well what a wonderful race. It was a cold Sunday morning in Dallas for the Dallas Half and Full marathon. I strapped up my ankle, taped my shoulder, put on my knee braces and headed out for my first ever half marathon. The alarm went off at 4:45am and after a good breakfast including a carb shake I headed downtown for the race. It was dark and cold, in the low 50s and I reluctantly gave up my sweatshirt, sweatpants and jacket. I made my way to my starting group at 7:30 and took a gel pack and water. Daylight brought cold winds making me wish I'd worn a warmer t-shirt instead of the vest. I met a runner who was doing her first marathon. Last year she did the half, next year a triathlon. We kept warm by dancing. Between the 5K, Half and Full marathon there were close to 20,000 runners.

At just after 8 loud fireworks made us jump. They were for Group A starting. a little while longer there were more as Group B started, then it was our turn.

I set off at a comfortable pace which I was able to keep to for the whole race. There were drink stations every mile where I drank Gatorade and water. I took a gel chew at 5 and 10 miles. I have to admit, at about 7 miles I drank a mimosa, for the vitamin C of course:) That was followed by a beer for the carbs;) Then it was on to the finish. My goal for the race was to finish in 2 hours. I beat that by a whole minute!!!!

I felt great. I felt like I could have continued and done the full marathon, but save that for April. They gave us beer afterwards which was so refreshing. All in all it was a great morning. By the end of the run it was in the mid 60s. I really couldn't have asked for better weather.

This is me waiting to run.....

and as I cross the finishing line....

 I'm feeling it in my legs this week. It was certainly a good workout. I'll get back to running in a couple of days then it's onward to London. As always, I'd love for you to make a donation to my marathon charity Phab Kids. You can donate at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AndyTate. 

Excited and Nervous

Well, this is the first real test and I'm not 100%. This Sunday is the Dallas Half Marathon. I'll be with about 12,000 other runners who are either doing the half or full and it looks like the weather is going to be perfect. The new shoes are working really well. A lot lighter than the old ones and give me better running posture. As I get back to full health I am aiming for a 2 to 2 1/2 hour half marathon. It should probably be closer to 2 but I have to take it a little easier. I can't believe we are down to 137 days until the marathon. I am starting to feel very confident. I came 3rd in my division in the 5K I ran last Friday, which was a miracle since i was coughing so much and struggled to cross the finish line!!! Still, the journey continues. I still need plenty of donations, so please consider making one at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AndyTate. Every little bit helps.

Ready to get back on the road

Wow, this virus I picked up certainly extended the period of no running. Only 2 short runs in the last month. Still, tonight I will push through and complete the Run The Lights 5K. Looks like there could be some rain showers and the temperature will be in the low 50s, but I really need a run or two under my belt before the Dallas half which is in just over a week!!!

Things are looking up

I feel so much healthier. My foot is out of the boot and I feel very rested. I went for a walk yesterday and will start running again tomorrow. I have the half marathon in a little over 2 weeks, with the 5k a week before that, so I am getting back into it at just the right time. I know you are supposed to run your last long run 3 weeks before a half marathon, but I will push it to 2 weeks before and aim to do one more long run in a week. For now I will concentrate on my short runs, regaining the strength in my legs and working in my shoes. Getting closer to my fundraising goal, but as always I would love some more donations. Remember, you can always donate at

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AndyTate.

One day we will live in a world that is inclusive of everyone, no matter your disability. Phab Kids is committed to making this a reality and I am proud to be raising money for them through my running

Your body tells you how you're doing

Last week was a lot of running. A few slow 10 miles runs, a 7 mile and then on Saturday a 16 mile. Guess my body didn't appreciate it. I vaguely remember rolling my foot about half way through the long run but thought nothing of it. About 2 miles from the end, the foot was giving me a bit of pain. I walked the last mile and rested it for a few days. I went for a walk yesterday and felt great. I bought new running shoes after the long run thinking they may be the cure. Anyway, went for a run this morning and had to give up after a couple of miles with the same pain in the foot. This time it didn't stop when walking. So I went to urgent care and got it looked at. X-Rays look good, but there is swelling and it could a sprained ligament or possibly a stress fracture. Got an appointment next week.
Until then......

Quite a space aged boot. The blue ball is to pump it up. Makes driving the Fiat a little hard. I'll try the Pilot later.

Guess I've been quiet for a while

I've had a lot going on, but been keeping up the running. Monday I ran 10 miles, Wednesday 6 miles. I may start Friday with a nice 6 mile run then on Sunday I will start the day with a 16 miler. I think I have caught the running bug. I need to get myself some new running shoes this weekend. Just over a month until the busy month of December with 2 races!!! The half marathon should be a good test for me.

It's Official

Today I received my official registration and confirmation into the 2017 London Marathon. It makes it all the more real and spurs me on to train harder, run further and get myself into the best shape of my life. Yes, time to kick it into high gear. Aiming for a 14 - 15 mile run this Sunday. Added another 5K to the schedule, on December 2nd at Vitruvian Park in Addison. Should be a fun one running through the Christmas lights. That's just 9 days before my 1/2 marathon so should be a nice warm up.

Why Protein is essential

Carbohydrates are the fuel that makes you run. That along with electrolytes allow you to run further. I always like to eat a banana before a long run and drink a drink with plenty of carbs. The question is, what about protein? Protein is what helps rebuild our muscles after a long run or work out. Most people know that, but the question is when should you take them. The answer is, within the 30 minutes after you complete your run. Protein is broken down into amino acids which help muscles repair and grow. 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of exercise gives the best help to your aching muscles. After this the amino acid is absorbed into the body as fat. So, don't take on board extra protein just for the sake of it. As with everything, there can be too much of a good thing. Balance is key.

You can't keep the old dog down

So, Sunday, after returning from camp I went for a long run. It was going to be 12 miles, but the weather was great and I was comfortably keeping a just under 9 minute pace. So, in the end I ran 13 1/2 miles. Guess you could say I'm ready for the half marathon in December. Took just under 2 hours and felt great. I had a good soak in the bath to recover the legs. When I got out I was unable to take deep breaths. Very strange. I ended up seeing the Dr on Monday. She tested my lungs and they are very healthy so she sent me to the Cardiologist who did some tests and told me I have a very healthy heart. So guess it was caused by the cooler air causing the lungs some distress, maybe exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Guess I'll have to keep an eye on it. Starting to feel much better. Who knew that you would learn so much about your body just by doing a little running!!!

Hardest run so far

Well, the 10K was hard, not because of the distance, but because of the humidity. All the finishes agreed, this was a tough run. My legs feel great today, so no problems there. I still need to do along run. I'm planning on an 11 mile run early this coming week. Anyway, here is me with my 3rd placed medal for the 40 - 49 age range.

53.24 was my time. I slowed a few times to pull a few other runners along. This was a fun course. Best part is that money was raised for a bunch of schools including Ogle Elementary, my youngest' s school.

When you just have to run

Its been a couple of days since my last run. Planned to do a long run on Sunday but once I got back from the Leave no Trace course I was teaching I was pretty tired. No problem, get an early night and get up in the morning and do a long run. Yeah, like that will happen, at 2am I get woken with a work emergency. Got back to bed for a couple of hours at 6, so no run. So, it's Tuesday and my 10k is on Saturday. That means no long run until at least Sunday. At least I get a few short runs to loosen up the legs. That's certainly how it felt this morning. A very humid 75F as I pulled on my trainers. I set off for a quick lap of the neighborhood and managed to finally settle in to a 9 minute mile, much slower than usual and a very comfortable pace. I have to keep telling myself, you're not in it to win races, you are working towards completing a marathon.

Still plenty of time to get those miles in. I am starting to feel a lot more confident. The fundraising is ticking along. I know I'll reach my goal and hopefully exceed it. So, this Saturday is my next milestone, a 10K here in McKinney called the Crape Myrtle Trails of McKinney. The expected weather is a little cooler than this morning which is always nice. Then from there it is onward to the half marathon in December in downtown Dallas. That will be the biggest test. I hope to be running 16 or more miles for my long run by then. If I am, then the half will be a breeze. I keep telling myself that it is all about preparation so that is what I'm doing. To tell you the truth, I am starting to really enjoy running. I've lost 2 inches off my waist and have put on several pounds. My overall health is getting better.

Best Weekend Ever

Wow, the weather Gods are being kind in TX. How many weekend in September start in the very low 70s? The Raising Cane's Retriever Rescue on Saturday started with a temperature of 72F. Made for my fastest 5K to date, 24 minutes 44 seconds for a 3rd place in my age group. Fast forward to this morning. Dropped Nate off at work and then went for a trail run. I was aiming for 8 miles, but it was 74F and I managed a very easy 10 miles in just under 1 1/2 hours. I loaded up on carbs before the run and straight after took a protein shake and the legs feel very refreshed. Learned some sports science yesterday. After a workout/run when the muscles are torn down protein needs to be taken within 30 minutes for the muscles to accept it. After that those proteins are going to be stored in fat, so beware when you take in that protein. Take carbs for fuel, replenish during your run if you need them. Also drink water in small quantities during a long run. A 30 minute or shorter run really doesn't need water during it unless you are really pushing your pace. Roll on the 10K in 2 weeks. I am ready #justdoit!!!!

Wow, I need a haircut. I promise I've shaven now!!!!

Great way to prepare for a race

Tomorrow is my next race, an easy 5K, possibly in a little rain. This race was a curve ball in my training as my next race was meant to be the 10K in 2 weeks time. Still, this is the Raising Cane's 5K so I had to do it. It did mean adjusting my training this week. A much lighter week but this morning I got the muscles working to make sure they were ready for tomorrow. It had just got light and was still in the 70s when I laced up my sneakers and took to the concrete. 2 miles later I felt great. The legs were working, not pain in the knees and even the shoulder was happy. I think the body enjoyed the few days off. Still, tomorrow I will try to run a slower 5K than last time, I have to keep reminding myself that every time I run I am conditioning myself for the marathon, not the 2 miles today, 5K tomorrow or 10K in 2 weeks. It's not about winning a race, it is about getting myself ready for the long one. I could push myself and probably run sub 25 minutes tomorrow but that would mean a few days rest afterwards which would hind the 10K preparation, so a 28 - 30 minute 5K would be much better for me. Now, if I could just get my legs to understand that they need to slow down a little all would be good.

This is why.....

This is why I am on team Phab Kids for the London Marathon.https://vimeo.com/151138455. Please watch the video and then you would like to make it possible to send more wonderful kids on amazing adventures please make a donation at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AndyTate. I am about half way to my fundraising goal. Remember, all the money raised goes to the charity.

A Little Tempo Never Hurt Anybody

So, today's run is a quick 10 minute Tempo run. What does that mean? It means you run faster than normal and keep the pace going for the full 10 minutes. It is designed to make you feel challenged and helps to build strength. My goal is a little over 1 1/2 miles but we shall see how it goes. It will be a late night run when it is a little cooler. The 90+ weather is back and the heat certainly saps your energy. add to it the humidity and it is touch. Still, in 16 days, on the 10th September I have my next race, the Raising Cane's 5K, followed by the Crape Myrtle 10K on the 24th September. All this is building to a December half. I will feel so much better once I have the half under my belt.

Long Run? Not really, it was only 35 minutes

It is great being able to do some daytime running. Saturday's recovery run was just over 2.33 miles in 20 minutes which was a nice warm up to Sunday's long run. Hmm, 35 minutes isn't that long. Still, managed 4 miles so felt pretty good. The one thing I am not very good at is slowing down. I need to find a slower pace so that I will be able to run further. Distance is my enemy at the moment. Once I have the distance down, then the speed can increase, but until then I really need to try to get to 10 minute miles instead of 8 minute ones.

How fast can I go???

Well, last night was a night for speed. After a 7 minute warm up I did 3 minutes flat out then a 5 minute ultra slow cool down. I ended up at 1 7/8 miles in the 15 minutes and just under 1/2 a mile in the 3 minutes. Let me say, I was spent at the end but after the cool down ran a quiet 3 miles because it was such nice weather, a light rain and low 70s.

Back on the trail again

Well, the last week has been a struggle with Katie's operation. Missed a training run, but last night I managed a good one. I managed 6 1/2 miles in just under an hour. That makes me feel confident for the 10K in September and also marks a milestone, 1/4 marathon!!! Felt very strong afterwards. Was only aiming for 5 1/2 but got a little carried away.  I have a 4 mile this Thursday and a 5 1/2 on Friday, so time to recover and get ready for those 2 days, the first time I have back to back running days since being on this training program. Starting next week I move to 4 runs a week, Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday.

Into the Second week of training for the 10K

Last night was meant to be a 5 mile walk with more walk than run. The first mile was just under 8 minutes, then I walked a mile, ran another mile and a half, walked a mile and finished it running. Ended up with 50 minutes. I know I slowed about half way through it because it was meant to be an easy pace and I had pushed myself at the beginning. Anyway, it gets harder next week!!!

Onward to the 10K

Thank you Nike Running Coach for designing a great 8 week training schedule for the 10K which is on September 24th. It started yesterday with a 3 mile walk/run. That was 1 minute walking, 1 minute running. Still managed the 3 miles in under half an hour. Today is swimming, tomorrow rest, then it is back to walk 1 mile on Thursday, walk/run 4 miles on Friday and walk 1 mile on Saturday. This was my warm up week after the race last Saturday.

The Melon Dash - Yay, completed my first 5K

Not a bad finish. Really took a few too many walking breaks thanks to the heat. I didn't push myself too hard since I didn't want to re-aggregate  my leg. Great race though, over 1,700 runners. Now onward to the Crape Myrtle Trail 10K on September 24th. The 8 week training plan starts today with an easy 3 miles walk/run. The Nike running app is great. It will plan a training schedule based on what you want to do and when.

Melon Dash here we come

Excited, tomorrow I get to test the leg in a real race, the 5k Melon Dash. Going to be interesting running with others, up to now I have solo trained and am anxious to see how others around me can help my mind and body run a little faster. Being an early run, will I be able to eat enough to fuel me? Banana and Weetabix at 6:30am should do the trick. 

New Week More Progress

Well, what a great weekend. Got a little swim in and walked without any pain. No crutches this week and walking pain free. My goal is to try a very short treadmill run by the end of the week to see how it feels. If it all goes well I will slowly get back up to where I was. Any time I feel pain I will stop.

Great Progress with the injury

I have always been one that heals quickly. It's been a little over two weeks from when I first injured the leg. I have been keeping off it and taking calcium tablets, using crutches, using ice etc... I am able to walk very short distances without pain. I am taking it very careful and will continue to use the crutches for at least the next week while I start to gently build back up the strength. This is starting to look promising. I have to keep telling myself to not rush, patience today will give rewards tomorrow.

All's Quiet on the stressed out bone

What can I say. Getting the hang of the crutches and moving around pretty quick (for short distances). Giving the leg a lot of rest and making sure to take lots of calcium. Most of the pain has gone, but taking it one day at a time. I'll see what it's like next week and if there is no pain take my first few steps. Running should resume with water, then treadmill, then track, then grass, then concrete. Have to build my distance back up, but I'm in it for the long haul.

A Very Quiet Weekend

• No walking - Check
• No putting full weight on leg - Check
• No running - Check

The leg does feel quite a bit better but I know it takes time to heal so another week on crutches. I have to admit, riding around WalMart in an electric shopping cart is a lot of fun. Plus Wimbledon and then Euro 2016 gave me the excuse I needed to sit with my feet up. Still, I will be back on my feet soon enough. London, here I come.

Injury Sucks

Ok, it has been a week and every time I think the knee is getting better it gets worse again. Today I have an appointment with a Dr so hopefully I can get some insight into what is wrong and what we can do about it. Once I know more I will write more. I currently have kinesio tape on it. It helps a little while walking but the pain is still incredible.

Well, X-Rays done. Stress fracture at the top of the Tibia. MRI Declined as it was only to verify that nothing else was wrong. So, I'm on crutches and am only allowed partial weight on injured leg. No running for 4 - 6 weeks. I can start walking with the crutch in about two weeks. Guess I will be swimming and running under water so as to strengthen the leg. I'll be able to do some core strengthening so more time at the gym. To say that I am upset and frustrated is an under statement.

Well, no swimming and I have to keep the weight off the leg so guess I have to use both crutches, probably why they come in pairs. Still, hoping for a quick recovery but not going to rush it.

Show Your Support

I am proud to present the pin I have designed for my marathon. There are only a very limited number available and you can have one for a minimum donation of 10 pounds online or $10 in cash.

Simply make a donation at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AndyTate and I will ship one to you.

The Long and Winding Road that Leads me Straight to London

Well, this has been a very frustrating week. My right knee has been giving me a lot of trouble. I tried a run on Friday but have had my leg up ever since. Ice and electronic pulse massage have been the order of the day. I am making sure I listen to my body and am not rushing to run again. Hopefully by the end of the week or early next week I will be ready again, but until then, just resting it and allowing it to mend. Just another day in the life of an unfit, almost middle aged bloke.

A Little fun and pain

Well, the GoPro Session arrived. I decided that I would go for an early evening run just to test it out. I had it mounted on my baseball cap. It made the cap slip down a little while I was running, so next time I will try mounting it using the head strap. Anyway, the run went fairly well even though it was hot, just a couple of miles. My right knee felt a little strained so I iced it and raised it after the run. By 10pm I felt much better so went for another run. Much nicer temperature and a much quicker run. Recovering afterwards I felt a very sharp pain in the side of the knee. I think I may have strained a ligament. Still, got a couple of days before my long run and you have to expect an injury or two. I just have to learn that when the body gives you clues, don't ignore them.

Variety is the spice of life

With the temperature rising, training becomes a challenge. In Texas we are already looking at our first 100 and it doesn't even start to cool off until after 9, then slowly drops to around 80 by sunrise. So, this doesn't give you many options for training.....

• Treadmill. Hmmm, not a fan of those. I get bored very quickly. I will do a half hour if I'm at the gym but only to cool down.
• The Early Bird. If only I could teach myself to get up at 6. The other downside is that you would need to eat breakfast first and let it digest otherwise you are running on a empty or half empty tank. 
• The Night Owl. This is more like me. Running after 9pm means that you should still have some fuel in your tank from dinner and it will be a little bit cooler. The down side is that it is dark and the sidewalks of Craig Ranch suck. Still, once you get used to where the trip hazards are, this seems to offer the best conditions.
• Suck It Up. As races get close, I will start to at least do my long runs at around the same time of day as the race. No point in getting used to the comfortable 87 when the race temperature will be closer to 95. The key here is hydration. If you are running more than 45 minutes, make sure you are carrying extra water.

How I would love a constant 75 so that I could run without considering the weather. Still, sometimes it is nice running in daylight:) Plus, the chances of running in the rain are a lot lower in Texas!!!

Kayaking is a great crossfit excercise

While on vacation I had an amazing time sea kayaking with the family. It was a full body workout from the legs, to the abs, arms, shoulders!!!

First up Nathan...

The trick was to get it into deeper water before jumping on board.

Then Nate would get on board, followed by me.

And away we would go. The deeper the smoother.

Next up was Georgia.

She loved the surf and jumping the waves and wanted to keep going forever. Between the two of us we managed some amazing speed.

Carter has some fun too

He just got to sit back and enjoy being taken for a ride. The biggest challenge was that being shorter, he had to get onto the kayak in shallower water and I had to battle over the breaking waves.

So proud of Katie having a go

I think we went the furthest out where it was very peaceful and we got to see a lot of fish jumping.

All in all, a wonderful, but tiring day. As well as taking the family out, I also managed a few solo runs. Can't wait to get back out again sometime soon!!!

A New Week, New Goals

Wow, about 1 month until my first race (the Melon Dash 5k as Town Lake). I am confident that I will do fairly well, finish in a decent time so my focus is on the 10k at the end of September. My long run this coming weekend is 7 miles meaning more than 10k (6.2 miles), but the more comfortable I am with distance, the easier I should find the shorter races. I am starting to look more at my nutrition. I need to increase my complex carbs. I eat a lot of protein already, so more pasta please:) I'm looking for more varied locations to run, so may look for a different location this weekend. Any ideas, let me know.

Today's long run

Please support my London Marathon at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AndyTate

Training is Getting Serious

Today's long run is going to be touch with the temperature, but I think I've chosen a fairly shaded trail, so it should be fine. To help with the training, beer is being replaced with water!!! Yes, I am that serious.

Life's a Beach

You can't take a day off while on holiday. Did a 5 1/2 mile run yesterday morning on the beach. It felt a lot longer thanks to the sticky sand. Ran back along the road. Beach day today, maybe some sea kayaking, who knows.

The fundraising is picking up and a little over the £100. Still a long way to go, but plenty of time. The running is going well although it was a little humid and 88F last night. Still manage 6KM. Looking forward to doing my long run this Sunday on the beach. I am learning to slow my pace a little so it doesn't take too much out of me.

Well, I may not have been feeling very well yesterday, but I still managed a 5 1/2 mile run. It was such a nice evening after the rain with temperatures in the low 70s and I felt I could keep running. The legs felt great although my stomach started to cramp a little. Looking forward to doing some runs on the beach next week:) I also had a great chat with Madeleine of Phab Kids yesterday.

I am starting to get the running bug!!! I think I will wait until this evening though. It is going to be another hot day in Texas and I will make sure I am suitably fueled up after yesterday's run. I need to focus on stamina not speed and hope that soon I will be up to 10K. Not rushing it, just seeing how it feels at the moment. I am certainly sleeping better and feel full of energy.

It's Official

I will be running for team Phab Kids in London 2017.  Now I can focus on running and fundraising. Check out Phab Kids at www.phabkids.co.uk. Then make a donation at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AndyTate

Switching to team Phab Kids in the London Marathon

After a lot of thought and sole searching I have decided that Phab Kids is a better team for me to support. Growing up I helped with a club called the LongBow club. This was a club that was created between my high school and a school for physically and mentally disabled children. Each Saturday morning the kids would be brought to our leisure complex where we would do all kinds of sports with them from trampoline to swimming, soccer to gymnastics. It made me so proud and taught me that all kids deserve the best childhood that we can provide. I have been involved with special olympics growing up and also ran discos (yes, I was a DJ) as a residential home for severely disabled youth and young adults.

Disabilities come in many forms, and I am so humbled by those that give their lives to support anyone who has a disability, from the parents to the clubs and organizations, to the care givers.

It is my honor to run for Phab Kids and I hope in my heart that you will all support me and make a donation to this great cause at http://runtoremembertx.blogspot.com/

Great Run Last Night

Wow I managed a great run last night...

My splits were
1km 5:26
2km 5:38
3km 5:39
4km 5:36
5km 5:20

I thin that is my fastest 5K ever. Felt great afterwards. Spent some time easing the muscles with my foam roller.

Been talking with Alzheimer's Research UK. They will let me know if I get a place in the race in October. Hope they let me roll over the donations if I don't!!!

The First Race 5K

Ok, I've registered for the first challenge, a 5K in July, nice and warm.

The Melon Dash

This is my Dad, Bob and Mum, Janet. They are why I am running the London Marathon. Bob made me the man I am today with the confidence to do anything, go anywhere. He gave me a caring heart and a mathematical brain and a wicked Irish sense of humor/mischief. The picture of Bob was taken when he was last over hear. The one of my Mum was taken in England when we  last went over.

I've Applied to Run the 2017 London Marathon Instead of 2019

That's a little over 300 days away and I need to get serious about this.

This will mean a lot of training, learning how to efficiantly run. Getting stronger, running further than before.

My brother Mike is helping me with a training plan, with my first race in July (5K), my second in October (10K) and my third in December (1/2 marathon).

This is going to be a tough challenge for me, but with my "I can do anything" attitude, I will succeed.

Please help me raise my goal for the race of £1600. You can make a donation at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AndyTate

Guess I Got Carried Away

Went for a run tonight to see how in shape I am. I walked to the local middle school that has a track and ran a 5K round the track. I only meant to run 2 miles but got into a very good cadence. I then ran all the way home adding another mile or so. Still, drank 2 pints over water and a couple of hard ciders and recovered in an Epsom Salt bath. I need to find some good running trails around McKinney/Plano/Allen.

An Appropriate Theme Tune for this adventure

He ain't heavy he's my brother. Well, actually it should either He ain't heavy he's my Father (who passed away from Alzheimer's several years ago), or She ain't heavy she's my Mother  (who currently has Alzheimer's). I am hoping that Alzheimer's Research UK will let me run with them.

This is how we roll

Meet my foam roller. Who would have thought that something as simple as this can help work out your hips and legs and also help you recover. I guess this will become one of my best friends.

Day 1

Today I was driving to work when I suddenly thought that in just over 2 years I am going to be 50. Wow, that's a big number. It deserves doing something new so I thought.... why not run the London Marathon. Well, the marathon is on Sunday April 21 2019 which happens to be my Mum's birthday. It then struck me that maybe, just maybe, I needed to start running. I can just about do one mile!!! So, tonight I am going to go for a run. My goal this week is a 2 mile run. Wish me luck.