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.