A couple of years ago I went from being a couch potato asthmatic to being a marathon runner. A slow one, but a marathon runer nonetheless. Then I got lazy again and all my fitness slipped away. It's time to get it all back again.
unsuccessful. I rang home from work and asked Amy if a magazine had arrived. She told me it had, and gave me the bad news. Then she asked me if I was disappointed. That's not quite the words. Gutted. Three rejections in a row is not good. At least there's only 2 more I can get before they guarantee me a place. So at the moment it's still London Marathon 2014 for me.
However, I will run a marathon next year, and the most likely candidates are Loch Ness or Nottingham next Autum. Plent yof time for trainiong then.
Oh, and by the way I'm mocing today's run to tomorrow due to feeling pissed off and genrally fed up. ANd that's mostly due to other things, not the rejection.
..is not out yet. One runner on the forum, said he got his rejection today, so it's looks like they're starting to send them out. So now I'll just have to ring home every day to see if the postman had been.
I rang home today, and asked Amy if there had been any post, and by post I meant magazines. She said there was one, and went to check. It was only bloody Sky Magazine for Becks. Maybe tomorrow will be better.
I know it's September, but I just had to write to you. As you know, I'm running again, but I only have one pair of decent running shoes. Those Asics 2150s that I was given by work are so comfortable, and seem to be helping me speed along. I really could do with another pair. But not just any pair. I found the latest colour scheme on-line tonight
I know deep down that the colours are garish and disgusting. But that's what make me like this shoe. I have been a really really good boy this year, so if you could see your way to putting a pair of these under the tree for me I'd be very grateful.
And if you don't, I'll tell all the kids I see that you don't exist, you fat old git!!
Another bad nights sleep, caused by other half having to get up at 4am for work, disturbing me in the process. So when I got home from work,I cooked at early tea, then lay on the sofa for a 15 minute nap. An hour later I woke up in a semi-daze. I went online to check London Marathon website (no news of ballot results yet - damn!) At 8pm, I started my warm up on MRC Cardio. I tried the skipping exercise and finally got the hang of it. However, it was tough on my legs and hard to get the rhythm right. Almost totally wore me out before I even started. I must find the skipping rope we've got hidden away somewhere.
Time for the actual run. 1 mile quick was the plan, and I set out at a brisk pace. Another nice cool evening, with no-one else around to keep me company. A cat dashed in front of me at one point, and I sprinted across a road when I saw white van man coming down it at speed, but apart from that fairly uneventful. I pushed myself all the way, refusing to let myself slow down just to see if I could keep a good pace. I was concentrating so hard at keeping the pace up I hardly looked at my watch. Got home totally worn out, and carried out my stretches while wondering how well I'd actually done. I thought I'd done well. I wasn't disappointed.
1.01 miles in 8 mins 42.26seconds. Average speed 6.9mph. I can vaguely remember a few years ago running at that pace, when I was running 3 x 1 miles in a session with a long recovery between miles.But that was in the days before I bought the Garmin. I've done nothing near it since. I'm delighted I can do it again in just my 4th week of training. Seems a speed session is paying off. I'm also delighted my knee suffered no pain today, especially after playing up on Sunday.
However, now I'm getting used to going quick, I've got to slow down for the next run on Thursday. Mustn't push it too hard all the time. That's a sure way to get injured.
Running gear on special offer at Lidl's next week from Monday. I could do with some runing trousers, I feel a bit self conscious in my running tights (especially the hi-viz ones). So it's up early next week for a trip to the supermarket to make sure I can get a pair.
OK it's a bit tricky to write because I've got a cat curled up on my lap, but I'll give it a go!
Until 6 months ago I was a regular runner for about 5 years. I loved it - did a marathon and a couple of HMs, and ran for at least half an hour 4-5 days a week. I wasn't the fastest, but I was in great shape and felt really good about myself.
For some reason I fell out of the habit in early spring. I can even remember the turning point - I was down to run the Newham 10k in early March, but I couldn't drag myself out of bed. I just couldn't be bothered. It didn't hold any appeal for me any more.
Since then I've done a brief (5k-ish), reluctant run maybe five times. I've lost muscle but gained at least half a stone, which on my tiny frame (4'10") feels and looks like a lot.
Some days I wake up thinking "this is it, I'm going to run" - but when I put on my running kit, I look so unlike my old runner-self that I can't face going outside. I wobble and I hate it. I'm also so scared that if I do try to run, I'll struggle to keep going for more than 10 minutes. That would kill my confidence once and for all
What's more, I've been eating more than ever, partly for comfort. So my lack of fitness is just getting worse and worse.
How did this happen? I'm disgusted with myself and wish that I could have the fit old me back.
I'm moving house soon, from East London to the south coast, and I hope that the change will kick me into touch. I have GOT to start running again and eating less. I don't know what's happened to me, and I'm scared that it's just going to continue.
OK that's all... I need to get out for a walk. Forgive my whiney self-indulgence. I hope that someone out there can relate. Thanks in anticipation!
That sounded so familiar. It was basically me a few months ago. I had to reply to this one
You sound exactly like me. I was a regular runner until last August. Then running became less regular. Wedding plans, then wedding, then honeymoon, then Christmas, then I just couldn't be arsed anymore.I two year I had gone from a couch potato to a slow marathoner.
About a month ago I decided to get of my backside an try again. I started slowly, just a mile at first. It wasn't long before I remembered how much I enjoyed running. And I'm getting extra motivation from seeing my half stone extra slowly vanish and my fitness slowly increase. I will soon be taking part in a nearby Parkrun, I have decided next year I will run a marathon again (faster than before), and I am not going to let life get in the way again.
Just get your shoes on, and get out there, and I'm sure before long you'll be enjoying it as much as you did before. Especially when the weight you've put on starts to disappear again.
The battles that count aren't the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself - the invisible, inevitable battles inside all of us - that's where it's at.
Summary of Last WeekNo of Runs- 3 (as planned)
Total weekly mileage- 5.03
Total time running : 48mins 51secs
BEST RUN: 1.01 MILES IN 9:08.83 (Friday)
Weight now 11st 5lb (-2lb)
Another good run. Adjusted the days, but still ran the correct distance and at the speeds I wanted. Didn't do much cross training, but have found that MFC Cardio Workout is getting more intense now, so may have to use something in Wii Fit as a warm. Weight dropped 2lb, which I was pleased with as I haven't really kept my promise not to snack.
Plan for the Next Week Tuesday: 1 mile (quick again (9.15ish) if legs are okay after today, if not just go slow to recover) Thursday: 2 miles (slow and steady) Sunday: 2 miles (slow and steady)
I've decided to repeat the week as although I was running 2 miles well, they didn't feel as comfortable as they should have, so I'll go again to get me more used to the distance. I'm also enjoying the quick 1 miler, and will probably keep this in on a weekly basis, which may mean I will eventually have to run on 4 days. Make sure I cross train on Monday and Friday at least. If Cardio workout is becoming challenging, I might as well make the most of it. Of course, all this depends on if I damaged the knee again or not. I'll find that out tomorrow morning.
And there's hopefully the ballot result before next Sunday too, so I can plan a bit more.
It's the time of year when 120,00 UK runners watch their letter boxes every day. At some point after October 1st, a magazine will drop onto my door mat. For 1 in 6, it'll be a "Congratulations, You're In" magazine, and all the hard work can begin. Months of running through the cold, the dark, maybe a bit of sunshine, recoering from illness, injuries, taking part in warm up races, eating right, drinking right, chasiong people for sponsorship and genrally boring everyone with marathon talk.
For the rest, they have a decision to make. Go for a charity place and promise to raise £1500 for the priviledge of entering the biggest fundraiser in the world (can't do that, sorry charities); find another marathon to run (did that once and went to Edinburgh instead); give up running a marathon, until next time (did that last year and ended up giving up running properly for a year). There will also be some who entered on a whim, and they'll think "thank God I didn't get a place!". I've seen some of those in the past too.
If I fail to get in, taht'll be three rejections in a row. I'm one of the lucky ones to be on the Priority entry list. I qualified having been rejected in '09 and '10, some I'm still entitled to guaranteed entry after 5 rejections. That means I will run London again , but maybe not until 2013. After then, I'll be in the hat with all the others, waiting in hope for my 1 in 6 chance. That is if I can actually get into the ballot. This year the ballot closed in less than 1 day, so it was harder to enter than it was to run it.
Thanks to Sky+ we watched this show which was shown on BBC3 last week. It took 4 fast food loving lazy young Brits and made them live for a week in Sun City California, a community for the over 55s where everyone is superfit. There was even a 103 year old who regularly worked at at the gym. The Brits tried her workout and found it hard. "I find it very easy", she laughed.
The two boys and two girls thought they were just going to try a fitter lifestyle. They gave up take aways for vegetables (well, almost all of them).Then they were told at the end of the week they would have to compete against 4 super fit geriatrics at four events. The lads chucked themselves into it. They had too. They were staying with an ex New York cop who proudly flashed his gun as encouragement. The girls were not so keen. One refused to do the bike ride, and whined when trying kayaking - just because she was in alligator infested waters. Bloody women, letting the side down.
When the time for the quadrathlon came, although I wanted the Brit boys to do well, I secretly was rooting for the oldies. The lads however gave their all, and won a 2 mile run (probably at a pace slower than mine) and a 1 mile cycle sprint. The girls put in a good effort for kayaking and swimming, but couldn't keep up with their older counterparts. That left it at 2-2, so they had a tie-break - a 1 length swim of the pool. Up stepped one of the lads, and thrashed his way through the water to victory. The Brits had beaten the pensioners, but only just.
Very entertaining, and a good reminder that being old doesn't mean you don't have to be fit. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series. I wonder if I'll still be running when I'm 70?
The weather was absolutely bloody awful today. My plan was to do today's run this afternoon, so I had to pray for a break in the downpours which were spoiling the day. 3 o'clock I put on the MFC Cardio Workout to warm up. The workout turned out to be more of a full upper body workout than a warm up, and 15 minutes later I was knackered. However, running was scheduled so running was to take place. Asics 2150s on feet, off I went. The rain had turned into drizzle, and it wasn't as cold as it had been, so I ploughed on at a relaxed pace. Stairway to Heaven cam on my mp3 player, and it reminded me of the "Mile in Stairway" challenge I'd set myself. I'm getting closer to reaching that, but it's still a few months away at least. First mile no problems, but half way through the second I felt a twinge on the inside of my right knee, the one which gave me so much trouble lately. There was a pain every time my right foot hit the ground. I didn't want to stop running, but I did dramatically slow for most of the remainder of my two mile target. I managed to speed up again when the twinge stopped.
Despite the enforced slow down, I still completed the 2.01 miles faster than my recent runs, finishing in 19 mins 23.13seconds. Average speed was 6.2mph, maximum 6.9.
Now it's time to wait and see, what will happen to the knee.
Put off yesterday's run to today6, but left it very late again. Good job I did, as the rain which had been here most of the day had gone, leaving a clear but cold evening to run on. Warmed up on MRC Cardio Workout, usual route, Asics 2150s (back after a brief break), and off I went. Not much to say. I just got out there and got on with it. No time for thinking, daydreaming, or whatever. I was here to run 1 mile as fast as I could, and I got on with the task in hand.
Running stats: 1.01 miles in 9 mins 8.83 seconds, average speed 6.6mph, top speed 8.9mph. It's good to see myself making progress even just a couple of weeks into my return to running.
Back on the road on Sunday for a more sedentary 2 miler.
Didn't feel well yesterday - ached all over - and was worried I'd got flu starting. Today I felt better, so I moved the run to today, and made sure it was straight after work. This time I had company. Billy decided to join me as he's feeling very unfit. Usual route, but this time I decided to wear the old blue and white Asics 2130s which carried me around Edinburgh last year - and haven't seen much action since.
We set out at a steady pace of 6mph. Billy normally goes faster than me but he seemed to be having trouble. It seems he has lost fitness too. I was having trouble too. The shoes felt so uncomfortable compared to the 2150s. All I could think of was how the hell did I run a marathon in these things. Despite our problems, we kept a steady pace for 3/4mile, after which Billy needed to walk as he wasn't recovering from his stitch. My feet needed a brief rest too. After about a minute, we began running again. With one lap completed Billy dropped out, but I set off on lap 2. I picked up the pace a little, despite my feet still hurting. I seemed to be maintaining a good pace of 6.5mph, and I managed to run the second lap faster than the first. Staggered back into the house, and while I did my cool down stretches, the watch and computer transferred data..
The stats were better than Sunday;s run. 2.01miles in 20mins 19.46seconds, averaging 5.9mph, peaking at 7.2mph. Improvements continue, which will only make my confidence grow.
My concern now is have the uncomfortable shoes had any after effects. I'll find out tomorrow, If all is well, it'll be time for a quick mile. If not, mile moves to Friday.
No of Runs- 3 (as planned)
Total weekly mileage- 4.02
Total time running : 40 mins 33 secs
BEST RUN: 1.01 MILES IN 9:15:98 (Thursday)
Weight now 11st 7lb (+1lb??)
Running-wise, everything went according to plan. I didn't let life get in the way, I did all 3 runs when I was meant to, and I ran them how I was meant to. Weight went up, no idea why. Perhaps a week of sticking to 3 meals with no snacking would help. Chuck in a bit of cross training twice a week and that may help.
Plan for the Next Week Tuesday: 1 mile (quick again (9.15ish) if legs are okay after today, if not just go slow to recover) Thursday: 2 miles (slow and steady) Sunday: 2 miles (slow and steady)
I managed the 2 miles, quite slowly. Putting in 2 slow 2 mile runs will help cement that position and get me used to the distance again before I step up another mile. AT this stage I don't anticipate not being able to do a quick mile on Tuesday, but you never can tell.
Cross Training: Monday and Friday: Have a good look at that My Fitness Coach Cardio Workout on Wii. BUT DON'T OVERDO IT!! And now the 6 second abs thing has turned up I can have a good investigation of that too.
Diet: 3 meals a day. No nibbling. Drink lots of water. See what happens.
Today's Great North Run reminded me of how much I like the big events, mainly because I can get lost in the crowd, and the support at these events is just fantastic. Id' love to run it again next year, but it all depends on the London Marathon ballot.
If I get in, then I'll have to get to half marathon standard for mid March, probably for a run out at Silverstone, ready for my assault on the capital a month later. That'll leave the Autumn possibly marathon free, so I could return to the Great North Run, or perhaps have a first go at the Great South Run.
If I don't get in, then it'll be an October trip to the Highlands for a crack at the Loch Ness Marathon. So I'd be looking for a local half marathon in August/September, and a spring/summer free to improve over shorter distances.
First, however, I've got to get to 5K and enter Parkrun in Norwich.
While thousands were taking part in today's Great North Run, an event I completed 2 years ago, I had to get on with recovering my running fitness with a 2 mile jog. Target time about 21 minutes. No rushing, no one to compete with apart from myself. All I had to do was to run all of 2 miles. Simples. It was a cool, windy day. Just as I started preparing for the run, the rest of the family decided to enjoy an ice cream from the van which had just pulled up outside the house. I turned down the offer On went the Asics 2150s, and after a 10 minute warm up using Wii Fit Plus, I was off.
The first mile felt very good, plodding gently along at 6mph, faster than I'd planned but as it felt comfortable I kept going. Every now and then I saw the ice cream van which had tempted my family which I had resisted. I felt good as I ran past it. Probably not as good as those stuffing their faces, but good nonethless. I am letting less and less get in the way of my training again. The problem came after 1.25 miles, when I'd made the mistake of speeding up and developed a stitch. I don't often get these, and usually it's because I've lost my breathing pattern. I slowed down a little, a and concentrated on breathing out when my right foot hit the pavement. Pushing my fist into the site of the discomfort helped too, and it eased fairly quickly. However by this stage I was beginning to feel it. I kept the slow pace for a while, speeding up a little towards the end, a bad habit I've developed and I must break it. With the Garmin re-calibrated, my run took me past the turning for home a little way, which is probably a more true measure of the distance. It also gave me a gentle walk home after the run, good for loosening the legs a little. While I did my customary warm down stretches, the data upload from watch to computer:-
Distance 2.01miles in 20mins 28.49 secs. Average speed 5.9mph, maximum 6.8mph. The run went as planned. Now barring no side effects, it's time to try again next time.
Billy had a school trip to the theatre yesterday, so I had to meet him afterwards from the school at 11pm. They didn't arrive back until quarter to 12. So I didn't get to bed until about 1am. Consequently, I've been knackered for most of the day. However, I've decided not to let life get in the way of my running. I got home from work and had half an hour snooze. Then cooked an early tea, plain old fishcakes and mash. For a warm up today, I downloaded PhysioFun, a new program for the Wii meant to improve your balance - good for sports people, it said. It basically involves standing on 1 leg while moving your arms around, and is recommended for those rehabilitating from ankle/knee/hip injuries. By 7.30 I was ready for my run.
This was meant to be a quick one, so I set out to make sure it was. It was drizzling a little, which helped keep me cool as I ploughed on. No time for thoughts except maintaining the rhythm of my breathing.I pushed myself on, even though my lungs were straining and my legs were aching. I was determined to do as I had planned and match Saturday's 9 mins 18 secs. So how did I do..
Garmin reported time for 1.00miles was 9mins 15.98secs. Average speed was 6.5mph, maxing at 7.3mph. I'd done exactly what I said I would do.
Next run: Sunday 2miles run/walk, target time 21 mins.
"I have signed up for the Cardiff Half Marathon which is on 17th Oct 2010, less than 6 weeks away and I have not trained pretty much at all for this even though I signed up nearly a year in advance, I know that is really shameful but its true
I started a training plan followed it for a few weeks then simply lost motivation and started road cycling instead which I really enjoy.
The most I have run is 4 miles and that took me 55mins!!!
I am athletic and healthy and I just want to get around the course, I'm not concerned about time, even if I have to walk half way around and run/jog the other half I just want to do it! as I've promised myself I was going to do it and also friends/family, I'm doing it for charity as well, Barnardos so dont want to let so many people down.
Do you think I will be able to just get around the course even if it takes me 5 hours! lol without too much pain, I am aware I would suffer big time and I would have a high chance of causing injury to myself. "
These are the responses he got:-
"When you got people to sponsor you for a half marathon did you tell them you'd be doing it in 3h 15?
That's not even fast walking pace.
Perhaps they had some expectation that you might get off your lazy arse and actually train for the race. I think you've already let them down. Of course, the charity won't care but perhaps some of your donors expected you to put some effort in as a reward for you hounding them for money.
I can't believe people have come on here and are applauding you for giving it a go when you're not even giving it a proper go. What a disgrace - pull your fuckin finger out or don't do it."
"If you're 'healthy and athletic' , how the hell are you taking 55 minutes to do 4 miles? I really hope that you've got your distances wrong.
Put the bike away and get your arse out of the door or tell the sponsors you just couldn't be arsed. Which is really not far away from the truth...
I'll encourage and help anyone who actually is putting in the effort, but you obviously aren't. Why don't you do a bike ride for charity? You seem to enjoy that. "
I thought they were being harsh with him, but I looked at his other forum postings and found he'd been whining about the Cardiff Marathon since April. I think he entered it, couldn't handle all the training, realised it was too much for him, then gave up only to decide recently he would like to give it a go after all. Been there done that, although my gaps were mainly due to injury. On a couple of occasions I've signed up for races only to realise near the time I wouldn't be able to finish them safely , so I pulled out. My advice for this person would be put more gently than the above, along the lines of give up on this one and try again later when he's more motivated towards the training. Or he could just get on and do it, just to show those who replied that they're wrong. His reponse to all the criticism levelled at him:-
Today's planned run was a very gentle 1 mile. However, on the way home from work, the sky turned dark grey, the clouds opened, and it absolutely poured down. The wind was so cold it made my poor bald head sting. Postponement looked likely. I got home, and aimed for tea (lasagne) for half six when some other member of the busy household should be home. While eating, the grey skies cleared and a really beautiful bright rainbow appeared in the sky. Could this be a sign? By eight o'clock, the night had drawn in and the stars and moon were shimmering brightly. A perfect night for a slow run.
I pulled on the 2150s, and at half eight, with no warm up (wife watching Holby on telly), I set off - very gently. My mp3 was playing away, and I just gently jogged around the estate. Didn't have to worry about my breathing, as I wasn't going fast enough to get out of breath. I let my mind wander to when I'd run around this route near Christmas and enjoyed all the houses with their festive lights. I comtemplated dressing up as a zombie and running around on Halloween to scare the crap out of the kids Trick or Treating. At times on the route, I even considered running faster, but reminded myself that this was a gentle run, and that if I did decide to sprint suddenly it may result in a deposit of lasagne on the pavement. So I kept up my slow pace, completed my mile with no difficulty, and could easily have gone on further.
Garmin stats: 1.01miles in 10mins 48.28secs. Average speed 5.6mph. Max speed 6.1. Exactly as planned. Only annoying thing was the date on my Garmin. So I corrected it for next time.
Summary of Last Week
No of Runs- 3 (as planned)
Total weekly mileage- 3.03
Total time running : 28 mins 39 secs
BEST RUN: 1.01 MILES IN 9:18:42 (Friday)
Weight now 11st 6lb (-1lb)
Getting back into the habit. Completed 3 runs which I wanted to do, even if not on the days as planned. Also averaged 6mph+ on each one. I doubt if I could keep that up over a longer distance, but it's a good start. Weight loss since last recorded weight (27 days ago on Wii Fit) just 1lb, but as I had an injury it may have gone up a bit before coming down, or just not a lot of change because of low mileage. We have been eating healthier at home too. Might see better changes as mileage rises.
Plan for Next Week Tuesday 1 mile (slow - aim for 10min 30 sec) Thursday 1 mile (quick - aim to match Saturday's run) Sunday 2 miles (take it steady. Complete it using run/walk if necessary)
I must run slower if I want to go longer. My aim is be able to keep the 6.3 miles up for 10K so I can break the hour mark. My plan is decrease the overall intensity this week, with Tuesdays and Sundays runs being slower, around 5.7mph, but leaving one of the runs as a quick one. I should chuck in a bit of cross training too. Perhaps I could explore MFC Cardio Workout further. Also ordered a six second Abs machine cheaply on-line. Billy wants to play with that too, so we'll see if it's a long lived exercise machine, or just another fad to join the rest in the shed after a couple of gos.
After yesterday's effort, my legs had no after-effects, so I was off again. I decided to leave it until the afternoon, to leave as long a gap between the runs as possible. Usual shoes, usual route. Weather was fine, but very windy. Again warmed up on MFC Cardio Workout. I used to think it was really rubbish, but having used it a few times, my opinion of it is going up.
Anyway, the run. Started with a false start when an extra long shoes lace started whipping my leg. Sorted that out, then started again. Once more I was planning for this to be a gentle run, but again I went off too fast, even faster than normal, this time maxing 8.4mph. After 1/4mile I had to slow, with breathing problems. I kept up at about 6mph though for most of the rest of the way. However, I did have to stop when crossing a road. A work colleague driving home noticed me running, and was just about to turn into the road where she lived. Rather than let me run on, they turned and stopped in front of me to have a chat. I had no breath to talk, she quickly noticed and drove on to her house. Luckily I only stopped for about a few seconds. Otherwise I may have lost my rhythm and had trouble getting going again.
Stats according to Garmin: 1.01 miles in 9mins 36.74, Average speed 6.3mph.
Let each step we take be a reminder of the sacrifice made and bring us a step closer to the peace and happiness we all seek with our friends and families
The below makes my little efforts look pathetic. It should be an inspiration to everyone
AAP
There will be tears and contemplation, not celebration, when 32 Australian and US firefighters end their epic 7462km cross-America run at the hallowed World Trade Center site in New York on Saturday - the ninth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
The firefighters, handpicked from around Australia and the US, began the Tour of Duty run a month ago on California's sunshine-bathed Santa Monica Pier.
They headed east, pounding along desert highways in Nevada and New Mexico in blistering 40-plus degree celsius summer heat, struggled through almost 100 per cent humidity in America's south, dodged tornadoes and floods in the nation's heartland, travelled through tiny towns and inner-city ghettos and are currently outside Washington DC, heading north to Manhattan.
Early Saturday morning the run will take Mr Frey and his 31 comrades to the Brooklyn Bridge where family, friends, former Australian prime minister John Howard, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York Fire Commissioner Sal Cassano and 180 bagpipers will be waiting.
When the large group crosses the bridge to Manhattan there will be hugs, kisses and handshakes, then the 32 firefighters will go it alone, walking slowly downtown to Ground Zero.
At 8.46am, corresponding with the time American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center's North Tower, the firefighters, one-by-one, will touch a remembrance wall erected to honour the almost 3000 September 11 victims, including 411 emergency service workers.
It will be the end of a long, memorable, blister-filled journey.
"We are doing this for charity but first and foremost we are doing it to remember the fallen and to pay our respects to those who lost their lives in the line of duty - fire and police," Mr Frey said.
"It will be a very solemn, low-key day."
The firefighters have each run the equivalent of five marathons in the past month, with the 32 divided into three groups. Each group is responsible for a six-hour shift, with one person on the road at a time.
Sports shoe giant Asics donated two pairs of shoes to each firefighter and Mr Frey said he has almost worn out both. Injuries have been minor, with dehydration and "sprains and strains", while the support vehicles survived largely unscathed, with just three flat tyres and one "busted alternator".
Emotional moments have been plentiful, whether it was the 24-hour circus that is Las Vegas Boulevard being shut down for them, the 50 fire-truck escort the runners received heading into Chicago, visits to the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where the third and fourth planes crashed on September 11 or the small town hospitality they encountered.
Two of Mr Frey's favourite memories took place in areas where tourists rarely visit, like East Palestine, Ohio.
"We went into the only restaurant in town and it happened to be owned by a retired firefighter and once he found out what we were doing he would not let us pay for a single thing," Mr Frey said.
"He called up the local fire chief who took us across the street to a bar, would not let us pay for a drink, then they passed a hat around and the locals donated $US90 toward the Tour of Duty run."
Another touching moment happened at 2am in "the middle of nowhere".
"This big set guy who had been following us on Facebook appeared with water and Gatorade and told us he couldn't believe what we were doing," he said.
"We invited him to run with us and he did for 200 metres. Then he just burst in tears."
The firefighters have set up the Tour of Duty Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation to distribute donations to various charities, including The Wounded Warrior Project, National September 11 Museum, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
Having put off the run planned for Thursday and Friday, I got off my butt and did it this morning. Why did I postpone it? Frankly because I couldn't be bothered to do it. I must get that attitude out of my system or I'll never get anywhere.
Same kit as before, with the Asics 2150s. They feel more comfortable every time I run in them, and are much better than the 2130s I used for the Edinburgh Marathon. Same route as before, the loop round the estate. The weather was not as good, windy and a bit wet, but I prefer running in rain anyway, so not a problem. Again before the run I used Wii's MRC Cardio Workout for a good warm up, then off I went.
Once again, I started too fast, but it felt comfortable. After about 1 quarter of a mile I made myself slow down, but that only lasted until the downward slope at the half mile point, when I sped up again having let gravity help me down the hill. AT the 3/4 mile mark I changed the Garmin to show distance, and slowed myself again for the last part. According to the Garmin, 1.01 miles in 9 mins 18.42 seconds, average speed 6.5mph.
This has raised some questions about the watch though. Firstly, I notice that the date is wrong. Secondly, I was sure the loop was 0.95 miles, but the watch is measuring it as just under a mile (I run along after 1 lap ends until it's measured 1 mile. I may need to recalibrate it, it could be a low battery in the watch or the pod, or all of the above. Still, it shows that I'm improving already even at this second run. I'll leave it as it is for the next week, and then recalibrate and change all batteries when I start to add miles.
Next run. Tomorrow. That'll teach me for skipping the other days. If I ache, tough. It'll just mean I have to run slower.
I seem to have all the usual after effects from my run that I first suffered when I started running back in 2007. My legs, noticeably my quadriceps, hurt yesterday, and it seemed to get worse as the day went on - all that sitting at my desk and seizing up. Stairs also aggravated it a bit. Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness they call it. Sometimes it's lactic acid build up, but I'm pretty sure this one is just the sudden shock to my legs that they're working fast again. I expected it, it's my own fault for not running for so long. I'll just have to remember when I used to be able to complete half marathons and feel normal again 2 days later, when 10K runs were nothing and had no effect on me. I shall get there again. The good news is the knee feels exactly as it did before. I few twinges, but nothing major.
Second run will now take place tomorrow when my legs hopefully will be back to normal.
Okay, so it's 2 days later than planned, but I finally hit the road for the first time in months. The target - complete 1 mile. I pulled on the Asics 2150 Caring Homes bought me for doing some extra work, and was all set.
Before I went out, I loaded My Fitness Coach Cardio Workout into the Wii and played that for 10 minutes. Being asthmatic it's always best to warm up gently. After a bit of boxing on that, I was ready to go. Stepping outside, it was cool, threatening to rain with a nice breeze. I was going to do the 1 mile loop around the Scarning estate I was so familiar with. Nice and flat, with plenty of short cuts home if needed. I set off at what I thought was a gentle speed, but was actually above what I used to do. I slowed to 6.1mph, still above what I was planning, but it felt comfortable, so I kept going. With no mp3 player either, it was very relaxing in a knackering sort of way. I felt a few twinges in my right shin for the first half mile, but I assume this was my leg saying "Hold on, we stopped doing this ages ago, why start now?" The knee felt fine. I kept my breathing controlled, and managed to get around the mile without stopping. Garmin gave my average speed as 6.3mph, maxing at 7.5 because I'd started quickly. 9 mins 43 for 1.02 miles. I couldn't have gone much further, but at least I can still run a mile non-stop. After finishing, I did 5 minutes of stretching to cool down.
Step one completed. Now it's a case of seeing if the legs, or more specifically my knee, react to the extra strain. Next run, hopefully another mile on Thursday or Friday.
Tomorrow I will take to the road. I plan to do a gentle 1 mile jog, just to see how the knee is. I still get the occasional twinge, but it's got to the point where I have to find out if it is just a twinge, or it's still injured. I've had gastric probl;ems for about a week as well, but they seem to be clearing up now. Could have been a reaction to glucosamine, so I stopped taking that. Or it could have been poor diet. New Month's Resolution - eat better.
