2010 SHEFFIELD HALF MARATHON SPONSORING LINK.

Btw guys - £595 raised so far. :)

All donations very gratefully received. :D

Ran my 83rd training run today. 8.65 miles to the Foxhill area of Sheffield & back home via Shirecliffe & Firth Park. My time was 1.22.25. This was my first run in my new trainers and I felt good throughout.

My final training run before the half marathon will be The Lord Mayors' 10k event on Sunday at Don Valley Stadium. :)

My very last training run today. The Lord Mayors' 10k (6.2 miles) race at Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield. I'd like to finish this in a time of around 50 mins.

Next week I'll be having a complete break from running until the half marathon next Sunday. Just concentrating on gym and stamina work. Update on todays run laters.

Ta. :)

A brilliant final training run before my big day next Sunday. I completed The Lord Mayors' 10k event in a time of 54.08 in full sun at Don Valley Stadium this morning. What was even more pleasing was my finishing position, coming in 283rd position out of 428 runners! A tremendous improvement on the Norton 9 finishing position. I'm thrilled to bits. :D

Now I'm just going to have a small run in the park in mid-week and concentrate on weights and stamina work at the gym this week to prepare for the half marathon. I'll post an update during the week.

:)

Not bad for a bloke of 54, eh? ;)

All the best Steve, you finish the course next Sunday and I will send a tenner to your charity.

Pace yourself m8 and make sure you have Vaselined well between the thighs.

Did the Bath Half a few times, first time I did it the inside of my legs were dripping!!

All the best
GGR

Great effort Steve. Well done. Best of luck next week

Why thank you GGR & Graham. It's great to get feedback from you guys. Btw Graham, many congratulations on Stevenage getting promoted. I'm honoured to share their name on the forums. :)

I'm having a day trip out to Newcastle today. It's my favourite area in the UK & I love the Geordie people. I've also decided to have my final training run there - just a nice 5 miler in a local park. That will keep up my momentum until Sunday. I'll also be visiting St. James Park. Hotbed of passionate Geordie support & home of newly promoted Newcastle United. I really hope they do well in the top flight next season.

Once again, thanks for everyones' support on this thread. I'll post a final message up on Saturday night. I'm not making any predictions for Sunday, only that I will try my very best as always. I can promise you one thing though - in the words of Vinnie Jones, "It's going to be emotional".

1 day & counting. :)

Ta.

:D I'VE DONE IT! Achieved my goal of running the Sheffield Half Marathon without stopping at Don Valley Stadium this morning. Unofficial time was 2.15.08, which I have to be happy with in the very warm conditions of full sun. Update with pictures will follow later on my Just Giving page when all the official times & finishing positions are processed.

I have a lovely gleaming medal (which I'm going to get engraved), a T-shirt & a pen as souvenirs, and I'm absolutely thrilled to bits with my achievement. :)

This is only the beginning for me - I'm already planning to run a full marathon sometime next year.

Ta.

:^0

Btw, GGR, I did put plenty of vaseline around my thighs & legs fellah - bo11ocks too in fact. ;)

Well done Steve. It's some achievement.

Very well done

I would just like to thank everyone who has supported me on this thread. I'm going to keep my just Giving page live for a while, to raise as much as possible for my charity. So far the total is £740, but I set out to raise £1000 when I began, so anyone that would like to make a donation can do so by visiting:
www.justgiving.com/Steve-Gregory
to see my full account of this challenge.

On Saturday I begin playing cricket for Oughtibridge War Memorial CC. My final nets practise is at the ground tomorrow, then I play in the 2nd 11 in an away fixture against Dearne on Saturday. Throughout the summer I'll be updating my progress in the team on the Just giving page, along with further training runs for the full marathon next year. Thanks guys. :)

A big Wd to stevenage :)
I must admit I haven`t contributed as yet because as a secularist ( but not a Richard Dawkins ) I wasn`t sure this was a charity I could support. However I have now got round to reading their website and they appear to be genuine people,not nutters,who will help people of any faith or none. I intend to give a donation therefore once I can work out how to do it.
Come on I am sure £10 or £20 is not a great deal to a lot on here.

I gave at the start steve but that was before I knew you were into cricket :-(

Ttt, ta. :)

Wd steve donny on the way :)

Nice one stevenage56b :D i will not be donating though ;\

Ttt, ta. :)

Thanks Daff & Steve, I respect your decision not to donate.

Keeping this live for a while to raise as much as possible - in the coming weeks you'll be able to see my progress updates on my full marathon training & my games for Oughtibridge War Memorial Cricket Club. I play my first competitive match for them on Saturday, in their 2nd 11, with an away trip to Dearne.

Watch this space for further reports. :D

3 little ducks posted - 222. :^0

The total raised so far is £813. :)

Come on guys - push it towards the £1000 mark? ;)

Ta. :D

:8}

;\

Ttt, ta. :)

cricket update laters.

I wasn't selected to play yesterday. :(

So went along to support the lads. We scored 126 all out against Dearne and lost heavily as they knocked the runs off easily with 10 overs to spare. :0

This was the first time I had seen the team in a competitive game & I wasn't impressed with our bowling or fielding. I'm hoping to get selected for our next game on Saturday. Was very frustrating watching them get beat - I was itching to get on that field!

Hi guys. Tomorrow I have my 4th competitive road race when I run in the Wombwell 5 mile event. It's the first run since last weeks' half marathon & I'm raring to go again! B-)

Update tomorrow afternoon. :)

Ah!
Was looking for this. I`ll sort out my donation tomorrow steve :)

stevenage.
I am having problems with the link ( I am computer illiterate )
Can you e-mail me on salmon.spray@btinternet.com with the relevant details and I`ll send a cheque.

Thanks Salmon - mail sent fellah.

Update on todays 5 mile run at Wombwell. Finished in a very good time of 43.30 (unofficially). Finishing position will be posted when results are processed. Really enjoyed it even though the wind was very cold. :)

Btw, my next run will be a 10k (7+ miles) event in Holymoorside, Chesterfield on Sunday 9th May. My 5th competitive road race - I'm becoming a seasoned campaigner now. B-)

Ttt, ta. 

Today is my first game of cricket for Oughtibridge War Memorial C.C 2nd eleven, with a home game against Rockingham. Update to follow later this evening. Good luck today guys.

stevenage.
Sorry I haven`t been keeping an eye on this and didn`t realise you thought you had sent me mail. I haven`t got it. It`s my secondary account ( there are reasons I don`t want to give my main one on here ). It`s worked alright for a lot of forum people in the past though, including Usaidit and shearer currently. Did you get the dot between salmon and spray.
The other way is if you have Usidit`s he could pass yours on to me.

Found your e-mail and replied.
It got put in spam. Even usaidit didn`t end up there     

Thanks Salmon.

Guys, for an update on my cricket match yesterday, please visit:  www.justgiving.com/Steve-Gregory

Come on fellahs - get me over the £1000 mark please? 

Ttt, ta. 

My 2nd cricket match tomorrow.

Update tomorrow evening.

Ta.  :)

Well done Steve, you still running round concord ?

  Good morning guys. I've had a nice rest from running since the half marathon, but next week I begin my training for the full marathon. 10 months of distance running over various distances up to the full 26 mile target. My first run will be a nice short 10 miler. 

I've decided my first ever marathon will be run in the 2011 Rome event in Italy. Taking part in one of the worlds most beautiful courses will be something really special. 

Shanelee fellah - Concord Park will continue to be my home training ground, and is very special to me. But I'm going to use lots of road routes now, to get the experience of running on all terrains and in all weathers. I'm still a marathon newcomer & my body needs lots more training.

Hope you are still doing well with your golf mate? 

Morning Steve, keep up the good work, if my lays work out today i`ll donate. Golfing tomorrow at concord but just seen weather forcast, maybe better going today.

Oughtibridge War Memorial C.C. 2nd eleven lost by 4 wickets today at Frechville. At one point we were in real trouble at 89 for 9, but a last wicket partnership left us just short of 150. However, it was never going to be enough & although we battled well & took 6 wickets, the home side won easily with lots of overs spare.

Overall, a big improvement from the team, but we've got a lot more improvement to come. We also showed more application & battling qualities. today.

Morning Shanelee, btw fellah. 
Hope the weather keeps fine for you mate.

Weather kept fine yesterday, played ok.
Hoping my lays don`t run too well today.

Just donated, but seems to be a small problem on the site,
emailed help link to confirm that payment has been received.

Thanks Shanelee fellah.

Full marathon training begins with a 10 mile run to Town & back on Thursday morning:

Destination - Italy, The Rome Marathon. 9.30 Sun, 20th March 2011. ONE VISION.

Had confirmation payment wasn`t accepted. i`ll try again either today or tomorrow.
Will be climbing the hills at concord again Sunday and hopefully another decent score, +18 will do.

Good Morning guys. My 10 mile run is a day later than planned, due to overwork. The one thing I've learned from marathon running is that preparation is everything - & I certainly wasn't prepared yesterday.

However, after a lovely relaxing day eating plenty of healthy grub, my first steps on the road to Rome begin this morning. A 10 miler to Town & back. Update later today. Good luck fellahs. 

Btw, good luck with your golf Shanelee fellah - I wish for you lots of holes in one! 

Hi guys. A little disappointed with my run this morning. I couldn't believe how hot it was out there & I only managed 5 miles, with a stop at the 3 mile stage. Only the heat beat me however. There was lots of running in the legs.

Still, 5 miles is better than none & Rome, as they say, wasn't built in a day! Lol. Need to do lots more training in heat to acclimatise my body to its' effects.

In conclusion, my first step to Rome turned out to be half a step. But half a step forward is better than 2 back! 

Steve, ive tried again twice to donate and it won`t have it.
Is there any other way ?

Hi Shanelee. Send an e-mail to steve1-blade_@tiscali.co.uk
I can give you my address to send a cheque if that's ok?

Thanks fellah.

Just mailed you.

Hi guys. I missed cricket nets practise on Wednesday due to overworking, so consequently didn't get selected for todays game. Will do my best at next Wednesdays nets to get into the team for next Saturdays game at home against Whiston.

I'm at my Brothers this weekend in Deepcar. Good luck with all your punting guys. 

Stepping up training this week with lots of gym work followed by an 11 mile run at the weekend. I'm extending my Just Giving page until after I run the Rome Marathon to raise as much as possible for my charity. 

Ta.

Cricket nets practise tonight - need a good performance to force myself into the team for the home game against Whiston on Saturday. 

Hi guys. 

I intended running 11 miles this morning, but could only manage 9. Considering I've only had 2x5 mile runs since the half marathon over a month ago, I guess expecting to run 11 miles was a bit optimistic. However, it's given me an idea of where I stand in my training and I need to be stepping it up a little now.

I've contacted my charity and informed them of my decision to run the Rome marathon next March, so they are going to keep my Just Giving page live until after the event. Next run will be sometime next week, probably a 10 or 11 miler.

Cheque sent Steve, well done with all money you have raised so far. My lad lives just round the corner from you

Many thanks Shane. It's a small world, isn't it fellah? 

Tenner sent Steve, you have nearly hit the Grand.
Well done.

Take care
GGR

Many thanks GGR fellah. I really appreciate all your kind donations fellahs. Thank you everyone. 

  Hello guys - running & cricket update:

On Saturday I left Oughtibridge C.C. to join my local side, Shiregreen. The main reason was to cut down on travelling time & costs. On match days for Oughtibridge, it was taking me 2 hours and £6 in bus fares to travel (I don't have a car at present). I'm also a Shiregreen lad, born & bred, having lived on the estate all my life, so it does make so much sense to represent them at cricket. From my home it's just a 10 minute walk to the ground. I make my first nets practise there on Thursday at 6pm.

My next marathon training run will be tomorrow. Planning a 12 mile course from my home in Shiregreen, through Town, to Hillsborough & back via Firth Park. Update tomorrow evening. Laters, ta. 

I'm also downloading the Rome marathon application form today, ready for filling in & posting later this month. 

Visiting Italy for the first time next Spring is all the motivation I need to prepare myself for the big day. 

Todays run was the worst & most disappointing since the half marathon in April. I was spent at the 6 mile mark, so decided to walk the last 6 miles to complete the 12 I had initially decided to run. Rome looks a long way off today.

I'm going to start running twice a week. A short distance then a longer run now I'm going further than I've ever run.

In conclusion a run to put behind me and look forward to the next. 

Hi guys. Todays run will be at the gym on the treadmill. Then it's home to sort the garden. Going to have a longer distance run in mid-week.

Update on cricket - I went down for my first nets practise with Shiregreen C.C.last Thursday, but it had been cancelled due to an under 17's game. I was told to come down again next Thursday. I'll update then. 

Just a 3 mile distance on the treadmill today & a poor time of 33.22. Two consecutive bad runs in a week I wish to put well behind me and move on. Next run in mid-week. [:o]

Hi steve.
I actually had a period of about 18 months some years ago when I got into running.Unfortunately my knees gave out so that was that. I kept my efforts to the treadmill and I had noticed your times on the roads were better than anything I managed.
However I could definitely have beaten your time on the treadmill       
Do you find that harder going than the roads/paths ?

  Good morning guys. Had a lovely day out in London yesterday mixing running with sight-seeing. The weather was very warm so decided to run 5 miles around The Serpentine in Hyde Park, then walked a further 6 miles visiting Buckingham Palace, Whitehall & The Cenotaph, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Bridge, Big Ben & the houses of parliament.

Feel better mentally now & can't wait for my next training run at the weekend - a full half marathon distance from Chatsworth House in Derbyshire to the bottom of Abbeydale Road in Sheffield. Update on Saturday evening. 

Thanks for your post Salmon. I find the treadmill a different world than running on the roads mate. When I was injured last December I could only train using the treadmill because of the icy conditions outside - but when I returned to the roads a few weeks later it took me ages to adjust back to the conditions. On the plus side, you have more control in the gym & you can see your heart rate & distance in miles on the monitor in front of you. But personally, I don't like using the treadmill for distance training. It gives you a false sense of progress because boy, are you in for a shock when you start on-road training.

Funnily enough too, my times on the treadmill were always slower than the equivalent distances on road for some reason. Strange that, since treadmill running always gives you the impression that you're running faster, perhaps because of the cushioning effect of the material on the treadmill. Road running has much more impact on your leg joints too, than the softer surface of the treadmill.

These are just my personal observations Salmon. I much prefer road running, but some runners like the controlled conditions in the gym. Pity you can't still run fellah? Would be nice to train with a fellow Sheffielder.

Good morning guys. I intended running the full half marathon distance on Saturday. In the end I managed 4 miles up to Baslow hill. This killed me halfway up & I finished walking the remainding 10 miles back to Sheffield.

Since running the half marathon in April, I've not really been happy with my running. Don't know if that's a mental thing or what. I'm certainly fitter than I was 2 months ago, but now when I get setbacks on my runs I soon throw the towel in! I know I need to build on my mental strength, since distance running depends so much on this quality. That was the hardest hill I've ever attempted on Saturday.

I'd really appreciate some feedback from any of you guys who have run marathons on here? Especially in how you train for them and the distances you run in a typical week. I'm still a relative novice at distance running, having only started a year ago. Thanks in advance.

On a more positive note, this was the furthest I've ever travelled by foot in my life - 14.5 miles from Chatsworth House in Derbyshire to Sheffield City Centre. My time was 3 hours, 45 minutes.

one thing I can say

no point forcing it-find a distance you can run at a steady pace without feeling wasted

once you have that as a 'marker' of your fitness you can gradually increase your distance

hills will only break you unless you fancy yourself as a fell runner

remember the actual marathon itself is a one off event that you are trying to 'peak' for and any running distances approaching the marathon distance will serve no purpose except to wear you out

Do more running but do it shorter each time.  A classic mistake people make when training for a marathon is to do next to nothing most of the week and then run for 2 hours on a Sunday.  It's pointless, you're not strong enough to do it.  Much better for you to run consistent shorter runs, say 4-5 miles, depending on fitness, but do 4, 5, 6 or even run every day.  Training is a cumulative process.  It all adds up.  Also, never try to run a PB each run.  It's demoralising and impossible, let the pace come to you over a prolonged period of time.

That should be 4, 5, 6 runs every week, not every day obviously :p

  Hi guys. Many thanks Usaidit & GrandpaChook for your feedback. It's much appreciated. I'm going to take your advice and run smaller distances for often, perhaps 4 times a week. To be honest, since running the half marathons I've only been running once a week at longer distances & I've found it very difficult. More importantly, i've not been enjoying my running, which is concerning. My mindset has been 'oh, the time has come to go out for another run' instead of looking forward to it. When I first sterted training I was running every other day & really enjoying it.

Thanks once again guys. 

A heavy cold has put a temporary stop to my training, I'm afraid. Not for for 11 days now. 

Will update after my next run.

* run.

Hi guys.   It's 3 weeks since I ran & I found out today what the inactivity did to my fitness. After 1 lap of Concord Park I was spent! My breathing was heavy & there seemed nothing in the legs. I'm going to build my fitness back up again running every 3 days, just at the shorter distances. Today I ran 2.3 miles in a time of 21.51.

Next run will be on Wednesday.

  Good morning fellow runners. [:p]

Ran 3 miles this morning - 1 lap of Concord Park & 2 miles around my local estate. Felt better than my last run but I'm still not spot on.
My next run on Saturday is a 5 mile competitive race in Buxton, Derbyshire. Update & finishing time + position will be posted on Saturday evening.

Thankyou for sharing this info with me guys. 

Hi guys. Today I had my first run in 10 days. 5 miles around Concord Park, Shiregreen & Ecclesfield, in a time of 45.59. Feels good to get back into serious training again. Next run on Wednesday.

Hi guys. Just a speed exercise today & a personal best time. 1 circuit of Concord Park (1.5 miles) in a time of 14.30. A full 30 seconds faster than my previous best! This has given me much needed self-confidence. My next run will be a 10k distance (6.3 miles) on Wednesday.

Terar fer now.

  Hi guys. Just back from a 4 mile training run around my local area in a time of 39.17. Disappointing as I had intended running the 10k distance today, so I was over 2 miles short. Not sure what the problem is since my fitness is back to its best. Must be my motivation & desire attitude. Must try harder is the order of the day.

Hi guys. Another 4 mile training run today, but 5 minutes faster than my last run! Felt much better today.

  Hi guys. My first 10k (6.3) mile run since April this morning. Time was outside the hour mark. 1.04.22. But a very satisfying run for a long time.

Hi guys. Ran 5.3 miles around Dam Flask in the Loxley Valley this morning (1 & 3 quarter laps) in a time of 52.11.

  Hi guys. Just posted a PB time of 17.13 over the 2 mile distance. A full 13 seconds faster than my previous best time.

  Hi guys. Long time no see? I've had 2 training runs since I last posted. On Sun. 12th I ran 5 miles at Deepcar in a time of 42.58. This morning I ran the 10k distance in 1.00.45. A good time considering I have cold and doing extensive work at the gym. This was almost 3 minutes faster than my last 10k run a month ago.

On Sun. 3rd October I'm running in the Loch Ness 10k event and want to post a PB for this distance. My best so far is 54.15, so I've another 12 days of training before the big day. Next run in about 4 days.

  Hi guys. Ran my final training run before Sundays Loch Ness 10k event this morning. 5.67 miles in 54.23. If conditions are good on Sunday, a PB is on over this 10k distance.

Bring it on Nessie!   

  Hi guys. Sorry for the late post. I ran the River Ness 10k event on Sunday & posted a time of 56.14. Exactly 2 minutes outside my PB for this distance. It was raining heavily throughout the race, so I wasn't in the best frame of mind mentally. I hate running in the rain. However, what was very pleasing was that this was the first competitive race where there were more finishers behind me than in front of me! 

Finishing positions:

Overall - 1,194
Category position (M50+) - 97.
Gender position - 659.

My official position can be seen by clicking on this link:

http://www.lochnessmarathon.co.uk/results/10k.php?offset=1150&order=finish_time&cat

  AT LAST, A PB! Following my disappointment in Scotland last Sunday it was great to run a personal best time today - 4.5 miles in 42.47, beating my previous best by 40 seconds.   

Onwards & upwards. 

Ran 4.2 miles today. 2 circuits around Longley Park and all the way back home. Time was a respectable 43.24.

Ta.   

Morning Steve, glad to see you`re still doing well, was up Dam Flask last week, nice up there.