Rainforest Runners

Apparently I'm the sporty type!

2006-08-05T06:45:00.000Z

We went to some friends' for dinner earlier this week and, as well as having the usual great evening of food and chat, Debbie and I got a bit of a surprise.

At one point our host started a new topic with the phrase:

"Well David, you're a sporty type, what do you..."

He didn't get any further as my wife choked (very loudly) and burst out laughing. Actually I did too. Neither of us have ever considered me sporty and I said so.

But when he pointed out that I've run 4 marathons in 3 years and spent my last holiday playing an hour of volleyball, an hour of football and 90 minutes of tennis every day in the baking Greek sunshine I had to admit he had a point.

I think he lost me though when he said I'm naturally good at all these sports. I'm not.

It was a lovely conversation to stroke my ego, but the important bit is how my (and Debbie's) impression of me is still based on what I was 4 years ago but other people see me for what I am now.

Before I started running I certainly didn't strike people as being sporty. Now running is just something I do and I did all that stuff on holiday because I don't normally get the chance and I hate lying on the beach.

So if you are just starting to run and have never thought of yourself as 'sporty' - keep going. You'll be amazed one day at the unexpected feedback you get.

The thing that got me most is that I've always thought of this friend as far more sporty than me!

London Marathon entries open

2006-08-05T06:33:00.000Z

I got an email yesterday letting me know that the London Marathon entry season has now started. This usually involves trying to remember to pick-up a copy of the magazine, filling it in, posting it off to get there by 20th October at the latest, then waiting and waiting and waiting until finally in December they tell you that you didn't get in.

Or you can just ring up or email The Rainforest Foundation and run it for them!

Actually, the best thing to do - which I tried last year but didn't work - is to sign up with The Rainforest Foundation now. Send in your London Marathon ballot entry as well and if you get in use your ticket instead of the guaranteed place from the charity (but still raise the sponsorship). This saves The Rainforest Foundation a few hundreds pounds as the guaranteed places (golden bonds) are pretty expensive.

Each charity is only given a limited number of golden bonds, so best to sign up quick.

I shall be sat on my sofa on 22 April next year cheering you all on.

Easy run getting easier

2006-08-05T06:30:00.000Z

I went for another gentle run with the missus on Wednesday and I think the gardening must have played a big part in my tiredness on Sunday because this time it was easy.

We did 52 minutes at a gentle pace so probably around 5 miles.

I do need to get my GPS sorted now I'm gtting back into it.

I wanted to go again yesterday (Friday) but didn't have time first thing and gave blood in the afternoon, but as long as I can go today that will be 3 runs in 7 days.

Feeling tired on an easy training run

2006-07-30T20:49:00.000Z

Two runs in three days - I must be back in training.

I went out for 50 minutes this evening with my wife which would normally be a gentle run for me, but I struggled and she actually complained I was going too slow!

It was partly because I'm pretty unfit at the moment but it may also be because I spent 4 hours in a ditch pulling up reeds this afternoon while she sunbathed.

Anyhow, it was a good morale boost for her and a jolt for me to realise I have a long, long way (figuratively and literally) to beat my 10km best time in October.

Sponsorship: Using JustGiving.com

2006-07-29T07:41:00.000Z

I found training to run the marathons for The Rainforest Foundation okay, but I didn't enjoy raising the sponsorship so much. I was surprised how many people went out of their way to be helpful and supportive but I just don't like asking people for money. However, there are ways to make it easier.

One great online facility is JustGiving. You sign up online, create a page (very easy) and send people the link. They then make donations securely via the site, the Rainforest Foundation get the money (plus the tax automatically) and you don't have to go around collecting the cash after the event.

The only problem I found is that fewer people respond to an email than to a face-to-face request for sponsorship. What worked for me was to get people I could meet to sign-up on the spot on the paper sponsor form then using email for those people who were further away.

When someone sponsored me via JustGiving, I took them off the email list and resent it every couple of weeks with news of my progress on training and sponsorship.

Then when the event was over I contacted the people on the paper list and suggested they pay up via JustGiving and if they did, I made a note on the paper form.

This way, I maximised the number of people who sponsored me but kept the hassle to a minimum.

Running marathons isn't normal

2006-07-29T07:24:00.000Z

I was out for drinks with some work colleagues during the week and one guy was telling me about a trip he may be making with some friends. They are thinking of riding a 150-mile Alpine stage of the Tour de France that is two-thirds uphill.

This sounded like unnecessarily hard work to me so I said, "But why would you want to do that?"

He just looked at me for a long moment and said, "Why would anyone want to run three marathons?".

Fair point really.

It was a little reminder that once you get into running and do some distance you think it quite normal. But really, it's not.

The start of 10k training

2006-07-28T17:18:00.000Z

I said this morning that I need to start running again, and here's the first post to show I have.

I nipped out at lunchtime for a 45 minute, very gentle, run. It was hot but even so I felt surprisingly tired after only a hundred yards or so.

But as always, after 10 minutes things eased up. I kept my pace was slow and steady by using the old benchmark of seeing if I could hold a conversation whilst running. A little embarrassing on your own but always effective.

I reckon I only did 4.5 miles, but after a long lay-off and too much beer and crisps it's a reasonable start.

I'll build up to 3 one hour runs a week then work on speed. Only 13 weeks to go.

Cheers

David

Time to start running again

2006-07-28T07:21:00.000Z

I've think I've said this before, but I really need to start running again.

I retired from marathons after finishing the London Marathon this year in under 4 hours and intended to work on my 10k time (to beat my PB of 47m 46s). So far all I have worked on is expanding my waistline.

I've managed to do a bit of cycling (two rides this week but only 5-10 miles each) but now need to get in shape for the Rainforest Foundation Taut 10k in October.

I'm worried that my left achilles still feels tender occasionally but otherwise I've had no ill-effects from the marathon and training.

So hopefully I'll start posting a bit more often as I do my training runs. I'll start nice and gently through July and August (not least because of the heat) then start working on speed during September and October.

If you are running one of the Rainforest Foundation races (10k, New York Marathon, London marathon next year) get in touch with becky at The rainforest Foundation or leave a comment here and I'll get you set up so you can raise visibility of yoour sponsorship drive and keep your friends and family up to date with your progress.

Cheers

David

Bruce's photo diary of the London Marathon

2006-07-12T22:02:00.000Z

I've followed Bruce Ure's blog over the last 6 months or so and he has posted up a great photo diary of his London Marathon 2006. The photos give an excellent view of the marathon from a runner's perspective - from the crowds at the start to the mess of drinks bottles after each water station.

The shame is that, when I saw the back of his t-shirt in the photo's, I realised I'd seen it on the day. If I'd known it was that Bruce, I'd have said hi.

Rainforest Foundation Taut 10k race - October 29th

2006-07-05T08:30:00.000Z

Entries are now open for the annual Rainforest Foundation Taut 10k race on 29th October 2006.

The venue has changed to Regents Park making it easier to get to but it is still a fast flat course - good for challenging your personal best.

I ran it last year for the first time and found it well organised and well supported. I set a new personal best of 47m 46s and even got a name-check from Rob in the commentary van.

I'll be there again next year along with about 3,000 others. Hopefully you'll be there too.

Cheers

David

Run and write - an invitation

2006-07-03T21:06:00.000Z

This blog is open to anyone who is running for the Rainforest Foundation to contribute to.

When I was training and fundraising for various marathons over the last few years I found the blog really useful as a way of keeping myself motivated, letting fundraisers know how I was getting on and getting feedback from other runners.

If you are running any race to raise funds for the Rainforest Foundation, I can set you up so you can add your own articles. By having everyone writing on the same pages, you'll be able to see how each other are getting on with training, share fundraising ideas and keep motivated.

It's very easy to add articles and you can post as few or as many as you like, as long or short as you have time and the inclination to write.

Either post a comment here to let me know you'd like to join in, or contact Becky at The Rainforest Foundation.

You know you need to exercise when...

2006-07-02T22:01:00.000Z

...the kids come into your bedroom in the morning, poke you in the belly, laugh and shout "wobbly, wobbly, wobbly".

Yes this happened to me this morning. Two months ago they were as proud as punch of their dad for finish the London Marathon in less than 4 hours. Now I just remind them of Mr Stay Puft from Ghostbusters.

I always struggle to keep training after a big race and I've not run for over a month. I can see - and feel - the effect.

So tonight I went for a run and was pleasantly surprised with how I did. With the heat and my lack of training I thought I'd manage 30 minutes of light running. As it turned out I ran for 55 minutes and probably covered over 5 miles. But boy will I feel it tomorrow.

It's time to start getting into it again. I've got the summer to get my fitness back and build up to the Rainforest Foundation Taut 10k race in London on 29th October.

And along the way, maybe I'll win back my children's respect.

Running is bad for you - NOT

2006-07-02T21:45:00.000Z

I was reading the Princess of Nothing blog earlier and she had an article where she followed up on some bloke who had written some really negative comments on her blog.

So she checked his blog out and has posted some of his pearls of wisdom about running.

As a summary of the most incorrect statements you can make about running it's pretty good, and as examples of sarcasm you can't get much better than the post and all the comments below it. Here's a taster;

Cardio happens on its own. You do NOT need a separate training routine involving cardio unless you -=WANT TO TEAR DOWN ALL YOUR HARD EARNED MUSCLE=- ruin your career, lose all your strength, destroy your health... there are only 3 reasons why a person would ever need to run for cardiovascular conditioning.
1) you're preparing for a marathon and have no other plans for your life as far as fitness is concerned, EXCEPT running this marathon, since obviously you will not have any muscle, tendon, or legiment strength left after you've prepared, an enlarged heart, muscle fiber death, skyrocketed levels of cortisol, cardiac fatigue, and a level of health only slightly above that of a career couch potato...

You get the idea. Needless to say this is rubbish but it's such rubbish and such a massive rant that it's quite funny.

If you are new to running and building up to do a long distance, don't be afraid. Running is one of the best forms of exercise there is. Read a magazine like Runner's World and you'll find educated thought on the realities of running.

Cheers

David

London Marathon 2006 - part 3

2006-06-02T20:25:00.000Z

Now it was back into the efficient London Marathon organisation - ChampionChip off, freeby-bag in hand and kit bag back off the lorry. It's not the efficiency that's impressive it's that for such a big event all the people are so friendly and treat you like you're the reason they're there. If only we could transplant that into high street shop staff!

I didn't bother getting changed as I was heading straight to Chinese Experience and could change in the dry in their toilets. I wrapped my foil blanket around me and headed off.

Walking (slowly) up to Piccadilly Circus I was amongst many other runners but as I hit Shaftesbury Avenue I was the only person in running gear. I stood out in my shiny silver cape and got a few amused looks but most people asked how I got on or said well done.

At the restaurant I got a nice reception from Tony and the team. Our table was at the back in the main room but no-one else had arrived. The whole restaurant turned and looked at me and waiters stood back so I could pass and walk down among all the tables. I got to the back, dumped my bag and took my foil blanket off.

As I turned, with my number and medal showing, one of the tables gave me a round of applause (and not a little polite one, a full bodied "well done" one) and half the restaurant joined in. Although I was very embarrassed it was a lovely moment. I don't know who you were but thank you, you've no idea how special that was. I muttered my thanks then slinked off to the toilets to get changed.

It was only then that I found that not only had I shown the restaurant my number and medal when I turned to them, but also a long, bright-red streak on my white top running down from my left nipple. Strangely few people ordered anything after that.

When I emerged the family had finally started to arrive. They had got caught up cheering other people which is great. They had all signed a congratulations card and there was much hugging and well done-ing.

I ordered a beer which went down soooo well and we told them we wanted to spend £25 a head and to bring us a selection of their best stuff. And boy did they. The dishes weren't as unusual as they've done before but there was a lot of it.

We finally left just after 5pm but the Northern line was slow (surprise) and we had to run up the escalators and along the platform to catch our train. Yes, I had to run, clutching Harry's hand and carrying my heavy kit bag. It was one of the least fun things I have ever done.

But eventually we were home. I collapsed and had a very easy night.

It's now Wednesday and I've had 3 days to recover. Day 1 I could hardly walk up or down the stairs. Day 2 I could go up but down was hard and today I can do both with only mild grimacing.

My nipples have been incredibly tender and I have sores under both arms and on both sides of my ribs where the GPS rubbed. I also have two small abrasions on my belly where the bottom safety pins holding my number on rubbed me. My knee joints were painful on Sunday but after using a cold pack haven't given me any more grief.

But the most bizarre injury is that I have burnt my mouth. Not a little, but quite seriously - my tongue has been stripped and the sides of my upper mouth are raw. The only cause I can trace is the 3 bags of very salty Snack-a-Jacks in nearly a 12-hour period.

And if you want evidence that running helps you lose weight, I weighed myself Saturday morning and was 12st 10lb. On Monday morning I was only 12st 5lb. I have been very tired over the last 3 days but am starting to feel more normal now.

My sponsors have been fantastic. A colleague who offered £25 more if I finished in under 3h 45m gave me the money anyway, my neighbour tripled his donation as I beat 4 hours and I've had a number of donations since finishing which is excellent.

It was a great event. I'm glad I did it again but I'm more convinced than ever that it should be my last one. Mind you, Gordon Ramsey only beat me by 6 minutes...

Cheers

David

PS Congratulations to all the other Rainforest Foundation runners, especially Jane who was aiming for 4h 30s and came in at 4h 01m. Brilliant stuff.

Photo courtesy of Chopstix.com

London Marathon 2006 - part 2

2006-05-31T20:23:00.000Z

My run was different to 2 years ago - I wasn't out to enjoy the atmosphere but to beat 4 hours. So I wasn't so chatty, I didn't hi-5 so many of the kids lining the course and I was slightly more ruthless about pushing through the slow runners who walk 6 abreast down the middle of the course.

The hardest part of the London Marathon (apart from the last 6 miles) is maintaining a steady pace. I was happy to run at 8:00 a mile pace when the route was clear but this rarely lasted more than a minute. Then the crowd would slow me to 9:30 a mile.

Although it was frustrating and took more energy, I managed to stay on 8:30 a mile average until half-way. Then I started to lose 10-15 seconds a mile. I'd had the usual 8-mile leg tiredness kick in at 9 miles which was positive and even at the half-way stage I felt okay but it was getting increasingly difficult to keep the pace.

I saw my parents, wife and kids at the 9-mile mark, as well as Mel - an ex-work colleague who was cheering on her son. I then saw my sister and her husband at Canary Wharf and Debbie, the kids and my parents again along Embankment. It' surprising how much of a lift it gives you, especially later on.

The St John's Ambulance teams were out with vaseline along the route. I had mine in my belt but took a tactical decision not to reapply any. I have to take my belt off to apply it and as I was close to the 4-hour mark and wasn't feeling sore I decided it was more important to save the minutes and I'd just suffer later. It wouldn't normally have been a problem, but as it was raining my top rubbed more than usual. At about half-way I found my GPS unit had chaffed my upper arm so swapped it to the other arm. Where it proceeded to rub the skin away again.

At 17 miles my legs felt heavy and I thought "now for the grind". The 20-mile training runs really made a difference here - it's the mental training to just keep going, keep the pace steady and be positive. I found that visualising the tiredness washing through me and onto the street gave me a 100-yard lift. By the time I saw the family at 24 miles I was suffering badly. The fast and uneven pace at the beginning had taken it's toll.

I had slowed to about 10:00 a mile. With 3.2 miles to go I had run for 3h 20m so I knew that at that pace I'd finish at around 3h 52m. Although I wanted the best time possible this made the last couple of miles easier.

The last mile is down Birdcage Walk - from the Houses of Parliament to Buck Pal. In every race I've run I have overtaken other runners all the way to the end. As I came down Birdcage Walk though I realised that everyone was passing me and I couldn't raise my pace. However, as I came onto the Mall and saw the finish line about 150 metres ahead I shouted at the crowd to cheer an they responded brilliantly. I gritted my teeth and sprinted all the way to the end. I crossed the line grimacing and exhausted but almost euphoric.

I even remembered to look up and hold my arms out as I came over the line for the photo instead of immediately hitting the stop button on the watch. I think at that point I nearly said something rude.

So, my official time was 3:52:08. I beat 4 hours. I beat 9 minutes a mile. I finished feeling that I couldn't have done more.

I'd done everything I'd hoped.

London Marathon 2006 - part 1

2006-05-29T20:16:00.000Z

As promised, here is a full review of the big event.

Everything went to plan before the race. I had a quiet Saturday morning, pasta for lunch then got the train to London and checked into my hotel - the safe and clean but not exactly luxurious Arriva Hotel near Kings Cross. I watched Syriana at the Apollo West End cinema (high luxury - and the Â£12.50 ticket reflected it) and ate a pack of Snack-a-Jacks which are high in carbs.

After that I went to Wagamama for noodles then headed back to the hotel for Match of the Day and another bag of Snack-a-Jacks. After an uncomfortable night on a lumpy bed I had more Snack-a-Jacks, an orange, banana and fruit juice for breakfast, got dressed and headed off.

At Kings Cross tube most people were heading to London bridge which is straight down the Northern Line. I decided to go to Charing Cross instead. By the time the 8.30 left Charing X it was packed. The poor runners at London Bridge were panicing as they couldn't get on the crowded trains coming through.

At the other end the organisation was superb as ever. I handed my kit bag in and queued for the loos. And queued and queued. A little tip - the portacabins behind the urinal areas have the shortest queues and no-one uses the urinals in them.

The marathon started as I was 2 people from the front of the queue. A few of those around me were worried about this but I knew it took at least 20 minutes for everyone to get through the start. Eventually that was done, vaseline was applied and I joined the massed ranks as far forward as I could.

We started running about 50 yards before the start line and I felt relief as soon as I crossed the line - the tension of waiting wasoverr and it was time to get on with it.

I ditched the bin-liner and I was off...

Top 5 running related moments

2006-05-27T20:12:00.000Z

OK, I've given my 5 worst running moments so here's the other side - the best.

Turning a corner at the Thai Temples Marathon and realising I only had 200 yards to go - not the mile or so I thought.
Doing a show and tell session in Ella's class after completing the Triple Marathon. All the kids were sat around me, desperate to hold my medals and Ella was sat next to me, looking up with pure pride on her face.
Cresting the brow of a hill and being hit by freezing horizontal rain and yelling "come on then you *******" with a huge grin on my face.
Watching my two children finish their first race. It was a mile over rough grass. I was proud of Ella because her training paid off and I was equally proud of Harry as he was determined to finish even though he was exhausted to the point of tears. How could I ever walk in a race after that?
Being told by the nurse in Accident & Emergency that they had to turn off my heart monitor because my "athelete's" low heart rate kept setting the alarm off!

Cheers

DavidM

Are you a Hanger or binner?

2006-05-25T19:44:00.000Z

Is it a man/woman thing or is it just me?

When Debbie gets in from a run she puts her dirty kit into the laundry basket and wears clean kit for the next run (so she's a 'binner').

But I think running kit should be worn for at least 3 runs (roughly a week) between washes to get the right balance between odour and washing efficiency. So when I come in from a run I hang my shirt and shorts on my cupboard door handles to dry and place my socks over the edge of the chest of drawers. Hence I am a 'hanger'.

I have to admit there have been occasions when even I couldn't stand it for a whole week.

Is this acceptable behaviour for a runner though? Am I being unreasonable or will the wicking properties of my quick-dry running gear deteriorate with too much washing?

Cheers

David

Thailand Marathon – Part 2

2006-05-23T20:00:00.000Z

Having had a nice few days in Bangkok, it was now time for the race.

The alarm went off just after 2am on the Sunday morning, giving enough time to get ready then triple-check everything because I'm paranoid I'll forget something.

The minibus left the hotel in Bangkok at 3am and took 90 minutes to get to the temple where the race was starting. It was still warm outside - a taste of things to come. They gave us a light breakfast on the coach. I was almost too nervous to eat but forced it down as I knew I'd need the energy.

The scene at the start was magical. There were only 250 or so marathon runners, but about 1,500 doing the half and 10k (it was mainly locals doing the shorter distances - that shows who's got sense!). It was still dark, the temple grounds were lit up and there were tents and food stalls everywhere.

Before the race started there was a traditional blessing but I was so busy checking my bum-bag contents again that I missed it. There were also fireworks but I think they were during my 4th and final visit to the toilet.

Finally, I kissed Debbie goodbye and headed nervously to the start. I lined up near the back with Kevin, the guy from Houston. Even though I had skimpy running shorts and an even skimpier running vest I was still sweating. Then we were off.

Kevin's race plan was to run slow and steady and that stopped me racing off at the beginning. It was an eerie feeling following this trail of people down dark country roads with burning torches staked every 50 yards or so.

Kevin walked for a minute every mile so I carried on by myself. My aim had changed from beating 4 hours to coming in as much below 5 hours as possible.

The Thai Temples Marathon is the friendliest race I have ever done. I chatted to a young man from Singapore until mile 6 then at 7 miles I met an English guy who ran the bar and restaurant services for a hotel in Phuket and we talked until about mile 17. When the Tsunami hit I thought of him and whether he was still there.

The English guy pushed my pace up and I ran faster than I should have, but the time and miles went by smoothly. Unfortunately he had to rest at 17 miles as an old injury started to flare up.

The course goes out to a temple just over halfway then comes back on much the same road so I got to say hello to people again. Every mile or so were simple concrete bridges - about 10 feet in height. On the way out we were joking "watch out for the hills" but on the way back each one was like Everest.

The roads were very quiet and occasionally there were schoolchildren singing and adult Thai bands. The water stations were excellent. There was water at least every 2 miles towards the end and they had fruit and iced sponges as well.

Although we were protected from the sun by thin cloud, it was hot and unbelievably humid making dehydration a real issue. I made sure that I stopped at every water station and regularly doused my head with iced water. I avoided the mistake some people made of soaking themselves all over as wet socks are very tough on your feet after 26.2 miles!

The fact that it was my first full marathon, that I was under-prepared due to injury, had jet lag and it was humid combined to make the last hour incredibly hard. Someone asked me after if I'd wanted to walk at all. I said "With 6 miles to go I wanted to walk. With 3 miles to go I wanted to lie down and sleep. It was only the snakes beside the road that stopped me".

Actually there was one very clear thought that kept me going. I was going to send a text to Kim at work when I'd finished and it was going to say "Finished in xx:xx. DID NOT WALK". Honestly, I just kept repeating it to myself over the last few miles (embarrassingly loud sometimes but everyone just assumed I was American).

I kept working out how far I had to go and how long it would take. I reckoned I had 10 minutes to go and was really suffering when I was cheered on by the wife and daughter of a French runner I had spoken to and wondered why they were so far from the finish line. Then I turned a corner and saw the finish line just 200 metres away. What a lovely surprise.

Even though I was exhausted I remember sprinting towards the line. However, when I watched it back on video I was barely shuffling, so goodness knows how slowly and painfully I must have been running up til then.

I'd done it. A lovely young lady squeezed ice-cold water over my head (which was beautiful) then the race doctor asked how my hip was doing. The event was so friendly that while I was running Debbie had been chatting to the doctor so he knew I was carrying an injury and came over to check it out. Imagine that happening at London or New York!

I had finished in 4h 45m. Under the 5 hours and really the best I could do. I had given everything and was totally exhausted. I lay by a tree and drank loads of water then hobbled over to get some food. It was lovely to be able to stand by the finish line once I had showered and applaud some of the people I'd met as they finished.

Later we caught the bus back to the hotel and I spent the afternoon resting by the pool, enjoying a beer and basking in the glow of my success. I even booked myself an hour's Thai massage which was lovely except when she did my feet!

I didn't sleep too well again Sunday night which surprised me. I thought I would have been out like a light but I just couldn't get comfortable. Monday morning was nice and lazy again, then it was time to go home.

The Thailand marathon is flat but it is hard because you're jet-lagged and it's so humid. But it is such a different experience and was so friendly that I really enjoyed it. It is a perfect complement to the bustle of London and New York.

If you'd like to find out more (as if you need more convincing to do it!) you can also read Richard Gordon's account.

Cheers.

DavidM

Thai Temples Marathon 2004 - part 1

2006-05-21T20:35:00.000Z

Here is part 1 of the story of the Thailand marathon, taking you up to the actual marathon itself. I ran the Thai Temples Marathon for The Rainforest Foundation as part of their Triple Marathon programme.

I ran the Thai Temples Marathon on 21st March 2004 – with 1 month's training after a 6 week lay-off with an inflammed hip. It was the first of the Triple Marathon races, I was well behind with training, I had jet lag and Thailand is, well, hot! So although I was really looking forward to the trip, I can’t say I was in a rush to do the marathon itself.

In return for raising sponsorship The Rainforest Foundation covered my flights, hotel, transfers and race entry. I paid extra for my wife to go with me and even more for her to go shopping.

We flew overnight and arrived in Bangkok at 6am on the Thursday morning, giving us three full days before the race on Sunday. We were staying in the Amari Watergate hotel along with most of the other international ‘package’ runners. It’s a 5 star hotel with a 5th floor outdoor swimming pool and we had a room high up with a view over the city.

After dumping our bags we explored Bangkok. The Thai’s are very friendly and stop to help if they see you with a map. We soon discovered though that many of them were keen to get you to a relative’s shop even if it didn’t sell what you wanted.

We trusted our lives to several tuk-tuks - the motorised, 3-wheel, open-sided taxis that get their name from their engine noise. The first one did a nifty u-turn including driving 50 yards along the pavement. The driver made an unscheduled stop at a small shopping arcade, and when we started getting a bit stroppy, another driver explained that our man would get free petrol if we went into the tailors even if we didn’t buy anything.

Debbie had been thinking of getting an evening dress if it was cheap enough, so we went in and had a good look around. I overheard an Australian couple thanking the tailors for the suit they'd had delivered earlier, so I decided we were on safe territory. We got the dress Debbie wanted and I ended up buying a suit. We had a fitting on the Saturday and the final goods were delivered to our hotel on Monday. My two piece suit cost about £70 and Debbie’s full length silk dress cost £65. Not bad.

I’d been looking forward to trying all the Bangkok street food which looked fantastic. However, I was conscious that a stomach bug would wipe me out for the marathon. We did have some lovely noodle dishes and the food was generally very cheap and tasty, but nothing as adventurous as normal.

On the Saturday there was an organised trip around the marathon course. The route lay about an hour and a half outside Bangkok in the countryside and went primarily down winding country lanes and between rice fields, coconut plantations and mango trees. We stopped for lunch in a simple home-based hostel/restaurant, sitting at a long table beside a fast flowing brown river. They served up a series of suspicious looking dishes, which all tasted delicious.

Here we got talking to the other ‘international’ runners. We were the only English people in our group. We got on really well with Kevin from Houston, Texas, who was running his 36th marathon. He based his holidays around international and US marathons and was planning on running a marathon in every US state. His last marathon had been two weeks before and his target for Thailand was under 6 hours – running and walking his way round, chatting to people and taking photos.

There was a New Zealand chap in his 50s who had retired a few years before and had run some ridiculous number of marathons (in the hundreds). All this made me feel particularly inadequate. I said I had been hoping for under 4 hours but my training had been interrupted recently by an injury. The advice from the group was to expect about 5 hours due to the humidity.

We went on to the floating market. Debbie hated the boat trip as it was fairly wobbly, and the market was interesting but not a special as you’d think.

The night before the race I didn’t sleep too well. Partly because of nerves but mainly because I didn’t want to sleep in. I had to get up at 2am to get ready to catch the bus at 3am to go to the start.

In part 2 I'll cover the race itself.

Cheers

DavidM

top 5 worst running moments

2006-05-19T19:20:00.000Z

I've been running for over 3 years now and though it's been relatively uneventful, not every day is a good running day. Here are the 5 worst moments I can remember.

Realising I needed the loo 4 miles into a 10 mile run with no toilet facilities and no-where to hide
Hitting mile 8 in the New York Marathon and suddenly feeling very tired
Running a 10k race on the hottest day of the year having been drinking for 10 hours the day before
Pulling up after half a mile into a long run because the pain in my hip finally got too much
Trying to run down wet steps and landing hard on my backside.

Cheers

DavidM

Shoes - the runners essential tool

2006-05-17T19:12:00.000Z

The only thing you need to buy to run - good running shoes.

Forget your fancy Nikes or whatever is being pushed at JJB. If you are running any distance regularly you need good running shoes. So what makes good shoes?

Places like Runners World have loads of reviews of running shoes, and there are different types, designs and price levels to suit your running style, your fashion sense and your wallet. But personally I don't think you need to do any of that. You just need to do one thing.

Find your nearest proper running shop, go there and get properly fitted. A good fitter will check the flexibility of your feet and legs, watch you walk to view your gait and only after about 10 minutes will you get to try any shoes on. They should encourage you to go outside (or on a treadmill) to run in each pair you try to check for comfort. And that is what you are after.

Don't worry about the colour. It's how they feel on your feet that is all important. No-one at the finish line is going to comment on your footwear, but they will be able to see the pain on your face from your blisters/shin splints/tendonitis etc.

You can find running shops easily on Google, in Runners World or by asking around at a local running club. My favourite on the south coast is Alexandra Sports in Portsmouth.

Cheers

DavidM

How to start (and keep) running

2006-05-15T18:56:00.000Z

Many people go for a jog or two then give up. Many friends have said "I'm obviously not made for running". But having seen the size, shape and age of people who have passed me in races I'm convinced that anyone can run.

There are many places to get advice for starting running. Mark Steinle is the fastest British runner in the London Marathon and gives some simple tips on starting running. Runners World has reams of advice for beginners as well as structured training plans for anything from a 30 minute run up to a marathon.

My tips for starting to run - based on reading, my experience and watching friends - are below:

If you are a complete novice and none too fit, just start with walking for 20 minutes and add 1-2 minute jogs.
After a couple of weeks, extend the 1-2 minute jogs until you are jogging more than walking, then until you are only jogging.
Speed is entirely irrelevant. If you feel out of breath then you're going too fast. If you aren't sure if you are going slow enough - you're going too fast.
Don't worry about anyone taking the mickey out of you. It's not how good you look when you start that matters, it's how good you'll look if you keep it up.
Once you can jog for 20-30 minutes, add an extra 100 yards (or to the next lamp-post) on each run. This seems like nothing but quickly adds to an extra half a mile.
Proper trainers are essential but wait until you have been out twice a week for several weeks. Then go to a running shop and get fitted (JJB sports is not a proper running shop).
You only lose weight if you take in fewer calories than you burn. Yes, serious runners need to eat more carbs, but a half-hour walk/jog doesn't mean you should eat a bigger plate of pasta. You do, however, want to start limiting the fat and moving more to protein and carbs.
Water is your best friend. It keeps you hydrated and can stop you feeling hungry. But don't overdo it. 1.5 litres of still water a day is fine.
Once you can run for an hour without stopping - no matter how slowly - you have made it through the hardest part. Now you can..
Enter a 10km race for a month's time. You'll be nervous but as you cross the finish line your confidence will soar.

You are now a runner.

Cheers

David

Welcome to the Rainforest Runners blog

2006-04-30T16:05:00.000Z

For a number of years The Rainforest Foundation has arranged for runners to take part in marathons in London, New York, Paris and beyond as well as organise the Rainforest Foundation Taut 10k race in London.

These events all raise money to enable The Rainforest Foundation to continue it's work supporting indigenous people and traditional populations of the world's rainforests to protect their environment and rights.

This blog is available for runners raising money for The Rainforest Foundation to keep in touch with their friends, family and other sponsors by writing about their training and fundraising. It's not run by The Rainforest Foundation but is here to support them.

I'm also planning on posting tips on running these events and publishing highlights from those who have taken part.

If you are inspired to take part in one of these fantastic events and raise money for a great cause, contact rebeccah@rainforestuk.com or check the links on the right of this page.

Cheers

DavidM