Well, that's it.

Well, that's it, its all over and this is my last blog, and what an amazing experience it's been.

Cardiff is just the most beautiful city and it looked particularly spectacular this morning bathed in the early Autumn sunshine. A perfect day, cool, bright and clear blue skies. 

Over 19,000 runners assembled outside Cardiff Castle to start this years Lloyds Bank Cardiff Half Marathon amongst which was this novice in his first ever event, nervous and excited. But a chance to meet new friends and get some last minute advice!

And Wales' very own Olympic hero, Colin Jackson got proceedings underway just before 9am with the elite runners following the wheelchair athletes.

But before I give you a blow by blow account of the day, I'd like to say a huge THANK YOU to all of you that have sponsored me, donated money and generally offered words of support and  encouragement during that past few weeks and months. I've genuinely been overwhelmed by the way you've all got so enthused by the whole thing. 

As you now know, I was in the 'yellow pen'…  I mean, how humiliating is it to be stood there limbering up full of trepidation as to what the next two hours hold and look round only to see a old guy dressed from head to toe in orange, pushing a vacuum cleaner around the course!? It was a great atmosphere though. Anyway, the first four miles were good and apart from the long drag up the hill towards Penarth, and the run across the barrage was fabulous with a stunning view of cardiff bay in the sunshine.

The worst part was Roath Park, but I kind of expected that as I had been warned by seasoned 'Cardiff Half' runners. Firstly it comes at about the 10 mile marker, so you're feeling pretty flat at that point anyway, secondly its on a slight incline as you go up one side(which seems to go on for ever) and thirdly (and worst of all) you can see the runners way ahead of you coming back down the other side of the lake.

Still, pretty much all down hill from there to the finish which I can't tell you how pleased I was to see! 

Picked up my medal and souvenir T shirt before having to navigate a whole team of people handing out bananas!  - anyone who knows me will be aware that me and bananas don't mix!

The knee (heavily strapped) held out which was my biggest concern pre race and apart from a few rather achy muscles I came out of the whole thing pretty unscathed.

But what about the time I hear you ask… well, 2 hrs 7 mins and 7secs. I'd have taken anything under 2hrs 30mins before the race, so was happy with that, although if I'd have picked up my pace a little more in the last 3 miles, could I have achieved a sub 2 hour time? - maybe next time… Next time!?

Revd. Steve, me and Damion, all running for CYO

What next? Ask me in a few weeks…  Did I hear someone mention the London marathon? 

Thanks again to everyone.

The Old Geezer

Anyone know a good sports psychologist?

Pressure's starting to get to me… Paranoid about my knee giving out half way round, so much so that I bought some strapping for it yesterday. Out on a short run tonight to test it out - my knee that is, not the strapping. Could go either of two ways - no twinges tonight and I'll be full of confidence for Sunday, but if the pain comes back I'll get depressed and be full of trepidation!  

Then the thought occurred to me - what if I can't make it round?  Then I broke in to a cold sweat at the thought that I might have to give all the money back! Sounds like I might need a session with a sports psychologist!

The good news is that the weather is supposed to be good for the weekend, although that's difficult to imagine right now with the rain hammering down outside.

Still, I'm well beyond the point of no return now, what will be will be!

More tomorrow with the prognosis on my knee...

And to think there was a point when I thought I might even have a go at the full 26 mile version! Not sure that's going to happen any time soon now! 

We've reached £2000!

Just 3 days to go and we've broken the £2000 barrier! This is fantastic news… Thank you so so much to all of you that have so very kindly supported and encouraged us. It makes the pain of it all that much more worth it!  

So, today received the final newsletter from the Marathon organisers with what's on offer on race day weekend.

It would appear that you follow my race day journey with the free Lloyds Bank Cardiff Half Marathon live tracking system. You can find more details @ www.cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk.

For all the latest news, updates, tips, hints and exclusives from the Lloyds Bank Cardiff Half Marathon, follow us online at: www.facebook.com/cardiffhalf and @cardiffhalf

Interact with others on the day and share your stories, photos and celebrity sightings with #cardiffhalf

If you're going to be in Cardiff on the day, you can also take part in a photo competition, too! Tweet your best photos of the day or email them to cardiffhalfmarathon@runwales.org.uk for your chance to win a prize!

More tomorrow!

And then there were 2!

Yes, just 4 days to go now and crushing news received yesterday… Revd. Mark Thomas who was to be one of the 3 gallant Musketeers running for CYO has had to pull out. The problem, a reoccurrence of an old injury… a broken ankle, which apparently swells up like a balloon after 4 miles… that's got to be worth seeing!

So, its down to Revd. Steve Lee and myself now to keep the flag flying and 'bring the bacon home'.

Report on my doggy knee is one of slight improvement. No twinges yesterday and feels OK today. Might chance a short run on Friday to see how it holds up.  Watch tis space.

No running for me this week!

Absolutely NO running today or probably for the rest of the week come to that. Hobbled back to the station from the studio last night. Knee really giving me some jip now! Can't believe it, after all the months of training (literally), the week before the event and I do my knee in. I know, sounds like I'm making excuses but its true… honest!

No worries, I'll make it round even if I have to hop round.. might not be the record time I'd been hoping for though.

Hey ho, tomorrow's another day and who knows, with a bit of rest it might be fine. Watch this space.

Schoolboy error!

Yes, just 6 days to go now!

This time next week, it'll all be over and life will return to some form of normality.

OK, so I admit it, I've committed a schoolboy error... over did it at the weekend - the weekend before the event!  Found out from Luke at work today that I should be winding down to race day not cranking it up. Sore joints and twinge in my knee... could this spell disaster!? Ended up limping my way into work this morning. Think I'd better take it easy for the rest of the week and hope things improve by Sunday! 

Wonder if I'll keep running or if I'll go back to the rather more sedentary life style that I had before, with the ever expanding waistline that accompanies it?

Need to get behind the fund raising this week in a final push to raise as much money as we can. I know I've been banging on about the running, but it's still only a means to an end. 

Do pass this link on and get as many people following as possible. Remember, its easy to give. Just go to:-  www.give.net/cyo

Thanks

More tomorrow.

The long run

Didn't get round to blogging yesterday, lots going on at the moment and I wanted to do the longest route I've mapped out, which I've called the 'Tythegston run', as it takes me past Tythegston Court (known as the Welsh Downton Abbey - take a look at http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-36594850.html)

This route is 14.6 miles and lots of hills!… long hills!

Still, made it in 2hrs 20mins, but think I may have done myself permanent damage! my joints are PAINFUL! Started hurting at about 8 miles, but dug in and kept going… not sure that was such a good idea in hindsight!

Still, got a week to recover.  

Why?

Firstly I'd like to say a BIG THANK YOU to all of you who have already donated. It's so encouraging to see the figure grow day by day (and makes the pain I'm putting my body through feel even more worth it!) We're now on our final countdown to the big day, so there is still time to donate, if you haven't already. I will email you again after the event to thank you properly and obviously give you a blow by blow account of the race itself.  

So, Why am I running 13.1 miles on 6th October? Well, I know first hand how the work of CYO has had a hugely positive affect on young peoples lives in the Bridgend area and am determined to see it continue. This is your opportunity to be involved in helping to change youngsters lives, lives that others may have given up on.

Here’s just one reason from one of the youngsters we work with:-

Go on, help us make a real difference.

Its simple to give, just go to www.give.net/cyo

Follow me now (not literally) at runningoldgeezer.blogspot.com

Calling all Clients... Get your name on Julian's shirt!

Calling all clients!

As I'm sure you're all now aware, our 'glorious leader', Julian will be pushing himself to the limit (quite literally we reckon!) this coming Sunday (6th) as he takes to the streets of Cardiff as an entrant in this years Lloyds Bank Cardiff Half Marathon. He's running for a charity of course and its one that he's passionate about and been a trustee of for the past twenty years: CYO, make a positive difference in the lives of young people on the streets of South Wales, by offering them support, help and guidance at a point when many people and organisations have given up on them.

We've already raised well over £1500 and with one week to go, we're offering you an exclusive opportunity to associate your brand with this fantastic charity and in doing so make a tangible difference to young peoples lives.

In a day or so, we'll be getting Julian's running shirt printed and we have some limited opportunities for corporate branding... Yes, get your company/organisation associated with this fantastic charity and this amazing event - 18,000 participants, hundreds of thousands of spectators and all the associated media that goes with an event of this size.

For a donation of as little as £200 (happy to take more!) we'd be happy to include you - It's a 'first come, first served' offer, so to secure your spot, email me at:-

 Jameila@sanders-design.com - the deadline is 1pm on Wednesday 2nd October. Let us know and we'll put the wheels in motion!

Many thanks

Jameila

In the meantime, don't forget, keep up to date with his progress here at:- 

http://runningoldgeezer.blogspot.co.uk  

and most importantly donate at:-

https://my.give.net/cyo

It's the final countdown!

Yes, we're on countdown now with just 9 days to go

Of course, I'll be expecting to do a PB ('Personal Best' for those of you not acquainted with our running jargon). In fact I'm guaranteed of running a PB seeing as I've never run one before.

So, the big question that's starting to occupy my thoughts at the moment is exactly what time do I think I can achieve for my first 'Pikermi'?  - You'll have to read previous blogs to understand that term.

I know I can do 8 miles in around 78 minutes, which, if you extrapolate means the, I could potentially achieve a time of around 2 hours 10 minutes. To be honest, I'd be delighted with anything under 2.30 minutes. I'm thinking that this weekend I might just try to do the full distance and see what time I log…. watch this space!

13.1 miles is half of nothing!

No Running today, rest day. Have client meetings, so have to take the car. Still, I've done 20 miles this week already, and to be honest its starting to feel like it.

I must admit I have been getting a little 'narked' over the past few months as people seem quite keen to stress the word 'half' in 'half marathon' which is why I read with interest of a group of people who are keen to ditch the 'half marathon' moniker and start calling the 13.1 miler a Pikermi, because 13.1 miles shouldn't be considered half of anything! Why Pikermi I hear you ask. Well, the marathon was run by Pheidippedes from Marathon to Athens. Roughly halfway between these two Greek cities you find the town of, you've guessed it, Pikermi. So in just over one week from now, I'll be doing the Cardiff Pikermi if you don't mind - sounds good to me! 

That's my number!

It was with great anticipation and excitement that I received my welcome pack from the Lloyds Bank Cardiff Half Marathon today. Yes, all the information I need plus MY NUMBER! 

So, it would appear that I'll be starting from the 'Yellow Zone' which I'm guessing from my number will not be at the front with the elite runners. No worry, its not about the winning, its about the taking part… Fat chance I've got of winning though if I'm with all the duffers at the back!

I guess my starting position may have something to do with the estimated time I posted when I registered some months back which was somewhere between 4 and 5 hours from memory. Well, I'd never run further the bus stop in the village before.

So, keep an eye out for me… easy number to remember 14749.

This could spell disaster!

Arrived in the studio today to be greeted with a chorus of coughs and sneezes. It just seems that everyone around me at the moment has a cold. This is just what I don't need at this as I approach the final hurdle. If I get one now, it could spell disaster!!

If anyone's got any advice on how to avoid succumbing, short of staying off work for the next two weeks (which I must say does have an appeal to it) then please do let me know.

Anyway, back on the train again this morning, so I'll have another 8 miles under my belt by the end of the day. I tell you this running will be the death of me!

Look out Mo!

Well, today saw me back on the train to work, which means a two mile run to the station this end and then the same from the station to the studio the other. That's an 8 mile run counting the trip home. Bit of a rest day for me yesterday, well you can't overdo it this close to the race!  Plus, at my age I need to pace myself. 

In fact I read in 'Runner's World' magazine the other day… Yes, I'm even reading about running now… and no, I'm not becoming obsessive, honest. Anyway, I was reading an article that states that from the age of 30 a number of physical changes take place in the average person's body… Aerobic capacity decreases, muscles mass and elasticity reduce, lung elasticity declines, bone density lowers, metabolism slows, body fat increases (I can certainly testify to that!) and the immune system becomes weaker. And if that's not enough our self esteem can take a battering too. You're telling me!  What hope to I stand at my age!

Given how far over 30 I am, I'm surprised that I can even get up in the morning!

Meet my new best friends!

Well, I suppose that I should admit that strictly speaking I have actually been training for a few weeks already. The thing is, I’m pretty much put to shame by the guys I work with. For example, Luke is a Fell runner when he’s not creating stunning pieces of brand work. He runs well in excess of 50 miles per week (and that’s just getting to and from work!). Jameila spends most lunch breaks at the local gym either doing ‘Circuits’ or ‘Spin’ classes and then does the same most evenings. If Matt B isn’t out on his bike every day, he’s in the studio on his ‘turbo trainer’ and Matt C seems to be playing 5 aside football most evenings. So, you see I’ve got a lot to cope with.

This week I’ve started to run to work … bearing in mind that I live around 25 miles from the studio, it’s not bad going!… It is true, that my run is punctuated with a train ride which saves me around 20 of those miles but it still means I have to run between 8-10 miles a day which isn’t bad for an old geezer!

So, with my sights set clearly on a half marathon, I thought it was time to trade in my trusty old Umbro trainers (circa 1985 - must have paid all of ten quid for them!) for a brand spanking new pair of ‘running shoes’. And how things have changed! No longer it would appear can you just rock up and pick a pair of modest looking trainers off the rack, no, It seems that you have to be ‘assessed’ even videoed running to be fitted to these multicoloured monstrosities… and the cost for this? Well, put it this way don’t go in the shop with much less than a hundred notes in your pocket! Bit of a wake up call for me with my humble ‘Umbros’ I must admit. The design of running shoes certainly appears to be one of those areas that have ‘benefitted’ from an overload of style and technology, no better demonstrated with the ‘Nike Flyknit’ running shoe.

Hi everyone and welcome to my blog!

As you may be aware, on the 6th of October (just 15 days time), I'll be donning my lycra… hold that thought for a moment!..  and running the 2013 Lloyds Bank Cardiff Half Marathon. This is the first time I've done anything like this and yes, I'm doing it all for charity! 

I'm running to raise money for a charity that I'm passionate about. Christian Youth Outreach - it's an interdenominational faith based charity located in Bridgend, South Wales.  Our work (I've been a Trustee for the past 20 years and am currently Co Chair) includes The Solid Rock Youth Centre, The Youth Response Team and Bridgend Street Pastors. 

Each of these 'ministries' involve working with young people, many of whom are disaffected and have been let down by either their family or 'the system', or both. This fantastic charity desperately needs your financial support, so, we're looking for sponsorship. You can make a donation on line at www.give.net/cyo. In addition, there'll also be an opportunity to 'buy' part of my running shirt (or shorts come to that !) so that you can show solidarity with me and have your name/brand/logo emblazoned on my person for all to see. More to follow on this later - watch this space. Remember this is a televised event with close to 19,000 participants and hundreds of thousands of spectators, making it Wales’ largest mass participation event and the principality's largest multi-charity fundraising event.

It first took place back in 2003 and is now the U.K’s second largest half marathon.

The course encompasses some of Cardiff’s most iconic landmarks including Cardiff Bay, The Senydd (Welsh Parliament building - designed by Richard Rogers), The Millennium Stadium and Millennium Centre. 

I'll be running with two good friends - Revd. Mark Thomas and Revd. Steve Lee both 'old geezers' like myself… When I say running with, I mean we'll be in the same race, but clearly not together as they'll be way behind me!  

I'll be blogging daily, from now on till the big day with pictures and information, keeping you updated on my training regime as the big day approaches... so watch this space!  

Just 14 days to go, so come on, give us your support, whether that be cash, or words of encouragement - they'll both be gratefully received!

Sunday 22 September 2013 - 15 days to go!

7am - This morning I did what I'm now referring to as 'The Broadlands Run' (see map). This is an 8 mile round trip. Back in time for breakfast - croissants - without a guilty conscience! - felt I'd earned it! That's the nice thing about doing all this running, takes all the guilt out of indulging.

The run was a bit of a struggle if I'm honest, but I did manage to complete it in 78 minutes which I was reasonably pleased with. First thing I did when I got back was work out what time that would equate to over the full distance - around 2hrs 10mins - If I could do that on the day I'd be more than happy! Actually I'd be amazed.

The one thing I have noticed since I've been running is how pleasant and polite people are in the running community - Always a friendly nod or a wave. Mind you there's it usually only runners or dog walkers out at that time on a Sunday!

Julian