Here is part 2 from King of Shaves very own Marathon Man as we get behind bond holder Ian Sockett's bid to run the 2010 London Marathon.
"Well, things are moving on steadily and the miles are starting to creep up. Three weeks ago I decided to drop the usual Monday night gym circuit and hit the treadmill for the whole session. I thought if I could get ten miles under my belt then it would be a step (or stride) in the right direction. I suffered my first stress fracture in the summer so it's been a long gradual build up over the summer with several nervous set backs as I tried to push that little bit too far. Treadmills aren't the most stimulating form of exercise. Even with a bit of Kylie, Madge or Oasis to keep me company on the MP3, looking at the wall in front soon loses its' novelty. Anyway, typical of me, eyes bigger than my belly, run before you can walk and all the rest of it - I got to ten miles and just had to move the goal post to thirteen. It was a long night and a late supper - I'll say no more!
The Monday night 'gym run' (back to ten miles) has now become a routine.
Sunday 29th saw me move outdoors for my first winter run of the season. What a day to choose! The words 'drowned rat' come to mind. After fuelling up on a big bowl of porridge (I now consider myself an expert on 'slow release carbs' as the professionals call them) I headed out on to the cold, wet, dark (fair do's I don't think it ever got light in Hereford on Sunday) roads.
For those of you who don't know Hereford it's very picturesque but half a mile out of town and you could be in the middle of Dartmoor. With only the patter of raindrops and the odd bit of road kill for company it can get quite lonely.
And then good old Mum, support team extra-ordinaire breezes past in the car to offer some much needed encouragement (Thanks Mum!). Fifteen miles later (measured on one of the many internet route planners which save a fortune in petrol) I sprinted (OK, OK, so I'm using a bit of poetic license), up the drive to arrive at my destination - home. Once the hands had come back to life courtesy of a nearby radiator, the endorphins took over and I felt something akin to mild elation.
I can't quite imagine what a further eleven miles will feel like but, there's another five months left to get used to that!
No news yet of any takers to help me become 'Razorman'. I need someone to design me a costume so that I can become the first runner of the London marathon dressed as a razor by way of thanks to King of Shaves for their support.
Until next time, please visit my Just Giving site here.
Ian Sockett
