First days of Spring

There's a hope in every new seed
And every flower that grows upon the earth

Spring is in the air and there is a spring in the step.

Never really noticed the difference a change in the weather makes but all the smiling faces and families out walking on the coastal path made my run very enjoyable tonight. Seeing the sun set over the Gower as I came over the brow of the hill to wards the beach just put the cherry on the icing on the cake.

Feeling strong leading up to Sunday's Half Marathon and the forecast remains good so hopeful of a good PB. Watch this space I guess...

Tesco 'Finest' Chocolate cookies eh...

Be aware...

Finding hard to motivate myself to blog at the moment which is a shame as I'm sure when I look back I will wish I had documented more of my 3 marathons in 3 weekends journey. However with arranging the charity auction last weekend, very successful, thanks to those who attended, and the track marathon for April 2nd it seems I spend all my time running or online anyway so the blog takes a back seat.

Anyway, back to the title, and I feel I must make everyone aware of what is happening outside your front door even as I write. I noticed it as soon as I went for my 6 miles this morning, there in the sky, a big bright yellow thing, it reminds me of something but I can't put my finger on it. I heard an old couple talking about it and think they said it's 'The Gun', maybe we are under attack? If it is a gun I think it must be a laser as it is very warm. I put the news on as soon as I got home but they aren't reporting it, probably another Government cover up. Call me paranoid if you like. As I have been writing this the clouds have appeared and the yellow thing has disappeared, careful though because I think it is still there. Please let me know if you hear anything.....

So is 5 weeks until marathon number one, please shout at me if I don't blog at least twice a week

The real reason for running?

Had 15 planned for today, took my kit into college and was already to go when I got a phone call saying Rob had to come home from school with a bad belly. These things happen and with Laura's shift I knew there would be no running for me today. Happily a Number two sorted out Rob's belly, hell I have even managed to unblock the toilet now.

Nothing however can excuse my consumption of crap, in what those who read the blog regularly (I do actually have 6 followers) will identify as a recurring theme, since the days run was cancelled.

A trip to the Co-op secured a Double Decker, a Wispa, two packs of McCoys and a Cadburys Cream Egg (which I had golloped down within ten seconds of my pin number being accepted). All the chocolate has already gone, the chocolate digestives have had a good hammering, have had sausages, mash and beans for tea and despite the icky feeling in my belly and the feeling of guilt the McCoys will have it soon too....

I honestly would be the fattest bastard around if I didn't run so bloody much and in order to mitigate for my excesses am going to do an 18 miles doubler tomorrow. Up at 0530 for 8 @ 8.15mm pace and then 10 tomorrow evening including 4 miles @ 7.15mm pace. This will make up for having to miss Friday due to Laura's shifts too. In fact I would put money on, with 4 days healthy eating too, that by next Monday morning I will have shed a couple of pounds, especially taking 8 miles Saturday and 22 Sunday into account. Good job I don't really drink anymore though. The charity night will be my first since new Year (7 weeks)and my only until post VLM (another 9 weeks).

So returning to the title the question is whether as much as I love running (usually), enjoy the races I take part in and am genuinely happy about what my efforts do to help those less fortunate than myself is it possible the best thing about all the miles is that it keeps Cedric, the fat man inside me, from bursting out in a big blubbery mess?

I'm so tired

"I'm so tired, I haven't slept a wink
I'm so tired, my mind is on the blink"

Don't want to moan so will make it brief but as much as I am looking forward to the charity event next weekend and the marathons it will be nice to get the event out of the way and relieve a bit of the pressure. The stress of organising, trying, unfortunately in vain in many cases, to get friends and family to attend and secure auction and raffle items feels like it is having a detrimental affect on the training. Was really tough tonight doing a 6 mile recovery, could possibly have had something to do with the pie mash and gravy I had 2 hours before as well though, lol.

New running daps were cracking though...

Everybody hurts...

...sometimes.

Crap run today because after 2 and a half years running my foot suddenly decides to blister. Hurt enough to slow a 16 mile predicited marathon pace run down into a 12 mile hobble. Plenty of sympathy required and possibly some advice? Why has it happened? What should I do now? Not due to run until Tuesday but am I being optimistic? Not sure the photos do it justice really but is about 4 cm x 3cm in size and on the instep of my right foot.

Don't even mention Spurs, think they are better than they are, taking the foot off the pedal last few games, hope today's game serves as a wake up call and Harry kicks arse accordingly. Pissed off...

Still biggest month ever on the plus side!

My Light Shines On...

That's right people I'm Movin' On Up, I got no bounds.....

Bonus point for naming the band...

Feeling good this morning after a good day yesterday and a good start to today. let me talk you through it all shall I?

1. Managed to secure the Parc Y Scarlets track for my track marathon on 2nd April. Individual and relay entries being taken, supporters and lap counters required, please email me @ mattoo.rogerson@btopenworld.com for more details. Already got a couple of participants which is good.

2. Ticket sales really picked up for the auction night, honestly need to get in now if your not going to be disappointed. Do it now before you spend all your wages in Tesco....Again email me if interested.

3. Got 4 more Scarlets tickets, for the April game against Munster, to auction.

4. After a couple of hard runs, feeling tired, had a cracking run last night where I had to stop myself from going too fast for the best part, and that was after near disaster when I went to change in work to run home and realised that I hadn't actually bought my shorts with me. Having to go home first on a Friday night could have been terminal for my plans to run but I bit the bullet and was rewarded accordingly.

5. Chicken madras, pilau rice, naan bread, mango chutney and an ice cold can of Diet Pepsi for tea, was lovely and no sign of any morning after toilet activity which is a result.

6. Have already secured this morning half a case of red wine for raffle (Thanks Andy) and am having something for auction delivered from the nice people @ the local DW Fitness Club this afternoon, wonder what it could be? Is a bit like Christmas.

Am now starting to think about post April 17th when the final marathon is over and I no longer have all this to keep me occupied, don't know what I will do with myself although I'm sure Laura will have some ideas.

Anyway must dash, a million and one things to do and people to badger.....

Back for good(ish)....

Has been too long since I updated for my millions (ahem) of blog fans but for more than one reason I feel needs must so in the words of Messrs Barlow, Williams et al I am indeed 'back for good'. At least until the end of April anyway. Right now you are either going to be asking 'why the end of April' or gouging your eyes out with a spoon/ slicing your ears off with a rusty knife in order to avoid more charity talk. Guess your still reading right?

Just to recap am doing 3 marathons in 3 weekends in April trying to raise over £6000 for charities supporting children with disabilities. You can read more on my previous blog or click on one of the links I shall post at the end of this tirade of nonsensical witterings. Now depending on who you are and where you are reading this blog you are likely to be thinking either '3 marathons in 3 weekends, that is awesome/mental' or '3 marathons in 3 weekends, I have, or know people who have, done a marathon every weekend for the last 100 weeks' so I will let you decide on the magnitude of my efforts but please rest assured the cause, either way, is a very good one.

Now if you click here you will identify one of the reasons I felt the motivation to blog again today after a huge amount of procrastination. Yes that is right my efforts are being communicated in local newspapers and on local radio so if anyone is reading this as a direct result of seeing it in the paper I hope you have a warm fuzzy feeling in your stomach because, lets be honest, this is really all for your benefit isn't it. May I now take the opportunity to ask you, if your at all interested in the charity night to please buy a ticket, the more money raised the better. It will be an absolutely cracking night. I wont bang on about it here but please feel free to contact me if you need or want to know anything more at all...

Sorry but I haven't finished yet as it is with the aforementioned charity night in mind that I feel I must share my latest secured auction item with you all, a football signed by the Manchester United first team squad. Now I'm not a Manchester United fan, although I do have a soft spot for them, but this in my opinion is what makes them the biggest club in the world. Whilst all other Premier League teams have politely refused my request for items, bar Liverpool, (not even the mighty Spurs gave me anything :-( )Manchester United go that extra mile and may possibly earn themselves another generation of fans in a a family. Forget the bunkum about most of their fans not coming from Manchester, trust me if you go to a game they do, it is just that they have more fans than anyone else worldwide too and it is the little things like this that makes them that club. I'm pretty chuffed to be honest as you can probably tell...

Guess I should mention the running too before I go an annihilate a bowl of shredded wheat. Not much to report, training is going well although am feeling quite exhausted. Doing 60+ miles a week for last few weeks and will probably do about 225 by the end of this month even after having 5 days off for the now medically recognised man flu. Thankfully next week is a 'recovery week' with only just over 50 miles planned. I am sure my body will greatly appreciate it.

Anyway as I said I am going to be talking a lot more drivel over the next three months, hope you all stick around for the journey. So to reiterate please buy a ticket, come and run the marathon with me on 2nd April or just have a click on one of the links below or read my previous blog to find out more about the charities...

Until next time!

The Children's Trust
Phab Kids