No Marathon - Ever!

This is me signing off from marathons. I had a place for 2009, but have withdrawn. My achillies is still playing up and I have an appointment with a muscular specialist in November. Also, during the small amount of running I have done this year, my kidneys have ached like hell afterwards. I have decided that my body is trying to tell me something!

I am not giving up running for good, maybe I will try a half marathon instead in a year or two.

Over & out.

Wishing I was going to London

Quite a bit has happened since I last posted. Had my check ups in hospital, but had to stay in because of unbelievable fucking pain! I was hoping to come round from the anaesthetic with everything finished - but no. There were 2 (yes 2) catheters still inserted!! Top tip - if you are going to throw your guts up in the middle of the night, eat lots of chocolate first - tastes & smells much nicer! Needless to say I was in no fit state to attempt the half marathon 2 days later (couldn't even drive for a week).

After all that, apparently the x-rays they got weren't too clear (sorry doc, that was me writhing). Have had another CT scan recently and now have been called back in for another appointment at the end of April with a kidney specialist.

With the marathon due this coming weekend I really wish I was able to run - but hey ho, I am guaranteed a place for next year.

Good luck to all of you that are running - think of me sat at home in front of the fire with my coffee & toast!

Pissed Off!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday Feb 20th - I had to make the really difficult decision today to withdraw from the 2008 London Marathon. My achilies still isn't right, but mainly it is my insides playing silly buggers. I was peeing blood again todayand have been aching around my kidneys for the last 3 weeks or so. I am going for minor investigative surgery next week which hopefully will sort things out but it is playing havock with my training. At my pre-op check, some levels were too low so they changed my tablets around, which has made my ankles swell, which doesn't help with excercise either. After the op my medication will be changed around again to find the right combination.

I am entered in Bideford half marathon on 2nd March, but that is only 3 days after general anasthetic and not the best preparation. Doctor today said I should be careful so I have decided not to push it.

I'll hopefully be able to carry forward my entry to next year.

I am very sorry for those of you who have been drumming up support and especially to those who have already donated online. Unfortunatly, if you donated rather than pledged you cannot get your money back. But please be assurred that your money has gone to a very good cause, plus you can look at it as an advance sponsorship for next year!

Thanks to everyone, especially Kaz, Jake & Ellie for their support.

Today's Training: Profiteroles, chocolate & crisps!!

Panto ends

Monday 11th February - Panto is all out of the way & I have a week off work - ideal time you would think for pounding out some miles. Wrong. I've gone down with a bloody cold. I'm pissed off!!

Today's Training - Coughing for England

Panto panto panto

Monday 4th February - Had to go to Musgrove hospital today for my pre-op checks. Had blood tests & ecg. Most painful part was removing the sticky pads from the hairy bits!! Maybe I should have taken Paul's advice & shaved my chest for Panto!! Nurse talkied me through the procedure - no gory details here, just to say it involves a long probe!!!!!!! Glad I will be asleep!!

This evening is taken up with Panto rehersals - last before dress rehersal. All went too well for me - hope I haven't peaked too soon!!

Today's training - Trying to look seductive - to a bloke with stuble (It's ok - it was part of panto, not my hospital visit!)

Still Limping

Sunday 3rd February - Got up this morning a little worried about what my ankle was going to feel like.......... Well, whilst it is sore, it's not as bad as after last time I ran, so fingers crossed, it's on the mend.

With pantomime on all but one day over the next week, I will have very little time for training, so an enforced rest from running will probably be a good thing.

Thanks go to to Sue for today's sponsorship.

Today's training: Panto run through & trying on 4 dresses!

Half OK

Saturday 2nd February - Went for a gentle 2 mile jog this afternoon, just to test the ankle. Feels OK on the level and downhill but hurts going uphill. See how it feels in the morning.

Also, thanks to Caroline & Clare for recent sponsorship.

Today's Training: Transformers on the Wii

Doldrums

Friday 1st February - 3 days with no training. Still nursing the ankle.

Cycling nowhere

Tuesday 29th January - Still not allowed to run, so I went to the gym and spent 45 on the bike at about 95rpm. HR about 120. Not got a clue what that means, but my legs ached a bit & it felt good!

Today's Training: Foo Fighters on my ipod, full blast whilst on the bike. Numbs the pain!

More Panto

Monday 28th January - Got told off for wearing my muddy trainers around the house. They suffered a bit at the weekend on the bike!

Today's Training: Panto, all the way through!

Arse-ache

Sunday 27th January - Went out on the bike again today, on my own. Went about halfway up Porlock tollroad. Thankk god the only other cyclists I saw were going down, cause I had to keep stopping. Cycling makes a lot of other muscles ache, and now I've finished, the worst ache of all is in my arse!!

Took this picture on one of my rests. Looks quite good now, seeing as I started at sea level, at the foot of that hill in the distance.

Today's Training: Where's that cream?

Sleep

Saturday 26th January - Not allowed to run still, so went out on the bike with Ellie & Jade. Bossington beach to Porlock is great fun on a bike - bogs, deep fords, wet slippery mud. At least my new running shoes don't look new any more!

Also tried bathing foot alternately in hot & cold water! Makes your teeth stand on end.

Today's training: Stamina - failed. Third attempt to stay awake the whole way through Pirates of the Caribbean.

Lasers

Thursday 24th January - Went to see Alison at the sports injury clinic today. She reckons that it was my trainers that have give me the achilies problem, so time to bin them. I have some laser treatment, massage and some good maintenence advice. No running for a week either! Also told that wearing high heels at rehearsals tonight will be good for it! Not sure if I wear them to work tomorrow as well though!!

Thanks to Rob for giving my sponsorship a boost. Thanks for leaving a comment too, it's nice to know some other than Kaz reads this!

Todays Training: Act 2

Forced rest

Wednesday 23rd January - Got my hospital appointment through today. 28th February. Not sure how a general anaesthetic, 4 days before Bideford half marathon will effect me. Suppose there's only one way to find out!

Today's training: Hopping

My achiles heal

Tuesday 22nd January - Bought a supply of vitamin supplements today. Have been advised that embarking on this type of training can lower my immune system, so need to top it up to help fight of any viruses.

Did just 2.5 miles tonight - had to fit it in whilst Ellie was at violin lessons. Glad is was just a short run, my achiles is hurting again. I think it could be my trainers - time to get them looked at.

Today's training: 2.5 mile sprint!

Nice Pair

Monday 21st January - Rehearsals tonight so no time for training. Thanks to Pam & Keith for today's sponsorship.

Today's Training: Nice pair! (come & see the panto, it will make sense!)

Biking

Sunday 20th January - Ankle still aa bit dodgy, so decided on some low impact excercise. Went out on the bike with Ellie. A high gear up the hills makes quite different muscles ache!

Today's training: No thirds

Achiles

Saturday 19th January - Rest day today - my achiles is still hurting, so maybe I won't push it tomorrow. Been reading online accounts of other people's marathon efforts - very inspiring!

Real Running

Friday 18th January - Went out for a run with Minehead Running Club today. You may have seen us (sorry to the people in the cash machine queue!), a line of luminous running vests followed by a fat bloke in black! I enjoyed it though, ggod to run with others - I'll be back next Friday.

Today's thanks for sponsorship goes to Kathy.

Todays' Training: Real running!

Boogie

Thursday 17th January - No training today but plenty of running around at Panto rehearsals. You should try it!

Thanks to Mel for today's sponsorship.

Today's Training: Home Help Boogie

More Plans

Wednesday 16th Jan - Rest day. Thanks to Kathy for pushing up my sponsorship total today.

I have downloaded entry form for Bideford half marathon in March. Looks like the ideal event to aim for.

Todays training: Saying no to chocolate cake - hardest day so far!

Glow

Tuesday 15th January - Ran around the streets of Minehead for an hour tonight. Very wet, very windy, very enjoyable. No really, it was great! I plotted out a route over the weekend using the device on the London Marathon website. Route I planned works out at 4.87 miles. Managed it in about 51 minutes (must update my sundial!).

Read today that Laura Radcliffe is running the FLM this year. I'd better watch where I'm treading!

Thanks to the generosity of Kaz's clients, my sponsorship total has grown to £158 (+ gift aid).

Today's training: Warm self-righteous post run glow

Fashion Statement

Monday 14th Jan - No training today, busy with Panto Rehearsals, but meanwhile here I am in my "training shirt" courtesy of Kidney Research.

Also, many thanks to The Porlock Posse for sponsoring me today.

Today's training: Dancing with Gordon, in my new dame shoes.

Taxing Day

Sunday 13th January - Still aching a little from yesterday.

Got my official email from London Marathon confirming my entry. It's all real now!

Todays Training: Stamina - 5 hours doing tax returns

A Flock of Seagulls

Saturday 12th Jan - Went for my first training run this morning. Quite a bit uphill to start with made the legs ache but felt better the longer I ran (A Flock of Seagulls, 1982). Big mistake on the way back - decided to avoid main road by running along track from Horner to Allerford - 4 inched of freezing cold water & mud most of the way! Still, good for training I suppose.

Felt really good afterwards although a few aches by late afternoon. Onwards & upwards!

Today's Training: Walking on water

Strange Day

Friday 11th Jan - You will see from yesterday's blog that I was planning a run today, but I felt weird all afternoon, as though I had stood up too quick. Anyway, decided against a run!

Got a Marathon pack through from Kidney Research. Sponsor forms and training shirt. In the same post came an invite from Dept of Urology for a "cystoscopy & left retrograde study" Apparently my CT scan showed an area of calcification. Can't wait, sounds like fun!

Todays thanks for sponsorship go to Tim. Really appreciated

Todays Training: Honey Roast cashews, in bed.

Serious time

Thursday 10th Jan - Found my trainers.

Got another sponsor - thanks John.

Right, tomorrow is time to get serious. I plan to go along to Minehead Running Club for a run. Watch this space.

Today's training: Red Riding Hood, Act One (get your tickets now!)

Custard

Wednesday 9th - Just Giving site sorted. Will send out email to my entire address book shortly, so if you are reading this because of my email - hello! Found a picture of me in running gear to go on my site. For a one off, I will not be doing the marathon in fancy dress, or in any dress!! The picture in case you wonder, was taken at 2006 Porlock Fun Run.

Didn't get to sleep till late yesterday. Lay awake listening to podcasts for marathon virgins. The first one I picked was entitled "January - month 3". Shit!

The running bug is spreading at work. Even Roger has threatened to come on a training run with me! Got my first sponsor as well today - thanks Maria.

Have to mix training (ok, planning training) with line learning for Porlock Pantomime at the moment, can't get too toned up otherwise my dresses won't fit.

Todays' training: Low fat custard.

I'm In!

Lunchtime, Tuesday 8th January 2008. I get the call to say that I have been accepted into the 2008 London Marathon. "I have a dilema" I tell the nice lady "I've just bought an eccles cake". She told me I shouldn't eat it, but I did - my last act of indulgence?

Excited, I call Kaz and she is thrilled for me. I go down into the office and tell the first person I see; Matt. "So have I" he says! What!? Bugger, we'll be fighting over sponsors.

Just spent 2 hours trying to set up my "Just Giving" webspace. (www.justgiving.com/markdorrill) but I can't log on to change anything so it's just the boring standard template. Thought I'd set this blog up instead.

So, please keep checking back and follow me on my challenge. Please feel free to leave comments. Even better, why not sponsor, donate or pledge.

I am running in aid of Kidney Research. Some of you will know why I have chosen this particular charity. I won't bore the rest of you just now, I'll save that for later.

Today's training: ran up the stairs, twice.