Chipping Away...

A long overdue update!

Since I last posted:

1. Boston Marathon bombings. Mad.
2. I have actually starting training! Running, swimming and cycling.
3. I pulled my right calf muscle this afternoon during a relatively light jog - quite badly it feels like. Should have stretched before, but normally don't have to if I haven't just rolled out of bed. But the good news is that:
1. I'm still 4.5 months away for the Sydney Marathon.
2. My 16 week training program doesn't start for a few of weeks (see more below).
3. I should be totally fine to cycle and swim until I can run again.
4. Have ordered a copy of "Marathon and Half Marathon: From Start to Finish" by Sam Murphy.
5. Am really enjoying using the Runtastic app on my smartphone to record my exercise sessions (and then some). Awesome features.
6. Worked out that I don't have the discipline to record everything I eat and drink every day into the MyFitnessPal app. But in the short time I was using it, it certainly reminded me how easy it is to add calories (mmmm, chocolate...), and how much you have to workout to burn those same calories off: LOADS! Why can't it be the other way around? Not fair!
7. Accessories? Oh yes.
1. Sennheiser PMX 685i SPORTS headphones for my birthday from my good lady wife. Thanks Em! And mighty comfy they are too - set and forget!
2. Got some new Speedo shorts for swimming. Mainly because my wife hates my admittedly one-size-too-small budgie smugglers. Maybe if I was still 20 something. Fair enough. My new ones are so figure-hugging that it feels like I'm naked, which was a little unnerving walking out poolside for the first time.
3. Talking of figure hugging, also today picked up a pair of long Puma running pants from a factory outlet. I think it's time to retire my old ones - the same ones that I travelled the world with, and helped me to climb a few mountains like Kilimanjaro and Pico Bolivar. Farewell my threadbare friends!

What's next?

1. Fix the calf. Cycle and swim more in the meantime.
2. I've finally decided on which marathon plan I'm going to (have to!) follow. I really wanted one that (apparently) fully integrates with my Runtastic app, and I'm assuming that the plans sold by Runtastic do that Dieter Baumann, I'm counting on you and your 16 week plan to run a marathon in < 4hr 30m. The program starts Monday June 3rd.

Aussie Auntie Annie visits Brave Brit Boris

Just logged into Boris' private blog today, and it was great to see fresh photos of our Auntie Annie (Production/Project Manager at Itomic) cuddling nephew Boris in London.

I'm pleased that our company, Itomic, was in a position to support Annie to make the trip back to the UK for this very reason.

Boris is obviously a tough little vegemite, but try not to hug him toooo hard Annie! :-)

Victorian Running Calendar for 2013

It's good I reckon to keep an eye on all opportunities to get stuck into some fun runs between now and The Big One. This calendar should help:

http://www.coolrunning.com.au/calendar/vic.php?TargetCal=VIC&Months=12

I'm in!

I'm in! Or at least I'm pretty sure I am.

That's right, I've just this second signed up for the 2013 Sydney Marathon. They appear to have taken my money, and there's nothing to suggest that there's some sort of ballot to be permitted to run (like the London Marathon and others), so I guess I'm in. Awesome. Can't wait to start training in earnest, seriously.

www.sydneyrunningfestival.com.au

Great news for Boris

I'm privileged to be following the private blog charting Boris' treatment and progress. And the most recent news is great!

"Boris’s egg shaped primary tumour was analysed in the lab and was found to be completely necrotic. This means the tissue is dead- containing no live growing cancer cells. This means the treatment has been very effective and is a very good sign. The less active growing tumour the more effective the high dose chemo will be."

Fantastic news. Come on Boris, we're rooting (in the non-Australian sense of the word!) and running for you!

Breath testing for stomach cancer

In 2012 my mother-in-law passed away (too young) from stomach cancer. The challenge with stomach cancer is that typically you don't know you've got it until it's already at an advanced stage.

So here's potentially good news: a simple breath test appears to be able to detect stomach cancer much earlier in the progression of the disease.

Here's the full story from the BBC: Stomach cancer 'spotted by breath test'  

Google, Facebook, Amazon and WE fight cancer

Public to join cancer cure hunt

Get your spare computing power ready people!