Phil Gordon running for North Hampshire Hospital

09/05/2017

Today, it was my great pleasure to present a cheque to the NH Med Fund. The final total raised is £4,300. We've decided to spend the money on a defibrillator. A big hope is that we don't ever need it. But a vital piece of equipment. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has supported me, donated and help me raise the profile of this charity. I also want to give a shout out to the staff at North Hampshire Hospital, The doctors & Nurses, The porters, the cleaning staff, The cooks and all the unsung heroes of our local hospital. A big thank you for all the work you do.

23/04/2017

Well, what can I say, firstly, thank you so much for all the support you've given me over the past year. Today was The St George's Marathon in Dover. It was a fantastic day. Which started off with a rendition on the hymn Jerusalem. The race was a 3.8 mile loop along the white cliffs. 7 loops to make it to the finish line. It was a tough race with a few hills but felt very special and nostalgic. Made even better by lorna who ran the race with me. Throughly enjoyed today. With an awesome medal. As it's St George's Day, there is only one way to treat ourselves, a full monty English Fry up.

23/04/2017

Happy St George's Day everyone.

21/04/2017

Www.justgiving.com/phil-j-gordon
I've been running for North Hampshire Hospital now for over 10 months. So far I've ran nearly 700 miles. This weekend I'll be competing in The St George's Marathon in Dover. This will be my last race representing North Hampshire Hospital. It's been a absolute pleasure raising money for The North Hampshire Medical Fund. An amazing charity that raises money for life saving equipment. Thanks to everyone that has donated. If you'd like to show your appreciation to our local hospital and to wish me luck through a donation please visit my just giving page. Thanks.

11/04/2017

Yesterday I received the bad news that I'm not now doing the London Marathon. My charity have been busy over the last 2 weeks trying to find out why my registration failed. There seems to been an admin error that by the time we knew about was too late to sort out. I've done 8 races for this charity so far and my final race was gonna be London. I'll still be doing a final 9th race that day. The st georges marathon in Dover. Which I will be running the 26.2 miles in and around one of the most iconic natural views of this country. The white cliffs of Dover. Although I am very disappointed not to be doing The London Marathon this is not a life changing setback. I will still do my best on the marathon that i am running in. Over the last year we've raised over £3.5k Inc gift aid for our local Hospital. Every single pound will contribute to saving lives. I'm so proud of what we've achieved. Thank you so much for all your support.

10/04/2017

A post marathon treat. 🤗

09/04/2017

What a day!!!! The Brighton Marathon was the toughest race I've ever taken part in. It felt so hot. My original plan was to do a negative split. That is, take it easy for the 1st half then push on for the 2nd 13 miles. Decided to change this plan when I realised how hot it was going to get. So, the plan changed to , just get through it using as little energy as possible. Plodded through it till the 21st mile. Then hit the infamous WALL by mile 24, if I was asked , would I do another marathon. The answer would of been a concrete "NO" . However, the absolute amazing buzz of crossing the finish line , I soon changed my mind. One of the other positives I'll take from today was it was great running with my 2 friends for most of today's race Chandri and Liam. Also the crowd was so supportive today too. A big shout out to the Hatchies that came out to cheer us on. Jo, Helen, Dean, Sarah Sharon and Nic. It was so appreciated.
Now to let my muscles recover for the next big challenge.

05/04/2017

A massive thank you to my family for all their support, not just over the past year but always. ###

02/04/2017

Week 13
Last week of training and
Summary:
Monday I done a surprisingly fast 5 miler with a 800m sprint in the middle. Very refreshing to do something different. Early morning track session on Tuesday. With very tired legs and bulging calves, we done 600m reps with 200m rec. Really felt that I had nothing in the tank by the time of pilates. Knowing it was my last pilates session got me through it. Saturday morning, found my running legs again. Ran parkrun with my friend Jim Howard then met up with The HWR wolfpack for a 12 miler around Mapledurwell and Newham. . Perfect weather, perfect company and a great way to start the weekend.
A couple of years ago I read a book called 'winners and how they succed.' It taught me all about putting a plan together. So back in December I had to ask myself
What's my objective?
To run a marathon and to do better than last year and don't allow to be consumed by it. I ran the great welsh marathon last year in 3:34
I belive this is an achievable ambition. Then I had to think about strategy. Firstly my diet: identifiy what I can cut out and replace. I took out processed foods and regularly shopped at the local butchers. I made sure I eat at decent times of the day. This was hard to maintain with the shifts i do, but i managed it well. I replaced Red bull and cola with water. I Drip drank 2 pints of water each day. Glugging water just goes straight through you and you don't reap the benefits of it. More work on core,
speed, interval training & endurance. Keep eagerness and stimulation by
keeping training exciting with new routes and different challenges.
Stay injury free by warming up properly and post run stretching
Establish confidence!!! and build on it. I've made sure I enjoyed every single footstep during my marathon training. It's important to have a healthy mind as well as a healthy body
Enter a few Races: enjoy seeing the progress and reward myself with each goal.
I'm pleased with the changes I've made and the impact it has had on my running.
Next stop: BRIGHTON MARATHON 🏃🏅

26/03/2017

Week 12
A busy week of producing evidence of how far I've come in 3 months of marathon training. Sticking to the routine of a gentle run Monday. A 6am track session on Tuesday at Down Grange. We done 10x400m reps with 100m recovery. A great way to start off a sunny day. With Pilates in the evening, I had a much needed rest day Wednesday. Was feeling very motivated on Thursday, so I done a fast 3 miler around Eastrop.
My long run Saturday morning. Glorious weather. Absolutely perfect for training. I decided to do the brutal Basingstoke Half marathon course TWICE.
It is a scientific fact that producing endorphins can help and athlete improve their performance. I rely on a couple of techniques to help swirl those happy chemicals around my body. Sometimes, before running, I listen to blonde's 'the tide is high' making me remember some amazing childhood memories. Or more recently, Noel Gallagher's 'What a life' to really stir up a positive high adrenaline emotion.
When I'm struggling in the run or climbing a hill, to kick start those chemicals, I think of my greatest football memory. That night in 1989 at Anfield. I visualise, the 1 minute left on the clock. I feel my heartbeat as I recall the goalie throw the ball out. Then I run through that famous commentary in my head. "IT'S THOMAS CHARGING THROUGH THE MIDFIELD. IIIIITS UUUP FOR GRAAAAAAABS NOW. It's even making me happy as I type this. I used this technique twice during the gruelling 22 mile Cliddesden run.
Feeling extreamly accomplished as I have a chilled out Sunday.

23/03/2017

22/03/2017

I've spent this week listening to this book on talking books. Trying to find new ways to increase my confidence and help me focus on my running goals. I am currently 3/4 through the book and feel it hasn't yet benefited me on my running targets. I do feel I have learnt about other aspects of my life. It has been a very intriguing distraction to my normal working week.