Here we go, here's a little about me, my 150 words touched on it before but I'll explain a little more.
I started jogging about 3 years as a way of losing weight and keeping fit to be a fit and active father of two boys. I'm a naturally competitive person and it wasn't long the jogging was getting quicker and quicker, the clothing was getting more technical and the watch changed from a £10 one to an expensive GPS one. I loved it, couldn't get enough of it and when the going got tough at home, even my wife said why don't you get your running shoes on and go out for a bit.
I run everywhere, I live in North Wales in a fairly rural area so I'm lucky, I get to run up mountains, fells, trails (signed up for the Wales Trail Marathon 2013). I would still consider myself a beginner as I'm learning all the time, the Bootcamp we just did was amazing ad I picked up so many tips and for fantastic advice from experts and in my mind if this is as far as I get, I've had more than enough.
I've attempted a few marathon's but it's still the one race that evades me, my times for 10k are 41 mins, and half marathon 1hr 33mins, so in my mind I have to have a good marathon in me. But I always suffer and struggle with fatigue and cramping and just about manage a sub 4hr. This is why I entered the competition, to get sound advice and a sound training plan. I know I can do it, I just need a little help along the way.
As I said in my 150 words I do have a busy lifestyle, I work 12 hour days and nights and my wife adjusts her part time hours around my shifts so that when I have my days off I have to look after my 2 toddler boys (going to work is easier believe me). That being the way it is I train when I can and it can be anytime from 5am to even going out for a long run at 9pm.
I always train and always want to train, I want to get better and better, I joined Wrexham AC in the summer and they have been the best, so welcoming and full of advice and experience and I've really come on since. My marathon experiences have come from London, Chester and Snowdonia (no PB coming from Snowdon, anyone done this will know why). When I finish a marathon I've always been disappointed and would love to do it right.
I train 30 - 40 miles a week depending on what I'm training for and if the family life permits. If there are any shift working parents of young toddlers out there want to see how it can be done please vote and we'll share the experience together.
I didn't know the forum was a big part of selection and would understand the frustration of the people who regularily post and haven't got through. Also the people who think my time isn't fast enough and would be a wasted entry but runners come in all forms, that's what makes it a great sport. So that is me, I'm always honest and would give it my best shot and be as active on the forum as anyone, so everything I do will be recorded here.
If I have missed anything or you want to know more please get in touch.
Paul Samuels
Busy Lifestyle
PS A vote would be nice
Comments
Here is my revised statement, thank you for the advice
Paul......i always think it shard when partners fit their shifts around to do the child care......your does sound a busy time.
I did snowdon marathon this year and loved it and with your shorter times I agree that your marathon time should be able to come down with some help.......
where did you see the competition
I was looking on the runners world website at competitions, I think I wanted to enter a competition for a watch and stumbled across the target 26.2 comp and thought why not. I still consider myself a newbie and thought the Bootcamp would be ideal for me and never expected to get past that really!
I ran Snowdon with my boyfriend on the day the marathon was on (just coincidence, we planned the trip before we knew the race was on) we went up and over the mountain so came down Miners path. Never been so nervous about breaking my neck during a run! I don't think I could ever do the full marathon there so hats off to you both! The 7 miles or whatever it was we did on our run was enough!
Good luck Paul
morning
what do you hope to gain from the forums and what do you think you can give to the forums
Everyone is at different stages of development and there has to be people with a similar situation to mine and I think it's those who would benefit from my contributions to the forums.
If I get through or not I'm using the forums regardless.
Hi Paul
In your previous marathons how did you find training using a marathon plan, whilst coping with the shifts etc. Was this something that you successfully combined.
I was hoping that should I get through the coaches at Asics would take my work situation and fit a training plan around it. If I do or if I find a plan I'll share it with you.
Yes, I hope they will construct a meaningful plan. As the 'busy lifestyle' category, off the shelf plans won't work for you guys, so it will be interesting to see how its put together.
As all my family are Tregarth, Bethesda, Bangor & Holyhead based, I'm trying not to be influenced by the Welsh roots vote Good luck with the campaign!
One of my favorite pictures, the shear relief after finishing this years Snowdonia Marathon
Nearly at the summit of Snowdon,during this years International Snowdon Race
Another Fell Running Picture on a rather wet mountain day!!!!
Hey Paul..........it's nice seeing some of your photos running. I'm about to add some to my page as well, but I've never done anything like your fell running or Snowdownia Marathon.
Do you feel you enjoy these more than a normal road marathon. If you do, what do you find more enjoyable?
How does running on roads compare to fell running for you? Do you find it easier because you have trained and ran so much on hills and uneven ground?
I did the Farnham Pilgrims Half Marathon earlier this year and that was the first off-road race I've tried. I went over on my ankle a couple of times but nothing serious. I certainly had to stay more alert...it was harder to run and lose myself in my thoughts.