Very quick update

Hi everyone,

I had meant to do this yesterday when the results were posted online. For some reason, my results seem to present a problem for the electronic tracking system so I have opened a case with PIM regarding getting them appropriately updated.

OK. So I finished with a time of 2:23:40 and an approximate chip time of 2:18:30. It was a great race with perfect weather. Song of the day was Dr. Tar and Professor Feather by The Alan Parson's Project.

I want to thank everyone who supported me in this preparing for this race and, especially Arne, Dieter and Harvey who were here with me for the big day.

Further pictures and other information to follow on this site once I get to Africa.

All the best,

Paul

It is all coming together...

Hi everyone

Today I went for my last pre-race run. Completed 7.5 km with a walk adjusted pace of 6:15 which is just fine. Probably a bit quicker than I want as I was a bit tired. That is 16.5 km in less than 24 hours so it represents a considerable effort. I will be resting between now and run day.

Today's song of the day was Mrs Brown you've got a Lovely Daughter by Herman's Hermits.

I am still stuggling with jet lag - last night was fine but tonight is a bit of a challenge. Oh well, tomorrow night is the sleep critical time. My run starts at noon, local time, on Saturday. My bib number, if you want to track the run and are up early back in Canada, is 4060. You should be able to track me with the bib number via the event site: http://www.praguemarathon.com/en.

Harvey and Dieter arrived today and so all pieces are now in place for Saturday. Below is a picture of the four of us after me picking up my bib.

And a few minutes earlier - here I was as my final registration was completed.

So there we are - all set up and ready to go!

Talk to you soon!

Paul

Cobblestones are, apparently, not an issue

Hi all,

Well, last year, cobblestones were an ankle issue last year and this year, in January, I did hurt my left ankle so I am somewhat nervous. In any case, today's 9 km run through Prague went well and while I was aware of the road conditions, they didn't hurt too much.

The run, which occured around mid-day, local time, was pleasent with partially cloudy weather, mild winds and a temperature of 6C. Aside from crowding on the streets slowing me down a bit - it was a great run. Looking very much forward to Saturday's 1/2!

Song of the day was Time Warp from the Rocky Horror Picture Show Broadway soundtrack.

Tomorrow, Harvey and Dieter arrive!

Paul

And so, for the second year in a row, it begins again...

Hey gang - back in Prague and jetlagged as hell!

Got here after a pretty good flight, no business class upgrade but good nonetheless. The weather here is slightly cool (low single digits) and rainy but certainly acceptable for what is coming down the pipe.
My friend Arne arrived this afternoon and we have toured around a bit. Here is a shot of the two of us having dinner just a few hours ago at my favorite Prague Restaraunt/Jazz Club.




















Arne, is a recent edition to the "Team Mackin" Prague group but appears, as you can see from the photo, delighted to be here. We spent the evening consuming dead pig and enjoying some of the finer liquid products of the Czech Republic - and mighty fine they are.

Well, tomorrow is dedicated to recovering from jet lag. I may attempt a short run or may defer it to Wednesday, my focus is about resting up for Saturday at this point.

At the very minimal tomorrow, there will be some touring around the city for the purposes of getting some good photographs for both Arne and my portfolios (Arne also being a photographer - a far better one than me).

I will update this blog again soon. Stay cool and think of me, here, stuggling, stuggling with dreaded jet lag...

Paul

Sitting in the Maple Leaf Lounge, waiting....

Well, I am on my way to the my second annual Prague 1/2 Marathon! Sitting here in the Maple Leaf Lounge waiting to see if I get a business class upgrade (I really hope I do - long flights are hard on the legs in the back of the aircraft).

Feel good, motivated and well ready to run the event next Saturday. Then I am off to Nigeria so my training will be curtailed while there but I get back into another couple of runs once I am back.

As to this blog? I will wind it up again for the year a day or two after the Prague 1/2 and migrate over to my Reykjavik site - more details to follow.

Blog you all again from Prague in very short order.

Paul

1 week to go and 25 km more under my belt...

Hi everyone,

Completed a 25 km LSD today - that is 16 miles in the retarded jargon of our cousin's to the south (noboy else uses it anymore). It was a tough run but fun. The last two km were hell, but they always are. The good news is that I can do 10 or 11 and 1's for a half marathon distance, something that will stand me in good stead next week in Prague.

I fly out tomorrow evening, with a brief stopover in Frankfurt, and should arrive at my hotel at approximately 10:00 AM CET. The first of the Mackin Prague 1/2 Marathon Cheering Committee arrives around noon. It should be a good time and please expect daily updates, pretty much, on this blog.

Today's song of the day was Bryan Ferry's delicious cover of The Time's, They are a Changin'.

Be Cool!

Paul

Week off but better for it...

Hi there,

Took a week off running due to a sore knee after two flights with limited leg-room. My sports masseuse, Vivian, did a great job yesterday so today I was able to spend an hour doing body weight circuits followed by a 9 km tempo run. It all went well and the tempo run was a solid performance. I am actually quite pleased, even though I am slightly, very slightly, behind in my marathon training.

I leave for Prague on Sunday - short listed for a business class upgrade, one shall see. I have my hotel booked. My friends are meeting me and I have a sports massage booked in Prague on Wednesday and am trying to get one booked for Sunday as well.

I will try to update this blog once or twice before I fly so stay tuned. We are aiming for a new personal best here which would include a chip time of less than 2:15. Keep the faith!

Song of the day - Freedom - by the Alan Parson's Project.

Blog you again soon!

Paul