Mini Grim Reaper!

Well I've quite enjoyed my first week of having nothing to study, although I think it was helped by all the birthday celebrations this weekend.

I like to do stuff on my birthday that helps me forget I'm getting old, I don't like the thought that I am hurtling towards the end of life at an ever increasing rate. I don't know if it's just a coincidence or it's something to do with me, but there has been a lot of chat about death going on around me over the past week.

People who work as pension's actuaries can have a mixed view on death. Obviously on one hand it can be a very sad fact of life, on the other hand actuaries have to make educated estimates on how long people are going to live and if folks are living too long it costs our clients lots of money and makes actuaries look really stupid. So there is a bit of a balancing act with regards to our view on death.

It all started with a chat, Charlie my 8 year old son and I were having in the car, it went something like this:

Charlie: Dad, how old do you think you'll be when you die
Me: Oh I'm not too sure Charlie probably until I'm about 88, how long do you think you will live to?
Charlie: I think I will get to 100, Dad how do you think you are going to die?
Me: Oh, I don't like to think about that, how do you think you will die?
Charlie: Probably in a car crash (a little offensive since I was driving), I think I know how you will die.
Me: Tell me how I will die then.
Charlie: You are going to die doing the London marathon!

At which point I almost crashed - it's a bit worrying that my son thinks I'm going to die in 7 weeks and he doesn't seem all that bothered.

As the week progressed there seemed to be a lot of random discussions that I had with people which were on the topic of death, funerals etc.

Then the morning of Lynne's day  off work, I asked her what her plans for the day were, her response was, "I think I am going to sort out our wills". Does somebody know something I don't?.

I think the new marathon theme tune should be "I will survive".

Vital Stats

With birthday celebrations in the way this week only one run again, but I'm now feeling good for the final big push. Big thanks to my pal Charlie Marr for his company out on the run this week

Time run this week -  1 hours 5 minutes
Distance covered this week - 10.0km
Distance covered since beginning of training - 239.3km
Average pace - 6 minutes 30 seconds

Donor of the week

My donors of the week this week were the Rand family:

(old picture guys, sorry)

Paul (Rand) is my local Mormon Bishop and has been designated the official marathon spiritual leader, he may also have to officiate at my funeral if I don't make it. His wife Wendy is a running fanatic and has written an inspirational running blog for years, it's very good.

Also the Brown family:

Thanks to my uncle Chris and aunt Jill for their donation. Although when I thanked Chris he didn't know anything about it.

Thanks guys

Please give generously!

We are now just 7 short weeks away from the big day so if you would love the chance to be donor of the week and at the same time help a great cause that contributes to loads of different charities then please go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?userUrl=therunningactuary&faId=524011&isTeam=false

If at first you don't succeed...

Well this week again has been more actuary than running. Which in part, has been good as it has allowed my body to rest a little. It has also been in part terrible, it has meant I had to sit my CA3 exam (again).

Now the CA3 exam has become my nemesis, if I were Batman CA3 would be the Joker. I have had two of the trickier maths exams which I've failed twice and had to sit a third time but this week I attempted CA3 for the fourth time! Now the really annoying thing is it is a communications exam, all I have to do is write a short letter and prepare and give a 10 minute presentation!  This compared to some of the exams I have passed seems crazy that this one has become my nemesis. The other really annoying thing is that to sit this exam costs £400 a pop, so repeatedly failing CA3 is not a desirable habit to have.

This time round, I was keen to make a few small changes that would be the difference between a marginal fail and a pass. Something that I read in the news recently was about some research that was completed which provided evidence that good looking people are more likely to succeed in life, just because they are good looking. Now this is not something that has occurred to me before.  Usually by the time I get to an exam I look my worst, I will have not shaved for about a week, my skin will be spotty and belly will be swollen due to all the unhealthy 'study' snacks that I comfort myself with and I usually have terrible exam dreams the night before so I won't have slept all that well. All meaning I arrive at the exam hall looking like I've been living on the streets for some time.

Thankfully this doesn't usually matter as they have all been written exams so far and the examiner only sees my lovely neat writing! The presentation for CA3 is different though, I have to video record the presentation online for the examiner to watch, it's an extremely awkward experience. One of the commonly asked questions that students ask the examiner is if they are expected to wear business dress and the examiner always answers that they do not. However, I have decided that the examiner has some subconscious bias against students that look like hobos. This time I therefore set out to look as good as possible to test the theory that good looking people succeed. So for this exam I went all out suit, shirt and tie (I even ironed them), I had a shave, gelled my hair, put on my "party" glasses even went as far to remove any unsightly nasal hairs (as video camera was facing in that direction).

Unfortunately I'm no Brad Pitt, but this was by far the best I ever looked for an exam!

(the view the examiner will get to enjoy)

I had one  or two technical difficulties with the exam but by the end of the day it was all submitted and I just have the painful 12 week wait while the Faculty mark my two page letter and 10 minute presentation!

Although I can let you into a small exam secret that the examiner will never know, my top half was in actuary mode but my bottom half was ready for a run...

(the full picture) 

Well fingers cross it will be fourth time lucky, but hey becoming an actuary is a marathon not a sprint, I will just have to try, try, try again.

Vital Stats

Thanks to my exam this week I only managed one run this week but now it's out of the way all my focus is on getting fitter for the big day.

Time run this week -  2 hours 0 minutes
Distance covered this week - 18.2km
Distance covered since beginning of training - 229.3km
Average pace - 6 minutes 35 seconds

Donor of the week

I was very pleased earlier this week to receive a donation from my colleague Diane:

My good friend Diane until recently had the misfortune of sitting about 2 feet away from me every day. Diane also managed recently to pass the CA3 exam (at the first time of asking) which I am very jealous about. She also makes an awesome chocolate cheesecake, some people have just got it all.

Thanks Diane

Please give generously!

We are now just 8 short weeks away from the big day so if you would love the chance to be donor of the week and at the same time help a great cause that contributes to loads of different charities then please go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?userUrl=therunningactuary&faId=524011&isTeam=false

Duracel bunny marathon!

Well I've had to mix it up a bit this week. As the number of runs have added up over the last two and a bit months my calf muscles have been getting sorer after each run, I hoped it was just my legs getting stronger. After last week I worried that more running might be making the pain in my left leg worse.   Then after Tuesday nights run I knew that I had to give my calf a break from running as it felt like the muscle was about to pop.

Not wanting to lose any fitness, I have taken part in a load of different sports and exercises to get fitter and get my lungs working. Other than running this week I have done a Les Mills bodycombat class, bike ride, yoga and even pool. In doing this I have learned the following:

• Bodycomabat makes your shoulders and back hurt.
• Cycling makes your bum and knees sore.
• Yoga makes parts of your body that you don't know exist sore.
• Pool doesn't make anything sore, but I'm not sure it helps preparing for a marathon.

The highlight of the exercise this week though was a 26.2 mile marathon bike ride. It absolutely terrifies me to actually see how long a marathon is and I can't quite believe that I'm going to have to run that far. I was also going as fast as I could although I welcomed any break at traffic lights or in the traffic. It took me just under 1 hour 55 minutes to complete the cycle and was pretty knackered, the crazy thing that I realised though was that the winner of the London marathon in 9 weeks time will complete the race in around the same time that it took me to cycle, which is pretty impressive.

It's even more impressive when you consider my Lance Armstrong style cheating....

This canister is my equivalent to the blood doping scandal, most folks look at it attached to the bike and think it's some form of fancy drink canister but it's actually a battery, that will provide a little extra power when I'm struggling. I love the double take of serious lycra clad cyclists with their fancy roadbikes as I coast past while going up a steep hill on a clunky looking mountain bike, for some bizarre reason it makes me feel really manly.

I just wonder if they'll invent battery powered legs in time for April!

Vital Stats

I only managed one run this week but many thanks to my running buddy Martin who pushed me hard to make it the fastest one.

(Took a pre run selfie, I would have also taken a post run one, but I had to focus on breathing)

Time run this week -  54 minutes
Distance covered this week - 10.0km
Distance covered since beginning of training - 211.1km
Average pace - 5 minutes 28 seconds

Donor of the week

I'm very happy to have received a donation from Paul and Wendy Lynch, Paul also has an important role as being the official marathon physio and has to put up with all my moaning.

Thank you Paul!

Please give generously!

We are now just 9 short weeks away from the big day so if you would love the chance to be donor of the week and at the same time help a great cause that contributes to loads of different charities then please go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?userUrl=therunningactuary&faId=524011&isTeam=false

50 Shades of Gary!

I'm relieved that I have survived my man-flu, it was touch and go there for a while but I'm pleased to have made a Lazarusesque recovery.

Not only that but I also managed to put on my running shoes twice this week and continue preparing for the London marathon. I still wasn't quite 100% which made the runs extremely slow but I think it will still stand me in good stead for the coming weeks.

As part of my new found fitness regime, I have expected at some point that I would regain some of the handsomeness of my youth.  Reversing the downward trend of an ageing, balding and belly expanding thirty-something to a lean mean marathon machine. I was mentally preparing myself for some future time where I would have to let the ladies down gently and tell them I was no longer available. So to be honest it was a little disheartening and confidence shattering to not be getting the attention I  had expected!

That was until this week.....

It started earlier this week we were lucky enough to have Lynne's granny (or nana as she is called in the family) around for dinner. Now every time we have nana around, I am always on my best behaviour and I always try to stay on her good side. She will then usually spend the next little while telling Lynne how lucky she is to have a good man like me, which annoys Lynne because I'm not usually so helpful.

Anyway this time Lynne was giving nana a makeover while I was making dinner for everyone. As I served dinner, I could tell that nana was suitably impressed with my helpfulness around the house. Then she said "Do you know if I was 50 years younger, I'd make you dump her (talking about Lynne her own granddaughter) and come home with me!". This took me back a little and instead of giving my pre-prepared speech saying that I was no longer available etc,etc. I just said "Nana if I was just 10 years older I'd take you up on that offer!

Nana has not only given me the best compliment of the week, but she also very generously made a donation towards the Company of Actuaries Charitable Trust.  What a cracking old bird!

My lucky streak with the ladies continued this week, when in an attempt to save money on valentine flowers I decided to write a poem for Lynne, record it and put it on Facebook (way outside of my comfort zone) and for some reason lots of people wanted to watch it!  A good lot more than ever read this blog thats for sure. 1,500 views in the last two days.  So the good old Anderson charm has returned.  I put it down to the running.  Maybe a video blog is the way forward to drum up sponsorship.....I mean keep folk up to date.

Vital Stats

Time run this week - 2 hours 23 minutes
Distance covered this week - 22.7km
Distance covered since beginning of training - 201.1km
Average pace - 6 minutes 20 seconds

Donor of the week

Other than nana, I was excited this week to receive an email saying that I received a donation from my friend and fellow church goer Jane Brown. Jane has very kindly made a sizeable donation to the Charitable Trust which is very kind of her. I spoke with Jane's husband today who said she was a little poorly today, so Jane please get well soon (least it's not the dreaded man-flu) and thank you very much! 

Please give generously!

We are now just 10 short weeks away from the big day so if you would love the chance to be donor of the week and at the same time help a great cause that contributes to loads of different charities then please go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?userUrl=therunningactuary&faId=524011&isTeam=false

Mortality matters!

This may be last ever blog post! I have a terrible case of man-flu and I'm not sure if I'm gonna pull through.

One of the big reasons I volunteered to complete the London marathon was to force me to get a bit more active, become more healthy, lose a bit of weight and in general make all round improvements to my physical well being. The theory behind it is sound - the main driving force for me to go out running, is not the exercise itself, but rather the fear of not being able to finish the marathon or coming last out of 36,000 runners and the public humiliation that would result.

As with lots of things in life the theory doesn't always pan out. This week I came across an article on the BBC news regarding recent research completed looking into the effects that jogging has on life expectancy. Now geeky actuarial folk like me love any information about mortality studies. I clicked on it eagerly looking for the confirmation that because of all my recent exercise, I can count on reaching a grand old age, however the studies suggest that folks who run over 2.5 hours a week will have the same life expectancy as people who do nothing. Ideally it suggested running a maximum of 2.5 hours per week at a maximum pace of 5 miles per hour, that's only 12.5 miles (not even half way).

Now it's probably just a coincidence but ever since reading this, it's all been down hill for me. All day after Tuesday's run, I was limping around and making old man noises every time I moved. It deteriorated rapidly to full blown man-flu by Friday and have continued to feel worse until today. at this rate I reckon I've probably only got a few days left!

Lynne says that I'm being a little over dramatic and that I've only got a small cold, but I never said she was making too big a deal when she was complaining of the pain of labour. She should count her lucky stars that she will never have to go through man-flu.

Vital Stats

Due to my current condition, I only managed out once this week:

Time run this week - 1 hour
Distance covered this week - 10.1km
Distance covered since beginning of training - 178.4km
Average pace - 5 minutes 59 seconds

Donor of the week

I was excited this week to receive an email saying that I received a donation from my friend and colleague Martin - no mistaken identity this time.

I sit next to Martin in the office and he has to put up with all my terrible chat all day everyday. Despite that he has been very generous towards the charitable trust. Martin also happens to be the actuarial team crazy golf and pool champion. Although it is not all good as he makes a terrible mint chocolate cheesecake.

Thanks Martin!

Please give generously

!If you would love the chance to be donor of the week and at the same time help a great cause that contributes to loads of different charities then please go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?userUrl=therunningactuary&faId=524011&isTeam=false

Smokin' hot actuarial models!

Well as the self proclaimed running actuary, this week I have had to focus a lot more on the actuary part than the running part. As on Wednesday I had my CA2 exam - "actuarial modelling".

Now I don't want to make too big of a deal about it, it is definitely regarded as one of the easiest of the 15 actuarial exams, but this fact doesn't give me too much comfort as I failed this exam with flying colours just 6 months ago. It is a modelling exam which basically means I have to build a mathematical model using an excel spreadsheet and a write a couple of documents about what it does and how to use  it.  It always sounds a lot less glamorous than when you tell folks that your work is sending you an a modelling course!

The exam started at 9am and had to be finished at 5pm and I was so wary of running out of time so I only took a six minute break to eat a pork pie and packet of roast beef monster munch (the classic brain food). Despite the shortness of my lunch break, it got to around half past 4 and I still had a load of things that I wanted to write and so it was very intense, I swear for the last half hour there was steam coming out of the keyboard and I thought the lap top might burst into flames, but at 4:59pm the exam was submitted. Now it's just the painful 12 week wait until the results are issued.

Now thinking about it sitting CA2 is actually pretty good marathon training - It takes hours to complete, you don't get much of a break, as it gets closer to the end you get breathless and sweaty and it takes a good few hours to put it out of your mind.

Unfortunately the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries make you delete all your work after it has been submitted, so I can't let you see the output of my hard day's work. Although I can leave you with this picture of a smokin' hot actuarial model.

Vital Stats

As I said, running wasn't the priority this week, I did manage two shorter and very slow runs, I've also been struggling to recover from last weeks long run. If you dislike the smell of deep heat you need to stay well away from me.

Time run this week - 1 hour 47 minutes
Distance covered this week - 17.7km
Distance covered since beginning of training - 168.3km
Average pace - 6 minutes 5 seconds

Donor of the week

Well from one actuarial model to another I was extremely please to receive a donation this week from my good friend,who also happens to be my colleague, Gary Muller.

Not only is Gary one of the smartest guys I know, he has an awesome taste in music and is the current actuarial team ten pin bowling champion. Above all he is a very generous chap!

Thank you Gary!

Please give generously!

If you would love the chance to be donor of the week and at the same time help a great cause that contributes to loads of different charities then please go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?userUrl=therunningactuary&faId=524011&isTeam=false

My new found love of lycra!

Well it's been an extremely busy week, with my CA2 exam coming up this Wednesday there has been a significant amount of cramming. Fingers crossed that all will go well and I'll never have to think of it again. However, with one eye on the exam and also the freezing cold temperatures earlier in the week I only managed to get out twice this week.

With the subzero temperatures, I have had to resort to something I promised myself I would never do - wearing tights. A few years ago when I bought my last pair of running shoes, the sales assistant was giving me a really hard sell on these skin tight Lycra running trousers, I told him that I would never be seen dead in a pair of tights (well at least out running anyway). I told him that I was a man and that  the cold weather would never bother me that much.

However as it has been absolutely freezing I've had to relent and embrace tights. Now it's not as bad as it sounds, these are running tights for men, also to protect my dignity I wear a loose pair of shorts on top of them, as there are just some things that Dunfermline Town is not ready to see. Also if I'm being totally honest with myself I actually find them quite comfy, so much so I went out last week and bought myself a Lycra top to complete the outfit. Also it eliminates the need for my nipple protectors. I'm a convert.

Yesterday's run coincided with Charlie getting back from his gymnastics training, we noticed that in the Anderson household wearing Lycra was a man thing...

(You wouldn't believe how hard I am sucking in for this picture! I am also keeping my lower tights well hidden)

My two runs this week went well, with a longest ever run of 18.5km yesterday afternoon which got very slow in the last few kilometres. Without complaining too much, I'm in a bit of pain today and have had the deep heat out.

The main thing for this week though is that my exam on Wednesday goes well. Maybe wearing Lycra will help me concentrate? Wish me luck!

Vital StatsTime run this week - 2 hours 50 minutes
Distance covered this week - 28.5km
Distance covered since beginning of training - 150.6km
Average pace - 5 minutes 58 seconds

Donor of the week

Well I  was extremely excited this week to get an email telling me that I had received a donation from my Granny Day with the following message:

The race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong, but he that endures. x

Granny as always delivering a thought provoking message!

A picture of me and my glamorous granny at her recent 80th birthday bash!

Thank you Granny.

Please give generously!

If you would love the chance to be donor of the week and at the same time help a great cause that contributes to loads of different charities then please go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?userUrl=therunningactuary&faId=524011&isTeam=false