Wednesday 4th April 2007

Flora London Marathon website countdown now shows 17 days to go - very very nervous!

I really wanted to hit the 20 mile target in training before the big day but unfortunately it hasn't happened and it's taper time so I will just to hope that I can make it round. The last 2 long runs have been 18 miles each and they have been tough. A nasty sore throat and cold during last week didn't help matters.

Taper time means that the long run this weekend goes down to 12 miles - never thought when I started this that I would think of 12 miles as an easy distance!!!!

All the marathon day information has now arrived including the vest I will be wearing from Muscular Dystrophy. Makes it all seem very real somehow, as if somehow running over 300 miles in training (yes I have calculated it) doesn't!!!!

Tuesday 20th March

Ran the Half Marathon at Silverstone on Sunday. It was my one and only pre-marathon race and I was unsure whether to go for it or not. I have had some back problems over the last couple of weeks and the physio warned me against running too far(!) However, I mentally wanted to get some pre-race experience. It was a great race - great atmosphere despite the horrendous conditions. I got pelted with hail twice, snow, sleet and the wind was appalling - the last mile was all into the wind!!!! Nice to have an official time - 2:19:28! I beat Nigel Mansell's time and that's pretty cool to say that I beat him round the F1 circuit!

Despite running against the physio's advice it seems I have done myself some good - back feels great, went to see her today and she has given me the all clear for now. She suggested she should get more people to run half marathons against her advice as it obviously does the trick!!!!

Feeling quite positive now and ready for the final big push before the big day. 2 more long steady runs to go and then its time for the taper.

Saturday 3rd March

A few mixed weeks for me - highs and lows!

The highs regarding the distances I'm now covering - 15 and 16 miles over the last two weekends. They've been tough but the sense of achievement at the end of them was amazing! The runs I've done for these have been along the river - Putney, Hammersmith, Barnes, crossing at Chiswick Bridge - such a lovely run, although a bit muddy (my beautiful shiny new trainers are not looking so beautiful and shiny any more!)

The lows are the constant tiredness, the doubts setting in (am I doing enough training, am I doing too much?), a few niggles (knees and ankles - nothing too serious I think / hope). It's very difficult juggling work commitments, a social life and training. My legs ache constantly and my body feels exhausted! I guess if training for the marathon was easy everyone would do it!

A work colleague said to me last week, "you'll be running in the marathon next month" - that sounds very scary!

Saturday 10th February

13.1 miles today...a milestone...half way there! Am surprising myself week after week at the moment and was pleased that I managed it (albeit slowly). I ran it in just under 2 and a half hours - would be happy to finish the marathon itself in under 5 hours! Possible? I just don't know.

I have just got a place to run the half marathon in Silverstone in March. At least I now know I can get round the distance!

I am choosing to now run home from work twice a week. It's a gorgeous 6-7 mile run which continues along the river most of the way.

Saturday 3rd February

Today I ran 12 miles, a personal best for me and a sense of achievement in itself. I'm feeling pleased with myself today but there's still a long way to go.

I am currently running around 20 miles a week, building up gradually as the countdown to the big day approaches. Unfortunately I have developed a slight kneed injury along the way so am trying not to over do it. The physio has given me the all clear for now!

Am following a 'get you round schedule'  which am hoping will help me do exactly that! It consists of a long run on a Saturday with some other exercise on Sunday (i.e. swimming), and 3 runs during the week of between 3 and 10 miles. I try to take at least 2 days rest a week and have also been doing some Pilates classes at the gym which I really enjoy.

Running is certainly taking up a lot of time at the moment and am hoping that the training will pay off on April 22nd.

Will keep you posted on progress!