Gower Sunset

15 miles last night.

Went out about 7pm, not ideal in my book to do such a run but was looking forward to it all day and with good reason it turns out, plenty of energy (chocolate muffins and orange lucozade, winning combination) and running along the coastal path as the sunset over the Gower. I have to wonder if there is a better sight to behold on a run anywhere in Britain, I mean the view is always good but this was sensational.

Anyways taper really on now, a paltry three miles tonight and only one more run in double figures to go, 10 miles this Sunday before or after marshalling Llanelli Marathon.

Morning after...

...the night(s) before.

Easy 5 this morning and being proactive took a few sheets of toilet roll with me and went the bushy route. Nothing happening. Just know that if I hadn't been prepared would have ended up taking a detour through the market again though. am thinking of investing in one of these now >>>>>>>>>>.

Anyway, was a cracking 5, beautiful morning, going to be scorchio today! A day gardening beckons.

Oh by the way is Laura's fault that was on pop two nights in a row, she went to Tesco Thursday night under strict orders to get cider or wine. She comes back with 12 cans and a bottle of wine, how am I going to drink all that in one night? Actually still got 4 cans left now, although shall resist them until next weekend.

Infamy...

...infamy, they've all got it in for me.

Well maybe not quite infamy but any excuse to use that line. However on this morning's run two different randoms wished me luck for London, so obviously some people did read my article in the paper even nif it did lead to zero donations.

Is a lovely day out, not sure I want this weather on the day though, maybe a little too warm. Did 6 miles out of a timetabled 8 at below 8mm pace and then the final 2 easy. I was warm, a little low on energy (was only 3 days ago I was at deaths door ) and the back was twinging. Is a no risk strategy from here on in....

Out for a walk on the beach with the family this afternoon, couldn't ask for more. May even treat myself to a 99.

Blimey...

...if that is how I feel running after a couple of days rest, and that due to illness, and a sports massage I am going to be fresh as daisy by London. If I was Messrs Wanjiru, Lel at al I would be looking over my shoulder for the slightly over weight boy from Llanelli.

Ok so I exaggerate some what but felt great tonight in the warmest weather I have run in for months, even if it was only an easy five, you know how you feel right? Hope tomorrows tempo feels as good and my taper really does leave me feeling as good as if not better come the BIG day. I am really confident now that nothing will stop me coming in under 4 hours and that will be a result in my first marathon (yes I said first).

Was going to stop blogging after London but I have my eye on bigger and better(?) things already that will really need sharing.

Taper time...

... is here, and not a second too soon to be frank.

Todays planned 22 miles lsr was cut to 18, not ideal, but then nor is death by dehydration.

Joking aside was tough from the off today and my refuelling strategy just didn't work, why I changed from last weeks is a bit of a mystery but another lesson learnt. Well one of the reasons I changed was because Tesco didn't have my muffins yesterday leading to home made flapjacks, too chewy. Secondly, and a schoolboy error I suppose, why I didn't take Lucozade sport and water as I did last week I really don't know. Yes it is awkward with 2 bottles but I am well aware that come VLM that problem will be eradicated by the way the drink stations are situated. When I ran out of drink at mile 12 realised was going to be a hard final 10.

Knee wasn't too bad with Cho Pat and I have realised that is such a problem because of the changing terrains, every time I changed surface it started to hurt again until Cho Pat worked its magic, usually about 30 seconds. Is changing terrain a problem in London, I am presuming no.

Anyway pfft to 22 miles have now done 2 x 20 2 x 18 2 x 15 with another 15 and 12 to do so am comfortable that come the day I will get round in under 4 hours everything being well.

3 weeks today...

Market Workers

At least there are still some people in Britain with a high work ethic, if they hadn't been working at the crack of dawn yesteday morning I would have been looking for a bush. Instead I got a nice clean warm loo to do a number two during an easy 5.

Bit of an up and down day really with Spurs pretty abysmal(down), Man City winning (down) and the new Doctor Who (up) and his attractive new side kick (up).

22 miles for me today, leaving in about an hour in the mind that 3 weeks today will be starting VLM approximately the same time.

Reasons not to run...

1. Torrential rain
2. Gale force winds
3. Consumption of following previous evening:

Tuna Pasta
4 packs McCoys
5 pints Magners
Double Decker
Bounty
Snickers (after approximately 5.5hrs in freezer)
Numerous cow biscuits

Lets make it clear that this is not the usual diet of a top class athlete, or myself, but felt like pushing the boat out having finished work for 17 days.

Although once I may have accepted these reasons to stay in bed am obviously glad now that I went out this morning even though it didn't go completely to plan and I wasn't pleased at the time.

Supposed to do mile warm up, 4 mile tempo @ 7.20 pace and mile warm down. Didn't quite work out like that. Ended up as 1 mile warm up (so far so good) 2 miles @ 7.22 (retching constantly as I ran during last half mile) and 2.23 mile warm down. Not too bothered though, I got out there at least and better self inflicted pain than proper injury. On the topic of injuries was first time with cho pat and everything seemed fine so fingers crossed, 23 days to go....

Theres method in the Magners!