Running diary

Thursday 2 March

Good, if painful, treatment session with Louise - Amazing how much better my calf is in less than a week - She says that icing the injury for the first 48 hours really helped - Her advice is to rest tonight and tomorrow, and to have a slow jog on Saturday for no more than an hour after a proper warm up - Under no circumstances am I to go beserk and at the first sign of any discomfort I'm to stop - She gives me a tenner in sponsorship which is much appreciated.

Friday 3 March

Take it really easy all day at work (no change there then some might say!) and in the evening - Manage to get my MP3 player going again - Would be lost without it on my training runs.

Saturday 4 March

Warm up well and do a good (if slowish) hour with no problems - UR have asked me for hints and tips for marathon first timers - Thinking about that makes the hour go quite quickly - Most of the hints and tips are well documented but here are a few reminders - Nothing particularly original I'm afraid:

• Get to the start early as there are always big queues for the loos - Try to relax.
• Don't forget the vaseline.
• A black bin liner is useful to sit on/Bin liners can also be worn if its raining.
• Don't go off like a maniac - There will be plenty of time to pick up the pace.
• Take water/lucozade (if you are used to it) at every refreshment station - Sip it even if you don't feel particularly thirsty early on.
• Beware discarded water bottles in the road if you're running on the inside.
• Be positive and enjoy the occasion and the crowds - Their cheers and enthusiasm (and orange quarters and bits of Mars Bar etc) will help you get round.

Sunday 5 March

Feel surprisingly good and go for a morning stroll - Must be something I ate last night!

Monday 6 March

Run for 50 minutes with no problem from my calf although I do feel very tired towards the end (and also very wet and cold as it was bucketing down!) - Missing training even for a few days has definitely affected my fitness.

Tuesday 7 March

Short 40 minute session - Feel knackered - At least it wasn't raining though - Good end to the day as Barcelona finish Chelsea off which perks me up no end!

Wednesday 8 March

A day of rest (i.e. go to work) - Go to bed feeling seriously gloomy as Arsenal have beaten Real Madrid.

Thursday 9 March

60 minute run - Why does the wind always blow in my face whichever way I'm running?

Friday 10 March

Another day of rest - More bl**dy pasta for lunch - I am really redeveloping my dislike for the stuff - After the Marathon is over I am never going to touch it again! Spend the evening continuing my running diary for UR as amazingly they like my first offering and want more - Develop RSI from typing with 1 finger - Better get the frozen peas out and ice the injury! Early night as tomorrow I am supposed to get back on schedule and do two and half hours - Does that fill me with dread!

Saturday 11 March

Call it a day after 2 hour 15 minutes - Was almost on my hands and knees at the end - Also had a big blister on my foot - Still I did cover 15 miles or so and I half expected to struggle after missing the last two long runs - Three long training runs left now including the three hour one on April 1st!