Monday 5th January 2009

Tuesday 29th December

Straight form work around Brackmills, its cold but a pleasent afternoon, an easy run of 30 minutes I am meant to achieve, instead I do a steadish run and complete the circuit of Brackmills in exactly 30 minutes - not bad..

Thursday 1st Jan 09
New years day - after a lazy morning I go for my 40 minute easy run. I complete about 4 miles and pass many hung over people. Thank god I decided not to drink on New years eve. I have to remind myself what an easy run is so I don't get carried away. I must be able to hold a conversation, so I begin to talk to myself just to double check. Am doing well

Saturday 3rd Jan 09
Myr first real steady 40 min run, 12 minutes in and I am struggling, I get up to 20 mins, its freezing, I cannot catch my breath, I feel sick and am stuggling to swallow. I take a 10 second breather, releave my mouth of its contents and then struggle on, my mouth is so dry I am not sure I can make it home then I remember I need to run 26 miles. I make it home and have realised I have run my 40 minutes and run a further distance than Thursday, the fac tI couldn't talk at all on this run makes me know I ran it steady.. maybe a bit too much.

Sunday 4th Jan 09
My first official long run.... i plan a route just over 5 miles. Today it is bloody freezing, th epuddles are iced up but a steady 60 minute run I complete averagingin myself to just over 11minute miles. I am please, I go home have a hot bath to recover.

This is it. I am off the alcohol for a minimum of 1 month at least and am 1 week into my training plan. I have spent most of my Christmas money on running kit - how sad am I??? Four times I ran last week and am pleased with my performance so far. Have a few aches but nothing as bad as what I thought I would be feeling at this stage which is good news. Maybe I am a better runner than I thought. I think the key is I know that I can run this. I am still struggling with the mentality of it all and dread the Steady and long runs. I am also struggling to sleep, not sure if this is due to the increased amount of excercise or the apprehension of what I am actually going to do. I hope it isn't the latter as otherwise I won't have any sleep for the next four months. I received the good news that my brother in law has a place in the London Marathon, thank god, he is a much better runner than I and he does inspire me alot.... heres to week two!!!