Never, never, never

never, never touch the tail of a whale. Believe me, after that run the possibility of touching a whale's tail seems a whole heap more likely than running a marathon. I'm sweating like a fox at a hunting convention after a four mile session picking up the pace every three minutes... OMG. There's oh so far to go, and only six months to get there.

The sun is in the sky, and the clouds are rolling by...

A while since I posted and I just know you'll be dying to know how I got on at the Peopleton Scenic Six....... and the answer is pretty well by my standard. Conditions were excellent, with dry, mild weather and I managed to clock a creditable 48:45 for the 6.1 mile course, which is a steady 8 minutes per mile and almost four minutes better than last year. Better still I came in 115th out of 317 entrants which is a good 21 places higher than last year too, and although I was pretty knacked afterwards (being honest) it was worth the effort.

Since that race I've been pretty much sticking to a half marathon training schedule cribbed from Runners World, with varying success given the temptations of Easter. The "Easy" and "Steady" distance runs I can generally manage, but its the speed and tempo work where I fall down, my "fast" intervals being run at a barely perceptible increase from the steady. More work definitely required but with the sun now shining and the lighter nights getting longer the motivation is easier to find so I'm not too downhearted.

Yesterday saw an 8.5 mile run along the canal into Worcester and back via the Racecourse and riverside. A nice route to run with plenty of visual interest, but I was really struggling over the last few miles and a sore calf and tight hamstring is testament to the continuing lack of fitness. Blisters seem to be more of an issue these days too and I feel the need for a new pair of trainers - something with a little extra cushioning to molly-coddle my namby pamby civil servants feet. Either that or I'll have to start walking on hot coals to toughen them up a bit.

That long run was really to make up for "dodging" the Eastnor Castle Magnificent Seven, a hellishly hilly romp around the bottom end of the Malvern hills which I didn't fancy subjecting myself to at this particularly stage. Wimping out never sits comfortably, but ...... but ........ well, but nothing really - I'll stick to the Crowle 10k on 10 May, which has a nice family atmosphere and plenty for the kids to do, and then stick with the training through to the Malvern Half in early June.

Just got to keep going. Follow those clouds, rolling on by.

Total mileage to date: 188.71. Weight: A toddler too much.

'Ere we go

125 miles down, and its time for an event. Tomorrow is the Peopleton Scenic Six and I can't wait to get back into running an actual, real, guts n'all race with actual, real, guts n'all other people. I haven't run with anyone else alongside for nearly six months, since the Cardiff Half Marathon last October, and its good to be getting back out there - it feels like I'm on a positive stretch, progressing. Training this last week or so has been okay. A couple of good interval sessions, on one increasing the pace for five minutes, then dropping it back down for five, and in another using 3 minute repeats - both over 5 - 6 miles. Its certainly lead to some improved times, with my average for a typical 5 mile run coming down within 8.30, suggesting that I'll soon get back to an 8 minute mile average for 10k pace, making the 8.30 - 8.45 average for a marathon attainable - if still a little daunting. The improved weather has helped too, although the consumption of an outrageous amount of wine and a joyously delicious curry on Thursday night obviously set me back. I still managed the 3.5 mile run down to the station to pick up the car the next day, but that was a bit of a trudge. So its a rest day today, then off to Peopleton tomorrow. Niggles? Some pain in the instep of my left foot which has had me searching for a local Podiatrist, and the back is as sore and stiff as ever, but I reckon I can get round without too much damage. A first race outing for the multi-terrain shoes purchased late last year and a target of 52 minutes - last years time - to beat. Actually, this is the first time I've ever competed in a race I've done before, so a good chance to measure progress........ or not. 'Ere we go. Total miles to date: 125.35. Weight: and see.