The Finish Line

This will be my final entry in this training diary. It is the end of July and I am just about to begin training for the 2007 Windsor Half marathon – the race that started it all off. Also, an application form for the 2008 London Marathon has just dropped through the letterbox.

I have to admit, I am sorely tempted.

The marathon seems and age ago now, but in fact it is little more than 3 months. I haven’t thought about it for a while, but the arrival of next year’s application and drawing up a training plan for Windsor has brought back a few memories. Ironically, I haven’t run for about a month due to an Achilles problem, which I still haven’t totally shaken.

The final amount that I raised for Shelter was £2912.50 – almost double my original target! They are being a bit slow about returning my £200 deposit (doubtless they are still hoping I will forget about it) but otherwise they have been a good charity to run for and I am pleased that I was able to raise a lot of money for them. If I ran again, who would it be for?

With the additional perspective of the last three months, it has become clear to me just how much effort I put into running the marathon. It really did take over my life for 6 months!! Since I finished, I have been able to put more effort into my work, spend a lot more time with my friends and eat and drink enough to make up for everything I deprived myself of in the build up to the race.

But at the same time I am missing something. I am missing the physical exertion. I am missing (weirdly) the spin classes and the laps of Richmond Park. I am missing finding new parts of London and new paths through old favourites. Most of all, I am missing the challenge.

I don’t know whether I will apply to London again this year, but I do know now that I want to run another marathon. If nothing else, I can’t live without knowing whether, with the benefit of experience, so extra training and – fates willing – a cooler day, I might complete 26.2 miles in less than 4 hours…

So watch out Gordon Ramsay. Friends, prepare for more boring running anecdotes. Osteopath McWilliam, hold a space in your diary indefinitely. JD will run London again….. or possibly New York (watch this space).

But, for now at least I must bid your farewell, good reader.

I have an application form to fill out.

The end at last: JD with his medal

How to run a marathon

Here are my 10 top tips for running a marathon:

1. Run for charity
There’s nothing to say that you have to run for a charity, but there are two excellent reasons to do so: i) you won’t have to wait for the results of the ballot to see if you have a place on the start line, which means you can plan your training from as early as August/September and start raising money straight away and ii) it will keep you going through the long, dark months of training and the most grueling miles of the race. Whenever I found the going tough, I thought of all the people that had sponsored me and of the charity I was running for and the people they helped, and it would keep me going. Pick a charity you personally believe in, which will help you to stay motivated and will also make it easier to convince people to sponsor you.

2. Get the right kit
Running should be as fun as you can make it, and that means being comfortable. Start with a decent pair of trainers. Spend some money so that i) you get a pair that will go the distance and ii) you will feel obliged to use them as much as possible so as to justify their cost! From there, build up a range of kit to include enough pairs of shorts and running tops to keep up with your rigorous schedule and all the other essentials, including running socks, a water bottle, leggings for cold nights, jackets, wrist bands, a sports watch and a cap to keep off the sun and rain. I found an arm wallet invaluable for carrying my phone, keys and tube pass around.

3. Plan your training
Sit down relatively early on and decide what you are going to do when, then stick to it. I used a plan out of a book, plus a bit of my own experience to put together a comprehensive schedule of training. It wasn't always possible to do every session – mainly due to injuries – but the plan was always there to return to when I was able, and kept me broadly on track until race day.

4. Seek expert advice
Running a marathon is difficult, so you need all the help you can get. Follow advice out of books, read Runners’ World, chat to more experienced runners, join a running club... I did it all and picked up tips that I would never have thought of on my own.

5. Join a club
If not for the advice then for the social aspect! It’s relatively cheap and has a multitude of benefits. I really enjoyed the regular Saturday morning Primrose Hill sessions with the Serpies and it made a big difference to my training. I also did a bit of training with a friend, which helped to keep me motivated and broke the tedium of running on my own.

6. Don't be afraid to get physio if things go wrong
Physio is not for wimps! You are not as tough as you think! Without my visits to the osteopath, it’s unlikely that I would have made it to the start line, let alone the finish. Her expert advice got me through some difficult weeks in January and March and the physio sessions helped to structure my recovery. Seek help sooner rather than later – it’s money well spent.

7. Accept the fact that things will change
Marathon training takes over your life, but there will be times that you simply can’t follow the plan. Don’t stress about it. Maintaining a positive attitude is essential. There will be hard times, but if you focus on defeat, you will be defeated. Focus on what is going well and spread that positive energy across your training!

8. Do a mixture of training styles
Sam Murphy is right, simply running the same distance at the same pace along the same route every week simply won’t do it. Mixing speed and stamina work with cross training and hills helped my overall fitness improve much faster than clocking up mile after mile, which may have sounded good when the 100th person asked you “How many miles are you running a week?” but wont be so good when you get a stress fracture.

9. Don’t wait for things to go wrong (or think that they never will)
It's easy to be naive the first time around (I was). Try to minimise the chance of getting injured by getting into good habits from the start. Get into a routine, rest properly after your long runs, warm up and warm down properly and ideally stretch every day. It’s tedious, but it’s better than getting injured.

10. Keep a record
You’ll look back on this experience as one of the best of your life, but it will begin to fade almost as soon as you cross the finish line. Try and keep some record of everything you have done – either as a simple running log or something more involved like my training diary. I carried my mobile phone with me on almost every run, which meant that I had a camera with me to snap the best moments. Don’t underestimate the value of this – you will treasure it forever!

Soundtrack to JD's London Marathon

You’ve read the blog, now get the soundtrack!

There were some long, long, training days out there on the road over the winter, but I always had one companion throughout – my trusty ipod mini. It’s old, it’s outdated and it’s had a battery replacement, but it’s covered almost as many miles as I have and kept me going when times were tough.

My running program is an eclectic selection of tunes – where else could you find a list that includes both Randy Crawford and Radiohead, the Smiths and Salt-n-Pepa, Bobby Womack and Bonnie Tyler. The tunes were on ‘shuffle’ so, as Forrest Gump once said, you never know what you’re going to get. But I always started with a classic – Eye of the Tiger, by Survivor. It was the prelude to many, many, many miles of hard graft.

So, in alphabetical order by artist (luckily, the more embarrassing songs appear further down the list that way) here is the soundtrack to my training:

Eye of the Tiger, Survivor
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight), ABBA
All Possibilities, Badly Drawn Boy
Good Vibrations, The Beach Boys
I Get Around, The Beach Boys
Surfin' USA, The Beach Boys
Ride On Time, Black Box
Call Me, Blondie
Hanging On The Telephone, Blondie
Atomic, Blondie
Marblehead Johnson, The Bluetones
Cut Some Rug, The Bluetones
Coffee & TV, Blur
Across 110th Street, Bobby Womack
Holding Out for a Hero, Bonnie Tyler
That Thing You Do, Busted
Nerdy, Busted
What I Go to School For, Busted
The One and Only, Chesney Hawkes
You Never Can Tell, Chuck Berry
Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me), Cockney Rebel & Steve Harley
Dreams, The Cranberries
In A Room, Dodgy
Good Enough, Dodgy
Making The Most Of, Dodgy
Go Your Own Way, Fleetwood Mac
Truth, Rest Your Head, Gene
MMMBop, Hanson
Fame, Irene Cara
Move Your Feet, Junior Senior
Like I Love You, Justin Timberlake
Everybody's Changing, Keane
Since U Been Gone, Kelly Clarkson
Love at First Sight, Kylie Minogue
Thunder In My Heart Again, Leo Sayer
Checking It Out, Lil' Chris
Run With Us, Lisa Lougheed
Hung Up, Madonna
Ray Of Light, Madonna
California Dreamin', The Mamas & The Papas
Australia, Manic Street Preachers
Four Minute Warning, Mark Owen
That Girl, McFly
Can You Feel It, Michael Jackson
Billie Jean, Michael Jackson
Thriller, Michael Jackson
Black Or White, Michael Jackson
Sing It Back, Moloko
Yeke Yeke, Mory Kante
Blue Monday, New Order
It's My Life, No Doubt
Can't Stand Losing You, The Police
Roxanne, The Police
The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight, R.E.M.
Bang And Blame, R.E.M.
Texarkana, R.E.M.
Idioteque, Radiohead
Street Life, Randy Crawford
Paint It Black, The Rolling Stones
Reach, S Club 7
Push It, Salt-N-Pepa
Take Your Mama, Scissor Sisters
I Don't Feel Like Dancin', Scissor Sisters
On Standby, Shed Seven
Jumpin' Jack Flash, Shed Seven
Mrs. Robinson, Simon And Garfunkel
The Headmaster Ritual, The Smiths
Groovejet (If This Ain't Love), Spiller
Beautiful Ones, Suede
Starlight, The Supermen Lovers
I Love To Boogie, T.Rex
Never Forget , Take That
Relight My Fire, Take That
Dancing in The Moonlight, Toploader
On The Road Again, Willie Nelson
Oh Yeah, Yello

Reflections on the big day

It’s four weeks since the marathon and life is slowly getting back to normal. At least, I think I would call it normal – it’s been so long since I had a life that I can only just remember what one is.

It’s amazing how quickly the memory of the day has disappeared into the past. I’m really glad I sat down and wrote that long blog entry the evening of the race so that I will always remember how it felt. It was an amazing day, truly unique, and lived up to all of my expectations.

I have kept up some running since the marathon – mainly distances of around 5-7 miles. I think I’ll be happy to runs around that length from now on. I’d like to keep running half-marathons and have signed up for Windsor again this September.

It’s often said that, after the marathon, people feel a sense of loss, an emotional anticlimax as all of the effort of training and the adrenaline of the big day recedes. I’m pleased to say that I’ve not really felt that way. I have used the time to see friends that I have been neglecting for weeks, to do some things I enjoy, to eat some bad food and to drink some lovely beer – and now that summer is coming, I am looking forward to long, lazy afternoons in the pub without fear of what it might do to my training. It’s also wonderful to be injury free and able to walk around normally again. There were weeks on end in February and March when I couldn’t get out of a chair without wincing, before limping off down the corridor.

Looking back, the marathon day itself was everything I hoped that it would be. I was really, really lucky to get such a good experience and to feel fit for most of the way around. Other people I have spoken too suffered much more in the heat – it just goes to show how all of that training really paid off.

My final total for Shelter looks like being £2890. If you had said to me at the beginning I would not only make my £1500 target, but would double it, I’m not sure I would have believed you! I remain taken aback by people’s kindness and generosity. Thank you everyone!!

One final question remains in my head:

Is this my first marathon? Or my last?

The official results

Jonathan Duff – runner number 46341

Finish time: 4:10:16

Position (overall) 11230
Position (gender) 9214
Position (age group) 1219

Split times:
10K – 0:58:57
20K – 1:55:16
Half – 2:01:19
30K – 2:53:57
40K – 3:56:51
Fnsh – 4:10:16

The London Marathon

26.2 miles in 4:10:16

Victory! I have joined the 1% of the population that has run the London Marathon! The experience is overwhelming and I think I need a couple of days to reflect before I can tell you exactly how it felt but, while it is still fresh in my head, let me tell you about the day.

The journey to the start
I was up at 5.45am and straight into the shower. Had some breakfast – big bowl of cereal, toast with jam and a banana – and headed down to the tube just before 7am. Was surprised – and slightly worried – to find Caledonian Road tube station closed. Unhelpful chap in the station told me that the first train didn’t go through until 7.15am and that I should get a bus to KingsX. Unbelievable.

What followed was a nightmare journey of the kind you really don’t need on the morning of an event like this, involving a bus, the Victoria Line and the Northern Line, plus a comedy moment in between where everyone was lost in the underground system and I had to lead us all to safety.

Finally, and extremely miffed with London Underground, I made it to Charring Cross. I missed both of the trains I was planning to get and had a nervous 15 minute wait for the next one. Chatted to a chap doing his 5th marathon which calmed me down a little. Did rather well in the scrum for the train when it arrived and bagged a seat. Noticed, not for the first time that it was hot, and getting hotter! The predicted scorcher was in full swing.

Made it to Greenwich around 8:15, hot, bothered and a lot later than I had thought. Realised there was little chance of meeting up with Mum and Dad, so I trapsed up the hill to the Red Start along with everyone else and went in to the start area. Felt good to be among the runners and could finally start to think about the race ahead.

I handed in my kit bag, went to the loo (twice), scored some Lucozade Sport (the first of many) and some water, and chatted to the Shelter crowd. Did a brief warm and some stretches. Before I knew it, it was 9:30 and I was heading to the starting pen. Got a good position at the front and chatted to another Shelter runner, who had come down from Swansea for the weekend. There was less jostling for position than I had imagined. We seemed to be quite close to the gates which exit onto the start line, which was good, and thankfully were shaded by the avenue of trees.

The atmosphere in the pen was electric! The guy on the PA was getting us all to clap and cheer each other. When 9:45 came around and the starter fired his gun we slowly swayed forward, out of the gates and into the sun. I saw the start line ahead of me and realised for the first time that this was the moment I had been training for these past 6 months. The race was on!

The first few miles
Almost as soon as I crossed the start line I heard someone shout my name and looked over to see Caroline and Jen waving a “Go JD!” banner. I was so surprised to see them all I managed to do was punch my fists in the air before I was swept along by the crowd. It was very hot out in the sun and I was determined not to go off too fast. I made myself run slowly and completed the first mile in about 10 minutes.

Not long after, I needed the loo again, so I dodged in a handy portaloo before things got too crowded. I lost a couple of minutes there, but I figured it would be better to get it over with and feel comfortable rather than put it off. By mile 2, I was 4 minutes behind schedule.

Kept things slow down through Woolwich. There was decent support, but the route was very crowded so you had to watch where you were going. People were shouting “Oggy Oggy Oggy – Oi Oi Oi” which seemed like fun, but probably not a great use of energy. I sought out the shade where I could and soaked up the atmosphere. Bizarrely, there were a couple of priests throwing holy water over people as they ran past and “high fiving” the runners nearest the side. I also saw a few people trying to high five some children, who took their hands away at the last minute. Suckers.

Just before mile 3, we merged with the Green and Blue starts and there was some healthy jeering and booing as we ran along side each other! Highly amusing!! I high fived a few kids just for good measure.

Greenwich to Tower Bridge
On into Charlton, towards Greenwich. There was plenty of support still and we went past our first water station, which was good. I made sure I drank at every one – even if I took just a few sips and then threw the bottle away. The temperature was soaring and I knew it would be important later. We also had our first Lucozade Sport station and I took on a fresh pouch of lovely orange gunk. A real treat!

It was very difficult to navigate through the crowd. After a deliberately slow first 3 miles, I wanted to pick up the pace a little, but it was almost impossible to get around people to do so. Incredibly, there were already people walking. I simply couldn’t believe it – we had only been going half an hour! It was actually very annoying. There was very little space, and when people walked it held everyone up. Resisted temptation to smack them around the back of the head with my Vittell bottle.
As we came into Greenwich the crowds got much thicker and we all waved to the BBC cameras just before the Cutty Sark (which, sadly, is boarded up this year for restoration work). On the other side of the Cutty Sark, I saw Mum and Dad – almost completely by chance – and gave them a massive cheer (see photo above)! Gave me a real boost and pushed me on through miles 7 and 8. Not long afterwards I saw Andrew and Chloe somewhere around Surrey Quays/Canada Water and high fived Andrew as well. He’s a big kid after all.

The heat was intense again and I remember finding the next section tough after the buzz of Greenwich. I needed the loo again, but didn’t want to lose any more time, so pressed on through Rotherhithe and into Bermondsey. The support here was incredible – people everywhere calling your name and urging you on. Pubs where playing music, people were singing and waving banners. There wasn’t time to think about the heat – the crowd took your attention. I began to feel a little emotional – seeing such good will on such a large scale is rare, and when I looked around at the other runners, many people wore vests with the pictures of loved ones who had died from diseases they were now raising money for. It was truly inspirational.

Before I knew it, we were rounding a corner and facing onto Tower Bridge. The support here was amazing! The noise of the crowd and the bands picked me up and carried me across the bridge. I was running down the left hand side, trying to keep a smile fixed on my face as I had no idea where the race camera was, when I looked up and saw Colin Jackson in front of me. He shouted out “I’m going to talk to the Shelter runner” and the next thing I new I was being interviewed for the BBC. It went something like this.

Colin Jackson: So, how are you feeling?

JD: Yeah, I’m feeling great, just great, totally amazing, it’s going really well, great in fact.

Colin Jackson: And how do you feel about the next half of the race?

JD: Well, there’s a really big Shelter crowd up ahead and I’m looking forward to seeing them and, yeah, it’s all just been great.

Colin Jackson: Ok, have a good run!

JD: Cheers mate!

Basically, I sounded like a total idiot and they’ll never have used it, but it was great fun to be interviewed and will remain one of the highlights of my day!

Half way and the Isle of Dogs
Felt exhilarated after Tower Bridge and the run down past mile 13 was good. It was steadily downhill and took me past one of the big Shelter cheering points, which went absolutely nuts when I ran past, cheering and shouting back at them with my arms in the air! At this point, we could also see some of the elite runners coming back from the Isle of Dogs on the other side of the road – passing mile 22. It would be another hour and a half before I would be there! I shouted “Go Serpie!” at someone in a Serpentine Club vest, but he was too tired to wave.

Past mile 14 and into the Isle of Dogs. Things got very tough here. It was around noon and the sun was very, very hot. There was barely any shade and the streets were very narrow. I would say that a good 40-50% of the field was walking at this stage (I was still running, of course) and I found it very hard to weave between them all. Felt pretty sick in the heat and it was hard not to walk when everyone else was. The highs of Tower Bridge and the Shelter crowd were long behind and there was a lot of hard running still to do.

I was running around 9 minute miles by this point, but I kept missing the mile markers. The trademark balloon arches were not always hung across the road, so it was very easy to miss them in amongst all the other balloons and banners. If my watch went over 10 minutes for any mile, I assumed I missed it and hit the split button. I wasn’t so worried about keeping perfect splits as I was about keeping track of which mile I was on!

Randomly, I ran past Jane Carr from DfES who gave me a cheer! I hadn't expected to see her at all, so I got a bit excited and yelled "Jane Carr, now then!" or something equally daft.

The water stations were becoming harder and harder to navigate. Stupidly, inconsiderately and despite being told not too on many, many occasions, people ran to the front of the station to get water (cutting across the whole field) and then, more often than not, stopped for a gentle walk while they drank it – getting in the way of those people that were still running. People were also throwing water over themselves so I got wet a few times.

Thankfully, as we turned the corner at the bottom of the Isle of Dogs and headed back to Canary Wharf, there was a lot more shade and I had a chance to recuperate a little. As we reached Canary Wharf itself, the support went absolutely nuts again. There were people everywhere and the noise was amazing. I remember feeling pretty tired, but it really lifted my spirits to see everyone around us and I couldn’t even think about slowing down. Just as I went past Heron Quays, near Canary Wharf station, I saw Jenny McWalter and Jenny O’Reilly from DfES, who gave me a massive cheer! It gave me another big boost and I coasted on towards mile 19.

Turning the corner onto the South Colonnade, I saw Caroline and Jen again at the spot Caroline and I had waited for Jen during her marathon in 2002. I also saw Andrew and Chloe a few hundred yards further down the road, which meant that I left Canary Wharf on a massive high!

Poplar to Tower of London
Beyond the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf, we were thrown back into the sun and the heat started to sap my strength again. I forced down more disgusting, sickly, warm Lucozade Sport and dug in for a few miles. Apart form the heat on the way down the Isle of Dogs, this was the hardest part of the course for me. I passed the 20 mile marker knowing that I had reached the limit of my training runs and was, once again, in new territory. I took some jelly babies of a kind charity supporter and stuffed them into my mouth. The sickly sweetness was disgusting, but it was tough going and I needed something to get me home.

There were a few run-through showers dotted around the course, spraying cold water - a bit like a carwash. I took advantage of them and the cold water took your breath away. It really helped cool you down and freshed up your senses.

On past mile 21 and I rejoined the road where I had seen runners coming the other way at mile 13. Looking across the road, I could see lots of runners still there, many of them walking – at only mile 13! I tried not to look too much as I didn't want to let any thoughts of walking come into my head. A lot of them were people in fancy dress – which must have been extremely difficult in those conditions. I ran past Darth Vader, Paddington Bear, a Womble or two, an old guy pushing a wheel chair, a man with a 10ft cross over his shoulder and a 6ft Yoda. A chap on the PA we were passing called out in a passable Yoda voice “13 more miles to go have you!” I didn’t look back, but I suspect he received the finger.

On on on, towards the Tower of London. I made sure I ran along the side of the road near the crowd to get their support. I was tired and it helped so much. People were shouting “go JD!”, “Come on mate, you’re doing really well!” “Well done sir, well done!” and “dig in JD, not long to go now!” I can’t tell you how much it means to hear it. I tried to wave or nod at everyone that shouted for me. It really kept me going on the hardest parts.

At the tower of London, we reached the top of a long, steady incline. There was a brass band playing something loud and funky and it lifted everyone’s spirits! The support was, once again, amazing and I started to feel comfortable – far more so than I had imagined I would feel at this point! There were a lot of people walking and people on the side of the road collapsed with exhaustion, being given oxygen and, in one case, in the recovery position. Lot’s of people stretching out sore limbs too. I kept my eyes on the crowd and enjoyed the atmosphere. Along with Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf, this was the most buzzing section of the course.

I saw my parents again somewhere around here. I was feeling very tired, but I gave them a good shout and I think they got a decent photo of me! Will post it when I have it.

As we reached the Blackwall Tunnel and descended into the mirk, I knew that I had just a couple of miles to go.

Embankment, Westminster and the Finish line
As we emerged into the light of day on the other side of the (scary) Blackwall Tunnel, I saw two things. The 24 mile marker and Big Ben for the first time. I have to admit, I lost it a little here. I could feel myself choking up. It was a very emotional experience for everywhere to see that corner just a mile or so away. As I fought back the tears, I almost started to hyperventilate. I had to calm myself down – I didn’t want to faint now!

Embankment was fun – there were crowds everywhere, albeit a little more subdued than the carnival on the course behind me. I looked out for the second Shelter cheering point as we passed Embankment station and received a final cheer to take me into Westminster.
As I turned the corner, I saw swathes of people in Parliament Square and was almost intimidated by it all. I was feeling very tired again now and desperately wanted to finish.

On the other side of Parliament Square, I saw the “Go JD!” banner again, and Caz and Jen – supporters extraordinaire – cheered me into my final half mile. Moments later I saw Beeton and Ben, and gave them a massive cheer. I was exhausted, but the markers were showing metres now, rather than miles and despite the annoying crossing points we had to move aside for, nothing could stop me.

Nearly blubbed again as I came around the corner past Buck House and saw the finish line ahead. Pulled it together enough to cheer and clap the crowd, then throw my arms in the air for the last 100m and turn on a bit of a sprint to make it look good for the cameras.
Exhausted, ecstatic and extremely emotional, I crossed the line in a little over 4 hours 10 minutes – surprising myself with the time as I though I would be quite a bit slower in the end. A guy shook my hand and I thanked him, profusely, and I walked forward to have my timing chip removed and to receive my medal. Just about managed to hold it together while the lady put my medal over my neck – “Thank you so much” I think I said, and wandered on, dazed, into the finish area.
Beyond the finish line
I had a photo taken of me with my medal and collected my kit back. I did some very quick stretches, but was keen to get out and meet up with everyone. Found carrying my kit bag and recently received goody bag very difficult as had very little energy left, but managed to find my way down to meet Caz, Jen, Mum, Dad and the others at the pre-arranged meeting point. Drank some water, posed for photos and generally felt pretty good.

Not long after, we walked to the Shelter reception on Victoria Embankment. I chatted to Jen about my race and how it compared with hers, which was really good. At the reception, I was able to get some food and a massage from a very strange lady who seemed to think I was on the verge of collapsing (I really wasn’t) and kept saying how tight my ITB was. “It’s always like that” I said, to her horror, the irony being that it’s the strongest my ITB has been in months. Zero knee problems to report – in fact, I did the whole thing without a single twinge.

Finally, my parents left to go home and Caz and Jen took me for a cheeky beer in Covent Garden. It has never tasted so good. I felt absolutely exhilarated. We agreed that after Jen ran the marathon in 2002 and I completed it in 2007, Caroline has until 2012 to sign up. Watch this space. We went our separate ways not long afterwards and I headed home, for an evening of re-hydration and rest.

It has been an amazing day! It was, officially, the hottest London Marathon ever (it got up to 23C) and the runners have never worked harder. It was everything I expected it to be and more.

This isn’t quite the end – I want to wait a few days and post at least one more entry, concluding my marathon diary, and some more photos from the day.

Thanks to everyone that has supported me over the last six months. It has really helped! Special thanks to Jen, Caroline, Stuart, Andrew, Chloe, Jenny McWalter, Jenny O’Reilly, Helen Noakes, Sally Thatcher, Jim and Brenda and, of course, Mum and Dad for turning out to support me on the day.

I wouldn’t have made it around without you guys!

2002, 2007 and 2012? Jen and Caz share a beer with me after the race

Reflections on the eve of a marathon

So here we are. Six months, £2780 sponsorship and almost 400 training miles later, it’s the night before the marathon. I’m a stone and a half lighter, a few minutes a mile quicker and a fair amount more respectful of the people that take this on each year.

It’s been an incredible experience – and I haven’t even crossed the start line yet! There were times when I thought I wouldn’t make it. There were times when I wished I weren’t doing it. But I’m here, and now I can’t wait to get going!

Has it all been worth it? Yes. Definitely. This is something that I never imagined I could do. It has been hard – so much harder than I imagined it would be, but I know that will make completing the challenge all the more satisfying.

Would I recommend it to other people? Erm…… I guess so. It’s just such a big commitment. The training is exhausting, physically but also mentally. I remember a period in March where I was pretty much limping everywhere for three weeks. It was awful – painful and extremely disheartening. But then when you have a good day and everything comes together, it’s a brilliant feeling. Watching yourself improve and get fitter and stronger is a great motivator!

I have had a lot of support over the last 6 months. Extra special thanks must go to my best mate Andrew. He has cycled along beside me on runs, thrashed me at squash, put up with endless boring conversations about my training, sponsored me a whole wad of cash and generally kept my spirits up the whole way through. Thanks mate – I really appreciate it!

I should also say another big thank you to everyone that has sponsored me. People from all parts of my life – home, work, family, uni friends, school friends, old friends, long-lost friends, friends of friends…. the list goes on. You have all supported an excellent cause.

Which reminds me, it’s easy to forget with all this running that I am doing it for an excellent cause! Shelter is a brilliant charity that does work with people that are homeless or poorly housed. Last year, they helped more than 170,000 people.

Know that by helping me, you have helped them.

So this is it. I am less than 12 hours away from the starting line. I am finally feeling nervous.

Wish me luck and I’ll see you outside Buck House.

The Final Steps

2.8 miles in 22:46
Route: Islington circuit 1

My final training session. I can’t believe I’ve made it. I am injury free, psyched up, carbed up (my housemate Naomi has cooked delicious pasta yesterday and today) and raring to go!

The run today was a formality – just reminding my legs that they can’t afford to relax completely. I tried to slow it down a bit, but I still timed my splits at 8 minute miles. I must make myself run slower tomorrow – I’d be crazy to go faster than 9 minute miles. I think it will be so busy at the start that I won’t really be able to start running at my own pace until a good 5 miles into the race.

One amusing piece of advice I have read this week is from an article written by a fellow Serpentine club member. He says:

“One thing you can do to take your mind off the pressure is to “high five” some of the children lining the early miles of the course. It’s not a lot of effort,
they enjoy it and it calms you down which is a good thing.”

Snigger. Can you imagine? JD high fives small child who flies backwards and breaks his neck….

Annoyingly, I am in starting pen 7 (from a total of 9) which puts me near to the back of the field. I hope that it won’t be too congested – hopefully it means I will get to spend a lot of the racing passing people, rather than being passed.

It was pretty warm out on the training run today. It’s going to be a scorcher tomorrow – who would have thought this weather would last so long? The London Lite paper on Friday evening helpfully carried the headline “Marathon ‘Lethal Heat’ Alert”. Thanks guys, really helping my positive mindset.

Seriously though, the previous hottest marathon ever was in 1995, where temperatures topped 21C. One person died and 4000 were treated for dehydration – that’s over 10% of the field!! This Sunday, the forecast is for 23C, so I’ll be setting at least one record!

But there’s nothing I can do about it, so why fret? I am planning to be up at 6am tomorrow and in Greenwich for 8.30 to be a part of the Shelter Marathon Team photo.

All that remains is to put my feet up and wait.

Pasta Party

2.8 miles in 20:41 (PB)
Route: Islington circuit 1

Ridiculous to call it a pb really, but it was about a minute quicker than yesterday. Not much to report other than a beautiful evening. The trees are blossoming, the sky is blue and the air is warm. I have decided to embrace the tropical weather as it seems set to stay for Sunday and I want to be in a positive frame of mind – not stressing about whether I’ll die of heat exhaustion somewhere on the Isle of Dogs… Frankly I blame Adrian Gough. If he would move just a little quicker to make climate change a statutory part of the National Curriculum (like he promised The Independent he would) then I wouldn’t be in these circumstances.

In other news, I am putting together a one page guide for everyone who wants to watch me on Sunday. It has a picture of my running vest, my predicted split times for each mile and a comedy drinking game. It’s very difficult to advise people where to watch out for me as I have no idea i) how long it will take to get over the start line and ii) whether I’ll be able to maintain 9 minute miles on the day – either because of crowding or exhaustion!

I am eating a lot of pasta. On Monday I had stuffed tortellini in tomato sauce with ciabatta bread, on Tuesday I had some fishcakes with loads of potatoes and broccoli (plenty of carbs there), last night I went for dinner with Emma (as seen on X-Factor and The Paul O’Grady Show) and had penne pasta with chicken and broccoli and tonight I made fusilli with tomato sauce, prepared during Chaos at the Châteaux and eaten during House (both excellent as usual). I am saving the bolognaise and the oversize pasta shells for the big one on Saturday night.

All is currently well. Am I detecting just the slightest hint of nerves? Yes. I think maybe I am. Can’t wait to get going now. This waiting around is simply too boredom-making.

Still, not long now. Top 5 things I am looking forward to, post-marathon:

1. Drinking a glass of wine
2. Eating a curry
3. Lying in bed on a Sunday without knowing I have to go training
4. Going out running and sticking to between 5 and 8 miles
5. Not spending 10 minutes each morning stretching

The London Marathon Expo

Today I went to complete final registration for the marathon and collect my number. A special exhibition is held in the Excel centre in Docklands from Wednesday to Saturday of marathon week, where everyone has to register in person. You can also get your name printed on your running vest, have a last minute chat with your charity, shop for yet more running kit and generally soak up the atmosphere of anticipation!

It is really hitting home now that we are just a few days away. It was odd getting off the DLR and walking into Excel with all those other people running the marathon. Yesterday I was about the only person I knew doing it – today, I was just another face in the crowd. Good preparation for Sunday I suppose!

A whole half of the Excel centre was dedicated to the marathon and there were a hundred of so stands. I started by collecting my number and timing chip, registering my email address so that sample photos can be sent to me following the race and scrawling an inane message on the ‘Adidas Wall’ nearby.

I then went to get my name printed on the front of my running vest so spectators can cheer me on along the route. I have decided to go for “JD” which, I think, will be distinctive enough for me to know when someone is rooting for me.

Up until this point, everything had the air of a well oiled machine about it. The registration process was breathtakingly simple (and high tech) crafted from years of practice. The name printing service however was 3 people (three!) guiding people through an automated system. The process itself was painless, but I had to queue for an hour – not exactly what you need 4 days before the marathon! They should have had 20 of those machines. I can’t imagine what it will be like on Saturday when all those not lucky enough to work flexi-time have to register all at once!

I was kept amused by the folk behind me in the queue however, who kept making amusing statements like “I’m running for fat kids” and “I know this is for charity, but I just can’t stand poor customer service!” You tell ‘em lads!

Afterwards, I wandered around some of the stalls, stopped off at the Lucozade store to pick up a free lid for their drinks (the ones handed out in the marathon have no lids so if you want to carry the sports drinks along with you, you need to bring your own) and paid in advance for a copy of next Thursday’s Evening Standard, which carries a supplement with the official marathon results.

I avoided eye-contact with anyone looking as though they were trying to sign you up for another marathon and chose not to humiliate myself in front of thousands by stripping down to my boxers for an oily massage (isn’t it a bit late for all that?!)

Go JD! This is what I'll be wearing on Sunday

Marathon week

2.8 miles in 21:44
Route: Islington circuit 1

Writing that title made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

After a gruelling 7 months of training (and writing this bloody diary) I am now only 5 days away from taking my place on the start line! At the moment, I am far more excited than nervous.

Tonight’s run was a simple affair – 20 minutes of light jogging around Islington. It was a pleasant evening and I took myself around the lovely houses of N1, dodging the gooners on their way to the Emirates (Arsenal were playing Man City tonight). It wasn’t a taxing run, but that’s not the point at this stage. I want to stay free of strains or niggles and keep my legs awake for Sunday.

I saw a piece in the Guardian today written by Frank Keating (former Chief Sports Writer for the Guardian and now a columnist) about his relief at no longer having to cover the London Marathon for the paper. He says:

“The crass mix of metaphor, the mock hilarity, the sanctimonious do-gooder vanities, the plodding, gruesome ghoulishness (and that ruddy BBC theme tune) still induces nightmares.”

Yes Frank, I’m sure it was very difficult for you hauling your fat behind a whole mile from Farringdon to the marathon route to watch 35,000 people achieve something that you secretly wish you had the guts to do yourself. He goes on to say:

“I'll be marking it this Sunday by tucking into a full-English breakfast in bed: with the Archers' omnibus and extra fried bread”

Fine. I shan’t be looking for you anyway Frank. In fact, when your arteries are clogged and you need a bypass, be thankful that there will be hundreds of people outside running the marathon to raise money for the British Heart Foundation!

Sunshine

5 miles in 38:49 (PB)
Route: Lowestoft circuit 1

Today was my last “weekend long run”. I have been out training every Sunday since Christmas, with distances steadily increasing from 5 miles in January to 20 miles two weeks ago. I have run in Lowestoft, London, Richmond and Windsor, around the streets, the parks, along coast and over heath. I haven’t missed a single week.

I am well into my taper now, so today’s distance was a rather easy looking 5 miles. I set a personal best time for this route, but it wasn’t a textbook effort by any means (it seems that 5 miles is no longer far enough for me to get into a good rhythm). I didn’t feel especially sprightly either, but I’m not worried because Sam Murphy says:

“It is not unusual to feel suddenly lethargic and heavy during the taper. This is partly because your glycogen stores are full (since you aren’t continually depleting them with training) and each gram of glycogen stores with it 3 grams of water. Your body has also become accustomed to a large volume of activity, and removing this from the equation can leave you feeling as if you could barely run a mile, let alone a marathon.”

These are wise words, but I doubt that the massive Sunday Roast and orange chocolate cake I ate later in the day will help my cause – yes, I have finally cracked under the pressure and eaten something bad. Oh well.

The other big issue of the day (other than the news that I taught Andrew not one but two golfing lessons over the weekend) is that the sun has been blazing down on the east coast all this week and it looks set to continue. I struggled in the heat a bit today and it will definitely affect my performance next weekend if it stays as hot as this.

Fingers crossed for cool and overcast weather please.

The sun shines across the golden sands of Lowestoft beach

How to be good

5.8 miles in 45:00
(35 minutes at effort 1, followed by last 10 minutes at effort 3)
Route: Lowestoft circuit 1a

I have been very good these last few weeks. I haven’t had a drop of alcohol since 16 March, I have resisted cravings for curry, chocolate and chips and I have avoided anything that might affect my performance next weekend.

Last night, it was my Dad’s 65th birthday and a group of his friends gathered at the Barnby Swan – a local gastro-pub that specialises in fish dishes. I resisted the temptation to gorge myself and had a fresh tomato soup starter, grilled plaice (with new potatoes rather than chips) and no dessert. I had to watch people all around me eating cheesecake and chocolate fudge cake, but I held firm.

My struggle isn’t without reward. I weighed myself today and I am – for the first time in years – a little under 14 stone. I’ve lost almost a stone and a half since last summer! It does feel good. I’ll be taking position on the start line in the best shape of my life!

Meanwhile, the training continues. Today’s run was the last to involve a speed session. I jogged the first 35 minutes of this specially adapted route at a fairly gentle pace and then cranked it up for a quick last 10 minutes. I was surprised how well I was able to maintain my speed – my fitness is still not perfect, but it gives me confidence to know that I still have some reserves left.

Am craving chocolate biscuits and I know there are some fruit scones next door. I am going to seek out and apple before things get out of hand…

5, 4, 3, 2, 1

Interval Training - 20 minutes
1 minute at effort 3, followed by 1 minute jog recovery at effort 1, followed by 3 minutes at effort 2, repeat x 4

I have invested in a new piece of running kit. Yes, I know it’s late in the day, but I think it will be valuable on the day of the marathon and also in future running sessions.

It is a Nike Triax Speed 50 sports watch and it cost £50 from Niketown at Oxford Circus. I have been running using a £6.99 stopwatch from Argos for months and I thought I deserved a treat for sticking with my training to the very end. Unlike my current stopwatch, it has big friendly buttons, a light which illuminates the face so that you can actually read it (instead of one which lights up the bottom right hand corner, allowing you to read nothing at all) and boasts the facility to time beyond 59mins 59secs, which is helpful because I would need to break the world record by over an hour in order to finish in a time that my current stopwatch could accurately record.

It also has an interval training feature – which means I can preset a programme of fast/slow repeats and the watch will beep when it is time to change between them – and, crucially, a pace feature which will tell me during the marathon how far ahead/behind I am of my target finishing time, with appropriate splits at each of the miles. Cool huh?

I gave it a road test today during a relatively short interval session. It wasn’t long enough to be genuinely tiring, but the quick intervals got my heart racing and my legs working. I am pleased to say that I came through it in relatively good form and without any knee problems. In fact, the old knee is feeling pretty good at the moment. It's great to be walking normally again!

After today, I have just 5 training sessions left. They are (to be read in the style of the opening credits to the Thunderbirds):

Five! 4.5 mile easy run, with last 10 mins at level 3 on Thursday;
Four! 5 mile weekend run on Sunday;
Three! 20 minute easy run on Tuesday next week;
Two! 20 minute easy run on Thursday next week;
One! 20 minute easy run on Saturday next week;

London Marathon is go!

The end is in sight!

11 miles in 1:31:44
Route: Hyde Park circuit 1

Two weeks to go! How exciting!! I’m not sure if I’m more excited about marathon day or the prospect of having my life back again.

This was another fairly brisk run – just over 8 minute miles, which is still quite a bit faster than I expect to run on the day. I’m having a bit of trouble deciding what pace to set myself for the marathon, but I think I’m just about settled on something around 9 minute miles. That’s about what’s I’ve been doing my really long runs at and if I set off as fast as I did today, it will be all over by mile 16 or so.

A bit miffed this wasn’t a PB (was all ready for another fist pumping) but it seems I ran a rather quick version of this back in September 06 warming up for the Windsor Half – damn my former self!

Still, it was another lovely day, even if the run itself did feel a little routine. The best running is always early morning or late evening, just as the sun is going down (see picture of Hyde Park below). There were people everywhere again, enjoying another bank holiday weekend sun fest. The smells of summer filled the air – BBQs, freshly cut grass, newly opened flowers and something distinctly herbal in Regents Park. I’m sure it’s just a kick back from the Lebanese restaurants on Edgware Road.

Also, another successful outing for the Shelter vest. Once again, I nearly took out someone on the pavement who insisted on walking 5 abreast with her mates. I hope no one complains to Shelter (snigger).

Body seems in fairly decent shape. Knee was a little sore as I headed out, but wasn’t too bad once it had warmed up. I’d say it’s at about 65-70%, which is much, much better than it was a fortnight ago! I hope it holds out just a little longer.

Wow – I hadn’t realised it had got so late! It’s almost 9pm! That is insane. My whole day seems to revolve around running at the moment. I’ve become almost obsessive about it. I just can’t focus on anything else until I have done my training. It’s very tiresome actually – thankfully, I have a day off tomorrow after a busy week this week, which will be heaven. I can mooch around London, read the papers and drink some coffee. Heaven! It may sound simple, but I’ve given up just about everything else that’s fun, so I have to hold on to the little things…

Off to Lowestoft next week for my parents’ birthdays, so will complete my last real training in good old Suffolk. Then it’s back to London for the final countdown.

My friends, we have come this far. Just 14 days to go. Are you as relieved as I am?

Messing about on the river: boats on the Serpentine

Stay on target! Stay on target!

5.2 miles in 37:56 (PB)
Route: Highbury and Islington circuit 1

Another cheeky PB! I have to admit, I was trying for it! When you’ve done as much training as I have, you need to set yourself little challenges like this to keep things interesting.

It was another glorious evening across north London, proving beyond doubt that it is the best part of the city to live in (there are probably still ice caps south of the river…)

Kept the pace brisk throughout – my log tells me that I was running 7.3 minute miles, which is far quicker than necessary. I doubt I will improve on this time. When else am I going to be training this hard? I’m about 5 minutes quicker now than when I first ran this circuit back in February 2006 and that’s a lot in running terms (and I wasn’t in bad shape then either!)

Have invested in some seriously big pasta. I remember Jen being given some just before her marathon and it feels kind of reassuring to have some as well. I am conscious that I need to keep eating properly – we are getting very close to the race now, and no matter how badly I crave a curry, or some hob nobs or a pint of beer, I’ve got to keep it together a little longer.

Speaking of which, the beer ban has generally been ok. I don’t feel like I have been missing it that much, not until this weekend, when the weather has simply demanded I report to the nearest beer garden and take ownership of a picnic table there from lunchtime till kicking out time. Ah, the all-day session.

Still, not long now. I wonder if I’ll have the strength for a beer after 26.2 miles?

North London magic: Sunset over Highbury Fields

Summertime, and the running is easy

Interval Training - 25 minutes

5 repeats of 2 minutes at effort 3 followed by 2 minutes jog recovery at effort 1

It’s Good Friday and I enter the Easter weekend in good spirits. My confidence is back after injury setbacks and I am looking to maximise the remaining time left before the marathon to get myself into the best possible shape.

This was my first speed session in some time – have deliberately stayed away from this kind of training over the last few weeks as it tends to aggravate my knee problem. However, the old knee is feeling a bit better, so I figured it was time to put in a quality session or two and try to get my heart rate up above 100.

Funny thing heart rate. I haven’t paid much attention to mine to be honest – I meant to by a heart monitor ages ago, but never got around to it, so I’ve stuck with the trusty stopwatch – but the one thing I can tell you is that my resting heart rate is now somewhere around 44/45. Now, I’m pretty sure that’s good, and just goes to show how beneficial running can be for your health. I’ve also lost about a stone in weight since I started training. Glad to see all the hard work has paid off somehow!

The weather today is unbelievable! It feels like summer. Grabbed my sunnies and headed for Regents Park.

I jogged down gently through Camden and stopped for some stretches in Camden Square. There were very few people about, but those that were looked to be enjoying the first really hot day of the year. By the time I made it to the edge of Regents Park, I was well warmed up.

Filled my water bottle and headed for the Broad Walk. There were people everywhere, spread across the park sunbathing, playing frisbee, walking with ice creams, drinking wine… it’s moments like these that test your mental strength – how easy it would have been to throw myself down on a grassy bank and snooze till evening…

I pressed on. Rather than running up and down the Broad Walk I picked a loop that was relatively free of sun seekers and started the watch. It’s been a while since I’ve cranked up the speed, but I didn’t feel too out of shape and managed to keep an even, quick pace for the 2 minute intervals. Hardly challenging I suppose, but felt good to get a decent workout.

I counted off the repeats in fairly quick succession, taking my 2 mins recovery between each set. I gulped water in between – the sun was really beating down!

In the second half of the session, I could feel my knee hurting, so was pleased to finish the fifth and final set and jog back up towards Primrose Hill. Far too hot to run all the way back, and didn’t want to overdo it, so I jumped on the trusty 274 back to Cally Road.

Not a bad session on a stunning day. Made me wonder how tough it would be if we get a day as hot as this on 22 April…

What's going down? The hill up the side of Camden Square that I'm usually running up

Grand Designs and Celebrity Finds

4.5 miles in 36:24
Route: DfES – Home 1

It strikes me this evening how badly my training plan has gone out of the window the last month or so. I stuck to it religiously until the start of March but injury and illness pretty much stopped me doing anything for the rest of the month, apart from the essential weekend long runs and a few steady runs in the week. Really, I’ve missed a core part of my training!

But things are on the up. I am training regularly again and my knee seems to be improving. I am back on my training plan again this week and intend to try and stay there for the remaining time.

It will be two weeks to the marathon this Sunday! I can’t believe how quickly the time has gone!! I am very, very excited. Not quite nervous yet, but I am sure it will come. The only thing I am really worried about is more injury or illness.

I have been a little stiff since the weekend, but generally I am pretty happy with how my body seems to have coped with the 20 miler. A cold bath really helps recovery time – 15 minutes of pain for a whole week of gain.

Tonight’s run was the standard route home from work. I took it fairly easy for the first half, but opened the throttle a bit towards the end just to remind my legs that there is still work to be done. Finished in a reasonable time and certainly got my heart rate up towards the end.

Snapped a picture of Piccadilly Circus while I was waiting for the traffic lights to change. It’s easy to forget when you run the streets of London 3 or 4 times a week that sights like this a pretty special.

*** Celebrity update ***

Ok, so not strictly a running-related spot, but yesterday evening I had dinner with Caz in a rather nice French restaurant in Covent Garden. On the way to the restaurant we walked past ‘actor’ Christopher Parker who played Spencer “What are we going to do Alfie?” Moon in Eastenders (further web based research reveals that Chris has completed the London Marathon twice).

On arrival at the restaurant, we were sat next to a middle aged gentleman who, on further inspection, turned out to be Terry Jones of the Monty Python set. I’ll leave you to decide which of those spots is more exciting (a straw poll at work, sadly, has it neck-a-neck)

Shameless Coca Cola promotion to make up for being mean to Andrew: Piccadilly Circus circa 7pm

The Dress Rehearsal

20 miles in 3:01:54
Route: Marathon warm up

Fitting that I should be doing my final long run on April Fools Day!

This is my last opportunity to score some serious fitness points before the big day and I wasn’t going to miss it. I’ve had some pretty bad setbacks over the last month, but my foot has recovered, my knee is feeling better and my tonsillitis is slowly receding. Could it be that things are coming together just at the right moment?

Even in good health, today’s run was a serious challenge. I’ve only every run anything like this distance once before and after that I could barely move and was ill for a week. I needed a strong performance today to prove to myself that I can get around on 22 April.

I prepared more carefully for this run than my previous 20 miler. I have been able to train this week (which has definitely helped), I ate properly, set off at a decent time in the day, did all of my stretching exercises religiously and made sure I had the right equipment. This whole marathon effort has been a learning experience for me. Learning what works well and what doesn’t. Finding out how my body reacts under certain conditions and how to optimise my performance (or, more correctly, how to avoid the pitfalls). I have learnt something on almost every big run that I have done, and today was no exception.

I was running, for the first time, in my Shelter marathon vest. It’s an obvious point, much repeated by the marathon organisers, that you need to run in your vest a few times before the race itself so you know that it fits you comfortably. I found out today that my vest is a little small and rubs under my arms. This is vital information – a simple application of anti-chafing stick will stop the rubbing and prevent something that could otherwise be very uncomfortable on race day. I wonder how many people put their vest on for the first time on the morning of the marathon? Plenty I bet.

I set out around 2pm on a glorious sunny afternoon. I tied a running jacket around my waist but I never wore it. It was very warm – too warm really and I found myself struggling a little in the first hour. Another vital piece of kit that has saved my hide on a couple of occasions is the simple, light, black running cap I invested in a few weeks ago. It kept the torrential rain off my during the Berkhamstead Half and today it kept the sun out of my eyes and off my face.

I was following the same 20 mile route as I did two weeks ago, with some small alterations to make it a genuine 20 miles and to avoid the hills. I also ran it in reverse at the suggestion of my osteo. We talked about how downhill running can aggravate my knee problem and, as there is a long downhill section coming off Hampstead Health, we decided it would be better to make this an uphill section instead. No probs said I. Bring it on.

I set a steady pace – the one I hope to use during the marathon. 9 minute miles – or thereabouts. I saw off the early stages through Camden and along the top of Regent’s Park, through St John’s Wood, Maida Vale and Paddington into Hyde Park largely without incident. I was curious how people would react to the Shelter vest. Some people stepped kindly out the way and gave me a friendly nod. Others seem oblivious that I was there and hogged the pavement in usual fashion. For the record, the top three offenders in this category are:

1) Small children – especially toddlers. They seem to have some kind of missile guidance system that directs them to become entangled in my legs;

2) Dogs – ditto, but even less predictable as they seem to actively seek out my route and zig zag across it at high speed, hoping to trip me;

3) Fat people – slow moving and extra energy to circumnavigate. They are also usually unwilling to put themselves out that extra inch and move to one side or the other. They also often travel in pairs, presumably to feel less self conscious (meeeow!)

I stopped briefly at the top of Hyde Park to take a picture of the fountains at the top of the Serpentine (below). I’ve always particularly liked this part of the park. There were lots of people sunbathing – how I wished I was stretched out in the sun on that inviting grass!

On over the Serpentine and east along the Rotten Row. Serious headwind all of a sudden which seemed to keep itself up for most of the rest of the run. It was a pretty windy day actually – but probably good practice as I think there are some windy parts of the marathon course, especially around the Isle of Dogs.

Into Mayfair and up across Oxford Street. The lazy shoppers at the bus stop near Portman Square refused to move so I picked my way through them, almost taking some guy out. Felt zero remorse.

To the Euston Road (funny how in London some roads are so famous that they warrant the word ‘the’ in front of them) and into Regent’s Park. Feeling a little tired now. Stopped to fill my water bottle from a drinking fountain then off around the perimeter track. Crossed my own footsteps at the top and across the canal into Primrose Hill. Decided to conserve energy and missed out ‘the peak’ but still all uphill. Through Swiss Cottage and up the killer hill that is Fitzjohn’s Avenue leading to Hampstead. Thought it would never end, but still going strong and knee ok!

Across Hampsters and onto the Heath. Out of water now and disposed of bottle (it couldn’t hack the pace – the lid snapped off). Hadn’t seen a shop anywhere on my route since… Paddington maybe? Had to make do with a quick slurp at the water fountain.

Off uphill again – missed out the Parliament Hill peak too, but was still all incline up to Kenwood House. A testing mile or two and my legs definitely feeling tired now. Another hill from Kenwood to Highgate and I was seriously in need of another drink – still 5 miles to go and still pretty hot. Briefly considered going into Highgate village but remembered in the nick of time that was a petrol station ahead and ran in there. Grabbed overpriced Lucozade Sport Orange (the flavour being used in the marathon) and paid the man. Too tired and dry in the mouth to speak to him – I think I may have panted ‘ta’. It was a very strange petrol station shop actually, filled with home made cakes and groceries. I would dearly have loved to stop and sample some but, after a quick stretch, it was back on the road and down Highgate hill to the Parkland Walk.

I was beginning to feel as though I was home and dry, but in fact there was still a long way to go and my legs were feeling it. The Parkland Walk seemed to go on forever, but luckily my Ipod picked Bring it Back by Moloko as the next tune, which goes on forever as well. I boogied on down into Finsbury Park, looking like death but knowing I was on the home straight.

The temptation to go the short way around the park was immense, but I did the long circuit anticlockwise as my route demanded and took in the descent and ascent accordingly. Had a slightly emotional moment as I imagined how it would feel to turn the corner at Big Ben feeling this way, but just about kept it together.

Into the last stages now – past Finsbury Park tube, and into Highbury and past the new football stadium. Here, finally, I saw another person training for the marathon in their charity vest. I could have hugged her, but she looked fresh and didn’t need a sweaty, stumbling oaf like me ruining her day. I smiled and jogged on.

The last mile was pretty tough. I played an old trick of counting sets of four steps up to 20 and then starting again, just to keep me in a rhythm. Before I knew it, good old Caledonian Road station was in sight and I was on the final 100m. Exhausted, I finished at the end of my road just over 3 hours after I had left from the other end of it.

I finished with the compulsory cold bath, and a jam sandwich – which a dietician friend of my osteo claims is the best recovery snack. The jury remains out on that one for me.

I’m very pleased with my effort today. My knee held out and was hardly painful at all. The time is about right – much quicker than my last effort at this distance (over 35 minutes quicker in fact!) It wasn’t easy, but I made it and it gives me a lot of confidence to take into the last few weeks.

My final thought for the day and, indeed, for the last long run of my training programme is that while I will still have 6 miles to do after this distance on the day, the conditions will be so much easier. I won’t have to run up and down hills (the marathon route is almost entirely flat – and today’s run has made me realise how hilly my training route is!) there will be regular water and Lucozade sport, tons of supporters, bands, people in weird costumes and a whole host of other people running with me.

21 days to go people. The heat is on.

A gorgeous London afternoon by the Fountains in Hyde Park

Saturday night…

5.2 miles in 39:15 (PB)
Route: Highbury and Islington circuit 1

…and the air is getting hot. Ok, well it was more like Saturday afternoon actually, but I wanted to get in that Whigfield reference. Ah, the 90s.

Anyway. I had planned to go hill running with the club this morning, but instead I got up late, watched Shipwrecked (the second best thing on TV at the moment behind Chaos at the Chateaux, and followed closely by House) and then mooched around town trying to shake off the reality of the situation. I had to go running.

I eventually got my trainers (and my sunglasses, for it was a lovely day) on around 5pm and headed out on an old favourite – in fact, the route that kicked this whole thing off way back in October: the Highbury and Islington circuit. My feet know their way around this route well, so I set a decent pace and let them take me around.

It was a beautiful evening. It’s a really good time of the day to run, just as the shadows are lengthening and the rest of the city is heading home for tea. I felt in decent shape as I cruised around this cheeky 5 miler. This is the first week I can remember for a long time when I haven’t been limping – it really does make life a lot more enjoyable.

I finished the run in a decent time (a personal best) and without too many complaints from my knee. It seems to be a little better; being able to train regularly certainly helps.

It has been a good week. I have been able to train 3 times and feel ready for a big run tomorrow – my last before I start to taper.

My performance will be the one that I take with me into the marathon.

Doctor in the House

6.2 miles in 48:11
Route: DfES – Home 4a

I’ve been watching the Channel 5 medical drama House and it’s not half bad. I’ve never seen it before, but caught the new series by chance last week. I watched it for a bit because I wanted to hear the much talked about Hugh Laurie American accent (it’s bad, but not that bad), but soon I was caught up in the plot and this week I find that I have an affinity with Dr House.

I’ve no idea what the plot history is, but it seems poor old House has a gammy leg too. Apparently he has recently had surgery to fix his problem, but is now struggling with the pain of recovery and rehabilitating his limb through regular running!

Ah House, House, Housey House. I know how you feel. Except for the surgery bit (though let’s not rule anything out).

Also, it seems House can be a bit of a grouch. Now, usually I’m as nice as pie, but the other day I was unreasonably harsh with someone. I was running down Carnaby Street, minding my own business when an overly optimistic street vendor tried to hand me a copy of the London Paper. This is a free paper you understand, handed out to commuters so that they have something to read (or more correctly to throw away) on the tube. I’m afraid I was quite rude and shouted at him “DO I LOOK LIKE I HAVE TIME TO READ THAT RIGHT NOW?!” It seems the stress is getting to me.

The good news is that the knee is feeling a little better today. I have been out running twice this week and although it has been weak and a little painful, it’s nowhere near as bad as it was last weekend.

I am a little worried about my fitness. Tonight’s run wasn’t the easiest and I should be cruising 6 miles by now (I was a month ago!), but fitness is something I can work on and I still have a little time left.

I am planning for another run tomorrow evening and then hills on Saturday morning. Then, it’s the final long run on Sunday – a 20 miler whatever the cost. It’s my last chance to do something big before I need to start tapering back (although I will probably do a bit more in the week still as I have had so much time out for injury/illness).

In other news, the fundraising effort is going really well. Thanks to the amazing generosity of my friends, colleague and family, I have broken the £2000 mark! Special mentions go to Helen Williams at the DfES and the amazing Michael Ertan (my barber!) who have both pledged £50. Thanks also to the PSHE, RE and Citizenship Team at DfES (Curriculum Unit’s second least favourite team, behind the Geography Team), Jo Bewley (Jo Bewley!) and the extended DfES Curriculum family – the celeriac loving Barbara Tucker, Angela Norris the hardest working G7 in the Department, Esther, Ed and the PE team who have promised cash as soon as I find my sponsor form!

An extra special mention to my best mate Andrew who, as well as supporting me all this way, has now come in with a massive £100 donation!! The man is a legend and the fact he pushes sugary soft drinks on children is no concern of mine….. (tee hee – sorry mate!). Seriously though – he’s a true friend. Bad at pool, golf and downing beers, but a true friend.

I’ve set myself a final fundraising target of £2600. The fast trackers among you will have worked out that equals £100 for every mile of the marathon. Wouldn’t that be a fantastic thought to take onto the start line?

I’ll leave you with some words of wisdom from this evening’s episode of House. Upon being asked if he was sure he wasn't imagining the pain:

“It’s my leg. We’ve known each other a long time”

Battling on

6 miles in 47:55
Route: DfES – Home 2

I ran into a friend in the lift today at work and we exchanged a few words about the marathon:

Friend: Hey how’s the marathon training going?

JD: Yeah, not bad thanks. Got a few injuries I just can’t shake. Right foot, right knee, left hip…

Friend: Oh, hard luck. At least your upper body is ok though right?

An interesting take on the situation I felt. I suppose this does mean that if my knees give up on me around mile 25, I should be able to drag myself that last mile across the finish line without any problems...

A standard-issue run home tonight. I wasn’t too keen on the idea of running – am not feeling 100%. My throat is swollen again and I’m wondering if the tonsillitis might be rallying for another attempt at the title. I hope not – it would pretty much put and end to any hopes I have of doing any more serious training before the big day if it does.

It was a beautiful London evening. The clocks have gone forward and it is light until 7.30pm. It was a delight to jog home in the warm evening air, particularly through Regents Park which is just beginning to come to life again after the winter. The sun was setting and the light was perfect.

I felt pretty tired by the end of this run – my legs are a little heavy from the weekend still and I’m clearly not completely over illness yet. Mixed reports in the knee – I iced it when I got in, which helped a little I think.

Have invested in some chocolate milk from Waitrose which I am pretending is a post-run recovery thing, but is actually just an excuse to indulge myself. It is wonderful.

Fairly pleased with the time today, but am thinking I will have to revise down my marathon estimate from 4hrs to 4.5 or even 5 hrs. Injury and illness have taken their toll and I have lost a lot of fitness at a time when I should have been piling it on. Did I peak too soon?

Still, must be glad that I am at least out running and not ill in bed or nursing a painful knee. I still have time (barely) to turn this around and I’m going to give it my very best shot!

Don't let the sun go down on me: sunset over St James's Park

JD vs the Iliotibial Band

9.9 miles in 1:27:27
Route: Ham and High Circuit 2

Contrary to what you might think, the Iliotibial Band is not an experimental 70s glam rock outfit that you can find in the back of Damian McGrath’s record collection. It is a fibrous tendon that extends from the hip to just below the knee – and it has been the cause of much pain to me over the last three months.

My knee problems have been well documented in these pages. I am convinced that my original diagnosis way back in December was correct – I have Iliotibial Band Syndrome (IBS), which is where the band becomes overtight and inflamed, causing it to rub against surrounding structures. The ever reliable Sam Murphy tells me that IBS accounts for about 12% of all running injuries.

And I’m afraid it got the better of me this weekend. I had planned to do another very long run – at least 15 miles, possibly 20. The truth is that, after an hour and a half on my feet and 10 miles behind me, I simply got fed up of the pain. This is unlike me, dear reader. Over the previous weeks, I have battled through all sorts of problems to keep going. Indeed, last weekend I ran through my IBS issues to do that 20 miler. But I’m afraid it’s all been getting too much for me. First the left knee, then the right, then a foot injury (thankfully clearing up) and this week tonsillitis. It hasn’t been an easy ride and I’m afraid I have faltered quite close to the last.

Next week I must pull it together. It’s less than a month to go. Hang on in there JD – you can do this!!

A cruel blow

I have tonsillitis.

This is not a new thing for me. I have had tonsillitis many, many times. I suppose 20 mile runs aren't that good for me. Friday night on the beers can't have helped either. The irony of the situation is that one of the reasons I took up running in the first place was to be healthier and avoid getting tonsillitis all the time!

I have been off work Monday and Tuesday, resting. I feel better today, so will probably go back to work tomorrow. I am taking antibiotics, so will need to be careful about when I start to train again. I really want to get at least a gentle run in before my next 20 miler at the weekend. Maybe do some cross training as well as my foot and knee are still sore.

I suppose it was inevitable that I would get it at least once during training. I'm lucky not to have had it yet this winter and am even luckier that it wasn't worse.

Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery.

Through gritted teeth I run thee

19.8 miles in 3:37:27
Route: The Three Peaks

It was my birthday on Friday. I am 29. After several potent cocktails and some ill advised shots of something that I asked not to contain tequila but clearly did, Jenny Astley (former housemate and graduate of the London Marathon) said to me:

“Make sure you get out on your feet for at least three and a half hours. You need to know what it feels like”

After seeing off a well deserved hangover, and with Jen’s advice still ringing in my ears, I set out running on Sunday for the first time in a week. My bruised foot has kept me out of training again this week – so frustrating – but it had recovered sufficiently to allow me to run again.

Unusually for me, I didn’t plan a route. I decided to head out along my favorite north London trail and keep on adding the miles until I had been out for at least three hours. My training plan said I had to do 18 miles.

I started off along my usual route up around Highbury and Finsbury Park. It was very windy and at times I felt like I was running, but standing still. It started to hail as I ran past the Arsenal stadium. Kept my head down and hid under my hat. Wished I’d picked up my gloves – whatever happened to spring?!

Did a circuit of Finsbury Park and headed onto the Parkland Walk up to Highgate and climbed to the first peak of the day, Highgate Hill. Ok, so not an official hill, but certainly a long climb!

Across onto Hampstead Heath, and by now the weather was much improved – still cold and windy, but bright sunshine as I ran past Kenwood House and the woods. Knee very painful again I’m afraid, but am used to it by now.

From Kenwood, I ran down through the Heath and up onto my second peak, Parliament Hill (above) – a popular setting TV and films, most recently Notes On A Scandal. It was very windy at the top and people were flying kites. I didn’t stay long as it was too cold to stop!

Down into Hampstead and Swiss Cottage. As I passed the tube at Swiss Cottage, my knee gave out and I had to stop for 4 or 5 minutes to stretch it out. It was very painful and I considered calling it a day. The weather was cold again and I was tempted by a 274 bus ride home… thought of my sponsors and jogged on.

Into Primrose Hill, and decided to challenge myself to run to the top, my third peak of the day. Lovely view as always (below) and more kites being flown.

Crossed the Regent’s Canal next to London Zoo and off around the perimeter of Regent’s Park. I was getting tired by this point, but figured that I had probably only gone 10 miles and I needed to do a lot more before heading home.

Decided to go down into Hyde Park, so ran through Marylebone and Mayfair and crossed into the park on the east side. At the edge of the Serpentine, the view was spectacular. The light was fading and the wind was making the waters choppy. I took a quick photo and headed up to Lancaster Gate.

Into Paddington, past the station and into Maida Vale… felt exhausted by this stage. Passed Raouls cafe and wished I was inside with scrambled eggs and sausages and not still 3 miles from home. Stopped at the corner and wondered how I was going to make it.

Runners have an unusual relationship with distance. I am forever underestimating them. Places which seem to be close together, are actually quite far apart. Conversely, when you are tired and cold and have been running for 3 hours, a simple run from Maida Vale to Islington can seem like an eternity.

This was my first experience of hitting The Wall. I’ve never really pushed myself this hard before and the tanks were empty. Biologically, “The Wall” is when your carbohydrate stores are depleted and your body starts to burn fat to fuel your muscles. The problem is that fat is a much less efficient fuel for your body than carbohydrate, so you have far less energy to draw upon and you get tired quickly. Psychologically, The Wall is far more than that. It’s knowing that you need to keep going when you have nothing to draw upon. It’s a battle against yourself. It’s not a pleasant feeling, but one all marathon runners have to get used to. As uncomfortable as it was, it’s better to find out what it’s like in training than on the big day.

I pushed on, past Lords and into Regents Park for the second time. I attempted to cut the distance slightly by weaving through the football pitches but I got disorientated and probably saved nothing at all. It was cold and getting dark. Finally made it out the other side and headed down into Camden. Just the dreaded final climb up Camden Square to go…

It took me 3 or 4 attempts – I had to keep stopping! It was like I was a beginner again!! Quite humbling. I reached the top and staggered home to the finish line at the end of my road. I couldn’t have gone another 100 metres.

I limped to the local shop and bought a banana, a snickers, water and chocolate milk. My legs were already failing me. There was a girl in the queue ahead of me, clearly under the influence of something stronger than coffee, arguing with the cashier about whether she could get a large bottle of brandy on credit. I was about ready to use my last ounce of strength to beat her over the head with said bottle when the cashier, unbelievably, gave her the credit and we had to wait while she wrote down her name and phone number.

Back home, I ran a cold bath, ate the banana and downed a bottle of water. I sipped the milk while the bath filled. 15 minutes in the cold tub was agony, but I think it helped.

It’s been a tough, tough run. Am disappointed with the time – at this rate, I’ll be lucky to get around in 5 hours – but I have to remain positive and remember that i) this is my first attempt at 20 miles and I hadn’t planned it, ii) I am running with at least two injuries, iii) running the paths of north London is much harder than running a planned marathon route with other runners and tons of support. I am confident that my next attempt (next weekend) will be much better.

There is one thing that I will take from today’s run above everything else: experience. I have learnt a lot about running distance today – in fact, this is possibly the first time I have felt like a genuine marathon runner. I know that I must prepare properly for a run this big – no drinking, proper food, ideally do some more training during the week (injuries allowing). I know that I must stay focused and see the run as a whole, not just a series of other runs tagged together. I also know that I can do it now and can draw a lot of confidence from the fact I have done one full 20 mile run.

So here’s to you Ms Astley. I’ve followed your advice and I’m a better runner for it. I still can’t stand tequila though.

A view worth running 20 miles for: sunset over the Serpentine