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

The Imperial Spin Class

Spin class – 1 hour

Injuries though. They’re great aren’t they? Well, no actually. They’re rather tedious after a while. Hobbling around London at 1/8 speed is very annoying.

Today’s injury (for my collection is so plentiful now, that I have one for each day of the week) is my foot. No idea what I’ve done, but it clearly didn’t take well to Sunday’s 16 miler and I have a satisfying bruise developing along the outside. I have iced it this evening and expect to be back on track in a day or two.

It meant, however, that I couldn’t go running this evening. To make up for this, I went to the new and improved Serpie Spin Class, relocated to Imperial College in South Ken (goodbye sweaty Fitness First in Covent Garden – we wont miss you, or your minging, sweaty, purple-mirrored spin room). The Imperial College gym is brand new, has excellent equipment, and is light, bright and spacious.

There is also a new instructor taking the class after the regular guy moved to Paris. Our new leader is called Dan and appears to be from the ‘hardcore’ school of spinning. Tonight’s class kicked my butt all the way back to the beginners’ line, but it was well thought out, professionally run and the music was funky.

We did the usual mix of stuff – hill climbs, sprints, standing up on the pedals and leaning forward (agony) – just harder, faster and longer than ever before. We also learned the art of ‘hovering’ – which is where you sink down between the saddle and the handlebars, keep your torso steady and hold all of your weight on your quads as you pedal. It was torturous and I could barely manage the 15 second repeats!

I found this session really hard. It isn’t my fitness (which is good). It may be my technique (which is bad). Or it could just be that it was that hardest class I’ve been to yet - which is good, because I need to be challenged at this point in my training.

I am going to ache tomorrow.

Britain’s most easterly marathon runner

16 miles in 2:34:51
Route: Lowestoft circuit 3

In the distant days before The Darkness and Rock School, there was little else notable about Lowestoft other than its position as Britain’s most easterly point. The town has really taken this label to heart. The Lowestoft Journal carries the strapline 'Britain’s most easterly newspaper' (which is lucky, because there is little else to write about here other than the perennial campaign for a third river crossing), there is a church on the seafront which hopes to convert 'easterly-enthusiasts' by advertising itself as 'Britain's most easterly church' and The Sun Rise Inn, the most easterly hotel in Britain (which, I assume, is an attempt to deflect the bad press it must receive from being situated so close to the notorious Corton nudist beach) .

In the spirit of my townsfolk, today for a brief but satisfying moment I became Britain’s most easterly marathon runner!

After yesterday’s uncomfortable 5 miler, I wasn’t looking forward to today’s long run. In fact, I wasn't sure that it would happen at all – my knee has been very sore and I couldn’t imagine going much further. But as Father Ted says to Dougal when they are stuck in the Very Dark Caves of The Mainland “That’s a very defeatist attitude”. And it is. So I pulled on my trainers, set my Ipod to 'maximum cheese' and set off on the first steps of my longest run to date.

The weather was beautiful. The sun was shining, the temperature was 16 degrees and the coastal breeze lifted me along the first few miles. I had a look at a map of Lowestoft before I set out and sketched out a route in my head which would take me from the town’s northernmost tip to its southernmost. Today, I would run the length of Lowestoft.

I set off up Bloodmoor Hill towards Kesingland and then swung out east onto Pakefield Cliffs. The view was spectacular (below). The sea was blue, the air sweet and the sun was warm.

Heading north along the cliffs, I passed Pakefield Church, the Jolly Sailors pub, Kensington Gardens, my old primary school (St Mary’s R.C.), the putting green on Lowestoft seafront that my grandfather used to run, the Claremont and South Piers. I crossed Lowestoft Bridge (wondering if this is how it would feel to cross Tower Bridge during the marathon) and then through the town and out through the industrial estate to Lowestoft Ness – the most easterly piece of land in the country. I stood for a moment on the compass engraved into the floor and savored the feeling of being further east then everyone else in the country, raising my hands in the air in triumph! Avoiding the looks of the local fisherman, I set off north again, along the North Denes.

I have fond memories of the North Beach in Lowestoft. As a kid, my parents would bring my brothers and me down here and we would play dare on the rocks – last one to jump to safety as the sea approached was the winner. Many a wet foot was had on that beach. I ran the length of the sea wall (below), soaking up the salt air and the sunshine.

At the top of the Denes I ran up the hill and set off towards Corton, past Dip Farm (site of my recent thrashing of Saunders on the golf course) and Pleasurewood Hills (East Anglia’s no.1 American theme park). Down Corton Long Lane and then back along Yarmouth Road to Denes High School (or, “the grammar school” as my dad insists on calling it – probably because he never went there). From here, I took a new cycle path following an old railway line, past Barnards Meadow where my brother played cub football as a kid and Normanston Park where he played pub football 20 years later, down the riverside by Lake Lothing where the Lowestoft rich and famous (and Jim) moor their playboy yachts (below). I came out in Oulton Broad and nipped in the Spa to bag another bottle of tasty Lucozade Sport (I am addicted).

Onwards, past the Dutchman Pub and along Beccles Road towards Carlton Manor, where my parents used to take us when they wanted a drink on a summer evening as we could play in the beer garden. Then, finally, back through Carlton Colville, across Rosedale Park and home, exhausted, after two and a half hours.

An epic run, covering Lowestoft, Pakefield, Corton, Oulton Broad and Carlton Colville - almost as many memories as miles. My knee was sore throughout and I had to stop and stretch out the muscles two or three times which helped. It's good to know that, when pushed, it can take the strain of a long run.

As soon as I got home I jumped into a freezing cold bath. Desperate times call for desperate measures and these times, my friends, are about as desperate as it gets. Time will tell if 10 minutes in the ‘cold tub’ will help my legs/knee recover faster. I’m willing to give anything a go to be honest.

It’s been a difficult week. I haven’t really done any training since the Berko Half. My knee has been sore and I’ve let my social and work lives interfere with training much more than I should have done. I am annoyed with myself for not being more disciplined. My time today wasn't fantastic (it would take me more than 4 hours to complete the marathon at this pace) but I have to be pleased that I finished it.

This week I have to focus. I must do at least three training sessions before my birthday on Friday and then I can enjoy it guilt-free. After that, I have 3 more long runs to do and I’ll be into my taper.

42 days to go until race day. Today’s run is another big step in the right direction, but I must stay focused if I am to be ready.

More pain

5 miles in 40:24
Route: Lowestoft circuit 1

Somebody somewhere has it in for me. It’s taken me two months to get over the problem that I had in my left knee, slowly building it up again so that, today, I can say it is largely back to full strength. But now I have exactly the same problem in my right knee and I’m back to square one.

Today’s run was only 5 miles. It was the first time I’ve been out since the Berko half and I was dreading how my knee would feel. Sure enough, it was very painful and almost gave out completely in the last half mile.

I am in a difficult position. The marathon is 6 weeks tomorrow and I should be doing my hardest training over the next three weeks. At the moment, I am struggling to run 5 miles.

Tomorrow could be make or break day. I am going to attempt a long, slow run – ideally up to 15 miles. I’m not sure if I will be able to make it – today’s effort seems to suggest I won’t make it around half of that – but I am determined to try. I need to be doing these long runs if I am going to get around the full marathon and I need to push my knee to strengthen it again.

I have an appointment with the osteopath on Wednesday. I have iced my knee and it feels better. I did 13.1 miles last weekend and my knee held out. These are the things I have to hold on to if I am going to get through yet another injury.

No one said it was going to be easy.

The Results are in...

… for the Berkhamsted Half!

I came 287th out of 943 finishers. The winner crossed the finish line after only 1 hour 13 minutes – the slowest runner took almost 3 hours. I remain very pleased with my time of 1 hour 42 minutes – still a long way from the elite, but better than average. It represents a serious improvement on my performance in the Windsor Half over a year ago, where I finished 2613th out of 4500 finishers. Just goes to show how much some serious marathon training can improve your performance!

The full list of results also shows that I finished ahead of a number of other Serpentine Club members (they must have been incognito because I didn’t see many club vests on the start line) and that the ‘Tring Running Club’ either needs to find some better runners or should rename itself the ‘Tring Strolling Casually Towards The Finish Line With No Real Regard For My Time Or The Reputation Of The Club Club’ (two of their members finished in 2:30+).

Sadly, it’s not all self-congratulatory club slating. The injury report following the Berko Half is extensive. Stephen is on crutches with a suspected stress fracture in one or two metatarsals. If confirmed, his marathon attempt is over.

I am still suffering with knee problems. I know that I pushed myself too hard on Sunday and now I am paying the price. It has been pretty painful the last day or two. I have signed myself off training until Thursday and I am going to have to keep things light after that until I can see the Osteo next week. I will try to do a long run at the weekend (I am going back to Lowestoft) but will have to see how it feels. I have bad memories of my last visit home – let’s hope this won’t be a repeat.

The Berkhamsted Half Marathon

13.1 miles in 1:42:03 (PB)

A special day for me and undoubtedly my best running performance to date.

The last time I ran a half marathon was in Windsor in 2005. Illness kept me out of Windsor 2006, but I’ve always wanted to improve on my 2:04:45 time (an achievement at the time, but out of step with recent efforts). Today I smashed that personal best by over 22 minutes!

I am really, really, really pleased with this time. The conditions in Berkhamsted were not exactly optimal. As expected, it was raining hard from the start and I got thoroughly soaked. My knee was also very sore, but I was determined to run through it and prove that I could set a good half-marathon time.

About 1000 people took part. It seemed well organised (apart from there being only 6 toilets – apparently an increase on last year!) and the atmosphere was good, despite the rain. I spotted a few other Serpies around the start line and we nodded hello to each other. Stephen was running with me.

The course was very hilly. There were at least 3 or 4 long climbs and some fast downhill stretches too. I think all those Saturday mornings have paid off because I cruised up the hills, passing plenty of people on the way. I had to be a little more careful downhill, as my knee is very weak. It nearly gave out a couple of times and I had to slow right down until it settled.

Stephen and I ran together until about mile 6 when he had to slow down, owing to a painful foot injury he is struggling with. We had been doing a brisk 8 minute mile pace, which I wanted to keep up. I was conscious that this could be a unique opportunity to set a good PB. It’s unlikely that I will ever train this hard for a half marathon again!

After Stephen had dropped back, I followed someone from the St Albans’ Striders for a while (nice vests guys) and hit the mile markers roughly every 8 minutes. I enjoyed the uphill sections the most – energy was not a problem and I was full of confidence following all that hill training. I got a bit carried away around mile 10 and sprinted off down a hill past a chap in a black and white football shirt “No fair!” he said “You’ve got longer legs than me!”.

It was around this point that I realised that I was no longer running – I was racing! A new experience for me, but one I enjoyed immensely. We ended up passing each other a couple of times, but I left him for dead at around mile 12 when I began what I can only describe as a ‘textbook’ finish. The course by now was largely downhill and I picked up the pace. I couldn’t believe how strong I felt. I got into another race with a short guy in a hat. We fought for position 3 or 4 times but I took him out about a half mile before the end.

I had enough left in me for a tidy sprint finish (got to make it look good for the crowds) and cruised, elated, across the finish line. I expect I was beaten by hundreds of people (I’ll post the results when I know them) but I was proud to be a Serpie and to be wearing my club shirt.

I received my medal, scoffed a banana and had some water. As soon as I stopped I became conscious how hard it was raining. I had been concentrating so hard on the race that I had pretty much ignored the fact for the last few miles.

Stephen finished about 4 minutes behind me and found me stretching against the club house. He was limping badly but had still set an excellent time of 1:46. We headed straight for the station and were lucky enough to step directly on a train to London (neither of us were up for a long wait on a cold platform).

It’s been a brilliant day! Marathon training is so hard, but when you see the results of that hard work translate into a good performance then it all becomes worth it.

There’s still a lot of work to do, but today has given me confidence. The next time I cross a start line will be the London Marathon itself on 22 April. I won’t be running that anywhere near as quickly as I ran Berkhamsted, but I will be putting in just as much effort.

Happy chappy: a wet JD at the end of the Berkhamsted Half

The Saturday morning ritual

Hill session – 1 hour
Primrose Hill

It was Ben Hackett’s PO leaving drinks last night. I went along and had a few cheeky beers (five bottles of Budvar to be exact) and I have to admit I felt a little tipsy. I didn’t think it was possible to get drunk on bottled beer – let alone on only five!

I am taking this as a sign that my training is going well. I haven’t really drunk a lot since Christmas so my alcohol tolerance is probably at a Saunders-like level (i.e. that of a small child). It’s my birthday coming up and that marks the end of booze until the marathon. I’m not sure which will be more of a challenge, getting around the 26.2 or surviving a beer-fuelled-rampage around Soho.

One thing’s for sure, I won’t be getting up the following day to go hill training! In a strange kind of way, I think I might miss it. Saturday mornings around Primrose Hill is becoming something of a ritual. I’d even like to keep it going after the marathon, but I know that I won’t. It’s inevitable, especially when I start to go out on Friday nights again. Perhaps I’ll start again when I get into training for Windsor.

This morning was ok – knee is still a problem, but I got around a fairly tough session without total disaster. We were focusing on endurance training this week. Our handout-happy coach distributed maps of the hill with a route marked out that weaved backwards and forwards around the network of paths, with colour-coded sections where you had to sprint, jog, surge uphill and practice downhill technique. We did two sets, one of 20 minutes around the course (my partner and I managed about two and a half laps) and one of 15 minutes (we managed one and a half lap).

The same old faces were there – the mysterious Nicoli, the skinny Asian guy, the show off who flies ahead of everyone else – no sign of the big man though. Perhaps he is having a full english somewhere?

Am slightly nervous about tomorrow’s half marathon. It seems pretty sure that we are in for a sound soaking (which I’ve never experienced before over such a long distance) and my knee is pretty bad still. Ironically, the left knee – which has given me so many problems over the past few months – seems fine!

I’m hoping to beat my previous PB 2:04:45. I think I should do it, even with the injury and the conditions, but I’m not expecting anything spectacular.

Part of the ritual: Primrose Hill on a Saturday morning

1500 reasons to run

This is a significant moment for me. The total amount of money that I have raised for Shelter today exceeded £1500 – my original target and the minimum I had to raise to ensure my place on the starting line.

I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has sponsored me. I have been truly overwhelmed by people’s generosity. I have been sponsored by current and former colleagues, friends from high school and from university, Australians and Americans, friends of friends, former housemates, people I’ve know all my life and people I’ve only met a few times. You have my gratitude and my respect.

Special thanks to Helen Heyden for starting the whole thing off and to Nicola Debidin for taking me past the £1500. Big thanks to everyone in Private Office and all those I worked with in Skills Group who have supported me this far. Extra special thanks to Caroline, James, Stephen Marston, Susan Pember, Roy Strachan, Madonna, Mela and The Duke for being my top sponsors – I really appreciate it.

My knee is feeling better and I’m ready to kick ass in the Berkhamstead Half this weekend.

I don’t care if it rains. I’ll be grinning like a Cheshire Cat the whole way around.

Another setback

Threshold Run – 20 minutes, followed by 15 minute jog
4.5 miles in 36:53

It’s more bad news I’m afraid. I’ve been having problems with my right knee since the long run that I did around central London two weekends ago. It coped well with 15 miles around Richmond, but it has been very painful this week and I had to pull out of this evening’s threshold run about two-thirds of the way through and jog home. I was on for a really good time too!

This is so frustrating!!

I’m hoping that with a day or two rest I will be ok for the Berkhamstead Half this Sunday. I may have to take it slightly slower than I thought. I might give hill training a miss on Saturday too – although it never seems to strain my knee as much as the speed work does.

Am beginning to feel as though the fates are against me. I have worked really hard in my training and don’t deserve this run of bad luck. I must stay positive. A few days rest and some careful stretching and I’ll cruise around Sunday’s 13.1 miles as though it were a stroll in the park!

I’ve been here before and I won’t be beaten.