Its official my marathon training is now underway. Since Saturday I’ve been out three times in the chair and have done consecutive 6 mile pushes and 8 ½ miles last night. The great news is I’m loving it and currently am feeling no ill effects. Well apart from a few bloody fingers caused by some gruesome looking blisters. The relative freshness might have something to do with having done some actual research rather than just diving headfirst into training. I’ve got a great book on stretching, have pulled together a 14 week training plan, bought some decent running gear and have even managed to find advice on marathon training nutrition on a gluten free diet.

So far I’ve been out in Greenwich Park and have found an athletics track called Sutcliffe Park, http://www.gll.org/centre/sutcliffe-park-athletics-track.asp, which has been a Godsend. This place is great and training alongside serious runners has been a real boost. It’s only £2.40 a session and there is a great guy called Mick who works there and he has been brilliant and has made me feel totally relaxed at the track when I was worried about feeling a bit conspicuous.

I’m under no illusions though that this is going to be hard and I have a hell of a long way to go if I’m going to achieve my qualifying time. I’ve figured out I’m going to need to average 10mph to get the time I need but so far I can only get that when I’m going full pelt and there is no way I can sustain that for 26 metres never mind 26 miles. I tell you what though one thing which has helped has been the Tron Legacy soundtrack. I downloaded this at the weekend and felt like I was in a Hollywood blockbuster as I made my way round the track last night. I have to be careful though as until it was pointed out to me at the weekend I didn’t realise I actually sing when I’m pushing!