The day before

Well it's now less than 24 hours before the big day, 16 weeks of training, running 371 miles and burning over 55'000 calories. Met up this afternoon with my training partner Nick to discuss pre and post marathon strategy, pre consisting of what to eat, take and where to meet; post - consisting of how much alcohol to drink and where. He's been brilliant the perfect person to training with having no less then 8 marathons under his belt. I doubt I'd have come this far were it for him. He's also had to put up with my awful jokes, he did laugh a couple of times, nervous laughter I suspect.

Liversedge Half Marathon

Well it was a cold grey and foggy morning, but not as cold as it had been for one of our 'training' races the Liversedge Half Marathon. The course was tough, really tough!

There was some really nasty hills, I doubt very much I would been able to complete this course this time last year, the training plan has been doing its job.

One hill, which started on a bend by a ford in the road, was so steep there were areas set aside for cars that couldn't make the incline! Nick my training partner who had found the race at that moment was in my thoughts, none of them pleasant.

That being said, we both survived, both did really well, I managed to shave a minute off my personal best for a half marathon which I really didn't expect, so now I'm really looking forward to the next race the Wilmslow half which should be a lot easier.

I completed in 1hr 46mins

:-)

It is cold outside

View from the car on the way to the half marathon, it looks very fresh outside!

Early start

It's 7am on Sunday morning. I'm up and getting ready for the Liversedge Half marathon. It's cold and dark outside, very cold and dark. My bed is warm and cozy, I love running. :-/

Runs on ice

Oh the joys of running even the snow and ice doesn't stop the training.

Turns out that you work even more muscles trying to keep your balance, my legs are a little tender at the moment, still at least it's a rest day tomorrow.

Sub zero

This mornings run 11 miles in sub zero temperatures. This afternoons shopping, thermal gloves and skull cap.

Tomorrow looks like its going to be jolly, running in snow but on the bright side it may be warmer.

Extra reason to love Friday

... because Friday is a rest day and I don't have to run :-)