#BootsToTarmac

Another week under my belt - bookended by two longer runs with a shorter, faster 5 mile lunch time run in the middle for good measure. This week was more about gathering some "time on the legs" to try and build up some stamina. Managed to fit in a run mid-week at work to try a bit of a faster run but just over 5 miles as lunch times are limited time wise.

The final run of the week in Cirencester was a tough one going for 13 miles for the first time in a while. Pace was a bit slower but that was to be expected and the course had some tough hills to navigate so I was pleased with the time overall. Lungs felt pretty good by the end - even if the legs and feet were pretty sore and sluggish.

Still, all worthwhile miles in the bank :-)

Onwards we go!

They say you have to forget you last marathon before you attempt another one. London 2012 will be 2 years since my previous attempt and I felt like I had sufficiently clouded my memories of all the pain and hard work with just the euphoric memory of finishing. Now 3 weeks back into training some of those more painful realities of the challenge ahead of me are returning to the fore.

Having been gradually building up some easy 6-8 mile runs I was feeling like I was getting back into the swing of it and finding my feet again so to speak. Week 3 proved to be somewhat of an eye opener to the harsh reality of just how far 26.2 miles really is.

3 runs in total this week but by the final 8 miles I was really struggling to feel like my legs were made of anything but jelly.

Still, there are going to be some ups and downs along the road to my ultimate goal and I'm treating these as all solid miles in the bank for later.

Onwards! :-)

not exactly a stella week of running as I was stupid enough to leave my running shoes at my Sister-In-Law's house over the weekend -  D'oh!

Queue, meeting up with Brother-In-Law's work colleague mid-week to hand them over and get back on track. At least I did it at the beginning of my training and not the end! Anyway, several loosing games of squash and a couple of days later, I mananged to get out for a solid 10 miles around town at the weekend.

Having knackered my legs I thought it would be a good idea to sit in my car for an hour, drive to London for Machine Head at Wembley Arena, and then stand in one spot for about 3 hours whilst my ears were pounded by sweet, sweet heavy metal |m| I was hobbling like an old man come then end of the night to say the least :-)

My journey towards the London Marathon 2012 has begun. Complete with my new Garmin Forerunner 405 watch in hand, its just been about getting back into regular running this first week. Trying to avoid doing too much too soon. Now 21 weeks to go until race day, which doesn't sound (or feel) like a lot really!

Having the forerunner to track and record every step of my runs has been a big help in terms of managing pace and distance towards my target of breaking the 3hr mark. The Virtual Partner feature being a big help in pushing me towards race pace without anyone else for company on the long, dark and cold winter mornings still to come.

Below I've included a couple of runs from this past week just for reference and because I think it's pretty cool for me to look back :)