Been busy the last few weeks doing races,  I finished the Grantham Ultra doing both days in 4 hours 50,  it was my first back to back long run and was happy with being able to pace each day evenly, also I ran with my pack for the first time and found it O.K.,  The following weekend I ran in the first Kilamathon England in Nottingham which was a 26.2 k (16.3 miles) race to Derby, I didn’t think I would break the 2 hour mark but got a 1hour 58. Which I was really happy with.

Last weekend I ran in the Reading Half a race I did in 2008 and just got under 2 hours, this year I was trying to get close to 1hour 30 and got a 1:33 which I was a bit upset about at the time but now think it is not a bad effort,

Now though I think it’s time to get the Pack on and get as many miles in as I can until I leave in only 11 weeks,

Got the Edinbrough Half in April and will have 1 more try at the 1:30 then!!!!

Today was my first competitive race since entering the Gobi it was an 8 mile off road event in Aldershot called the grim challenge!  It was an event I took part in with Cindy in 2007 and was lots of fun,  the race had water crossings, cargo nets and rough terrain, in 2007 I finished the event in 1:31 and was totally knackered,  However today after getting 2 hours sleep in my car before the race I smashed 22 mins off finishing in 1:09,  in 228th position out of a field of 2500 and feeling great, It is the first time I have ever finished any event anywhere other than mid position!!  I am planning on getting out tomorrow and seeing how far and fast my legs can carry me, seeing this sort of improvement is very motivating, only thing 8 miles sounds like such a short distance nowadays!!!!!!!!

Ran a hard 20 miles on Sunday in the rain up and down the Lancashire Hills, and strangely I ran my fastest ever 5 K today on the tread mill today, must be doing something right, only problem is it was about 12 degrees but we can’t all live in the Sun!!

My training started properly 3 weeks ago and has been going well so far, I have decided to work on getting a bit quicker over the Marathon distance till Xmas by running a ½ each Wednesday, some shorter runs  in the week and a longer run at the weekend!!! Then starting with the pack training in the New Year and taking part in the London 50k in Feb!!  As I have no real idea what I am doing I guess running lots will be my aim for now!!!!