New Year's Update

Well, the training is going steadily and quite well, despite the predictable overindulgence in food and drink over Christmas.  The mild but wet weather is a mixed blessing: off road is very muddy and churned up, but soft underfoot so more comfortable on the knees; the weather has been mild enough on some days to run in a t-shirt, but it's warm enough that I need to bring water for my long runs, which are now almost 2.5 hours.  I am looking forward to the colder weather forecast for next week - I'm quite happy to put on lots of layers, gloves and hat.  Hoping I get some snow runs in this year.

Looking pink after today's 11.5 miles

I'm up to 11.5 miles or so now at a very slow pace - averaging over 12 minute miles, so less than 5 mph and theoretically I could walk more quickly (at a fair marching pace).  Am I bovvered?  Not really.  I'd like to be quicker, but my goal is to complete the marathon, full stop.  No qualifications on time (although I'd preferably like to finish before they shut up shop and go home). I'm a little quicker on shorter runs, and do manage a variety of pace on interval runs, but now is the time for building up distance, not necessarily speed.

More info has come through this week from the organisers of the Belfast Marathon and I've signed up with The Run Lounge website (http://www.runlounge.com/) for training plans and hopefully some mutual support.