We had fun at lunchtime watching the bidding war for the ball. After nine days it’s price had risen to £82; then this morning it crept over the £100 mark. As the close approached we were refreshing the browser constantly in the hope that it would go up a few more quid in the last [...]

The club organised a little 5 mile road race tonight (for everyone to run at their own pace). A proper race, with marshals, and numbers etc. Perfectly timed to give everyone experience of running in a real race, rather than just as a club, so that the Marathon won’t be so different.

Our last pre-marathon run of any length at all, taken at an easy pace, still in my old shoes.

We’re now wrapping ourselves in virtual cotton wool to avoid injury, our task for the next week is to keep moving, non-strenuously, without overdoing anything.

Using my reserve shoes, and a Compeed applied an hour in advance I ventured out for a marathon-paced run with Em. A nice easy, evening run. No complications, no pain, no rubbing. If my main shoes don’t return in time, I know my reserves will be fine for the day.

Somehow, I got up at 8am (after working until 4am).

A nice evening run today, in daylight, for the first time since training began!

My third 20+ miler, and a very enjoyable run it was too (map)… more comment after the England -v- France six-nations championship decider rugby match! … [result: France won the game and the championship, so congratulations to anyone French who might feel like sponsoring me].

Tonight’s run was really enjoyable.

Nice and easy tonight (map) – more of a jog really, lots of lower leg pain after yesterdays speedy hills.