Well. One week to go to the Clarendon Way Marathon, and I seem to be hopelessly underprepared again. Last week was pretty much a write off – the week before I did a 15 mile route in Hampshire, but my aim to repeat “plus a bit” was scuppered by a) a wedding the night before and b) my daughter who decided that she would have a 2-3 hour screaming fit during the night. To be fair she had a cold and teeth coming through, so I can’t really blame her. See her blog (on the right) for more info.

So this week I have done about 15 miles so far in 3 runs, 2 today making it 10 miles for the day. Sunday I need to do a long one, so I shall get the maps out to plan a fun long route through the wilds of Berkshire…if such a thing exists.

My word it has been a long time! Well I have been in training for the Clarendon Way Marathon in October. So the last 2 weekends have been 2 hour runs. This weekend I will take it easy before pushing a 3 hour one the weekend after. We shall see, but my ankle is still quite sore. At the moment I just want to get the run done and then try and get it better – no time at the mo!

Last weekends run was interesting for 2 reasons. The first is that I had an Alsation have a go at me. I think I surprised the dog a bit, but the owner should have had more control. As it was while his dog snapped and snarled the owner started spinning in circles as he had the dog on an extendable lead. Bloody idiot, He was lucky it was me and not someone more scared.

The other incident was a bit nicer. On Caversham Bridge I spotted a small rubber duck with note attached: “Congratulations: You’ve discovered a rubber duck! – Part of the ducky hunt! Your duck is called Chandler! What to do with your duck: When you get home, run yourself a hot bath – with bubbles – Get into the bath. Put in your Ducky! And…..RELAX!!!!!!”

So I did. In part because the shower had bust. But whoever put the duck there – Thank you, Chandler has a good home, with Lewis-Duckworth, Forbury and Jemima.

Oh and in other news, we are expecting another child! Number 2 is expected in March. Wow. From 0-2 in less than 3 years…..

Thanks to Eddie Izzard for that.

Have been continuing the training except that after last Sundays run (8 miles, to Pangbourne and back. Lovely) I had a really sore left achilles tendon. This had been building up – I had been having soreness walking down stairs in the morning, and is generally a sign of Achilles Tendonitus.

Now I have had this before (only worse – it was both ankles) and have been to the physio, so I know the cure. Rest, stretching and exercise. If the first and last of those sound contradictory, they aren’t. I have stopped running, but have restarted the gym work. No weights, but the use of wobble boards and very light weights. Also so strengthening work to follow.

So no running for me this week – both a shame and a good thing – it means I get some rest. And hopefully I will have caught it before it gets any worse.

Interestingly one website suggested my bike saddle may be too low. This rings a bell, and connects with something that I have been thinking. Maybe I will raise it!

Ran at the on Friday, Sunday and this Morning (Tuesday). Excellent – covered a few miles and hope to do 4 or more runs this week. I have the miles, but not the speed, so will concentrate on doing that tomorrow with JC. No not Jesus Christ….

More money has just come into the JustGiving site – thanks to Kate and her fundraising for that! Nearly 2.5K now!

Been doing a bit of training – last Friday I ran home after work. Managed to do this quite fast, and was puffed at the end. I would blame this on the smoked salmon I picked up from Sainsburys. Since then – nothing much! Cycling to work, a couple of sessions at the gym, and tonight I am running home (again).

It was a busy weekend, with the missus’ birthday, and this stopped me doing a long run. Hopefully this weekend. I only have 2 months before the Clarendon Way Marathon, so need to get back into it. I want to do better. Hopefully I will, there is only one way to find out…..