Mark's diary: week 9

Friday's session was the best yet, it had nothing to do with me, but everything to with the fact that Elle Macpherson, yes Elle - my woman-made-in-heaven - Macpherson was using the running machine directly in front of me. Need I say any more! The hour whizzed by, and I am contemplating asking Elle whether she would mind running the marathon and allowing me to follow her, as that would improve my chances of finishing no end. So Elle thank you.

Friday also saw another trip down to the Osteopath, who stretched me out and wished me the best of luck for Sunday, I think everyone is a little nervous about how I do as this will really let me know if I can do the real thing!

Saturday March 9th:
A rest day, I think I need it after the past few day's antics. Time to pop down the local. No I won't, I shan't and can't - only fours weeks left until the big day.

Sunday March 10th:
The Reading Race Day! With a 9.30am kick off, it meant that we had to be at the start at about 8.30am, what an early one! And something I won't miss when all this is over.

Joining 9,000 other people was quite a strange experience, and although it was very well organised just the sheer volume of people is intimidating, particularly when you think that for the real thing that will be at least trebled. The race finally got under way at 10.00, and having positioned ourselves (Mark, Kate and I) in the area for completing the course in 2 hours 10 minutes, it meant that it took us a good 10 minutes to get across the start line.

Once under way, it became clear that running with this number of people takes quite a lot of getting used to. We tried initially to run together, but soon abandoned that as with people running between you and changing positions, it became almost impossible to keep together. So I continued along in my own pace. Having settled down I began to see what people mean when they talk about the crowd, although on a smaller scale to London they certainly help spur you along and the water and sponge stations were fantastic.

Before I knew it I had done 9 miles and managed to complete the whole course in just over 2 hours not bad for someone who has had shin splints! It was actually a really good thing to do, as it filled us all with confidence even though we realised that we had to go through that twice on the day. Also, I am really glad that I have now experienced running with lots of people as it takes some getting used to. I have though got to apologise to my mother as the race landed on mothers day which meant I was pretty exhausted when I finally made it home, but at least it is all for a good cause.

Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th March:
After the ? marathon it was back to the gym for more elliptical work. Saw the Osteopath on Tuesday who was pleased with my progress but not happy with my attempt to do a run on Tuesday lunchtime, I have now learnt my lesson. Now building up to twice round Richmond Park on Saturday morning, but after last weekend that shouldn't be too hard - should it? Until next week, cheerio!