My longest run to date was 22.5 miles, 3 laps of Pitsford reservoir last Thursday with an ice-cream in the sunshine when I finally finished. Then a planned break over the weekend which was taken up with the setting up for and helping with the fantastic Mark Tanton Memorial Childrens Triathlon. Giving the young people their medal as they crossed the finish line, was just as good, if not better than it will be to get mine when I reach the Mall in London.

The 20 mile race in Ashby was great - I felt good even before I got there when I called in for some diesel and there was a Meningitis UK tin collecting tin on the counter. Thanks to the organisers in Ashby - they put on a cracking event and I really enjoyed the run. A goody bag with a chocolate roll and chocolate digestives was an added bonus ! I wouldn't say I was super speedy but I only really tired in the last couple of miles. I felt a lot stronger than at Silverstone and the hills were a good test. I'm on target for around 4.30 for London. Thanks to all the Daventry branch bellringers who filled in my sponsor form at our monthly meeting the day before - your support was really appreciated.

Yesterday I took part in the Silverstone half marathon, organised by VLM as an official warm up race for London. There were a lot of charity runners there, and I wore my Meningitis UK vest proudly. It wasn't that warm, but it was bright and sunny and I completed the 13.1 miles in 2hrs 3mins 4secs. Not a bad time but felt I could have done a bit better as I slowed up in the second half. It was a good test for my legs which are a bit achey today. Next weekend I have a 20 miler in Ashby de la Zouch booked. The Runners World website describes it as a tough premarathon test ...... I think that means there will be plenty of hills !

This is my first Journal entry, training so far is going well . I work opposite Aldenham Country Park, which is great for lunchtime training and I have a variety of different routes at home to vary the distance and hilliness. I am gradually increasing how far I go on my weekly long run. Today Heyford Scout Group had organised the planting of 30 trees at Welton Campsite in Mark's memory. I thought I would combine this with my training by running to the campsite and back again, calculated on the internet as around 17 miles total (including some interesting diversions trying to find the best way around the Daventry Ring Road!) The running was good but the tree planting was very cold and wet and the campsite field vey squelchy. Thanks to the kind explorer leader who made me a cup of tea to warm up, I was then fine once I got moving again.