"London Marathon 2025: Getting in Shape Again for the Ultimate Running Challenge!"

 Another day, another bagel. As tapering continues, today was all about taking things slow — and, crucially, horizontal when possible. I even managed what I’d call a "decent night’s sleep," which in tapering terms is the gold standard just below "slept like a teenager during half term." The day began with a pilgrimage to Asda before work. The mission: acquire bagels. The outcome: success. The carb-rich spoils now await their glorious role in fuelling the engine over the coming days. A Standing Teacher Takes a Seat Most of my professional life involves standing — whether it’s in front of a whiteboard, beside a student’s desk, or pacing with a purpose that says, "Yes, I’m absolutely headed somewhere specific, not just stretching my legs." But today, I consciously chose to sit down whenever I could. My long-term back and shoulder issues have made a standing desk a necessity over the years, but today the goal was simple: preserve the legs. My students — wo...

Today, I was afforded the luxury of a second rest day this week. My Garmin Forerunner 955, the ever-watchful companion on my training journey, kindly informed me that I hadn’t been getting enough quality sleep and had not fully recovered from my run last Sunday. To add to that, yesterday’s threshold run had really taken it out of my legs, so I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised that the watch called for some downtime. In a way, it’s like having a personal coach who’s as strict as they are considerate—though I suspect it could be a tad more forgiving on the days I’d prefer it to be a little less ‘helpful.’ While I’m grateful for the extra rest, I can’t shake the feeling of apprehension. It’s like I’m being told to step back just as I feel like I’m on the cusp of pushing forward. But, as always, I trust that the watch knows what it’s doing—after all, it’s got more sensors than an overly cautious weather station. There will be tougher runs ahead, I’m sure of it. Running for a Purpose ...

Earned, Not Given After yesterday’s long run and a weekend that could only be described as “character-building” (courtesy of unexpected water damage), I was elated to see that today’s schedule contained the most glorious of words: Rest Day. There are few things in life more satisfying than knowing you’ve worked hard enough to deserve a proper break. It’s the same feeling a wizard might get when, after a long night of incantations and improbable near-death experiences, he realises someone else is now responsible for saving reality. Resting Properly Now, a rest day isn’t just about doing nothing—it’s about doing nothing properly . That meant ensuring, through sheer determination and a bit of tactical delegation, that I had no lingering tasks hanging over me. No surprise marking, no ‘quick jobs’ around the house, and certainly no unexpected DIY disasters sneaking in under the radar. Once I was satisfied that all was in order, I settled into the fine art of relaxation, feet up, cup of tea ...

 Another rest day has arrived, and it feels well-earned. It's a good time to look back at this week's training and see what progress has been made. It’s also an opportunity to appreciate the importance of rest, especially when a big weekend is on the horizon. I started my rest day with a delicious stack of pancakes this morning—the perfect way to kick off a day of recovery. Day 24: Recovery Run and Reflection Monday involved a 30-minute recovery run after a lovely weekend. This day saw a return to work and the reality of balancing training and the demands of daily life. The route started downhill along Maidstone Road but included a gentle incline back up towards Borstal. It was a reminder of how time seems to disappear when you are trying to cram a lot into the day. Day 25: Tempo Run and the Art of Recovery Tuesday was all about the art of the tempo run, with four five-minute efforts aiming to keep my heart rate around 160 bpm. Between each effort, there was a two-minute recove...