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

Coldest Run in Years One word sums up today’s training: cold . At a brisk -3 degrees, this was officially the chilliest run I've tackled in years. The only comparable experience? Freezing my proverbial toes off as an assistant referee at Bishop’s Stortford on an equally frosty day a mumner of years ago. Back then, I was more concerned about offside traps than icy pavements, but the temperature left the same lasting impression—mainly on my extremities. Today, however, the focus wasn’t on flagging for fouls but on keeping upright while running. Every step was accompanied by the crunch of frost underfoot and the faint, treacherous shimmer of ice on the pavement. It was the kind of morning where you question the sanity of running outdoors but lace up anyway because the training plan doesn’t leave room for weather-based excuses. Dancing on Ice (Sort Of) The pavement this morning gleamed with that telltale sheen of danger, a reminder from nature that it doesn’t care for running schedules...

The Ongoing Battle Against the Sleep Monster Day 11 of training, and the battle against the sleep monster continues! Much like the calamity of Day 10, when my alarm clock was thoroughly ignored, waking up at 5:15 am remains a Herculean task. I suspect my duvet is plotting against me, much like a minor household conspiracy. A Chilly Morning Run Along the River This morning’s run was a 43-minute effort at a standard training pace—a comfortable 30 seconds per kilometre slower than my planned marathon pace. The route wound its way along the Rochester Esplanade, a picturesque stretch following the River Medway. Despite the threat of snow lurking ominously in the forecast, the weather held back, leaving me with a bone-chilling but mercifully dry run. It’s the kind of cold that convinces you your nose has taken up ice sculpture as a hobby. Early Starts and Winter Challenges While the crisp air was invigorating, the real challenge continues to be dragging myself out of bed. Training during the...