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

  Welcome back to my London Marathon training blog, and happy Day 44 of our journey towards the finish line! Today was a recovery run, and I have to admit, it was a much-needed break after some intense training sessions earlier in the week. Joining me on this run was my trusty running buddy, Polly, who accompanied me in her buggy. The weather was absolutely gorgeous today, with brilliant sunshine and a cool breeze blowing through the air. I couldn't have asked for a better day to go for a run, and Polly seemed to be just as excited as I was. As we started out on our 30-minute jaunt, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to run and soak up the sun. The run itself was relatively uneventful, which is just what I needed after some tough training sessions earlier in the week. I focused on maintaining a steady pace, while Polly happily looked around, taking in the scenery. It was so peaceful that Polly eventually dozed off, which I took as a sign that we were doing so...

  Today was a well-deserved rest day for me. I had a late night last night, watching the NFL Super Bowl with my brother, which was a fantastic game decided by the last kick. Another highlight was Rihanna performing during the halftime show. As a result, I slept in late and took full advantage of the children being taken to soft play, treating myself to a relaxing bath. Despite the rest, I'm still feeling a bit under the weather today, and my legs are particularly bad, likely a result of all the hard training I've been doing. So, tomorrow I think I'll be taking a recovery run to help get my legs back in shape and hopefully shake off this cold. As always, I'd like to remind everyone that you can still donate to the Sittingbourne Carnival Court via my GoFundMe page. Your support would be greatly appreciated as I continue on my journey to run the London Marathon for the second time. In conclusion, today was a much-needed rest day, and I'm looking forward to tomorrow...

  Today was a big day in my London Marathon 2023 training journey. I decided to embark on my longest run yet and run the 16 miles from Sittingbourne to Whitstable. This is a route that I have run twice before, but a number of years ago, so it was a little daunting as I set out. I started my run feeling nervous but also excited. I had a good pace and the first few miles were a breeze. However, as I reached Faversham, which I thought was about halfway, I realised that it really wasn't close to halfway at all. It was a long run through the marshes of Graveney and onto Seasalter before arriving in Whitstable. Despite the challenge, I was determined to finish the run and I was proud of myself for pushing through. I took the opportunity to take a photo outside 'The Two Brewers', which was the first pub I ever ordered a pint from (for those who are interested, it was a pint of Guinness). It brought back memories of my younger days and gave me a boost of energy to finish the run. I...

  Today was a bit of a battle against my own mind, but I came out on top. I woke up feeling a little under the weather and really didn't feel like running at all, but I know that the best time to go for a run is when you are fighting against your own thoughts. That's when you have to win! So, I put on my running gear, laced up my shoes and headed out the door. I decided to do intervals today, 3 x 10 minute hard efforts in heart rate zone 4, with a 1:30 minute recovery in between each effort. It was tough, at times I still didn't want to run, but I managed to get through it. The feeling of accomplishment after finishing my run was worth all the effort and pushing through the tough moments. Tomorrow is a big day for me, as I will be running for 2 and a half hours, which will be the longest run in this training plan so far. I'm excited for the challenge and to see how far I've come in my training. I'm also looking forward to the endorphins and feeling of accomplish...

  It has been an exciting and intense journey so far, and today was a much-needed rest day for me. I took the opportunity to catch my breath and let my body recover a bit before I gear up for the next set of training sessions. Today was also the last day at school before the half-term holiday. I must say, it has been a busy and productive term, and I am looking forward to spending some quality time with my family and friends over the next few days. Despite the busy schedule, I have been sticking to my training regimen and pushing myself to give it my all. I have been feeling the effects of the training, especially on my back and hamstrings. However, I am happy to report that they seem to have recovered a bit, and I am looking forward to getting back to training tomorrow. I am grateful for the support and encouragement I have received from my family, friends, and colleagues. Your kind words and encouragement have given me the motivation to keep going, and I am determined to give it ...

  Today I had a slightly nicer intervals session than usual, with only 5 x 3 minute intervals with a 1:30 minute rest in between. However, this was only made difficult by two things. The first being the COLD! I mean, it was positively freezing out there this morning with frost still on the pavement and a slightly slippy surface. The second difficult thing was the pain in my back, which seems to have resurfaced. I think this time it's due to my hamstrings, which have always been tight and mixed in with the cold, it made my lower back feel like it was on fire. Despite the challenges, I got through the run okay, but I had to spend the majority of the day sitting down (which I do not enjoy as I prefer to teach at a standing desk). I have always been a firm believer in the benefits of movement, so sitting down all day felt a bit counter-productive. However, I know that rest is important too, and tomorrow will be a rest day for me, so I will be able to take it a little easier on my body....

  Today started as any other training day for me, with my 30-minute recovery run around the streets of Rochester. I was feeling great and ready to tackle another day of teaching. However, just as I was getting ready to start the day at school, I received some unexpected news. My daughter Daisy was continuing to feel unwell and had not had a great night and upon seeking further medical advice, I needed to take her back to see the doctor. It was a stressful and worrying time, as it's never easy to see your children not feeling well. I quickly made arrangements and took her for some tests and observations. Despite the unexpected interruption, I was grateful to have a supportive team at work who were understanding and allowed me to take the time I needed. As a teacher and a parent, it's important to have that balance and support when unexpected things arise. Thankfully, after a few hours, Daisy seemed to be back on the road to recovery and was in good spirits. I was relieved and gr...

  Today was a bit of a mixed bag. It started off with a bit of worry as my daughter, Daisy, wasn't feeling too well. Poor thing needed a trip to the doctor, but thankfully she's made of tough stuff and she'll be just fine. This threw a spanner into the works of my normal training routine as I couldn't do my usual pre-work run. I had to wait until Kelly came home at 4pm to get my intervals in. And let me tell you, those intervals were a real challenge. I'm not used to running later in the day, and doing 3 x 10 minutes in heart rate zone 4 was tough. But I pushed through and got the run done just as the fog was settling in. It was a bit of a surreal experience running through the fog, but it was also kind of peaceful. It'll be interesting to see how the recovery run goes tomorrow morning. With less time to rest from today's run, it might be a bit of a struggle. But I'm looking forward to it nonetheless. It's all part of the journey, right? PS: As alway...

  Today marks the start of week 6 out of 16 in my training program for the London Marathon 2023. As has been the case so far, Monday is a rest day and it has given me the chance to reflect on the last few weeks of training and look forward to what's to come. Reflections: So far, the journey has been tough but rewarding. I've pushed myself harder than ever before and seen improvement in my endurance and strength. I'm proud of what I've accomplished so far, but I also know that there's a long way to go. The next few weeks will be especially challenging, but I'm confident that I can rise to the occasion. Preparations: Tomorrow will be a tough early morning interval run with 3 x 10-minute hard efforts in heart rate zone 4. To ensure that I'm ready for the challenge, I need to get a good night's sleep. I have a full day of work at school tomorrow, so it's especially important that I rest well. In conclusion, day 36 marks a new beginning and I'm excite...

  Today was a long run for me, a 90-minute canter from home to just past Norton and back. This marks the end of a slightly gentler week of training, which appears to have been built into the plan as a buffer between the first four weeks of training and the next few weeks of very intensive training. I had my trusty running buddy, Polly, with me for the run. Although she slept for most of the way, she was there to offer me moral support. I must say that I am feeling really good with running now and am looking forward to the longer runs and harder efforts that are coming up. This week has been a great reminder of why I started training for the London Marathon in the first place. It's not just about the physical challenge, but also the mental and emotional benefits that come with it. The endorphins that I experience after a long run are unparalleled, and they give me a huge sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. With the next few weeks of training being very intensive, I am reminded...

  Today marked Day 34 of my London Marathon 2023 training, and it was back to intervals with a bang. I had 6 x 5-minute hard efforts in heart rate zone 4, with 1-minute recovery in between. This type of training is essential for building my endurance and strength, and helps to increase my speed and stamina for the marathon. However, fitting in this run today was a real struggle. My day was packed with exciting events, starting with a trip to London to see the Strictly Come Dancing Tour with Kelly. After the show, we headed to an early Valentine's Day dinner, making for a busy and fulfilling day. To top it off, Kelly even made it onto Heart Radio to talk about our daily plans and what we had been up to. Despite the busy schedule, I made sure to prioritise my training, and I'm proud to say that I pushed through the struggle and completed my intervals. The hard efforts were challenging, but the 1-minute recoveries in between allowed me to catch my breath and gather my energy for t...

  Today was a well-deserved rest day for me and what better way to treat yourself after a hard week of training than with blueberry pancakes for breakfast? It was a real treat and definitely set me up for the day ahead. As I settled into work this morning and turned on my laptop, I was in for a big surprise. I was declared the staff member of the week and as a reward, I was presented with a bottle of wine. I couldn't help but walk around school with a big grin on my face, brandishing my award like a trophy. It was a great way to start the day and boosted my morale for the rest of the week. But, as much as I loved the accolades and the pancakes, I know that the hard work starts again tomorrow with intervals. And let's not forget the big 2-and-a-half-hour run on Sunday! I have to admit, I'm feeling a little nervous but also excited to tackle this challenge. Lastly, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for the first donation on my GoFundMe page for the Sittingbourn...

 D ay 32 of my London Marathon 2023 training and today was a much-needed change of pace! I decided to switch things up and go for some cross-training instead of my usual stationary bike routine. Firstly, I hit up the elliptical trainer and I must say, it felt like I was cross-country skiing (minus the extreme physical exertion, of course). It was a nice change of pace and got my heart rate up, but without the impact on my legs. And because I'm one of those rare gym-goers who actually love leg day, I couldn't resist some leg presses. It's always good to change things up and keep my muscles guessing. Before tomorrow's well-deserved rest day and the weekend's increase in effort, I thought it was important to switch things up. It keeps things fresh and helps me avoid boredom, which is key when it comes to training for a marathon! Oh, and one quick P.S., if you're feeling generous and want to help support a great cause, please consider donating to my GoFundme page. E...

  It's day 31 of my London Marathon 2023 training, and I have to say, I'm feeling pretty pleased with today's progress. It was recovery run time today, and I'll be honest with you, it was a pretty smooth experience. For the first time during this training program, a recovery run actually felt like a recovery run. I kept myself within the required heart rate zone 2, and my legs felt light and effortless. Up until this point, every run has been a bit of a struggle, but today was different. I felt like I was gliding along, and my legs were moving with ease. This is a positive sign, and it gives me hope for the future as the mileage starts to increase. I'm feeling confident and excited about what's to come. This training journey has been quite a ride so far, but today's recovery run was a welcome change. I've been pushing myself hard, and sometimes, it feels like my body is begging for a break. But today, I felt like I was moving with ease, and it was a nice...

  Today I was back to interval training and took on 5 x 6-minute hard runs in heart rate zone 4, with a 1:30-minute recovery in between. And, of course, the trusty hills of Rochester were waiting for me. The hills of Rochester are my regular intervals route, and they never seem to get any easier. But, that's what makes it so rewarding. Today, my legs didn't feel fully recovered from Sunday's long run, but I was determined to push through. And push through I did! I've said it before, and I'll say it again - if you can run up and down the hills of Rochester, you can run anywhere. The hills were steep, and seemed to go on forever, but I didn't give up. I kept putting one foot in front of the other, and before I knew it, I had made it to the top. Now, as far as fuel goes, I did have a bowl of porridge for breakfast, but it wasn't a treat. It was simply fuel to help me recover from the hills of Rochester. And let me tell you, that bowl of porridge with honey was ...