Monday, 12th April – 13 days to go

Up early for my two hour run. Wolf down beans on toast and porridge and then jump in the car and head for Armley Mills. Couldn’t face the prospect of running up and down the A660 in rush hour so have decided a canalside run will be more civilised. As soon as I set off I’m immediately dodging cyclists; there’s an endless stream of them heading into the city. I guess it was predictable, but I didn’t give it any thought. Make a mental note to avoid rush hour for future canal towpath runs.

I have no specific target, just to run out for one hour, turn round and run back. End up turning round at Apperley Bridge. Convince myself I’ll be back in 50/55 minutes as it’s downhill on the way back. That’s not the way it turns out though as I’m not moving as quickly as I’d like and I have to put the foot down for the last two miles to make sure I’m back in an hour.

I’m knackered again. Perhaps I shouldn’t have told myself that the 22 miler last Monday was my last long run as two hours is a long run in my book. Maybe I need another category – very long run – to describe those runs approaching twenty miles and over.

In the evening Liz is back from her pampering spa weekend and we head off to Tony’s. My exercise consists of “assisted stretches”. I get into a position and stretch something as far as it will go, then Tony helps by stretching it further. This is unbelievably painful and it’s clear that I’ve lost flexibility and suppleness. Chris must try harder.

This tapering is not as restful as I was expecting. I’ve got two Tuesday group sessions, one Thursday group session, a 5k time trial, a couple of thirty minute sessions and a 90 minute easy to go. Should be able to get through that without too much of a strain, but it’s still more than I would do if I wasn’t marathon training.