Wednesday, 7th April – 18 days to go

Run a slow four and a half miles before breakfast. Don’t bother with the watch as it’s just about getting some slow miles into the legs. I seem to have a lot more time now I’m tapering. Listen to Marathon Talk – Tony’s not bothering with the taper then; running is an obsession and he’s got it bad. I’m enjoying not feeling the pressure of having to do a long run during the week. I guess what that says is I’m not a real runner who actually wants a long run, even needs a long run.

I’ve been catching up on reading. Read Ultra Marathon Man by Dean Karnazes in a couple of sittings. It’s an easy read and while being in awe of the guy’s achievements, I don’t feel at all inspired to take on any challenges greater than a marathon. This is for people who like training rather than who train to get fitter and live a healthier life. Also read the latest Nicci French What to do when someone dies. I read the first few Nicci French novels without realising it was the pseudonym for a married couple writing duo. Half way through the fifth or sixth I just thought “why am I reading this”? It was unremittingly depressing, I didn’t like the central character or feel any kind of bond with them and I couldn’t care less whether they had a good life or not. Liz has stuck with it though and said this one wasn’t too dark. It was unsatisfactory though, being formulaic and you were virtually told “who dunnit” early doors so there was no dénouement which I think is a necessity of the genre.

I’ve also been working through The Runner's Yoga Book by Jean Couch. Have only just got to the exercises as there’s a seemingly unending rant about the superiority of Hatha Yoga over (a) other forms of yoga and (b) dynamic stretching (the spawn of the devil, apparently). I haven’t yet found any evidence that the author (a) runs or (b) approves of running. I think if I can stick with the exercise programmes and ignore the diatribe it’ll be really useful. My sense of balance is sadly lacking though.