One of those really tough periods at work where running is sometimes the last thing on my mind. So got home tonight at 630, programme says 8 miles slow, but I thought I'd jog up to the Gym at Craigswood, maybe do some weights and then treadmill or possibly use the fantastic all-weather track. But sometimes it’s great just to tough it out, even when really tired, so I ran past the Gym and managed all 8 on an out and back route using my usual paths through Pumpherston, Houston and Knightsridge. Pace was ok, legs maybe a wee bit tired towards the end, all in all really glad I did it!

A complaint to finish; not content with saving money on grit (blog passim), the lovely people at West Lothian Council have clearly decided to do their bit for the environment and not bother putting in bulbs in some of the path lights. Particularly bad along Railway Path North, areas of complete darkness, having to trust that I know the route really well and just plonk the feet down more in hope than expectation!!

So bravo WLC on the reduction in the carbon footprint, and I can't wait for my Council Tax rebate, but seriously, some of us actually like these paths...

One final mention for the witty youths of Knightsridge; please come up with a more original heckle than "Run Forrest, Run". Honestly that film was made before you were born!

Hope everyones training is going well, can't wait for March!!

P

My thoughts are turning to the event now. I am really intrigued by the format, in particular the 'laps' element. Can't wait for the atmosphere in Bristo Square and, because it will come round so often, I get the feeling the whole thing will go by in a flash!

Loads to think about: The laps are roughly every 1.6 miles and there's a bit of a rise up to the finish line each time

That rise and the attendant bit of downhill means you can only gauge actual pace every "lap". That last lap will be amazing............GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!

I probably don't want to set my Garmin to auto lap every mile like every other race because of the above!!!

All in all loads to keep the anorak in me deeply amused, but on balance the course looks pretty quick, so one final decision will have to be made. Do I go for the PB or not? Do you know what, I think its a yes!!

So time to knuckle down to another big weeks training starting with a slow 15 miles in the morning.

I really can't wait for this event, I think its going to be really special.

Good running.

The week was all about recovery, so knowing that I was having a big race on Saturday, I did smaller runs. The week was busy with loads of emails about my London To Edinburgh challenge, so its good to see that people are interested. Apart from that, SAMH (Scottish Association Of Mental Health) have been really busy and helpful in promoting my run.

So it's race day - the Carnethy 5 hill race - definitely one of my favourite races. There were over 550 starters; that's very big for a hill race.

I had a goal to be faster than last year - it turned out that my wish came true. I beat my previous personal best by a whopping 7 minutes, so very pleased indeed. The atmosphere was truly amazing before, throughout and after the race, a real testament to the organisers which happened to be my club Carnethy. Also it was good seeing all those people cheering us during the race and seeing my club teammates from Portobello.

Then Sunday began with a nice recovery run with the Footworks gang (they are based in Bruntsfield) followed by an abs session. Those guys have been helping me with my training and the footwear I'm wearing, a truly remarkable bunch of guys.

So next week back to long running. See you all soon.

Really cold weather at the start of this week, so important to stretch properly before and after running. I have to admit to being rubbish at this, but I'm trying to get better, honest!

Yesterday’s fun and games was hill reps. A mile warm up followed by 9 x 200m uphill sprints, jogging back down the hill in between. Really good for building strength and oxygen uptake. I managed to find the steepest hill in the area with a pavement (from the river at Mid Calder up towards Pumpherston).

I must admit it was hard going, the freezing cold air gripping the back of my throat as I gulped it in on the last 25 metres or so each time. The last rep was horrible, and I was almost glad of the gently uphill mile home!!

I was really proud to see the blog on STV Local's website at the weekend, thanks to the team for that.

Cheers for now.