Work completely overtook my training plan last weekend. 7 days in a row, some of them really long. I managed to juggle the runs round, leaving the weekend long run until yesterday morning, one run after the start of this week's programme. Sadly, when it came to it, I was frankly just too tired, so I dropped the run. I usually beat myself up if I deviate from a programme, but this time I have to admit it was just too much for me. No harm done, a few days off now, so maybe even pick up one or two 'extras'.

Only a week or so to go, starting to think about the logistics for the day! Probably get the train in and strolll up to the start. Can't wait to be honest, its going to be a fantastic day. Best of luck to everyone, keep the training going, if I can do it anyone can!!!! P

So after having a racing weekend, it was time for very long runs. On the Monday before work I did 44km, felt good afterwards, so then on way back I did 22km. Not bad for a days work. So the next day, I managed exactly 42km but I felt absolutely awful and tired mentally instead of physically. I just had one of those days. The next few days it was all marathon distance or more till Saturday.

On Saturday my mate Nigel organised a long run in the Pentlands. At the start the weather was nice and there were no clouds in the sky, so I thought 'fantastic', the BBC got it wrong AGAIN! We started at the Turnhouse, followed by the usual climbs. We had the wind against us and it reminded me of the Pentland skyline race of last year where the wind was right in my face. We approached drove road, so instead of taking the skline route, we headed straight. Aim was nice and simple, we were heading to East Cairn Hill.

Suddenly we saw some very grey clouds and it looked like snow showers. We just continued running down and we had a slight snow shower in our faces, it felt like getting battered by stinging nettles. So we were down and suddenly the sunshine appeared, perfect timing for a food break. We ran towards East Cairn Hill through nice boggy narrow paths until we reached the bottom of the climb. As soon as reached the top my mate Jim points to the next set of clouds - they do look serious. Quick photo and we are off again. We start heading towards the now snow covered kips, Skald Law etc, the snow continued for some time.

When reaching Skald Law, we had the full force of the blizzard. I actually quite enjoyed that part.

Then Carnethy and Turnhouse followed, until the last descent down to Flotterstone.

This whole idea of this run was Nigel's as I wanted some variety in my training for my London to Edinburgh run and he picked some route. It was great having the guys with me, so much better than training alone on the road. A special mention has to go to my mate Roly who never ran up hills and he had a baptism of all the extremes what our beautiful local hills had to offer. That was by far the hardest run I did so far in my training. Here's the route which we did: Route

So roll on Sunday, I literally barely got up. My wife Monika really encouraged me and served up the porridge. That was me of for another run, it was 16km and it was painful.

So another week done and dusted, not long till the Meadows Marathon and nearly only 2 months left till my big run - London to Edinburgh.

Overall I'm feeling stronger but in 12 years of doing endurance sports I've never felt so emotional and drained. That's expected in all honesty.

I hope to see everyone soon and meet some more runners during the Meadows Marathon. I hope everyone will bring their friends and families to support us runners. I know I will for sure. Here is my link to my fundraising page

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.