After the elation of doing 18 miles for the first time 2 weeks ago I had hoped to push on and do 20 the following week and also take advantage of my holiday by getting the consistency of daily running.

Unfortunately the shin splints of 2 years ago returned and curtailed my efforts somewhat. The next week was only 16 miles in total (including long run) and last week I did one 3 miler and a four miler. I could manage no more because of my shins. I rested for 3 days before embarking on yesterday's long run and decided that I really needed to get a 20 miler in if I was to be sure of doing the 26th. So I decided to give it a go and, if the shins didn't hold up, then I'd know well in advance. I decided NOT to wear my calf 'skins' as strangely I was getting the feeling that these were making things worse. I don't know why I thought this it was just a gut feel.

Anyway, off I went. It was a beautiful morning although I set off a little late which meant finishing my run in the midday heat. It was quite successful although I had trouble keeping my speed down which meant that I was pretty weary over the last 2 miles. I completed 17 miles at 9:40 min mile pace and run/walked the last 2.5 miles. Overall I did it in 3 hrs 10 mins but had literally nothing left at the end.

I then spent the rest of the day icing the shins every 2 hours and today (monday) they seem to be the least painful parts of my body! Amazingly they feel better than when I set out to run yesterday morning.

I am greatly relieved and now feel very confident of making a decent fist of it on the 26th without prospect of injury. I'll try to do another 20 miler this coming weekend which then allows for a 2 week taper which should be OK given the reduced training schedule I have undertaken so far.

No more booze until the big day and then see whether I can lose a couple of kilos before carbo loading starts.

It really feels like the countdown has begun and I'm starting to get a bit of a buzz of excitement. Can't wait for the marathon weekend...I hope everyone else is feeling likewise? 

Hugh