Heart of the matter by Simon_Doyle

With just over 8 weeks to go, it's all getting perilously close and it's time to finally ditch the social life (well, maybe) and get into some serious running.

I'm feeling hungry all the time which means that I'm stuffing down bananas frequently, drinking loads of that sizeable stash of lucozade drinks that I purchased a few months back, and I've discovered that no matter how hungry I am I still end up cooking too much pasta and rice. I even have to odd pint of Guinness when out - the very drink I'd given up some time ago because it just goes straight to the belly area.

Saw a mate I hadn't seen since New Year's Eve and he reckoned I looked as though I'd lost about two stone during training, while I reckon it's possibly nearer one stone. Really don't want to lose any more weight so have gone on an eat everything in sight diet.

It was a shame that High Legh 10k was called off last weekend, but in the circumstances the right decision was made, and great to see the organisers got the word out and were able to set up an alternative date so quickly. Nice one folks. Hopefully I'll be able to make it on April 11^th.

After finding out the race was off (thanks to checking Jamie B's Facebook status) I took the coward's way out and went back to bed, when I really should have braved it and gone for a run in the fresh snow.

My calf/achilles in my left leg is still giving me a bit of stick at the moment. I don't think the physio session was much kop to be honest. The massage was more like being tickled with a feather duster than the deep bruising punishment I've experienced before. I think I need to find somewhere else with a butch physio called Pain who will properly work those calf muscles.

I'm still sticking to my day on-day off routine which means that Saturday is going to be my long run.  My plans says I should be doing a half marathon race this weekend so I'll try and do something close to that but very slow and steady. I'll keep  stretching the calf/achilles at every opportunity and be mindful of looking after it.

So far I've raised about £300 for BHF. I just hope the pissed bastards/friends from down the pub who agreed to sponsor me actually pay up when the time comes or I'll have to call in the boys.