The Christmas period and all its indulgences has now passed and im pleased to say my training schedule has started in earnest!! I was out bright and early on the 2nd and 3rd of Jan 4 completing a 45 minute and 30 minute run respectively followed by 30 mins of fartlek training last night. And to my delight it wasn't as difficult as I'd thought and im hoping that was down to the base training I completed early on before the Arctic conditions prevented me getting out. My aim over the next month or so is to just concentrate on time on my feet rather than distance, whilst I consider myself fairly fit and active im not used to training every day I want to condition my body to this regularity before I start up the ante. However, the impending snow and ice are threatening again and that will kill my training. I really hope the snow stays away because with only 15 weeks to the Marathon it is now seems quite a small window to prepare and any week, day in fact missed will set me back.

Another issue that threatens my training is the booze. I took a vow to not drink until after the Marathon. This vow seemed totally plausible when i made it in October however only 4 days in to the training social events are appearing on my radar and my will power is going to be tested! Whilst I can take or leave alchol its never fun being the sober one when your friends are slurring and speaking loudly. Whats funny when your on the same level really isn't in the dry eyes of a sober judge! This issue however is totally in my control....its that demon in the back of my head telling me that you can still go out and get on it and train the next morning that I have to conquer!

Craig