The race to the Paris Marathon, the missus, the cat & work by northernsouthernmonkee

Due to various injuries i had to retire from amateur football at 35 (now 38) and took up running and Bootcamp training as an alternative fitness regime to achieve the adrenalin rush of competing against myself or others.

I have run 3 half marathons (Brentwood, Southend x 2) and 2 adventure races (Lactic Rush in Ongar and Spartan in Cambridge) in the past 2 years and think that running any marathon will be the pinnacle of my fitness career.

Attending Bootcamp has been my most rewarding fitness experience since University Football Training 93-93. Bootcamp in conjunction with my own solo runs at work or at the weekend took me to another level for my age.

However i have recently suffered from the dreaded shin splints (that bloody hurts) and Achilles pain so bad i can't walk for 1-2 mins in the morning. I have since stopped Bootcamp and took a break from running for 6 weeks until today. Thus this was hopefully the start of my recovery road to the Paris Marathon.

Plus, i have promised an old mate of 20 years that would do it with him, (Simon and he is a damn good runner and great ex footy player). He also completed the Berlin Marathon in 2011 in a bloody good time so i am in great company. But having already spent over £250 in fees, travel and accommadation, i feel the pressure to throw off the injuries and finish it as an amazing achievement for myself and not to let my mate down.

Here is my blog then, if you have read thus far then you are either mad, my brother, my missus or another close family member.... This feels like a personal note to myself and if i am the only bugger to read it then so be it and it will be a funy 4 months.