Training update no. 2

Another week, another four runs...

All of differing lengths and intensities including the infamous "fartleks", and I can confirm that the only funny aspect of them is the name. It's basically a set period of running, e.g. half an hour and within that you run at a higher level in several short bursts, e.g. 8 lots of 30 seconds with a couple of minutes recovery running in between each. Apparently very good to get your body used to running at a higher level so effectively and theoretically your standard pace becomes easier. That's the idea anyway...

Other than that a good 7 miler on Saturday which I managed to do in less pain and about three or four minutes quicker than the previous weekend. 26 miles looks a long way off at the moment, but I know with training everything should be okay.

This week is a comparative rest week, so only two midweek sessions and then about 8-9 miles at the weekend. A couple of the weekend runs will be substituted for actual races; the Reading half-Marathon on 25th March (http://racepayment.mirrorservers.co.uk/readinghalfmarathon/) and the Kingston Breakfast run (http://www.humanrace.co.uk/breakfast/index.html) which true to its name starts at 8am on April Fools Day. These will, I'm told, break the monotony and serve as good practice for race day, for example learning how to run in a crowd, correctly use the water stations without falling over, and which buses get you nearest the end of the route. I am, of course, joking. I'll be taking a taxi.