Blogging about Blogging. Too much.

Had some exciting news this weekend. I have another follower! My good friend Kate had checked the blog and was dismayed, yes DISMAYED, to find I hadn't updated. I couldn't believe it! I am basically Julie Powell. I mean, I'm thinking next stop - publishing deal in North America. To be fair, she is recovering from foot surgery at home so probably didn't have all that much else to do. But still! Thanks Layfers, and get well soon.

So.... Please, if you're reading this with any interest, or just through sheer Monday night Facebook boredom, please donate! It's easy and secure online at:

www.justgiving.com/paulandgracelondonmarathon2010

Your donation will make a real difference to an amazing charity and will be very much appreciated :-)

In other news, I had an exciting delivery to the office last week. A crate of Majestic wines? Some nice books, DVDs? No, it was my bulk buy from lucozade.com. Actually, I guess being sent 24 tubes of disgusting carbohydrate gel and a crate of Orange Sport drinks is quite depressing. But these little gems are amazing when you're out on the run.. you get that sick feeling.. can't..go..on.. just down the goop and you're away. It's like when Mario eats the mushrooms.

As for the long run, did about 14-15 miles on Sunday, in about 2 hours 45 minutes. Same route as last week and a little bit extra round London Fields. Not too many to go now. I HAVE to keep telling myself that there's only a couple more of these horrors until it's taper time in mid-April.

Let's get Physio, Physio, I wanna get Physio

Had my physio this morning, bright and early. I've been having treatment for medial tibial stress syndrome. This is more commonly known as "shin splints", or, as my sister Helen has been taking great pleasure in calling it, "Sore Leg Syndrome".

I've really enjoyed having physio, admittedly mostly just so I can say that I have a physio, but actually it's really helped me with the running. But I do have slight mentionitis of "my physio says this, my physio says that". Sorry. I started off having acupuncture which was clearly terrifying but amazing. Here's a picture of my trotter, a la Hellraiser:

It's supposed to do something or other to the energy channels but all I know is it made my ankles stop hurting so that's good enough for me. Weird having pins jabbed in you though, that then make you feel better.

Had ultrasound and a sports massage this morning, only slightly embarrassed by my vile runner's feet. I swear they get worse every week. Damn those long runs.

Although I will be sad to have to leave physio, I won't miss the exercises I have to do in the office, looking like a total plum. The "Oyster" stretch is a particular treat.

I can definitely recommend these guys - they do a great job! Check them out here.

Saturday it's a Saturday

I recovered from the McMuffin fiasco and did my big weekend run on Saturday, about 13 miles. These horrors are definitely getting easier, and a shout out to new flattie Tim and the Beechmeister General who came along for the ride. It's so much better doing it with other people, and we managed a nice route from Clapton, around Victoria Park, along Regents Canal, up through Angel and then back to Stokie.

I'm slightly upset that my long runs always seem to end on Stoke Newington Church Street, when I am looking my most disgusting, with a big red ribena berry head and me being an overall sweaty mess. I've been spotted a few times now, think I really need to change the route of my final stretch.

Feeling encouraged by the fact that I don't want to curl up and die after these long weekend runs any more. In fact afterwards I actually went and finished moving house, wandered around the Dalston pound shops, went for dinner and then polished off a bottle of Sailor Jerrys on Saturday night. Result!

Runner's Breakfast

So, mine and Shelby's breakfast this morning consisted of sausage and egg mcmuffin, hash brown and Tropicana. That last bit is healthy, right?

Shouldn't have had that last Vodka and Cresta lemo last night.

Big run tomorrow morning - must be good for the rest of the day.

The Final Countdown

So, as I enter the final month of training before the London Marathon I thought it was high time I entered the blogosphere as well.

I finally made it! My next challenge is how to make a blog about running, running and more running not be the most boring thing ever written in the history of man.

Shameless plug - please sponsor me at www.justgiving.com/paulandgracelondonmarathon2010

Too much too soon?