Its just over 3 months since crossing the line in Edinburgh, and into week 8 of my latest 15 week programme. The target, the @runforall Yorkshire Marathon on October 20th.

I’m expecting a scenic course around the historic town, but also will be targeting a PB. Edinburgh had gone very well, but it could have gone better had I had the confidence ( experience) to push the pace in the last 10ks.

My training programme building up to Edinburgh was based around a Marathon Pace of 8 min/mile, which should have sneaked my in under 3.30. As it happens I slipped back, averaging 8.03/mile with the clock just turning over to 3.32.

I had also stripped my diet right back. This meant no meat, no diary (no, eggs aren’t diary – unless you’ve seen a cow lay one?), no caffeine and no alcohol.

I am sustaining the no meat and no diary, but have been drinking coffee again, and have the very occasional beer (by occasional I mean perhaps 2 beers once per month!). I have now included maca into my diet – a South American root, renowned for its ability to increase stamina and endurance. I have stepped up the training frequency and volume, I am now getting out 6 days per week, pushing 2 structured sessions, 1 long run of up to 16 miles, and 3 recovery ‘easy’ runs of between 6 and 10 miles. The weekly mileage is now ramping up into the mid 50s, and next week (week 9) will hit 60 miles for the first time.

I am now training for a target pace of 7.40/mile, which would get me round the 26.2 miles in 201 minutes, or 3.21. This would be no small achievement, but I also very aware that it would put me 1 minute outside of my fathers marathon PB of 3.20.

I say PB, but he only ever ran one.

Training over the summer months has meant juggling running with family time, summer holidays and work. My trainers have accompanied me on a stag do, a family holiday, camping trip and even to several meetings.

Inspiration continues to come from reading about the endevours of Rich Roll, as well as watching James Lawrence (aka Ironman Cowboy) on Netflix), and catching Lionel Sanders on YouTube.

@MrHairyHaggis #EdinburghMarathonFestival @CR_UK

This was now 3 months ago; but better late than never….

The remaining weeks of training went smoothly and I enjoyed the energy boost I experienced through the final two ‘taper’ weeks.

As expected Race Weekend came round before I knew it. My family came along to support, making it feel more like a team effort. And with your loved ones behind you, you do really feel a boost. It also gives you another focus point in the race, because you know at the X mile marker they will be there, screaming and waving like mad!

We settled into the Airbnb rental on the Saturday, and had an easy afternoon. We went for the obligatory evening-before pasta feast at an excellent Italian #TempoPerso before getting an early night.

I woke in the middle of the night around 2am, and reached for my ‘just-in-case-I-wake’ protein bar by the side of the bed. A few quick mouthfuls and I quickly drifted back off, and woke around 7am feeling refreshed and ready.

Following a big bowl of porridge, I jammed as many High5 energy gels (matching those being distributed on the race course) in the back zip pouch of my shorts and jumped in the car. My wife drove towards the start until the barriers for the road closures stopped us. I jumped out, donned my bin bag, and joined the masses huddled together in the light rain like a waddle (I believe?) of penguins.

Before I knew it, the time was upon us and I found myself running along the streets of Edinburgh in my first marathon. Trying not to feel intimidated, I kept telling myself I had done the training and just to stick to the plan. I was conscious that I had probably over-watered myself and just after leaving the city did a dash to the portaloos for a quick stop. 4 miles ticked over quickly and this soon turned into 8 miles then 10. We reached the half marathon stage, and I was a touch behind my ideal 1.45 mark, but by less than a minute, so I was relaxed. Sub 3.30 was my secondary target – the primary aim being to complete the race with smile on my face!

We cruised past the 13.1m mark. My furthest in one run in training had been 16 miles. I was conscious of this, but confident in Hanson Marathon Method. I past 16 miles and as we approached the turn around point between 17m ad 18m I noticed I was starting to overtake runners. Not just a few, but a good number, and constantly. Clearly I had plenty still in the tank. Maybe.

I hit 20 miles and the wind kicked up and pushed back on my body as I ran. My legs started to feel solid. Trying desperately not to think of the dreaded ‘W’ word, I reassured myself that my constant gel-ing and watering throughout the race meant I was well hydrated and had fuel to burn. My legs were just getting tired. I prepared myself for some pain. I thought about my sponsors and Cancer Research, who I was raising for. I thought about the cruel suffering my mother-in-law had endured over three years, and how she had battled so bravely, despite knowing that in all likelihood the suffering would only stop when she died. My ‘suffering’ was quickly put into context – it wasn’t even on the scale, and was to be very short lived and stop as soon as I stopped running. I quickly forgot the pain in my legs.

With my mind refocused, I wanted to pushed up another gear and force myself into the wind to stay on track for what was a likely 3.30 finish, but common sense got the better of me. I’d never been at this 20m point – better run cautious and makes sure I get to the line, even if it is slower than I want to. At the 24m mark I knew I had it. My legs hadn’t got any worse, and I was due to see family again at the 25m mark and that would propel me over the last 1.2miles. It was at that point I decided I wanted to run another marathon, and soon. This wasn’t a one off event for me; this was the just the start.

I went over the line at 3.32.07. I was now a marathon runner! It took almost 42 years in the making, but I was there and could not get the smile off my face.

Within literally a couple of minutes I felt fine. I wouldn’t say I felt like running back again, but I knew I had more to give the next time.

With another 2 weeks training under my belt, during which I’ve covered over 90miles, my aches and pulls that I picked up whilst away have calmed and I’m feeling positive as Sunday 26th May hurtles towards me.

Not that I’m too concerned. I’m confident I’ve given myself the best possible lead-in by closely following a plan that has suited me, so far, down to a tee.

Despite hearing the odd horror story recently, I can’t wait to line up in Edinburgh.

A rest day followed the strength session, then on the evening before our departure, I ran an ‘easy’ 6 miles back from Morzine with a soft toy warthog stuffed in my rucksack! My middle child had fallen in love with him earlier in the week and could think of no better way of spending his holiday money.

We travelled home via Amsterdam, rising at 6am for the transfer to the airport. Back home, with the kids in bed and having spent the day travelling, I headed out for an 8 miler. I was stiff and tired. Back to the reality of pounding the pavements I thought.

Sunday saw the long run. 1.5m warm-up, 10 miles at marathon pace, then 1.5m warm down. I finished the work part of the session, but started to struggled on the warm down. My right hip tightened, my knees throbbed and the ball of my left foot ached. The miles were starting to take their toll.

Following a rest day, I was back out this morning before work for 6 easy miles. My legs were heavy, and didn’t feel rested at all. The rest of today will be about rehydration, rest and protein. This definitely feels like the business end.

11 miles. That’s a warm up and warm down with 1.5m repeats in the middle.

It’s was another spectacular evening down at the lake, but the session was a lung buster in the cool air and by the final repeat my hip had started to lock. This was something that happened a couple of years back whilst training for a 13.1. On the recoveries I had to pause and stretch to release it before heading off again.

The uphill warm down back to the resort was a struggle, and I was greatful when my watch clicked over to 11miles and I dropped immediately to a walk. Tough session, but rest day tomorrow ( if you didn’t count the skiing!).

The downhills have taken their toll. Two days of skiing on very sore thighs had me thinking today’s ‘6 miles easy’ was not going to happen.

I got out and ran anyway. The first mile and a half were like having knives stuck into my quads every step. And there were 2600 steps. My focus shifted from my thighs to my feet once I started rounding Lac de Montriond. Running in snow meant that despite the beautiful surroundings I was only ever looking at the ground about 3 meters ahead. Staying on my feet was the priority – and it that wasn’t guaranteed as a stumbled along. I could however hear the intermittent buzz of chainsaws followed by crashing timber. If that wasn’t enough to keep me alert there was the all too close rubbles or at least four decent sized avalanches. Time to quicken the pace.

With six miles completed I slowed to a walk and headed back satisfied that I’d knocked some of the pain out of my legs ahead of the 11 mile strength session tomorrow.

When we got to the resort, the ski company were quick to tell us that they’d had 60cm of snow last week. Great for skiing. Not so great for the long run.

I came in from a great first day skiing knowing I had a max of 20 mins rest before heading out. My options for the route were confined to down the mountain road and back up again. Everywhere else would have involved trudging through snow. So I started at 1250m and after 5 miles I was down to 1000m, knowing that most of the last 5miles would be running up hill.

Once I hit Morzine I stashed a water bottle for the way back and started on what would be a 3 mile continual uphill slog. It passed surprisingly quickly with the distractions of the mountains around me and before I knew I was turning back after 8 miles and 72 minutes. I felt light as I skipped down the same 3 mile hill I had just worked hard to get up but constantly reminding myself of the last 5miles that awaited me.

Long runs are great for preparing mentally for the extended effort of marathon running, and I liked to use different methods of breaking up the time

I split the run up into 4 quarters, each 4 miles long. Every half hour I had an energy gel.

I only ever seemed to be 15 mins until the next 4 mile block ticked over or a I was due a refuel.

I looked out for the bright red hydrant that marked my water bottles hiding spot. Another distraction from the monotony. I drank it and headed back towards Montriand and the 3.5 mile climb that followed. My legs felt good and I was really enjoy turning the power on up the hill.

I arrived back at the chalet 20mins late for dinner. I gave my apologies, sat down in my sweaty kit and settled into the 4 course meal, still sweating.

You could view it as a problem or an excuse to skip a run. I thought squeezing 10miles in to a stop over in Geneva on our way to the ski resort would be difficult. It turned out to be the best run I’ve done this year.

The alarm went off at 7am (6am UK time) and I crawled out of bed trying not to disturb my two boys who I was bunking in with. I quickly dressed and left the room. I headed to the hotel restaurant to try and explain that I don’t want breaskfasr now, but perhaps later and could I just get some water? Eventually got it and knocked it back before heading into the cool morning.

I headed towards the ‘Centre Ville’ on my way to the tip of Lac Leman (Lake Geneva). It was a misty morning with the mountains hidden in cloud. Running through the historic city my head was spinning as I tried to take in the beautiful buildings and ignore the bewitching smell of bread and coissants emanating from the cafes and boulangeries.

I reached the grand Pont du Mont Blanc; it’s flags hanging limp – a super still morning. Great.

I turned off the bridge and ran along the promenade by the lake. The sun starting to break through the clouds in front of me. I was hoping it would lift the mountain mist and unviel the alpine back drop. But no.

I turned round after 5 miles – my half way point. I often run out-and-back when away from home as it’s easier to judge the distance and you know what’s in store for the second half, so no surprises to catch you out. I notice how cold my hands were – I was irritated with myself for leaving my gloves at home. If they are suffering now, what will it be like up at the resort?

Back at the hotel to wake the family and get on with the holiday… ( at least until tomoorow’s run)

It’s Sunday morning and my alarm wakes me. It’s 6.30am. To me it’s really 5.30am, thanks to the start of British Summer Time.

11 mile tempo run time.

After dragging myself out of bed I was instantly energised by the bright sun beaming low across the clear blue sky on to my face.

I started out on my warmup towards the park, my feet patting along with the impossible pace of the woodpeckers knocking in the trees. I changed up the gears settling into my goal marathon pace. Over the bridge and into the trees by the lakeside. I enjoyed the view of the super still lake as I ran its length completely alone. Until I noticed a motionless deer in the trees. I looked across, and as if pretending she wasn’t looking, she tossed her head in the opposite direction and scrambled away.

Pace check – a touch slow, but to be expected on the rough terrain. I pushed harder and got back on track. The rest of the run passed with relative ease and I soaked up the surroundings until I ran back into the village which was just starting to stir. The climbing centre were out and setting up there mobile wall ready to challenge the tourists. I was done and thankful for the inspiring change of scenery.

Rest day tomorrow. Shame.

It’s a 36.5mile week this week, and work commitments and kids’ weekend activities mean I have 23 of those miles to shoehorn into the next 36 hours.

4miles just finished, and an early start tomorrow to get an 8 miler in before we leave for a weekend trip at 9.30am.

Sunday will be another early start with an 11miles tempo session in the beautiful Lake District – my favourite place to run. So not too much of a hardship!