was particularly looking forward to given my performance on the steep in Devon. I was told to go under 1:30 (6:52 ave min mile) which was actually slightly quicker than my usual long run pace, but overall a good chance to really put my Devon demons behind me

dunes, camels, epic views and the occasional mirage.  My long mileage run this weekend hit a respectable 19.66 (I feel it’s important to include the extra 0.66). It was the last time I’ll get to run with a training partner as we set off on our own quests

you’re all getting on in the build-up to your respective events – keep the miles up and if you can spare a few quid please donate - http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JamesFricker

Whilst my brother jokes saying he'd rather be punched in the face than run 151 miles in the desert, I consider myself very fortunate to be capable of attempting something like this. After an exciting 2011 race calendar comprising of a couple of half

of the running ‘experience’ is that you carry all your food with you. This is no mean feat - you have to carry 14,000 calories minimum (2,000 per day) during the course of the race. This is punishment of the highest order.Therefore, this week I decided

with a robust rucksack that will be my best friend for the duration of the race. The great thing about this pack, the Sky 30+10, is that it expands and shrinks depending on the space required, so as the race goes on and I consume the food I bring I can

all). I made the decision around mile 17 (when it started raining as I was half-way up another hill) that I would do the marathon course and not the ultra course - which is an extra 7 miles (not the advertised 10K) after checking in at the finish

’d finished. Instead I dug in, which was probably rather silly given the injury but I wanted to challenge myself where I’d failed last week.At mile 15 the decision was taken out of my hands. My running buddy had been struggling with flu and had to walk