from the magazine. I enjoyed the variety in the training, including tempo, hills, long runs and recoveries. My training went really well and I felt really confident coming up to the big day and had even practised mental techniques such as visualisation

calves. The half-marathon, and FLM beyond it, seemed unattainable.Hours of plodding at what seemed a ridiculously slow snail's pace round the local park and beyond, interspersed with manic Kenyan Hills and threshold sessions followed. Followed by close

in just under five hours, and although I'm not certain of my time, I don't care.I am now finding walking a new challenge; stairs are my biggest hill reps. Perhaps I'll try for next year?Well done everyone! Back to main stories index 4:00 to 5

with the hills, check for the locations of the drinks stations and take note of any areas of rough ground." Once you've taken the lie of the land, Thompson suggests that you return to your race goals and make sure that they're still do-able. "If you've gained

. Then we're sure to get some fantastic scenery. Makes hills all the more worthwhile climbing. – BoffinI haven't done it, but I do know Cornwall and live in Devon. All I would say is, pray it isn't windy, and hope the pasty at the end is a really large one

% (more like 80-ish) but I can run as long as I follow a few ground rules: three to four runs a week maximum (on alternate days), with light cross-training as an alternative. Physio Phil suggested 75% of max effort for a while, so the speed and hill

for as long as you want. What’s more, there are thousands of people around you who know what you’ve just been through and can swap yarns with you about that hill at mile 11, or the quiet stretch of road at the beginning. With the Channel swim, there was none

's predecessor did the Frankfurt marathon years ago - he even got his own finisher's medal and pictures in the running mags. – Ironwolf My Westie is an honorary member of my running club, he's there so often. He loves anything that involves intervals (hills

Fancy trying your hand as guest editor? Simply drop us a line explaining in 20 words or less why you’re suitable for the jobHot to trot... Winter wonderland It’s cold, wet, foggy, I'm constantly tired, my toes and fingers are frozen and I can't see any of the scenery because ...