That's it....nothing more I can do!

Well, the eve before all that I've trained for over the last months. There has definitely been blood, sweat, tears, emotional and physical pain, so now it should be easy, right?

On Wednesday I made my way across to the Excel centre to register, got my name printed on my vest (a little concerned that the letters might effect my performance, additional weight you see!), collected my number and chip, that's it no backing out now.

I don't know if the event was meant to suppress my anxiety or feed it, it seemed to do both in equal measures......at least there's nearly 40, 000 other people feeling the same. My only real concern is just how hot it's going to be, but there's nothing I can do about that just take on lots of fluid the day before and during.

Of course I phoned Andy on the way back, who of course, settled my nerves with some sensible advice.

I managed to get a hat, it does look like a swimming cap but that's fine it should do a job. I also bought another undervest t-shirt. Got home and went for the final run before the race, just a short half an hour across to the Heath - HOT!

The new t-shirt I'd bought seems to rub me on the stitching so I won't be wearing that one!

So on the training front, all done, nothing more I can do just keep the stretching going and get my head right for the day.

Picked Sid up from school on Friday and drove back to London, Lynn had prepared our own pasta party at home - brilliant. The most important members of my support team are back together at the crucial time, without their help I could not have got anywhere near the stage I'm at now. When I think of the times when Sid was on his bike next to me, Sherborne Hill, Regents Park (being chased by dogs!), Camden canal runs and so many more, with him helping me - "Come on Daddy!" (and quite a few times of me pushing him up the hills).

Getting home and Lynn waiting with the drinks, toast and a hot bath.....trying to get me normal again.

The messages of support from my pals and everyone who has sponsored me have been amazing, it gives me a real boost.

Today is a relaxed day at home, kit checked, just sewed a pocket into my shorts for additional gels and try and keep my feet up.....it's really boring now, I just want to get it done!

Promised not to moan about the heat.....but!!

This whole clothing thing is driving me bloody mad!

So, I have a vest delivered with the Notting Hill Housing Trust bits on the front no problems, but now it's so hot and the forecasts are indicating it's going to be hot, if I just wear a vest I'll burn....yes really that hot!!

Now I have to find something to go underneath, to keep me cool; to keep warm, I'm your man!, I have so much stuff to keep me warm it's frightening, now I need stuff to keep me cold - nightmare!!!

And another hat, yes to keep me from getting sun burnt...brilliant.

Armed with my technical undervest (breathable you know, to help with performance, I just don't want to get burnt and avoid chaffing, yes chaffing and bleeding - football seemed so much more straight forward!), I took off for my run - an hour and a half in the heat.

Route: Home, Primrose Hill, 2 laps of Regents Pk, alternate ways, Camden and home.

9 miles, 1:25, no gels and no water - Hot!

The undervest and the hat seemed to do a job and will be essential if it's anywhere near the 18 degrees it was today, and of course lots of liquid!!

Words of wisdom from Andy.....

Back to London with all of the New Forest events behind us, for a while!

To normality some would say, another way to look at it, the longer you stay in the country the more relaxed and accepting of the slowness you become.

Went for a run across the Heath on Tuesday, it does seem to be getting warmer....it was a lunchtime run for about 5 - 6 miles, good fun.

My legs felt a little heavy and was a bit tired, need to make sure I rest properly.

I needed to see Andy as the days are getting closer. I saw him on Wednesday, we just sat and talked, for the best part of an hour and a half. He has been undoubtedly the most helpful, inspirational and honest influence on me throughout this journey; again his knowledge and direction is a real help to me.

I do actually have a decent level of common sense but this sometimes disappears with running so its just trying to get the simple things right.

Fluids, fuel, pacing, what time to arrive, toilet visits we covered them all.....and then I still had questions, but he's patient!

That was that; last session with him!

That's the reason I run!!

Well I thought that if I'm in the New Forest where better to do one of my final runs, but it's really hot - great!!

I packed myself off, with a couple of gels water bottle and no hat; how hot could it be?!

I knew the route I was taking was going to be hilly and exposed as Lynn and I drove it the night before.

It was absolutely fantastic to be running through the forest the scenery, the animals, the weather - all good.

My pace was round about the 9:20 mark for the first 5-6miles, then I went into another area called Bolder quite hilly and some fantastic house's, lovely place.

It made a great change to be running in the country instead of London, it also wets my appetite further for fell and countryside adventures after the city marathon, but lets get one challenge completed first!

I met up with some characters along the way, a group of walkers who fancied a race up a steep hill, thankfully did alright against them (quite pleased as they were carrying ruck sacks!) and a lovely man watering his garden who filled up my water bottle and didn't laugh at me, much, when I couldn't get the lid off! (must have swollen up in the heat....)

It doesn't happen many times to me but when it does its quite a brilliant feeling and that is the feeling of running whilst hardly moving. When you actually feel like you are floating along, it must be a similar feeling when a surfer catches the perfect wave, there are so many cliche's I could use but you get the picture. This lasted for a few miles and I just wanted to run and run!

If I enjoy the marathon anywhere near this run I'll be a very happy and lucky man.

In summary, 12.5 miles and a pace of 9:30 - 40 pace - Sunburnt head to-boot!

Not a bad 10k...and the Isle of White

It's a lovely sunny Sunday and I'm staying in Lymington, how refreshing that the sun is out!

Not a long run today, just various quicker spurts in between slower periods. The overall run was about 7 miles it was nice to see different scenery and views across to the Isle of White.

The 10k mark was about 55 minutes so not too bad, wish I could keep that pace up for 26.2 miles - maybe one day!!!

Definite last long run....and close to tears!

The longest training run before D-day, well Big 'M-Day' is more like it!

I'd been looking forward to this run for a long time, I knew the route and it was a case of seeing if I was up to it:

Home down to Limehouse about 8 miles, then even further east towards Canary Warf, pick up the Thames pathway, Embankment, Westminster, Birdcage Walk, St. James (this is the final part of the marathon!), then Hyde Park, couple laps of the Serpentine, Marylebone, Regents Pk, then for some ridiculous reason over the top of Primrose Hill and home - 22.5miles, get in!!

I started off well, felt comfortable but had to slow down as the miles were a bit quick, I knew I'd pay for them later, so I tried to keep round the 9 - 9:30 per mile mark. Listening to Ministry Of Sound - Running Trax.

I've tried putting compilations of my own tunes together to try to think of certain people whilst running, this doesn't have a good effect on me, it's an emotional roller-coaster at the best of times on the long runs, the best thing for me to listen to is mind numbing banging tunes, this just keeps me away from those dark places!!!

I took 6 gels for the run and made sure to keep the water levels were well topped up, there were a few times when I felt hungry, 2 pieces of toast are not enough. I must fuel up better....it's still a steep learning curve for me.

Running these distances on your own is hard work, the next time I train for something like this I think that I'll join a club or get a running / training partner.

Sid has been fantastic, but anything over 15 miles for a 9 year old on his bike is a little too hard, (and possibly Ester Ranson at Child Line would have something to say)...

It's a similar story for me on the long runs, periods of great times and other challenging times, overall though, incredibly rewarding. It's great to take yourself completely out of your comfort zone and this definitely does.

Throughout the run I keep checking to see how each part of my body feels, like a top to bottom MOT, it helps because the smallest adjustment really assists.

My knees gave me problems for a while, these didn't trouble me on this run and of course I was still concerned about the pull in my thigh, thankfully seemed ok.

I completed the run round about the 3:40 - 45 mark, of course I was pleased to have covered the distance.

So, got home had some peanut butter toast and a bath.

Physically didn't feel too bad, all things considered, but after getting out of the bath and reflecting about it, felt really emotional - this is a very alien feeling for me generally!

I was almost close to tears, I had to pull myself together and have a proper word with myself.....bloody hell.....nobody said this was going to be easy but this is madness!!!

Boggy and Sandy runs.....

The weeks running has been great, so far!

After the long run last week I've taken a little time for recovery and only run 3 times.

I woke up on Tuesday morning early, with the sun actually streaming through the window so how could I resist an hour running across the Heath. Still nice and boggy under foot, running past Kenwood House it doesn't get much better!

So I ran around, made it to the top of Parliament Hill and watched London wake up across the city, fantastic.

I then made it back home and made my way to the gym for an hour's session with Andy.

We had a movement and stretching session and he seems quite pleased with my flexibility and movement; I have been working hard since my injury in this area so I was chuffed with his comments.

We discussed the day of the marathon and all the preparation required, his experience and knowledge really, really helps me!

I have a huge amount of respect for everything he's achieved in his career and how he is as a person and communicator.

On Wednesday I had my friend from work staying, Colman, he's training for a 5k so we went for a short run into the Heath. Good fun.

Friday lunchtime run was great, I was in Dorset so was able to do a beach run.

I worked hard, the sand is hard work!

I did 3 sets of quicker pace than I would normally run between 8 & 12 minutes each with a 5 minute run in between, sounds easier than it was......