First things first, if you would like to sponsor me, please do it on my JustGiving page.

Overindulged again last night. When will I ever learn, eh? I'm not young and can't wake up all bright eyed and bushy the morning after a heavy night any more. I initially woke up at 5:10 ish, with my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth and went in search of (non-alcoholic) fluids. I returned to bed, but never got back to sleep and eventually crawled out of bed around 7:30.

So, there I was, feeling very lightheaded and flatfooted. You don't even want to know what was going on in between. Nevertheless, I was determined to get in a run today. It's day 2 of the Shoreham Airshow, by the way. We usually go, but we're booked up for the next few weekends and are taking the chance this weekend to have a quiet one at home.

I eventually headed out at about 8:40 to attempt a 12k run. I've done one before, which I blogged here here and took me 1 hour 8 minutes and 59 seconds.

As I said, I was feeling extremely flatfooted and there was no bounce in my step at all. Not surprising, but it didn't bode well for an enjoyable run on what was in every other way a glorious morning. Beautiful sunshine, the perfect breeze once I made it onto the seafront and lots and lots of fellow runners.

For the first time today, I saw people running in 'Brighton Marathon' t-shirts. I love that I live in a city that can put on this type of event and I really hope everyone supports it, rather than moaning about all the disruption to benefit a minority, like we get on Pride or London to Brighton Cycle days. Just go away for a day if you don't like it.

Anyway, this brings me to my first tip. Train in the clothing you will wear on the big day. (Incidentally I've been talked into doing the Sussex Beacon Half Marathon in February as part of my preparations.) I need to save and buy a couple of pairs of new trainers, but other than that I'm in the gear I'll do the Half Marathon and Marathon in. I am the person built like crazy legs crane, only with moobs and a belly, running about the place in a pink and black Diabetes UK vest with my name on the front and the back. Well, I like to blend in.

I identified a while back that, even on short runs, it is essential that I wear my lycra shorts under my modesty shorts, otherwise my thunderous thighs chafe and it hurts a lot. After today's run, I am reminded that after London in 2008, the Diabetes UK vest was stuck to my cracked and bleeding nipples. It's very sore when that happens, so vaseline is reentering my life in a big way. So, seriously, if you're running for charity, get hold of the kit asap and find out now if there are any issues, over any distance, that you need to plan for.

Second top tip is to practice drinking on the run. You may well scoff, but trust me. The human race is blessed with a uvula, which allows us to eat while breathing (or vice versa). That's all very well when you're sat at your dining table (or on the sofa with a lap tray, more likely). It's a different matter when you're boinging about in public, trying to make sure all your body parts move, at least on average, in the same direction while trying to concentrate on where you're putting your feet (which you can't even see) to avoid the additional embarrassment of falling over. Take a drink on every run - water for anything up to 30 minutes will be fine, but take a sports drink for anything longer.

Time to refuel. Then an afternoon nap could follow, whether I want it to or not! Oh, and first 6k today in 35 minutes and 13 seconds, second in 35 minutes and 20 seconds. Slower overall than last time, but much more even pacing. So, not my finest hour-and-a-bit, but not half bad!