I haven’t trained as much this month as I’d have liked. My aim isn’t to train every day just yet, though maybe it should be. I think it’s sensible to just gradually increase my training and running distance over time. ‘Gradually’ doing things in every other aspect of life tends to work well for me so I see no reason why running should be any different.

The furthest I have ever run is probably around 10k, on a treadmill. I have very little experience of running on real ground. So that’s obviously something that I’m going to need to learn fast. There are loads of things I need to learn, that aren’t even related to the psychical aspect of running a Marathon.

For example I need to find a good pair of running shoes. I know that’s going to make a lot of difference so I will be heading to a recommended jog shop later this week. I don’t really know what I should be eating or drinking either but I know my diet will have to change slightly. I’m not particularly unhealthy, and I don’t drink or smoke but I will probably monitor what I eat a bit more. Wearing glasses is a bit frustrating when running too, they bounce up and down on the bridge of my nose when I start to gather a bit of pace and it’s really off putting. I’m having laser eye surgery in September though so that should sort that.

Also, drinking water. I have no idea how people run long distances and carry water at the same time. Do I need to take things in a rucksack and run with that on? I haven’t quite figured this out yet. I am used to taking a lot of thing s out with me (books, phone, keys, and wallet) and I don’t know how I arrange leaving all these items behind when going on a long run? I’ve tried watching people when out running but I tend to forget what I am looking for as I am concentrating on running.

So far I have found it really uncomfortable when talking to people about running and in particular about me running a Marathon. I don’t like being centre of attention and when you tell people you are going to run a Marathon that automatically makes you centre of attention. Probably because running 26 something miles is pretty unnatural and easily questionable. I wonder if it’s always been that way. That’s why I am working out a lot of things for myself. It saves me asking. When I ask questions about running, the response tends to leave me out of my comfort zone. A couple of people have said that I should join a running club. I’m not so sure. I think what I love most about running is the fact you can actively spend time alone and learn things about yourself that you otherwise wouldn’t have the space to explore. I like the idea of doing all the preparation and eventual marathon myself. Having developed my own techniques. I could well be being incredibly naive but, I am incredibly aware of that.

Running challenges you just as much mentally as physically, if my thoughts were miles I’d have covered multiple ultra marathons already. I think it must be within all of us to want to run. There’s something incredibly human about that period of time in running when you’re pushing your body to the limit whilst you can feel your brain processing a million other thoughts somewhere at the back. I know I’ve described that in a way that seems uncomforting but I assure you it’s not.

Anyway, I hope to run some more next week. I want to run a few mornings before work this week, just a few miles and then maybe 5-10k on the treadmills next weekend.

I read on Wikipedia that three people died in 2008’s NYC Marathon. Decided today that I’ll get a check up from my GP in a few months time.