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Marathon Mania blog: Are their pot holes in my running strategy?
Gazette reporter James Cracknell describes the highs and lows of training for his first London Marathon.
HALF the battle to prepare for a marathon is avoiding injury.
Even the most cautious runners can succumb to bad luck with a strain, a twisted ankle or appendicitis.
So far, I've cut my leg by running into a street name sign and suffered cramps by running the day after a night of heavy drinking. My bad luck may still be to come.
At least I've solved my usual problem of proliferating blisters, and I'd like to take the chance to thank whoever it was who invented anti-blister socks.
With less than three months to go any injury now could ruin my entire training regime, so it's time to get serious.
I've done the sensible thing and cut down on the drinking, and I am vigilant at all times of low-level street furniture.
Slippery surfaces, cracks in the pavement and unrepaired pot holes are a constant hazard, however, especially running primarily around urban areas.
I thought we might have got lucky with the weather this winter, as nothing is surely more hazardous to a runner than icy pavements. But I've just seen the forecast for the next week and I'm no longer so sure.
Perhaps I should just follow the lead of Eastcote marathon mum Jo Harling, who is training mostly on her treadmill at home.
The only hazard I can think of with that strategy would be accidentally tuning in to Jeremy Kyle.
Are you running the London Marathon this year as well? James would like to hear from you. Call 07795 811 367 or email jamescracknell@trinitysouth.co.uk
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Completely agree about the hazards we are facing when out running on the streets. I am paranoid that I will tumble over a loose paving slab!
Pleased to say I've increased my training to four times each week, two of those are out on the streets wrapped up against the frosty weather.
Top tip James - no drinking the night before a run!