Before the run I did a circuit training class at Blizard Physiotherapy which was very intense.

Then we did 1.29 mile warm up @8:15 min miles followed by

4.85 miles in my Steady State zone (overall AvHR was 154 so right at the top end):

1) – 1m – 7:06(7:06/m) – 154bpm avge – 171bpm max – 47cal **
2) – 1m – 7:12(7:12/m) – 153bpm avge – 162bpm max – 109cal
3) – 1m – 6:57(6:57/m) – 154bpm avge – 159bpm max – 106cal
4) – 1m – 6:52(6:52/m) – 152bpm avge – 159bpm max – 105cal
5) – 0.85m – 5:50(6:51/m) – 157bpm avge – 160bpm max – 90cal

Followed by

Overall, this run did not feel too difficult and I could have kept going.  ** Note, my HR had not settled down until part way through the 1st mile.

Did not run on 11th and 12th Feb as feeling really tired.

13th Feb 4.27 miles @ 8:55 min miles AvHR 146. Headache.

14th Feb 6.14 miles @ 7:45 min miles AvHR 145. Headache.

15th Feb 6.94 miles @ 8:02 min miles AvHR 137. Headache.

16th Feb 4.01 miles @ 7:26 min miles AvHR 142.  Tired.

17th Feb 11.19 miles @ 8:12 min miles AvHR 139.  Ok

18th Feb – Rest day (did 15 minutes on rowing machine).

19th Feb – Time Trials, had a good run, 4.87 miles @ 6:15 min miles AvHR 163.  Pushed it quite hard + did extra lap at start and end. + 15 minutes on rowing machine.

20th Feb – 9.77 miles @ 7:49 min miles (off road hilly and muddy) AvHR 139.

Feel like I getting back onto my training program.

Continuing my recovery runs, I went out mid morning to do a 6 mile loop, this ended up being 7 miles but overall felt ok (2 degrees C and rain).

7 miles @7:51 min miles with AvHR of 140.  This was quire a bit quicker than yesterday but was not out of breath at all.

Hopefully my cold is almost gone, I am feeling much better.

So I decided to have a week off running (I was gutted not to have run the Dewsbury 10k) due to catching a cold.

First run back today was very steady – 4 miles @ 8:26 min miles AvHR 130.

Still got a cold but got to keep getting some miles in – keeping it below my recovery zone until feeling better.

Not feeling great, kept it all recovery runs so far this week so as not to put unnecessary stress on my body.

Tuesday night bottled the track session and ran with Rose – did 6.23 miles @ 8:31 min miles AvHR 124.

Thursday morning did 5.32 miles @ 8:01 min miles AvHR 139.  It was that windy today a mature tree got blown over on the Town Fields.

We had about 100mm of snow last night so off to the Town Fields again where I did three laps on the grass.  As I worked hard yesterday at my Lactate test I ran a recovery run.

5.2 miles @ 7:58 min miles AvHR 141 bpm.

I am racing at Ferriby tomorrow but not looking to push myself to the limit (saving that for the Dewsbury 10k next weekend if I feel good).

The snow is expected to be gone by tomorrow so can get back to some proper running soon!

On Friday I did a repeat Lactate Threshold Test at Blizard Physiotherapy, the test was carried out by my coach Dave Tune.

The test includes measuring body composition, functional movement screen and then the treadmill test where small blood samples are taken after running at different speeds and the blood lactate is measured whilst also monitoring the heart rate.

At the end of the test after a recovery your maximum heart rate is determined (if you can get up to it).

A report is produced and the results are explained.

My new heart zones are:

• Recovery 135 – 145 bpm
• Steady state – 146 – 155 bpm
• Tempo – 156 – 165  bpm
• Intervals – 166 to 174

Thursday evening:

I returned to the Functional Movement Class at Blizard Physiotherapy after a couple of weeks off and basically went through 45 minutes of building up my stability, flexibility, strength and stretching.

Then off to the track which is closed to do a steady 6 miles with Warren – still a bit slippery underfoot.

6 miles @ 7:49 min miles AvHR 133.

Yesterday I was down for 1.5 mile warm up, 5 x 1 mile @ 6 min miles with jog recovery and 1 mile warm down.

Unfortunately the roads and paths are very icy and the track is closed so back onto the Town Fields again on soft snow / muddy ground (in the dark). I did my warm up and then 5 x 1 mile:

1 – 7:08 AvHR 147
2 – 7:10 AvHR 147
3 – 7:26 AvHR 148
4 – 7:40 AvHR 141
5 – 7:08 AvHR 148

The Av pace over the 5 was 7:19 and the AvHR was 146 (just 1 bpm over my LT zone).

On the 4th interval my right trail shoe came off which was quite amusing, I have never lost a shoe before.  Tough session, pleased with my times considering I was running on snow.  Bit bored of running around the Town Fields – did 7 circuits on it today.

After a tough few days I was thankfully scheduled to do a recovery run today.  I did this in fairly heavy snow fall (although not much on the ground), I kept all my layers on today.

5.33 miles in 43:12 AvHR 134

I have set up my fundraising page today which can be found at this link.

Although I secured my own place in the London Marathon I am going to raise money for the Doncaster branch of the Parkinson’s Disease UK, here is my story:

In 1991 my father Barry was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.  Until 2008 this was managed at home with my mother being the main carer.  Barry was able to lead a fairly normal life, at times a wheelchair was needed and he was able to do voluntary work for the Parkinson’s Disease Society.  In 2008 things rapidly deteriorated and Barry was admitted to Doncaster Royal Infirmary, he was later transferred to Tickhill Road Hospital where he remained for nearly 4 years.  Sadly he passed away on the 11 January 2013

Parkinson’s Disease affects many people (120,000 in the uk) and the money I raise will go to help those with the condition locally in Doncaster.

Thanks to Lisa and Mark for Making the first donation