First week's training has gone well!

Back from a run this evening and really pleased with how it went, and how well other runs have gone - still think I'm going to be able to do this marathon thing :P

My training schedule is quite cautious - I don't want to do too much too soon, and and only did just over 2 miles today, but I'm very pleased with how I felt during the run and how my body seems to remember how to breath properly during exercise. My muscles weren't aching, I wasn't particularly out of breath, didn't have to stop or walk at all, and, which I think is most important, felt really positive about myself, and genuinely happy :D

Of course the endorphins affect me, and I always feel on a bit of a high after a run, but it's more than that - I'm pleased to be finally doing something to improve my fitness, after so long talking about it and doing nothing, and proud of myself for setting such a high target again i.e the marathon.

It's going to be a long hard slog to get fully fit again, but I think it's going to be very rewarding too!

I'm running The London Marathon next year!

I received in the post yesterday my rejection magazine from the London Marathon team to say I hadn't got a free ballot place for the event 2010. To be honest, I'd nearly forgotten that I'd applied earlier this year, and haven't been doing any exercise, never mind running, for ages!

But, reading the magazine really reminded me of this time of year in 2007 when I had decided that I would run the 2008 London Marathon, and I was in the middle of training. I was dedicated to the cause, very proud of myself, getting fit and enjoying the experience...although admittedly my social life was taking a hit!

I made a decision yesterday that I wanted to repeat that experience and run a marathon again.

I got in touch with the RNLI who I had previously been accepted by, for a place, and asked if I could have a place for 2010. I reactivated my membership of the online running communities, and produced a training schedule (which I took home and stuck on the fridge door!) I started feeling very dedicated to the cause and when I had a mail back form the RNLI today to confirm that I could have a place, have decided there's really no turning back.

I'm incredibly unfit at the moment, and as a result of a complete lack of self-discipline at work (Google's free food is legendary!) I have put on lots of weight....so training for the marathon is going to be a completely new lifestyle for me, but at the moment I'm feeling really confident that I can do it.

In 2007 when I decided to race, I felt much the same as I do today, and if I did it once, I know that I can do it again. So, training started last night...it's going to be a slow build up but I have 6 months which is more than enough time. I'm aiming to beat my 2008 time (of 5 hours and an irritating 2 seconds) so am probably going to have to do more work than before, but I'm ready, I'm excited and I know I can do it! :D

P.S - I will be asking everyone for sponsorship nearer the time...please get your wallets ready ;)