Sorry about that. I’ve let this slip. But I haven’t let the running slip. I’m still working hard and loving every bit of it.

In fact, i’m off to a British Military Fitness session tonight. Out of curiosity more than anything, am I fit, or am I kidding myself?

Either way, i’m sure i’ll find out very quickly whether getting shouted at by an army dude in sub zero temperatures doing press ups with a load of strangers is something i’d enjoy.

Oh and also, i’ve entered the world’s first Kilomathon. It must be a sign if the world’s first of this kind of race is happening in my town. Yep, screw the marathon, Kilomathon. (I still will do the marathons, but this will come first)

Have a lovely crimbo everyone.

Thanks again to everyone who donated to the horse power triple marathon challenge. I have no idea how much i raised because i’m yet to collect all the money but it’s a good few hundred!!

Eddie Izzard has got in my blood. Lets make that very clear from the start.

I’ve been toying with the idea of entering the London Marathon since watching it on TV this year. I put my application in to the general ballot and got a big fat NO. I should be sighing a secret sigh of relief at the fact I don’t now need to run that long or train that hard. But to be honest I’m very disappointed and wanted the challenge.

I’d lost a bit of eagerness for the whole idea until Colin piped up with an idea as we celebrated my 25th with a few essential pints down us.

He put it to me quite simply. He said he felt bad for not raising any money, or kicking up any storm when running Great North Run this year. He also couldn’t run the London Marathon but wanted to run the GRN again. But doing it a second time won’t feel as much of an achievement (even though at mile 10 you change your mind)

So how to mix it up?….He had a very simple answer.

Instead of starting in Newcastle, start in Manchester.

Admittedly there was a fair amount beer in the blood at this point. But i hadn’t heard a better idea in a long time. That was it, do the GNR, but start 124 miles behind everyone else.

Tue : Manchester > Burnley = 24 Miles
Wed : Burnley > Threshfield = 25 Miles
Thur : Threshfield > Leyburn = 23 Miles
Fri : Leyburn > Shildon = 27 Miles
Sat : Shildon > Newcastle = 26.4 Miles (near perfect marathon ending!)
Sun : Newcastle > South Shields = 13.1 miles

Total = 138.5 Miles in 6 Days

No motorways. No BIG roads. Just a nice clear route to the start line of Great North Run.

I’m telling you lot, my hardcore blog-readers. Because i want some feedback. Not as to wether I should do it or not, we ARE doing it….we just need to figure out…

Who to raise for?
Where to stay?
Who to go to for advice?

As for training. Me and Colin are planning this next Saturday over a big mug of tea before we run Hell Up North 2009 and the basic rule of thumb is…Train for the London Marathon as if we were running. Then carry on…keep running, keep raising it. By one year from now, we might just be ready. But it’s going to take a lot of hard work and dedication, which is what i currently absolutely bloody love about running. So it might just work out great!

In fact, they sent me a magazine called “REJECTED” with a big picture of a sad rhino on the front called “Neil”. Thanks for that. Then they sent an e-mail saying “we hope by now you’ve received our REJECTED magazine.”

Can’t you just feel the love? They may as well have sent a crappy hand drawn scribble of Richard Branson doing a comedy run whilst giving me the v’s  (because it’s Virgin London Marathon now dontchaknow)

So then:

What should I do?

Click to vote! WE’RE SO SPACE AGE!!

I’ve been working on my speed on the last few runs. Not making any huge changes, but making small steps to speed up. From 1 minute hill sprints bursts to integrating it into my longer runs by alternating each 200m with higher speed and regular pace. Easy does it I think? I’m not very fast so even a sub 10minute mile is a big deal for me. This evening I planned a nice 10k route to run and bring some speed work into it. I ran 200m pace splits and really let myself recover on the lower paced sections rather than pounding the lot. I ran the 10k in 52 minutes and it felt absolutely brilliant. Even overtook 3 people which is a complete novelty to me. Me? In front? You must have me mistaken for somebody who has legs that move faster than yours. Mine don’t do that. Oh and some bloke stopped me to ask me for a light, I said “I haven’t got one….I’m running” an he looked at me as if I’d spoke french. Lets hope I was running so fast the trail of smoke behind me made him think I was a smoker. Or maybe not.

I started trying to lose weight about 3 months ago and i weighed 16 and a bit stone. I’ve not been calorie counting or weighing myself meticulously at all….what i have been doing is cutting down on beer and eating less rubbish and more fresh stuff. I wouldn’t have lost a single ounce without Kate losing weight too. She’s lost a shedload and having healthy competition (see what i did there) is always a good thing. She looks a lot better than me but i’m still happy with the progress.

I jumped on the scales t’other day and I weigh 14st8 which i’m happy with. I’m still technically OBESE by BMI standards but SHOVE IT MR BMI…SHOVE IT AND …AND…GET A JOB!!! I feel a lot better, i move a little quicker and I feel a lot healthier…and most importantly…happier.

My only gripe? I now have no jeans that fit me. Even at 16.5 stone back earlier in the year i was wearing jeans that were too big for me. 38 inch waist….why? I don’t know….but they were all i wore.

Now i look like some crap northern Dr Dre with a bad attitude. My jeans say gangster but my relationship with swans and ducks say otherwise. I don’t think Snoop “deeohdoublegee” has a problem with birds. in fact, I know he once released a mucky DVD so anyone who’s seen it definitely knows he doesn’t have a problem with birds.

So i went jean shopping today. My old jeans had a distinct look of sheepishness similar to when a dog craps on the carpet. Yes you’ve done something jeans, you made me look like a crap gangster for months and now we’re getting a shiny new pair. SHOVE IT JEANS. I’m going to demote them to painting/DIY/bein’ a gangster jeans.

I just half expect Dre to call me, sorry, holler me, and ask me, sorry…aks me to rejoin the band….sorry….crew. Yes Dre, i’m still in the band. I’ve just got new jeans on….chill out Dre.