The Final week......

Last Sunday run done, Lisa decided to 'pass' on the Pennine 10k and join Sophie and I for my final 90 minute run, Sophie's first run since Paris and despite her suffering with a post marathon cold we had a lovely run, the sun was shining and we chatted most of the way round, 8 miles later, job done!

It's hard to believe that 5 months have passed since I was given the opportunity of running the London Marathon after previously being rejected in the ballot, failing to get a club place in the Eccleshill ballot, being drawn out as a reserve and then beyond my wildest dreams being offered a place from Hazel after she made the decision not to take part. It still seems like a dream and any minute I'm going to wake up!

I'm now at the stage when every time I think how close it is my stomach lurches. I know what lies ahead but I am unable to reason with myself why I feel as nervous as I do. I can't imagine how I'm going to feel come the end of the week if I feel like this now.

My final week has been somewhat marred by the death of my dear Aunty and although she had been diagnosed with terminal cancer we did not expect her to go so suddenly, which makes her passing all the more difficult to come to terms with. I was relieved to learn today though that I will have returned from the capital in time to attend her funeral on Monday. I will carry my memories of her around the course with me......

Tonight..... as the rest of the club members completed a speed and hills session I opted to run with a new member Debbie, we completed a 3 mile lap around Eccleshill accompanied by Gill after which they both agreed they would do another mile so I bid them farewell and set off to repeat the lap again to reach the 50 minutes suggested by my training schedule. I am so looking forward to depositing that piece of paper in the recycle bin! I may even do that after my very last run on Wednesday!

One training session to go and then it will be time to get packing!