Philip's Update

Today was another 8 miles in the bank.

I have come to realise that it is not the long, 17 and 20 mile, runs that hurt but the getting up at the crack of dawn a few days later and running another 8. Trust me, as much as I love my running and the preparation 5am on a Monday morning is a time best spent in bed, not limbering up whilst my porridge cooks.

However, the run itself, was mostly pleasant and I was soon back in the car, listening to some Lucinda Williams and feeling at one with the world. Ideally, I need 13 miles or so to really relax but eight miles is a good start.

It is hard to believe that we are only 5 week away from Siberia. Almost a year of my life has gone by and now, most of the hard work, has been done. Of course, I still need to work every day on my fitness and diet but mentally I am prepared to run the race. The last two twenty mile runs have given me that little bit of confidence which was lacking. Trevor has been outstanding, kicking me when I needed it, offering words of encouragement when I needed them and generally being incredibly supportive and motivating. Without his encouragement none of this would have been possible.