26 things learnt in the past 5 months.

1. arcade fire & doves make the best running music

2. flaming lips make the worst

3. crossing 2 drains doesn't mean good luck. (see nr 24)

4. it IS possible to run slower than a walker up shooters hill

5. cafes in docklands dont let you use their toilets for free

6. shopkeepers in docklands dont let you use their toilets for free

7. pubs in docklands dont let you use their toilets for free

8. running with a full bladder is hard

9. pat hort is a master salesman (see nr 16)

10. duck if you dont want to hit your head in greenwich foot tunnel

11. sitting in the emirates is much more fun than running 12 laps of it

12. woolwich high street is no place for runners

13. if she doesn't make it in banking, bailey can make twice as much in baking

14. don't let your scaletrix cars go for cheap, they are worth big money

15. 2 doctors, a nurse & a physio can do no better for kneeknack than resting can

16. people at bootfairs will buy 6 year old sunderland away kits

17. give james an inch on an uphill & he'll take a mile

18. never do laps of avery hill park, passing the new eltham grill once is hard enough

19. schoolkids are all height-ist

20. don't trust jimbos sense of direction in tooting

21. jaegerbombs do nothing for your fitness

22. never go running when the last song you heard on the radio was flo-rider

23. the new eltham joggers are machines

24. you can't outrun the smell of dog poo on shoes

25. cold baths are equally as unforgiving as the hill in greewich park 

26. mac in full length lycra is a glorious sight 

The Comeback Kids

After a long, painful, frustrating four weeks on the sofa, New Eltham saw the return of Marathon Jim to their pavements last night. As if this wasn't exciting enough for the residents of suburbia, they were also treated to the sight of a ghost in shorts for the first time in almost two months. Tiny Tom was presumed dead after contracting a particularly nasty case of the deadly knee-knack virus which has blighted the boys preparations for this years race.

Despite their long absence the residents of the magic triangle were quick to fall into the comfortable old support routine of heckling, shouting, attempting to trip and throwing debris at their London Marathon representatives. In one particularly touching case, a young and clearly overwhelmed lad raced alongside his hero but could only manage ten metres before returning to the safety of his bus stop.

This sort of thing doesn't happen in Richmond, the worst you lot have to deal with is a hill!

Despite the delights of half-term, Tom clocked up a steady base of ten miles and James put in a dream comeback eighteen. With tapering delayed by a week, the scallies and hoodlums of SE9 will get another chance to attack the Wrights before they begin to rest up for the big one in just three weeks time.

That DAMN hill!!!

So it's sunday the sun is shining, everyone is smiling, the picnic baskets are out, oh what a glorious day...UNLESS you're about to run 22 miles!! oh yes folks it's the day of the 'big run', and the final big run.

Sarah and I both decide to attempt richmond park alone so we can run at our own paces - sarah's being fast and my pace is more one where i know i will still be alive at the end.

I think all the marathon runners in london were in richmond, everyone had their chairty tops on, red laces and scared faces - a truly great atmosphere

Sarah comfortably maaged her 3 laps bouncing along like tigger in her new trainers in an amazing time!! I am happy to still be alive but proud as punch that i managed 'that hill' three times!! it was as much fun as having my wisdom teeth pulled out!!

But WE DID IT!!! and sarah and i are now sat watching kids movies with sore feet and hot water bottles!! only 3 weeks until the marathon!!! bring it on!!