So it turns out that the body is very much like a car, we may not have ABS, power steering and fingers crossed, a 'spacious' boot  but if the fuel isn't put in we tend to start spluttering, slow down and eventually stop. But a lesson learnt before race day is a valuable thing and following Saturday's unexpected breakdown just off the B4217 I'm now actively researching for the best sugary supplements on race day. Early information suggests some may bring on the 'Radcliffe' effect (see here), maybe not the best idea whilst running a marathon.

One thing I have started to notice now the days are ticking down to M-Day is the apprehension that goes along with it, the doubts and fears seem to increase the closer it gets, even though you know you're getting fitter. It really gives you a real respect for professional athletes out there who do this week in week out, take the below video for example;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By1JQFxfLMMhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By1JQFxfLMM

Now that's what I call confidence! Not a hint of 'Radcliffeitis' pumping through his veins...

But onwards and upwards as the phrase goes and it's now time to turn up the dial to 11 and push on towards The Mall. For those of you who are interested I found a great map of this years Marathon, you can find it at here and I'll upload it onto this site very soon!

And just before I go a MASSIVE thank you to everyone who has sponsored me so far. It's rreally inspiring to have this much help so early on. If anyone else can spare a penny or two please head over to my Just Giving or click on the link on the right hand side of this page.

Do keep an eye on the page and you can also follow me on Twitter and get all your Television Runner news in 140 sweet characters at a time.

I'm off for a date with the deep heat, speak soon people.

The Television Runner

Ok, so on the run up to deciding to run this marathon I read quite a lot into the roles and rigures of training for the race. Now I have to be honest most of it I've forgetten but it's one piece of advice which popped back into head last Saturday around 0.5m from my house.

The question isn't if you get an injury, it's when you will get it and how you deal with it.

If the truth be known I never thought the above would actually be much of a problem. How wrong could I be. After an x-ray, a visit to the doctor, 10 days off 3 people analysing me running and £65 on a new pair of trainers I managed to hit the treadmill once again this morning. And all of this because I was wearing the wrong type of shoes.

Now it would be unfair to the mention names of the people who gave me this dodgy advice of my apparent 'over pronating' feet but if you take a look at the videos below you'll get an idea of exactly how wrong they were.

First up me (and my large calves...)



And now, someone who should be wearing my old trainers



I think the point has been made. Anyway, for the majority of you who are wondering why they have spent the past 5 minutes of their life (I don't blame you) watching me run you'll be happy to know I'm going to wrap this post up here.

Thanks again for tuning in and I'll keep you posted soon.

The Television Runner (and for those of you who know...Tim)

First of all, I've been very lazy, but thankfully (although my feet will strongly disagree) it's only be a bit of literary lethargy. This has prompted me to whip out the old e-ink and e-quill and write my first blog post en route to the big day, Sunday 25th April 2005 to be precise.

Now before we go any further I just want to clear up I'm not talking about the Classic Plane Event in North Weald, nor the Art Deco Fair at Alexandra Palace or even The Mackerel Internal AGM in Sydney, Australia (in case you wondered they're a law firm) but this year's Virgin London Marathon.

I'll be blogging my way around Birmingham over the next few months telling you my story with all the highs, lows and blisters of my training building, and for those of you who care to see I'll upload the odd picture or two as well.

Since confirming my place back in December with charity, Spinal Research. I've been beating the concrete and treadmill rubber trying to find a way to how to get all 81kg of me around the 26.2 mile circuit of our capitals streets.

One of the things which has surprised me most to how much I've been enjoying it although now flirting with my 7th week of training that initial positivity has been subsiding slightly. In fact following one of last weeks runs my groin (and it's missing top layer of skin) would welcome a couple of weeks away. But it, and I didn't get it and after clocking up 17.6miles only this afternoon I'm very much looking at a glass half full once again.
Now for the important (and needy) bit. As I've said I'm running this year's marathon for Spinal Research, a charity which raises money to fund research into clinical treatments to help the 800 people each year who are paralysed by an accident to their spinal cord.

With your money and my effort I'm aiming to raise £1,600 for the charity come race day. I genuinely will be putting my all into this and every pound donated will not only be MASSIVELY appreciated but will keep my tired legs going, down The Mall and over the finish line.

You can give by visiting my Just Giving page, or by clicking on the banner at the bottom on this page.
Anyway, begging over and so is my first post. Off to drink some cocktails and enjoy a trainer free Sunday...

The Television Runner