Quite an intense week of training this week that included 2 fast sessions and my ‘long run’ jumped up two miles to 14. Due to a family commitment I was unable to fit my interval session in on Tuesday, which meant doing it Wednesday instead of my slow run, followed by a ‘brisk’ run Thursday.

The reason behind this was that my ‘Runners World’ schedule said it was a week to pick up the pace and focus on the fast sessions. These two powerful runs really took their toll on my legs. However, Friday and Saturday became ‘rest days’ as we had booked a valentine’s weekend away in Porto, Portugal. I took advantage of the chance of some warm weather training and packed my running kit. Before leaving home Ron had carefully plotted a 14 miles out and back routed on the beach, using www.walkjogrun.com. This route conveniently had a wooden board walk for the entire distance! On Sunday morning we ate a hearty breakfast at the hotel, hired a bike for Ron and set off into the warm sunshine. Beautiful. Dressed only in a sleeveless vest and ¾ leggings I was looking forward to getting ‘in the zone’ whilst soaking up the ozone.

Little did we know that the entire population of Portugal had headed for the Porto coast on this warm Sunday morning - maybe because it was Valentines weekend?

It was everyone for their own out there. The narrow boardwalk played host to runners, joggers, power walkers, parents teaching their children to ride bikes, use roller skates, skateboard and toddlers taking their first steps. It made Piccadilly Circus look quiet. The only thing in the back of my mind as I dodged the unpredictable Portuguese pedestrians was that running through these crowds would hopefully stand me in good stead for the masses running the London Marathon. Although hopefully on the day we will all be going in the same direction! It was a running experience like no other. Actually, the time went by really quickly as there was so much to pay attention to and stay alert for. And it has to be said that the crashing Atlantic waves were very impressive. This is the furthest I have ever run and decided to try to practise taking on board a Lucozade Carbohydrate gel as advised on the ‘meet the experts’ day. Our bodies can store enough carbohydrate to power us for about two hours of exercise. After that the body starts to use less efficient forms of energy. Therefore, if exercising for more than 2 hours, more ‘fuel’ needs to be taken in within plenty of time before energy levels start to deplete. Carbohydrate gels come in squeezy packets that can be consumed whilst on the go. They are quite ‘gloopy’ and need to be followed by a mouthful of water.

Not only to rinse them off your teeth but also to aid their digestion. At the halfway point I took half the gel, I then finished the sachet after another 30 minutes. The result…I finished the 14-mile run in the sun, on a highly congested boardwalk in just over twp hours, with energy to spare. All in all, a good practise session. However, I would strongly recommend practising with the carbohydrate gels several times before the day of the marathon to see if they suit you. We got in the car and headed in to the city, which was a lot quieter and spent the rest of the day enjoying our break in Portugal.