Hello, Oops yet again sorry for the lack of communication I wrote a blog entry last week but seem to have omitted to send it, so as a result you get a bumper pack in the last week of my training for the Great North Run.

By the way, if anyone still wants to help the St John’s Ambulance by sponsoring me on the run please contact me using my e-mail.

First blog entry.

Well what a week again, things have stepped up a notch and no mistake.

Sunday: as I reported last week, I ran a five- mile run with a friend.

Monday: light workout at home to loosen muscles a bit.

Tuesday: decided to go on a different route. Up through the Link past St Matthias Church on to Summerfield Road to Newtown Road, to Link Top.

Across to the town then on to the Railway inn. Turn left down onto the common to the bottom turn right into estate through and on to Guarlford straight, left on to Madersfield and home. 9.5 miles in 1hr 37mins; great and I wasn’t wrecked after either.

Wednesday: light workout at gym.

Thursday: Did the same run as on Tuesday but extended it and it’s now 10.1 miles. I’ve broken the 10 miles distance that has been looming at me. It took me 1hr 44mins, an average of 5.86 miles per hour.

Friday: was going to rest completely but woke early and alert, so went for light workout at gym.

Saturday: rest day.

Second blog entry.

Hello, Here I am again. I’ve managed to step up the training level a bit more now, despite having a lingering attack of the lurgies (man flu) LOL.

Well, where did we get to? Oh yes....

Sunday: running with friends, we only ran a short three-mile route today; didn’t feel 100 per cent, got a bit of a bug I think but at least it opened up the tubes as it were.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: no training, not feeling well.

Thursday: can’t stand not running, it’s driving me mad, so decided to go for broke despite being a bit off colour.

WOW: extended 10 mile route and have now run 13.2miles in 2hrs 29mins 57secs.

I feel absolutely elated and knocked out too.

I have now run a half-marathon and am really boring everyone about it LOL Friday: light workout at home. My son arrives today for a couple of days visit. It’s his birthday Sunday, so won’t be able to train much until that’s done.

Sunday: called off run with my friend and rescheduled it for later in the week. Still got symptoms of bad chest, don’t know what’s going on in there.

Monday: Just a short run today to get back into the swing, three miles.

I have been thinking that this last week before the Great North Run, I ought not overdo the training so I propose to do a series of 3 to 5 mile runs so I’m not too tired for the race day but still keep things jogging along. Will be leaving at midnight Saturday to drive up to Newcastle; hope I can get a bit of rest before we have to start.

Then if I survive I’ll be starting to train for a marathon next year, got to try to run a marathon before I’m 55...LOL.

Speak soon, Bob.