Smoke - The Tubes

Whole world is smokin’ - Cotton, Welnick & Spooner

Yep, it's 20 years to the day that I stubbed out my last B&H and I won't wax on about it BUT I'm bloody well glad I did as I have certainly made the most of quitting the 'Evil Weed' ever since.

I'd never have thought back then that I would have run so many miles and had so many adventures with my new 'life of fitness'.

If you're a smoker and you are reading this... January 1st is looming and it's a good day to start the rest of your life 'smoke free'. Have a go as you have nothing to lose and everything to gain, take a look at my #Stoptober Campaign.

I celebrated with a lung-busting 10 miler up and over Caerphilly Mountain which I couldn't have done some 20 years ago and which I thouroughly enjoyed today. 

Life's full of surprises eh? and never say NEVER!

More tomorrow...

I'd never

Don't look back - Boston

'I don't mind where I get taken, the road is callin', Today is the day' - Scholz

Well I took myself to Rudry today, the hard way past Ty Mawr and 'over the top' of the mountain on the concrete road in horizontal rain. It was totally flooded in places. Yes, it was an adventure but if I'm due to run 23 x 40 milers in just over three months time, there's no time to waste on my new training plan to match fitness in April.

There's MdS to fit in along the way and a few ULTRAs and Marathons to keep me amused but it's time for miles and the terrain north of Cardiff is just the place to do 'em.

It also means there's more room for my Christmas Din-dins and after today's ten-miler my stomach growling like crazy. So it's a good excuse in my book to feed myself up!

Hopefully you will do the same tomorrow and I'll be bashing in some more miles in the morning, weather willing!

Happy Christmas Folks...

Perfect 10 - The Beautiful South

'You wanna see the smile on my face' - Heaton & Rotheray

Ten always feels like a good number to me and running wise is always a good gauge of fitness and commitment to the task ahead in my opinion. 

In my early years of running I remember setting myself the task of running 10 miles a day for a week just to see if I could do it and it left me pretty exhausted as I remember.

Well things have moved on quite a bit since 1995 and my ten today was physically very easy on the legs but no so on my pneumonic lungs which are only now are starting to work at a more economical rate post infection. It's good to be back running anyway...

Anyway, like most folk, I'm looking forward to a break and my only focus of attention running-wise until 6th January is er....myself, so I'm going to enjoy my festive fitness indulgence.

Enjoy your break too as if you are like me you have many mountains to climb in '14 and this Christmas Boot Camp Running Break will be the foundation block of the year ahead.

And, if we've helped you succeed this year then thanks for letting us into your world and enjoy a perfect 10/10 from both of us.

Coleman Coaching - The UK's Premier ULTRA-marathon Coaches - www.colemancoaching.co.uk

Location:Capel Gwilym Road,Cardiff,United Kingdom

These are the days of our lives - Queen

'Those were the days of our lives, the bad things in life were so few' - Mercury, May & Taylor

No doubt, I will look back at 2013 as one of 'THOSE' years of my life...I hope so as it's been one heck of a roller-coaster both for Jenny and myself. 

It didn't start off too well, as regular blog readers will remember, and it took a few months of hardship and hard training to get things back in order around June to get things rocking and rolling once again.

I don't know if I can put my finger on it but something magical happened and things just took off and 2013 felt more like 1996 and my performances reflected that I was back in the old groove again.

Looking back over my 20 years of running, maybe all those mega-day runs took more of a toll on me than I appreciated and recovery plays a far more important part of running than I gave it time for. Looking at the spectrum runners I meet and see on Facebook Pages, more than ever they say they are tired or have dropped out of races - from fatigue in my opinion both mentally and physically.

What 2014 has in store, well who knows...I hope I will be able to look back on it in future years and feel proud. I do this year and I'm trying to keep the impetus going for the next passage in my life as I want to enjoy my running for as long as possible 'cos as Freddie says, 'These are the days of our lives'...enjoy them folk, while you can.

More tomorrow and I'm on BBC 5 Live tonight at 8.30pm...

Black and White Town - The Doves

'Whether you live alone or you're trying to find your way in this world' - Williams, Goodwin & Wiliams.

Boy oh boy! what a week in our crazy running world it's been. Overcoming Pneumonia, supporting Jenny on her 'run of a lifetime so far' in Barcelona and wrapping up a full week of training clients has really made me look forward to the Christmas Break and the opportunity of getting back out trotting out some miles in Cardiff.

Hopefully, the BBC's Jim Connolly will be out there trotting out the miles too, following his visit to see me yesterday. You'll be able to hear how he got on at 8.30pm on Sunday night on BBC5Live as he starts his training for next April's Greater Manchester Marathon.

In the meantime, I'm still catching up on the sleep deprivation from last weekend and am determined to enjoy my current running break. It will give my body a chance to recover from 76 marathons this year and refuel me both mentally and physically for my next busy year ahead.

There's never a dull moment...

Barcelona - Queen

'Barcelona - Such a beautiful horizon, Barcelona - Like a jewel in the sun' - Moran & Mercury

What can I say about this wonderful city? 

Maybe Sir Freddie of Mercury captured it in the lyrics above best. Gaudi certainly designed it simply to BE the best...

Hmm, what I can say is that Jenny did HER best here today with the best run of her life circling 437.3 metres around lane 6 of an athletic stadium in Barcelona 497 times, to clock a top 10 placing of all time distances recorded by a British Athlete on the track.

It was simply AWESOME for me to watch, support and encourage her to another Personal Best this year.

And Barcelona - Yep, it's just 'Like a jewel in the Sun'... thanks Freddie as it will always be a VERY special place.

David Gilmour - There's no way out of here

'There are no boundaries set' - David Gilmour

New Marathons and ULTRA-marathons are springing up all the time and it seems that some trying to be the hardest or most extreme, some have bizarre themes to get them to stand out in the ever increasing ULTRA-running market.

Most of these races will come and go and even looking back at the road-marathons during the running boom in 1983, there were approximately 140 in the UK of which only 30 or some 30 years later. My first marathon at Telford and my Pb Course, The Borders sadly didn't make the cut...on and it includes London, once the pinnacle of most runners career.

Looking back at my own career the 1995 London Marathon, MdS, Grand Union Canal Race & Desert Cup provided lifetime pivotal points and real race highlights for me BUT thinking about it running without boundaries has given me far more of a sense of satisfaction.

My mega-day solo runs such as this year's STOPTOBER will always be up there in the best things I have ever experienced.

What I'm saying to you is why not make your own challenge, lots of my MdS Clients are running 5 x 20 milers over the Christmas Holidays and yes it's good prep for the desert BUT I believe they will get a great sense of satisfaction from completing 100 miles from their front-door.

I've got another Mega-day Challenge planned in April after MdS...Have you got a challenge that's not a race?

Rush - Cygnus X-1 Book 2

'We can run alone and free' - Peart

I'm not sure about you but I've really felt knackered this weekend and having a weekend off the marathons has meant that my systems have gone into meltdown.

It's been quite liberating and I have to admit it's made a pleasant change especially as the days are really drawing in and December's dark days aren't making getting out of the front door that alluring.

Anyway, it's an easy week ahead and one where I'm going to enjoy a bit of a rest and enjoy the run up to Chrimble... 'Cos it's all hands to the pump afterwards as people start to train their festivities off.

Enjoy December Folks :-)

Coleman Coaching - The UK's Premier ULTRA-marathon Coaches - www.colemancoaching.co.uk

Location:Pembroke Road,Cardiff,United Kingdom

The Winner takes it all - Abba

The winner takes it all, the loser's standing small,
Beside the victory, that's her destiny.

Andersson & Ulvaeus

After watching the British Indoor Rowing Championships today, I can confirm the above. I didn't row myself but I did see a New World Record in the M40-44 catagory and EVERYONE who took part give their ALL including Miss Dynamo, Jenny Salter herself. Very inspirational stuff indeed...

Getting a bronze medal in an event against seasoned rowers from all over the UK, Jenny rowed a blinder in 7.57.02 in her class, just 0.2 behind the silver. Yikes it was close!

After watching the BBC Breakfast News on Friday where parents were saying that taking part in sport is more important than winning, it was funny that the kids said they wanted to win - Well, I'm there with the kids on this one and that WINNING or being GREAT at something shows courage, determination and the ability to devote time and energy to the best result.

Yes some are more gifted than others but it's not necessarily the best person that wins, it's the person that wants it most who does.

Are you a Winner?

The Verve - Weeping Willow

It wasn't this bad though - YIKES!

'I hope you see what I see, I hope you feel like I feel' - Ashcroft

Another long run along the coast today and even down here in Wales the strength and brutality of the current weather systems was clear to be seen. The barrage across Cardiff Bay made for interesting running straight into the massive headwind as did the cliff-top path along Lavernock Point and on well past Sully. It was nearly impossible to run in places.

However, it was one of those runs that makes me feel glad that I live by the sea. I just love the power and rhythm of the waves, tides and how the seasons change the beach. 

There's something very peaceful about the whole coastal experience. I just love going to the sea.

The most amazing thing, yesterday was just how far the tide was out at Penarth. It was the furthest out I'd ever seen it as the Pier was left totally high and dry by a long way at low water, whereas at nine o'clock (yes I went back) last night the waves were breaking on the sea-wall and the pier was then sitting low in the sea like an over-laden ocean liner.

It was quite alarming...but amazing too.

I hope it keeps on being amazing for a long time as Penarth is one my favourite places on earth...ever.

Running really takes you to places...Have you got somewhere special? 

More tomorrow.

The Rolling People - The Verve

'Don't ask why, We just know' - Ashcroft, Jones, McCabe & Salisbury

This running lark is second nature after all these years but I've been asked by BBC Five Live for a piece to add to the BBC Website about running and why the heck I do it.

Not an easy task but the words went like this:- 

'I didn't set out to run hundreds of marathons, set nine Guinness World Records and run The Marathon des Sables (the world's toughest footrace) ten times. I just went for a very short run on January 5th 1994 to help me lose weight when I gave up smoking and drinking. 

It proved to be an amazing life transformation and as I became fitter and lighter, my training runs got longer and I wondered just how far I could run. The 1995 London Marathon provided a suitable goal as it had always been something I'd been in awe of but never fit enough to contemplate running. I enjoyed it so much, I ran another marathon the following weekend and I've been running marathons most weekends, ever since. 

Long-distance running gives me an immense feeling of satisfaction and I now make my living teaching other people of all abilities how to run and achieve their dreams. It's such a positive thing to do and I've been to some amazing places and met incredible people over the years, including my partner Jen Salter during the Marathon des Sables, in the Sahara Desert along the way. 

My dream now is to complete my 1000th marathon and keep running for as long as I can.'

Sounds fair-enough to me and when you know why you run, you just know...

More tomorrow from yet another MdS Training Day

I don't like Mondays - The Boomtown Rats

Robert Frederick Zenon Geldof

'The Telex machine is kept so clean' - Geldof

34 years on and I quite like 'em Sir Bob as it's been my first 'Day off' in quite a while and it's been an opportunity to tie-up some loose ends and get my act into gear for the rest of the year. As for the Telex machine reference, I didn't really know what one was back then and I'm still none the wiser.

I was only 17 in 1979 and in a year that saw the first £million footballer (Trevor Francis), the first test pressing of the CD and 23.85m people watching 'To the Manor Born it's a far cry from our internet obsessed modern day lifestyle.

I'm still listening to 'The Wall' by the mighty Floyd (whom I saw that year at Earls Court) and I wonder what we'll be filling our lives with in another 34 years' time.

Let's hope that Sir Bob and I will still be debating whether Monday is any good or not and for the foreseeable future, it's probably going to get a thumbs up from me for some time to come.

Have you had a Good Monday?

Augustana - Twenty Years

'Well, I've been running from something' - Layus & Flynn

More like just running for 20 years in reality and I will be celebrating especially on Boxing Day and January 5th as these are the days I quit smoking and booze all those years ago. 

I'm going to be a very proud man come the end of December!

I've been proud this last week actually and I've been amazed at just how much has been packed into the last seven days of my busy running life including a road marathon and four MdS Training Days including a trip to the dunes at Merthyr Mawr. Thanks to all of those who came including Mat Watterson this weekend.

Hold on, did I say December earlier on? Where did 2013 go? I can't believe it's just three weeks 'til Christmas and there's still a couple more marathons to squeeze in before tucking into some well earned Turkey...let's hope all of this year's running pays off and delivers even greater rewards in 2014.

First job is to get rid of my hideous cold are you suffering too?

More tomorrow...

Cold - The Pines

Another day - another HOT bath... It's the only time I ever feel warm down here in God's Country.

On yet another MdS Day, this time with the very cheerful Rose Kingscote, even a run to Penarth and back didn't really raise my temperature more than slightly above freezing. You can tell December is coming!

Does it feel like its Christmas time to you yet?

It certainly looks that way down in these parts and I'm looking forward to some warmer climbs this side of the festivities as I'm not sure what I'll be like when the really cold weather hits us.

Until then it's more coaching and a Happy 60th Birthday to Big Dave Carter MBMRITWWE tomorrow...

Coleman Coaching - The UK's Premier ULTRA-marathon Coaches - www.colemancoaching.co.uk

Location:Pembroke Road,Cardiff,United Kingdom

Get 'em out by Friday - The Almighty Genesis

Friday Eve already and another MdS Coaching day today, this time with Per Hedburg from Sweden down the sand dunes at Merthyr Mawr.

Invaluable stuff for Per and a good reminder to me also that in 126 days I will be at my 11th Marathon des Sables...

Where does the time go? Ah well another MdS Day tomorrow and another 26.2 miles - that's where it goes!

Coleman Coaching - The UK's Premier ULTRA-marathon Coaches - www.colemancoaching.co.uk

Location:Pembroke Road,Cardiff,United Kingdom

Jet - Paul McCartney and Wings

'We'll go for a ride in the sky' - Paul and Linda McCartney

I've had a fascinating Marathon des Sables Training Day with a young RAF Fighter Pilot of just 26 today! It was just amazing how he's been trained and coached over the last eight years to become a multi-tasking pilot flying £200 million of ground-breaking flying technology.

It sounded like he was a cross between a F1 Driver/XBox Genius/Chess Player all rolled into one. What a cool job it sounded too.

Makes my training days most entertaining for me I can tell you...and our 26.2 miles just whizzed by. Quite handy when my legs are still feeling the pace of the San Sebastian Marathon.

We had a good day out though and I'm now looking forward to another one on Friday and Sunday as well as a couple of miles in the sand with Per Hedburg tomorrow.

It's all systems go right now and more tomorrow...

Praise You - Fat Boy Slim

'We've come a long long way together, through the hard times and the good' - Cook & Yarbrough

My word Jen and I went a long, long way together this weekend and even at 3am this morning when we finally got home it still felt like we'd moved mountains and had one of the weekends of a lifetime in Santander and San Sebastian.

My legs don't feel too bad either and I have three more 26.2 milers to knock out on MdS Training days with clients to keep my wheels in motion.

Funnily enough you don't notice it when you are here but it was a very wintry looking Wales we woke up to this morning and with less than a month till the shortest daylight day, Spring and a New Year with even better return awaits us both.

Planning starts for us today and who knows what's next?

More tomorrow...

Domino - Jessie J

The San Sebastian Marathon Course

'I can taste the tension like a cloud of smoke in the air,
Now I'm breathing like I'm running cause you're taking me there'.

Cornish, Gottwald, Kelly, Martin & Walter.

This song really spoke to me as I started to 'up my pace' in the last six miles of yesterday's San Sebastian Marathon. Now if you are looking for a fast time to finish off your year of marathon running, then this one could be right up your street.

I'd been eyeing this one up for Jenny to beat the sub 3-hour marathon for some time and it came at the perfect time for her race and training schedule as well as bookending a season of personal bests for her.

For me it's all about approach and getting racing into a pattern of behaviour that takes all the pressure out of beating PBs into one of wanting to smash them with a certain amount of ease. It makes racing a more enjoyable experience and one that the athlete isn't frightened of re-engaging with to go even faster next time.

For Jenny, all the 'planets' lined up and on a 26.5 mile long marathon course she was more like 2.57 than her total 2.59.06 official time. My 3.43.54 more of a 3.41 and in line with my Wolverhampton and Abingdon times with a negative split to boot.

The whole 'San Sebastian Marathon' experience has been totally brilliant... 

- the awesome reception from the Santander Runners on Friday

- the fastest flattest marathon 
- the best Stadium finish where I cried more than Jenny at the finish line

- the welcome and generosity of one Rory Gonzalez who made all of this happen 

- seeing a 'Girl from Wales' join the sub 3-hour club and achieve a life-long running dream.

Is it time you ran a dream time? If it is please drop us a line - we'd love to hear from you.

More tomorrow...

Y Viva España - Sylvia

Well what a welcome Spain had for us in Santander and we were treated like a Royal Couple by the athletes at the Marisma Fitness Centre.

I did wonder, before my talk, how it would go as I know only a couple if words if Spanish and my audience only a few English but luckily translator Liz was there to smooth out my delivery and convey the humour. I'm now classing myself as an international speaker!

An easy job it was too as the 100 or so athletes who came were just an absorbing and friendly bunch of people... Enthusiastic and very eager for knowing more about marathons and ultras. It was amazing that after my talk and with a few drinks we didn't really need any help conveying our stories to one another. They also made sure we came to their weekly club breakfast of Champagne, cake and omelette too.

Heartwarming stuff indeed and we as a nation could learn lots from these folk I believe...

Let's hope we get the same support around San Sebastián tomorrow and thanks to Aurora Gonzalez for making this trip happen for us.

More post Siesta :-)
Coleman Coaching - The UK's Premier ULTRA-marathon Coaches - www.colemancoaching.co.uk

Location:Goiko Galtzara Berria,San Sebastian,Spain

Journey - Don't stop believin'

Don't stop believin', hold on to the feelin' - Cain, Perry & Schon

Ain't technology just great? Back in the late 60's and early 70's we used huge computers with the equivalent memory of a standard email to send man to the moon.

40+ years on and we have all that technology and more at our fingertips and as runners on our wrists! I for one just love all the data we can stream onto the web about our latest training run or race.

I'll be most interested to see what I get off my upgraded Garmin 910XT (thanks to Run and Become in Cardiff) from the San Sebastian Marathon will show on Sunday.

I'm not expecting any seasons best BUT it will be interesting to see how far I can push myself after a mere 70 marathons so far this year.

More later..

Welcome to the Machine - The Pink Floyd

'What did you dream? It's alright we told you what to dream' - Waters

When 'they' say all you need to go running is a pair of trainers, well 'they' are lying...judging by our standards anyway as we are off Marathon Running in sunnier climbs this weekend and I don't think Ryanair's Total Passenger Baggage allowance for the whole plane will probably be enough for Jenny and my baggage needs.

What with a couple of pairs of trainers (at least), laptop (I'm speaking on Friday to a group of Spanish athlete's), powders, gels, clothes, watches, suncream (hopefully) & compression etc. it's not such an easy task to Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS).

For two lightweight MdS Runners, we certainly pack it in for a road marathon. 50kgs just isn't enough...

Seriously, I'm really looking forward to the marathon as it's our last gasp of catching some sun this year and it's my last chance of using up the last of my stored endurance from the 28 in 28 in October. Don't expect Pb's from me but hey who cares after my 2013.

More tomorrow...

Russell Watson - Race to the End

'Whenever the running man awakes, to challenge to glory' - Especially for Ted Jackson

I've had a great weekend of Marathon des Sables training with MdS 14 Wannabes, Sarah Morris and Ted Jackson. Two very different athletes with one common goal of getting that coveted Desert Medal, next April.

I really enjoyed both days of running 26.2 miles and it's always fascinating to get an insight into someone else's world and understand just what makes then tick and why they want to go to their limits of human endurance.

It makes me proud to know that I can teach them so much about the journey, they are undertaking. All good fun and as ever there were some priceless moments along the way ranging from three year old quad-bikers being egged on by deranged parents on Saturday to Lay-by Closet Bagpipe players trying out new reeds on Sunday (both near Barry). 

You had to be there and not at Lavernock Point either as that's another story which I won't go into...certainly raised my eyebrows!

Anyway, the interesting part is just how well these runs build baseline endurance as my HR was never above 97 bpm for the whole of yesterday's marathon.

All good news for the weekend's San Sebastian Marathon...I hope!

Coleman Coaching - The UK's Premier ULTRA-marathon Coaches - www.colemancoaching.co.uk
Location:Pembroke Road,Cardiff,United Kingdom

Dusk - Genesis

'But wait, on the horizon, a new dawn seems to be rising' - Gabriel, Banks, Phillips & Rutherford

Here's a session for you if you are one of my clients struggling with the 'Mighty Power Hour', try the 'Half K Rising'... A new tool of pain and pleasure from the Coleman Dastardly Mind of Training. It's TOUGH!!!

My heart rate from the hour on the treadmill is above and as you can easily see I was well over my 161 max for the last 22 minutes and I had to have a bit of a sit-down afterwards as my knees were slightly wobbly.

It was a bloody good session though and one I will prescribe as I'm sure it will really help with SPEED and ENDURANCE. HONEST!

If you are interested in the knitty-gritty please let me know...

More tomorrow.

Kasmir - Zeppelin

Yes I know these are Womens legs not mine!!!

'Trying to find, trying to find where I've been' - Bonham, Patrick & Plant

Thanks to Lynn Rees, her of the best massage hands in God's Country, I'm walking pretty straight today and I haven't got that horrible hurty leg feeling one gets a couple of days after a marathon pasting.

However I feel totally knackered...you know the fall asleep at 3pm feeling associated with a sugar low? Well this is a sugar crisis and it was for most of the day if I'm being honest.

Another good night's sleep and hopefully I will be feeling a bit like my old self once again.

More tomorrow, if I can keep my eyes open!

The Cage - The Almighty Genesis

Watch out for low-flying Motorbikes

And the childhood belief, brings a moment's relief - Gabriel

Now you will like this if you've never won a race or ever will as until yesterday I hadn't. Oh yes, I've done lots of running feats and yes I've been the 'Best in the World' according to Guinness, 9 times but never in 820 marathons have I ever won a trophy, including my 3rd in the Grand Union Canal Race 145 back in 1999 when it was considered a bit pansyish to get a trophy for such an ULTRA-test of endurance.

Anyway, Neil Thubron has it just right at Druid as he has a Winner's Category for the SV50 Category ..yep a trophy for the older gent, like me, and I finally found what it felt to be a winner. It must become a pest if you are always winning every race and have trophies galore but I've placed mine in pride on the mantelpiece in our lounge. 

It's looks lonely up there but who cares as eh? I've got ONE and that's good enough for me...

Actually, I felt on form all weekend and after speaking on Saturday Evening to the runners taking part at the weekend, some of my own medicine must have paid off. Running the hills and smashing it out in the endless mud makes a huge difference to your time. I managed sub 15 hrs for the three days combined so I'm well pleased.

Maybe it's time to reset my horizons...

More tomorrow...

Shine on you Crazy Diamond Part 1

Just when it couldn't get muddier or wetter... It did! Out of all the Druids I've done this one is now officially the hardest and yet I still still 4:56:00 out there battling the elements today.

I did have a few moments of apprehension when the heavens opened and the temperature dropped like a stone but here I am alive and well looking forward to tomorrow's final leg,

It's been proving hard which is reflected in the race times - I'll be putting up race times tomorrow, and tonight is a time to relax before my talk at 7pm...

More later and it's time to relax before Tonight's Talk.

Coleman Coaching, the UKs leading marathon coaches.

Location:Willow Lane,Wantage,United Kingdom

No Jacket Required - Phil Collins

I thought it was a good idea to go light at today's Druid Challenge and it just about paid off as the weather was totally awful and the trail a complete bog.

Funnily enough it made things a bit more up my street and I managed a good pace (for me) all the way to do just under 30 miles in 4:59 so I'm most pleased at my performance today.

It's probably going to come back and haunt me tomorrow as I had to beast myself down the last mile to nip under the 5 hours by a massive 9 seconds.

We'll see eh?

I'm looking forward to a nice sleepsy-kipsy tonight with my 100 room mates...

More tomorrow...
www.COLEMANCOACHING.co.uk - The UK's Leading ULTRAmarathon Coaches.

Location:Pyrton Lane,Watlington,United Kingdom

What's another year?

I can't believe its twelve months since the last Druid Challenge and looking back at the last 365 days, it's been one hell of a year.

So much so, I'm using it as the theme for my Saturday Night Talk. If your going, you'll get the highs, lows and findings from an amazing year in the life...

www.COLEMANCOACHING.co.uk - The UK's Leading ULTRAmarathon Coaches.

Location:Pembroke Road,Cardiff,United Kingdom

The Waiting Room - Genesis

Another day and another iPhone, this one lasted just over a month before it couldn't find our Wi-fi which is sitting in the corner of our lounge, technology eh...ah well the 'Disney' styled Apple Store People brightened my morning as did bumping into Welsh Rugby Player, George North who was also in there with a broken iPhone. He didn't remember me, when I said hello, but did remember me when I mentioned Jenny - funny that.

Anyway, back to the point and yep it's the wind-down to Druids now and it's Carbo-Central for me and no running till Friday as I build up some energy for the 82 miles ahead.

If you are going, I'm speaking on the Saturday Evening so it would be good to see you there.

I'm off to delete 150 emails that have now been sucked into my inbox and stick in a few more passwords.

It's so funny that Apple have us in the palm if their hands with these devices. They tried to coax £139 out of me for me new one - it was a good Try...

More tomorrow when I'm bursting with Carbo-loading Powder and less puns!

www.COLEMANCOACHING.co.uk - The UK's Leading ULTRAmarathon Coaches.

Location:Pembroke Road,Cardiff,United Kingdom