Keep Craig Running!

Download the app and you'll see my progress during London Marathon on Sunday 3rd October: Available for Android or iPhone from: https://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/the-event/the-official-app You can search via my name or Bib no. 3458. Exciting! You may also need to know: My Start colour: BLUE (there will be 3 start funnels - colour coded) My Start wave: 17 My Start Assembly Area arrival time: 09:56 My Start wave opens: 10:31 - 10:46  My Start time: 10:49 - 10:52 I'm aiming to complete within 5 hours 30 so hope to finish between 4:15 & 4:30 The app gives a map of the route and mile markers Thanks to all the sponsorships so far. If you would still like to sponsor me please see my 4 charities and why I chose them here: https://keepcraigrunning.blogspot.com/2021/02/keep-craig-running-announcement.html

 Quick update: I am super excited about Sunday 3rd October and it's you guys that are making me buzz! Never did I think 4 months ago this would be the result. I know I keep thanking you all but it really is overwhelming.

Thank you everyone.   If you're considering giving to charity over the next week or two, please help me over the £1500 mark by choosing one of mine via the link below to donate. Update: I've just been looking at the total number of miles I've run and since training began in June, it's over 280 miles and 169 of those since 1st August! There's 9 days left until London Marathon day on Sunday 3rd October, by then my training will have taken me over 300 miles (and closer to 200 since 1st August). Just 3 more runs until then so please take a look at my chosen charities and help me reach £1500. https://keepcraigrunning.blogspot.com/2021/02/keep-craig-running-announcement.html 

All my long training runs are completed and I'm now on 'taper' to ensure tip-top fitness on Sunday 3rd October. Over the last 5-6 weeks I've gradually increased my long-distance weekend runs: 8/8/21 - 11 miles 14/8/21 - 13.1 miles 22/8/21 - 16.2 miles 29/8/21 - 17.3 miles 3/9/21 - 19.2 miles 12/9/21 - 20.5 miles Wow, that's over 97 miles!  In addition, running twice a week on average 5 miles each time that's more than my brain can calculate! During the preparations for 3rd October you've all been keeping me going raising money for good causes: So, thank you all.  At times I've felt like giving up but this has definitely kept me going through groin injuries, knee injuries, Physio & Osteo sessions and the early morning weekend starts (not to mention refraining from Gin the night before!). There's still time to 'KeepCraigRunning' so see my first post on why I chose these charities and how to donate:  https://keepcraigrunning.blogspot.com/202

Feel much better with today's run than I did with 17.2. After some advice on fuel food whilst running, apart from the bulk they (,SIS Gels) and my homemade fuel bars worked.

Should've posted this Sunday....I've spoken before about not wanting to tempt fate. Well, I should listen to my own advice:  Following my blog update 22/8/21, on 23/8/21 I developed excruciating pain in my right knee! I persevered through Tuesday and Wednesday with Ibuprofen, elevated leg and ice packs, then got Grant to drive me into work on Thursday where I was told about a great 'knee bloke', an Osteopath.  I made an appointment for Friday afternoon and 'boom!' I think I'm fixed (again).  More stretches, more exercises and more appointments (Osteopath on 13th Sept and my usual Physio on 27th Sept).  Apparently humans aren't designed to run more than 15 miles 😭 So, I managed week 12's long run = 17.25 miles.  Building up long runs ahead of the Marathon itself is a learning curve: To keep my energy going I'm eating homemade energy bars about every 45-55 minutes but on Sunday (and this is the take away piece of learning) I didn't fancy my 3r