The month started well with a long Sunday run of 17 miles at 9:19 per mile. In London my target pace will be 9 minutes a mile, which will bring me in at around 3hours 56 minutes. My training course is far hillier so that was an encouraging run.

After a rest on the Monday I decide to try to inject some pace into my running with a two mile run which took 14:16, an average of 7:08 per mile which again pleased me.

It was early in the month when Pembrokeshire was hit by the snowfalls. Snow of course is not the easiest surface to run on risking injury and a sore backside! I avoided running on the days the snow lay on the roads but on the evening the roads were clear I had one of the most exhilarating jogs in long time. The sky was clear, the air still and fields glowed white in the dusky light- simply beautiful! So I celebrated with a snow angel on my return shown in the photo- impressive eh!

After such a good start to the month the following weekend was non-existent due to the annual TROT awards evening on the Saturday. I was in no fit state to run on the Sunday so I visualised the run from the comfort of my bed! Perhaps it wasn’t such a bad thing as I had completed several demanding weekend runs so a break can be refreshing.

This seemed to pay off as the following two weekends I completed 19.5 mile runs at just over 9 minutes per mile to strengthen the stamina base at a reasonable pace.

And today I celebrated St David’s Day with a 22 mile run, my first over 20 miles which was a major step forward, just 4 miles from a full marathon. For this run I carried a 500 ml bottle of carbohydrate drink on a belt and dropped a second bottle to swap over where the course intersected at about 13 miles. I then collected the empty bottle close to the end so took on board a litre of carbo fluid on the run. I also took 4 sachets of carbohydrate gel and I am sure that the planning made the run easier.

The infamous ‘marathon wall’ would normally hits you at around 18 miles. This occurs when readily available carbohydrate stores run out and further supplies have to be converted from body fat. This is a slower process and can have a dramatic effect on performance. The effect of the wall can be reduced by running to this distance, which enables your body to become more adjusted to the transition, and by taking on board carbohydrates to maintain the readily available stores. It’s really important to plan and practise this prior to the marathon so that you know exactly what is required and your body is used to situation. It’s not advisable to leave things to chance on the big day.

On the fund raising front there are three big events planned between now and April 16th. On April 4th the is the ‘Whole Lotta Shakin’ dance at the Picton Centre in Haverfordwest. This includes live performances by ‘Whole Lotta Shakin’ from Swansea bringing the best of rock’n’roll, sixties and the Blues Brothers. There is also a disco, supper and an auction of a painting donated by Pembrokeshire artist Bob Rickard. It promises to be whole lotta fun and tickets at only £10 will soon be available from Chris Birch on 01437 775121 Monday to Friday at County Hall and from local Community Learning Centres.

Then on 18th April I will be at Morrisons store in Haverfordwest publicising and collecting with some helpers by kind permission of the management.

Just prior to Easter on the afternoon of April 2nd St Florence Church in Wales VC School will be showing how children can take ‘Action for Children’ in a fundraising jog in support of the appeal. My thanks to the Head Mr.Gari Davies and all the school for their support!

I’ll be posting a special fundraising blog soon with more information and thanks to all the fantastic running partners, colleagues and friends giving their time to support the appeal.

So March beckons, the penultimate month before the marathon when the mileage needs to be maintained before the taper in April to build up reserves.

Next weekend as a welcome diversion from training I’ll be participating in the Llanelli Half Marathon to gauge my pace progress. I won’t be going flat out but steadily at around 8 miles per minute hopefully along the Millennium Coastal Path. I may meet up with some fellow ‘Action for Children’ London runners so it will be great to catch up with their adventures and progress.