I'm hanging up my running shoes...

but only for 3 weeks. I'm leaving on a little trip around SE Asia tonight with the lovely girlfriend, her bad back, my cold, 2 rucksacks and not a pair of running shoes in sight. This has been planned for a while and has always been my aim as a reward for doing Fleet and Prague and now it's here, I honestly couldn't be happier. Strangely, I'm going to miss the running, blogging and reading about everyone's exploits but I'm just going to console myself with the heat, great food and absorbing loads of different cultures.

I'll be back at the end of April to really kick off the training to help me get to my 2009 goal so PLEASE come back and visit me then. I do love reading your comments and getting your feedback. It really does help me!

Oh, just in case anyone's interested, this is our route and also, good luck to anyone running the London Marathon and any other races that may be going on. I'm kinda jealous. That running buzz gets quite addictive!!

AFTER LANDING IN BANGKOK, WE HEAD OFF ON A MINI TOUR ARMED WITH JUST OUR BACKPACKS AND PASSPORTS

In the words of Europe... It's the Final Countdown...

6 days and counting then. I think I'm ready. Well certainly more ready than the last time I ran one of these ridiculous things!

I'm cutting right back on the training now (officially rather than lazily I might add). I'll do a 3 miler to stretch my legs tonight and then the same again on Thursday and that's it until Sunday. I've heard some good things about the Fleet HM including the words 'flat', 'fast' and 'PB'. I hoping to add 'completion' and 'alive' to those 3. Actually I'll be fine. I'm even trying to convince eatingtrees to sign up for another couple later in the year but it's dependant on 'outside factors' at his end at the mo. Prior to that though, we have to deal with the Prague HM in 3 weeks. Now this one, I'm looking forward to a lot!! This will be the big one and because of that, Fleet will be used more as a training (ha) run.

My target time for Fleet will be 1:55:00 which would be a PB. Not exactly quick but I'm sure you've guessed by the name of my blog that I'm not exactly in the peak of physical fitness. My build is more Russian wrestler (yes the female ones) than distance runner and that time will suit me fine. The gel packs are at the ready, the water bottle is clean, the music playlist is sorted and the best thing of all about the Fleet HM??? Well upon completion I'll be less than 3 weeks away from a 3 week holiday in SE Asia! Now there's the best bit of motivation I could hope for!