Running

Sparky, well done! Training for a marathon is serious business. After all, you don't want to be underprepared, but when all's said and done it's the improvements you notice en route to the day that makes it 'enjoyable' or 'worthwhile' whichever word you prefer :0).

At least, that's how I remember them but I have no problem claiming insanity after the fact :-). The first time I managed to run 22 miles as prep, I was so chuffed! Selective memory removed the aching legs, griping stomach, annoying peds, traffic lights, cold and/or rain.

It'll be interesting to see if you lose much weight whilst training. I lost 1/2 stone for my first, a few pounds for my second and third. I didn't have much appetite whilst training for the third either so had to force myself to eat afterwards. Lost bodyfat though and was always cold, not that there's much of me anyway.

Thanks! I don't enjoy all my runs, probably less than half, but there have been moments that cheered me up A LOT: The first time I ran all of Parkrun; a few PBs since then; the first time I ran 10 miles; the half marathon... All little achievements on the way to 26.2 (which was never really my aim at first, but seems like a logical thing to shoot for now).

I'd been slowly losing weight for a few months before I started running properly anyway, and that's continued, but I've also been developing a lot of new muscles so I think the fat loss has probably been better than the numbers show. Having said that, I'm still 84kg (6' 2") and not a typical runner shape: watching me jog is not a graceful sight. I'd like to lose a couple more KG before March but don't think any more than that is likely.

Thanks to everyone on this thread for putting up with my inane questions so far. Long may that continue.