In the manner of Merlin (Disney version ... )

"Madam, I have NOT disappeared."

I have, however, been very busy, what with working more hours, and doing the infrastructure for the POSE running course as well as attending the Clinic and eavesdropping on as many of the coaches' training sessions as possible, and, of course, running.

The intention was always that Rhayader and Ashby would mark the end of our peak running week, though 113 miles was a higher peak than we had anticipated. For Leon to run a 20-mile PB at the end of a week like that was astounding. I did well enough too. 2:53:21 at Rhayader without really putting in any effort until the last mile-and-a-half, and 2:49:42 at Ashby.

That performance has introduced the notion of trying for a marathon PB at Stratford on 26th April. I know it only leaves 12 days to recover before the 10 Marathons in 10 Days Challenge, but I've become quite good at recovering and it may be my only realistic prospect of a marathon PB this year. We shall see!

Since the POSE Clinic, I've been more aware of my running and my average training pace has increased a little. When the video clip of me running at the start of the course was shown, Dr Romanov asked me what I thought my legs were doing, and I had to confess that when I run I don't think about my legs at all. I've been working on staying associated with my running form, and would like to think I'm looking a little tidier now :o)

Since that 114-mile week, we've cut back to the 60-70mpw range and haven't run over 2 hours at a time. That will change next weekend when we do the Hawkshead Trail Race on the Saturday and another leisurely recce of the Brathay Windermere Marathon route on the Sunday.

Meanwhile, Leon's 10-mile PB is due for an update. We shall attend to that on Monday. Mine is probably unassailable without specific training for relatively short distances, but I'll do my best.