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This run was described as hard work and no-one lied. It is a classic warm up for the London marathon, although after 18 miles, doubts were going through the mind as to how it will be possible to do another 8 miles.

On the day, the boys set out early and arrived in ashby with plenty of time to spare. The conditions were perfect for a run, no rain, no heat, and only a slight wind. The event camp contained a number stalls with discounted kit and last minute food available to buy. After a quick look around the boys headed to the start line which was a 15 minute walk away.

At the start there must've been over 600 people lining up. As ever the entries were a mixture of all kinds of people from young to old. The start is based in a field as an initial gathering point. However the official start doesn't happen there. The organisers walk everyone up hill through a gitty and onto the road. Here the gun is sounded for the race to begin.

Once the gun had sounded the run heads across a bridge over the dual carriage way below. Then it heads to the start of the double loop situated on some back roads. The runners do the loop twice before heading back to the start/finish.

For Mick and Mick the race went as planned. The aim was to complete around the 3hr mark. This would leave 1 hour to do 6 miles in the London Marathon. A steady 9 minute mile pace was set through out the race and even though the undulating terrain took it's toll the boys managed to maintain the pace.

London Marathon 2006

After all the training that had been done the 23rd of April soon came round. It's amazing how quick the weeks pass by when there is a goal to aim for. Unfortunately for one of the Micks an injury to his collar bone meant he had to withdraw the week before the marathon. So it was down to the other Mick to get under four hours as planned.

The training went really well for Mick. The only upset was a slight tear in some of his muscle fibres in his calf. However after a week or so rest and some needed physio it didn't effect the plan too much. The taper had gone well and the longest run of 21 miles had got the legs ready for the long haul on the day.

Mick arrived in London on the Saturday morning, signed up as quickly as possible and the set about enjoying the rest of the day relaxing in the parks near Buckingham Palace (the finish). On reflect the saturday was a sunny warm day and if that weather had continued it would've been totally different to the training conditions (which generally included snow, rain and sleet as all good British training schedules do). A normal visit to London for any norther includes a trip to the pub for a nice cool pint. Obviously on this occasion it was a bite to eat and an early night for Mick ready for slog the next day.

The weather on the day was perfect for a great time. It was cool with a slight drizzle. After an early start, Mick made his way to the marathon start line. Luckily an experienced marathon family shared their knowledge and Mick tagged along to the blue start line to meet the masses.

Here's what Mick had to say about the rest of the event;

"Still alone after stating my thanks to the family I went for a coffee and bumped into a chap I had spoken to numerous times when I visited Lincolnshire regularly about twelve years ago, quite bizarre. I had chats with others as we waited at the start and then moved into pen 5, where many lighthearted remarks were made in relation to my SIS Gel belt with 8 go's attached - I explained this was my maiden marathon and most considered this my unrequired comfort blanket. Then the best thing of all happened - A man in a bright pink vest patted my back and offered his hand, saying "Blousey good luck from Ripped Dap". It was one of the FLM sub 4hr forum members from the runners world website. We exchanged brief conversation and my body was filled with confidence, he too sported the same fuel reserves !

Once the gun had gone it was stop/start for the first mile. I was next to a loud brash so called celeb for five yards of it - too long really (she was on the phone walking in spite of her coach's best efforts).

I ran well from then on. All the way I had sight of the runners world 9 min pacer. That was until mile 18 where I then passed him. My garmin then went berserk and I had done about .5 extra by this point. I then did two 12/13 minute miles and thought the sub four hours had gone. However I had lost a mile on the Garmin compared to the race markers. Around that time I also dropped my unneeded sunglasses! I got a pain in my right thigh muscle, which was still there as the runners world pacer came passed me.

I dug in for the last couple of miles and as I stared at the finish line when I turned the last bend I had 40 secs to get home before the Garmin pointed out that 4-hours was up.

Somehow I found some energy, those SIS gels every 30 mins probably helped too, I crossed the line ecstatic in 3:59:58. Yes thats what the garmin said and better still the official time states 3:59:49."