Phil Leigh runs the 2009 London Marathon

After five years of waiting for the opportunity, operational rescue team team member Phil Leigh, has finally been awarded an entry into this year's London Marathon on April 26th.

Phil is a long serving Buxton Mountain Rescue Team member and also a member of the Buxton Athletics Club so he is no stranger to long distance running.   Its been a lifelong ambition to compete in the "big one" so from the date of receiving his entry ticket Phil has gone into serious training.

Training January:  8 mile stamina runs and a 20 minute speed session plus 2 x 1 hour steady runs per week.

Training February - March:  2 mile fortnightly increase in the stamina run dropping to the previous distance on the alternate week e.g. 10 then 12 then 10 then 14 then 12.  By the end of March Phil should be up to 22 mile stamina runs.  After that tapering of the long run down to almost nothing leading up to the race.  During the last weeks focus will shift to speed sessions.

End of February Report:

At the end of last month, I said I would build up on my stamina base by increasing the long run by 2 miles a fortnight.  However, life has got in the way, and combined with icey pavements means I am down on my overall milage but the weekend long runs are up to 17 miles and on target to hit the 22 before the end of March.

I did manage to get some cross country skiing in over one weekend, which may make up for the lack of miles. The plan for next month will be to continue building the mileage up in the long runs and then towards the middle of the month start building in some speed work.

Miles so far training: 146

Hours logged training:  28 

NEXT UPDATE end of Mar.

Please help Phil raise money for the Buxton Mountain Rescue Team.  All your sponsorship and donations will go straight into the team's working operations fund providing the equipment necessary for help casualties.  In 2008 the team responded to over 80 callouts so maintaining and renewing equipment is a constant battle.

For more information about Buxton Mountain Rescue Team  visit www.buxtonmrt.org.uk

THANK YOU.

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