The weather forecast is good for Sunday so that is going to confuse the team. Running without the additional weight of rain soaked clothes, thermal layers, wellington boots or snow goggles should improve the times but we shall see. Some of our sponsors are making huge demands on results for cash and the Funding 4 have to get round in a combined 8 hours to steal £40.00 of Gooner cash.

The last week before a race is always tricky and a tad dull. Waddy and Rob went for one last stretch on Monday night for 4 miles and Waddy was in fine form. He cruised like a hovercraft up the A38 and had plenty in the tank. Finally he looks to have overcome his need to emulate Paula Radcliffe EVERY time we go running, the placebos he takes for shin splints are working well, the lack of drink bottle is improving his rhythm and the no beer for 2 weeks has turned him into a finely tuned athlete. Winfield is still bemoaning the worst winter for 13 years and his lack of decent training. This could be a front to disguise a world record attempt as you can never see through the Winfield poker face. You cant kid a kidder though and me thinks his record of 2.05 is not to be broken. Winfield has confessed to falling off the wagon for a cheeky Bacardi last weekend but it did take him 2 hours to drink it. It was so watered down with diet coke that it hardly counted - allegedly!!!

Degge has resorted to private dancing in the last week. Sorry that should read private training for the last week as he runs out of partners. Austin has injured so many players in his attempt to break 1.40 no one can keep up. He has given up his beloved low alcohol beer and the Fish and Chip diet has become spinach and mash so boy is he up for it. Having lost weight through training Fro is now the leanest we have seen him and disco dancing in Winfield smallest shirt (which had ample spare room) this was evident for all to see – even strangers in The George were treated to the sight of his leanness as Right Said red belted out the disco. 1.30 will kill the boy but sub 1.40 is possible

InCheltenham week Pete has got to be the dark horse. He too has been training solo and he is looking good – as a runner and not in the physical sense!!! Pete has been liaising with the sponsors to ensure The Hop Pole is home to our fans for the day and there may even be some orange adverts to support the runners sexy vests. Pete has played it cool this time around and I feel he can push Degge all the way for the first man home. At Bristol Pete struggled mentally but a course through work has sharpened his mind and he can win, he can win, he can win as he keeps chanting to himself whilst rocking in a corner surrounded by candles!

Emma Thomas continues to defy logic and trains with 2 broken knees, sore arms, tight this that and the other and a cold. I bet she still beats some of the chaps home if St Johns are firing on all cylinders. Rob Hudson casually announced he too was running and offered Winfield a gauntlet of 2 hours. The fop has certainly riled The Gaffer and he has resorted to some private stretching to Rachel Stevens aerobic video to gain an advantage – who will win the battle – my money is on Rob!

If any sees Peter Hill, please tell him to be inBath for 11.00 and remind him that he is not allowed to run in stripes and braces. This is the one day a year he is forced to dress down a nudge to dust off his smalls wont go amiss!   

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