A quick update from Des Last week: 3 runs/ longest 12.1 m/ Total : 18.5m: Another good week in the bag. That will probably be my last long run as we wind down to race day. I may get one more 7 or 8 miler in, but other than that just 5km runs about three times per week. By the end of my training plan I'll have covered more than 200 miles since the beginning of May. Special thanks to Pete & Joanne and the customers of The Florist on Shaw Heath who have been very "persuasive" in raising support, So far raising more than £80- simply great!

Week to 23rd July: Total runs: 5 Longest run: 12.1 miles Total miles 24.5 Highlight: An enjoyable long run on Sunday. Slower than my previous time for this route. May be just down to the temperature being higher. Overview: My aim was to get a decent number of miles under my belt this week, and I'm happy with my total of just under 25. I'll lower that slightly this week as there are understandably a few aches and pains creeping in. Thanks again to all involved in the fundraising, and also to John Giles for his Hatters Half organisation.

An update from Des covering Monday 12th June to date. Last 2 weeks: 5 runs (longest 7.2 m/ Total 19.5m) Work commitments have reduced the number of runs I've managed to get in, but with the heat wave, even some of the shorter runs have been a good test. I've got a fortnight in Spain now , so will probably not get very many runs in whilst I'm away. If the early mornings are cool enough, I may be able to get a few of the local cross country trails under my belt, in a really mountainous area. A shot from Spain......