Well I am now one month into the training for my 20km Sponsored Run.

Overall it has been a good month, a few areas that can be improved, but the basic schedule was adhered to.

I am pretty much over the water retention problem that I had. I have certainly stopped the rot, and am probably only 20% away from getting back to normal. On that basis the 4lbs that I have lost so far is probably a good amount. I can’t say I have been on a really strict diet; have had a few drinks, eaten an ice cream, had some potato chips etc. Nothing binge like, but not perfect.

The most impressive aspect is the fact that I haven’t missed one training run, weights or pilates session all month. I am now running 7km each time, and have done for the last 8 runs, but on Monday that goes up to 10km which I think starts to ‘get real’ as that is the furthest I have pretty much ever run, so it will be a really good indication of how well I am doing and how tough the next couple of months will be.

My legs certainly feel a lot stronger, and I can actually see some of the muscle definition that has been missing for quite a few years now. My body is funny though - first place I put weight on? The old spare tyre around the stomach. The last place I lose weight from? The spare tyre around my stomach, so although the fat has shifted off my chest and thighs my stomach still hides behind a fair sized spare tyre - but enough of that stuff!!!!

I am also going to step up the diet this month, more by removing all the bad stuff than anything else as I really need to shed at least 6lbs this month. Then in October I will be 100% focussed on the correct diet and eating pattern for the run.

For now I am going to enjoy as much as I can the weekend, get a lot of rest and get focussed on 7pm on Monday when I will set off on the first 10km run.