Well hello! Long time no write. Sorry about that, but if you've been following the blog you may be, however unwillingly, familiar with the reasons why. But that's all sorted out now and I'm back online and ready to assail you with my blatherings.

I haven't been completely sessile over the past 5 weeks, I've been out and about and training as hard as possible with the whole working for a living thing and wanting to get the garden presentable and prepped for a floral and scent-filled Springtime. The longest run I've managed, what with one thing and another, has been 17 miles - I'm now in the 'tapering' phase of training, reducing the intensity and length of my sessions in preparation for the big day.

It's VERY close now (1 week today) and I'm VERY excited. I think I can safely say that I've never been less prepared physically, this being my third marathon and training previously having been far more consistent than it has been this time. Nevertheless, the fact that this one is in my home town and the weather appears to be on our side and loads and loads of other people have been blogging, tweeting, radioing and generally shouting about how they are preparing and how they are feeling and bigging up the whole deal is absolutely tremendous. And the literature that accompanied my race number, which dropped through my letterbox a few days ago and made me hyperventilate, leads me to believe that the organisation and planning for the event have been thorough and on a par with the London Marathon, which has in my experience been a pleasure and a breeze to get round.

My rose-tintedness today may, admittedly, be somewhat coloured by the fact that it's my birthday and I've had a couple of tiny drinkettes. Nevertheless, my 5-miler this morning was a joy in these atypically seasonal conditions - I mean, when do we ever get Spring-type weather in the Spring? - my loyal supporters (i.e. family who can't get away with NOT turning out to support me) all seem to have agreed where they're going to be and when and right now I just want it to happen RIGHT THIS MINUTE, because we're all ready.

Incidentally, I received a bunch of drunk-proof outdoor crockery, etc., which means we need to roll out the barbecue in the not too distant future and some toiletries, including an 'age-defence' moisturiser, which means...well, I was told it doesn't mean anything, but I intend to ruminate and ponder and reserve the right to take offence later if I can be bothered.

It's been a lovely day and, doubtful as I am that I'm as fit as I'd like to be at this stage, and worried as I am (like some of my fellow contributors to this blog - I've also seen work colleagues dropping like flies out of the starting line up with various injuries) about actually doing this thing, I am honestly looking forward to it. Yes, it will hurt, but I'm sure there will be substantial crowds of cheering, happy spectators, especially if this weather keeps up, and that there will be thousands - how cool is that? - of people all supporting each other on those 26 gruelling miles.

I have a week of endless pasta and early nights ahead of me in the final build up, with a few tiny, barely-worth-doing-but-I'll-do-them runs to complete. Did I mention I'm excited? I really hope to see you all there (or for you to see me, I don't wear my glasses for running so you'll frankly all be a bit blurry) next Sunday. It's gonna be a great day for all the family, possibly the only such opportunity WITH NO ENTRY FEE left in the whole of the South East. Hurry up, Sunday!