Amsterdam - 2 Weeks to Go and Some Life Lessons From Marathons

So I have just returned from my final 20 miler ahead of the inevitable taper stage of marathon training. An epic time and one that puts me in great shape for a knock out final marathon at Amsterdam.

2 weeks to go and I have this strange mix of nerves, excitement and fear... so why do it?

Marathon training is a strange thing but something that teaches you some invaluable life lessons:

Focus On Your Goal

• When you start your journey (literally), 26.2 miles can seem like an incredibly daunting prospect. Guess what...? It is.

There Will be bumps along the way

• You can have the most detailed strategic and tactical plan and everything is going along just fine.
• Then something happens, invariably a niggle or a strain or a sprain and you are derailed

Put the hard work in and you will achieve

• So with 2 weeks to go your work is done..OK so it is not just a matter of turning up on the day but all that "work" will have paid off. The old adage that nothing in life is free equally relates to running.
• When the BIG day arrives be confident (sometimes hard I know) that all will work out and bar any genuine bumps in the road you will emerge victorious.

So here's to the taper and an update on the BIG day.