Matthew
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Sunday 05 April 09, 21:51PM
It’s been a funny old day. I spent last night not being able to sleep in the knowledge I was going to have to run another 20 miles today. After finishing the 20 miles and my head eventually clearing from the spring heat, the realisation sunk in that it was wind down time for my marathon training and over the next remaining 3 weeks I can enjoy some much shorter runs before the London Marathon arrives.
At the moment nothing else matters. In 3 months time we’ll be getting married but it seems like a year away. My mind is firmly fixed on the marathon and the way of life it brings. Sensible eating, no booze and a dedication that has become an obsession. Sounds pretty dull eh!
These are not cattle, pheasants or small humans - they are deer!
Shella ‘only’ did 15 miles today, and then joined me on her bike whilst I ran my remaining 7 miles. Seeing fellow runners is frequent but I think I saw more runners today than pedestrians. In fact with 2 miles to go Shella gave me a nudge to point to a woman with her pants round her ankles, peeing in a bush next to the side of the road. I really must’ve been completely knackered because I would never normally pass up the opportunity for a ‘free look’.
Shella may I add, is the bronzed runner you might see hitting Winchester’s streets. She discovered spray tans this week and has already booked another for two weeks time. At this rate we could still see the pink horses and glass carriage á la Jordan and Peter’s wedding. I on the other hand, am looking like a milk bottle in comparison. I’ve also lost quite a bit of weight from all the training - Shella keeps telling me she’s seen more fat on a match. So I’m currently pale and skinny – not a good look – someone get me some fake tan and a family size bag of crisps.
The weather today was fantastic. More the weather for chilling out in the garden than running, but I forced myself to cut the grass when I got back to loosen up and get outside instead of dying on the sofa. I have a lawnmower that’s at least 18 years old but it’s the old faithful – always starts up first time and makes some very Wembley-esque lines in the grass. Shella says it’s about time I invested in a new one as it looks past it and its cost us a fair bit when we have it serviced. This is the person that’s never cut the grass in her life!
This is as good as it gets - a Barn Owl (god i'm getting old)
So this evening we decided to get out and about again and went for a drive - mainly to check out the new tarmac that Mark the farmer (who's field we are using for the wedding reception) has laid to see if the horse and carriage can get up it ok. What a rock n roll life we lead. Afterwards we drove through Farley Mount and saw a herd of 12 deer in a field then drove alongside an owl, stopping whilst Shella took a picture. The results you can see on your right hand side. Hopefully Elton Mogg, our wedding photographer, won’t have the same blurry problems capturing us.
Don't forget you can still sponsor us for the London Marathon. Here's the link to do so online - it only takes a few minutes and remember to tick gift aid:
www.bmycharity.com/matthewstorey
www.bmycharity.com/shellasmith
