Diary of Wannabe Marathon Runner
Week Eleven
Week 10 came and went; this involved a slightly shorter run.
There was no diary entry for week 10 as work has been very busy dealing with the not only the end of the financial year but also this coinciding with Easter.
During Week 11, the training rhythm was firmly established. My legs and mind had begun to work together in a quiet partnership, and long runs were becoming as much about observation and reflection as about stamina. The cumulative progress of the previous weeks was noticeable: I could run longer distances with more confidence, and recovery was improving.
Midweek, I ran 5 miles on Wednesday. Wednesday’s run was calm and meditative; dare I say it enjoyable.
Sunday’s long run was 21.5 miles—the longest to date. I broke it into three segments of 3 miles which makes it manageable. The key to this run was to slow myself down, I have learnt that if I run too quickly, I find the longer distances difficult. Therefore, I was aiming for a pace of between 9:20 – 9:30 a mile. I still felt fresh after 12 miles, this is where I need to be on the day of the marathon. I then just continued to run until I hit 21.5 miles. I was considering going for the full marathon distance, however a blister was developing on one foot, so I decided to stop at this point. I now must assess how to deal with this, new socks and compeed plasters!
Work has been very busy this week with an assortment of purchase and lease completions. It is one of the busiest ends to financial years I have faced. Now we move into a new financial year! Happy Easter to everyone!
Week Nine
By Week 9, training was becoming more than just a physical challenge—it was an exercise in mental focus and subtle observation.
My legs had begun to understand what was expected of them, and my mind was learning to find rhythm and patience in the long stretches of running.
Midweek, I ran 6 miles on Wednesday, this was good. My stride was relaxed, my breathing steady, and I noticed that pacing was becoming second nature rather than something I constantly monitored.
Sunday’s long run was 20 miles, a significant milestone. This was an organised run in Milton Keynes. This was tough as the preparation was all wrong. My socks feel right in my trainers, I used Ant for this run. I should note that I have two pairs of identical trainers, Ant and Dec. Oddly Ant seem to be more comfortable than Dec for longer distances. I also used a belt for some energy gels, that was slipping off for the first mile as well as my shorts falling down – not a good look. I then got my pace all wrong so was getting tired by mile 14. It was a bit of a disaster. However, I still managed to finish the run, and I learnt a lot as a result.
Here is a picture of the prize for completing the run:
Lots of completions last week, and this coming week. This will allow more time on new matters.
Week Eight
By Week 8, training was settling into a rhythm that felt both familiar and challenging in just the right ways.
My legs were beginning to trust the process, and my mind was learning that running long distances was not only about physical endurance but also about patience, pacing, and quiet observation.
Midweek I ran 6 miles. I felt tired before going out and thought I would only run 3 miles. However, the pressure of marathon training regimes note it should be 6 miles, so I gave in and ran 6 miles. It was a calm run, the sun was setting it was a good temperature and dare I say it, enjoyable.
Now becoming the infamous Sunday long run, and my longest run. I set out with all the optimism of a kid on Christmas morning, energy gels and electrolytes ready, shoes tightened, playlist ready. I have adopted the 3 miles route, as this will coincide with drinks stations on the day of the London Marathon.
By mile 13, my legs had become sentient and were openly protesting. By mile 16, I was negotiating with them. “Please, just five more miles. I’ll give you a massage after.” They didn’t respond. My energy gels now taste like betrayal. And yet, I pushed on. Because running a marathon is nothing if not a masochistic commitment to discomfort. It got to mile 21 and decided to walk home, and it hurt. Lesson learned: the long run is long, painful, and emotionally destabilizing. However, I think I have another five miles in my legs – somehow!
After the run I spent far too much on running supplements, electrolytes, magnesium and other vitamins, I think it must have been a weak tired moment.
On the past week, emails have been lively, with a lot of documents being received that require review, and also having to draft reports, which can take several hours as well as reviewing matters. This led to a physically restful day in front of the laptop on Saturday. Next week it is an organised run in Milton Keynes, hopefully it goes well. Have a good week!
Week Seven
I missed writing the update for week 6, this was a half-marathon in Leicester, so involved coming down the miles, however, after the run I was shattered – I think I have been fighting a cold during the week.
During week 7 my body was starting to understand the demands of running consistently, and my mind was learning to settle into the quiet focus that long-distance training requires. I have found going up the miles somewhat dull, as it is easy to occupy the mind for an hour or two, after this it becomes a struggle.
Midweek, I ran 6 miles on Wednesday. Wednesday’s run was calm, almost meditative, it was a nice evening with the sun setting in a blue sky. My stride was smoother, and I found myself unconsciously pacing with the rhythm of my breath rather than forcing my legs to move.
Sunday’s long run was 19 miles—a meaningful increase that required both physical endurance and mental focus. As before, the run is broken into 3-mile segments, this allows by to rely on small rituals—hydration, energy gels, and even brief mental distractions—to keep momentum. I have noticed that the additional warmth has made the runs difficult, the temperature was 13 degrees, so not hot, but the heat is making me apprehensive if it is warm on the day of the London marathon.
The run was hard going, although there was no cramping on this run, it was exhausting.
The week has been busy, with Friday bringing a request to bring many matters to a conclusion. It appears there is greater confidence in the property market, however, we will have to see if the news over the weekend with the difficulties will change this. I think we are all yearning for a period of sustained consistency, with no internation events, and no macro or micro economic changes – here’s hoping!
Week Six
Week 6 felt like a turning point. The first month of training had built a solid base, and now my body was starting to understand the rhythm of consistent running.
My legs no longer treated every long run as a betrayal, and my mind was slowly learning to enjoy the subtleties of endurance.
Midweek included a quick 3-mile run. I was hoping for more, but there were train issues, so I ended up having to travel some distance to collect my son from a train station in the middle of nowhere.
Sunday’s long run was 18 miles—another milestone. I broke it into segments of 3 miles again to make the distance manageable. The run was very difficult as the weather was awful It was a downpour for 9 miles and was difficult to regulate body temperature despite it being cold. By mile 9 the rain lessened so it was possible to run without a coat or cap. Energy gels were taken and a mental resilience took hold and oddly by mile 17 I felt energised despite being to cramp up occasionally – the next project will be salts to stop this happening.
What I take from Sunday was not the 18-mile run, but the ability to focus to get the job done despite difficulties on Sunday. One of the cats has been unwell and it all took a turn for the worse this week, particularly on Sunday. It was being able to focus on the run despite the horrendous conditions knowing at the end of the run having to stay goodbye to your 19-year-old cat. Hard! Farewell old friend.
Week Five
Week 5 of training brought a subtle but encouraging shift: the early awkwardness of the first few weeks was giving way to rhythm.
My legs, though still occasionally reluctant, were beginning to trust the process, and my mind was slowly learning that running long distances was as much about observation and pacing as it was about sheer effort.
Midweek, I completed one short 3-mile run, as work was busy, the run felt almost effortless. There’s a unique satisfaction in hitting a steady rhythm: the footfalls create a predictable pattern, breathing settles into a calm cadence, and the mind is free to wander—or, in my case, to notice the quirks of the world.
Sunday’s long run was 17 miles—a milestone and the longest distance I’d tackled so far. I divided the run into three segments of 3 miles each, a strategy that had worked well in previous weeks. The first nine miles were calm and steady, a chance to settle into the rhythm of the day. By mile 6, an energy gel felt necessary, less for the calories than as a psychological marker, and so the tiredness after the run was not so stark.
Mile 15 brought both fatigue and observation. I noticed small details: the way sunlight filtered through the trees, the odd coordination of leaves swirling in the breeze. Self-encouragement has also become a thing, so chap was looking at me like I was mad when talking to myself and saying, “c’mon Blood, you can do this”. By mile 17, as I neared the finish, there was a satisfying mixture of relief, pride, and quiet exhilaration. Seventeen miles felt like a meaningful statement: endurance is real, and it grows steadily, with consistency and mindfulness.
There was no alcohol in sight this week, I am unsure if this helped or not. I have noticed that I am beginning to lose some padding, which was one of the targets for the run. I do not know if this is the running or no chocolate or crisps this year. It might eventually mean I have to buy some new clothes, which is difficult for me as I like to wear the clothes out until they are threadbare – some will know what I mean!
Last week continued to by busy with work, a lot of the week was spent kicking of new matters reviewing titles and documents, raising enquiries and getting searches out. There was a fair amount of chasing up matters that appear to be stalling. There were also a few completions, and one or two that look like they will fall into this week. Have a good week!
Week Four
Week 4 of training felt like a subtle turning point. The routine was no longer unfamiliar, and my legs were slowly learning to accept the demands of longer distances.
I began noticing patterns in both my performance and the world around me, and there was a growing awareness that running was about more than miles—it was about rhythm, patience, and mental resilience.
Midweek, I completed quick 4 mile run on Tuesday – well 9-minute miles are quick for me! Each step settled into a comfortable cadence, my breathing was steady, and my mind wandered freely. Observing the world during these runs became a small source of humour: a man meticulously juggling two water bottles while running, a dog who clearly judged me for running too slowly. Then me judging the uneven pavements and trying to avoid the numerous puddles.
The long Sunday run was the Warwick half-marathon. I am not sure that the evening out in Warwick on Friday with a fair few drinks was the best preparation. Following that the Bingham Lasagne and the jam roly poly pudding, the nutrition has not been great for the last couple of days. That said, I complete annoyingly in just over 2 hours, so although I did not feel great, I got round and I am now writing this blog.
The point I have learnt is that I need to have a steady easy to digest meal on a Saturday night and not to out to the pub on a Friday night.
The week has been busy with getting matters for completion, there is a surprising amount of work that goes into completing a matter, the checking and double checking, check lists and then the actual completion itself. There then is a lot of post completion work, such as dealing with SDLT, the Land Registry and if required, placing insurance on risk.
Week Three
Something dangerous has happened: I’ve become a gear person. It started innocently. I bought a second pair of running shorts. Then a “technical top.” Then I learned about compression sleeves, hydration packs, and nipple tape — three things I didn’t know humans needed until now.
On the bright side, I’m running more. On the dark side, I look like I’m sponsored by a small but determined sports brand. I ran six miles and then sixteen miles this week — my longest yet — and felt a flicker of something that could be called “runner’s high,” or possibly “heatstroke.” The sixteen mile run hurt – a lot.
But I’m starting to understand the appeal. There’s a strange peace that comes with repetitive suffering. My body complains, but my brain quiets. Maybe this is what self-improvement feels like — equal parts pain and pride.
Next week, I’m tackling “nutrition.” Because apparently, you can’t just survive on coffee and vibes.
This week has been about moving on files that are tittering on the edge completion, and opening a few new matters that look like they will be interesting.
Week Two
I have continued with the midweek run this week, 6 miles, at an average pace of 9:14 per mile. I am beginning to think that I might have to look at a running schedule or training regime for a marathon.
If you have one, please email it to me. The routine is beginning to feel like a faintly comforting ritual. The initial excitement and apprehension of Weeks 1 and 2 had given way to a sense of rhythm. My legs, while still occasionally grumbling, seemed more willing participants in the process. Running was starting to feel less like a negotiation and more like a conversation with my body—sometimes polite, sometimes stubborn, but increasingly productive.
Sunday’s long run was 15 miles, and it felt like a turning point. I broke the distance into segments—which had become my mental formula for keeping long runs manageable. The first three miles were calm, almost meditative, letting my mind wander while my legs found their rhythm. By mile 5, subtle protests from my calves reminded me that consistency still requires attention to stretching and form. Mile 6 was time for a familiar energy gel, a small but meaningful ritual that signals commitment to the miles ahead.
Miles 7 - 9, predictably, brought the familiar negotiation: “We’ve done a lot already. Can we pause?” My response was a mixture of encouragement and gentle coercion. Miles 10 - 12 introduced a curious combination of fatigue and observation—pain in the muscles, but amusement at the world around me. Another energy gel. The wet weather did not help, the drivers of cars seemingly wanting to splash water over me when they could. Mile 13 was reflective; I realized that this week, running had become more about endurance, rhythm, and awareness than raw exertion. I also got to the half-marathon. By mile 14, a quiet satisfaction settled in: I had completed the distance without major struggle, and my legs felt loose for it – although I knew that I would be aching a lot by Sunday evening.
The diet continues to be challenging; berries and apples just do not have the same appeal as chocolate and crisps. I guess if they did, there would be more greengrocers! Alcohol intake has been restricted, from next week it will be lime and soda and/or coke zero, if you have any other ideas for a low sugar non-alcoholic drink let me know.
It has been a busy week with a lease completion, updating an overage deed, together with moving forward other sale and purchase transactions. Next week will involve updating various documents on a challenging purchase including overage deeds, pre-emption agreement, transfer deeds as well as potential leasebacks.
Next run is Wednesday, have a good week.
Week One
The training this week has been difficult due to weather conditions. The week began with a 6-mile midweek run. My legs felt slightly more cooperative than the previous week, though they still had their quirks.
It’s funny how familiar surroundings suddenly become a source of amusement during training: the way a dog always appears just as I pass, the oddly specific squirrel path across the park, and the jogger whose arms seem to flail in a rhythm completely independent of their stride. Running becomes an observant practice, where the brain, in between breaths, catalogues the tiny absurdities of the world.
Sunday’s long run of 14 miles was the highlight and the true test of the week. This involved travelling to Warwick, as there were ice and snow on the pavements in the Solihull area. The first few miles were almost meditative. By mile 4, however, my legs began sending polite but persistent reminders of the distance ahead. Mile 6 required a small energy gel, which felt less like a snack and more like a pact with my future self: “Keep going, you’ll thank me later.” Breaking the run into segments—3 miles then the final 2 miles —made the mental load manageable. Today (Monday) the legs are sore and walking like a cowboy, but hopefully this will disappear soon.
There has also been a change in diet, all the nice foods such as chocolate and crisps are now off limits, to add to the misery, alcohol will be next!
What else has happened this week. It has been a mixed bag of dealing with a development agreement, leases, purchases and sales of commercial units and reviewing an overage agreement. There are a few completions now taking place which did not get to completion prior to Christmas.
Next run is Wednesday. Have a good week!
Signing Up
I did it. I signed up for the London Marathon. One impulsive click and now my inbox holds a confirmation email that feels less like an achievement and more like a legally binding mistake.
“Congratulations!” it says cheerfully, as if congratulating someone for jumping out of a plane without checking for a parachute.
No, it is not that dramatic, I hope. I have been wanting to try and complete the London Marathon for several years, each time the ballot email has arrived in noting – “save yourself!” As this is a big birthday year, and I have more padding than I really should have, or need, when the opportunity arose, I immediately I said yes.
For the opportunity, many thanks to Sarah McLean (who has many franchised McDonald Restaurants) for giving me this opportunity to run the London Marathon – I am running the London Marathon to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities.
My first thoughts at the time were, what do Ronald McDonald House Charities do. I have put money in the box on McDonalds counters for years but never knew what they do. Here is a link to their website: https://rmhc.org.uk/about-rmhcuk/
In summary, they help families when a family member must go into hospital, and this may not always be close to where the family live, and normally it is in an emergency. When my son Josh was about three years old this happened to my family, he had pneumonia and was in hospital for a week. I was lucky and had a great family network and we managed, but not everyone is lucky enough to have a good family network. After talking to others, I have learnt a lot of contacts have gone through similar difficult times.
Therefore, having experience difficulties myself, I thought what a great charity to help, which will help others, whilst inflicting a great deal of pain on myself.
So, as well as running for a great charity, I also want to get fitter, lose some padding. Given the job is stressful the running also gives me a release from the stress and gives me clarity to think how to overcome challenges some transactions present, running does clear your mind.
Up until the big run on 26 April 2026 I will be writing a diary (or blog) recording what running I have undertaken, note what food I have had to give up and a little about what I have being doing in work that week. I will try and make it light. I will be writing it on a Sunday afternoon, so if I have a tough run it will be clear I have had a tough run. I may also be asking for tips as well from you!
There are a couple of ways to read the diary, you can read it on LinkedIn, or by following the link below or if you really keen please email me at the email address below and I will email a copy to you (there are likely to be some GDPR issues with this so I will only email you the diary each week, no more, and once the run is completed your email address will be deleted – so I do not get into bother with anyone).
Oh, and click here for sponsorship, please be kind, you will be putting me through a great deal of discomfort by sponsoring me – what more could you ask for!!
Thanks
Daniel - DCB@bandhattonbutton.com