IT'S been another busy week on the marathon front with things finally starting to fall into place.

As I said last week I needed something to focus my attention on and the marathon has been the perfect tonic.

In fact, I have been pretty much on the go all week.

On Monday I was at the gym and after a busy day at work on Tuesday I headed off for a half hour run, but 90 minutes later I had completed an eight mile circuit.

Hmmm, that wasn't on my plan, and given I had six hours of driving on Wednesday, I probably shouldn't have done so much.

But weirdly I felt fresh as a daisy and kept taking turns which took me further away from home.

By Thursday I was exhausted, but there is no let up. Another gym session on Thursday evening followed, before I headed to see nutritionist Linda Stott on Friday.

Linda gave me lots of advice on nutrition and had an in-depth look at my diet - as I gave her a rundown of my food and drink for the previous five days - and it turns out I need more protein in my diet.

Thankfully Linda didn't tell me off for it but did provide me with some Herbalife products to test out and see how I get on.

And I have to say they seem to be really helping, even though I am just two days on from there!

Today, Sunday, I went for an epic 10 mile run, my first of my training campaign and by golly did it hurt.

Mapping out my route on Saturday I felt I should keep the hills included and so found myself at 1pm trying to muster all my strength to climb up Old Sedbergh Road, which, for anyone that doesn't know, just keeps going and going and going.

But with that climb over me, I quickly whistled through the final five miles to return home in 1 hour 44.07.

I was suitably impressed, even if I say so myself!

And so the onslaught begins, its double figures from here on in on the long runs. Scary times lie ahead!

Off the road my training has now been organised as I found myself with a free Saturday night. Turns out not wanting to drink alcohol until the race is over and a lack of money means I free up a few hours!

So I settled on the sofa with my laptop, work schedule and a Runners World training guide and mapped out my next three months, every day and every run for the next 90 days.

And I felt drained afterwards. Just writing that I was going to run 18 miles some time in March had the panic stations rolling and my muscles aching!

I have also finalised plans for the charity night. Tickets will cost £4 and there will definitely be a raffle. I have started receiving some raffle prizes and I have to thank all those businesses who have contributed so far (Wheelbase, Merewood Hotel, New Moon, Homes of Football, Bluefin Insurance, Kendal Town) for their generosity and hope that I can pick up some more from others in the community.

I'm very excited about how things are coming together now and really do have the drive to make sure I get across the finish line.

Last week in a works communication my resolutions and others were listed with a progress update. Mine read: "Paddy - to complete the London Marathon - still to be proven" giving much humour to the rest of the office.

But they don't know the work going in behind the scenes and come April 17th, well, I almost said I'll be laughing, but I won't as I'll be in lots of pain, but I will cross that finish line on The Mall.

So if you don't mind I'm going to head off to bed now, but with my training plan sorted and my meals heading in the right direction I think 2011 will be a good year to take control!
TRAINING FOR THE WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY, JANUARY 17:
Monday - Rest (I did 10 miles on Sunday!)
Tuesday - 6 miles steady
Wednesday - Gym session with treadmill and 8x40sec uphill intervals
Thursday - 5/6 miles easy
Friday - 5/6 miles steady and short swim br/> Saturday - Rest
Sunday - 12 miles (in approx 2 hours)