WOW! That is all I can really say about today's 10 mile race in Maryport.

And that's a wow in a good way, not bad.

After completing 15 miles almost three weeks ago, today's race was the next indicator of how my training is progressing, with just seven weeks until the London Marathon.

So I set off to Maryport just before 9am and after good preparations - tuna and pasta bake leftovers for breakfast, followed by a banana, yoghurt and protein bar - I was on the start line for 11am.

The sun was shining for the first time in my training and it was to remain that way by the end.

As I neared the one mile marker I heard someone just ahead of me say they were on 7.17 minute miles, well ahead of the nine or 10 minute miles I had been planning.

Whoops! I always go off too quick, but strangely this felt almost comfortable.

I did slow though as I knew I couldn't maintain the pace but by the three mile point I had been running eight minute mile pace.

I felt good and with a St Bees runner just ahead of me, seemingly running the same pace I decided to try and stick with her as far as possible, knowing I had time in the bag for my 1.30 finish I had planned.

Seven miles were done in less than an hour but then came a long, slow hill.

I topped the hill and mile eight in a nine minute mile but the last two miles were downhill and allowed me to record 7.30 minute miles and I set my ten mile record at 1.21.20 - just over eight minute miles, and some 23 minutes faster than my last 10 mile run.

Obviously I was ecstatic and it has shown me just how far I have come since I started training back in November.

There are just seven weeks left now and after my lull the excitement is building again.

I still have an 18 mile run to get through next Sunday and a 21 mile run two weeks after that, but I have nothing to fear now.

I can just go into the runs prepared as best I can, and should they not workout, it doesn't matter.

Not every run is going to be perfect, but today I am on a high!

Before next Sunday's race though is the 70/80s fancy dress night on Friday.

Ticket sales are going well and I just need to finalise a costume, but things are looking good.

As most of you now know, I am running for the Epilepsy Society, and this week I have had some mixed news relating to the condition.

My sister Siobhan, for whom I am running the marathon, went to her neurologist and was given a clean bill of health as her medication is doing its job.

She know doesn't have to go back to him for a year, unless a problem arises - its usually a meeting once every three months!

But on the flip side I spoke to a woman who really suffers with her epilepsy.

I will spare the woman her identification but all that needs to be said is that a later diagnosis with the illness in life has caused her many issues, both with family and coming to terms with it.

The woman has several seizures per week and told me she has not spoken to many other epilepsy sufferers about her case.

I am putting the woman in touch with the Epilepsy Society to give her some support and it really showed me just why it is so vital for me raise as much as possible.

Epilepsy has recently been labelled an invisible disease by some people and you can see why.

I have met and spoken to this woman several times before but had no idea of the torment she has had with epilepsy.

So I know that on race day, on April 17, I won't just be running for Siobhan, but for this woman and many other epileptics who have not had the support they need.

Awareness is key and hopefully my little run around London will open some eyes and get people thinking about the condition.

To check out my video blog, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjisNeJDBUs