THE CARROT

I'm plodding on and doing brilliantly with my early morning runs (alarm clock goes off at 5:15 and I am up and at em.). Where I am falling down completely is with my eating. I am completely addicted to junk. I'm trying to work on my bad habits but it would seem I'm just the girl who can't say no. I'm going to track my progress in a different way. I'm currently doing my little 3km loop in the morning in about 23:30. I've given myself the goal of running it in 22:30 and when I do it it's retail therapy time.

I am only going to weigh myself when I meet these little time milestones. That way I'll know that progress has been made and the number on the scale (if it's not moving) will not have so much impact.

Update  I completed my loop in 22:23 and got myself a new pair of Birkenstocks (I'm an addict). A deals a deal after all. Next up I want to get under 40 minutes for a 5k. My current time is 41:25.

THE PLAN

I'm excited. I signed up for a plan on My Asics. Although ticking the marathon off my bucket list is the main order of business here I have to admit being a little disappointed when they came back with a finish time of 5'11 after I put in all my details. I had in mind a finish time of 5:00. Anyway the plan kicks off on Tuesday and I am raring to go. Paris here I come!

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18th May. Pleased to say I have been up early to get my runs in. Haven't made an excuse once. Now I really need to get a grip on my eating.

TOO MUCH OF ME

I weigh far too much. 

My first goal here is to run the marathon but I also need to lose weight, for health reasons and to make running more comfortable.  I'm 43 now and if I have learnt one life lesson it is that I can't diet. After having my children I think I embraced my post baby body a little too easily. It was a bit of cop out for a greedy person like me. I don't believe that women should be under pressure to lose weight in record time or to look exactly the same. However looking 6 months pregnant nine years after the event is not on. 

I'm going to start making lifestyle changes slowly. The main culprit in my weight is junk food so that's what I'm going to tackle that first. This week I am refraining from eating sugar (as in chocolate, dessert, cakes) from Monday to Friday. 

THE STARTING BLOCK

For as long as I can remember I've watched marathons on TV. As running has become more popular  I've stood by the roadside whenever I've had the opportunity and cheered those runners on, my heart filled with equal parts envy and admiration. 

Marathons have always fascinated me, far more that 100 metre sprints have thrilled me. For at least two decades I've turned off the TV when the London marathon coverage  finished and thought I'd love to do that, this time next year. But a year would drift past and I'd typically find a plumper version of myself settling down to watch the London marathon but yet again not taking part, not joining that exclusive club.

 In recent years I've become a bit more serious about running. My game plan was  to work my way up to a marathon gradually - first a 5k (done a few), then a 10k (done those too) next the half marathon (injured myself both times I signed up and never made it to the start line) and then la piece de resistance - the marathon (currently gathering dust on my bucket list). 

This year after the London marathon I lost control of my senses  had an epiphany and signed up for Paris Marathon 2015. 

I will get round that course and have that medal round my neck by hook or by crook. Join me as this podgy mother  of two goes from couch to marathon in 11 months.