Its July and I have managed 3 blog posts this year.  This being the third, just goes to prove the point in my original post - 'I am not known for blogging'.

I thought I would review the goals I posted at the beginning of the year

1. Essex 20, get under 2 hours and 1 minute.  Achieved!  Well it could have been a little better as I missed getting under 2 hours by 3 seconds.  Won county medal for V40 and Open race.

2. Brentwood Half Marathon.  Get under 75 minutes agains.  Missed!  76:44 was the final time, was enough to get first vet, so another little trophy for the collection.

3. Essex Road Relays.  Missed!  Very poor result.  Strange race as I really did not feel at all well.

4. Braintree 5.  Missed!  DNS.  Decided fairly early on in the year not particpate in this race, as I had London, Manchester and Edinburgh lined up.

5. Greater Manchester Marathon.  Achieved!  Not that difficult to achieve really.  Great fun once again.

6.  Virgin London Marathon.  Achieved!  Have not enjoyed the London Marathon so much.  From championship start, completely stress free.  Easy first half in 1 hour 26 and sped up on second half for 1 hour 20 minute.  Massive 6 minute positive split

7. Halstead Marathon.  Achieved!  Only decided to do this on the morning of the race.  Ran it in a similar fashion to London.  Once again really enjoyed the race.  Finished fourth in 2:48.  Nice vet trophy to take home and first marathon as a V50.

8. Edinburgh Marathon.  Achieved!  Final time at Edinburgh 2 hours 38 minutes and 42 seconds.  Overall objective achieved.

One other race that should be mentioned, but was not part of the beginning of year objectives was the BMAF 10K at Kings Lynn.  Managed to win the BMAF Gold Medal for V50 in a time of 34:24.  Very pleasing result.

I also pointed out that I wished to be in the Top 10 of V50's in the UK.  On Run Britain currently number 7, ranked 4th for Marathon and 4th for 10K.