It was my birthday yesterday and I celebrated in style... with a 12 mile run.

It seemed stupid to sacrifice all the training we did last week by not going so we went out for 2 hours and pounded the streets.

I've found building momentum is the best thing to do, because then you don't want to miss a run for fear of having wasted your time on all the other painful treks!

Thankfully we went out early enough to avoid the monsoon weather of the afternoon - it was even hot enough in the moning to put suncream on.

I've also learned a few valuable lessons in the past few weeks...

1. Always drink double the water you think you need. I still have a headache after yesterday.

2. Get proper running shorts. Chafing really hurts and makes you walk like you've spent an evening doing activities that aren't fit for a family audience. Thankfully Catherine bought me proper running shorts for my birthday.

3. Taking sweets running really helps. Last week I came home absolutely starving, so Hazel (from JJB Warrington), who's been an absolute star helping us with our training told us to take sweets. So we took jelly babies for Catherine and I took American Hard Gums (since I'm Veggie and jelly babies are made from Cow.) It was quite strange eating whilst running, but not unpleasant at all!

4. Last but by no means least... No birthday is complete without a long run!