There's just over a week to go until the race and all the hard work is supposed to have been done.

There's no point doing any long runs now, they say, because it's too late for the body to benefit and you risk damaging yourself.

If you've not run at least 15 miles by now, you're likely to struggle.

Blisters

Well, I'm just about there. I covered an 18-mile route a week ago - but it was not so much a run as a four-hour lope and limp that has left me with some injury niggles.

It's getting better, but I've pulled the medial ligament on one of my knees - the product of attempting an over-ambitious turning circle for my particular make and model.

ROB'S STORY SO FAR I've lost a few pounds - it'll help not having to haul quite so much weight around Six week exam nerves Getting started

And I've got blisters after making the novice's mistake of buying a new pair of slightly big running shoes too close to the event.

I've now reverted to an old pair which are more comfortable, but which are in such a decrepit state they look like they'll be lucky to last the course.

Then there are the other physical consequences of spending several hours pounding the streets. Suffice to say Vaseline is at the top of my list of things to remember on marathon day.

Running in training for four hours is pretty dull - but it's taught me a few things about how to approach the race.

I now know that I can feel worse after 20 minutes than after two hours. And I appreciate just how hard it is to lift the knees and start running again after allowing myself to walk for a bit.

Going round with the sponsorship form this week (Cystic Fibrosis - Running for Ella) also made me realise I will have a focus that will help me when I hit the wading-through-treacle stage of the experience known as "the wall".

Partly for the health benefits, but mostly to counter suggestions that I wasn't taking my training seriously enough, I climbed on the wagon a month before the big day.

The aim was to go a whole five weeks without, but a leaving-do for a colleague in the middle of this period rendered that impossible.

However, after this celebration - and some hairs of the dog that bit me the next day - I was back on the orange juice.

And I've lost a few pounds, probably more as a result of giving up alcohol than running, but it'll help not having to haul quite so much weight around.