The first week of training is now complete (hooray) and the schedule has me repeating the same mileage for Week 2 (2 miles, 5 miles and 6 miles). That should be pretty straight forward right? Wrong. There are two hurdles to tackle this week.

Firstly, the 5 miles that was a ‘Tempo Run’ last week, for Week 2 becomes ‘Speedwork’. This sounds very scary. During the 5-mile run, I’m supposed to run for 1600m at a speed of 8min 51sec per mile… twice… with just an 800m jog between the two.

Secondly, the Met Office has issued a warning that there is probably going to be a heatwave this week. Not ideal conditions for a 6-mile run.

One thing I have learned this week is that not diamonds but trees are a jogger’s best friend. On a very hot day, like the one I braved for my 6-mile run on Saturday it’s a good idea to drink plenty of fluids. But this inevitably leads to needing the loo. Thank goodness for the abundance of folliage, shrubs and bushes in Wimbledon – they’ve saved my modesty on several occasions.

Not only that, but running through the woods on the common keeps the sun off. Hooray for trees.