The Devil is approaching fast!

After 9 days in our self-constructed "training-camp" in Germany, Tom is as ready as he can get for the Devil at this stage. Before we left he was in excellent shape as his chronic hamstring injury had all but disappeared with a 3-week course of the homoeopathic remedy Ruta Grav. Even the planned visit to an orthopaedic specialist was cancelled as he was back doing speed work for the first time in a year. His running looked really relaxed and we both had great hopes for the Devil.

But then there was the small matter of a visit to our families ...

We both initially enjoyed running and skating in great weather until the sun became nearly unbearable. Thomas is now well prepared for blazing sunshine - if he will ever be able to make use of this kind of training here in Scotland remains doubtful... But who knows, there might be a heatwave approaching at the weekend.

Lots of BBQs and delicious Italian ice-cream took their toll on the scales. Then we had to entertain all our nephews and nieces. And it was on one of our outings to an outdoor adventure ground that Thomas pulled another little muscle yet again! And strained his Achilles tendons! We did have great fun though:

Tom and one of his sisters, niece & nephews


We also met a complete new edition to my brother's family, my new nephew and godson Simon born 2 weeks ago. That meant a few interrupted nights by demands for feeding and his older brother's talkative streak at 3AM.

We also met my parents briefly on Saturday for yet another ice-cream and I hope that it is just a coincidence that only 24h later my mother was ill with severe gastroenteritis... Unfortunately it looks as if she is still too ill to travel and they won't make it to Scotland. Well, there goes my scare tactic for the Devil.

So, all in all not the best preparation training wise, but if fun, family, friends and food count, Thomas is well prepared. We are both looking forward to the race and to meeting up with a lot of fellow runners and supporters.