100 days to go

This year's challenge in deepest Cornwall is now under 100 days away. This means that training, preparations and ideas for fund raising and sponsorship should be in all of our minds. What should we be concentrating on?

Firstly, there is a simple rule for someone planning to run 25K a day for four days - get plenty of miles under your belt. Every mile run in training is stored in the physical bank and will be needed in May.

Secondly, plan in some longer runs. Get used to running 20-25K at a time. Mentally it's important to know that you can keep going for 2-4 hours of running.

Finally, plan to run on consecutive days. These "back to back" runs get you used to running without the normal recovery. Try two 10K runs back to back and then extend the length or run three shorter days in a row.

Keep calm, though, and keep training.

Five tips for snow running

Snow running is a highlight of any runner's year. The crunch, the cold, the first foosteps on a pure white canvas. Some of my favourite running memories are in the snow. But what are the keys to doing it well?

1) Dress right - not too much!! It's tempting to overdo it with layer after layer and then after ten minutes you overheat. So, pick two key layers and a thin jacket, lyrca longs and gloves till halfway.

2) Shoes - and tread!! Your best trail shoes are required. No slippery treadless old favourites!! Get out the top shoes with your best grip and stability.

3) Stay within the cylinder. Take shorter steps and not long strides. Keep within the cylinder that your body makes and avoid "Bambi on Ice" - you don't want to fall.

4) Watch the breathing. Some runners have trouble with sharp intakes of icy cold breath. So, if you want to keep going for an hour or so, take it easy. If your breath catches, just slow down!!

5) Enjoy the moment!! Running in the snow is an opportunity to see the same old run in a new light. A brilliant white light!! You may need shades!! But don't forget the camera and enjoy the moment forever.

Bottle of Rattler, please!!

It's a great feeling sitting in bed on a quiet, Cornwall morning having spent 48 hours doing a detailed recce of the Cornish Coast Path ready for the May charity run. Many miles of running, many hours of chatting and a few bottles of the local cyder consumed. Rattler is the name of said "cyder" and it has enough "bite" to pick you up after a hard days running!!

The variety of coast path running will challenge the body, test the mind and lift the spirit. Every headland reveals a hidden treasure, every cove tells a secret story and every glorious sandy beach reminds you that the best things in life are free - oh, except for a bottle of rattler...please?!