So we ran 18 miles

Marathon update
Miles completed - 18
Litres of water drunk - probably zero
Gin consumed - just the two
Toe nails lost - 2 ( to be fair they are growing back)

On Saturday morning I ran 18 miles.
I just want to make sure you all ready that correctly - yes 18 miles.
That is a very long way for those of you who have never done it.
It was tiring, painful, draining - but also absolutely fantastic
This week has been one of severe disappointments. My dear friend and running buddy has been battling sickness and may have to pull out so this was the first 18 mile run I've done without her.
Thankfully I had a few stars to help me on my way.
The speedy stars took an early lead in the training route on Saturday and that left Mommy Star, Mummy Star, New Star, Perfect Make up Star and me navigating the long road to Newbuildings. At Foyle Road we were joined by Daddy Star (who waited for Mummy Star), Twin Star and Late Star (no explanation needed). Then it was out the long road to Balloughry and back in the line.
I did have a few other people for company - thank you Bruce Springsteen, Erasure, Fleur East and Take That for getting me through a few tight spots. But Abba and Olivia Newton John will soon be making a fast exit from my IPOD.
So so far so good, 20 miles planned for next week. After that I've only two miles to add before I'm declared marathon ready.
Running in a group was so much easier.
Boss Star (also Coach) has promised us sausages and chips and a pink and white if we make it to 22 miles.
That's an offer I can't refuse.

Hello Anton - it's your woman from Derry calling.

Sometimes, if you're very lucky you get to interview one of the your heroes. I was lucky enough to interview Anton DuBeke a few years back.A few weeks after this I arranged to meet Anton backstage in Dublin when he gave me a box of chocolates.The pic is a bit blurry - but I was really nervous......................................“

Hello, is that Anton?” I say in my poshest Northern Ireland accent.“Hello, Erin, how are you?” comes the reply from the other end of the phone.“I am over the moon to be on the phone to you,” I say. And it’s true because I’m not just a journalist, I’m a massive fan.I’m talking to Anton Du Beke from Strictly Come Dancing and I’ve just taken great joy in adding his number to the list of contacts in my mobile phone.I resist telling Anton his number has been burning a hole in my pocket all weekend, and it’s taken strong willpower for me to resist sending him even one sneaky text.But it’s time to get down to some serious interviewing. “I’m going to spend the next ten minutes flirting with you,” I tell him.“I’ll probably never get to spend another ten minutes with you so I’m making the most of it.” “Fill your boots, Erin,” he says. “Fill your boots.” Already he’s put me at ease.But then Anton really is one of life’s true gentlemen. With impeccable manners you just know he’s one of those men who’ll insist on opening the car door for his lady friends or helping you on with your coat.Anton’s dance partner Erin Boag is pregnant with her first child so this year Anton’s doing the tour solo, alongside special guest star Summer Strallen.“Is there a vacancy for a new Erin?” is my next question for Anton.I mean, I can’t sing, I definitely can’t dance – but I do have the right name.“If the frocks fit, you’re in,” he says.I put down the Galaxy bar and resolve to do better at Weightwatchers this week. There’s always next year! “It’s true what they say, there’s no crowd like an Irish crowd,” says Anton. “You are just a great bunch, you’re always so generous and you like having a good time. It’s super, you’re a lovely bunch, I can’t deny it.”Anton’s keen to talk about his co- star Summer Strallen. “When Erin told me she was going to have a baby and that she wouldn’t be able to do the tour this year I had my wishlist of what I wanted to do for my style of show, and have a cross over into Broadway.“And Summer was at the top of my list to be my leading girl.“She’s just finished Top Hat and previously starred in Love Never Dies (the long- awaited sequel to Phantom of the Opera).“It’s a bit different doing the show without Erin. “I’m looking forward to hearing questions from the audience when we’re over in Belfast.“But the names always catch us out, especially when we have to sign the programmes.”It’s early in the year but Anton says he hopes to return to Strictly Come Dancing, especially after making it all the way to November with partner Fiona Fullerton in the last series.“Fiona knew all the steps and in the right order,” he says, “I couldn’t ask for more. She’s a lovely girl. It was a good year. We had a lot of fun.”But he shies away when asked to name who his ideal celebrity partner would be.“I never really mind,” he says. “For example, I would never have chosen Anne Widdecombe as a partner on Strictly but if I hadn’t have danced with her I would have missed out on all that fun we had together. I like people to have a nice time, whether they are coming to see a show I am in or whether I’m dancing with them on Strictly Come Dancing.”Before I know it, my allotted ten minutes with Anton are up and it’s time to say goodbye.“You’re a lovely girl, Erin, I’m very fond of you,” he says as we sign off. “You’ve made a wee Northern Ireland girl very happy,” I tell him, and the click signals the end of our call.But I still have his mobile number, I might text him later in the week...

How not to run a marathon

For those who don't know,  I'm running the Derry Marathon again. It's on June 4.
I haven't been bragging about it as much as I did last year.
My confidence took a huge knock in 2016. I had done everything right, trained hard, eaten properly and drunk so much water that work considered moving my desk to the ladies bathroom.
But in 26 degree heat on marathon day last year, severe dehydration set in and it all went a bit pear shaped.
I did make it to the end........... thanks to help from a huge squad of supporters.
But it wasn't my finest moment.

So after doing it all right last year to disastrous effects, I've decided to do it all wrong this year with the hope it will give me a better outcome.
Instead of swearing myself off the booze like I did last year - I've been seeking comfort in Guinness.
I suppose my realisation about how I'd lost my way came about last week.
As I sat in the beer garden of Campbell's Bar at the foot of the iconic Croagh Patrick mountain nursing some very sore calves, I realised that climbing a 2,000 foot mountain six weeks before my 26.2 mile climb was probably a bad idea.
This pint was probably a bad idea too. It's the first and probably last pint of Guinness I'll ever have. I'm not really sure what my Dad sees in the black stuff.
But I'm back on the wagon today.
Six weeks until the big day. I'm already way behind in my training. I've lost two toenails (sorry if you choked on your cornflakes, but try being me) and I think I'm on the verge of buying my third set of trainers this year.
But I'm doing it, I'm up to 16 miles and this week I'm going for 18.
I've sworn not to touch a chip, a pint or a packet of crisps until June 4, when I cross that finish line.
My IPOD has been loaded with a new selection of running songs that range from Erasure's 'I Love to Hate You' to Olivia Newton John's 'Physical' (although my husband said he only put that on for a joke).
So if you can put up with me for a few weeks I'll keep you updated on how I'm doing.
Because let's face it - there aren't many overweight, gin loving 39 year-olds like myself doing the marathon.
It won't be pretty, it most probably will be whiney but I'll definitely be giving it my best shot.
Starting tonight - a run to Newbuildings and back
I'll keep you posted.