THANKS to treadmills, one thing that didn’t get cancelled this week due to the weather was my London Marathon training schedule.

I’m not a fan of treadmill running as I find it very boring, however running the risk of slipping on the ice and getting an injury or getting a bit fed up clock watching on the treadmill... it’s a no-brainer!

Actually I have realised this week that treadmill running has it advantages. There is less stress on the joints, pace can be accurately monitored and distances for interval training can be clearly measured. So all in all I have found the treadmill sessions this week quite satisfying.

However, it felt great to get back out on the road today and bang out 12 miles in a figure of 8 around the hills.

The other thing to dominate my training this week was my ‘meet the experts’ day in London, organised for Gold Bond charity runners by the London Marathon team. What a fantastic day. Every question I have pondered since knowing I was going to be taking part in this years marathon, regarding training, nutrition, fund raising, getting there and what to expect before, during and after the run was answered. Ron came to London too, and spent the day doing a ‘dry run’ of the events of the morning of the race. He started at the apartment we will be staying at and timed the journey to the start at Greenwich via the Docklands Light Railway.

He also found out where the nearest supermarket was for stocking up on food for the night before and the morning of the run. Simple things but so important.

The London Marathons Chief Executive Nick Bitel opened the day outlining the charity background to the event. This was followed by presentations, information and tips from Steven Seaton from Runners World, one of the UK’s leading health and fitness writers runner coach and sports scientist Sam Murphy, the Adidas team, John Brewer – the director of Lucozade sports science academy and of course the two big names Dave Bedford race director (once dubbed the “most colourful character in world athletics” and it was easy to see why!) and top international athlete and 2006 Commonwealth games medallist Liz Yelling.

I absorbed a lot of information and took extensive notes, many of these tips I will include into my blog over the next few weeks. As I have already mentioned treadmill running this week I will focus on the advice given by Sam Murphy: To reduce the risk of injury it is essential to vary the running surface. Off road and trail running can be more demanding but it is less punishing on the body. She advises doing long runs off road. Just accept the fact that it will be slower though. Treadmill running is ok but don’t get addicted, they are best used for short sharp runs and intervals. Track running is good for fast pace and intervals, it also makes you feel like an athlete! However due to the spongy surface runners using the track a lot need to be watch out for lower leg injuries. Road running is different to pavement running as pavements tend to be made of concrete and roads tarmac. Practice on both, tarmac is more forgiving but watch out for cambers, which can cause IT band injuries.

If you are thinking of running the London Marathon as a charity Gold Bond runner next year and you have the opportunity to attend this event I would highly recommend it. Especially as Adidas had buy-one-get-one-free on their latest range of running shoes!

If you would like to sponsor me in running the Flora London Marathon 2009 for Acorns Childrens hospice please go to www.justgiving.com/vikkisivertsen.