still running

How fast can three innocent people  run, considering they did the London Marathon on Sunday?

see you at the finish line...

1 day, 21 hours, 21 minutes, 18 seconds and counting to the London Marathon 2007...

Get those foil blankets ready.

The heat, as they say, is on.

the final countdown

Although we've been diligent with our marathon training it feels like the big event has crept up on us a little and there are still a few things to iron out. Like Ceri's outfit, Nicky's wobbly foot and what Nikki is going to nibble on around the course. Panic.

But - hopefully it will all be ok by Sunday. And to make it even better it would be great if you could come along to cheer us on. You might not be able to spot us as like every one else, we'll be wearing lycra, lots of lycra. But hopefully our nice bright pinkWellChild vests with our names on will help us stand out.

You can shout whatever you like to cheer us on, but our favourites are: ' not long to go now' - 'keep it up innocent ladies' and 'woo hoo - feel the burn'. Do feel free to customize with pom poms and dance routines.

some final fun before the run

Pre marathon chic. Not a sports bra in sight.

On Saturday night, we swapped our trainers for high heels, put on some lippy and invited all our friends along to our fundraising event at the Shepherds Bar in London.

Bruce Forsyth, eat your heart out.

Alexis spun some tunes, there was lots of dancing and we had some brilliant prizes to raffle off from our friends at Hummus Brothers, Tattinger, Champneys, Bliss, Tim at The Club Hotel & Spa and the England rugby team, to mention but a few.

Brett won a pair of boots (ladies size 6), Lou bagged herself a load of goodies from Red Magazine and JT went home the proud owner of a signed England Rugby shirt.

As touched by Johnny Wilkinson, Josh Lewsey et al

We raised just under £1000 which will all go to the charity we're running for, Wellchild.

Massive thanks to everyone who came along on the night, bought raffle tickets, donated prizes and shook their booty to House of Pain.

Only 5 days to go til the big day...final training tips to be posted tomorrow.

the strength and determination of Rocky

A nice man called David from Creative Emporium decided to make us some hoodies to help us keep warm on our early morning runs. We're really pleased with our super snug hoodies and they've inspired us to adopt a new running mantra - Wear Rocky. Feel Rocky. Be Rocky (grrrrr).

Last week, we headed to the softer ground of Richmond Park for a big Rocky style run. We saw lots of deer, greeted fellow runnners and cyclists with happy hellos and got our trainers all muddy (which made us feel like real runners). We also got a bit lost and ended up being overtaken by power walkers, so we've decided to write directions on our hands from now on.

This week sees the last of our big runs, so we're spending the week resting and eating pasta in preparation. If you've got any tasty pasta bake recipes, please do let us know.

running man

You may remember in our last marathon update, we asked you to recommend your favourite running routes through London.

Now, you know that karmic rule about whatever you put out there you get back threefold, reap and ye shall sow type thing etc? Well, in our search for new running routes, the running gods have been generous indeed.

We got pointed in the direction of some great websites, discovered some hidden areas of London and last week, got a great big dollop of karma in the shape of Chris D, a running guru who has just started working here.

Not only a whiz at all things financial, Chris is also a keen runner and has just written a great book called 30 Great Runs In London.

All runs are as traffic free, green space and easy-to-get-to as you like and come with a detailed route map, highlighting all the interesting places along the way. As well as the nice pictures, Chris also tells you where all the hills and hard bits are and, most importantly, where you can go to the loo.

He very kindly gave each of us a copy so we're going to roadtest a few of his runs in our final few weeks of training and let you know how we go.

when you're tired of running...

...it's nice to have a beanbag to hand

There comes a time in every champion athlete's career when he or she has to up their game in order to move on to the next level of physical supremacy. And so that time has come in our training. Gone are the mornings where we could fit a nice little 4 mile run in before work and still have time for showers, breakfast and hairstraightening.

This week, the tiredness has properly kicked in. The runs are getting longer and getting to work in time to fit in a 7 mile run is proving a challenge in itself. With only 8 weeks to go to the start line, the pressure is on to keep up our motivation and momentum without falling asleep during our cool down stretches.

So, we’d love any tips you have on improving our energy levels in general.

These are some of the suggestions we’ve had so far:

a banana

a big cup of coffee

a mascot to cheer us on our training runs

Tiredness aside, we have found something that has made running more fun. Celebrity spotting whilst pounding the pavements.

On-the-jog celebrity spot #1: Whilst running on Hampstead Heath last w/e, Ceri puffed past former Spice Girl, Geri Halliwell, who was looking all rosy cheeked while pushing her lovely little baby.

On-the-jog celebrity spot #2: Eloise ran past Bridget Jones author Helen Fielding as she was rushing to catch a train. It sort of counts.

So, while you’re thinking of ways to help us keep on running, we’d love any favourite London running routes you might have for our long runs at the weekends.

Ideally, we’re looking to do between 13-18 mile runs over the next few weekends.

Potential celebrity spots optional.

three things that happened this week

Last week it snowed and this week it rained. A lot. However, not easily put off, we donned our waterproof jackets and set off on our early morning runs as usual.*

Running conditions aside, there were three things on our minds this week. Firstly there were Nicky's massive blisters which have become a bit of a talking point here at Fruit Towers. Then there were Eloise's sore knees. And finally the issue of how we could help WellChild find volunteers to help out on the day of the Marathon. No solutions for the first two problems, we decided that the best way sort out the third was to tell you all about it on our blog.

In a nutshell, WellChild are looking for volunteers to cheer loudly for all their runners, tell lots of people about all the great stuff WellChild does for sick children and give Wellchild goodies to other spectators. There are 2 official WellChild supporting points at Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf and they also need lots of supporters at the start and finish as well as in St James Park to guide and welcome the weary Wellchild runners home. If you would like to help out please complete this online application form.

More on Nicky's blisters next week.

*please don't tell our mums or they'll get worried we'll catch a cold.

running in the cold

Last week we posted our first blog about our training. Thanks so much to those of you who generously sponsored us and for all the helpful comments. We're really grateful for your support.

This week we've been busy sourcing exciting prizes for a fundraising auction to help us reach our target for WellChild. We'll soon be offering tickets to this fundraising event in April so keep checking the blog for chance to join the fun.

It was sunny on Sunday and our limbs were full of energy. We ran 10 miles and despite our newly gained blisters, we were really pleased to have completed the long endurance course.

Then it got cold and then it snowed. And our little legs didn’t want to run anymore. The thought of crumpets and chocolate cake to celebrate Ed’s birthday were much more appealing.

But although we’ve missed a couple of runs due to dentist appointments, moving houses and choosing to stay in bed over running in the snow, we got back on track this morning with a 4mile run before work. Look how much fun we were having...

Now we’re ready for the weekend and the long run tomorrow morning. 12 miles this time. Ouch. Blisters here we come.

catch them if you can

Trainers, check. Vaseline, check. Tired limbs: check, check, check.

Our very own Nikki, Nicky, Ceri & Eloise are feeling a touch motivated and very charitable. You see they're running the London Marathon and need to raise £6000 for WellChild along the way. Wellchild is a fantastic charity, have a look for yourself: www.wellchild.co.uk

They're going to keep us up to date with running tips - like how to avoid the deep puddles and whether lycra is better than cotton, should be good. The fab four would also love you to write in with any tips, or - if you'd like to sponsor them, well that would be absolutely fantastic and will help them on their way to raising £6000 for Wellchild.

Here's to 26.3 miles, WellChild and sports bras. Check out their sponsorship form here: www.justgiving.com/innocentladies