Imagine the scene - bright sunshine, warm breeze and runners in vests and shorts. Well that is the wish for Colchester Half Marathon next month but today was gray, rainy and there were puddles galore.

Vanessa, Louise, Andy and I were not put off and set off to replicate 2 sections of the illustrious half marathon. The steadily downhill first section and the steadily uphill Ipswich Road section.

We set off with a quick dynamic warm up, leaving the stadium site to head towards the town centre, the Town Hall and Jumbo visible in the distance through the rain.

The rain did not dampen the spirits with advice and knowledge being verbally spewed about the course as well as sharing the different psychological approaches to running.

The Kilometers flashed by (with Andy detouring to get a rain jacket) as we discussed the best things supporters can say to motivate runners! Conclusion - everyone is different!

The rain had made our thighs numb and on the home stretch back the the home of the mighty Colchester United, we re-engaged our legs with some bum-flicks, side steps and high knees.

Great success and a quarter marathon achieved. Time to get home and dry!