London Calling (in 3 weeks)

I haven't blogged for a while, I wasn't sure what to say, but as I am now within three weeks of the London Marathon I guess it's time to waffle on again.
In the last month training has gone well, so for example in the last 8 days I've managed to run 96 miles.
The longest run a 25 miles with just over 2000ft of ascent in 3 hours 20 left me feeling almost confident, that I can get into the low 2hr 50s. I, as you might expect, keep comparing this years preparation to last years preparation for my first marathon and I fair up pretty well overall. There are ups like I've done lots more mileage but downs like almost no speed work and have raced just once since last July and I wasn't exactly fit when I did. Furthermore on the down side I started from a much higher fitness base last year and I was racing regularly (for me anyway) and so had a reasonable level of speed in my legs. To counter balance that I faded massively in the last 7 or 8 miles and I am really confident I won't struggle as much this time. I am expecting to go slower for the first 18 ish but be more resilient over the last 8 and be overall slightly quicker.

Why do marathon's take up so much of my emotional effort compared to other distance races? I do not analyse the prep for other races with anything like the intensity I do for the marathon, it is slightly odd how the marathon draws you in, captures you and won't let you go.

I suppose I shouldn't really worry about the time, after a running free autumn and early winter I really started to worry I'd never run again and so to be able to get out without thinking and run the fells or a 20 miler on the road is a great feeling. Whatever time I post it is a lucky honour to feel fit again and be able to feel like I'm flying. I live in what I can say is the most beautiful part of the world and running here is never a chore. Views like the one above are common and tonight coming back next to ullswater I had misjudged sunset and so was running in the dark I marvelled at how smooth and serene the lake was and the mountains around a beautiful silhouette, it was like being part of a fairy tale. It is an honour and a pleasure to run in such a inspiring environment.
Anyway before I start getting too carried away I'm off to start tapering!