I've had to succumb and book in at the sports injury clinic in Hove Park Villas tomorrow for some treatment. I'm in a constant state of severe discomfort at the moment and it's having a serious effect on my training. (I'm not going to say 'pain' - I can still function). But I can't sit in a chair for longer than about thirty minutes before these strange shooting pains starting going up the back of my hamstrings and up into my back. I don't know what it is, maybe a trapped nerve or something. It's a nightmare on the train on the way to and from work, because it's so crowded and there's no way I can stretch my legs out and nothing I can do except keep shifting around in my seat.

Last night did 5½ miles. Sometimes, especially lately, I get this sinking feeling when I start, because all the various aches and pains make it impossible to actually enjoy the run and it becomes a bit of a chore. I do feel really fit at the moment, in terms of endurance ability and in terms of being able to run for hours without feeling puffed out or over-exerted - so I think my fitness levels must be reasonably good, because on the long, slow runs of over three hours or more, my heartrate stays at a fairly even, moderate level. But the problem lies in the various niggles I just can't seem to shake with joints and muscles. Knees, ankles, hips, back. With every footstrike yesterday, it felt like someone was hitting my kneecaps hard with a hammer. I also developed a completely new pain on the ball of my right foot, and just above the heel on the left. Seems there's something new every time I venture out. I'm sure this is all completely normal when training for a marathon, especially at this final stage. I'm trying not to worry about it unduly, but with 20 miles to do this weekend, it's hard not to.

Once I have this 20 under my belt, I think I'll feel so much more confident.