This blog series is starting a bit late. I've now completed 96 marathons. Rather than detail each one I'll just bring you up to date with a brief summary.

Number of marathons each year:

2006 = 2

2007 = 2

2008 = 15

2009 = 7

2010 = 30

2011 = 30

2012 = 10 (so far)

Fastest: 3:40:42 (2008 at Draycote Water)

Longest: The 85 mile Ridgeway Challenge 2009 (22 hours 47 minutes)

Biggest FAIL: The 85 mile Ridgeway Challenge 2008 (retired at 62 miles)

Biggest success: The Brathay 10 Marathons in 10 Days (May 2011)

For 2012 the first challenge is to complete the 100 marathons. It's got to the point where it felt like it was dragging on so at the start of the year I chose the Herts Hobble to be my 100th on June 24th and then I filled in the gaps. It rather adds to the pressure when you have set a target. I signed up to a few extra marathons just in case and I have missed a couple due to family matters but now there is no more slack. I have 4 more to do...

5th May	Malvern Hills Ultra 50m
20th May	Brathay Windermere Marathon
16th June	Long Eaton 50m
24th June	Herts Hobble

Now I have to question my sanity. Why did I put a couple of 50 mile races in there? There is no option of pulling out early. If I run 40 miles and pull out then it will not count for anything. The answer is that in looking forward to the next challenge I came up with the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB). To get into this you have to complete 3 qualifying races. That's why the 50 miles races are there. It's also why I am going back to run the 85 mile Ridgeway Challenge again...