I want to talk about the dirtiest word you can mention to any runner... rest! 

Unfortunately, what we don’t do as runners is almost as important as what we do, do... and that’s such a hard concept to get your head around. 

I’m thoroughly enjoying my running at the moment – I've hit three new personal bests in the space of a month, and it’s all been going in a positive direction. 

However, I’m also acutely aware how quickly that can change. 

How much longer can I keep taking advantage of this ‘peaking’ period? 

It’s a tough one; part of me just wants to continually race every weekend in an effort to drive down more of those personal bests. 

But then there is another thought that keeps cropping up: ‘Come on Mark, you’ve had your fun, it’s time to have a rest.’ 

I’ve been trying to take note of some of the signs that I need a bit of a break; I’ve felt a little run down after the Cambridge Town & Gown 10K and my calves are saying hello after harder runs. 

Deep down, I know it’s time to rein in that sense of greed and allow my body time to recover before building my fitness to a higher level for what I hope will be a strong spring marathon next year. 

Unfortunately, niggles and injuries are part of a runner’s life. There are things we can do to lessen the risk of them occurring quite as frequently, but part of the game is pushing your body and giving it time to adapt to the training you’re undertaking. 

It’s not an exact science and you’re not always going to get it right; I know I certainly haven’t over the years that I’ve been running.  

This is where it’s good to have a coach or at least a trusted sounding board to talk about your training and plans for the months ahead. 

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I’m lucky enough to have several people I talk to about how my training is going, not least my wife, Alison, who won’t sugar-coat if I’m making some questionable decisions in terms of the type of training I’m undertaking. To be fair she’s invested more than most as she knows what a nightmare I am if I’m on the sidelines through injury. 

But I also like to run through things with Kyle Brooks, who I see on a regular basis to keep on top of those niggles, and, of course, Neil Featherby, whose input has been invaluable over the years (he’s also someone else who doesn’t mind delivering a home truth when required). 

I’ve only got one other proper race booked for the rest of the year and that’s the St Neots Half Marathon next month. It’s never been a goal race but of course, I’d like to run well there. 

But after a tough, enjoyable week of training to get out and preserve sanity during the half-term break, I’m heeding the signs that my body needs a break. 

I’m looking forward to some easier miles over the next few weeks before giving it a big effort at St Neots in a somewhat cheeky effort to snatch one last personal best before the year comes to an end. 

I’ve then got a month for some seriously stress-free running that will be important for the mind as much as the body. 

I want to be in a position to hit spring marathon training hard. 

I just need to nail down what that marathon is still...