Altitude training?

G'day Folks,

Been a while but again all's quiet on the preparation front! Just back in Belfast today after a hard trek up Errigal Mountain in Gweedore in County Donegal. You really can't miss it, it's a big pointy hallion of a mountain amongst other no so pointy hallion mountains in the Derryveagh Mountain range in North West Donegal. Really boggy at the bottom, rocky and slippy as hell halfway up and then narrow and downright scary at the peak. I had good company in the form of my dad who hadn't climbed it before and despite the fact mum had doubts over his fitness but he done it no sweat and I definetely know where I got my stubborn determination from now. To see photos click on this link http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=417474&id=646585102&l=c905c46478. So what has this got to do with marathon training? Well I've gone a bit Mr Miyagi on this one, firstly the steep climb helps to strengthen my leg muscles which can help improve my time and secondly, I'm not great with heights, so there was the psychological challenge of continuing on despite every nerve in your body saying "No No Noooo" I hope there will be parallels to this and the "Wall" which is a state when your body and mind tell you that you can't go on and usually happens in the later stage of a Marathon. Oh and thirdly, the weather was fantastic and I couldn't be arsed running (Not so much Mr Miyagi's philosophy, more my own). So still got to do this 20 miler, reckon I'll do that tomorrow eve. On the fundraising front, the Money is pouring in, I am genuinely humbled by the warm response and good wishes I have received some peole have given money but still haven't put forward their name against a mile! There is still plenty of time to donate at http://original.justgiving.com/connormcgee. It's three weeks tomorrow arrrggghhhh!

As ever

Connor ;-)

P.S. Big CONGRATULATIONS to Geraldine Douris who completed the Paris Marathon today in 4hrs 15mins what a legend!