Dawn Bishop is training hard in readiness for her first Marathon and, not wanting to make things easy on herself has chosen Connemara, although it maybe apt as it was also the choice for her first half marathon two years ago. In the build up to her big day she has been traveling the country entering the usual FLM warm ups. First of the big races was Stamford St Valentines Day 30k (10th February 2008) and her thoughts on the race were: "A very hilly race that really makes finishing feel like a massive achievement! Marshals were superb, two ladies in particular parked up with all the doors of their Audi TT open, blaring out feel good music and dancing around like crazy people; without doubt making the hill they were parked on seem more achievable and rather entertaining. The atmosphere from the organisers and other runners was really friendly, but a word of warning, when you’re coming to the end of your run and you think there can’t possibly be anymore hills, expect at least three more: they just kept popping up!! Coming towards the finish of this race you run through a car park passing the super fast folks that have already finished (but who really encourage you), then be warned you have to run around a field before you finish. This feels really strange, like running through syrup after hitting tarmac for eighteen miles before (well that’s what it felt like for me anyway) .(P.S you get a great t-shirt when you finish, and shower gel, don’t know what they were trying to tell us!) Finishing time 2:48. Next was Gloucester 20 (2nd March 2008) "This was the first time I had ever attempted this race or this distance. Gloucester provided the perfect run if training for a marathon, and everybody I spoke to at the race was there for marathon training. The marshals were very supportive and an extremely jolly lady past me several times on her bike shouting encouragement.The route itself was along very quiet country roads, where the scenery was enough to take your mind off the sound of the pounding of feet. The course was undulating with a couple of respectable hills to grab your attention and consisted roughly of a 2 mile outbound stretch through housing estates then two eight(ish)mile laps along quiet country roads then the two miles back through the estates to finish.However, the finish was not very well marked and in no way obvious when you are running: no finish signs or banners, just an ambulance that you could pretty much run into. I personally would recommend running with a water bottle as water stations were small and cups didn’t have much water in so wouldn’t rely on getting the water you need there. All in all a good race and would do it again". Also enjoying the Gloucester countryside was Matt Giles on top form as usual coming home in 2nd place just 17 seconds behind the winner in 1:56:30, Simon Link (1st MV45) and in overall 5th place in 1:59:05, Mike Anslow (in full tea cosy disguise!!- aka Mr D) 2:11:26, James Douglas 2:17:08, Tony Warner 2:20:59, Pete Walters 2:28:47 Nikki Davies 2:39:07 and Dawn Bishop 3:13:24.