Training for the Snowdonia Marathon

Living in London means that training for the Snowdonia Marathon requires a certain ingenuity to acclimatise for the hills of North Wales. Running hills barefoot is great - the extra control you get is so useful on those downhill sections.
There are few decent hills to run on here in the big smoke. Indeed, much of my running is done by water, a mini-countryside in the city and a generally pleasant, traffic free place to run.

A few weeks ago, I had a go at running up and down Parliament Hill in Hampstead Heath, which is nowhere near Parliament, but is at least a hill.
And, nearer to home, there is Springfield Park, near Stamford Hill, although not as high as the former hill.

Finally, I have also tried a new technique of cross training called "allotment intervals" which means saving all my heavy work on the allotment for my days off running. I can do much digging and anything else physical that is required for this patch of land I am cultivating. Allotments are the best kept secret in the world of exercise. Now, why would I go to the gym when I can do this?