SO I have been told you learn a lot about yourself when in training for something big like the London Marathon.

And I can certainly say that has happened over the last month.

I was expecting perhaps some back pain or knee problems as my running continued, but nothing prepared me for a setback in training because of a tooth!

A tiny little white thing that would mean I had to suspend running for over a week.

I was still able to go to the gym once the pain had become bearable and at least train on a bike and rowing machine. But there was definitely no pounding.

The pain shot up the moment I tried to run despite me taking painkillers.

So I went into the gym and did as much as I could in there until I could hit the streets again.

This made me wonder what The Wall would be like.

I’ve heard about it. Feared it. Never experienced it. And dread it.

Or have I experienced it?

I always thought it was a physical thing. Which – at the moment – I haven’t hit. So far all of my runs including the half marathon have ended with me feeling I can go on.

However, when I was running the Windsor Half Marathon in September I did go through the most enormous rush of negativity when I hit about nine miles.

Seriously – I could have crouched down and wept with the thoughts I was having.

I decided I was rubbish at everything. I was a stupid woman who thought she could do it all, have it all and in the end was just rubbish at it all.

I thought I was a laughing stock not just because I thought I could run, but with everything I did. I think I even decided my gravestone would read – “Well at least she tried”.

If that’s The Wall then I hit it.

If that’s only the start of The Wall then I’m dreading it!

And as for the tooth. That is still causing me agro but not preventing me from running. The only thing doing that right now are nativity plays, carol concerts, office parties and any other festive ‘do’ that seems to pop up during these pre-Christmas weeks.

The cold snap is kicking in as I run early mornings and I’m still going through a trial and error period with regards to gloves and hats and what I can cope with - or not cope with.

But still – I have December 28 in mind. That is when my 17 week countdown and plan for the London Marathon begins.