Standing on the start line of the Gloucester Marathon, it struck me that the average runner must sound very sickly to the uninitiated. The waiting room conversation in a doctor's surgery would pale into insignificance alongside the excuses that runners offered up as we awaited the gun - shin splints, lower back pain, flu, hangovers - all trotted out alongside the old favourites of lack of training, too early in the season and so on.

Standing next to Connor Carson of Kenilworth Runners, I thought back to my last visit here a year ago, but couldn't remember much about the course to give any top tips. The only words that sprang to mind were laps, hilly, exhausting. With no confidence-boosting repartee to hand I listened instead to Connor's positioning of this as a training run... for the record, he managed a PB of 2.48.49 and 5th place. Runners may be generally healthy but they are full of bull at times.

This race attracts more than its fair share of "100 Marathon Club" runners, ticking off a race as early as possible in the year. A 50K event also takes place at the same time, adding a 4th lap to the marathon route, and the two races combined add either motivation or confusion depending on your perspective, as faster runners almost always have someone to chase and overtake.

This is a double-edged sword of course. For every pursuer, there is a runner pursued. I found myself among the latter for a couple of laps at mile 14 as a spell of dizziness cost me several places. A couple of gels and some mental games to re-focus and I was back in business as we entered the 3rd lap. Telling myself that this was now only a 10K race, I picked up the pace, or at least it seemed as if I was running faster again. Thankfully, Carolyn was on hand to pass me drinks en route, as the drink stations seemed a long way apart during my bad patch.

I managed to gain more places than I had lost, to stagger home in 16th place, two better than last year, albeit a slightly slower time of 2.59.07 which I put down to a windy day and being a year older. Thank you Fetch for giving me an age-weighted score higher than 2011! (There's always a straw to clutch if you look hard enough).

If anyone fancies a January marathon in 2013, I may even be tempted to come along and do this again.

Membership of the Club is open to nearly everyone. You can join as long as you are eligible as defined by the governing bodies which the club is affiliated (UK Athletics), you are a minimum of 17 years old, you support the purpose of the club as outlined in our constitution (ask a committee member or visit the downloads section) and have no conflicting membership with any other club. Second claim memberships will be permitted at the discretion of the committee.

If you wish to become a member then speak to a committee member and sign up via the registration link at the top of this page. (Alternatively click here). Anyone applying for membership shall be elected regardless of ability, race, colour or any other factor.

The club operates a 1 month grace period policy. We are happy for people to run with us for a while in order to decide whether the club is right for them. After this time we ask that you pay the membership fee.

The Club subscription year is from 1st June to 31st May.

Annual subscription rates for each category of full membership are set at the Annual General Meeting in May. The rates payable for the year 11/12 are:

Individual Member                 £55.00    

Tennis Member                      £18.00    

Retired Member                     £50.00    

(A Tennis Member is someone who is already a paid up member of the Leamington Lawn Tennis & Squash Club)