It is not the actual race itself, but the training that is the hardest part of running a marathon – according to the experts.

And the scores of you pounding the streets of Shropshire and mid Wales at the moment will surely agree.

The next month is where the training gets really tough, where the mileage really starts racking up and you wonder what on earth you are doing.

If you can, try to build a race into your training programme during March.

Even if you go along by yourself, you certainly won’t be alone.

Husband Melvyn and I – both training for the marathon – signed up for the recent Wrexham half marathon with friends.

It was just what we needed to put a new stride in our step.

It was a bit scary to think that in just a couple of months we would be in London going through the pre-race routine.

Getting up early and having a favourite pre-race breakfast…porridge for me, wheat biscuit cereal for Mel.

Check half a dozen times that your have everything, race number, pins, favourite socks, change of clothes etc, go to the toilet for the umpteenth time, then it’s off to the race.

That’s when you remember why you run.

Meeting up with other runners – whether best friends you run with regularly or just those you see at events – is great fun. Runners are a breed apart, among the nicest people you could meet.

In what other sport could you line up alongside people who are twice as good as you, veterans of years of running, whether fast sprinters, marathon experts or even those incredible iron man triathletes. Where else will such athletes finish their own race but stay behind to cheer on the really slow runners like me as we cross the line?

And where else can complete strangers become ‘pals’ in the shortest of times?

I began chatting to runner Beth after about three miles and found she too was training for the marathon. Both struggling with the race, we were grateful for company and a few miles later were joined by Sharon.

Our conversation kept us going for mile after mile and what would have been a tough 13 miles soon passed and we all agreed we kept a reasonable pace up because we were together.

I had to make myself remember this was supposed to be a race and so for the last half mile did my best to put in a sprint with the help of the lovely Ellesemre runners shouting me on from the finish line.

Two hours 11 minutes is not my best half marathon time but it is not far off and Mel and two other friends all got personal bests in the race.

So it was a happy crew that braved the freezing showers and headed for the pub for a much needed Sunday lunch.

Check out races on the internet to find runs close to you – the official London Marathon half marathon training run is at Silverstone.

And think about joining up with your local running group for one of your four of five weekly runs: Ellesmere runners meet each Friday night opposite the Co-op for a 6.15pm prompt run – all welcome!