This last week, I've been tucking into chocolate brownies, sugar cookies shaped like Christmas trees and delectable warm eggnog. And I'm not even counting the great Christmas feast of turkey, stuffing and roast potatoes. With all the training I've been doing, I've been mighty hungry and I've been following the notion that I need fuel for my body and that's normal.

Well, according to nutritionist and traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, Susan Chung this is not wise. I explain to her that my diet has not really changed - I didn't confess to the holiday treats this last week - but my weight has not changed all that much.

'Most people who train for the marathon fall into two categories when it comes to nutrition,' says Susan. 'The first is when they don't eat enough or don't eat enough of the correct food. The second is when they decide that with the training and burning of calories, they can eat anything they want to.'

It is pretty obvious I fall into the second category.

Susan continues, 'When you look at marathon runners, they are very slim because carrying extra weight is difficult when you run for a long distance. Losing weight should be part of the goal during training.

'It is important to be aware of what you eat. For example, complex carbohydrates are very important, as is dairy in the diet. I advise runners to eat a balanced diet.'

I think this translates into 'don't put c*** in your mouth'.

For help, I turn to my old friend, celebrity chef Walter Kei, who's encouragement and support for my challenge on February 8 puts me at ease. 'It's really easy to make a healthy meal,' says Walter with a pat to his stomach. 'This half-marathon is a great thing you're doing and now that you are training, we should really focus on easy and fresh food.'

With culinary flare and a few jokes, Walter whips up a yummy shrimp tomato pasta and milk shake.

'Quick, simple and nutritious,' laughs Walter. 'Food is fuel for the body and I am always keen on good food.'

Holidays come once a year and while in Vancouver I've been diligently baking nutritious treats and training indoors - thanks to the once-a-decade snowstorm.

At the gym on the treadmill, I observe mega-fit Vancouverites milling about in their sexy workout gear preaching the benefits of vegan vegetarianism. I stick out like a sore thumb with my over-sized tee-shirt and half-ripped shorts from the $10 bin.

The cold weather has also driven me into bikram yoga - yoga practised at a balmy 37 degrees Celsius. Warm like home. The only issue - all the chicks are pencil thin, barely sweating and can wrap their legs around their neck. One thing for sure, snow continues to pound down. Cars are snowed in and roads are not ploughed - I am a prisoner in the house. Each day, sub-arctic temperatures of minus five degrees greet me and I despair at getting in my daily 8km.

Kevin, I may cherish your memory one year on, but no way in hell am I going to run through the sleet, ice and snow.

Well, it seems others are more dedicated than me. When walking my dog, Byron, I run into my maniac neighbour, Dr Ira Sy. To my utter amazement, he is heading out on a run in the half-metre snow.

Ira has run four full marathons, not to mention many half-marathons. His words of wisdom for newbies like me? Keep going.

'I'm not a natural runner and it's something I do to keep in shape,' says Ira with a shrug. 'I usually run three or four times a week but I'll run an hour and a half today.'

He laughs at my horrified look as I bury my head in my puffy down jacket. I chat with him about my training schedule and he gives me some pointers along the way. Keeping on track is the key, he stresses. 'I think it's great you're doing your first half-marathon. This weather is a bit tough, but it seems like you're doing all the right things. Just keep going.'

He waves as he leaps into the deep snow, leaving me shaking my head in wonder. Circumstances may be tough, but there are no excuses for not trying. I bundle myself up when I get home and clock in a tough 3km slippery walk, run and slide. Wowsers!

This week, I racked up 27km unharmed, while attempting to curb my eating and exploring new training activities. With the New Year barrelling down on us, I think there's just enough time to embrace the winter wonderland outside and build myself a snowman.

On the run

Distance covered in week four: 27km

Age: 29 Height: 173 Weight: 67kg (1.4kg) BMI: 22.5 (-0.4) Fat: 30% (-0.9)