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Yeah, right. E-mails coming in from all over the place - the marathon site, Diabetes UK, the online store I bought my trainers from. Everywhere. 'You must cut down your distances now'. 'Don't run more than 4 miles in a weekday session.' 'Don't attempt more than 10 miles in this weekend's long run.' If I'd managed to keep on track throughout my training, I'd be over the moon and happy to cut down. But I've had a few dodgy weeks since Christmas and not really done a genuinely long run yet. So I set myself a target today of at least getting past 15 miles, which has proved to be something of a mental barrier so far. I ran to Worthing pier from home, which turned out to be 8.25 miles exactly, then turned round and tried to get all the way home. I didn't hit the wall as I have done in the past, but 15 miles was my limit. And not in the best time ever. Hey ho. I'll just have to hope the crowds, the atmosphere, and people to compete with bring something out of me on the day.
Sunday 30 March. 15 miles covered in 2 hour 27 minutes 36 seconds.
Weather earlier was kind of OK, so I decided to attempt a proper long run. I should be in the 20 mile range by now, as these next couple of weeks should be a major 'taper' time. I'm so far off 20mile capability it's not even funny, but I wanted to do at least 2 hours today and I managed that, without stopping once, and also covered the longest distance I've managed in a single session, non stop.
Monday 24 March. Run. 14 miles covered in 2 hours 8 mins 37.
I wanted to work today and Monday - I have loads to do and this was a chance to get ahead on some things and keep up with others. I went in at 7 this morning and there turned out to be 2 locks on the office door - my key only opens one of them. Not best pleased and now dreading going back on Tuesday, instead of getting up to date and going in all relaxed. Sod it.
Swirly, wintry wind this morning, but by the time I got back from the office after kicking the door for a bit, the rain had at least stopped. Went out for a moderately challenging run - I had kind of given up hope of doing the 20 mile/3 hour session this weekend what with work plans, but may now do another longer session tomorrow and give that a go on Monday. It's not like I made plans for any fun, after all.
Friday 21 March. Run 1 hour. In spite of the wind, which seemed to be in my face the whole time - impossible, I know, I'd need my own microclimate and while I'm admittedly not in the best shape ever, it's not like you can look me up on Google Earth or anything - I covered 7.22 miles.
I had to go to our London office today, which is never my favourite journey. And it's sodding freezing. So just a short session today to keep my...um...hand in. That doesn't sound right, but it's a stock phrase and you know what I mean.
Wednesday 19 March. Run 30 minutes. 3.56 miles covered.
Erring on the side of caution, given all the health issues I've had recently, I decided not to go out in the pouring rain yesterday morning. I've decided that the only way I can really do these long, long runs properly is to make them the first thing I do that day. After slogging round Tesco, etc., I always find I'm not really interested, which is not the best frame of mind in which to try something you've never done before. So even though it stopped raining later on, I didn't run yesterday. On the majorly plus side, this is the first time I've done a 90 minute session (Saturday) and had no aches and pains, no trouble moving about, at all afterwards. So I think I'm approaching the stage where this training is doing more good than harm. Hopefully, just in time!!!
Quite a nice day, not too warm and not too cold with a decent breeze (in the face for the first half, on my back on the way home). Felt much better over the distance than I have for quite a while. Usually I start to struggle with the muscles right at the top of the front of my legs, level with my wotsits - I'm sure there's a name for them, but I can't be bothered to find out - anyway, they're the ones that lift my knees up in front of me properly, after about 8 miles. But today, no problems at all.
Saturday 15 March. Run 1.5 hours. 10.08 miles covered.
Abandoned programme now, as there's no way it will get me to where I want to be. I'm just doing time-based runs this week to build up. Will try 1.5 hours tomorrow and 2 hours Sunday, then try some 'proper', prescribed sessions during the week next week and either 20 miles or 3 hours next Sunday, whichever comes up sooner.
Friday 14 March. Run 1 hour. 7.06 miles covered.
Well, it's been a bit of a break, but totally guilt-free as I was legitimately ill. I am a bit worried about getting to the required mileage over the next couple of weeks, after which I'm supposed to start tapering. My longest run so far is 15 miles and I hit the wall after 11, although I think that was down to the onset of the chest infection that's kept me out of action.
I'm hoping to retry the 15 miles this weekend and then aim for 20 next weekend to get back in line with the schedule. I really don't want to have to do a super long run any closer to the big day.
Anyway, went out this evening for the first time in over 2 weeks.
Wednesday 12 March. Run 45 minutes. I made it hilly. Distance covered 5.20 miles.
Yes, finally I have a proper illness that can be treated. I visited the doctor yesterday and was told I have a throat and chest infection, probably also an ear infection although I'm too waxed up (blech) for them to see properly. I had already started to feel a lot better, but am much happier now I have antibiotics to mop up the rest of the germs and am confident that when I start running again - I'm not quite there yet - I'll be able to do it all properly, with no further interruptions. The big day's starting to loom quite large inthe near future, so this is a real relief. It's unlikely I'll get out this week before Friday at the earliest. I fly to Dublin on business tomorrow evening and get back late on Thursday. But by then I hope to be pretty much 100% recovered. I plan to give myself a break from the truly killer long runs again this weekend, but will try to do a proper two weeks' worth of weekday training, including getting out this weekend for shorter runs if possible, and hit the big miles again next Sunday - probably with a 17 miler. Please keep coming back even if there's no new news on the blog, and send me your messages of encouragement. I need all the help I can get!!!
