10 weeks today I should, all being well, have finished my first ever marathon. I do hope I’ll have finished and not still be running in the dark alongside a chap who’s plodding around in a deep sea diving suit. Anyway, yes 10 weeks to go. I lose the comfort of counting down in double digits from here on in.
So training-wise this was week 6 of the plan I am following. It was the toughest so far too. After quite a nice short runs/rest week in week 5, things should have ramped up a gear in week 6, however my training was hampered by a large dose of the lurgy - which meant I only hit 50% of my training goals. Running was not possible on a couple of days as it was a struggle just to not cough up a lung whilst waiting at the school gate for the boys. Thankfully the lurgy cleared for today and I was able to get out for the weekend big run, however the rocky week and the missed training sessions were playing on my mind as I was gutted to have had to come ‘off plan’ for the first time since I started training. It’s been a really good feeling each Sunday night knowing I’ve stuck to the plan 100%. So yeah, I was gutted and worried that missing a couple of sessions would affect me and stop me hitting my distance goal of 10 miles today. I procrastinated, putting off going out, but around 2pm I was aware the clock was ticking and then the kids started talking about getting the playdough out (bloody hate playdough - I swear its a phobia, that really is a thing you know!) so I decided to just get on with it and got into my running gear. I was feeling proper grumpy and my internal monologue was something along the lines of:
“don’t want to go bloody stupid running, its cold, its going to be hard, can’t run 10 miles, it’s too far but hang on its not even half the marathon distance, oh good god what am I doing I cant run a bloody stupid marathon, I’m going to let down my charity as I won’t hit my fundraising target, and its coooooooold!!!” this kind of sums up my feelings pre-run:
So with a proper grump on off I set …. and I DID IT! and I’m so pleased I did it! I did 10 miles which is my longest ‘all in one go running no walking' so far in my training. All thoughts of having irreparably ruined my training by being poorly were banished and I now feel back on track and ready for week 7.
So 10 miles - appreciate this is a piece of cake (mmm cake) for other runners but I am well chuffed with this. Key moments :
Between 1 & 2 miles: felt a bit sick (think this was because I had eaten a double decker not long before going out). It felt tough with the awareness that there were still a lot of miles to get through. Plus there was a hell of a lot of gross roadkill to dodge, don’t know what was going on with the wildlife in rural Worcestershire last night but it honestly resembled a mass animal suicide out there - which did little to cheer me up as mentally I was still in the ‘bloody stupid running’ mindset.
4-5 miles: this was quite a nice long stretch with nice scenery and I was feeling much cheerier and had that great feeling where my breathing was all OK, my legs felt strong and carrying me along easily with that ‘its all coming together this is working and its great!!’ feeling.
5 miles: I did have a little mental slump at this point thinking ‘only half way!’ however I was reminded how the right song at the right time can really help your running. Well it works for me Kaiser Chiefs ‘I predict a riot’ came on which has just the right beat for me to pace my running too and I was feeling really good.
Around the 6 mile point: I did worry I needed a poo. This is one of my big worries for marathon day - over 5 hours running is a long time to put off bodily functions - and if I stop for a portaloo I’m worried I won’t be able to get going again and carry on running. Defo couldn't do a Paula Radcliffe either. Anyway it wasn’t an issue on todays training run as it passed (the urge, not the poo I should add). Sorry appreciate this tip-toes across the line of ‘oversharing’.
7 miles: bit of a struggle uphill at this point - once again aided by a song change - this time Nirvana - angry music can be awesome to run too. My play list is a pretty mixed bag to be honest, especially as leading up to the 8 mile point the Harry Potter theme tune came on which is surprisingly great to run to quite lullaby-like and calming and did the job.
Final mile - the 10th mile: I knew the end was in sight, and a cheery hi-five from my neighbour who had just gone out for a run with her dog boosted me the final stretch back home. So I’m thinking the crowd and the atmosphere and the hi-fives along the marathon route will definitely help matters on the day.
Got to give a big shout out to my hubby as well - as well as supervising the playdough carnage whilst I was out he had a bath going for me when I got home. He’s a good un! A big shout out to all other halves of people training for whatever event - having someone in your corner supporting you all the way - really brilliant and very appreciated. Love you Mr F xxx
Post run 'eating of all the food' was pretty good too!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/runningmummy17
Well done Rachel, also loving the new background! xxx
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