One week to go till the London Marathon. This time next week it will be done! At least I hope I'll have finished and not still be limping around the course becoming new best buddies with a chap in an antique deep sea divers suit. 7 sleeps (although I doubt much sleep will be had the night before). I am a bit of a shambles mentally and physically right now (yes Easter I’m blaming you for my tubby tum, you chocolate pushing feeder of a holiday). Who thought organising a marathon the week after Easter was a good idea, I’ve been living in a vicious circle of indulgence and guilt all bloody week. The kids being off school and the fact I have zero willpower around sweet treats makes me feel like I’ve piled on the pounds!
(Yep, that's rocky road with cream egg innit!)
I was warned the taper period is an odd time. So true! have been getting out for short sharp runs but am utterly convinced that doing the big miles again next Sunday will feel horrendous. The last long run I did 10 days ago was 17 miles, I felt properly sick afterwards, plus had to dash straight to parents evening after where it was touch and go for a while as to whether I would spew my guts up over my sons reception class teacher.
In the past week - I ran last Tuesday a good 6 miler, Wednesday did spin class and swim … but then I’m not sure what happened … I went into a weird denial/anxiety about the whole thing and have just been too scared and hidden from my trainers and refused to go running…no idea why. I woke up this morning and made myself go out at 7am, did 5k just to prove my legs do in fact still work, and they did. Kicking myself for the 3 day ‘running break/freak out’ now and hoping I haven’t set myself back too much.
Have had to adopt my best ‘mum voice’ and have a stern word with myself. I am going to stop looking at just the negatives, I am going to ignore what I haven’t done in the last week. Ultimately on marathon day I really want to enjoy the experience, it’s most likely going to be the only time I run the London/any marathon. So I am going to focus on the following “Go Me! I’ve totally got this! Yay! Screw you self doubt!” thoughts:
- I set my sights on this goal 12 months ago and made it happen. I got a charity place sorted as I didn’t get in through the ballot, and I have worked my ass off to raise the amount I pledged to (and then some) for my charity, Acorns Children’s Hospice. As a stay at home mum, I don’t currently have many achievements outside of home/family life - so seeing something through from initial idea to making it happen feels pretty good.
- I have trained. Up until christmas I wasn’t following a plan but was going for regular runs and did the Birmingham half in October. Post christmas I’ve followed a proper plan, and despite the juggling it’s taken, I have stuck to my plan. (the nagging voice of doom whispers in my ear - yesssss but your longest run is only 20 miles and you where broken afterwardssss…. but I am not going to listen *fingers in ears la la la* !!!!)
- The day is going to be amazing! I want to take in all the sights and the London crowd. Running past places we used to go in our previous pre-children life, I’ll give a wave to our old flat, there’s going to be nostalgia and happy memories galore which will help a hell of a lot more than the monotonous canal running I’ve been doing.
- I still have a week, a final push for some more short sharp runs, keep my legs going and hopefully without a permanent belly full of chocolate I’ll start to feel a bit less sluggish!
- On marathon day I can help myself by: starting slow, take walking breaks - there’s no shame! Perhaps walk through water stations when drinking, even if I feel I don’t need a break. I’m not going to worry about my time, just getting around 26.2 miles will be amazing. I’m going to do what I need to, be kind to myself to stop pesky fatigued legs preventing me from reaching that finish line!
So bring it on!!!!! (had best finish off the hot cross buns and lindt bunnies and the red wine from dinner first). MUCH THANKS to anyone who has offered support and advice to me in real life / online - and GOOD LUCK to everyone running next week xxx
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