So this is it, it’s actually happening, I’m on week one of
marathon training. So how do I feel,
well boringly, I feel absolutely fine, I’m not nervous or worried, and there is
nothing in me (currently) that feels like I can’t do it. The main reason being is that I’ve been here
before with the half training, and I did it so I know I’m capable, therefore
what I have I got to worry about. OK so
I’m worried about getting sick again, and I’m worried about injury from
overdoing it, and I’m worried about spending 5 hours on my feet before I can’t
seem to get any faster no matter how hard I try, but hey.
One big new thing is that I joined a gym, I always promised
myself that if I ever ran a marathon I would join a gym for the obligatory
‘crosstraining’ bit (although in fairness, I’m sure a weekly 20 mile hike would
happily cover that category). I also promised myself when I was sick as well, I’m
not sure the crazy January temps helped me stay well, and I knew if the weather
continued I just couldn’t do the running outside, the gym was my fall back
option, and I promised that next time my old local gym emailed me an offer I
would join… and the next day PING in my inbox, doh! But saying that I’ve enjoyed my gym sessions,
it’s nice to give my legs a running break, and I have even signed up to a group
weights session thing, I saw it happen last week and it looked interesting, so
I’m going to give it ago (in the hope of toning up a bit too).
My gym thing is a bit of an experiment too, to see if it has
any overall effect on my running compared to my HM training (when I didn’t
bother with a gym). Let’s see, love a bit of experimentation.
My good running streak continues and that has given me a
massive shot of confidence which is probably why I feel fine about everything,
I might not be so confident in a few weeks’ time.
There has been a lot about this marathon that has fallen
into place (like the gym offer). I’m a big believer in the universe pointing
the way, and that’s how it seems to have been with this one in so many
ways. For example
·
I ran some of the Edinburgh route last year
whilst on holiday there (without knowing it was a marathon route), and loved it
and wanted to run further and further but couldn’t (physically) I’ll get my
wish on 28th May.
·
When I
got my ‘we’re sorry’ magazine from VMLM, it literally fell out the envelop face
down with the EMF advert facing up towards me
·
I have somewhere to stay on the marathon route
·
My niece signed up to the half marathon (without
knowing I was going to be there).
·
I keep meeting people that are running it too
·
My scheduled HM falls on the exactly the same
day as the half marathon I had booked in March!!!
·
When I was buying a book about marathon running,
I flicked through to a random page to read, and the first line was a story
about someone called Celeste running her first marathon.
·
I could go on…
Is the universe pointing to Edinburgh?
Here’s another pointing (funny) story. When I put my 16 week
plan together (before xmas) I was pretty intent and happy with it. However by the start of this week I was
wishing two things that I had given myself a spare week, room for error,
sickness, laziness (but too late to think that week one). And I really wished I could fit in an extra
20 miles. The plan offers two, which is
fine, but I’m a bit funny about long runs and like to get as close to the final
distance as possible. With the HM I did
two 10s and a 12 and on the day was wishing I had done more. I know the scientific reasoning why you
should go up to 20 miles, and that it should be ok, but come-on guys 6 miles is
a long way, especially when you’ve just ran 20, you’d have to really believe 6
miles is a breeze to cope with that.
Anyway last night I was obsessively studying my nicely typed
up training plan, (and working out how to fit my long runs around all the weekends away I’ve
just booked opps) when I realised there was a week missing in April. I’m such a ditz, but it means I have that
extra week to play with… AND if I fit shorter runs on the weekends I’m away I
can fit in an extra 20 miler on that missing week, so it all suddenly works
perfectly. Nuts hey, just another example of its meant to be!!
So I guess if you really want to know how I feel about
marathon training you need to go back to entry 2 of this blog and all the
pondering over the Half marathon training (with a little less whingeing now
though – hopefully).
All that said, I’ve changed a lot and grown a lot with my
running since the HM (even if I’ve not grown in speed). 6 miles isn’t so bad, and I did a comfortable
enjoyable 8 last week and was comparing it to my first 8 which I was so excited
to achieve, now it’s just eight, and yeah I can add another two no probs (as
long as it doesn’t rain, then it’ll be a grumpy 10 miles). In this process I’ll be dong lots of
reflecting on my HM training and how far I’ve come. Deep down I’m so proud of
myself.
So although its only week one I’m optimistic and not scared.
Marathon Training Plan (spot the missing week!)
