I DID IT! :)

I did it. I completed the marathon. It was amazing. I LOVED it!!! I want to do it again (but maybe not next year!)

I want to write a full post about the day, but don't have time now. However, wanted to log on to let everyone know I am still alive and mobile (just about, following a partial tear in my achilles, but more of that another time!)

The whole thing took me 5 hours and 25 minutes. I didn't find out my time for a while. But, I ran a good race. My own race. I kept a steady pace throughout, running (jogging) the second half nearly as quickly as the first half. The hardest time for me was between about 17 and 20 miles. After that I ran "as if" I wasn't tired. And it worked. I finished feeling that I had energy to spare!!

The crowds were amazing. So much easier than the long training runs with so many good wishes, so much encouragement all around.

As I said I will write more SOON. As I want to get it all down so that I can remember it forever!

One friend said to me "I could have walked it faster than that!" I think she was joking. But let me just say, put your feet where your mouth is!

Lots of love to everyone who has given me such fantastic support. My next post will be my last!

5 days to go!!!

I can't believe it! Only five days to go! All those months of training that seemed to last so long, now seem to have flown by, and here I am!!
I did an 8 mile run on Sunday, and now I only have 1 x 3 mile run and 1 x 3 mile walk until the 26 MILES.
I am nervous, but also a little bit excited!
I'm not sure about this carb loading stuff. I guess I will just include carbs with all my meals which I do anyway, and maybe eat more complex carbs and savoury stuff rather than simple sugars which go straight out of your system.
I'm not in the mood for chocolate anyway! Overdosed over the Easter Weekend.

The taper

I haven't written for a while, but I have been training!!

This period of time is called the taper. The mileage is decreasing in order to allow the body to rest and recover in preparation for the marathon.

I'm finding it hard actually. I've always found short runs almost as hard as long ones, and doing lots of short runs and struggling is making me wonder how I will do the 26.2 miles.

But negative thinking gets me nowhere. All I can do is trust in the training I have done. And I know that I can be persistent and determined when I need to, particularly when I have support, and I know there will be a lot of support on the day.

I am struggling with a couple of niggling injuries as well as frequent headaches. However, had a remedial massage yesterday and she spent time on all of these areas, so I'm trying to look after myself.

I've decided not to have any more alcohol between now and the marathon. Going to focus on keeping well-hydrated and nourished to give myself the best possible chance.

The Big Day

THE BIG DAY IS SUNDAY APRIL 23RD!!!

The last big week

This is the last full-on week of training. Should be doing 1 x 8 mile run, 2 x 5 mile runs and an 18 miler.

I did about 6.5 miles yesterday, and ran out of time. (After this I did cycle 8.5 miles!)I think I may not run today as my body feels completely exhausted. And I will aim for another 6 on Thursday. I know this is breaking the program, but it is good to be flexible sometimes!!

I will definitely do 18 miles on Saturday.

The following two weeks are much easier, with the long runs less than 10 miles. I'm looking forward to it. The idea is to recover before the big day!!

Fundraising Target

I take it back. I am actually £60.50 away from my target. I was getting ahead of myself there.

A good week

Last week, I kept completely with the program! Which means I did 2 x 5 mile runs, 1 x 8 mile run AND AN 18 MILE RUN!!!

The 18 miler didn't feel nearly as bad as the 16 miler that got me so despondent a couple of weeks ago.

I ran on Saturday morning - good timing, because as soon as I stopped running it started raining and didn't stop for the rest of the weekend.

The run was quite a good sightseeing tour. I ran to Regent's Park, and did a lap, then on to Hyde Park, and did a lap. Managed to get lost in both parks, which added a few miles and meant I ran out of miles, and couldn't do a lap of St. James'. From Hyde Park I ran through central London and back to my mate's in Kings Cross. (Getting lost again in Leicester Square!) There were lots of crowds to negotiate - good practice for marathon day!!

I am very pleased with myself, and have more confidence that completing the marathon is a possibility.

I have also reached my fund-raising target!!! So, I have increased it. Would love to make it to £2000!!

Is it Spring at last?

I left the flat at 630am for my 8 mile run. It was LIGHT, and actually quite WARM. Birds were singing. A few flowers were coming out. Is it Spring at last?? I hope so. This has felt like a very cold, long winter, and apparently it has been the coldest March on record. Not a good year to be in training for the marathon, perhaps!!

So, I ran 8 miles. Struggled for the first few but it got easier after that. Since stopping I have noticed a pain in my lower calf on my left leg. I am not sure what sort of a pain it is, or if it is something I should worry about. I hope not. Hopefully the student sports masseur will sort me out on Friday!