Things I need to remember to do this week

Pick up my marathon number :-)

Drink loads of water

Go to bed nice and early

Don't get too stressed and busy at work

Don't get sick!

Check what time the race starts (yes, at the moment I don't actually know!)

Buy some Percy Pigs

Obsessively check the weather forecast (so far so good)

Marathon in the snow anyone?

After the weather of the past few weeks I am now pondering what running a marathon in the snow would be like? I've come to the conclusion it would suit me a lot more than any other kind of weather. I found the very hot weather from last year's marathon really unbearable and I've done 3 or 4 races where it's been very cold or snowy. The BBC weather forecast doesn't go as far as sunday yet but so far no sign of snow.

So, if it did snow, what would I do differently? I'd still wear my 3/4 length leggings, they are my kit of choice at the moment and I'd probably wear a long sleeve t shirt instead of a short sleeve one. My main worry would be that I'd be out there for a long time and I find I get cold the longer I am out there. A 3 hour marathon is 2 hours shorter than a 5 hour marathon after all. And if it was extreme I'd wear my gloves and my fleecy ear warmer.

So, I have a plan now, bring it on!

Getting a cold?

It's less than a week now until London (thank goodness it is almost here!). Unfortunatly I am not feeling great today which is a worry. I ran the XC yesterday but my legs didn't really fancy it. I put it down to a late night working on Wednesday, late night out on thursday and very early start on Saturday morning as I had to go to work then too. However, when I woke up this morning I still felt tired and pretty bunged up...looks like I need to remember to look after myself this week!

Last Sunday's long run

I promised I'd tell you about last week's run. Well, here goes. After being cut short at the double Bypass I felt like another long one...I know, I know, I know, 2 weeks before London and I run 22 miles...maybe not the best idea but none of my training has been 'the best idea'!
So my main plan was to set off and see how I felt and then see where I ended up...and I ended up doing 22 miles as documented in multiple posts below! It took me a very long time (4 and a quarter hours) but I was super chuffed with my efforts when I got home...and I feel OK now (apart from the fact I got up at 4:45 this morning to go to work).
So, what next? Well, off home soon, ceilidh tonight and XC tomorrow. And yes, none ofthof this is ideal marathon run up but hey ho, it'll all be ok!

Countdown

I was reading a couple of the other blogs yesterday and both of them mentioned the countdown to London and the feelings and rituals of the penultimate couple of weeks. I have to admit I am feeling none of that, in fact, it's only in the last few days where it has really hit me that it is less than 2 weeks to the marathon now. On the train into work this morning I was wondering why I am not feeling like the others and why I am feeling so blasé about the whole thing. I've come to a few conclusions which I'd like to share with you.
First, I am definitely not performing at the same level as Secret Squirrel or Lissa. Does that really make a difference? Well, yes I think it does, especially for Lissa startinig at the elite start (scary biscuits!). Of course I want to do the best I can but the best I can do is distictly average (I am usally in the 50s when it comes to age grading %). Second, I think my expectations of myself are lower. I know I am not as fit as I could be and I am bit too lardy to be quick so that really does take the pressure off. Third, whatever I do I'll be ok with it. That's the key. I do care how fast I run but if I don't run as fast as I hope I'll still have enjoyed myself and there will always be another time! And finally, this is marathon number 11! I've done this before, I know I can finish and I know I'll do more marathons and I know one day I'll get somewhere near my PB so it'll all be OK!

Training week ending 30 March

Week ending 30 March
Monday: rest
Tuesday: Gym(am), 3 miles at the running club (pm)
Wednesday: committee meeting
Thursday: Circuits (am)
Friday: rest
Saturday: 6 miles (am), Bootcamp
Sunday: 22 miles
Totals:
Training sessions: 3 running, 1 circuits, 1 Bootcamp, 1 gym
Total milage: 31

Verdict: chuffed with my v long run, I'll tell you all about it later on, it's time to go to bed now!

Sunday Run

My GPS had this at more like 22 and a bit (I think I am not very careful when mapping my run on http://www.mapmyrun.com


Some piccies from my very long run I did on Sunday...more words to follow at some point!