I am on the taper now, gradually reducing the mileage so I am in the best condition on the day of the marathon. So after a rest day on Monday, I started the week again with an alternate jog/sprint 6 miles.
I have never found this easy to do, I think that's the point of it, but this one felt good afterwards. Although my strained calf is still giving me trouble, it is much less so that it was. This means that once I get started and warmed up I can push myself a little if I am careful.
I did on this run and it was my thighs that ached the next day like they should do after a good workout not my calf.
The next day my mind rebelled and I let it win and convince me not to run. I can't remember what excuse I used but I know I felt guilty for not running later in the evening.
The day after that I knew I couldn't not run but there was a problem, the weather.
Now I don't mind running in all conditions. I have run in rain, hail, snow and ice. When it has been pitch dark and hurricane winds (nearly). It was only raining this day, but very hard and I started to think about my health. I don't want to get a cold or be unwell for race day and it's coming very soon.
I know you don't get a cold from the rain but why take the chance?
I went to the gym.
On Friday I had to run. There were heavy rain shower forecast all day but I couldn't put it off any longer. I did 8 miles and guess what? It started to rain as soon as I set off. I was completely soaked within the first mile. It eased off later but I came home soaked and went for a long soak in a hot bath.
I was working the weekend and this has always been a problem during my training because the longest weekly runs are always scheduled on a Sunday because this is usually the race day also.
I work one weekend in every four but I had to work this one extra because the one I should be working is the day of the Marathon.
I did the 4 miles after work on Saturday easily but didn't know what to do about the 18 miles due to be done on the Sunday.The problem of not doing the long run on the Sunday means that I have to do it on my day off on Monday and that I don't get a rest day afterwards. I carb loaded on the Saturday night (ate bowls of pasta) and decided I would decide whether or not to run after work tomorrow.
After an OK day at work I decided to give it a go. I got on my running kit and set off straight away. I knew if I didn't I would make excuses again. It started well, my dodgy leg warmed up quickly and the weather was windy but not too hot. I had even left a water bottle about 8 miles along the route on my drive home!
The one thing I had forgotten to do was to charge my phone and it died on my after about 7 miles. This meant I could only guess how far I had run. I have run this route before and I knew where the extra water was so I wasn't too far out. It also meant I had to add the run to the website manually something I don't like doing. It never looks good, like I am making it up. I also had to guess how long it took me as I didn't record the start time when I set off. I must wear a watch. Here it is anyway, all 17 miles of it.
It actually went well despite having the wind against me and it starting to rain on the return run. I also took the opportunity to try out some energy gels. If you don't know what they are,
"High 5 Energy Gel is a high carbohydrate, ultra concentrated 4th generation gel with delicious, light, natural flavours"
according to the web. They are for when, towards the end of the race, your body runs out of fuel and I wanted to try them before the race because I have heard that some people can react badly to them.
I didn't have any bad reaction and did feel I had more energy then usually on the return leg so I will be using them during the marathon I think. They are given out at the water points.
Only two more weeks to go. High 5!
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