London or Bust! by Chect

So this for me has been the hardest week for some reason.  Getting over that hill of top mileage and still really 3 weeks to go.  I had to physically drag myself out of the house this week.  My pedal was well and truly off the gas.  I forgot to log my training diary with my blog on Sunday but I did do the long run and I did suffer the next day (massage again) and something definitely shifted.  I could almost sense the relief of having got to the peak of my training but then I lost focus.  It's not as if the marathon is over or somehow I'd manage to run the distance, just physcologically I had done all I could that week.  So this week was definitely harder...

Anyway onto training tips.  Race Day as promised... During the run.

So what to expect?

Well I've got the map here and it does bring it all back.  The crowds, the sweat, the music and entertainment (most of the way round it has to be said), the costumes and I guess importantly the camaraderie.  It's like the biggest party you've ever been to, and you are experiencing it from the inside.  People are shouting at you, cheering you on, you are weaving in and out of the sea of runners (don't expect a straight run or you will be disappointed - i reckon on average you must run more than 26.2 miles in the end trying to avoid other runners or run into a space or even take a long cut to get round slower runners).  It's a very, very busy course.  But it is fun.  There is alwasy something to look at or take your mind off the miles.  The sights are fantastic; from Cutty Sark (well where Cutty Sark should be!) to Tower Bridge and even the Isle of Dogs (famous for being a boring stretch of the route is actually now alive with crowds and well wishers) to the awesome finish along Birdcage Walk and Buckingham Palace. 

I can safely say you should also expect the unexpected at least when it comes to the weather.  Some years it's been scorchio - glorious sunshine (not good I have to say) aand others its rained all day (ditto).   You can just be as prepared as possible (sun cream or rainproofs gear is essential so do chekc the forecast before you set off)

The race itself has mile markers to keep you right, pacers if you want to run with others at a steady speed, water and energy stops and the crowds supply copious amounts of Jelly Babies and other goodies which really do come in handy especially at the 20mile mark and beyond.

But I think most importantly is you have to expect it is going to be tough - nothing can prepare you for those last few miles. You've done all the training but you have never run this far.  It takes such strength/determination/stamina/ or maybe stubborness call it what you like but I think focus and a sense of purpose is required to keep going.   My all time favourite quote is "He who has a why can endure any how" and that is so true for marathon running.  So my final tip here is to remind yourself and anchor that WHY deep within you.  You will need it.

I came across a pace calculator I wanted to share with you.  Just add in some of your training run times and distances and see what your expected marathon time will be:

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/general/rws-race-time-predictor/1681.html

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Training log

As I said - not great.  Hard in fact to maintain that focus.  Things are starting to hurt - my feet are grumbling, I am eating tons and I am tired out.  But i faced my demons and made a pact to head straight out this morning.  Having managed out only twice this week I wasnt feeling to confident.  Add to that a crampy stomach and you are just about there!  Oh joy.  Anyway I made it, happily and spritely too.  There were a few wobbles along the way but I feel revived and ready to conquer the last couple of weeks. 

Happy Mother's day everyone (and especially Mum if you are reading this!)

x