The 2009 Diary by Chect

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What a journey!  From the highs of sunny training runs to the lows of injury and excruitiating sports massages!  I've been through them all.  At one point I didnt think I was going to get to Geneva but fortunately I did just that and I'm so thankful that I did. 

With the help of a friend and a newly aquainted friend on the plane I took the final steps to completing my marathon.  Getting there was not a problem at all.  A quick flight and a 3 minute train journey took us to the city centre - quickly brushing up on my french skills along the way we found our hotel.  Superb accomodation - thanks Pauline for that treat - we then spent the next day wandering around at a leisurely pace discovering the town.  HAvign missed the registration area the first time we soon sorted that and I was glad to discover that our hotel was a stone's throw away from the start. 

So carbo loading complete and a relatively early night mmm yes not ideal (at least I didnt go clubbing unlike some!) I was ready to go.  Nerves, excitement, fear, anticipation - I felt all sorts of emotion at point.  I had found out the night before that the course was in fact 2 loops of 13.1 miles!!  Not my favourite type of route but there you go. 

We were off at 8am!  The route snakes round the town before taking runners out to the lake, doubling back on ourselves we completed 10K in this manner, finishing the half marathon distance on the other side of the lake I reached the half way mark in 1h49!  Wow this was going well I thought!  I just need to keep it up - easier said than done - I think "the burn" started at the 25K point (roughly 14miles!) but as they say its mind over matter and my mind said it wasnt going to matter well for another 10 miles thankfully. 

Taking on the water, bananas, isodrinks and oranges when I could, I managed to keep the energy levels up.  I wasn't so hot with the cups of water - what's all that about?  I think I upset one marshall by pouring 4 cups of water into my bottle - mmm he was not best pleased and uttered something about "that's what we are here for!!"  I didnt agree - the water stops were few and far between and my tactic worked well others were clearly in need of more fluids - you just cant take on enough with a cup - ok rant over!

So I continued to the end - aching and grimacing now - my earlier smiles and claps for the front runners were a thing of the past but it was still good to hear my name being called out (our names were printed with our running numbers which was great!).  Somehow incredibly I realised a PB was achievable by the 40K mark I just had to do the remaining 2K in 10mins - so I dug deep and completely zoned out - strange feeling I can tell you but it worked!  I finished in 3h43 officially "good for age" - I was so emotional I cant tell you. 

So many thoughts go through your mind when you run a marathon - mine were of the charity, our runners all that you had achieved and are continuiing to achieve, the families we work with and my wonderful team back at the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust - who I knew were rooting for me.  My family and friends too (gosh this sounds like a bafta speech!) but anyway to all of you thank you for supporting me and putting up with my incessant running chat.  I couldnt have done it without you.  It just shows what you can achieve when you put your mind to it... Who knows what next year will bring -anyone care to join me in our 2010 challenge?

How scary is this ? not only am I late in writing this blog I am also behind in my training!  Not so much of an issue considering the race is on SUNDAY!!!! But more of a mental issue for the last week - its been manic!  Ok so fitting in a wedding and a trip up to Scotland might not have been the best idea with only a week to go but when you're asked to be a bridesmaid what you gonna do?!!!  So apologies to the CHECT runners waiting patiently for this but here is my update 2 weeks condensed into 1!

W/c 27th April - Target miles 30 Actual miles 24 (not bad considering...)

Fitted in a long run after work taking in Tower bridge, Hyde Park, Regents Park and the lovely route home via Upper St - it was very enjoyable it has to be said.  My flatmates really thought I had lost it though!  I do this for fun?? ! I had tucked away a jelly baby or two and stopped off at Costa to fill up my water more than once (the only time I'm glad of those big coffee houses) and managed to make it home without too much dawdling!  It was strange leaving work when it was light and coming home in the dark though...

W/c 4th May - Target miles 18 Actual miles 7!!  Rubbish! 

So now is not the time to be having a bad week but this is officially my worst week of running ever! Call it last minute nerves or just being over tired but I am not in a good place.  My run on Tues was a disaster - legs tired - feet sore - head all over the place - I hope I will pull myself together before Sunday.  I just feel like the batteries are not charged - I've been getting lots of sleep and carbo loading and taking all my own advice but still I'm not going to get in another run before race day.  Maybe not a bad thing???  Argh!!   Ok positive thinking starts now.  Dont do as I do and all that!!  Will keep you posted!

Something kicks in when you are training - something subconscious that keeps you focussed on the task and it was that something hit me last week.  I'd been crazily busy with work and home stuff meaning I was out every night last week - when was a going to fit in my 22 mile run?  After an all day Trustee meeting that's when!  Of course it was a Saturday night and most normal people were sipping pints in a pub or kicking back on the sofa but no this Crazy woman decided to use the free time to run for 3 and 1/2 hours!  Mental I know I've been told on several occassions!  Are we all crazy?  Is it really fun?  Is it true no pain no gain?  These were questions I was asking myself that evening.  I dont think I came up with any answers but I did have a buzz about me when I arrived home scoffed down a post run snack and tucked myself up in bed knowing that Sunday for once was a day of complete rest.  Bliss

Target miles; 40

Actual miles: 28 (mustnt grumble!)

Running at the best of times is a question of juggling - so that you can fit training around daily life - so this week was no exception.  With Easter on the Horizon I headed off to the beautiful Lake district with my running shoes packed safely.  Down to run 20 miles I had decided to reduce this to 16 so that I could climb Scafell the next day!  As you do...

Using good ol' GMAP website to plan my route I found the safest way to run round unchartered territory was to plan a loop.  So 2 laps of 8 miles was in order.  Leaving the campsite at 7am to fit in a 2h 30 min run was bad enough but to run past the campsite after 1h15mins was another thing entirely!!  Talk about grit and determination - it was only the thought of this marathon and you guys that kept me going... my fellow campers were bemused to say the least!  I was ready for my bacon roll by the end of it I can tell you.  If I get the pics I'll add them - a picture tells a thousand words after all. 

It was a beautiful run though it has to be said.  Blue sky, fresh air, breathtaking scenery I could have been abroad!  I just love the great outdoors - something about the contrast of London living made the experience all the more enjoyable.  Let's hope Geneva is just as good!

Target miles = 40

Actual miles = 40!!  Yippee