Just keep running....just keep running..... by legs_of_lamb

Unfortunately not just a cheesy 80’s rock anthem by Europe, but the inevitable onward march of time towards the start line of the Edinburgh Marathon.  As I write this it stands at:

4 days, 12 hours & 31 minutes to the gun.

I have my race number with a very fancy timing chip stuck to the back, I’ve ditched the alcohol, my name letters are standing by to be ironed on to my running vest, the sponsorship is rolling in, my hotel is booked and I have tickets to the pre-race “Comedy & Carbs night”.   With the last 2 LSRs done, there’s nothing more to do but rest, keep the legs ticking over & eat (properly!). 

The Sunday before last saw a 15m LSR in the pouring rain.   I think it only stopped twice for about 2 minutes each time.  I have never been so wet on a run, every single item I had on me was soaked thru.   Received a couple of "she's crazy" looks from passing motorists & a couple of walkers (who were just as wet as me!). 

The last one, a 10 mile LSR was a really good run, if a little too fast in places.  Ended with a 10:08 mile!  Definitely WILL NOT be going that fast next week.  Must manage my pace in the early stages of the race otherwise I'll not reach the end upright! Have kind of worked out a race strategy-ish (besides "stay on feet & finish" that is!).  Try & maintain an 11:00 pace for the first half, then gradually try to pick it up to perhaps 10:50 from 18m.  Then hopefully, I’ll have enough in the tank to maintain a sub 11:00 pace to the end.  That should see me to a sub 5 hr marathon.   However, I am deeply aware of the state of my body after 22m and am making no assumptions as to how I will perform beyond that.  I just hope that I'll have enough to keep putting one foot in front of the other for those last miles.

I CAN DO IT!