Things to fret about
Apr20200910:42 p.m.
I see that we are all in a heightened state of pre-marathon 'mentalness'. I feel I am making a decent contribution with my own list of Things to Fret About:
1. The weather. I know I can do nothing about this and positive mental attitude is everything, but I am not helping myself by logging on to metcheck.com every hour to see if they have updated the forecast for Sunday. It did cause me to squeal out loud at work this morning (thus blowing my cover that I was doing real work) when I saw that the forecast was now for 20 degrees and sunny.
Regular, obsessive checking of said site, saw it dropping back to 19 degrees a few hours later. Oh, so much cooler.
I'm a very salty sweater. Now fretting that prolonged sweating over four and a half hours will see me collapsing in a quivering, electrolyte depleted heap around the 18 mile mark.
2. What to wear. New issue to fret about. (Refer to Item 1). I had my running outfit all sorted and had taken it for a few long runs to ensure I felt comfy. Three quarter leggings (also the best leg slimming option :-), short sleeve top with charity vest over the top.
This will be too hot. Panic. Have not tried running in my lycra shorts with charity vest on its own. Will I be chafed to death?
3. Showers. What does a sweaty runner do after finishing and needing to get the train back home around 6pm? Could be a unique way to secure a carriage for just the family and I.
4. MP3 Player. Don't know whether to take it or not. Want to enjoy the crowds, the entertainment etc. But will I survive those hard lonely miles that I struggle with, relying on music to keep me going if I don't take it??
5. Will my bum look huge with four gels stuffed in the zip bit at the back of my running shorts?
6.. Has my fitness been leaking out of my body this week? It feels SO UNNATURAL to be sitting around doing nothing.
Was due to do short 3 miles today and 2 miles tomorrow but after foot being twingy after Saturday I have decided not to run this week and to have final physio and acupuncture session tomorrow morning to ensure foot is in best possible condition
7. How on earth do you fit all that carbohydrate in. I should be eating around 500 to 600g of carbs per day during carb loading. That is an enormous amount. 4 slices of bread has 75g, five rice cakes with jam has 75g. I will be eating all day just to pack it all in.
8. Will I make it to the end?
Yes, I bloody well will. I have not done all this training, made all those sacrifices and made this commitment not to get across that finish line.
9. Will that cold beer afterwards taste as good as I think it will?
Willing to put that to the test. At a couple of pubs just to be sure.
Righto, will try and have a reasonably early night and will see what I can drum up in the el weirdo marathon related dream department.
A couple of people have asked for my runner number which is:
34368. Lime Green Asthma UK running vest (with NZ flag sewn on the back - forgive me, I am feeling homesick at the moment). Red Start - see you at the Lucozade tent at 8.30am with Shazzer and others.
Enjoy the madness of the last few days!
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Comments (20)
Helen_Carley 'OK - several questions leaping into my mind at your last post, the least weird one being; how do you know you area a salty sweater? (I'd have thought you were more of a merino myself!!) I get back from runs with a crystalline white stuff all over my face, does this make me one too?? You see you are setting me off now!! Just when I was nice and calm!!!! Look forward to meeting you at 0830 - this seems early; I suppose it takes ages to get anywhere with all the peeps ! X' added 20th Apr 2009
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HellenH 'Yup, you summed it up there matey!! I think we are all losing the plot-I feel like I've eaten an elephant in one sitting and can't imagine running to the end of the street at the mo (wonder if it is true to "leak fitness"!!)Keep going though-it won't be long now. Enjoy your marathon "dream"tonight-I dreamt that I missed my bus at 4:30 this morning and woke the entire house up-nil brownie points for me :-)' added 20th Apr 2009
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Nick 'Don't fret too much about the weather forecast - we won't really know what to expect until the day itself. I wouldn't take an MP3 player with you - there's far too much to see and experience on the course. Enjoy your last week of tapering and good luck in the race!' added 20th Apr 2009
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kraftykat 'Simone - that post could have been mine! I too am nervy or worried about exactly the same things! I too am worried about my vest -not worn it without a top under as it's been too damn cold! I am also stuffed after all my carbs! Really wish I was on the red start with you but will look out for you.' added 20th Apr 2009
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shazzer 'I am taking my camera, my mobile phone and my mp3 player plus gels and my picnic - this now seems a little excessive knowing that you are only taking 4 gels stuffed down your shorts!! Are you staying Sunday night? The thought of that post race beer........ ' added 20th Apr 2009
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antcoleman 'Simone once again you've encapsulated what we are all feeling right now. One things for sure though YOU WILL DO IT! Hope to make it to the Luco tent!' added 20th Apr 2009
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nigelgreen 'Yep - right there with you on a number of those frets... but like you I'll be crossing that finish line whether my body likes it or not!! Maybe see you at the Luco tent... Nx' added 20th Apr 2009
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VictoriaLondon 'Heya. Personally I suggest: - Don't wear the top under the running vest. I've never been chafed by a vest apart from in the very hot FLM I had some slight chafing on one arm. But it only hurt a bit after, not during, and much better than being warm sweaty clammy and unwell throughout the run! - you WILL get to the end - and in style! - If you don't have a post race reception you could, er, 'freshen up' in the loos at hyde park corner? -I plan to take mp3 but in the last few miles take the earphones out and tuck them under the bra straps. Cant bear listening to people grunt and snort at the beginning! - love carbs. I had delicious couscous and prawns for dinner. And cous cous for lunch. and toast for brekkie. and lots of...sweets.... you can do it! - hope the foot gets better, sure it will :-)' added 21st Apr 2009
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VictoriaLondon 'ps - OMG im a salty sweater too. Sunday is going to be difficult. warmmm. I wanted 12 degrees max!' added 21st Apr 2009
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VictoriaLondon 'pps - who cares if you have a gel bulge - you'll need those gels and as you take each one out you'll 'magically' lose weight! deffo gonna stop commenting now!' added 21st Apr 2009
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LB_TM 'You will make it. Don't ask how. Nobody knows. But you will do it. Between, say, 17 and 24 you just zone out and count the miles off one at a time. I have the i-pod on, but sometimes the volume is low, sometimes it's off and sometimes it's pumping. It will be the best beer you ever taste!' added 21st Apr 2009
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daveredrock 'I say no ipod (boos & hisses from the crowd)... use the force and go pure. You don't want to miss any of this - not even the sounds. I don't even have to say that you'll make it do I?' added 21st Apr 2009
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Johnf 'Good last minute nerves stuff and we all do the same. But remember not to change too much, stay with your practiced plan. And remember those temperatures are likely to peak mid afternoon, so when you start it will be much cooler (today for instance I believe we are expecting 18 to 20 here but it is only about 6degC at the moment). But personally ditch the MP3, London will sound like you've never heard it on Sunday.' added 21st Apr 2009
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Gazz1971 'See you Sunday oh nutritional guru!!' added 21st Apr 2009
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sally41 'Your blog is so funny but so true = i have woke up in a nightmare state x 3 vision of collapsing at mile 25 and beening carted to hospital with iv fluids - i bloody hope not i'v worked to hard not to finish lol' added 21st Apr 2009
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Hoggle 'I would suggest wearing just the vest and putting vasaline or something similar under the armpits where the vest is to avoid any rubbing! I am going to be just before mile 25 water station on Embankment on the non-river side so will def keep an eye out for you and great to hear you are flying the kiwi flag - am feeling a bit homesick at the moment too :o( xxx' added 21st Apr 2009
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vickibombicki 'oh i feel so left out now! shorts and vest i say!! x' added 21st Apr 2009
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Lackadaisical_Plodder 'Thank god, I thought it was just me. If I get one more person say “oh it’ll be really nice for you on Sunday” I will kill them – beetroot red is not my colour…. Don’t worry about the salt, its nice feeling it on your face, see how many people you can get to lick you – you’ll be amazed!!!! Don’t take an MP3 it’s too much of a social thing, last time I ran alone, I was never alone! I have random photos of me gossiping to people I will never see again! I’m putting my gels in my bra – do you think I’ll be mistaken as Jordan!! I’ve had this week off running and am also stressing about becoming unfit – along with the fact that my body is screaming at me to eat everything I shouldn’t. Sadly I am not at the red start, my running buddy is, so I will get her to come and say hi, I’m with the blues this time. Good luck Suzanne. ' added 21st Apr 2009
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JSIMMONDS 'My take on your questions (for what it's worth, and I have spent literally HOURS mulling over the answers myself): 1. Take more water 2. Use vaseline on everything that moves 3. Fountains? 4. Take it but only use it in a crisis! 5. Who cares? 6. No it hasn't. Trust yourself. 7. Porridge is the magic ingredient. Replace non carbs with carbs instead of just adding carbs. 8. Yeah course you will. 9. Yeah course it will! Good luck and hope to see you there. Jon' added 22nd Apr 2009
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lou21 'Ha.. brilliant. I am so feeling everyone's excitment and trepidation....oooooohhhhh.... can't wait to read everyones race reports! Thanks for the PM xx' added 22nd Apr 2009
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