19.3 miles and I'm a little tired!

I feel I know that pond, and those ducks, in Great Bentley really well! I ran round the nearly two mile circuit five times on my own and was then joined by Amy. The blister didn't trouble me, and although it was windy it was also intermittently sunny and a little rainy. It wasn't too cold either. Amy joined me and we began the second round of five circuits. Strangely, at 17 miles I had a bit of a crisis and almost had a panic attack! This is really unusual for me. I suddenly doubted that I could complete the run even though I felt physically OK. Amy was brilliant and firstly got me to stop running! Then, once my normal breathing had returned and I settled down we continued. I'm not entirely sure where this pressure is coming from, but for a moment it was intense. I did go on to complete the 5 further circuits and wondered what that was all about. 

I have now completed a run of 3 hours and 10 minutes which, following my break with the virus, gives me confidence that although the marathon is going to hurt I should be able to complete it. I would like to understand what my panic was about and will ponder upon it further!!

Two weeks to go.

Approx £1700 so far raised for the Hospice makes all this worth while.

 Nearly there.

Ruth, that run was for you!!

Just done a 10 mile run. Unfortunately Amy is still feeling poorly and wisely stayed in this morning. It was really cold but beautifully sunny and I re-visited my favourite running spot; the seawall along the marshes. Absolutely stunning! The positive ions (?) coming from the River Colne swept me along. Felt really good and I feel really back on track. My dilemma now is the big one - I feel I need to complete a 20 miler but is it more sensible to try and do it this Wednesday morning, or Saturday morning. Saturday only gives me two weeks recovery before the marathon, but then is Wednesday too soon - it was only last Wednesday that I returned to running (that 2 miler) after a three week break? I can see I am driving those close to me just a little barmy by ruminating on these sorts of issues. 

I wonder how Kevin and Paul got on running in the snow on Saturday.

And Ruth. I'm really thinking of you. Ruth, you probably know, is my music therapist colleague who did that sport relief run last Sunday (16/03/08). She has been very supportive of this blog giving me loads of comments. She was off from work last week and I thought she had flu. Got a text from her on Sunday and she has ended up in hospital. After speaking with her I am really worried for her. I know she is surrounded by loads of friends and family and she said that there were advantages to being in Broomfield Hospital - an en suite, flat screen TV, central heating !!! But tests are being done and, well, if you need anything just shout. Looking forward to seeing you Tuesday. Anyone reading this got any message for Ruth?

Ok, time for protein, carb and vit/mineral in take - sorry I mean lunch.

What's the story, morning glory?

Wednesday morning I did indeed go out for a two miler and it felt really tough, which was psychologically quite tricky. TWO miles felt tough??? Marathon in three and a bit weeks -uh-oh.  I met up with the Hospice runners Thursday night and following his injury, Duncan said the evening's run was going to be make or break for him - sadly it was break, and as I shook his hand and wished him the best I vowed not to mention my silly virus again - I AM going to run the Marathon and I am grateful for that. At least he can kick back and enjoy little Matilda with his wife. Hopefully see you next year Duncan.

Kevin and Paul were kind enough to run a short four miles with me (OK so they had run 13 miles on the previous Saturday and were about to run from Chelmsford to Colchester, about 22 miles today (Saturday). But it did make a difference running with them and the four miles, while I was happy to stop at that, felt good. They were generous to add that I kept a good pace. My biggest problem, actually were my trainers - (remember Laser Runner, you were asking about my trainers?) Two huge blisters on the insteps of both feet. This has really concerned me. I didn't get any blisters with my previous trainers (Assics nimbus 9's) and suddenly feel a desperate need to get a new pair of those instead. Where I bought them are happy to look into the possibility of an exchange, which if they do I will be really grateful - although an invaluable bit of kit - they don't come cheap! Luckily I kept my old pair and ran in those this morning. No, not 10 miles, just six. It was freezing, windy, snowy and I'm saving the 10 until Monday - following Chris's advice to build up the mileage again slowly.  This morning felt much better so that's encouraging. As I finished and was cooling down an old lady walked past and said "You've inspired me to walk really fast'! 

Another reason for waiting until Monday is that Amy, my trusty running partner is now unwell although I sense she is going to see this off quicker than me. Hopefully she will be better for Monday.

You know, there are thousands of people in this country (and others) who are getting in a pickle about this Marathon. It is such a commitment, such a challenge and so invested with all sorts of various levels of meaning and could be simply blown out of the water by an injury (or a silly virus!). Which means there are thousands more family members, friends, colleagues and you all reading this who are tolerating us lot getting in that Marathon pickle. Thank you.

Oh, and Happy Easter - here's to new beginnings.

Things could be looking up!

Today is the first day that I have started to feel better - I mean REALLY better. I went to the GP and got the all clear. This is just fantastic - however I do this Marathon - walk, run or crawl - I am going to do it. Coming back from the Doctors I suddenly felt concerned about how to return to the training now. The last thing I want to do is run (quite literally) into an injury, so I called Chris Wheat, the Physiotherapist ( www.colchesterphysiotherapyclinic.co.uk  ) I saw before and he advised me thus. He said that my fitness level will have dropped dramatically and I need to get this back up. He suggested building up to running for an hour (about 7 miles) because if i can run for an hour I could run for three. He also recommended that I don't do the really long run this weekend but wait till the following weekend. This buys me time to still get really better. So the plan is to run 2 in the morning just to get back out there, then 6/7 Thursday followed by 10 on Saturday. Then next week I will repeat that with a 20 (hopefully) on the Sat. Then I will have a two week taper. I feel so relieved to have a plan and to feel better. I know that doesn't mean to say that it will all go swimmingly but I am positive.

Feeling as poorly as I have, i have actually only had a virus, a nasty one, but just a virus. I have felt out of control, powerless and at times actually quite low (thanks Jane for listening to me!). But I work with individuals who are living with life threatening illnesses. It's a stark comparison and helps me to understand that my understanding has limitations. I have also reflected about what running this Marathon is about. Of course raising the money, supporting the people I work with and for. But could there be something about the notion of health - if I can run a marathon, I am healthy? This doesn't (clearly) follow and neither does it vaccinate against more serious illnesses, that's just fantasy. OK, thinking too much - need to run. Can't wait for the morning, although I think it's going to be quite chilly.

I wonder how Duncan is getting on, with Matilda but also with that injury?

Ruth, you are suspiciously quiet about your Sports Relief Run on Sunday?

Is there anybody reading this who hasn't yet sponsored me? There's still time - just look at my justgiving page to warm the cockles of your heart.

THANK YOU to Helen, Emily and Gordon - that means more than 'kerching'.

27 days, 11 hours and 13 seconds to go

... and I still feel really rough. This is some strange virus - one minute I think 'it's on the way out' and the next I feel as though I have been hit by a truck. But I am still thinking positively and was encouraged to hear about Amy's long run on Saturday with Kevin and Paul. She did really well - 13 miles with them and then 5 on her own. Well done Amy. 

I heard that Ruth did her 3 miles today - well done Ruth - so is running something you are going to continue with - hey I can vouch for the health benefits!

I miss running so much.

My aim is to go back to the GP on Tuesday, get the all clear, do a couple of short runs and then a long run on Saturday. I think Kevin and the boys are running back from Chelmsford on the A12 so if you see them, give them a supportive beep! 

It ain't over 'till the fat lady sings.

jo

It's not good.

'Laser runner' asked 'did I do the run and how were the trainers'? I ran two miles, TWO miles on Tuesday with Amy and it did not feel OK. Those two miles felt like ten. I still feel really bad - it's just a head cold but it has wiped me out. Went back to the Doctors this evening and, luckily my GP is a runner (and an all round decent chap as it happens) and I got to see him. He told me about runners who have died having run following serious viruses (great) and seeing as though that's not on my wish list we talked about what to do. He suggests that I don't run 18 miles on Saturday and give it another week to let this thing go. I am beginning to be really concerned. Easter Weekend is the time for most Marathon runners to start tapering down their runs. That's to say, you do your longest mileage then and begin to slowly reduce the distance you run. This is in preparation for the 26.2 miles on the 13th April. The rationale is that you have done enough training up until then and you just need time to recover and store glycogen for the big one. All sounds great except that I haven't run seriously for three weeks now. I haven't done enough long runs to even think about tapering. My Doctor has suggested I go back to see him next week and we make the decision about whether I can continue with training with completing the Marathon in mind, or I have to consider not doing it. This is really tough, really tough. People have sponsored me to the tune of nearly £1500 - that is just so amazing. But when I received the final information through the post from the Marathon organisers, they stress the importance of not running unwell, however much you want to.
There's the other angle, which is if I am well enough to pick up the training and complete the marathon, I won't be prepared enough with four weeks out and just four weeks to go and it is really, REALLY going to hurt!
But my spot on Doctor suggested a third possibility which is that I could, COULD return to training stronger than before because of all the rest! I don't quite believe this just yet but I am optimistic by nature and I'm going to believe that it will work out OK and Amy and I will run over that finish line. I'm off to do some positive visualisation - There, I can just see Paula ahead of me 'come on Jo' she says 'you're nearly there'!
The trainers? Fantastic!!!!

Hello Matilda !!!

Ok, so on the down side I am still feeling rough, although I think I am getting better now ... I haven't run for 8 DAYS!!!! But on the brilliant side it was great to hear from Duncan (not great about the injury - crutches, that sounds terrible?) he has a bonny baby girl Matilda - born on the 8th - very best wishes Duncan, and to your wife (let's face it, she has completed her very own Marathon!) and lots of love to Matilda. How on earth are you going to continue your training with a new born in the house - respect to you. 

I am mentally preparing for a run with Amy on Tuesday - probably just six or seven miles but I am concerned - is it too soon, am I well enough, will I remember how to run? But also excited about using my new trainers!

Night, night Matilda

Jo

Cough, cough, sneeze,blow ....

OK, I'm not happy. Ruth you asked what I was going to do when this was all over. I'm questioning if I'm going to be able to do it at all. No, not really but I've been advised by my Doc not to do the 18 mile run Amy and I had planned for tomorrow, My cough and cold have really taken hold and my Doctor said that if I tried to do the run I could put my training schedule even further back. Actually, timing wise I'm sure it won't be a problem, and we still have plenty of time to get the last two long runs in - it just feels so weird not running. 

I went to Runners World shop yesterday and got a new pair of trainers. I had to run on a treadmill and had my feet videoed! Then the lady analysed my running style and recommended different trainers according to how I run. I can't wait to get out and run in them, but wait I will have to do. So, I haven't got much else to write about. Tum- te-tum. Hopefully I'll be able to write soon that I have recovered and am pounding the streets once more.

Until then, Ruth keep going - running is fun, just the kick the endorphins give you is enough!

Would you describe the London Marathon as a 'fun run'?

A simple yes or no is required to make my point. If you felt so moved to do so I would really appreciate if you could leave a comment and let me know, really, if, say, you were chatting to someone, a work colleague, someone in the queue at the post office or perhaps your sister, you would describe the London Marathon as a 'fun run' - I'm intrigued, that's all! 

Anyway, moving on. Following 'that' run last week, we did a seven mile run on Tuesday and a six miler on Thursday. 

This morning Amy and I  joined Kevin, our Hospice coach, his friend Andy, Amanda (her husband Mervin joined us en route), John and Paul at the Tesco store in Brightlingsea. The plan was to run to the Tesco at Great Bentley, then through Frating, and Elmstead Market to the Tesco at Hythe and onto (via somewhere) to the Tesco at Greenstead. The entire distance was about 20 miles which was a little long for Amy and I. In our training plan we are due to run an 18 miler on Friday so we didn't want to overdue it today. So we stuck with 10 miles and ran with the group to Frating. It was really windy, AGAIN but I was much more sensible and did not freeze. It was really nice to run with the group and hear various valuable advice regarding sports gels, the marathon day etc. Kevin talked us through the final two weeks of preparation for the marathon (only 6 weeks away!!) that would include winding down the mileage. It really feels imminent now.  

I do still have quite a cough and have taken advice from my running partner to not run now until Wednesday - this is tough but I don't want the cough to get worst or go to my chest and put the training out for longer. It's just too close to the big day for any serious illness. I'm drinking water like there's no tomorrow.

Nine months training, roughly 144 runs, culminating with a 26 mile run on April 13th - I wouldn't describe that as a fun run .... YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!