Having missed the Stubbington 10k on Sunday because I was being sensible, I decided to try running at lunchtime on Monday instead.
When I woke up Monday morning and headed to the gym (for strength-based training – not to run) the weather just looked awful. It was tipping it down. Even Alfie was not amused on his early morning walk! But I was resolute that I would run, come what may (dependent only on my calf feeling good of course).
Thankfully come lunchtime my calf was feeling perfectly fine and the rain had stopped. I quickly got myself together and headed out. My plan was run the 10k distance I’d missed the day before. Not race it of course but just cover the distance. I was prepared to cut it short if necessary and had a good route for this with several points to turn back around.
The run felt great. Well, my calf and other body parts felt great. My fitness…ehhhh. That said, I was running around 8 minute miles and my shiny new watch (well, “new” since Christmas) was telling me that according to my heart rate (around 140 bpm) I was running at an “easy pace”. I mean, it didn’t feel tough and I wasn’t out of breath – I could have chatted to my imaginary friend if I’d have fancied 😉 I guess I was just aware of how far a mile is… and how far a mile followed by 25.2 more would be. I’ve only run 10.6 miles since the Portsmouth Marathon so we’re talking three weeks of no long runs.
Without sounding arrogant or complacent though, I’ve run enough marathons now to know I can complete one (providing I don’t have a show-stopping injury or problem during the race). I’m not worried I won’t be able to finish and I’m certainly not questioning whether or not to do it. I’m going to Dubai for goodness sake – even if it takes me six hours, I’m doing the marathon!
It’s kind of like knowing that your car can get you to a far away destination. It might not be the smoothest drive, the weather might suck, the roads might be tough, the car might not be a race car but instead a little Fiat 500, but you know the engine can cope as long as it’s got the fuel. You can never guarantee, of course, that something won’t happen along the way outside of your control but in theory the car should be OK to complete the journey.
Knowing I can complete the distance isn’t my worry. It’s how tough it’ll feel and how bad my legs will feel after the marathon. The worse the training the worse the recovery. I’m not so stupid to assume that because I’ve run 12 marathons before will mean it’ll be a doddle. A marathon is NEVER easy. It’s a physical and mental battle however many you’ve run before. It’s not a walk in the park or indeed a parkrun. Those miles can tear you apart and laugh in your face. Hours of running. HOURS of mental and physical grit required.
Initially my goal was to be somewhere near my 3:24:06 PB but that realistically is not going to happen. I’d need to set out with that intention to hit that time and I’m not going to (I’m not sandbagging here I assure you). To be thoroughly boring and same old same old I’m going to hope to get around 3:45, anything under that would be marvelous. I’d absolutely love to get sub 3:30 but again realistically this is going to be a tough ask fitness-wise and I don’t really want to cause any further issues for my calf now that it’s on it’s way back to normal. The closer to 4 hours I get the bigger the issues I’ve had, I imagine, but we’ll see. Heat and humidity could play a factor here. It should be around 25 degrees during the day but the marathon starts 6am so it should be 10-15 degrees hopefully for a big portion. The course is entirely flat with few major turns (joy of joy, I can almost feel my mind melting in boredom). So it’s anyone’s guess really. I’ll decide how I feel closer to the time.
Happily the marathon is on the last day of the holiday so I can enjoy Dubai without issue beforehand. Oh sure I probably need to be a bit careful what I eat the day before and get a good night’s sleep but I can’t see this being an issue. I suppose ideally having the marathon at the beginning would be best but actually I’m happy with how it’s planned. After the marathon all I need to do is eat (which I’m pretty good at) and then later get on a plane to go home. It’ll probably be a super uncomfortable journey home but least I can just chill to some degree.
**Just going to add the necessary disclaimer right here: I’m fully aware I’m probably jinxing things here by saying all the above. Famous last words and all that…Fingers crossed it does turn out OK.***
Excitingly before I head to sunny Dubai, this weekend I’m heading to sunny Birmingham to meet up with some running buddies. Also, now brace yourself as this is super exciting, I’ll be getting another letter for my parkrun Alphabet Challenge! (Yes OK it’s not that exciting, but it is to me). I’ll be doing Kingsbury parkrun, whoop whoop! Following this I’ll be going to The National Running Show. I’m only staying for the Saturday but I’m quite excited. I’ve never been to one before. I’m imagining it to be a big running expo type thing. Exciting stuff.
Have you ever been to The National Running Show?
Are you confident with your running ability when it comes to races?
If you could be any car, what would you be? I’ll stick with my Fiat 500, cute and dinky 😉
I’ve never been to the Running Show but in my head it’s something like the London Marathon Expo. You’ll need to update us all afterwards!
I’m not always confident that I can hit the pace I want, but like you I’ve run enough marathons to know that I can complete the race. It’s not always pretty though!
Allison recently posted…Week In Review – The Hardest Goodbye
I need a K too, although I haven’t decided whether to really go for the alphabet challenge or not. The running show sounds good- one of the people in my running club is going there, but combining it with a parkrun is even better!
I seem to do better in races if I have a pace I need to stick to, whereas if I go on feel I probably either go too fast and get tired, or decide I can’t be bothered and then end up run/walking a bit. I think I’m usually OK for shorter distances but half marathons are enough of a challenge to not really know if I’ll manage the finish time I’m aiming for.
Hopefully the organisers in Dubai will put out interesting things to look at on the way around so it won’t seem too samey?
Maria @ Maria runs recently posted…Power tools and beauty products
Kettering! Near me! 🙂
Mary recently posted…The good, the bad and marshaling fun
Thanks! I need somewhere that I can either go to on my own, or that I can persuade Andy to stay nearby for a weekend away- I shall have a ponder! 🙂
Maria @ Maria runs recently posted…Mud, museums and mulled fruits
Sounds like you’re being super sensible. There are more marathons to come this year. Better to get to the start line of each one rather than take months off injured.
I am going to The Running Show on Saturday instead of Sunday now as I no longer have to work Friday night. Did you want to meet up? Although I will have Oscar in tow as Dan is at the football that day.
Mary recently posted…The good, the bad and marshaling fun
Kingsbury is a definitely a good one for ‘K’! A narrow and very congested start on tarmac opens out onto trails as the main loop begins. It’s flat and with some lovely scenery and wildlife. And don’t forget to check out the chainsaw/wood carving yard near the start!
There’s even an open water swimming venue a few minutes away, so you can do the double-header of open water swim + parkrun on Saturday mornings in the summer!