Well I survived the Cheddar Gorge Marathon! I am so glad I did it, it was truly a fantastic race. I’ll do a full recap of it in another post but I’ll just say that it was tough, hilly but good fun. Marathon number four done!
Saturday I was quite chilled out. It’s funny because I’ve never felt this way the day before a marathon. I was nervous, yes, but more excited and strangely looking forward to it. With a vague finishing time of 4.30-5 hours in mind there was a lot of give so no pressures. I knew the terrain would be technical, hilly and generally tough. But while this was psychologically good to be fairly relaxed, this meant I was probably a bit too blasé when it came to proper preparation.
I felt I had the miles on my legs (though perhaps not enough trail running experience but I have been doing lots of hill work). What I mean by preparation is the food the day before. But I’ll roll back to the start of Saturday first.
I headed to parkrun in the morning to help set-up. It was a bit rushed and stressful as the guy who had the key to the shed where we keep all the parkrun paraphernalia was 20 minutes late. This meant we really had to get a move on to set the course up in time. Surprisingly though we did and it made us wonder what takes us so long normally – all the chatting probably!
Obviously with the marathon the next day I wanted to keep the pace fairly easy. Some people don’t like running the day before a race but I prefer it. I like to give my legs a good shake out, especially as the last time I ran was Thursday. My running club friend, Mark, and me ran together and pretty much chatted the entire way round. I always love parkruns the day before races because I know I shouldn’t push it and feel justified in taking it easy.
After packing things away I had to dash off to get home and sorted as my friend, Bhuvana, was hosting a garden party. She’s a (very close) friend from work so my mum and dad were invited too (my dad works at the same company as me) so they were pleased they could have a couple of drinks and get a lift there and back. I don’t normally drink anyway and it was hardly likely I would before a marathon anyway!
I got to wear my new skirt again
There was a fantastic spread of Indian food (one of my favourite cuisines). Bhuvana knew I had a marathon the next day and was worried how the food would affect me so had made sure it wasn’t hugely spicy, bless her. I practically boasted that I had a stomach of steel and often had Indian takeaways the night before long runs. I’d be fine…!
There was chicken tikka (my favourite), chicken tikka masala, a chickpea curry, samosas, rice, naan bread, poppadoms, salad and dips. Well, I was in my element as you can imagine and went for pretty much everything.
I’m not a rice fan but knew I needed something a bit more carby so I had a naan bread, which I’m usually not a fan of either but the sauce required something to dip in so you gotta do what you gotta do 😉
I had another plate and a half and was lovely and full. Pudding was an Indian ice cream but I gave it a miss as I knew it’d push me over the edge and I can always give or take ice cream (unless it’s with a chocolate brownie).
And what do you do after eating a large load of Indian food? Jump on a trampoline of course!
I love trampolines! I used to be in the trampoline club at school. It was brilliant. Though my tummy didn’t quite agree afterwards.
I had the usual conversations with a few non-runners when I mentioned about the marathon the next day. One said “how far is that? 25 miles?” and another “Is that in London?” which is always amusing. One woman said “I’m just happy to do 20 minute son the cross trainer every day and stay fit that way”. Absolutely fair enough – but to me that sounds unbelievably dull!
Bhuvana’s adorable little dog, Rain, who shakes her foot when she’s scratched
After the party we headed back to my parent’s where I was spending the night. My mum and dad were coming to the marathon to support me so it made sense. [In the end my mum decided she would give it a miss as she wanted to stay with the dogs (three of theirs and my Alfie) so they wouldn’t be cooped up again all day and her back is still not 100% 🙁 I do jokingly call her a part-time supporter…anything more than 10k and she’ll flake on me (I am of course joking).]
As the evening drew in I knew I needed to eat something else, despite not feeling that hungry. I went for the safe option of porridge. We watched Still Alice (such a good film but prepare to cry for 80% of it) and then went to bed…
Do you run the day before a race?
What’s your favourite cuisine?
What’s your favourite curry?
Oh I do love a good curry! I’m not good with spice though, I much prefer the creamy almondy/coconutty style ones (super low fat 😉 )
I’m not sure if I run the day before a race… I’ll let you know in a month!!
Pip {Cherries & Chisme} recently posted…Body Shock – How I Smashed My Ego
I love the chicken tandoori ones. Not hugely spicy but nice and warming if you know what I mean!
AnnaTheApple recently posted…The day before the Cheddar Gorge Marathon
All that Indian food looks lovely. Although, I am not sure I would be able to get on a trampoline after.
My favourite cuisine in Mexican, by far.
Yeah it wasn’t my most intelligent idea. But it was bloody good fun!
AnnaTheApple recently posted…The day before the Cheddar Gorge Marathon
I lurve curry! I do enjoy the mild kormas but I also like baked chicken tandoori and everything in between too!
The tandoori chicken is my absolute favourite. I get such cravings for it!!
AnnaTheApple recently posted…The day before the Cheddar Gorge Marathon
If the race is local I will go to parkrun the day before, but if not we tend to be travelling or sightseeing so I don’t.
Nice work on the prep, sounds like it worked well for you 🙂
Maria recently posted…Hawaii 5-OH k
I’ll always try and go for about 3 miles the day before a marathon as so far this has worked for me, but if there’s a parkrun about then it’s bonus!
AnnaTheApple recently posted…The day before the Cheddar Gorge Marathon
I really think it’s far better to spend the day before a race relaxing as you did, regardless of whether that means more exertion or making potentially problematic food choices. The other option is stressing over every little thing like I do and ending up in a high state of anxiety – that takes a huge toll on your body and mind before you even start the race and I never, ever sleep the night before a race either. You’re doing things the right way to my mind.
I always have to run the day before a race. I’ve tried not running and I just end up like the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz…and sadly there’s no-one around to bring me a can of oil.
Jess recently posted…So Many Setbacks
Yes it’s always best to do something else other than sit and think about the race. I remember the day before Paris (my first marathon) and I was beside myself with worry – I was crying the night before. So doing something else always help!
AnnaTheApple recently posted…The day before the Cheddar Gorge Marathon
Do you run the day before a race? Sometimes: I’m running Berlin this year (I found your blog via your posts about Berlin – I feel much more comforted having read your experience about the expo and the pens. I too have a tiny bladder and had to stop mid-Rome marathon!), so I’ve followed the plan and thrown in some races where they’ve been the right distance, and I think it’s helped. I didn’t when we were doing consecutive weekends of Half Marathons in March, mostly because my parkrun (Hampstead Heath) is so hilly. And so’s Leith Hill (really excellent half, that one).
What’s your favourite cuisine? Italian. I LOVE pasta
What’s your favourite curry? Probably a korma, with a side of rice. And a brief worry that my husband will think I’m boring because I’d like a korma…
Jane recently posted…Meerkats!
Haha never boring to like a korma! I order the same thing every time so surely that’s boring 😉
Good luck with Berlin. I loved it. It’s a very well run (no pun intended) race. And sooooo flat. The sights are amazing and the crowds really help.
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Cheddar Gorge Marathon
Trampoline! I’d be straight on there too, even if I’d just eaten curry! Your skirt looks lovely.
I don’t usually run the day before a race, but I tend to have an easy swim to loosen off.
Look forward to the re-cap of the marathon, sounds like a tough one!
A swim sounds ideal – whole body shake out.
My mum is thinking of getting a trampoline for her garden now for my sister’s kids to play on when they come round – I am totally happy with that!!
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Cheddar Gorge Marathon
I don’t like running the day before a race, I like to have a little shake out the day before that though. I love Indian, but I couldn’t eat before a race, my stomach would be a mess the next day!
Lauren (@PoweredbyPB) recently posted…Ultra Recovery
Haha yes well my stomach was a mess in the end!! Lesson learnt.
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Cheddar Gorge Marathon
Looking forward to reading your marathon recap!
I think I’ll stick to my standard pre-race pizza…not sure I could do Indian the day before! One of the guys I regularly run with at club will stop for a curry in the middle of an ultra though. Very hardcore!
I do like running an easy parkrun the day before my longer races, but if it is a half marathon distance or less I probably won’t run the day before.
Mary recently posted…A map-reading error
Yep I’m sticking with pizza now in future!!
Jesus, mid-way through an ultra?! Wowza.
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Cheddar Gorge Marathon