So here I was again with a high stakes race a week after Boston, at the end of April, and feeling gung ho about training, and predictably managed to hurt myself in the first two weeks of training by running speed work at 5k not 10k pace - duh. This time I was determined to beat the odds and shut down the training entirely - switching instead to hot yoga and spin class and repeat visits to my always patient and effective chiropractor, the good Dr Rudy while he tried to straighten out the hamstring, IT band and peroneal muddle I had ended up in.
This week saw me attempt my first run, a tentative 4 miler at Castle Rock with Poppy, followed by a flat 6 miler the next day. As they had gone reasonably well I decided to do book end workouts and repeat the exact same runs. This was even more encouraging. It is so easy to be frustrated when you are feeling out of shape, so the slow castle rock run, was replaced by the second one 4 minutes faster, the 6 miler at 9 min pace was now 6 at 8:30 pace. I took another day off for spin class and then faced the real test; running with Shawna.
Shawna is younger, faster, and despite some metal work in her ankle a great athlete. So I showed up for our early Wednesday session, and found that although I was puffing and panting like a wilder beast, I hung on to her for four miles and then she drifted away in the last mile, cute pony tail swinging. On Thursday my heel bursitis was pulsating, angry and red, so I did a very easy day. Then today saw the start of Friday long runs again. Prior to the set back I had been up to 14 miles, but I knew it wasn't smart to start right back up where I had been. Based on the amount of time off I needed around 60% of the mileage for my first week back, so opted to try for 8 miles.
Long runs are always more fun with friends, Shawna was telling me such good stories I made it to the five mile mark before I knew it and managed to pull out my first double digit run in a month! And although my heart rate was ridiculously high, average 165, it felt good to be able to run it at goal marathon pace, even if it meant I had spent about an hour in the orange zone.
Runners only ever think they are as good as their last workout. Last week I was confident I could handle 0.2 of the race, by a day later the 6.2 came into view. As of today I know I can make it ten miles, so will get to Rotherhithe and Surrey Quays at least.
As I build up my long run I will be trying to add a couple of miles each week until I have the entire snaking east end figured out, the last bit with Buckingham Palace will run itself, but there is around 20 miles of East End with names as enticing as Shadwell, Mudchute and Poplar to enjoy. 11 weeks to go and all I have to do is stay healthy and I will be way ahead of the marathons I have run for the past two years!
My father has threatened pom poms and a rara skirt with sequins as he cheers, that coupled with the pressure of about 40 friends and relatives, even an Uncle from Australia is going to keep me being diligent about injury; that and being half way to a really big fundraising goal.
see link below:
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RuthSeabrook1
