Training Diary

Oct 08 | Nov 08 | Dec 08 | Jan 09 | Feb 09 | Mar 09 | Apr 09 | May 09 | Jun 09 |

Summary

I began to train for this marathon early in October 2008. My only running experience had been on a treadmill, and my biggest problem was avoiding electric shocks every time I changed the speed.

(No need to read further than this - what follows is a very boring record of everything I do / have done training-wise. This is largely to keep myself motivated and track my own progress, as well as for nostalgic reading in July)

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June 2009

18th June

And the last two weeks have been filled with pure fear, up until yesterday when that was suddenly replaced with overwhelming excitement and joy that has bubbled out of my mouth in random bursts of uncontainable giggling fits at various inappropriate moments on the tube.
Now it is 11pm, my bags are packed, I am checked onto my flight, and I am setting off in 5 hours to run a marathon and get this whole escapade over and done with!
And I am so EXCITED!!!!

8th June

Well, today was the final day of my training, and I have to say I am proud to the extreme that I pushed myself to do very well. 18 miles in 3.5 hours - not a bad achievement. I did get sunburnt though. Two weeks of obsessively applying factor 50, then the one day that it is raining a storm, and predicted to do so for the entire day, I chance going out with no suncream and voila..... pink nose, and shiny forehead!
Of course, ate a whole pizza on my return.

7th June

Saturday morning and some healthy speed training to get my metabolism in gear. Ran to Battersea Park, chose a tree along the river and sprinted to it 10 times. Quite fun actually.

6th June

Ran into work this morning. Remembered to time myself, and actually did it in about 45 mins, which I'm sure is a PB.

5th June

Ran home from work this morning. It's so difficult to get started. I usually take a mile or two to get past the wheezing and heaving of my body adjusting to physical exertion, but today I was at least half way home before my angry lungs decided to accept the fact that they were going to work!

4th June

Another uphill speed run session with Kirsty this eve - along with some super advice and mental encouragement..... Kirsty, you are my mentor!

2nd June

Oh dear. Checked up and it seems I only ran about 14 miles on Sunday. After all that pain, I ran less far than I've done before, and it took me almost twice as long. I blame the stupid layout of Regents Park for emotional trauma.

1st June 2009

Aaaaaaaaaaaah! 20 days to go!!!!! And my legs are rebelling against all motion after what they were put through yesterday!

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May 2009

31st May

Today I had it in my head I would do either three hours or 17 miles, whichever was quickest. Hah! 17 miles in three hours - what was I thinking?! I left at 7am to try and avoid the amazing sunshine (that I love, but is not good for running). Did a great circuit of Battersea Park, then up to Hyde Park, then Up to Regents Park where I got lost and extremely frustrated as the heat got more and more intense, my suncream was dripping with the sweat off my otherwise unprotected face, and for the life of me I just couldn't find the way out. Eventually found my way to Baker St, and raced to Oxford St, arriving at Hyde park just as my three hour time limit was up.
Not wanting to push my legs too much in one hot morning, I strolled the rest of the way home. Got home at midday - perfect time to enjoy a whole pizza for lunch.

30th May

Knowing the big run I had planned for tomorrow morning I just went for a quick one round Battersea Park this eve. Forgot to time myself, but did a slightly confused route north of the river at the same time, so it wouldn't have really meant anything anyway.
Nia, I am most sorry for leaving your fabulous birthday picnic early for the sake of a 6am breakfast! It will be worth it in the end when I am super fit and a better friend as a result!

29th May

Ran back into work this morning, and was big improvement on last night. Forgot to time myself, but I have the distinct impression I was rather speedy along the King's Road.

28th May

Ran home from work this evening, or at least I tried. I don't know if it was a heavier bag than usual, or if I didn't eat properly, but got such a bad stitch that I ended up walking much of it.

27th May

Went for an uphill speed run session with Kirsty this eve. Although it only took half an hour, it was hardcore, and left me pretty exhausted.

25th May

Slow pace, gentle jog around Battersea Park this afternoon - just to ease back into the flow.

15th - 24th May

Birthday festivities made training rather sporadic this week. I make no excuses. 24 is an important age, and must be welcomed accordingly.

3rd May

Covered 17 miles altogether today?!!!! Took me over 4 hours, and I had to walk at least three miles of it, but WOW!
Whole pizza for lunch. Pasta for second lunch.

23rd April - 14th May

Now there was significant training during this period. However, I was not organised enough to keep track of it.

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April 2009

25th April

Cycled to Ealing to see Maneet's beautiful new house. Not a run, but pretty impressive in any case I think.

24th April

Forced self out of house (Friday night) ran as fast as I could - went for 15 mins, and was back in time for second episode of Corrie. In bed by 10... (Friday night). Early nights and quality sleep are essential elements of a good training schedule.

22nd April

Worked on speed today – am terrible at it. Turns out I can’t keep up a sprint for more than 20 seconds, and running at high pace I start stumbling around in less than a minute. So I walked two minutes, “ran” one minute. Was extremely good excercise, but I didn’t do it for long – had an early night to treat myself for the effort.

19th April

Got up super early today, went for a run – ended up doing the park twice in just under an hour, cycled to Brockwell park, played tennis and cycled back. Rather a productive day – thanks to Simon for the rather gluttonous picnic that fuelled me through it! Spent the evening catching up on physio exercises that haven’t been done for so long, and massaging tendons.

18th April

Tried to go for a run this morning, but my knees were having none of it, and ended up returning home quite soon after the effort.

16th April

Appointment with Danni this morning – seems I’m making good progress. She stripped my right leg too this time which was as painful as the first time she did it to my left leg. She asked me when I am next going to run, and without thinking I said ‘tonight’. So she taped up both my legs like a mummy, and I’ve been hobbling round work with it all day. I’m actually going drinking tonight.... Oh well. Same thing.

15th April

Hmmn, I really should have made an effort by now....

12th April

I plucked up the courage and went for a very gentle trot this afternoon, just around the park and back. Was quite pleasant, though I have noticed a niggle occurring more and more frequently in my right knee during sessions.

11th April

Kirsty went out for an uber long run today and made me shameful. Still, my one weeks rest is not up yet. One more day of pure relaxation to go.

7th April

Reading Runner’s World magazine, apparently the rest after the event is just as important as the rest before the event. After a marathon you should rest for 2-3 weeks. So for a half marathon I guess you are supposed to rest at least a week. Whilst 100% in support of this, I am not fully fully convinced, so in compromise I shall swim to get regular, but soft on the muscle exercise before re-launching in to knee breaking runs.

6th April

Slightly more functional today, but still not quite steady, I’ll leave it a while yet

5th April

Intoxicated by my success I decided to go for another 20k this eve...... ha ha. Whatever! In too much pain to walk today. Had lovely drinks in Hyde Park instead.

4th April

Although I love to tell the story of how I raced a half-marathon in Edinburgh and did very well, I don't want to brag, so I will just bullet the highlights per mile.
Beginning
Giggly and excited, a couple of people look like they will struggle like me – it’s all ok.
Mile 1
Oh dear, how did I end up at the very back? Could a bus really follow us along this road?
Mile 2
No, I'm sure a bus couldn't get down here. maybe they made it up to inspire us to run faster. I didn’t see one at the start line. Can’t hear anything....
Mile 3
Phew, overtook a few people at the water station. Mp3 time.
Mile 4
Go on, just peek back and see how many people are behind you. S***, hardly any - run faster!!! Ah, that’s stitch coming on, slow down, calm down ... at least you didn’t see the bus
Mile 5
I’ve got Peter Andre singing Mysterious Girl into my ears, and I’ve run a quarter of a marathon, what a fantastic Sunday morning!
Mile 6
Wondering when the half way marker will be – hang on, how long is a half marathon anyway???
Mile 7
Fell into a good pace, slowly but steadily overtaking and picking up a teeny bit of speed
Mile 8
Saw the winner finish on other side of road – can’t be much longer now.
Mile 9
Just passed the 1.45 pacer. Hang on.. not even 1.45 yet? So if I’m going to take 3hrs, I still have 2.15 to run??? Best slow down a bit...
Mile 10
How long is this road???
Mile 11
Passed everyone behind me on the way back down the road – pleased to see a fair few. Saw the dreaded bus 4 miles behind, and three poor girls walking breathlessly in front of it – cannot describe how pleased that it’s not me.
Mile 12
Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch in my legs, ouch in my feet, ouch in my head. I won’t walk, I won’t walk.
Mile 13
Agreed, if this turns out not to be the last mile, I am allowed to walk
End
What???? Seriously? Oh my mother will be so proud!!
(and yes, I did cry)

3rd April

Had planned to go for a quick one this eve, but decided against the idea. Instead, I decided to nurture my legs and my health by vegging out in front of the TV with a fish and chips supper, pretzels, and a litre of tap water. Bring on the run!

1st April

Thanks to my very generous boss, I left work early this afternoon to see Danni. She stripped my muscle again (ooooouch) and then put three massive plasters on my leg. Though rather sceptical at first, these seem to have been rather effective (though it may have been the patella tendon support – who knows). My run this evening, at 15.46km, has been my longest one to date, including, I believe, my pre-injury runs before Christmas.

March 2009

31st March

Good news – Martin has been so kind as to let me leave early to see Danni

Bad news – Last night’s run did not go well; my knee packed in completely half way to the park

Went to Run and Become again this eve to stock up on a couple of carb gels for the half marathon on Sunday. Also came across a knee support specifically for injuries of the patella tendon. I bought one of those too – so easily sold. I take after my mother!

30th March

Knee so painful. Was going to ditch the cycle and train it in to work, but somehow the loss of the use of my left knee for life is a more appealing option than spending Ł7 on a ticket just to get to work. Stupid, retarded, awful worse than death London public transport system!!! Now I just have to broach the Wednesday afternoon question with Martin....

29th March

Though not quite feeling over my flu symptoms, and in fact having woken up feeling worse this morning than I have so far, I forced myself to step outside the front door this afternoon. After a few drops of rain I hastily turned straight back inside, and discussed the matter with my housemate Chris. It was quickly agreed upon that I was being a wuss, and the most important thing at this time is to get my body ready for the half marathon it will be forced round in one week’s time. So, run I did. And not too badly either, given the circumstances.

27th March

Too ill, to ill.

26th March

Had a call from Danni this morning – completely forgot I was supposed to go to a physio session this morning. The only space she has left before my half marathon on Sunday is on Wednesday afternoon at 4pm. Not sure about getting time off for that. Is it worth taking an afternoon off, or will Martin be super super kind and let me leave early that day? I’ll ask him next week.

25th March

Oh dear. Martin’s hypothesis seems to be coming true – he believes that when trying to run a marathon first you will injure yourself, and then you will get the flu, and you won’t be able to run it.
Well I have, as we all know by now, accomplished injury. And this morning I have woken up sick. Flu-ey and tired, and aching, and generally in a state of misery.
Perhaps it is because Maneet is moving out today – is my body rebelling against the loneliness?

22nd March

Went to Matthew Sebastian Woodward’s Christening this afternoon, got tinky on champagne, and cannot possibly train this eve.

19th March

I went to give blood this morning, gentle soul that I am, but I fainted in the recovery room. Not the best sign – perhaps I’d best give it a rest for today.

18th March

Good run – practiced with new belt and blackcurrant gel thing. Belt too tight. Gel not so amazing, though did have good push at the end. Aimed for 19k, did short to work route, then1 side of hyde park, then long route home. 1.50 – surprised with self and pleased. Ate whole pizza on return

17th March

Went to run and become today Wanted top, bought trousers. Got bum bag and a gel to try out and get used to. Still need tops – want to be well-used to them and know they won’t cut me up!

16th March

Excellent run – twice round park in about 1.5 hrs – good coz it’s only 12k. Need to do twice that in less than twice the time

14th March

General run – round park then to thirsty and forgot knee support, went home, ate, drank, then left and did common 2hrs altogether

13th March

Read that there is a 3 hour time limit on half marathon and a bus will be driving at the 3 hour pace to pick up 'stragglers'. Now have horrendous images of trotting along infront of a bright yellow bus with an angry driver shouting at me to get on and hecklers at the sidelines. Oh dear.

7th March

Bad run today – 1 hr long to park and back. Knee v painful – not been doing excercises properly. Tired, hungry, thirst and hot day – did not enjoy it.

6th March

Tried to run this eve, but got not v far and desperately needed a number 2. Had to waddle back home in shame, terrifyingly close to performing a 'Paula Radcliffe' in Battersea park. What is it about running??

3rd March

Good route – ran for 1hr 20 mins, knee ok. Short route to park, round, along river and back, then short route home v. optimistic – may not be able to do half marathon by end of this month, but may be able to get round 45 k by June!

1st March

55 mins – yay. Round Batt pk and long way home. Tinge of pain after 20mins, much pain at 55 mins. Ran through it fine.

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February 2009

28th February

Home this weekend, not for long enough at any point to have a run.

27th February

Knee still hurting today – no time to run anyway – drinking on the cards

26th February

Saw Danni this morning – to be on track she says i need to be running for about an hour now without pain. Unfortunately this time stripping was even more painful and my muscle hurt the rest of the day.

23rd February

Positive run. Got lost in the park, so can’t measure exactly how far i went, but it was a good 30-40 mins before i was beaten this time. Still can’t get the heartbeat working though. Whole pizza to celebrate.

22nd February

Daddy taught me the word tenacity. Dogged determination. I shall now pursue my goal to finish this marathon with tenacity. 15 mins this afternoon - good start.

21st February

Went home to hudds this wknd. Dogs not back from Ireland yet – no reason to run.
Well, maybe not no reason...

20th February

Tried to go for a run before Peacock, even cancelled dinner with Nia and Jan for it. Unfortunately it just didn’t happen.

17th February

Another one in hilly N Ireland – not so far, but oooh so hard. Oscar pulled me through it though. Not sure about 10k on Sat, more for fitness reasons than injury reasons now though – and because I have three late nights planned between now and then. Getting into bed at 9pm isn’t as easy as it used to be.

15th February

Ran in N Ireland. Slightlly hillier than c.London. Wasn’t my knee that stopped me here – or Oscar, but sheer unfitness and inability to run anything other than flat roads.

14th February

Lay in bed this morning and my knees felt normal. I think. How do knees 'normally' feel?

13th February

Amazing! Route: home – park – riverside – qp rd side (walk) half way back (walk) and run rest. Stripping really worked. Stretched like a b**** at home, then tried a bit of ‘stripping’ myself with some johnsons baby oil. Had half a pizza for lunch. Aren't pizzas a wonderful meal? Carbs, protein, veg and dairy all in one bite!

11th February

Back to reality. More pain. As soon as I reached the river I had to turn back. No 10k next weekend either then.

9th February

25minutes!!!! What glory, what triumph!! I ran to the river and half way along. This restored my optimism, and I was very sensible and decided not to push it, so ran home before it started to hurt. By the time I got back there was still no pain. My faith in life is restored!!

8th February

Knee hurting just to walk on today – not even going to try.

7th February

Had my heart set on a 10k today. I ran about as far as the river, then waled 10 steps, then hobbled the rest of the way in a very sorry for myself limp state that did attract many sympathetic glances from overtaking runners. Interesting idea - to avoid snide 'I can run better than you' stares, in future when I can no longer run, I will limp. Anyway, had a lovely stroll in the end, but froze to the bone.

5th February

Tried to run... got half way to the river, was in pain, and turned back.

4th February

I thought the snow excuse was wearing a little thin today, and forced myself out for a gentle jog. In fact it just served to reinforce what a good idea it has been not to run the past couple of days. I did fall, twice, and when I wasn’t slipping and sliding my way along the river, was performing a kind of odd frog leap from one dry patch of ground to the next. Still, I got further with this new style that I have managed to run recently... maybe there is something in it?

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January 2009

21st Jan

I've decided not to try and run until I see Danni - in much pain and certainly don't want to risk making it worse.

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December 2008

November 2008

October 2008