Cool Running Ramblings : 23 March 2010
Only a month to go
Lummy cripes! When did that happen? Only four weeks left to get the last training runs in, try out my new Body Shop Foundation running top (ahem, any sign Adelle?) and co-ordinate my race day outfit accordingly (apparently). I can’t believe how quickly it’s come round! It doesn’t seem five minutes ago that I set off on my first long Sunday training run clocking up seven miles for the first time. Can it really be that I only have four weeks left to work out what time I need to get up in order to have a good breakfast and catch the train to Brighton. Only four weeks left to buy in my last batch of cereal bars, sports drinks and those absolutely gopping energy gel things that work despite their utterly disgusting taste and texture?
So with such a short time left before the race I have to ask myself am I really ready? Have I done enough to prepare for what will probably be the most gruelling challenge of my life so far? Well let’s have a think about what the last 19 weeks have entailed in preparation for April 18th…
Training miles run: 300+
Weight loss: about a stone
Trainers bought (and used): Two pairs
Music listened to: Over 40 hours
Races run: One 10km, one half marathon
Falls: none (amazingly)
Traffic near misses: two vans, one car
Traffic collisions: one bike (I won)
Injuries: Runners knee, joggers nipple, inner thigh chafe
Physio visits: Two (third one tonight)
Sponsorship money raised so far: £485
OK, so it hasn’t been perfect preparation, particularly the injury frustration of the last six weeks, but I think that I’m mentally ready and aerobically I’m the fittest I’ve been in the last twenty years. I still have knee problems to resolve but I’m definitely in good enough shape to make the start line and I’m confident that a combination of not wanting to let my sponsors down combined with my innate stubbornness will carry me over the finish line.
Only four weeks to go? Lovely jubbly, can’t wait!
