Last Sunday training run

The last Sunday run before the big one has been completed....IN THE BLOODY RAIN!

It was positively tropical yesterday by comparison but such is life.

I had planned to go for a longer, 60 min run at a steady pace with some faster miles but on Friday, during the end of a morning run, I experienced a rather nasty pain at the bottom of my left shin.

Bloody typical that literally a week before the mega one, I might have the onset of a pain issue rather than a niggle/ache one.

Anyway, given the area a massage with my thumb tip (oouucch), slapped on my ice pack throughout the weekend and eaten a few Ibuprofen and it appears to have helped.   Fingers crossed its just a matter of REST REST REST this week before I head off to the Big Smoke. 

CANNOT WAIT ........its nearly here!!!!

Tick tock tick tock!

I cannot believe that race day is approaching so quickly!   Sunday will be my last "run" run  and then I will be pretty much relaxing for the remainder of next week.

Typically,  whilst I have avoided all the nasty bugs and flu through the winter period, I have since last week (blaming swimming with the children!) picked up a really irritating dry cough that is really bothering my sleep.

I purchased a basic cough remedy from Lloyds Pharmacy today and was amazed after swigging it at my desk in work this afternoon that it contains ethanol along with all the really nasty E-numbers.   As expected, it has done little to alleviate the symptoms but at the very least it could help me stay awake if I was able to swig it around London on the 22nd.

Did an interval training session with two club members from Parc Bryn Bach yesterday afternoon around the Beechwood in Llangattock and whilst it was hard work, I have since felt really energised. So much easier to run with others who are better than you as it raises your desire to keep up - big thanks to Sian and Phil for the encouragement!

Right - am off to have another Tumeric tea in an attempt to rid this pesky cough before bed...wish me luck.

Fundraising update

Last night I held a Sweetie Cocktails evening in the Book-ish Loft with the help of the lovely Adele Nozdar who kindly gave up her time to provide us with an entertaining recount of her national "research" tour of traditional sweetie making in the UK, which she undertook a few years ago.

I had bought the book for my Dad a few years ago as not only is he the biggest sweet demon in Wales, but I had previously enjoyed an evening of cocktails with Adele and felt I just had to do it again - this time with the aim of raising a few extra £'s for St David's Hospice.

The book is available in Bookish and all other good booksellers and it really does provide a nostalgic dip into the past, along with much to look forward to whilst recreating the old delights in your kitchen (possibly with the aid of dentures and a few new fillings but its all about moderation!)

There were 14 of us in total and we experienced the "Parma Violet"; Pineapple Cube and Kola Kube  concoctions and finally a slam shot of Turkish Delight topped with a Giant Chocolate Button.  My frayed muscle endings thoroughly enjoyed the sugar surge to the system and with the anecdotes of Adele's tour provided in her inimitable humorous style,  a thoroughly "sweet" evening was had by all.

We also managed to raise over £200 towards my fundraising target which I am overjoyed to report I have now exceeded! 

Tapering.....and a new watch!

I must be honest, I am using this term with a sort of embarrassed look as it makes me sound like some sort of elite athlete and I definitely AM not!

I have however looked at the plans and listened to those who have had plenty of experience of running marathons and will admit that part of me is over the moon at the knowledge that I don't have to fit another long run in before the 22nd April.

SO - I am now "tapering".....did some interval work earlier and left a lung somewhere in a hedge but must say that the quicker shorter bursts were an interesting change to the general plod of late.

My trusty Forerunner 15 was no longer keeping its charge and threatening to dismiss my training record around the 22 mile mark (the thought of this happening in London was terrifying as everyone knows that if you don't upload to Strava, the run never took place...) so I have treated myself to a upgrade ready for the big day and am now in possession of the Forerunner 35. 

As usual, my geek interest is not remotely bothered about what the watch can potentially do but at least the new screen layout means that I can pace myself a little better....and I like the colour which daughter #2 says goes better with my leggings!

Last long training run completed

My incentive for getting out of bed early was not limited to just eating chocolate for the rest of the day...although this was appealing.

The weather first thing was beautiful and crisp, blue skies and just the birdsong chorus.

My preparation of the water carrier overnight was not a sensible plan however as no sooner did I start running but the sloshing started.....air had clearly decided to sneak back in.   After a quick stop to sort this out, I was on my way.

A steady run with not a huge amount to really report on.   I would love to say I saw a few Easter bunnies but I would be lying.... (Sorry Kids).

My playlist was on shuffle and at Bridge 137 I was a treated to Black Lace - "Do the Conga!" - a classic disco anthem which made me laugh out loud.  Such a ridiculous song and so incongruous to my surroundings at the time -  I was staring at a huge hills to either side and the muddy tow path ahead.   Also - imagine doing the Conga around the VLM?....I suspect someone already has.

Did have a stop and walk briefly at mile 20 as my left outer knee was feeling particularly tight....hopefully not the start of the dreaded IT Band issue again but after a good stretch out and a gentler pace, I made it home in one piece.

My darling #2 had made marshmallow Krispy cakes yesterday so I smashed one of those into myself upon entry home, had quick bath and then straight back out for Easter lunch and the Egg hunt. 

Pleased with my morning effort and now really looking forward to the challenge of completing the biggie in 20 days time!

Running number is through!

It's official!   My running number for London has been confirmed, along with the details of how to get to the ExCel in London and collect it.   After which,I pretty much have to guard the thing with my life, as it sounds like I will then feel like I have won the last GOLDEN TICKET....

A relatively easy week of runs - did an 10 km trail on Wednesday which I loved but two days later my little calf muscle on the left decided that it did not. 😟

I have rested it since and also massaged it with the odd squirt of gel, ice pack and a few ibuprofen tabs and it has improved to allow a gentle 4.5km run this afternoon.

Went for a lovely walk up towards the Darren yesterday instead of a run and met up with a few friends...

then spent the rest of the day finalising and baking the dough that had been proving since Thursday night.    Worth it though - the kitchen smelt divine.

Being the elite athlete I now am, I tested one with copious amounts of butter and in the evening, popped out to see friends and re-hydrate with Gin....    A good days work :)

Hangover 20.....

What I forgot to mention in my last post was how rough I felt upon waking up at Jans, after the successful fundraising event on Friday night.   A night of sipping gin and going to bed at 2am was not the best preparation for a long run on Saturday.   (I even had to go back to bed for 40 winks at Jan's before feeling well enough to drive home...)

Anyway, once home, my nearest and dearest (who without his support and understanding I could never achieve my training goals) kindly took the children off out and I headed out for the PUNISHMENT run.   I figured that the poor sleep (which I am likely to experience the night before the big race anyway) would act as a good measure of how I might react on the big day...not to mention coping with dehydration.

Water pack filled....I headed out.

I had a sheepish audience on the way.....much how I felt at the Mile 5 mark :(

Later, in my hangover haze, I noticed some signs saying, "FOOTPATH CLOSED - DO NOT PROCEED - DANGER OF DEATH" around the Llanfoist area but at this point, I was buggered if I was going to add extra miles to my route home by being forced to detour back on myself so I carefully proceeded whilst looking up.....

Sure enough - the danger was pretty real as electricity cables were being reeled in on these huge suspended wheels.....I sped up to get past quickly and tried not to look more stupid than I already felt as at one point, I do recall thinking about the chances of being fried by a rogue wire.

Mile 17 - probably the nearest I have ever been to try running and vomiting at the same time but I ploughed on and nibbled on a banana and carried on sipping gentle amounts of water which seemed to help.

Ended up doing 33 km (I think just over 20 miles); tired but still able to move and much easier run than last week in the snow.