Su’s Marathon Blog

It’s over and I made it. It was without doubt the hardest thing that I have ever done but it now feels all worthwhile. The first 18 miles were fine but from there on it was just sheer grit and determination. The crowds were fantastic but I have to admit that the finish was an anti climax because I was so tired. The president of BibleLands, Dr Hugh Boulter, my boss Tricia Pruden and my family met me at the end and I was really glad to see them all. My family and I then went to a coffee shop to get a hot drink. I’d finished the race about an hour and 3/4 before and although my legs didn’t belong to me I felt fine. As I was sat at the table the world began to spin and I felt really ill. I managed to get to the toilets when for a few seconds I passed out. I have to admit that I was very frightened, but Craig (my husband) knew exactly what the problem was, ordered chocolate cake and forced me to eat it. He then got cross with me because I’d not eaten the chocolate the race organizers gave me as I crossed the finish line.

On Sunday I vowed that I would never do another Marathon. But, I was disappointed with my time of 5.25 ( I’m taking 10 minutes off that for a toilet stop where I had no choice but to queue) so 5.15 is still half an hour longer than I’d hoped to do it in. So I’m never saying never!

Thank you to all of you who sent good luck messages and a particular thank you to my family who have been so supportive I could not have done it without you!

As I’d hoped I did have a go at running up the Mount of Olives. What a daft idea that was! I ran about half of it and by the time I got to the top I thought I was going to need oxygen. It didn’t help that it was very warm.

I am really nervous about Sunday and am now beginning to regret volunteering to do the Marathon. But, I’m grateful for Mark’s comments and I hope they come true for me. I even dreamt about the Marathon last night (it all went wrong) so on this occassion I hope my dreams do not come true!

On the way home from Jerusalem we flew in low over London and and one point we were above The Mall. I’ve had butterflies ever since! 

 

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Two weeks to go and I’m really nervous. I went out for my last long run last weekend. I ran from Kenilworth to Barford (for those that know the area) and back. I actually really enjoyed it as it was different and some of the scenary was really pretty. The weather was interesting though. I ran through brilliant sunshine, hail and snow.

Last week I had one of those experiences that make you believe in the human race again. I went into a little shop in Warwick called Coco Rose. They sell beautiful clothes, but I needed something much more mundane, a new purse. Whilst chatting to the people in the shop I mentioned that I was training for the Marathon. They asked who I was running for, so I told them all about Biblelands. They then invited me to bring my sponsor form in so that they could make a donation. I called back a couple of days later and they duely filled in the form. Great!

I’m off to Jerusalem tomorrow for a week and I’m hoping to run up the Mount of Olives whilst I’m there. So, watch this space!

Yesterday afternoon I ran 19 miles. I got some last month training intructions from the Marathon organizers over the weekend. One of the things they say is to do nothing new, just stick to what you’re used to. I wish I’d read that on Friday. Friday night is usually my night for a swim and a sauna, but this Friday I was feeling a little restless and wanted to do something a bit more invigorating. So I tried a Body Balance class (this is a mixture of yoga, pilates, and tai chi). I then went into the gym and did some weights before I went for my swim. This was all great until I started running yesterday. My hips and chest ached and I knew that I’d made a mistake. That said I enjoyed most of the run. I ran half in the light and half in the dark. I am so grateful for Kenilworth Castle because when the going gets tough and then I run past the castle it really lifts my spirit, particularly when it’s dark and the stars are out.

My ipod has become essential on these long runs. I put it on shuffle so I never know what track is going to play next. This has an interesting effect on my running. I have choral evensong from Kings on there and to have the Magnificat suddenly playing followed by the Scissor Sisters ‘I don’t feel like dancing’ is quite bizzare. When a quieter track comes on I tend to relax and slow down, when something loud and bassy comes on I speed up. I think I need to make up a playlist of very loud music, the trouble is it needs to be over three hours long.

I bought a new running top and it’s brilliant. No more chaffing. I’m now wondering whether I need to get some new shoes next week. Mine are brilliant but they’ve now taken a pounding and I don’t know whether they’ll make it. If I’m going to buy new shoes I need to do it now so I can get used to them before the big day.

I have to admitt that I’m now starting to feel very nervous about race day. I really want to get round the whole course without walking but at the moment that feels like a very big mountain to climb.

On Saturday morning I ran 16 miles. The first twelve were dead easy and it was a great confidence booster. The last two miles felt like twenty! On the way I met someone from my church, who then, on Sunday morning, told me that I was developing the gaunt look of a Marathon Runner. I didn’t know whether to take this as a compliment or not! Anyway, after my run on Saturday it was off to our new house to do some more decorating (we’re moving a week after the Marathon). By the end of the day I was abosolutely shattered. My legs ached so much that I found sleeping difficult. I have reached the point where I am saying that whilst Marathon Day will probably be brilliant I am not prepared to put myself through this again. I will keep this to a once in a lifetime experience! ( yes, I’m a total wimp)

I need to go and buy a new running top this week. The one I’ve got has got short sleeves and on any distance over 13 miles the sleeves begin to rub, so it’s off to the shops for a sleeveless top.

In the meantime I’m going to do a gentle lunch time six miler today and Kenyan Hills tomorrow.

I’ve been growing my hair but last week it had to come off. There just isn’t time to wash and dry it after training. Time is becoming a bit of an issue. My ten year old was complaining the other day that all I do is run and work. Whoops! I got guilt. However, on the whole the training is going well. I ran just under 15 miles on Sunday and felt as if I could sleep for a week. This morning it was Kenyan Hills. This is where you repeatedly run up and down a hill with no breaks for recovery in between. It was lashing down with rain  but in a perverse kind of way I quite enjoyed it. I’m aware now that the whole venture has gone up a gear and that I’m really feeling the impact. Still, not long to go.

? So having had an aborted attempt at my long run yesterday I set off tonight to run thirteen miles. The temperature was well below freezing, the sky was clear and the stars were out. I put my ipod on shuffle and set out to enjoy! The first six miles were great. There is part of my run where I go past Kenilworth Castle. Flood lit and with a background of stars it looked magnificent. The air was freezing on my face and it gave me one of those ‘I’m so glad to be alive’ moments. After eight miles I was starting to feel cold. The air temperature was dropping and despite running at a steady pace I couldn’t keep warm. After 10 miles miles my legs were starting to feel numb. I was determined to finish, particularly after yesterday but my legs felt like lead and it took everything in me to keep going. When my house came into view I have never been be so relieved. I love the cold frosty weather but I do hope it’s a little warmer for my next long run.

Yesterday was long run day and a disaster. I got two miles down the road when I developed an awful stitch and couldn’t go any further. I tried and tried and had to give up. So having had a very busy day today and feeling shattered I’ve got to drop my son off at Scouts and go and run twelve miles. Please no stitch tonight!

My long run went really well today. Craig (my husband) ran the first six miles with me and as the weather was so gorgeous we just really enjoyed running and chatting as we went. He then left me (his excuse was that he needed to watch the rugby) and I plugged into my ipod and carried on. The next three miles were very pleasant, listening to the Beatles and enjoying the sunshine. However, after ten miles I began to feel tired and it became a real effort to keep going. I hit Forrest Row ( a rather steep hill in Kenilworth where I live) and my legs felt like lead. Less than a mile to go though and I was feeling delighted that I’d got round. When I got in England were four points ahead against Italy and my time for the twelve miles was one hour forty five minutes, fifteen minutes under my target time. Yipee!

Dragged myself out at the crack of dawn this morning (not my best time of day) to run six miles. It felt like quite hard work because I just couldn’t face breakfast first (not good, I know) and I felt as if if was plodding along really slowly. To my delight when I got home I discovered that I’d run the distance in 55 minutes. Now to some people that’s a snails pace, but to me it’s triumph beacuse it’s a minute faster than I’ve ever run that distance before and it proves that I’m getting fitter. I’m bracing myself for my long run of 12 miles on Sunday, so watch this space.