Sunday 10th February 0800

I’m now coming to the end of week 6 of 16 of my marathon training. Im really loving my new super – duper Garmin. Ive never ran with a HR monitor before so its quite interesting. I have found though that my pace can be quite even, but my hr is still all up and down, not sure why to be honest.

Training seems to be going quite well, I think, so far! Off for a super long run this morning. Aiming for the big 2 – 0. Therse’s something about a run with a “2” in the front rather than a “1” that fills me with fear!!
Ive been getting nervous since yesterday about it! I always start to think that I wont be able to do it. One of the things with super long runs, I find, is to sort a route out! Im not so keen on “out and backs” when doing such a long run. But they are far easier to work out a route. Anyhow, I think I have a come up with a route, may have to add on some bits to get the mileage up. This “adding on” has to be done though when im no where near home, as if i leave it til I get near home, its unlikey I will add on!! The temptation of just finishing is too great. It’s a nice feeling to just turn off down my road when I get there, then that’s it, its over. Just the cold bath to look forward too!

These super long ones, really do take up a lot of the day! By the time the run is done, cold bath, stretched, showered, eaten, its 2pm!! Marathon training really does take commitment in every aspect of your life.

Still having to sit eating my breakfast with a hot water bottle strapped around my Achilles! The physio has said to me to do this to fully warm it up before I stretch it, then run on it!! The things we do for running. Im still finding it’s a wee but uncomfortable at the beginning of a run, but eases off after 10/15 mins. Ive still been able to run very well, so I guess im “managing” the problem. Have lots if re hab excercises to do daily, which I feel are making my calves/lower legs stronger, which has always been my problem area. It all just takes up so much time again!

Fitting all the training in around everyday life is a challenge in itself. I find I have to re-jig a lot of the training days as I can be away and its impossible to do a run of more than say 7/8M, due to only knowing a limited amount of the area im staying in. Im scared of getting lost! Ive not worked out the navigation function yet of my Garmin!. I have the most sophisicated piece of GPS you can get in a watch, but I still have to leave sticks and stones to remind me im going the right way!