Day 118

This week's the start of tapering the training down before the marathon. It feels strange not having any big runs scheduled for the weekend. Don't get me wrong, I'm still running 10 miles tomorrow, and compared with 6 months ago, that's a good size run. However, I've been reading a book this week called 'Ultra Marathon Man' by Dean Karnazes, which I was given by my brother and his wife for my birthday. Now this guy talks about his childhood and how he used to run for the cross country team, until one day he gave it up. Then later on in life he picked it up again and is now running races which vary in length from a marathon to 125 miles!! It's quite inspiring stuff and makes me want to get out and train harder, right at the point in my schedule when I'm meant to be easing off. I think I'd better finish the book after the race is done!

On with the training...

Chris P

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Day 114

I hope everyone enjoyed the Easter holidays. What did I get up to? Well, apart from a 30 minute muddy run on grass, in the middle of hail storms on Saturday, I pretty much opted for more of the same on Sunday. Not one to let the weather get the better of me, I got out there in the cold of Sunday morning for my 20 mile run - the longest yet (until race day). It started out pleasant enough; a nice smattering of snow on the grass, ice on the pavements - so I kept to the roads. However, about 20 minutes in, it started snowing. Lightly at first, and then heavily. Later this turned to hail and finally to sleet, so I pretty much had the whole spectrum over the course of my 2hr 55min run.

What did appear to work though were two things - Firstly I ran for 50 mins and then walked for 2 mins in order to spread out the workload. This provided a loop of just over 6 miles, so that by the 3rd time of pausing, I knew I only had a mile and a half left to grind out. Secondly, I bought some Sorbothane insoles for my trainers during the week, and for the first time after a significantly long run my feet weren't sore and I didn't get any onset of cramps.

Bring on the Marathon!

Chris P

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Day 108

Yesterday was my birthday, and I still managed to get my 5 mile off-road run in before going out for dinner. I'm not sure Tapas would be on the strictest of training regimes, but then who said I'm being strict?! I got a birthday card from Mum and Dad, in which Mum had written a message for me a couple of weeks ago - I think that tops any list of presents.

Tonight was a 6 mile fartlek run, which I ended up finishing in 45:15, so getting back to a better pace after what has felt like a few weeks of slightly slower runs. Tomorrow has a slightly longer than usual midweek run of 8 miles in store, so I'll check back in afterwards.

See you then

Chris P

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Day 105

We held Mum's funeral service yesterday. There was a wonderful turnout of family and friends; so nice to see many of the people whose lives had been touched in some way by Mum. The service itself was beautiful, with all persons involved drawing great strength and delivering their pieces admirably. It's hard to put into words quite how I feel. There's a whole rollercoaster of emotions which can appear at any time. Anybody who has ever lost someone close to them will understand the empty feeling that it leaves. You'll get that realisation that you're never going to see that person again, but likewise you know that they've gone to a better place, free from pain. Generally, I think I'm doing pretty well, and it helps to have family and friends to support one another through times like these. I will miss her.

After the emotions of yesterday and the consumption of a few drinks along the way, it was no surprise that I only recorded a time of 1:47:30 for my half marathon today. Mind, it certainly wasn't helped by the weather either; very wet and windy for the whole duration.

Next Sunday's the final big run before the main event; 20 miles. From there on in it tapers down until we get to April 13th - M day!

I'll be back during the week.

Chris P

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Day 100

Firstly, apologies for not updating my blog for a couple of weeks. I've still been going out and training, but we've had a few rough weeks with regards to family and to be honest I really haven't felt like writing everything down here. Sadly, after spending 2 weeks in St Catherine's Hospice, my Mum passed away on Saturday morning. She slipped peacefully away which makes up in a small way for all the pain and suffering she'd been going through. The funeral has been arranged for this Saturday.

I'll update you all tonight on my training progress.

Chris P

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