Fitting the training in this week has been fun and games but as they say, “Where there is a will, there is a way” and I have been determined from the start of our marathon training to stick to my plan and juggle commitments. On Monday afternoon, I flew to Glasgow in preparation to set up and run an exhibition stand at the IT Showcase on Tuesday.
When I go away my running kit always goes with me because I visit so many places to explore and on this occasion I was very lucky to have a nice hotel in a quiet location with Glasgow’s Queens Park opposite. So as soon as it was light at 7am I set off for my pre-breakfast & work 5K run. I didn’t know there were hills in Glasgow but it was worth running up to top to see the views across the City from the monument. I got chased by an excitable puppy but apart from that a fairly uneventful run, mission accomplished and all set and motivated for the day ahead!
On Tuesday afternoon, I took the train from Glasgow, across to the east coast and down to Newcastle in preparation for another work event on Wednesday. It was a pleasant surprise to pass through Edinburgh station and very scary to think that the next time Graeme & I visit in 8 weeks will be to run the marathon.
My high rise hotel in the busy centre of a foggy & grey Newcastle Upon Tyne had a lovely gym on the top floor which was perfect for an early morning cross training 10 mile cycle session on Wednesday before work.
On Thursday back at home after my epic trip around the country and my back felt really stiff. I think it was a combination of sleeping in different beds and sitting on the train & bus for 5 hours whilst travelling back from Newcastle. It did cross my mind not to run but with the assistance of the wonderful roller I headed out for a 6 mile 9 min mile flat run with Vicky & Rob at Stroud AC and was glad I had not skipped a run and afterwards felt much better.
For this week’s long run on Saturday Graeme planned a 17 mile circular route from Eastington out to Frampton on Severn, onwards to Cambridge, Cam, Dursley, Uley and back via Frocester using our wonderful ViewRanger app. It was a cold (8 degrees) and grey day and one of those days when it is difficult to know what to wear, but thankfully no wind.
Following Graeme’s painful leg issues in the latter part of last week’s run we were both a little apprehensive about how things were going to go for him. However, the good news was that after his massage and a few days rest, stretching exercises and the use of the roller things seem to have settled down and are more manageable again. I need my “Training Troll” so much, I can’t imagine running long distances on my own without someone taking the lead.
This week’s run incorporated a few sections of off-road running which broke down the monotony of running on the roads and I am sure helped our joints. The fields from Claypits (Eastington) across to Frampton and the lakes were dry and saved running on the busy road into the village. We were very conscious we had to be careful of twisting our ankles so took it steady.
Miles 3.5 -6 saw us back on my favourite (not!) Sharpness Ship Canal towpath heading south again but hurrah this time our encounter was only a brief trot down to the first bridge before heading off and eastwards out towards Cam. Not so many “F” words this week folks!!
This week at 8 miles it was time for a quick energy boost. We have increased our input this week and over the next mile or two we both nibbled away at our own Cliff Energy Bars rather than sharing one. We also tried the Cliff Shot Bloks energy chews throughout the latter part of our run which are a soft, slowly melting jelly energy boosting sweet and are excellent. We highly recommend the Cliff range of products for your marathon training needs. They give you all the energy in a natural product that you need – forget the synthetic gels!
During the next 4 miles my legs started to feel heavy as we tackled the Cam Pitch hill and undulating road into Dursley and out towards Uley. Graeme was definitely the stronger runner at this point. Note to Sharon, take a leaf out of Graeme’s book, more water definitely needed. In hindsight, I think I had neglected this on the 48 hours running up to our long run. Also, no late nights and Friday shenanigans after such a busy week!
Once we had the lanes from Uley out towards Coaley out of the way it was time for a change of terrain and we ran on nice footpaths and bridleways across fields full of sheep & tracks across to Frocester before our final mile and half back to the car at Eastington.
As Graeme said afterwards, “It’s amazing what you can train your body to do”. Whilst we both ache today (Sunday) and I had a short bout of excruciating cramp in both calves immediately after our run which was solved by an Epsom salts bath we are not feeling too bad considering the mileage. Long may it continue as we steadily plod on!
