Saturday 29 March 2008

Up and down, up and down...

This whole Marathon Training Malarkey is just a huge roller coaster. One minute I am high as a kite, feeling like Paula Radcliffe, the next I am down and feeling more like Bernard Manning !! And he's dead for goodness' sake !!

I loved my 20 miler, but the aftermath this week has taught me a huge lesson. I felt fine on the day and the day after, but the day after that I was sooooo sore !! I felt as though I probably needed a hip replacement - or maybe an entire body transplant. I tried to go out on the Wednesday to run, but just couldn't. Pathetic really.

And I have learned from this that I need to drink much more. And by that I do not mean red wine and tea which are my usual tipples of choice ( not in the same glass, I hasten to add ). I have to flush the lactic acid out of my muscles and water is what I need. This week has been a wipe out. Today is the first day that I have felt able to go out and that's what I'm going to do this afternoon. Just a quiet 3 or 4 miles I reckon.

I look at some of the good runners around and realise the dedication it takes to get to their level. Its not just about going out training. Its about early nights, good food, good carbs,low fat, water... the list goes on and I realise that I am right at the beginning of the learning process. I wish I had had the confidence to start running when I was younger, but I am sooooo glad that I am doing it now. Yes, it hurts, yes, it takes up time, but when you get it right it feels fantastic.

2 weeks now before the Marathon and I need to get out and run. I need to seriously take care of my old bod in the lead up. I still have time to recover properly from my 20, learn from my mistakes and turn up fit and raring to go at the Start.


Oh, and, a bit belatedly, I want to say thank you to Annie for the quote below. Annie is one of my running heroes !!!

3 comments:

Sue said...

Hi Sarah

Well done on your 20 miler. It's easy to get complacent and think it's just another long run in an already endless build-up of long runs but its 20 MILES for goodness sake! That's a hell of a long way and bound to take a lot out of you - I think you are doing a fantastic job!!!

In two weeks time you will know it has all been worth it :-)

AKM said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
AKM said...

Awwww shucks. *Blushes* I'm just an ordinary plodder, m'dear. Sounds like your mind is totally in the right place. Not long to go now - wow!! Annie x