As any of you know who read my posts on Marathon running - I am plagued by doubt and anxiety with regard to this marathon running. Last week I was really boosted by comments on this sight -mainly concerned with getting those mental running miles in the bank - i.e. when you have to dig deep you toughen up mentally. I did some tough miles last weekend in some rubbish weather. On Monday this week I developed an agonising pain down my right leg - to the point walking was so painful - going up and downstairs- a bit dangerous as I thought my leg would give way. Visited the sports therapist - who did a wonderful job of massaging and icing- it was like magic. The pain did not disappear completely but was much reduced. I decided to rest my muscles and do some cardio gym work. That was ok and then friday was 12 miles.
I picked friday - as it was a good weather day - I also picked a long flattish trail route. I was still v uncomfortable on my right leg - so i ran very slowly. The first 6 miles were ok and the flat route was a long slow gradual climb. So I felt quite chuffed I managed to do it. I adopted an approach I had read about for marathon runners - if you are injured or under trained- to run a mile then walk for a minute. I did this very successfully and then thought I would be able to fly the 'downhill' six miles back home. My left leg stated to ache and then my back ached - which was conspiring against me to run- I also had to make a necessary toilet stop - apparently real runners don't care about indignities -for me it was just necessity!! I did feel rather self conscious in the bushes!
Anyway I ran/ walked home in very uncomfortable fashion- completing the 12 miles. It was slow and miserable progress. I have also had a week of self doubt and quite honestly tired of hurting and being sore. Bored with the weather - and possibly bored with life being dominated by self inflicted running regimes.
But I and an epiphany yesterday- Friday i was exhausted and tanked up with pain killers all day and went to bed v early. I woke up Sat morning - dreading how I was going to feel and rather gingerly got out of bed to my complete and absolute surprise- not one ache or pain and my legs felt fine. How does that work??? So on the basis of that I have decided to stop wingeing and just get on with it. I am going to complete this I just have to work out a way to protect joints. So lots of gym work this week, another visit to sports therapist and 14 miles next weekend- just like that 
Happy running everyone
Flirting with injury - Marathon training, month 2
Final Marathon training session
Half Marathon 'Training': Running Once a Week?
