Lengthy blog coming up, sorry...
Nearing the end of my marathon training plan, a couple of weeks ago I did my 26K (16 miles) training run and about 10K in my leg started to twinge but I finished the run, however I think I ended up with a hamstring pull, triggered by my piriformis that I've been struggling with, before I started running I never knew half these things existed.
So I've been resting up and doing a couple of shorter runs, the thing is my marathon is in three weeks, so whilst a way with a great bunch of running friends this weekend, I've been umming and arrring to myself whether I'd get my final long run in. The thing is I didn't really want to start out my marathon only having achieved 16 miles in training and having to add 10 miles on the day.
So last night I read the internet advice for hamstring pull, rest apparently for 2-3 weeks, so I ignored that 
and this morning I felt ok-ish so I thought let's try this.
First thing I notified was that I'd forgot to charge my Garmin and the battery was only at 45%, so put it on charge for a few minutes whilst I got ready, it only needed to get me to where 16K was as I'd decided on an out and back route.
Decided to run the Grand Union canal again, but this time taking the Paddington spur (great choice as no locks, so no hills, except the odd bridge), I could feel my leg twinge from the off, but mainly I was able to run quite comfortably, a run by the canal is never dull, always something going on, like the odd suspicious activity and this morning a police raid with what appeared to be a sniffer dog.
I plodded along, glancing occasionally at my Garmin to make sure I didn't go too fast a pace and also wishing for it to say 16K so that I could turn around and head home. All the time telling myself, oh you've done a third, etc etc.
Whilst away at the weekend, a fellow runner gave me some great advice (thanks Betty) that if you tell yourself your only stopping to walk for say a drink or a gel then it's easier to get going again and it worked, always worry that I won't get started again.
Anyway I did it, 32K (20 miles) and my run finished right outside a chippy, so I had a small chips and coke as a treat, mmmmm they were very nice. The thought of them had kept me going the last 5K.
Now to properly rest and recover over the next three weeks, plenty of physio exercises and foam rollering, if I can run injured I should be ok when I'm fighting fit
Oh and my Garmin lasted, 3h8m50s, so a pace of just under 6 min/K
Can't believe that two years ago I couldn't run for more than one minute, this programme is awesome
Who knows, I may post something like this myself in a couple of years time! Well done. Happy to hear you had a good run and good luck for your Marathon run.
Half Marathon 'Training': Running Once a Week?
Bristol half marathon training
