18 miles done and we're into tapering

[andystev]

That was really hard!

I'd decided to do 3 laps of a 6 mile circuit. Finding an 18 mile loop that didn't have too much off-road (I don't fancy stiles, bridges etc. on my dodgy knee just yet) was proving tricky. And, while I really don't like laps, it is easy.

All was well for the first two laps, very steady pace, concentrating on keeping it slow, backing off a few times when I found myself getting carried away. The last lap felt like I started strong, but I tired quickly and the last 4-5 miles was tough. The last mile was just brutal! And very slow. But, I got round.

The remainder of Sunday was mostly a write off as I tried to keep my legs moving and pretty much failed. I did get some quality stretching in and managed a few hours tinkering in the garage late afternoon. I'm a wee bit stiff this morning, but not too terrible.

I got through two gels, and would probably have benefited from a third. I wasn't carrying water, so I was almost certainly dehydrated for a good chunk of the run (for Brighton I'll just use the water stations, so that should improve things a bit). Caffeine bullets aren't going to work, while the kick is nice, it doesn't seem to last long and I felt pretty ropy coming down, as it were. Also, the side effects are, umm, going to be difficult to deal with out in the open... Can't use those.

While a two week half-taper isn't ideal for a marathon, we're in the best position we could be, I think, given the two months or so off running with the knee injury. So, we shall see...

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Well done for getting that 18 miles in after last week's knee issues. That sounds very positive despite the challenge of the last few miles. Hydration and fueling seem to be the issue rather than your knee - and you can control those 😀

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Well done andystev. 👍🏼 I think you are as well prepped as you can be under the circumstances. Best of luck with the marathon!

[marco83 Marathon]

well done for the great effort. with taper, proper hydration and a couple of gels more you will not crash. you seem in control Enjoy the taper now and good luck with your marathon!

[Hidden]

I find that I sip water along the way (or I get a stitch) and am taking 6 gels through my marathon with a few jelly babies thrown in! I have used this strategy for my longer runs, 18, 19, 20 and 22 miles and it seems ok. Hoping it will work on the day. Enjoy that taper time and ignore the maranoia.

[andystev in reply to Hidden]

"[...]and ignore the maranoia"

Easier said than done! My other half casually announced she had a bit of a sniffle this morning. I almost ran out of the house screaming "Don't give me a cold! Don't give me a cold!"

[Hidden in reply to andystev]

🤣🤣 yep I know where you are coming from!! I am going to get my kids to wear surgical masks and gloves when they are in my vicinity 🤣

[andystev in reply to Hidden]

I'm contemplating a hermetically sealed safe room for a fortnight.

[Sqkr Half Marathon]

Oo the knee sounds pretty solid, if you feel it was fuelling that let you down 😀Definitely much easier to fix! Not long to go now 😁

[andystev]

Yup, I think the knee will last. I'm not happy with the lack of long miles in my legs, but there's bugger all I can do about that now! So yes, as you say, fuelling strategy tweaks are the fix. I am, at least, confident enough to pitch up on the start line...

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Well done on your long run - sounds as though, with some fuelling tweaks, you will be ready for the big day! I have only gone up to a Half, so lots of respect coming from my direction! 👍Good luck🙂

[Tasha99 Marathon]

2 gels?! You should be fuelling every 30 minutes from 45 minutes on. You need to hydrate too! I’m impressed you ran that far on so little 😂

[andystev in reply to Tasha99]

Indeed. The plan now is a gel at 6 miles then another every 4 miles after that. Hydrating at each water station. I've yet to find a way of carrying water that I like. Should be enough, certainly going to be better!