Beginning to believe...

[Clairecandothis]

I ran 30k today! And because of a variety of factors, the heat being the main one, it wasn't as hard as running 25k last week! I took it slow and stayed within zone 3 for most of my run apart from hills at which point I ignore my heartrate lol! I took a water backpack with me today and I'm not sure if that helped or not but I did like the security of having water with me as well as my electrolytes drink to run with. (Thank you for the advice Go Jo) I used a sis electrolyte drink with added carbs and that was ok.... it might have made a difference. I tried an energy bar instead of a gel too. Again ok but..... I think I'm going to go with dark chocolate sugared almonds and have the bar as a back up. I just don't like all the sweet stuff! Running with the backpack made me feel like a 'real runner' too! 🙈😜😂😂 I'm not sure if I'll run on the day with it yet but it was comforting knowing my water was there. The cooler weather was the best treat though! Things got tough around 17k when I wanted to go faster again to beat my half marathon time.... when will I stop focusing on speed?! 23k to 26k dragged a bit but then suddenly it was 29k and I was near my distance for the day. I remember this from my half training... 3k can feel like a lifetime but it isn't that far - really lol. I'm not sure I truly believed I could run this Marathon until today. I had a lot of positivity lol but 42k is a really long way! But now, after running 30k and feeling as though I had some fuel left, I know I can run it and finish it. Maybe not in the time I had initially hoped for. (Such naivety! 😂😂) But it will be a beautiful and emotional experience. It is such a journey from no running to a Marathon is less than 2 years. Even my boyfriend mentioned today how I started out just running in a hoodie and a water bottle and today I had all the gear including a water backpack! Bless him. 😊🏃‍♀️

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon]

Good to read that you're gaining confidence and well done on reaching 30k! Seems you're in great shape for your marathon.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Fabulous! That's an amazing distance. Sounds like youre getting on top of it all - HR, distance, fuelling and hydration too - well done 🙂

[Macmac Marathon]

Great stuff! Well done Claire!👏🏻👏🏻😊.

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Macmac]

Thank you x

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Well done Claire. That’s a huge mileage and a massive chunk of your marathon distance. You know you’ll do it - you’re amazing. 😀🏃‍♀️👍👊🎉

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you. I'm pleased if that's as far as I go before the big day but I have the option of going a tad further.... x

[O505k Half Marathon]

Well done, very impressive distance. 👍

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to O505k]

Thank you

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

👏👏👍🙂 Huge congrats on your fab (and very long) run! Sounds as though things are really coming together - and what a journey in two years!🙂🏃🏽‍♀️

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you. Yeah it really is.... amazing what we can do when we decide to. 😊 X

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

Woohoo! Go you! 👍🏻💪🏻😁

Brilliant, really happy for you and yes, you have come far! 😁

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thank you 😊 xx

[misswobble Marathon]

Well done! It is a long way but keep chipping away. One run at a time.

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thank you. Indeed I'm back to just trusting in each run. And each moment 😊 x

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Brilliant Claire! Great stuff. You seem to be in great shape for your full mara.

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Thank you. 🤞

[HoagyM Half Marathon]

Great post Claire, and quite inspirational for someone like me... who is just beginning to think that, despite what I’d said previously, going beyond that HM distance might just be possible after all

[misswobble Marathon in reply to HoagyM]

Of course it is. You just keep going that little bit further. Slowly, gently, chipping away

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to HoagyM]

It is 100%. Go for it. 😊

[Setters Half Marathon]

I too don’t like sweet things too much, tried Tailwind and it was very successful, may be worth a go

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Setters]

Yes I'm considering it. Thank you x

[Tasha99 Marathon]

Wow Claire that’s amazing! We seem to be on quite a similar journey - zero to hero! I can’t believe you’ve been running with no water! I’m trying tailwind next long run - 🤞🏽

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

I've always ran with water but usually just a water bottle. As I turned to electrolytes for energy I missed my water so I used the backpack for this longer run.

Do you always run with a backpack? Will you for the day?

I'm going to look into tailwind but overall now it's a positive mind thing now. I know I can run 12k further so next week's long run is just confirmation of what to eat, drink and wear etc. We are nearly ready 👊🏃‍♀️😊 xx

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Clairecandothis]

I always wear my pack yes. I see it like a safety blanket as I can put everything I need in it - gels, phone, emergency loo roll (🤣), sweets, Kendal mint cake, inhaler and my own fluids. I don’t see how I can carry everything without it. I hate belts. I will probably wear it on race day too. I had a conversation with someone from club who frequently runs race marathons and she said they’re quite common. I’m not sure how I’d feel to only have water at stations. I think I’d rather sip more regularly. I really hope my next run is on a cooler day as at the moment, I feel I can’t properly gauge my ability. You’re doing fab. I’m glad you’re feeling more confident 😍

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

I did feel way more secure wearing it, I like sipping my water too and it worries me wanting water and not having it. I'm impressed by your list of essentials! I just used to run with my phone and water until a few weeks ago 🙈 But I need to think hydration and fuel now so the backpack might work.

I felt so much better with this week's run being cooler than that vile hot run I did initially. The weather is turning and it's getting cooler so you will get a true feel for your run soon. Everything affects my heartrate training lol. On the day nerves and adrenaline will hugely but I'm thinking zone 3ish until 35k and then just run the end to feel. I've heard so many people tell me they started out too fast and struggled..... I just want to finish this time. (Unbelievably I'm still hoping I get into London! 😂😂) x

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Clairecandothis]

I know yeah - and if not London, Manchester 😳🤣

[backintime 10 Miles in reply to Tasha99]

Not Paris ? Lol

I keep trying but no one wants to come lol

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to backintime]

Oooh nice

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

My dream would be New York! I nearly entered this year.... 40th birthday and all that but it is pricey lol. X

[Katnap Marathon]

Wow! Was that tracks / trail / road? A mixture?

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Katnap]

I'm lucky I get to run around the park grounds of Blenheim so it has a bit of everything.... a lake, open spaces, roads and shade under trees as well as off road trails along a lake. It really is beautiful but I do love the sea. X

[Katnap Marathon in reply to Clairecandothis]

Lovely 😁 We joined Oldfloss at Pwllheli parkrun and that is 100% on (beach) sand. But it is a bit further than Blenheim 😄

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Katnap]

I'd love that!

[Hidden]

How did I miss this post??? Well done!!! I hope that’s truly helped put your mind at rest 😊

I haven’t used my water back pack at all this year. I did think of using it for the race., but it would feel unfamiliar at this late stage. Xx

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Flick 😊 I now totally trust our training and I'm beginning to understand the less energy used is good. I.E the lower the zone but faster the pace is the aim. Endurance wise, with the right pace, we will be fine.

Yes I'm going to run with it a few more times and see but I do think it's a reassuring thing to have for such a distance. Xx

[Hidden]

I’m finally getting a little faster in the lower zones, though I still drift too high if I don’t concentrate! I read that it takes months for heart rate training to really get you running faster at lower bpm, but it’s still been really useful. I think I will keep doing some hr training after the race xx