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. 😊🏃♀️
Written by
Clairecandothis
Marathon
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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
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 - 🤞🏽
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
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 😍
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
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
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
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
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