Eight weeks and 20 training runs to go to the trail marathon

[Cmoi]

All in the title really!

Having managed the prescribed five runs a week for the first four weeks of my trail marathon training plan, my prediction of not getting anywhere near that for the next few weeks was duly realised. Eight weeks of runs took twelve, thanks to an unholy combination of work, curfew and weather. And, it has to be said, a continuing lack of enthusiasm for speedwork and tempo runs.

I chucked in an extra 14km do-what-I-feel-like run when I couldn't stand the plan any more, and replaced a 17 mile (27.36km) run with a 14-ish mile (22km+) 876m (or so) elevation trail event three weeks ago. That's more or less half what I've signed up for in October!

While I've apparently still got plenty of time, especially as it's the holidays and I've very few work commitments, I'm not complacent. I did my first 30km last Sunday, and still have a 20 mile (32.2km) run to do. I'll start worrying about tapering - which is built into the plan - once I've cracked that and the other remaining long (HM or more) runs!

My aim is to get to the start line in reasonable shape, and if I can do that, to finish. Ideally I won't be last, but I'd take that over a DNF or worse, a DNS! Anyway, in eight weeks, I'll know.

"Bon courage !" to those who are also training, and happy running to all!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

... and 20 training runs ... I read your title in a 'god I'll be glad when they're done' tone and think that was about right 😀 For someone who dislikes their plan so much, I am in awe at your determination. You are going to absolutely smash this and we'reall right behind you (most of us further behind than a few others, but we're all there 🤣)!!!

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Your tone was spot on linda9389 , and I so appreciate your consistent support despite all my whinging.

Tbh I think I'd dislike any plan. Ticking off runs doesn't give me any satisfaction because for me they're just a means to an end. I'm naturally goal-focused, not process-focused, and better at self-motivation than self-discipline. I'm also poor at consistent effort, going at things in fits and starts is much more my style!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Haha. It's definitely easier to support than to do what you're doing!!! You're too hard on yourself - you have been very consistent, grudgingly so, but you've pretty much stuck at it 😘

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks again linda9389 . There's stuff in my upbringing and personality that has left me with a paradoxical and frequently unhelpful attitude to both achievements and failures, particularly my own.

Also, given that my past sporting achievements were approximately those of a tin of tomato soup, there's still an air of unreality for me about this whole running thing!

[RunWillie Marathon]

You’re going to be awesome! After my trail run on Friday where 4 miles felt like 10+miles. I’m just in awe ❤️🏃‍♀️

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Many thank RunWillie , really appreciate your comments. I'm just bashing on, doing as best I can!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

It sounds as if you’re ticking off those runs nicely! For someone who couldn’t stand her plan any more I think you're doing brilliantly 💪

Are you looking forward to tapering or dreading it?

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Tapering is like a lovely long bath Or am I doing it wrong 🛁

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I’ve read that some runners find it hard to trust in the taper and that it plays with your head 🙃 I think you’ve got it pretty much spot-on MissW!

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Sounds like a great approach misswobble !

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Good question Irishprincess . I'm mostly looking forward to tapering, simply because it'll make organising runs easier. Even though I've hardly any work commitments right now, the crazy weather is complicating things. I'm still technically ahead of schedule, but as we've not been away yet - we'll go off in our motorhome somewhere, sometime - I'm pretty sure I'll be juggling things again.

[Over62 Half Marathon]

Oh wow - amazing focus, plan or freestyle, I’ve already watched with awe on what you are achieving and I would already imagine in great shape to continue and rise to the challenge you’ve set. Bon courage to you too 😊👏🙌

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Over62]

Thanks Over62 , appreciate your kind words. We'll see - I certainly feel a lot stronger in general, but tempo runs, or indeed anything that's supposed to push me in terms of pace and breathing, absolutely crush my confidence. I is a weirdo!

[Frenc Half Marathon]

I think you should rename yourself La Machine! I am in awe. 😊😊😊

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Frenc]

Thanks Frenc - it's mainly down to pig-headedness I think!

You made me laugh too, as when my teenage apprentice mechanics and butchers got their English exercises right they'd demand my approval: "Madame, Madaaame ! Je suis une machine, hein ? Je suis UNE MACHIIIINNNE!"

[nowster Metric Marathon]

Bonne chance, Mme Chèvre de Montagne! 🐐

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to nowster]

Merci nowster ! High on a hill was a lonely goatherd... then this crazy woman appeared out of nowhere and nearly gave him a heart attack!

[misswobble Marathon]

For the twenty miler take a bag of Hula Hoops. They go down a treat 😃. I don’t eat them at any other time. It’s my 20 mile mark celebration.

Your training is going well 😃💪👍

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thanks misswobble ! I can't find Hula Hoops over here, sadly. I'd normally never eat them either, but your post took me back to eating them off my fingers when I was a child. I shall go and seek a suitably celebratory alternative!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Good hunting 😃👍

[Guinea70 Marathon]

Wow! I didn't realise that you were training for a trail marathon you'll definitely smash it. I agree about the Hula Hoops I always take some with me on the really long runs.

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Guinea70]

Thanks Guinea70 ! I was never ever going to go near a marathon, until the Trail du Gévaudan (trailsaintjacques.com/epreu... got moved from June to October because of Covid. That suddenly made it seem feasible - I conveniently overlooked the fact that it meant training over the summer - so I signed up. Still wondering what I've gone and done!

[Martlet76]

Wow Cmoi, I'm thoroughly impressed. Well done , keep it up.... and please let us k ow how you are getting on.Bon courage

M76