Counting down and pre taper terrors.

[Realfoodieclub]

Where has the time gone?

It doesn't seem that long since I was on here saying I had got my London marathon ballot place, and here we are about to go into the busy last month of training before the taper.  

I'm up to date with my plan.  I have a down week next week as it's 6 years since kidney donation and I have my annual check up, so I don't do any heavy training a few days before as it tends to put my kidney results out slightly, they jump back fast enough but I don't want to panic anyone 😂.  

Last week was a HM, then the last three weeks,   25, 28 and 32km.  Then on to the taper.  

My recovery from the HM has been fine and it just shows how far I have come in seven years from my 1st HM when I could hardly walk down the stairs the next day.

I'm a slow run/ walker and it looks like it's going to take me 7-7.5 hours to finish.  The thought of doing what I did yesterday twice has knocked my confidence a bit to be honest.  I keep questioning whether I should be doing this, or is it realistically out of my reach.

I have done a 30km walk in 6 hours 20min with a friend four weeks ago, so I know I can do the distance. I don't know why I'm having this wobble. I'm just hoping the next few weeks will help to sort my head out as I am prone to the taper terrors.  

Any words of wisdom to help bolster my confidence would be greatly appreciated and welcomed.

Happy running to you all

Rfc x 

[Curlygurly2 Half Marathon]

Oh gosh T you are doing great. I think a wobble at this stage is normal, I'm sure I'd be the same, better to get the wobbles out of the way now! You've been a massive inspiration to me over these last few weeks, you'll do us proud

[Realfoodieclub Marathon in reply to Curlygurly2]

You really seem to of found your feet. It has helped me watching your journey too. I always seem to lose my nerve around now, I have no idea why!

Thank you for the support

Rfc x

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

You are doing very well indeed Realfoodieclub, you used to be an Administrator on this forum, congratulations on completing that half marathon and 30K walk in preparation for the London Marathon in April, did you know that I ran a half marathon last November, this was a special run in honor of the late great Tim (IannodaTruffe) who sadly died earlier in November, I wish you all the best for your marathon training.

[Realfoodieclub Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Well done on your HM, that is a great achievement and a lovely way to honour a special person, I went out that weekend and took in all my surroundings on that run to remember a great character.

Thank you for your wishes Rfc x

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon]

Wow-what an absolutely amazing journey you’ve had. So much to be proud of! Think back to all the times (and there must be loads!) where you didn’t think you could do something and then it turned out that you could. There’s no reason why that won’t happen this time-you’ve got this!

Remember, on your event you’ll be pacing yourself to do the whole distance, not just to get halfway, stop and then have to go again. It’s a really different mindset and not a valid comparison with your shorter outings. Yes, it’s true it’s double the distance of a HM but you won’t be approaching it in the same way. You’ll have all of the event day atmosphere and adrenaline to carry you through. Plus all of the pom poms waving on here for you!

You’ve already put so much hard work in. Don’t listen to the gremlins. You have absolutely earned your place on that starting line and the race is just there for you to enjoy.

Massive good luck to you ❤️

[Realfoodieclub Marathon in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Hehe I can think of so many things, and you are right, I do tend to set the bar just out of reach then somehow just come out the other side, sometimes I think it is more luck than good measure😂. But good to be reminded.

I do love the atmosphere of a good event, and from everything I've heard the London Marathon is one of the biggest and best for that. I will focus on that feeling as I'm sure that will help with the wobble.

Thank you. Rfc x

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Just think of every single thing you have fought against, gone with, and overcome... and how very many of us here, you have filled with hope and inspiration over the years... ?

Wobble away, but be in no doubt, you can and will succeed ! Have fun my dear friend ! xxx

Enjoy! xxx

[Realfoodieclub Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Awww Floss, thank you for your lovely words.

You are right, I can wobble but I must not lose sight of the fun. It is why we do it😀

Rfc xxx

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Wobble now. Perfect timing. Several weeks to get that out of the way 😊 So many positives in their too. Don't forget the boost race magic gives you - it makes the difference every time. You will enjoy 😊

[Realfoodieclub Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I always wobble around now. I have so much going on. I'm going through my training on autopilot, I think. I do need to start thinking more about the fun side of the event. I don't want to get to the end and miss the best bit 😀. I knew coming on here would help to change my focus. Thank you. Rfc xxx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Hi Rfc, you’ve always been an inspiration on here, and now it’s time to prove that to yourself - we already know! Your training sounds like it’s going beautifully, and I have every confidence that you’ll be ready to tackle that iconic run in style. 👊

I can’t give any real advice as I’ve yet to tackle a FM and I won’t unless I get a London place one day, so I love reading stories like yours in case I do. I’m getting butterflies for you, it’s so exciting! 🦋

Go Rfc, you’ve got this!

[Realfoodieclub Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

i know one bad thing I've been doing is watching all the other runners building up. You can almost pick them out and I've been looking at them thinking to myself they are proper runners! I need to stop doing that I think 😀. I have always known I'm a back of the pack runner and in my HM I have been happy with that.

You are right I need to be soaking in this moment and enjoying it. I will of done the hard work by then. I will earned my place.

Thank you. Rfc xxx

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

That all sounds amazing, wishing you strong legs and lots of luck in the day, we will be cheering you in

[Realfoodieclub Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

awww Thank you. It is great to have so much support. Rfc xxx

[Comfortnotspeed Marathon]

sounds like you have a good plan. Trust it. I understand the knock in confidence after the HM but I wouldn’t compare the HM to the full. You’re amazing 🤩

[Realfoodieclub Marathon in reply to Comfortnotspeed]

I realise now, after reading all these lovely posts I have got bogged down in my head. I'd forgotten about the buzz of the day, I'm going to be focusing more on that in the coming weeks.

Thank you. Rfc x

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

I’m sure wobbles are fairly normal RFC but as others have said here, you’re doing the training and when you turn up on the start line, it’ll all come together.

I reckon the atmosphere and crowd support will pick you up and lighten your load. And of course, you’ve got us lot behind you every step of the way too, cheering you along. You’ve got this.

I’m excited for you and I can’t wait to read your race report afterwards! 🤗x

[Realfoodieclub Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I haven't done an event for nearly four years, I had completely forgotten how those pesky gremlins get into your head. I am so glad I came on here and am now kicking them into touch.

The race report is going to be a fun one to write I think 😀.

Thank you. Rfc xxx