The Dress Rehearsal

20 miles in 3:01:54
Route: Marathon warm up

Fitting that I should be doing my final long run on April Fools Day!

This is my last opportunity to score some serious fitness points before the big day and I wasn’t going to miss it. I’ve had some pretty bad setbacks over the last month, but my foot has recovered, my knee is feeling better and my tonsillitis is slowly receding. Could it be that things are coming together just at the right moment?

Even in good health, today’s run was a serious challenge. I’ve only every run anything like this distance once before and after that I could barely move and was ill for a week. I needed a strong performance today to prove to myself that I can get around on 22 April.

I prepared more carefully for this run than my previous 20 miler. I have been able to train this week (which has definitely helped), I ate properly, set off at a decent time in the day, did all of my stretching exercises religiously and made sure I had the right equipment. This whole marathon effort has been a learning experience for me. Learning what works well and what doesn’t. Finding out how my body reacts under certain conditions and how to optimise my performance (or, more correctly, how to avoid the pitfalls). I have learnt something on almost every big run that I have done, and today was no exception.

I was running, for the first time, in my Shelter marathon vest. It’s an obvious point, much repeated by the marathon organisers, that you need to run in your vest a few times before the race itself so you know that it fits you comfortably. I found out today that my vest is a little small and rubs under my arms. This is vital information – a simple application of anti-chafing stick will stop the rubbing and prevent something that could otherwise be very uncomfortable on race day. I wonder how many people put their vest on for the first time on the morning of the marathon? Plenty I bet.

I set out around 2pm on a glorious sunny afternoon. I tied a running jacket around my waist but I never wore it. It was very warm – too warm really and I found myself struggling a little in the first hour. Another vital piece of kit that has saved my hide on a couple of occasions is the simple, light, black running cap I invested in a few weeks ago. It kept the torrential rain off my during the Berkhamstead Half and today it kept the sun out of my eyes and off my face.

I was following the same 20 mile route as I did two weeks ago, with some small alterations to make it a genuine 20 miles and to avoid the hills. I also ran it in reverse at the suggestion of my osteo. We talked about how downhill running can aggravate my knee problem and, as there is a long downhill section coming off Hampstead Health, we decided it would be better to make this an uphill section instead. No probs said I. Bring it on.

I set a steady pace – the one I hope to use during the marathon. 9 minute miles – or thereabouts. I saw off the early stages through Camden and along the top of Regent’s Park, through St John’s Wood, Maida Vale and Paddington into Hyde Park largely without incident. I was curious how people would react to the Shelter vest. Some people stepped kindly out the way and gave me a friendly nod. Others seem oblivious that I was there and hogged the pavement in usual fashion. For the record, the top three offenders in this category are:

1) Small children – especially toddlers. They seem to have some kind of missile guidance system that directs them to become entangled in my legs;

2) Dogs – ditto, but even less predictable as they seem to actively seek out my route and zig zag across it at high speed, hoping to trip me;

3) Fat people – slow moving and extra energy to circumnavigate. They are also usually unwilling to put themselves out that extra inch and move to one side or the other. They also often travel in pairs, presumably to feel less self conscious (meeeow!)

I stopped briefly at the top of Hyde Park to take a picture of the fountains at the top of the Serpentine (below). I’ve always particularly liked this part of the park. There were lots of people sunbathing – how I wished I was stretched out in the sun on that inviting grass!

On over the Serpentine and east along the Rotten Row. Serious headwind all of a sudden which seemed to keep itself up for most of the rest of the run. It was a pretty windy day actually – but probably good practice as I think there are some windy parts of the marathon course, especially around the Isle of Dogs.

Into Mayfair and up across Oxford Street. The lazy shoppers at the bus stop near Portman Square refused to move so I picked my way through them, almost taking some guy out. Felt zero remorse.

To the Euston Road (funny how in London some roads are so famous that they warrant the word ‘the’ in front of them) and into Regent’s Park. Feeling a little tired now. Stopped to fill my water bottle from a drinking fountain then off around the perimeter track. Crossed my own footsteps at the top and across the canal into Primrose Hill. Decided to conserve energy and missed out ‘the peak’ but still all uphill. Through Swiss Cottage and up the killer hill that is Fitzjohn’s Avenue leading to Hampstead. Thought it would never end, but still going strong and knee ok!

Across Hampsters and onto the Heath. Out of water now and disposed of bottle (it couldn’t hack the pace – the lid snapped off). Hadn’t seen a shop anywhere on my route since… Paddington maybe? Had to make do with a quick slurp at the water fountain.

Off uphill again – missed out the Parliament Hill peak too, but was still all incline up to Kenwood House. A testing mile or two and my legs definitely feeling tired now. Another hill from Kenwood to Highgate and I was seriously in need of another drink – still 5 miles to go and still pretty hot. Briefly considered going into Highgate village but remembered in the nick of time that was a petrol station ahead and ran in there. Grabbed overpriced Lucozade Sport Orange (the flavour being used in the marathon) and paid the man. Too tired and dry in the mouth to speak to him – I think I may have panted ‘ta’. It was a very strange petrol station shop actually, filled with home made cakes and groceries. I would dearly have loved to stop and sample some but, after a quick stretch, it was back on the road and down Highgate hill to the Parkland Walk.

I was beginning to feel as though I was home and dry, but in fact there was still a long way to go and my legs were feeling it. The Parkland Walk seemed to go on forever, but luckily my Ipod picked Bring it Back by Moloko as the next tune, which goes on forever as well. I boogied on down into Finsbury Park, looking like death but knowing I was on the home straight.

The temptation to go the short way around the park was immense, but I did the long circuit anticlockwise as my route demanded and took in the descent and ascent accordingly. Had a slightly emotional moment as I imagined how it would feel to turn the corner at Big Ben feeling this way, but just about kept it together.

Into the last stages now – past Finsbury Park tube, and into Highbury and past the new football stadium. Here, finally, I saw another person training for the marathon in their charity vest. I could have hugged her, but she looked fresh and didn’t need a sweaty, stumbling oaf like me ruining her day. I smiled and jogged on.

The last mile was pretty tough. I played an old trick of counting sets of four steps up to 20 and then starting again, just to keep me in a rhythm. Before I knew it, good old Caledonian Road station was in sight and I was on the final 100m. Exhausted, I finished at the end of my road just over 3 hours after I had left from the other end of it.

I finished with the compulsory cold bath, and a jam sandwich – which a dietician friend of my osteo claims is the best recovery snack. The jury remains out on that one for me.

I’m very pleased with my effort today. My knee held out and was hardly painful at all. The time is about right – much quicker than my last effort at this distance (over 35 minutes quicker in fact!) It wasn’t easy, but I made it and it gives me a lot of confidence to take into the last few weeks.

My final thought for the day and, indeed, for the last long run of my training programme is that while I will still have 6 miles to do after this distance on the day, the conditions will be so much easier. I won’t have to run up and down hills (the marathon route is almost entirely flat – and today’s run has made me realise how hilly my training route is!) there will be regular water and Lucozade sport, tons of supporters, bands, people in weird costumes and a whole host of other people running with me.

21 days to go people. The heat is on.

A gorgeous London afternoon by the Fountains in Hyde Park