The Final Steps
2.8 miles in 22:46
Route: Islington circuit 1
My final training session. I can’t believe I’ve made it. I am injury free, psyched up, carbed up (my housemate Naomi has cooked delicious pasta yesterday and today) and raring to go!
The run today was a formality – just reminding my legs that they can’t afford to relax completely. I tried to slow it down a bit, but I still timed my splits at 8 minute miles. I must make myself run slower tomorrow – I’d be crazy to go faster than 9 minute miles. I think it will be so busy at the start that I won’t really be able to start running at my own pace until a good 5 miles into the race.
One amusing piece of advice I have read this week is from an article written by a fellow Serpentine club member. He says:
Annoyingly, I am in starting pen 7 (from a total of 9) which puts me near to the back of the field. I hope that it won’t be too congested – hopefully it means I will get to spend a lot of the racing passing people, rather than being passed.
It was pretty warm out on the training run today. It’s going to be a scorcher tomorrow – who would have thought this weather would last so long? The London Lite paper on Friday evening helpfully carried the headline “Marathon ‘Lethal Heat’ Alert”. Thanks guys, really helping my positive mindset.
Seriously though, the previous hottest marathon ever was in 1995, where temperatures topped 21C. One person died and 4000 were treated for dehydration – that’s over 10% of the field!! This Sunday, the forecast is for 23C, so I’ll be setting at least one record!
But there’s nothing I can do about it, so why fret? I am planning to be up at 6am tomorrow and in Greenwich for 8.30 to be a part of the Shelter Marathon Team photo.
All that remains is to put my feet up and wait.
Route: Islington circuit 1
My final training session. I can’t believe I’ve made it. I am injury free, psyched up, carbed up (my housemate Naomi has cooked delicious pasta yesterday and today) and raring to go!
The run today was a formality – just reminding my legs that they can’t afford to relax completely. I tried to slow it down a bit, but I still timed my splits at 8 minute miles. I must make myself run slower tomorrow – I’d be crazy to go faster than 9 minute miles. I think it will be so busy at the start that I won’t really be able to start running at my own pace until a good 5 miles into the race.
One amusing piece of advice I have read this week is from an article written by a fellow Serpentine club member. He says:
“One thing you can do to take your mind off the pressure is to “high five” some of the children lining the early miles of the course. It’s not a lot of effort,Snigger. Can you imagine? JD high fives small child who flies backwards and breaks his neck….
they enjoy it and it calms you down which is a good thing.”
Annoyingly, I am in starting pen 7 (from a total of 9) which puts me near to the back of the field. I hope that it won’t be too congested – hopefully it means I will get to spend a lot of the racing passing people, rather than being passed.
It was pretty warm out on the training run today. It’s going to be a scorcher tomorrow – who would have thought this weather would last so long? The London Lite paper on Friday evening helpfully carried the headline “Marathon ‘Lethal Heat’ Alert”. Thanks guys, really helping my positive mindset.
Seriously though, the previous hottest marathon ever was in 1995, where temperatures topped 21C. One person died and 4000 were treated for dehydration – that’s over 10% of the field!! This Sunday, the forecast is for 23C, so I’ll be setting at least one record!
But there’s nothing I can do about it, so why fret? I am planning to be up at 6am tomorrow and in Greenwich for 8.30 to be a part of the Shelter Marathon Team photo.
All that remains is to put my feet up and wait.
posted by Jonathan @ 10:25 PM
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