Week 1 of my training programme for the London Marathon began on the 23rd December 2014. After 15 weeks of running covering almost 500 miles over 62 different training runs, there are just three short runs and a few days left until race day. The Countdown Clock is definitely into its final dramatic moments. There is even a countdown clock on the London Marathon website... as I write, there are 4 days, 22 hours, 44 minutes and 3 seconds until the official mass start at 10am on Sunday 13th April. How long now?
Round 1 (Letters): XENPVQRES
The NERVES are beginning to gather, not just for me but my support crew too. Mr T is anxiously planning how to get from mile 9 to mile 15 then mile 25 without missing me on the route. I'm anxiously contemplating what I'm going to wear, how many gels I should carry, what time I should leave the hotel, what I should have for breakfast and many other issues I have already resolved... my kit is packed, my breakfast plans are already sorted. It doesn't matter though... I'm still thinking about them. I need to ignore the randomness of my marathon week dreams, particularly the one about getting my tray of cauliflowers to the startline. I need to keep calm.
Round 2 (Letters): LTOAWYEGS
I'm second guessing myself and my training and setting and re-setting my race GOALS, which I actually set back in December and they haven't changed since. My target is to complete the race in under 4 hours - that would be 8 minutes faster than my first marathon in Manchester and entirely consistent with my training times and recent race results. Sometimes I think I can go quicker... what if I just aim for this time at halfway or try and complete the first 10k in so many minutes. Sometimes, I'm convinced I will be much slower, especially if the weather doesn't play fair.
Round 3 (Numbers): 5, 5, 1, 9, 2, 3 - Target 240
If I run at an average pace of 9 minutes per mile, I should get to mile 5*5+1=26 in 234 minutes. That leaves me 2*3=6 minutes for the last 0.2 miles of the marathon or 10 seconds per mile over the whole race to achieve that target of 4 hours or 240 minutes. It's simple really, all I need to do is stick the plan.
Round 4 (Letters): EILEXBPVE
Instead of worrying, I need to trust in my training and BELIEVE in myself. I need to be inspired by the amazing achievements of my running friends at the Greater Manchester Marathon last Sunday. It was strange to watch on from the sidelines rather than take part in the race, but it brought back great memories of last year's race. On that "One Fine Day", I had a plan and I stuck to it. I need to believe that I can do it again.
Round 5 (Letters): TROYPPAUS
Devoting my taper time to card making has been a great distraction and also given my fundraising a new impetus too. I've added at least another £100 to my total this week with donations, card sales and my sweepstake. Every penny donated will go to help Cancer Research UK fund more research and make more progress in the fight against cancer. I'm inspired by words of encouragement from friends and family and know that many people will be cheering me on in person or tracking my progress on the computer when the race starts. I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone for their SUPPPORT. When the going gets tough on Sunday, that will really help me to keep putting one foot in front of the other as fast as I can.
Round 6 (Conundrum): ALEMEROMB
Whatever happens with my race strategy or my goals, my primary aim for this Sunday is that it will be MEMORABLE. This could be the first of many London Marathons or the only one I ever do, so I'd like to ensure that I enjoy the experience and take in as much as possible. I want to be inspired by the crowds on Tower Bridge. I want to take in the sights of London. I want to see the person dressed as a hippopotamus (and hopefully not be out-sprinted by them). I don't want to miss anything. Sometimes, running to achieve a goal means you forget to take in what is happening around you. I really hope I can avoid that on Sunday.
The clock has ticked round a little bit more... bring on race day, I'm ready.
Happy Running
Liz T
Round 1 (Letters): XENPVQRES
The NERVES are beginning to gather, not just for me but my support crew too. Mr T is anxiously planning how to get from mile 9 to mile 15 then mile 25 without missing me on the route. I'm anxiously contemplating what I'm going to wear, how many gels I should carry, what time I should leave the hotel, what I should have for breakfast and many other issues I have already resolved... my kit is packed, my breakfast plans are already sorted. It doesn't matter though... I'm still thinking about them. I need to ignore the randomness of my marathon week dreams, particularly the one about getting my tray of cauliflowers to the startline. I need to keep calm.
Round 2 (Letters): LTOAWYEGS
I'm second guessing myself and my training and setting and re-setting my race GOALS, which I actually set back in December and they haven't changed since. My target is to complete the race in under 4 hours - that would be 8 minutes faster than my first marathon in Manchester and entirely consistent with my training times and recent race results. Sometimes I think I can go quicker... what if I just aim for this time at halfway or try and complete the first 10k in so many minutes. Sometimes, I'm convinced I will be much slower, especially if the weather doesn't play fair.
Round 3 (Numbers): 5, 5, 1, 9, 2, 3 - Target 240
If I run at an average pace of 9 minutes per mile, I should get to mile 5*5+1=26 in 234 minutes. That leaves me 2*3=6 minutes for the last 0.2 miles of the marathon or 10 seconds per mile over the whole race to achieve that target of 4 hours or 240 minutes. It's simple really, all I need to do is stick the plan.
Round 4 (Letters): EILEXBPVE
Instead of worrying, I need to trust in my training and BELIEVE in myself. I need to be inspired by the amazing achievements of my running friends at the Greater Manchester Marathon last Sunday. It was strange to watch on from the sidelines rather than take part in the race, but it brought back great memories of last year's race. On that "One Fine Day", I had a plan and I stuck to it. I need to believe that I can do it again.
Round 5 (Letters): TROYPPAUS
Devoting my taper time to card making has been a great distraction and also given my fundraising a new impetus too. I've added at least another £100 to my total this week with donations, card sales and my sweepstake. Every penny donated will go to help Cancer Research UK fund more research and make more progress in the fight against cancer. I'm inspired by words of encouragement from friends and family and know that many people will be cheering me on in person or tracking my progress on the computer when the race starts. I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone for their SUPPPORT. When the going gets tough on Sunday, that will really help me to keep putting one foot in front of the other as fast as I can.
Round 6 (Conundrum): ALEMEROMB
Whatever happens with my race strategy or my goals, my primary aim for this Sunday is that it will be MEMORABLE. This could be the first of many London Marathons or the only one I ever do, so I'd like to ensure that I enjoy the experience and take in as much as possible. I want to be inspired by the crowds on Tower Bridge. I want to take in the sights of London. I want to see the person dressed as a hippopotamus (and hopefully not be out-sprinted by them). I don't want to miss anything. Sometimes, running to achieve a goal means you forget to take in what is happening around you. I really hope I can avoid that on Sunday.
The clock has ticked round a little bit more... bring on race day, I'm ready.
Happy Running
Liz T
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