London Marathon 2012

It's peak week of the Runner's World Plan and it's a record volume : 100.4k ! Which sounds a lot to me. The week had everything : hill repeats, Yasso 800's and a 23 mile Long Slow Run today. Legs a bit shot right now but the nutrition worked well so no repeat of the distress of 4 weeks ago. A nice rotation of water, energy drink and gels - just keeping everything "topped up". There was no "wall" at mile 20 but a taxi would have been nice - and no-one stole my water this week. For Ironman types there's a nice nutrition summary here.
I was dreading this week (which was complicated by a lot of work travelling) and terrified of this long run in particular. But the training plan seems to be doing it's job and I was keen to inch towards race pace a little more than previously. Kind of a last distance test ....so what happened ?

 I'm quite pleased by the generally higher pace in the early 5k splits but that final 8k is well behind the 4.18 of 2 weeks ago. Is that likely to be part of the "price" for the earlier higher pace ? Need to think about that. Next week volume falls by approx 15% with a mere 16mile long-run. The Yasso's were just awful - seabass or no seabass. Starting the workout at 06:10 ahead of a works-strategy session takes some dedication ! Probably averaging a little over 3m per 800m.




Weds : Yasso 800's.

This week has been dry and beautiful weather - it's been a joy to train through and spring has quite definitely sprung. Some of the morning sunrises were delightful - even in the heart of Glasgow on Wednesday morning. As the 16 weeks have worn on the Loch Creran loop has been great for pace work, the new cycle path from Oban to Fort William and the local Argyll forest trails for for recovery runs and there is no shortage of hills for strength work. I think the Runner's World Plan has worked well and kept weeks surprizingly varied. I will be so glad when this epic is over though. But when you've had a goal in mind for 6 years it's important to treat it with respect and to take it seriously. There's no telling what life has in store so seize the day.  


Glasgow - Weds @ 07.00h

 


Loch Awe - Tues @ 07.00h

We'll be all set to travel to London in a little over 2 weeks from now and I know the family are really looking forward to meeting up. It will be a wonderfull opportunity. The briefing pack arrived this week with my number loaded with details. Seems I will be in the "Blue Start". The course covers many landmarks:

Thames Barrier : Mile 4

Cutty Sark : Mile 6

Canary Wharf : Miles 15 and 18

St Pauls : Mile 23

London Eye : Opposite Mile 25

Mother of Parliments : "You're Nearly There .."

The Mall, outside Buckingham Palace - C'est Fini

Tilly's on-line fanclub asks how she's doing : "impossibly !" A fully recovered and very happy flatcoated retreiver - thanks for asking and to prove the point she's learned how to get upstairs ! We now need yet another baby gate. Sady not for Dylan but to protect 2 cats and us upstairs ! 



Happiness - A submerged Frizbee