Hair of the dog (again!)

London Marathon Training
Week 15, Day 1

Well, I needed that tonight. I really needed it.

After the absolute hames I made of yesterday’s run I thought long and hard about going to the club tonight. My legs were heavy, my left calf felt tight and I have one persistent blister that just won’t shift. Going would only make things worse.

My confidence was also shot to bits. What was the point in going? I’d only be crap again.

But, I went.

I trudged up the road, pretty sure that I had my own little black cloud following me. The same nerves I felt on day one were back – and back with a vengenance.

Then, when I got there, I noticed my watch had frozen as it was updating itself. Typical. I like my stats. A run doesn’t count without my stats to accompany it. I did have my phone with me so could have recorded my run that way, but that would have meant putting my coat on (I didn’t bring my running belt or anything like that).

That pissed me off more than it should, so I basically stood in a little corner of the room, away from everyone, seriously considering just going home. Silly, I know, but since I was already having major doubts it would have been so easy just to throw my head up.

Happily I noticed one of my normal running buddies was there and I knew she recorded her runs on Strava, so I asked if I could shadow her tonight so I would at least have a distance/time etc. for my own records.

And from that point on my night improved. I chatted with a few people at different times, just venting about yesterday and hearing about their own experiences. It was good, it helped pass the time for me and it helped me remember that I can actually run.

My legs felt ok once I settled in, I didn’t feel like stopping except on the loop backs, but that was only because I didn’t want to run and turn at the same time in case it aggravated my calf, and the overall run was at a reasonable pace.

I know that, logically, days like yesterday happen and they’ll happen again. And I also know that days like St. Patricks Day and Hastings will also happen and they’ll also happen again.

I just need to believe that the good days will outnumber the bad … and at the minute I do again.

If you’ve enjoyed following my progress so far could I be so bold as to ask you if you’d consider making a donation to my chosen London Marathon charity this year – Asthma UK? No amount is too small, and all donations are received with such heartfelt thanks. My fundraising page can be found here. Thank-you so much.

London Marathon Training (244 miles – 47 runs)
Week 1 – 12.2 miles (4 runs; average 3.1 miles per run)
Week 2 – 9.3 miles (2 runs; average 4.7 miles per run)
Week 3 – 17.7 miles (4 runs; average 4.4 miles per run)
Week 4 – 18.8 miles (4 runs; average 4.7 miles per run)
Week 5 – 14.9 miles (4 runs; average 3.7 miles per run)
Week 6 – 18.7 miles (4 runs; average 4.7 miles per run)
Week 7 – 20.3 miles (4 runs; average 5.1 miles per run)
Week 8 – 23.7 miles (4 runs; average 5.9 miles per run)
Week 9 – 18 miles (3 runs; average 6 miles per run)
Week 10 – 21.9 miles (3 runs; average 7.3 miles per run)
Week 11 – 24.6 miles (4 runs; average 6.2 miles per run)
Week 12 – 3.1 miles (1 run; average 3.1 miles per run)
Week 13 – 28.2 miles (3 runs; average 9.4 miles per run)
Week 14 – 11.7 miles (3 runs; average 3.9 miles per run)
Week 15 – 2.4 miles (1 run; average 2.4 miles per run)