Lisa Snell writes:
Well, we have come into Week 13 after a shakey start to Week 12 where my knee was playing me up after the long run on Saturday at Week 11. I rested and spoke with a Physio who thought it might be overuse. I wasn't so worried when she said that. I did pop to Decathlon after reading Craig's blog where he brought knee support from and has started wearing one. I thought one of these could help me too. Well in Decathlon I was wearing jeans but wanted to try the supports so there I am walking up and down the aisle seeing which felt better. I opted for a knee brace instead and that seemed to feel better for me. I also invested in a pair of socks that support the achillies at a costly price of £9.99 but worth it if I can run. Really not sure if the knee support is doing anything, it could be the placebo effect, who cares! After the problem with the really hurting calves on a run, I contacted my chiropractor to have some acupuncture on my calves. That was Sunday just gone. I have been resting at running but still doing my virtual road racing.
This week 13 I managed a nice 6 miles one evening without any pain and then today Friday I did the big one 20 miles! I thought I was behind schedule until I just had an email from London Marathon saying that this weekend would be the long run 20 miles. I looked at the weather forecast it was set to rain most of the day today. I had a nice breakfast of toast with peanut butter and jam different from my last run. I feel this breakfast worked out better for me. I massaged both legs with the massage gun and massaged with mobility oil. Got dressed and thought yep I will head out then the rain started.
I was ready to go so I headed out. It wasn't the first one starting a run in the rain. Maybe I am not a fair-weather girl any longer. It rained on and off all the way round. I would get pedestrians looking at me with the rain dripping off my hat and some would smile. I also felt good really good and I was half way around already. I felt as if people had been praying for me. I never really go out with a route but an idea of which way to go. I was building miles by running around parks and fields. I also broke the run up into 5 miles segments. I finished the first 5 miles in a park in Hayes, 10 miles in Northala Fields, Northolt with a toilet stop, 15 miles in Marnham Fields, Greenford then the last 5 miles were going to be and up and back along the canal but I changed my mind so I was trying to build distance at the end. Ended up moaning at a driver who decided to let me cross was taking way too much of his time but got my adrenaline going and I finished on a high. During the distance, I had two Hi five gels. At home, I had a protein shake in the bath after and massaged my legs again. I am feeling fine and pretty pleased that I got the long run in without killing myself. I can have a nice weekend not having to worry about trying to fit a run in.
Looking back at my last 20 miles run for my virtual London Marathon I actually managed to do it in near enough the same time and similar pace. That is pretty pleasing too for me. Now let's get this rain out way as I think April showers started early.