Vidya writes:
Week 12 of The Plan was cutback week – very welcome after I had seriously stepped things up in the previous 3-4 weeks. The long run this time was only 13 miles, but proved to be more of a slog, probably because I was quite tired and conditions were a bit miserable. Run buddy Kim and I did an extended version of the Sunday club run, negotiating the puddles along the river and countless other runners racing at the same time. Seeing all the Eagles flying past certainly kept our spirits up.
With the LONGEST RUN EVER looming in the following week, I was feeling a few more aches and pain in my foot, as well as hurting more generally - everywhere. I switched one of my mid-week runs to a bike session, to rest the foot a little more ahead of the approaching 20 miler. Thanks again to Kim, for planning a lovely route to and from and including a lap of Richmond Park. Che also joined us as part of her own training for London. We got in some hills work on the peaks of Richmond Park and gate-crashed a race taking place there. Kim was looking particularly strong and headed off into the distance at one point to take on the racers.
Obviously, Che and I were saving ourselves for London/knackered, so didn’t think it was fair to join in this time!
I spent a lot of this run cheerily counting off the kilometers. I’d run out of cheer with about 3 miles to go however. My legs were protesting and I could feel my calves turning to rocks. But somehow, I got to the end, with lots to think about from this experience. I had forgotten to charge my watch the night before, my battery duly expired and I had to switch to my phone to time my run/walk intervals for the last 5 miles. I couldn’t figure out the interval app either so my focus was all over the place.
This run was also the biggest opportunity to practice fuel strategy. I have often struggled with headaches, usually after I’ve run quite hard and I am still figuring out how to prevent these. I’ve not had this problem recently, probably because I’ve mostly been run/walking, but as the weather improves and I run more, I am trying Salt Stick chews to keep up my electrolyte levels. Then there were the gels – more on them shortly…
The 20 miler was done – it’s taper time! This means I put my feet up and stuff my face for the next three weeks, right?! Closer inspection of The Plan revealed there was still a 15 and 10 miler to go. As well as some other fiddly, faster running here and there. I railed inwardly: Coach Jenny, you can’t be serious?! Fortunately, Teresa decided our Sunday run crew should go off piste and run on Good Friday instead – what a bunch of rebels.
L-R back row: Captain America, Captain Marvel, Iron Man, Star Lord, Black Widow, Thor
L-R front row: Dr Strange, Hawkeye, The Hulk
We duly assembled at South Kensington tube station to run the Circle Line, with Kim, Jane and I completing the full route. Fear not, we didn’t lose the others due to a snap of Thanos’ fingers – they sensibly headed off on completion of their own missions/mileage. It was a beautiful morning with the best company: I was even saved by Una from falling off a kerb again. 15 miles logged with the biggest takeaway being that gels in whatever variation are not pleasant. Sadly, I will likely have to consume a box full to get through this race. I managed three of them and an energy bar, also forgot my Salt Sticks, but it was a steady run with plenty of pauses along the way, so no ill effects. I really struggle with too many sweet things, so the plan is to see how a couple of potatoes, or other savoury options work on the final 10 miler.
We’re in the endgame now.