Entering the final week of training (week 16) before Manchester and maranoia is starting to set in. Maranoia?
Maranoia (n.): Fear of something going wrong (illness, injury, etc.) in the weeks before a marathon.
This always happens and I’m aware that it’s something to work through, but isn’t it strange how every niggle and every ache feels ten times worse? I’ve been here three times before – but it doesn’t change the worry. It is a feeling that will be there right up until 9am next Sunday when all I can do is rely on the training.
Can I rely on the training? Yes – I do think so. This is the most confident I have been for a marathon. Everything seems to be going really well and my running feels good. The new trainers I bought in January have finally settled down, I’ve worked on my nutrition strategy and my long runs have been completed in good times. A sub 4:30 run is the target and I really believe I can do it this time. Of course it means knocking 12 minutes off my fastest time (4:42 @ Chester in 2014).
The only issue I have been having is my pace during training runs. A good example was this morning when I was meant to run 4 miles @ an easy pace of 9:30 – 10:20 min/mile. I struggled to stay between these two times. Clocking average mile splits of 9:17, 9:12 and 8:51. It’s nice to know I can run faster but it’s not good when I have to run slower over the 26.2 miles. I’ll have to stick with the 4:30 pacer.
To hit around 4:29 I will have to average 10:15 min/miles (http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/4/4_1/96.shtml) – that should be okay – please be okay.
Nothing else to say really. Parking is booked, the hotel is booked, the journey is planned. Just kit to be washed and packed and pre-race food to be sorted. The it’s off we go.
What other news is out there:
@AsicsFrontRunner : I didn’t get selected to be an Asics Frontrunner. The ones that did have lovely white teeth and none of the men have a belly. I doubt they are a reflection of true runners out there. The ones that bust a gut 2/3 times a week. I’m not bitter.
Trainers: As I said earlier, my trainers have finally settled into shape and are very nice to run in. The orthotics have shaped nicely (thanks @radiantphysio). I cannot believe I’ve run almost 200 miles in them since January.
Future Marathons: The Great Welsh Marathon takes place in May and I’m tempted to give it a go. It’s 4 weeks after Manchester, so I’ve been thinking of using next Sunday as my long run and taper for 4 weeks. It might work, it might not. Who knows. I’m been thinking of giving up this marathon training lark and concentrating on shorter events that are fun. I seem to miss other events because they do not fit in with my plan. The Mumbles Duathlon was today and I would have enjoyed doing that. I also have a Sub 2 hour half marathon to chase at both Swansea and Cardiff.
This Blog : I’ve not really bothered to write much over the course of this training. If you do read these pages then I am sorry. Please stay and I’ll try and write a bit more.
That is it for now. The next post will be post Manchester. See you on the other side.
Do you suffer from maranoia? Are you running Manchester? Please get in touch – it would be nice to hear from somebody.