I realised I was tired, physically and emotionally, and feeling pretty stressed. So, I booked some time off work in order to sort myself out.
I also placed a couple of orders for some bits and pieces to help me on my next long run, both to make it easier, and also to help me psychologically - I can't tell you how much I was dreading the next long run, and I knew that a few new bits of kit would make me feel a bit more positive about it.
So, I ordered myself my first ever Garmin (Forerunner 10, basic but does all I need) so that I won't have any more problems with my phone crashing, along with new socks, a new top, some anti-chafe gel (it's glamorous being a long distance runner you know) and most importantly a hydration back-pack. I went for a £14.99 non big-brand one rather than fork out four times that for a CamelBak (although they did look pretty damn cool and I was very tempted!). Alongside those bits of kit, I also got some lucozade drinks, a gel and a sport nutrition flapjack to try.
Because I have a lovely boss, I was able to take some time out of work to get a daytime run in during the week, and did a little 4.5 mile pavement run. It really helped to get me back in the right frame of mind.
The weekend came and I met Zeph for lunch on Saturday. After I got home, I decided to just head straight out for my run and get it over with, so that I didn't spend all of Saturday afternoon and evening worrying about it. I had just enough time to spend three hours running before the sun went down. So, all kitted up, I headed out.
I had a vague plan to walk at 4 miles for a drink and sugar tablet, then again at 8 miles for a drink and to take the gel, then again at 12 miles for a drink and sugar tablet again. I hadn't really decided on the total distance, because I didn't want to put too much pressure on myself, so I just decided to go with the flow. The plan worked pretty well! I did walk at 7.5 miles after running up a hill and feeling a bit knackered, then again at 8.5 for the gel, and after that I took on water and sugar tablets twice more, at 10 miles and 12 miles. But, the difference was I felt great for the whole run. I never felt so tired that I needed to walk, I was just walking to refuel which is how it will be on race day.
Around 11.5 miles I sort of caught my left foot on a bit of undergrowth, and I had a bit of ankle pain, followed but a lot of pain in my left toe. I decided to keep going because I was otherwise feeling really good, however I think that I may lose the toenail - my first marathon toenail casualty!
Anyway, I managed to complete 15 miles with relative ease, and I honestly feel that if it wasn't for the toenail I would have run to 16 miles because I still felt great and had a really nice rhythm going. All in all just a massive confidence boost!
I have learnt a very valuable lesson - marathon training is hard, and there is no need to make it even harder by not taking advantage of the resources out there designed specifically to help!
I am therefore embracing the kit, and can now be found running around the trails at least looking like a seasoned pro.....
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