10 weeks to go. I spent the weekend in London. I stayed at Tara Smith`s flat, it`s in an awesome position 4 miles from Central London and right on the canal. I have decided that next year I am running from Market Harborough to Limehouse ,London before completing the London Marathon. This will be the second ultra distance challenge I will have undertaken in 2 years. I love a challenge.!! A change of scenery is so refreshing when training for a marathon. Running is great for exploring a city. After completing a 20 mile run during the week I set myself a time of 2 hours and was unaware of distance covered. Just running...it was great.
Our appetites increase during the winter months. The cold burns a lot more calories than running in warmer weather but it can push your natural defences to the extreme. Focus on eating plenty of fresh, nutritious and warming food to help fight winter bugs and power you through our winter training still smiling! I`m enjoying Kate Percy`s recipes and advice, my energy levels are soaring and I feel well recovered. Her recipes are simple to prepare and delicious. This week I have a 20 mile run booked for the weekend and am preparing Roasted Parsnip soup with cumin, chilli and cheesy croutons. Parsnips have a high GI factor especially when roasted. This means that the carbohydrate will be rapidly absorbed into your bloodstream to replenish your muscles as fast as possible..perfect for recovery.
The night before the long run I am preparing a high energy, low GI meal packed with nutrients. Black bean and chorizo chilli withsmoked paprika and fresh salsa. It is highly nutritious, incredibly tasty and served with rice high in low GI carbohydrate it will provide particulary good fuel for endurance.
Every week I find the training less of a battle, Charlotte`s tip that I`m in control of my breathing helps as this was a problem for me a first. The most challenging part of the training is the time it takes, every minute of my day is spoken for so I have to train early and stick to it, also travelling to different time zones can take it out of me, but I feel so focused and Charlotte motivates me with emails and tips. Eating sensibly is playing a huge part in keeping everything together, Kate Percy`s recipes are simple, nutritious and even I can manage them and I`m no cook!! I`m currently training in Asic 2150, they offer great support for distance and no blisters so far!
I enjoy running with friends but have found them drop off as I`ve increased my distances! I spend the time visualising my day ahead, it`s been great for organisation. I love to swim, i`ve been a keen swimmer for years and find that it protects my knees after a long day on my feet.After a long run I like to recover with a kate percy snack, a coffee and get straight back to work, my time is so limited relaxing is rare.
I`m enjoying Charlotte`s plan and feel stronger every week. Her constant stream of texts and emails ensures I`m out there early every day! A third of the way into my training I feel focused and strong and feel excited at the prospect of the big day.
How many miles have you run this week?
My total weekly mileage was 41 miles with my Sunday long run a mile further than last week at 17 miles. I also did an hour on the exercise bike on Monday as my active rest day.
How has your diet been this week?
Sticking to my normal diet has been a real challenge this week. I am away for two weeks at a police rehabilitation centre receiving treatment for a shoulder injury that I picked up at work in July. The food at the centre is superb with cooked meals available three times a day and cakes available every lunch and dinner time. I put on weight very easily so have to constantly watch what I eat. To make sure I don't overeat and eat the wrong things I set myself some rules at the start of the week.
1-Only have pudding with dinner.
2- Have only one cooked breakfast a week.
Following those simple rules and with a bit of self control I've avoided spending the week eating my bodyweight in fried food and cakes whilst still enjoying a treat. Everything in moderation.
Click here for more great recipes from Kate Percy »
What will be your next challenge after London?
I have entered the London triathlon which is in August and is 15 weeks after the London marathon. I can run and cycle but as anyone who has seen me thrashing around/drowning in a pool will testify I have a lot of work to do in those 15 weeks to be able to swim nearly a mile in open water. It will be my first triathlon and no doubt the run up to and the event itself will be a steep learning curve for me.
What advice would you give someone who is starting running for the first time?
The first bit of advice I would give is to enter a race. 5k or 10k distance is a good place to start or even a half marathon. Nothing motivates me more to get out of the door and run on a cold winters morning than when I'm training for a specific race. Tell your friends and family you've entered the race and then there's no backing out. Be realistic about your training never increasing your weekly mileage by more than 10% each week.
On race day go along and enjoy yourself and don't worry about your time. Local races have a great atmosphere that can be enjoyed by everyone regardless of your estimated finnishing time.Everyone I've ever talked into entering a race has loved the "race" day experience and always gone back for more.
How are you finding the training in comparison to the first few weeks?
I have really enjoyed this weeks training. I'm away from home so have been able to run routes that I've never tried before. My 17 mile long run along the Thames path upriver from Streatley was a highlight of the week. What better way to discover a new area than to run it.
Do you feel that you have more stamina as the weeks go on?
As the miles are increasing I've found that my base indurance has increased and I'm still feeling strong at the end of my long runs. I completed this weeks long run without taking onboard any energy gels. Although not something I would ordinarily do I find it important every now and then to remind my body how to use my fat stores as energy on a long run. Could be important on race day.
What is it about the training that you're finding most challenging?
The most challenging aspect of the training at this stage is ensuring that I'm resting when I need to be. Following a training programme it's all to easy to complete the planned runs at all costs feeling guilty if you miss any. I have made this mistake before and ended up injured. If you need rest then skip a run and rest or do an extra days cross training. You have to be honest with yourself and not use it as an excuse just to miss a run that you don't fancy doing. It's a fine balance that becomes harder to maintain as you progress through your marathon training. It's better to get to race day slightly under prepared than injured.
Do you use any form of heart rate monitor whilst running?
I've used a heart rate monitors for a number of years both for cycling and running. I use a HRM to make sure that I'm training in the correct target zone for each session. I also use my resting heart rate as an indication of my general health. I currently use a Garmin forerunner 405 for running and a Garmin edge 705 for cycling. I'm a sucker for data and like to review the data that the Garmin provides me for each run or bike ride. It also helps with my pacing on training runs and race days.
Do you enjoy running solo or do you find more motivation in running with someone?
The majority of the time I run on my own. When you do a lot of your training runs at 5am it's difficult to find someone to run with you. Also my shift work doesn't allow me to run regularly with a club. When I can I do enjoy running with friends and find doing speedwork sessions in a group the most beneficial. If you've ever tried to do speedwork on your own you know how hard it is to race yourself!
What's your favorite low impact exercise to do when you're not running?
I'm really into my cycling and find it compliments the running nicely targeting different leg muscles whilst still helping build my cardio base. I also like spending time walking up on Dartmoor.
What's your favorite way to relax and wind down after a hard training session?
I'd like to say sitting on my backside watching television but with two young boys and a dog to look after that would be a luxury. I like to take Troy for a walk with the boys. Keeping my legs moving helps with my recovery.
How do you feel now you're a third of the way there?
I'm writing this the day after my long run so I feel tired and a little sore. Psychologically completing the 17 mile run this week was a real boost. I'm looking forward to a step back week next week. The key for next week will be my 9 mile race pace run.