Training so far…and Winding Down

My last BIG training weekend last weekend didn’t quite go according to plan. Last Sunday I managed over 21 miles, having done 6 laps plus 2 miles of my own local course. However it was unfortunately rudely interrupted by my IBS so had to sit on the throne each lap. IBS flared up again last Monday when I set out to do 20 miles but only did 10 as my condition became painful. My legs could have easily carried me round but had to concede defeat.

On each occasion my flat was used as a water station and loo if necessary and it worked for me. Taking on water each lap kept me hydrated and prevented leg cramp.

Since then I have done about 2 miles on my treadmill, taking about 20 mins. Didnt do the 13 miler I planned yesterday and not ran today so far. Planned a 10 miler today which would normally take me at least 90 mins on the road so will run on my treadmill for 90 mins later tonight.

My final 2 runs before the Maravan will be 4 miles on tuesday and a 3 miler (my lap) on Wednesday. Resting until then with a Sports Massage booked for friday afternoon.

Since then I have found Peppermint tea which not only helps me relax but also helps me with my IBS as well. Going to continue to drink that right past Maravan weekend.

To reduce any chance of it playing up this weekend, will be eliminating any foods or drink that could possibly cause me problems from Wednesday onwards while trying to carb up a bit. From this wednesday I will not be drinking any tea or coffee with the exception of peppermint tea. No tea or coffee and only drinking fruit juice till thursday. From then on its just mainly water and peppermint tea. Having a small mug of peppermint tea before I set off for the race each morning. Running with people also helps IBS and reduces any stress.

Will be eating either pasta or baked potatoes in the evenings leading up to and including Maravan weekend. Trying to keep off the noodles. Porridge in the mornings from Wednesday till friday.

Am confident that I will run 2 marathons in 2 days but will assess progress after the 1st Day. All that remains is to get out there and do it. Allons-y!

Marathon Training Progress

All in All my marathon training has mostly gone well over the past few months with most of my long runs going without a hitch. In the past month however there have been a few weeks which have left me feeling severely drained or actually ill. One week I felt so bad and so terrible I just had to rest for most of the week. Even then I did do some training but not much.

One of my biggest problems has been down to my IBS, my Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which has been causing me problems the further the distance I ran and even being painful on at least 2 occasions resulting in me having to bring those training runs to an end.

In order to reach my training distances of 21/22 miles for Day 1 of the Maravan and 20 miles for Day 2 I decided to add on an extra week of training to give myself extra time to reach those goals. That will happen within the next 7 days. There is an 18 miler planned for tomorrow, with 2 small runs either side. Resting this Saturday. I will then go to those distances required and run 21 miles on the Sunday with at least 20 on the Monday. By which time I will need to rest as I will probably be exhausted by then.

However it goes this weekend it has to be my last BIG training weekend with such high mileage in training as I will need to give myself some time to recover before the event day itself. No matter how long it takes me to get those miles done, they need to get done. I reassessed my training strategy after last Sundays training run after I had a severe IBS attack in which I clearly didnt take enough water. These last few BIG training runs will be done in laps, as they will be on the day, using my flat as a water station. On the day there will be a water station each lap. So I will also be getting used to training close to how things will done at the Maravan event itself. Staying hydrated will help get me round the course.