Miles this week: 35.2
Still
to go: £487.50
Well, I have had the best response ever this week with regards to
fundraising. I took the most in one week and I have also past my pre-race
target leaving it mighty close mind you. This has also kept me busy and my mind
off the daunting challenge coming my way tomorrow. So a massive thank you to every that has
taken time out this week to sponsor me and a double thank you to those that
have even found extra money to sponsor me a second time. The kind people this
week are Gill, Toni, Ryan, Jane, Hayley, Fiona, Alicia, Nick my brother along
with Mel and the kids, and finally to Sara’s mum, Val.
The Song of the week is The Final Countdown by Europe. Not one I’d say that I listen to, but it seems very fitting this week. You might as well have it playing in the background while reading this blog!
The Song of the week is The Final Countdown by Europe. Not one I’d say that I listen to, but it seems very fitting this week. You might as well have it playing in the background while reading this blog!
As
I mentioned in the previous two blogs, the book I’ve been following has nothing
new to teach me. It’s just advising/reminding me about fuelling correctly this
week, and it shared more people’s stories of finishing their first ever
marathon.
I’ve
had an easy running week (well, so far that is!). During the two runs that I
did I felt like I should have had a minder with me, testing all the cracks in
the pavement and stopping all the traffic. It wasn’t the case though. I also
had to do a 3 mile walk, I guess to keep me active, but the walking I did
around the London Expo was way more than this. Of course, I have yet to do day
four of this week.
Day
1 = 3 miles
Day
2 = 3 miles
Day
3 = 3 mile walk
Day
4 = 26.2 miles Marathon day
Total will be = 35.2 miles
So
on Thursday I headed to the London Expo which is billed as ‘The Best Free Event
in the Running Year’. All the major athletic brands are present, as well as a
multitude of other exhibitors. They show and sell everything from socks to
global navigation devices to the latest niche products and everything between.
There is plenty to engage both the beginner and the serious distance runner
alike.
Additionally,
there is a concierge desk for race day help/tips. You can also meet elite
athletes and celebrities and take advantage of the many photo opportunities.
You can even enjoy the entertainment on the Virgin Money stage, along with any
last minute tips from expert speakers, as well as winning prizes and much more.
I walked around the expo so many times that I lost count, but every time I somehow always managed to see something different or a new stand that for reason I had missed the last time.
I walked around the expo so many times that I lost count, but every time I somehow always managed to see something different or a new stand that for reason I had missed the last time.
Well with 1 day to go (well technically its less than that now) I think I have managed to complete all the to do/check lists I had set myself this week.
I have
tried not to leave anything to chance or the last minute. I’ve double checked
all the information and checklists that explain what to do during the last few
days before the marathon, as well as my own personal check lists. These led to
a mild panic this week as I couldn’t find an ideal train journey to get there on
Sunday. So instead I will be driving to Richmond station and then getting a
train to the start line. One bonus to being a runner this Sunday is I don’t have to pay
for a train ticket when I get into London, as runners get free train travel around London on Sunday.
All I need to do is show my race number.
This
week I have been trying to eat plenty of the right stuff and to make sure I
have a full glass/bottle of water with me at all times. I’ve also been carbing up over the last few
days.
I
have had my race day kit ready since Tuesday, but I keep going back to check I
have everything. As this is my first ever marathon I don’t really know what
works and what doesn’t, so on race day all I can really go by is what worked
for me during the long runs of my training programme. So my race day kit will
consist of the following:
Vest – I will be proudly sporting
this year’s Sense vest. It is an orange and Purplely-blue colour with my name
across my chest which should hopefully help people cheer me on.
Compression Top - under the vest I will be
wearing a Nike NPC Combat Compression top. I got it in orange so that I stand
out more as Sense main colour is orange. The top itself has Nike Dri-Fit technology,
which is meant to ensure a dry and comfortable feel during your workout. I wore
a similar top when I went out on my long runs.
Shoes – I seem to have found a
decent pair of running shoes at long last. Despite all the trouble I had
finding a new pair I have still managed to put close to 100 miles on them
before race day. These are the new Mizuno Wave Riders 17 in a fetching green colour.
Shorts – I guess shorts are shorts
really, well, to me they are. I decided to go with Mizuno Drylite Square leg,
seeing as I already had that brand in shoes.
Socks – Socks are a little
different. Having suffered with blisters when trying to find a new pair of
shoes, I changed socks as well. I went with Mizuno, the Drylite branding, and
they appear to keep my feet perfectly dry after a hot day doing high miles.
Technology bits – I have my Garmin watch (that
I’ll try not to keep looking at!) I’ll use it more to keep an eye on my mile
marker pace, not wanting to go too fast too soon. I have also spent the past
few weeks creating a 90 odd song playlist that I can have on random during the
whole event.
Belt – I have purchased a small
belt that will go under my vest so that I can store a few essential items
during the marathon.
Bin bag – Now I haven’t done this yet,
but I learned my lesson from getting soaked before the half marathons last
year, seeing all the clever people wearing a bin bag to keep them dry. It’s
such a simple idea and all you need is one of the big black sacks and then cut
a hole in the bottom for your head to go through. However looking at the weather I may not need this now.
Warm kit – It goes without saying this
time of the morning I will need something warm to travel in, and possibly back
home again. So just a nice hoody and jogging bottoms will do me.
If
any of you are interested, you can follow my progress during the race via the
Virgin London Marathon website (Follow the link to the website below). This will allow you to track any runner at
every 5K point on the course; at the halfway point you will also be able to see
their elapsed time since starting the race. All you need to do is click the
track-a-runner button and enter the surname of the runner. But, just in case,
my race number is 47469. However this is only available on race day so don't try now. http://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/
Well a big thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone that has taken time out to help me reach my pre-race target. However let's see if we can reach my overall target of £1,500 by the time I cross the finish line and complete my first ever marathon tomorrow. Whatever amount you can spare even if it's £1, it all goes towards doing amassing work at Sense. Come on guys don’t let me down, you've been the best so far!
Leigh
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