Date: Friday, August 20, 2021
Distance: 4.5 miles
Listened to: Have not decided yet
I am writing this before I head out as part of my training for the Virtual Virgin Money London Marathon on October 3. It has been a while since I contributed to this blog but today is the third anniversary of my dear Dad’s death, so it felt like it was time.
The title is both physical and emotional. Physically, ups and downs are part and parcel of living in Devon. Hills are unavoidable and are especially ever-present if you opt to do a trail run. My first race since February last year, I somehow found myself on the start-line thanks to the enthusiasm of my friend Abs . “It’s just 15.5 miles,” she said. Yes, I had just dragged myself through a hilly marathon but this was something else!
The upside was that I did train with Cath and Abs every weekend in the lead up. We all seemed to take turns in having a ‘rubbish run’, so there was always a solid amount of moaning going on and cathartic, childish puddle jumping. If you recall, I have always feared running with friends and still do at times, so this was all a bit brave for me. Cath and Abs are very supportive though…with equal sarcasm and love. In fact, I have not met an unsupportive runner; it’s just how I perceive my contribution to the group-run that makes me worry and wibble. While I hate to think I am holding people back, they always seem to genuinely appreciate the slower pace/walk/sit on a bench!
The training went well but the prep for race day at the end of May was not ideal thanks to a new puppy, husband being away and taking on a shift in the rugby club kitchen the night before. It was also a weird afternoon start time that was dictated by the tide, as the aim, and title of the event, was to Race The Tide at Mothecombe beach. Despite a large contingent of serious looking runners and a very hot day, the race started off well for me. There was forest cover and plenty of puddles, and we comfortably made the seven-mile cut-off to beat the tide.
At this point , we could have stumbled a few steps and completed the shorter route, but for some reason we had signed up for the ultra-half (not official title, but I going with it). It began with a steep uphill climb from the beach and out of the trees to the point that I was going so slowly that my Garmin watch thought I had stopped. How rude! From then on, it was steep hills up and down along the coast. Turns out I am not so hot at running down hills. My timid braking made my quads work even harder, so I was a tad wrecked. The views were beautiful but I was too busy trying to survive to care. Man, it was tough. Tougher than the marathon in my mind, but truly lovely to finish a race with my beloved ‘fast girls’ and get a pretty medal.
After that, I was at a bit of loss as to what to do with my running. I knew I could get through a half marathon, so going back to the beginning of a marathon programme felt a bit futile, so I swapped out runs for spin sessions on the bike in our shed and some online strength sessions, with the odd bit of Zumba thrown in, plus hill and speed runs.
I re-started marathon training with much trepidation in week seven of a 16-week plan. As a guide, my first long run was 12 miles. This went ok with a wet and windy one Eastbourne. The week after, however, was poor – it was one long enormous emotional hill! I really struggled through the 14 miles. Granted, it was not the easiest route, but when I still had two miles to make up in town as I returned from the coast, I really struggled to keep running. Fear had gripped my muscles and my mind. My heart wanted to go on but it felt broken. I made the distance, but it wasn’t pretty and made me doubt that I would ever achieve the 26.2 miles. I usually smile like a goon in all my running photos, but I was not smiling inside for this one.
I had to make some fast decisions. Backing out is not an option as I am running for a charity – Dementia UK – to support other people like my Dad. I decided to try to eat better and sleep more, and plan to give up drinking after the first weekend of September until after the Exeter Marathon in November. I also tweaked my pace down. I am no speed demon but even taking 15 more seconds per mile somehow makes each one seem more survivable. I am not competing – it’s a lonesome virtual marathon after all – I just need to complete the distance.
Last week’s training went better and I got to 16 miles without feeling ‘the fear’. I am on a re-load week this week, so only have nine miles to do this weekend, and then it’s back on it. The body seems to have accepted this is what we are doing now and is doing its best to support me. I just need to care for it too to get me through the next six weeks.
I would dearly love to run a marathon without the physical and emotional ups and downs, but it’s a tough distance and a real training commitment. It takes over your life a bit, which makes you feel a bit selfish, but if I can raise some money and make my Dad proud (assuming he is watching over me), then it will be all worthwhile. If you would like to show me your support, please feel free to add a comment below (they really do help) or if you can spare any pennies, you can sponsor me here: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CazMoore-runningfordad Thanks to everyone who has already sponsored me. The generosity of my friends and family never ceases to amaze me.
#runningfordad
Running for Dad 