Week 11 of training felt a bit all over the place if I’m honest. I bought a camelbak in hopes that it would aid my overheating and hydrate me more during my runs, but it has caused more annoyance than help so far.
Tuesday saw my speediest run to date. I felt tired but optimistic and with slightly chillier weather I knocked out 4 miles at a sub 9min mile average. Very difficult but I tried to really push myself beyond my comfort zone.
My camelbak arrived on Wednesday so I decided to take it on a test run with Cata. We had 8 miles planned and after about 2 miles I got a stitch on my right hand side that refused to go away. We had to stop around 2-3 times because it spread to my entire right side of my upper body. Very uncomfortable to say the least.
On Thursday I was determined to give the camelbak another go and whilst I didn’t get a stitch, it still felt like I was being trapped and couldn’t breathe properly. Not one of my best runs and I had to stop twice, literally crawling the last mile (or so it felt anyway).
No strength training all week as I was too tired to get up and with my in laws visiting over the weekend, my usual swimming session got skipped as well (and replaced with lots of uphill walking!).
The long run was meant to be 16 miles but with Cata in Stockholm and a very unenthusiastic Sam, it didn’t quite go as planned. We over indulged at the weekend and I ate way too much too close to the long run, resulting in basically burping & throwing up in my mouth for a good part of 8.6 miles.
Gave the camelbak a last chance but it just wasn’t working. It was hot & muggy and I got overheated 2 miles in. I took of my jacket, but 0.5 miles of carrying the bag with only a tank to on my neck & arms started chaffing, so Sam was kind enough to take it from me.
All in all we did 8.6 miles until Sams ankle gave up. He is a trooper and I am pretty sure that under different circumstances, he would have powered through. But I could tell that he was in a lot of pain, and I didn’t want my ego to be the cause of permanent damage and him potentially missing the marathon (or more training runs) so I decided throw in the towel and accept defeat.
I guess you need to pick your battles and I felt like this one was not worth fighting.
Learnt a lot from last weeks mistakes though and for the next 6 weeks of training I am determined to get the food aspect right – especially the timing of when I eat what!
This is what I have to concur this week:
MARATHON TRAINING WEEK 12
MON: REST – Done
TUE: Strength training & 5 miles – No strength and did 4.6 miles instead of 5 miles
WED: 4 miles – Did a 45 min spinning class instead
THU: REST – Done
FRI: 8 miles – Done
SAT: Swimming – Done
SUN: 12 miles – 16 miles in 2:49!