Hello again everyone. How quickly time is passing. I hope you are all keeping well and healthy. Its now only 11 weeks and 4 days until I find myself on the starting line of the Virgin London Marathon. Well technically I wont actually be on the starting line itself as I think a 2;10 marathon is not quite possible!! I shall be happily at the back of the pack amongst the brilliant masses. My excitement (and fear) is building on a daily basis.

This week has seen a reduction in training intensity. Couldn’t quite believe it when the 2 week schedule arrived in my inbox and I opened week one. Now this is always a slightly nerve-wracking moment as you can never be too sure what Phoebe is going to present you with. What you do know, is that usually it is going to be slightly tougher than the week before.(within cardiac rehabilitation we also encourage people to gradually increase their activities in time and intensity if possible until they reach the correct level for them) So to see a week of recovery was a pleasant surprise. Apparently every few weeks this is a vital component of marathon training to help our muscles repair and rejuvenate (and believe me at my tender age they need all the help they can get) and as such, is the time in which we actually get fitter. Importantly I have caught up on some sleep. Instead of my usual 5-6 hours I have had 9-10 hours. I did wonder if this was a tad excessive but then discovered that apparently the great Paula herself has 11 hours. So if it’s good enough for a world champion its definitely good enough for me.

Sunday Jan 29^th 2012

The long run scheduled for today was to last between 1;45-2:00.I made a conscious decision to go for the 2 hours with the notion that this would be a good physical and mental test. It was icy cold, so after donning my Sub 4 gear (which get me toasty warm) I then had the dilemma of how to fuel my run. I decided on a large bowl of porridge with honey, pumpkin seeds and a banana for good measure. As the run was going to last so long I also took some energy gels with me to make sure my muscles were getting enough carbohydrate.They worked magnificently and I completed the run with a frozen butt but otherwise unscathed.

Checking my Garmin610 I was chuffed to discover I had done 11.5 miles at a pace of 10:24. Now this is obviously a lot faster than I should have done it. Having said that I felt strong and my rationale was that as I knew the ensuing week was going to be lighter I could afford to push a little. Not so sure Phoebe will see it in quite the same way…

Tuesday Jan 30^th 2012

Today’s session called for a recovery run of 30 minutes. Again I was a bad girl and did the run at 09:42 pace. I really must pay more attention to my pace. I now realise that the purpose of a recovery run is just as it says on the tin “to recover” and rid the muscles of lactic acid etc. Not push them again like I did. Lesson learnt. The same principle applies to you guys. You don’t need to exercise every day and should always include rest periods.

The rest of the week included a 60 minute run with last 30 at marathon pace which I shall attempt before work on Thursday. Now given the weather has decided to turn arctic and I have to do the session at 6am before my 10 hour shift (dedicated and committed or just plain mad?-you decide) I have decided to give the great outdoors a miss and opt for the comfort and safety of the treadmill. The easy option I know. Although having now completed the run I can say that it was so boring. Give me outside any day. Of course it goes without saying that I continue with my core/strength and stretching routines. I would like to be able to report at this point that I have finally mastered a full press-up but alas not yet.

The remainder of the week gave me time to reflect on my training so far and think about the reasons why I run. Project 26.2 has already helped me achieve things I never thought possible. Like the Park Run which I never would have entered through choice. Or doing 6 minute thresholds at sub 9 min/mile pace. It has given me a pride in what my body is capable of. I really feel that I am growing and learning as a runner and a person every day. When I sat and thought of the reasons I run I was shocked at how many there were. The list appears endless, but includes (and not necessarily in the correct order)

1. The ability to eat cake from time to time

2. Being the proud owner of a strong heart and lungs

3. Feeling invincible

4. Smoothing my way through the menopause

5. Being flooded with feel good hormones

6. Slipping into size 10s

7. The ability to eat chocolate (milk, white or dark I’m not fussy)

8. Watching my body become strong and toned

9. Reducing my risk of osteoporosis, diabetes and heart disease

10. Becoming a member of the “running family”

11. Enjoying the odd beer (or two)

12. Feeling at one with nature

13. Pushing myself to achieve more than I thought possible and crossing new boundaries

14. Making lifelong friends on Project 26.2

And last, but not least making dreams possible. Most of the above benefits of regular cardiovascular exercise (and that includes brisk walking) will apply to everyone. It really can transform lives and help keep you fit and healthy but it needs to be a long term project

So a lovely week in which I have continued running, albeit less strenuously but have also enjoyed a little more rest and sleep and have reflected on my journey so far to the marathon finishing line. As I wallowed in this blissful state I suddenly remembered week two of my training plan was still sitting in my inbox waiting for my attention. With some trepidation I clicked open….more to come on that in next week’s episode

Please follow me on Twitter @lozenge13 and please feel free to check out my justgiving fund raising page at www.justgiving.com/Lorraine-Voisey0  Speak again soon…thanks for sticking with me so far….happy and safe exercising…Lorraine x