Well, it’s a calendar month until we start running… it’s a bit of an understatement to say I’m nervous. I’m petrified.
This is largely because these final weeks should be about coming to the peak of training. My body should be in prime condition, ready for the 6 consecutive marathons I need to do.
At this point however, I simply have the lyrics from the song “Body Count” in my head… “Shit ain’t like that!”
Ah, the immortal words of Ice T there. That takes me back a fair few years!
Anyway, back to the here and now. I haven’t been running at all for almost three weeks now due to rather painful feet. The blisters I had got infected (they leaked this horrid, white fluid that smelled so bad I wanted to vomit!). I was advised to remove the dead skin, clean them and let the air at them. Well, that worked in terms of the infection but I have a very large patch on both heels without any skin on… or at least that’s what it feels like!
Any attempt at running has been very painful and I’ve been very cautious about making them any worse. I think they’ve recovered enough to run now but we’ll see whether or not that’s the case when I return from a short run later today!
The other problem is that I’ve got pretty out of shape in these three weeks. I’ve been eating at my previous level. I have the appetite of someone running 25 miles a week. I feel like I’ve put on about a stone in weight. I feel really bloated. I think I need to go on a diet before the run itself. Perhaps no alcohol or crisps before the run?
Organisationally, things are coming together well. I have all but one night’s accommodation booked; travel to Ravenglass on the 5th May is sorted (huge thanks to Harry Humphries for the lift); travel home from Whitley Bay is (apparently) sorted too but I’m not sure who is bringing us home; baggage transfer for all but one stop is sorted too.
So, all in all, it’s coming together well but it’s taken ages. I feel like I’ve spent about a full working week organising this thing. It better be worth it!