Monday, April 19, 2010

Journey to a Marathon

... and the journey is what it is about, the destination has changed, but it has, and is, still a journey.

Along the journey I've lost nearly 30kg, I've become a runner, and a not so bad runner, I've gained in confidence, I've learnt so much.

The destination will be Rotorua on the 1st of May, rather than London on 25th of April.

Along my 41yo journey I've tried hard to focus on the positive and not to stress over what you can't change ... I'm trying hard to keep that attitude now.

A family holiday for 4-5 days in Rotorua, my whole family supporting me, and a marathon is a marathon (albeit MUCH more hilly than I was expecting!).

Originally I said I'd definitely do London next year. David and I have talked and we're thinking about using the refunded money we should get and putting it towards the whole family going to Disney, I'd get to ran that Birthday marathon I only dreamed about doing, and it would be a family holiday of a lifetime. The $18K total airfare has me cringing ... but we're going to work on it.

So, yeah, disappointed and still in disbelief that such a crappy situation had to happen just as we were off for our much anticipated trip ... but we'll try our hardest to make sure we can turn it into a positive :)

Thanks for all the thoughts!

Now, one question ... I've got an extra week in my taper, I've followed the programme so closely, I'm not sure what to do! At this stage I'm thinking of running a slow 20-25k on Wednesday, and then doing the 1.5wk taper as per the programme, do you think that sounds okay? I'm not sure about a FOUR week taper, seems too long to me?

6 comments:

  1. Sounds like you've come up with a good plan. No idea on the taper as I've managed to get mine all screwed up as well. ;o)

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  2. You are inspiring! You've done so much and come so far.

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  3. Tapers are very individual things. I know some people who hardly taper at all and are doing great.
    Your plan of having a longish run mid week sounds good to me. I think the key is to keep on running but lower on intensity.
    You really have to pat yourself on the back for sticking to your training program.

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  4. I love the new plan to go on a huge family vacation... that sounds like a fantastic way to use the refunded money!

    Good luck with the Rotorua marathon!!

    I'm not an expert on tapering, but I'll pass along the advice that was given to my DH when he ended up doing his last long run 4 weeks before our first marathon. One of his buddies has run Boston every year (forever) and he told DH that there's not much you can do to improve your running in the last 2 weeks, but there's a lot you can do to hurt it... so advised him to take it easy and not overdo it. Made sense to me.

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  5. I have been thinking about you nonstop with this whole overseas volcanic ash dilemma. I'm so glad you have a back up plan and can still become a marathoner. Good luck my dear!!!

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  6. Glad you were able to find such an awesome plan B!!

    Are you talking about doing the Disney Marathon?! I LOVE that race. I've done it three times and hope to go back in 2011.

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