Marathon training – Week 12: It’s the final count-down!

My 37km/23mile run on Wednesday was nice and mostly uneventful. My stomach started to ache a little bit towards the end of it and that means I need to be super super clean about my eating from now until the Paris Marathon (that for me means no sugar and no gluten).  I also ran out of water in my Camelback after 30km and as a result was crazy thirsty for the rest of the day. I didn’t want much food at all, just water and coconut water.

Anyway, the longest run is now done and this year’s first marathon is in 2 weeks. Eeeek! Totally exciting! 🙂  I don’t have any maranoia yet (a state of temporary paranoia in the few weeks leading up to a marathon), I’m quite calm. I have just run 37kms without a problem. I think I will get to the finish line. At the moment I’m feeling very giddy actually because I had  a dream last night that I finished Paris in 3 hours 41 minutes and 14 seconds.  I would be very happy with that 🙂

The training last week went down as follows:

• Monday: Rest
• Tuesday: Crossfit, included a 800m run
• Wednesday: 37km run at 5:50 pace ; Bikram
• Thursday: 5.29km recovery run at 6:02 pace
• Friday: Crossfit, included 10 x 50m sprints with 15kg sled
• Saturday: Easy 10km at 5:19 pace
• Sunday: Rest with a bit of swimming (525m)

Total: 53.59km

This week I’m planning on running 30-35km and next week around 20, with the 3 days leading up to the marathon totally free from exercise. I’m not sure how I’m going to survive! Sounds nuts to most normal people but I am truly addicted to daily workouts and find it hard (mentally and physically) to function without them. Knowing I’m resting for a purpose should help me get through those days. Let’s hope it does.