Overcoming the Cold and Back Pain: Day 39 of My London Marathon 2023 Training

-

 Today I had a slightly nicer intervals session than usual, with only 5 x 3 minute intervals with a 1:30 minute rest in between. However, this was only made difficult by two things. The first being the COLD! I mean, it was positively freezing out there this morning with frost still on the pavement and a slightly slippy surface. The second difficult thing was the pain in my back, which seems to have resurfaced. I think this time it's due to my hamstrings, which have always been tight and mixed in with the cold, it made my lower back feel like it was on fire.


Despite the challenges, I got through the run okay, but I had to spend the majority of the day sitting down (which I do not enjoy as I prefer to teach at a standing desk). I have always been a firm believer in the benefits of movement, so sitting down all day felt a bit counter-productive. However, I know that rest is important too, and tomorrow will be a rest day for me, so I will be able to take it a little easier on my body.

I must admit, this training has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. Some days I feel on top of the world, and others I feel like I'm dragging myself through mud. But, that's the beauty of marathon training, it teaches you so much about yourself and what you're capable of. You learn to push through the tough times, and you appreciate the good days even more.

In the meantime, I would like to remind everyone that they can donate to the Sittingbourne Carnival Court and help get the float restored to its former glory via my GoFundMe page. The carnival is a staple in the local community and brings people together, and I'm passionate about helping to make it the best it can be. So, if you have a few pennies to spare, please consider donating and supporting the cause.

Well, that's all for today. I'm off to enjoy my rest day tomorrow, but I'll be back soon with another update on my marathon journey.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Finding Balance: Life, Hobbies, and Marathon Training

-
Image
  Welcome back to my London Marathon 2023 training blog! Today is day 102 out of 112, and unfortunately, life got in the way of my training. As much as we try to stick to a training plan, sometimes unexpected events can disrupt our routine, and that's okay. So, there was no run for me today, but I did manage to finish painting my latest Blood Bowl team. As a runner, I find it essential to have hobbies and other interests to keep me balanced and grounded. Painting miniatures is my go-to hobby, and it's a great way to unwind after a long day at work or a tough workout. Plus, it's always satisfying to see the finished product. While it's essential to prioritise our training, it's equally important to make time for the things that make us happy and help us relax. After all, training for a marathon is a long and challenging process, and we need to take care of our mental health as well as our physical health. Tomorrow is a new day, and I'll be back out on the streets
Read more

Day 82: Pushing Through the Pain - Intense Interval Training

-
Image
  Today's training session was an intensive interval session, which began with a 15-minute warm-up before moving into 5 x 2 minute efforts in heart rate zone 4, with a 1 minute recovery between each effort. Although the distance was shorter, it was mentally tough to maintain my pace and not push myself too hard. I had to ease off a couple of times to prevent over-stressing my body and pushing my heart rate into the anaerobic zone. As I wind down for the day, I'm looking forward to getting some well-deserved rest. Fortunately, I have no early wake-up calls tomorrow, so I can sleep in and let my body recover. I won't be stretching before bed, but I'll make sure to do some light stretching before my next run. With the London Marathon only a few weeks away (don't forget, it's on April 23rd!), the pressure is on to maintain my training regimen. It's a challenge to keep pushing myself forward, but I know it'll be worth it when I cross that finish line.
Read more

Balancing Training and Fun: Reflections on Day 34 of My London Marathon 2023 Journey

-
  Today marked Day 34 of my London Marathon 2023 training, and it was back to intervals with a bang. I had 6 x 5-minute hard efforts in heart rate zone 4, with 1-minute recovery in between. This type of training is essential for building my endurance and strength, and helps to increase my speed and stamina for the marathon. However, fitting in this run today was a real struggle. My day was packed with exciting events, starting with a trip to London to see the Strictly Come Dancing Tour with Kelly. After the show, we headed to an early Valentine's Day dinner, making for a busy and fulfilling day. To top it off, Kelly even made it onto Heart Radio to talk about our daily plans and what we had been up to. Despite the busy schedule, I made sure to prioritise my training, and I'm proud to say that I pushed through the struggle and completed my intervals. The hard efforts were challenging, but the 1-minute recoveries in between allowed me to catch my breath and gather my energy for t
Read more