All the gear and no idea...

On Saturday morning I set off with Cal out to the Surrey Hills for a spot of cycling. It was a cold but fresh morning - beautiful cycling weather.

It was a definate case of 'all the gear and no idea' I am afraid. I borrowed Josh's shoes, shorts, leggings, top and waterproof. Cal gave me gloves, a helmet and THE BARRACHI. For those who don't know what a BARRACHI is, it is a super snazzy bike with a light frame and clips on the pedals.

Unfortunately I cannot say I used it to the best of its' ability - I spent the first hour very nervous about the fact that my feet were clipped onto the pedals and despite not forgetting that fact for a second whilst going along, as soon as we stopped I forgot it instantly and almost fell off everytime as I forgot to disengage my feet correctly.

I got the hang of the pedals further in but think that I am just a snail cyclist and although I could keep going up all the hills, my pace was VERY slow and I think Cal got more than a little frustrated! I also rode into a few ditches because the wheels are really skinny. Not sure how that is an explanation for veering into ditches but I'm sure it had something to do with it. Plus my chain hopped off the cog thinggys twice too - I think it's fair to say I am not a natural cyclist!!

BUT - we ended up doing 32 miles with a few hills involved in a bit under 3 hours so a good mornings exercise. Rather annoyingly, my bike's chain was REALLY noisy whenever I free wheeled so every time I wasn't pedalling Cal knew what I was doing. More than once he told me to stop being lazy and get on with it!!

I can't stop eating.

Hmmmm... So the images I had in my mind of me literally shrinking in size to about a size 6 following all this running is not really becoming a reality - more the reverse following my injury... I am eating like a horse - no exaggeration. At a recent meal I ate my food and then cleaned the plates of three others; I never say no to seconds and usually have thirds; and I have also started eating puddings...

BUT - and here is the major problem - I am no longer running 40 or 50 miles per week but I am still eating as though I am. Could I end up being the only person to do the marathon and gain a big tummy in the process???

Marathon training of 5 weeks without running and now with heel lifts and leg baths???

5 weeks without running is pretty much what I will have done... Since the big 18 miler I did nearly four weeks ago, I have only run 3 times and none of those have been more than 7 miles... And now I have been told not to run again before the marathon.

Today I went to see Fred who is the excellent physio that Katy has been seeing throughout her knee ops. He has diagnosed me as having a small tear in my calf muscle where it joins the tendons. He was adamant that I should not run again before the marathon; except for a short jog next Friday. When I do this jog I can appraise the situation and decide if I can run the marathon (the answer to which is already indisputedly a yes, even if Grumps has to carry me or I have to crawl)...

In the meantime I should not do any running at all and no gym work because even the cross trainer has impact on the leg. I have to nurse my leg so that it can heal as much as possible. I have to wear heel lifts (which are really springy, I feel like I am walking on the moon - I am sure the novelty will wear off) and soak my leg in water as hot as I can bear every day at least once a day. This will get the blood flowing which should help the healing.

I am however allowed to cycle, so Cal and I are heading off to Surrey Hills very early on Saturday morning to do some cycling (I am not sure he knows how much of a simpleton I am when attached to a bike). The other plan is to cycle all or at least most of the final part of the marathon very early on Monday or Tuesday so that I am mentally prepared for the route. At least I can be mentally prepared if not physically!!

I am allowed to swim but as my swimming talent is even worse than my cycling talent, I am not sure that this is a good idea - drowning would not be ideal.

Sammy Kemp is adamant about the 'jam in the doughnut' which is increasing the core fitness by doing some sort of exercise called the plank. This is an extremely painful version of a press up which helps to strengthen the stomach muscles (I think...).

So with a mix of cycling and the all important Jam, I am doing everything I can to ensure that none of you get your money back!!! I will complete the darn thing; as Lawrence Armstrong said:

Pain is temporary, quitting is permanent!!!

Hmmm, cycling to Ditton Priors is really steep!

I set out today with the aim of doing a really long cycle ride but stupidly decided that it would be a good idea to go up round the hill via Tugford and Abdon and above Ditton Priors (super steep hill in Shropshire country for those not familiar with it), above Earnstrey. Following that I shot (rather an exaggeration of my steady pace) back down through Ditton and out towards the Water Tower and then on down to Weston. I cut across country to Brockton and then took the main road home.

Total distance 16 miles. Not an amazing effort but a VERY good lung and leg work out - at one stage the hill I was trying to bike up was so steep I almost fell backwards off the bike.

Stopping in too difficult a gear on a ludicrously steep hill was a real error as I found out and the fact that Daddy had a) pumped up the tyres really hard and b) raised the seat so I could hardly touch the ground did not help. I almost toppled right off the bike trying to get to a gear in which I could actually turn the wheels.

Not sure it was one of my finest moments and I was very pleased there were only sheep to watch me. I just don't think I am a natural cyclist...

Cycling is the way forward.

I attempted a short five miler around Wandsworth Common on Wednesday and found that although my leg ached quite a lot, the pain was vastly reduced and with that level of ache I reckon I could definately complete the marathon. So the key is not to make it any worse...

Following some VERY stern words from my co-runner and some sage words of wisdom from my elder cousin (Andy Willco) I decided that perhaps running was not the most sensible option...

And so, out came Katy's bike from the stable and today I set off round our road circuit with the aim of doing 2 or 3 laps (5 1/2 mile laps). It actually went very well and although I am a very slow cyclist who does not even go fast downhill because I am a wimp (110km / hour on skis is no problem, 20km / hour on a bike is terrifying!); I did manage to do 4 laps. The countryside was looking beautiful and there was blazing sunshine and bright blue skies. I also had my imagination and by the end of four laps I was the British duathlon champion and I was entering both the 10km run and a cycling discipline in the 2012 olympics...

I did get a little carried away! But the good news was that my legume did not hurt at all so I can at least keep my self cardio fit...

Running for 2!

So… 20 miles. It actually wasn’t too bad (i.e I survived!) Very sadly my buddy had to stay at home and be a good girl by RESTING her poor leg (a lot of persuasion is being needed and a few lectures from me are going her way because she is not too keen on the resting and keeps trying to sneak in runs- not allowed!)

I instead managed to find a fellow marathon runner to share my plight and for the 1^st 14 miles was joined by mette who kept me on the right paths (how I get anywhere with my sense of direction I really don’t know!) She also plied me with sachets of energy gel- I have been told by many that these are essential and provide a much needed energy boost. I think maybe my expectations were far too high- I was expecting to eat one of these things and find my legs just taking off… not so unfortunately, the legs remained heavy and the experience wasn’t helped by the fact that it’s like swallowing slightly sweet luke warm snot… but I guess I got round!

We ran along the river from Vauxhall to parliament, then along St James’ park, around green park, then hyde park, around the serpentine, Regents park , back to hyde park then back home… it was the most beautiful day and although I must admit a 20 mile run isn’t how I’d necessarily chose to appreciate a beautiful day, I probably would have lain in and certainly would not have seen 5 of London’s parks in all their glory so it added to the smug feeling I had for the rest of the day!

Despite then falling asleep straight after and missing Neil’s rugby match, I did manage to go out and play later- (Until midnight!!!) and amuse myself by baa baa watching!

Anyway, the hard work ‘ain’t over yet- now all energy is going into trying to help Abbs- if anyone has secret magic fingers please call us!! (not that I’m in the least bit worried about piggy backing her round 26 miles of course- never shy away from a challenge!)

Running ban.

Hmmm, any plans for sub 4 1/2 hours may be up the spout for Abbs... My calf injury is proving a bit of a problem and the osteo banned me from running at the weekend. I went back to see him yesterday and it has improved, however I am not allowed to do too much before the big day.

To say that it is frustrating would be a huge understatement, but aside from having a tantrum of epic proportions (which I have considered but dismissed for the time being) there is little I can do.

If the marathon was further away, he would recommend total rest, but it isn't further away, it is just over 2 1/2 weeks! I am allowed to try a short run tomorrow, then try and build up a bit but definately no more than 15 miles and not as much as the training programme and if it hurts I have to stop. The theory being to do what I can before the marathon but not to make it any worse because if I start the marathon with an injury it will be hard to complete it, but if it gets painful mid-way through, I can probably manage to finish. Sounds fun!?!?

One good thing I have found out is that I have a very high pain threshold. He said that he could feel how much he was hurting my leg when he was working it and he decided that I could probably survive torture at the hands of the enemy if I could put up with the pain he was inflicting.

Wow, the marathon experience... You just can't put a value on it!!!