The next Marathon I’m doing is the Berlin Marathon 2019. I decided to take at least a couple of weeks off after the Liverpool marathon. Having been reasonably pleased with getting three hours and 25 minutes after an injury ridden three weeks in the run-up to the event, I was glad to have the well earned rest. I was really looking forward to my holiday in Italy. I consciously choose a hotel which would have a gym so that if I needed to run I could do so at my leisure. Also, it would avoid the inevitable all inclusive decadent binge eating minus training which would invariably lead to weight gain. Although I wasn’t completely clear of my injuries, I was determined to keep my fitness topped up.
But first a family Holiday
We got to Italy on 23rd June and it was clear from day one that it was going to be sizzlingly hot. Sicily was utterly amazing and the hotel was great. During that week I got in 20 miles of running on the treadmill. The treadmill itself was extremely ropey with the running belt buckling towards the front end of the machine. My arm which holds on to the front bar was at full stretch trying not to trip over the lumpy buckling section! I’d love to say that the air-conditioning in the gym was unbelievably wonderful. It wasn’t. It was a very sweaty affair. Still, I successfully got some training in and kept the belly from growing too large. That definitely wouldn’t be a good look for the Berlin Marathon 2019!
Returning to England, I knew I had to get my injury sorted. I had been to the physio prior to my holiday and arrange to see him again on my return. The diagnosis has been located towards the bottom of my spine. There is tightness of my third, fourth and fifth vertebra. My physio has been manipulating my spine and has given me some exercises to do. I have been doing these religiously and there seems to be some progress. Not as quick as I would like, but, progress nonetheless.
Back to Training
I managed to run 27 miles at the end of last week, week ending Sunday 14th July. My last run on Sunday was 9.4 miles in 75 minutes with Matt Langtree. I was really pleased, my run was pain-free. However, on Monday morning my legs were a little stiff. And, my easy run on the treadmill, on Monday evening, 15th July, was a little painful.
My physio asked me how much pain I was in when I was running, out of 10. I said it was around 2. He advised me that I shouldn’t be running at all when in pain. However, I do believe that little bit of discomfort doesn’t necessarily mean that it is detrimental to the road to recovery. If the pain worsens, then of course, it is best to reduce volume altogether. In my experience, if you stop running completely then it doesn’t allow the body to go through some level of adaptation . It is a very fine balance, and I always listen to my body. At the moment things are moving in the right direction. I just need to make sure that they continue in that vein.
Doing the right thing
Berlin Marathon 2019 is really important for me as I will be running it with Chris Sherwood my extremely close friend who lost his wife to cancer in May 2019. We are raising money for breast cancer now. If you would like to donate, we would be extremely grateful. The just giving website is below:
Anything amount, no matter how small makes a big difference.
My next race will be the Eton Dorney half marathon on 11th August. I will be guided by the amazing Lucy Niemz. Please keep your fingers crossed that I will continue to make improvements in my training and get rid of all of my injuries by then. I would love to do a superfast half if possible.
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