Off track - one week before half marathon

Event: Half marathon training
Location: Coventry, West Midlands
Date: 12/03/17

JUST one week to go before my very first half marathon - in Coventry.

I had a 'gulp' moment when I realised it was so close. It seemed a good idea at the time!

Since then, I've been following a 'sort of' training programme, where I've taken a published schedule, and adapted it to my needs and commitments.

Parkruns have been substituted for some tempo runs, for example (even though on the 'plan' it has Saturday - parkrun day - as rest).

Spring bloom: Beautiful cherry blossom at
Coventry's War Memorial Park.

I've been adapting long runs as I go along and juggling other days as and when.

In general, using a plan has been helpful. At least it gives a structure to work to.

But, as a late-late starter to running, and having very quickly run myself into IT band injury in the 'early days,' I'm trying to be a little more 'sensible,' and - as all the literature advises - listen to my body!

So after an exhilarating Coventry parkrun yesterday, including an adrenalin-fired finale with around nine or 10 of us sprinting shoulder-to-shoulder for the finish line, and a few niggles around my heel and right knee today, I made the decision to remain housebound.

At one with nature: Running along an avenue 
of cherry blossom.

It's frustrating, as I've been itching to 'get out there' and do a final long run before 'HM Day,' but I'm working on the principle that under-trained is better than over-trained. Forcing a run now, and possibly exacerbating the niggles, could mean being out of action altogether. And I'd rather have a slow run than no run!

I 'accidentally' completed 16 miles last weekend after wind and rain whipped up and I ended up soaked, freezing and missing a turning on to a road I was intending to follow. Yes, I don't know where I was looking at the time. It was just a 'head down against the elements' moment!

But one of the masochistic pleasures of this kind of activity, is that it doesn't matter how far out you go, you've got to come all the way back again. And it's down to you. So if you're cold, wet, hungry, tired, it doesn't matter. Unless you really do reach a point of desperation where you have to call for help, there's only one person who can do anything about it - you! And you just keep going!

Some of the route last week was littered with fallen branches and had disappeared under a quagmire of squelching, oozing mud. Not the most pleasant of experiences.

At least it gave me some confidence that I could grapple with the 13-odd miles of a half. I hope.

Training for the HM has not been entirely as I might have expected. I haven't followed the plan as closely as I thought I might (and as the experts often seem to advocate!) though I have managed to complete a reasonable range of running activities; and my caffeine and chocolate intake still leaves much to be desired.

But then, I have engaged in a wider range of running than I might otherwise have done, and have certainly gone further than I ever thought possible.

Sharing the experience with my friend Jill, also running the half  (her first as well), has been helpful. We've been able to swap running tales and keep tabs on what training - or not - we've managed to squeeze in.

So we'll see. I'm looking forward to meeting my Massey Ferguson running buddies and other friends at the start. Last year I was a marshal looking on. This year, it'll be interesting to experience the miles from the track itself!

Know your number: Exciting when you get your
run number through - makes it real!

Running note

Coventry City Council deserve a massive thanks for their involvement in this year's event.

There were fears that it would be axed after the previous organisers chose not to renew their contract. Thankfully, the council stepped in with both cash and resources, enabling it to go ahead.

So if it hadn't been for the council, there would probably have been no half!

Last year, an estimated 4,000 runners took part, raising money for local and national charities and good causes.

Council support: Letter from Abdul Salam Khan,
Deputy Leader, Coventry City Council,
welcoming people to the Half Marathon.