Eat Rest Run Panic Repeat

The final week of training.  Tapering and relaxing should be key but I've had my odd panic attack!  I had all my last runs planned out this week but then I changed it.  Then I changed it again.  I checked out some schedules and spoke to some other marathoners, including my CRC friend Sarah who smashed her first marathon in an incredible 3.31 on Sunday, and I changed my plans again.  I was the instructor on the rota for spin both on Sunday and Monday, although I tried to keep my resistance low(ish) but also ran before and after each session.  I also realised I had ran or at least exercised every single day for weeks.  Panic.  Have I done too much?  Should I be doing less mileage?!  I decided to take a rest from running on Wednesday (although I did swim and take combat) and do my last 3 miles on Thursday.  But then some plans say to do 2-3 miles in race kit the day before.  Panic.  Should I do that?!  Answers on a postcard please.   

My reading this week of VLM magazine along with antibacterial handwash that has been applied every hour!

From the weather forecast London was set to be hot at 22 degrees for Sunday!  PANIC!  Although that seems to have calmed down to 17, still at least 10 degrees more than what we're used to so and with my history enough to make me panic! Vest or tshirt?  What should I pack?  Panic.  The bug and the cold is rife in my family and around town with a few relatives having projectile vomit episodes in the last few days.  Panic.  So my daily dose of vitamins has been upped again - not taking any chances!  Few wee niggles and pains in my legs, paranoia?  Panic.

I'm also extremely nervous about the book launch which just so happens to be the night before we travel to London - I've never been to one so not really sure what to expect, what to wear or what to say.  More panic.

Baked healthy oatbakes to keep occupied - oats, skimmed milk, dried fruit, sunflower seeds & mashed banana - yum.

However, all that panicking aside I am extremly excited.  Not just for the run itself but for the whole weekend.  I've got some of my closest family and friends coming to support me at the launch and the marathon so it will be a blast no matter what happens.  And I'm not actually as nervous or pressured as I was that very first time I attempted the marathon 3 years ago. Yes, I'll put it out there, I would LOVE to get a sub-4.  It would be my dream.  But hey, I understand that London may not be where it happens.  The heat, the congestion etc But I'm positive that I will do that one day, I will do another marathon (I hope).  

I am going to be sensible (honestly!) and re-evaluate my race strategy on the day - if I feel ill, sore, tired or it's hot then I'll go slower, take on more water and/or gels.  Getting a good time is a bonus, getting to the finish line is more important.  And even if that doesn't happen, it's not the end of the world - there will be other marathons, other races, other weekends away, that's what it's about.

05/04/2014	Breakfast	Snack	Lunch	Snack	Dinner
Sat	Pre - soreen.  Beetroot juice	Toast with pbutter + jam and tea (protein shake with blueberries)	Carrot & coriander hmade soup with bread.	Green tea.	Lovely meal at royal with besties - chicken tenders (grilled this time!) and pasta prima vera with chicken.  Eton mess.  Ate far too much but totes amazeballs
Exercise	12 miles easy		Horrible wet and windy day but enjoyed run with Joc and Katie.  Kept it completely flat and fought temptation to do more or hilly.
Sun	Green tea and yoghurt with raspberries		Toast & scrambled eggs.  Slice toast with pbutter and jam	Green tea.	Hmade tomato based chicken curry with rice & pitta.  Dessert pot - oats, manuka honey, raspberries, lf yoghurt & hazelnuts.  Tea and oatcakes
Exercise	Spin.  3 miles easy.  Core/kbells.  20 lengths swim		Horrible wet and windy morning but cleared up in pm.  Took it easy in spin and run.  Met up with the gang to plan London - woo hoo!  Went a lovely walk with Maz in evening as beautiful and needed to clear my head - getting stressed with launch and london anxiety!
Mon	Toast and activia yoghurt.  Vit water.	Green tea	Carrot & coriander hmade soup with bread.	2 ricecakes with nutella & banana. Green tea.	Baked salmon with lightest philli & basil.  Boiled potatoes, brocolli & beetroot.  Chia tea & special k biscuit.
Exercise	5.7 mile run inc 3 mile tempo at 8 m/m. 5 mins core. Spin.		It's taper but last speed session and lower mileage than usual - thanks Jen for keeping my pace up for tempo!  Took spin, hot and sweaty but I toned down the resistance and sprints.  Getting nervous - not sure what other runs I should do this week?!
Tue	Toast and activia yoghurt.  Vit water.	Oatcakes & green tea	Carrot & coriander hmade soup with bread.	Green tea & homemade oatbake (oats, banana, dried fruit, apple sauce & pumpkin seeds).	Thai chicken stir fry with mixed veg & egg noodles.  LF greek yoghurt.  Chai tea & special k biscuit.
Exercise	5 miles easy (45 mins)		After much deliberation I went out with club but just did 5 miles easy on my own.  Legs felt tight so actually happy to keep short.  Good rest day :-)
Wed	Toast and activia yoghurt with raspberries & chia seeds.  Vit water.	Green tea	Fresh tomato soup & tuna sandwich.  Tangerine.	Green tea & hmade oat bake.	Hmade shepherds pie with carrots & beetroot.  Chai tea & special k biscuit.
Exercise	32 lengths swim.  Combat/piloxing.		Nice day, wanted to run but resisted!  Productive day organising mokrun.  Slept in until after 8 - first time in ages! Swim was horrible - it was 34 degrees, felt like a hot bath :-(
Thu	Toast and activia yoghurt with raspberries & chia seeds.  Vit water.	Green tea	Fresh tomato soup & wmeal bread.	Green tea & hmade oat bake.	Plan - curry at book launch!
Exercise	Easy 3 miles		Last run before the marathon!  Travelling up to Glasgow for book launch tonight then heading down to London Friday am…. Nervous.  Excited.  Anxious.  Excited!!
Fri	?	?	?	?	?
Exercise	0!
Mileage	29