Zoe’s Double Marathon Challenge for Charity

I am very excited to announce I have adopted a new marathon strategy which I am sure will see me flying to that marathon finish line, instead of hobbling.  Whilst there is little chance of me breaking my PB (Personal Best of 3hr 53min) at London, it should see me through nicely without hindering my chances of completing Edinburgh 5 weeks later.

So what’s this new strategy?  I’m going to use the Run/Walk Strategy.  I’m a little embarrassed to admit that without the knee injury I would have completely snubbed this idea, as typically the Run/Walk strategy is for beginners.  However, Jeff Galloway - world class athlete and coach, has some rather interesting information on his site http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/walk_breaks.html and believes it is even possible to complete a sub 3hr 30min marathon using this method.  So surely it can’t be all that bad?

I used this Run/Walk strategy today for this week’s long endurance run.  Today was the first time since the injury occurred 8 weeks ago, that managed to complete an endurance run on the road (instead of a treadmill).  My 27kms/16miles consisted of 4min running, then 1min walk intervals. Surprisingly, the overall time it took to complete this run was no slower than had I of been running continuously.  I guess this proves the benefits of the run/walk strategy; it calls on different muscle groups, delays muscle fatigue and generally you can run slightly quicker inbetween the walking breaks.

I am chuffed!  If you want to know how long it took to complete my run today using the walk/run strategy…please feel free to visit my training page  :o)

Last Friday night didn’t go well and the knee pain whilst running almost brought me to a sudden stop.  Therefore, I made the tough but sensible decision not to run the Brighton Half Marathon Race.  With trains and accommodation booked, we still traveled to Brighton for the weekend.  We pigged out on fish n chips on the beach, donuts on the pier and enjoyed a bottle of wine.  All the things I would not have been able to do if I were preparing for the race.  However, it was no subsitute and I would have given it all back to have been able to run instead.

Cheering on the runners left mixed feelings…sadness and apprehension, but it also reinforced my determination that I can complete the London Marathon, even if I had to walk most of it.  Therefore, this week I have thrown myself back into my training with a new motivation.  Running on a treadmill is more manageable with the knee than running on the road, therefore I will continue to keep glued to the treadmill.  It has got to be better than not running at all.

This week I have an appointment with a Muscularskeletal Physician who specialises in Sports Medicine, as referred by my Physio.  I am skeptical I will get answers here, however I have invested too much time, money and energy into this challenge…and I am not prepared to give up!

The Brighton Half Marathon looms so near, only a mere 4 days away.  After my crosstraining session last night which brought a degree of discomfort to my right knee (never before has this happened while crosstraining), I think I need to prepare myself to face the brutal reality that I may in fact have to miss this much desired race.

Being able to run the Brighton Half offers me a slice of hope that my wish of running the London & Edinburgh Marathons is still a realistic goal given my knee condition.  However, having to sit on the side lines will surely bring back all the doubt and thoughts of failure.

I will keep positive, rest the next few days and aim for a gentle 10km road run on Friday.  If all goes well on Friday (fingers, toes and eyes crossed!) I will be running Brighton in a BUMBLE BEE COSTUME!!!

A photo will be added to my Photo Gallery shortly.

In this difficult time (sounds dramatic erh? lol.), I’ve been taking a lot of comfort from the RealBuzz London Marathon Forum.  There are plenty of people out there who are experiencing similar problems or even worse, have had to pull out all together.

Despite being total strangers, these people help raise my spirits when the going gets tough. We are bonded by our determination to complete this feat and we support each other and offer advice/opinions on topics that our loved ones (who in my case are non-runners) just wouldn’t understand.

I completely admire the dedication of particular people, who are choosing to walk the London Marathon rather than give up completely! 

Thanks Realbuzz Forumites!!!

I’ve been avoiding posting on my site, as I really don’t know where to start or how to keep it short!  The problem with my knee is still ongoing and I am now into my sixth week.

I am still seeing Jim-Physio and have also been seeing a Sports Therapist.  Unfortunately the cause of the knee issue continues to go unsolved and none of the various strapping techniques have worked.  I returned for another Gait Analysis last weekend for a second opinion and was told I needed to change my shoes – asics were too soft.

So with another fortune paid out on new shoes and customised insoles, I ran 25km on Sunday on the treadmill, however my knee problems continue.  I am aware shoes should be broken in slowly…I didn’t go with the intention of running the full distance, I was meant to finish the endurance workout on the crosstrainer (but couldn’t bare the thought!).

My knee was very sore the following day, I believe it is my ITB now joining in the fun. My left knee is starting to get issues too – nothing major, but it all starts somewhere!  I can ‘somewhat’ manage the knee problem on a treadmill, but find it impossible to do so on a road run.  Sprinting and speed work feels good on the knee, yet hills aggravate it something bad.