With the Edinburgh Marathon only days away and the London Marathon a somewhat distant memory, it is time to reflect on how I have spent the last five weeks in-between.  Whilst there is much information available on the best methods and practices for training for a marathon, there is very little advice on how to train between two marathons scheduled close together.  Therefore I trained on gut feeling and by trying to listen to my body.

 

I took a full weeks rest after the London Marathon from all training activities (with the exception of over-eating!!). The break was good but the blues were setting in.  Following the week break, I threw myself back into training, spacing it out with rest days inbetween.  I managed a comfortable 17 mile/27km LSR (Long Slow Run) the second week, followed by a very tough 12 mile/19km LSR the following week.  From here, all training seemed to go dramatically down hill!

 

Perhaps it is the London Marathon catching up with my body? Training in this last two weeks has been almost non existent.  With niggles returning in my knees/ITB and a flicking sensation in my buttocks, I went into panic mode last week when I additionally developed an incredibly severe tension in my back/shoulders/neck.  My whole body felt out of alignment and I could not comfortably train.   

 

I immediately booked in to see the Chiropractor last Friday.  It was almost instant relief for my neck after my first adjustment!  However, when I tried running 10km the following day (quite unsuccessfully) I returned home 5km later, feeling rather deflated.  

 

Since Saturday, I have had a Sports Massage and another adjustment at the Chiropractor.  I’ve ran only one 10km this week…my last run before Edinburgh.  I found it extremely difficult to get into rhythm and maintain marathon pace.  Hence, I am not feeling very confident about this Sunday at all!! I’ve got one more Chiropractic session tomorrow and then I am all on my own.

 

For better or for worse…I will be running the Edinburgh Marathon!!!