I feel like I am standing on the edge of a cliff right now ... not so much thinking "Shall I jump?" but more "What will it feel like when I do?"
Marathon season is well and truly here and I think it's safe to say I am terrified! I have done marathons before... but this feels so very different. The enormity of what I have taken on has hit me like a train in the last 24 hours and self doubt has set in good and proper!!!
Everything is hurting just that little bit more ... energy levels are dwindling but my motivation remains strong.
Brighton is the first of the five marathons between now and June and (at the moment) I'm not really feeling the love for this event. It really doesn't matter how many marathons you do ... 26.2 miles is 26.2 miles and it's a really really Really REALLY long way. The weather is looking shockingly bad and with most of the 18,000 participants being runners, I know I will be near the back. Power-Walking a running event is never easy and requires huge mental strength (another thing that is seriously lacking at the moment!!) and the fact that I am doing the London Marathon just 1 week after will really be play on my mind. I have to do this though ... I have to do it to give my confidence a much needed boost for the Ultra in May. But preparations have gone well and I will do my very best to cross that finish line and with Brighton (hopefully) done I will have just 6 days to over-dose on protein shakes, carbs, sports massage and osteo treatments ...
(God bless http://www.mersearoadclinic.co.uk) in preparation for the VLM on the 22nd.
This will be my 8th (and quite possibly my last) London Marathon so I fully intend to savour every second of it. I know lots of people who are taking part this year and there are going to be a lot of familiar faces supporting along the route (hopefully handing out red jelly babies and fizz) which will make this a very special event. Maybe this will be the year I beat a Rhino?!?!
After this, I have three weeks to recover, rest and prepare for the biggest challenge of my life so far ... 52.4 miles of back to back MoonWalking through night, through the streets of London!! I struggle to remember what it was that made me think this was a good idea and all I could come up with was "because I want to" but I have recently found a new motivation and a far more meaningful reason for doing it. There is a very special someone who is unable to do her own MoonWalk this year and so miles 26.2 - 52.4 will be for her (and I know she will kick my butt if I don't do it ... so backing out is not an option!!) Knowing that these miles will be for someone else will help to keep me going when it gets tough ... so please let me know if you want a mile or two done for you too or for someone you know ... it really will give me a much needed push.
Plans for this Ultra-Crazy challenge started way back in mid 2011 and I cannot believe how time has moved so fast and here I am just 5 weeks away from my first ever official Ultra-Marathon. I seem to be dreaming about sock changes, toilet stops and cramp constantly and with just 5 weeks to go, I feel far from ready.
2 weeks ago I completed my first ever 40 miler in training and with less that 100yds to go I was leaning against a tree, unable to move, speak or focus and I fail to see where I am going to find the extra 12.4 miles needed to complete this 52.4 mile, never-been-done-before challenge. I'm told it will all be 'fine' ... but I'm not convinced!
What I do know is that there will be tears ... hysterical laughter ... severe cramps ... tubs (and tubs) of Vaseline ... a good number of tantrums (apologies in advance if you are one of the ones on the receiving end of one of these) and blisters/pain like I have never experienced before. But I also think (hope) there could be some incredible support ... a few more pennies in the penny pot (http://www.walkthewalkfundraising.org/ultracrazy) ... some yummy mars bars ... a hug or two (any excuse to stop and rest) and the most amazing feeling when I cross that finish line on Sunday 13th May!!!!
I cannot thank Walk the Walk (http://www.walkthewalk.org/Home) enough for making this possible ... your support has always been and continues to be amazing. Get those hugs ready!!
Keep up with the progress on Facebook 'Another Ultra-Crazy year for breast cancer' and keep the support coming ... I couldn't do any of this without it!!
Keep up with the progress on Facebook 'Another Ultra-Crazy year for breast cancer' and keep the support coming ... I couldn't do any of this without it!!
