Weeks 17 and 18 - no turning back now

With my new, shorter distance in mind I’ve been feeling slightly calmer about race day. However with just 13 days training/resting left, I realised I had little time left to put in an actual attempt at the distance. This also be have been an excuse for not wanting to attempt and fail to complete the whole thing on a practice run.

I spent my final weekend before race day at my parents’ house on the coast, with the idea that getting away from London’s smog filled streets and many, many pubs would help give me one final push. I’d managed a 4 mile run earlier in the week so was feeling quite positive as I headed for the sea.

I’d had a lovely time mapping a nice 5 mile coastal run and imagined myself jogging along the beach, wind in my hair, sun on my face. In reality, the wind in my hair proved far too, well, windy and I ended up stopping after 2 miles. Two miles! Wow, my 18 weeks of training have really paid off…

Still, I refused to get downhearted. I speed walked the remaining 3 miles of the route and the next day set out on my bike for a leisurely 10 mile ride. Spending time with my dad, I discovered he had been a keen cyclist in his day, regularly cycling 100 kms every weekend. This gave me the inspiration I’ve been needing, especially when he donated me his old cycle jersey – not the most fashionable item I’ve worn but it was warm and comfy and I looked the part!

My 10 mile bike ride was far more enjoyable, cycling along the country roads without having to dodge buses and brake for red lights every 10 minutes – this is the way cycling should be! Being out in the fresh air even got me a little excited about race day – after all, how bad could it be with the sun out, deer spotting as I jogged around Richmond Park? We’ll see.