Peroni

Another long, boring run yesterday. This is getting tiresome now. 6 weeks to go and I'm torn between wanting it to go quickly to get it over with and wishing I had loads more weeks to prepare.

Met Jeff Jefferson at the far end of esplanade in the Ferry. Basically we followed the Tay to the airport and back. Even though the scenery is nice, it was pretty demoralising. I'm sure it was that I hadn't prepared properly that made it so difficult:

• I wasn't hydrated enough before the start
• I had left my hydration backpack in Big Chris' car, so had to run carrying 2 bottles of water
• I didn't get up early enough to prepare a proper breakfast
• I didn't put enough chafe-ease on sensitive areas

These facts contributed to the run being very long, very slow and VERY painful - a bit like my chat sometimes.

I did the run 15 mins quicker than my last 15 miler, so that was a positive and my foot held up well. Jefferson knocked an unbelievable 1 hour off his time though and finished in 3hrs! Amazing.

Managed to crawl up the stairs to my flat and took about 20mins to get me gear off as every muscle and joint in my body was stiff/ painful/ throbbing. Unfortunately, when stepping into my bath, I struggled to get my foot over and my toe crashed off the side of the bath and started off a chain of events that led to me getting cramp in the whole of my other leg and me taking a header off the wall and falling into the bath.

After a quick lie down, headed out for a couple of pints with Boab The Hat and Don Keirleone. 9 pints of Peroni and 3 rum and gingerbeers later (and no food), finally made it home. Pretty impressive off of 20 quid!  Alcohol seemed to take the edge off the pain but really struggled to walk/ drive/ sit/ speak today. My eyeballs were even sore. Had to take a half day off at work. Feel ok now after a pizza, bottle of coke, nap and some cookies. Back on the healthy eating from tomorrow.

Sponsorship still coming in, so thanks to everyone who has sponsored me so far too.

http://www.justgiving.com/Steven-Smith8

Ups and Downs

Tuesday night after work........me Dovile and Chris from work head up to mine to start a hill session. Finally got my running trainers back from GMac's so was looking forward to a hard workout with 'old faithful' trainees.

After Sunday 15 miler and a workout with Craig on Monday, I was feeling confidant and strong. After 10 mins out though, I realised that my legs were probably needing a rest after a hard 4 days of training. Headed down to Magdalene Green then back up onto Perth Rd. Chris and Dovile were building up a lead on the flat but I was catching them on the hills. Did 4 STEEP, HARD hills and we reckon that each had more than a 35 degree incline and West Park Rd nearer 45 at the top. Actually did ok on the hills and was loving the challenge. Turning into a bit of a masochist now whilst training.

Felt my left foot at the bridge get sore about half way through. It felt like I had tied my laces too tightly. Finished the run and foot got worse. Checked on line and it looks like my trainers have had their day and are not giving my feet the support they need. They'll have to be put down. Also, my feet have got used to my other trainers.

Pain got worse Wednesday and by Thursday morning the pain and swelling was so bad, I thought I may have broken something. I went to the docs (resisted A&E after my last visit when the Doc there gave me a bollocking for 'wasting his time with The Gout') and she said I have' inflamed tendons and strained ligaments'. At least nothing broken. Diagnosis - 2 weeks rest. I'll give it 'till Monday and see how it feels. Also need to get new proper running trainees.

Pain still pretty bad but I'll rest up and I'm sure I'll be fine and although, it'll be cutting it fine, I'll be ready for the marathon.

Sponsorship coming in thick and fast too, so thanks to everyone who has donated.

http://www.justgiving.com/Steven-Smith8

Pain

So, I took my car to a night out on Friday. Fair enough, I left about half 8 but this was momentous. Now I know that might not seem that strange but I think I have done that about 3 times in my life. The reason for the abstance was that I've been getting a bit freaked out that the marathon is only 8 weeks away. This coupled with the sponsorship money starting to come in (thank you to everyone who has donated), gave me - The Fear. I knew I was attempting my first really long run on the Sunday and I knew that I would miss my Saturday session with my trainer Craig and I wouldn't be ready for the Sunday run if I went and had a few beers Friday.

Got up half 7 Sunday morning, breakfasted, then headed through to deepest, darkest Fife - Oakley. The journey took about an hour and 20 and I again had to stop 3 times to answer the call of nature. I have struggled with hydration in the past but I feel I'm getting to grips now but having the bladder the size of a pea, means I pee all the time! Technically this shows that I'm hydrated well but when I do the marathon, I don't want to be stopping every few miles. Not sure of the answer.

Met Big Pete, quick banter with gorgeous baby Mia then we took the best dog ever - Nala out with us on our run. We decided on a 15 mile flat route on a cycle path to Alloa and back. I felt pretty confidant at the start and up to about mile 8, I was thinking things were going well. 8 to 11 was a hard, HARD slog though. Actually, apologies to Pete for my shite banter, or lack of, in those 3 miles. I was nearly down and out and would have definitely have stopped if I'd been on my own. Kept hydrating and taking some energy gels but from mile 11 the soles of my feet started to throb. Definitely, my off road trainers were having an adverse effect. 11 to 12 was horrendous. All my toes, ball of my feet, soles and heels were screaming at me every time I took a step (with my short legs, I take A LOT of steps too). Got to mile 13 (my furthest distance EVER) and we walked for half a mile. Pete gave me some Ibuprofen and paracetamol and by 13.5 miles, my feet were ok. We jogged the last mile and a half and did it - completed 15 miles!!!!!!

It did take us ages though (I think Pete's wife Vicky was genuinely worried) but the most important thing was - we did it! AND came home injury free. After a shower and food, I felt quite proud, surprisingly. Proud of both of us. Still a long, long way to go but I feel a bit more confidant than I did last week and The Fear is subsiding.

All the highs, lows, pain, boredom, joy and doubts you get on a long run are all gone after its done and dusted and in the bag. Celebrated back home with a couple of vodkas and (diet) 7up. Legs fine, back fine, feet a bit delicate but all in all, holding up well.

17 miles this Sunday though.......................

http://www.justgiving.com/Steven-Smith8