Terrific Time To Taper

[Seafront Plodder]

With 3 weeks to go till race day, I'm not too sure whether today was my last long run. Deep down I suspect it was, but I'll see how I recover over the next few days.

Solid preparation showed as I really felt quite comfortable for most of it. That was until I was kicked in the shins (or calfs) by complacency with 2.6 miles to go. It never ceases to amaze me just how much mental toughness is required for a long run. My route took me back to where I'd parked the car but just as I needed those further couple of miles, so it was also the time that I needed to chuck it all in an head off to the pub. Spent. That hopeless feeling when you question why you ever started, screaming calfs and a dodgy ache coming from the groin, dying would have been an attractive option.

I knew I had to run 1.3 miles further along the seafront into a stiff breeze (wot a surprise ), and the turn would take me back to the car bang on target.

That way out was tough, very tough. It was when I took my first walk break. I felt bad for having to do it, but my mind told me I had no choice. I rremember flapping to a halt and walking with a loud "fuck me" - much to the surprise of the elderly couple who were reading a newly erected sign about local wildlife off to my left!

I ran-walked to the turn, the arsing GPS jobbie taking an age to click over.

I'm not really sure what happened, and I'll be damned if I can explain it, but on the turn a mental strength then just seemed to take over. The last 1.3, with the wind and back to the car; back to a drink and a towel and, and well everything I wanted right at that moment. For me, that moment was like the turn into The Mall!

True to its word, jobbie clicked over and finished on 20.02 miles.