On the run: Knocking at the doctor's door

Annie Hayes, HRZone.co.uk's very own contributing editor and self-confessed reluctant runner is bravely taking part in the London Marathon this year and she is charting her training regime here in this blog. This week, she takes off her running shoes as blisters and a cold set in.

The guess-ometer really doesn't work. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I set out to achieve 15 miles this weekend, with the confidence that an extra loop to the usual 11-miler would do the trick. Sadly I should have consulted Google maps before I embarked on the long run.

A sprint up to Vauxhall Bridge when I was nearly knocked down by a brigade of Saturday runners and an extra loop round the shops of Wandsworth didn't quite cut the 15-miler mustard. Still it came out at 12.6 miles – well that's 'almost' half a marathon isn't it? Let's look on the positive side of things.

I'm learning that knee and feet deep in marathon training also brings a whole list of health issues. The blisters have set in. I'm convinced it's not the trainers but the regular pounding on the streets of London. I'm of the 'ignore' school of medicine and they seem to be sorting themselves out although a Saturday night jaunt in some stilettos is clearly a no-no and I won't be sporting my sorry toes to all and sundry in some flip-flops either.

To add to the list of medical woes is a stinky cold – I'm feeling rather sorry for myself whilst at the same time actually being rather annoyed that I can't go out and run – who'd have thought it. So I've swapped the pavement for the sofa for a couple of days anyhow – I'm sure my feet and nose will thank me for it later.

Added to this is the 'vaseline' dilemma. Sandra has informed me that buying a huge pot of Vaseline petroleum jelly is what is required for any serious marathon runner. We will, she says, be protecting the 'bits' that rub by dousing ourselves in a jumbo sized jar. I'm told after 12-15 miles we'll be thankful for the added protection. Personally I don't fancy it and am yet to be convinced but as I'm yet to take the running to the max I couldn't possibly comment with any authority.

Cold and jelly permitting I really, really will try 15 miles this weekend – I promise! And yes, I will consult a map first. Toodle pip, the chemist is calling.

Annie is running the Flora London Marathon on 13 April in aid of Heart UK. You can sponsor her at www.justgiving.com/annabellehayes

Marathon blog archive:

HR Zone, 3-Mar-2008
Categories: 
Story read 838