With just 3 weeks remaining until the big day, it’s London Marathon taper time. I may be headed for a shorter taper though, because that final long run? I need to take a mulligan on that.
Here’s how training shook out. Mostly back on track after spring break with one exception.
Monday: Run 4 miles
Tuesday: Strength/core
Wednesday: Run 6 miles
Thursday: Strength/core
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Run 9 miles (wanted 16, at least 13)
Sunday: CrossFit
My long run fell short for a variety of reasons: being out way too late at a charity gala the night before, high heels (ouchie), and wine are all contributors. Plus a jam-packed schedule on Saturday gave me a smaller window of time than I’d have liked. I’m going to try and squeeze in a longer run during this week and call it good. This reverse taper after Tokyo has been challenging. I’ve done my best to listen to my body and it took me every minute of 26 days for mine to recover. I don’t feel like I’m heading into London as trained as I’d like to be but it is what it is.
This was our first week back from spring break. It was all about getting back into a routine and getting back on track.
My eating habits are back in a groove. Daily salads are back.
I’m hydrating like a boss. Testing out this copper water pitcher from Shantiva, which alkalizes water, giving it special health properties. Isn’t it pretty? Stay tuned for more on this.
Loving
Bib numbers and final instructions for the London Marathon are out. While I was far toward the back of the bus in Tokyo, I am in the FIRST WAVE in London. Apparently those of us who got in through the regular ballot (vs charity or tour company routes) get preferential treatment. I WILL TAKE IT!
I topped up my stash of recovery goods from Now Foods. Magnesium Bath Flakes and Topical Magnesium spray are two of my go-tos. I’ve got Thing 1 using both as well after track workouts. Save $10 when you spend $40 at Now Foods with MARCIANOW10.
Speaking of Now Foods, have you seen their new Rosewater Rejuvenating Face Mist? It’s the bomb for hydrating and refreshing dry skin and hair and it has a delicate, uplifting scent of fresh roses. I’m already thinking about how refreshing it’s going to feel when summer heat is here.
Just one week into outdoor season, it all seems to be coming together for Thing 1 in her senior year running varsity track. She posted podium finishes in all of her events at two track meets this past week, including long jump and 200m PRs as well as first place in the 800m relay. After struggling with season-ending injuries her freshman and sophomore years, her coaches mostly forgot about her junior year and she didn’t get much of a chance to actually run. This year she’s healthy and participating and it’s so nice to see her perseverance paying off.
First turtle sighting of the season. Yay!
Not Loving
I was selected to take part in a “bottle belt trial” at the London Marathon. Basically they’d give me some sort of fuel belt with phone/gel pouch that holds a water bottle which they’d swap out for a fresh one as needed. I’d track my water consumption and return the belt at the end. I runfess, especially after being forced to hydrate in Tokyo with their course fluids, I was very much looking forward to doing my own thing in London with my hydration pack. When I went to confirm my final details it said the water belt trial had “already reached capacity”, which would be awesome since I’d rather not have one. However I noticed a check mark after my name in the water belt column, so I’m not really sure if I’m getting one or not. Color me confused.
How was your week? Have you tried alkaline water? Would you want to try the London Marathon Bottle Belt?
I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down. Join us!
Hmmmm…that London belt looks a bit cumbersome (???), but I’m not a huge fan of belts (though I do use them). If said belts (ANY of them) would stay nice & low, I’d be all over them. But they all shimmy way up to my natural waist. ALL of them. SO I have to go with the skinny ones that have expandable pockets and hope they stay in place (with the pockets on my back). I know, first world (runner) probs….but that’s my reality. That copper pitcher looks too pretty to actually be functional LOL I’d love one!
I’m sure you’ll be fine without the long run–you’ve got all the fitness from Tokyo still! But if you want some miles why don’t you come run the Lakefront 10 with us on Saturday?
What if you don’t want to wear their fuel belt system? I hate stuff around my waist plus if you hadn’t trained with it…I wonder why these marathons are making participants use their fuel!
I have a copper water bottle for work just like your water pitcher. I just love it. Mine isn’t shiny anymore–it’s fading as copper does and I kind of like it. If I want to shine it up I guess lemon juice does the trick!
You HAVE to use the bottle belt thingie? I would not be happy. Nothing new on race day . . . I’m sure you’ll do just fine with whatever the race hands you, too. Just no hypothermia, hopefully.
Congrats to your daughter! A proverbial chip off the old block.
I always love copper. In fact, we have some copper backsplash in my kitchen. I still love it!
Whoa, interesting fuel belt idea. I kind of like it, but I think only if I could add fuel to the bottles (Skratch, Tailwind, or something like that). It does kind of look clunky though, and makes me nervous it would jiggle. I wouldn’t worry too much about the reverse taper. One of the best tidbits my coach told me was that the body remembers the time on feet (ie it remembers that you’ve run a marathon before), so even if you haven’t been able to get another long run in, your body will remember Tokyo (AND all the other ones you’ve done) and things will be ok.
I am so picky about my water belts and bottles! So what will you end up doing for the race? Fun to be in the front of the pack for seeding though. It’s getting real huh? The copper pitcher is really pretty! I like it. Thanks for linking up w us!
I love salads! I miss them when I’m traveling. I’ve got to say though – egg and grapes together? I would have never thought of that combo. What dressing to you use with that?
Huge congrats to Thing 1! How great that she can show her strengths senior year! I think you are taking the right approach to London, focusing on recovery first. And woohoo on being in the early wave. As for the belt, no way would I do something like that during a marathon, but once you coped with Tokyo I’m sure you could manage it. I am hoping they will give you a belt but won’t make you use it. They probably have more belts than they can cope with on the course.
I don’t think I’d like to be forced to wear their belt system. Is it optional? That copper picture is so cute. And added health benefits? Love it even more!
I would not worry about a long run before London. You are all trained up from Tokyo. You don’t lose fitness that quickly! You got this!
Congrats to your daughter for her successful track season. It’s great to see our kids’ perseverance being rewarded, isn’t it?
Yay for your first turtle sighting! I will have to go out to the lake tomorrow and see if I can find some. It’s supposed to be in the mid-to-high-70s!
I think that’s a good game plan for your last long run before London. I can imagine a reverse taper being difficult, but at least you know that you can definitely run the marathon distance so it’s best to listen to your body. That’s also awesome that you’re in the first wave for the race!
After 2 weeks being off my routine, I am happy to get back on track this week and already did some meal prepping for the week ahead.
Sounds like you are (mostly) ready for London! No matter what, you will have an amazing time traveling there and adventuring though another 26.2…not to mention complete your marathon majors!!!! So many great things going on right now and oh the anticipation of the fuel and water belt – LOL!!! Have a great week and hope you get that last long run in.
I didn’t realize London was so close, I’m super excited for you! You’ll do amazing as always, even if you’re a little “undertrained”. That bottle belt is interesting…not sure if I’d want to use it. I do need a new hydration pack though!
Can’t believe your daughter is a senior! Glad that her meets have been going well!
Hmmm, no way to opt out on the whole fuel belt thing? Are they piloting this idea to become a standard requirement for all runners?
That copper pitcher is so pretty – I’m curious to hear more about it. And, I am officially obsessed with the Now Rosewater – I will definitely be ordering more for the summer months!
Huge congrats to your daughter!
it seems like your daughter inherited your running genes.
That belt??? ugh.
Can’t believe it’s almost London time. Hope you have better weather than Tokyo.
Congrats to your daughter. Don’t worry for the mileage, as we use to say :”you have already the whole marathon on your legs”.
That water belt looks kind of uncomfortable. I bought something similar like a dummy without checking to see if the dimensions were right for my phone (they weren’t). I ended up getting chaffed and super annoyed. Hopefully you’ll have an option to opt out if you aren’t digging it!
As usual I have done way less to train for London as I had fantasized about, but that’s my M.O. The generous cutoff time doesn’t help. My longest run was the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler this past weekend. I am working this coming weekend and will try to get a long-ish run in (by my standards). It looks like I am in the red wave, which is the third one if I am looking at it correctly. Not sure about my son yet.
oh so many complaints about the belt from my running groups online! I wouldn’t like it because I don’t run a marathon with ANYTHING I HAVEN’T TRAINED WITH! how crazy are they?? curious now if you’ll get one or not!
it’s really nice to read about Thing 1 doing so well with track this year! she must get some of her tenacity from you!
Somehow I’d lost you off my Feedly, weird. Anyway I’m going to be supporting at London at Westferry DLR so even if you don’t see me or recognise me, I will have been there. In orange, with a lion on my top and a little orange flag.
The belt thing is weird – because they want you to drink just water, right? And what do you get from that? Something to wear you haven’t practised with on a long run. Hm.
I’m going to have a look at all your reverse taper stuff now as I have Liverpool RnR marathon on 26 May then a 50k ultra on 14 July and trying to work out how to get back and then ramp up again with room for tapering!
I kind of like the idea of the fuel belt, but I wouldn’t want to try it for the first time at the marathon. Yikes.
Love that copper water pitcher!!
Yay on your daughter’s progress.
That salad looks delish. You’re going to kick ass