three weeks

i did my last proper long run today in preparation for the marathon in three weeks' time. i ran 35 kilometres and it felt easy, as in that i could have continued running; therefore i deduce that i am in a relatively good place concerning the marathon itself.

being here in florida has allowed me more time to run and do yoga as well; as a result the amount of both has gone slightly up, and it feels pretty good. in terms of running the training (i hesitate to call my running training because that implies i have goals, which i do not - i just want to run) i have done for this marathon is exceeding the seven marathon preparations i have gone through before. i have run several runs around 30 kilometres and a few longer ones to that - before i recall building the distance up so that the longest one i have done three weeks prior the marathon has been around 30.

now, does this mean that i am somehow more confident and expect better results? absolutely not. the thing with long distance running, and everybody who has done it knows this, is that you can never be sure. sure you can and must train, and get your feet and legs and body and above all, mind, accustomed to running for hours; this is the effort you can do. but there are still million things that can go wrong, and if we take out of the equation the problems one can encounter during the marathon itself (a long list in its own), there is still this critical three last weeks left.

read any running book or an article or talk to a runner and you will soon learn that during these three last weeks you can't do much about your physical condition any more - the work you ought to have put in is done now, at least the vast majority of it, and you can't really expect to be able to do much that would improve your result on the big day. there is, however, a very real possibility of stampeding all over your training and basically, if not ruining, at least seriously damaging your efforts so far - and that is not allowing enough rest. 

it is a hard balance to find, at least for me. of course one doesn't just stop running now, but you are supposed to take the amount down a bit, gradually increasing the amount of rest as the marathon day approaches; and every time i have done this i have found it equally difficult to cut down the kilometres. i do understand the benefits and the sheer necessity of it, but it doesn't mean that i have to like it; in fact, if i'm being completely honest, this last part of the process that is running a marathon is the one i hate to bits. i mean when you think about it - you are in a great condition, running feels amazing and all you really want to do is run - and then you are expected not to? it's horrible, absolutely horrible; especially the last week. i dread it already, partly because if i don't run it affects strongly my mood and general well-being, and i know already that i will feel less than great during those final days. 

but what can you do. just have to deal with it; luckily this time around i have yoga to distract me, and even if i don't think it will be very wise to do a full practice on the days just before the run, at least i will have something to focus on. wish me luck.