Road to London Marathon: Taper Time

This is a weekly post on my training for Virgin London Marathon on April 21, 2013. Like I always say: The marathon is the icing on the cake; it’s the journey leading up to the race that I absolutely love. Thank you to Unilab Active Health for the trip and to Timex Philippines and UK for the slot.

WEEKS TO LONDON: 2

Taper time, baby! With temperatures rising, all I can say is: THANK GOD!  Is it just me or is it the hottest summer that we’ve ever had to run?!  Am I the only one dying out there?

Two Sundays ago, I was supposed to run 44km, my longest run before London Marathon, but, due to the extreme heat, I ended up running only 30km run. I can tell you this: It felt like a freaking 50k. Amidst the stale and humid air, with my quads and heels burning in pain, I felt like I deserved a medal for even reaching 10k under that scorching heat! (Instead of a medal, the cold Mountain Dew I had was enough of a reward!)

Last Sunday, I ran 21k, my last long run before the marathon. With the shorter distance, this run was much more manageable under the sun but equally challenging. By 10k my clothes were soaked in sweat as if I had finished a half marathon! By the time we ended the run, I was ready to dunk my head in a bucket of ice!

I know, I know, I’m whining.  But, I’m seriously stressed about this heat.  The past two weekends runs have NOT been fun for me. For the first time in my life, I actually dreaded my long runs. But, I’ve just reminded myself that, as with anything in life, once you commit to a goal, you stick by it and give it your best—whether it’s uncomfortable, exhausting, or pure torture. (If that doesn’t work, then you just head off to an air conditioned gym and run on the treadmill! Hah!)

Our little secret: I’m really just counting the days until we can escape the summer heat and freeze to death in London!

FINDING MY SANITY

I have two weeks to London Marathon, but the family and I leave next Tuesday for London and then Paris.  Yes, yes, the hubby and kids are coming along with me for this trip. Woohooo!  While we’re all excited for the trip, especially Li’l Miss Bull Runner who’s been talking a lot about snow, Disneyland Paris, and croissants (LOL!), this also means that, for this running mom, packing and preparing for the trip becomes three times more complicated.  I’ve got to pack winter clothes for a wedding, a marathon, and two kids.  Gasp.

At the same time, work has to be done before I leave. I’m busy designing a 200-page book, working on the magazine, and planning for upcoming events for TBR.  Double gasp.

Then, to make matters worse, while I thought I was tapering off, my Coach, Andy Leuterio, tells me that I must ride 100k this coming Saturday. Century ride gasp.  Then faint.

It’s been an insane week and I’m trying to stay sane.  But, as always, I’ll survive!  Just keeping my eye on the medal.