London marathoners assemble

Hey everyone!

I am in complete denial too. I really can't believe that it is a week away.
I did 5k this evening and it felt awful - how on earth am I going to run 26.2 miles!!

Is anyone else a little worried about the safety aspect? I said to DP this evening that i wouldn't mind if he stayed at home with DDs instead of coming to watch. It seems a bit ridiculous as I work in central London and have always been very much of the mindset that life must go on. Then again I'm not really sure I want anyone to watch me - i've never been keen on fuss and attention (hate birthday parties) .

pom poms
You're all going to be fab.

YOU CAN DO THIS.

I can't believe it's next week either! I'm terrified!

Had a bit of a wobble (again!) this week as was having problems with pain in my left shin and ankle. Saw physio on Tuesday (was actually my regular fortnightly appointment for my back, but he was more concerned about the leg) who put the fear into me over possible stress fracture etc (I'm pretty confident that it's not). He did ultrasound, stuck needles in my calf and taped it, which bizarrely led to awful calf/Achilles pain that night which was totally new. It's ached a bit since then but much better now.

I've been too scared to run in case it agravates it all again. But then I'm too scared not to run in case I find that I can't! Might do a slow 6 miles on Sunday and see how it feels. Don't have any excitement over this at all now, just fear!!!

Hope everyone else is ok- sorry for the rant!

Can't believe I'm going to be running a marathon next week! DH has been away so I have done nothing since last weekend. Heading out for an hour later. Hopefully will feel ok.

Current forecast for next Sunday (according to my phone) 17 sun & cloud. I'll take that. Don't want rain or too sunny.

Hope everyone's taper going well and everyone is injury free / broken toes are healing well.

I feel ok actually, just trying not to get injured! Running feels good. Mostly am stressed about getting to registration on time!

I'm very tired and lost all desire to run atm
This is pretty much why I stopped for a week ahead of the race. I didn't want to start a marathon feeling physically shattered and hating the very act of running. What are you planned runs until the day?

waving pom poms from the sidelines
You can do this guys.

Hot tub was amazing, and my lovely, lovely friend has given me a spare key to let myself in and use it whenever I want in the next couple of weeks!

Hope the toes behave kitty and emummy!

I'm still completely shattered, and have done literally nothing today. Will have to drag myself out on a run after work tomorrow as haven't been out since my 20. I've completely deviated from my original plan so have no idea how far to do! Was thinking maybe a gentle 8-10 miles but I'm struggling with various aches and pains too and can't decide if maybe sticking to even shorter runs now would be more beneficial.

Hah, me too, walked home from end of run today and it felt like every muscle in my legs was taking turns to hurt! Feeling better now after some red wine, looking forward to bath later. Good luck tomorrow Kitty, hope the toe behaves. Will they be showing your story as part of the London coverage on the BBC on the day?

Hopefully it's not broken kitty.
I'm supposed to be doing a 12 mile run tomorrow for a taper. Thing is, the most I've done in the last few weeks is 12 miles so not sure wether to do less. I have a lovely 10 mile run which is pretty circular to where I live

Oh no Kitty, hope it feels better quickly. I broke a toe about 6 weeks ago & it has decided to hurt again this week so more taping!
13 miles this morning, legs were tired, a number of things went wrong and I'm very glad it's done!
Oh for a hot tub, hope you enjoyed it Elba!
Hope everyone's sore bits settle down and we can have a nice taper!

Elba - I like the idea of wine and a hot tub. So many people have asked me if I have stopped drinking/changed my diet pre marathon . . . . Um no!!

I can tell this thread is going to be busy over the next few days!

Lobster in your position I might be tempted to do another 13-14 miler. (says the lady who has had a 4 week taper!). But then again so many experts do say that anything you do in the 3 weeks or so before is not going to increase your fitness.

I really can't believe it's 2 weeks today. I've nearly shrugged off my cough and did a very slow 9 miler around a park in Melbourne in the rain. Did lots of laps as didn't want to get lost! relieved that my body seems to be working again. I fly back to the UK tonight and haven't a clue what to do for the rest of the time until the race.

How far is everyone running next weekend?

Kitty when will we see you on TV?

I'd say taper & rest more important too. I think the long runs are as much about long periods on your feet as the specific miles.

I had Achilles pain this week so rested a bit. Going against the grain to say I had a really good 9 miles today and much quicker than I usually run, the rest must have made a big difference.

Enjoy your weekends, look after yourselves & don't stress, you've done the hard work. Thanks too, I often can't post because I'm holding a child but read all the time and every post, every question and every answer has been helpful.

Glad it's not just me then! I think I may reduce the distance on my last few runs as you're right, it's not going to make that much difference now.

I would probably do a 14-15 miler because that would give me more confidence but equally rest might be better- go with your gut instinct and trust your body I say!

I'm off to a wedding tomorrow... with a sunburnt face from today's run but at least the alcohol will be medicinal for my aching foot

So glad (not in a horrible way!) that it's not just me feeling exhausted! I was planning on doing 10 miles tomorrow as my last long run, but my 'rest days' after my 20 have consisted of 12+ hour night shifts traipsing around a big hospital and I'm shattered. My legs feel so tired, not in a DOMS way, just totally fatigued. I think rest, good food and hydration, short runs and listening to our bodies is the way forward!

Lobster how about compromising and doing 14 or so miles? Not such a big leap from a half as 18 which like you say might risk injury so close to the marathon, but enough to give you a confidence boost?

I'm off to go and drink wine in my friend's hot tub. Friends with hot tubs are a great thing whilst training for a marathon

I agree, I think taper and rest is more important these last 2 weeks. I'm resting my knee so not doing any running at all and just a bit of cross training to keep up exercise a bit. I can't believe anything we do now will make much difference on the day, so preserving energy and feeling as relaxed as possible is the way forward. I am so excited now, just hoping it's not quite this hot on the day....

I have a dilemma!

I had a sports massage today and I am fit and raring to go. Because I was ill last week, I didn't do my long run so my longest ever run to date is a half.

So - do I push for 18 in the next day or two and the taper OR just taper and hope Guts and Glory get me round?!

I'm worried about injuring myself doing 18 while I'm so good!!

Ugh. Just did a long, slow, painful 10 miles. Worrying the taper won't be long enough- back in October I did a comfortable 10m in 1hr38- took me 1hr44 today.

Struggling to see I'll be at maximum fitness within 2 weeks. Can't decide whether to reduce the planned mileages, or drop a few runs completely. Anyone else feeling similar??

(And still got pain on my foot which is making my ankle a bit weak but I can ignore that for 2 weeks !)