This week I really had to focus on listening to my body. As a carry over from last week I was diagnosed with chest infection was given antibiotics for five days. This resulted in no running for the week. The marathon training was put on hold. Instead I used the time to do yoga, mediation and breath work to try and relax the mind and body. It is surprising how the stillness of mind can help running a marathon as a lot of it is mental stamina. Also, I used the time to read over the Tokyo Marathon Handbook to familiarise the information and prepare for race day logistics, rules and etiquette as there are a few things in Tokyo Marathon that never applied in my previous Abbott World Marathon Majors races.
My aim was to try and shift the cold, flu and chest infection by Friday, so I was fit to run the RAK Half Marathon. I find that running a race helps me prepare better for a marathon as I can see how my race day preparation routine is and how it can be improved. Also, to I use a race gauge my physical and mental fitness. I had little appetite and was rather restless throughout the week. I took my daily concoction of vitamins and supplements and tried to eat more fresh fruit and drank lots of water and hot mint teas. That on top of the antibiotics, paracetamol and cough syrup and throat lozenges, I was a walking chemist.
I managed to get through the week, only Wednesday I stayed in bed most of the day and went into work for a few meetings in the afternoon. Thursday was the last day of my antibiotics and I was still on the fence whether to run or not. The chest had cleared, and I had the odd coughing fit but most of the cold and flu symptoms were gone. When I got home from work on Thursday evening I decided to prepare and pack and get race day ready and set my alarm clock for 2.30am and if I woke up feeling I can run I would do. Literally listening to my body until the last minute.
Friday race day - Rak Half Marathon
The alarm went off at 2.30am I woke, and I felt better than most mornings this week. No fever, no aches and pains. A little cough but I other than that I felt ok. I went about my morning rituals which will need its own blog! (coming soon). Race day breakfast is always wholemeal toast or bagel with butter, peanut butter and jam, as it was so early, I went for a hot mint tea and saved my coffee for later. Bags packed, running gear on I headed to get the race day bus which was scheduled to leave at 3.45am. the travel time from Dubai city centre to Ras Al Khaimah is approximately 1hour 30 mins. We left slightly later than 3.45b and arrived at the Rak Marathon race village at 5.40am. this allowed us plenty of time before getting to the start line. As it was by the coast it was quite breezy and there was a chill in the air. I got a coffee from the lovely team at Grind, they were so happy and friendly they put me in a good mood for the morning. Sometimes it just needs a smile or friendly chat to make some one’s day. I bought with me a Snickers protein bar just as a snack, I never tried one of these before, but I love Snickers as a rare treat so one with added protein made a good pre-race snack especially at that hour on a Friday morning. As I had time, I went by the coastal foot path to watch the sun rise and warm up the body with a few sets of sun salutation (yoga sequence) and then a few warm up shoulder and arm stretches as they felt a bit tight and then onto a few legs stretches. Once I was warmed up, I checked my bag in and headed to the start line. It wasn’t a long wait the race was very well organised. The race started on time at 7am and I crossed the start line just after 5mins clock time. I was not watching the clock or aiming for a specific time on this occasion the goals was to simply cross the finish line. A had put my headphones on and had my marathon play list on but 1km into the run the music was very distracting and I couldn’t focus on my breathing. I took my headphones into my running top and just ran slow and steady in tune with my breath. This felt much better. So off I ran slow and steady, the first 5km was fine the sun had started to come out and it was getting warmer. I took a GU gel at 8km and as I hit 10km the sun was up, and it was beginning to feel hot. Luckily there was some light coastal breeze which helped. I ran nicely and steadily for another 4km and then I found that my tummy was feeling a bit upset and the dreaded “runners’ trots” feeling set in. The antibiotics had upset my stomach during the week so as a precaution I took some Imodium to prevent any incidents. The body knows best and at 15km mark I had to do a toilet stop. The glamour’s of running, luckily enough there were porta loo cabins or else it could have been a disaster. Once I got back on the race track, I was fine I felt good and continued to run my race slow and steady took a bottle of water at the water station to make sure I was well hydrated and took second Gu gel at 16km. At 20km my calves began to feel a bit tight and heavy but nothing I couldn’t run through. I maintained my pace and crossed the finish line with a sprint finish. I felt I pushed and finished strong. CHIP TIME 2.11.20. I was happy to cross the finish line not a personal best but that wasn't the goal even though it is the fastest half marathon track on record.
Post-race I managed to try a Pocari Sweat which is the sponsored energy drink at Tokyo Marathon course. I have had Pocari Sweat before in Asia so was familiar with the flavour which is nice and not as sweet as the likes of Gatorade and Lucozade. I usually avid these during my marathon runs as I find my gels and water is enough to get me round the course. I took a Pocari Sweat on this occasion just to add some energy back to my body for the week that was in it I probably pushed it a bit. There was I lot oaf waiting around and long waits for bags and then race day buses. I got home at 2pm almost 12 hours since I woke up to run. It was a long morning, sometimes these races must be done it tests your mental ability to wait around keep focused and run. Major Marathons are races with high number of participants, and you will find that the travel and waiting before a race can be anything up to three or four hours depending on your start time and what group to have been assigned.
I was glad I took part in the Rak Half Marathon today. It was a very enjoyable run with great atmosphere and the course and scenery was a different landscape to what I have seen in Dubai so far.
I am a little behind on training mileage however my mental stamina is in good shape and as I get back in the training zone next week, I’m feeling confident I will be ready for the Tokyo Marathon in three weeks’ time. The one thing I took out of running this race was despite not running for a good ten days and having been out sick my body could still run a long distance race.
Saturday my post half marathon body felt a little tired. My upper thighs and calves felt sore and I felt a slight tightness in my hips. Nothing a massage and some yoga can’t fix. So, I listen to my body and took it as rest day.
Happy Running!
Chrissy x
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