2 days to go to the Prague Marathon and the nerves and excitement are setting in, I have laid out piles of clothes, put them all away and laid out different piles instead. I have packed and re-packed and I think it is safe to say I have kit to cover all weather eventualities!!
Travelling with hand luggage only comes with it’s own problems of trying to squeeze all the gels and toiletries into that tiny wee airport issued plastic bag – there have been many iterations of what I need to fit into that bag – suffice to say the absolute essentials of gels and Biofreeze have secured their place and I will need to buy deodorant, shampoo and conditioner after security at the airport. Seems I am less worried about clean hair than having the right nutrition during the race!!!
I cannot wait to get to Prague and to pick up my number at the Expo tomorrow. I am feeling strangely calm at the moment and am sure this is a side effect of missing so much training through injury. I know that whilst I have missed so much training there is nothing I can do to change that, I cannot literally cram a month’s worth of training in now. I know that the important thing is to arrive uninjured – a month ago I was convinced I would not make the start line but here I am ready to go so that is a positive.
I read an article in which Paula Radcliffe talked about having a flexible race plan – this really struck a chord with me as I am one for having a plan and then getting a bit hung up when it doesn’t all go exactly according to plan. For example at the Liverpool Marathon last year the first gel station was not quite where we expected it to be AND it was at the bottom of a hill, by the time I got to the gel station I was so panicked about being late taking my gel that I forced it down as I ran uphill – think it took me about 5 miles to get over that physically but mentally I was still thinking about it even when I finished the race!
This year I have taken Paula’s advice to heart – having been injured this is already a very different race than I anticipated or hoped for and I am not out to get a PB on Sunday. No, this race is very definitely not about a PB. My plan is to take it as it comes - no getting hung up on gels and splits and pace and times I promise. Plan B - just enjoy the race and the atmosphere and celebrate the fact that I am uninjured and I get to run – that sounds like a good plan right?
Must dash – got to go pack and repack some more and see if I can squeak a couple more things into that tiny liquids bag.
Much love xx