Marathon Mann

This week has been quite important to my journey to London on the 24th of April.  I have come from my tentative first steps (2 miles) after illness, to quite a reasonable pace at this morning’s Pontefract parkrun.  In the meantime I have run a total of 13.5 miles wihout major problems.  This leads me to believe I can regain strength and fitness to make it!

You might not think that a 5K Parkrun is very impressive when it comes to marathon training but in some ways I think that being forced into a “lower key”‘training programme might have its advantages.  I usually think about marathon training as a programme of gruelling long runs and I have trained like this  before.  In fact, the first time I trained for a Marathon I gave up parkruns because I thought they weren’t giving me the necessary mileage!  After training for our last marathon in Edinburgh, my wife did so much damage to herself that she needed to give up running for a year and was even told she might not be able to run ever again!

My current situation is a revelation; I now have a simple and measured programme to build up strength and distance over the next 6 weeks.  Since I know that any injury will mean “game over” the care I need to take will help me be fit and strong on the big day and you can’t wish for more than that.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”  Revelation 21:4 (NIV)

I have said before that I love running first thing in the morning and I am especially thankful that I am now well enough to do so.  It’s great at this time of year because if you time it right, you can leave when it’s dark and get home in the light – “running through the dawn”.  This morning runners like me were especially rewarded with an amazing sunrise.

I am also glad for a safe three miles, still hard work but I can sense strength and fitness returning.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”  Psalm 19:1 (NIV)

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1 2-3 (NIV).  While James was talking about faith in God it is true that trials in many fields (like running) develops perseverance and that’s how I feel at the moment.

Today I took my second run out after illness and did a slow 6 miles which was really tough and tells me that I need to rest for a few days before I go out again.  The first three miles felt fine which is a good sign but how to get up to longer runs?  Well, I have a feeling that’s going to be perseverance; persevere at the shorter distances and have faith I will be able to build up the distance and duration.

I don’t know of a better plan at present so at the moment, perseverance with faith is the only show in town!