Dear Diary
3 weeks to CTM 42.2km
‘Big Match Temperament. - BMT’
If you are a rugby fan you would have heard the phrase BMT being used in reference to teams who are underperforming in important games. The pressure of performing against a strong team with screaming fans in a huge stadium must be immense. Sometimes the teams don’t have what it takes to win. Performing well or poorly under pressure happens in running too. With social running, the pressure is mostly time related such as aiming to complete before the cut off, or within a timeframe like 4h45, or for a personal best time. Or, simply goal oriented in that you want to finish the race.
This week saw BIG mileage, the highest so far, lots of mental stretching, lots of expansion and stepping up mentally into the additional kms. Preparing myself for bodily discomfort, when I have to step up, keep pace, and push harder to climb hills and tackle the last few kms of the big run like it was the first few kms. I was ready to back myself. Ready to support myself. Ready to push when I needed to.
Ready to back myself.
Saturday saw 32kms as a TRAINING RUN bringing the total mileage for the week to 60km! That’s 4h40 on the road. How insane is that?
There are kilometres and kilometres of road. Playlists of music and beautiful scenery to remind myself to stay present. My inner critic and nervous system revolt against being pushed yet again. Trying desperately to keep me safe with distances that are shorter. The inner conflict is very real and very strong at certain distances. And sometimes emotions well up with overwhelm making breathing difficult.
The more I train, the more I realise how strong my mind is. The body follows what the mind believes. I’m choosing success and I’m choosing myself.
I back myself. Despite the excess weight I back myself. Despite the missed training I back myself. My body is so resilient and capable. I am way stronger than I ever thought humanly possible. I am actually training for a marathon.
So are you. You are stronger than you think. You can do more, handle more than you ever imagined possible.
Let that sink in. Feel the internal resistance but let it sink in anyway without judgement or argument.
You are stronger than you think. You can do more, handle more than you ever imagined possible.
This week's runs:
Tuesday 9.69km. Almost 10km at a good pace but needed lots of counting to keep the pace. Calves were still very tight and body tired after the GUN RUN the weekend.
Wednesday 6.29km. A killer glute and quad workout in the morning made for a difficult evening tempo run! I struggled to maintain pace with the group but finished the run with plenty walking towards the end.
Thursday 8.37km. My glutes and hamstrings were very stiff and sore. Calves were much less sore today as glutes are activated and doing their job. Note to self: Keep up with the strength workouts!
Saturday 32.5km 4:37:23 Average pace slower than Gun Run but an improvement on the previous long runs. Things got wobbly before I hit the 20k mark and thereafter found my rhythm again. The route was club - Fish hoek circle and turn back - up Boyes Drive - through Kirstenhof - though Tokai cycle track - Firgrove hill over m3 - club.
Glorious weather along a glorious route!
The route along Muizenberg is one of my favourites. The weather was showing off with blue skies and salty sea air. We met quite a few other runners along the route which was very special. Naturally, we snapped a few selfies. We were treated to a pair of whales playing in Kalk Bay, saw some breaching and a big flapping tail to wish us well. The route up Boyes Drive was really challenging, that hill felt endless and apparently tougher than the actual route. That will count in my favour on race day. I really had to focus on counting to ten whilst maintaining my pace despite the incline. It was tough. From there it was downhill to main road, through the burbs and mostly flat until we passed through the cycle track and up Firgrove hill. After the last water stop, I was feeling really good, pumped to be near the end and decided to finish strong. I quickly found a few classics on Spotify and really pushed myself the last few kilometres. It felt incredible to finish strong.
Side note: How fabulous does my Rock Rabbit trail pack look in navy and blue?
Invest in your own Rock Rabbit and get 20% off: Haylee20
The fueling, energy drinks and snacks are on point. Despite the heat on the road, I finished with some energy drink and water left over. Hydrating and eating correctly the day before is key for me. That means 4l water, no heavy training, and no deviating off my eating plan for the day. On race day it will be different as I have further to go. There is where the support crew is key at 30km is vital with a top up of snacks and drinks. I’m set. 32km is in the bag. What a feeling.
I tried a new brand of anti-chaff this week which seems to be working and I'm back to my old socks with the extra bouncy running shoes. I only need to sort out sunscreen this week for my fair skin then I am set!
Please come and support us on the day!! I will share the route in the coming weeks.
Next week is 21km along the actual route!
Top tips for the week:
Back yourself. You are capable of more than you think.
Intentions for the upcoming week:
Heavy mileage is done and the tapering begins. Focus on healthy, balanced eating.
Upcoming runs:
Here is my list for the rest of the year and some others you might like.
Cape Town Marathon 42.2km October 16th Sunday (0) (entered) Landmarks Half Marathon & 6km Fun Run/Walk 21.1km November 6th Sunday (0) Winelands Marathon 21.1km November 26th Saturday (0) (entries open) The Slave Route Challenge 21.1km March 2023 (1) (cancelled) Cape Peninsula Marathon and Half Marathon 21.1km February 2023 (2) Two Oceans Marathon 21.1km or 56km April 2023 (10) SAFARI Half Marathon 21.1km May 2023 (1)
Festival of Running July 2023 (1)
The Gun Run 21.1km September 2023 (3)
Fueling:
32gi Sports Chews, Endure Sports Drink and Hydrate for running/snack fuel
HMT Vegan Protein - post run recovery. I loved chocolate for years and now love combining the strawberry and vanilla flavours. Takealot: https://tinyurl.com/25n6s7d6
HMT L’Glutamine - amino acid replacement and before bed to aid recovery. This stuff is the bomb! Takealot: https://tinyurl.com/2p9ep5nb.
Hasta la próxima
XOXO
Haylee
