Manchester Marathon Week 4: No rest holidays

Last week I went on my holidays, 2021 style – road tripping around England.

“Did I return to Glasgow feeling refreshed and invigorated?” No chance.

I returned TIRED - my Legs even more so, but that is life and I wouldn’t change it.

My marathon training plan, unfortunately, doesn’t pause for holidays. I make it work around my trip plans, knowing by the end of the week I am likely to feel DONE IN! But also knowing that life goes on and my legs won’t fall off.

The week was all about enjoying the great outdoors and exploring my surroundings, all while ticking off my runs. Zzzzzz!

There was literally no rest. I hiked on both my rest days.  Sorry legs.

The week started with an undulating hike up Cat Bells near Keswick, in the Lakes. I was walking at a Jacquelyn snail pace since the day before I had ran 21km. More zzzzz. The views at the top were worth it!

Week 4 started in Liverpool where I ran on Tuesday night then again on Wednesday morning. On the Tuesday night I ran along the docks watching the sun glisten off the Mersey – the perfect run setting, 100% loving life until I turned and had to run back into a headwind. Argh!

Thursday I woke feeling tired, to the knowledge I needed to run 15km. “15km,” I mumbled while feeling the tiredness in my legs. I was in Blackpool, contemplating my day ahead thinking “Could I snooze longer and fit in this run later?”.

The more I thought about the various options, the more I knew the answer - “Just wake up, get out of bed and run by the sea”.

Everyone knows as your day continues distractions happen, excuses float in and the planned run slowly disappears from your horizon. I got myself excited as I thought about running along the promenade, watching the sea and listening to my tunes.

Sadly, it wasn’t the dream. Why cant it always be the dream!

My legs were tired, I couldn’t really be bothered and after running along the promenade I was once again met with a killer headwind. At one point I thought it would be quicker to walk. I ran away from the promenade to try and get a break from the wind. No idea how I managed to complete that 15km – it felt like it went on forever. Pretty much from 2km in, it was a case of counting down each km. Sometimes you just need to get stuck in and keep going – fight the wind and the urge to end the run early – knowing how amazing you will feel knowing it is done when you press stop on your Garmin!

Later that day I arrived at Lake Windermere and took my tired legs on a big walk, then a swim back my hotel. I know - Pray for my legs. It was all pretty chilled though - as chilled as i get.

On Saturday my legs were treated to a massage after hiking England’s highest peak on Friday – I know, I did feel a bit guilty and bad for my legs on that hike. It was a great way to end a fab week exploring.

Saturday was an easy recovery run but it was a tough. 5km. My legs just were not loving life by this point and it felt like I was dragging them around Glasgow.

Then the big finale, a 23km run on Sunday. Again, no idea how I finished this as my legs were mega tired and my motivation was pretty low. But somehow, by some means, I got myself out and on the move along the canals. Again ticking off km by km and suddenly I am pressing the stop button at 23km.

What a week!

Tired, but mega fulfilling knowing I am a step further forward on the road to Manchester.

60km later I am a quarter of the way through Manchester Marathon Plan!

My key takeway to you is - sometimes you just need to dig deep, feel that headwind and tick off each km. Sometimes you need to say goodbye to balance knowing each day you are maxing it out on your road trip while keeping one eye on your marathon plan. Do it all – run and have the road trip adventure, hike and swim, stroll and enjoy the mint aero mcflurry .

Knowing rest and a massage is around the corner!