Marathon training update.
My last long run was over 50 days ago. I can't believe how time has flown by.
In just a few days I will join thousands of runners waiting to start the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon.
Despite only having just joined my new company, they have been kind enough to give me leave to take part in the marathon. A small part of me was hoping I wouldn't get the leave, but now that I know I'm going, I'm getting excited. And nervous.
My training hasn't been up to scratch. My longest run so far was just shy of 25km. After that I was sick for weeks, and then my knee started acting up. Down in the dumps, I started eating everything in sight, gained a few kg's and came up with all sorts of excuses of why I shouldn't do some for of training. The big one was: training will set me back more than resting will.
I was wrong. As I discovered when I did eventually drag myself to the gym and realised I could still do all sorts of training with negatively impacting my recovering from my cold, or my knee. Oh well, now I know for the future.
Then I moved to the Eastern Cape and my focus shifted to work. Now that things have settled down, I have got into more of a routine which is doing wonders for my mental attitude. Grahamstown has lots of hills and I have discovered an intense hill training session on the treadmill means nothing when it comes to real hills.
I have been eating better, and I think I have lost weight because my knee issues have almost completely disappeared. In terms of training, I have done 2 Parkruns, a half marathon, cycled a bit, and I have decided to try walk every day.
On top of that, I also do a circuit at home comprising mostly of push-ups, squats, jumping jacks, planks and sit up variations. Unfortunately I overdid the sit-ups at a Crossfit intro class last week and have a lekker roastie on my back.
I also tripped at Parkrun on Saturday and got a nice roastie on my left knee

Yesterday I took part in the Sunshine Coast Trail Run, and finished 7km in just under an hour. It was tough: 3.5km uphill, no shade, headwind, dust, hot. Then we were treated to beautiful flowing single track downhill through the trees, and a final push to the finish in the sun. It was a fantastic but tough run. It was as intense as the entire half marathon.
The winning male completed 21km in 1:36

Machine!
This week I am going to rest. No more than walking, light cycling and a bit of strength training.
It is all mental now. I know I can walk 42.5km. I know if I pace myself and jog sections I will have the energy to complete the entire event.
My biggest thing to be aware of is the time cut-off's at certain distances. I must not mess that up. I think I have 1.5hrs to do the first 10km. I normally do 10km in about 1:10. So I can't be too relaxed about it all.
Once I have my race number I will put it here and those of you who are interested can track me (and every other runner) using:
https://www.capetownmarathon.com/track-your-marathon-runner/