Plan your race strategy. Yes, even amateurs need to have a strategy. You need answers to: when to consume your energy gels/bars; how often to hydrate; perhaps even when you plan to walk?! As a guide for you, this is what I'm planning for. Consume 1 energy gel for every 1hr, drink at least a mouthful at every drinks station, more at isotonic ones, and walk about 500m for every 10km ran.
Know the route. This is one of the more important items in race strategy. Drive along the route or visit the various places if you have to. I strongly encourage you to know where are the sections where you can be motivated or de-motivated. Take special note of places where the route U-turns or seems to take a unnecessary detour to the finishing line. When you face these particular sections of the route, they can be mentally draining if you don't know about them. Conversely, use scenic stretches to spur yourself on.
Convince yourself that it can be done, regardless the amount training you have had. I call this the final brainwash. If like me, you are not even doing 20kms comfortably, you'll certainly need it, lots of it. Concentrate on what you can do. The mind is the powerful tool to help you cross the finishing line. That said, I must remind you to also listen to your body. The mind can be too powerful, sometimes.
Know the route. This is one of the more important items in race strategy. Drive along the route or visit the various places if you have to. I strongly encourage you to know where are the sections where you can be motivated or de-motivated. Take special note of places where the route U-turns or seems to take a unnecessary detour to the finishing line. When you face these particular sections of the route, they can be mentally draining if you don't know about them. Conversely, use scenic stretches to spur yourself on.
Convince yourself that it can be done, regardless the amount training you have had. I call this the final brainwash. If like me, you are not even doing 20kms comfortably, you'll certainly need it, lots of it. Concentrate on what you can do. The mind is the powerful tool to help you cross the finishing line. That said, I must remind you to also listen to your body. The mind can be too powerful, sometimes.
Recovery has been smooth, though slow. Perhaps I'm not pushing myself enough, I don't know. With physiotherapy sessions 3-4 times a week, I'm glad there is at least constant progress.
I have started running since late September. I can almost do 10km comfortably, and my highest weekly mileage is 35km. Not fantastic, but if considering where I have started, it's a tremendous achievement. Come December, I will be as ready as I can be.
Tomorrow will be a major milestone too. I'm taking part in the Newton 30km!!! My first race since the fateful day. All the best to myself. LOL ;-)
Looking back, I have planned and started the first post of this series before my accident, to share what I know. Drafted the second right after the accident, and it was published right after my surgery; it stresses on the joys of training. I have also touched on overcoming pain, a topic truly close to my heart then. Onto recovery, it is important to keep a positive mindset and having enough rest. And making the best of your preparations and getting yourself ready for the last mile towards your goal. Finally, I know it can be done, and you can do it too.
Looking back, I will learn heaps from this unique 3 month journey. Some may think it is a low point of my life, but it is a high point to me. I will have really learnt lots.
Looking back, I am glad that I am at the starting line with you; maybe chance upon you during the journey; and certainly happy for all of us that we will finish, definitely.
I did not planned for the triplet structure. But if it is meant to be, then why not? Go with the flow.
It is just 42.195km. It is not long.
Let's Run!
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