So here we are with the Marathon now just around the corner. How has my training been going?

Training

Well they say that when training for the Marathon you have to have a specific training plan - slow and steady with a true goal at the end of your training. So if you are training correctly you will be building your mileage gradually over a long period of time. Slowly but surely you will be running a little further each week until eventually you are only a few miles short of the Marathon distance.

My plan actually started off well, and last November I started road running at 2, 3 and 5 miles.

Hey I even had a little help from some Famously Fit writers and Gladiators Enigma and Siren as they are better known! Jenny and Amy both joined me for a training session and we swapped advice about the Marathon and helped each other with training tips and some speed drills to build pace and stamina. I’m sure we were papped that day!

Unfortunately, as most of you will know if you have been following my Marathon guide, that the plan was suddenly put on hold month after month with the dreadful weather we had and my injuries.

Putting my training into perspective, I should now be running 3-4 times a week building throughout each week with a long run every Sunday and I should be up to the 16 mile marker…. Uuummmm ?

Well I’m not happy to say that my training has actually been getting worse as my injuries seem to be spreading. I have runners knee which is a typical injury (as explained last month) that most people will get at some point if they run a lot and for those of you that have had this problem you know the pain and frustration this injury can cause.

Now my physiotherapist has told me that I have a problem in my left hip and the Bursa joint is rubbing in the socket causing friction to the joint every time I run. This builds over time and the longer I run the worse it gets and eventually comes to the point where I cannot take another step.

So I have back, knee and Hip problems. GREAT!!!

I am now told to run a little less and concentrate on more non-impact training such as swimming, spin and even use the cross trainer to see how my hip feels. This really is annoying me – let´s face it the only way to truly prepare and feel what it´s like to run a Marathon is to keep running.
With the Marathon only a few weeks away the furthest I have actually ran is a Half Marathon and I ran that in 1hr 54mins which actually is a pretty decent time and means I was on target for my 4hr time challenge for the complete Marathon.

But now it is not looking good and the big Question is - am I actually going be able to run the Marathon at all????

Charity

Quitting this challenge has not even entered my head as I am determined to be there on race day and do the best I can for the Outward Bound trust.

You can still sponsor me at

(http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/LeeLatchfordEvans)

Programme

Taking account of my injury problems I thought I would let you guys know my training programme for the next few weeks. My routine now has to be very precise and I need to stick to my rehabilitation programme 100% to help me with my running.

Week One

Day 1-2 - For the first few days I will be in the pool walking a few lengths to start with and gradually building into swimming front crawl.
Day 3 - I will be doing a spin class followed by a slow swim.
Day 4 – I will be a resting.
Day 5 – I will use the cross trainer to test hip as well as some non-impact strengthening exercises such as light weight squats, lunges and side steps.
Day 6 - If day 5 successful I will do a good 30 minute cross trainer session followed by a spin class for 45mins.
Day 7 – I will be resting.

Remember I will be doing rehabilitation exercises (as explained last month) as well as seeing my physiotherapist twice a week.

Week Two

Day 1 – I will start with an hour of swimming followed by some abdominal exercises and a good stretching session.
Day 2 – I will spin for 90 mins training in my zones. I have to start pushing my aerobic fitness.
Day 3 – I will walk and jog on the treadmill to test my hip and knee.
Day 4 – I will be resting.
Day 5 – If all goes well, I will take a short 10 k jog!
Day 6 - I will rest with a good stretching session.
Day 7 – I am aiming to do a road run.

Week Three

This week will be a week with only one small run to keep the legs ticking over and a few days of good stretching and Carb loading with my diet.

Nutrition

At the moment I am still working on eating 2,500kcal a day to make sure I have the adequate fuel. I have now started to use Sci-MX Enduro fuel before each training session to see the difference the extra carbohydrate load makes to my energy levels. This is in preparation for the big event as my body has to now slowly become used to the extra carbohydrate it takes on board.

I am still sticking to the basic principles:

• Eat a balanced diet, every single meal, every single day, consisting of carbohydrate, protein and dietary fats.
• Drink lots of water – before, during and after exercise – in fact all day!
• Ensure I have a pre-exercise meal containing a small amount of protein, dietary fats and easily digestible foods rich in carbohydrates.
• Take a small nutritious snack 30 minutes before you exercise
• If my training regime lasts more than 90 minutes, replenish lost glycogen stores with easy to digest, high glucose carbs (e.g. glucose based sports drinks or an energy bar)
• Eat a balanced meal within 2 hours after exercise to replenish lost nutrients, ensuring that this contains protein to help to repair and rebuild muscles damaged

Next month I will be talking about:

Next month sees the Virgin London Marathon 2010 itself, so I will be talking about the day and whether I actually managed to run, walk or even attend the event?

I will also talk about The London Marathon Expo and how it helps prepare you for the big day.