Tana’s training diary

Tana Ramsay, Ambassador at the Trust, ran the 2010 Virgin London Marathon for us, completing the 26.2 mile course in just 4.27 hours. Although Tana is an experienced marathon runner (it was her seventh!), she took her training very seriously and kept a diary for us, which you can read below.

 

Third entry - 20 April 2010

So the final week before the big day is upon us…

And this is where the panic sets in for me - have I done enough? Have I followed the training plan correctly? Am I ready for the big day and all that’s involved? But the excitement is definitely outweighing the nerves and I just cannot wait.

Eating, sleeping and dreaming about the marathon…

Although I feel fine about it all, I always eat, sleep and dream about the marathon when it’s getting close; dreaming about everything from forgetting to put on my lucky leggings, to starting off and having forgotten to put on my trainers! I’m sure it’ll all be OK on the day, but my brain’s obviously focusing on the marathon more than I realise.

 

Keep the pace…

I have spent the last couple of training runs on a machine, just making sure that I am familiar with the pace I want to run. In previous years I have made the mistake of setting off faster than usual, not intentionally, but simply because when you have everyone alongside you, it is so easy to get caught up in their pace and not realise you are going far too fast for your plan. At the start it is a case of slow and steady for me!

The last thing I need is an injury…

I have had slight problems with my ribs since Dancing on Ice, which has caused a few problems with my running. My ribs got very bruised during training for the show with all the lifts, and although it was starting to mend, I must have done something when I performed my final performance as since then, it’s flared up. When I’m running, it feels like I have the worst stitch ever, but if I hold my ribs, it goes eventually. It’s not ideal, but at least it will take my mind off counting miles!

Bad timing for the volcanic ash…

I have spent the last five days stranded in Los Angeles due to the Volcanic ash and I am desperately hoping that I will be home in a day or so, especially as we only have six days ‘till the big day - could you imagine all that training then I miss the race!

Thankfully this week is all about tapering - gentle runs and stretching out. It is more about settling my nerves as it is too late to do any more training after all. In the past I have found it odd that I suddenly have more time on my hands! I say make the most of it and eat and eat and eat! There’s no better time. The other important thing is to drink lots of water this week too and make sure you are used to the Lucozade sport that they hand out on the run - lots of small sips and water alongside.

  

Together we’re making a difference…

 

I just wanted to finish by saying good luck to the rest of the Meningitis Trust team! I can't wait to see you all on the start line - it is going to be a really fun and fabulous day! All of our efforts will be making a big difference to the Trust, so let’s keep that at the back of our minds when our legs are starting to ache. What a great motivator to keep us going!

And don’t forget to say hello if you see me – I’ll be looking out for you all too.

Second entry – 22 January 2010

 

The Christmas guilt is kicking in…

 

As with us all, Christmas and New Year was a hectic time, with family and friends coming to visit and the children being off school. It was hard to fit training in around the festive activities, especially when others are taking full advantage of the break and using the time off to relax and unwind. If only I was able to do that!  

 

Now that the festive period has passed, I have had a pang of guilt at letting my training slack slightly during this busy time, but have decided to use this feeling to motivate me. So, instead of worrying that I haven’t done enough, I’m now wanting to do even more.

 

Skating is taking over my life…

 

At the moment, finding time to squeeze in training runs is a bit of a struggle as I’m training every day for Dancing on Ice. I tend to do my runs in the park to my skating routine music, so often start leaping and spinning around, which causes much amusement to fellow runners. I am hoping that the skating training will help my running though – it’s certainly using and building muscles that I never knew I had!

 

Hitting the road…

 

Having done most of my training so far in the local park, I am now keen to do some more road running. Although I find running on the road quite boring, I know that I need to practice on that kind of surface, ready for the big day. When I did the Great North Run in September, I found that the constant road surface felt so much harder on my joints as all of my training for that event was done in the park. So, in preparation for the marathon, I know that I need to get used to road surfaces now as it’ll only feel worse if I don’t.

 

At this point in my training, the longest run I am doing is between 10 and 11 miles once a week, with two other runs of about 6 to 7 miles. I am determined to keep my training moving up, so that I am fully prepared for the 26 miles in April. Although it seems like a long way off, it’ll come round very quickly I’m sure!

  

But I can’t go out in that…

 

The snow over the last few weeks has been a bit of a nightmare in terms of getting out and doing my training. Although it looked pretty, it’s certainly not ideal to run in. I became really paranoid about slipping over in the snow and on the ice - and having the slush soaking into my trainers was just horrible.

 

I have decided, with more snow forecast, that I will try and do as much of my training on a running machine indoors for the next few weeks, to avoid risk of injury and freezing too much. I also find shorter, faster runs on the machine are beneficial as they tend to up my pace when I go back to road running. But, I have to admit, I don’t like training on the running machine as I avidly watch the speed and time, instead of enjoying it the way I do when I’m outside.

 

Hopefully the bad weather will ease off in a few weeks, and I can get back to running on the road. Wishful thinking perhaps…

 

We’re in it together…

 

Since Christmas, I have been amazed at how many people are out on the roads, obviously training for the marathon. There is a certain look/nod that runners exchange as you pass them; showing that you’re all in this together for the big event! There’s also the tell-tale sign of us all training in our charity running vests to make sure that they are well worn in for the big day.

  

And until next time, happy running…

 

Previous diary entries

But it’s so cold outside…

Although this is my seventh marathon, I haven’t been a runner all of my life. I actually started running shortly after the birth of my youngest child in 2002. Gordon was doing the marathon that year and asked me if I would join him – this was in the February and the marathon was in the April. I must have been mad, but I decided to do it. And, I got my best time ever – 3hrs 55! Since then running’s been part of my life, and I have decided that this year I want to beat my personal best for the Meningitis Trust. Now that it’s out in the open, I really have to do it – and what better incentive than to fight back against the disease that could have killed me.

Like many others, I run because it allows me to eat what I like, guilt free. But, I’m sure like everyone else who’s signed up to do the marathon this year, training can be a hassle – particularly when it’s dark outside when you wake up and it’s too cold or wet to even want to leave the house.

But, saying that, I find autumn and winter is the best time to train. Because it’s so cold outside, the need to stay warm keeps me running much longer than I would if it wasn’t so chilly. And I find taking on fluids during runs can make me feel rather sluggish and heavy, with the drink sloshing around as I run. So, running in colder conditions, when small sips of fluids are sufficient, is much better for me. And the chill in the air definitely helps me keep the momentum going.

I haven’t started my Christmas shopping yet…

Because everyone has busy lives; children, work, home, hobbies and particularly at this time of year, Christmas (and everything that goes with it!), fitting training in with it all can be a bit of a nightmare.

I find that planning my training works best for me; allocating time for training and also trying to fit it in with family activities. For example, at the weekend I often combine my runs with going to the park with the kids on their bikes. We get to spend time together, they get to have fun, I get to do my training and they learn the importance of keeping fit and healthy – perfect.

Training for a marathon needs a lot of planning and a lot of dedication. It’s not the sort of event that you can complete without adequate training. At the moment I’m training 3 times a week. I train better in the mornings after I’ve taken the kids to school, so I often head to the park and do as much as I can then. By planning my training well in advance, I am able to fit everything else in too. Saying that, I still haven’t started my Christmas shopping yet!

Music is the key…

Once running, finding the incentive to keep going can be difficult. Getting into a rhythm is important for me and there’s no better way to do that than with music!

I can’t do any of my training without my beloved i-pod. It’s certainly my essential piece of running kit. I load it up with fast-paced, feel good songs that will keep me going (and keep me smiling). My favourite artists that I run to are Madonna and Michael Jackson. But, it’s whatever makes you get up and go that’s good to listen to, so whether it’s 80s dance music, or some old classics, turn it up and let the rhythm take you along. You’ll be amazed at how much longer you’ll be able to run for and how quickly the time passes.

Perhaps you’d like to share your favourite training songs with us, so that other Trust runners can upload them, ready for their training? I know that I’m always keen to upload good running songs to my i-pod, so would love to get your thoughts. Email Harriet at the Trust, who will upload to the Trust’s website for us all to see.

Mix things up…

Running can get a bit mundane, especially if you’re doing the same route every time you’re out. Also, I find that road running can become a bit boring, so I decided to look for something to mix up my training with. Gordon and I signed up for a cross country event recently and it was one of the best runs I’ve ever done. It was a mixture of running across fields, wading through bogs and hurtling through ditches!

The best thing was that neither of us checked our minutes per mile timings as there were no mile markers, so we just got on with it. Like many, I find that I can become almost obsessed with my timings, ensuring that I stay on track with my average minutes per mile. But, by taking the pressure off and not knowing what time I was doing, I felt a huge relief and my body was allowed to get on with it. And I really enjoyed it.

Running can often feel like a chore, but it shouldn’t be. I would suggest looking for runs that offer something different to make up your training. And these runs are a full body workout, so although it can feel tough at the time, it really is good for you!