The biggest problem with
running a marathon is that, it’s not just running a marathon. In an ideal
world, you could rock up on the day, bang out your 26.2 miles and then retire
to a local establishment for liquid refreshment and scones and back-slaps all
round.
For the seasoned club
runner, most other distances up to a half tend to be just like that, made all
the sweeter by a new PB or scalp taken. But the marathon is a different beast.
The training is long and arduous, and will affect all other parts of your life.
The sheer amount of time spent training can reduce your social life to a mere
trickle. I’m currently on 60 mile weeks (although I don’t train by mileage) and
although I love every minute of it,
there isn’t a lot of time to do much else, maybe get a massage. We all know
that recovery is just as important as the runs, so it’s unlikely we would
finish a morning track session then decide to scale Moel Famau in the afternoon
with friends.
Even that bastion of
conviviality, the pub, is approached with trepidation due to the impending Long
Run the following day. It lifted my heart somewhat last night, when I arrived
at Penny Lane Wine Bar last night to find that I wasn’t the only one on the
Lime and Sodas. The temptation for beer was great, but I held out, sensibly taking
the car so I couldn’t partake in the alcoholic beverages.
Then, after the work has
been done, the aftermath can be just as brutal. It can be difficult to do a
twenty mile run with race pace sections without feeling like a total zombie for
the rest of the day. The sofa is usually the furthest I get on a Sunday
afternoon.
Of course, the rest of the
household also has to suffer along with the runner as well. The mixture of
selfishness, focus and bloody-mindedness brought on by marathon training can be
a toxic combination.
I’ll admit I’m struggling on
this at the minute. Of course I want to spend time with Steve as I’m out on the
roads so much, but I also want to socialise with my squad-mates as they’re
going though exactly the same as I am and there’s solace in the sharing of an ordeal.
Understandably, my beloved wouldn’t be massively keen on spending an entire
evening with a load of runners talking shop.
I’m afraid I haven’t got
an answer for this one…
8 Weeks To Go…
I know what you mean. Sometimes on the weekend I'm useless after my long run. I prefer to do them on a Saturday when I can, so I've at least got the Sunday to make up for the lack of willing with a lie in for the wife etc.
ReplyDeletePlan a week off and a weekend away for just the two so that you can re-invest all the "lost" time. WHilst not an ideal situation - it is a pragmatic one. It's either that or take a night off 1ce or 2ce in your schedule. It won't kill you but may make the odds and show what you are willing to sacrifice for your long suffering partner!
ReplyDeleteI am thankful I am single at times...
Ditto. We are all doing the same at moment. London Manchester Brighton Paris take your pick.
ReplyDeleteWe tend to go out after and have breakfast together, make it a bit more of an occasion. My OH runs too which helps.
I was impressed that PLS had a wine bar before I realised you just meant a bar on PL:)