UPS AND DOWNS

Weight: 76 kilos
Time spent running since 15 November: 61 hours 2 minutes
Distance run since 15 November: 560.9 kilometers
Time left: 14 days

The post 25k week started with downs. I had to go to Rome for two days, which in itself is hardly punishment but it meant leaving the family behind and the running. Just as well, as I should not have run anyway following The Race. The real down bit was the owner of the B&B, a not too chirpy guy who speaks nothing but Italian. On Tuesday morn, when he brought me my breakfast, all of a sudden his face lit up and he started rambling about... Mick Jagger!

I have this often, especially when I'm tired and the fatigue has both deepened and multiplied the lines in my face (wish I could still call them mere wrinkles...). People look at me and see the lead singer of the Rolling Stones. I hate that. Had it for at least fifteen years, but I still cannot get used to it.

But Mr Landlord was happy, bless his soul; he gets to see me... sorry, him in real life in summer when he's playing in Rome.

No training Wednesday, but there was good news. I went to the hospital and did a cardio endurance test. There's heart trouble in my (mom's) family and I have a tendency for high cholestorol (under medication) and high blood pressure. But the results were perfect. Nothing to worry about.

I ran a bit on Friday and then again today, when I was hoping to put in 21 kilometers. Only got to about 17. And it WAS my last major training; the rest is downhill to Rotterdam.

But then, to finish on a bright note, I discovered that in the marathon they have groups that run, lead by an experienced runner, at a constant pace. I signed up for te group that goes for 4 hours 30 minutes; my target time is a bit more than that but they don't do slower groups.

And... In the midst of all this, Chui Hsia and I put in an offer for a house just outside Brussels. If we get it, it'll be grand... Wonderful house with lovely garden house - to be converted into guest accomodation; start placing your orders now - and a most delightful garden. Pear trees, walnut tree, plum tree, grapevine, a massive and rather wild field of grass, vegetable garden, and all of that bordering on agricultural land.

It may be hard to fathom, but there ARE more important things in life than running. We really hope we get the house. May the gods smile on us.

DONE!

Weight: 75 kilos
Time spent running since 15 November: 58 hours 39 minutes
Distance run since 15 November: 537.9 kilometers
Time left: 21 days

So... The Race, as the organisers call it. 25 kilometers, at least two-thirds of them through forests and fields and including many mud tracks. With devilish steep climbs; the one after 17 kilometers killed my stride completely and forced me to walk a fair bit before resuming my running.

The good newses are that A. I made it and B. I made it in a time 7 minutes faster than my target. 2 hours 38 minutes and 20 or so seconds. That is an average of 6 minutes 20 per kilometer; at the marathon I can afford an average of 7 minutes per kilometer.

So it looks good then? I'm not really convinced, seeing the difficulty I had between kilometers 17 and 25 (well, 23: the last two are never hard). Rotterdam is 17 kilometers longer...

I will take it easy during he week; my body needs time to recover. On Sunday I'll go for a long training run; from there on I'll have to scale down in order to be in the best shape I can be on 15 April.

Oh yes, I did not even finish last... Heheh.

HERE WE GO HERE WE GO HERE WE GO...

Weight: 75 kilos
Time spent running since 15 November: 56 hours 1 minute
Distance run since 15 November: 512.9 kilometers
Time left: 22 days

Tomorrow then. The ultimate test. 25 kilometers over hilly and partly slippery surface.

My aim is to finish, and preferably in under 2 hours 45 minutes. Mind you, that is close to the time of last year's slowest runner in this race. I may be the one after whom they turn out the light.

Wish I could say it will be fun, but I have a hard time convincing myself...

Stay tuned.

GOING, GOING...

Weight: 77 kilos
Time spent running since 15 November: 54 hours 55 minutes
Distance run since 15 November: 501.3 kilometers
Time left: 28 days

The 500+ kilometers I've done since starting my training for the marathon show my dedication. But they hide the fact that I've never been able to run further than about 20 kilometers in one go. The My Asics site, where I have a personalised training schedule, prescribes my longest run for today: 32 kilometers. Instead, I did only 5.5, and that at a leisurely pace. Yesterday's football match (a 10-2 win!) was still very present in my leg and back muscles.

This means that I have no idea how well or badly trained I am. In a week from now I should find out. The 25k from Wavre to Auderghem will push my maximum distance a bit further, on a course that includes long stretches of rolling hills. The first 9 kilometers go down to the lovely Genval lake and should be a breeze. But from there on the track goes more up than down while my energy level will move in opposite direction. I'll be very glad when I see the town hall of Auderghem.

So here's the idea. Take it easy this week (only short lunch runs on Tuesday and Thursday), skip football on Saturday, and then try to complete the 25k. After that I have to again take it easy during the week, but try for a 30k training run on April 1st. From there on, the last two weeks before the marathon I should not be doing any serious training any more.

Getting all pretty real now...

ROAD TO RECOVERY

Weight: 76 kilos
Time spent running since 15 November: 46 hours 18 minutes
Distance run since 15 November: 440.6 kilometers
Time left: 6 weeks

Finally I'm doing some serious mileage again. Today, in Tervuren, I managed an over two hours run (2h11m). It had been a long time. Mind you, according to my training schedule I should be doing four-hour runs by now. This means that I'll arrive in Rotterdam half ready. Also means I have to stay very focused for the rest of this month.

Here's my race schedule (well... ideally):

25 March
A 25k run from Wavre to Brussels (Auderghem)

15 April
The big one: my first marathon, in Rotterdam

6 May
The 15k run through the historic centre of lovely Bruges, which also last year was my warming up for...

27 May
The wonderful event that is the 20k of Brussels

That would add up to a bit over 100 kilometers of races.

But for now, I'll focus entirely on that 25k. If I get through that one alright, then I should have a fair chance of finishing the marathon.