Joined the S2F training group at Fed Square again this morning, with the long run group led by Clarkey and Rob planning to do 34km. Eat ‘Em joined the group too.
We ran down towards Port Melbourne and headed down Beach Rd, turning around at Brighton Baths. We headed back up Beach Rd, around Albert Park Lake and then around the Tan. The left forefoot pain and right calf/achilles pain both raised their ugly heads again. The forefoot pain started to be noticeable as early as the 15km mark, but re-lacing the shoes (loosening them), one of the ActiveFeet suggestions yesterday, seemed to help a fair bit. The right calf tightening and pain hit me again just under 30km – I think my calf muscle must have a 30km use-by! As we got to Anderson St, about the 29.5km mark, the group was heading for another loop down to Church St and back to make up the 34km, but I and another runner decided to head back at that point, shortening our run to about 32km, 33km if I count the walk back to the car.
So, what does this do to the marathon plans – well I guess it just makes it definitely a “just try to finish it” race. I notice too that there is a 5 hour cut-off, so I think the plan is to try and join the 4 hour “pace bus” and stay with them for as long as possible, then to try and struggle home in less than 5 hours.
Perhaps this nearly 50 year old body isn’t meant to be running marathons after all – I think it will be a one time only effort.
