Running plans and running problems

I'm training for the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon.

It's taken me a while to be able to say this, because I've been injured - but I'm determined now! It won't be fast and it won't be pretty, but I'll do it.

Shortly before the Edinburgh Marathon in May I developed plantar fasciitis. I've never had any running-induced injuries before, other than twice tearing ligaments after falls, so I decided to ignore it. I still don't know if this was the wrong thing to do - I'd trained hard for the Edinburgh marathon and I'm glad I saw it through, I'm really proud of my 4 hours and 12 seconds. But subsequently I've read that taking a break as soon as possible is the best thing to do for plantar fasciitis, and maybe if I'd done that, I would be pain-free by now. Which would be nice.

I think the fault came from a pair of 'real life' trainers - not the shoes I ran in but the shoes I wore to college. They were pink Nike pegasus 29s and they looked really lovely. I got them in John Lewis, and even though they are officially running shoes, the man in John Lewis was obviously a suit salesmen and didn't even ask if I was a runner, let alone probe me about my tendancy to pronate or weekly milage! Never knowingly undersold, but also a bit shit.

Because I didn't run in these shoes I didn't click that they could be causing the problem, so I wore them until a few weeks ago when the podiatrist pointed out that they're really quite minimalist, which she demonstrated by being able to wring them out like a dishcloth! This is just not possible with the Asics I run in. The difference in stability really took me by surprise. So, without the Nikes, things aren't rosy yet, but I do feel a bit better.

I saw a sports therapist who suggested lots of calf stretching and quad stretching - which of course will never go amiss - but it wasn't making much difference. At the end of July with a heavy heart and an aching foot, I told my running coach Angie that I was going to take a break. It was a one-month break where I tried to do only low and no-impact activities. After the initial few days of misery, it turned out to be okay. I went to the gym every day, did cardio for up to 90 minutes with the intention of not losing my fitness. I still don't like the rower and the bike, but I have grown to feel fond of the eliptical and some of the free stepping machines where you get to leap like a gazelle.

So, after a month off, I really didn't feel any better. I saw a podiatrist. I'd avoided seeing a podiatrist because I suspected I'd be told to stop running long term and I didn't want to be told that. So when I saw Jacquie I was very surprised when we got to the end of the consultation, and that advice had never come. I agreed to be fitted for orthotic insoles, and asked her if I should stop running? She said she wasn't going to advise that, because I love to run, and the chances of tearing my plantar fasciia or my achillies (which is playing up on the other leg) were no higher than they would be if I wasn't injured. So basically, as long as I could put up with the pain, I could keep running. Basically, if I was tough/nuts enough. Great news!! I am both tough and nuts, so there's no stopping me!

I went back to running and although the first week was truly horrible and made me wonder why I ever began running in the first place, I've been back for two weeks now and it's not too bad. My foot still hurts, but last week I got my orthotics and they difference they've made has been quite incredible. Even after a few minutes in them the pain I have on standing up (when my muscles have shortened and need to work again) was dramatically reduced. This really cheered me up and made me feel very excited! I haven't run in them yet but I'm looking forward to breaking my feet in enough to do that.

The worst thing is that I seem to have lost all my speed. Before I took the break, my easy pace was about 8.30/M, and now if I manage a mile in under 10 minutes, I'm doing really well! I'm shocked at how much speed I've lost, especially when I worked hard not to lose my cardio fitness. Even my ten minute miles make me feel like I'm giving everything I've got and have my heart rate at 160+.  But I'm grateful to be running again and looking forward to completing my third marathon, even if it does turn out to be my slowest.

Dear Trevor and Angie...

I got through my first marathon experience with a whole lot of help from Marathon Training Academy. It's a US-based running institution run by a couple called Angie and Trevor. They record podcasts full of running information and helpful chat. The podcasts have informed me, made me laugh and kept me company throughout my marathon experience. Pretty much from the first time I listened in (after I'd decided to run a marathon) I was mentally writing to them to thank them for their support. So today, about 10 weeks after downloading my first MTA podcast, I'm finally writing that email.

"Dear Angie and Trevor,

I feel like I've known you both a lot longer than only 10 weeks! That was how long ago I downloaded my first MTA podcast and began my marathon journey. I'm writing now to thank you for your support and to tell you that I really probably couldn't have done it without you.

I live in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. The Edinburgh Marathon runs right past my street. It's flat and fast. You should definately come some time and see how we do marathons in the UK. From what you've said, we do them a bit smaller than you - what's an expo?!!

Angie, you talk a lot about building a solid running base. I spent quite a while working on that - I went from couch to marathon in 15 years! I never thought I'd run a marathon. Even when, after 2 kids, I ran my first half marathon; and even in 2011 when I ran 7 half marathons, I never thought I wanted to tackle the full 26.2. But I was casually browsing through a local property magazine, and spotted a lottery style competition to win a free place in the 2012 Edinburgh Marathon, I entered, and won! (I guess most other people reading the magazine were a bit busy buying and selling property to run marathons!)

This was with just 8 weeks to go till race day. This was what worried me - my regular running week totalled 25 miles, would that be enough to enter a training programme with just 8 weeks to go? Both of my marathon-running friends were ambigous about it - much sucking of teeth, and ooh, well, maybe if you don't get injured... So I decided to try out the training programme and see how it went. As I hadn't paid for my entry, I wouldn't have lost anything if, after a few weeks, I pulled out and ran the half marathon instead.

Although I'd run so many halves before, I'd never followed a training programme, just routinely came in at about 1 hour 50 minutes. This training discipline was going to be a challenge, and for the first few weeks, I literally thought about nothing else. I could hardly sleep. I had so many questions! What's The Wall? What about fuelling? What on earth is Tempo? I am so grateful to have found your podcast. You gave me the information I needed, in a friendly and helpful way, and you never once made me feel less than invincible. And I could listen to you while I ran too. Perfect!

Well, the deadline for half marathon entries came and went, and I was still on for the full Kraken-unleashing 26.2. The training was amazing. I was so excited at the prospect of 16 miles; then 18; then, 20 miles and the most awesome post-run breakfast ever!! And as a happy by-product of my training, my kids can now get their own breakfast without me. Result!!

The week leading up to race day was hot - much hotter than anything I'd run in before. That week was the first time this year I've been running without a jacket! Although it was probably cool compared with some of the temperatures you and other listeners have endured. I stressed about  the temperature all week - I didn't worry about anything else, though, because I knew I was prepared and I'd done as much as I could. I hadn't missed a single training run or cross-training day.

Race day was hot. But the 26.2 miles came and went. I kept fuelled and hydrated. I dug deep. I listened to your podcast on marathon success stories, where someone helpfully pointed out that if Oprah and George W Bush could do it, then so could I. And I did, in 4 hours 19 minutes. I finished strong, crossing the finish line doing an 8.21min/mile and a celebratory "YES!!" and leap in the air. It was the most amazing feeling.

The pain in my legs for the next 4 days was extrordinary - I wasn't prepared for that! And Angie, you keep quiet about toenails, don't you?! My technicolour toenails are the least pleasant part of the whole experience! My final race injury was funnier though - the next day, wearing flip flops to let my poor toes recover,  I dropped my race medal on my foot and was bruised for a week!

I can't wait to do another marathon. At the moment I'm not signed up for any other races, and I'm feeling crabbit (that's a Scottish word for grumpy!), twitchy and bereft.

Thank you both so much for everything that you do. You're right, I DO have what it takes to run a marathon and change my life. Thank you for believing in me, thank you for telling me everything I needed to know, and thank you for helping me finish strong and leap across that finish line. "You guys are awesome!"

Elspeth xxx"